Dear Parents & Friends of St Clare’s

Welcome to spring!  I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well and that you have had time to enjoy our beautiful weather, which offers a little antidote to being in lockdown.  In addition, the thoughtful effort and commitment that students and staff invest in their work continues to offer us inspiration and hope.  This can be clearly seen in the photography work of our Year 9 and 10 students, the excellent design and construction by our Year 12 Textiles students, the sporting prowess shown by the St Clare’s Diocesan Athletics squad and the wonderful efforts of the St Clare’s Environmental group to educate our community and improve our quality of life. 

Much has been written of late regarding community wellbeing and the need for individuals and communities to monitor and support each other during the pandemic.  We know that organisations such as Beyond Blue, Headspace and the Black Dog Institute can offer substantial support for individuals who are experiencing anxiety and feelings of isolation or dejection.

We also know that lockdowns bring with them a series of challenges to parents, students and teachers that are unique.  In many cases families and households are forced to adjust the way they live to ensure that students are able to continue their education online.  This coupled with the stresses and strains of sharing limited space and resources like computers, can make family life difficult.

Recently, I listened to an interview with Australian Paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey, who works out of the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.  Dr Billy has a series of podcasts and advice pieces for parents and caregivers that are accessible and useful.  If you or your sons and daughters are experiencing any stress or anxiety caused by the lockdown or the ongoing pandemic, a quick google will help you find Dr Billy and give you access to his advice.

Research has shown that a close relationship between learners and teachers enhances student outcomes.  When the student/teacher relationship is supported by parental interest, successful outcomes for students receive a further boost.  Parents who are able to engage with their sons and daughters about or during online learning, have the capacity to enhance their child’s learning growth and academic achievement.  Some simple tips for successful online learning include; having a routine for learning which includes times for the commencement of work and breaks that reflect a usual school day, turning on the student camera to allow for constructive communication between student and teacher, and working diligently to complete tasks as they are set by teachers.  

The situation of students return to school remains fluid.  The most recent information about the return of students to school, was posted on 30 August and is subject to change:

Students will return to face-to-face learning with NSW Health-approved COVID-safe settings on school sites in the following order:

• from 25 October – Kindergarten and Year 1
• from 1 November – Years 2, 6 and 11
• from 8 November – Years 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10

Students in Year 12 and those completing their HSC are already able to return in a limited way and this will continue for the remainder of Term 3.  From 25 October, these students will have fulltime access to school campuses and their teachers.

Until advised otherwise, St Clare’s will continue to be open to students of parents of essential workers.  Students who attend are expected to wear a mask at all times and bring food to school as the school canteen is closed.

My thanks to the St Clare’s staff, students and parents who continue to work and strive together under very unusual and trying conditions.  Our community has shown a wonderful level of commitment and cohesion over the past 20 months as we have worked together to ensure our students receive a quality education.

Thank you to all parents, students and staff for your resilience and generosity of spirit.

God bless

Peter Nicholls
Principal

Mass Times

Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Parish

Due to the current COVID restrictions, please contact the Forster-Tuncurry Parish Website for updates:

Taree Catholic Parish

Due to the current COVID restrictions, please contact the Taree Parish Website for updates:

COVID-19 PowerPoint

“In Christ Alone”

Congratulations to Year 12 Textiles and Design students who after 11 months of hard work and dedication, produced their Major Textiles Projects.  Each project highlighted the interests and talents of the student and demonstrated excellent use of the elements and principles of design and historical, cultural, contemporary and technological influences.  The students should be very proud of their projects and achievements throughout Year 12.  Well done!

• Jessica Borg – Grecian Inspired Evening Wear (Apparel)
• Edie Gillis – Contemporary Suffragette Inspired Fashion (Apparel)
• Lilli Henry – 70’s Inspired Sustainable Fashion (Apparel)
• Emily Lythgoe - Secret Garden Ballgown (Apparel)
• Adisty Merriman – Indonesian Inspired Contemporary Jumpsuit (Apparel)
• Olivia Nguyen – Technologically Advanced Haute Couture Ballgown (Apparel)
• Sally Ye – Japanese Spring Garden (Textile Art)

Theresa Avery
Textiles & Design Teacher

Year 9 and 10 Photographic and Digital Media classes were busy pre-lockdown producing some brilliant work as they recently used fairy lights and their camera skills to illustrate their understanding of bokeh (the soft out-of-focus background elements).  Well done on your stunning images Year 9 and 10!

Callam Howard
Creative Arts Teacher

This year our Environmental Group was nominated for the Young Landcare Leadership Award in the Mid Coast Regional Landcare Awards and I am very excited to announce that we won!  Unfortunately, there is unable to be a ceremony due to COVID restrictions, however, we will go through to the State Awards next year.

WenYuan LimSchneider, Isabella Hayes, Flynn Small, Finlay O'Connell, Amelia Johnson, Patrick Guthridge & Rickardd Weiley

This is an amazing honour, and as Environmental Leader I am very proud of the group and all the work they have put in this year.  It wouldn’t have been possible without their dedication and diligence.  We have worked incredibly hard this year, organising events and initiatives both within the school and in the community, so it is wonderful to be recognised for these actions.  We hope that the St Clare’s community will continue to support the Environmental Group in the coming months.

Upcoming Projects

Next Friday we will be hosting a school-wide Kahoot to fundraise for the Australian Youth Climate Coalition!  We are participating in their fundraising campaign Speak Up to raise awareness about climate inaction in Australia and share our own stories!

The Kahoot is taking place next Friday, 10 September at 7 pm and is open to parents, teachers and students!  All you have to do to enter is donate to our Speak Up account and fill out the form to let us know you are coming!

It is $2 for individual players or if you want to have some family fun, it’s $5 for the whole family!

There will be 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place prizes available so make sure to donate and sign up!

As part of the fundraising campaign, we will also be holding an art competition.  Students who wish to enter simply have to create an artwork around sustainability!  It can be a sculpture out of recycled materials, a painting about climate change or even a poem! 

When school comes back there will be an exhibition of all the artworks and a prize for the 1^st place winner, judged by a panel of teachers and the Environmental Group leader!

All submissions should be photographed and emailed to finlay.oconnell@mnstu.catholic.edu and entries close on Friday, 17 September.

It only costs $2 per submission, which again should be donated straight to our Speak Up page.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email finlay.oconnell@mnstu.catholic.edu.au

Lilli Henry, Tahlia Patterson, Laney Tull, Finlay O'Connell, Akala Bungie, Edie Gillis, Olivia Nguyen, Isabella Hayes, Annabel Osborn & Rickardd Weiley

Finaly O’Connell
Environmental Group Leader

The 2021 Dio Athletics Carnival was held on Wednesday, 4 August in Glendale.  Due to COVID our students stayed in their sitting area and wore their masks most of the time until they were due to compete.  Congratulations to all competing students.  Their behaviour was exemplary and the participation and enthusiasm which was displayed on the day was a credit to you all.

Dio Athletics Team:

Lucca Boyling
Rory Clarke
Jarrah Coe
Miley Cox
Nina Davy
Lucy Dries
Gemma Eady-Muxlow
Rose Nattress
Jade Parvin
Grace Randall
Caitlin Rodgers
James Rodgers
Pippa Rogers
Amy Rowell
Cohen Shoesmith
Kody Zahra

Special mention to Gemma Eady-Muxlow for her “Acknowledgement to Country” reading.  Gemma was a great ambassador for St Clare’s on the day, before competing in many events at the Carnival.

We did not win in all events, but they competed in the Olympic spirit.  Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin, when reintroducing the modern Olympics said “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part” and our students participated to the best of their abilities.  Well done.

A special mention to Mrs Devetak for her invaluable help on the day.

We were also lucky enough to witness 1 PB broken at the carnival.  That was:

• Lucy Dries: 1^st in shotput with a distance of 9.04 m

Congratulations to:

• Caitlin Rodgers: 1^st 400m, long jump and 2^nd 100m
• Lucy Dries: 1^st shotput
• Pippa Rogers: 2^nd long jump
• Gemma Eady-Muxlow: 3^rd 1500m

 

All students should be proud of their efforts.

Well done, and once again thank you to everyone involved on a terrific effort!

Laurent Gonfond
Sport Coordinator

Careers Corner

There are only two weeks to go before the end of a very interesting term.  I hope that everyone is keeping safe and well.

Year 12 have finished their Final Assessment tasks for the year!  Well done ladies and gentlemen on the way in which you have approached this.

Hopefully we will see you back at school soon.

I would like to remind everyone to please check their emails.  I am receiving a great deal of information about job vacancies, apprenticeships and traineeships.  I have recently sent emails to Years 10, 11 and 12 with many different vacancies.  If you would like some help with any of these applications, please email me.  There are several positions across a wide range of careers.  The information is also available in your respective Career Team OneNote spaces in the Content Library under Apprenticeships and Traineeships.

If you are interested in an Apprenticeship or Traineeship pathway, make sure that you look at the Careers Links, VERTO and Mid Coast Connect information that is in the OneNote.

I would like to highly recommend the Australian Apprenticeship App.  It has excellent information and practice aptitude tests to see where you would best fit in industry.

There are several deadlines approaching for the Year 12 students who are considering a university pathway next year.

The cut-off for UAC applications, at $70, is 30 September.  After this date the cost of registering will rise to $220 so if you are thinking about a university pathway post school and you are in Year 12, please make sure that you have registered before 30 September.  Do not forget to apply for SRS (Schools Recommendation Scheme) as soon as you have registered and check to see if you are eligible for EAS (Educational Advantage Scheme).

Early entry deadlines for many universities are also fast approaching.  UNE, Southern Cross, Wollongong and the Sunshine Coast University all offer these programs, so please have a look at these.  Even if it is not your first choice, it can give you some options if you do not get into the course you want.

It has been very pleasing to have had interviews with many of the Year 12 students.  Please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange a Zoom meeting so that we can go through your options.

Several universities are now offering One on One mentoring sessions (virtually) with students.  The Year 12 students would be able to speak to a university student one on one and ask any questions they might have about any aspect of university life.  Please check on each University website.  There are also many Virtual Open Days – this is excellent as you can see what University life is like from the comfort of your own house.

Please check out scholarships at the various universities and TAFE.  There are several on offer including a regional TAFE scholarship.  The Teach Rural and CSO Teaching Scholarship are up for grabs so if you are considering a teaching pathway post school please apply.  You have to be in it to win it and have got nothing to lose by applying.

If you are considering a TAFE pathway, get onto the TAFE NSW website and have a look at the many courses they offer from short courses through various Certificates and Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees.  You don’t need an ATAR for this pathway.

I am including a link to apply for a scholarship/grant run by the GLEF (Great Lakes Education Fund) which provides funds for anyone who wishes to study post school – TAFE, University or other provider.  If you live in the Great Lakes area you may be eligible.  Go to:

Applications close on 30 September.

Year 11 students are currently completing their final Preliminary Tasks.  After this time some of them may be able to discontinue a subject.  It is very important that if they are considering this, that they talk to their teachers, myself and Mrs Avery.

During the last week of term, the Construction and Hospitality students in Year 11 were supposed to be attending their compulsory Work Placement in various businesses throughout the Manning.  Due to COVID, we have had to postpone this and we are now looking at Week 3, Term 4.  Mid Coast Connect will be confirming this with me and I will let everyone know as soon as this is confirmed.  This is the first part of their compulsory 70 Work Placement hours.

The Year 10 students have now made their subject selections for 2022 and the process of working out the lines and classes is well under way.  Thanks to Mrs Avery and Ms Posadas for their work on this.

The latest information from the Careers Association of Australia is as follows:

Course Changes & New Courses

Southern Cross University The Bachelor of Science at SCU is a flexible, multidimensional three year degree that allows you to incorporate a wide range of subjects with career-focused science specialisations. Specialise in: Earth and Environmental Systems; Marine Systems; Forestry Systems or Regenerative Agriculture.

Courses & Workshops for Students

Living Planit FEE FREE WHITE CARDS - Living Planit is taking bookings for dates until 30th September. 0450465637

Coastal OHS Services FREE White Card Courses on Campus.  Must be booked before end of September and run before December 31 2021.  Minimum age is 16 years old. Enquire Now 0243823055 or info@coastalohs.com

Academy of Interactive Entertainment Kick-start your Journey in Games & Film, Introductory Courses at Academy of Interactive Entertainment Be ahead of the game. Study game programming, 3D animation and game design under industry experts at AIE while you’re still at school! Endless pathways await you in the game and film industry. Enrol now for next year!

The Lemon Car The Lemon Car has expanded on what it now offers to students. The Lemon Car is offering a Cert IV in T&E and The White Card Certificate. For more information contact Mark on 0444528409 or mark@thelemoncar.com.au

BRADFIELD SENIOR COLLEGE Do you have students who have a creative passion that could be turned into a career? Would they suit studying their HSC in a creative environment? Perhaps they should consider Bradfield Senior College at TAFE NSW St Leonards! Bradfield is now taking enrolments for Semester 1, 2022. Find out more:

Tertius Training Pty Ltd3 Barmax Australia - would like to remind you that with these challenging times and students working remotely, students can still complete the fully accredited ‘RSA Online NSW’ course at home. Note the RCG course whilst not available in an online format in NSW we now offer Virtual RCG. For more information visit

Kane Ph: 02 9211 4110 , kane@barmax.com.au

Information Sessions for Students & Parents

Join Basair Aviation College in a series of Pilot Career Webinars to find out everything you need to know about becoming a Commercial Pilot. From the comfort of your home learn about career paths, entry level jobs, salaries, qualifications, courses, flight training and all that Basair can offer. There's no better time to #AimHigh! Register for free via

Engineers Australia Engineering your Future is a webinar series each Monday 5-6pm, from 30 Aug - 29 Nov. Visit projects & companies, meet the Engineers from Civil & Structural to Quantum, hear from students currently studying Engineering.  Students, Parents, Teachers & Advisors welcome. Enq:
stemnsw@engineersaustralia.org.au    

University of New South Wales UNSW Open Day, September 4, 11am - 3pm, online. Discover your opportunities at UNSW Open Day from Faculty talks, Scholarships, Portfolio Entry and Adjustment Factors. Start building your itinerary now:

SkillsOne Skills and Thrills Digital Students Showcase available until September 17 2021 SkillsOne The Skills and Thrills Digital Students Showcase in available for students and parents until September 17, 2021.  The 35 minute free video covers information on industry trends, Covid-19 impacts to industry, apprenticeships, traineeships, SBATs and promotes vocational pathways. It can be accessed here

The National Institute of Dramatic Art | It's free to apply to study at NIDA in 2022! Help your talented students discover exciting careers in the performing and creative arts! Applications close 30 September – register for free online info sessions with Heads of Courses and find out more about NIDA scholarship opportunities at

Not sure which course is right for your students? Share this fun quiz to discover study options at NIDA:

Charles Sturt University Parent Information Session We're holding a free online Parent Information Session to help parent's gain the complete picture of their child's path from high school to uni. It'll be a relaxed evening with a few short presentations and opportunities to ask questions. Book here:

ACU Blacktown online Open Day If you need more information about choosing ACU Blacktown, want to chat to staff about the courses we offer, then Open Day is for you. Saturday 11 September 2 – 4pm, Register now:

Western Sydney University The Indigenous Future Students Information Evening At Western Sydney University will be held online 7 September. The evening is an opportunity to hear about different pathways to study, support services, scholarships and life on campus. Find out more:

Resources for Students

PILOT CAREER GUIDE 2021

Southern Cross University On Demand Q & A Videos Watch our on demand videos (by study area) to learn more about Southern Cross University  exciting, contemporary learning experiences.

Southern Cross University Everything you wanted to know about Southern Cross University STAR early entry but were afraid to ask:

Careers at Council Local government is a great place to work if you want to contribute to your community, work close to home or develop a career path that can lead to job opportunities in any one of 537 councils across Australia. Start a portable career in local government. Find out more by visiting Careers at Council -

ACU Year 12 Revision Workshops “Worried about exams? Register now for a series of free online webinars run by experienced Year 12 exam markers and assessors. They’ll guide you through how to respond to possible exam questions, help you get your head around the class content to deepen your understanding, and offer plenty of tips along the way. Register now:

Study Medicine 10 Step Application Guide The 10 Step Application Guide helps students understand the process

Find the latest offers, interviews, deadline and key events info for students applying for medicine

Subscribe to Study Medicine to access Aust medicine degree application date list (2022 entry)

Scholarships, Early Entry, Alternative Pathways

University of Tasmania Do you know someone who is thinking about their options for tertiary studies and is interested in #healthcare? #pharmacists are in demand now and into the future and there are some great opportunities for pharmacists working in #communitypharmacy Here is some information on a couple of scholarships too. Don't forget that #tasmania offers a #BPharm at 

Southern Cross University Take the stress out of Year 12 with a STAR Early Offer The STAR program allows you to secure your place in a SCU degree before your Year 12 results are even released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and give you a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on your Year 12 results. It's free to apply & separate to

Closes Sept 10^th.

UTS EARLY ENTRY APPLICATIONS CLOSE SOON - The last date to apply to the UTS Early Entry Program is Sunday 12 September at 11:59pm. The program recognises that students are more than just the number at the end of Year 12 so provides the opportunity to students to enter a UTS course based on their Year 11 academic achievements. Applications are direct to UTS. For more info:

Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program Applications for the Charles Sturt Advantage early offer program close soon. Round one saw almost 1,500 offers made based on student's soft skills and Year 11 results. We're expecting another influx of high-quality applications in round two:

SAE Creative Media Institute SAE Australia offers a range of domestic part and full scholarships to assist students during their studies including full-tuition scholarships, grants and bursaries. For more information on scholarships please visit

Western Sydney University - The College HSC True Reward Early Offer Program provides Year 12 students an early offer into Western based on their Year 11 or Year 12 HSC results, instead of a scaled ATAR. Students can apply by 12 September to be considered for the next offer round. Find out more:

Traineeships, Cadetships, Apprenticeships - Information & Opportunities

Transport for NSW The Road/Electrical Designer and Traffic Engineering Officer in Training Programs are offered by Transport for NSW, available for those who are looking for a career in designing roads, while at the same time studying towards a Civil/Electrical Engineering degree. Salary will be approximately $54,000.00 which will go up to $63,000.00 by the end of four years.

Careers at Council Local government offers a huge range of jobs and career paths in professional, trades and administrative roles. Most of the 128 councils in NSW employ trainees and apprentices. Check out the entry level job opportunities on Careers at Council - 

J.P. Morgan Not sure what to do after high-school? Want to fast track your career and gain real world work experience within an international bank? Join J.P. Morgan’s paid Traineeship Program in Sydney. You’ll work within J.P. Morgan’s Securities Services business covering custody, fund services, and market operations

As you are probably aware, we are unable to send students out on Work Experience at the moment.  Hopefully next term we will be able to resume this program. 

Please feel free to contact me about anything Careers or VET related either by email:  karen.mccann@mn.catholic.edu.au or phone 6552 3300.

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser

Term 3 2021

Term 4 2021

Term 1 2022

WorkWise St Clare’s High School Uniform prices will take effect on 1 October 2021.

WorkWise are only able to provide click and collect orders at the moment.  If any uniforms are required, could parents please access the WorkWise website:

and place an order, or if that is not possible, please ring or email WorkWise and orders will be packed and can be picked up from the front door.

The Kindness Project - ASPIRE

The aim of The Kindness Project is to give students an opportunity to engage meaningfully in the Creative Arts, reflecting on what kindness means to them.

This project is also on the ASPIRE website and the link below is for your information: