This week the College celebrated Reconciliation Week. Our weekly Monday morning staff prayer took place in our indigenous garden adjacent to Zampatti Oval where the recently commissioned sculpture of Bunjil holds pride of place. Later in the day we held a full school assembly. Like most of our assemblies it was almost entirely conducted by students. Speakers included students with Aboriginal heritage, Torres Strait Islander heritage and non-indigenous backgrounds. The key message of the assembly was that reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-indigenous people of Australia, for the benefit of all.

As I listened to the students speak I was reminded of a review of the College in which I was involved in about 2007. One of the recommendations was that the College should do more to engage with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community of Geelong, (there were 4 boys of indigenous heritage at the time). I remember our initial reaction was to wonder whether there were many indigenous families in the region. Over time we have seen more families come to understand that their boys belong at St Joseph’s and we currently have 18 boys who add so much to the richness of our College. The assembly reminded me of our achievements in this area but also of how far our nation still has to go in achieving full reconciliation and equality for all Australians.

One of the great joys of my role is to be able to connect with leaders of other similar schools. Last week I had the privilege of attending the Edmund Rice Education Australia National conference and would like to share a little of it with you.

The theme of the conference was “look out the window to the quay”, words spoken as a challenge to Edmund Rice when he was planning to join a monastery to flee the sadness of a dead wife and disabled daughter. He was challenged to do something for the poverty-stricken uneducated boys hanging around the Waterford docks. He accepted the challenge and a few hundred schools later in 1935 St Joseph’s commenced.

The conference presented four stories chronologically. The 13.7 billion-year-old story of our universe and the intimate web of interconnectedness and interdependence that it generates. Then the story of Australia’s First Nations peoples whose story began about 60 million years ago with the dreaming. Then the 2000-year-old gospel-based story of Jesus bringing the reign of God into the world. Finally the story of Edmund on which our College heritage is based. It was a beautiful way to reflect on our place in the world.

Locally and more recently our local story is a heritage of service and care for the Geelong community. A school and teachers house on this site in 1854 followed shortly after by a corrugated iron church. An orphanage in 1857, a sandstone church in 1858 (on the current O’Driscol Oval) demolished in 1900, St Joseph’s College version 1 opened in 1890 then closed in 1893 (to support boarding at St Patrick’s Ballarat). St Joseph’s remaining closed until 1935 when Brother Butler became the first Principal and enrolled 128 boys.

We now express this service and care with our four touchstones of Gospel Spirituality, Liberating Education, Justice and Solidarity, and Inclusive Community. All of these can be seen in the 85 (or 167?) years of education here.

May I take this opportunity to remind everyone that any student with COVID symptoms should be tested and remain isolated at home until they receive a negative result. If a member of the household is symptomatic and has been tested but a student has no symptoms he may continue to attend school. For students not at school, an outline of work for each class is available to them to ensure that they do not fall behind with work.

Stay well and God bless

As part of our commitment to ‘acceptance of all people’ and our determination to be linked by what we share rather than divided by the differences between us, St Joseph’s hosted the inaugural ‘Diversity/ Rainbow Alliance Meet and Greet’ on Friday 14 May at the College.

Our gathering was held after the school day had concluded, for any interested students and staff from Sacred Heart, Clonard and Geelong College.

Together we shared afternoon tea and traded ideas: what each school was doing at present in the area of recognising and respecting gender diversity; what people wanted to achieve as we move forward as an alliance, and how we could be a voice in the wider community that validated respect for all people.

The young people at the meeting were passionate and excited to be able to link together and they will continue to promote understanding and activities through their Instagram group. They have prioritised spreading a greater understanding of the language we use to define people, and talked about the importance of having a physical space that offers them the opportunity to grow their group and their voice as they move forward.

We, as staff present, felt enormous pride in the vision that the young people shared and felt excitement for them as a group. I am sure we will see further activities planned as the four schools work together in the Diversity/ Rainbow Alliance.

2021 marks the 20^th year of Reconciliation Week and the theme this year is ‘More than a Word’.

The time has come for all Australians to now take real and meaningful steps towards the process of reconciliation, deep listening and healing. We are challenging all members of the St Joseph’s community to make a commitment this year to take real actions to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and issues. To connect with our local Wathaurong community. To follow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, activists, artists and storytellers. To support causes that advance reconciliation and aim to close the gap on educational and health outcomes. This year, St Joseph’s has planned many events during Reconciliation Week including our fundraising film night at Reading Cinemas in Waurn Ponds on Monday 31 May, 6.30pm, where we will be screening High Ground and raising funds for the Opening the Doors Foundation. The Opening the Doors Foundation is an Aboriginal-led community organisation supporting educational opportunities for Aboriginal children. The Foundation enables Aboriginal students to participate fully and equally in education, and supports their families to make their own choices about their children’s future. The Foundation believes that consistent support and self-determination are key to raising dreams and aspirations of the next generation. 

Due to the Government announcement regarding a 7 day lockdown in Victoria, our High Ground Movie Night has been postponed. We will advise of an alternative date once we know more about when restrictions will allow us to hold it. Thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket - we are still hoping to be able to screen this for you all! Stay tuned

HIGH GROUND MA15+

Set against the stunning landscapes of 1930s Arnhem Land, HIGH GROUND chronicles young Aboriginal man Gutjuk, who in a bid to save the last of his family teams up with ex-soldier Travis to track down Baywara - the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, who is also his uncle. As Travis and Gutjuk journey through the outback they begin to earn each other's trust, but when the truths of Travis' past actions are suddenly revealed, it is he who becomes the hunted.

On Wednesday 5 May, the Year 9s in the Science of the Sea class attended the Melbourne Aquarium.

We were taken around the property by Olivia, who showed us penguins first, telling us about their adaptations and advantages that they have to survive in the harsh climates of the artic. This included having blood vessels running directly from their heart to their feet to allow rapid and increased blood flow to their feet, so that they don’t freeze from standing on the cold ice.

Next, we visited the large circular tank which had bright and vibrant species all throughout the tank. Coral and fish littered the tank, with highlights including a giant eel, royal blue tang (or dory to most people) among other species. Our guide explained the types of considerations for the aquarium when deciding which specimens to include in each exhibit – these included predator / prey relationships, migration habits, and the size of particular species. We learnt that sea dragons like to do a particular mating dance where they come from the bottom of the ocean up to the surface prior to mating, and that other aquariums had not been able to breed seahorses because their tanks had not been deep enough to allow the seahorses to perform the full dance. This was an excellent example of how aquariums are able to study particular species in order to learn more about their behaviours and survival mechanisms. We also learnt that emperor penguins migrate and often walk more than 100km when doing so. As such they are not suited to a small exhibit due to their need to migrate.

For each exhibit the aquarium also considers the abiotic factors like temperature, water, air, sand, rocks and light levels in trying to mimic the ecosystem that species would normally exist in. Sometimes they change the temperature of the water in order to trick certain species into thinking it is migrating into different waters.

Other exhibits we visited included sharks, stingray, sea jellies, and the saltwater crocodile. At each exhibit we discussed and learnt about how the different species adapt to assist their survival. These adaptations can be behavioural, structural physiological. For example, the salt water crocodile has a behavioural adaptation to open its mouth to cool down, while a physiological adaptation of the same species is the extremely strong stomach acid they have, which is needed so that the crocodile can digest things such as bones.

Overall it was an enjoyable day and a great opportunity to see a range of different marine species and learn about them.

Our Unit 1 Outdoor and Environmental Studies classes have recently enjoyed a trip to Urbn Surf in Tullamarine to experience how great a man-made wave can be! As well as enjoying the surf on offer, they also had a behind-the-scenes tour of the facility and learnt all about the technology behind Australia’s first wave park. It’s been an experience they won’t forget in a hurry!

Weekly Career News

Wednesday 19 May 2021

Apprenticeships and Traineeships

What maths skills does a professional tradie need?

Think that if you’re a budding tradesperson, dropping maths is no big deal? In actual fact, hands-on construction gigs use numbers a lot more than you’d think.

Here, we look at how algebra, trig and basic area skills are just as important to a successful tradie’s toolkit as a fancy drill, https://bit.ly/2LHdSh4

Tradies 2.0: the tech tools taking over

With the modern day tradie's toolbox packed with more tech than tools, they're now more reliant on STEM smarts than ever. Here, we unpack the new gear shaking things up, https://bit.ly/2Xfh3lw

Trade career websites

• SkillsRoad, www.skillsroad.com.au
• SkillsOne, www.skillsone.com.au
• Rural Careers, www.ruralcareers.net.au
• Plumbing, https://bit.ly/3cK82qT
• Defence Force, www.defencejobs.gov.au
• Bricklaying, https://bit.ly/2AHmthp
• Rail, https://railcareers.net.au/
• Marine & boating, https://bit.ly/2ZfXGLz
• Australian Apprenticeships Pathways, www.aapathways.com.au

Exciting STEM resources

What’s your STEM + X?

STEM + X is how you create your dream career. Take a STEM discipline and mix in your X (your passion or hobby) and you've got a one-of-a-kind career! Take our quiz and we'll make finding your STEM + X super easy! https://bit.ly/3yjaQ9z

15 jobs that don’t exist…yet

What will a job search look like in 2050? No-one knows – but one popular estimate suggests 65% of primary school-aged kids will end up in yet-to-be-created careers.

We’re guessing packed with next-gen STEM gigs in cutting-edge fields like Augmented Reality (AR), data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based service roles.

Careers With STEM looked into their digital crystal balls and came up with 15 jobs they think you might find advertised in 30+ years. And yep, all of them require STEM skills! https://bit.ly/3feuXfP

7 paths to computer science careers

From horse paddocks to high-rise apartments, there are many ways to plug into coding. Meet the 7 people taking wildly different paths to a career in computer science, ending up in unexpected places, https://bit.ly/35tVFws

5 signs you should be a maths teacher

See if maths + education is the right STEM path for you! https://bit.ly/3yjaQ9z

Chat to a science student

Year 12 students interested in studying a science degree at Monash University are able to book a 1:1 chat with a Monash science student, https://bit.ly/3fpvqwp

Animation and Interactive Media

RMIT top in Australian and Global Animation rankings

The 2021 Animation Career Review rankings have been published and the RMIT Bachelor of Design (Animation & Interactive Media) has been ranked again #1 in Australia and #8 worldwide.

Students in Animation courses are “immersed in specialised design laboratories and studios from day one,” and all courses are taught by practicing artists, designers, and industry practitioners. To read the 2021 Animation Career Review articles, click on the links:

Worldwide rankings, https://bit.ly/3ykevnL

Australian rankings, https://bit.ly/3u1zQ1H

University – early entry programs (Year 12)

The following early admission programs are open now or will be opening soon.

VICTORIA

La Trobe University

La Trobe Aspire Early Admissions Program.

Applications close 17 September www.latrobe.edu.au/study/aspire

Victoria University

VU Guaranteed

For selected schools.

Applications close in September or October

https://bit.ly/2Kw3ND6

CANBERRA

Australia National University

Direct early entry program

Applications close Monday 24 May. www.anu.edu.au

NEW SOUTH WALES

Charles Sturt University

Charles Sturt Advantage Program

Applications close 31 May (Round 1)

https://bit.ly/2UmOlgT

University of New England

Direct Early Entry Program

Applications close Friday 17 September www.une.edu.au

MULTIPLE STATES

Australian Catholic University

ACU Guarantee

Applications open Tuesday 1 June

https://bit.ly/38PiLiA

TASMANIA

University of Tasmania

Schools Recommendation Program

Applications close 18 June (Round 1)

https://bit.ly/2R8K1UZ

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)

The following information has been copied from a Defence Force Recruiting Newsletter.

ADFA is situated in Canberra and is a university like no other, offering combined military and leadership training, with a world-class degree from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

It has the best university student-to-teacher ratio in the country, amazing sports and recreational facilities and is one of Australia’s most respected universities.

Why ADFA?

• The education and experiences of ADFA will equip you to deal with the professional and personal challenges of your chosen career
• Be trained in the art of leadership by experienced military professionals
• Access exceptional sporting and recreational facilities and be a part of a wide variety of sports and special-interest clubs
• Earn your degree from UNSW
• Choose from a range of degrees - Arts, Business, Engineering, Information Technology, Science and Technology
• Enjoy free medical and dental, subsidised food and accommodation
• Receive a starting salary of over $40,000 plus super while studying and no Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) fees.

For more information on ADFA call 13 19 01 or visit http://bit.ly/1d0fiI6

UNSW Law

If you are in Year 12 and considering studying a law program at UNSW you will need to sit the Law Admissions Test (LAT). You will first need to register for the LAT by Friday 13 August via the ACER website then sit the test. For information on the process and law courses at UNSW, go to http://bit.ly/2qmr2V9

Flinders University, Adelaide

The University allows students to undertake the UniTest for selected courses, which enable them to be considered for both the ATAR and UniTest results through the selection process. For information about the test and how to register, go to https://bit.ly/2PLuzJj

Planning on studying teaching in the future?

If you are planning on applying for an undergraduate education degree in the future, you will need to be aware of selection criteria for each state.

Victorian courses

Achieve a minimum ATAR of 70

Some universities will require a higher ATAR. You may be able to access entry into courses with a lower ATAR if you are eligible for ATAR adjustment points.

Complete the CASPer test

This is an online video-based situational judgment test. The test is designed to measure ethics, empathy and communication (selected universities will require this), https://takecasper.com/

Achieve prerequisites

Meet the requirements for prerequisite subjects.

Achieve minimum study scores

This will vary between universities.

For NSW based courses

Teaching Questionnaire

You may need to complete a Teaching Questionnaire via the Universities Admissions Centre.

Motivation to Teach

You may need to complete a Motivation to Teach statement direct to the university.

Achieve prerequisites

Meet the requirements for prerequisite subjects.

Achieve minimum study scores/bands

This will vary between universities.

Please contact the universities you will be applying to for specific information.

Monash University - information Evenings

Monash staff will be running information evenings for prospective students living in regional areas. For information and to register visit www.monash.edu/information-evenings

The following are dates for May:

Monash University – Inside Monash

Monash University is running a series of information evenings for prospective students focussed on courses and study areas in May and June. For information and to register visit www.monash.edu/inside-monash

May

June

You can watch recorded seminars from past events via www.monash.edu/inside-monash

Victoria Police

For career information session dates, visit

www.police.vic.gov.au/police-information-sessions

Australia Defence Force

For career information session dates, visit www.defencejobs.gov.au/events

UNSW – Medicine Information Session

The next Medicine Information Evening for Year 11 and 12 students will be held via a live stream on Monday 24 May, https://bit.ly/3eC9TRX

Deakin University – Discover Deakin

Deakin University is hosting the following online seminars for prospective students in May and June. The seminars will showcase courses at the University, https://bit.ly/2Phjwfa

May

June

Victoria University – Undergraduate Webinar Series

Victoria University is running a series of information evenings for prospective students focussed on courses and study areas in June.

For information and to register visit https://study.vu.edu.au/ug-webinar-series

RMIT University – Discover What’s Next

RMIT University is running the following online information sessions for prospective students in May and June.

These are events not to be missed as you will receive up to date information for the 2022 intake and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about courses.

May

June

For information and to register for sessions, go to www.rmit.edu.au/events

The University of Melbourne

The University of Melbourne has hosted online webinars for prospective students about courses.

There is one webinar left – Bachelor of Music on the 2^nd of June.

If you missed the following previous seminars, you can watch them on demand. The following course areas are covered:

For information, visit https://bit.ly/3egroGe

Lattitude Global Volunteering

Learn about overseas gap year volunteering programs. Date: Tuesday 1 June (virtual webinar).

Information: https://bit.ly/3y6gAnk

Term 2 - Upcoming Events

Every day - CUT THE WRAP

Monday 31 May Enviroservice, (3:30pm-5:30pm), Edmund Rice Campus

Saturday 5 June World Environment Day, theme: Ecosystem restoration

Tuesday 8 June World Oceans Day

POLYMER RECYCLING WORKSHOPS

On Thursday 13 May, former student Sam Lancaster together with Adam and Ashlee Slater, Zero Plastics Australia, visited St Joseph's Edmund Rice Campus to conduct Polymer Recycling workshops with Ms Michelle Anderson's Year 11 VCAL students, providing insight into the opportunities relating to reprocessing plastic polymers.

Sam's presentation raised awareness of the demand and supply of recycled plastics from a business perspective and he worked with students to explore ideas for circular economy with local businesses. Adam and Ashlee Slater from Zero Plastics Australia, conducted workshops on reprocessing polymers, providing students with first-hand experience to witness the process of injection moulding and students were able to take home a product at the end of the day. Adam and Ashlee produce an array of recycled polymer products including; clipboards, pens, coasters, carabiners, planter pots & jewellery and are the first company in Australia to create a recycled polymer mould for USBs.

In collaboration with staff from the Geelong Tech, VCAL students have been developing their own Injection Mould designs, to be used in our CR Clarke Injection Moulding machine throughout the remainder of the term.

For more information on Zero Plastics Australia, visit the following website: https://zeroplasticsaustralia....

ENVIROSERVICE

On Wednesday 19 May, several students volunteered to commence the Gate 5 garden upgrade project. Students worked exceptionally well to move existing mulch aside, in order to lay new blended soil prior to planting. The two species planted include Lomandra Little Con (Lomandra confertifolia) and Common Everlasting (Chrysocephalum apiculatum). Year 10 Environmental Science students subsequently completed the planting and Sustainability Leaders have been productive, following up with watering the new plants in. The second garden bed is scheduled to be upgraded during the next Enviroservice session, to be conducted on Monday 31 May.

EMBANKMENT MAINTENANCE

In conjunction with the National Reconciliation week, VITA students have been industrious, removing weeds and spreading mulch over our indigenous food species garden area to the north of Aphrasia Oval. In just two seasons after planting, many of the saltbush species are now producing berries for insects and native mammals and birds to enjoy. Whilst there is still a great deal of necessary maintenance on the embankments, the progress is very rewarding.

COMMUNITY NOTICES

CALLING FOR BOTTLE TOPS

To support our VCAL students with their recycling endeavours, we are calling for clean plastic bottle tops with numbers 2 or 4 only. Bottle tops can be delivered to the reception area of either campus.

WAURN PONDS CREEK CLEAN UP SUNDAY 6 JUNE- SERVICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

On Sunday 6 June, the "Friends of Waurn Ponds Creek" will gather between 9:00am and 12:00pm to conduct maintenance of the most recent National Tree Day site. Their ongoing efforts to create of a nature corridor along the Waurn Ponds Creek, are in a bid to save the vulnerable and threatened Yarra Pigmy Perch, believed to now only exist in the Waurn Ponds Creek and the Thompson Creek. For more information, visit the following website; https://www.friendsofwaurnpond...

On Friday 14 May our Parents and Friends group hosted their annual Trivia Night in the staffroom. It was great to be back after missing last year's event due to COVID. Nearly 200 participants attended with 19 tables of teams – thanks to all our teams who got involved and were part of the night: 

• Liquid Amber
• CBF's
• Chosen Ones
• NATTA
• The Pretenders
• The Smartini's
• Just Guessing
• The Tryhards
• Trivia Newton Johns
• International Brigade
• Sticky the Stick Insect
• Mavericks
• Tequila Mockingbird
• Can't Remember - Winners for 2019
• When's the Footy On?
• The Sanitizers
• Don Quizotee's
• And the winners are with 250 points
• Popes and Bishops

We were thrilled to have quiz master Simon return, he did a fantastic job with the questions and the running of the night.

The giant lolly jar, scratchie tree and raffle were well received. Thanks to our sponsors – Ghanda, Lipari Espresso Bar, Valley Inn, Cotton On, Back Bar Choir and local supermarkets for making our prizes possible. Congratulations to the lucky winners.

The evening ended with a sudden-death playoff between teams ‘Can’t remember….winners from 2019’ and staff table ‘Don Quizotee’s’. The Don Quizotee’s had it and well done to teacher Andrew Branchflower for taking it home….just! I’m sure you’ll never forget the year the Titanic sank…..

It was a great night, and on behalf of the P&F and Community & Development team, we thank everyone for attending and helping our Parents & Friends raise $4,500 for the College! A great result.

Over the past 2 years Year 7 student Harley has been busy lobbying for a much-needed new BMX track/skate park/ playground precinct in Meredith. He personally put forward a written proposal back in early 2020 in which he undertook surveys, created a design and consulted many families in the town about what they would like to see in this new precinct. Harley has also partnered with the local police officer to continue to rally the Council and promote the need for this space in his town, he also received a Golden Plains Youth Award last year for his outstanding efforts within the community.

Last Friday a phone call came through to inform Harley that his proposal has been approved and will receive a half a million dollars funding for the project in this upcoming budget. This is fantastic news for the town, and his family are super proud of his relentless work to get this across the line.

Harley attended the official announcement on Monday in Meredith with the Mayor and members of Parliament. Congratulations Harley! 

Read the full ABC news article on Harley by clicking the link below: 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/20...

Click on the link below to view the latest ACC Sports Results for

First XVIII Football

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