12 February 2018

Principal’s Reflection

Yesterday’s Gospel reading was the story from Mark about a man with leprosy who approached Jesus to be cured. It is one of the well-known miracle stories from the Gospel, but, like many others, we miss a lot in translation. In the version we heard read yesterday, we are told that ‘Jesus was filled with pity’ for the leper as he approached. Apparently, the Greek word Mark uses in his Gospel is better translated as ‘anger’ rather than ‘pity’. Jesus suffers from centuries of translators and adoring fans wanting to always portray him as ‘nice’. Jesus didn’t get crucified for being ‘nice’! Some find it hard to imagine Jesus as getting angry – but he did. There is nothing wrong with being angry, it’s what we do with it that counts. In this interaction with the leper, Jesus may well have been angry with the way those with such diseases, through no fault of their own, were treated. They were cast out to die sad, lonely and painful deaths. They were blamed for their affliction. It was unjust, unfair and inhumane. Jesus was very likely to be angry with the way his society treated people.

For those watching this interaction at the time, they would have been shocked and stunned. It was unthinkable that someone with a disease like this would come anywhere near Jesus or anyone else. Compounding that would have been the fact that Jesus took time and interest in such a person – and then cured them!

This story reminds us as Christians that we have a right and even an obligation to get angry when we confront a society that treats people as ‘outsiders’. Like Jesus, we need to be angry with anything that permits a social class system to rob people of dignity and of religious laws that rob people of hope. In interacting with this man, Jesus is challenging social laws and taboos. It might make us reflect on who our society rejects. If we wanted to get something of the challenge from this story that would have been felt by those around Jesus at the time, we might ask ourselves, ‘who is it that we would not want to buy the house next to ours?’ Jesus was interested in converting all those he met to the higher laws of love and compassion and forgiveness.

Afternoon Pick Up – Br Hogan Drive and Baptist Church - PLEASE, even though it might be a pain to queue up, do not collect your child in the afternoon from anywhere other than the designated pick up zone in the main car park. DO NOT use the other side of Br Hogan Drive. This week, our long suffering and wonderful neighbours at the Family Baptist Church in Fitzgerald Street have rung to let me know that their car park is being used every afternoon by Shalom parents waiting to collect their child. Please do not do this. I know kids love to experience the warmth of a parents’ love and the cool of their car’s air-conditioning in the afternoons but life would be a lot easier for all if more students were able to travel home on a bus. Duffy’s, Stewarts, Town and Country and South Bundy buses offer a fantastic service to every corner of our catchment area.

School TV - this is a fantastic cyber resource for parents. Our P&F pay an annual subscription for this and the link can be found really easily on our Web Page. As an added feature to our subscription this year, School TV will be releasing ‘Special Reports’ on relevant issues concerning the community. The first Special Report is in response to the recent media publicity surrounding cyberbullying. It highlighted the tragic number of teen suicides as a result of this, including that of Amy 'Dolly' Everett. This Special Report has been created to help raise awareness within your community about the risks involved in cyberbullying. In this Special Report, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg highlights the dangers associated with social media and outlines how parents can help reduce the risk of cyberbully. Preventing such a tragedy from reoccurring again, needs to have the support of parents, schools and the wider community. All of which must work together towards reducing the risks associated with bullying. Parents especially, need to be aware of the dangers and be proactive in not accepting bullying behaviour of any sort. Let’s do it for Dolly.

There is also a great piece added recently for parents on ‘Surviving Year 12’. In this edition of School TV, parents will discover practical advice for students and parents to help get through the final year of secondary school. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition and we always welcome your feedback.

Shalom College After School Activities ( SCASA) have kicked off very successfully this year. There are still spaces available in Cricket, Triathlon and Running training, Basketball, Games Skills and Cross Country. We have waiting lists for activities that are currently full in Dance, ABC’s, Football and Tennis. It is great to see so many of our young people taking advantage of activities after school. Remember that the Gym is open every afternoon and it is easy for students to get a training program and get underway. If anyone has suggestions for additional activities that might be offered, Mr Robinson would love to hear from you. If you would like to sign up for Term 1 SCASA please go to -

Bishop’s In-Service Day is on tomorrow and will be a student free day at Shalom and the Catholic Primary schools.

House Leaders 2018 – at the end of last year the position as female leader in McAuley House was vacant. I am very pleased to announce that this position will be filled this year by Emily Obst.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
Daniel_McMahon@shalomcollege.com

Newsletter Articles

Curriculum

Apologies for the wrong document being imbedded into last week’s Newsletter. Please find the Memorandum of Understanding form attached for Students who have decided, in discussion with parents/guardians that they will not be sitting the QCS Test. The form is also available in hard copy from Student Reception.

Ms Katherine Nelson
Assistant Principal Curriculum
Katherine_Nelson@shalomcollege.com

Pick Up and Drop Off

Clarifying Pick Up and Drop Off Procedures

Again, I wish to convey our expectations regarding pick up and drop off procedures and the supervision of students are afforded before and after regular school hours.

There have been a number of incidents across the diocese which have put the health and safety of students at risk where they have been unsupervised on school grounds. To ensure you are aware of our school’s expectations with regard to pick up and drop offs, please read the following information.

At Shalom we have one student pick up and drop off point. This is the area in front of the Administration building. We understand that this causes some delay. Buses are a viable option and there are many choices available.

Many students arrive at school before 8:15am. Please be aware that that there is no supervision provided before this time. There is, however, before school tutoring (refer to tutoring timetable) and the libraries are open at 8am, Monday to Friday.

Please refrain from collecting or dropping off your child in any area other than in front of the Administration building. This particularly pertains to the following areas; the Catholic Cemetery, the grass parking area across from the main parking zone, the Baptist Church car park or the area in front of the sports hall.

A staff member is on duty from 3pm to 3:20pm. Staff members are also situated at the bike exit and the bus area. Students can be picked up after 3pm unless earlier by arrangement with the College.

We ask that you pick up your child between 3pm and 3:30pm. The libraries are open from 3pm to 4pm, Monday to Thursday afternoon. Tutoring, sport and clubs can also be attended.

Please be advised that your child is under your supervision once they leave the supervised areas but it is an expectation that school rules are still followed once leaving.

Please be aware that if you bring under school aged children onto the school grounds, then it is the responsibility of the supervising parent to provide active supervision.

Please acquaint yourself with these expectations. It is the safety and wellbeing of your children we value most.

Mr Robin Wust
Assistant Principal Staff and Development
Robin_Wust@shalomcollege.com

Mission

Senior Induction Friday March 2

Ash Wednesday

This Wednesday February 14 is Ash Wednesday and we will run an assembly timetable that day. We will begin the day with an 8am Chapel Mass, where House Leaders will collect blessed ashes to distribute during the Ash Wednesday Liturgy which will be held in House areas at 11:20am. Parishioners, parents and students are welcome to attend the morning Mass, as we begin our Lenten journey.

The Ash Wednesday Liturgy will explore how this Lenten season we aspire to ‘BE’ more, as opposed to ‘HAVE’ more and we hope to encourage a sense of gratefulness this Lenten season. There will be a ‘Jar of Gratefulness’ (pictured) to kept in the student office to encourage students and staff to nominate things they are grateful for as Lent progresses. Some of these may feature as part of our College Assemblies during Lent and will be featured in our Easter Liturgy. Parents are welcome to contribute.

Schedule of Day – Ash Wednesday February 14

8am – Shalom Chapel Mass, Loyola Chapel.
Assembly Timetable – Ash Wednesday Liturgy in Houses and the distribution of ashes at 11:20am instead of House Assembly.

Year 12 Retreat and Induction

Induction Invitations (already published digitally) and Year 12 Retreat paperwork were mailed last week, so please keep an eye out for this if it hasn’t yet arrived. We are in the process of finalising plans for the Year 12 Retreat, travelling to Alexandra Headland on Wednesday May 9 to Friday May 11. Please ensure all medical forms are returned by Friday March 2, so we can finalise details with Alexandra Headlands.

The extra homework we’ve set for parents (emailed from Mr McMahon) is due later in the term. Please ensure you make this deadline, as it is a challenge for us to ensure all students are accounted for each year. If a student is unable to attend, due to Wide Bay sport or another commitment, please notify Mrs Kim O’Shea-Hard (direct number 4155 8114) as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time and support with these special milestones.

Mrs Kim O’Shea-Hard
Assistant Principal Mission
Kim_Oshea-hard@shalomcollege.com

Quiet Achiever

MacKillop House would like to acknowledge their House leaders, Maddelyn Batt and Samuel Tobin. Both of these students are terrific role models and have begun their year in the position of House Leaders brilliantly. Their enthusiasm and commitment to their role during the hectic start to the year is greatly appreciated by all MacKillop members.

Mrs Michelle Moller
MacKillop House Coordinator
Michelle_Moller@shalomcollege.com

P & F Association

P & F Monthly Meeting Notes

At our first meeting for 2018 on Tuesday February 6 the committee was delighted to welcome the many new parents and friends that joined our meeting. We would like to remind everyone that as a parent/guardian you are automatically a member of the P & F and are very welcome to attend our monthly meetings.

We are busy collating all the volunteer forms that have been submitted in order to organise our volunteer rosters for 2018. Thank you to those parents who have submitted these forms. If you still would like to submit your form, please hand it into the main office.

Mr Peter Robinson, Coordinator of the After School Activities Program, attended the meeting to give feedback on how the program is going. This is a new initiative of the College that the P & F have funded. We are delighted to see that it has been well received by the school community with over 120 students signed up to the afternoon activities on offer.

In the Principal’s report, Mr Dan McMahon, reported that it has been a great start to the year for all the students and staff. The refurbishment of the Tuckshop and toilet block has been completed, while the new car park is well underway and hopefully will be finished during Term 2.

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 next P & F meeting will be held on Tuesday 6th March, 2018 after the Annual General Meeting which will begin at 5.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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

Where are they now?

Name: Kevin Stephensen
Graduating year: 2002
Subjects studied: Physical Education, Accounting, Physics, Maths B, SOR, English
Current role: HPE Teacher and Program Leader – Sport, Carmel College Thornlands

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

Bachelor Applied Science – Human Movement Studies (Exercise Science)
Graduate Diploma Education (Secondary)

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

“Hard to narrow it down to one”.

“I was the head of a rugby league program at Marsden SHS which saw lots of very good players come through and go on to NRL systems. Watching them develop as players and young men was very rewarding. I also got to work with players who were less talented and came from tough upbringings but they worked so hard and were so appreciative of any opportunity they had. Seeing those students transfer that hard work and discipline we taught them through rugby league into other areas of their lives when they left school was very fulfilling knowing I had been able to have an influence on them”.

“In my current role, I get to provide opportunities for all students within my school to be involved in sport. Seeing over 600 students play and enjoy their chosen sport in a weekly competition is great as well”.

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

“I was taught by some great teachers that gave me an example to follow into teaching. Both my parents were teachers at Shalom so they obviously were a big influence as well”.

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

“Hard work pays off. Nothing comes easy, but if you put in the effort you will eventually be rewarded. Our rugby league team would be training from the end of the year getting ready for the following year’s Confraternity Carnival. The times that we got everyone to turn up regularly were when we did the best. This translated to my subjects in that if I did a bit of study every night it was easier than trying to cram just before exams”.

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

”Understand the challenges as well as the benefits of teaching. Sometimes you work stupidly hard and long hours and deal with challenging situations but you get to have a direct influence on so many people’s lives every day which doesn’t happen in every job. Plus, the holidays are pretty good!”

If you or someone you know might be interested in being featured in ‘Where are they now?’ please email Georgia Halpin at Georgia_Halpin@shalomcollege.com

Mrs Georgia Hamilton
Community Relations Officer
Georgia_Halpin@shalomcollege.com

Sport

2018 Junior State Cup Oztag Carnival

On the Australia Day long weekend quite a number of Shalom students travelled to Kawana Waters to participate in the 2018 Oztag State Cup held at the Sunshine Coast Sports Stadium. These students gained selection in the Bundaberg Bulldogs teams for a number of age groups with trials occurring last year in September and October. Bundaberg Bulldogs were able to field five teams for this carnival consisting of approximately two thousand three hundred players from across the state.

All teams played exceptionally well throughout their pool games and leading into the finals the under 14 girls team were consistent with each game making it into the quarter finals. This team was ably coached by Jake Bonus (year 11) who had also gained selection in the state team last year for under 15’s. It is pleasing to recognise that a number of players from the various boy’s teams were selected as either a shadow player for the state teams or were selected straight into the team for playing extremely well. Boys who were selected in the representative team were Thomas Morcom, Ezekiel Monckton, Benjamin Toft, Oliver Collins and Caileb Dimes.

The girls from Shalom who played at the 2018 State Cup were also part of a team consisting of other Shalom girls from year 7 and 8. In the local competition held in terms 3 and 4 last year, they were runners up in a division that was against some very talented boy’s teams.

Bundaberg Oztag is always looking for new players. For more details about Oztag, click on the link to view a video clip on the promotion for the State Cup or go to their page to see a number of photos from the local competition and the State Cup.

Follow Oztag Bundaberg on Facebook and Instagram@bundabergoztag

To follow on from the State Cup, Shalom is considering entering teams into the All Schools Oztag Carnival to be held at the Sunshine Coast Stadium from July 27 to 29. An expression of interest meeting will be held at the College next week, so any interested students will need to read the morning notices for time and venue.

Shalom students who gained selection in the Bundaberg Bulldogs Oztag teams are as follows:

Mr Chris Roelofs
Coordinator
Chris_Roelofs@shalomcollege.com

Surf Lifesaving

Apart from the students whose outstanding performances at the 2017-18 Wide Bay Capricorn Branch Junior Life Saving Championships at Moore Park were highlighted in last week’s newsletter, there were many other Shalom boys and girls who also excelled at the titles. Teams comprising all Shalom students triumphed in three under-14 team’s events with Fletcher Ace, Oliver Collins, Lane Crossley-Price and William Zahn prevailing for the Bundaberg SLSC in the Cameron Relay, Fletcher, Oliver, Benjamin Wood and William taking out the Surf Teams race, and Fletcher, Oliver and William beating all comers in the Surf Board Relay. Individually, Lane took out the U14 Male Beach Flags and Sprint double. Other winners included year 7 student Caiden Everingham of the Elliott Heads club, who outgunned his rivals in the U12 Male 1km Beach Run and was also a member of the winning All Age Relay (U8-U14) along with year 8 student Bonnie Stephenson. Rachel Findlay-Udris (year 9) was a member of the victorious Bundaberg SLSC U14 Female Cameron Relay outfit. Eight Shalom students helped the Bundaberg club to glory in the Junior March Past, including Oliver Collins, Lane Crossley-Price, Thomas Pascoe and Ky Woods. Year 7 student Tyla Royan (Elliott Heads SLSC) stamped her mark in the Branch Junior Pool Rescue Championships, which were held in conjunction with the surf lifesaving titles, winning the U12 Female 50m Brick Carry and being part of the 100m Patient Tow With Fins gold medal duo.

Wide Bay Buccaneers

Year 12 students Luke Smith and Kenneth Thompson played their part in history when they were part of the first ever Wide Bay Buccaneers team to play a premiership game in the Football Queensland Premier League on Saturday February 4 at a rain drenched Martens Oval. They were part of the Buccaneers under-18 team which lost to Holland Park Hawks. Shalom has a number of other students also playing in the Buccaneers’ junior teams.

Kenneth Thompson and Luke Smith

Mr Vince Habermann OAM
Teacher Aid
Learning Enhancement Unit
Vince_Habermann@shalomcollege.com

Shalom QISSN Netball – Date Claimer

Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Competition brings together the best 64 netball teams from Queensland Independent schools for a week long carnival that is held during the first week of the June school holidays. Shalom established this competition in the year 2000 and has won the competition on several occasions. Last year we placed 8th out of 60 teams and this year we will be travelling to Townsville to compete.

Trials for the Shalom QISSN team will take place on the following afternoons:

Tuesday 20 and Thursday 22 February from 3:15pm-4:15pm

Eligibility

• Girls must know the rules and have experience in playing netball
• Girls from Years 7-12 can trial
• Must be available to travel to Townsville and compete from Friday 29 June – Friday 6 July (First week of July school holidays)
• Must be passing all subjects
• Must be available to participate in trial games and fundraising that will take place outside school hours
• Must attend all training sessions once selected

Training in preparation for the trials has already commenced but more girls are welcome to attend.

Skills Sessions

Tuesday and Thursday mornings 7am-8am in the Sports Centre

Fitness Sessions

Group sessions Wednesday mornings 7am-8am in the fitness centre.

If you are unable to attend the group sessions Mr Hornbrook (Fitness Centre Manager) can provide players with an individual program.

If you require any further information, please contact Mrs Somerfield via email.

Mrs Nikki Somerfield
Netball Coordinator
Nikki_Somerfield@shalomcollege.com

College News

Lunch Time Clubs

Lunch time clubs have begun in Week 2. There is something for everyone so come along and have some fun and also meet new people along the way.

Colour Fun

Musical

Wanted for the 2018 Musical

• Antique single spring beds
• Radio
• Wooden scrubbing brushes
• Metal buckets

Please email Lynelle McAtee in the Performing Arts Department on the address below if you have any of these lying around.

Mrs Lynelle McAtee
Performing Arts Assistant
Anita_McAtee@shalomcollege.com

Tuckshop News

The new and improved Tuckshop is officially open!

Please click here to view the latest menu

Shalom Sunday Markets

Tuckshop Markets Roster

Community Notice Board

The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg – News

Love playing your instrument? Bundaberg Youth Orchestra would love to hear from you. We are looking for young orchestral musicians interested in joining our orchestras. We have limited positions now available in our senior orchestra BYO1 (by audition), and in our training orchestra BYO2 for membership in 2018. We rehearse on Wednesday afternoons after school from 3.45 pm.

Further information is available on our website linked below. Please contact us at byo.committee@gmail.com for details on how to apply.

Student Exchange - Free Live Online Information Session

Hear from our very experienced, National Director, find out more about discounts and scholarships available and ask questions.

Thursday, 15th February at 7.30pm

Register now

or call 0800 440 079 for more information

Worldwide Marriage Encounter

A weekend away for married couples in peaceful, picturesque surroundings – away from the distractions of everyday living. Take time out of your busy schedule, to invest in your most precious asset . . . your Marriage! This is a unique opportunity to to reconnect, rekindle and refresh your relationship.

Our next weekend will be held 3 - 5 August 2018.

Watch our video

Venue: Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Ormiston QLD (on Brisbane’s bayside)

For bookings/details contact: Maria and David Murphy, phone (07) 3342 1456, dandmmurphy@optusnet.com.au

Triple P Parenting

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

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

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