St Saviour's College Newsletter 2023 - Term 4 Week 4

Acting Principal

Good Comeback

There might be a few ways to read the title of this week’s newsletter article, and when we think about the resurrection story that is central to our faith - perhaps ‘good comeback’ sums it up all too well.

All biblical puns aside, Sunday’s gospel reading from Matthew invited us to marvel at just how clever Jesus’ answer was in the story. Clearly, the pharisees had laid a trap for Jesus when they asked him if he thought taxes needed to be paid to Caesar. It was of course, a set up. Both he, and they, knew that either response would land him in hot water - either arrested for treason on the spot, or at odds with his disciples and the people of Judea.

How often have we felt this way? Like a trap has been laid for us, and no matter which way we answer, nothing will seem right. Often when facing these situations, we inevitably fall into the traps laid for us.

How often do we leave sticky situations ruminating about all the things we could’ve said? All the things we wished we’d said, all the ‘good comebacks’ that we have now that the moment has passed.

Perhaps we lament that we wish we were a little more quick-witted, a little more aware of what the outcome would be or better still, with a crystal ball revealing what the right path would’ve been.

In this gospel, Jesus recognised that sometimes in our lives we have responsibilities that are competing. For Jesus and his disciples in this story, it was the tension between the crippling taxes of Caesar’s rule and a belief in the kingdom of God - the Pharisees were asking him to choose, putting him in a corner.

But again in this story, Jesus found the middle ground. He accepted that we have responsibilities to our nation state and that we have responsibilities to our God.

For us, living with the tricky situations that define human interaction, Jesus’ actions spoke volumes about the power of being moderate, of finding middle ground and of acknowledging complexity. In this way, we too can respond to our peers, our teachers, our families and our Colleagues in ways that help us find the moderate, find the middle and move us towards each other, rather than dividing us. Pope Frances reminds us that time is greater than space, that unity prevails over conflict. It’s good advice and a good comeback.

Ducks Vs Echidnas

Swimming Echidna

This week, whilst scrolling, I came across this great video from the ABC. It captures a most unusual sight: an echidna taking a little dip in a swimming hole. What a surprise. It brought a great smile to my face when I watched it, and I couldn’t help but share it with students on assembly.

Often ducks and swans are held up on a pedestal for us to emulate. People have long celebrated the image of a graceful swan or duck looking so effortless in its gliding across the water; not raising a sweat, not ruffling a feather. Yet, below the surface we know those little feet are pumping like crazy, stretching hard all the time – but totally concealed.

I have to say that this effortless image is not one that we should be aspiring towards – and one that has some negative implications for our mental health and wellbeing. Perfectionism and a lack of vulnerability is problematic, particularly for adolescents. Our girls are constantly bombarded by facades of perfection – of swans gliding through the water – particularly on social media.

My challenge this week is that we bring a few more swimming echidnas out in to the open. Let’s let each other know that perfection doesn’t exist, only the pursuit of growth. We actually create a much more inclusive and brave culture when we surprise others. When we let other people know that our legs are kicking like mad, and we are just keeping our noses out of the water, we give them permission to be imperfect also. One of our Mercy values is compassion and it can best be afforded when we are brave enough to surface our vulnerabilities. Be the echidna.

Amelia Claxton – Mayoral School Achievement Medal

On Thursday 26 October, Year 12 student, Amelia Claxton was awarded the Mayoral Achievement Medal at the Annual Mayoral Medal awards held at TAS. Amelia was commended for her incredible steadfastness, resilience and leadership of both McAuley House and St Saviour’s College as Arts Leader in 2023. Congratulations Amelia on this fantastic achievement.

Jess Wade
Acting Principal

Acting Deputy Principal - Curriculum

Enhancing Happiness Through Learning and Growth: A Mid-Term Focus

As we find ourselves in Week 4, now is an opportune moment to recalibrate our focus. It's not just about academics; personal growth and well-being are equally vital. According to the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), students with a growth mindset - those who believe that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort - enjoy not only academic success but also higher levels of happiness and well-being.

The key is to engage in the learning process consistently throughout the term. Procrastinating until the last minute leads to stress and undermines the richness of the educational journey. As we are at the halfway mark, this is the ideal time to assess your academic standing and emotional well-being. If challenges arise, don't hesitate to seek help. Remember, asking for assistance is not a weakness but a proactive step toward growth and success.

Year 12 External Exams

Our Year 12 students have already made strides in their external exams this week, taking on subjects like English, Film, Television and New Media, Design, General Mathematics and Ancient History. The dedication these students have displayed is both commendable and an exemplar of a growth mindset in action. We wish them all the best for the rest of their exams over the next two weeks.

Academic Leave

A heartfelt thank you to parents and caregivers who have promptly notified the school of planned extended absences (two days or more). A reminder that students also need to collect an academic leave form from Student Services and check in with their teachers. This process helps students to coordinate with their teachers about any work to be completed during their absence. These forms are scanned and sent home. For any notifications of extended leave please email welcome@ssctwb.catholic.edu.au.

ICAS English

During our recent assembly, we celebrated the accomplishments of our ICAS Mathematics participants. These students exemplified the growth mindset by tackling challenging problems head-on. Special commendations go out to those who attained Credits: Year 7 - Abigail Allan, Alexis Davies, Samantha Darlington and Year 8 - Hayley Norman.

In conclusion, as we navigate the remaining weeks of the term, let’s keep a balanced perspective. Academic excellence is important, but so is your happiness and mental well-being. Adopting a growth mindset can significantly contribute to both.

Leah Dempster
Acting Deputy Principal - Curriculum

Assistant Principal - Mission and Student Wellbeing

Pope Francis in 2018 stated, “Catholic schools should stimulate in pupils the openness to the other as a face, as a person, as a brother and sister to know and respect, with his or her history, merits and defects, riches and limits.”

As a Catholic school who embraces the Mercy values of compassion, hospitality, excellence and justice, it is our mission to ensure that when a girl graduates St Saviour’s College, that she is always a Mercy Girl … continuing to incorporate these values into her everyday life. It is a daily challenge for our students, who are partaking in many adolescent changes to ensure they embrace these values. Many influences in today’s society suggest that students should be anything but these values. Adolescents are at a unique stage in their development, where peer influence plays a substantial role. They are inherently wired to be more sensitive to rewards and to prioritise fitting in with their peer group. Social media, which is an integral part of their lives, can either amplify or mitigate these tendencies. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, is still developing in adolescents, making them more inclined toward impulsive behaviour. This impulsive side of the brain can lead to risky behaviours, and adolescents are highly influenced by their peers during this phase. The influence of media, especially social media, is undeniable. It's where adolescents seek social acceptance, monitor their peer status, and, at times, encounter an idealised version of themselves. Adolescents' social lives are significantly intertwined with their online presence.

In a world filled with media-driven influences, we must teach our students to navigate this landscape mindfully. Critical media literacy should be a part of their education, helping them decipher what is real and what is not. Our role as educators is to ensure they understand the implications of media consumption and its influence on their decision-making. This term, the Year 9 and 10s, as a part of their Wellbeing Wednesday Program, are engaging in online modules of Digital Licences and Media Literacy Lab to provide them more educative power when making decisions with their devices. 

But, as a Catholic School, we also have another wonderful lens to gain a deeper understanding on how to dialogue with others and approach conflict in a way that sees the other person rather than being influenced by others on how we should react. As adolescents continue to be hypersensitive to peer influence and seek social acceptance, it's our duty to create an environment where they can make decisions driven by compassion, hospitality and an understanding of the 'other.' It is where we create an environment where everyone feels safe and acknowledged for who they are, regardless of our differences. 

A Christian lens reveals how the concept of 'otherness' and 'hospitality' is deeply rooted in scripture. Jesus, a wanderer without a home from the beginning of his life, exemplifies the 'stranger.' He relied on the hospitality of others during his ministry. His actions mirrored a Kingdom where there is no division, discrimination, or distinction. The New Testament beautifully portrays Jesus as both the 'outsider' and the 'host,' welcoming a range of 'strangers' into the Kingdom of God. This profound message teaches us to welcome the stranger because we, too, are strangers in this world.

This reflection on the humanity of Jesus invites us to see something of ourselves in him. We all experience loneliness, isolation and the search for a hospitable community. This calls for a radical form of hospitality where mutual differences are confronted and affirmed rather than erased. At St Saviour’s College, these differences don’t divide and cause conflict …instead they bring a sense of dialogue with another to understand and appreciate we are all unique and have dignity. It is our mission to work with students to develop the skills to dialogue with one other, to have conflict and restore in appropriate ways and to see the other as more than just what social media or my peer group tells me they are.  

In the age of social media, learning how to dialogue properly and cultivating values of compassion and hospitality are essential skills for students. By fostering empathy and open-mindedness in their online and offline interactions, they can become drivers of positive change in an increasingly interconnected world. Social media should be a tool that enhances these values, not detract from them. It's in the hands of students to ensure that their digital experiences contribute to a more compassionate and hospitable global community. 

Ozanam Leadership Program

The Ozanam Leadership Program is a value and skills-based initiative of the St Vincent de Paul Society coordinated by Vinnies Youth. It is designed to develop and equip participants with the knowledge and skills to become compassionate leaders within their own community. ​On Thursday, Julie Inskip, Youth Coordinator for St Vincent de Paul, presented two of our very own students, Adolphine Buloze and Peace Sourire, with their graduating certificates from the program. Both girls’ commitment to numerous training dates and community activities, represented to the community what a true Mercy Girl does, service.

Megan Schulze
Assistant Principal - Mission and Student Wellbeing

Subject Support

Students needing support in Maths are welcome to come along to the following sessions:

Library News

Welcome

All resources to be returned before the end of term.

The one time of year everything must be back. There is no borrowing over the Christmas break as we would like all resources returned to their home in the library so they can be checked over and audited for the year.

Overdue and recall notices are being sent out and will continue through the remainder of the term to remind students to return all their resources. Students can access what they have out through our Library Web App – please encourage your child/ren to check what they have out that must be returned. Go to the link, and sign in using the Single Sign-on (SSO) blue button.

Stay tuned in upcoming newsletters for activities to keep yourselves reading over the Christmas break.

Future Libraries Conference Day

Mrs Julie-Anne Flynn and I were lucky enough to attend the Future Libraries Conference Day on Friday 20 October. What a fantastic day to attend! Our keynote speaker was Tristan Bancks, who just recently won the YABBA award for Fiction for Years 7-9 with his book “Cop & Robber”(in the library). He has made the award list again after continually gracing the award winners list:

• 2020 “Detention” (in library, as well as eBook and audiobook)
• 2018 “The Fall” (in library)
• 2015 “Two Wolves” (audiobook)

He has also just released his new book “Scar Town” (in library). Tristan had a lot to say about reading, TLs and the process of writing. It is wonderful to have his support to promote the importance of school libraries and Teacher Librarians.

Another speaker was Dr Kay Oddone whose insights into AI and the world of Teacher Librarianship were eye-opening. The importance of teaching students the skills to navigate the technological world we exist in is more important than ever.

So many ideas and we can’t wait to look at implementing some into our library here at St Saviour’s College. These ideas will be discussed and finalised as to what can occur within time constraints.

Then an accomplished Teacher Librarian spoke about the ‘enterprising’ nature of the TL in the school environment. The way the curriculum and teacher librarianship are intertwined and support each other in the school context, both for students and teachers.

New Resources

New resources are still available now – come in and check out what is on display. Check the images below to see what is new in our library.

Don’t forget to write your suggestions and put them in the box on the front counter so we know, here in the library, what resources you would like to see available for borrowing.

What's Happening in the Library ?

We continue to celebrate International School Libraries Month and have linked it with Halloween. Check out our Halloween and ISLM-themed decorations around Create and Imagine flourishing in our library.

Stay safe and keep reading.

Andrea King
Teacher Librarian

From the Careers Centre

School-Based Traineeship

We are delighted to announce that one of our students, Charlotte Bowe (pictured with Christy Gentz below), has successfully commenced a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care school-based traineeship. This is a great opportunity for Charlotte to gain valuable skills and experience in the early childhood sector, while also completing her secondary education. Charlotte is currently working as a trainee at Learning Pathways Childcare Centre and Kindergarten, where she is learning from passionate educators who provide the very best education and care for children. Charlotte has always had a keen interest in working with children and helping them grow and thrive. She is looking forward to completing her traineeship and pursuing a rewarding career in the early childhood sector. 

School-Based Apprentice and Trainee Employee Thankyou Breakfast

The School-Based Apprentice and Trainee Employee thankyou breakfast was recently held to show our appreciation to the employers and trainers involved with the SBA program. This significant event is organised by TCSOs SBA Manager Karen Coulston, SBA Assistant Manager Karen White and SBA Administration Officer Leesa Van Zandbergen to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our school-based apprentices and trainees, as well as their employers, mentors and trainers.

SBA and Traineeship Vacancies

52/23: Years 10 and 11 - Certificate III in Individual Support – Ozcare Glenvale. Closing date is 1 November 2023. Workday - One day per week. Work experience is required. Applicants are to email resume and cover letter to Tanya at tanya.mcculkin@ozcare.org.au to arrange an interview.

50/23: Year 10 - Certificate III in Fitness – Fernwood Fitness. Closing date is 1 November 2023. Workday - Minimum 7.5 hours/week, as per roster (will include mornings and afternoons). Work experience is required. Applicants are to contact Kathie Long on 07 4637 8850 or email your resume and cover letter to Kathie.long@fernwoodfitness.com.au to arrange an interview.

49/23: Years 10 or 11 - Certificate III in Business – Fernwood Fitness. Closing date is 1 November 2023. Workday - Minimum 7.5 hours/week, as per roster (will include mornings and afternoons). Work experience is required. Applicants are to contact Kathie Long on 07 4637 8850 or email your resume and cover letter to Kathie.long@fernwoodfitness.com.au to arrange an interview.

48/23: Year 12 - Certificate III in Landscape Construction – Trademark Landscapes. Full-time apprenticeship offer. Please call Tom Michel on 0421 904 828 to arrange an interview.

47/23: Years 10 or 11 - Certificate III in Meat Processing – Millers Gourmet Meats. Closing date is 1 November 2023. Workday - One day per week. There will also be the opportunity to work afternoons after school and Saturday mornings. Work experience is required. Applicants are to contact Keenan Millers on 0448 533 626 or drop your resume into Millers Gourmet Meats to arrange an interview.

46/23: Years 10 or 11 - Certificate III in Hairdressing – Minx Contemporary Hair Boutique. Workday - One day per week. Work experience is required. Applicants are to contact Beau Minnett-Vesnaver on 07 4632 3055 or drop your resume into the salon to arrange an interview.

45/23: Year 10 - Certificate II in Supply Chain Operations – Reece Group Plumbing. Open until filled. Workday - One day per week and Saturday mornings. Work experience is required. Yes. Applicants are to apply through the link below:  Reece Group

44/23: Year 10 - Certificate II in Retail Services – Reece Group Plumbing. Open until filled. Workday - One day per week and Saturday mornings. Work experience is required. Applicants are to apply through the link below: Toowoomba West Reece Group

How to Write a Resume and Cover Letter that Stand Out

A resume and a cover letter are two essential documents that you need to prepare when applying for a job. A resume is a summary of your education, work experience, skills and achievements. A cover letter is a personal introduction that explains why you are interested in the job and why you are a good fit for the position.

To write a resume and a cover letter that stand out, you need to:

• Research the company and the job description
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific role and industry
• Use clear and concise language and avoid spelling and grammar errors
• Highlight your relevant skills and accomplishments with examples and numbers
• Show your personality and enthusiasm for the job
• Use a professional format and layout.

How to Prepare for a Job Interview and Impress your Potential Employer

A job interview is an opportunity for you to showcase your skills, personality and fit for the role. It is also a chance for you to learn more about the company, the culture and the expectations.

To prepare for a job interview and impress your potential employer, you need to:

• Research the company and the role
• Review your resume and cover letter
• Practice common interview questions and prepare your own questions
• Dress appropriately and arrive on time
• Be confident, polite, and respectful
• Listen carefully and answer clearly
• Follow up with a thank you email or note.

Kim Benvenuti
Acting Career Development Practitioner

2024 Darling Downs School Sport Calendar

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New Uniform Supplier

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