Attendance for Year 11 Exam Block

As advertised the Year 11 exam block will run from Monday 19 May – Wednesday 21 May. Attendance is compulsory for all students as outlined in our Assessment Policy. This is a timely reminder that students who complete Pathway programs are expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure they are present at the College for their scheduled exams. 

AARA applications can be made for any illness and misadventure issues. Please contact Mrs Allen - Dean of Senior School if an AARA application is required. The process is in the Student Record Book on pages 14 and 16. Please remember as per QCAA Policy and Procedures students are not eligible for AARA for matters that a student/parent can avoid, or for matters of their own choosing e.g., driving lessons/driving tests, family holidays. 

Year 12 Results Confirmation

In the coming weeks Year 12 students who study General Subjects will start to receive their confirmed result for their first summative piece of assessment. Class teachers will discuss these with students once they have been released by QCAA to schools. Please remember that all student results are considered provisional until after the quality assurance confirmation process. 

Elevate Education Parent Webinars for Term Two 

Elevate Education delivers high-impact workshops that help to develop student study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. Again, you are invited to register your participation in the term two parent online webinar series. This can assist you to support your child at home by reinforcing the skills that will support their learning at school.

Term 2 Webinars are:

• How You Can Help Your Child Prepare for Exams - May 21, 6:30-7:30pm (AEST)
• How You Can Support Your Child During Exams - June 4, 6:30-7:30pm (AEST)
• Ask Me Anything (Live Q&A) - June 18, 6:30-7:30pm (AEST)
• How to Help Your Child Alleviate Stress - July 2, 6:30-7:30pm (AEST)

 To register please visit: )https://go.elevateeducation.com/auschoolwebinars

Mrs Kate Aplin
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
Catherine_Aplin@rok.catholic.edu.au

Learner Conferences (ie Parent-Teacher Interviews) – Tuesday 27 May 3.30pm-6.30pm

Learner Conferences for all Yr 7-12 subjects (other than Yr7/8 Core Studies) will be conducted in the Sports Centre from 3:30pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday 27 May 2025. Interviews will be of ten minutes duration.

Learner Conferences will open for parent bookings through your computer (Sia > Parent Lounge > PT Interviews) or through your phone (Shalom App > Links/Contacts > Links > Parent Lounge > PT Interviews) at 8:00am on Thursday 15 May and close at 3:00pm on Thursday 22 May. Please note that Tony Hogan, Trish Ingall, Sandra Freeman, George Church and David Bond will be unavailable on this date. Please contact these teachers individually if you would like to arrange an appointment with them. Furthermore, Kate Aplin will only be available after 4.30pm and Steph Ray will only be available after 4.50pm.

In addition, some of the Performing Arts teachers involved in the Musical will not be available on 27 May. These teachers are Anita Stewart, Louise McSherry, Tayla Glasspool, Wendy Davis, Stella Hutchins and Tracey Shears. These teachers will be available from 3:30pm to 6.30pm on Tuesday 3 June 2025 in the Performing Arts Precinct. These appointments may also be booked online.

Our teachers work hard to provide detailed feedback through Sia. This information is valuable, and parents are encouraged to take the time to review their child’s assessment through Sia à My Students à Grades as shown below prior to the interviews. If you are having trouble logging into Sia, please contact Shalom IT.

Students are encouraged to attend interviews along with their parents. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Shalom Community Survey

In the coming weeks 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.

We would like to invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we 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 Shalom College.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Details allowing you to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device will be sent in the coming days.

Students will be asked to complete this survey at school. If you do not wish your child to participate, please complete the attached ‘Opt-Out’ form and return it to the school by 15 May.

Mr Brendan Maher
Assistant Principal - Administration
Brendan_Maher@rok.catholic.edu.au

Masses

Each Religious Education class will also cohost a Wednesday morning Mass at 8am in our chapel. This Mass occurs during term time and is a Parish Mass, so it is open to all. The Mass finishes before the 8.40am bell. Religious Education teachers will email a notice to families prior to their allocated Mass, and we encourage attendance. Upcoming Masses will be hosted by our Year 10 & 11 students.

Wednesday 14 May  Brett Wyatt's 11 RAE F & I 

Wednesday 21 May Seci Tuiwai 11 RAE C

Wednesday 28 May Tayla Glasspool 10B & C

Also, if you would like to join in other Parish services, the Catholic Parish of Bundaberg advertises Mass times at https://www.bundabergcatholic.net.au/mass-prayer/

Mrs Sandra Freeman
Assistant Principal - Mission
Sandra_Freeman@rok.catholic.edu.au

Pathways News
HIGHLIGHTS

SHINING STARS

• This week we acknowledge Year 12 student Jade G. and her work experience success in the Ulton Vacation Program

CAREER SPOTLIGHT

• Are you curious about Accounting & Business? Join Ulton’s Vacation Program
• Career Pathways in Writing & Editing

YEAR 12 GET READY

• Year 12 – Is your resume REALLY ready?

ADDITIONAL LEARNING

• The Pros & Cons of Taking a Gap Year

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

• Don’t forget to check the Pathways SIA page jobs board for employment opportunities.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Year 13 Virtual Work Experience - Pipelayer

UNIVERSITY

• JCU – Navigate Your Occupation (YOU) Summit – Fully funded immersive residential program - July School Holidays

EVENTS & WORKSHOPS

• Construction Pathways Information Session – 80 students engage with Construction Skills Qld & CPB Contractors
• Destination Doctor – Year 10 students, are you looking to pursue a career in medicine?
• Mining & Renewable Energy Industry Spotlight – free online sessions

This is where ambition meets opportunity!

Here is this week’s Pathways Newsletter

The Pathways Team
Mrs Liza O’Donnell, Mrs Kim Toll, Mrs Kathryn Laing & Ms Brigette McMahon
Liza_ODonnell@rok.catholic.edu.au
Kim_Toll@rok.catholic.edu.au
Kathryn_Laing@rok.catholic.edu.au
Brigette_McMcMahon@rok.catholic.edu.au

If you would like to submit any sporting achievements about your child/children along with a photo, please email your submissions to Simon_Gills@rok.catholic.edu.au
Please note photo submissions must only include photos of students from Shalom.

You can also keep up to date with anything sport related via our Facebook page - Shalom College Sport.

Preferred Student Absentee Option 

Parents are able to inform the College of student absentees via Parent Lounge, using the below pathway:

Parent Lounge> Student Details> Attendance> "+Add Absence Notification"

The Shalom College App has now been updated so when parents select "Absentee" it will re-direct to Parent Lounge for the absentee notification to be added.

For Parents that do not already have the College App please click below:

ALL student absentees should be notified to the office by 9am each day.  If no notification has been received, an absentee text message will be sent out to parents to advise of the student's absence.

Parents and Carers of Year 11 & 12 Students 

If your child has obtained their Provisional Licence and wishes to drive to and from school you are required to fill out a Permission to Drive Form and return it to Student Reception for approval by Mr Aaron Brown.  Once approved the details will be placed on our School Register.

Shalom College After School Activities (SCASA)

Shalom College is offering students the opportunity to participate in organised afterschool activities conducted by coaches and teachers. SCASA also includes a light afternoon tea from 3.15 pm for the students and all activities will conclude at 4.45 pm.

Days

Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the 3 available afternoons for SCASA.

Dates

SCASA commences in Week 2 of Term and continues for 8 continuous weeks (Week 9).

Times

3.00 pm - School lessons completed.
3.15 pm - Roll Call and afternoon tea (supplied) at College tuckshop and set up time for coaches.
3.30 pm - Activities/Coaching starts (various venues within school grounds).
4.30 pm - Activities/Coaching finished.
4.45 pm - Students help pack up and return equipment and picked up by parents at front of school.

SCASA Activities - see below

Monday 
Option 1 - Drama Club with Brigette McMahon (Performing Arts Precinct)
Option 2 - Touch and Oz-Tag with Erin Mitchell  (Oval)
Option 3 - Basketball with Keenan Mullaney (SC or Hangar)

Tuesday
Option 1 - e-Sports with Gavin Hill (Computer labs)
Option 2 - M-Grills Running with Matt Grills (Oval)
Option 3 - Dance with Molly Sellers (Dance Room) 

Thursday
Option 1 - Next-Jenner-ation Running with Rebecca Jenner (Oval)
Option 2 - Tennis with Brendan Maher (Tennis Courts)
Option 3 - e-Sports with Gavin Hill (Computer labs)
Option 4 - Cricket with Seci Sekinini  (Cricket Nets and Oval)
Option 5 - Can-do-Crew visiting Gracehaven Retirement home with Nicole Anderson (Bus to and from Gracehaven) 

Cost

The SCASA Fee is $25.00 per term for each student.
This is to help cover the afternoon tea and instructors/coach costs.
This flat fee of $25.00 is for one, two or all three afternoons activities.
This is to encourage participation in SCASA activities.

After completing the SCASA sign on google form, at approx. week 2 or 3 of term - you will receive an invitation on Parent Lounge regarding SCASA.

Please wait until week 2 or 3 of term then login to Parent Lounge to give permission for your child to attend SCASA and pay the $25.00 fee.

Once there, click on the ‘Tours and Excursions’ tab and you will find a link to SCASA Term 2 2025 - Here you will be able to give permission for your child to attend and pay the fee.

Please also check your contact details and phone numbers are current, as we will be using this information to contact you if needed. It is very important that all information in Parent Lounge is current as teachers will use this information in case of an emergency and to support the welfare of your child.

Please make sure that you click SAVE before logging out. If you require assistance with Parent Lounge login, please contact the College Office.

Other school sporting teams will continue to have their own training sessions as usual under the direction of their coaches e.g. Strength and Conditioning training, Rugby League, Netball, Touch Football etc.

This SCASA program is designed to give extra opportunities for Shalom College students to become involved in supervised activities after school.

Please complete the student and parent details in the google form below

REMINDER - no confirming phone calls are made by the school to confirm you are in the program - as once you sign on and you receive an online response - your child has been registered and please turn up starting week 2 of term.

SPECIAL NOTE - Once an activity is full - I will omit it from the selections below - so it cannot be selected.

Mr Peter Robinson
Dean of Student Welfare
High Performance Program
After School Activities
Camps
Peter_Robinson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Applications are invited from qualified and enthusiastic educators to join the teaching staff of Shalom College. We are seeking a full-time teacher, to teach in the below subject areas. This is a full-time permanent position, with the commencement date to be negotiated with the successful applicant.

We welcome applications from registered teachers who can teach in any or a combination of the following subjects.

• Junior and/or Senior Science
• Junior and/or Senior Maths
• Religious Education

• Join us for an inspiring and empowering evening
• Thursday 22 May 2025
• 5:30-8:30pm
• Shalom College Performing Arts Precinct
  
  

The Shalom College Performing Arts Department are proud to present A Chorus Line as their 2025 College Musical!

Based on the real life stories of Broadway Performers, ‘A Chorus Line’ tells the story of a diverse group of dancers auditioning for a part in the Chorus of a new Broadway Musical. As part of the Audition process, each dancer is asked to share aspects of their personal lives. Through song, the dancers discuss everything from past shows they’ve done to their high school experiences, their home lives and why they started dancing.

• Thursday 29 May 2025 - Saturday 31 May 2025
• 7pm Nightly 
• Shalom College Performing Arts Precinct
• Tickets $25 General Admission | $20 Student/Pensioners

We are holding a final second hand uniform sale on:

Tuesday 27 May 2025 - 2.30pm - 6.30pm

Did you know 1 in 8 adolescents could have an eating disorder and as many as 30% have concerns about their body image? We are pleased to announce visiting specialist Dr Paul Wilkinson from Coral Coast Eating Disorder Service. Paul is a Dietitian and credentialed eating disorder clinician with over 20 years’ experience working with young people with eating disorders and disordered eating . He will be visiting Shalom college once a month and is offering eating disorder screening and assessment appointments to students and their parents or carer givers, as well as ongoing treatment services for those with a diagnosis. Early screening and assessment can lead to the identification of eating disorders before they become serious and enable the establishment of treatment plans, supported by Medicare, that include input from a Dietitian and Psychologist. To book an appointment please call 43303774 or email paul@cceds.com.au - screening and assessment appointments last up to 90 mins and cost $99. Ongoing treatment appointments under new or existing management plans or privately funded are also available. Don’t watch and wait, seek professional support now if you are concerned about your child.

Kangourou Sans Frontieres (KSF) Math Competition 2025 Results

The KSF Math Competition is inspired by the AMT’s Australian Mathematics Competition, and is now the largest maths competitions in the world, with more than 6 million participants each year.

It was run in the last week of term one.  24 students sat the test across 6 year levels.

11 students received awards of credit and above:

Credit: Awarded to a student who is in the top 50% of Australian participants (60% for Senior division).

Congratulations to:

Year 7: Kayden L, Indica O, Lucy T.

Year 8: Charlie H, Harmoni M.

Year 9: Tiffany R, Paddy O.

Year 10: Keira H, Connor P.

Year 11: Luke M.

Year 12: Kodee P.

Academy for Enterprising Girls -2024

In July 2024, 32 Year 10 girls participated in an Academy for Enterprising Girls workshop, run by Youth for Change Agents. Shalom College was awarded a $5000 workshop for this to happen.

The focus of the workshop was Mental Health and Wellbeing.

Students worked in groups to identify a problem in this area and then design a solution.

Two groups were finalists in the Australia wide:

Congratulations to the following students:

Mission Impossible: Iris D, Portia G, Lola W, Hayley C

Kinetic Konnections: Hannah P, Anikka G, Kayla B, Jamieson B, Lucy W, Ava M.

Introducing the 2025 UQ Science Ambassadors

The Science Ambassador program is run by schools with the support of the University of Queensland.

Science Ambassadors are students in Year 11 who are studying a senior Science subject.

As ambassadors their role is to champion Science at Shalom College by developing and delivering events, including National Science Week activities, and encouraging other senior science students to share their experiences with students in all years. Our Science Ambassadors do this by running a weekly Science Club for students in Years 7 – 10 to help develop their interest in science.

UQ provide students with a badge and Shalom College gifts the students with their own monogrammed laboratory coat to wear in their science lessons. The new 2024 UQ Science Ambassadors were presented with their coats and badges on College Assembly in week 1 this term.

2025 UQ Science Ambassadors are:

• Jared A                                      
• Abby B
• Hayley C
• Georgia C
• Thomas E
• Kirra F
• Portia G
• Lucas H
• Waylen H
• Matilda J
• Hannah P
• Lakeley W
• Tristan W
• Lucy W
• Charlotte Y

Mrs Debbie Bishhop
Senior Teacher (Science)
STEM committee
Deborah_Bishop@rok.catholic.edu.au

Medical Certificate Absentee Notification

When providing medical certificates for your child/children's non-attendance could you please ensure that these are scanned (jpeg or png) and attached in the email (520_absentees@rok.catholic.edu.au) or alternatively dropped into the main administration office.

We are no longer able to accept a photo of the medical certificate via email.

If you advise any of your child/children's Teachers or Head of House (via email) of any non-attendance, could you please also advise the admin office via the preferred options. Either email as an attachment to 520_absentees@rok.catholic.edu.au or via the Parent Lounge (as per the process above - under Absentees).

A reminder that if you intend to use the College Fitness Centre, you must follow the steps below:

1. Collect a permission form, either from the Fitness Centre Office or Sports Centre Office.
2. Return the signed form to Miss Mitchell (Sports Centre Office)
3. Complete an induction. These will be completed before school by appointment with Mr Burnett or after school with Miss Mitchell.

Ms Melinda Pearson
Head of Department - Physical Education
Melinda_Pearson@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Another successful, if not wet, Somerset Storyfest excursion has come and gone for some of our year 11 cohort. The 2025 group requested a spot at assembly to share some feedback with the school which I will share with the Shalom community here as well.

The following was written by Georgia C (yr 11)

“Last term in week 10, 40 year 11 students attended Somerset Story fest writers’ festival held at Somerset college in the Gold Coast. Story fest stands as a beacon of literary excellence, that honours tradition while exploring new horizons over a course of 3 days. We met a range of authors like Nova Weetman, Lili Wilkinson, Amy Doak, Candance Kruger, Maryam Master, Tristan Shultz, A.L Tait, Anton Clifford-Motopi and Mike Lucas.

They displayed a range of literary devices and techniques that inspire young people through all forms of storytelling and encourages the empowerment of school children in their relationship with books. Throughout the trip we made many memories and got to experience shopping at Pac fair, the long line for dip n dots, Brisbane traffic and yummy buffet food.

We would like to thank our amazing teachers Mrs Hume, Mrs Johnstone, Mrs Cahill and Mr Church for looking after us on the trip and making it an experience to remember. We would now like to share a video of our 3-day journey.”

Mrs Hume has also presented our newly appointing Literary Ambassadors with their specially designed badges. We are very grateful to the following students for their willingness to work with the members of the Literary Committee: Noah K., Hayley C., Aidan B., Georgia C., Phoebie R., Thehara G., Cooper, R., & Lucas, H.

Denise Harvey
School Librarian
Denise_Harvey@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Term 1: Tuesday 28 January – Friday 4 April (10 weeks)

Term 2: Tuesday 22 April – Friday 27 June (10 weeks)

Term 3: Monday 14 July – Friday 19 September (10 weeks)
Year 12 Formal: Saturday 6 September

Term 4: Tuesday 7 October – Thursday 4 December (9 weeks)

Breakfast is available every morning for purchase from 8.00am - 8.30am.

Items available are:

Croissant Ham & Cheese $3.00
Big Breakfast $6.00
Toasted Sandwich $4.00
Bacon & Egg Muffins $4.00
Bacon, Egg & Cheese Wraps $4.00
Bacon & Egg Burger with BBQ sauce $5.00
Fresh Salad Tub $4.50
Yoghurt Pots $4.00
Hashbrowns 2 for $1.00

Up & Go drinks and flavoured milk are available everyday.

Students who train before school need to consider utilising the breakfast menu to replenish energy lost during their early morning training sessions, however, students must be dressed appropriately before entering the tuckshop and must not be late for class.

The Shalom Markets are open every Sunday 6am-midday. Come along to purchase your fresh fruit and vegetables, local food products and handmade items. 

Volunteers Required - Markets Tuckshop

We are seeking your help!! We are always in need of new volunteers for the Markets Tuckshop and BBQ.  If your child/children would like to gain some work experience, why not get them to volunteer in the canteen. If you have a few hours you could spare to assist in our canteen, please click on the link below to register your assistance or contact Leanne via email at Leanne_Barker@rok.catholic.edu.au

If we get enough volunteers, it may work out that you only need to volunteer once per term.

Register to Volunteer HERE

Markets Tuckshop Roster

Markets BBQ Roster

Office Hours: 9:00 - 1:00 Monday to Friday
Parish Office: Rossolini Place Level 1, 66 Woongarra St
Phone: 07 4151 6666    PO Box 79 Bundaberg QLD 4670
Email: sbundaberg@rok.catholic.net.au
AFTER HOURS:  Anointing of the sick for medical emergencies
phone 4151 6666 and follow the prompt
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF MARY MOTHER OF CHURCH

"The annual parish "Good News" magazine is now available in all churches for a Gold Coin Donation. As you read our in-house publication of the Good News magazine this year, discover the ways in which our parish vision statement is being made clear.

Shalom College Families Business and Trade Directory 

To help assist the Shalom College community in supporting local businesses that are run by Shalom families, we have created our Shalom College Families Business and Trade Directory. If you would like to be listed in this directory, please send a copy of your business card to Mr Peter Robinson who will be establishing and developing this directory to Peter_Robinson@rok.catholic.edu.au

Student Travel Rebates 

Would you like to know more about the Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme and eligibility requirements? Click on the link to view the short introductory video here: https://youtu.be/ogWpq7tVaio 

Student travel rebate applications open 1-31 May for Semester 1. Please click here to check if you are eligible.

Blue Light Disco