Principal's Christmas Message
Principal's Blog
Dear Parents and Carers
This is the final newsletter of the year and I thank those of you who have read it each fortnight. As things changed rapidly during this year we needed to put out additional communications but the newsletter was, and remains, our chief means of communication with families. The next communication we plan to send will be on December 30 informing you of the VCE results.
As always at the end of the year we farewell some staff, thank them for their contribution, and wish them well as they move on to new challenges:
Teachers
• Damian Harrington – to Iona College
• Lauren Flint – to Iona College
• Marnie Lunnon-Johnson – to Newcomb Secondary College
• Erin Norman – to Loreto College Ballarat
• Peter Grant – retirement
• Chris Lahey – to Kardinia International
• John Stephenson – Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association – Brisbane
• Tanika Richards
Support staff
• Julie Cole – to Iona College
• Sarah Klein
• Gabby Eckhardt
• Hailey Haynes
• Lucy Luo
• Anne Papke - retirement
• Ryan Birthisel
• Charlie Walter
We also thank and wish well those staff who have been working with us in short term replacement roles: Grant Byrne, Noel Kelson, Thanh Le Rodda and Grace Wiedemann.
Last week the College Board held its final meeting for the year. After months of online meetings it was good to gather face to face, particularly as it provided the opportunity to thank and farewell retiring Board members James Crough, Mark Nicholls and Br Roger Cripps.
Br Roger’s departure from the Board is quite significant. In 1878 the Christian Brothers arrived on our school site and took over the care of 78 orphans at St Augustine’s orphanage. The Brothers have had a continuous presence in some capacity on the school site since that time, initially in the orphanage and later as part of the College from 1935. Farewelling Br Roger, while sad in that it is the end of an important element of our school, it was also an opportunity to give thanks for the contribution of the Christian Brothers to the St Joseph’s Community.
As we reach the end of this quite remarkable year it is timely to reflect on all that took place. Our community has been challenged by the events of the year. We have grieved together, learnt together and been there for each other. The author Christina Engela writes about the effect of adversity and suffering on people stating “You are strong, tempered like steel in the fire and by the blows of the hammer of life. Nothing will break you again, only make you stronger and more whole”.
The ‘fire’ that was 2020, while it has been awful and difficult in so many ways, has had this effect on us. As well as making us stronger, it has taught us resilience and flexibility. I think it has also made us all more aware of the needs of others, more attuned to helping them and more prepared to ask for and accept help when we are in need. We are a stronger community than we were a year ago.
With the focus on COVID-19 and the constant changes, there doesn’t seem to have been much time to think of Christmas this year, yet it is only 2 weeks away. At Christmas we celebrate the presence of Christ in our world and our lives. Scripture tells us that this was marked by a bright star over the stable at Bethlehem. In 2020 St Joseph’s College has been that star for many of our students and families and the broader community. Thank you for all that you have done in support of the College this year.
I wish you and your families a very safe happy and blessed Christmas.
Stay well and God bless
Graduation 2020 ‘The Journey’s just begun…’
It was with a big sigh of relief and excitement that we have been able to gather as a faith community to conclude the year and celebrate the Graduation of our 2020 students in innovative ways. On our last day of the college year, we gathered in our Period 1 classes and offices to take part in a student led, End of Year Christmas Liturgy via a Teams link on screens.
We gathered as a school family in our sacred space, our St Joseph’s College Chapel via video link. We began by reflecting on waiting. This year, we’ve done lots of waiting – waiting for online deliveries, waiting to be able to visit loved ones, perhaps waiting for test results, waiting for a time when we can mix freely again. Advent is about waiting too. But in a good way!
Christmas is a very special time of the year for us as Christians. It is the time when Jesus the Son of God was born to us. This baby Jesus would go on to become the one of the most influential persons in the world. Who could have thought that a baby born in a stable 2000 or so years ago would now have a third of the world’s population claiming to follow him.
So, as we were gathered in our sacred place after the COVID challenges of 2020, we asked that Jesus and the spirit of Edmund Rice be with us as we joined together celebrating hope triumphing. We welcomed Fr Joseph Panackal from St Mary’s Parish who joined us remotely for parts of the liturgy to send a Christmas prayer and special blessing on all those staff who are retiring or leaving this year to new positions.
In our Gospel reflection we focussed on how, the first people to visit Jesus were shepherds - common, hard-working people. This emphasized that Jesus has come to bring messages of love and inclusiveness to the poor. Jesus himself is born as one of the poor, a refugee, born in a stable. As we celebrate this Christmas, we remember that, just as Jesus identified with those who are poor and rejected by others, we are called to be humble, inclusive, welcoming and to care for those in our society who are who are in need, as Jesus, Blessed Edmund Rice and St Mary MacKillop did. This is what many of our students have done this year, when they have participated in Service Learning.
In the spirit of Christmas giving, our staff have donated a Christmas hamper to Vinnies Geelong and a ham and homemade short bread made by a food technology staff member, to ‘The Lazarus Community Centre Geelong.’ It is a place for people to feel safe and welcome. Somewhere where they can take a shower, wash and dry their clothes, have a light lunch, participate in activities, meet with volunteers and receive support from specialist homelessness staff. All people are welcome whether they are homeless or not. We will continue to support the Lazarus Centre in 2021.
Friday afternoon, after the lockers were cleared out for the summer, the college came to life again as we welcomed back the Year 12 students of 2020 for their Year 12 Graduation Ceremony.
The quad was abuzz with reunions of students, selected staff and Education Support Staff who had journeyed together with many of the students over the past six years. It was a joy to chat to several of the students that I had welcomed to the College as their Year 7I Homeroom Teacher and to hear what plans they had for the years ahead. Our Education Support Department, led by Mark Turner, have played an integral role in the liberating and inclusive education so many of our students have received at St Joseph’s, such as the staff Christine Morris, Lisa Northey and Eliza Jane- Rundle, who have been Education Support Officers (ESOs) all the way through for some of our students from years 7-12. We thank them for their dedication in living out the Edmund Rice spirit in all they do.
The Graduation Liturgy began with an Acknowledgement of Country by our Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Captain Flynn Kinsey wearing the possum skin cloak and a hand painted tie gifted to him by Aunty Sue Collins created by Uncle Norm Stanley.
Each of our Touchstone Prefect Leaders and House Leaders represented the student body by participating in an aspect of the liturgy. Cassie Gleeson, the Head of Mt Sion proudly shared how, ‘…it had been a privilege to see you all work through an extraordinarily tough year with incredible resilience and strength.’ Year 12 student Henry Stephensen lifted our spirits with his opening song, ‘You Raise Me Up’, accompanied by Michael Wilding. The 2020 College Captain, Freddie Dripps, gave an inspirational speech about gratitude and resilience. Principal Tony Paatsch’s speech led us into the much anticipated Senior leadership, Excellence and Service Award recipients with a reflection on Matthew’s Gospel 7:12, ‘Do to others what you have them do to you’, often referred to as the Golden Rule. This teaching can be found universally, across Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. “These ancient teachings from Christ…and Confucius, Buddha and of Hindu tradition remind us that this golden rule is in fact the golden ticket to a well lived and happy life.”
Congratulations and blessings to the Class of 2020! Your journey to a well-lived and happy life has just begun!
The year of ‘Wellbeing’
It certainly might not feel as if this has been a year of ‘being well,’ it is not really the way anyone would describe the passage of 2020.
But it would certainly be fair to say that we have not really heard the word ‘wellbeing’ quite as often, or used it in our personal vernacular, or even felt the need for a hug or a holiday quite as much as we may have this year.
As we close our College for the summer break, we wish all boys and families happiness and good health over the few weeks away from studies and regular responsibilities.
Be You/ Headspace released the attached PDF to all schools to assist senior students in maintain or re-setting study goals, as we look forward to 2021. I hope some of you access the helpful contacts offered here.
And – did we do okay this year?
Our Mt Sion students were invited to reflect on their own path of resilience in this short YouTube clip – a song titled ‘On Track’ by Tame Impala. It might provide you with a tiny sense of having achieved something pretty important this year. Resistance, resilience, positivity.
See you on the other side of the summer break, and stay safe.
Help for Year 12: 30 December 2020 – 4 January 2021 (12:00 pm)
The Careers Coordinator will be working from home to assist Year 12 students in December (30 December 2020 – 4 January 2021). Students will receive their ATAR and results from 7:00am on 30 December. They will have until 12:00 pm on 4 January to finalise their preferences before this change of preference period closes.
Students will be able to access assistance and advice via a zoom meeting with Karen Shum. Students can request a zoom meeting via email, from 8:00 – 9:00 am each morning from 30 December – 4 January. During this time, students will be emailed their allocated time for their zoom meeting. Zoom meetings will be restricted to 20 minutes to allow everyone to chance to access help. Students can also contact Karen Shum, via email, to ask questions [email protected]
Students are also able to access University and TAFE providers during this Change of Preference period. There is further information below on how the Change of Preference period works as well as where to access higher education providers through the Good Universities guide.
Change of Preference
Change of Preference (CoP) gives you the chance to add, delete and reorder your university and/or TAFE preferences.
If you receive an offer, you will be offered the course highest on your preference list you are eligible for (you have met the ATAR and selection criteria requirements).
It is also the last chance you have to make sure your preference list reflects what you would like to study in the future.
Good Universities Guide is running online Change of Preference Expos in each state to assist students through this process.
The Expos will be online, enabling students to connect directly with university and TAFE staff, regardless of whether you are celebrating your results at the beach, relaxing in between movies or sorting out your Christmas shopping.
For information on dates and how to register, visit:
https://events.gooduniversitiesguide.com.au/
Accessing Unit 3/4 RESULTS – Students in Years 10, 11, 12
More information on Change of Preference
A huge congratulations to Nicholas Dowling who was chosen by Brianna and David Morgan as the first recipient for the Geelong Athlete Centre 12 week training scholarship.
We had a huge response and a very tight time frame to choose the first winner due to the end of the school year looming. However we want to thank all of the outstanding applicants for applying and encourage them to re-apply each term for the remaining 3 scholarships on offer.
We look forward to following Nicholas’ journey at GAC and watching him flourish in this exciting opportunity. A huge thankyou again goes to Brianna and David at GAC for allowing SJC to offer this incredible opportunity to our students.
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 who celebrated their Graduation last week.
Photo albums from the event are available on the College Facebook Page.
Ceremony & Certificate Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=StJosephsCollegeGeelong&set=a.3456090854428851
Social and Group Photos
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=StJosephsCollegeGeelong&set=a.3456141727757097
The full video recording will be available soon!
Well done to everyone this year who got involved in Movember.
We raised $13,529.
We MOVEd 1124kms.
We had countless numbers of conversations, all in efforts the change the statistics surrounding men's health.
WELL DONE!
Remember, this fight doesn't just happen throughout Movember, we need to continue to change the way we act, talk and support each other. Continue to check in on each other. Listen and look for signs that someone you care about isn't doing well. And most importantly, always know it is ok to have bad days, to feel vulnerable and to show those you care about that you do love them.
Term 1
Friday 29 January - Thursday 1 April
Term 2
Monday 19 April - Friday 25 June
Term 3
Monday 12 July - Friday 17 September
Term 4
Monday 4 October - Friday 3 December
* Finishing dates may vary for different year levels in Term 4 due to senior classes having exams etc. All dates may also be subject to change. Please keep up to date with the College newsletter for the latest information.
COLLEGE OFFICE CHRISTMAS BREAK
The Edmund Rice Campus Office will close on Friday 18 December at 12.00pm and reopen on Monday 18 January at 8.00am.
Westcourt Campus Office will close on Monday 14 December at 4.00pm and reopen on Wednesday 27 January 2021.
Have a wonderful Safe and Happy Christmas.
UNIFORM DONATIONS
The College is very greatful to our generous families who donate their son’s uniforms.
Uniform donations can be delivered to the Edmund Rice Campus during business hours.
The College ensures these are cleaned / dry cleaned and passed on to families in need.
Thanks very much.
How exciting to see FOUR of our Old Collegians selected in the 2020 AFL Draft!
Congratulations to:
Oliver Henry (SJOC 2020)
Cameron Fleeton (SJOC 2020)
Tanner Bruhn (SJC Student 2015-2017)
& Charlie Lazzaro (SJC Student 2015-2017)
The College community sends our congratulations and wishes you all the best of luck in your future AFL careers. We will be cheering you on from the top of Newtown Hill! 😀🖤💛❤🏉
Join us for a Day on the Greens for our SJOCA Associated Cold Tread Tyres Golf Day on Friday 12 March 2021!
Held at the beautiful 13th Beach Golf Course in Barwon Heads. All Old Collegians, students, staff, parents, friends and family are welcome. Teams of up to 5 players can play in the Ambrose style competition with some great prizes up for grabs. All abilities are welcome.
The day includes:
• Green fees
• Supper
• Golf Day Raffle ticket
• Drinks available at bar prices (No BYO)
Great Array of Prizes:
• Creek & Beach Course winners & runners up
• Nearest to Pin x 8
• Longest Drives for Old Collegians’ Year Level Competition
• Betting Hole on each course
Prices
$140 per player
$125 for SJOCA Members
$95 for SJC students (ID required)
13th Beach FULL Members pay $90
Book Online:
Sponsorship packages available
Contact Kristen Gleeson
Ph: 52268120
Email: [email protected]
Proceeds from the day go towards supporting bursaries for needy families at St Joseph’s College Geelong.
Need tyres? Contact Associated Cold Tread Tyres.
www.associatedcoldtreadtyres.com.au
The College yearbook Virtus is currently in production, due to the delay with results being released this year, the Yearbook will be finalised in 2021 and distributed to students when it has been completed.
A poetry collection about faith, doubt, hope and self-acceptance.
‘Stripped of Her feathers.
Hope is unstoried now.
She is no longer solid.
Nor liquid sweet.
In the cold dark matter
She moves through spaces between
To arrive as a silky fragrance
Healing places tenderly.
Gentle and unassuming.’
About the author: My name is Kate Erlenbusch and I teach English, Humanities, Religious Education and Well Being at the SJC Westcourt Campus. When I am not educating the young men of SJC, or chasing after my own energetic sons, I write poetry that explores spiritual questions. Hope unfeathered is my first published poetry collection. I believe it makes a great gift for the spiritual seeker or poetry lover in your life. The book is available for purchase online and at the following local boutiques:
Quirk collective
8/111 Pakington Street
GEELONG WEST
Minkind
1A Minvera Rd.
Herne Hill VIC 3218
For more information email [email protected]
The St Joseph’s College Foundation would like to express our sympathy to the family and friends of former Foundation Chair (1997 – 1998) Trevor Earle, who passed away on Thursday 3 December.
Trevor was a member of the SJC Men's Association working team for many years along with former Principal Peter Cannon on the same team. The famous Ken Moorfoot was their Captain.
The Foundation was somewhat struggling during the initial establishment and Peter asked Trevor if he would take over and be the Foundation Chair from 1997 which he accepted. Trevor was in the role for two years until Kevin Costa became Chair in 1999. Trevor began life as a fitter and turned at Ford, and he became a highly successful Manager of the Engine Plant.
Jan Earle, is one of longest standing volunteers here at Joey’s, in particular for her work in the canteen feeding generations of boys for over 30 years. She is also a College Foundation member, McNeill Society member and a Josephine.
Deepest Sympathy to former wife Jan, and their three children, Nicki, Natasha and Nathan (SJOC 1993) , the Foundation will always be appreciative of Trevor’s role in the early years of our Foundation to become what it has today, in our 25th year.
“Our hearts go out to you all as we pray “That God will welcome these faithfully departed into His loving arms. And that precious memories will be of comfort to those left behind, knowing that their love will live on in their hearts forever.”
The volunteer staff at the Ocean Grove Vinnies, including the Grandma of one of our Year 12 students were filled with joy at receiving a Christmas hamper from our staff that will go to families in need. Due to COVID we did not do our normal manger donations from across the staff so remaining funds from Service Learning Athletics Day BBQ were used to purchase items to create a 2020 hamper for Vinnies.
Our local Geelong Parishes are calling on parishioners to also participate in the Vinnies Christmas appeal.
Will you help Vinnies in this Christmas Appeal?
Your donation may assist with:
• The Christmas Hampers which our conference takes to so many families before Christmas
• Toys or activities for children, included in the hampers for families with children.
Our Geelong region of Catholic Churches are opening again, check your local parish website or Facebook page to see how to book in a seat for your family at a weekly Sunday Mass during this Advent/Christmas season. They are also continuing to live stream their masses.
Hazy Tales Holiday Pottery Classes
Hazy Tales Studio will be holding a series of pottery classes over the holiday period.
For further details: