Newsletter - T1W5 - 25/2/22

From the Principal

Welcome to the end of Week 5 and the easing of COVID restrictions. From Monday there will be no need for masks and the Rapid Antigen Testing will only be required if your child has COVID symptoms. More RAT’s will be going home in the near future as was indicated in the letter that was sent home earlier in the week.

I would like to thank all the parents of Year 7 students who came along to our ‘get-to-know-you’ BBQ on Wednesday night. It was great to see many familiar faces, as well as new ones. I hope that events like these help people feel like part of our community. It is in the Gospel of Matthew that we find the following verse: “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” This is of course the central idea of our faith, and one which we endeavour to achieve at our College in every interaction we have with each other every day.

The College has had some issues with vaping recently. This is unfortunately becoming a popular trend for young people, without any real thought to possible health implications for their future. I would like to share a link with our community which describes the short and long term effects of these chemicals being introduced into a person’s lungs. The article also highlights the hospitalisation of a 15 year old Sydney girl whose lungs filled with fluid from vaping. Click on this link to read more. It is terrifying, but real. 

In the last newsletter I congratulated Harriet Chard for her outstanding HSC results, and recognised her achievements in being awarded the Hansen Scholarship from Melbourne University. This is a very generous scholarship and is worth up to $120,000 over a four year degree. The applications for the 2023 selection cycle opened Monday, 7 February and they close on 8 March, so the timeline is tight. This is just one of the scholarships that is on offer - there are many available from different universities. If you have a student in Year 12 encourage them to talk to Mrs Michelle Went who is our Career’s Advisor. A quiet conversation from you could have a big impact on their life. 

The Diocesan Child Protection Policy and Procedures can be found on our website. You can click on this link to view the Policy which has been written by the Catholic Schools Office, and is used at the College. This policy identifies child protection processes including mandatory reporting. All staff are briefed on the Child Protection Policy and Procedures every year to ensure the safety of all students in our care. Please contact the College with any questions and/or concerns.

I would like to congratulate two of our students who have excelled in their sports of choice at an elite level. Oliver Shields (Year 10) has made the NSW Under 16’s Softball Team. This is an amazing achievement for Ollie and we wish him well in the season. Kali Ainsworth (Year 11) has also made the QLD Youth Girls U19’s Youth Squad. This is a pilot program for Women’s Youth Rugby Union. Well done to Kali and we are sure that she will continue to excel as she pursues her passion.

Tracy Robinson
Principal

Upcoming Dates

Week 6
Thursday, 3 March - SMCC Swimming Carnival - Lismore

Thursday, 3 March - Dio Touch Trials - Open/U15

Week 7
Tuesday, 8 March - Dio Rugby League Trials (U15/Open Boys), Dio Soccer Trials (Open Boys/Girls) and Dio Tennis Championships

Wednesday, 9 March - Year 7 Vaccinations

Thursday, 10 March - Dio Swimming Carnival

Thursday, 10 March and Friday, 11 March - LEAD Conference

Parish Mass Times

Weekend Mass
6 pm (Sat) & 8 am (Sun)

Mass ONLINE

Weekdays
Monday 9.00am
Tuesday  8.00am
Wednesday 8 am
Thursday  9.00am
Friday  9.00am
Saturday  9.00am

Reconciliation
Saturday 8.30 am - 9.00 am

Country Mass
Sunday, 27 February - 10.30am - Tabulam

From the Assistant Principal - Mission

Covid Restrictions
I wish to extend my gratitude to our whole College community in regards to the way they have conducted themselves during the current restrictions. We are grateful to be able to start meeting together again without density limits. Starting next week, students will not be required to wear masks. However, if a student feels they would like to wear a mask we welcome that decision. 

Masks will still be required to be worn on public transport, so students are encouraged to wear a reusable face mask on the bus. 

Discipleship events
LEAD Conference is coming up shortly. This is an event for our senior students of the College. The Year 11 and 12 students who hold student leadership positions will be attending the event, and other students are invited to attend. Please get the paperwork back to Hannah and Jacob (the YMOs) as soon as possible.

For students in year 7, Transitus is coming up towards the end of the term. If you are interested in attending, please let Ms Day know next week. 

Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission

From the Leader of Curriculum

Assessment Tasks (All students)
A reminder to all students that if you have a hand-in task (electronic (click the Submit button) or hard copy), it needs to be submitted/handed-in by 9.00am on the due date. If you are unwell or there is a family 'emergency', parents/guardians need to contact the College by 9.00am on the due date.

If students or parents know that a student is going to be absent on the date a task is due, the student will need to explain this to their teacher as well as get the task in before the due date. This type of submission or a request for an extension would need to be accompanied by a Variation of Assessment form which is available from myself.

Also, a reminder that an absence before the due date of a task (hand-in or in-class) requires a Medical Certificate as well to ensure that a student’s absence does not provide them with an unfair advantage.

2022 Assessment Calendar (Year 7 - 12)
All junior & senior assessment tasks are posted on the school’s Google Calendar which is accessible at - bit.ly/2020assessmentcalendar. The walkthrough below should help you access the calendar as well as show you how to add it to your existing Google account.

Furthermore, the walkthrough shows you how to manipulate the information so it is less overwhelming & year level specific. 

Michael Woerner
Leader of Curriculum

From the Leader of Pastoral Care

Understanding Vaping
The following article was included in a Newsletter last year. With the vaping issue still a concern, we thought it timely for a reminder of this information.

The use of electronic cigarettes is on the rise, particularly among high school students, and, given that the use of these devices is a relatively new phenomenon, it is important to provide our students, parents and carers with some relevant background information.

Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices that heat a liquid to produce a vapour that is inhaled and designed to deliver the aerosol directly to the lungs The composition of the e-cigarette liquids vary, however they all contain a range of different solvents and flavouring agents which have the potential to increase the risk of developing cardiovascular, cancer and respiratory diseases.

Some of these devices resemble conventional cigarettes while others look like everyday items such as pens and the newest and most popular vaping product is the JUUL, which resembles a USB memory stick. Companies are clearly targeting teens through social media influencers and their promotion of fruity pod flavours, which are now only sold online. 

The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is concerned that e-cigarettes have ‘renormalised’ smoking. While the damaging impact of smoking tobacco is well known, the short and long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are still being researched. 

The Catholic Schools Office has prepared this infographic with important information on the dangers of vaping which we encourage you to read and share with your son or daughter. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs. 

If you do have any concerns about this issue, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Michele McCaffery
Leader of Pastoral Care

From the Leader of Library and Resources

Over the past two weeks, Year 7 students were given an introduction to our SMCC 24/7 Library. Here students are able to access; 
- CLICKVIEW, a large collection of Educational videos suited to each KLA
- Study Guides and how to do a search for resources. 
- SORA, a large digital library of Audio and e-books

Sora is also available as an app and students can listen or read books on any device.

Instructions for accessing our Overdrive digital collection using the Diocesan preferred app SORA are below.

EMagazines on SORA
EMagazinesare now available for loan on Sora. Go to collections/magazines.

Premier’s Reading Challenge
The Premiers Reading Challenge is a Statewide reading challenge to encourage reading. Students receive a certificate on completion. The Challenge commences on Monday 28 February and finishes on Friday 19 August 2022. To complete the Challenge, students read 20 books. 15 from the very extensive PRC list where there are 100’s of well written books to choose from, and another five may be from one’s own choice.

Students register, by seeing me in the Library where I can introduce books that they could enjoy and then start reading! We have 100’s of books available.

SORA is also an excellent resource to find books for the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Once students log in, they go to Collections and look for Premiers Reading Challenge NSW.

Happy Reading.

Bev Champion
Leader of Resources

From the Literacy Coach and The Leader of Learning - Numeracy

During Week 4, all Year 7 students participated in PAT (Progressive Achievement Test) for reading, maths and science. This was the Year 7 students first experience of cohort testing in the Gym under examination conditions and we would like to thank them all for the way they conducted themselves and engaged with the online testing.  This was good practice for the upcoming NAPLAN practice tests to be completed in March before they complete the formal NAPLAN in May this year.

We continually reminded the students to do their best, to shine like a STAR.

Getting the little things right, will always guide their learning journey.  These four reminders apply to all the work the students engage in within the classroom.  Especially with our three literacy focus areas:

• Sentence Structure
• Vocabulary
• Language expression - the way students use words or phrases to convey meaning

A quick review of their work is a great start to increasing the quality of their work, such as:

• Does each sentence start with a capital letter and end with appropriate punctuation, for example, full stop, exclamation or a question mark
• Check the spelling of each word
• Use more descriptive words, for example, the howling wind, instead of the wind
• Replacing common words with synonyms (a word that means the same), for example, using exceptional instead of good

Always take PRIDE in your work!

Kelly Winters & Mark Chivers
Literacy Coach & Leader of Learning - Numeracy

From the Leader of Learning - Inclusion & Diversity

Disability Provisions – HSC Examinations
HSC 2022 Parents and Students 
This information is for students in Year 11 and 12 who will be sitting HSC exams in 2022.

Disability provisions in the HSC are practical arrangements designed to help students who couldn't otherwise make a fair attempt to show what they know in an exam room.

The provisions granted are solely determined by how the student’s exam performance is affected by their diagnosed disability. Provisions may include braille papers, large-print papers, use of a reader and/or writer, or rest breaks.

The College would like to lodge student applications with the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) by the end of this term. To start this process, please obtain a ‘Disability Provisions - HSC Examinations 2022 form’ from the College Office and return by Week 7, Term 1.

When this information is provided the next step is to determine what evidence will be required for the application. This could involve a reading and spelling assessment, a letter from a doctor and/or sample essays. It is the parent’s responsibility to provide medical reports for disabilities such as Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Further information can be found at: http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/disability-provisions

Once NESA has made a decision about which provisions are approved or declined, a decision letter is provided to the College. The college will provide the family with a copy of the letter. Many families request extra time for their child. Please note that for disabilities such as Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorder the students may receive separate supervision and time to rest, not extra time to complete the exam. During this rest time the student must turn over or close their examination questions and answers booklet, must not read, write or make notes, may stretch, move, rest or refocus in their seat. During the rest break, the timing of the examination stops and then restarts when they continue with the exam. Further information about rest breaks can be found at:
http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/disability-provisions/provisions/rest-breaks 

If your child is approved to access a reader or writer for their examination please note that it is a student in Year 10 who will be their support person.

For further information please contact Kelly Scurr, Leader of Learning Inclusion and Diversity.

Kelly Scurr
Leader of Learning - Inclusion & Diversity

From the Sports Coordinator - External

Upcoming Dates
Week 6
Thurs, 3 March - SMCC Swimming Carnival
Thurs, 3 March - Dio Touch Trials - Open/U15

Week 7
Tues, 8 March - Mar Dio Rugby League Trials (U15/Open Boys)
Tues, 8 March - Dio Soccer Trials (Open Boys/Girls)
Tues, 8 March - Dio Tennis Championships
Thurs, 10 March - Dio Swimming Carnival

Week 8
Wed, 16 March - Northern Country Rugby League Trials (U15/Open Boys & U16 Girls)

SMCC Swimming Carnival
Due to the recent wet weather, the tough decision was made to postpone the College Swimming Carnival from Thursday, 24 February to Thursday, 3 March. With the change in date also comes a change in venue. The carnival will now be held at the Lismore Memorial Baths. Students have today received written notification of the new date and location. I am looking forward to a great day and have my fingers crossed for some nicer weather.

Student Achievement: Oliver Shields - Softball
Oliver was recently selected in the Under 16 NSW Boys Softball Team. Along with his NSW teammates, he will compete in the National Tournament in Sydney from 21st-24th April. This is a fantastic achievement as the majority of players chosen are from strong Sydney clubs. Congratulations Oli. We wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you continue to succeed.

Mike Ryan
Sports Coordinator - External

From the Leader of School Evangelisation

Transitus is a retreat for invited Year 7 students from Parish Secondary Schools in the North of the Diocese to create a smoother transition to secondary schools, celebrate and be nurtured in their faith at a Diocesan level. 

The retreat will be a chance to bring students together to meet like-minded peers and to celebrate with other young people who want to grow and be supported in their Christian faith. The activities will be a mixture of large and small sharing groups as well as celebrating the Eucharist together. The program has been geared to meet the needs of these Year 7 students. 

The gathering will be an overnight experience that will allow students to build relationships with other students from throughout the Diocese as well as a chance for students to talk and share about their faith journey. Students will be sleeping in male and female dorms with at least one student from their school.

What: Transitus – a youth retreat for Year 7 students from every Parish school in the Northern Region of the Diocese.

When: Thursday, 24 – Friday, 25 March, 2022. 

Where: Camp Koinonia, Evans Head 

Cost: Nil. All transport and booking expenses met by the Catholic Schools Office.

This retreat is for students who: 

• Regularly attend Mass,
• Are involved in some other form of Church involvement either at school or in the parish
• Show initiative, common sense and maturity, and
• Are seeking to grow in these areas

We can offer 8 places for Transitus this year. Any student who would like to be considered is asked to complete the Student Application Form provided by Ms Mahaila Day, knowing that they are committing to be available at the time of the retreat. Attention should be given to the stated selection criteria. Nominations should be handed to Ms Mahaila Day no later than Wednesday, 9 March. 

Mahaila Day
Leader of School Evangelisation

Year 7 Vaccinations

NSW School Vaccination Program
Each year NSW Health works in partnership with schools to offer the vaccines recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) for adolescents as part of the school vaccination program.

In 2022 the following vaccines will be offered:

Parent Information Kits that include an information sheet, consent form and privacy statement will be sent home to parents/guardians. To consent to the vaccination of their child, parents/guardians are advised to:

• read all the information provided
• complete the consent form, including signing their name next to the vaccine/s they would like their child to receive
• return the completed consent form to their child’s school
• ensure their child eats breakfast on the day of the school vaccination clinic.

Please note that, to improve vaccination completion, students will be opportunistically offered any missed doses during Year 7 and catch up into Year 8 (for HPV and dTpa vaccination) and during Year 10 and catch up into Year 11 (for Meningococcal ACWY vaccination) or consent signed in 2021.

Parents/guardians who wish to withdraw their consent for any reason may do so by writing to the school Principal or phoning the school. The Procedure for Withdrawal of Consent is available on the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/ Pages/withdraw_consent.aspx.

A Record of Vaccination will be provided to each student vaccinated at each clinic either as a physical card or a text message sent to the mobile number recorded on the consent form. Details about vaccinations given at school will also be uploaded to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) to support complete vaccination histories.

Year 7 vaccinations are scheduled for Wednesday, 9 March. Consent forms will be going home with students on Monday, 28 February. If you wish for your child to receive their vaccinations through the school program, please complete and sign the consent form and have it returned to the College by Monday, 7 March.

Canteen

Volunteers
We are looking for volunteers to assist in the Canteen. Please contact the Canteen via the College office if you are available at any time to help.

Flexischools
Flexischools is a well-established organisation allowing you to easily place all your canteen orders online at any time.

Download the Flexischools app from the App store or Google Play. Click here for details on how to set up your account. 

Once registered, you can start placing orders immediately.

Please note that sushi orders will need to be placed before Tuesday afternoon at 1pm as Sushi will only be available for Wednesday orders.

There is a charge of $0.29 per order for using this service.

If you have any questions, please contact the Flexischools Customer Service Team via their website contact page.

The normal process of ordering from the canteen (cash, eftpos, morning lunch orders) is still available.

Uniform Shop

Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Tuesdays         3.15pm to 5.00pm
Thursdays        2.00pm to 5.00pm

Payments of cash, cheque or EFTPOS are welcome.

Orders can also be placed via the Flexischools service. No fees are charged to families for using this service.

Please note the following information for orders made via this service:

Tuesday Orders
- Cut off time is 12noon on Monday
- Pick up available from the College office on Tuesday afternoon from 3.30pm - 5.00pm

Thursday Orders
- Cut off time is 12noon on Wednesday 
- Pick up available from the College office on Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm - 5.00pm.

Orders not collected will be given to the student the following day to take home.

Whilst all care will be taken to ensure that stock availability is correct at the time of ordering, there may be some items that are not in stock at the time of packing the online orders. In this case, you will be contacted to advise of an estimated time of arrival for new stock of that item or given the option of a refund processed through Flexischools.

All uniform shop order enquiries can be emailed to: cash-uniform@lism.catholic.edu.au

Second Hand Uniforms

Sustainable School Shop is an online shop dedicated to buying and selling of second hand uniforms. For more information ring 1300683337 or visit www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au.

 Please note that this facility is available for use with the new College uniforms only.

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