22 March 2024 - Newsletter (Vol 41 No 4)

The Importance of Asking: "How Was Your Day?"

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the simple yet profound act of asking our children, "How was your day?" Yet, this seemingly ordinary question holds immense significance in nurturing our relationship with our children and supporting their emotional well-being.

The Assistant Principals and myself are fortunate to do bus duty every afternoon here at the College and whilst we can’t lay claim to speaking to all students in the afternoon, we do make it our concern to ask many, ‘How was your day?’, ‘What went well and what didn’t go so well?’. It gives us a quick picture of how things are going from their perspective, one I then share with the student leaders at our monthly round table meeting in my office or at the fortnightly SRC meetings.

As staff we have the opportunity many times a day to ask the students this type of question and as parents it allows us to gauge just how well (or otherwise, how our children are going) Here's why asking about their day matters both from the perspective of teacher and parent. 

1. Fostering Communication: By asking about their day, we create an open line of communication with our children. This simple question encourages them to share their thoughts, experiences, and emotions, fostering a sense of trust and connection between parent and child or teacher and student.
   
   
2. Validating Feelings: When we inquire about their day, we acknowledge the importance of our children's experiences and feelings. Whether they are having, or had a great day filled with achievements or faced challenges and setbacks, knowing that adults are interested and empathetic validates their emotions and helps them feel understood.
   
   
3. Building Confidence: Regularly asking about their day shows our children that we care about their well-being and value their opinions. This affirmation boosts their self-esteem and confidence, empowering them to navigate the ups and downs of life with resilience and positivity and feel that they do have some voice in what impacts them.
   
   
4. Identifying Concerns: By staying engaged and attentive to our children's responses, we can better identify any issues or concerns they may be facing. Whether it's academic struggles, social challenges, or emotional difficulties, asking about their day provides an opportunity to address these issues proactively and offer support when needed.
   
   
5. Strengthening Bonds: The simple act of asking about their day strengthens the bond between parent and child or teacher and students. It creates a shared space for meaningful conversations, laughter, and even moments of vulnerability, fostering a sense of belonging and unity within the family.

As we navigate the demands of our busy lives, let's not forget the importance of pausing to ask our children about their day. In doing so, we not only show our love and support but also lay the foundation for a strong and resilient parent-child and teacher-student relationship.

Child Protection Policy and Procedures

God bless

 

Michael Carniato
Principal

Dear Families

Our school will join with more than 45 schools across the Lismore Diocese to celebrate Catholic Education Week (CEW). This will take place in Week 11, Term 1 from April 8-12.

This year’s theme is “Innovation and Faith’. The transforming power of innovation and faith working in unison to ensure our students experience the fullness of life (John 10:10). 

For many of the great innovators throughout history, their faith motivated them to explore and understand the wonders of the universe. Our Catholic schools walk alongside clergy, parishioners and families to prepare and nurture our future innovators and faith leaders on their journey. 

I would like to extend a warm invitation for you to participate in our Catholic Education Week events and faith celebrations. Please take the opportunity with members of our parish and wider community, to experience innovation and faith in our Catholic school. 

Below is a schedule of events for the week that you are invited to attend:

Family Breakfast Tuesday 9 April 7.30am in the Main Quad - RSVP via link

College Tours Wednesday 10 April - 9am - 12noon

Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to seeing you during our celebrations for Catholic Education Week in 2024.

God bless

 

Michael Carniato
Principal

Tell Them From Me Survey - Your Voice Matters!

Early next term we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

In 2023, 138 parents/carers completed the survey. The results of surveys, such as these, help provide direction for future planning and open up areas for fruitful discussion between home and school.

A great example of this was the work the College did around creating a more body kind culture through the work of Taryn Brumfitt and Dr Zali Yager and the Embrace Collective. The suggestion to engage with the Embrace Collective came directly from the P & F after unpacking the results from last year’s TTFM student surveys, which revealed a significant number of our younger female students were experiencing a range of issues related to body image.

We would like to extend an invitation to all parents/carers to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey this year. We value the role of parents and carers within our school community and would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St John Paul College.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

WHEN? Term 2 Week 3 (the survey will remain open for 2 weeks)

HOW? You will be provided with a URL to access the parent survey and complete online.

The Catholic Schools Office has shared with schools some newsletters informing parents on vaping. SJPC will be sharing these with parents over the next few editions. Please feel free to contact the Office for further information or clarification:

Clear Minds, Healthy Lives: Choose Vape Free

Vaping continues to be a concerning issue for families, schools and communities who are committed to the health and wellbeing of young people. The government has introduced new laws that will ban the importation of vapes, including refillable products, from 1 March 2024, unless importers hold a licence and these vapes will only be sold in pharmacies to users with a prescription. However, current stockpiles and illegal sales will continue to pose a threat to the health of those young people who choose to vape.

Parents and schools can work together to support young people to make healthy choices and we encourage parents to be part of our school’s campaign to promote the message, Clear Minds, Healthy Lives: Choose Vape-Free.  Please read our regular series of articles aimed at informing, supporting and equipping our parents about this issue.

Our first article for parents is a brief explanation of vaping and its impacts. Please click here to read and have some conversations with your child about vaping. Some conversation starters could include:

1. Are a lot of kids vaping at your school? Are your friends vaping?
   Be sure you don’t react, just listen. 

2. What do you think about vaping?
   You may hear your child say that vaping is harmless. It’s important to share some good information with your child about the impacts of vaping.

3. Do you know what is in vapes?
   Share with them that they’ve tested vapes and they do not contain only water vapour and flavouring. Vapes can contain very high levels of nicotine and other toxic chemicals that damage lungs.

Until next time:

Michael Stubbs
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

The Importance of Data at SJPC

One of the most valuable tools in a teacher's arsenal is data. From assessments like the Progressive Achievement Tests (PAT) to national benchmarks such as the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), data collection plays a crucial role in shaping pedagogy and unlocking student potential.

Why is data collection so vital? It is like embarking on a journey without a map – you may eventually reach your destination, but the path could be fraught with detours and uncertainties. Similarly, teachers without data are navigating the teaching process blindly, unaware of their students' strengths, weaknesses, and the areas that require attention.

PAT and NAPLAN assessments offer insights into students' academic progress and proficiency levels across various subjects. These assessments provide a snapshot of where students stand in relation to national standards, helping educators identify areas for improvement and tailor their teaching strategies accordingly.

At St John Paul College, data collection isn't just about gathering the numbers; it's about understanding the story behind the statistics. This is where the Assessment Waterfall Chart, pioneered by Lyn Sharratt, comes into play. The Assessment Waterfall Chart is a visual representation of student data that allows teachers to delve deeper into individual student performance, identifying patterns and trends that might otherwise go unnoticed.

By analysing the data represented in the Assessment Waterfall Chart, teachers can pinpoint specific areas where students excel and areas where they struggle. This targeted approach enables educators to personalise their teaching methods, providing tailored support to meet the diverse needs of their students.

Moreover, data-driven teaching promotes a culture of continuous improvement within the College. As educators regularly collect and analyse data, they can track students' progress over time, evaluate the effectiveness of instructional strategies, and make informed decisions to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.

Furthermore, data-driven teaching fosters collaboration among educators. By sharing and discussing data insights, teachers can collaborate on best practices, brainstorm innovative solutions, and support each other in optimising student learning experiences.

In essence, data collection is not merely a government requirement but a powerful tool for driving educational excellence. By harnessing the insights gleaned from assessments like PAT and NAPLAN, and leveraging tools such as the Assessment Waterfall Chart, teachers can unlock the full potential of every student, guiding them on a path to academic success and empowering them to thrive in academic pursuits. 

Study Skills

Learn more about the ‘managing stress’ resources through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au . Our College access details are:

School’s Username – stjohnpaul

School’s password – 89success

In addition, our subscription to Elevate Education may assist in this area.

This online platform contains resources and useful study tips that all SJPC students will find effective. We encourage them to access this Student Portal and try some of the strategies. Students have the password to this site. The password can also be found on the Curriculum Noticeboard.

AMDG

James Furey
Assistant Principal
Learning and Teaching

Catholic Faith in Action: Building a Civilization of Love Through Service

We are delighted to share with you the inspiring work being done by our senior students as part of the Catholic Faith in Action (CFIA) course. Rooted in Catholic social teaching, CFIA aims to develop in students attitudes and values that promote social responsibility, human solidarity, and the common good.

One of the highlights of the CFIA course is the opportunity for students to engage in service activities in the community. Currently, our students are actively involved in serving at Mater Christi Nursing Home and Lifehouse Op-shop and Pantry. These experiences are not only enriching the lives of those they serve but are also deeply impacting our students.

Pope Francis once said, "Through your joyful witness and service, help to build a civilization of love. Show, by your life, that it is worth giving your time and talents in order to attain high ideals, it is worth recognizing the dignity of each human person, and it is worth taking risks for Christ and his Gospel." Our students are truly embodying this message through their service.

We are proud to see our students embracing these opportunities for service with such enthusiasm and commitment. We believe that these experiences will not only shape them as individuals but will also inspire them to continue serving their communities in the future.

As parents, we invite you to join us in supporting and encouraging our students as they continue their journey of faith and service. Together, let us strive to build a civilization of love, where every person is valued, and every act of kindness makes a difference.

Thank you for your continued support.

The wellbeing room is a safe space for students to talk openly about concerns, discuss support, and enjoy a calm atmosphere. We have seen great engagement with the room so far and are pleased to be able to accommodate students in need and offer another space in the school where they belong.

The wellbeing room is open before school from 8.30 am, recess, and lunch. On entry, students are welcomed with a warm greeting from our Student Wellbeing Officer, Mrs Talia Saban. The room is air-conditioned, furnished with sofas and bean bags, and contains an array of board and card games, wellbeing magazines, and books. It has been wonderful to see students socialising and building positive peer relationships through lunchtime crafting activities and games clubs. Lunchtime clubs allow students to engage in extra activities and also contribute to fostering an inclusive school community. 

We are looking forward to facilitating the wellbeing program Seasons for Growth next term. This program is designed to support students to develop the skills to cope effectively with change and loss. Please contact talia.saban@lism.catholic.edu.au if you require any further information.  

SJPC School Counselling Service

For those new to SJPC or unfamiliar with the School Counselling service, we’d like to explain how the service operates and introduce ourselves. We now have 2 full times counsellors in Brad Poidevin and Kate Roberts (replacing Alee Isgro on maternity leave) who bring their own style of counselling and therapy. Kate has a wealth and variety of experience and being new to SJPC, features in this week's profile below.

About the SJPC School Counselling Service

• This is a free and confidential with-in school service open to all students.
• We provide intervention for a range of issues pertaining to youth including anxiety, low mood, social issues, social skills, family breakdown, anger management, peer pressure, bullying, self-confidence, resilience, stress reduction or questions about puberty, a diagnosis, mental health or life in general. Sometimes we just provide a non-judgement, safe and confidential space to talk and unload.
• We conduct risk assessments for students presenting with safety concerns.
• Although we don’t engage in family or parent counselling, we are very open to consult with parents on matters pertaining to their child such as behaviour, mental health, recent or possible diagnosis and help make appropriate referrals if needed.
• We typically operate on a short-term intervention model of 6-8 weeks per referral. A student may have several referrals during the year.
• As a registered psychologist, Brad is able conduct behavioural assessments and provide a report to help inform external practitioners if they are conducting diagnostic assessments.
• Being at the ‘coal face’ we can liaise with external supports and help implement strategies within the school setting.

Referral process

• Students can ask the School Counsellors directly or have a teacher or the LoSW pass on their request. 
• Parents can make a request by contacting the school and asking to speak to one of the school counsellors. 
• Parents can fill out a referral form downloaded through Compass under ‘School Documents’ - ‘Parents’ - ‘School Counsellors’. Send in per instructions on form. OR
• Contact us directly at bpoidevin@lism.catholic.edu.au or kate.roberts@lism.catholic.edu.au
• If the Leader of Student Wellbeing (LoSW) is aware of concerns, they may approach a student and/or parent and suggest school counsellor support.
• A student can request either a male or female counsellor.

Students under 14 years old require a signed parental consent form – available on request OR can be downloaded through Compass under ‘School Documents’ - ‘Parents’ - ‘School Counsellors’

School Counsellor Profile

Hi, my name is Kate Roberts and I am excited to be joining the team at St John Paul College. I grew up on the lovely mid north coast, but like many people my age, I moved to attend university. I went to Sydney University where I completed a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in psychology and anthropology) and Bachelor of Social Work (Hons). I also went on to complete a Masters of Social Work. At the conclusion of my studies, I worked in various roles both in the city and in regional areas.

I am the mother of three (now adult) children- Alastair, Hugo and Ingrid. When my children were young, my family and I lived overseas for a number of years and during that time I worked in both paid and voluntary positions in Nigeria, Brunei and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. 

In the last seven years I have worked in Sydney as a school / wellbeing counsellor in a number of Catholic schools (Parramatta Diocese). I have worked in a primary school, two different 'mainstream' high schools and a senior college that offered an alternative model of education and a 'second chance' to students who were disengaged from mainstream schooling.

My passion is anything related to social justice and I have a strong belief in the role education has in offering opportunities for a positive future. I love working with young people and think the next generation are amazing! However, being in high school today means facing challenges that were unimaginable when I was growing up. 

It is such a privilege to work in this role, where I have the opportunity to walk alongside some incredible young people and support them to take their place in the world to do great things.  

Brad Poidevin & Kate Roberts

School Counsellors 

Information about Elevate Education's next free Parent webinar is below.

Parent, Student, Teacher Conferences

It was wonderful to see so many students engaging with their parents and teachers during our recent Parent Student Teacher Conferences.

These Conferences provide a valuable opportunity for students to speak with teachers and parents about their learning. Parents have an opportunity to meet their child’s teachers, connect, and gain an insight into their child's approach to learning, progress, achievements and wellbeing.

When students play an integral part in conferences, they develop and practice invaluable skills that they will carry into the future, taking ownership of their learning, and creating a more meaningful experience for all.

We do understand that, at times, circumstances prevent families from attending these evenings, and appointments with some staff are not available. We do encourage families to speak with their child about their learning at home, as well as communicating with their child’s teachers in an effort to maximise the level of engagement of their children across all experiences within the College.

If parents have booked a conference time and are unable to attend, we would appreciate it if you contacted the College via phone or email.

 

Year 8

Reminder regarding the Forensics Science Camp in Armidale

Dates: The 2024 Camp starts on Tuesday 9 July 2024 and finishes on Saturday 13 July 2024.

Applications close on Friday 14 June or before if positions are filled.

Please click on the link for more information.

Year 10

As you know, Year 10 students are required to have an account with NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority). They are required to activate a student account via the Student online portal. Students have been given a flyer in home room which contains important links and information as well as their NESA identification number.

Students have also checked the details we have entered into NESA on their behalf via a confirmation of entry form.

Claudia Brown
Leader of Curriculum

All things Literacy, because Literacy matters in all things

MAXIMISING OUR POTENTIAL AS LEARNERS AND THINKERS

We are so incredibly fortunate to have the attributes that enable us to read, write, feel emotions and communicate with others. The school environment aims to capitalise on these attributes and promote growth for all. 

We want students to be thinkers.

We want students to flourish as individuals.

Teachers continually revise and refine their practice, and make further modifications  according to the students in front of them. Educating students in the school environment is a process in facilitating learning and ‘meaning making’. Still, not all students find school life easy. In fact, we hope that all students feel challenged at different times. 

Learning is meant to challenge us.

REMEMBER:

• Intelligence is not fixed.
• Knowledge is not fixed.
• Writing ability is not fixed
• Reading ability is not fixed.

WORD OF THE WEEK

Orotund adjective

DEFINITION: (of the voice) characterised by strength, fullness, richness and clearness.

In a sentence: The actor’s orotund voice captivated the audience with its powerful resonance.

Diminutive adjective

DEFINITION: Small tiny little extremely small

In a sentence: The single french fry had a diminutive effect on their hunger

He looked a diminutive figure against the mountain.

Maree McKelvie

A few weeks ago, we welcomed back our friends from Toyama Chubu High School in Japan. The 16 students and 2 staff (Ms Okui and Mr Nakamura) enjoyed the warm hospitality of our SJPC students and families as well as experiencing all the Coffs Coast has to offer.

Over the week of 3 -10 March, the Japanese students and their host students took part in various activities with a focus on the local environment. Toyama Chubu is a Super Science high school so the group were keen to take part in action research and field studies while in Coffs Harbour.

The group attended classes here at SJPC and the staff and other students made them feel right at home. The Toyama students commented on how different classes were compared to Japan and they really enjoyed that fact that students were able to participate and be fully engaged in their learning.

The week’s excursions included Dorrigo National Park, the National Marine Science Centre including a trip to the rock platform at Woolgoolga, Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary as well as Muttonbird Island at night. It was great to see the Toyama students and their host students appreciate the amazing nature and scenery of our local area together.

In just a short time, it was obvious that our SJPC host families and the Japanese students had forged lifelong friendships. The Farewell party on the Friday night and the airport farewells saw many hugs, tears and promises of keeping in touch.

Some words from our hosts:

Robbie Haig (Year 9) and mum, Jo
I would like to say what a wonderful time we had with our student Hiroto. Not only was it an experience for him to fully embrace Aussie life, which I must say he did with great enthusiasm, but it was also a chance for us as a family to learn about the Japanese culture. It was an absolute joy to host a student from Toyama.

Francis Tran (Year 12)
Seeing the students experiencing new things that are just a part of our daily lives is a priceless experience. I got to see Masatos' first time touching the sand and it made me realise not to take everything for granted.

Ollie Jones (Year 9) and family
My experience with the Toyama Students will never leave my memory. At first, our family was a bit hesitant about having a student stay with us. But we are glad we hosted as it let us be connected to Japanese culture and was really enriching. Wakana gave us all a calligraphy lesson and showed us her beautiful and artistic brush skills. She is very talented!

Thank you to all our host families who looked after these students and made sure they all had a wonderful time and made many amazing memories. Thank you also to all staff and students who spent time with the Japanese over the week. Your efforts ensure these programs are a success.

Kirsten Binnie
Leader of Learning - Languages

It has been a very busy start to the term for Year 8 Visual Arts students where they have been learning about the principles of art & design, with an emphasis on contrast, and the Conceptual Framework in their investigations of Pop artists and their works. Students have been introduced to the vibrant and fun world of Pop art, and how it blurred the boundaries between commercial and fine art in its depiction of banal everyday items. In doing so they have explored popular party food and are in the process of making their food-based sculpture using cardboard, cane, papier mache, and other construction techniques.  

Stay posted for further updates as students continue to experiment, refine, and complete their sculptural artworks! Keep up the hard work Year 8! 

Vicki Foggiato
Leader of Learning - Visual Arts

Mid North Coast Rugby 10’s Gala Day 

Congratulations to all of the Rugby Union teams that participated on 14 March in Crescent Head. We had 3 teams attend, with our 16s girls straight through to the finals on 5 April due to the unavailability of the other teams.

The 14s girls were fantastic in their round games and narrowly were beaten in the final but progressed to the next round, nonetheless. The 14s boys were dominant, and undefeated in all their round games through the semis but were beaten convincingly by a very commanding MacKillop team in the final. The 16s boys didn’t have finals to play as it was a first-past-the-post occasion. Despite the crazy, talented competition, they violated the laws of nature, added new movements into physics and dominated every team with alarming efficiency. 

Thank you to Kris Kent, Mitch Walton and Tanya Kelly for coaching the other teams. It was a fantastic day.

Joshua Moore
Rugby 10s Coach

 

Diocesan Open Basketball Championships

The Open Boys and Girls teams attended the Diocesan Open Basketball Championships in Coffs Harbour on Thursday 14 March. 

The ladies were once again dominant, defeating all teams in Division 1. They accounted for Mackillop (60 - 8) after a forfeit, Xavier 58 - 31, St Mary’s 66 -6 and Woodlawn 59-19. The ladies were deserving champions.

The boys had a harder day on the court overcoming some tough defense. The boys defeated Woodlawn 53-27, Xavier 22 - 18, Trinity 28 - 15 and Newman  38 - 32. The very dominant MacKillop team defeated our boys 74 - 26 but due to their forfeit in round 1, SJPC won on a countback! 

Congratulations to both teams, who are both through to the CCC Championships in Sydney in June.

CCC Representation

Congratulations to Eva Pronesti (Year 9) who was selected for the U15 CCC Volleyball team. She will compete at the NSW All Schools event later in the year.

                                   

Coming Up - Term 1 2024

Danielle McAra
Sport Co-ordinator

Our college elective music students from Years 10,11, and 12 have been busy preparing their assessment task programs consisting of practical performances, musicology viva voces, and compositions. They will be presenting these this week. Stay tuned for a sneaky theatre concert in Week 10 to showcase some of their work.

Jon Baldwin

Music - Teacher

SJPC Communication - Facebook

Do you follow SJPC's Facebook page? This is where you will find reminders of upcoming social events, sporting updates, transport delays, job advertisements and photos of SJPC students participating in everyday life at the College.

To start following St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour please click on this link

Student Diary

Uniform Shop

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 7:30am - 9:00am

Homework Centre

Hours: Monday - Thursday 3:20pm - 5:00pm

Finance

  

For fee related enquiries and payment plan assistance, please contact the Catholic Schools Office by email: cofhs-fees@lism.catholic.edu.au

The Catholic Schools Office Fee Enquiry

Ph: 6653 1655

Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Email: cofhs-fees@lism.catholic.edu.au

Please RSVP via Compass event link

We are so excited to share this exciting update regarding the new Vinnie's Van in Coffs Harbour. Last week, some of our senior students who are members of our SJPC Vinnies Conference (Koko Nichols and Peri Carrett) met via zoom with Clare Van Doorn, Regional Director of St Vincent de Paul and Rosie Leo, Community Engagement Coordinator, to discuss the Coffs Vinnies Van and how our College Community can get involved in this important community service.

Many ideas were shared, including providing training for volunteers (over the age of 16) and putting together a roster for SJPC students, staff and parents/families to volunteer with the Vinnies Van Service. More information about this will be coming soon - so watch this space!

Additionally, we wanted to share that the St Vincent de Paul is currently advertising a part-time position for the Vinnies Van Services Coordinator to run the service here in Coffs Harbour. If you or anyone you know is interested in this position please click on the link to find out more.

We are all very excited to be joining forces with Vinnies to put out faith in action by bringing much needed support to those in need here in our local community.

Leanne Gennat and Brett Bujeya
SJPC Vinnies Conference

Expressions of Interest from students to participate in the Kokoda Challenge, an annual event held in several Queensland locations. In the spirit of the Diggers experience of the real Kokoda Track, the event aims to challenge participants on a long difficult and hilly hike in a team. It aims to inspire courage, endurance and mateship, virtues of the Kokoda campaign, to get you through to the end. We aim to enter in the Brisbane event which at 48km, is half the distance of the Kokoda Track. To make it challenging, you do it in one day!

 Check out the Kokoda Challenge website

WHAT: 48km hike with 2000m of elevation completed in one day. Average time 13hrs

WHO: Teams of 4 students and 1 teacher. Minimum age 13 years

DETAILS: 1 June. Brisbane event. Starts at 7.30am. We will stay 2 nights in accommodation (TBA) nearby. A parent support team is needed (at least 2 parents per team). There are check points along the way, one of which is a major check point where the support crew meet their team for a feed, water, new socks etc.

PREPARATION: MUST be prepared to train once a week after school for 1.5 - 3 hour hikes plus a couple of 6hr hikes on the weekends leading up to the event. Will be hilly!

COST: As part of the fund raising component, each student needs to raise $125. There will also be an accommodation cost TBA

Either contact Brad Poidevin (bradley.poidevin@lism.catholic.edu.au) or fill out the Google Form if interested.

Note: Picture taken from The Kokoda Challenge website

Brad Poidevin
School Counsellor