26 November 2018

Principal’s Reflection

Principal’s Reflection

Signs of Christmas are all around us – mostly commercialised and reminding us of all the things we and our children will need to ensure our happiness. We know, in our hearts, that we are being conned by the jingles and the glitz. And some of that is fine, in proportion. Let’s hope and pray that we can all be just a little bit like Hobbes in the cartoon and remember how lucky we are. Meister Eckhart was a 13th Century Mystic who once said –

If the only prayer you said in your life was,
“Thank You”.
That would be enough.

With only two weeks of this school year left and less for our older students, can I express a sincere word of thanks to those very many parents, staff and students who made such a positive contribution to this community in 2018. Generosity and good spirit abound. On a very personal note, I have lost count of the number of people who have asked me at some tough times this year, ‘Are You OK?’ and they meant it very sincerely. With all the challenges with which we are presented, we have so much for which to be thankful. I will try to remind myself and my children of the wisdom I read recently,

‘Someone else is happy
With less than you have –
Be Thankful.’

Enrolments 2019 – just another reminder to let us know as soon as you are able should your daughter or son not be returning to Shalom in 2019. A number of families are waiting for a place should one become available.

Speaking of Gratitude – I received a really appreciative note from Mr Mick Purkis last week. I was able to send him a cheque for $3500 which was contributed by Shalom families. Mick and Flynn have a long and very tough road ahead of them but I assured them, on your behalf, that the Shalom community would continue to support them for as long as they need.

More Gratitude & Gratefulness – earlier in the year, Shalom and other schools in the Diocese contributed towards Drought Relief for folks in the West. Our Diocese has three schools in the far west – in Barcaldine, Blackall & Longreach. $47,550 was raised from all of our schools. That money was distributed to these three schools. The Principals of those schools were very appreciative with one writing, “Thank you for helping us ease the financial burden of our families and for making a real difference in their lives. With your contribution, we have been able to financially support our families, as well local community and businesses. The entire 2019 booklist for our students as well as a significant amount of arts and craft materials has been purchased.”

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
McmahonD@shalomcollege.com

Newsletter Articles

Shalom Brother!

Thank you to all the people who attended Brother Rochford’s Mass on Sunday. It was a wonderful celebration and the number of past and present students was a testament to the impact Brother has made on the lives of those he has encountered at Shalom College and in the wider parish community.

So many people attended we had to organise the photos in groups. Here are some of those who came to celebrate with and thank Brother.

Administration

Year 10, 11 End of Semester Two Examinations

The Year 10 and 11 examination timetables are attached below and have been posted on the College Intranet (‘Assessment & Reporting’ tab), the College website (Curriculum/Senior School/Forms and Publications) and Daily Notices (pushed to students via Student Café).

Please note that Year 11 students do not need to attend school unless they have an exam.

Year 10 students, however, must attend school up to and including Thursday 29 November. Students who have taken Specialist Maths have an exam on Friday morning but may leave after this exam. Any student who has outstanding assessment may be asked to attend a ‘supplementary session’ on the Friday to complete this assessment. All other Year 10 students are not required to attend on Friday although there will be supervision at school provided for those students unable to make alternative arrangements.

Parent Lounge

A reminder to parents to regularly log on to Parent Lounge to keep involved with your child’s schooling. Here you can find a wealth of information including report cards, assessment results and the school calendar. If you believe there is an error on Parent Lounge in the due dates, completion of assessment etc, please contact the classroom teacher.

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

Futsal

The Wide Bay 13yrs Schoolboys Futsal Team won the State Championships last week. Shalom had 5 boys in the team: Jai Bacon, Connor Patterson, Patrick McMahon, Henry Brophy and Keanu Crofts. The team played hard and were incredibly fair to their opposition. Massive congrats to these boys, and special mention to Patrick and Keanu who were named in the Qld Merit Team.

Mr Simon Gills
Sports Co-ordinator
GillsS@shalomcollege.com

Finance Office

A reminder to all families to return their ‘Confirmation of Enrolment – 2019’ form to the Finance Office by Friday 30 November 2018. The completion and return of this form will both confirm your student’s place at Shalom College in 2019 and will ensure you receive any family discounts that you are entitled to should you have more than one child at a Catholic School or College of the Diocese of Rockhampton in 2019.

Please contact the Finance Office should you be unable to download the form and an original will be sent to you or one may be collected from the College Office.

Mrs Lisa Castro
Finance Officer
finance@shalomcollege.com
4155 8104

Quiet Achiever

This week our quiet achiever is Candace Walsh. Candace started year seven this year and has involved herself in all that is Shalom. Her friendly, caring and polite personality shines through in all she undertakes. From Choir to Jazz band to musical, Candace is always busy but never forgets to leave time to chat and share time with other students as well as staff.

Candace has been awarded three ROSA awards this year and has received very pleasing results in all her subjects. She has embraced wholeheartedly the call of participation from this year’s McAuley leaders, by throwing herself into her studies as well as every house activity with great passion.

Thank you Candace for being such a valuable and SHINING member of McAuley House.

Ms Paula van Dalen
McAuley House Coordinator
Paula_VanDalen@shalomcollege.com

Vinnies Sleepout

On behalf of the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Vinnies School Sleepout that was held Friday 19 October. It was a great afternoon/evening of games, workshops, and raising homelessness awareness. Students learned that homelessness is a complex issue, and is more than just being without somewhere comfortable to sleep. As such, a person can experience homelessness even if they have a house or ‘roof‘ over their head because they do not have a ‘sense of security, stability, privacy, safety and the ability to control living space’.

A special thanks to anyone who raised money for this great cause! With all the generous donations, we have been able to raise $945.60. On average, roughly 350 people experience homelessness in Bundaberg each night. Therefore, this money will be donated directly to the SVDP support centre on McLean St to help people who are experiencing homelessness and poverty in our local region. Thanks again

Michael
Vinnies Youth Bundaberg

Technology

Makerspace!

Makerspace Timetable Term 4

Information Technology

Yr10 & Yr11 Shalom Laptops

Final Warranty and Repair claims

With all school laptops, the College purchased 3yr HP warranty and Accidental Damage Protection (ADP). The ADP covers each user with up to three parts per calendar year which you can claim from and get fixed for $60.50 per claim. As the device belongs to Shalom College until you graduate, we require ALL damages to be repaired this year. For example if you only have a cracked screen, this normally is quite an expensive part ($500-$800) that can be fixed under ADP for $60.50 if it’s deemed an accident.

We would certainly appreciate if students can be proactive and bring devices into the IT department as we will be performing class checks soon and we will keep a list of all devices we have seen.

We would appreciate if all final 2018 Repair/Warranty claims can be performed before the 14 December 2018 as we will not be able to guarantee the device can be processed after this time.

The IT Unit is here to work with all students and we would like to get as many devices fixed as possible before the specified dates.

Mr Matthew Millls
Technical Officer
millsm@shalomcollege.com

Pathways

Work Experience

With the upcoming school holidays, it is a great opportunity for students to engage in Work Experience. Attached is the Student Work Experience Booklet, which offers advice on how to approach a prospective employer, what to have organised, what to say and what to wear. The booklet also includes the Work Experience Agreement (which acts as the insurance document), which needs to be fully completed and signed by all parties and returned to the Pathways Office before commencement.

The Host Employer Work Experience booklet is also attached which provides valuable information for the employer.

For students who intend to participate in work experience over the Christmas break please note that Work Experience Agreements need to be completed and returned to the Pathways Office no later than 5 December.

If you need any further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the Pathways team.

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

RSL Bursary 2019

Bundaberg RSL Sub Branch is offering school age (Prep – Yr. 12) children and grandchildren of ex-service personnel in the Bundaberg region, the opportunity to win a $150 Bursary for 2019 school supplies.

To enter they must write a 150-250 word essay on

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A VETERAN?
WHAT DOES THE SPIRIT OF ANZAC MEAN TO YOU?

Upon entering, please provide proof that your parent/grandparent are ex-service personnel. (Sub Branch membership, discharge papers, enlistment papers)

College Event Programs and DVD’s

College Event Programs

The following programs are now available from the College office:

2018 Academic Awards
2018 Year 12 Graduation Liturgy
2018 Sports Awards

College Event DVD’s

The following DVD’s are available to order from the College front reception for $5 each - please call 4155 8111 to place your order.

2018 Dance Night
2018 Academic Awards
2018 Shalom Day
2018 Year 12 Graduation
2018 Year 12 Slide Night

Uniform Shop

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS

The uniform shop will be open on the following dates, appointments are required and can be made by phoning the uniform shop on 4155 8121.

Mrs Sharon Stevenson
Uniform Shop Manager
StevensonS@shalomcollege.com

Textbook Collection 2019

Volunteers Wanted

Book hire is requiring volunteers to clean, repair and re-shelve the hundreds of books being returned at the end of this term. Any help would be appreciated, morning tea is provided as well as lunch if staying longer. If you can assist, please contact me.

Phone – 4155 8100 – extension 8270
Email - rehbeink@shalomcollege.com

Thanking you.

Collection of Textbooks

Please note the dates and times for collection of textbooks for 2019. These textbooks may be collected from Book Hire in the Goondeel Library during these periods. Also, please note that textbooks will not be issued to students who have not returned their 2018 resources. If these hours are unsuitable, collection can be arranged before school ends by contacting me on 4155 8100 – extension 8270 or by email rehbeink@shalomcollege.com

There will be NO COLLECTION OF TEXTBOOKS FOR YEARS 7 AND 8. However, if you have students in the higher grades needing textbooks, novels (year 7) and English workbooks (year 8) can be collected at the same time.

Collection Dates and Times:

Krys Rehbein
Book Hire Co-ordinator
rehbeink@shalomcollege.com

Shalom Sunday Markets

New Stallholders Welcome – Please contact Peter Barone 0438 446 269

Markets Tuckshop Roster

Markets BBQ Roster

Tuckshop Roster

We would like to sincerely thank each and every person that has volunteered their valuable time in the tuckshop this year, your help is always very much appreciated. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season. See you all in 2019.

Ann and the Team
Tuckshop

Community Notice Board

Position Vacant

Counselling Services Coordinator

An exciting opportunity has become available for suitably qualified and experienced applicants for the position of Counselling Services Coordinator to commence in January 2019. The role holder will provide leadership and support in the area of counselling to educational communities in the Diocese of Rockhampton. An attractive remuneration package is available to the successful applicant plus access to enhanced superannuation (up to 12.75%) and salary packaging options. This full-time position is a great opportunity to lead and inspire others in a supportive and secure work environment. To view the position description and download an application package please visit our website at the link below. Applications close 7/12/18.

Gladstone Port Corporation Bursary

IWC Dental

Pagaent of Lights

Hinkler Hall of Aviation

Breast Screen Queensland

Natives Netball Club

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.