COVID era challenges continued in recent weeks with remote learning and the constant need to adjust to shifting rules and expectations. I would like to record my gratitude to all of our College Community for the flexibility and cooperation shown in the rapid transition into and out of remote learning. While I don’t have a crystal ball I think is unlikely to be the last time we are required to make this transition. Since remote learning was forced upon us last year I have maintained the view that, while there are major challenges, there is a significant silver lining with young people developing their time management and ability to learn more independently. Two important skills for the world beyond school.

On an international level, we often hear that educational standards in Australia are falling relative to those in other parts of the world, particularly some parts of Asia and the Nordic region. At a recent conference interesting figures were presented suggesting that while Singapore, Korea, Taiwan and Finland score highest in standardized maths testing, their students record the lowest scores on ‘perceived entrepreneurial capability'.

Australia sits in about the middle of the field with moderate maths scores and moderate levels of perceived intrapreneurial capability. There is a strong argument to be made that young people with a balance of mathematical and intrapreneurial capability are better equipped than those with high levels of one and little of the other.

The same presenter provided some interesting figures about factors influencing the amount of time it took a young person to obtain full-time employment after their full-time education ceased. Two of the most significant factors were ‘enterprise skills’ and ‘an optimistic mindset’, both of which are the outcome of PBL teaching methodology done well. The author concluded, “Young people who are able to build transferable enterprise skills, such as problem-solving, communication and teamwork through formal education can accelerate their transition to full-time work by 17 months.”

Our goal at St Joseph’s is to ensure that every young man graduates with the capability and commitment to be successful and make a difference in the world. Our commitment to effective project based learning methodology helps us realise this goal.

There have been some developments in recent weeks on the College grounds. The project to develop the lower floor of the Peter Chanel Centre has commenced. Our builders, PLAN Group have commenced with establishment of the worksite and we expect the project to be completed in early September. The College has also purchased the dwelling at 1 Leslie Lane. This house sits on the College side of the lane behind the Heritage Centre adjacent to Zampatti oval. There are no immediate plans for the development of this site. The Carey Oval pavilion project is currently out to tender and we hope that work will commence in the coming weeks.

And to finish… a question for all within our community. What will you BE? Answers to be provided by you from June 14.

God Bless

Sunday the Church celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi, acknowledging the sacred in the elements of the Eucharist. This Friday is the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, revealing Jesus’ compassionate love for humanity. Edmund Rice shared this same compassion for those most in need in his community.

In Pope Francis' recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti calls us to open our hearts to the world and to be a compassionate presence so that life might flourish in its fullness for Earth and its peoples. Primarily it calls us into a ‘Culture of encounter’ with our brothers and sisters. (30) “To speak of a “culture of encounter” means that we, as a people, should be passionate about meeting others, seeking points of contact, building bridges, planning a project that includes everyone. This becomes an aspiration and a style of life.” (216)

It is often these moments where we have ‘Eucharist’ moments of breaking bread with the other, nourished by word, presence and sustenance. Our community of St Joseph’s has been busy as ever over the last term developing a culture encounter as students and staff who are living our theme this year, ‘Living the Golden Rule in the year of St Joseph.’ Having recently completed a Middle Leadership Program with a group of St Joseph’s staff led by The Brown Collective’s founder Stephen Brown, one key takeaway for me was that the word culture comes from the Latin word ‘To care’.

Leah Irving our Identity Team’s Service Learning Coordinator has recently launched a new initiative for our senior students and staff that is truly a living example of this through, ‘Mac & Joes – Nourishing Neighbours Connecting Community’. Mt Sion students and all staff have been invited to cook meals in the senior kitchen for home delivery to McKellar Centre palliative care patients, their carers and families. Students earn two House points and two hours of service-learning credit for each session completed.

I attended the last session before our lockdown and it was just the most amazing experience of encounter as students worked in pairs following their recipes, chatting away while preparing delicious meals. Once the meals were packed into their containers and the ‘Mac & Joes’, label stickers went on (designed by Art teacher Charlie Purdy) did the further culture of encounter take place. As the students delivered the meals on a trolley to the McKellar staff members van and then gathered to hear where the meals were going and stories of gratitude from recipients of the previous week's meals.

Palliative care at home aims to support people living with a terminal illness to spend as much time as possible in their own home with the care and support of family, friends and community. Families within the St Joseph’s College community have already been the grateful recipients of some of our meals. Palliative care concentrates on a person’s quality of life by managing symptoms and meeting a person’s social, emotional and spiritual needs. It also provides advice, support and education to family and friends. The patients, their carers and families all around the Geelong region gratefully receive our meals.

Due to COVID restrictions impacting on our ability to cook on campus for the rest of this term, staff, students and families are requested to please cook at home for McKellar Centre patients and carers in palliative care.

How to get involved: 

From today until the end of Term. 

• Collect Mac & Joes containers from the staffroom, College reception or outside the Service Learning office. 
• Cook a soup or meal at home. 
• Put the food in the containers provided. 
• Write the ingredients on the label. 
• Return the food to College Reception before school. 

It is great to have students back onsite and return to face-to-face classes. Once again, our staff and students have shown their ability to quickly adapt to the changing environment. With a new round of restrictions imposed on schools we will be adapting some of our programs and information sessions over the next couple of weeks to an online environment, however we plan to move ahead with end of semester examinations.

Here is a summary of events that will be occurring at each Sub school over the final couple of weeks of term.

Mt Sion

GAT – 9 June – has been postponed for all students studying a VCE Unit 3 & 4 Sequence (New date to be confirmed)

Year 10 Allwell Testing (Academic Assessment Services) – 9 June  – postponed

Senior School Subject Expo – 16 June  – will be delivered online. Please find attached an invitation with a link to access all information regarding subject pathways and subject selections.

On Demand testing in English and Mathematics classes will occur in Year 10 over the last fortnight.

Year 10 and 11 Examinations will occur in classes in the last week of term, or per schedule

Note: The VCE Unit 3 & 4 Examination timetable has been released by VCAA and can be located using the following link VCE Unit 3 & 4 Exam Timetable

Westcourt

Careers Week during week 8 during scheduled class time.

On-Demand testing in English and Mathematics classes will occur in Year 9 as part of their exam week.

Year 9 Examinations will occur as per scheduled in the last week of term.

Year 9 Westcourt Expo – has been cancelled due to restrictions, as it involved several external members of our community onsite.

Waterford

Year 8 Allwell Testing (Academic Assessment Services) –17 June will be postponed if restrictions have not eased.

On Demand testing during English and Mathematics classes in Year 7 will occur in the last fortnight.

On Demand testing during English and Mathematics in Year 8 will occur in the last fortnight.

Year 8 will have an English Exam and Mathematics Exam on Tuesday and Wednesday during the last week of term.

Exam Timetables

Year 8 June Examinations

Year 9 June Examinations

Year 10 & 11 June Examinations

All Year 11 exams are in the gym on Monday 21 June and then in normal classrooms as per your SIMON timetable for the remainder of the week.

All Year 10 Examinations are in classrooms, as per your SIMON timetable

The print and digital displays in the library in the last few weeks of term will feature resources that encourage an understanding of the perspective of others, particularly refugees to Australia. It is important for all students to see themselves reflected in the books that they read and for that reason we continue to develop a diverse collection of resources. It is also important for students to read about the experiences of others so that they develop empathy and understanding. The QR code in the graphic is a link to some of the resources that we have available in the library collection.

This term, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have begun the Wan-Yaari Program with Lowell Hunter. The meaning of Wan-Yaari is to Listen, Learn and Understand.

This is a program that aims to provide guidance, support and cultural learning. The six-part program seeks to improve engagement in education and provide culturally appropriate support and guidance for these students. The program will see the boys participate in a range of workshops both here at the College and on country. They will be facilitated by Lowell as well as other First Nations men who come from a range of industries and backgrounds. In the sessions, they will share their stories and experiences and provide our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys with opportunities to uncover more about their culture and identity.

The boys recently participated in a workshop with Lowell and Ricky Kildea of Marngrook Designs. Lowell and Ricky spoke to the boys about running a business and how they can tell their stories through their art. The boys painted footballs with their designs and totem symbols.

We look forward to watching the boys grow in their knowledge and understanding of their cultures and thank Lowell and Ricky for providing these opportunities for our First Nations students.

Study skills and resources

Lisa Tran has developed a series of free resources and study guides for high school students.

Whilst many of the resources are targeted to VCE students, HSC students will benefit from tips on study skills and how to write essays.

YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/227DGng

Australian Defence Force Gap Year Program

Current Year 12 students can apply for a 12-month position in the Air Force, Army or Navy to begin in 2022. To explore the positions available and to apply, go to https://bit.ly/2uW1hzI

Swinburne University

Work Integrated Learning Guarantee

Did you know that Swinburne guarantees that all students studying a Bachelor degree will have access to industry experience through placements, internships or industry-linked projects? It’s called the ‘Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Guarantee’.

Prospective students and their families can find out about this program through an online webinar being run on Wednesday 16 June at 4pm. To register your place, visit https://bit.ly/3yMGAEx

Have you considered vocational education and training (VET)?

This includes – apprenticeships, traineeships and TAFE study. Did you know that 77% of VET graduates secure employment after training?

VET is one of the most progressive forms of education available to school leavers. It’s in touch with the realities of the current and future employment market – because it’s entirely driven by the employment market.

If you would like to learn more about VET and why you should consider gaining a VET qualification after school, go to https://bit.ly/2xiZBTf to check out the ‘VET. It’s Right Now’ video initiative.

What type of apprenticeship would you be suited to?

Taken from the Australian Apprenticeships Pathways website.

“Career evaluation is constant and unending especially for people who are considering their next career step. Career choices can be difficult as there are so many options out there.

It can be easier if you know which Work Types you prefer and what career options they lead to. These Work Types are identified through a Career Interest Explorer, co-created in consultation with Australian Centre for Career Development and focus on apprenticeship and traineeship career pathways.

There are seven Work Types in total which can lead to different industries and occupations. While it may be easy to choose the best known occupation in a Work Type, it may not be the best option for you.

Realistically, an occupation can be linked to many Work Types, but focusing on your primary Work Type can help narrow down the industries or occupations that may interest you.

Below are the seven Work Types that are linked to apprenticeship or traineeship occupations. There may be some occupations that you may not have even thought could be done as an apprenticeship or traineeship”.

• Analytic and Scientific
• Creative and Artistic
• Helping and Advising
• Nature and Recreation
• Organising and Clerical
• Persuading and Service
• Practical and Manual

Go to https://bit.ly/3pkVCx3 to complete a career interest quiz, research occupations that align with each work type, and to further research your apprenticeship and traineeship pathways.

Interested in Veterinary Nursing?

This is a fantastic occupation for those who are passionate about working with animals. Veterinary nurses assist veterinarians in all aspect of animal patient care, including surgical procedures, laboratory testing, medical treatment, and consultations.

To become a qualified veterinary nurse, you usually have to study the Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing whilst undertaking employment, work placement in a Vet clinic.

This can be completed through a traineeship, VET study or online study. Once qualified, you can undertake further study to specialise in dental, surgical or emergency and critical care.

For information on this occupation, go to https://bit.ly/2IRNcv0

You may also consider studying a paraprofessional qualification at the university level:

Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing

La Trobe University

This is the first paraprofessional veterinary nursing qualification of its type in Australia, www.latrobe.edu.au

Bachelor of Veterinary Technology

Charles Sturt University

This course can be undertaken at the Wagga Wagga campus, in partnership with GO TAFE, Wangaratta or online, www.csu.edu.au

The University of Melbourne - Updates

Prospective students – get in touch!

High school students can sign up to receive news about courses, events, key application information, accommodation, and scholarships etc. Register via https://bit.ly/3fN9f1R

Learn about courses

You can download the 2022 undergraduate course guide and faculty course guides via https://bit.ly/3fN92M6

A Day at Melbourne

Year 10 and 11 students are invited to get a taste of the university experience at Melbourne. Students will have the opportunity to attend lectures and interactive workshop sessions that will challenge them to think critically and gain insight into the broad areas of study available to them.

They’ll also have the chance to chat with University staff about courses, accommodation, scholarships and student societies at the course and student services expo. All students will enjoy a tour of the Parkville campus. There are two sessions running – you can choose which session to attend.

Date: Thursday 8 July

Morning session - https://bit.ly/3wOgJdm

Afternoon session - https://bit.ly/3vJb4oM

Meet Melbourne Live

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

There is one webinar left – Bachelor of Music on Wednesday 2 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

Mathematics and Statistics Undergraduate Experience (Online)

The University is hosting a 2-day undergraduate experience for students in Year 11-12.

Throughout the event, students will gain insight into the mathematical and statistical courses offered in the undergraduate degrees. Students should be studying advanced mathematics.

Date: Thursday 1 - Friday 2 July

Information and RSVP: contact Sam Povall for information, [email protected]

Upcoming career events

Australian Catholic University - Experience ACU

Experience ACU is a free event allowing prospective students to participate in workshops and activities tailored to their study area of interest.

Students can choose workshops from a range of study areas including nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, education, physiotherapy, psychology, sports and exercise science etc.

Melbourne campus: Tuesday 29 June

Canberra campus: Tuesday 6 July

Ballarat campus: Tuesday 28 September

Information and registration, https://bit.ly/34cGZlD

Monash University

Monash Indigenous Winter Camp

The Indigenous Winter Camp aims to provide Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students from year 10-12 with an in-depth insight into university life, while focusing on team-building, meeting new people, culture, confidence building and health and well-being. The program will run between 27 – 29 July. For information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3gHAlsx

Digital Open Day

Monash will be running a Digital Open Day for prospective students on Sunday 25 July. This is open to all students and their families. You will be able to find out about courses, accommodation, pathways, scholarships and student services, www.monash.edu/open-day

Do it with DATA: Tackling climate change

This event for Year 12 students will reveal how the power of information can be harnessed to reverse climate change and champion a healthier world. Students will engage in on-campus activities and workshops. Must have completed or be studying Unit 3-4 Mathematical Methods.

Date: Tuesday 29 June

Venue: Monash Clayton campus

Information and RSVP: https://bit.ly/3wt83cn

Discover Business

Join the Monash Business School Discover Business taster sessions and choose from a range of activities to learn more about the many different courses and careers available across all areas of business, economics and commerce. For Year 11 and 12 students.

Date: Wednesday 7 July

Venue: Monash Caulfield campus

Information and RSVP (closes 23 June): https://bit.ly/3bUGp06

Upcoming career events

Monash University – Inside Monash

Monash 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 www.monash.edu/inside-monash

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

Virtual Careers Expo 2021

Connecting students to more than 50 tertiary providers including Torrens University Australia, Virtual Careers Expo provides a wealth of information on course offerings, study options and career outcomes.

Students from anywhere in the country can log in to explore virtual expo halls, tune in to seminars and presentations, download course guides, take virtual campus tours and connect with staff and students.

Date: 16 July 2021

Information and RSVP: https://bit.ly/3ffrPSS

Western Victorian Careers Expo

This event will be run online and there is a huge range of exhibitors that students and families can connect with. Whilst this event is targeted to students in Western Victoria, all prospective students are welcome to participate.

Date: Tuesday 22 June, 9.30am – 3pm. Information and RSVP: https://bit.ly/3fuUdhR

Missed the Year13 Expo?

Don’t worry – you can still watch some of the webinars that were recorded.

• Go to https://year13.com.au/ and sign up for an account
• Navigate to the Expo
• Watch the available webinars

Victoria Police

For career information session dates, visit

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

Deakin University

Discover Deakin

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

Accommodation

Find out about accommodation at Deakin University by tuning into an online webinar during July, https://bit.ly/2RRPCj2

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 June and July.

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.

June

July

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

Endeavour College of Natural Health

Endeavour College is located in Melbourne and offers courses in the following study areas: Acupuncture, Myotherapy, Naturopathy, Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine, and Complementary Medicine.

The College is running two open days for prospective students in July.

On-campus: Saturday 19 June

Online: Wednesday 30 June

For information and to RSVP, visit www.endeavour.edu.au

If any Year 7 or Year 10 student missed their school immunisation please see details below.

Please note that Westcourt Campus will be closed during the two-week holiday break from 28 June – 9 July. Edmund Rice Campus will be closed from Monday 5 – Friday 9 July inclusive.

Please note that Friday 25 June is a student-free day and Term 2 will finish at 3.20pm on Thursday 24 June.

7B have been releasing some creativity by creating their own visual representations of Jesus - well done boys they look great! 

Our 2021 Fashion Dinner will be held on Friday 20 August at Mt Duneed Estate.

Early bird tickets will be on sale Monday 5 July! 

Back in 2007, a Christian Brother arrived in Mannya on a visit to the St Lukes’ Catholic Parish in Mannya. Back then the rural area lacked basic infrastructure even in education and health care. St Joseph’s Kensekka Vocational Senior School was established nearly four years ago with the support of St Joseph's College. Since inception, we have been able to support the purchase of 17ha of land on which the school is constructed, construction of four permanent classrooms which is still ongoing, two iron sheet walled and roofed classrooms and most recently construction of a dam to provide water to the school and other recurrent expenditure. 

Over the past five years St Joseph’s College Parents & Friends group have dedicated their premier event, the Fashion Show and Dinner, to raising much-needed funds for projects in Kensekka. We are proud that this charitable work has raised over $120,000 which has directly benefited this community. In 2021 we hope to continue to help finance the completion of a much-needed second classroom block. There is a sense of hope that now permeates the lives of the families in this community and the huge contribution that St Joseph’s Geelong has made towards this. 

We could only do all this work because of the essential contributions of our sponsors and guests. As you can see this is a community that is close to our hearts and those of the over 300 generous guests that come along and enjoy this special fundraising and social event each year. 

We would like to invite local businesses to join us and be promoted as partners and sponsors on this engaging evening. You will be joining a generous list of charity associates who have been involved over the years. 

If you would like to be involved either by donating an item for the silent auction, be a table sponsor or sponsorship please contact one of our Fashion Dinner sub-committee members on [email protected] or via phoning 5226 8122

Thanks to our presenting partners this year Gartland Property, Sip Sip by 63 and Waurn Ponds Hotel. 

The College would like to congratulate Charlie Ham (SJOC 2020) on being selected by North Melbourne with pick number 16 in last week’s AFL Mid-Season Rookie Draft.

Charlie – brother of Essendon young gun Brayden (SJOC 2017) and former PE staff trainee Sheldon (SJOC 2019) – was overlooked in the 2020 AFL National Draft after missing the cancelled NAB League season with the Geelong Falcons. He worked extremely hard to achieve his goal of finding a place on an AFL list with his dedication and determination ultimately being rewarded.

Ham played 6 games in the Year 10 football team in 2018 finishing 3^rd in the Best and Fairest before featuring in 3 First XVIII matches whilst juggling Geelong Falcons commitments as a Year 11 student.

We wish Charlie all the best with his career at North Melbourne and can’t wait for him to get his chance to play.

Support The Barwon Health Foundation by volunteering for the Barwon Health Foundation Giving Weekend

The Barwon Health Foundation Kids Appeal is raising funds for a brand-new rehabilitation centre for Geelong children and young adults with complex care needs. The state-of-the-art centre will include a gym, consulting rooms, a therapy kitchen, an outdoor therapy space and consult rooms. Treatments range from physical, speech and occupational therapy to social work and clinical psychology.

These children and young adults are currently treated in the Community Rehabilitation Centre at the McKellar Centre, which has been designed for adults. However, children are not ‘little adults’ and local families need facilities designed just for them. To tailor programs to each child and family’s needs, Geelong needs a specific rehabilitation facility for children and young people with complex care needs.

Barwon Health Foundation Giving Weekend is solely based on the support of amazing volunteers raising funds over two days. We are only $150,000 away from making the centre a reality, and with your help we can achieve that goal. You can register as a team or individual. To get involved, please complete the following registration form

Due to popular demand, MAV will again offer the VCE Revision Program as a self-paced, interactive, online course in 2021.

Course videos are delivered by highly qualified, experienced teachers and current VCAA exam assessors. Students will receive the most relevant and up-to-date information, and the tips will be based on where students typically make mistakes in their VCE exams.

• Watch over 3 hours of presentation videos from VCAA assessors.
• Hear where students tend to go wrong.
• Loads of common exam questions and how to solve them.
• Insights into a VCAA maths exam and how to smash it!
• Videos from TI-Nspire and Casio experts demonstrating how to
maximise your use of CAS technology.
• Access to exclusive live webinars with VCAA assessors where you get to ask
them questions.

DETAILED REVISION NOTES

All students who register will receive a comprehensive book of revision notes
including:
• Tips for exam success.
• Tricky past exam questions with solutions.
• Common exam questions with solutions.

One subject for $60 or two subjects for $100

REGISTER NOW AT
www.mav.vic.edu.au/student-activities/VCE-revision-program

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

First XVIII Football

Year 10 ACC Football

Year 9 ACC Football

First XI Soccer

Year 10 ACC Soccer

Year 9 ACC Soccer

Hazy Tales Pottery Studio - School Holiday Pottery & Craft Sessions

Tuesday 29 June - 1:30-3:30pm kids pottery class

Wednesday 7 July - 10:00am - 12:00pm kids pottery class

Wednesday 7 July - 1:30pm - 3:30pm kids bath bomb class

Additional classes will be listed if these book out. Adults may book a spot for themselves to join in and make something as well. 

Fee $45 per person for 2 hours. To book visit https://hazytales.com/events/