Filter Content
- Principal's Reflection
- Curriculum
- Administration
- Mission
- Year 7 2024 Information
- Catch Up School Photo Day - Wednesday 15 February
- Hinkler Lions Youth of the Year
- Year 8 Outdoor Camp Activity Schedule
- Student Drivers
- Absentees
- Student Free Day
- Finance Office
- Uniform Shop Opening Hours
- Pathways
- Quiet Achiever
- McCormack Fundraiser - Happy Valentine's
- Science
- STEM program
- From the Library
- Sport
- Term Dates
- Tuckshop Pre Ordering
- Parent and Carer Tuckshop Volunteers
- Shalom Sunday Markets
- The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg
- Community Notice Board
A good friend of mine shared the conversation had between a Grandmother and her grandchild, after asking how the first couple of weeks in a Catholic school had gone. The granddaughter said that she had learned a new blessing -
"In the name of the Father, the Son and the whole experience".
For many students and many staff, learning how to make the ‘Sign of the Cross’, is a very new experience! For those of us who have been around a while, it is just part of the furniture. If that young lady worked out early, that the experience and expression of God in education, is about the ‘whole experience’, we are doing something right! I hope she learns of a God who loves, is expansive and outrageously compassionate.
I was talking to a Shalom past student recently who is going through an ‘atheist phase’. This young person was saying that we don’t really need organised religion and the things that were taught in a Catholic school is just stuff any ordinary good person should do. If that is true, that is fantastic. I worry though, that this type of thinking buys into the belief that Christianity is just about being ‘nice’ or being ‘kind’. If we would just love each other, that would be enough. It’s not, and I hope our students don’t get through years of Catholic education believing that. Jesus didn’t get crucified for being ‘nice’. I came across a great prayer of blessing the other day which I pray for myself and every student at Shalom –
“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, superficial relationships, so that you will live deep within your heart.May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you will work for justice, equality and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you will reach out your hand to comfort them and change their pain to joy.
And may God bless you with the foolishness to think that you can make a difference in the world, so that you will do the things which others tell you cannot be done.”
And living out that blessing is why Christians and people of good will, risk their lives and reputations around the world every day. Following Jesus is a dangerous business.
Bishop’s In-Service Day is on this Friday 17 February. This is a student free day for Shalom and the three Catholic Primary schools.
Year 7 Enrolments 2024 – along with our school Captains, Molly and Cooper, I visited the Catholic Primary schools to speak with the Year 6 students and hand out enrolment information for Shalom. If you have a child in Year 6 who you would like to attend Shalom next year, please begin the online enrolment process. Please remember that because you have a child currently enrolled at Shalom, you must participate in the enrolment process and the deadlines involved. No one can put in a late application for enrolment and expect that there will be a place available. For this year, the key dates are:
• Year 7 Information Evening – Thursday March 2
• College Open Day – Wednesday March 15
• Year 7 Applications Close – Friday April 21
NAPLAN
Year 7 and Year 9 students will sit the NAPLAN online tests from Wednesday 15 March – Monday 27 March. Year 7 and 9 students will be completing a practice NAPLAN test in week 4 - Wednesday 15 February. The test is a combination of the Reading, Numeracy, Spelling and Grammar test (called an OMNIBUS test). See below the schedule for the testing. Students will do a practice Writing test in the NAPLAN platform in their English classes over the next few weeks.
| Period | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Classes |
7A CSA in RI7 7B CSA in RI6 7C CSA in RI5
9C HUM in RI4 9E ENG in RI3 9F HUM in RI2 9G SCI in RI1 |
7G CSA in RI7 7H CSA in RI6 7I CSA in RI5 7J CSA in RI1
9A SCI in RI4 9B SCI in RI2 9D ENG in HO7 9H HUM in HO6 9I SCI in HO5 9J SCI in HO4 9K SCI in RI3 |
7D CSA in RI7 7E CSA in RI6 7F CSA in RI5 |
If you have any concerns about NAPLAN or if you wish to withdraw your student from NAPLAN testing, please contact Megan Munckton, Middle School Coordinator, megan_munckton@shalomcollege.com.
If you wish to visit the NAPLAN public demonstration site it can be accessed at: www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site.An NAPLAN information brochure is attached for your information.
Please note: all students MUST have corded headphones or earphones to undertake the NAPLAN Online testing. This is the responsibility of families to ensure that students have their earphones or headphones for all test days, including the practice test. These headphones/earphones must have a 3.5mm standard jack. Wireless headphones (e.g., Apple air pods) are not compatible. If you need to purchase headphones or earphones, we suggest you do this as soon as possible. The uniform shop has a small supply of earphones for $6.
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Homework / Study Planners
The Homework/Study Planner (located in the Student Record Book at the start of each term) is a tool to be used by all students to assist in developing time management and assessment management skills. We encourage all students to make use of this study tool.
Please note that the Student Record Book details the Academic Policies and Procedures of the College. It is strongly recommended that parents and students familiarise themselves with these procedures to ensure they are meeting their obligations with regards to assessment.
Year 11 Information
Last week a letter was emailed to students and parents outlining information relating to the management of assessment for students under the QCAA system. Please take the time to discuss this information with your student so that they are clear about the expectations around assessment, QCE and ATAR attainment.
Year 12 Information
Last week a letter was emailed to students and parents with information relating to the confirmation process involved with all Year 12 summative internal assessment under the QCAA system. The structure of term three and four is different because of the External Assessments.
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Term 3 |
Mock Exam Block (Compulsary catch up session) |
| Term 4 Week 1 to 3 Tuesday 3 October - Friday 20 October |
Normal Classes - All Year 12 Students to attend |
| Term 4 Week 4 to 7 Monday 23 October - Tuesday 14 November |
External Assessment Block |
The College Calendar identifies when the QCAA External Examination are scheduled for all Year 12 students in Queensland. It is important to realise that the external assessment block is compulsory for all students studying General and General Extension subjects. No ‘make up’ examinations are offered by QCAA if students are absent. Please make sure these dates are locked into your calendar.
2022 ATAR Scaling Report
Last week the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) released the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) Report. This document provides an overview of the calculations of the Queensland ATAR for the 2022 Year 12 student cohort. This report can be found on the QTAC website in the publications area. https://www.qtac.edu.au/publications
Mrs Gail Norris
Assistant Principal – Curriculum
Gail_Norris@shalomcollege.com
Year 12 Exam Block
Year 12 students will participate in an exam block from Monday 20 February - Wednesday 22 February. The Exam Timetable for this exam block is attached below. Students participating in this exam block will undergo Unit 3 assessment. This assessment is summative and as such will contribute towards the ATAR score. Students need only attend school for the exams that they are sitting in this period.
During the exam block, students not involved in exams are expected to be involved in home study. Students who are behind in their schoolwork may also be required to attend school to complete outstanding work. If this is required, these arrangements will be communicated by individual class teachers.
Please remember that normal school rules regarding uniform and behaviour continue through the exam block. These expectations are outlined in the attached documents.
We wish our students all the best with their studies.
2023 Student Residential Address and Other Information Collection Notice
Please find attached in the link below the 2023 Student Residential Address and Other Information collection notice distributed by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment. This data is routinely used to inform Commonwealth school education policy, and to help ensure that Commonwealth funding arrangements for non-government schools are based on need, and are fair and transparent.
Could you please ensure that your address and contact details are up-to-date through the Parent Details tab in Parent Lounge to ensure accurate collection of this data?
Mr Brendan Maher
Assistant Principal - Administration
maherb@shalomcollege.com
Bishop’s Inservice Day
This annual student free day occurs this Friday 17 February and allows all staff in Diocesan schools to pause and give time to their own formation. In a fast-paced world, it is important that we, both as individuals and a Church, challenge and renew ourselves. I am sure that our work will benefit from the wisdom that our guest speakers will bring.
Ash Wednesday
Next Wednesday 22 February is Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent and is a time of preparation for Easter. This preparation traditionally includes elements of fasting, prayer, and charity. As a school community, we will once again commit our charity to Caritas through Project Compassion.
The observance of Ash Wednesday is popular within our community and for those families or individuals that would like to join us for Mass, we host a Parish Mass at 8am in Loyola Chapel. The Bundaberg Catholic Parish also has the following Masses on Ash Wednesday:
7.00am and 12.15pm at the Holy Rosary Church
9.00am at St James Church, Bargara
5.30pm at St Patrick’s Church, West Bundaberg
Mrs Sandra Freeman
Assistant Principal - Mission
Sandra_Freeman@shalomcollege.com
Information Evening - Thursday 2 March 2023 (7.00pm)
For prospective parents and students for 2024 enrolments.
Hear from the College Principal Dan McMahon on the high quality and very affordable education offered at Shalom College.
Register NOW to attend this event – REGISTER HERE
Thursday 2 March 2023 | 7pm-8:30pm | Shalom College Performing Arts Precinct
College Open Day - Wednesday 15 March 2023 (9.15am - 11.30am)
For prospective parents and students for 2024 enrolments.
The College Principal Dan McMahon will introduce the morning, then you will receive a personalised tour of the school from Shalom College’s Year 10 students.
All students will receive a complimentary goodie bag on arrival. The morning will conclude with a sausage sizzle for all guests.
Register NOW to attend this event – REGISTER HERE
Wednesday 15 March 2023 | 9:15am-11:30am | Shalom College Performing Arts Precinct
Year 7 2024 Applications Close Friday 21 April 2023
Enrolment applications for Year 7 2024 are OPEN!
For more information on the enrolment process please see link HERE
All applications receive an interview
May - June 2023 - Appointments for interviews allocated & interviews commence.
By 31 July 2023 - Notification sent to advise of acceptance outcome.
Year 7 2024 Applications Close Friday 21 April 2023
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Students that did not have a photo taken on Tuesday 7 February, will need to have a photo taken on Wednesday 15 February. This photo is required to produce the 2023 Student ID, as well as ordering of School photos should you wish to do so. The individual student flyer is required for this photo so please remember to bring it along.
These students should go directly to the Foyer of the Performing Arts Precinct any time from 8:15am or at the beginning of Period 1. Students should advise their Period 1 teacher if leaving class or sign in at Student reception if late for class.
The Year 8 students that were at camp will proceed to photos as a class group and do not need to attend before school.
All students need to wear the full formal uniform including the school tie.
Congratulations to our Year 12 school captain, Cooper, who won the Hinkler Lions Youth of the Year competition on Saturday. His speech was about lowering the age of voting in Australia. Cooper will now compete in the Bundaberg Zone event in three weeks' time. All the best for three weeks' time.
Mr Peter Robinson
Student Welfare - High Performance Program After School Activities
Peter_Robinson@shalomcollege.com
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.
Thanks to those Parents who have already completed this form for their child.
Preferred Student Absentee Option
Parents are now 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.
The 2023 Annual Fee Account has been generated. A copy of the statement is available through the Parent Lounge.
All fees will be due on 6 March 2023 unless an organised payment schedule has commenced before this date to have all fees paid either by the end of September 2023 for families with a Year 12 student only or by the end of October 2023 for families with Year 7-11 students also.
A 2.5% discount on tuition and eligible levies (please refer to the 2023 Tuition Fees and Levy Schedule here) will be given if all fees are paid by 6 March 2023. Families who choose to pay via an approved regular payment schedule where the first payment has commenced before the 6 March 2023 and the plan has been maintained with all fees paid by the required date will receive a 1.5% discount on tuition and eligible levies.
Should you have any queries or require assistance with setting up a new payment plan or reviewing your existing payment plan, please phone the Finance Office on 4155 8179 or email finance@shalomcollege.com.
Pathways - Events & Opportunities
- Want to be a Paramedic?
- Would you like to do Work Experience over the School Holidays?
- Professional Shadowing Opportunities
- 2023 Girl Power WebEx Session
- Panel Beating Apprenticeship
- Thought about Skippering Boats as a Profession?
- Are you interested in becoming a Police Officer?
- Are you interested in Medicine?
See below for further information.
Want to be a Paramedic?
Are you interested in seeing what a Paramedic does on a day to day basis? Come and see the Pathways team to register your interest in coming along to the Bundaberg Ambulance Station to learn more about this popular career.
Would you like to do Work Experience over the School Holidays?
Would you like to get some valuable insight into a profession that you are interested in? Come and see the Pathways team to register you interest in participating in Work Experience.
Professional Shadowing Opportunities
Are you interested in University after school? Would you like more information on various professions through professional work placements and job shadowing. Come and see the Pathways team for more information.
2023 Girl Power WebEx Session
Girls in year 10, 11 & 12 come and Find out about a career in the energy industry!
The Girl Power Program is happening on Thursday 9 March. A one hour session and is designed for girls currently completing Year 10 to 12. Places are filling up fast please see our Pathways team for more information.
Panel Beating Apprenticeship
Les Kelly Panel and Paint are seeking a Full Time apprentice (Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology). Please present to their office at 14 Commercial Street Bundaberg in person with your resume and ask to speak with the manager before Friday 17 February 2023. If you need assistance with you resume come and see the PATHWAYS team.
Thought about Skippering Boats as a Profession?
The International Sea School here at Burnett Heads is hosting a Cert II in Maritime Operations (MAR20321) during the Holidays in 2 blocks. This will give you 4QCE points. Click here for more information.
Are you interested in becoming a Police Officer?
Queensland Police are holding a Recruiting Seminar come and see what it is all about. The Police Recruiting Seminar will be held on Wednesday 15 March at 6pm at the Bundaberg PCYC. Click on the link to register https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/queensland-police-recruiting-seminar-bundaberg-tickets-538130862897
Are you interested in Medicine?
A FREE UCAT Mock Exam Day will be held on Sunday 26 February 2023. Come and see the PATHWAYS team for more information and to receive the link to the UCAT handbook for students who are interested but are not quite sure what is involved in UCAT.
The Pathways Team
Mrs Liza O’Donnell, Mrs Kim Toll, Mrs Monique McLucas & Ms Jacinta Cook
Liza_ODonnell@shalomcollege.com
kim_toll@shalomcollege.com
monique_mclucas@shalomcollege.com
jacinta_cook@shalomcollege.com
Mr Scott Whitelaw
Rice House Coordinator
Scott_Whitelaw@shalomcollege.com
Science at Shalom always aims to provide students with interactive and immersive experiences in which to practice their scientific inquiry skills. This was seen last week in the Year 10 essential science classrooms in the form of a staged scenario requiring students to utilise their forensic skills. Students were asked to collect and analyse evidence to determine what happened. It was great to see so many actively engaged students.
Archer K (Year 8) recently attended the Junior Engagement Program by SPARQ-ed on Thursday 2 and Friday 3 February at the Translational Research Institute in Woolloongabba, Brisbane. As a regional student he was successful acquiring a Lions Medical Research Foundation Scholarship to cover his program and travel costs. Over the two day program he undertook the following activities.
- Gain experience using the latest technology and techniques in our state-of-the-art PC2 biomedical research laboratory
- Collaborate with peers in a real research environment
- Participate in biomedical science tutorials in our classroom
- Learn valuable academic research skills
Archer loved participating in this extra curricular STEM program and is looking forward to Year 10 when he can attend the Senior Immersion Program.
Mrs Debbie Bishop
Science Teacher
bishopd@shalomcollege.com
Marvel or DC … that is the question for the ages!
But whatever your pleasure the libraries and Shalom will accommodate. I’ve often said that it doesn’t really matter what a child reads, it can be a cereal box, as long as they are processing words and learning sentence structures.
Meeting a child’s interest is obviously a great way to engage with them and the pop culture that was born in America in the 30’s has provided an excellent vehicle for the superhero/adventure theme to develop. The comic book, as it began, was perfect – transportable and inexpensive, fast, colourful, and dynamic, it became an iconized ambassador for a new age.
Of course, the medium didn’t escape the brutalities of war and the comic book was increasingly weaponized as mass propaganda. Bloodied, corrupted, and grotesquely violent the comic book was rescued in the 1960’s when the industry matured, and the product grew more sophisticated and gradually became less associated with the horrors of wartime politics and more identifiable as a medium for the superhero entities that we know today.
Ask in the library where you can find your favourites.
Register your expression of interest now by clicking on the google doc link https://forms.gle/Eto5K9HTncg5qend9
Mr Jordan Roebuck
Teacher Assistant (Gappy)
jordan_roebuck@shalomcollege.com
Rowing - Come & Try Success
Last week Shalom Rowing held three Come and Try sessions. Over the three sessions we had 30 new rowers take to the water. All rowers came back dry and with big smiles. Any students that attended the Come and Try sessions and are keen to join our oarsome team or want to know more information, we invite you and your families to attend our Parent Information Evening (details below). A big thank you to our current rowers, parents and coaches for helping out and supporting our new rowers.
PARENT INFORMATION EVENING – WEDNESDAY 15 FEBRUARY 7PM LOYOLA (next to the administration building).
Any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
Ms Teressa Tibbey
HPE Teacher and Rowing Coordinator
teressa_tibbey@shalomcollege.com
Mr Rod Silcox
Intad Teacher Assistant and Rowing Coach
rodney_silcox@shalomcollege.com
State Surf Rescue Championships
The State Surf Rescue Championship tests the competitors surf sport skills, first aid skills (including theory, resus and scenario events) and patrolling skills through scenarios.
Shalom had 7 of Bundabergs Surflifesaving's 8 competitors. They were Amelia W, Harriet M, Elizabeth P, Finn H, Mia A, Gabi V and Mitchell M. The teams received lots of positive feedback about excellent patient care, sportsmanship and their leadership skills.
Amelia W placed 2nd in U17 Champion Lifesaver. The U17 Patrol Team of Amelia W, Harriet M, Elizabeth P and Olly M (St Lukes) placed 2nd. They are now eligible to attend the national competition in Perth in March.
Mr Simon Gills
Sports Coordinator
GillsS@shalomcollege.com
Top State Table Tennis Tournament
On Friday 2 December 2022 two Shalom teams competed in the Under 15 Division of the Queensland Schools State Table Tennis Championship in Brisbane. Lincoln C and Will M competed in the boys competition, while sisters Hannah and Christina L competed in the girls. Both teams had previously competed well at the local Bundaberg championship on 5 November 2022 to earn the right to compete in the state titles.
Teams from all over the state competed in a high level competition. Both teams played exceptionally well with Lincoln and Will claiming silver overall, and Hannah and Christina going one better and taking out gold!! Hannah and Christina went through their rounds and finals undefeated against opposing teams. Hannah won 10 out of 12 singles games, while Christina won all 12 of her singles games. A sensational effort from the girls.
Congratulations to both teams. Thanks go to Dave Delpratt from Bundaberg Table Tennis who organised transport and coached the students at the tournament.
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Hannah & Christina with their gold medals and state championship trophy
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Lincoln & Will receiving their silver medals
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Mr Troy Braund
Team Manager
troy_braund@shalomcollege.com
Tennis - Wide Bay Trials
Shalom should be extremely proud of their representation in the Bundaberg tennis team. Of the eight players who made the Bundaberg tennis team, three were from Shalom. The Shalom players who represented Bundaberg at the Wide Bay trials in Hervey Bay were Lachlan C, Sophie M and Lara B.
All three of these players subsequently gained selection in the Wide Bay Tennis Team. Particular congratulations goes to Lachlan C, who played some outstanding tennis to finish as the number 1 player in the Wide Bay Boys Team. Sophie M impressed showing tenacity to finish as number 2 in the Wide Bay Girls Team team while Lara B's steady improvement was rewarded with a place as number 4 in the Girls team. Each of these students are talented tennis players who should be proud of their efforts.
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| Lachlan |
Lara and Sophie |
Good luck to the players competing at the State Titles in Townsville from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 March. It should be a fun and challenging trip.
Mr Brendan Maher
Tennis Coach
MaherB@shalomcollege.com
Team Nominations Open - 2023 Bundaberg and Districts Volleyball School Cup
Mr Simon Gills
Sports Coordinator
GillsS@shalomcollege.com
Term Dates for 2023
Term 1: Monday 23 January – Friday 31 March (10 weeks)
Term 2: Monday 17 April – Friday 23 June (10 weeks)
Term 3: Monday 10 July – Friday 15 September (10 weeks)
Term 4: Tuesday 3 October – Thursday 30 November (9 weeks)
If you are interested in volunteering at our College Tuckshop, we would love for you to indicate your availability and book a shift following the link below.
The booking system helps to accommodate our very much appreciated regular volunteers, but also families who may not be able to commit on a regular basis and have a day here or there throughout the year. The beauty of this system is that you can select your day and manage your booking, so if something comes up, you can quickly and easily go online to reschedule or cancel. Your booking will generate a confirmation email with links to manage your booking, it can be synched with your calendar and an SMS is sent the day before as a reminder. Of course, we are also here to help - simply contact Shalom College on 4155 8111.
For those of you who are regular volunteers your shifts have already been added to the schedule for this year and you should have received an e-mail for each booked shift.
Shifts last from 2-3 hours (school drop off to around 11.30 am).
No experience required!
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 contact Leanne via email at barkerl@shalomcollege.com
Markets Tuckshop Roster
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Sunday 19 February |
6:00am – 9:30am |
Volunteers required |
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9:00am – 12:30pm |
Maria McMahon |
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Sunday 26 February |
6:00am – 9:30am |
Volunteers required |
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9:00am – 12:30pm |
Brendan & Astrid Clancy |
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Sunday 5 March |
6:00am – 9:30am |
Volunteers required |
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9:00am – 12:30pm |
Volunteers required |
| Sunday 12 March | 6:00am – 9:30am |
Volunteers required |
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9:00am – 12:30pm |
Volunteers required |
Markets BBQ Roster
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Sunday 19 February |
Bundaberg Croquet Club |
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Sunday 26 February |
Coral Coast Golf Club |
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Sunday 5 March |
Rotary Central |
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Sunday 12 March |
Arrows/Athletics Hockey Club |
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@shalomcollege.com
Student Travel Rebates
Student travel rebate applications are only open in May for Semester 1 and October for Semester 2. Please click here to check if you are eligible.
SES - Interested in helping your Community
