Dear Parents, Carers and Community Members

It was great to see the many smiling faces of students as they entered the school gates on their return from school holidays.  Term 2 has started off as busy as Term 1 finished with a flurry of important activities and celebrations.  This included the ANZAC commemoration service on Tuesday last week and our own service held on Friday, 28 April.  I was so appreciative of the number of students and staff that not only attended but also participated in the Taree March and Service.  Special mention must go Makayla Boere from Year 12 who sang the recessional hymn, God Save the King and the National Anthem at the Taree service.  I am also aware that several of our students attended and participated in other services across the region.

On Anzac Day, we gather to remember and honour the brave men and women who served and sacrificed their lives for our country.  Anzac Day is a time to pay tribute to the courage, loyalty, and dedication of the soldiers who fought in the First World War and all conflicts since, of those thousands of young Australians that have given us a free democratic country and the security to enjoy life without fear.

One of the most famous stories of ANZAC is the story of Simpson and his donkey.

During the Gallipoli campaign in World War I, Australian soldier John Simpson, along with his donkey, would carry wounded soldiers to safety under heavy fire.  Simpson and his donkey became legendary figures, embodying the ANZAC spirit of mateship and selflessness.

Simpson's story illustrates the importance of mateship in times of war and hardship.  He risked his own life to help his fellow soldiers, embodying the sense of loyalty and mutual support that is central to the ANZAC ethos. 

During World War I, civilians volunteered to join the Australian Imperial force, and serve in the war.  They came from a variety of cultural backgrounds, including Our First Nation People of Aboriginal and Torres Strait descent, and soldiers of Belgium, French, Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Italian descent to name a few.

Two examples of people of various cultural background involved in the first world war were:

Private William Reginald 'Bill' Rawlings who was a Gunditjmara man born near Purnim, Victoria, in about 1890.  As a young man, he worked as a horse-breaker.  Rawlings was one of many men from Framlingham Aboriginal Station who enlisted in the AIF.  In July 1918, he was awarded the Military Medal for leading a bayonet charge at Morlancourt, France.  Rawlings was killed in action on 9 August 1918 and buried at Heath Cemetery, Harbonnières.

Lieutenant Dalbert Hallenstein who was a promising Jewish officer of German descent from a well-known Melbourne family.  After nearly four years of service, Hallenstein was killed in action at Péronne on 1 September 1918, only 500km from his birthplace in Heidelberg.  His commanding officer described him as 'a brave man, and a capable officer' and lamented his loss.

It does not matter what side you are fighting for or your cultural background, people are people.  We all have hopes, dreams, fears, and those we love and who love us.  As Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.”

In other words, we are called to love one another, even amid the hell of the battle of war our ANZACs were able to embody the spirit of what it means to be human.

At our school ANZAC service during my address, I finished off by saying the following to the school community.  Life can be difficult, peer pressure enormous, social media invasive, friendships fragile and our self-esteem is under constant assault.  Take strength from the courage of the Anzacs.  Take a stand and do what is right, stand up for the poor, the weak and those who cannot stand up for themselves. If at times you need to stand alone outside your peer group, then be strong and do so.  When others need you be there for them, no matter their background be a mate.

Our cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is at the heart of who we are.  It makes Australia a great place to live and is an integral part of our identity.

‘Together with Christ we serve our community’.

Inspired by GOSPEL VALUES and the practical examples of St Mary of The Cross MacKillop and St Clare of Assisi our Mission is to…

CONNECT LEARN ASPIRE RESPECT ENGAGE

Kind Regards

Phillip Gibney
Principal

Mass Times

Forster-Tuncurry Catholic Parish

Current Mass times are Saturday, 5 pm, Sunday 8 am and 10 am.

Further updates can be viewed on the Forster-Tuncurry Parish Website:

Taree Catholic Parish

Saturday
4:00 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wingham:  Reconciliation & Rosary
4:45 pm Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Wingham:  Mass
6:15 pm Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree:  Mass

Sunday
9:30 am Our Lady of the Rosary, Taree:  Mass
7:30 am every 1^st and 3^rd Sunday of the month Our Lady of Fatima, Old Bar:  Mass
7:30 am every 2^nd Sunday of the month St Therese, Lansdowne:  Mass
7:30 am every 4^th and 5^th Sunday of the month Star of the Sea, Harrington:  Mass

Further updates can be viewed on the Taree Parish Website:

This week students in Year 7 completed the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT).

This test measures students’ reasoning abilities in three areas:  verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal.  The verbal battery measures how well the student is able to learn and solve problems related to words.  The quantitative battery measures your child’s ability to apply numerical concepts.  The nonverbal battery assesses skills in using figures and pictures to solve problems.  Like any standardised test, the CogAT measures only some of your child’s skills, and the results represent ability on the day the test was given.  Therefore, these scores form one point of reference to measure a student’s potential.  Test scores should never be used alone to make decisions about services or supports, but they can be helpful when interpreted in conjunction with other information and metrics.  In the Maitland–Newcastle Catholic Schools Diocese, CogAT results are used as one of several measures to inform classroom differentiation, supports, enrichments, and extensions.

Congratulations to all Year 7 for their effort in completing this task.

Julie Rowsell
Gifted Education Mentor

Part of our Religious Education program is ensuring that when students leave our school, they are religiously literate.  This means that they can understand and apply the key concepts, terminology, and teachings of the Catholic Church in their everyday life.  This ideal is based on the NSW and ACT Catholic Bishops aim that all students within our Catholic School system, from all religious and non-religious backgrounds, know, understand and can apply the core teachings of the Catholic faith, our scriptures, history and tradition, and how they are lived in the world.”  (Crossroads 2007).

Religious Education at St Clare’s High School, and in the wider Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, is not only based on providing the core values of the Catholic faith but educating students about the goodness that comes from following the example Jesus Christ and our patron saints Mary MacKillop and Clare of Assisi.  Thus, a high level of religious literacy enables them to function effectively in our current Australian environment as they learn about being good people and religion to break down barriers and encourage social cohesion.

Religious Literacy Test Years 8 and 10

In the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, there is a focus on religious literacy throughout all Catholic Schools and students are tested in a diocesan-wide test in Years 8 and 10. 

• Year 8 will sit the Diocesan Religious Literacy Test on Wednesday, 31 May and this will form 30% of their overall Religion Assessment results for 2023. The test is based on the Christian Scriptures Unit.
• Year 10 will sit the Diocesan Religious Literacy Test on Wednesday, 13 September and this will form 30% of their overall Religion Assessment results for 2023. The test is based on all THREE units Year 10 will study in Terms 1-3.

Students will be provided an assessment task notification prior to their test date and the structure of the test will be discussed with students in class.  Students will complete a series of activities, formative assessments, and revision quizzes so their teacher can continue to assist them to develop their knowledge, understanding and application of content in written form.  We encourage you to discuss the Religious Studies content with your child and discover all that they have to share about their relevant units.

Tanille Gardner
Leader of Learning Religious Studies

Organisation

 This event is a Smoke/Vape Free Event and Venue

St Clare’s advises all our students to apply sunscreen while outdoors and be SUNSMART throughout the day with the wearing of clothing and hats.

A full water battle and packed lunch is essential to remain hydrated and meet your nutritional requirements to perform throughout the day.

THERE IS NO VENUE CANTEEN, however, there will be a school canteen with a BBQ on the day and drinks available for sale organised by the SRC.

Please bring cash to use this canteen.

General Instructions

Attendance:

• This is a WHOLE SCHOOL EVENT. Attendance is thus compulsory until the completion of the event.
• NO STUDENT IS PERMITTED TO LEAVE DURING THE EVENT.
• Rolls will be marked electronically in CLARE groups at the start of day.

Seating Arrangements:

• When not participating in an event, House groups are to sit under house-coloured tents.
• Parents/spectators are not permitted in the house tent area.

Uniform:

• Students are permitted to wear their house colours
• Students must wear enclosed footwear.

Toilets:

• Students are to ensure the area is left clean and tidy.

Spectators:

• Immediate family members are invited to attend and spectate. No non-St Clare’s friends are permitted.

Mobile Devices/Laptops:

• No laptops please.
• The school mobile phone policy also applies at the event. Students who choose to bring these devices, do so at their own risk.

Supervision:

• Staff will be responsible for supervising students walking to and from the venue and escorting students to their seated areas. Students must always remain in their House area when not entering an event.

• Staff to supervise throughout the day whilst at the event.

Important Information

• It is the responsibility of the keen athletes to attend marshalling when called. Please see the marshals if you have any problems.
• All competitive heats will be timed: There are NO FINALS.
• Remember the ‘one start rule’ – if you break, you are out.
• Programs containing the order of events will be posted on Compass.
• Any students who are injured or will not be competing are able to volunteer as a helper on the day and they will be awarded House points.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, ENJOY THE CARNIVAL!!

Luke Rowe
School & Representative Sport Coordinator

Diocesan Swimming Award recipients were:

Ashley Allan, Year 7

• 1^st50m Freestyle 
• 1^st100m Freestyle 
• 1^st50m Backstroke 
• 3^rd50m Breaststroke

William Gibson, Year 10

• 2^nd50m Backstroke 

The Easter Raffle was drawn on the last day of the term.  Thank you for all the donations and for buying tickets.  We ended up with 42 prizes and raised $1,371.60 for Caritas.

Here is a list of our lucky winners:

Laura Boere
Easter Egg Raffle Coordinator

In the Gospel of Matthew 7:12 he says, “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”  This is often referred to as the golden rule and it reflects the Christian's ethical behaviour in relation to their neighbours.  The year 10 students together with Mrs Lovern certainly put this golden rule into practice at the Community Kitchen.  The students, Sophie Pratten, Marissa Masterantonio, Nicholas Boere and Oakland Buckshiram-Riley worked tirelessly preparing and serving meals as well as tending to the client’s needs giving them fresh vegetables, bread and other essential items that we take for granted.  The numbers of the kitchen are increasing with the students serving 107 meals on Friday.  The smiling faces of the students gave a positive lift to the client’s day.  One client stated that it was good to see young people who cared about others.  Well done St Clare’s.

Sophie Pratten, Marissa Masterantonio, Nicholas Boere, Oakland Buckshiram-Riley & Nicole Lovern 

Nicole Lovern
Year 11 Leader of Wellbeing & Engagement

Mathematics Workshop and Homework Support will take place on Mondays at lunchtime in room 10.  Students have the opportunity to have support for homework or be in a space with a mathematics teacher present to complete more challenging work or preparing for tasks.  This is available to all year groups.

Michael Morson
Leader of Learning, Mathematics

Careers Corner

We are back into Term 2 and it’s full-steam-ahead!

The Year 12 VET students are, and will be, going on Work Placement over the next couple of weeks.  The Year 12 Construction class have been out this week (1 – 5 May).  Thanks to Mid Coast Connect and the many employers for allowing this to happen.  This is an excellent opportunity for the students to learn more of the world of work and often results in job opportunities for many of the students.

The Year 12 Hospitality class are flying to the Gold Coast and will be working at Sea World from Monday, 8 May until Thursday, 11 May inclusive, to complete their Work Placement hours.  Once again this is an excellent opportunity for the students to learn about and experience first-hand the many different aspects of the Hospitality industry.

Year 12 students who are interested in a university pathway post school are reminded to check each university’s website for early application and scholarship information.  UAC has opened and it is great to see some names already in the SRS (School Recommendation Scheme) portal which can assist with early entry.  I will be talking about UAC in our Careers sessions with Year 12 over the coming weeks.

Please note that other states do not have their applications open yet (QTAC, VTAC, SATAC) and will open at various stages over the coming months.

The students have received their UAC guides.  If anyone was away on Monday when they were given out, could you please come and see me to get one.  There is a great deal of information in this booklet which can also be accessed from the UAC site

In the Year 12 Team OneNote there are a couple of different Early Entry information sheets.  There is a great deal of information in these about the many university early entry pathways.  Please have a look at these and apply if you would like to.  I am happy to help if you would like some assistance with this process.

Job Jump also has a great deal of information with regard to this, so don’t forget to check out the chapters in our Careers Team OneNote spaces.

On Monday I attended an Industry Update Day run by CAA.  There was a plethora of information about careers in many different industries/professions.  I have placed all the information that I have received in our Careers Team OneNote Content Libraries (Years 10, 11 and 12).  Please contact me if you are interested in any of these or if you cannot access the Team OneNote spaces.

Students in Year 12 who might be considering careers in medicine or dentistry post school need to register for the “UCAT” (University Clinical Aptitude Test ANZ).

IMPORTANT UCAT ANZ 2023 DATES

Candidates taking the UCAT ANZ in 2023 for entry to universities in Australia and New Zealand in 2024 should note these key dates (deadline times are in AEST - Australian Eastern Standard Time):  

Please log on to the UCAT website for specific information.  There are free practice tests on this website to assist with preparation.

On Tuesday evening, 2 May, there was a Medicine Information Evening at the Manning Rural Health Centre in Taree.  This was a great opportunity to learn more about careers in medicine post school.

Year 10 are coming up to “subject selection” time for 2024.  The mentoring process for these students will begin in the last couple of weeks of this term all going well.  Small groups of students are usually mentored by the coordinators.  Information will be given about the various available subjects, closer to the end of this term.

There is a great deal of information from many of the universities for Year 10 students and their parents and as this information becomes available, I will place it in the Year 10 Team Careers OneNote.

As information comes to hand, I will email the relevant students and I will be putting all information in each Year Group Careers OneNote.  This will relate to apprenticeships, traineeships, job vacancies, university information and open days, TAFE information and scholarships.  There is a tab in the Careers section titled Job Jump which has a great deal of up-to-date information in all things careers.  All the students in Years 10, 11 and 12 have, or will have, access to this.

I would also like to keep encouraging the students to have a draft ‘Cover Letter’ and resume which can be tailored for job applications both part-time and fulltime.  This can be saved in the OneNote and accessed/changed at any time.

Next week the Year 11 PDHPE students will complete their Provide First Aid course with Warren Keegan from Coastal First Aid.  The Year 11 Sports Coaching class will complete theirs on Friday, 2 June.  This is a very valuable qualification to have.

This Friday we are very lucky to have Youth Officers Dave Russell and Cheryl Hoffman from the Crime Prevention Unit Manning Great Lakes Police District come in to talk to Year 12 about career pathways in youth work and police.

If any student is interested in Work Experience, please come and collect the necessary paperwork from me.  The Catholic Schools Office has set guidelines for Work Experience.  Year 9 and Year 10 students have to complete this during school hours; however, Year 11 and Year 12 students can do Work Experience during holiday time or on the weekend.

Karen McCann
Careers/VET Adviser

Term 2 2023

School Zones

A reminder to all our parents that school zones remain in place for the safety of our children and families.  School zones operate on all gazetted school days, which are all days the school is open, even pupil free days.  School zones for our school will end on Friday, 30 June 2023 and resume on Monday, 17 July 2023.

Complaints Resolution for Parents and Carers

Headspace

Headspace offers Parent and Carer workshops:

• Let’s Talk About It: Mental Health
• Looking Out for Your Friends: Notice, Ask, Connect
• Standing Strong: Bullying and Mental Health
• Transitions: Primary to Secondary
• Transitions: Leaving School
• Self-Care: Looking after your Mental Health
• Naming and Understanding Our Emotions
• Parent/Carer workshop Supporting young people: Notice, Ask, Connect

Coming up we have “Tuning into Teens” a 6-session parenting program for parents and carers of young people aged 12 to 18 who have accessed headspace.

Tuning into Teens will help parents and carers to better talk with and understand their teen, to help their teen to learn to manage their emotions and behaviours and to deal with conflict.

Starting 18 May 10am to 12pm and run for 7 weeks.

Headspace Taree is now recruiting for the Youth Reference Group.

If you know a young person 16 to 25 interested in learning about mental health and the community.

Someone who wants to gain leadership skills, business and administration knowledge, community development skills and project management skills.

Work with some great young people and services to put on awesome events and activities.

Encourage them to apply with the YEARG!

FREE LEGAL HELP Lamp Project, brought to you by the Mid North Coast Legal Centre.

All community members welcome

Available fortnightly starting 1^st May from 10am to 12pm

Call 02 6580 2111 to make an appointment.

We are also staring up our Family and Friends Reference Group this year.

Have you been involved with or know someone who has been involved in headspace?

Do you have a passion and interest in mental health and the role family and friends play in the support and recovery?

25 years and older, we would love to hear from you.

Our LGBTQIA+ Social Group meets once a month on a Thursday 3:30pm to 5pm for a catch up, we often do lots of different activities, our last catch up was a relaxing colouring art session.

Depending on young people our activities change each month. Afternoon tea provided each catch up.

IDAHOBIT Day Activities Thursday 18^th May

We will be combining IDAHOBIT Day and our LGBTQIA+ Social group.

Painting sesh and expression of self.

FREE Pizza and all materials provided.

Scan the QR code on the flyer attached.