Vol 22_Aug 05 - St James College

Dates for Your Diary
August
8-9 QCS Trial
10 Royal Brisbane Show Holiday
11 Student Free Day
12 Walk for Justice
12 Year 11 Semi Formal
17 P&F Meeting 5.30pm St James Rm
23-26 Year 12 Outdoor Education
Camp
27 P&F BBQ Stall, Bunnings Albion
30-31 QCS Test
1. Listen calmly to get the full
story.
2. Reassure your child that they
are not to blame.
3. Ask your child what they want
to do about it and how you can
help.
4. Visit www.bullying.gov.au to
find out some strategies.
5. Contact the school.
6. Check-in regularly with your
child.
5 August 2016
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Parents and All in the St James Community
A very successful Open Day was held last week when the College welcomed many new families and visitors to the campus. I would
like to express my thanks to all staff, students and members of the Parents & Friends who contributed to the event.
Could I remind all current parents and families who read this Newsletter that enrolments into Year 7 next year are fast filling up.
Those who are considering becoming a member of the College community from the start of 2017 should submit their Application
for Enrolment Form immediately. This term we have had a significant intake of students into Years 10 and 11 resulting in us
having to close off enrolments in these year levels for the remainder of this year. Students intending to enrol for 2017 in Year 11
are encouraged to submit their Application Form as soon as possible in order to be assured of a place next year. All enquiries for
enrolment should be directed to Mrs Maria Young in the College Office (3230 8600) or download enrolment information from the
College’s website.
QLD TERTIARY ADMISSIONS CENTRE (QTAC)
Parents and students in Years 10 and 12 are reminded that, at this important time of the year, becoming familiar with the
admissions system for tertiary institutions is crucial to successful pathways post-school. This includes understanding how the OP
and ranking systems work. There are significant implications in respect to subject selections for Year 10 students entering senior
school in 2017. Year 12 students also are at a point where they are currently working on their QTAC Applications and need to be
aware of course pre-requisites and pathways for tertiary study.
Both of our Careers Guidance Counsellors, Mrs Tania Munro and Mr Jim Bartlett, would welcome the opportunity to meet
individually with parents and students to discuss post-school pathways. I would encourage you to contact either of our Guidance
Counsellors to organize your appointment time.
THE EKKA WEEK
Next week, beginning Monday 8 August, is an unusual week in the school’s calendar. Please note the following arrangements:
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Having trouble getting the
College Newsletter at home?
Would you like to receive it via
email? If so, please send an email to
[email protected]
and we will add you your mailing list.
ABSENTEE
LINE
3230 8655
Please clearly state
student’s name, year
level and home room.
Vol. No. 22
Monday, 8 August:
Normal school day. All OP-eligible year 12 students will be sitting the Qld Core Skills Compulsory Trial Tests
Tuesday, 9 August:
Normal school day. Day 2 of the Qld Core Skills Compulsory Trial Tests for all OP-eligible year 12 students.
Wednesday, 10 August:
EKKA Holiday. No classes.
Thursday, 11 August:
Staff Spirituality Workshop: Pupil-free Day. No formal classes.
Friday, 12 August: (Free Dress Day)
8.30am Homeroom.
9.00am Annual Walk for Justice.
12noon Sausage Sizzle Lunch.
1.00pm Students dismissed.
Evening: Year 11 Semi-Formal at the Tattersalls Club.
GEN X
Today the College congratulated an enthusiastic group of St James students who performed in the recent GEN X Unleashed
Australia Performing Arts Showcase at the Princess Theatre in Woolloongabba. This year’s theme was ‘Identity’ and the students
represented in a very creative platform the identity of St James. A cheque for $300 was presented to the College by the organisers
acknowledging the contribution to the event by the students (see photo overleaf). The students, as usual, were excellent
ambassadors for the school, wonderfully support by teachers Mr Kubunameca, Mr Wiseman and Mrs Linyard.
God Bless
Gerry Crooks
Principal
Deputy Principal
Tattersall’s Club
215 Queen Street, Brisbane
Tickets must be purchased prior to
the event from Student Services.
The cost per person is $60.
Gen X Unleashed
Performers
Mr Tony McCulkin
The Year 10 Subject Selection Information sessions were well attended last week and parents gained the
opportunity to learn about the important considerations that need to be taken into account when determining
subjects to be studied in Years 11 and 12. Students and parents were advised to begin this process by
considering what could be the future pathways for the young people. This is what we have traditionally called
a career.
The definition of a career has changed. According to the Australian Blueprint for Career Development, career
no longer refers to particular pathways through work or to occupational title. Career is the sequence and
variety of work roles (paid and unpaid), which one undertakes throughout a lifetime. More broadly, ‘career’
includes life roles, leisure activities, learning and work.
Career development therefore should be seen as the process of managing life, learning and work over the
lifespan. All of us, regardless of age are still developing careers. Researchers suggest that “career
development involves one’s whole life, not just occupation. It concerns the individual in the ever-changing
contexts of his or her life, self and circumstances – evolving, changing, unfolding in mutual interaction” (Wolf
& Kolb, cited in McMahon, Patton & Tatham, 2003, p.4).
Year 10 students should be actively engaged in the process of selecting subjects for Years 11 and 12.
Subject selection forms are due on August 26, in just two weeks’ time. Please seek assistance early if you
encounter any difficulties.
Senior School Coordinator
Ms Di Markey
Queensland Core Skills Test - As per the College Calendar, a full practice test is scheduled for Monday 8
August and Tuesday 9 August. All students intending to sit the QCS test on Tuesday 30 August and
Wednesday 31 August must sit this trial.
Students are required to be at school at the usual time each day, attend homeroom and then move to the
Study Centre where they will sit the test (a total of four papers) over the two days. The test will finish at
approximately 2.30pm each day and these students will be permitted to leave the College at this time.
Additional directions for the test are as follows:
St James College Open Day
 Students must have all of their own equipment for the sessions
 Students are to wear FULL COLLEGE UNIFORM
 Students WILL NOT be permitted to leave the College during the break between the two sessions of
testing each day
 Students will be expected to follow the INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS (issued during preparation
sessions) as advised by the QCAA.
AP Pastoral
Mr Martin Wiseman
Open Day
We had a wonderful day last Friday welcoming our prospective families. The College tour guides from Years 9
and 11 did a terrific job and I thank them for the great work they did in supporting their school.
Walk 4 Justice
I thank Miss Whelan for the great organisational work being done in support of this wonderful event. She, with
the help of Sr Mel, has produced posters that highlight the stories of the people we are aiming to help in this
great cause. I remind all that the walk will commence at 9am next Friday with a meeting in the Hall. We
should be finished by 1pm and students may then go home.
Semi Formal
We are really looking forward to the Semi again this year and numbers are slowly building. I remind all
families that students are to arrive by 6.30pm and must be collected by 10pm on the night. Please note that
all attending students must also participate in the Walk 4 Justice next Friday.
Absenteeism
St James is a vibrant school that encourages and provides an incredible service to all students to achieve to
their potential. If students choose not to engage with these support structures by being absent from school or
turning up late consistently then all of these benefits are rendered useless. We are committed to providing an
excellent education for the whole person as being a “Catholic” school requires. Please be aware that
students who have chosen to be absent can be expected to be challenged by the school for their decisions, as
the injustice of not receiving a good education cannot be ignored.
AP Identity
Mrs Tricia Parry
This week I include a copy of the Homily which was given by Father Peter Brannelly on Sunday 24 th July at our
local Sunday Mass. He breaks down the idea of prayer and how we pray the great prayer of the Catholic
Church, The Lord’s Prayer. His ideas really give structure to a prayer which we have known and prayed for so
long.
Often I pray to St Anthony so that I can find what I have lost. My mother prays a Hail Mary to get a car park
space at the shopping centre. Hail Mary full of grace – please find me a parking space. I say, mum, that’s
bad theology – but she gets a car park space!!! People pray hard for an inention; some pray for ages and are
answered, some are not.
Prayer is part of who we are. It defines us. The disciples of Jesus knew this when they asked Jesus to teach
them to pray. They had witnessed Jesus at prayer and through that grasped his relationship with his father –
it was a relationship they also wanted to enter - the very first line of the Lord’s Prayer identifies who we are.
Jesus tells us to call God “Father.” Our God is not some distant god who is far removed from our lives.
But have you noticed that there are no “I”, “My” or “Me” in the Lord’s Prayer. Yet, when we pray it, we often
think in those terms. For example, we may pray, Give us this day our daily bread – but our mind is saying give
me my daily bread. We make mental substitutions. Forgive us our sins turns into forgive me for my sins.
Leroy Loggins Community Organisation
Indigenous Camp
Don’t be Selfish with your prayer – while the Lord’s Prayer is a very intimate prayer – it is also very communal
– it is our prayer. That comes through when you look at the 4 very clear petitions that we make when we pray
the Lord’s Prayer.
The first petition in the Lord’s Prayer is Hallowed be your name. In contemporary language this means “may
your name be holy, may your name be blessed, may your name be revered or respected. Bad habits tend to
become part of us if we are not conscious of our actions and words. Respect which is mentioned in the first
petition of the Lord’s Prayer is more than just words – it is about having a profound awareness of God in your
life which leads you revere and respect the very name of God. Be careful of what bad habits or bad words you
have picked up!
The second petition is your kingdom come. This is just the simple request that God’s kingdom is precisely
wherever God’s will is done. You, doing God’s will, is a manifestation of God’s kingdom. And in our prayers we
agree to do our part to help realise that kingdom more fully here on earth.
So, if you pray the Lord’s prayer and yet your actions don’t reflect your attempt to make God’s kingdom
realised because you continue to hate someone, you continue to rip off your employer, you continue to exploit
a sister or a brother, you keep excluded someone from your little circle – then you are a hypocrites.
The third petition concerns our daily bread. You could also translate this as “give us bread for the next day”. It
is a call both for the physical sustenance and the sacrament of the Eucharist. From simple food we are
reminded of our dependence upon God – and how we are sustained through the Eucharist. We can’t do it by
ourselves – what we do we only do through God.
The fourth petition appeals to God’s infinite generosity to forgive our sins. And in asking for forgiveness,
because of God’s love, it justifies receiving forgiveness in terms of our willingness to forgiveness those who
have sinned against us. We have the strength to forgive others precisely because Jesus has shown us the
way.
The Lord’s Prayer is not just a collection of nice words and empty gestures. Prayer worthy of God’s ear seeks
the grace to do the work God calls us to do – is willing to make whatever changes and transformations which
are necessary – and risks becoming the people God calls us to become.
Aurecon Bridge Building Competition
I hope that this wonderful explanation helps you next time you get the opportunity to pray The Lord’s Prayer
and provides meaning to what we do? I would like to thank Father Peter Brannelly, Parish Priest of the Jubilee
Parish for being so kind as to share his wise words and thank him for his always generous support of our St
James College Community.
Every blessing for a wonderful week
Leroy Loggins Community Organisation
Kiara Williams (Yr 12)
Indigenous Camp – Last week Harrison Power, Bethany Bobir, Layla Ross, Maliyk Williams and I embarked on a
trip to Sydney. We stayed at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern. The week provided
many wonderful opportunities – sightseeing, undertaking a Barista course, participating in a skateboarding
day, attending the University of Technology Sydney as well as playing soccer against some of the Sydney
University students. We were informed of the many opportunities and assistance available to us in respect to
our future career paths. I enjoyed meeting new people and undertaking the Barista course from which I gained
a Barista qualification. On behalf of the St James students I would like to thank Leroy and his team for
providing us with such a wonderful experience.
Aurecon Bridge Building Competition
Mr David Tan
There was concern among the team of Ethan Sullivan and Rosemary Byrne on the morning of the competition.
Our third team member, Steven Pham was absent; we had already lost an earlier member Kynan O’MalleyJones, who was instrumental in the bridge’s design. And an eleventh hour bid to improve the aesthetics of the
bridge hadn’t quite hit the mark. Were these bad omens?
We arrived and placed our bridge along side some very well finished entries. The day wore on and the tension
continued to mount. Many bridges had exceeded 50kg, a few even bearing over 100kg. At last, the Jimmies
team was called up; the second last team in the competition to have their bridge tested. Ethan tentatively
presented our offering to the judges. An eyebrow was raised at the paint job but no comment. After what
seemed like an eternity of scrutiny, a judge looked up and said simply, ‘good joints’. We looked on nervously
as our bridge was placed in the testing harness. How will our weeks of hard work fare? We held our breath as
the handle was slowly turned increasing the tension. 10kg…20kg…30kg. The weight slowly increased, as did
our hopes. Could we reach 50kg? The 50kg mark was reached. We sailed past 60kg and 70kg. Could our
bridge really hold 100kg? The 80kg mark was reached. There was a pause. The handle turned ever so slowly,
81kg...82kg…83kg. There was an ear-splitting crack and a paddle pop projectile flew past a startled judge.
After emitting a few more splinters, our bridge gave up at last. She had reached her limit – a very respectable
84kg. The weight the bridge held had surpassed our expectations and was the fourth highest in a field of
twenty schools across South-east Queensland.
QUT Presentation
We returned home with the remnants of our bridge, now affectionately known as ‘Good Joints’, proud and
happy with our success. Thanks go to Anthony Hill, Ian Wardrop and Brownyn Doherty for their invaluable
assistance and advice along the way.
Guidance Counsellor
Mr Jim Bartlett
QUT Presentation — All Year 12 students attended the presentation on how to apply for university and TAFE
courses for 2017. Current University students related their experiences in applying for courses and what life at
university is like. Pictured on the left are: Bertine Bukuru, QUT student ambassador Maryam Chimosa and
Elaha Mohamad Zaher at the QUT presentation.
QTAC Application — Mrs Munro (Wed-Fri) and Mr Bartlett (Mon-Wed) are available to assist students with their
applications. Please make an appointment (via email).
Congratulations — Jacob Anderson (Yr 12) - Jacob has been working with a carpenter in Certificate II in the
Workplace Practices class for the past two years. This placement has been facilitated by St James Workplace
Coordinator, Mrs Margaret Beddows. Jacob is now signing to a school based apprenticeship in carpentry with
the prospect of a full apprenticeship next year.
Past Student Beau Hippolite
Class of 2015
Library News
Ms Nikki Carpenter
Library News - It was wonderful to welcome so many visitors to the Ba-ra Barimi Learning Centre during Open
Day last Friday. Mrs Bess and I were very proud, showing off such a beautiful and useful space – and of
course, Jimmie enjoyed all the attention that he received. If you haven’t yet visited our new Library, please
feel free to do so!
Jimmie’s Pick - This week, Jimmie picks The Bone Sparrow by Australian author Zana Fraillon as his
recommendation. Set in an Australian immigration detention centre, the story revolves around a boy called
Subhi who has only ever known life behind fences. Subhi can only imagine what it would be like to be free;
perhaps one day he will find a way to freedom. The Bone Sparrow is suitable for competent readers.
JIMMIES CLIMBING CLUB
Round 2 of the
Rocksports Social Competition
Constable Ben Porteous
Jimmies’ Adopt-A-Cop
Hello Everyone, for those that don’t know me I am Constable Ben Porteous, the St. James’s College Adopt-ACop. For the last couple of years I have been coming into the school from time to time, interacting with the
students and answering their questions. I would also like to reinforce I am here to liaise with the wider school
community. If at any time you would like some advice or have any policing questions please email me at
[email protected] .
Sports News
Mr Scott Prickett
District Track and Field – Monday 1 August saw the start of the District Field events begin. St James had
seven students compete in various events throughout the day and our students did not disappoint with all
students qualifying in the next round. We are still waiting on confirmation as there is also the possibility of
records being broken. Thursday will see all our Track stars compete for the same opportunity to compete at
the Regional level. Listed below are the students who competed on Monday and their results.
Zoey Plater
High Jump – 1.35m (3rd Place)
Long Jump – 4.54m (1st Place)
Kaitlyn Kraut
Shot Put – 7.32m (7th Place)
Discus – 17.12m (5th Place)
Tama Tupaea
Shot Put – 13.39 (1st Place)
Discus – 42.42m (1st Place)
Tyrese Tufuga
Shot Put -12.62m (1st Place)
Dut Chol
Long Jump – 5.33m (4th Place)
High Jump – 1.85m (1st Place)
Chol Guet
Long Jump – 5.33m (4th Place)
High Jump – 1.80m (3rd Place)
Caleb Haworth-Brown
Shot Put – 14.73m (1st Place)
Discus – 40.81m (1st Place)
Past Student Achievement – Beau Hippolite who graduated from the Class of 2015 has just returned from
America where he played Rugby in Arizona for Red Mountain Knight. Beau was a valuable member of the St
James Basketball Program as well as the 2015 Confraternity team which placed as Runners Up. On behalf of
the College I would like to congratulate Beau for his achievement in America and warmly welcome him back to
Brisbane.
Jimmies Climbing Club – The Jimmies’ Climbers crushed Round 2 of the Rocksports Social Series on Saturday
night. Rocksports was transformed to have a large number of boulder problems specifically set all around the
gym. Competitors were challenged to complete as many problems as they could. Jacob Forker-Freeman’s
load efforts were not easily missed as he crushed the holds into submission. The support from the cheering
crowd was amazing! Will Coventry flashed several climbs, all the while making it look good. Bridget Aitchison
worked tirelessly all day to help set up for the competition, not an easy task! Thank you to all the parents for
supporting our climbers and bringing them to the event! Now we just have to wait three weeks for the State
Bouldering titles on August 13. Get training! All photos from this event can be located at the following
website: http://setinstonemedia.com.au/shop/events/2016-rocksports-social-series/
2020 Olympic Games - It's official. Climbers will compete for gold in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Today the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved a package of new events including climbing! The
decision was based on a desire to appeal to a young audience. The climbing event will include three
disciplines: sport, bouldering, and speed. 40 climbers (20 men and 20 women) will compete over four days,
and the medallists will be chosen based on the combined results of all three disciplines. In short, get cranking
Jimmies climbers! Cranking is climbing lingo for pulling down hard, we will have you all speaking the lingo in
no time!