23 October 2017

Principal’s Reflection

We’ve heard and read a lot recently about the Same Sex Marriage issue. Many believe that if the ‘Yes’ vote wins that Australian society will fundamentally change. Personally, I am more concerned about the Euthanasia vote that, this week, passed the lower House of the Victorian Parliament. On this issue, I am on a unity ticket with former Prime Ministers Paul Keating and John Howard. Keating is quoted in Saturday’s Weekend Australian as saying that, “It is misleading to think allowing people to terminate their life is without consequence for the entire society.” All of us who has watched a loved one die has had moments of being willing to do anything to stop the pain. That said, legislation which is designed to allow individuals and doctors to end life, is a profound change. The Australian Medical Association president, Dr Michael Gannon said that this step meant crossing the Rubicon and restated the peak body’s position that “doctors should not be involved in intervention that have, as their primary intention, the ending of a person’s life.” It is a real shame that the energy around the process of ‘assisted dying’ is not channelled into greatly improving universal access to excellent palliative care. Maybe it’s just cheaper to assist those who want to, to end their lives. Again, it is a personal opinion but I do not usually buy into the ‘slippery slope’ arguments but on this issue, I am very worried that a door might be opened here initially only a crack but will be progressively prised further open. Women and men in the final stage of life should evoke great compassion, practical assistance, love and service from those close to them and society. I think we will be less as people and as a nation if we just take a pragmatic approach in those situations and look for an easy solution. Great palliative care should be able to guarantee that no one in this country should die painfully. There is significant cost to us to provide that but I believe that it will be a far greater price to pay to not cherish life.

Academic and Sports Awards

Congratulations to the hundreds of Shalom students whose efforts to achieve excellence will be recognised this week. Friday and Saturday nights those lucky enough to attend the Shalom Dance nights were treated to a fantastic spectacle of talent. Tonight we will recognise those who have worked hard this year at their academic pursuits. Thursday night we will celebrate our sports men and women. Our musicians where showcased last week at performances at Holy Rosary church and will feature prominently again tonight at Awards night. We have much to celebrate at Shalom. We are incredibly lucky to have so many great staff who give their time to our students to encourage them to be excellent in so many fields.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduation Mass

Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are a fantastic part of the fabric at Shalom. It has been great to watch the steadily increasing numbers of those students and families at Shalom. On Wednesday, I will travel with eight of our Senior students to Rockhampton for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Graduation Mass that will be celebrated by Bishop Michael McCarthy. It is particularly pleasing to see the great part Catholic Education is playing in increasing the number of ATSI students who successfully complete their schooling. Ms Kelli Cory and Mr Leon Johnson do a great job with our students at Shalom always encouraging them to be the best that they can be.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
Daniel_McMahon@shalomcollge.com

Newsletter Articles

Date Claimers

Graduation Liturgy and Farewell for the 2017 Year 12 Students

Bus Fare Assistance

Full details are listed below.

Date Claimer for Year 12 Students

All Year 12 Students and their parents are invited to the Year 12 presentation (slide and DVD) of their time at Shalom. It will be in the Shalom Performing Arts Precinct on the night of Wednesday 15 November commencing at 7pm.

Brother Rochford

Mission

St Vincent de Paul Giving Tree - Friday 3 November

‘The Giving Tree’

Please see the timetable below for Friday 3 November, Day 5

Period 1 - 8:40am
Period 2 - 9:40am
PC/Giving Tree - 10:40 (Roll, gift and report directly to Sports Centre as a class), Giving Tree Assembly, House Assemblies and a shared lunch in Houses.
Lunch 1 - 11:55am – 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 Principal – Mission
Kim_Hard@shalomcollege.com

P & F Committee

To view the full meeting minutes, please visit the P & F Web page on the College Website. 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 school office or by email pandf@shalomcollege.com.

A quick reminder for all parents old and new. As a parent/guardian of Shalom College you are automatically a member of the P and F Committee. Please feel free to come along to any of our meetings. Dates are listed in the College Calendar with reminders placed here in the newsletter.

To all P&F Members, you are reminded that our final monthly meeting for 2017 will be held in the staff room on Tuesday 7 November which will begin at 5:30pm.

Mrs Gail Norris
P & F Secretary
pandf@shalomcollege.com

Quiet Achiever

This week we have four students who have been nominated as Quiet Achievers. They are:

Patrick Harris, Year 11 Lingiari
Bryce Samuels-Rosser, Year 10 McAuley
Allen Preshy, Year 11 McAuley
Courtenay Parfitt, Year 11 Chisholm.

Last weekend these students travelled to Brisbane to represent the College at the State Chess Final. These young men finished 3rd in the Regional Section with Patrick winning the Regional First Board Prize and Bryce taking out the Regional Second Board Prize.

Congratulations, you all represented yourself and the College extremely well.

Mr David Magner
Chess Coordinator
David_Magner@shalomcollege.com

College News

Collection of Textbooks for 2018

Please note the dates and times for collection of textbooks for 2018. These textbooks may be collected from Book Hire in the Goondeel Library during these periods. Also please note that textbooks will not be issued to students who have not returned their 2017 resources. If these hours are unsuitable, collection can be arranged before school ends by contacting me direct on 4155 8270 or email Krystine_Rehbein@shalomcollege.com.

Collection Dates and Times

Monday 4 December to Thursday 7 December 2017, 7:30am to 4:00pm
Friday 8 December - Closed
Monday 8 January to Friday 19 January 2018, 7:30am to 4:00pm.

Mrs Krys Rehbein
Book Hire Coordinator
Krystine_Rehbein@shalomcollege.com

Commonwealth Games 2018 Batonbearers

Last week the Commonwealth Games Committee announced those selected to be Batonbearers for the 2018 Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast. Out of the thousands selected, there are quite a few from our Shalom Community.

The local legends who will share the dream and carry the Queen’s Baton with pride are:

Nathan Donaldson – Year 10 Chisholm House
Vincent Habermann – Shalom Staff member
Wade Hogan – Year 12 Walsh House
Craig Holden – Father of Baylee Holden, Year 8 Hogan House
Raymond Francis – Father of Georgia Francis, Year 11 Hogan House
Leslie Kuorikoski – Father of Hallie Kuorikoski, Year 10 Hogan House

Where are they now? Shalom Edition

Name:

Leisa Petersen

Graduating Year:

2014

Subjects studies:

English B, Math A, Religion, Art, Dance, Drama

Current Role:

Performing Arts Student at Ed5international in Sydney.

What qualifications and work experience have you gained since graduating high school?

I am working towards completing an Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts.

What has been the most rewarding, challenging or interesting experience in your study or work so far?

The most rewarding experience would have to be being taught by the most amazing teachers in the industry. We are so very lucky at Ed5international to have professionals, still working in the industry now (and going strong mind you) who are able to come and teach us for an hour or so every week. Even if we only get them once for a workshop, that's still an amazing experience. To have them choreograph our pieces for the Graduation performance at the end of the year; to have a full on week where agents come to the school and audition us privately; these are experiences that you don't get at any other school. As students we have a foot in the door already.

Another one would be ‘Mock Audition’ class every week. The second year students in Term 2 and 3 are lucky enough to have a class preparing for Auditions outside of school. We get our audition materials a week prior and have to come up with our own suitable self-presentation (hair/make-up), we bring in a CV and headshot. We are treated as if we are auditioning. It is as real as possible for that particular day. We get cast and everything. We don't get the job of course because it's not real, but it's super challenging and you have to be on your toes. I was so nervous for this class all through last year watching the second year's rush around and then all through this year, but I'd just have to think to myself: "We are all in this together. I'm not the only one feeling this way. And I just need to go in there and show them what I can do and that's all that matters. If they don't ‘hire’ me then that's not my fault because I tried my damn hardest. I may not be the right height or hair colour or ethnicity that they are looking for, that's all."

How did your senior studies contribute or impact on your tertiary study and/or career choices?

I was lucky enough to go through my high school years with Miss Cois and Miss Mac as my Dance and Drama teachers. After switching over from another subject that wasn't for me and in to dance in year nine, I completely fell in love. If it wasn't for my teachers, I would never have wanted to pursue a career in Performing Arts. Their teaching, the fun, the laughs we had, the dance nights, the class work, the musical, the many extra rehearsals. Everything came into play and I really wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for them both. My dance school outside of Shalom taught me a lot, and I will forever remember them for of course being my primary dance school. But, I will always remember the Performing Arts at Shalom too. That's where I found the passion.

Can you identify one invaluable thing that you learned at Shalom?

The one invaluable thing that I learnt at Shalom was to never take anything for granted. Nothing! I learnt that pretty quick when I left high school and home for the first time. I have to be completely honest with you, it was a big struggle. I fell over quite a bit in my first year. But I'm back on track now after a few hiccups in the road and I couldn't be happier. I still don't exactly know where life is leading me but I guess that's the fun part. And you’re not meant to know exactly everything in life. That's the thing. It would be pretty darn boring if we did. High school may not be the icing on the cake but don't disregard all the wonderful opportunities and devices and facilities you have been given. Use them! Use them all the time! Shalom students are so lucky to have a Stage! Like so lucky! You would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful stage than the one in Shalom. I loved that stage, but I feel as though I maybe didn't use it enough to practice on. Although I did spend countless lunch times in and out of that dance room I feel as though I should have worked even harder.

What advice can you offer to current students interested in your field?

My advice for students trying to get into my field is to go for it...NEVER EVER, EVER GIVE UP and don't be afraid of falling/failing. Give everything a go! And if it didn't work out the first time try again and again. It may not work until the 50th time. But hey, at least you got there in the end. It's the journey that counts. I have learnt more on the journey than I have actually reaching my goal. You have to be hungry for it. You have to want it so bad your life depends on it. Fight for what you want. You deserve it as good as anyone. And don't let anyone out there tell you otherwise. Sometimes set backs are a good thing. I had one and trust me it was hard but I go back up, dusted myself off and now I'm studying at what I believe is the BEST Performing Arts school in Sydney. I may not be in New York anymore but that doesn't mean I won't go back and try again one day. It just wasn't the right time for me yet.

Where are they now? is a semi-regular feature where we hope to profile many past students to learn more about their successes and achievements post Shalom. If you, or someone you know, might be interested in being featured in Where are they now? please email Patricia Allen at Patricia_Allen@shalomcollege.com

Mrs Patricia Allen
Learning Area Coordinator – Humanities
Patricia_Allen@shalomcollege.com

VET News

Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Do you think you would like to work with Children? Take the first step towards your career in the childcare industry. Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care will give you the knowledge, skills and pre-requisite entry qualification to be successful.

Certificate III Early Education and Care will be delivered by an extremely experienced and well regarded trainer here at Shalom one day each week in 2018. The course will be delivered over two years – however 2018 Year 12 students are welcome to enrol and complete the course at TAFE on graduation (no extra course fee). We have negotiated a price of $99 per student - normally the cost via TAFE is $2520! Please see Mrs O’Donnell as soon as possible so you do not miss out.

There will be a student and parent information session Monday 6 November at 3:15pm. If you have already added your name to Mrs O’Donnell’s list, please come along to get enrolment details.

Mrs Liza O’Donnell
VET Coordinator
Liza_ODonnell@shalomcollege.com.au

Trade Training Centre News

On the Friday 27 October, Shalom College will be having an official opening of the Trade Training Centre. To mark such an event, industry representatives will be attending and interacting with our students currently participating in trade subjects.

This will also be a great opportunity for students to mix with these industry representatives, ask questions and promote themselves for future employment positions.

Mr Dave Allen
Coordinator

Instrumental Music

Get Smart Concert

Another of our popular annual concerts performed by the Senior Concert Band will be held Wednesday 25 October at 7:00pm in the Performing Arts Precinct Theatre.

Get Smart Band Class

Pleasant Sunday Afternoon

The final concert for the year will be Sunday 5 November at 1:30pm. Once again, I will be asking if each family could donate an item for the raffle or an item for the afternoon tea. Non-perishable items can be brought into the front office anytime or can be delivered to me in my office in the music teaching studio section of the Performing Arts Precinct.

Dates to Remember

23 October – Academic Awards
25 October – Get Smart Concert, produced and performed by the Senior Concert Band
5 November – Pleasant Sunday Afternoon Concert, Performing Arts Precinct. 1:30pm

Mrs Robyn Edgar
Arts in Performance coordinator
Robyn_Edgar@shalomcollege.com

Sports News

Sports Awards

Sports Awards will take place in the Performing Arts Precinct on Thursday 26 October at 6:30pm. Students receiving awards will need to be seated by 6:15pm. A list of Awardees is attached below. This year our Guest Speaker is Paul Bowman from the North Queensland Cowboys.

Any students that are receiving awards are unable to attend, please let Mr Gills know as soon as possible.

All Schools Touch

On Wednesday 4 October, Shalom’s Open Mixed Touch team embarked on their 2017 tour to Brisbane. Each year the competition has grown to include 420 teams and over 1500 games, so teams that enter need to be well prepared. The team played with true Shalom spirit and put their best effort into each game. The team consisted of Luca Felesina, Georgia Hamilton, Joshua Shaxson, Laquisha White, Jack Hamilton, Molly Dawson, Jai Smith, Jessica Lane, Lara Mason, Blake Hutchinson, Kaylee Egan, Brialey Hohn and Nathan Cook.

Initially the team had their challenges trying to work out strategies that work best in a mixed competition. Our first game was against Wellington Point State High School and the score was quite tight until the last three minutes when they added a quick few touchdowns to defeat Shalom 10-5. In our second game on the Thursday Shalom was triumphant against Centenary Heights State High School (Laquisha’s previous school) 8-2. Friday was the biggest day with mixed results going down to St Columban’s College 8-3, but defeating Balmoral State High School 12-0 and New Zealand 4-1. On Saturday we drew with Sunshine Beach State High School 5-5. A huge thank you must go to Mr Hammermeister for all the effort put into training before the carnival and coaching at the carnival. Once again, it was a successful trip as the Shalom students’ behaviour and enthusiasm was exceptional on and off the field.

Mr Joe O’Driscoll
All Schools Touch Manager
Joe_Odriscoll@shalomcollege.com

Upcoming Events and Information

Sports Information will be placed on the notice board in the Undercover area. When students need to collect forms and other details from me, I am in the Sports Office located at the back of the Loyola Centre opening onto the Undercover eating area.

Congratulations

Swimming

Swimming Australia Rankings were released last week and two Shalom students were named in the Top 25 their age group. Tobias Street, Year 9 Walsh House, made the rankings in his Individual Medley and Breaststroke events at varied distances (see NewsMail article below). Connor Simms, Year 11 Adams House, also made the top 25 in Freestyle at varied distances. Congratulations to you both.

Cycling

Recently Liliana McLennan, Year 9 Hogan House and Brody Allison, Year 8 Adams House, participated in Round 1 of the National Junior Track Series (NJTS) for Cycling in Melbourne. Over 200 of the best Under 15 and Under 17 cyclists in Australia attended the hotly contested event. The NJTS is a four round series held around the country over four months. These two students will also travel to Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide to participate at the highest level.

Liliana finished Round 1 in second position overall in the Under 17 women’s division, while Brody competing at this level for the first time, finished in sixth position overall in the Under 15 men’s division. Racing was conducted over eight different race types and lengths over two days. Liliana won every heat and two finals along with placings in most other races. Brody made every final and placed in most races, winning two of his heats.

We at Shalom congratulate Liliana and Brody for their fine efforts in Melbourne and wish them good luck for the rest of the series.

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

Tuckshop Roster

Shalom Sunday Markets

Tuckshop Markets Roster

Markets BBQ Roster

Community Notice Board

WEP

Triple P Parenting

The State Government is funding free access to Triple P, which is the world’s most evidence-based parenting program and has helped more than four million children and their parents around the world develop closer, more positive relationships.

Please click on this link, which will take you to the website where you can access information relevant to your situation.

This link will remain in our Newsletter with Triple P sending us regular updates and helpful tips.