Shalom College
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9 Fitzgerald Street
Bundaberg QLD 4670
Subscribe: https://shalomc.schoolzineplus.com/subscribe

Email: shalom@shalomcollege.com
Phone: 07 4155 8111

6 June 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Reflection

Often, when I talk to my children at the end of the day, I ask them what they learnt that day. Someone suggested to me recently that a better question to them might be, 'What questions did you ask today?' I hope that our children, as a result of their schooling in a Catholic tradition, will be questioners. That they will be young adults who will not automatically accept the status quo and who will continue to ask important questions of themselves and their world. I came across a nice story recently about someone who was prepared to keep enquiring about the world that gave me something to reflect on:

The first day of University our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know.

I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of children, and then retire and travel."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a university education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know." As we laughed she cleared her throat and began:

"We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy and achieving success.

You have to laugh and find humour every day.

You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability.

The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change.

Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

At the year's end Rose finished the College degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

Formal

The College Formal was a major success last Friday night. The students looked fantastic and there were so many very proud parents. More importantly, there was a wonderful 'vibe' among this group of Year 12 students and they seemed to have a fantastic night. We got some nice feedback from parents on the occasion;

Dear

Can you please pass this email onto the person/s who it should go to....

Thank you to the Staff and Organiser's of this Years Prom Celebration. I was not sure what to expect, but the night was more than I had imagined. The Sports Centre was decorated beautifully, the food was perfect, the music was good, I loved the speeches and the overall buzz in the room was there all night. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and can't wait for the next one I have to attend in 2 years' time.

The students are a wonderful, polite and a well-mannered bunch of kids and as I parent I am so proud to call one of them my Daughter.

Thanks again for all the effort the school goes to, to make this memorable for us all.

G'day Ladies!

Ladies, I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know how much we appreciate everything you and your team did to make the Year 12 2016 formal such a success. We as a family had a great time, the kids looked awesome and the organisation required to put these things together was very professional and well done. Please give our thanks and appreciation to all your team involved.

Sincerely,

Laptop Programme Year 10 to Year 12

Parents of students in these year levels will be aware that I wrote last year explaining the process of purchasing laptops for students. Initially, I hope that I made it very clear that parents had the option to 'opt out' of the programme and provide their own device for their child. Once parents commit though, the College bears the cost of the outright purchase of the device and this is progressively paid off and, on departure from the College, the device can be purchased by the family or, after three years, the device will be yours. I hope parents understand that it is not possible to 'opt out' once the device has been purchased for your child.

Federal Election

We are all very aware of the looming Federal election. Education funding is always topical during elections. Sadly, some mistruths are often thrown around about how Federal funds are distributed to Catholic and Independent schools. The two documents embedded below might be useful background reading for you during this important time.

National School Improvement Audit

The National School Improvement Audit was completed at Shalom Wednesday afternoon. This was a very worthwhile exercise and the team made many positive comments about the College and also gave us some very useful recommendations for the next few years. Among the many very supportive comments made by the team were:

  • Shalom College presents as a highly attractive and well maintained environment which caters well for its large student population with extensive learning and recreational areas.
  • The College tone strongly reflects the articulated Catholic values and behaviours and is a credit to the staff, students and community. Teachers, students and parents report strong relationships exist and there is a sense of belonging and great pride. The College successfully lives out its mission and vision.
  • Parents and the College Board expressed a very high degree of confidence in the principal, school leadership and teaching staff.
  • Significant efforts have been made by the College to provide students with a wide range of opportunities to engage in meaningful learning that contribute to the development of the whole student who is well connected to the local community.
  • Learning Enhancement Unit Staff provide learning support to students that meet a range of needs. Extension programs for identified students are in place for Year 8 and 9.
  • Students interviewed report very positively on the culture of the school. They feel safe, welcomed and acknowledge the efforts of staff to engage them in learning.

Anxiety in Young People

Anxiety in Young People is an increasing issue. Some young people, for a multitude of reasons, wrestle with significant amounts of stress and anxiety. Sponsored by the Rockhampton Diocese, there will be workshop held at Shalom, in the Loyola Centre on the evening of Thursday 9 June. This event will commence at 7:30pm. This is also the opening night of our Musical so it might be easier for those attending this workshop to park in the bus park beside the Loyola Centre.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal

Student Welfare and Information

Thank you….to all those students and parents who gave up their time to assist with the Year 12 Formal Dinner Dance.

On Saturday morning I had a number of parents and students come along to assist with the packing up - removing chair covers, taking off table cloths, packing up tables, moving 1300 chairs and restacking them, sweeping the floors, packing up the catwalk and taking up the carpet and helping the decorators to pack up their gear. Heartfelt thanks to Kathy Laing (staff member) for coming in at 7:00am on the Saturday to help me get all the decorations, scraps/rubbish and tablecloths off each table so that when our helpers arrived the tables were ready to pack up.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following parents and students for coming in at 8:00am and working solidly to get the job done:

Sandi Davis (student); John Davis (parent), Grace Tranent (student) and Angela Tranent (parent), Aimee Harvey (student), Susan Bryans (parent) and Joanna Bryans (student), Celine Sanders (student) and Dylan Sanders (parent), James Willoughby (student) and Diana Willoughby (parent), David Curtis (parent) and Caitlyn Curtis (student), Trudy and John Hohn (parents), Murray Otto (parent), Cameron Gill (parent), Lyndell Scott (parent), Adrian Stallard (parent) and Eden Stallard (student).

I am so appreciative of the work these students and parents did on that morning.

On Wednesday morning the following ladies came in to help 'The Prop People' (decorators) to put on all the chair covers (back breaking work on 651 chairs!) and put on the table cloths (67 tables):

Susan Bryans, Jennifer Pimm, Catriona McGiffin, Judy Smith, Sarah McNicol, Claire Hamilton, Leanne Cunningham and Cheryl Petersen (our Campus Minister) also assisted.

I had 28 students help me set out the tables and chairs on the Tuesday beforehand - usually I just ask for boys but this year the girls wanted to know why they couldn't volunteer as well so I had quite a number of girls as well! Getting the table placement 'just right' was a work of art!

The generosity of the Year 11 students was also evident on the night of the Formal with the number of students who worked with Mr Cameron assisting Across the Waves Sports Club with plating and serving, etc and those who volunteered to assist as ushers showing parents to their tables - they had about 20 minutes to seat approximately 400 parents.

All of the above students will be recognised on a College Assembly.

Thank you to the following staff who gave generously of their time on the night as well:

  • Car Parking: Stephen Cronin, David Gahan, Mike Reid and Angela Samways offered but was not needed in the end
  • Announcing of students on their arrival: Debbie Bishop and Cheryl Petersen
  • Ushering: Fiona Bath, David Bond, Simone Wilson, Rebecca Cavallaro
  • Grounds Staff: Greg Aplin, Laurie Robinson, Phil Smith, Peter Brown, Ben Davis (nothing was too much trouble)
  • Ian King and the students who played during the evening
  • And Tony Hutchins for his dance instruction leading up to the formal and on the night

As you can tell, it was 'quite the production' and so many people were involved.

Camps 2016

By the time this newsletter is published the camps for 2016 will be completed. This year the Year 7 CSA teachers accompanied their CSA classes whilst the Year 8 CSB teachers accompanied their CSB classes. The House Coordinators accompanied the Year 10 students in their Houses.

The teachers give up valuable family time themselves to be out on these camps for three days as well as having to prepare and leave work for those classes still at school - this takes considerable time. I am very appreciative of this commitment they have to their students. I am also very grateful for the teachers who volunteer to also forgo family time and go out for 'night duty'.

Mrs Elizabeth Austin-Campbell
Assistant to the Principal – Students
AcampbellE@shalomcollege.com

Parents and Friends

To all P & F Members, you are reminded that our monthly meeting is held in the staff common room on the first Tuesday of the month - all parents are welcome.

Please note the next P & F meeting will be held on Tuesday 7 June at 5:30pm.

Year 7 and Year 8 Immunisations – Round 2

The second round of the Year 7 and 8 immunisations are on this week. Year 8 will be held on Wednesday 8 June and Year 7 will be on Friday 10 June, both sessions will again be in the Loyola Centre.

The vaccinations are provided by Ozcare and commence from 8:30am on both days.

Quiet Achiever

Our Quiet Achiever for this week is Hayden Medcalf, McAuley Year 11. Hayden has been for some time now very interested in the Japanese art of Manga. He has become very talented with this drawing style producing many characters in his art books. A few weeks ago Hayden thought it would be good to help other interested students understand and develop their abilities so he went to Student Services and suggested that a Manga Art class to be added to their list of activities to do at lunch times for students. Three weeks ago Hayden held the first Friday lunchtime class and it was very well attended. Since then the interest has grown in the group and all students have enjoyed the experience.

It is wonderful that Hayden saw a need and a way of helping others learn and enjoy new things about this very popular Japanese art form.

Ms Paula Van Dalen
McAuely House Coordinator

Year 10 Drama One Act Play Night Invitation

The Shalom College Annual Year 10 One Act Play Night is on again next week from 6:00pm on Thursday 16 June. Come along to the Performing Arts Precinct and support these budding actors as they showcase their work from the last semester. There are a variety of one act plays in different styles that will appeal to a variety of audiences. The 26 students have been working extremely hard and would love an enthusiastic audience to present their work to. Entry is a gold coin donation for two hours of entertainment!

Attention Year 10 Drama Students

The rehearsal for this will be from 3:00pm to 5:30pm on Thursday 16 June, so students involved in this performance will be required to stay after school until the end of the evening.

We would love to see you all there. Any questions or queries, please contact me through either email or the College Office.

Miss Anita McAtee
Performing Arts Coordinator
mcateea@shalomcollege.com

Tertiary Studies Expo - Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July

Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane Showgrounds

The TSXPO allows students to visit a number of stalls for Universities, TAFEs, Private Education Colleges, Defence Force Recruitment, Student Support Services and Government Agencies in the one location. Every Queensland University, along with others from interstate and overseas will be represented. Stalls are manned by staff along with current and postgraduate students. A range of seminars are also presented on matters such as QTAC applications and scholarships. Shalom students have previously found the expo extremely beneficial in exploring tertiary education options.

http://www.careersevent.com/tsxpo/

As in previous years, Shalom College will be taking a bus to the TSXPO. Details are below:

Who: Shalom students and parents
Date: Saturday 16 July 2016 (returning that evening)
Departure: 6:00am from Shalom College carpark
Return: approximately 8:00pm
Cost: $35 for students; $25 for parents accompanying their child.

Please see me for further information and permission forms, my office is in Student Services.

Mr Troy Braund
Careers Advisor
troy_braund@shalomcollege.com or phone 4155 8111

Learn a Second Language and the World is Your Oyster

Here is some food for thought. With YouTube becoming so very popular in our everyday lives you might be surprised (as I was) at the number of actors who can converse quite comfortably in a language other than English. Watch the clips below and see how learning a second language can also help you become famous.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzniYTLmFkc

Koi No Bori

During the term the Year 9 Japanese class have been working very diligently creating videos and art works to send to our sister school in Japan. Check out the photos attached. Students definitely enjoyed making Koi no bori for children's day to decorate the classroom.

Japanese
VIEW GALLERY
Japanese
Click images to enlarge

Homework Expectations

With exams and assignments fast approaching students over the next week will be focusing on reinforcing their new learn knowledge with lots of revision in class however, it is imperative for students of Japanese to be studying and revising for at least 10 minutes a day in Junior year levels and at least 20 minutes for Senior. A great way to help study is by making flashcards or using sticky notes that parents can help by testing at home. Also, a great app for ipads is Blue Study and there is also a website https://www.studyblue.com/.

Parents please do ensure you have checked parent lounge for upcoming assessments dates or in your students' record book.

Mrs Simone Wilson
Japanese Coordinator
Simone_Wilson@shalomcollege.com

Past College Magazines

If any families would like extra copies of the 2013 or 2014 College Magazine please contact Mrs Kathy Laing on 4155 8107 or alternately call into the College Office. These are available free of charge.

Maths Team Challenge Success

Shalom College entered ten teams in the Bundaberg Maths Team Challenge on Tuesday 31 May at the Civic Centre.

Almost ninety teams from secondary schools in the region competed in a series of problem solving tasks and all Shalom teams competed well.

The Shalom Junior (1) team won the Junior section against a field of over 20 teams and Shalom Year 7 (1) won their section against fifteen other teams.

The Shalom Year 8 (2) team claimed a creditable third place in the Year 8 section.

All competitors are to be commended for their effort and behaviour during the event. Thank you to Mrs Amanda Sharpe for selecting the teams and organising Shalom's involvement in the competition.

Mr Brett Hoskins
Core Studies A Coordinator

VET News

I had the pleasure of attending the Annual National VET Symposium in Brisbane and have returned feeling very motivated and inspired. Minister for Training and Skills Yvette D'Ath spoke at the symposium and the state figures she mentioned that, 'six out of ten students do not go onto university from school', made me feel an enormous pressure.

We are dedicated to improving our VET opportunities and pathways and acknowledge this will be a process that will require reassessing our plan regularly. I welcome suggestions, communication and feedback from parents as part of this growth.

With school holidays fast approaching this is the ideal time for students to think about engaging in work experience. This is a great exercise for Year 10 students prior to subject selection and equally important for senior students who should be thinking about their progression pathway from school. Please come and see me to learn some self marketing skills and insurance paperwork.

Soon you will begin to hear more from me with regards to forming a Shalom College Industry Taskforce to enable us to ensure we are equipping students with the relevant vocational skills and attributes that are required by industry. I look forward to bringing you further information about this very soon.

We congratulate our newest round of school based apprentices and trainees!

  • Jahara Pinto - Certificate III Business Administration at Tomato Backpackers
  • Kaitlyn Bunn - Certificate III Hospitality at Gloria Jean's Coffee
  • Joel Anderson - Certificate III Automotive Mechanic at Nielson Smash Repairs
  • Jakob Baumgartner - certificate III Hospitality at Wendy's
  • Jaydah Cutmore - Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care at Lead Childcare
  • Sandi Davis - Certificate III Hospitality at Across the Waves Sports Club
  • Claire Mallows - Certificate III Hairdressing at The Place Hairdressing
  • Bailey Perrin - Certificate III Automotive Mechanic at Ken Day Auto

Congratulations to Fiti Esau for the upgrade from school based trainee to school based apprentice. Fiti is now working towards becoming a trade qualified Chef!

Mrs Liza O'Donnell
VET Coordinator
liza_odonnell@shalomcollege.com

Sports News

Wide Bay Cross Country

We had eighteen students compete yesterday in Maryborough at the Wide Bay Cross Country trials.

Congratulations to the following students who have made the Wide Bay team and will compete at the State Cross Country Titles in Maryborough on 17 July and 18 July.

Lucy Bowden, Tailah O'Shea, Jessica Borg, Bailey Rach, Lee-Challe Kriel with Joshua Shaxson as first reserve.

Lee-Challe was also awarded Age Champion for winning the 13 years Girls Division.

Well done to all students and good luck at the State Cross Country Titles.

Date Claimer

Thursday 23 June - Shalom Track and Field (half day)
Friday 24 June - Shalom Track and Field (all day)

Correction to date

Winter Sport Finals day is Friday 2 September 2016. Please change your College calendar to reflect this.

Student Sporting Achievements

On the weekend Nathan Donaldson competed in the Ring Road Race coming third, however he was the only junior racing. Last year his time for the 10km was 01:01.33 this year he did it in 33.57sec that's 27minutes faster! Awesome improvement, well done Nathan.

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

Arts in Performance

Instrumental Music

Rockhampton Diocesan Music Camp

Applications for this year's camp have now closed. An email will be sent soon outlining all arrangements and instructions.

Queensland Catholic Schools Music Festival

Choir, Vocal Ensemble, Senior Concert and Senior Jazz Bands, Chamber and Rochford Strings, Thursday morning Concert Band, Friday morning Jazz Band B and the full Orchestra will all participate in this festival. Please note that we are not taking the year 7/8 Concert or Jazz Band this year. This is held over a three day period from Friday 12 August to Sunday 14 August. A performance schedule will be released early June.

Dance

Please note in your diaries that the major Dance Night concert for the Dance department will be Friday 28 October and Saturday 29 October.

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

Chisholm House News

On Monday 30 May, Chisholm House celebrated house patron Caroline Chisholm's 208th birthday! Apart from good food and company, we also managed to raise $200 for the unfortunate people in parts of Papua New Guinea who are currently facing life threatening drought. In the spirit of Caroline Chisholm, we decided it was important to raise money for people in helpless situations just like the people Caroline helped when she arrived in Australia nearly 200 years ago. The house badge proudly displays the word Compassion. Representing the badge and house with pride, the students of Chisholm also displayed compassion successfully. Well done to all involved!

Mr Aaron Brown
Chisholm House Coordinator

Students Attend PCYC Dinner

Current and past Shalom Students attended the PCYC to celebrate the Blazers Group 10th anniversary, which the PCYC in Bundaberg has been operating for around 15 years.

Tuckshop Roster

Monday

6 June

Dianne Collins

Kym Russell

Tuesday

7 June

Suzanne Weedon-Smith

Susie Zunker

Wednesday

8 June

Ann Holliss

Thursday

9 June

Paul & Caroline Simms

Merna Cook

Friday

10 June

Michelle Arvidsson-Smith

Leah Whaleboat

Marilyn Wootton

Monday

13 June

Kathryn Hanlon

Tuesday

14 June

Cathy Duffield

Wednesday

15 June

Claire Hamilton

Sharon Pole

Thursday

16 June

Merna Cook

Jennifer Pimm

Friday

17 June

Jenny Beveridge

Monday

20 June

Mila Robertson

Tuesday

21 June

Holly Hess

Linda Stehbens

Wednesday

22 June

Kate Crook

Thursday

23 June

Merna Cook

Tania Wright

Friday

24 June

Michelle Arvidsson-Smith

Monday

11 July

Kathryn Hanlon

Tuesday

12 July

Cathy Duffield

Wednesday

13 July

Ann Holliss

Thursday

14 July

Paul & Caroline Simms

Merna Cook

Friday

15 July

Jenny Beveridge

Shalom Sunday Markets

Tuckshop Markets Roster

Sunday

5 June

6.00am - 9.30am

Glen BOYS

Jan BUNN

Trish INGALL

Susie MANT

Karen MARRIOTT

Bradley/Robyn ROYAN

9.00am - 12.30pm

Roberto/Trina BARAZZA

Lynda CROSSETT

Helen GLASS

Roselyn HUNTING

Sunday

12 June

6.00am - 9.30am

Linda ADCOCK

Peter ANDERSON

Carol BARAZZA

Michael/Sally DOYLE

Nikki ELLIS

Penny GREEN

9.00am - 12.30pm

Kylie AMIES

Deborah BRIGHT

Sue/Molly/Sophia BURFITT

Katherine CHURCH

Brenda JAY

Sunday

19 June

6.00am - 9.30am

Vince/Donna HABERMANN

Orinda MARTIN

Robert/Carol MCGILL

Cheryl O'DONNELL

Louise STALLARD

Cathy WILSON

9.00am - 12.30pm

Kristine ARNOTT

David/Karen HUMPHRIES

Kym MURPHY

John PAPPALARDO

Joy POHLMAN

Sunday

26 June

6.00am - 9.30am

Paula CITTADELLA

Elizabeth HARRIS

Alison REINHARDT

Helen ROBINSON

Nicole SCHUBEL

9.00am - 12.30pm

Steve COOK

Maria CURTIS

Tonyia GARLAND

Corrie-Anne GORMAN

Rod/Cass MASON

Tammy SHILVOCK

Maryanne TAYLOR

Sunday

3 July

6.00am - 9.30am

Bruce/Kayleen BRYAN

Diane KING

Peter O'BEIRNE

Steven SCHIFFKE

Allen/Karen WHITE

9.00am - 12.30pm

Rodney ALLPORT

Sophie/Ysa BURNHAM

Katherine MINGIN

Roxanne MCLEAN

Marlyn MAY

Tin Yu WONG

Sunday

10 July

6.00am - 9.30am

Toni BURGESS

Donna CAINS

Suzanne BROWN

Barbara COYNE

John DELANEY

Mechalle KIMBER

Mark MORRIS

9.00am - 12.30pm

Sharon ASTLES

Marissa BROWNE

Anne EXELBY

Linda FRANCIS

Renita SNARE

George/Jennifer WALSH

Markets BBQ Roster

5 June

St Joseph's School

12 June

Cambodia

19 June

St Vincent De Paul

26 June

Men Alive

3 July

Cambodia

Community News

Echo Youth Group

Bundaberg Regional Council

Get Ready GO – Youth Digital Project

Council's Disaster Management and Youth Development staff have partnered with local company Coding Australia to facilitate a Youth Digital Program using open source software to create a digital piece of work to be used for increasing children and young people's awareness and preparedness for natural disaster events. This program is open to anyone aged 10-18 years.

Please click on the links below for full details regarding the information session that will be held prior to the workshops commencing during the June/July school holidays.