24 October 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Reflection

Yesterday’s Gospel reading was the story told by Luke of the two men who went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee – highly regarded by all in the community – and the other was a much despised Tax Collector – a supporter and beneficiary of the military government. Very often we are told by ‘religious’ people who God loves and doesn’t love, what God approves of and what God doesn’t. I am not a scripture scholar but it seems to me that the only time in the four Gospels that Jesus expresses his ire is when confronting hypocrisy. This story Jesus tells is about that. One man who epitomises all that is thought ‘good’ is not the hero of this story. It is the man despised and who knows that he is far from perfect who is held up by Jesus to his listeners as the one who God embraces. This story is another one of those that loses its potency away from the context of first century Palestine. The people listening to this story would have been really confronted and many deeply offended by Jesus in telling this parable. This story would not have done him any favours with many of his listeners. No wonder he got crucified! The Gospel message, at its best, disturbs us and our world view. This story reminds us that one of the pitfalls of personal success is the arrogance that can accompany it. The Pharisee was, no doubt, a very good living and devout man but he made himself feel more important by putting down others. He even did this in his prayer, reminding God of just how good he is in comparison to others. The Tax Collector, on the other hand, is in prayer recognizing the brokenness of his life and his need for God.

In this Gospel story Jesus invites us to a true understanding of humility which is a lot more about being truly ‘grounded’ in life than feeling bad about ourselves. Most of us will find ourselves somewhere between the Pharisee in the story and the Tax Collector. All of us need to be grounded in reality. In commenting on this story, Fr Richard Leonard SJ believes that in order to be ‘grounded’, “It helps if we have friends who make demands on us. They might be economically disadvantaged, disabled, elderly or sick. It’s not necessarily easy to be with them but that’s the point. Our response to them keeps us grounded and draws out gifts we sometimes didn’t know we had and, at the very least, reminds us how grateful we should be for the gifts we have received. Others can tell a lot about us by the company we keep and the people we shun.”

Awards Night & Sports Night

Congratulations to all of those students whose successes this year will be celebrated this week. Congratulations also to those very many young people who have worked hard this year in so many areas that might not get the public recognition that they deserve. This school will remain a good school whilst we encourage and promote a culture that encourages and supports excellence. A reminder to all that the announcement of the College Dux will be made at the Year 12 Graduation this year rather than Awards Night to ensure that we are able to include the most up-to-date academic data.

Live Stream Awards Night

For any family members or others who are unable to attend the Awards Night celebration, we are able to live stream the event. Shortly before the event begins a link will be posted on the Shalom Facebook page which, all going well, should allow people to watch the event from home.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal

Date Claimer - Year 12 Graduation Liturgy

Year 12 parents....your invitation will be in the mail but here are the finer details for your perusal and consideration in preparation for this special milestone.

Year 12 Slide/Video Presentation Date Claimer

Year 12 Students - On the night of Wednesday 16 November, there will be a slide/video presentation of your time at Shalom for you and your parents.

This will be held in the Performing Arts Precinct Theatre starting at 7:00pm.

Year 12 exams finish on that day and your Graduation Liturgy will be on the following morning.

Br Rochford

Brothers DVDs for Sale

Copies of the DVDs for the Addams Family Musical, Shalom Day, Edmund Rice Camp (Chaverim), Get Smart Concert (19 October) are all available from the Main Administration office and cost $5.00 each.

Br Rochford

Ministry

St Vincent de Paul Giving Tree Friday, 4 November - ‘The Giving Tree’

There is an old tale about an unusual tree that grew outside the gates of a desert city. It was an ancient tree, a landmark, as a matter of fact. It seemed to have been touched by the finger of God, for it bore fruit perpetually. Despite its old age, its limbs were constantly laden with fruit. Hundreds of passers-by refreshed themselves from the tree, as it never failed to give freely of its fruit.

But then a greedy merchant purchased the property on which the tree grew. He saw hundreds of travellers picking fruit from his tree, so he built a high fence around it. Travellers pleaded and pleaded with the new owner, “Share the fruit with us.”

The miserly merchant scoffed, “It’s my tree, my fruit and bought with my money.”

And then an astonishing thing happened. Suddenly the ancient tree died! What could have happened? The law of giving, as predictable as the law of gravity, expresses the immutable principle: when giving stops, bearing fruit ceases, and death follows inevitably.

We are just like the Giving Tree. When we share what we have with those who travel through our lives, we are blessed with more than we can imagine. In refreshing others, like the Giving Tree did, we are given the energy or life force to keep on blossoming.

Giving Tree Format

On Friday 4 November, we will have our own Giving Tree assembly, followed by a farewell to the Year 12 Students. This will be celebrated in House Groups. Each student is asked to bring an unopened gift, gift card or monetary donation to be given to the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Fund to be brought forward at the end of a short liturgy. Please see the timetable below for changes made for Friday 4 November (Day 5).

Period 1 - 8:40am – 9:40am
Period 2 - 9:40am – 10:40am
PC - (Roll, gift and report directly to Sports Centre as a class), Giving Tree Assembly, House Assemblies and a shared lunch in Houses.
Lunch 1 - 12:00pm – 12:15pm
Lunch 2 - 12:15pm – 12:35pm
Period 3 - 12:35pm – 1:35pm
Afternoon Tea - 1:35pm – 1:55pm
Period 4 - 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Mrs Kim O’Shea-Hard
Assistant to the Principal - Ministry
hardk@shalomcollege.com

Academic Awards Evening

Sports Awards Evening

P&F Committee

Please forward any comments to the Secretary via email at pandf@shalomcollege.com. If you have an agenda item please address it to the P&F Secretary either at the College Main Administration Office or by e-mail pandf@shalomcollege.com.

To all P&F Members, you are reminded that our monthly meeting is held in the Staff Common Room – all parents are welcome. Please note the final P&F meeting for 2016 will be held on Tuesday 1 November at 5:30pm.

Mrs Gail Norris
P&F Committee - Secretary

Quiet Achiever

I would like to nominate Connor Simms, Year 10 Adams House, for the Quiet Achiever Award. Connor is a great fellow and will always offer to provide assistance to those who need it. His most admirable quality is the humility he demonstrates. This year Connor has taken his swimming to the next level. He placed 2nd in the 100m freestyle in the Queensland Championships and placed 2nd in the National Championships as well. He travelled to New Zealand and placed 2nd for freestyle. He also competed in the relay team and got a bronze. Connor is very humble when he talks about his achievements even though a very small minority of swimmers would reach this level.

Congratulations Connor.

Mr Joe O’Driscoll
Adams House Coordinator
ODriscoJ@shalomcollege.com

Text Book Hire

Collection of Textbooks for 2017

Please note the dates and times for collection of textbooks for 2017. These textbooks may be collected from Book Hire in the Goondeel Library (the old library) during these periods. Please note that textbooks will not be issued to students who have not returned their 2016 textbooks. If these hours are unsuitable, collection can be arranged before school ends by contacting me on 4155 8111 or by email Sarah_Grimes@shalomcollege.com.

Collection Dates and Times

Monday 5 December to Thursday 8 December 2016 - 7:30am to 4:00pm
(closed Friday 9 December)

Tuesday 10 January to Friday 20 January 2017 - 7:30am to 4:00pm
(closed Monday 9 January)

Request for Volunteers

Book hire is asking for volunteers to help clean, repair and shelve the thousands of books being returned in preparation for issuing commencing beginning of December. If you can help out, the times and dates are as follows:-

Monday 7 November until approximately Friday 2 December – 8:00am to 3:00pm.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided while the tuckshop is in operation. If you can be of assistance, please contact book hire either by email Sarah_Grimes@shalomcollege.com or by phoning 4155 8111 (extension 8270).

Miss Sarah Grimes
Book Hire Co-ordinator
Sarah_Grimes@shalomcollege.com

Lingiari House News

Phoenix Cup Volleyball Competition

Thank you to everyone who came along and supported the Phoenix Interhouse Volleyball Competition on Wednesday afternoon. It was a fun afternoon and everyone embraced the spirit of ‘fun and fundraising’.

Firstly, we would like to acknowledge the help given to us by so many. Special thanks goes to Mr Jason Baulch and all the referees. Also everyone who assisted with selling raffle tickets and drinks, as well as those who set up and cleaned up.

Behind the scenes so many people assisted before and on the day – creating, printing and selling raffle tickets, encouraging kids to sign up, organising money floats and preparing food. Thank you to these people.

Thanks to all the students who played on the day. Some teams were a bit short for players but every game went ahead as students from other Houses jumped in to play. MacKillop won after a hard fought, exciting game against Rice.

Thank you to all who bought tickets or donated prizes for our raffle. This is our major fundraiser for Phoenix House in Bundaberg and we are so grateful for the support.

We are yet to find out how much we have raised for Phoenix House in Bundaberg but we know every cent will be used well to assist local kids.

Raffle Prize Winners

• Weber Q BBQ valued at $430 – V. Barazza
• Sunglasses to the value of $200 from Clear Optometry Bargara – A. Parsloe-Smith
• LED Light Bar from the Stubbs Family – P. Gardiner
• Body Shop Gift Basket from Julia Fox & Rach Family – Ian Lincoln
• Gift Pack from Quay Street Physiotherapy from Zahn Family – J. Goni
• Fishing Rod and Tackle Box from Tackle World & Clarke Family – Kaycee Vickers
• Gift Voucher for Facial at Ethel Hair & Nail Beauty Spa from May Family – Tuzes Family
• Gift Voucher for Head Massage from Boas Family – Bryce Hibberd
• Delux Multi Tool Kit from Tackle World & Clarke Family – Whitmore Family
• Gift Voucher from Kitchen Confidence Cooking Class from Bryans Family – Mrs Allen
• Serving Dish and Mugs from Watson Family – Tim Pengelly
• AMART Gift Voucher from Clarke Family – T. Schiffke

Mrs Mary Taylor
Lingiari House Coordinator
TaylorM@shalomcollege.com

Sports News

Shalom U14 T20 Cricket Knockout

The Shalom team achieved a very credible third in the State Secondary Schools T20 Cup Southern Conference Intermediate division after losing to an older and bigger Sunshine Coast Grammar School in the semi-finals at Maroochydore on Monday morning 17 October but bouncing back to defeat St Mary’s Toowoomba in the playoff for third and fourth later in the day.

Against Sunshine Coast Grammar, we won the toss and batted but were restricted to just 4-92 by some very good bowling. Number 3, Kynan Hard, top scored with a classy 31 at a strike-rate of 91% before being run out by a brilliant piece of fielding, while captain and opener Edward Ryan scored 18 and Matthew Jackson finished unbeaten on 17. Our boys also tried hard with the ball, but Grammar reached their target in 15 overs without the loss of a wicket with their Queensland representative opener Tom Lunt, who had earlier bowled our other opener Jordan Condon and run out Kynan and was fresh from 80 in A Grade on Saturday, producing a masterclass to finish unbeaten on 52. Kynan was our ‘Man of the Match’ in this game, while our best bowlers were Matthew Jackson and Joshua Pole.

Against St Mary’s, the game was reduced to 15 overs per side and we changed the batting order around to ensure that everyone got a bat for the day, and everyone contributed as we posted 6-99 after Joshua Pole led out with 14, fellow opener Braden Henricksen was retired for 14, and No. 7 Adam Pozzebon was also retired for 22. St Mary’s came out all guns blazing in their run chase, but we stuck to our guns and ultimately sealed a tense two-run victory with three wickets in the last over, delivered by a cool Braden Henricksen, featuring two runs outs, including a superb direct hit from mid-on by Jack Gray, who completed an excellent all-round game after also claiming 1-8 from his two overs. Dylan Murphy, Joshua Pole and Matthew Jackson also snared one wicket each, but pocket dynamo Braden was our ‘Man of the Match’ after also effecting a run out with another sensational direct hit throw from cover.

Congratulations to all players on your performances throughout the year and representing Shalom so well. With nine members of the team still eligible for the Intermediate division next year, they will all be one year older, wiser and stronger, and we look forward to bigger and better things in 2017.

Mr Robin Wust and Mr Vince Habermann

Silver Duke of Edinburgh Canoe and Camp

Haleigh Donaldson and Natalie Bowman did the Silver Canoe and hike over a three-day camp from Gayndah on the Burnett River with the PCYC. They completed a distance of 50kms and camped on the riverside overnight.

Photo by Jocelyn Bowman who was support for the weekend.

Sports Awards

All students involved in Sports Awards (on Tuesday 25th October) will need to be seated in the Performing Arts Precinct by 6:55pm (for a 7pm start). The night should conclude by 8:45pm. Students will need to wear their Formal Uniform (with tie). The students will go through a rehearsal on Tuesday afternoon in period 4. The list of award recipients is attached and has been in the school notices and on noticeboards for over a week. If students cannot attend, they need to let Mr Gills know ASAP. Hope to see you there.

Uniforms

If your child has played sport for Shalom in 2016, can I please ask that you have a look at home for any team sporting uniforms (this is not the Shalom Sports uniform). We seem to be missing lots of uniforms from our team bags this year. If you find any, can you please return them to Mr Gills in the Sports Office.

Bocce

ATW Bocce Club is looking for interested students to join. Bocce is a game of skill and strategy. There are some flyers on the noticeboards around the school. If you might be interested in giving Bocce a go, contact Lou Masotti on 41514033 or 0402868278. They play on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons.

Rowing End of Year Break Up

All rowing members are invited to attend the End of Year Break Up on Saturday 29 October at 5:30pm in the undercover area outside the Loyola Centre. Please contact Simon Gills as RSVP was required last week.

Date Claimer

Tuesday 25 October - Sports Awards
Saturday 29 October - Rowing Breakup

Your Sporting Fanatic
Mr Simon Gills
Sports Coordinator
GillsS@shalomcollege.com

Arts in Performance

Dance

Tickets are now on sale at the office for this wonderful showcase of talent in our Dance Department. These tickets are already selling very fast. A letter has been given to students this week with specifics in relation to rehearsals, performance times and costume requirements – please make contact if you didn’t receive a copy.

A reminder that dress rehearsals for all students involved in Dance Night is Wednesday 26 October at 11:25am to 6:00pm.

Music

Theodor Delaney, Sophie Whitelum, Mrs Bernadette Connolly, Jessica Clements, Bronte Rotar and Meghan Anderson

On Saturday 15 October, Mrs Connolly and the String Orchestra presented a beautiful afternoon of music in the Holy Rosary Church. The group were also joined by teachers Mr Ian King, Mrs Robyn Edgar and Mrs Rebecca Helbig. The enormous number of wonderful comments from the audience members who attended the concert ensures that this will be an annual event. Well done to all.

Get Smart Concert

On Wednesday last week, the Concert Band performed for their annual Get Smart concert for children from our Catholic Primary Schools followed by an evening concert for friends, family and the community. These performances were very warmly received, demonstrating once again the amazing talent our young musicians and tutors possess.

Upcoming Performances

6 November - Pleasant Sunday afternoon (farewell to Year 12 musicians), 1:30pm at Shalom College Performing Arts Precinct. We would like to run a Christmas hamper raffle at this final concert. Could each family please donate items for the hampers which can be delivered directly to me in the PAP staff room or to the front office.

Community Music Groups

Bundaberg Youth Orchestra

Applications for membership of Bundaberg Youth Orchestra in 2017 are now open. Application forms are available on their website at the link below. Membership applications are due by 2nd November 2016. Please contact byo.committee@gmail.com for more information, or go to the FAQs page on our website for further details.

Bundaberg Voices

Applications for membership for this Primary/Secondary age group are now open for 2017. Please email edgarr@shalomcollege.com for more details. Prospective members are very welcome to attend a rehearsal any Monday afternoon, 4:00pm to 5:00pm at the Uniting Church Hall, Barolin Street.

Mrs Robyn Edgar
Arts in Performance Coordinator
edgarr@shalomcollege.com

Tuckshop Roster

Shalom Sunday Markets

The Artisan Collective

This unique addition to the Shalom Markets will occur every second Sunday of the month running from 7:00am to 12:00pm in the Sports Centre.

A list of 2016 dates are below;

• Sunday 13 November
• Sunday 11 December

We hope to see you there.

Tuckshop Markets Roster

Markets BBQ Roster

Community Notice Board

Bring French Culture to Life !

Why not volunteer to host an international student from France next year? We have a small group of delightful French students coming to Australia for ten weeks to immerse in local culture, experience our schools, sports, environment and lifestyle. All students speak excellent English, have their own spending money, cover all school expenses and we arrange all aspects of their program. It’s fun and interesting to help these young people achieve their Australian dream. If you’d like know more, please email your interest to rl@scce.com.au.