15 November 2016

Newsletter Articles

Principal's Reflection

On Thursday we will farewell our Year 12 class. This group of young men and women have been great contributors to the culture and life of this College. They are a great credit to their parents and families. They are about to take a significant step in their lives – not the biggest they will ever take, but significant. We all hope that they are ready. Some will be more ready than others. Some who think that they are really ready, may not be. Others who are very unsure will be more than ready. It is an individual thing and it may be different for each of them. Timing is vital. I think the following story is pretty relevant –

Communication

I always hope that Shalom parents feel that they can speak to the appropriate person at any time if they have a concern. Shalom parents can always, if they feel it necessary, speak to me. Great communication solves a lot of little issues before they grow into bigger issues. This week I got mailed an anonymous complaint. My long-standing response to anonymous complaints is to file them in my waste paper basket. If someone is not prepared to put their name to a letter, I find it hard to take it seriously. I hope that no one in this community would believe that anyone would think less of them for raising any issue.

Diocesan Drought Relief

Over the past few years, Shalom has been involved in fund raising along with every other Catholic school in the Diocese for Drought Relief. We have been sending funds to St Brigid's School in Longreach to distribute to the community. Recently we received a letter outlining where the money has gone and how grateful that they are. I thought it was a great explanation of how the money raised has been shared far and wide -

St Brigid's drought appeal started in 2013 and it is through your generosity and kindness that we are able to help our struggling drought stricken families in this area.

This fourth newsletter is to inform you of what has been done with your generous donations. We have finally been blessed with good rain starting in June and continuing. The country has responded with heaps of soft rolly polly, daisy burr and other forbs. In some places the Mitchell grass has even returned but in other places, follow up summer rain is required.

With your continued support, we have given each child from our local State Primary and State High Schools and all Catholic Schools, a school voucher of $50.00 per child to purchase their 2017 school stationeries with an overall cost of $50,000. The local schools that benefited from this money were:

1. Aramac State School
2. Barcaldine State School and St Joseph's Catholic School Barcaldine
3. Blackall State School and St Joseph's Catholic School Blackall
4. Ilfracombe State School and Isisford State School
5. Jundah State School
6. Longreach High School and Our Lady's School, Longreach
7. Muttaburra State School
8. Stonehenge State School
9. Tambo State School

We also supported the schools by paying the entrance fee to their swimming activities.

We have given $100.00 meat vouchers to struggling families in the district. These vouchers are required to be spent at their local butcher shop to help maintain their business in the district. This gesture was very much appreciated by the local butchers who were doing it tough. We continue to give out food packages and fuel cards to those in need as part of our stewardship.

Ethel once again made 45 toiletry bags that were filled up with everyday hygiene necessities. These items were given to the Betoota Far West Channel Country Ladies Day.

Tony from Rainbow Beach brought a van load of groceries that were distributed to struggling town and rural families and individuals. The hats, made of Kangaroo hide were donated by the Victorian Company and were very much appreciated by local people. Three free movie nights were held at our local Cinema with over 542 people in attendance. A Christmas movie will be shown towards the end of school term.

We certainly are a lucky country and very proud of our spirit of Aussie mateship that is embedded in our DNA.

It is with sincere gratitude that we thank everyone involved in our Diocesan Drought Appeal. Your continued support is very much appreciated by rural and local families. Although rain has fallen and the country looks fantastic many producers have no stock, so no cash flow but their spirits have been lifted.

If you want an electronic bulletin, please send your email address to cathlong@bigpond.com.

We pray for more spring rains to help our farmers recover fully from the terrible drought that has afflicted us these last years. Amen.

Staff News

Congratulations Mrs Petrea Hass on her appointment as Principal of St Joseph's School, Childers. Petrea has been a very valued member of the Shalom staff for eight years. For the past six, she has led MacKillop House very well. We are very grateful to her for all that she has contributed to this community and wish her well in the next phase of her journey. Our loss is certainly St Joseph's Childers gain.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal

Year 12 Parents

You are reminded that you are welcome to attend the Year 12 Slide/Video night held in the Performing Arts Precinct Theatre this Wednesday 16 November commencing at 7:00pm. There is no cost to attend and I ask that parents sit in the back half of the Theatre.

No booking required but please arrive early.

Br Rochford

Ministry

Year 12 Graduation Liturgy

The Graduation and end of year Liturgy is this Thursday 17 November, commencing at 9:00am in the Sports Centre. The morning will conclude with a morning tea served in the Performing Arts Precinct foyer for Year 12 students and their parents (no siblings to attend morning tea). RSVP was required from parents wishing to attend and limited to two per graduating student. Please contact the College today if you have not yet RSVP'd on 4155 8111.

The Giving Tree

Last Friday we celebrated our final community service project for the year in shape of the Giving Tree. The generosity expressed through the gifts and gift cards was extraordinary, as you can see in the photos. A sum of $3147.50 in monetary gifts was also collected. All gifts and donations were gratefully received by St Vincent de Paul as they prepare to spread the joy to families doing it tough this Christmas season. The Giving Tree always reminds us that Jesus is the true reason behind the season.

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

Curriculum Notes

Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN Tests 2017

The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Tests will be conducted in all Queensland schools on 9, 10 and 11 May 2017.

The tests will assess students in the areas of literacy (including reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar) and numeracy (number, measurement, chance and data, space, working mathematically, algebra function and pattern). The results from these tests will be used for individual student reporting to parents, school reporting to the community and aggregate reporting by the State against national standards.

All Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 students enrolled in State, Catholic and Independent schools will be required to sit the test on these days. Parents are asked to ensure that their children will be available to sit the tests on the test days and that family commitments are not planned for the test week. Parents who have concerns about their child's availability to sit the test are welcome contact the Middle School Coordinator, Mrs Megan Munckton on 4155 8294.

More detailed information regarding the tests and preparation arrangements at Shalom College will be communicated during Term 1 of next year. In the meantime, further general information is available from the NAPLAN website or the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority website at the link below.

Change of subjects for 2017

We are now accepting requests for change of subjects for 2017. To facilitate the process a form has been created and posted on the College Intranet under the 'Documents' tab for current Year 8, 9 and 10 students. Alternatively, parents may write a letter requesting changes; please include the name of the student, the year level for 2017 (Year 9, 10 or 11), the subject(s) originally selected and the new selection.

When considering changes note that some changes may not be possible due the limited availability of places or clashes as the timetable nears completion. All changes must be communicated in writing by Friday 25 November 2016. Requests made after this date may be held over until the start of the new school year and may not be included in the timetable initially issued.

Subject details may be found in the subject selection guides available for download from the College Website or Intranet.

Year 10 End of Semester Examinations

Year 10 end of semester examinations are scheduled for Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 November. The timetable has been posted on the College Intranet under the 'Assessment & Reporting' tab and the College Website.

As this will be the first time that Year 10 students are confronted with an examination block, parents and students need to be aware of some variations to conditions, especially attendance. During examination blocks students are only required to attend if they have a scheduled examination or supplementary assessment. There are five examination sessions in the block and not all students have examinations in each session.

Students who cannot be conveniently collected, who cannot make their own way home, have to wait for a bus or whose parents prefer them to be in attendance throughout the school day will be supervised and engaged in meaningful learning activity until 3:00pm on each day of the examination block.

Help and Advice for Year 12 Students About Careers or QTAC Applications

Year 12 students and parents who need urgent advice during the summer break may contact the Careers Advisor, Mr Troy Braund at Troy_Braund@shalomcollege.com. This service is available for students and parents who need to discuss current QTAC applications, especially during the period Monday 19 December 2016 to Friday 13 January 2017.

Please include your name, a brief outline of the query, a return telephone / mobile phone contact number and available contact times in the text of the e-mail. Mr Braund will do his best to make contact or refer your enquiry as soon as possible.

Please note that this service is for parents and students in Years 12 who are seeking urgent advice. All other routine enquiries should be directed to the College office during business hours.

Mr Christian Taylor
Assistant to the Principal – Curriculum
taylorc@shalomcollege.com

P & F Committee

P & F Monthly Meeting Notes

At our monthly meeting on Tuesday 1 November the Committee was pleased to present Mrs Donna Habermann with the P & F Federation Community Volunteer Award for 2016. We would like to congratulate Donna and thank her for the many years of volunteer work and her commitment to Shalom College.

Again in 2016 the Committee was pleased to support the Helping Hands project by providing over $400 worth of vouchers and cooked meals for those who needed a little 'Helping Hand' at times. We were delighted to sponsor another placement for a student who would like the opportunity to participate in a mission/service trip run by the College. The Committee also acknowledged the dedication and commitment of staff at Shalom College on World Teacher's Day. We sincerely hope the staff at the college enjoyed the cake that was delivered on Tuesday last week.

As we have held our final meeting for 2016, the P & F Committee would like to wish everyone a very safe and enjoyable festive season.

For further information, see the full meeting minutes on 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 e-mail pandf@shalomcollege.com.

To all P & F Members, you are reminded that our monthly meeting is held in the staff common room – all parents are welcome. Please note the first P & F meeting for 2017 will be held on Tuesday 7 February, 2017 at 5:30pm.

Mrs Gail Norris
P&F Secretary

Quiet Achiever

Our Quiet Achiever for this week is Breeanna Black, Year 12 Hogan House. Bree has done a wonderful job throughout the year with all of the Year 7 students and other younger students in her Hogan pastoral care class, Hogan 2. Her words of encouragement and organisation of pastoral care activities and parties have been enjoyed by all. She is a wonderful role model for these students, always wearing her College uniform with pride and actively participating in House and College activities. Breeanna is always flashing a great big beaming smile on her face, when enjoying the company of others, as can be seen in the photo of her helping out at this year's Hogan Car Wash fundraiser.

Breeanna (on the left) with Joanna Hopkins, helping raise funds for Hogan charitable organisations at the Car Wash in Term 3

IT Department News

Year 10 and 11 Students

This year we are looking to try something new and allow you to keep your Shalom leased laptop over the Christmas holidays ready for your first day back at Shalom in 2017. For this to happen, we require the following two things to happen:

• The IT Unit will need to visually check your device for any damage and;
• You will be required to install the latest Windows 10 Education update

Please continue reading for more information.

Windows 10 Education Update

The IT Unit has currently packaged up the latest Windows 10 anniversary update for you to install on your college leased laptop. During this process, we will be converting Windows 10 from Enterprise edition to Education. It will be automatically installed on Wednesday 16 November starting at 5:30pm. It is highly recommended to please make sure you have used your laptop during early next week so it can download the files required for this update prior to the instalment date and time. If your device has not downloaded all the files required for update prior to this time, it will not install that night and therefore will probably happen during school time. Unfortunately, we cannot stop this update installing during class time after the 16 November, so please make sure you proactively try to use your laptop from Monday to Wednesday here at school. The update will take approximately 45 minutes to install, during which your system will be unavailable and will be automatically rebooted. It's advised as a precaution to have all local school work backed up to your college H drive before this update. For those students wanting to assist with the early download of files, Beerarlem Library has the fastest wireless in the school.

Device Damage

The IT Unit requires all College leased laptops to be inspected before you finish school so we can log and claim any damages within this calendar year as HP Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) resets the three-part count on the 1 January 2017. Although we don't wish to inconvenience you in this busy time leading to exam block, we also need to get all damages sorted as soon as possible. If you are unsure if your device is damaged, please bring your device to the IT Unit or HO4 so we can look at it and advise. Can you please assist us with this request as this will benefit you for 2017 if we get all repairs logged in 2016.

Missing Chargers

The IT Unit also has a small amount of lost chargers that are from the laptop model that Year 10 and 11 students are using. If you are missing your charger, please come and see the IT Unit so we can assist and hopefully return your lost charger or assist in purchasing a new one.

Opening Hours over the Christmas Holidays

The IT Unit will be open here at Shalom until the Friday 23 December 2016 and certainly can assist in logging any damages or other issues up this date. We will reopen from Tuesday 3 January 2017 and happy to assist with any questions or issues you may have.

Mr Matthew Mills
IT Manager
millsm@shalomcollege.com

Australian Mathematics Competition

Shalom College entered 72 students in this year's 39th Australian Mathematics Competition, sponsored by the Commonwealth Bank, on Thursday 28 July.

This competition started in Australia in 1978, was the original and is now one of the largest of its kind in the world. More than 40 countries participate in the AMC each year and it is recognised as an international benchmark for mathematical performance. Over 1000 students share the prizes and around 50% of participants qualify to receive Certificates of High Distinction, Distinction or Credit. All other entrants in the competition receive a Certificate of Proficiency or a Participation Certificate.

A prestigious Australian Mathematics Competition medal is awarded to students with an outstanding result, both within their country or Australian State and overall in the competition. Every participant receives a letter detailing their results, enabling them to check on their mathematical performance. The AMC consists of intriguing problems which students can enjoy doing.

The AMC is run by the not-for-profit Australian Mathematics Trust which is under the trusteeship of the University of Canberra. Its continuing success relies on the volunteer support of the dedicated teachers and academics who provide their time, expertise and assistance.

Shalom students have been successful with 51 Certificates of Merit being awarded and four students have achieved a High Distinction award.

The winners of the merit awards are as follows:

High Distinctions - top 2% (Junior), top 5% (Senior) of their year and region

Year 8

Daemon O'Brien – Also awarded 'Best in School'

Year 9

Josef Baumgartner

Year 10

Patrick Harris, Matthew Todd

Distinctions - top 15% (Junior) 25% (Senior) of their year and region

Year 8

Corey Walton, Patrick Maher

Year 9

Bryce Samuels-Rosser, Daniel Ferns, Ethan Hoppe, Seren Burrows

Year 10

Zane Haster, Justin Todd

Year 11

Lauren Blackwell, Caitlyn Curtis, Eden Stallard

Year 12

Timothy Harris, Jessica Clements

Credits top 50% (Junior) 60% (Senior) of their year and region

Year 8

Zoe Hess, Morgan Medcalf, Harry Packwood, Jack Gray, Kane Murray, Ky Woods, Michelle Pople, Rohan Boas, Emma Felstead, Braden Henricksen, Jaiden Luthe, Edward Ryan, Monique Von Deest, Claudine Coleman

Year 9

Samuel Freeman, Rhys Crook, Curtis Hancock, Devolyn D'aguiar, Trinity Medcalf, Jai Kunze, Liam McGuire, Joshua Cook

Year 10

Charlotte Blackwell, Anish Pathak, Giorgia Melham-Mackay, Joshua Roebuck, Alice Dolinski, Darcy Braund

Year 11

Ben Mapson, Samuel Monk, Daniel O'Driscoll

Year 12

Matthew Cook, Sophie Whitelum, Jonathon Evans

Fourteen students gained proficiency awards and seven students were also awarded participation certificates.

Mrs Debbie Bishop
Competition Manager

Text Book Hire

Collection of Textbooks for 2017

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

Collection Dates and Times

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

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

Request for Volunteers

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

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

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

Miss Sarah Grimes
Book Hire Coordinator
Sarah_Grimes@shalomcollege.com

Sports News

Congratulations on Wide Bay Selection

The Wide Bay representatives were listed last week and it was remiss of me to leave off Jessica Borg who was selected to Referee the U15 Football State Titles in Maroochydore earlier in the year. Congratulations Jess.

Rugby League

Shalom and St Luke's players come together after the game

It may be 233 days away from Confraternity 2017, which will be hosted by Brisbane's Padua College, but our Open Rugby League team took a significant step in their preparation by playing their first trial game of two 20 minute halves on Friday 4 November against St Luke's on our oval. The squad has already been training hard three mornings a week since early October under coach Mr Neil Feather and his team of assistants and they did very well to snatch a last-gasp 10-6 victory despite having no year 12s playing except Teykoa Nagas, who came on in the second half. St Luke's, who were BDSSS grand finalists this year after narrowly beating us in the semi-final, fielding all of their Year 12 stars. Winger Nash Kuorikoski, who is one of the State's best young talents in a number of athletics events, made a stunning debut in his first ever game of rugby league, scoring our first try with a textbook 'show and go' in the 17th minute. But St Luke's hit back immediately, with a conversion after the half-time whistle giving them a 6-4 lead. Our boys dominated territorially in the second stanza but St Luke's hung on until Central Crows representative Rece Hansen, who only transferred to Shalom this term, also completed a memorable debut for the College by forcing his way over for a try in the 38th minute, before Nash stepped up to the plate and kicked the conversion. The team included only five Confro representatives from this year; Darcy Bagley, Lachlan Dempsey, Daniel O'Driscoll, Bill O'Doherty and Martin Powell, whom the boys elected as captain. Playing together as a team for the first time and being out of season, our attack was predictably a bit disjointed at times, but the defence was outstanding, and Mr Feather was very happy with the exercise and he was especially pleased that 'we did the little things well'. Every one of the 20 players did their jobs well but Mr Feather noted Nash's ultra-promising debut and also said that fullback Lachlan Dullaway was 'very good'. Big Tomasi Tikonilia also excited the crowd with a number of blockbusting runs. The squad travelled to Rockhampton on Friday 11 November for another trial game of four 15 minute quarters, against the powerful Cathedral College. This completed the squad's preparation for this year, before they come together again early in 2017. Thanks to St Luke's for playing the game hard and in such great spirit. We provided a meal for both teams after the game, and we look forward to continuing our friendly rivalry with them. Thanks also to referee Mr David Bond, Mr Dean Holdsworth, from Past Brothers Rugby League, for being FAO for the game and all the Year 12 students who helped out in preparing the field and tents for the game and being touch judges.

Rugby League Awards

A presentation sausage sizzle lunch was held for our Rugby League teams on Tuesday 8 November. Major awards were presented at the Sports Awards Night last month, with Teykoa Nagas receiving both the McIntyre Family Trophy for Player of the Confraternity Carnival and the Brothers Rugby League Trophy for Most Outstanding Contribution to Rugby League at Shalom and the Best and Fairest gongs going to Lachlan Lewis (open), Jack Roelofs (15years), Ethan Rach (14years) and Nahum Pascoe (13years). Teykoa added the Players' Player silverware to his collection at Tuesday's awards, while Daniel O'Driscoll was a deserved winner of the Most Improved Trophy. Coach's Best Forward and Best Back awards were also presented in all four divisions.

Under 13s

Best Back: Bradley Clarke
Best Forward: James Waters
Coach's Award: Chelson Diggins

Under 14s

Best Back: Corey Picaro
Best Forward: Darcy Clarke
Coach's Award: Oliver Moreny

Under 15s

Best Back: Trent Smith
Best Forward: Jett Grogan
Coach's Award: Samuel Tobin

Opens

Best Back: Josh Haack
Best Forward: Amaru Brown
Coach's Award: Sahlie Komndi-Diggins

Mr Vince Habermann

Equestrian

It has been a year of wonderful achievements for two of our Year 12 riders. In 2016 Indiana Anderson has continued to be part of the Queensland Young Rider Dressage Squad. Her achievements this year include (but are not limited to) being named the FEI Young Rider National Pony Champion at Australian Youth Dressage Championships, winning Pony Champion at Elementary and Medium level at the Toowoomba 2* Event and winning Pony Champion at the Medium and Advanced level for the Young Rider Championships. She has managed to compete and maintain her place on the squad despite the demands of Year 12 and is congratulated on her outstanding results.

Darcy Emery continued her competition success over the last holidays, competing at the Australian Show Jumping Championships in Victoria. She qualified for the final and finished 25th overall, an excellent result in a very strong field. The photo included was taken in the Australian Junior Final and gives you an idea of the daunting nature of the obstacles Darcy faces in every competition.

Ms Amanda Sharpe
Equestrian Coordinator
SharpeA@shalomcollege.com

Your Sporting Fanatic

Mr Simon Gills
Sports Coordinator
GillsS@shalomcollege.com

Arts in Performance

Year 10 One Act Play Night

This Thursday evening 17 November at 6.30pm will be the Year 10's One Act Play Night. This will be an entertaining evening and will be held in the Performing Arts Precinct Theatre, the cost is a gold coin donation. Everyone is welcome so please come along and enjoy.

Vocal tuition

For the first time in many years, singing, theory and beginner piano tuition will be offered in the Instrumental Department. The tutor is a highly qualified singing teacher with three performance and teaching diplomas from Trinity College, London in addition to a Master of Music degree majoring in Vocal Pedagogy and Choral studies from Griffith University, Queensland Conservatorium. If you are interested, please contact me so that your name can be added to the growing list.

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

Learning Enhancement Unit News

There is a FREE Autism Workshop on Wednesday 30 November (10am – 1pm) at the Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre. The focus is for Primary School students; however, you are welcome to attend

Tuckshop News

Please note that the Flexi School orders will finish on Friday 18 November and resume in 2017 on Monday 23 January. Please visit the Flexi Schools Website http://www.flexischools.com.au/ which is filled with lots of information including how to sign up, which can be done at any time. The website is user friendly with information sections and help numbers.

Please note: The Tuckshop will still be operating until Thursday 1 December which is the last day of school and orders can be made before school in the tuckshop or purchase at lunch breaks.

Thank you for supporting the Tuckshop during 2016.

Mrs Ann Guy
Tuckshop Manager

Tuckshop Roster

Shalom Sunday Markets

The Artisan Collective

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

The last Artisan Collective will be held on Sunday 11 December, we hope to see you there.

Tuckshop Markets Roster

Markets BBQ Roster

Community Notice Board

Santa Fun Run - Be a Clause for a Cause

Get into the Christmas spirit and help raise funds for Variety - The Children's Charity of Queensland by joining in the Bundaberg Variety Santa Fun Run on Sunday 4 December at 7:00am. All registered participants receive a free Santa suit to wear in the 4km fun event which starts and finishes at Alexandra Park, Quay Street and takes a course around the beautiful parklands along in the banks of the beautiful Burnett River. Your entry fee includes not only the Santa Suit, but also an energetic warm-up at 6:45am, and some light refreshments at the end whilst recognising the top fundraising individuals and teams. The Santa Fun Run is not a timed event and has been devised to be all inclusive so those in wheelchairs and parents with prams can be involved in the fun! Admission is Adults $25.00, Children $15.00 or Family of two adults and two children $65.00. To register, go to the link below. Santa suits can be collected from Bundaberg Broadcasters' Office, 38 Crofton Street. Inquiries, phone Josh Freeman 0437 137 764 or Vince Habermann 0407 606 266.