Sunday 2nd Sunday of Advent (Year A) Immaculate Conception

Mass Times: St. Agnes’ Port Macquarie Our Lady of Lourdes Wauchope Saturday Vigil – 6.00pm Saturday Vigil – 6.00pm and Sunday 7.30am Sunday – 7.30am, 9.00am & 5.00pm Long Flat – 9.30am 2nd & 4th Sunday

Kendall – 9.00am Mass (1st Saturday month 10.00am Mass Comboyne)

Telegraph Point – Thursday Night 6.00pm Beechwood – 9.30am 1st & 3rd Sunday

Lake Cathie – Sunday 8.00am Laurieton – Saturday Vigil 5.30pm, Sunday – 7.30am

What’s on Term 4, Week 11

MONDAY, 16th December (Day 1)

- Staff Briefing 8.30am Christmas Mass in Hall at 9.30am All Welcome SAPSS Jazz Band in Performing Arts Centre 4.30pm-6.00pm

TUESDAY, 17th December (Day 2)

- Girls Vocal Group 8.30am in PAC Concert Band in PAC 8.00am

WEDNESDAY, 18th December (Day 3)

- House Staff Meetings 8.20am-8.45am Jazz Band in PAC 8.00am St Agnes Hostel Birthday Choir Performance HSC results released and Year 12 Breakfast SWD Funday at Settlement Point & Town Pool

THURSDAY, 19th December (Day 4)

- Year 7-10 Award Ceremony & Report Distribution in Hall at 9.15am (Full Winter Uniform including ties to be worn for Awards) Macquarie & Oxley Excellence and Application Awards 11.00am Flinders and Innes Excellence and Application Awards 12.45pm Last Day for students

FRIDAY, 20th December (Day 5)

- Staff Professional Development Day

DATES TO REMEMBER Thursday 30th January 2014 First day for students in Year 7 and 11 Friday 31st January 2014 First day for students in Year 8-10 and 12 Friday 31st January 2014 Year 7 Swimming Proficiency Test P5 & 6 Friday 31st January 2014 High Achievers Assembly 9.15am Monday 3rd February 2014 Year 7 and new student photos

13th December 2013 Term 4, Week 10 P.O. Box 231, College Drive PORT MACQUARIE 2444

Ph: 02 5525 4100 Fax: 02 5525 4199 www.sapss.nsw.edu.au

“The Truth will set you free”

COORDINATING PRINCIPAL’S REPORT MAINTAINING HIGH STANDARDS

A colleague, who has recently returned from an overseas trip, gave me an article written by Colin Dunne in the British newspaper ‘Daily Mail’ on October 12th, 2013. It is an interesting article that has an important message for teachers, leaders and for the parents of our students.

Colin Dunne recalls his own school days in the United Kingdom during the 1950’s when discipline was extremely strict and the cane was used liberally. The headmaster, ML Forster, was a huge and powerful figure who set the standards and moral tone of Ermysted’s Grammar School in the Yorkshire Dales when Dunne was a student. “For 20 years”, writes Dunne, “he took grubby little Yorkshire lads and turned them into young men who were well-educated and even semi-civilised, whether they liked it or not. By the thousand…. To this day, you will find countless people who swear their lives were vastly enhanced by his early influence. “Me among them”.

Dunne explains that this headmaster “ran a tight ship. No running, no shouting, no fighting, no cheek”. He recalls that they “had to wear our uniforms at all times. To be caught without your cap in town was practically a hanging offence”. He goes on to explain that this headmaster’s goal was to create “a controlled and orderly environment in which the expectation was that we would work, learn and thrive”. The result was that the boys of Ermysted’s Grammar “tread the path to Oxford and Cambridge with exam results that put the school around the top of all league tables”.

Although we live in very different times, where corporal punishment is thankfully no longer an option, we have a similar goal. Our goal is to set high standards and to continually improve student achievement. We aim for excellence in teaching and learning, in pastoral care, in spiritual formation, in behaviour, in sport and in the creative and performing arts. We want our ex-students to tread the paths of our best universities or secure apprenticeships and employment that will bring them success and happiness. To achieve this we need to challenge students who do not meet expectations across the board, including adherence to school uniform and personal presentation rules. Over recent weeks staff have been asked to challenge students who are not complying with rules in relation to jewellery and make up. There is also concern about boys’ presentation, especially in relation to hair styles which do not conform to our expectations that they be neat and tidy. This will be addressed further from the start of the 2014 school year.

Thankfully most parents ‘get it’ and are extremely supportive. You understand that it is not just about make up or untidy hair styles, or boys having shirts tucked in or girls wearing their skirts knee length. It is about setting and maintaining a standard and a developing culture of high expectations so that students can grow and thrive and achieve their personal best. Mr Jim O’Brien Coordinating Principal

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 2013 has been an amazing year at St Joseph’s Regional College. Our community has been blessed with wonderful experiences of success and students have been presented with great opportunities for growth and development in and outside the classroom. Our theme “Act Justly, Love Tenderly, Walk Humbly with God” challenged students to do their best in all aspects of school life and all also in their personal lives. Next Thursday, we celebrate students’ achievements and successes at the Year 7-10 Major Award Ceremony. We look forward to sharing their excitement with parents and the College community.

Thank you for Supporting the College Exam and Reporting Program This week I would particularly like to acknowledge the whole College community in supporting our exam and reporting process. As a College community we have been able to have students be attentive to their learning right up to the very end of the term. Attendance rates have also been strong across-the-board as a result of having students work in this way. Over the past two weeks staff has worked exceptionally hard in writing, delivering and marking challenging examinations for our students. Equally, the College Executive, KLA Leaders, Office and Support staff have liaised exceptionally well with subject teachers to formulate students’ reports ready to be distributed next week. I wait with expectation to read and sign each student’s report next week. I thank St Joseph’s Regional staff for its strong work-ethic, collaborative culture and generous level of commitment. Finally, I would like to thank all families who have been so supportive of what we do here in relation to this process. Indeed, we are a strong learning community where parents and school are “on the same page” with regard to giving our students the best possible opportunities as they journey towards achieving Excellence in a great Catholic College. Subject and Excursion Costs My sincere thanks to those families who have paid these fees on time. I understand many of you have to make significant sacrifices along the way to ensure your sons and daughters receive an excellent education. If you are yet to make this final payment, it would be great to get it done in order to save unnecessary stress in the final days of the school year. Payments can be made at the school office with cash, cheque or Eftpos. Credit card payments can be taken up to 3.30pm over the phone and there is also a Bpay option with details on your statement.

NEW PROCEDURE FOR ISSUING REPORTS The new procedure for issuing reports requests that students share their results with their parents. Hence, report envelopes are to always be opened with parents present. Report envelopes will be issued to all students with the following message on the front and on the seal:

This report envelope is sealed and to be opened only by a Parent or Guardian.

In response to families not receiving reports and students opening the envelopes to find a slip stating the message below:

Your son / daughter has not received their report as there is an outstanding balance on the School account.

It is my belief that students should not be opening Report envelopes and reading that accounts have not been paid. This is not fair to our students. This is a matter for the school and parents. The College has acknowledged that some families may have difficulties finalising their School account so I ask that you try to do this as soon as you can to avoid the above happening.

School Shoes (Reminder) Many parents will need to purchase new school shoes for their sons and daughters in January 2014. Please remember that the school requires these to be plain black, polishable lace-up leather shoes. (No high tops, boots or ripple soles, skate type shoes or logos. No buckle shoes or open top shoes. Heels should not be more than 2.5cm.) St Agnes’ Parish School Fees St Agnes’ Parish gives wonderful support and financial assistance to its schools. Our schools effectively run a deficit budget – the Parish contributes in excess of $600,000 to the schools each year beyond what is generated through government funding and school fees. This is an extraordinary commitment. Even with this high level of support, it is essential that our families meet their school fee commitments. I request that all families look to finalise their school fee debts prior to the end of this school term. If for any reason you are experiencing financial difficulty and meeting your monetary commitment to the Parish, please contact either myself at school or Trudi Hosking, the Parish School Fees Manager (6588 7444), to discuss making alternate arrangements.

God Bless

Jim Dempsey Principal

ST AGNES’ PARISH Thank you for your support - School Fees

Thank you to all families for the payment of fees during 2013. St Agnes’ Parish Schools can be rightfully proud of the excellent facilities and standard of education they offer the many families who choose Catholic education in Port Macquarie. From pre-school to Year 12, our facilities, standards of education and dedicated professional staff are second to none. The Parish continually strives to keep school fees at an affordable rate for all families. None the less, it is the fees and the generous Parish grants that lay the foundations for the great facilities and resources we have in our schools. Every year the school fees are increased to keep pace with the increasing demands in education and this will be the case in 2014. However, it is important to note that if there is a genuine need for a reduction in school fees, due to changing financial or other circumstances, I would encourage families and individuals to let us know. Please feel free to contact your principal, Trudi Hosking, Chrissie Gomes or myself if you are experiencing any difficulty in paying fees. School fees are important but the well-being of families individuals is more important. Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. John McQueen, Trudi Hosking, Chrissie Gomes St Agnes Parish Accounts

You are invited

to the

St Joseph’s Regional College Christmas Mass

& farewell to departing Year 10 students

When: Monday December 16that 9:30 am

Where: in our College Hall

END OF YEAR PROGRAM

Dates to Remember:

Monday, 16th December 9.30 – 10.30am Christmas Mass & farewell to departing Year 10 students

Thursday, 19th December Year 7-10 Major Award Ceremony (Full winter uniform, including ties)

- 9.15am – 10.15am Award Ceremony 1st place in Subject Awards, Speaking Awards and Dux of each year Award.

- 11.00am - 12.15pm Macquarie & Oxley Excellence and Application Awards

- 12.45pm - 2.00pm Flinders and Innes Excellence and Application Awards

Thursday, 19th December is the last day of Term 4 for students and report distribution. Staff will finish on Friday, 20th December; and will be available by appointment on this day for parent/teacher interviews.

Cath Eichmann Assistant Principal

FROM THE LEADER OF CATECHESIS AND SCHOOL EVANGELISATION

MACKILLOP GIFT SHOP

The Gift Shop will be opening additional hours in the week leading up to Christmas. On Sunday 15th December the shop will open from 8.00am to 10.45am. It has for sale a wide range of Christmas cards and gifts, nativity scenes, puddings, religious calendars, including the popular Columban Calendar. The Daily Mass book and Ordo are also available.

The shop is open Monday to Friday between 10.00am and 2.00pm and is located between the Parish Administration Centre and KFC in Hayward Street. Phone 6584 9779

Nora Swain Leader of Catechesis and School Evangelisation

Year 9 Geography Project Winners Announced Year 9 Geography students made a documentary about the Port Macquarie community this term as part of their classwork. The five best documentaries were sent in to the Port Macquarie Hastings Council for Mayor Peter Besseling and other councillors to judge. Mayor Peter Besseling's response is below. Congratulations Jessy Hughes and Jasmine Holland

Hi Nathan

I refer to St Joseph’s Regional College Year 9 Geography Projects and advise that judging of the projects has been carried out.

The high quality of the projects we reviewed genuinely impressed both myself and a number of senior Council staff. All of the projects were well edited, sharply cut and made good use of music and audio cues.

Each project touched on the wide array of Councils responsibilities, and it is clear that the students put in a lot of effort thinking about what role Council has outside of simply infrastructure provision (i.e. roads and garbage collection), and what role it plays in fostering and facilitating community. Almost all of the projects illustrated the reciprocal relationship between Council and community - the importance of a community to advocate for its needs and wants, and the importance of Council to listen and respond.

While all of the projects were very well put together, one project stood out from the rest - congratulations to Jessy Hughes and Jasmine Holland. Their project is the most tightly edited, sharpest cut and makes best use of audio-visual signposts to guide the viewer. It encapsulates the values and relationship of Council and community the clearest and also introduced questions around how Council and community deal with the impacts of expansion and growth on the environment and heritage.

If you could pass on my congratulations to all the students involved for their work, with a special mention to Jessy and Jasmine, it would be appreciated.

Regards Peter Peter Besseling MAYOR PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS

Homework Hub Thank you to staff who so kindly gave up their time to assist students who attended the Homework

Hub this year. This educational service has now closed for 2013 and will re-open in 2014.

Joprim Uniform Shop

LIBRARY NEWS Like us on FaceBook – St Joseph’s Regional College Library. Follow us on Twitter – @sjrcexchange Karen Bale , Teacher Librarian

CANTEEN ROSTER

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED- The College canteen is in need of some extra help. If you would like to help on any day during the week between 9.30am-1.30pm (or even just a couple of hours in the middle of the day) please phone Emma Daley at the College Canteen on 5525 4100.

Term 4, Week 11

Monday Help Please Tuesday Help Please Wednesday Help Please Thursday Irene Dowton

TEXTBOOK RETURN – END OF YEAR

All Year 7-10 Library and textbooks to be returned

As overdue lists are sent by email to student College email accounts, please encourage your child to check this regularly.

Any lost or damaged item must be paid for.

JOPRIM WILL BE CLOSED FROM FRIDAY 20th DECEMBER AND WILL RE-OPEN ON WEDNESDAY 2nd JANUARY 2014

THE ART DEPARTMENT NEEDS DONATIONS The Art department desperately need donations of the following items.

old clean towels,

tea towels,

face washers

sheets etc

plastic bags

plastic containers such as icecream, yoghurt etc( no glass),

old toothbrushes,

fabrics pieces, Items that can be used to draw for still-life's such as vases, tea cups, fake plants and flowers etc etc we would like real plants for our verandah so any donations would also be appreciated in the new year.

SECONDHAND UNIFORM SHOP We urgently need your help! We need donations of second hand uniforms, especially:

Girls Skirts Grey Shorts White Blouses White Shirts Jumpers Sports Shorts Sports Shirts Boys Grey Socks Sports Socks

All sizes, especially small sizes. Items can be dropped into the front office. GIRLS BLUE TUNICS will no longer be part of the College uniform in 2014. If you wish to donate your blue tunics to the College we will be, in turn, donating them to a school in a developing country or an indigenous community in remote Australia. Week 11 – Normal sport

SPORT TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE

LATEST SPORT INFORMATION FROM THE REGIONAL VISIT

http://www.pmreglism.catholic.edu.au/sport/sport

Congratulations, Daniel Mottley’s with the

‘Catch of the Day’ at Year 8 sport