13 August 2018

Principal’s Reflection

When I first came to Shalom College, almost ten years ago, I struggled a bit with ‘Shalom’ as a name for a Catholic school. I have taught in lots of schools – three different ‘St Joseph’s’, a ‘St Mary’s’, a ‘St Brendan’s’, a ‘St Teresa’s’ and a ‘St Kieran’s’. All named after great and obvious saints. ‘Shalom’ was, and is, different. Some people still say to me that it is a funny name for a Catholic school. But I’ve grown to appreciate that ‘Shalom’ is a great name for a school. There should be something in a name – something to inspire to for young people. ‘Shalom’ is most often translated into English as a word of greeting – Peace. It is that in Hebrew but it is also so much more. It is a blessing given asking for a richness and depth of life. It is a word encompassing a quality of relationship with peace and good will at its heart. That is something that all of us need plenty of in life. I hope it will be what Shalom students take with them into their lives. I came across a great summation of what I believe Shalom means recently. As a parent, this is what I want for my children. It is what I want for myself –

We want our students to be happy and experience inner peace. We must teach them, however, that happiness cannot be travelled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed.

Our spiritual traditions propose that lasting happiness is closer to contentment, peace of mind and freedom from anxiety, than it is to the always fleeting experience of physical pleasure. Lasting happiness arises from living in accord with the purpose of existence; claiming the freedom to react, choose and engage with the world on our own terms.

Inner peace is a product not of what you accomplish, but of how you are. Inner peace is a skill in how to be. The seeker of peace strives to live intentionally, selectively, naturally, knowledgeably, and harmoniously amid losses, defeats and gradual decline.

Relay for Life concluded very happily and well yesterday morning. Congratulations to the over 100 students and the dozen staff who participated in this very worthwhile event for such an excellent cause. Particular thanks to staff members Mr Vince Habberman and Mrs Cheryl Petersen for their organizational skills.

Student Absences – it was pointed out to me by one of our teachers last week that looking at the attendances in his class over the previous two weeks, the absentee rate ranged from 11% - 32% every day in that period. I have no doubt that some of those absences were absolutely essential but I worry that some parents give their child an easy out from coming to school at times. Children can’t be taught unless they are here. Please do everything humanly possible to avoid your child being absent from school. It was particularly disappointing that the teacher who showed me those statistics is a teacher of Year 12 in an academically demanding subject. I hope that I don’t hear from the students who are regularly away how ‘stressed’ they are come the end of term with assessment results pending.

School Review Surveys – you will have received an email about these. This is a part of our school review cycle to survey both parents and students about what is going well and what could be improved at Shalom. Thank you, in advance, for taking a few minutes to complete these.

The Shalom College Board provides advice to me at our monthly meetings. I have always found the Board here to be a great support to me and I value their wisdom, interest and advice. In 2019, we will have a few vacancies on our Board and I would welcome any parent who might be interested in finding out more about how the Board operates to contact me. Meetings are once a month on a Wednesday evening from 5:30pm to about 7:00pm.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
McmahonD@shalomcollege.com

Newsletter Articles

Curriculum

Selecting Subjects for Years 9 and 10 in 2019

Reminder: A Subject Selection Information Evening for parents of students, and students going into Years 9 or 10 in 2019 has been scheduled for Tuesday August 21 2018 in the Performing Arts Precinct Theatre. The evening will commence at 6:00pm for parents of current Year 9 students and 7:00pm for parents of current Year 8 students.

The program for the evening will include a brief introduction to further study at Shalom College followed by the opportunity to meet and talk with individual teachers. The evening will provide some guidance about courses and about the process of selection. This is the first time that Year 8 students and parents will have been confronted with a degree of choice about subjects and pathways for future study. For Year 9 students and parents the evening will focus on issues related to the transition from the Middle School to the Senior School in Year 10. Learning area coordinators and teachers will be available during the evening to answer specific questions.

An electronic version of the Middle School Subject Selection Booklet 2019, that provides a brief overview of the curriculum to be offered at Shalom College next year, will be published on the College Website and the Intranet under the ‘Year 8 into 9 and 9 into 10 Subject Selection Information’ tab. The booklet will include basic information about courses of study and a stationery list for 2019. A form to assist with subject selection will be included in the booklet, but students are asked to register their subject preferences, including reserve subjects, using an online portal that will be explained during the information sessions. A printed receipt is generated when choices are submitted: a signed, printed copy must be delivered to Student Reception by Friday August 31 2018.

I encourage all parents of Year 8 and 9 students to attend this important evening and look forward to meeting you.

Return of Year 10 SET Plans

Many Year 10 students will have had their SET Plan interviews over the past week. Interviews continue through Week 5. Completed SET Plans are to be returned by Friday September 7 2018, the date on which the online portal will close. Please contact me if you still require assistance with this process or have any unresolved concerns.

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

Administration

Important - School Calendar Modification

Please note an important change to the school calendar - September 7 appears as a Day IX on the calendar, which has been changed to a Day VIII to allow extra class time for some Year 12 classes in the week before their exam block.

SRS Surveys

A reminder to please ensure you have completed the SRS survey before the closing date of Friday August 17. The data we receive from this survey is considered closely and important for us when discussing how to improve outcomes for our students. If you have lost the link that was emailed on August 6, please feel free to contact me.

Mr Brendan Maher
Assistant Principal – Administration
Brendan_Maher@shalomcollege.com

Mission

Farewell Father Andrew Hogan

The Shalom Community would like to thank Fr Andrew for his continued support over the past 3 years. Not only has he often said Mass or conducted liturgies at Shalom, Fr Andrew has always been keen to come to RE classes and share his extensive knowledge. He certainly has the knack of bringing the Gospel into today and making it relevant. He has been a real gift to the Bundaberg Parish.

We wish him well as he heads to Belgium to study Canon Law and look forward to when he returns to the Rockhampton Diocese in coming years.

Shalom Day

Mrs Mary Taylor
Acting Assistant Principal – Missions
Mary_Taylor@shalomcollege.com

Finance Office

A reminder to all families that Term 3 School Fee payments were due on Monday 6 August 2018.

Payments for school fees can now be made through Parent Lounge. This is a convenient and secure method for payments by credit card.

Our preferred secure payment methods for the collection of monies owed to the college are:

Parent Lounge – for both school fees and excursions using credit card
BPAY – for school fees only
Personal/Internet Banking Transfer – using the account number as the reference
DDF Direct Debit – the Finance Office can assist with setting this up
PayWay recurring billing – an automatic deduction through your credit card
Centrepay
Credit/debit card in person at the finance office
Cheque
Cash – only in person at the finance office

Families with any queries please kindly contact the Finance Office on 4155 8104 or email finance@shalomcollege.com .

Mrs Lisa Castrol
Finance Officer
finance@shalomcollege.com

Pathways

Twilight University Expo

The inaugural Shalom College Twilight University Expo, held at the Sports Centre on August 3, has been deemed an outstanding success by students and university exhibitors alike! For the first time ever in Bundaberg, students had access to information from seven universities and six residential colleges as well as a hotel management school and TAFE. Students from Years 10 to 12 were able to get answers on subjects and course options as well as university life and studies. We look forward to this event growing to become a significant date on the calendar of Shalom and the Bundaberg wider community.

Apprenticeship Achievements

In the past 5 years, 22 Shalom students have acquired an apprenticeship through Bundaberg East Coast Apprenticeships. Congratulations to our trade training/manual arts department and Mr Mark Vincent from East Coast Apprenticeships. This is a partnership we certainly appreciate.

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

Quiet Achiever

Kye Burgess is a very mature young man who displays all of the values MacKillop House embraces. He is a valued member of MacKillop House as he is a cheerful, reliable and enthusiastic participant in all House and College activities. He is generous with his time and will always volunteer if a need arises. Kye’s positivity and friendly smile each day helps contribute to a great day for all who are around him.

Mrs Michelle Moller
MacKillop House Coordinator
Michelle_Moller@shalomcollege.com

Learning Enhancement Unit

Options Day

We will be taking a group of students to the 2018 Options Day on Thursday September 13 at the Bundaberg Multiplex Convention Centre. Options Day is celebrating its seventh year and is one of Bundaberg Region’s most exciting annual events for people with all abilities.

Click on the link below for full details.

We will run a Shalom Bus at no charge that will travel to the Multiplex Centre between 11:45am -1:30pm.

It should be noted that this excursion is during the Exam Block and exams take priority over this excursion.

Please complete the permission slip attached and return either by email to Keryn_Staley@shalomcollege.com or to Student Services by September 7, 2018.

Mrs Keryn Staley
Learning Enhancement Unit Coordinator
Keryn_Staley@shalomcollege.com

2018 Quota Student of the Year Quest

Last Saturday, August 4, Ella Boas participated in the annual 2018 Quota Student of the Year Quest at the Sugar Country Motor Inn. The competition involved a private interview with the judging panel prior to the public speaking component at the open dinner meeting at night. Judging is based on leadership and citizenship; personality, social interaction and confidence; general knowledge; cultural knowledge; sporting or hobby interests; current affairs; prepared public speaking.

Brother Rochford and Mrs Mary Taylor who supported Ella at the dinner certainly enjoyed listening to all of the speakers for the QUOTA speaking competition. They were very proud as Ella spoke beautifully. She received the Encouragement Award based on the public speaking results while a St Luke’s student won overall. Ella’s chosen subject was: “Our relationship with the environment, particularly as school communities.”

Grateful for the opportunity, Ella reported that she talked to some really interesting people during the competition. As she won the encouragement award, $200 will be donated to her charity of choice, empowering women and children through education-Manila.

Congratulations to Ella for her involvement and success in this competition.

Quota President, Jeannie Roberts e-mailed this message:

Thank you so much to you and your teachers for encouraging the students from Shalom College to participate in this year’s Quota Student of the Year Quest.

You should be very proud of the extremely high level of leadership and confidence Ella Boas displayed throughout the competition. She was able to deliver a very polished presentation during the public speaking part of the quest and should be congratulated on being selected by the judges for our encouragement award.

We look forward to continued association with your school.

Mrs Jeanette Wedemeyer
Senior English Co-ordinator
WedemeyJ@shalomcollege.com

Sport

BDSSS Athletics

A couple of weeks ago over 150 students represented Shalom at the District Track and Field Carnival. Shalom were victorious in both the Junior and Senior Divisions. Congratulations to Shaloms’ Age Champions from the Carnival, Thomas Morcom (12Yrs Boys) and Jessica Lane (17yrs Girls). We also had several students break records over the two days:

Thomas Morcom in the 12Yrs 100m, 200m, was one of 4 boys breaking the Long Jump record; was one of 3 boys breaking the Shot Put record setting the new bench mark

Matthew Otto in the Boys 17Yrs 200m

Kharla Hills in the Girls 14Yrs 400m

Lachlan Stevenson was one of two students who broke the 13Yrs Boys 1500m and 3000m records

Jorji Kemp in the Girls 15Yrs High Jump

Jack Schmidt in the Boys 12Yrs Discus, was one of three boys breaking the 12Yrs Shot Put record

Congratulations to these students along with the entire Shalom Athletics Team and the staff and officials that were assisting over the two days

Pierre de Coubertin Award

Every year each High School throughout Queensland is offered to nominate a student to receive the Pierre De Coubertin award. This award was named after the founder of the Modern Olympic Games, Baron Pierre De Coubertin. The award is designed to recognise students who demonstrate initiative, teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play through a participation in a variety of sports in the competitive arena. The award strongly supports physical education and sport in schools and promotes a commitment to positive values. It aims to recognise good sportsmanship and not just elite performance, qualities that are very familiar with, and are consistent with the fundamental aims of the Olympic movement.

This year Shalom’s Awardee is Year 12 student Emilee Cameron.

Emilee has been a keen and active participant in several sports throughout her high school life. Her major sporting highlight to date was competing in America in 2016 as part of a Queensland Emerging Basketball Team. Emilee has represented Shalom at Regional level in Basketball and Cross Country and she has also represented the school in Athletics.

State Carnivals

The Wide Bay U15 Rugby Union team competed in Brisbane last week at the State Carnival. Congratulations to the four Shalom boys represented in this team. The Wide Bay boys played well all week recording a couple of wins in the 7s competition but were severely outsized when it came to the 15-a-side competition. The boys learnt a lot during the Carnival and thoroughly enjoyed the event.

Sporting Achievement

Football U12 State Championships

Well done to Weston Giovannoni who recently travelled to the Sunshine Coast as part of the Wide Bay U12 Football Team to compete in the State Championships. The team finished 4th in Queensland and took home the Ray Leske Cup as highest placed regional team. Congratulations Weston!

Hockey

A lovely tribute to Mr Wüst was organised by Holly Smith Year 12 at the first week of inter school hockey. Holly organised green arm bands to be worn in Mr Wüst's honour and then gave a motivational speech to both Shalom teams (Red and Black). Mr Wüst had asked Holly to be a hockey captain this year and had inspired her and many other hockey enthusiasts. Both teams played each other and dedicated their game to "The Great Mr Wüst ".

Mr Simon Gills
Sports Coordinator
Simon_Gills@shalomcollege.com

State Surfing Championships

The State Surfing Championships were held at Duranbah Beach, Gold Coast Wednesday August 1 to Sunday August 5. Five students from Shalom represented Wide Bay. Jackson Lester was named team captain for Wide Bay and as such was involved in the opening ceremony. Jackson competed in his heats in less than favourable surf conditions but surfed well regardless, making the most of the waves on offer. Kiara Murphy and Tia Francis also both surfed well in challenging conditions taking advantage of the introduced priority rule. The girls also represented Shalom in the Mark Richards teams’ event section of the carnival. William Zahn and Harrison Schneider surfed commendably in their individual events and were our junior boy representatives in the MR Shield, progressing to the final by beating Capricornia Region. Both boys surfed well, again against a high quality field of competitors. Congratulations to all of these students for their commitment, efforts, cooperation and enthusiasm throughout the carnival. Thank you also to the Shalom parents who attended and supported the team.

Mrs Michelle Moller
Surfing Coach
Michelle_Moller@shalomcollege.com

Sporting Results

Netball - Year 9 Cup

Shalom 27 V Bundaberg Christian College #2 2

Well done to the girls for being willing to swap around positions.

MVP for the game: Alana Luczka

Mrs Jo-Anne Thomson
Netball Coach

College News

Important Information - ROAD WORKS

Bundaberg Regional Council has received funding to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Edenbrook Drive, Fitzgerald Street, Kay McDuff Drive and Thabeban Street (see map attached).

Early works are due to commence this week (Tuesday, August 14), for a period of 4 weeks, to enable the relocation of an existing water main. The roundabout construction works will commence mid-September 2018 and continue through until mid-December 2018, weather permitting. Council's crew will be on-site each weekday during 6:30am and 5:00pm. During construction, the intersection and approaches will be subject to traffic management measures and will have the appropriate signage to guide motorists safely through or around the work site.

Please keep this information in mind when planning your entry and exit of the College over this period – expect delays.

Bundaberg Regional Council is aware of the inconvenience construction work causes and thanks residents and pedestrians in advance for their patience and cooperation. If you have any concerns in relation to the works, please contact Council's Project Manager, Mr. Craig Sheather, on 1300 883 699. During construction, please direct any enquiries to the Site Supervisor or email the Major Projects Team at projects@bundaberg.qld.gov.au .

Shalom Sunday Markets

Tuckshop Roster

Tuckshop Markets Roster

Markets BBQ Roster

Community Notice Board

A Night with Mimi

Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club Sign on Days

DATE: September 2 and September 16, 2018

TIME: 9:00am-10:00am

WHERE: Bundaberg Swim Academy, Fitzgerald Street Bundaberg

DETAILS: All welcome. Come and join in the fun of surf life saving and nippers. Come along prepared to sign on and complete a pool swim as part of your registration. We are looking for members from 5 years to adult. All details on the club Facebook page 'Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club' or access the club website by clicking the link below. Look forward to meeting you there!

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.