Often we are asked, "how much is homework should my child be doing?"

Firstly, there is always something to do for homework. If your child is in the junior years, they should be reading, working through their Maths pathways modules or doing Word Flyers. Of course teachers will set homework and this may be completing work, doing some research in preparation for a lesson to come or students could be working on common tasks at home as well as at school.

Senior students should spread out their homework and study evenly between their subjects. Again, their will be certain times when the volume of work may be greater than usual. Obviously, leading up to exam times and assessment periods, there will be an increase in the load. Having two hours (or more) of work to do if your child is a senior is not unusual, especially in the Preliminary and HSC years.

The diary does provide some guidelines for recommended time but it may be the case that at times students may need to spend more than the usual time on home study and tasks. Obviously if your child is regularly struggling to complete tasks, you may need to support them by looking at how they are organising their time. Are they sitting with their phone by their side as they do their work? This is a big distraction and best used only in breaks. Students should have their homework and assessments written in their diaries to help them plan for what is due. An idea might be to go through the diary with your child and help them plan for the week ahead.

U Turn The Wheel

Year 11 students will be involved in Driver Education at the UOW Shoalhaven campus on 23 July. This day is provided as a joint initiative between Rotary, NSW Police, Shoalhaven City Council, Red Car Driving, Bendigo Bank and the University of Wollongong.

Student Achievement and Involvement

Year 11 students continue to engage positively in school, community and sport. Special acknowledgement to the following studies.

Paige Clark and Madeleine Robinson - involved in the Senior Dance Troupe.

Riley Jarrett - Refereeing for Sussex Inlet Primary School Soccer Gala Day.

Lauren Singleton, Madeleine Robinson, Izabella Barak, Ruby Clark and Daniru Jayasuriya - involved in the school Working Bee.

Jiah King and Alyssa Giles-Smart - doing Acknowledgement of Country for community organisation.

Beau Buckpitt - Travelling to Sumatra for Coaching Camp in preparation for July State Titles.

Shaeli Hall - Travelling to Melbourne for Acrobatics Championships and the success from her Las Vegas trip.

Phillippa Carroll - performing at the Culburra festival.

Aroha Spillane - chosen in the AIS Training Squad for Rugby Union.

Kyara Simms - presenting to Commonwealth Bank staff on Reconciliation Week.

James Foster and Paige Clark - presenting to the school their experience on Outward Bound.

Well done to all these students!

Ms Sarah Blades
Year 11 Coordinator

Congratulations

A huge congratulations to all of Year 12 for their participation in the athletics carnival. It was great to see so many students dressed up in house colours and cheering each other on. Congratulations to all the house captains who organised and led the house cry’s. This was a great day for the year group and thank you to everybody who made an effort to make it a special day.

Year 12 Earth and Environmental science class went on an excursion where they are studying environmental issues facing the Shoalhaven. This excursion was run by the volunteer group riverwatch, and looking at river bank restoration. Year 12 Biology students are also pictured whilst experimenting during class. 

Foundation Day

Looking forward to Foundation Day, I hope that the students enjoy their last foundation day. Thankyou to all the students for their efforts in organising stalls and to the students who are helping run the showcase at the end of the day.

Mr Nick Garner
Year 12 Coordinator

Student Report

Year 12 is making the best of there last couple of months at school! With not long now until our graduation we have been enjoying our 'lasts' at St Johns like our last sports carnivals, photo days, foundation day etc. This term has consisted of many things. There has been a strive for dedicated study throughout the grade and finding a stable balance between school and social life. The many extra curricular achievements throughout the grade have include the initiatives for those involved in jag, pax and the vinnie's group who are making a difference in our social justice aspect of the school community. There has also been many sports achievements for our awesome athletes like Sophie Phillips who has been playing representative AFL for NSW. Amongst our somewhat talented musical grade there has been some smash out jam session with Mr Garner as well as with Father Duane at his farewell mass. This was lots of fun with a mixture of music and non-music students getting in and having a go to enjoy a good time jamming out and playing some tunes. Those involved in Youth Alfa have also connected with their spirituality and religious growth, embracing this integral aspect of our school community. Finally rigorous dancing practice for those in the dance troop, oh and also those who performed 'magic fountain' at foundation day, has been a highlight for the grade with the senior dance troop achieving  first place in the recent dance eisteddfod. 

Bonnie Butler
Year 12

Hospitality

Both Year 11 and 12 classes have had the opportunity to gain “real life” catering experiences as they prepare and serve staff morning tea. While Year 12 have been responsible for plating and serving. So far this year all students have prepared food items to be served.

Construction

Construction classes have been using their skills to make Foundation Day Flag Stands and have recently completed their first competency, Task 1 - Oil stone case. They have now started work on their next competency task.

Workplacement

Congratulations to All Year 12 students who  have now completed their 70 hours of workplacement hours. A special thank you to the following businesses for hosting our students and helping them to transfer their classroom learning to the workplace. Our students benefit from this in so many ways and the growth in skill level and confidence is clearly visible. Further, they have gained valuable employability skills that can be transferred to any workplace in the future.

Many thanks to: Bomaderry Bowling Club, Espresso Warriors (Canberra), Pilgrims Huskisson, 5 Little Pigs Huskisson, Deli on Kinghorne, The Huskisson, Osborne House, The Butter Factory, Zest Cafe, Star City Sydney.

Mrs Leone Frank
Vet Coordinator

National Sorry Day 

2019 National Volunteer Week - 23rd May 2019

Indigenous students Jiah King and Alyssa Giles-Smart attended National Volunteer week, well done! 

Marine Rescue Session

Tony Dagger from Jervis Bay Marine Rescue spoke with the Year 10 Marine studies classes about water safety and volunteering in this worthwhile community organisation.

Illawarra Careers Expo

All Year 12 students attended the Illawarra careers expo at Berkeley on Tuesday 7 May where over 120 exhibitors were all under the one roof. The exhibitors included many universities, private colleges, TAFE, major employers, defence force and rescue services.

Primary Immersion Day

On 27 May twelve Year 11 students undertook a primary school teacher immersion day with a Year 5 class at St Michael’s Primary School. All students, both big and small, had a wonderful day of learning and engagement.

White Card

All workers on construction sites are required to have a white card (including work experience) and the school will organise the running of these courses when we have 20 students registered. Expressions of interest need to be made to Mrs Hill and when the course runs the students will be individually informed.

Positions Vacant

A casual position available in the Zoo Souvenir Shop/Café. For students up to Year 10 with a bright and bubbly personality that has confidence in speaking with customers. It is definitely a multitasking job, that during school holidays becomes very busy and fast paced. Need to be available for School Holidays, and some weekend work.

All applications can be emailed to Katie Dowling (katie@shoalhavenzoo.com.au) by Saturday, 8 June 2019.

Upcoming Events 

Future Finders Day

A opportunity for Year 10 students at attend UOW shoalhaven campus and undertake selected lecture and TAFE session on Thursday 13 June.

Taste of TAFE

Year 10 and 12 students can attend Nowra TAFE and attend sessions on Thursday 20 June.

Shoalhaven Careers Expo

All Year 10 students will attend the Shoalhaven Career Expo at UOW Shoalhaven campus on 2 July, during My Business @SJE week. The expo will be showcasing local employers, employment agencies, defence force recruiting and local industries.

University of Melbourne - Interstate students information day

The University of Melbourne information day for interstate students and their parents Information Day for Interstate Students [study.unimelb.edu.au] at Parkville campus on Friday 12 July from 8:30am – 6:00pm. Must register to attend.

Work experience

Students can undertake work experience during the school holidays by completing the student workplace learning record form (4 page document) available from Mrs Hill or the student foyer, please return the paperwork at least one week prior to the work experience to ensure all insurance conditions are met.

Year 10 work experience with the Shoalhaven City Council will be available by applying for positions on their website which will be opened up 6 weeks prior to our work experience dates of 9 - 13 Dec 2019.

Mrs Carla Hill
Careers Advisor

Vinnies Band Concert & Bake Sale

The School community came together to support the Vinnies Bands and Bake Sale. Many teachers and students donated a gold coin to attend the lunchtime concert.

Thank you to our talented musicians who provided an enjoyable concert, students who contributed by baking delicious treats to sell at the stall and the Vinnies Team. We are now able to contribute these funds to support the Vinnies Van that provides warm meals to those in need in our wider community.

Ms Vanessa Kidson
Social Justice Coordinator 

Another busy few weeks of Rep Sport, with our Boys Netball and Rugby League teams competing in their gala days, along with our Boys Tennis side playing in Bathurst and of course the school Athletics carnival.

Netball

A record number of St John’s Boys represented the school in Netball last week. Mainly facing each other, the boys also competed against Kiama High School. Well done to all players on the day, for being open to learning new skills and trying a new game. Many improvements were made as the games progressed. Coaches Mr Leishman, Mr Gray, Mr Watson and Mrs Frawley applauded the boys for their performance, sportsmanship and behaviour on the day. Thank you to the female students who assisted as coaches and umpires on the day: Madison Carr, Shania Campbell-Cooper, Darci Edwards, Georgia McAlister, Georgia Carr, Kayla Rayes, Mikaeli Chapman, Grace Smith, Isabel Goodwin, Tyrah Wellington and Ella Liberale.

Tennis

This week our Open Boys Tennis side travelled to Bathurst to represent Wollongong at the NSWCCC Tennis Championships. Well done to team members Jiah King (Year 11), Patrick Muller & Sean Donald (Year 10), and Christian Muller (Year 7). Thank you to the parents for supporting your boys, in particular to Karen Muller for managing the team on the day.

Rugby League

Football

Well done to Liam Coulson-Knight for progressing to the NSWCCC Under 16 Boys Football trial last week at Valentine Park.

Diocesan Cross Country

Good luck to the following students who will be representing Wollongong Diocese at the NSWCCC Cross Country Championships on June 14: Cooper Barrett, Bridget Fairs, Seamus Healy, Baylee Holland, Taiha Marsh-Dawson, Lawson Moore, Matthew Page, Freya Robinson-Mills and Lily Tomlinson. 

Upcoming events in Representative Sport

For NSWCCC Closing Dates, please visit https://www.csss.nsw.edu.au/nswccc-home.aspx to register before the due date.

Week Seven:

12 June: SOCCER - Wollongong Diocesan Knockout - Open and intermediate Girls (notes & payment already due)

12 June: CRICKET - Year 7 & 8 Girls Shoalhaven Cup (notes & payment already due)

14 June - NSWCCC Cross Country

Week Nine:

25 June - Wollongong Diocesan Primary Netball Gala Day (South Coast) - Umpires required. Students to see Miss Davis ASAP if interested in assisting.

26 June - CRICKET - Year 9 & 10 Girls Shoalhaven Cup (notes & payment due Wednesday, 12 June)

Term 3

Week One:

24-26 July - Southern NSW and ACT Interschools Snow Sports- See Miss Davis ASAP if interested in competing. More details also available at https://www.nswinterschools.com.au/

26  July: CROSS COUNTRY – NSW ALL SCHOOLS Eastern Creek

Week Two:

31 July: NETBALL GIRLS - Wollongong Diocesan Carnival

Week Four:

16 August: ATHLETICS - Wollongong Diocesan Carnival

Week Five:

20 August: NETBALL NSW CCC Tournament- Penrith

Week Six:

28 August: VOLLEYBALL - Wollongong Diocesan Gala Day

28 August: HOCKEY - Wollongong Diocesan Gala Day

                                                          Miss Kate Davis
Representative Sports Coordinator

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL 2019

The annual SJE Athletics carnival was held at Shoalhaven High School on Friday 31 May. Some amazing results were achieved, with a pleasing number of students participating on the day, displaying the true spirit of St John’s. Congratulations to our school record breakers and age champions who will be finalised and published in the coming weeks. A special mention to the Year 12 House Captain’s who inspired some great house spirit and cheer. Many thanks to the staff and student helpers who kept the day running smoothly. In particular, thank you to all of the parent helpers on the day, who assisted with time-keeping, judging and field events. The inclusion of parents and families at our carnivals make a huge difference to the day and the community feel, that we are so proud of at our school.

The Athletics Age Champions for 2019 will be published and acknowledged once the Javelin event has been completed at school. Students who have nominated themselves to compete in Javelin will be notified of event details via morning notices at school. They can see their PDHPE teacher for questions.

The Wollongong Diocesan Athletics Carnival will be held Thursday August 16, 2019 (Term 2 Week 4) at Campbelltown Athletics track. A final team list and permission notes will be distributed to involved students towards the end of Term 2.

Miss Kate Davis 
Representative Coordinator

Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.

Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.

St Michael's Primary School

St Mary's Star of the Sea Primary School

The New NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy

Food and Drink Benchmark

Term 1 2019 there will be a few changes to the canteen menu, to comply with the new NSW Healthy School Canteen Strategy, which replaces the old Traffic Light criteria of food and drinks that can be sold in school canteens. This means three quarters of the menu is everyday food from the five food groups and one quarter of the menu is occasional foods with a 3.5 or higher food star rating. Some food items high in sugar, salt and/or saturated fats that do not reach a 3.5 food star rating will be removed from the menu, eg. iced tea, Ovaltinis, cough lollies, JJ's Jumpies and some ice creams, so not too many changes. The canteen staff are working hard sourcing new and nutritious snacks and ice creams to add to the menu, eg. dip & nibbles packs, cheese dip & biscuits, fruit pikelets & scones, house made pasta dishes & salads, frozen juice cups and coconut juice ice blocks. There will be lots of new items to choose from. If you have any questions, ideas or a few hours spare to volunteer in the canteen, please contact the Canteen Manager on 4423 1359.

The school offers the convenience of online lunch orders for all students. If you wish to order online please click on the school lunch online image on the website to register. 
Close off for orders is 8.30am daily, a 25c transaction fee applies. If there are any discrepancies with your order, please contact 1300 787 939.

Volunteers please note: Sign in at the School Office on the computerised system before you commence your shift. Please wear enclosed shoes, long hair tied back, no excessive jewellery (i.e. rings, bracelets).

Click here to view the Canteen Menu

Click here to view the Canteen Volunteer Roster

Click here to view the Chippers Finishing School Flyer

Click here to view the CWL Fashion Parade Invitation