"Keep patience ever at your side, you’ll want it for a constant guide." Catherine McAuley

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL LEARNING AND TEACHING

After yet another COVID-19 disruption, our focus is on getting students back into the routine of face-to-face learning. Whilst our staff have done a wonderful job in maintaining great learning processes during lockdowns 5 and 6, we all know that most students learn best within the school environment. We are looking forward to face-to-face classes and as many extracurricular activities as possible now that face-to-face learning has resumed.

SUBJECT SELECTION – CRITICAL DATE AUGUST 13

Over the next two weeks, students in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 are to make decisions about what subjects they would like to undertake as part of either Vertical Organisation (Years 9/10) or VCE/VET/VCAL (Years 11/12) next year. It is an important and not always easy process. Students should take the time to familiarise themselves with the various subjects that are being offered. 

 

We will be using ‘Web Preferences’, an online subject selection process, that we have used for a number of years now. If you are unfamiliar with this process there are video presentations explaining the process on the college website.

 

I spoke to Year 8 students on Thursday August 5 to introduce the Subject Selection process. At the presentation, Year 8 students received their access codes and passwords to select their subjects online via Web Preferences. Year 9, 10 and 11 students received their access codes and passwords on Thursday July 29 via their homeroom rolls.

 

Students are encouraged to spend some time looking at the subject selection booklets and instructional videos on the college website. These instructional videos explain what VO is, how to access ‘Web Preferences’, and how to undertake the task of selecting subjects. It is important for parents to involve themselves in this process. I encourage parents/guardians to talk to your child about what they want to do, why they want to do it, and how best to achieve their goals. During this time, homeroom teachers will also be working with students from their own homeroom, to ensure that the students fully understand the process and to provide support for them as they undertake this important process. 

 

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions around gatherings, the planned VO/VCE/VET/VCAL Information Evening scheduled for July 27 was postponed. As a result, there is more information available on the college website for assistance. 

 

In lieu of the information evening, we held a subject market for all students in Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 during extended pastoral care and lunchtime on Thursday August 5. We also ran online presentations on Thursday for interested Year 8 families at 7:30pm and a Q&A session for families of Years 9, 10 and 11 students on Monday August 9 at 7:30pm. 

 

Students must complete the subject selection process by 4:00pm on Friday, August 13. We use the data from the student’s selections to create the timetable for 2022. If students do not have their selections in on August 13, their selections will not be taken into account when creating the timetable and they may not be able to undertake all the subjects they were hoping to in 2022. So, it really is in their best interest to get their selections in on time.

MICROSOFT TEAMS 

The college is currently transitioning from Zoom to Microsoft Teams for online video meetings and classes. Teams is very similar in its look to Zoom; however, it offers much more security for users and organisers. Particularly in controlling who can join the sessions and an ability to monitor or stop chat inside the program. We hope to have completed the transition by the beginning of week 5, August 9.

ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE INTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2022 

To encourage excellence and to acknowledge our diverse student population, the college offers a number of scholarship opportunities to our students in Years 11 and 12, to recognise and reward the students for their achievements. The scholarships fall into three categories, Enrichment, Inspiration and Achievement.

 

Last year, the college introduced the Enrichment Mercy Academic Internal Scholarships. These scholarships were offered again this year on the basis of academic merit to students continuing Years 11 and 12 at the college in 2022 and 2023. The scholarships have a tenure of two years, and are for the remission of 50% of the school fee. These scholarships are offered to a limited number of Year 10 students ranked in the top 10% of the Year 10 cohort. We congratulate the following recipients for 2022:

  • Andrew  Baker
  • Lily Bruhn
  • Mitchell Cameron
  • Eva Caminiti
  • Shelby Couch
  • Caitlin D'Amico
  • Anthony De Maria
  • Olivia Elliott
  • Xavier Floramo
  • Kaitlin Hards
  • Matisse Hill
  • William Holland
  • Montana Hulland
  • Mila Klarich
  • Lily Lawrence
  • Maddalena Petrolo
  • Chelsea Pollifrone
  • Hayley Ryan
  • Yasmin Thompson
  • Laila Zappia

The college presents Inspiration Year 11 Founding Sisters of Mercy Scholarships annually to Year 10 students who respect and display our Mercy Core Values, and who have shown excellence both in their academic and personal school life. The scholarships have the value of $1,500 and are presented to Year 10 students transitioning into Year 11 at the college. We congratulate the following recipients for 2022:

  • Catherine McAuley Scholarship – Emily Cheek
  • Anna Maria Doyle Scholarship – Ella Briggs
  • Ursula Frayne Scholarship – Alexandru Stoica
  • Mary Vincent Whitty Scholarship – Indiana Spratt
  • Elizabeth Harley Scholarship – Ellie Dimasi
  • Juliana Hardman Scholarship – Thomas Karackal
  • Elizabeth Moore Scholarship – Abbey Burns
  • Clare Augustine Moore Scholarship – Finn Beattie
  • Frances Ward Scholarship – Maia McKenzie

All scholarship recipients will be acknowledged and receive their certificate and cheque (if applicable) at the first college assembly to be held on Monday February 7, 2022 at 12:25pm in the Sacred Heart Church. 

 

Congratulations to all our scholarship recipients and we look forward to following their progress and the contribution they will make to our college community. 

YEAR 11 SNOW CAMP - MT HOTHAM

Whilst Perisher continues to run and enjoy excellent snow, we are unfortunately unable to travel to NSW with the current restrictions in place. Therefore, we have been working very hard to find an alternative for our students and staff. We are excited to announce that this year we will be travelling to Mt Hotham/Harrietville in Victoria. The Year 11 Snow Camp, will take place from Sunday August 22 to Friday August 27, 2021.

 

Due to an update in the location, we ask all parents/guardians to complete the permissions for this camp via PAM by Wednesday August 18, 2021. 

 

Should you have any further queries about this camp, please do not hesitate to contact my Personal Assistant, Miss Hannah Files-Burke or myself at the college on 5018 8000.

 

Mr Greg Kluske

Deputy Principal Learning and Teaching