4 November 2019

Principal’s Reflection

I keep my friends who have died under glass in my office. I have a collection of Obituary Cards of people who have been significant to me and who are now with God under a piece of glass on my desk. They remind me to be grateful to wonderful people who have blessed me with their presence in my life. I am writing this on the evening of All Saints Day and on the eve of All Souls. I think these are two great celebrations in the Church year. We remember the heroes. The Saints, great and small, whose lives have pointed us to God and to living our lives to make a difference. People like St Francis, St Mary MacKillop, St Theresa & St Patrick and the thousands of others the Church recognizes for their heroic contribution to humanity. On All Souls day, we are reminded to remember the others – all of those, maybe more ordinary people whose goodness has made a difference for each of us. For me, I will remember Kerry Bolam and my brother Tim, and my Mum & Dad amongst others who are now with God. They, and so many others, were a great gift to me and I am better for my contact with them. I think it is a real shame that we get wrapped up in ‘Trick or Treating’ or dressing up in scary costumes and lose the sense of what this celebration is really about. It is about life and celebrating good people who call us to be better people. That is worth celebrating.

The Giving Tree Assembly was, again, wonderful last week. Thank you to our families who were so generous in reaching out to those much less fortunate. I took the opportunity on Friday to remind your children how important it is for them to recognize how lucky they are to be born into the families they are in, to live in the country that they do, to go to the school that they do and that they don’t know what it is to not know where their next meal is coming from. That good fortune should impel a responsibility to do something, regularly, for those who are not nearly as lucky in life. As well as the multitude of presents that were given, we raised almost $2500 in cash for St Vincent de Paul’s Christmas appeal.

Dance Night was fantastic again. Congratulations to all involved but particularly Ms Cassie Hoiberg, Ms Dannielle Straneri & Ms Anita McAtee. So many people played their part to showcase some incredible talent at Shalom. We have so many talented amazing young people at Shalom. Thank you to all the parents who nurture and support that enthusiasm and energy.

Final Music Concert for 2019 was performed on Sunday. All of our Musical groups presented a wonderful afternoon to very proud family members. The standard of music our students produce at Shalom is an absolute credit to them and particularly to the very dedicated group of staff who support them. Many of our Music students were also backing up from performances at Dance night. We are such a better school for their enthusiasm and commitment.

Shalom Parents & Friends Association has changed the way in which they are looking to engage parents at the College. Monthly meetings have given way to a less formal connection and the object of the P&F is to provide a number of really high quality speakers for parents to enjoy throughout the year. They have done that very well this year. There is still room for some face to face engagement this Thursday evening at 5.30pm in the College Staff room. One of the items for discussion is the possibility of introducing a Pants option for girls at Shalom. We would love to get your feedback on this or other issues of interest to parents.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
McmahonD@shalomcollege.com

Newsletter Articles

Mission

Giving Tree

Thank you to everyone for all the wonderful gifts and generous donations of money and gifts cards for our Giving Tree. As you can see from the photos the tree was swamped, as well we collected more than $2300 in cash and hundreds more in gift cards. The workers at St Vincent de Paul were very happy as they will be able to make such a difference to so many Bundaberg families.

Mr McMahon reminded us that Jesus’ message to us is to reach out and give to those in need.

“I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Matt 25:40

Mrs Mary Taylor
Assistant Principal – Mission
Mary_Taylor@shalomcollege.com

Administration

Year 12 End of Semester 2 exams 7/11/19 – 12/11/19

The exam timetable for the Year 12 End of Semester 2 exams is attached. Please note that Year 12 will have home study during the exam block. If you know you will be absent for your exam, you must see your classroom teacher as soon as possible with appropriate documentation (ie medical certificate or statuary declaration) to organise an alternative exam time.

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

Absentees

FOR ALL ABSENTEES

Preferred option is Email absentees@shalomcollege.com or Phone Absentee line 41558181

ALL student absentees should be notified to the office by 9am each day. If no notification has been received, an absentee text message will be sent out to parents to advise of the student’s absence.

Date Claimer

Please note the date change for our Academic Awards Night, the night will now be held on Wednesday 13 November.

Pathways

ADF Influencers Tour

Mrs O’Donnell was privileged to be a part of a contingent of invitees from all over Australia to attend the inaugural ADF Influencers Tour held last week. The four-day event saw the participants visit the RAFF Base at Wagga, the Army Recruit Training Centre at Kapooka, the Bandiana Technical Training Facility at Albury and the Navy Recruiting and Technical Training facilities at the HMAS Cerberus, Mornington Peninsula base. The tour was focused on general entry trades and STEM and we feel grateful to have acquired first-hand knowledge from this experience and now have a good understanding of the ADF Recruitment process to pass along to students and families. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mrs O’Donnell to discuss this pathway.

GenR8 & AllevE8 Graduation

On Monday 28 October, Year 12 students involved in the GenR8 (Certificate II Logistics) & AllevE8 (Certificate II in Health Support Services) program attended their graduation evening at the Bundaberg Multiplex Centre. Congratulations to Sophie Burke, Thomas Dee, Ethan Layman, Aeden Leslie, Ryan Wootton and Carolina Canale.

Sophie Burke, Aedan Leslie, Ethan Layman and Ryan Wootton

Additional Learning Opportunities for 2020

Applications are now open for students in Years 10, 11 & 12 wishing to enrol in Additional Learning Opportunities (such as TAFE and external qualifications) in 2020. Students would attend their course one day a week as opposed to school. Please see the attached Additional Learning Opportunities guide listing the programs on offer. Please note, Mr McMahon must approve Year 10 enrolments in external courses. To register your expression of interest, please see Mrs O’Donnell in the Pathways Office.

The Pathways Team
Mrs Liza O’Donnell & Mrs Kathy Laing
Liza_ODonnell@shalomcollege.com
LaingK@shalomcollege.com

Instrumental Music

Final concert for 2019

The Rochford Strings are presenting a free twilight concert this Thursday 7 November in the PAP theatre starting at 5.00pm. This large, young group of fine musicians will be playing a number of items including the Let It Go from the film Frozen and a number of well-known classics.

This Rochford Strings will also join the St Patricks String Orchestra on Monday 25 November to entertain senior citizens at The Lakes in North Bundaberg and Palm Lakes at Bargara. A very busy group indeed at the moment.

Absenteeism

Please email me if your child/ren are not able to attend a rehearsal.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any query in relation to the Instrumental Music Department.

Mrs Robyn Edgar
Instrumental Music Coordinator
edgarr@shalomcollege.com

Quiet Achiever

This week’s Quiet Achiever is Keanu Arsenault, Keanu is a great kid who recently volunteered to referee in our Open Phoenix Cup. As a Year 9 student he was too young to play, but just to help out Lingiari House he came along to make life easier for our senior students and myself.

Mr Jason Baulch
Lingiari House Coordinator

BaulchJ@shalomcollege.com

Camino Skies Film Screening

Former Shalom College student (Class of 2003), Noel Smyth, co-directed Camino Skies, a documentary about the famous Catholic pilgrimage, the Camino de Santiago. The most commonly walked route is over 700 kilometres from St Jean Pied de Port in France through to the resting place of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. After walking the pilgrimage with my dad in 2016, I’m particularly passionate about sharing stories of the Camino. Camino Skies is an uplifting film about six inspirational pilgrims who embark on the historic walk.

I have teamed up with Fan Force who are aiming to screen Camino Skies at Reading Cinemas on 4 December at 6pm. Tickets are available at this link below and you can read more about Camino Skies here:

Ms Karli Lancaster
Teacher
Karli_Lancaster@shalomcollege.com

Sport

Lifesaving

After a very successful weekend competing in Mackay at the recent North Australian Lifesaving Championships, Ky Woods, Jasmyn Theuerkauf and Kobi Holden have been selected in the 2019 Qld Country Team for Surf Life Saving. Ky, Jasmyn and Kobi will compete on the Gold Coast 29 November -1 December 2019.

Congratulations and good luck!!

Wide Bay Representation

Lane Crossley-Price was a Wide Bay representative for Rugby Union this year.

Mr Peter Robinson
Student Welfare
High Performance Program
After School Activities
Peter_Robinson@shalomcollege.com

Next Step

Next Step is a statewide post-school destination survey of all students who complete Year 12 in Queensland. Insights gained from Next Step assists schools to review and plan their services for students, and school system personnel to evaluate education policies as they affect the transition from school to further study and employment.

This year's students will be invited to complete the Next Step survey in March 2020.

Further information about Next Step is available at the link below To provide feedback,

I invite you to contact Mr Adam Horsten, Principal Statistical Officer, Department of Education, by email at nextstep@qed.qld.gov.au or on (07) 3513 6868.

Sustainable Garden Club Report

As part of the theme for the garden club, we are trying to focus on how we can reuse rubbish in the garden. We will be looking at how discarded items around the school can be recycled into decorative or functional features of our garden. As the school is currently involved in replacing old buildings with new facilities, this is a great time, to take stock of what we consider rubbish and how we can create a different purpose for it. By becoming aware of what is available in our surroundings and being observant, we can begin conversations on the responsible handling of waste. Reinforcement mesh can become useful trellises for growing climbing plants like beans, passionfruit or grapes.

These metal frames will be repurposed into a garden arbour to grow climbing plants on

Taming of the weeds has begun. Straw mulch to the rescue!

Garden Club members working the garden

There is a need to future proof our young people, and educate them on sustainable waste management. As educators, we need to model connecting with the environment with intention and care. Providing hands on experiences managing a small garden, and how to use the produce within the school is just one example of how this can take place. Through education, this generation of young people will learn how to manage waste. They will become part of the process of creating long-term solutions to age-old problems.

The good news is the importance of living more sustainably has also become part of the Australian curriculum. Various topics featured in the Year 9 and 10 Geography textbooks are an example of this. Students have opportunities to learn about worldwide issues with waste management, and are then encouraged to discuss and create innovative solutions for the future. Food security is another topic students explore along with new food production strategies, like growing food organically and using Permaculture principles. The term ‘Permaculture’ is a set of ethical principles that promote care of the world and all living things; two Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren created this term. Future newsletter articles will include more information on how the garden club uses these principles to grow and create a relaxing and inviting space.

By teaching students these ideas small ripples of change can flow out into the wider community as they share knowledge with families and friends. Steps to improve waste management are already an obvious feature around the school with the garden clubs composting of food waste and the reuse of cardboard as a form of mulch. Another project is the eight house themed bins used to recycle plastics and various other drink containers. As the club grows we hope to make many positive changes to how we use and care for our school.

With lots of topics discussed in this newsletter article, it is time to say goodbye. Till the next time.

Mrs Kay Bishop
Gardening Club Coordinator
bishopk@shalomcollege.com

Uniform Shop

Year 7 Students 2020

If you have a student commencing Year 7 at Shalom College in 2020 please ensure that you have made an appointment for a uniform fitting prior to the completion of the school year. Bookings can be made online via the link below.

Uniforms do not need to be purchased on the day of fitting, the Uniform Shop does provide a Lay –By service.

A limited supply of Shalom Umbrellas are available for purchase at $35 each, along with Insulated Cups and Travel Mugs for $15.

Payment options include: - Cash, Eftpos or Credit Card via phone.
Students will be emailed when their uniform is available for collection.
All enquiries please call Leanne on 41 558 121 at the Uniform Shop.

Mrs Leanne Barker
Uniform Shop Manager
barkerl@shalomcollege.com

Catholic Schools Race Day 14 March 2020

As the year is coming to a close it is time to start putting in Event Dates for next year, the start of a new decade. Our 2020 Race Day event will be our 15th. How time flies. For those who are new to our Schools and aren’t aware of our annual event, a committee of past and present Parents and Teacher representatives from our three Catholic Primary Schools and Shalom College combine to organise a relaxed and classy get together at Thabeban Park Racecourse.

The day is full of activity with the running of five local Races, Fashion Parade, Fashions of the Field competition, a huge Raffle with a bundle of excellent prizes, all under the comfort of our Private Marquee area with two bars catering for our 500 guests. Food supplied throughout the day is catered for by students, staff and volunteers from Shalom and the Bars and Gate are manned by volunteers from all four Catholic Schools. It is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends from the past and present of our Catholic School community and all money raised on the day is donated directly to the four schools for special projects of their choice. We have many very generous sponsors, some who have been supporting our event for its entire 14 years, and without them, along with our many volunteers, the day would not be the success it is.

At our upcoming event, the past students from Shalom, the 2010 and 2000 Year 12 cohorts are celebrating their 10 and 20 Year Reunions. Past students from the 1990 cohort are celebrating their 30 Year Reunion a week later here in Bundaberg, but also are welcome to double up on their celebration and join us at Thabeban Park.

I can be contacted on my Mobile 0419787279, or alternatively Mrs Teresa Cameron at Shalom College on 41558137 if there are any enquiries in relation to our Race Day regarding sponsorships, volunteering or ticket sales. Any past students looking for information in relation to their 10, 20 or 30 year reunions can contact the following representatives through the Facebook pages set up for their event or phone:

2010 Kurt Dempsey 0498 066 555
2000 Nadine Zunker 0409 060 366
1990 Claire Lawrence (nee Woods) 0418 147 035

Peter O’Beirne
Catholic School Race Day Committee
Mobile 0419787279

Date Claimers

Term Dates for 2019

Term Dates for 2020

Breakfast

Breakfast is now available in the tuckshop for purchase each morning 8:00am – 8:30am.

Items include

• Bacon & Egg Muffins - $3.50
• Ham & Cheese Croissant - $3.50
• Porridge & Cereal - $3 (self-service option with milk and bowl & cutlery are supplied)
• Fresh Fruit - $1 (seasonal fruits such as; Bananas, Apples, Mandarins etc.)
• Plus, the already available items of Yoghurt Pots, Up n Go drinks & Flavoured Milk

Students who train before school need to consider utilising the breakfast menu to replenish energy lost during their training sessions, however must be dressed appropriately before entering the tuckshop and must not be late for class.

Tuckshop Roster

Shalom Sunday Markets

New Stallholders Welcome – Please contact Peter Barone 0438 446 269

Markets Tuckshop Roster

We are in need of more volunteers for the Markets Tuckshop, if you are available to help out please contact Leanne via email – barkerl@shalomcollege.com

Markets BBQ Roster

Community Notice Board

Breast Screen Queensland

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.