THE WAY (Term 3 Week 9 - 12 September 2022)
A desire to make a positive difference in the world has inspired three primary school STEM teams to win major awards at the 2022 STEM MAD National Competition. (6 September 2022)
A desire to make a positive difference in the world has led three primary school STEM teams to win major awards in Primary School Categories at the 2022 STEM MAD National Competition.
STEM MAD is a National competition that encourages students in Catholic Schools around Australia to address real-world problems through the lens of Catholic stewardship, solidarity, common good, citizenship, humanity and wellbeing.
The STEM teams from St Joseph’s Primary School, Laurieton, St Ambrose Catholic Primary School, Pottsville, and St Joseph’s Primary School, Port Macquarie, were selected to represent the Diocese of Lismore at the STEM MAD National Showcase in Melbourne.
St Joseph’s Laurieton team won the School Best Engineered Project and second place in the Best Application of Maths in Context for their Flood Warning System. In 2021 the school was ravaged by flood waters from overflowing drains. The team researched and designed a unique warning system that could alert the school when drain water rises to a concerning level.
St Ambrose Pottsville project ‘Helping Hand’ received the award for Demonstrating Catholic Ethos. The Pottsville team were keen to learn from the devastating Northern NSW floods, listening to the stories of the community's impacted people and designing an innovative App that connects people who need help.
While the Port Macquarie team was awarded the People's Choice Award at the Showcase, recognising the team's passionate research on the notable topic of accessible and fashionable clothing for people with limited mobility.
The STEM teams enjoyed the opportunity to display their projects proudly, explore other school projects and listen to inspirational speakers.
‘I am very happy that I took the opportunity to be part of the STEM MAD team at my school. I liked being able to work as a team and expanding my knowledge,’ said Matilda from St Joseph’s Port Macquarie.
‘I liked telling people about our design and what we have done,’ said Roman from St Joseph’s Laurieton.
‘My favourite thing so far has been the inspiring futurist speech and looking at the other school's projects,’ said Louis from St Ambrose Pottsville.
Congratulations to the STEM teams on their innovative winning projects. You can watch the student presentations below.
- Year 6 students - Louis Beamont, Olive Ostilla, Madeline Morgan, Eve Trimboli
St Ambrose Catholic Primary School, Pottsville
- Helping Hand App - Year 6 students - Jack Wilson, Roman Riethmuller, Adam Tunhavasana
St Joseph's Primary, Laurieton.
- Flood Warning System - Year 6 students - Matilda Coleman, Jackson Coleman, Gene Smith, Amelie Obeid
St Joseph's Primary School, Port Macquarie
- Adaptive Designs
Vanessa Walters has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching at St Brigid’s Primary School, Kyogle, commencing 26 January 2023. Vanessa is currently employed at St Brigid’s as the Leader of Pedagogy and the Leader of School Evangelisation.
Kelli-Ann Budgen has been appointed to the position of Assistant Principal - Mission at St Brigid’s Primary School, Kyogle, commencing 26 January 2023. Kelli-Ann is currently employed at St Brigid’s as the Leader of Curriculum and the Leader of Catechesis.
We congratulate Vanessa and Kelli-Ann on their appointments.
The consistent & deliberate promotion of a Catholic Worldview (CWV) in the curriculum is an effective means to enable students to achieve the fullness of life. The information and resources to support staff to permeate a Catholic Worldview across all KLAs are now found on the intranet; select Learning > Connecting Curriculum Through... > Catholic Worldview Permeation.
The Lismore Diocese HSC Showcase celebrates and captures the talents of our students, reflecting their creativity, innovation, technical skills and conceptual development. These projects represent the culmination of months of diligence and commitment by students, planning and designing, developing their skills and applying them to the task of creating inspirational and engaging works.
Spotlight On …
St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie (Industrial Technology)
Student: Chloe Cooper
Title: TV Cabinet
Although the TV cabinet appears to be traditionally square, everything from the carcase mitres, splayed base and draw design has incorporated a variety of angles which complicated the construction process of my Major Project. The cabinet is crafted from local Blackbutt timber and incorporates push-to-open and soft close Jarrah draws behind the distinctive patterns.
The annual goal setting and feedback processes through MyCOI are important processes for growth and development and will be required for all teachers (including part-time and casual teachers). The annual performance and development cycle is part of the AITSL Teacher Performance and Development Framework (TPDF). Principals use MyCOI as evidence of maintenance of accreditation; and evidence of work towards Proficient teacher Standard by early career teachers.
Please see attached flyer on 2023 Scholarship opportunities.
Information on employment opportunities within the Diocese of Lismore is available via Positions Vacant.
Existing staff should apply through the Internal Positions Vacant page on the intranet; select People & Safety > Recruitment > Positions vacant – internal site.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE
- Lead, Learning & Teaching - Secondary (replacement for Kurt Challinor)
- Technology Assistant (replacement for Daniel Wall).
SCHOOL
- Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching - St Finbarr’s Primary School, Byron Bay
- Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching - St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie
- Assistant Principal: Mission - St Joseph’s Regional College, Port Macquarie
- Leader of Inclusion and Diversity + teaching load - St Paul’s College, Kempsey
- Leader of Pedagogy + teacher - St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino
- Leader of Catechesis + teacher - St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino
- Leader of PDHPE + teacher - St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino.