Dear Families and Friends of St Edmund’s College

During the month of November our Catholic Bishops have asked that we dedicate our prayers to the farmers and communities of drought affected areas of outback Australia who are in desperate need of sustained rain.

In many parts of rural Australia the drought has been the worst in over a hundred years. While there has been intermittent relief for some communities, there is still a great need for more rain. Vast crops have been destroyed and livestock are dying under the weight of horrific drought conditions. In some places dams have literally dried up and water transported in by truck. Livelihoods and communities are at breaking point. They need our prayers.

At home around the table while sharing a meal, at family gatherings, when you are with friends or on your own please take a moment to say a prayer for rain.

Staffing News

I am pleased to make the following staffing appointment announcements for 2020.

Middle Leadership Appointments

• Ms Natalie Henness – Acting Director of Senior School replacing Mr Ben Litchfield (Leave)
• Ms Tara Newlands – Acting Head of Department: English replacing Ms Jean Yates (Leave)
• Mr Jason Randall – Responsible Thinking Classroom Coordinator

Teaching Appointments

- Mr Craig Cronan – Religious Education/English/History/Geography
- Ms Robyn Taylor – Mathematics/Science
- Ms Rachael Campbell – Inclusive Education
- Ms Hashina Tarafdar – Physics/Mathematics/Science/Religious Education
- Mr Christopher Pender - Business/Accounting

School Officer Appointments

• Ms Kerri Jendra – Finance Officer
• Mr Christopher Scott – Information Technology School Officer (commencing November 11, 2019)
• Mr Blake Kirkham - Information Technology School Officer (commencing November 11, 2019)

Staff Departing

Please be informed of the following staff who will be leaving the College at the end of the year. We thank them for their outstanding contribution to St Edmund’s College and wish them well in the future.
• Ms Louise Baldry – Family moving interstate
• Mr Anthony Walsh – Casual Relief Teaching
• Mr Sam Sprenger – Currently on leave and accepted a teaching position at Padua College
• Ms Madelyn Hall – Accepted a teaching position at St Laurence’s College
• Mr Matthew Yates - Accepted a teaching position at St Laurence’s College

Teachers on Leave in 2020

The following teachers will be taking leave in 2020
• Mr Ben Litchfield
• Ms Jean Yates
• Ms Paula Turner
• Ms Natasha Teitzel

Industrial Action commences in Queensland Catholic Schools

As stated in a letter sent to all parents and caregivers yesterday please be advised that members of the Queensland Independent Education Union (QIEU) have commenced exercising their legal right to take protected action work bans from Thursday, November 7, 2019.
This will involve Catholic schools across Queensland including St Edmund’s College, Ipswich.

The protected action work bans will include wearing a campaign badge; non-attendance at specific meetings; playground and transport supervision; supervision of cover lessons, except those involving student and staff welfare and/or safety matters. The protected action may also involve an unlimited number of stoppages of work for 30 minutes duration or for a day.

The College has made alternate arrangements to ensure that classes and scheduled activities will continue as usual during this time of industrial action. Should there be any major changes to the normal operations of the school day or planned scheduled activities resulting from the industrial action, parents and caregivers will be notified.

Please be assured that the educational wellbeing and safety of our students is our highest priority.

If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact the College.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Year 12 - Skool2Skoolies riders on a final training run

Prayer

O God, in Whom we live and move, and have our being, grant us rain, in due abundance, that, being sufficiently helped with temporal gifts, we may the more confidently seek eternal gifts. Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen

https://www.catholic.org/praye...

Live Jesus in our hearts - Forever

Diarmuid O’Riordan, Principal

This week I received the heart-breaking news that the father of a dear friend had passed away. The family had been celebrating a birthday together on the weekend, when at the age of 59 he suffered a heart attack. It has come as a shock to the family and their circle of friends to lose a loved one so suddenly.

It is in moments like these that we are reminded of the sacredness of life. As the term draws on and we all become more weary and tired, it can be easy to become distracted. In the busyness it can be like we are holding our breath, waiting for what is to come. Rather, we need to remember to find some time each day to pause and appreciate the blessings around us.

November is the Month of Remembrance. It is a time to recall in our thoughts and prayers those we have lost. It is a time when we are called to pause and pray, but it is also a time when we are called to act. Many of us feel a deep grief in losing a loved one. Finding a way to honour their memory can be slow and difficult. Maybe there is something you can do to honour the memory of those who have gone before us; light a candle, participate in the Walk to Remember (Monday 11 November, 7.15am, Memorial Hall Honour Stone), purchase a gift for our Christmas Appeal, do something for someone else that your loved one may have done.

Prayer for those we love

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. Amen

Christmas Appeal

Inspired by our own Touchstones, we are proud to partner with an organisation that seeks to build a better world for those at the fringes of our community. The St Vincent de Paul Society envisions an Australia that prides itself on its strong sense of justice and compassion. They aim to stand in solidarity with people who are living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage. Along with Vinnies, we are looking to bring about a greater awareness of the structural issues that give rise to inequality, which is why we have launched the Christmas Hamper Appeal.

This year we will be supporting 55 families from around Ipswich. Each of our 48 homerooms will collect a hamper along with teams of staff from around the College.

Along with this there is a Giving Tree in the Learning and Teaching/Identity Reception. The tree has eighteen tags remaining, for the children of the families we are supporting. If you would like to purchase a Christmas gift for one of the children featured on our Giving Tree, please contact Claire Currey on 3810 4453 or apmissionassistant@sec.qld.edu.au Children are aged between 3 and12 years.

Term 4 Highlights:

Walk to Remember: Monday 11 November - 7.15am - RSL Memorial Hall Honour Stone, 63 Nicholas Street, Ipswich
On Remembrance Day 11 November, St Edmund’s and St Mary’s Colleges will participate in the Walk to Remember before school. More information is available in the flyer with this newsletter. All students are encouraged to participate.

Year 12 Valedictory Mass and Dinner: Tuesday 12 November - Senior Photo 5.30pm - Mass 6.00pm
The Valedictory Mass, which is part of our College farewell ritual, will be held at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 12 November, commencing at 5.30pm with the Senior cohort photo outside the church. This is a special event for the community and all Year 12 families are invited to the Eucharistic Celebration. Places for the Valedictory Dinner are restricted to Year 12 families only. Please ask your son to see his House Dean for further clarification.

Year 12 Final Assembly - Friday 15 November 2019

On Friday morning, 15 November, the Year 12s will have their final roll call and assembly where staff and the rest of the students will have a chance to bid them farewell.

Although parents and close family are most welcome to attend the assembly, due to room restrictions we will have difficulties accommodating/seating people. Seating for parents and direct family, i.e. siblings and grandparents, will be available from 8.00am when St Edmund’s staff will invite parents to move into the hall. Please help us in this situation by ensuring that space is for immediate and direct family members only. In the past it has been hot, so please bring a water bottle and dress appropriately for the conditions.

Live Jesus in Our Hearts - Forever

Marysia Rice, Assistant Principal Identity

On the Pupil-Free day this term the College held a staff Professional Day for those members not on a Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) panel, or involved with the 2020 Year 7 Orientation Day.

The day began with teachers completing the QCAA Authority Academic Integrity Unit which promotes skills in working with students around assessment. Year 11 teachers attended a workshop on further preparation for external assessment and resources to assist with this. Staff had the opportunity to prepare for teaching Year 11, now Year 12 students, in the skills for external examinations.

The day concluded with a presentation about a review of the Affective or Behavioural aspects of College reporting. The College Curriculum Committee consisting of Mr Celegato, Ms Whyte, Mr Marin, Mr Litchfield, Mrs Callaghan and myself as Chair, reviewed the Affective Domains of College reporting. Currently they consist of Application to Study; Participation in class activities; Ability to work independently and Behaviour and Attitude.

REPORTING REVIEW

The St Edmund’s College Curriculum Committee review of reporting culminated in linking the Affective Domains – which are descriptors about the students’ attributes as a learner - to the Eddies’ Men Can program in the College through the four “R” attributes – Respectful, Resilient, Reflective and Responsive. This will provide a whole of school, integrated approach to the Pastoral and Learning and Teaching aspects of the College. These domains will feature in College reports in 2020.

The new Affective Domains are linked to evidence based research about attributes of a good learner with a focus on improvement.

Reporting 2020 Summary of Affective Domains

Affective Domains are those descriptors which describe students’ attributes as a learner – how they go about their learning.
Respectful: Shows respect for self and others and their right to learn
Resilient: Is persistent in taking responsibility for his learning particularly when experiencing difficulties
Responsive: Actively engages in a variety of learning environments
Reflective: Seeks and responds appropriately to feedback provided

Exams and Assessment

All students should now be focused on completing assessment and preparing for exams.

Year 12 – Reporting

I remind parents and caregivers that Year 12 students do not receive reports from the College at the end of this semester as they receive a Senior Statement directly from the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority.

Best wishes.

Carmel James, Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching

As you would be aware St Edmund’s College operates a text book hire scheme for the benefit of all students at the College. The success and viability of this scheme is contingent upon the timely return of textbooks in good condition which allows for their redistribution to students for use in subsequent years. Unlike other schools, we do not charge a levy or require students to purchase texts separately. Often these costs are in the vicinity of $250 to $400.

To assist us with the maintenance of the scheme we require your support in ensuring that your son’s textbooks are returned in good condition and in accordance with the timelines set out below.

Dates for return of textbooks NOT needed for exams:

Years 7, 8, 9 and 10: Friday 15 November
Year 11: See below
Year 12: Thursday 31 October 2019

Textbooks Needed for Exams:

On the day of the timetabled exam – textbooks should be returned to the library before the exam.

Final Dates for Return of Items:

Years 7, 8, 9 and 10: Thursday 28 November
Year 12: Monday 11 November - ***All textbooks must be returned or paid for before going on the Year 12 outing on Wednesday 13 November

Year 11 Students

Units 1 and 2: Textbooks to be returned immediately.
As requested by Heads of Department, Year 11 students studying Units 3 and 4 are required to keep textbooks for study and revision over the holidays.

Return dates for these texts will be 3 September 2020.

As you would understand we require students to return all textbooks before the end of term, by their due date or before student departure from the College. Their prompt return allows for cleaning, bagging and replacement arrangements to be made for the next year.

Ms Christine Roche, Book Hire Coordinator

Apprentice shortages

The national skills needs list for apprenticeships identifies traditional trades that don't have enough skilled workers to meet demand. A wide range of occupations are listed, including:

• aircraft maintenance engineers
• bakers
• bricklayers
• electricians
• joiners
• optical mechanics
• telecommunications technicians.

The Queensland Government offers a range of incentives to encourage employers to take on more apprentices. Read more about apprenticeship training and financial help that may be available if you are thinking about starting an apprenticeship.

Job Search Sites

The Australian Apprenticeships Pathways (AAP) website has a comprehensive list (with links) to general and specific job search websites that may also relate to apprenticeships and traineeships. Visit the AAP website to access the sites.

Preparation - the key to a successful job interview

It is wise to prepare for a job interview whether the interview is for a cadetship with a large corporation, an apprenticeship with a local builder or a checkout job at a supermarket. Your preparation should include thinking up job interview questions and how you might answer them. A good resource to help you with this can be found on the Career FAQs website.

SRJ Walker Wayland Cadetship Program

SRJ Walker Wayland is a Queensland based accounting, audit and advisory firm with offices in Brendale, Brisbane, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast. The firm is now accepting applications for its 2020 cadetship program. A cadetship incorporates study with paid work experience. The SRJ Walker Wayland Cadetship Program is open to Year 12 students and first-year university students who have or are planning to apply for an accounting, business or dual degree including one of these majors. You can download the Cadetship Guidelines Form and the Cadetship Application Form from the website. Applications are now open and can be submitted by emailing it to careers@srjww.com.au

Queensland Government: Fee-free vocational training for Year 12 graduates

This Queensland Government program supports Queensland Year 12 graduates in transitioning to employment by providing fee-free training for Certificate III qualifications in high priority vocational areas. Find out more on the Queensland Government Training website.

Career Exploration

Videos about jobs

If you don't know anyone working in a job that you are interested in, then watch a video about the jobs. Visit the myfuture YouTube channel for videos on a broad range of occupations.

Tertiary News

Scholarships

Check out UQ's Scholarships for 2020

UQ invites future students of 2020 to apply for a wide range of scholarships that would assist in making the transition to university. Scholarships are categorized as either Academic and Equity, Sporting, Residential College or faculty based. Offerings change frequently so view the full list of opportunities here. Closing dates vary for each scholarship. The deadline for academic scholarships for 2020 are closing Sunday 17 November 2019. These are open to both Year 12 and gap year students. Click here to read more about the scholarships and to apply.

General scholarship information from Griffith University

Griffith and its partners provide more than $40 million annually, to support students as they complete their degrees. Over 600 scholarships are available to new and continuing students whose success at University would benefit from direct financial support. Scholarship closing dates vary so check on the website for individual scholarship closing dates.

SAE Scholarships

SAE Australia offers a range of domestic scholarships to assist students during their studies. Each year SAE supports exceptional applicants by offering a range of scholarship opportunities.

• A Full Creative Media Scholarship,
• a Full Indigenous Scholarship,
• three Partial Creative Media Scholarships and
• one Partial Masters of Creative Media Scholarship

Scholarships are only available for domestic students completing Year 12 in 2019 and commencing study for the February 2020 Intake. Scholarship applications close 31 October 2019. Click here for more information

Scholarships from the Griffith University Business School

Business students are invited to apply for the suite of prizes, awards and scholarships on offer to assist them with their business studies. For high achieving school leavers, the Chancellor’s (Business) Scholarship offers full-time Griffith business students up to $20,000 for a 4-year double degree. To read more about the Griffith Business School scholarships, search ‘Business and Government’ on the scholarship webpage.

UQ Engineering, Architecture and IT scholarships

If you are thinking of studying Engineering, Architecture and IT then you may be interested in applying for the following scholarships:

The Liveris Academy Undergraduate Scholarship valued at $10,000/annum for up to 6 years

Agility Applications for Regional QLD ICT Scholarship valued at $8,000 for 1 year

Kathy Hirschfeld Scholarship for Women in Engineering valued at $5,000 for 1 year

Leeanne Bond Scholarship for Women in Engineering valued at $5,000 for 1 year

Western Australia Alumni Regional Scholarship for Engineering Valued at $5,00/annum for up to 4 years

WSP Scholarship for Women in Engineering $8,000 for 1 year

The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Excellence Scholarships $3,000 for 1 year

USQ scholarships closing soon

USQ offers scholarship opportunities for students of all backgrounds and stages of their tertiary education. There is likely going to be a scholarship to fit your circumstances. The main round of scholarship applications will be closing on 31 October 2019. Click here for a full list of scholarships on offer at USQ.

Assistance schemes

The following are the various assistance schemes that can be applied for through QTAC. It is wise to read about each scheme to see if you are eligible to apply. They all have different advantages, but you must apply for them prior to you receiving an offer.

Financial assistance: There are several government, institution and private schemes that can provide financial assistance to students.

Special admissions schemes including:

• Year 12 subject scheme
• Access and equity schemes
• Regional preference schemes
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander schemes
• Elite athlete and performer scheme
• QUT elite athlete special entry scheme
• Griffith University elite athlete program
• Access USC elite athlete adjustment scheme

Other special admissions schemes.

Click here to find out more information about the various schemes.

Deadline for written statement and online assessment requirements for education courses

Students applying for entry into tertiary education courses for 2020 must submit written statements through an online questionnaire to address suitability criteria for the course. These form part of their QTAC application. These statements must be submitted before the QTAC documentation due dates (see Key dates on the QTAC website. You must have submitted your statements by 6 December 2019 for the 23 December 2019 and the 13 December 2019 for the 15 January 2020 offer rounds. Visit the QTAC website to view a Fact Sheet explaining what is required in the written statements.

Pathways to university study

While an OP is still the most popular pathway to gaining entry to your preferred university course, it is not the only pathway available in Queensland. If you don’t achieve your university course goal straight after Year 12, this is not the end of the road. There are many upgrading pathways available to you. Several tertiary institutions have web pages dedicated to the alternative pathways to tertiary studies.

• Australian Catholic University – Pathways and Entry Schemes
• Bond University – Pathways to further study
• CQUniversity – English, Work and Study Preparation
• Griffith University - Pathways
• James Cook University - Pathways to University
• Queensland University of Technology – Helping you get into your course
• TAFE Queensland – University pathways
• University of Queensland – Pathways and Bridging
• University of Southern Queensland – Pathway Programs
• University of the Sunshine Coast – Uni Pathways and Preparation

Also, check out the Upgrading Pathways page on the QTAC website. Note that some of the pathways are specific to the institution listing them. You should always check that the institution you want to go to accepts the pathway you are thinking of choosing.

Private Providers

IML-UQ: Study a foreign language during the holidays

Students commencing Years 11 or 12 in 2020 can study enrichment language courses in German, Japanese, French, Chinese (Mandarin) and Spanish at the University of Queensland’s Institute of Modern Languages (IML) Summer High School Program from 13 – 17 January 2020. These courses are suitable for students who wish to enrich their knowledge of the language and culture they are currently studying in high school, and to practice their language skills. For further information and to enroll, visit the IML website.

SAE Information night

SAE are opening the doors to their state-of-the-art Brisbane campus on Thursday, 28 November, from 6pm-8pm. You can check out the facilities and equipment, meet with lecturers and ask any questions they might have about studying at SAE before the next intake in January 2020. If you are considering studying creative media (Animation, Audio, Design, Film, Games, or Web & Mobile) you will be able to speak to the SAE experienced team and learn how you can pursue your passion in this dynamic and expanding industry. Activities on the night include:

• See demonstrations of current and past student projects from all disciplines, including recently published student games, screenings of short films from the animation and film departments, diverse graphic design portfolios, and audio production projects
• Get answers to questions about getting started with SAE
• Complete enrolment paperwork

Click here to register to attend the Info Night and go in the draw to WIN* a PlayStation®4!

Workshop at the Queensland School of Film and Television (QSFT):

QSFT invites interested students to their next ‘Introduction to Directing’ workshop to be held from 9 am – 1 pm on Saturday 26 October 2019 at the Annerley campus, 22 Warwick Street. Read more about the workshop here.

Mr Mark Currie, Careers Counsellor/Adviser

It has been a busy week of preparations for tonight’s Combined Colleges’ Cultural Showcase. This event will give senior students and the co-curricular ensembles of St Edmund’s and St Mary’s Colleges, a chance to perform in a concert environment for one last time this year. It will be held in the McAuley Centre, St Mary’s College. There will be an art gallery viewing from 5.30pm with the concert kicking off at 7.00pm. This is a wonderful night of entertainment not to be missed. Please come along and support our talented students.

Thank You

As the Showcase will be our last major Performing Arts event for this year, I would like to thank all of the students in these performances. Many hours of rehearsing contribute to providing performances of an extremely high standard. Our ensembles would not be of the high standard they are without our students putting in this time. I would also like to thank the instrumental tutors and staff involved in the Performing Arts program throughout the year.

Instrumental Lessons

Students are reminded that there are still two more weeks of instrumental lessons left for the year. Please make sure you are turning up to your lessons. You must let your tutor know if you have an in-class assessment item preventing you from attending your lesson.

Mr Tim Kirkwood, Director of Music

Mon 11 Nov: M Glen, L Ash, J Just

Tue 12 Nov: K McKew, A Harding, S Vince

Wed 13 Nov: C Sammut, D Schmidt

Thu 14 Nov: D Sanders

Fri 15 Nov: J Marsh, K Evans

A case of ringworm has been reported in the College.

Information is available from the Queensland Government website:

http://conditions.health.qld.g...