Dear Parents and Caregivers

Like the end of Term 1, Term 2 has begun in way that no one could have ever imagined. We have found ourselves all being asked to do things outside of our comfort zone, with greater purpose, as the act of social distancing could ultimately save the life of another. Over the last month our focus has very much shifted from our normal daily routines and this has been a result of the uncertainty of the times and our personal reflections. We are all now dealing with the challenges associated with the changes to the way we live, learn, work and connect.

As a College we have been busily planning for the changes that we are now encountering which has placed our students and teachers in an online teaching and learning space. New systems and procedures have been drafted, tested and finalised to support this new approach. Our learning management system CANVAS, is providing the platform for our teachers and students to connect, learn and strive to overcome the challenges with online learning. It is no secret that students and teachers thrive best in a face-to-face learning environment that places relationships at its core and this is the greatest challenge with online learning.

The transformational change required of the educational sector in a matter of weeks has been phenomenal. Our teachers assisted so adequately by our school officers, are rising to the challenge and working tirelessly to ensure continuity of learning and just as importantly, that the connection between our students and the College is maintained. I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the Teachers, School Officers and my fellow College Leadership Team members for their incredible efforts. I would also like to congratulate the students for their efforts during this first week. I have taken the opportunity to sit in on a number of online Teams meetings and spoken with a great many teachers who have been very pleased with the efforts of the students.

I would like to highlight the extensive information regarding online Learning, communication, academic / pastoral / counsellor and financial support that is included in this week’s newsletter and I thank my colleagues for sharing this information.

A special welcome to our new staff, Mrs Kirstie Andrews our teacher librarian, Mrs Shai Eather who is replacing Mrs Paula White who is on leave for Term 2 and to Mr Brendan Stokes who is replacing Mrs Shelly Fawell who left us at the end of Term 1. We hope that you enjoy your time at St Joseph’s College. We also welcome back Ms Jessica Trinder from maternity leave who will be undertaking a part-time position.

As a Catholic community who have just experienced an Easter period like none we have ever experienced before, may we draw strength from the Easter message of the Risen Lord and the transformational power of Jesus to help us navigate this extraordinarily challenging time. May we pray that we all become grateful for the simple things in life. We will no doubt become more appreciative of the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and we may in fact end up experiencing greater connectivity than we have ever before.

Best wishes for the upcoming fortnight.

Take care.
Kort

 Wednesday 29 April, 2020

Wednesday 29 April was timetabled as an Assembly, the Cross Country and Parent Teacher Interviews.

Cross Country

With the introduction of COVID-19 restrictions, the Cross Country has been postponed at this stage.

Assembly – Long PC

During the scheduled Assembly time, students will be working with their PC teachers.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Under the current circumstances, traditional parent teacher interviews are unable to go ahead.  Teachers who have indicated on report cards that they requested an interview, will make contact with you during the next fortnight via phone calls or emails if they have not already done so.  If you have a specific concern or question and wish to contact a teacher, please ring the College and leave a message for the teacher to contact you as you would normally. Therefore, staff will be using this time to contact parents particularly those with whom they requested an interview.

After Period 1 which is Assembly/Long PC, there are no classes scheduled for this day.

Children of essential workers will still be supervised at school.

Students working at home or at school could use this time to:

• Take a break and rest from screens
• Catch up on missed work (especially if they have SBAs etc)
• Engage in a creative activity, eg music, craft etc

Students who are being supervised at school, might like to bring in a book, board game, knitting.

Please do not hesitate to contact the College if you have any questions or concerns.

ANZAC Day

This year we had to get a little creative to find a way to come together as a community to honour the ANZACs and all those who have fought for our country. This came in the form of an online liturgy using a video put together with the help of many people within the community. Together, the College watched this video as a way of honouring all of those that have served and giving them the respect that these brave individuals deserve.

College Principal, Mr Kort Goodman, gave an address to begin this liturgy highlighting the importance of coming together to celebrate events such as these. He also encouraged everyone to respond to the call of the Queensland RSL and ‘light up the dawn’ this Saturday morning, by going to the end of your driveway at 6am with your family to light a candle as a sign of respect and remembrance for all those that have served our country and fought for our way of life.

If you would like to watch the video for yourself, please click here.

Lest We Forget

Assessment Dates

Changes have been made to assessment and due dates because of the COVID-19 disruptions.  Year 12 students and parents have been sent a copy of the new assessment calendar in place for the remainder of the year.  Students in Year 7 to 11 will receive a revised Assessment Calendar by the end of Week 2, as many items are needing to be adjusted.

 QCAA Confirmation

From Tuesday 21 April to Friday 24 April 2020, approximately 2,900 QCAA assessors (confirmation) from across Queensland reviewed more than 8,000 samples of student responses to summative internal assessment for General and General (Extension) subjects to ensure that we have a confirmed result for all students.  Undertaking the review meetings through an online, remote working arrangement required assessors to be flexible and to engage with the QCAA at key points during the review process.

Congratulations to the following staff members who were involved in this process this week.  Gabrielle O’Reilly,  Mrs Emily Whiting, Cathie Barton, Kerrie-Anne Fellenberg, Cate Park-Ballay, Angela Harris, Megan Scott, Peter Keightley, Kellie Ford, Chrissy Dwyer, Maree Harman and Mitchell Wheeldon.

Short Courses in Literacy, Numeracy and Mighty Minds Course

Thank you to Year 12 parents who have responded in expressing interest in their son or daughter completing these online courses to assist in achieving credit points for their QCE.  Permission slips via the broadcast sent at the end of Term One, closes on Friday 24 April.  Please note that these courses are available to Year 12 students and will commence later this term.  More information will be provided in the coming weeks to those families who have responded.

QCAA Factsheets

QCAA have updated their website with important information for parents and students during this time.

The fact sheets below offer students advice on how to prepare for external assessment and study strategies to use while learning from home.

• Preparing for external assessment (PDF, 137.5 KB)
• Students learning from home: Advice for parents/carers (PDF, 289.8 KB)
• Effective study strategies (PDF, 148.2 KB)

Last reviewed: 21 April 2020

https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/coronavirus-updates/for-students-and-parentscarers/factsheets

https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/coronavirus-updates/for-students-and-parentscarers/parent-and-student-faqs

Online Learning

Great teaching and learning occurs in our classrooms, but we like all schools in Queensland are now presented with a challenge: to what extent do our existing models translate to home-supported learning?

Our teachers have been working hard to create online lessons for students using our Learning Management system – CANVAS and incorporating learning activities including Teams meetings, Online Quizzes, Discussion boards and projects.  I hope you have had an opportunity to observe what teachers are doing to support their students.

The starting point for all teaching is good pedagogy. A variety of high-impact strategies are deployed by teachers each time they walk into a classroom and they are adapting these strategies within their online lesson planning.

Approaches, such as metacognition and self-regulation, feedback, and reading comprehension strategies, are necessary and we can be confident that they can improve learning when effectively implemented.

Students who can plan, monitor and evaluate their own learning will demonstrate greater independence (Quigley et al., 2019).  We believe our online learning approaches will help support our students.

1: The metacognitive regulation cycle for a learner (Quigley et al., 2019, p.10).

If your son or daughter is having problems with the work set or access is an issue, it is important that you contact their teacher so they can help. It is important students are engaged in learning and do not get behind in the work set by the teachers.  Feedback from parents is welcomed and I thank those who have made contact so we can reflect on our practices.

Quigley, A., Muijs, D., Stringer, E., Deeble, M., Ho, P., & Schoeffel, S. (2019). Metacognition and self-regulated learning. https://www.evidenceforlearning.org.au/guidance-reports

I owe a huge debt to this community and the way that I have been so warmly welcomed in Term One. Recent weeks have presented us with some unprecedented challenges which have only strengthened my belief that is this a remarkable community made up of great learners, passionate staff and active and supportive parents and guardians.

The Pastoral Team is made up your child’s House Leader and the Year Seven Coordinator, Guidance Counsellors, You Never Walk Alone Staff and several Support Officers. We are particularly aware of the challenges faced by our families at this time. We want to ensure that while families may be isolated, they are not alone. Over the next few weeks, we will:

• Call you as regularly as possible to check in, and at the same time, check in with your child to see how their learning is progressing.
• Keep accurate records of our conversations so we can best meet the individual needs of your child.
• Providing a proactive wellbeing platform (through CANVAS) that can be delivered through your child’s You Never Walk Alone Teacher and their PC teacher.
• The Guidance Counsellors are still available if your child would like to access their support.

There are a few things you can do to support us

1. We may well have to call you from a private number, so if you see a call from ‘No Caller ID’ it could well be a member of the College Pastoral Team.
2. Have as many conversations with your child about their learning as possible. Keep an eye out next term for a video explaining CANVAS to parents.
3. Communicate with us as much possible. The school is still very much operational, we are still here in partnership with you.
4. We have also taken this opportunity to relaunch our Facebook page. If you know any other parents who might be interested in accessing this page, let them know.

My financial circumstances have changed due to COVID-19, what should I do?

The College is aware that in these unprecedented times, families may find it difficult to afford school fees currently or have concerns over finances into the future. St Joseph’s College believes that no child should have their education negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 crisis. In response, therefore, St Joseph’s College will care for and support families in financial crisis due to the COVID-19 situation. To obtain assistance, contact the Principal, Mr Kort Goodman , kgoodman@sjc.qld.edu.au or Business Manager, Mr Geoff Morgan, gmorgan@sjc.qld.edu.au who will make arrangements for assistance.

Will there be a general deduction in school fees at St Joseph’s College due to COVID-19?

Unfortunately, this cannot occur. Yes, we are aware there will be cost savings on some services and events will not be provided due to the COVID-19 situation; however, the following financial situation exists at St Joseph’s College:

1. St Joseph’s College has a commitment to the full employment and payment of all staff at the College
2. St Joseph’s College has a commitment to increase the spending on improvements to our ICT and support services
3. St Joseph’s College has commitments to a loan and other contractual commitments
4. St Joseph’s College continues to offer affordable fees
5. St Joseph’s College has reviewed costs however a numerous fixed costs cannot be cut or reduced

Will Invoices still be emailed out?

Invoicing for Term 2 has been delayed until week 4, this is intended to allow all stakeholders further time for assessment of the effects upon their financial situation.

The College understands that uncertainty may remain for a number of families for some time into the future. It is critical that strong two-way communication is in place.

The Arts Department would like to welcome and introduce Miss Aleesha Degen, our new Visual Arts teacher and Mr Mal Ayuel, support officer in Visual Arts.

Mrs Chrissy Dwyer and Ms Fiona Cockfield  also continue working within this amazing team of talented artists. Music continues to grow under the expertise and guidance of Ms Madeleine Minns  and Miss Megan Scott.

Whilst, Mrs Nadia Spain and myself continue our love of drama by providing a learning environment that enables students to use their imagination and creative energy to produce entertaining and thought-provoking work.

Our department continues to flourish and nurture the creative side of students.  Earlier this year the Year 12 Drama and Drama In Practice students were fortunate to travel to Brisbane to watch the Australian premiere of the Neighbourhood.  A collaboration between La Boite Theatre Company, Multicultural Australia, and our own Empire Theatre, The Neighbourhood tracks seven individual, real-life journeys from the experience of fleeing homelands, to seeking refuge and creating, fostering and discovering a new community (or neighbourhood) in Australia.  Students were treated to a potent combination of dance, music, and personal testimony in the intimate performance space of The Roundhouse Theatre.  They were especially excited when performer Matt Hsu photobombed the excursion photo session!

A collaboration with St Ursula’s College allowed for our Year 11 and 12 drama classes to watch the one-woman performance, The 7 Stages of Grieving.  Written by Wesley Enoch and Deborah Mailman for the Queensland Theatre Company, this poignant play about the grief of Aboriginal people and the hope for reconciliation still delivers a powerful emotional punch 20 years after its first production.  In the intimate space of a black-box studio students watched as the one-woman show combined traditional Aboriginal storytelling techniques with western narrative structure to depict the journey of an Aboriginal ‘Everywoman’ as she told poignant and humorous stories of grief and reconciliation.  Of particular interest was the use of coloured stones to draw ‘songlines’ as the story progressed.  A huge thank you to St Ursula’s College for having us as their guests. We will repay this gesture in August when Grin and Tonic perform at the College.

Meanwhile, the two Year 12 Visual Art classes visited Lake Annand to gain stimulus material for their first piece of internal assessment.  Mrs Dwyer and our four elected cultural leaders have been working hard to create cultural experiences, in particular, art, for students to take part in at lunch; whilst Miss Degen has started the process of having an after school Art Club. These activities will re-commence later in the term.

Mrs Spain has been busy organising and directing this years’ senior drama performance Antigone by Sophocles.  Held up as the single greatest play about the tension between the individual and the state, the play was written in or before 441 BC but its themes are so universal, so timeless, so contemporary that it remains one of the greatest plays ever written.  A dedicated and talented group of students ranging from Year 9 to Year 12 spent much of term 1 rehearsing, only stopping when required to do so in line with the Covid-19 restrictions.  Whilst this has led to a delay in the performance it has not led to a cancellation, and we hope to perform early Term 4.  Watch this space!

Though other excursions have been put on hold or cancelled and access to instruments, group work and materials is now limited for the time being, we will continue to provide rich learning experiences for our students as our practical subjects head online. We thank Ms Jessica Lawrence who is the Arts Support Officer during this time. Some examples of how the Arts Department has adapted are as below:

Within drama we are incorporating a few things such as:

1. Flipgrid to film student performance
2. Teams Meetings to read plays as a class
3. Viewing performances from London’s National Theatre
4. Using online resources provided by Brisbane based La Boite Theatre
5. A focus on set design, costume design and scriptwriting in junior years

Visual Art are also embracing online learning:

1. Virtual gallery designed by Ms Cockfield for year 10
2. Virtual tours available of famous galleries such as The Louvre
3. Resources available from the College for students to complete projects
4. Focus on drawing rather than other mediums in the junior years
5. Teams meetings and Canvas checkpoints to continue interaction and update of progress

Music is well set to teach online learning:

1. They had an update of technology 18 months ago where they now use a software program that is cloud based.
2. Additionally, software companies have offered extra access to these programs, allowing students access to additional programs and fuller versions, from the comfort of their own home.
3. Students are being encouraged, especially in the junior years, to dig out old instruments, like recorders, guitars and keyboards, and play these so that they are still experiencing the practical component of music.

Though our learning environment is different, we aim to continue to support our students and provide creative and positive learning experiences.

Mrs Spain and the Year 12 drama classes with performer Matt Hsu

Year 11 and 12 students participate in the clean up of 7 Stages of Grieving

This current period of challenge is not unique. Even a cursory look at history reminds us that from the time of Adam and Eves original sin, human history has been marked by civil and economic unrest, personal struggles and failures, violence, poverty and injustice. Catherine McAuley was a woman who plumbed the depths of generosity and determination, channelling her energies to act with strength. In 1918, the Sisters of Mercy responded to the flu epidemic sweeping the country by staffing emergency hospital in Ponsonby. The following is a fictious interview with Catherine McAuley in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic (all responses are quotes attributed to Catherine. Many of these are from her writings to Mary de Sales White).

Q:  With social distancing brought on by this pandemic, many are now working from home. As it turns out, the home has many distractions—for example, children. Beyond the stress of staying healthy and employed, we also need to instruct our children on the schooling they are missing. With no finish line to this amended reality, how are we to manage this newfound, stressful, unknown without-end?

A: The simplest and most practical lesson I know… is to resolve to be good today, but better tomorrow. Let us take one day at a time … thus we may hope to get on taking short, careful steps, not great strides. [Also] attend to one thing at a time. You have fifteen hours from six til nine.

Q: There’s this thing called social media. It’s like real life but so much worse. Many of us are using social media a lot more to keep in touch and communicate with loved ones due to social distancing or shelter-in-place orders. What of those who post more selfies in one day than there are beads on a rosary?

A: Don’t let crosses vex or tease. Try to meet all with peace and ease.

Q: Gatherings and public mass are prohibited, as are church buildings and many other special places and locations of community. Distance is necessary to control the virus; loneliness and longing for friends, family and Communion is necessarily increasing. You had to improvise when you could not attend mass. How can we reconcile our duty to distance with our innate desire for togetherness?

A: We have one solid comfort amidst this tripping about, our hearts can always be in the same place, Centered in God, for whom alone we go forward or stay back.

Q: You’ve been quoted as saying that beginnings are of great importance. Where do we begin to help or heal? The enormity of this pandemic seems overwhelming. Keeping our families or those with whom we live safe and healthy can feel terrifying at times.

A: God speaking to us by his inspired Apostles says—attend to thyself. Let us fly often to the foot of the cross and repose in the wounds of Jesus. He has written us in His hands. Shall we not write His wounds in our minds and hearts?

Q: Catherine, do you have any parting advice on how St Joseph’s College can go on when the end seems so far away?

A: Pray fervently and constantly, do not give up…

(Adapted from Mark Piper)

As we continue with online learning in the coming weeks all Year 7 and 8 students will be using a combination of Canvas and Maths Pathway. We have noticed that some students are not logging into Canvas for their lessons, only into Maths Pathway. Please ask your son/daughter to login to Canvas every lesson and their teacher will inform them what the task is for the day – not all lessons will be on the Maths Pathway program.

Please do not hesitate to contact your son/daughter’s teacher if you have any questions around this.

Congratulation to the winners of the B6 Easter Basket raffle.

Thank you to the beautiful Annie Cryle for drawing the winning tickets.

The Raffle raised $181.20 for Caritas, Project Compassion.

b kinder storytime
sharing your stories of kindness

Do your children enjoy writing stories?

flyhighbillie is excited to launch b kinder storytime

We would love for your child/children (ages 5 to 13 years old) to write a story about kindness. These stories can be about anything (friends, family, animals etc.) but we would love the underlying message to show kindness and compassion. In addition to the story, we would love to have 2 – 3 drawings that your child has done which can relate to their story.

Your children’s story will be read aloud by our wonderful storyteller during our b kinder storytime. Their drawings will accompany their story and at the end we will tell everyone watching storytime about the wonderful message your child has spread about kindness.

b kinder storytime will take place twice a week. Tuesdays will host storytime to 2 – 5 year-olds and Thursdays will host storytime to 5 – 8-year-olds.
Stories may also be selected and added to our b kinder storybook that we are putting together on our website which will be made available for everyone to download.

The story can be from 100 to 400 words long and include up to 3 drawings.  Please ensure we have your child’s name, age and what country you are from.  We will also require the story title. 

Please can you type up the story in a word document and ensure you take well lit, clear photos of the drawings and email them with the story to:
info@flyhighbillie.org
Stories need to be in by Thursday 30th April 2020.

Please note your child’s story and drawings will be uploaded to youtube and then the flyhighbillie facebook page.  By taking part you automatically agree to give flyhighbillie the rights to use your child’s story and drawings on social media.

about flyhighbillie

The flyhighbillie charity was set up to honour the amazing legacy of our beautiful 12 yr old daughter, Billie Kinder. Billie was empathetic, compassionate and above all kind.  With a play on Billie’s name (B Kinder) they launched the b kinder initiative to inspire others and remind us all that our actions do matter and that we each have the power to make a difference through human kindness.

flyhighbillie is a registered charity and their b kinder message is committed to spreading empathy and kindness, ultimately reducing mental health issues, bullying, and suicide in children and young people.
If you haven’t yet checked out their new website head to: www.flyhighbillie.org

Dear Parents and Guardians

We are writing to you to update you on the impacts of COVID-19 on school bus services for Term 2. We want to assure that services will operate as normal from Monday 20 April 2020.

To protect our drivers and passengers, drivers will not be accepting cash for payment of fares. Passengers will still need to pay a fare by having a Travel Card which can be purchased from the Toowoomba Depot at 308 Taylor Street Toowoomba, Monday to Friday between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. Given the difficult circumstances we are waiving the usual $15 fee.

We also suggest that you top up your card to the value of 5 weeks’ travel. To do this, you will need to bring the card to the depot. Please note we do not have eftpos facilities.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause, but the safety of our drivers and customers is paramount.  We understand that it may take parents some time to attend the depot to purchase or top up their card. As always, children will be carried to and from school even in the absence of a valid fare.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact the depot on (07) 4633 1177.

Regards,

Bus Queensland (Toowoomba)

Rosemary Meyer

Contract Administration

Pulitano Group of Companies

PARK RIDGE | IPSWICH | TOOWOOMBA | LOCKYER VALLEY | CRANBOURNE |  MMBL

‘: +61 7 3802 1233   7: +61 7 3802 1202   È: mobile number

TAFE SOUTHWEST YEAR 10 TRADE TASTER PROGRAM

Due to the practical nature of the Year 10 Trade Taster program, TAFE have made the decision to postpone Term 2, 2020 intakes. Anyone who has submitted an application for TAFE Queensland South West Trade Taster and Skills Taster programs in Term 2, 2020 will be automatically rolled over to the proposed Term 3, 2020 program.

Please note that TAFE are still accepting Expressions of Interest for the year 10 Trade Taster and Skills Taster Programs.

To submit an expression of interest for the year 10 Trade Taster and Skills Taster programs, please go to www.tafeapply.com and enter the code: TQSW20TT

You will need to have a USI (Unique Student Identifier) before lodging an Expression of Interest. Go to www.usi.gov.au

The Year 10 Trade Taster and Skills Taster Programs allow eligible high school students to try out a trade without needing to commit to a full qualification or apprenticeship.  Students get to see if a trade is the right option for them, or test out a potential career path that they’re considering following in the future.

Please note:  These programs are subsidised by the Queensland Government and are offered at no cost.  These programs are only available to Year 10 students, enrolled in a Queensland high school or enrolled with a registered home schooling provider.  These programs do not exhaust a student’s VETiS funding entitlement.

How does it work?

 The Year 10 Trade Taster and Skills Taster Programs deliver training to small groups of up to 14 students, one day per week for up to nine weeks. Throughout the programs, students get to try different trade areas as well as having the opportunity to complete their Construction Industry Safety White Card OR Responsible Service of Alcohol Certification (depending on the program the student wishes to complete).

Students will complete individual competencies from various programs but will not complete a full certificate or obtain any QCE credits.

Trade Taster (Traditional Trades)

Carpentry, Electrical, Engineering, Automotive

 Skills Taster (Service Trades)

Salon, Hospitality

Here is an example of what the groups may look like.  This is an example only.

If you have any questions regarding the Year 10 Trade Taster Program, please contact the TAFE at School Team at TAFE Queensland South West on 07 4694 1324 / 07 3817 3100 or email at GOTAFE.SouthWest@tafe.qld.edu.au

Next meeting …

To be Advised  –  Library

Come join the fun.

Would you like to Volunteer?

We would love to have you!
Please contact the College office for more details.

Week 2, Term 2 Roster

No one required

Week 3, Term 2 Roster

 no one required 

If you can not make it to your scheduled shift, please contact the Canteen to advise, 4631 8520.

Debbie Ditchmen  &  Michelle Tully

The Uniform Shop is re-opening next week from Tuesday, 28th April with reduced trading hours.  We are still following COVID-19 social distancing rules and would prefer parents to make appointments if they require a winter uniform fitting.  Walk-ins are welcome, but priority will be given to those customers with scheduled appointments.  Online ordering is also available.

My new trading hours are:

Tuesday – 9:00am – 1:00pm

Wednesday – 12:00pm – 4:00pm

These will be reviewed and adjusted based on demand or the school re-opening to all students.

Online ordering available at:

www.midford.com.au

Pass phase StJC1956

Appointments can booked  through he school App or by emailing sjct@midford.com.au

EFTPOS only – no cash.

Midford Retail COID – 19 03 2020

College Uniform Price List 2020

https://www.sjc.qld.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/College-Uniform-price-list-2019-2020.pdf

Second hand uniforms are also available at the Uniform Shop.

If you have used uniform items that would like to donate, please drop off to the Uniform Shop during opening hours.  Donations are greatly appreciated.

If you have used uniform items that you would like us to sell for you, please call into the uniform shop and collect a “Used Clothing” form. Used uniforms items MUST be in good condition, hems intact, no holes, stains or missing buttons. They also need to washed, ironed and be the current uniform.

If you have any questions, please call us on 4631 8514 during opening hours.

Are your details correct in our system?

Is your information up to date?
Will your report card go to the right address?
Don’t miss important messages sent through the email system or App notification.

Please email any changes to office@sjc.qld.edu.au