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Gemma Murphy

Youth Coordinator Vacancy – The Wyong Catholic Parish

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The Wyong Catholic Parish invites you to join their team as a Youth Coordinator working up to 4 hours per week. The role does allow for flexibility with the working schedule, however you’ll need to have availability for weekends and evenings.

This is an exciting role where you will build and maintain a parish youth group, encouraging young people to engage and participate in parish youth activities, ensuring a sense of fun, community, belonging and faith for the youth and young adults in the parish. You’ll work to build a strong youth network and collaborate with like groups and organisations as well as encouraging, supporting and assisting volunteers to assist in the youth ministry.

Please apply by sending a CV and brief cover letter addressing role requirements via email to wyongparish@bbcatholic.org.au

Applications close Friday 3 March.

First Class 22

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Yesterday a few current and previous St Brigid’s Teachers went to the opening of the First Class Art Show at the MAC – Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie in support of Year 12 2022 Student Erin Marini. Well done to Erin on her achievement and Year 12 body of work.

Since 2009 First Class has celebrated and showcased the exceptional standard of work produced by HSC Visual Arts Students from the Hunter and Central Coast regions. A Museum of Art and Culture, yapang initiated project, this unique exhibition continues to be a highlight of the yearly calendar. Selected from submissions produced in the previous year, the exhibition continues to embrace the diversity of media and techniques that represent the wide scope of the NSW HSC Visual Arts syllabus.­

Presenting the work of skillful young artists in a professionally curated gallery setting, audiences are able to experience the richness of local talent and the voice of youth. Employing a variety of visual imagery and techniques, many of these artists have turned inward to explore the impact of their world and their response to it. Themes of family, memories and the importance of home are distinctive concepts that connect us all. Intimate works explore complex connections to place and identity, youth, personal relationships and culture. A deep connection to nature is also explored with symbolic interpretations commenting on environmental impacts and ecological responsibilities.

Visual Arts places a high regard on how students develop an informed point of view, encouraging diversity, empathy and inclusion. Those selected for First Class 22 have excelled in these areas and their voices are heard throughout the exhibition. Whilst many works explore serious concepts and weighty issues, many have celebrated the fun, quirky and whimsical. This exhibition honours the wonderful talents of our local HSC students of 2022 and we commend their work and vision.

Curated by Cormac O’Riordan, Karen Gilbertson and Kate Endacott

Practical advice for starting secondary school

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“It’s common for kids to have some challenges with the transition to high school. One in three children say they found the transition difficult. These difficulties usually resolve during the first year. ”

Going to high school: what to expect

Children often have mixed feelings about starting high school. They might be:

  • excited about new friends, subjects and teachers
  • nervous about learning new routines, making new friends or even wearing a new uniform
  • worried about handling an increased workload or being bullied.

You might also worry about these issues, and about whether your child will have the confidence and skills to handle them.

These worries are all normal. Secondary school also means a move from the familiar to the unknown, and a whole new way of doing things.

Relationships

Your child will need to meet new peers and make new friends, and establish or re-establish her position within a peer group.

Schoolwork

Your child will need to adapt to new teaching and assessment styles, cope with a wide range of subjects, adjust to having different teachers in different classrooms, become more responsible for his own learning, manage a heavier study and homework load, and learn a new and more complex timetable.

Getting around

Your child will have to adjust to a new school campus, find her way around, get to class on time with the right books and materials, and possibly cope with new transport arrangements.

All the issues above might be particularly challenging for some young people living in rural or remote communities. For example, they might need to manage lengthy travel times or move away from their family, friends and the local community if attending boarding school.

When children are making the move to high school, parents have the biggest influence on how smooth the transition is. Your child’s friends do influence how your child feels about the move, but your support has longer-lasting effects.

Preparing to start high school

You can help to ease any worries your child has about starting secondary school by preparing your child in the months and weeks before term begins.

Here are some ideas for dealing with practical issues:

  • Many primary schools run high school transition and orientation programs in the last term of primary school. If possible, make sure your child is signed up for these programs and is at school on the days they’re happening.
  • If your primary school doesn’t run a transition program, find out what transition services and supports your child’s new high school offers.
  • Involve your child in decision-making. For example, you could try talking together about school uniform decisions, transport to and from school, and subject choices, if they’re offered.

Here are some ideas to deal with mixed feelings and worries:

  • Talk with your child about what he’s most looking forward to and what he’s worried about. Really listen when your child shares his feelings about secondary school.
  • Listen to your child’s worries, but also get her to look at the positive things about the move. For example, you could highlight the new opportunities your child will have by talking about extracurricular activities your child could choose at the new school.
  • Talk with your child about friendship worries. For example, you could ask what your child’s friends are saying about secondary school. You could also talk about how your child might keep in touch with old friends and make new friends at high school.

During the transition to high school

Here are some ideas to help with the practical side of the transition to high school:

  • Try to arrange for a parent, grandparent or other close adult to be home before and after school for the first few weeks of transition.
  • Find out the name of the teacher responsible for your child’s overall care, attendance and social and academic progress. This person might be called a home-room teacher, home-group teacher, year advisor or pastoral care teacher. Make personal contact with this person as early as possible to introduce yourself and ask questions.
  • Try to make your home as comfortable for study time as possible. For example, make sure your child has a quiet place to study, away from distractions such as the TV or a mobile phone. When the internet is necessary for study, you might want to keep an eye on the websites your child is using.

These ideas might help with worries about getting to know people and making new friends at high school:

  • Find out whether there’s a buddy system at your child’s new school and encourage your child to be involved in it.
  • Let your child know that new friends are welcome in your home. Encourage your child to invite new friends over, or be ready to transport your child to their houses.
  • Help your child explore new opportunities. Learning a musical instrument, trying a new sport or joining a drama class are great ways for your child to meet other kids and get involved in school activities.

You could try these suggestions for handling emotional ups and downs:

  • Be prepared for early ups and downs. Adjusting to change takes time, but if things don’t stabilise after the first six weeks, talk to your child’s home-room teacher in the first instance.
  • Remind your child that it’s normal to feel nervous about starting something new – for example, you could share how nervous and excited you feel when starting a new job.
  • Talk to other parents to check whether your child’s experiences and feelings are similar to those of others. Sporting and school events are a good place to meet other parents.
  • Try to make sure your child eats well, gets plenty of physical activity and gets plenty of sleep. The change to secondary school is likely to make your child more tired at first.

Your feelings about your child starting high school

Your child’s transition to secondary school is a big change for you too. Your relationship with your child’s primary school might be ending, and you’re likely to have a different sort of relationship with your child’s secondary school.

It’s OK for you to have mixed feelings about these changes.

Talking to other parents, particularly those who have gone through high school transition, often helps. It might ease your mind to know that many children find things a little hard at first but settle in during the year.

Also, other parents who are experienced at the school can often answer small questions and give you helpful tips about how things work at your child’s new school.

And don’t be surprised to find that your child doesn’t want you to be as visible at his secondary school as you might have been during the primary years. Remember that he’ll still need your support outside of school, and that it’s all part of the way he develops greater independence.

Signs your child might be having difficulty

Signs your child might be struggling include:

  • a lack of involvement in the new school
  • little or no talk about new friends
  • refusal to talk with you about school
  • little or no interest in doing homework
  • low confidence or self-esteem – your child might say she’s dumb or stupid
  • no desire to go to school, or refusal to go
  • a drop in grades or academic performance.

If your child is having trouble, don’t wait for things to improve on their own.

Try to get your child talking about how he’s feeling, let him know that his feelings of worry and discomfort are normal, and see whether you can work out some strategies together. Also consider speaking with your child’s teacher, guidance counsellor or GP.

 

Transitions for children with special needs

The transition to secondary school is sometimes more challenging for children with special needs. It’s important to ensure that your child – and your family – are adequately prepared for the change, and have access to appropriate information.

You might need extra time to plan your child’s transition to secondary school – even starting up to a year ahead. Student welfare services at your child’s primary and secondary schools will play an important role in ensuring your child’s needs are supported.

If you’d like additional support or have concerns, you can seek advice from your child’s teacher, school principal or learning support team. Also contact disability services in your state or territory.

Student Achievement Isaiah R

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Isaiah R of Year 10 is proving to be an all-round athlete. Last weekend Isaiah entered in the Billigence Pathways Championship Series Triathlon out at Penrith. This particular event consisted of a 750m Swim, 20 Km Bike Ride and 5km Run. Congratulations to Isaiah on completing this event, we wish the very best for all future Triathlons and we look forward to hearing and sharing your success, Isaiah.

St Brigid’s Presentation Night 2022

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St Brigid’s Award

The St Brigid’s Award is the premier award of the College. This year’s recipient has shown themselves to be a person who has positively engaged in the holistic experience St Brigid’s offers in the spiritual, academic, social and co-curricular domains. This person exemplifies a generosity of spirit in their contributions to College life, and their call to discipleship is lived through the College values of Compassion, Courage, Stewardship and Wisdom.

Surf Life Saving

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Inflame Surf Lifesaving Bronze and Surf Rescue Certificate

During Term 4 the students have taken part in a program run through INFLAME on Wednesday’s to gain these awards. The community partnership between St Brigid’s and The Lakes Beach Surf Club continues to reap mutually beneficial rewards that we expect will grow even stronger in the years ahead.
 
It’s wonderful to watch the students gain in confidence and skills (surf, first aid, radio communications) and teamwork over this period of time. After the completion of the assessment, our College Captain Ben presented the new recruits with their red and yellow patrol caps. Ben also achieved his training officer’s certificate.
A big thank you to Johnny, Gary, Leanne, Amy and Greg for all their support, time and knowledge preparing our students and to our very own Paul N for his time and support of this program. Current students Harmony F and Trinity F also assisted the group, providing additional water safety and encouragement. A real team effort!
We wish all the newest members of Lakes Surf SLSC all the best over the school holidays on patrol and we appreciate in advance the service you provide to the community. Well done!

Jewish Museum Excursion

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Jewish Museum

Year 12 students had an insightful time at the Jewish Museum this past week.

The program we participated in specifically addressed HSC Modern History outcomes.

Students had the opportunity to meet two amazing Holocaust survivors named Jack and John.

Year 10 Urban Experience

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Urban Experience

Year 10

This outdoor experience has become an integral ‘rite of passage’ experience for St Brigid’s students in Year 10 as they transition from the junior years of their high school education. Students are challenged to move out of their comfort zone to participate in an extended urban experience that will contribute to the formation of resilient, adaptable and confident young men and women.

Through the Year 10 Urban Experience, students were provided with an authentic learning opportunity that requires them to plan and navigate their way around Sydney and fulfil a range of mission, education, leisure and future-focused activities.

Workplace Encounters

Group 3

Kind words – St Mary’s Cathedral

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Kind words from a parishioner from St Mary’s Cathedral

Last week students from Year 10 attended an urban experience down in Sydney, we received some kind words regarding our students.

“To the Principal

I attended the 1:10pm Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral yesterday (Thursday), which I do on a regular basis, and a large contingent of students from St Brigid’s College were also in attendance.

You have every right to feel very proud of your students. Their attendance and participation in the liturgy was reverent and devout, and their manners were impeccable.

Congratulations to all your students on the dignity that they displayed yesterday. I wish them all the best in their studies and in their Christian faith journey.

I also wish you and your staff the very best in your educational mission. It is obvious from your students that you are making a significant difference in their lives.

God bless,

Parishioner