QUOTE: “TAKE YOUR LIFE IN YOUR OWN HANDS AND WHAT HAPPENS? A TERRIBLE THING: NO ONE TO BLAME!”

Dear Year 11 Parents and Guardians;

A huge sigh of relief was heard as our boys finished their last exam, Mathematics, this afternoon. Our boys have been totally immersed in their Final Year 11 Preliminary Exams that have dominated these last two weeks. Darren Frost and I have been very impressed as to how the boys have applied themselves to their Studies. Mind you, Study has been tough for some as they drag their brain exhausted bodies back to the classroom to continue their vigil. It is not easy to sit day and night studying when your next exam may be two or three days away. It was just simply hard work and our boys have certainly put in. We have changed their program that sees a Morning exam; Lunch at Midday followed by a good hour and a half break with the afternoon session beginning at 1.33pm. The boys have enjoyed playing Touch, kicking the footy around or shooting a few baskets as a way to keep things in balance and burn off some energy. Actually it has been very pleasing to see the way many of them have routined themselves, with early morning training sessions being popular to kick start their days. Night Study also saw optional sessions introduced as we moved later into the second week, with a choice of movie/World Cup Rugby that the boys really enjoyed.

 The views from the exams have varied with some comments being: Geography – “Okay”; PD/H/PE – “Looong”, “Frantic”, “All okay but a lot of it”; while one of the Economics students declared, “I think I’ll be dropping that subject next term!” English received thumbs up but most were flat out in completing the 2 hour exam. Our Extension Maths students walked out of the exams with mixed responses of quiet joy and some loud declarations of “definitely only doing 2 unit next term”. I don’t know whether it was the last exam but the 2unit Maths Paper was well received by the boys with many claiming it was “Very Fair” I love their ratings or maybe their relief! Anyway, it is always hard to know how you went in exams but one thing for certain; our boys are really putting in an effort.

At yesterday’s Headmaster’s Assembly Ross challenged the boys to be young men who not only take responsibility for their actions, but also take responsibility for their decisions and their decision making. For our boys who have just finished their exams, they need to reflect, at some stage and honestly ask themselves whether they are presently doing all they can to make the most of the education you are supplying them; and they will need to take responsibility for these actions. Ross said he found it a sad situation when boys make a decision based on the premise that they will probably get away with their actions. As Wayne Bennett told the boys a few weeks ago, true character is what you do, and who you are when no-one is watching you. Ross went onto wish the Year 12 students all the best in their final week of the term as well as the GPS athletes all the best for this coming Saturday.

Our Senior athletes were then given their competition singlets for this weekend. The following Year 11 boys will be competing on Saturday – Zac Guilfoyle, Tim Palmer, Joe Callaughan, Hugh McLean, Sam Barclay, James Harrison, James Goldie, Alex Beasley, Ben Rodgers, Tom Martin, Josh Wilde, Laurence Nelmes, Tom Cleary, Magnus Heywood, Andrew Hookey and Josh Schwager. I wish them all the best in their events for Saturday. Whilst on Saturday just to remind you that all boys are to be in attendance, in their Full Blues and they leave Mark St gates at 8.30am. We will be back at the College be approximately 4,30pm, when the boys will have dinner and then relax until the Rally at 6.15pm. The Rally should conclude by 7.15pm when all dayboys and students with overnights may check off with me. It should be a good day, but it will be a long and looks like hot one for the troops.

Mr Greg Thompson, Mathematics Coordinator, then handed out the awards from the Australian Mathematics Competition, which has been running since 1976 and was held on the 4^th August with 600,000 students from the Pacific and S.E Asia region sitting for the Competition. The following boys were awarded a Distinction due to their efforts: – Nathan Salmon, Geoff Choy, Michael Lawler, Andrew O’Neill, Daniel Picone, Rob Sidaway, Jon Canturi, Tom Murphy and James Harrison. Congratulations to all these boys.

Our commitment to the Matthew Talbot Hostel continues with James Quinn, Conor O’Gorman, Callum Flitcroft and Alec Duffy attending on Friday, 9^th September and this evening, Jesse Fenech, Morgan Thomas, Max Hall and Hamish Elliot.

ONE FOR THE DIARY: “A message from year 11 parent reps: Our next parent social function will be held on Friday 2^nd December at Bayview Tavern in Gladesville. Please put the date in your diary. Details will follow next term.”

Next term the boys go on the annual Yr 11 Retreat, from Sunday 16^th October. As you know, Helen Smith has asked you to write a letter for your son, I have re-attached the guidelines of this letter as a result of numerous requests. Please keep it confidential from your boys

Jeremy

QUOTE: “SUCCESS IS DEPENDENT UPON THE GLANDS; SWEAT GLANDS!”

 Dear Parents/Carers;

The week has been one with some good life messages and experiences for the boys as they head into their exams which commence next Tuesday. On Wednesday Yr. 11 attended the funeral for Joe Fazio (’61). Now the boys had heard of Joe’s story earlier this year when he was asked to give the 1^st V111 their rowing skins before the Head of the River. As Joe was ill, with dementia, his wife, Di, who is on the College staff fulfilled this role on his behalf. Just to fill you in, Joe came to SJC from Taree in 1955; his father had died when he was 9. In 1959, when in Year 10, whilst on cadet camp in Singleton Joe and close mate, Michael Farrell came across a live ammunition shell which exploded, killing Michael and critically injuring Joe.  Despite this harrowing tragedy, Joe, showing tremendous resilience, finished his time at SJC strongly and along the way was in the 1^st V111 and 1^st XV in 1960 and 1961. After following his passion for rowing, Joe was selected in the 1968 Olympic Games in the men’s V111, which won a silver medal. Tragedy again revisited when a spinal injury, requiring extensive surgery cut short his rowing career. Despite this Joe lived out his life forging a successful business career with the Hilton Group and returning to coach our boys rowing in 1995. 13 years ago, Joe was diagnosed with dementia and the illness gradually ate away at him, making him dependant and a shell of his former self. Di explained to the boys that these setbacks had taught Joe resilience, perseverance and the need to follow his dreams and goals rather than wallow in self-pity and sadness. Di works with our boys in the Support Education Centre and she supervises Yr. 11 Office/dorms on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. We were sadly informed last Tuesday that Joe had died on Monday night. Whilst looking for someone to fulfil Di’s role in the dorms on Wednesday afternoon, I was quite amazed to find Di at the College and to see her coming down to our dorms after school had finished and, in her words, she simply said she could not think of anywhere else she would rather be at this time than around the boys.  I told the boys this and said the way they could best support Di, was by the way they presented themselves and participated in the Memorial Service. They did not disappoint. What they also saw, was what a wonderful woman in Di Fazio they have working with them. Despite the crippling illness which was slowly eating her husband away, she would always turn up here and go about her duties cheerfully and with a great sense of service and dedication. Life lessons I am sure did not go unnoticed by the boys.

A quick twenty minute break to have a can of coke and muffin and the troops were called upon to welcome a group of students from St Edmund’s School, Wahroonga which is a Year 7-12 co-educational special high school for teenagers with a wide range of disabilities including sensory impairment, intellectual disability and autism. Over the past four years, they have been coming to perform for our Year 11 students and then join them for lunch. The “Eddies Entertainers” were a most excitable group and danced two numbers, the Time Warp and Eye of the Tiger. Our boys were a wonderful audience showing great appreciation and acclaim for our visitors’ efforts. James Christie, Ross Davey and Nick Henry then played a piece of music which their guests thoroughly enjoyed and then Laurence Nelmes, Chris Spooner, Lewis Mullins and Andrew O’Neill played two pieces, the second a truly memorable version of “Stand by Me” with special back-up vocals by Brendon Follington, Andrew O’Neill and Ben Chaplin, which brought the house down! Our guests then joined us for lunch in our refectory. The boys were great in their care of our special guests right down to cutting up their meal for some of them. It was a wonderful experience with our boys’ hospitality to these special children and three Staff from St Edmund’s, lead by Margriet Shaw-Taylor, capping off a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

At yesterday’s Headmaster’s Assembly, Ross Tarlinton acknowledged the extraordinary efforts of plenty of our boys, which was exemplified in the recent Students Visual Arts Exhibition. Such efforts were examples of good choices made by boys. He then brought to their attention some examples of not so good choices which some make, abuse of drugs and alcohol, misuse of Facebook, turning it into “Facelessbook” and saying gutless things to bring down others and their character. Ross also highlighted the behaviour of some of our old boys on a five year reunion at the recent Newington rugby match and how they displayed behaviour totally against our principles when the Newington kicker was lining up a conversion and how this behaviour drew a favourable response from some of our boys in the crowd. He asked them not to be sucked into wrong choices and to think about what they stand for especially in relation to Facebook, Drug/alcohol use or abuse and making others feel safe.

Whilst on the Students Visual arts Exhibition Michelle Markuse, Acting Visual Arts Coordinator gives the following account –

“Last week was the opening of our annual student art exhibition. Each Year 11 student had their artwork on display. I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all Year 11 students who participated in this occasion. At the opening, I was struck by the sense of pride from the students and their parents. The exhibition was opened by our 2011 Artist in Residence Craig Waddell who commented on the high quality of the Year 11 artwork. It is a great honour for one of our year 11 artists each year to have their artwork selected for the Year 11 Art Prize. This year the honour went to Jesse Fenech and Harrison Gould. Congratulations to Jesse and Harrison on their hard efforts”.

Michelle Markuse

At our previous Assembly, two of our boys Matthew Hall and Max Hall presented to the College a wonderful initiative of recycling the food which is not consumed in our Dining Halls so that it does not go to waste. This project was initiated by Matt and Max and they are to be commended on their energy and thoughts and proactive behaviour in helping others less fortunate. Following is an account of Matthew’s address to the College:

Today I have been asked to introduce an initiative to you that we as a school have decided to undertake. Over the past few months Max Hall and I have investigated the possibility of minimizing the wastage that Joeys as a school produces and putting it to good use in the community. As everyone is well aware, after each meal there is often a lot of wasted food. Especially at dinner times, the wastage can be monumental with dozens of leftover trays of perfectly good hot food left from all of the 6 year groups. This food could be utilised in many different ways, but is instead often disposed of, serving little purpose. With this obvious problem in mind we were introduced to an initiative that could possibly provide a solution, called OzHarvest. Basically OzHarvest is a not for profit charity that collects leftover food from authorised caters such as Alliance who are responsible for the food at Joeys. This leftover food is then taken and distributed to those in need at centres such as Matt Talbot, youth off the streets and many other charities and centres across Sydney and the surrounding areas. By distributing our leftover food through this channel we can always assure that our food never goes to waste and is always put to good use. Here at Joeys, every morning where left over hot food is available from either the day before or those mornings OzHarvest will pick up the left over’s and distribute it out.  It is something simple, thoughtful and an innovative that our school community can participate in order to benefit the wider community.

A few people need to be thanked for their help and dedication, without which I am sure the project would never have become a reality. Also to Br Anthony Boyd and the college leadership team whose support has been invaluable to us in the implementation of this initiative, providing the framework for the project to quickly become a reality. Thank you must also be given to Mr Daniel Curran who introduced me to the idea last year.

We will now watch a short video on OzHarvest’s work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smH7jPPOrrE&feature=related

Whilst on boys achievements I would like to congratulate Tim Palmer who won the NSW AWD Cross Country Championships and came 2^nd in the National Championships which were subsequently held in Canberra. A terrific effort by Tim who also played in the successful 2^nd X1 Football whilst achieving this.

TWO ISSUES TO CONSIDER

I would like to bring a couple of issues to your attention and if we both deal with these issues together it will be for the benefit of our boys.

1.      DORM SENIORS / MARIST CHILDREN’S CAMP:

At the moment, some of our boys have applied for positions as Dorm Senior or the Marist Children’s Camp. There are 14 dorm Seniors who will be chosen and 35 Carers for the Camp. At the moment the number of boys who have applied far exceeds the number who will be chosen. I spoke to the boys last night about going for things, a part of life we all want them to do. I also said that when they do this, they need to be prepared to be acknowledged or chosen for the job, and they need to be prepared to miss out. If they are successful, be thankful, humble and take it in your stride, and carry out the role to the best of your ability, which you offered to do. It does not mean you are better than others around you or you are more important than others. Conversely, if you miss out, don’t take it personally, don’t withdraw into a shell, think you are not as good/important as others and begin to stop trying for positions. As we all know, knock backs are part of life, simply reload and refire. If we can do this from both ends, it will certainly assist the boys.

2.      FRIDAY NIGHT OVERNIGHTS:

With the culmination of the winter sport season a steep rise in the requests for Friday overnights has arrived. I would like to simply say, the strengths of the boarding model at St Joseph’s is that the boys have 5 nights of supervised study and at this time in their education they need these nights. I would be confident in saying not much work would happen on Saturdays, and, Sunday nights we have the boys do at the most, one hour of study after Sunday night Mass. To go from Thursday nights to basically Monday’s I think a boy would be in danger of falling behind academically and to give your son the best chance, I would like to ask that Friday nights be seen as another important night of study and any requests be kept to important family occasions such as birthdays etc. Requests to go out to see a mate play in a band, or to attend an ex-girlfriends birthday I will find quite difficult to support for the above mentioned reasons. Our boys do not always see this, but they need our guidance and I trust in your support and understanding in this matter.

Finally, to all the Dads, Happy Father’s Day for Sunday and have a great day (and weekend) with your sons and families. I will leave you with a quote I like regarding fathers:

“Small boys become big men through the influence of big men who care about small boys”.

Regards

Jeremy

QUOTE: Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat!”

Dear Year 11 Parents/Guardians;

Assessment tasks and English speeches have been the order of the day of late around the dorms. Plenty of requests to eat meals and leave the dining hall early to finish assignments, or attend 8.10am Maths classes have been very common of late. Plenty on, as just about all of our boys continue to work well to the deadlines. Nothing is going wrong but little bouts of stress are appearing with boys worrying about will I cope with the fast approaching exams and what subject will I drop? Please be assured, all very normal, but for some of our boys, the end of the world. They need reassurance and to be listened to, repeating back to them their own logical conclusion. This helps keep our boys looking at the positives and helping them to re-focus, maintain or re-kindle the work ethic that has sustained them in the past and certainly in the future.

The Opening of the Students Art Show is being held tonight. Our Art Staff are very excited with the quality of work this year that was equally praised by our Guest Judge, Craig Waddell who was our Artist in residence earlier this year. The display will be open from 9.00am – 1.00pm tomorrow, Saturday and 9.00am – 3.00pm on Monday.  Congratulations to all our boys for their outstanding efforts and wonderful talent they have, along with the confidence and freedom to express themselves in this very public domain.

Over the last two Fridays, on the 19^th August James Christie, Oliver Hartnell, Louis Jenkins and Jack Hamilton and today Gus Rae, Hugh McGinness, Nick Berney and Eddie Browne, maintained our service at Matt Talbot, thoroughly enjoying their experience.

Last week Father Andrew invited the following thirty boys to commence their training as Acolytes for 20011/12. The selection process was a difficult one with 58 boys applying for this role. Congratulations to the following boys on their selection Alex Bellato, Lachlan Aston, Joe Callaughan, Jonathon Canturi, Ben Carolan, Sam Clarke, Joe Coorey, Oliver Coorey, James Dressler-Smith, Hamish Elliot, Jesse Fenech, Callum Flitcroft, Matt Hall, Max hall, James Harrison, Tom Laban, Tim Litherland, Harry Maher, Will McManus, Tom Murphy, Alex Newsome, Conor O’Gorman, Andrew O’Neill, Tiger Parker, Daniel Picone, James Quinn, Alec Rainnie, Andrew Raumer, Josh Schwager and Ethan Shaw.  

On Wednesday we spoke to the boys about the process of the important role in the College of Dormitory Seniors. This group of 12 boys helps assist the Boarding Staff in the supervision of the Years 7 – 10 Dorms, providing them with wonderful leadership opportunities.  The boys are invited to nominate firstly and I must tell you, I have been pleased with the number of boys who have already nominated. This is a truly outstanding sign of the commitment our boys have to their College. Unfortunately, most of them will miss out but their generosity and commitment from the very outset deserves high praise. The selection process will commence throughout the next couple of weeks.

On Tuesday evening of this week, the Old Boys Union along with our Careers Counsellor, Mrs Lorna Charters, held Career Talks for our boys. Our boys nominated a series of careers they were interested in and over the night had the opportunity of sitting with people from a range of professions in the career fields of: Primary and Rural Industries; Graphic Design; Transport & Defence; Construction (various trades); Finance; Engineering, Science & IT; Entertainment & Arts; Health; Hospitality & Tourism; Media; Legal, Security & Government and Sports. Our boys really enjoyed the opportunity to sit down over two sessions, to listen and talk with people in specific profession. The boys commented how much they enjoyed listening to the various old boys talk about themselves, highlighting the paths they took to get to the stage of their career, sharing with our boys their life experiences along the way. A wonderful initiative and greatly appreciated by all.

Wednesday of last week our Engineering Studies students witnessed the practical application on the manufacturing processes behind braking systems and engine operations, with an enjoyable day at Eastern Creek International Karting Raceway.

Last weekend marked the end of the Winter Season. It is hard to believe it is over, but certainly the efforts all boys and coaches have made indicated that there is nothing much left to give. There were two big weekends for the boys to finish on, and we were all very impressed with the manner in which our boys conducted themselves both on and off the field at Riverview and last weekend for the final home match against Newington. Although with no silverware to be put on display from any of our senior teams, the valuable experience our boys have been exposed to definitely places them in a position to play a very significant role in next year’s competitions, providing they put in the hard work over term four and in the Christmas break. On both weekends we were blessed with great weather and great footy on the rugby and football fields to conclude our winter season and this was finished off with our Winter Sports Rally in the evening.

Our Year 11 Senior Cross Country representatives, Matt Hall, Gus Rae and Sam Clarke completed a very solid 2011 GPS Competition. Over the season, injury plagued our boys and it wasn’t until the last round that the fully fit team all competed, taking out 2^nd place in the last Carnival to secure their 4^th placing over the season. Congratulations to our boys who gained many honours and to their coaches, Mr. Craig Attwater and Mr. James Gray.

Six Year 11 boys were part of the Firsts & Seconds Football Teams. Congratulations to our First XI representatives: Ed Dudley, Magnus Heywood, Matt Alessi and tom Booth along with their coaches, Mr. Craig Sharpley and Mr. Darren Frost on a very sound season, where they finished off with an excellent 3 – 1 victory over  a strong Newington side, who were playing for the Premiership. As a result of this, Scots won the GPS Football competition.  Also Harry Maher and Tim Palmer, members of the Second XI who finished second to Newington, a team they beat 1 – 0 in their final match. Congratulations to coaches Mr. Lee McMaster and Mr. Miguel Nunes, who produced a fine season with their team. A big thanks to Football Convenor, Mrs. Sue Tracey, who helps in producing the continual development of Football at Joeys.

The Rugby Season for the College saw Joeys win two-thirds of the 248 competition games played this Season. What also must be taken into account was that over a third of the fixtures this season saw our teams play against a team of a higher grade. Congratulations to our 10 Yr 11 boys who were selected to play in the 2^nd XV – Kian Heffernan, Ben Carolan, Oliver Bartlett, Alex Newsome, James Harrison, Jack Watts, Andrew Hookey, Ben Rodgers, Tom Cleary and Hugh McLean. Seven of these boys at some stage of the season were also selected to play for the 1^st XV. The 1^st XV consisted of 7 Yr.11 boys and Tom Robinson, Josh Schwager, James Goldie, Tom Murphy, Josh Kay, Sam Barclay and Josh Wilde gave the College and it’s supporters many memorable moments this year, none more so than a stirring effort to scare the life out of the eventual Champions, Riverview, two weeks ago. And, as mentioned before they and many other boys have had some valuable experience for them to do something very significant next year, providing they are willing to put their heads down and work hard.

WAYNE BENNETT

We were all extremely lucky have the opportunity to listen to an address by Wayne Bennett last Monday. All sport was called off and the college went to the hall to listen to Wayne’s address. Many pearls of wisdom for the boys and I have included for your reference as well some of what I believe would be very beneficial for our young men:

There is more to life than yourself, learn to care about relationships with other people. Treat everyone with equality, no-one is better than you, but teach yourself, you are not better than anyone else.

The most important thing is not about your career, but the type of man you want to be. What do you want to stand for?

He spoke to the boys about chasing their dreams. He left school at 14 and he had 3 dreams which lead to three crucial decisions:  1) Join the Police Force: here he thought he could make a small difference and it would challenge him. 2) Play Rugby League for Australia – his father had left home when he was 9 and his mother had never seen him play. 3) Not to drink alcohol – he had seen too many drunks and he did not know what type he would be; the violent one or one who regrets what he says the next day. He also had seen the way alcohol affected his father and he did not want to let his mother down after all she had been through.

Don’t dream you will never be the person you could be.

True ability is not being better than the other person, it’s being better than your previous self.

Don’t lie to yourself. Do you say you’ve done your best when you know you haven’t?

Teach yourself. You are your best teacher. Teach yourself to stop looking at what you don’t have. Teach yourself to start looking at what you do have.

I am not going to take any notice of criticism from someone I don’t respect. But, if someone I do respect criticises me and it is justified, I will make the change. If not I will get on with my life.

VALUES: 4 values which are non-negotiables:

1. TRUST: Do you trust yourself in all situations and circumstances that you will do what’s right?
2. RESPONSIBILITY: Do you take responsibility for yourself or do you blame others?
3. CHARACTER: What do you do/who are you when no one is watching you? How hard do you work when the boss/coach/teacher is not looking over your shoulder?
4. EXCUSES: the ability not to make excuses.

SELF DISCIPLINE: The ability to make yourself do the things you don’t want to. Best example he has known – Darren Lockyer.

I hate doing “sad”; it’s the highway to no-where.

My goal- is to get out of bed every day happy. I will be happy if I’ve done my best the day before, and acted with self-discipline and character.

Value your own opinions. Other people’s opinions are important but you must value your own.

You will never be confident young men if you are happy to live in a comfort zone. You must do things that challenge you.

Stand for something. Stand for you!

Overall it was a great experience for the boys and plenty of pearls of wisdom which if we feed them with from home and school, will certainly benefit them.

DEBATING REPORT: The following is a report from our 1^st Debating Rep. Harry Maher:

The senior debating teams this year has had a strong Year 11 representation, with seven of the ten spots being filled by our year; Oliver Coorey, Hamish Elliot, Max Hall, Daniel Harrington, Tim Litherland, Harry Maher and Tim Palmer respectively. The GPS competition finally began in week one of term three after two terms of preparation and a holiday debating camp, and the practice showed as all three teams pushed Sydney Grammar, last year’s champions, right to the wire and were unlucky to come away with defeats. As the season has progressed all speakers have expanded in confidence and skill, and despite setbacks and the constant battle against pre-conceived adjudicator prejudice towards Joeys, the firsts managed a memorable victory against Sydney Boys High, while seconds and third have both recorded two victories out of five over Riverview and Newington respectively.

A variety of topics have been debated, including Facebook, Chinese miners, Afghanistan, female judges… just about anything, from apples and oranges to revolutions, with teams consistently reversing from staunch fascist to radical left-wing loony’s within the space of one week- but then again, that is part of the skill. And through these topics, we have gradually gathered momentum and are now looking to end the season on a high. This must be accredited to the coaches, Mr Pietriche, Mr Bentley and Mrs Bradridge for their commitment and guidance through-out the season, to the boys themselves for their effort in training and on Friday nights, and also to the growing crowds who have turned up to watch us debate; it is a great advantage and privilege for us to debate to a full theatre of Joeboys. With promising potential for the next season of debating, we can hope and dream of finally bringing the coveted Shield back to joeys, and breaking the 33 year drought against Riverview in the next year.

As we tell ourselves after each debate, when we come so close to winning but are just denied, anyone can give up; it’s the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that’s true strength.

Even with Spring in the air, we certainly haven’t escaped the usual bugs and sickness amongst our boys. We have been hit reasonably well so much as to keep the Health Centre very busy. Probably information mainly for new parents, the doctor visits the College daily to check on our sick or injured boys. I do give timely reminders to our boys about the importance to wash their hands before eating and covering up coughing and sneezing with a handkerchief or tissues. Little but equally important things.

I have attached the weekend’s sporting fixtures for your assistance, take care and enjoy your weekend with your families.

Regards

Jeremy

QUOTE: “Did is a word of achievement, Won’t is a word of retreat, Might is a word of bereavement, Can’t is a word of defeat, Ought is a word of duty, Try is a word of each hour, Will is a word of beauty, Can is a word of power!”

Dear Yr. 11 Parents and Carers;

Week 4 has come around after a busy weekend for many of our boys who made the trip to Armidale, where they acquitted themselves on and off the field very well. There has been a cold/cough doing the rounds which has laid quite a few of the boys low, and basic hygiene, as well as ventilating the dorms has been stressed to them to help minimise their chances of being affected. I spoke with our boys at our Division Meeting on Wednesday complimenting them on their consistency and ability to slog away at their work. At the moment assignments are becoming due with a huge amount work going into Senior Geography Projects; Business Studies Plans, Biology, English, Ancient History assignments, let alone our seventeen Accelerated Maths students who have just completed their HSC Maths Trials. All we can see around us is hard work that is something many of our boys are very familiar with but still the demands and time commitment being asked of our boys is new territory for some. I stressed to them to make the most of and enjoy their journey and at all times ensure they give their best to each day and, if they are feeling too swamped, talk and we will do all we can to help them out. The following is a reflection which we took time to consider as it has a valuable message for them all: –

¨  How strange it is, our little procession of life! The child says, “When I am a big boy”. The big boy says, “When I grow up”. And, grown-up, he says, “When I get married”. Then, when retirement comes, he looks back over the landscape traversed; a cold wind seems to sweep over it; somehow he has missed it all, and it is gone. Life, we learn too late, is in the living, in the tissue of every day and hour.

Yesterday, our seventeen Year 11 Accelerated Maths boys completed their HSC Mathematics Trial Papers. These boys are doing the Accelerated Maths course that they commenced at the beginning of Year 10. After testing at the beginning of last year, the class was selected and began their tuition under Mr Thompson. The boys basically complete their three years Maths Program from Years 10 –12 in two years. The major benefit is in their final HSC year, allowing for more time dedicated to their other subjects. Though many of the boys may re-sit for the exams in 2012, the experience they gain is also of huge benefit. We wish Henry Brindle, Ethan Chin, Geoff Choy, Oliver Coorey, Ed Dwyer, Hamish Elliot, Harrison Gould, James Harrison, Michael Lawler, Nathan Le, Derek Lo, Harry Maher, Tom Murphy, Alex Newsome, Daniel Picone, Oliver Roberts and Seth Turnbull all the best of luck in their HSC Mathematics studies.

Last Friday saw our 1^st Debating side, which Harry Maher is a member of; score a terrific victory over Sydney Boys High, the first one in seven years. Our boys in the Seconds and Thirds were not so lucky but acquitted themselves very well. Last Friday also saw our wonderful service to the Matthew Talbot Hostel for Homeless Men continue with Vincent Salinos, Julian Paul, Magnus Heywood and Oliver Coorey, going along to serve the evening meal to the guests of the Hostel. Tonight, Mackenzie Broom, Ben Pedley, Max Honner and Cameron Haddad will travel out with Miss Stambouliah for this wonderful experience.

I would also like to commend Matthew Alessi for his recent selection in the Combined GPS 1^st Football side who were victorious in their match against CAS, 2-1. Well done Matthew.

During the past week two of our Indigenous students, heath Green and Anthony Baker were fortunate enough to travel to Uluru and Gove respectively. Heath relays the following:

“On Thursday July 28^th I went to Uluru, for an Aboriginal youth leadership program (IYLP). Me and another student were chosen to go to represent St Joseph’s College and because I was given a scholarship from the Smith Family last year. The highlights of the experience wasn’t only to see Ayres Rock but to meet people from every state in Australia. And also listening to inspirational stories from many aboriginal people who have struggled through their lives but managed to get back on track and keep moving forward. On the trip we did many activities to help build our leadership and character such as putting up a tent blind folded, also to get to know the people that were on the trip and their backgrounds. We also went to see another place. Kata Tjuta which is not far from Uluru and I walk through the Valley of the Wind. On Saturday night we watched a very inspiring documentary which Uncle Bob Randell made about the Aboriginal people and a story about his life. Then on the last day we had to wake up at 4:00 in the morning to go and catch the sun rise at Uluru and walk around the base and see artwork that have been there for over hundreds of years and many sacred sites. The highlights of my experience were learning how to be a leader and learning from other people on how to do so. And meeting people that you had never seen before in your life and getting to know them. And also seeing Uluru”.

Anthony attended The Garma Festival, this is located in Gove (Nhulunbuy) Northern territory.  Anthony was asked as by the Australian Defence Force to represent the Army and St Joseph’s College as a key speaker at the Defence Indigenous Development Program (DIDP) Forum. On the 7^th of August he was asked to give a speech about his life before joining the DIDP in 2009 and coming to Joeys in 2010. In Anthony’s words : “From this trip I have gained pride of being an Indigenous Australian and being part of Joey’s history, culture and heritage. Also Academic Excellence & Cultural Integrity, which was the key theme of the whole weekend”.

This weekend will be another great test for our boys with a full list of fixtures in Round 6 of the GPS Competition against Riverview, which by now you all would have received. There will be plenty of exciting matches commencing with the debating on Friday night followed by the sports fixtures on Saturday. Just a reminder for those of you whose sons are going on overnights or gatherings to other friends places, please make contact with the parents of where your son is going, and if you are unsure of contact details I am more than willing to assist. I would also like to thank those parents who have had gatherings, for letting me know the details of the night, so that I can communicate this to parents of our country boys. If we all work together to look after, direct and ensure our boys are safe at weekends, it will be for everyone’s benefit.

This Sunday is the Family Mass that will be held in the Brother Emilian Hall where boys are to be seated by 9.50am. All boys are to be present in their full Blues. This will be followed by Jazz on the Lawn which you can use the following link to find out more of what is a great way to fill in your Sunday morning if you can:

                                http://www.joeys.org/newspublicationsevents/news/JazzontheLawn.cfm

The boys will be free then to leave after marking off with me at 11am and then Full Boarders and Weekly Boarders, returning Sunday night, are back by 8pm for this weekend. I would also like to draw to your attention the copy of the Welcome Newsletter, which has been attached, that Ross Tarlinton sent to all families at the beginning of the year. I would like to bring to your attention the section ‘Holiday Plans During the Year’ and ask any of you, considering taking your son out of school during the term to adhere to the listed requirements.

Take care and enjoy the weekend with your families.

Regards

Jeremy

QUOTE: THE PROPER OFFICE OF A FRIEND IS TO SIDE WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARE WRONG. NEARLY EVERYBODY WILL SIDE WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARE RIGHT!”

Week two has come and basically gone and all boys now are well and truly back into their regime. I commended the boys how they dealt with the wet week and the changes to last Saturday sport. With the skies clearing, it was good to see them back out on the fields this week to burn up some built up energy.

A Highlight of the week for me was watching the boys putting their Business and entrepreneurial skills to work at the Business Studies Expo. Miss Beatrix Vincz and Mr David Drain ran this day, and the boys were asked to create their own Business venture, advertise it and explain its aim, what it provides and how they would finance and run the operation. A wide variety of ventures evolved such as Adventure Holidays, Restaurants and Hotels, Security, Confectionary, Sports Apparel and Supplements, Street Luge and the customary Personal Training company to name a few. It was great to see the boys being the drivers and propagators of ideas and services and getting out of their comfort zone to push what they believed to be a valuable business venture. Check their work out in the photos.

Our Year 11 Drama students worked tirelessly over the holidays preparing for their performance of the Roy Murphy Show that has been performing this week. A take of the 1970’s Rugby League program, Controversy Corner, under the direction of Mr Patrick O’Shea, saw the cast and crew put on a really enjoyable and humorous production. The cast of Michael Thompson, Jason Ren, Chris Belsey, Brendon Follington, Lawrence Nelmes and Morgan Thomas, along with four talented young ladies from Woolich and the crew of Luke Donlon, Lewis Mullins and Chris Spooner produced a thoroughly enjoyable night’s entertainment. Congratulations to Pat and his cast and crew who capped off an outstanding production.

Week Two was a very busy one for all of our TAS students spending many extra hours in the Wood and Metal work rooms as they put on the finishing touching to their major works for the year. The TAS Display Night is being held tonight and it will present the great work of our students with many a candidate for Young Inventors Awards. The highlight of the night is the Year 12 HSC major works that will certainly provide our Year 11 boys with lots of food for thought. Congratulations must go to the boys for presenting their work so well and to Mr Drewitt-Smith and the TAS Staff for putting on the night.

The Ministry Work of our boys continues again at Matthew Talbot Hostel with Will McManus, Daniel Picone, David Ryan and Lachlan Cairns serving the guests today. Tom Laban is to be commended for fulfilling the important role of Leader of the Yr. 8 group at Colo this week, even more impressive was he did this on his own due to HSC commitments of the Accelerated Maths boys. Chris Spooner gained a second place in the Ryde Eisteddfod on Tuesday, well done.

On Wednesday evening our boys received an Invitation from Father Andrew and Ms Helen Smith to apply for the positions of Acolytes; certainly important roles in leading our College liturgies. Boys were invited to write a letter of application that is due in by Wednesday, 3^rd August for this important role. This is the first sign of our boys now preparing to take over the leadership of the College, as our Year 12 boys become more engrossed in their HSC Trial exams.

At yesterday’s Assembly Ross challenged the boys to consider the tragic events witnessed this last weekend in Norway. He asked us all to pray for the people of this country and the families whose lives have been changed forever by this evil human moment. He implored the boys to, at all times, show dignity and respect for all human life and reject any form of fundamentalism, especially the misguided path taken by some that cannot be described in any other way than evil. Again, this is a time that we give thanks for the world we are fortunate to experience but at the same time not being naïve enough to believe that such evil is not also on our doorstep. Boys should never engage in any form of ideological fundamentalism regardless of how innocuous it may appear to be. This starts in how they act and treat each other in the dorms and classrooms and at all times around the College.

Our Cross-Country team were presented with their competition singlets and well done to Sam Clarke, Matt Hall and Gus Rae for being selected in this team. Congratulations to Tim Palmer for qualifying for the National Cross Country Championships.

Five of our boys achieved High Distinctions in the Australian Schools Geography Competition. 90,000 students from 800 schools took place in this competition and Ross Davey, Joe Duffy, Brendon Follington, Declan O’Donahue and Sean Quigley are to be congratulated on their achievements.

Br Anthony then spoke to the boys and told them of an experience he had when he went to Notre Dame, whilst living in Chicago for a year. Unable to gain a ticket (along with Bill Clinton),  to watch the College Gridiron team play as the 90,000 seat stadium was sold out for the year, Brother went to the pre-match rally the night before the game. Here addressing the crowd of a few thousand Notre Dame supporters, Lou Holtz, highly regarded football coach offered 5 points he believed were fundamental for success:-

• Take pride in making sacrifices.
• Get rid of excuses; too many offer excuses for short comings.
• Stay focused on what you want for extended periods of time.
• Believe in yourself; your team, your teachers. Be trusted to do your job.
• See/imagine yourself being successful, achieving what you want.

Good advice for all the boys.

Tomorrow is Round 4 of the Winter Competition season, with most teams playing Kings so there will be plenty of good tough matches for the troops and tonight our Debaters away at Parramatta. Whilst on this, just a reminder that the fixtures against Riverview has been brought forward in time, so now the 1^st XV match will be at 11:15am with the 2^nd XV at 10.00am and the 1^st X1 will play at 9.00am with the 2^nd X1 match commencing at 8:00am.

Marie Carney, from our Yr 11 Parent reps would like you to pencil the following occasion into your diaries, Friday 5 August we continue the tradition of our Annual Lunch at the Woolwich Pier Hotel.  Please find the attached invitation with details and rsvp to marie@ogormanlawyers.com.au. The RSVP date has been extended to Wednesday 3 August 2011. Thanks to Marie for doing this and hopefully a few can knock off early and make it.

Whilst on gatherings the College Foundation would like to draw your attention to the following Rugby Dinner:

“On Friday, 19 August, St Josephs College Foundation will celebrate 130 years of Joeys achievements at their “Men of Rugby” dinner, and invites you to get join with Matt Burke, Kurtley Beale and other Wallaby and Waratah legends for a fantastic evening. Hosted by award winning Sky News sports reporter James Bracey, guests will be treated to a three course meal, drinks and entertainment. A live auction of a few very special items will also be conducted on the evening.

Tickets to the dinner are $150 per head. A limited number of Premium Tables (seating nine or ten guests) are also available for $2,000, and will be located in a front of house/premium location and include the option of having a special guest (e.g. Wallaby or Waratah player) seated with your guests for the evening. Individual tickets can also be purchased, and if you indicate your son’s year group we will arrange a table for you.

All proceeds from the evening will go towards supporting the St Joseph’s College Capital Appeal: Realising the Vision”.

Tickets can be purchased in two ways:

Online through the Joeys shop

or

Download a booking form

Want more information?

Contact Joanne Wilson (SJC Development Office) on email events@joeys.org or  telephone: +61 2 9816 0958. 

So that ends another week in your sons’ lives, next Monday sees some of our boys sit the Trial HSC Accelerated Maths paper and we wish them all well. Take care, enjoy your weekend with your families.

Regards

Jeremy

QUOTE:  “THANK GOD – EVERY MORNING WHEN YOU GET UP – THAT YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WHICH MUST BE DONE, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. BEING FORCED TO WORK, AND FORCED TO DO YOUR BEST, WILL BREED IN YOU A HUNDRED VIRTUES WHICH THE IDLE WILL NEVER KNOW!”

Dear Parents/Guardians;

Welcome back to the new term and I trust your break with your sons was an enjoyable and productive one. The above quote was most applicable for many of the troops, and yours truly, after a lengthy winters break, but as usual the dorms were humming along again with plenty of energy and enthusiasm after the first night. The boys returned in great spirits well rested and with many stories about their Ministry Week experience, and it has been a full month, with Ministry Week dominating the last week of Term Two, since our boys were in class.  I’m sure the long sleep-ins, and this period of time which the holidays provided, enabled our boys to rejuvenate, refresh and re-group.

Throughout the holidays though many of our boys worked on a whole range of extra-curricula activity from Drama to Sports. Our Year 11 Drama Production spent three days with Mr Pat O’Shea at School in the Drama Theatre with our Ski Team competing as well as our GPS Rugby Representatives having a busy schedule to complete on their way to Australian selection. Congratulations go to Sam Barclay who was selected in the N.S.W. 2^nd XV and Tom Robertson who was selected in the Combined States side to compete in the National Schoolboy Rugby Union Championships in Brisbane. Congratulations also to Josh Schwager for his deserved selection in the N.S.W. U/16 Schools side to compete in this age groups National titles during the next holiday period.  Daniel Hughes qualified for the State Skiing Titles with his outstanding effort in the recent Sydney Interschools Championships at Thredbo.  Many of our Hospitality students completed their Work Placement and once again, it was great to hear the stories the boys told of their experiences.

We are still receiving most complimentary letters about our boys’ efforts while on Ministry Week. I have enjoyed the various anecdotes from the boys after working with the aged, poor or disabled. None more so than the following from Oliver Coorey:

“My Ministry Week was spent at Westmead Hospital, helping with the jobs in the volunteer department and I could not have thought to have gotten so much out of the experience as I did. I helped out in all areas of the hospital; helping people to wards, running messages, helping in the Geriatric and Emergency wards, and all of these areas taught me something that I had not yet realised. I met people who were living with cancer or tumours or other really horrible illnesses and diseases, however these people were among some of the most cheerful and optimistic people I have ever met.

There was a man who played in the Premier League in England, who was in for one of his twice-weekly total blood-transfusions. He told me all about his experience and how he actually was an academic by nature and we spoke for nearly half and hour about mathematics and soccer amongst other things.  I was in awe at how calm he seemed and how interested he was in my opinions and the conversation, even though right next to him, his blood was literally being swapped.

I was taught that happiness is not in health, but rather in the acceptance of the situation. I was taught that if you do look towards the positives and the good that has come of where you are, then it is always easier to be happy in that place. I learnt that in the most depressing situations there is always a way to remove the sadness and I learnt that the most important key to happiness is not in the wealth or self-gain, but rather in the giving back to others, even portionally so much that they have given to you”.

Well done to all our boys on doing so well. Some of the stories, though not proclaiming great enjoyment, have really pushed our boys out of their comfort zones, in working with the aged and people less fortunate then themselves. I do hope the stories you shared with your son’s experience were enlightening for what has been a most successful experience. Many thanks must go to Ms. Helen Smith, Mrs. Mary Fogarty and Fr. Andrew, for organising this tremendous initiative.

The Ministry Work still continues as we resume again at Matthew Talbot Hostel with Andrew O’Neill, Dom Price, Lewis Mullins and Jackson Whiting serving the guests this Friday night.

Despite these holiday activities, at our Year meeting yesterday, Darren and I stressed the importance of starting well and getting immediately into their solid routines as this is their last term of Year 11, concluding with their HSC Preliminary Course Examinations. This time next term the boys will have commenced their Year 12 studies and starting well will be imperative. In saying this, we also want the boys to enjoy the journey, set realistic but challenging goals and keep a well balanced approach to their remaining terms here at Joeys. They must also remember that they are never alone in this exciting time for them, and there are many here on hand who will do whatever they can to help your son along the way.

At our Headmaster’s Assembly today Ross returned after taking a break during term two, which allowed him to not only spend more time with Lorna, but head overseas and see how other Boarding Schools run. And, whilst enjoying this experience, he added, he was very glad to be home!  Ross pointed out to the boys, that during his time away one thing which interested him was observing the young people and what it was that made them happy….. the simple things. Simple things enjoyed and the simplest things done well. Walking home at night in Morocco and watching groups of youngsters playing with a flat soccer ball, other children playing cards and other simple games, all having a great time. He encouraged our boys to concentrate on finding joy in the simple things in life. He also encouraged the boys to focus not on what we can’t do, but on what we can do…… in our relationships, class and sport and all the time appreciate greatly what we have and the greatest joy is often found in the simplest of moments in our lives. Wise words for all our boys.

We also welcomed our six new Gap students from England and Ireland. This is a wonderful opportunity that our boys can apply for next year. Fifteen of our Class of 2010 are spending this year helping at varying schools all over the UK. It is becoming increasingly popular and not a bad way to spend their first year out of school as they decide what path they may take in their future.

Our 1^st Debating Team were presented with their ties at the Assembly as they commence their first round against Grammar tonight. Special congratulations must go to Harry Maher for his selection in the 1^st Team. Tim Litherland, Hamish Elliot and Max Hall are also to be congratulated on their selection in the 2^nd Debating Team. We wish all of our Debaters the best of luck for their GPS season.

Nine of our boys were then presented with their Defence Technical Scholarship, which is awarded to Year 11 and 12 students, intending to pursue an ADF general entry technical trade career after completing Year 12. Year 11 recipients will receive $2000, paid over two semesters and successful Year 12 students will receive $3000, paid over two semesters. 2000 such scholarships were awarded, so the following boys did remarkably well – Anthony Baker, Alex Beasley, Declan O’Donahue, Andrew O’Neill, Daniel Picone, Peter Ritter, Max Westacott, Curtis Witt and Christian Zizza.

With this deluge that has hit over the past few days there may be some changes to the competition round with Grammar tomorrow. I will keep you informed with any such changes, but in the meantime do your best to stay warm and dry and have an enjoyable weekend.

Regards

Jeremy