Newsletter - T4W8 - 26/11/21

From the Principal

It seems to have been a long time coming, but this week is the end of our current 2021 academic year. This has come 3 weeks later than usual due to COVID, and the HSC being pushed back by 4 weeks. At this point, it is necessary to farewell some of the staff that have been working with us. Thank you to Ms Katie Coughlan, Mr Trent White, Mr Matthew Carter and Ms Danielle Prozinski who are all finishing up contracts at the end of this week. On behalf of the whole St Mary’s community we wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

With the new school year, there will also be some new faces amongst our staff for 2022. Ms Helen Gooley will be taking on the position of Leader of Learning - Catechesis next week. Helen comes to us from St Joseph’s College at Banora Point. Mr Christopher Robinson (no relation) will be starting with us in Week 10 as Leader of Learning - HSIE. Chris has most recently been the Leader of Curriculum at Xavier Catholic College, Lennox Head. Mrs Michelle Went will be our Leader of Careers and will also be teaching Italian in the 2022 school year. Mr Alexander McDowell will start next week as a teacher of Mathematics and Timber. Ms Keely Maguire will be starting at the beginning of 2022 and will be a teacher of PHP. There will be opportunities in the new year for these new staff members to be formally introduced (COVID permitting). I am looking forward to working with all of them in the coming year.

As 2021 Semester 2 reports will be sent home next week, I remind you of the opportunity to discuss these reports. Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews will be held on Thursday, 16 December from 9am to 12noon. These will be held as phone interviews. Further information will be provided on the Skoolbag app and with the reports. Please remember that the interviews should be booked for teachers of students in 2021.

Some dates to remember:

• The final day of 2021 for students across Years 8 – 12 is Wednesday, 15 December at 3.10pm. 
• Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews will be held on Thursday, 16 December from 9am to 12noon. 
  
• Years 7, 11 and 12 return to school Tuesday, 1 February
• Years 8, 9 and 10 return to school Wednesday, 2 February

Tracy Robinson
Principal

Upcoming Dates

Week 9
HSC Exams continue
Monday, 29 November - 2022 school year begins
Friday, 3 December - Year 7 Orientation Day
Friday, 3 December - 2022 Captains Camp
Saturday, 4 December - Year 12 Formal

Week 10
Monday, 6 December - Year 11 Breakfast

Parish Mass Times

WEEKEND MASS
6 pm (Sat) & 8 am (Sun)

Mass ONLINE

Weekdays
Monday 9.00am
Tuesday  8.00am
Wednesday (St Elizabeth of Hungary) 8.00am
Thursday  9.00am
Friday  9.00am
Saturday  9.00am

RECONCILIATION 
Saturday 8.30 am - 9.00 am

COUNTRY MASS
This Sunday
Tabulam 10.30am

NOW OPEN
Churches in our parish are now open in accordance with health orders. This means that both
vaccinated and unvaccinated are permitted in the church buildings.

FUNERALS
In regard to funerals, the present health regulations are:

(a) up to 140 if all are fully vaccinated;

(b) only 10 if there are one or more not fully vaccinated.

Arrangements are made through the Funeral Director

From the Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

New Academic Year
Our new academic year begins on Monday, 29 November, with all students moving into their next academic year. This is the perfect time for students to begin a renewed emphasis on their learning and to make some changes to their attitude towards their learning. This is also a great time to remind students of our focus at SMCC: That all students are: ResponsibleRespectful and Ready

This means that all students are expected to turn up to class ready to learn - that their computer is charged, that they have a book and pens and that they bring anything else the teacher has indicated they need to learn eg: calculator. It also means that the College expects students to be responsible - for their actions, for their words and for their environment - take responsibility for how you treat others and take responsibility for your actions. Perhaps most importantly, take responsibility for your school - if you want a school to be proud of, if you want to go to a great school, students need to take responsibility for forming part of that. A school is the students and unless students are prepared to take responsibility for their school, we will never fully improve. It also means that the College expects students to be respectful - be respectful to teachers and other students, but also be respectful and show respect towards yourself and your environment.

A new academic year also means new classes and new base classes. This year the Year 7 base classes will be formed via their Houses, e.g. all Champagnat students will be in one base class, all DePaul students in another etc. Students may find that their base classes in Years 8-10 have changed as well. The movement of students in classes is a College decision based around educational and welfare concerns. These decisions are made with a great deal of care. 

Mobile Phones
Every student in the College is well aware of our mobile phone policy. There is a zero tolerance towards mobile phones and they will be confiscated if they are seen at all - there are no warnings. On the first confiscation, phones will be held in the front office until the student collects it at the end of the day. On the second offence, the phone will be held until a parent or guardian collects it. And then on the third offence, the student is suspended for the day for continuous breach of the College policy. Phones are expected to be turned off and in Yondr pouches from the moment students enter the school grounds. Yondr pouches are not to be unlocked until the end of the school day.

Uniform and Grooming
A new academic year is the perfect time to reassess uniform and grooming. A reminder that skirts on girls' uniforms are expected to be at least knee length. If your daughter has grown, please look into having the hem of the skirt taken down. If girls prefer wearing pants, long navy blue pants are available at the uniform shop and skorts can be ordered through the uniform shop.

A reminder that mullets are not acceptable hair grooming at the College. Students returning to school with mullets will be asked to get their haircut fixed.

And a final reminder that the College Sport uniform is only to be worn on THURSDAY. If students arrive at school in their sport uniform on any other day, they will be given a uniform detention. 3 uniform detentions will lead to a parent conversation about College standards and agreed procedures.

Assessment Procedures
As we begin this new academic year, please be reminded of the College assessment procedures for changes to assessment dates and being away on the date of an assessment task. It is the responsibility of the student and family to let the school know if the student is away on the date of an assessment task.

The College is going to republish our assessment procedures in the new year just to make sure that everyone understands the procedures and is following the correct process.

Nadine Connolly
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

From the Assistant Principal - Mission

House Structure
From Monday, students will be moving into the care of their Leader of Student Wellbeing. Each of these leaders are responsible for a single House. We look forward to a more holistic care structure for the wellbeing of our students. Our Leaders of Student Wellbeing will be in contact with you over the coming weeks to introduce themselves. 

Shine
We had a fantastic day of reflection on Tuesday this week with our Ministry Classes in St Mary’s Parish Church. It was wonderful to see so many of our young people engage in prayer activities, games, and discussions around their faith. A special thank you to the students who gave a testimony, as well as our staff, Ms Day, Mr Humphrys, Mr Ludwig, Theo and Dan for their organisation and willingness to share so openly with our students. 

Christmas Hampers
Just a reminder we will continue to collect donations for St Vincent dePaul Society. Due to Covid restrictions, we are recommending homerooms collect donations of money. We will then complete a large shopping order and ensure the goods are appropriate for the families SVdP service. 

Emerging Leaders
This week, we spent time with our Senior Students on what it means to be a good leader. We looked at leadership styles and planned our approach to leadership. I am grateful for our young people engaging with what leadership looks like at SMCC and their willingness to discern good leadership traits. 

Student Representative Council, House Captains and Ministry Captains
Today, nominations closed for Student Leadership opportunities in 2022. Next week we will allow time for students to vote on who they would like to represent them on the student council. We look forward to announcing our complete student leadership team in the coming weeks. 

Clare Axman
Assistant Principal - Mission

From the Leader of Pedagogy

Stage 6 Readiness Program
On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, our Year 10 students participated in a transition program to ensure their Stage 6 Readiness. The aim of the program was to best support and prepare our Year 10 students as they transition into the rigours of Senior Studies. 

The two-day program included workshops on:

• NESA mandated ALL MY OWN WORK course and quiz
• How to take class notes and study notes
• Enrolling in and navigating Stage 6 online learning platforms eg. Schools Online and Edrolo
• Emerging Leadership
• Respectful Relationships
• Organising a CV and writing job applications

We wish all of our 2021 Year 10 cohort the best of luck as they embark upon their Senior Studies next week.

Dana Barnsley
Leader of Pedagogy

From the Leaders of VET, Careers and Resources

Careers
As Year 12 sign out for the year, I wish them the very best as they commence their new ventures.

Some students have already been offered Early Entry to various Universities and others have managed traineeships or apprenticeships. Students should accept these offers and if their ideal offer comes at a later date, then withdraw.

For students planning on continuing to University, they will be aware that ATARS are released on 20 January, they will then have until 21 January to log in and change in preferences on UAC and offers will be made on 26 January.

QTAC offers will be made on 28 January. Please keep monitoring both UAC and QTAC websites for any changes.

Students should now be considering applying for scholarships if they have not already done so. In most instances, scholarships may be found on the respective University websites.

The following information may also be useful;

Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize
Nominations are open for the 2021 Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize. Nominations close on the last day of Term 4 (17 December 2021).

The Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize is presented each year to a student or students who have overcome significant hardship to attain academic excellence in their HSC.

http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/events/brother-john-taylor-prize 

TAFE NSW –Fee-free Apprenticeships 
Becoming an apprentice or hiring an apprentice just got 100,000 times easier.

That's the number of new apprentices that will have their qualification fees funded by the NSW Government.

View TAFE NSW apprenticeships and traineeships information.

How Fee-free* Apprenticeships work

The NSW Department of Industry will pay the student fee on behalf of any apprentice who commences their apprenticeship training. The fee will be paid directly to TAFE NSW.

View TAFE NSW apprenticeships and traineeships information.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/fee-free-apprenticeships

About NSW Smart and Skilled
Smart and Skilled is a reform of the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system. It's helping people in NSW get the skills they need to find a job and advance their careers.

Smart and Skilled provides eligible students with:

• an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III
• government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas.

If you're a prospective student, this website tells you everything you need to know about Smart and Skilled before you enrol with your preferred training provider.

https://smartandskilled.nsw.gov.au/about

Youtube Cadetship with Thoroughbred Horses
12 Month stud, horsemanship and stable cadetship program. If you love horses and want a career that can take you across the world then you should explore this program. Watch here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYsBgbwvRy0&feature=youtu.be

HELP loans
If you're going to study at a university or higher education provider, you might be enrolled in a place where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This is called a Commonwealth supported place (CSP).

If you're enrolled in a CSP, you still have to pay some of your fees. You could get a HECS-HELP loan to pay for these.

If you aren't enrolled in a CSP, you are enrolled in a fee-paying place. You could get a FEE-HELP loan to pay for your fees.

Each semester you might have to pay a fee for student services and amenities. You could get a SA-HELP loan to cover this fee.

If you're enrolled in a CSP and want to study overseas, you could get an OS-HELP loan to help pay your expenses.

Up-front payment discount 
From 1 January 2021, if you are eligible for HECS-HELP and make an upfront payment of $500 or more, or make an up-front payment equal to 90 per cent of your student contribution amount, you will receive a 10 per cent discount. The discount is an incentive to pay up-front, either fully or partially, and will decrease your student debt.

https://www.studyassist.gov.au/help-loans

What is the HELP loan limit amount?
For 2021, the HELP loan limit is $108,232 for most students. The limit for students studying medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses leading to initial registration, or eligible aviation courses is $155,448.

Bev Champion
Leader of VET, Careers and Resources

Literacy Coach

This week we see the end of our 2021 academic school year and what a year it has been.  As we begin 2022 in Week 9, I encourage all students to take the opportunity to start fresh and perhaps develop some new productive habits towards their learning.  The two images below I really like and use often and I encourage students to reflect on them both, as they begin their new learning journey’s in 2022.

Taking PRIDE in all communication within each subject is very important for every student.  Often I hear, but this is not English, why do we have to write, why do we have to worry about capital letters and full stops? My response is always you need to communicate your learning, understanding and skills in every subject and it’s important to be clear and accurate so that this is reflected in your report.  If we get the little things right, big things can happen.  

So as students start new subjects with new teachers, I encourage them all to do their best and start with the little things:

• Make sure they begin sentences with capital letters and finish with a full stop
• Always proofread and edit their work - check spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Take PRIDE in what they do
• Ask a peer or the teacher for help if they need it

Good luck everyone in 2022.

Kelly Winters
Literacy Coach

School Sport for 2022

Weekly school sport for 2022 will remain using the same structure as sport in 2021. Thursday sport will consist of Stage 4 students having sport in the morning during Periods 1 and 2, whilst Stage 5 students will have sport in the afternoons during Periods 5 and 6.

Next week, students will have the opportunity to elect which sporting activity they would like to participate in for the duration of Term 1 2022. 

Please see the details below regarding the sports available for each year group:

Year 7
Students will rotate through a range of scheduled activities as they transition into sport at High School. This will include tennis, lawn bowls, oztag and soccer.

Year 8
Basketball
Where: Casino Indoor Sports Stadium
Cost: $3 per week

Futsal
Where: Casino Indoor Sports Stadium
Cost: $3 per week

Volleyball/Netball
Where: SMCC / Colley Park
Cost: Nil

Walking
Where: Various destinations around Casino
Cost: Nil

Year 9 & 10
Basketball
Where: Casino Indoor Sports Stadium
Cost: $3 per week

Futsal
Where: Casino Indoor Sports Stadium
Cost: $3 per week

Tennis
Where: Casino Tennis Courts
Cost: $4 per week

Soccer/Oztag
Where: SMCC / Colley Park
Cost: Nil

Volleyball/Netball
Where: SMCC / Colley Park
Cost: Nil

Walking
Where: Various destinations around Casino
Cost: Nil

Gym
Where: Casino Health Clubs
Cost: $3 per week Cancel

Pilates/Yoga
Where: School
Cost: Nil 

If you have any questions, please speak to Mr Fitness.

SMCC Ministry Corner

We finally have some good news again with a bunch of ministry events and initiatives happening in Term 4. Have a read about what we’ve got going on at the College. 

SHINE Unplugged - Year 9 & 10 Ministry
The postponed SHINE conference scheduled for this Term was unfortunately cancelled due to ongoing COVID restrictions and a change in the HSC Exam block. However, with help from the CSO, there has been organised an experience called SHINE Unplugged.

We ran this program on Tuesday, 23 November and it was a huge success. The day was run in St Mary’s Church by the YMO’s, Miss Day, Mr Ludwig and Mr Humphrys with guest appearances from Fr Peter, newly elected College Captain, Nick Griffin and incoming YMO for 2022, Jacob Franey, albeit via zoom. A lot of fun was had by all and we achieved the most important aspect of the day which was Connection. 

Vinnies Christmas Hampers
We will be collecting donations to make up Christmas Hampers to give to the St Vincent De Paul Society. Students are encouraged to bring in at least $5 so that the ministry team can purchase the hamper goods for each house. This is a brilliant initiative and would encourage all students to give generously in this time for those who are a little bit less fortunate. 

Ministry Captains
It is with great pleasure that we can announce the introduction of two new student leadership positions for 2022, Ministry Captains. The Ministry Captains will be two Year 11 students who will work closely with the YMO’s, the AP Mission and Leader of School Evangelisation to help promote and strengthen the Ministry side of our College. The Ministry captains will be a part of the College SRC and work closely with the College Captains and Vice Captains. The Ministry captains have been able to nominate with the rest of the SRC and they will be elected by the students in the Year 9 and 10 Ministry Classes. 

Youth Group - Lismore
YOUTH GROUP IS BACK. For the final time this year we will be having a Youth Group this Sunday. It’s going to be a huge Christmas themed youth with lots of Games, Testimonies, an open mic, food and heaps of fun. Usually we would run at Doyle House, next to the cathedral, but due to lack of space and the weather not being optimal, we’ve decided to move to a new location at St Matthew’s Aged Care Facility Hall at Goonellabah (don’t be fooled by the venue, it’s still a youth group). If you have any questions at all please contact Theo or Dan on our emails:

daniel.pouloudis@lism.catholic.edu.au
theo.scholl@lism.catholic.edu.au 

Hope to see you there.

Proclaim Lismore Wildfire
The Lismore Diocese band, Wildfire, have some exciting news to announce. At the beginning of the term they were stoked to announce a brand new EP. This EP is called Storm + Ocean and includes some of their best work yet. One of our personal favourites is Have You Heard which features American/Australian Catholic Hip-Hop artist, Josh Angrisano. Check out the Proclaim Lismore Students Youtube or @proclaimlismorewildfire on Instagram for updates. 

This came after they released a brand new single at the end of last term which is a collaboration with Brisbane based Catholic Worship band, Emmanuel Worship, called Into Your Arms. 

Want more? Check out @proclaimlismorestudents and @proclaimlismorewildfire on Instagram and/or Spotify for some awesome content, music and playlists. One of our personal favourites is the ‘Shine ‘21 Fun’ playlist. It has a fantastic mix of contemporary Christian Music to share with your friends. Have a listen! 

God Bless.

Dan and Theo
Youth Ministry Officers

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

The Uniform Shop is open again for parents and students.

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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