2 December 2019

Principal’s Reflection

Fr Richard Leonard shared the following story.

In 1994 I was invited by an elderly nun to be the guest of honour at the Sacred Heart Primary School’s nativity play in Melbourne. The school is a great mix of children from the wealthier inner city terrace houses and from the high-rise housing projects. That year it was the turn of Grade Three (eight years of age) to perform the play.

When I arrived, Sister told me that she had trouble with the boy who was playing the Innkeeper because he had his heart set on playing St Joseph. “He is an Islamic boy and I really thought I should at least have a Christian, if not a Catholic boy playing St Joseph.” Rehearsals had not gone well, but she was sure everything would be fine in the performance.

The whole school was there along with the all the parents of Year Three. In the front row of the school hall was the Principal, Sister and me.

As Mary and Joseph knocked on the makeshift wall, which was the Inn’s door, the innkeeper gruffly yelled out, “Who’s there?” “I am Joseph and this is my wife Mary and we have nowhere to stay tonight and she is having a baby.” (Having a baby? If her baby bump was anything to go by, that girl was having octuplets!) The Innkeeper did not budge. Sister lent forward in a loud stage whisper said, “Ahmed, you know what to do darling. You know your lines. Open the door and make your very important speech.” He didn’t budge.

So Sister told Joseph to knock again. The innkeeper barked more angrily, “Who’s there?” We got Joseph’s speech again, but the little Innkeeper didn’t move. The tension was rising in that room now, so Sister lent forward again and in a stronger voice said, “Ahmed, your Mum and Dad are here darling and they will be so proud of you. Now just play your part and make us all proud.” Sister then told Joseph to knock for the third time, and he gave out his speech again. Now before Ahmed could decide what to do next, a loud bass African voice came from the back of the room, “Ahmed, you open that God-damn door or I’ll belt your bum?” I turned around to see the largest human being I have ever seen. Ahmed’s father, Mohammed, was a refugee to Australia from Sierra Leone. He was six feet eight inches tall and told me he weighed in at 238lbs of solid body mass. So proud was he that his son had a starring role in the Christmas play that he was dressed in his magnificent white celebratory kaftan with a small white cap on his head. Now, however, he was coming down the aisle towards the stage, and every adult there was thinking, “open the door, open the door, open the God-damn door, because I think your bum belted by this guy is going to hurt.” Someone intercepted Mohammed as Ahmed opened the door and said plaintively to Mary, “You can come in,” but then shouted at Joseph, “but Joseph you can piss off!” With that, Joseph burst into tears, the shepherds and the three wise men started a fight with the Innkeeper “because he said a rude word”, and Sister stood up, turned to everyone and said, “This wasn’t the way it was supposed to go.” It took ten minutes to restore peace.

Fr Richard reflected… I thought it was great. And the thing I liked most about it was that it was human and real. For long enough we have cleaned up Christmas too much. The original Christmas must have been a terribly messy affair. After travelling for days in the last month of her pregnancy, the nineteen-year-old Joseph has to help his fifteen-year-old wife have a child in a cave where the smell of animals must have been shocking. This is far from the sanitised image we have on our cards or that we sing in our carols.”

It is all too easy for Christmas, like Easter and Halloween, to be hijacked by commercialism. I hope that in each of our families this Christmas we won’t be distracted from the hope, promise and challenge of the Christ child. He was born, poor, a refugee, far from home to two young and probably frightened parents. God loved the world so much that Jesus was sent to remind us all of that – and Jesus was eventually crucified by those whose world view could not cope with a God who loves unconditionally. May that Christ child be born, again and again, in our families.

We wish very well all of those families and young people who will leave the Shalom community at the end of this year. We are also very grateful to those staff members who leave Shalom this year –

Ms Katherine Nelson – after nine years to Catholic Education in Townsville
Mr Ron Luthe – after 32 years to a well-earned retirement
Mrs Bernice Davis to retirement
Mr Ken Smith to retirement
Ms Amy Fallon to St Luke’s

Our Wonderful Gap Year Students

Enrolments 2020 – please advise the office ASAP if your child won’t be returning to Shalom next year.

Mr Dan McMahon
Principal
McmahonD@shalomcollege.com

Newsletter Articles

Student Welfare and Information

On Thursday 5 December, the last day of school for the Year 7s, 8s and 9s, we have organised a day of activities. On that day, we will run two sessions – a morning session and then an afternoon session.

Session 1: Intra-House Competition for the coveted Phoenix Cup – Junior Competition.
Sports: basketball, touch football, netball and soccer
Session 2: Swimming at Norville pool.

Students will walk to the pool with teachers.

Students need water bottles, towels, sunscreen and need to wear sun safe clothing.

NB: The canteen will be operating at school for lunches but not the canteen at the pool. Students may bring their own lunch of course.

Please direct any queries to me at the College.

Mrs Elizabeth Austin-Campbell
Deputy Principal
acampbelle@shalomcollege.com

Curriculum

Message for Year 12 students

Congratulations to Year 12 students on the completion of courses. Subject results have been compiled and submitted to QCAA.

For OP-Eligible Students Subject Achievement Indicators (SAIs) have been published and are displayed outside the Senior School Coordinator’s office, according to QCAA requirements.

These are available to students from publication on 20 November until the end of term.

A factsheet about SAIs can be accessed via the link below.

Students will be able to access their results by logging in to their Learning Account on 13 December. They are advised to check in advance that they can access the account using their LUI and the password set upon activation.

Ms Katherine Nelson
Assistant Principal – Mission
nelsonk@shalomcollege.com

Administration

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

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.

Book Hire Opening Hours for 2020 Resource Collection

Years 7, 8 and 12 (for 2020) do not need to collect resources prior to school commencing. However, if you have a sibling going into 9, 10 or 11, the couple of resources required for 7 and 8 can be collected at the same time.

Mrs Krys Rehbein
Book Hire Manager
Krystine_Rehbein@shalomcollege.com

Pathways

Work Experience

A reminder to all students considering undertaking work experience over the Christmas break that the Work Experience Agreement paperwork needs to be completed and returned to the Pathways Office no later than 4 December.

TAFE Courses 2020

To those students who have enrolled in TAFE courses for 2020 pleased be advised that TAFE will be in contact with you via email; however, this can be a lengthy process and may not be finalised until early in the 2020 school year.

Certificate II in Engineering Pathways

The Year 11 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways students have completed two major projects this year; Utebox and Vice. Throughout the year students have learnt how to work with sheet metal and mild steel bar. Tasks have included; marking and cutting metal to the correct size, grinding, drilling, plasma cutting, MIG welding, metal fabricating, turning mild steel on the lathe and oxy acetylene brazing.

Students have utilised industry safety standards and machinery to produce products that demonstrate and their skills. Skills development activities within our class will put students in good stead to attain a fulltime apprenticeship position in an Engineering trade upon leaving school.

Year 11 Certificate II Engineering Pathways students with the Ute Box & Metal Vice.

From left to right – Jude Hellmuth-Williamson, Cody Lane, Geordan Zunker, Caleb Tairawhiti and Todd Marriott.

Are you interested in Metal Work and Engineering but don’t know what study is necessary to find a job in these fields? The Engineering Career Ladder provides information on the level of training required for a range of jobs and occupations to help get you into your dream career in this industry. The ladder separates occupations into four categories, and shows the education level required for each one. You can then go one step further and click on each occupation for an explanation of the duties and tasks involved in the position, the working conditions, the personal requirements, the employment opportunities and the study pathways related to the occupation.

Explore this and many other Career Ladders on the home page of the Shalom College Careers Hub. Scroll down until you find Career Ladders, then scroll across and select Engineering.

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

Quiet Achiever

Year 11 Rice House student Nick Cahill will be leaving Shalom this week to pursue his dream of being a professional lawn bowler and ultimately representing Australia in the coming years. Nick will be moving to the Sunshine Coast in January to play in the most prestigious team competition in Australia (Premier League) and to be close to his coach and mentor Ian Schuback, a 4 times world champion.

Nick has always been a humble young man, highly valued for his decency, friendliness and participation in all things Rice. We wish him all the very best and look forward to claiming him when he achieves greatness!

Miss Claire Stallard
Rice House Coordinator
StallarC@shalomcollege.com

Instrumental Music

Here we are at the end of another very busy year. To end the year, Rochford Strings, St Patricks string group and eight of my singing students all entertained residents at The Lakes and Palm Lakes retirement villages at the beginning of last week. A lovely way to end the year.

Bass workshop

This will be the first event for 2020 and is being organised by Ms Alison Vercoe, our lower strings teacher. She will be in touch with cello and double bass students in the district and invite them to learn some finer techniques from Marian Heckenberg, a lower strings specialist.

New Instrumental Music Coordinator

I have decided to cut back to 2 days next year as well as hand over the reins of coordinating the department after 18 years in the job. Our new coordinator will be Megan Hoban who will divide her time between Shalom, St Josephs and St Mary’s. Megan will have a lot to learn but will be very efficient. Megan_Hoban@shalomcollege.com

This will also be my final newsletter as it is generally the coordinators job. Thank you to everyone for your support over the years and I look forward to seeing you at various concerts scheduled for 2020.

Singing teacher

During 2020, I will continue teaching choir, vocal ensemble and singing to students who would like to have a go at developing this amazing instrument. Please feel free to contact me if your boy or girl would like to have some lessons. I also teach theory of music particularly to those who need pre-requisite theory for practical exams.

Season greetings to all and stay safe.

Mrs Robyn Edgar
Instrumental Music Coordinator
edgarr@shalomcollege.com

Year 7 CSB - Bundaberg Regional Council Visitors

This term students have been studying the Geography topic `Place and Liveability’ as part of their Project Based Learning. In this project, students have been exploring the question, `How can we design an outdoor community space that enhances liveability for teenagers in Bundaberg city?’. Each class selected a location within town and students have been working in teams to create a design for a teenage zone.

Last week we were fortunate to have 3 Council Officers work with the Students. Richard Jenner (Manager Development Assessment), Bethany Williams-Holthouse (Strategic Planning Officer) and Brett Kronk (Coordinator Parks Planning & Policy) gave a comprehensive presentation about aspects of liveability, planning and development and the type of work councils do in this space. They then spent time with each student group, listening to their ideas and providing feedback and suggestions to help the students finalise their designs.

This week some of the student posters will be displayed at the Bundaberg Regional Library, 49 Woondooma St, Bundaberg Central.

On behalf of the Year 7 teachers and students, I would like to thank Richard, Bethany and Brett for making the time share their expertise with our Year 7 cohort.

Mrs Stephanie Ray
Learning Area Coordinator
7 & 8 Core Studies B

Australian Mathematics Competition

Shalom College entered 70 students in this year’s 41st Australian Mathematics Competition on Thursday 1 August.

This competition started in Australia in 1978, was the original, and is now one of the largest of its kind in the world. More than 40 countries participate in the AMC each year and it is recognised as an international benchmark for mathematical performance. Over 1000 students share the prizes and around 50% of participants qualify to receive Certificates of High Distinction, Distinction or Credit. All other entrants in the competition receive a Certificate of Proficiency or a Participation Certificate.

A prestigious Australian Mathematics Competition medal is awarded to students with an outstanding result, both within their country or Australian state, and overall in the competition. Every participant receives a letter detailing their results, enabling them to check on their mathematical performance. The AMC consists of intriguing problems which students can enjoy doing.

The AMC is run by the not-for-profit Australian Mathematics Trust which is under the trusteeship of the University of Canberra. Its continuing success relies on the volunteer support of the dedicated teachers and academics who provide their time, expertise and assistance.

Shalom students have been successful with 39 certificates of merit being awarded to our school

9 students have achieved a Distinction award. A big congratulations to Daniel Cairns (Year 7) for receiving the Best in School Award as well.

The winners of the merit awards are as follows:

Distinctions

Top 15% (Junior) 25% (Senior) of their year and region

Credits

Top 50% (Junior) 60% (Senior) of their year and region

22 students gained proficiency awards

8 students were also awarded participation certificates

Marnie Little

Mrs Debbie Bishop
Competition Manager – Shalom College
bishopD@shalomcollege.com

Shalom College Media Store

Complimentary photos are now available on the College Media Store of Year 12 Graduation. Sports Awards Evening and Academic Awards evening wil be avaliable later this week.

Your Parent login is the same e-mail address you use for college communication/ Parent Lounge.

Username/E-mail Address: Your e-mail address
Password: If you have not logged in before or have forgotten your password select “Lost Your Password?” and an e-mail will be sent for you to reset your password.

Once logged into the Media Store, click on “Shop” – and search through and select the photos you would like.

Photos on this website are digital copies only, not a printed photo.

Once photos have been “purchased” you will receive an e-mail with a link to the digital files.

The digital files can then be e-mailed to your family/friends or can be printed at a photo centre if you like.

Japan Tour 2020

Mrs Nicole Anderson
Japanese Coordinator
Nicole_Anderson01@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

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.

Uniform Shop

UNIFORM SHOP HOURS

2 December 2019 – 11 December 2019

OPEN – 8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed for LUNCH 12:00pm – 1:00pm

THEN

Closed for the YEAR

RE-OPEN

13 January 2020

OPEN – 8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed for LUNCH 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Until start of the School Year.

APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE BUT DROP INS WILL BE WELCOME.

Thank you very much too all Staff, Students and Parents for your patience and support throughout the last 2 Terms.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THE NEW YEAR

Mrs Leanne Barker
Uniform Shop Co-ordinator
barkerl@shalomcollege.com

Catholic Schools Race Day 14 March 2020

Tickets on Sale Now

Tickets are now on sale for the 2020 Catholic Schools Race Day, please click on the link below to purchase your tickets online.

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

Mr Peter O’Beirne
Catholic School Race Day Committee
Mobile 0419787279

Date Claimers

Term Dates for 2019

Term Dates for 2020

Tuckshop

As of Tuesday 3 December, the Tuckshop Menu will vary each day with all different foods.

Flexischools is Closed as of 2 December 2019 and reopens on Tuesday 28 January 2020.

NO Volunteers are required for the remainder of 2019.

Myself and the staff of the Tuckshop would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year for 2020.

Mrs Ann Guy
Tuckshop
ann_guy@shalomcollege.com

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

Tuesday 3 December will be the last class for 2019. Classes will resume Tuesday 29 January 2020.

Waves Netball Club – 2020 Registration Information

Drivers College

Drivers College is offering pre and novice learner driver education with their two-day Pathway to Safer Driving in the upcoming holidays. The program costs $200 for school students and the program will be run on two separate days a week apart. Individual bookings and gift certificates are available by contacting our office. Dates available are;

Monday 9 & Friday 13 December 2019
Monday 16 & Friday 20 December 2019
Monday 15 & Friday 19 January 2020
Monday 22 & Friday 26 January 2020

For bookings in late November and the first week of December, dates are available on request.

Give your teen the best start to their driving experience with our intensive driver education.

Contact Diana on 41 811 773 or email info@driverscollege.org.au

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.