19 March 2018

Principal’s Reflection

Richard Leonard SJ, in his book, Preaching to the Converted, 2006, states that he has never been able to reconcile the long faces some people put on during Lent with the prayers of the church that describe this as “a joyful season”. He relates the following story that takes seriously that laughter is an essential element of our Lenten observance.

Once upon a time in a nice little forest, there lived an orphaned bunny and an orphaned snake. By surprising coincidence, both were blind from birth.

One day, the bunny was hopping through the forest while the snake was slithering along the same path. The bunny tripped over the snake and fell down. “Oh, my,” said the bunny, “I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’ve been blind since birth, so I can’t see where I am going. In fact, I’m also an orphan, so I don’t even know what I am.”

“It’s quite okay,” replied the snake, “my story is much the same as yours. I’ve been blind since birth and never knew my mother. Tell you what, I could slither all over you and figure out what you are.”

“Oh that would be wonderful,” replied the bunny. So the snake slithered all over the bunny, and said, “Well, you’re covered with soft fur, you have really long ears, your nose twitches, and you have a soft cottony tail. I’d say that you must be a bunny.”

“Oh thank you! Thank you,” cried the bunny in obvious excitement. The bunny then suggested to the snake, “Maybe I could feel you with my paw, and help you in the same way you’ve helped me.” So the bunny felt the snake all over, and remarked, “Well, you’re really scaly and smooth, you have a forked tongue, you’re impossible to pin down, and you have no backbone at all. I’d say you must be a contractor, a consultant, or possibly someone in senior management.”

On reflection, Leonard continues, the Gospel, John 9: 1- 41, of the man born blind is a joyful one too. Imagine this man’s elation at having his sight restored. The blind beggar, who has sight restored goes on to gain insight about who Jesus is and the way that God works in the world.

This Gospel also contains a critical theological lesson, asserts Leonard: Disability and illness do not come from personal sinfulness.

He says that it’s true that God permits us to live in an imperfect world where we are prone to illness and disability. But that same world gives us the freedom to be creative in the face of adversity, to be compassionate with those who are sick or disabled, and to be free to believe that there is a purpose for each human life. God, the source of all life, does not actively send bad things to us, instead, he is our constant companion in dealing with them, giving us the courage and strength to cope with, and sometimes overcome, them.

Leonard then goes on to say that the task of this joyful season is to bring our good humour and compassion to bear on the blind spots in our own lives.

Leonard, R., 2006, Preaching to the Converted: on Sundays and Feast Days Throughout the Year. Paulist Press Mahwah, New Jersey.

Bundaberg Catholic Schools Race Day

Another successful race day was held on Saturday March 17. Congratulations to all those involved in the organisation of this wonderful event.

Bullying No Way

A national day was held on Friday to bring to the forefront of our minds the scourge that is bullying and most particularly bullying online on the various social media platforms. This was highlighted at our College assembly on Friday. We work diligently on all cases of bullying brought to our attention here at Shalom.

There is one way parents/caregivers can assist our young people and that is to report bullying to your child’s House Coordinator or myself if you think your child is being bullied in some way. We do have relationship conflict where friends have a “falling out” and sometimes this is misconstrued as bullying. Even so, we are quite prepared to work with students if there is conflict.

One thing that is never helpful is when a parent tells their child to fight back, to stick up for themselves, be that physically or online – it never solves the situation, just makes it worse. The old saying “two wrongs don’t make a right” is true. We have adults here at Shalom to take care of these situations.

Year 12 Formal Dinner Dance news

Letters have been sent home with the Year 12 students requesting information regarding tickets. On Monday March 26, Mrs Jo Medcalf, will begin taking names of parents regarding their table groupings, tables are in sets of 10. Also a reminder that the event is being held on the Saturday night, June 2 at the Multiplex Centre, Pyefinch Boulevard. Contact details are in the letter.

Mrs Elizabeth Austin-Campbell
Acting Principal
AcampbellE@shalomcollege.com

Newsletter Articles

Student Welfare and Information

Year 10 Camp Schedule

Mr Peter Robinson
Student Welfare Coordinator
Peter_Robinson@shalomcollege.com

Note from the School Dental Van

All students should by now have received a medical history/consent form from the School Dental Service. If your child did not receive one and you wish them to have a dental check please request a form from either the school office or the dental van staff. The dental van is operational Monday to Thursday 8:00am – 4:30pm.

Eligibility

Years 7 to 10 must have a current Medicare Card.

Years 11 and 12 students must be eligible for The Child Dental Benefit Funding and consent to assign the associated costs to the School Dental Services.

Dental van staff can be contacted by phoning 0427 691 725.

Mrs Mia Dawson
Office Manager (Daily Arrangements)
Mia_Dawson@shalomcollege.com

Curriculum

For parents of students currently in Years 10, 9, 8 and 7

Many of you will be aware that there will be changes in the arrangements and curriculum for senior students (Years 11 and 12) from 2019. The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) is managing the adoption of new syllabuses across senior subjects as well as changes to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). Qualification for tertiary entrance will be measured using an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) rather than through an Overall Position (OP).

Rockhampton Diocese has released a document entitled ‘Preparing for the Future of Senior Secondary’ which outlines the diocesan position in regard to curriculum and summarises the changes.

At Shalom College we began in 2017 working on the preparation for the new syllabuses so that current Year 10 students will be ready for the changes. This work continues through 2018. There will be opportunities later this year for Year 10 parents and students to find out more about how the new courses and arrangements will be managed.

In the meantime, if you have questions after reading the Diocesan document, please feel free to contact me. If I cannot answer your question immediately, I shall find someone who can help!

Ms Katherine Nelson
Assistant Principal – Curriculum
Katherine_Nelson@shalomcollege.com

Year 11 and 12 EOT1 Examinations

The Year 11 and 12 examination timetable has been updated with rooms and posted on the College website in the link below. Please note that there is now a Year 12 IPT exam on Friday March 23.

Good luck with your exams.

Mr Brendan Maher
Assistant Principal Administration
Brendan_Maher@shalomcollege.com

Pathways

Defence Forces

For students thinking about the possibility of a career in the Defence Forces we strongly recommend participation in the Defence Work Experience program which provides opportunities for young people to sample life and gain exposure to job roles that are available in the Australian Defence Force and Australian Public Service.

Click on the image below to check out the Defence Work Experience website

See the full list of Defence Work Experience Jobs by clicking on the image below:

Business Recognition

This week, Shalom College would like to recognise and acknowledge Best Practice Software Bundaberg Operations Hub for their involvement in school based traineeships. Year 12 student, Joshua Ferraz is pictured at his sign up meeting for Certificate IV in Networking traineeship at Best Practice.

Thank you! Your contribution is invaluable in creating the futures of our young people.

Mrs Liza O’Donnell
Pathways Coordinator
Liza_Odonnell@shalomcollege.com

Quiet Achiever

This week’s quiet achiever is Anish Pathak from McAuley House.

Anish is so gentle, caring, generous and thoughtful with all he does every day. If something needs attention or fixing, Anish is there. If someone is feeling out of sorts or confused or stressed, Anish is there. If a house activity is happening, Anish is there. If volunteers are asked for, Anish is there. When we need participants, Anish is there. No matter what or where or when, Anish will give of his time and presence, support and opinion, smile and help in a positive, caring, quiet way that demonstrates his true and very much appreciated McAuley MERCY and spirit.

Ms Paula Van Dalen
McAuley House Coordinator
Paula_Vandalen@shalomcollege.com

P & F Monthly Meeting Notes

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 May 1, which will begin at 5:30pm.

Mrs Emma Jensen
P & F Secretary
pandf@shalomcollege.com

Harmony Day

WHAT IS HARMONY DAY?

Celebrated on March 21 each year, Harmony Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

It is a day to celebrate our cultural diversity. It is about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Did you know?

• Over the last 70 years more than seven and a half million migrants have made Australia their home.
• Nearly half of Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was.
• People from over 200 countries make up our Australian community and over 300 languages are spoken in our homes. Here at Shalom, we have over 20 language backgrounds in addition to English spoken amongst our students.
• Apart from English the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi.

Our prayer for International Harmony Day

Loving God….
You created all people in your image.
We thank you for the astonishing variety of races and cultures in Australia and in our community.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of friendship, and show us your presence in those who differ most from us.
Grant that we may always promote the justice and acceptance that ensures lasting peace and racial harmony.
Grant that we may show equal respect to all persons of different cultures that we may come across.
And help us to remember and appreciate that we are one country, with many stories.
Live Jesus in our Hearts, forever.
Amen.

Mrs Maryann Parton
ESL Teacher
Maryann_Parton@shalomcollege.com

How can we look back to look forward?

Who would have known that a Coolamont is the equivalent of a modern day baby capsule? That an Aboriginal breast plate is similar to an Identification card? Did you know it is taboo for women or young girls to blow into a Didgeridoo? Have you heard the story about laughing kookaburras signalling a lady is pregnant?

Year Seven students have undertaken their first steps towards their Term 1 team project and what better way to begin than a ‘hook’ with our experts from Taribelang Cultural Tours, who support IWC, to engage in our entry event. Our driving question for this project – ‘How can we predict artefacts that will characterise the best aspects and values of a future society?’ has truly been engaged through Aboriginal stories, hands on exploration of artefacts and their purpose in society, connections of change and continuity as well as reflecting on where the past has progressed and will continue for the future.

The Taribelang Cultural Team inspired rich experiences and life stories for students to research the development of an artefact, from the Ancient Australian past to current culture, to design a future artefact for the Year 2050 and beyond.

Some feedback from students on what they learnt and inspired them from the event:

‘That a lot of modern things we use have already been inspired by some of the artefacts that we saw, like the carrier that was used for carrying things like nuts or babies whereas now we have prams and bags.’

‘How strong, even now, the Indigenous culture is and how many traditions are still carried on.’

‘That you can make lots of useful things using rocks, sticks, bark etc. to make weapons, canoes, traps and so much more. I would like to make some cool equipment using the things that I learnt in the IWC workshop. The workshop inspired me to go outside, be creative and to not take everything you have for granted.’

‘This workshop has really inspired me to come up with an awesome aboriginal artefact and turn it into a modern day invention. Now I am very inspired and excited to start my team assessment.’

‘Dreaming’ Artefacts can be viewed during opening hours at IWC, Barolin Street, Bundaberg. Well worth a visit to admire our ancient Indigenous Australian past.

Mrs Nicole Amey
Year 7 PBL/CSB Teacher
Nicole_Amey@shalomcollege.com

Year 11 Aquatic Practices – Excursions for Unit on River Use and Management.

This term, year 11 Aquatic Practices students have been investigating how humans use rivers, the infrastructure and management required to allow this use, and the social and economic benefits that result. Our focus has been on the Burnett Basin and surrounding rivers. As part of our studies, the students undertook three excursions:

Bundaberg Regional Council Water Treatment Plants

Thanks to John and Richard at the Branyan Water Treatment plant and Millbank Waste Water plant for their time and expertise in explaining the process of cleaning water to supply the Bundaberg township – and treating sewage water before it is returned to the Burnett River. Thanks also to David at Bundaberg Regional Council for organising the excursion.

Bundaberg Riverside Parklands

Identified and explored the range of infrastructure put in place around the Bundaberg stretch of the Burnett River for recreation, leisure and aesthetic use of the river.

Fred Haigh Dam and Lake Monduran

Thanks to Andrew of Sunwater for explaining Sunwater’s role in constructing and maintaining major infrastructure to supply bulk water to farmers, councils and industry.

The information and images they have gathered will be used in their assessment tasks – a Report on Use and Management of the Burnett Basin, and a multi-modal comparing and contrasting users of the river.

Checking out the spillway at Fred Haigh Dam

Mr Troy Braund
Aquatic Practices Teacher
Troy_Braund@shalomcollege.com

Instrumental Music

Autumn concert

Thank you to all students who played and sang so well at our first concert of the year and thank you to our supportive parents who came along to listen. I was a bit disappointed to learn that a few students didn’t turn up to play because they didn’t know anything about it. Tutors had been telling their groups about the concert and I’ve posted the information here in the newsletter for a couple of weeks. It is also itemised on the 2018 performance schedule distributed earlier in the term. If there are any families who are not receiving my emails, could you please contact me. Email address below.

Catholic Schools Festival

I am currently waiting very patiently for replies from all families of students in Choir, Senior Concert Band, Chamber Strings (Orchestra, Senior Jazz and vocal ensembles) regarding transport and accommodation preferences for this year’s festival. Could you please reply as soon as possible otherwise I will need to ring each family for this information. We are trying to collate this information (emailed out twice) now to see how many we need to provide travel and accommodation for so that we can organise other activities in addition to the festival, while we are down there. E.g. a concert, tour of art gallery or backstage QPAC etc.

Music folders – (last reminder)

Payments can now be made through Parent Lounge.

On Parent Lounge, select the TAB ‘Make a Payment’, choose ‘Tours and Excursions’, accept the invitation and follow the prompts for payment by credit card.

This is our preferred method of payment, however, payments of $15 may also be made to the Finance Office.

Bundaberg Music Eisteddfod

The entry box for the 2018 Bundaberg Music Eisteddfod is now at Inspirations Paint & Colour Centre. Entries close this Friday 23 March 2018. Please note that no late entries will be accepted, this message was sent to me by the Bundaberg Eisteddfod committee.

Roll marking

A reminder to email Mrs McAtee Lynelle_McAtee@shalomcollege.com by 7:45am if your child/ren are not able to attend a rehearsal.

Mrs Robyn Edgar
Instrumental Music Coordinator
edgarr@shalomcollege.com

Sport

Ten Pin Bowling Update

All of our ten pin bowlers have been playing very well throughout the competition so far. Shalom is currently in second place overall behind Kepnock State High School in both the scratch and handicapped team competitions. Shalom One team is currently in first place in the team standings. Some standouts are:

Week 3

Highest female game: 156 – Amber Craven-Hughes, Emily Obst in 3rd place – 116
Connor Dingle: series score – 326 second place for the week

Week 4

Amber Craven-Hughes – 153 second place for the week
Jude Hellmuth-Williamson – 159 highest male game for the week, 283 – highest series score for the week

Week 5

Amber Craven-Hughes - games of 166 & 157
Jude Hellmuth-Williamson – games of 192 & 174 - In game one he played 6 strikes in a row.
Jaimison Simpson had her best game of the season with a score of 119 and Benjamin Fuller had a good game of 143.

Well done to all players for their continued effort and excellent sportsmanship.

Mrs Debbie Bishop
Ten Pin Bowling Coordinator
Debbie_Bishop@shalomcollege.com

Touch Football – Year 7/8 Boys RED

Another great game from the start of play and with Paddy O'Donnell only on the field for short periods of time, he was able to make a large impact in attack and he received support from Thomas Morcom and Dawson Hess to capitalise early and getting the first points on the board for Shalom. In defence Sebastyn Brennan stood out as gaps were closed quickly giving Rosedale minimal room to move. Other team members who showed outstanding performance were Thomas Morcom, Jude Sheppard, Taylan Manttan, Dawson Hess and Sebastyn Brennan. The final score was Shalom 5 vs Rosedale 2

Mr Chris Roelofs
Touch Football Coach
Chris_Roelofs@shalomcollege.com

Open Girls Volleyball

The Shalom 1 open girls’ volleyball team had a convincing 2 sets to nil win over Bundaberg State High School 2. With some effective attack at the net and consistent serving from Jessica Lane, Meredith Ryan and Emily Doyle, Shalom was able to race ahead and claim the match. Well done team.

Shelley Greenhalgh
Volleyball Coach

Cricket News

It was a red-letter day for Shalom in BDSSS Cricket last Wednesday, with our Red team getting up to beat our Black team in the year 11-12 competition, our year 8s scoring a famous victory over St Luke’s/Bundaberg State High School in the year 9-10 Division, and our year 7s notching a 10-wicket victory over Bundaberg Christian College in their year 7-8 clash.

Shalom Red took on Shalom Black in Open Boys in very blustery conditions. Shalom Black started at the bat and scored at a steady pace. Wickets fell regularly, but Shalom Black did particularly well at their running between the wickets, amassing a total of 7-99, led by Matthew Jackson with 44 off just 31 balls. Shalom Red started slowly in their run chase, and other than a couple of splurges, Black kept Red’s run rate quite low. This led to a tight finish with Red needing 16 runs off the last two overs. Tight bowling and a number of dot balls kept the result in the balance – until Louis Myers-Macdonnell managed to crack a six and a four off the final two balls to secure victory for Shalom Red, finishing with 5-103. Caileb Dimes was the best of Black’s bowlers with 2-5. Well done to both teams for their competitive play.

Mr Troy Braund
Shalom Red coach
Troy_Braund@shalomcollege.com

Year 9/10 Cricket

Batting first, our year 8s chalked up 6-98 from their 15 overs, with captain Will Hamilton leading from the front with 46 and Matthew Parker scoring an invaluable unbeaten 13 in a fourth wicket partnership of 65. We loaned St Luke’s/Bundaberg State High School Jesse Beveridge as they were short and he was their destroyer, claiming three wickets, all bowled, in the last over to finish with 3-5 from his two overs. Matthew and David Felstead also claimed one wicket each, but Will Hamilton was the biggest hero with the ball, taking the ball for the last over with the composite side needing 11 runs with eight wickets in hand and bowling their batting gun while conceding just four runs for them to end at 3-92. Our young team remains on top of the table as the only side with two wins from as many games.

Bundaberg Christian College posted a formidable 3-122 against our year 7s, who staged a superb run chase pass their target without the loss of a wicket, with openers, captain Ned Jenner and his deputy Nicholas Clarke remaining unconquered on 60 and 50 respectively. Nicholas had also claimed a wicket. It was his second successive unbeaten half-century.

Mr Vince Habermann
Year 8 team coach/Cricket coordinator
Vince_Habermann@shalomcollege.comn

College News

NET – National Evangelisation Team

Helen Kovach (USA), Peter Munns (Sydney), Alex Hoffman (Canada), Gabriel Fortune (New Zealand), and Sinead Fitzgerald (Brisbane)

Hello! We are the NET Team (National Evangelisation Team) for Bundaberg this year! Although we come from different parts of the world, we are united by our common goal: to share the gospel of Jesus through personal witness of faith. This year, we will be visiting each of the Catholic Schools in Bundaberg weekly, leading youth groups, and getting involved in different parish events. We will be here at Shalom College each Wednesday and Friday during the term. We will be visiting RE classes, mingling at lunch and afternoon tea time as well as leading the Vision Youth Group (see link below) at lunch time every Wednesday which is a time of fun, games and sharing. We are looking forward to getting to know many of you this year. Please don’t be shy in introducing yourself!

Mrs Cheryl Petersen
Campus Minister
Cheryl_Petersen@shalomcollege.com

Golf Day Fundraiser - Sunday April 22nd 2018

Shalom Rowing Supporters Group is holding a Golf Day at Bundaberg Golf Club, North Bundaberg and would love you to join them for an enjoyable day while supporting Shalom Rowing.

Teams consist of 3 players (3 Person Ambrose) with Registration Fees of $120 per Team ($40/Player) which includes 18 holes of golf and an all-day sausage sizzle.

Please contact the Fundraising Coordinator, Mrs Jas Haster on M: 0427 369 139 should you be interested in sponsorships or are able to assist with donations towards the Prizes and Raffle of the day.

Mrs Jas Haster
Fundraising Coordinator
Shalom Rowing

Science and Mathematics Competitions for 2018

This year Shalom College students have the opportunity to participate in the following national and international competitions:

ICAS Science Competition: Tuesday May 29
Australian Mathematics Competition: Thursday August 9

Students are assessed against other students in the same school year, state and country. The competitions are designed to be a fun event, removed from the pressures of formal assessment with problems and questions designed to stimulate the interest of students. All students receive a certificate showing their level of achievement and a detailed report outlining their performance.

If your student would like to participate in either the ICAS Science Competition or the Australian Mathematics competition parents need to complete the appropriate nomination form and students then submit it to student reception. Parents are encouraged to make the required payment online through Tours and Excursions in the Parent Lounge Portal by Friday April 20.

Competition Fees: ICAS Science Competition $9.00 per student

AMC Competition $6.50 per student

If you have any questions regarding any of the above competitions, please contact me via email: bishopd@shalomcollege.com

Competition Coordinator
Mrs Debbie Bishop
Debbie_Bishop@shalomcollege.com

Year 12 Induction DVD

If anyone is interested in purchasing a DVD of Br Rochford’s take of the year 12 induction, it can be obtained at the school’s front office for $5.

Br Rochford
College Minister
Rochford@shalomcollege.com

Shalom Sunday Markets

Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Markets Roster

Markets BBQ Roster

Community Notice Board

The Catholic Parish of Bundaberg – News

Changes to Blood Bank

As some of you may be aware the Shalom community service of students donating blood has not operated this year. This is due to the change in policy with the Australian Red Cross blood service. The following explains the change.

Minimum age of blood donation increased to 18 years

Up until recently, the minimum age for whole blood donation in Australia was 16 years. However, we’ve now transitioned to a minimum age of 18 years.

Why did this happen?

Looking after the health and wellbeing of our donors is a priority that underpins the decisions we make as an organisation.

In 2014 the Blood Service increased the donation interval from 12 weeks to one year for donors aged 16 and 17 years. This was based on Blood Service research that indicated younger donors have lower iron stores. This change allowed younger donors more time to replace their iron after donation.

A recent international study has confirmed our earlier findings and has provided us with sufficient evidence to suggest a further policy change is appropriate.

The new policy ensures that younger donors aren’t losing iron through blood donation at a critical time in their growth and development.

We are confident that this change will not impact our ability to secure Australia’s blood supply.

The policy change will not impact donors who need to have blood taken for their own treatment (therapeutic venesection).

I hope this answers any questions you or the Shalom College community have around the recent changes. There is a FAQ section on our website for more information.

Mr Barry Lynch
Community Relations Officer
Australian Red Cross Blood Service

Get Active Tennis Clinic

A tennis clinic for children will be conducted at Rotary Park Tennis Complex, 69b George Street, South Bundaberg by Bundaberg Tennis Academy Coaches, Mr Murray Whitbread and Mr Kevin Banner.

• Monday 9th, Tuesday 10th, Wednesday 11th April 2018
• 8:30am – 10am Junior Beginners 5-12 years
• 2:30pm – 5:00pm High School/Intermediate/Advanced

To Register and for enquiries, please phone Mr Kevin Banner on 4152 0753 or 0409 520753.

Bookings are essential!

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.