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- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL REPORT
- PASTORAL CARE
- FROM THE CURRICULUM OFFICE
- STUDENT NEWS REPORT
- YEAR 9 NEWS
- YEAR 10 NEWS
- NEWS FROM THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
- NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
- SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS
- GOOROON NEWS
- ST JOHN'S STUDENTS EXCEL!
- P&F NEWS
- CANTEEN NEWS
- TERM 3 DATES TO REMEMBER
- COMMUNITY NOTICES
- SHOALHAVEN COMMUNITY OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
To build an authentic relationship for all Australians it is essential that we hear the truth from our past, acknowledge it and work together for a shared future.
It was wonderful to have so many people from our wider community join us for the NAIDOC celebration on Monday. It is in sharing stories and celebrating culture that we deepen our understanding and develop a combined vision for the future together. Local story was acknowledged including the story of Ararrawa a local Aboriginal man who fought so hard for his community and highlighted was the Bomaderry Childrens’ home, the only one in NSW and the stories that it holds are stories for us all to know.
Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students shared with us a Liturgy, stories, dance and music. The honour, respect and integrity that they gave to this celebration is a credit to the wonderful young adult leaders they will become.
After the assembly there was a special gathering where Aunty Grace acknowledged these young people and the staff and students of St John’s for the value and focus that has been given to the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and the value we place on acknowledging their culture. The cake was cut by Aunty Grace and Corey Carter, our Parents and Friends President who is also an Aboriginal leader in our community.
Thanks to all the staff of Gooroon including Mr Hall, Aunty Jo, Aunty Chris, Uncle Tom, Mrs Millington and Mr Foster.
SEMESTER ONE CONCLUDES AND SEMESTER TWO BEGINS
Students from years 7 to 10 will be receiving their reports, giving feedback on their learning achievements and engagement for semester one. We encourage all parents and carers to discuss this feedback with their child and together make some goals for semester two. The best goals are ones that identify actions such as ‘one hour of homework and study each evening’, ‘ensure that the diary has at least three entries each day’ or ‘seek feedback at least twice each day from my teachers’.
Students are encouraged to seek feedback on their learning as this not only assists them to learn but also helps the teacher know what they have achieved and enables planning their pathway forward with a deeper knowledge of that student.
Year 12 students are also at a critical time in school assessment with their preparation for their TRIAL exams that will be held at the start of term 3. They are encouraged to establish a study plan for the holidays and many are also attending learning sessions held by their teachers at school.
SCHOOL PRODUCTION
A number of years ago a Year 12 parent said to me after attending the School Production for the first time “It was so good, I wish I had gone to all the others!”. So please don’t postpone getting your tickets for the school production. They typically sell out early for Friday and Saturday night and many people are disappointed when they are unable to get seats. There is even a matinee session on the Sunday before school returns which is a great opportunity for families to attend.
Click here to get your tickets now on line or purchase at the school office.
Mrs. Sandra Hogan
Principal
AFTERNOON PICK UP
Every student should depart the school in a safe and respectful way. This is achieved with students adequately supervised at the bus bay as well as on the crossing. There are specific requirements in place for a safe pick up in the afternoon.
The pick up area has only a 2 minute wait time. If a student isn't there in time, parents will have to drive around and come back to the end of the queue. Students should not cut across the driveway but rather walk on the pedestrian markings alongside the pick up line.
We have asked the students to not hop into the car whilst it is just entering the drop off as this puts the student at risk and also holds up traffic including buses. It is important to know that police can drive past and will fine anyone breaking traffic rules. Please encourage the students to be waiting for you and move as quickly as possible to be picked up.
WINTER WARMTH
Many students are not taking advantage of all items which make up the school winter uniform. When they say they are cold, are they wearing a school jumper under their blazer or sports jacket? Are they wearing tights or the school track pants?
All students should be taking responsibility for their own warmth during the cooler months. Our uniform provides adequate warmth when all aspects of it are worn properly. Please remind your son or daughter that they should be in full Winter uniform. Hoodies and other non-school items of warmth are not a part of the uniform therefore may be confiscated and playground withdrawals could be issued if a student is out of uniform. This includes the wearing of black boots in place of the regulation school shoes.
OUR GREAT CONNECTION WITH THE AL NOOR MOSQUE, CHRISTCHURCH
Image supplied by Sydney Morning Herald: Labor MP Ed Husic meets Farid Ahmed, whose wife Husna was murdered in the Christchurch attacks. Ahmed survived the attack at the Al Noor mosque.
You may remember the wonderful story shared with our school community earlier this year when Pallas Retimana (Year 11) visited the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch NZ after the tragedy earlier this year. She carried with her the messages of peace and hope from so many of our teachers and students, written on Harmony Day in Term 1. Imagine our surprise as we read in the Sydney Morning Herald this week that Australian Ed Husic, MP also went to this Mosque and heard of the peaceful messages sent from St John's.
Click here to read the article for the amazing next instalment in the story of our connection to the people of Christchurch. A great message to our students that we truly can make a difference in our world.
Mrs. Leonie Pearce
UNIFORM CONSISTENCY DURING COLDER MONTHS
Unfortunately, with the colder months the students have started to modify their uniforms in order to keep warm. I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the expectations with regard to both school and sport uniform.
- Sport uniforms are only to be worn when students have practical classes.
- If students are cold, they are to wear their school jumper under their blazer. This is the same with their sport uniform.They are NOT to wear hoodies or other jumpers under their blazer or sports jacket.
- Students are also permitted to wear a long sleeve shirt under their school/sport shirt, however, this must not be seen. If the day warms up and the students remove their jackets, jumpers or blazers, their under shirt must be removed and their jacket placed back on (if needed).
YEAR 10 POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS 'LOVE BITES'
On June 25, 12 teachers led Year 10 through the highly regarded Positive Relationships program called Love Bites. The interactive and engaging sessions focus on the development of respectful relationships for young people and provides young people with a safe environment to examine, discuss and explore respectful relationships.
The overall aim of the program is to equip young people with the knowledge needed to have respectful relationships, encourage and develop their skills in critical thinking and assist them in being able to problem solve and communicate effectively.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the staff, parents, carers and students and safe and restful holiday. Thanks again for another successful term!
Mr. James Eirth
Pastoral Care Coordinator
Semester One Reports for Y 7 - 10 are now available on the parent portal. Students are encouraged to reflect on their progress and set goals for next semester based on feedback provided by their teachers.
SUBJECT SELECTION
Year 8 should now have entered their 200 hour subject preferences online. Year 10 must submit their online choices by the end of Wk1 T3. A reminder that it is very important to put your choices in order of preference. Direct any questions to the relevant KLA coordinator or come and see Mrs Murphy in the curriculum office.
NUMERACY
How many people currently reside in Australia? Click here to view the latest statistics.
SHOALHAVEN EXCELLENCE IN V.E.T ANNUAL AWARDS
In recognition of outstanding application to all areas within their Vocational Educationand Training (VET) Course, St John’s Year 12 students Olivia Williams, Olivia Ritchie, Molly Davis, Amelia Stanislas and Sandralise Allotta received a Certificate of Excellence in Hospitality at the Annual VET Awards Ceremony on June 28 at Bomaderry Bowling Club.
Congratulations to these fantastic students, who attended the presentation, supported by their families, Mrs Hogan, Mr Garner, Mrs Chittick and Mrs Frank.
Additional mention to Amelia Stanislas who also received the ‘Judges Award for Outstanding VET student in the Shoalhaven’. This is an outstanding achievement!
YEAR 12 HOSPITALITY STUDENTS PRODUCE AMAZING SPREAD
On Tuesday 2 July, St John's Year 12 Hospitality students impressed staff, parents/carers and members of the community with their production of an amazing 3-course meal as their final compentency task.
Entree comprised of crispy fried cheese ravioli or pancetta-wrapped barbeque prawns.
In addition to diners being impressed with the quality of the food, presentation and service, observing the teamwork in the kitchen to produce multiple fine-dining meals must be commended. Congratulations to Year 12 Hospitality students and their teachers!
ST JOHN’S LEAD THE WAR ON WASTE
Representing St John’s JAG (Johnnie's Action Group) Leadership team, students Cameron Hertzberg (Year 8), George Broome (Year 9), Nayana Patmore (Year 10) and Hayley Nathan (Year 11) attended a student-led Environmental Management Conference in Wollongong on June 24. The conference provided an opportunity for South Coast Schools to come together and exchange ideas on how to lead the War On Waste.
Interviewed by WIN News Illawarra, Hayley explains how St John’s are proactively tackling environmental issues having already installed solar panels, water tanks, reusable water bottles, a sustainable garden and wish to implement a plastic-free day.
OOAAA WINNERS
Year 7 - Tristan Bethe-Hansen
Year 8 - Dylan Johnstone
Year 9 - Abbey Teall
Year 10 - Lucy Bell
Year 11 - Joshua Speer
Year 12 - Montana Bisat
ST JOHN'S NEWS REPORTING TEAM
St John's Network News Crew continue to demonstrate their journalism and editing skills, producing another fine SJENN Report on events around our school. Well done team!
I wish all our year 9 students and families a very restful holiday. We have certainly had an eventful term once again. The students are tired and have worked hard, so it’s time to spend precious time with family and friends to recover ready for our second semester of Year 9.
We have started a new encouragement idea where at the start of our Year Group Assembly each week the students via their SRC representative will nominate a SUPERSTAR of the week for us to congratulate.
So far we have acknowledged Shania Campbell-Cooper for her achievement in state netball, Jarrah Fuz for her upcoming adventure to Cambodia with Antipodeans Abroad, Cooper Bramley and Christian Page for their cricket selection achievement. I know there are many amazing things happening with our students outside of school and we don’t always hear about it. Please drop me a line or send in a photo or two so we can celebrate the positive achievements of our St John’s students and how they continue to shine in the local community.
It was great to see many Year 9 students participating in the CAPA day a few weekends ago.
Here are a few photos from the day of some of our talented students enjoying being creative with other like-minded students.
Merit System - It’s that time again where we acknowledge our merit recipients for end of Semester.
At St John’s we are very proud of positive behaviours of our students. Take a look at the cumulative merits for your child on Sentral to see how they are going. This reward system is well explained in your child’s diary.
10 merits = Bronze Award presented in our year group assembly towards the end of the term.
20 merits + Extra Curricular activities = Silver Award presented during school assembly
30 merits + Extra Curricular and Community Service activities = Gold Award presented during school assembly.
Many Year 9 students are excelling and have already reached Bronze with 3 students (Massimo Copeta, Ilana Green and Nathan Golding) achieving a Silver merit award.
Ms. Maggie Frawley
Year 9 Coordinator 2019
FUTURE FINDERS DAY
On Thursday 13 June Year 10 visited the University of Wollongong Shoalhaven Campus to participate in the ‘Future Finders’ day.
Students were grouped with children from other local high schools to attend taster session workshops from various faculties to provide a taste of various subjects offered at University.
Joshua Le, Finn Hartshorne and Yasmin Willis focussing on an Engineering group task challenge.
YEAR 11 SUBJECT INFORMATION EVENING
Thank you to all families who participated in the Year 11 subject information for Year 10 students on Tuesday 18 June. This has set students up with starting thoughts around where their interests and strengths lie within subjects.
Online subject selections close at the end of Week 1 Term 3, Friday 26 July. All subject selection questions that may arise should be directed to the curriculum office.
LOVE BITES
Year 10 were involved in the Love Bites experience day at school on Tuesday 29 June. Through interactive workshops, the day focussed on building a toolkit for students to upskill in areas of positive relationships.
The groups were randomly allocated enabling students to work with peers who perhaps they wouldn’t normally socialise with. From survey feedback students enjoyed an engaging and challenging day.
Thanks to all staff involved who made this day possible, particularly the background work done by Pietta Phillips and Wendy Isemonger.
Brandon Barac, Michael Harrap and James (JD) Talty
Jackson Williams, Sebastian Young, Lawson Moore, Jake Hadfield, Sean Donald (hiding), William Stevens, Angus Pabian, Izak White
REMINDER ABOUT PASSPORTS
I encourage students to continue to record all extra and co- curricular activities in their Passports, particularly with all the busy weeks being experienced by the whole year group of late.
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YEAR 10
Term 3, Week 1:
Sunday 21, Wed 24 to Sat 27 July: School Production
Tuesday 23 July: Driver Education Program “U Turn the Wheel”
Wed 24 July: Year 10 Bushcraft excursion – abseiling
Friday 26 July: Online subject selection closure. NSW Allschools Cross Country.
Mr. Simon Vaughan
Year 10 Coordinator
As we come to the end of a very busy semester, there is much to celebrate from the study undertaken in the English classroom. Year 7 have settled in ver
y well and have undertaken a series of units with a focus on developing language skills. This has been supplemented by the use of Wordflyers.
Year 8 and 9 students have continued to develop reading, writing and speaking skills, with a focus on extended writing. The regular use of Scribo and Wordflyers has assisted this growth.
Year 10 have entered into a challenging pattern of study, undertaking a close study of both a narrative and the poet Robert Frost. These units have focussed on
developing the ability of our students to manipulate language and make appropriate choices in written responses. Year 10 are to be congratulated on the mature approach that they have taken when undertaking demanding units of work.
Year 11 have settled into the various levels of English undertaken in Stage 6. While this transition and increased workload has been challenging, it is pleasing to see Year 11 students developing the skills to become successful senior students.
Year 12 near the end of their studies and naturally the time demands are increasing. Year 12 are busy preparing for the upcoming HSC trials. I would like to encourage Year 12 to utilise the NESA website to access sample papers and seek the guidance of the dedicated teachers in the department.
As students receive their reports, I would encourage them to both reflect on why they improved and identify areas for focus next semester. To assist this, I encourage all students to read over the holidays.
Ms Michelle Selmes
English Coordinator
ST JOHN'S NOW ON INSTAGRAM
St John's have recently launched our new social media account on instagram to display various images of our students, found at stjohns_nowra.
This platform adds to our Facebook page 'St John The Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra' which we continue to update to celebrate learning and success!
WELCOME FR LEO TO ST MICHAEL’S PARISH
We wish to welcome Fr Leo Mifsud OMI as Assistant Priest to the Parish of St Michael’s, Nowra, effective from 5 July 2019.
Fr Leo comes with a wealth of experience as parish priest in Australia and New Zealand and leadership within the Congregation and will provide additional support to Parish Priest Mgr Patrick Faherty and Assistant Priests Fr Ronan Kilgannon (Kangaroo Valley) and Fr Leo Duck (Vincentia)
We welcome Fr Leo to the Diocese and wish him every blessing as he undertakes this new role.
MRS. LEONIE PEARCE’S ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL APPRAISAL
The survey closing date for Mrs Leonie Pearce's Assistant Principal Appraisal has been extended to Friday, 19 July (end of term break).
If you have not already completed the survey, please click here to complete.
Your contribution to the Assistant Principal Appraisal via honest survey feedback is highly valued and an important component of the process.
GREATEST SHOWMAN MOVIE NIGHT
Congratulations to St John’s PAX and Bully Busters groups for their success in hosting the ‘Greatest Showman’ movie night on June 21, showcasing the major goal of respectful relationships. Many students, attired in their comfy pj’s enjoyed the film and free hot chocolate. Funds raised from the event have been donated to Vinnies to purchase a new freezer. Thank you to all staff and students involved in this fabulous initiative!
VINNIES WINTER APPEAL
Many thanks for those who have assisted with St John’s Winter Appeal for St Vincent De Paul Society. We continue to seek the following donations please.
Ms Vanessa Kidson
Social Justice Coordinator
TREK FOR TIMOR
St John's teacher, Mr. Muller is organising a team to walk in the beautiful Kangaroo Valley to raise funds for the Kangaroo Valley Remexio Partnership (KVRP) and their current project to provide housing for rural students from the Remexio District of Timor Leste while they study at university in Dili.
Mr. Muller's group 'Team Johnnies' will be completing the 14 km option. This is not a school event and open to all members of the public.
Click here for further details or to register. Select 'Johnnies' as your team.
Contact KVRP or mullerd01@dow.catholic.edu.au with any questions.
NAIDOC CELEBRATIONS
On Monday 1 July, St John's celebrated NAIDOC Week with a wonderful assembly attended by many community members and family. The assembly commenced with a smoking ceremony and included dance and didgeridoo performances from our students.
Our prayer was based on the NAIDOC theme this year of "Voice, Treaty and Truth", and we prayed as a community for true reconciliation between the first Australians and those of us who have descended more recently from European settlement. The Aboriginal Studies class provided the assembly with a timely reminder regarding the true history of the of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal interaction over the past 250 years. The students involved, supported by Gooroon staff and other staff members did a great job in celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Mr. Chris Hall
Gooroon Coordinator
ST JOHN’S STUDENTS REPRESENT COUNCIL'S YOUTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Council’s Youth Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from local high schools and community organisations had a Planning Day on Thursday 20th June 2019.
St John's Year 11 students Joseph Morrison, Pallas Retimana and Jiah King provided valuable input into the planning day, workshopping future directions in relation to their budget allocation, partner youth development projects for funding, the implementation of their Action Plan 2019/2020 & reviewed their Terms of Reference.
TRIPLE J RECOGNISE ST JOHN’S MUSIC DUO TALENT
Year 12 students, Alex Robertson and Noah Egan, forming the ‘Debbies’ duet, have been recognised by Triple J for their hit song ‘What do I know?’.
Featuring big guitars and choruses, Triple J describe the song as making you want to ‘wind the window down and scream the lyrics’!
Click here to enjoy Alex and Noah’s amazing compilation. Outstanding talent!
GEORGIA WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
Year 7 student, Georgia Coleman is the winner of the '2019 Shoalhaven Arts Board Medallion', presented at the recent Shoalhaven Stars of the Eisteddfod. The Arts Board Medallion is awarded to a resident of the Shoalhaven under the age of 24, in recognition of their inspiring, emerging young talent. Georgia entered both the dance and vocal sections of the Eisteddfod and placed either 1st or 2nd in all her sections. Congratulations Georgia!
NETBALLERS STAR AT STATE
St John's were well represented at the recent NSW State Netball Championships in Campbelltown.
Representing Shoalhaven's Under 15 team, Isabel Goodwin, Shania Campbell-Cooper and Kayla Rayes played an incredible 18 games completing the tournament undefeated, to claim the Division 3 Under 15 Senior State Champion Title!
The team were well supported by St John's backing, with former student and St John's employee Olivia Liberale mentoring the girls in the coaching role, assisted by Sean Gray, a St John's Learning Support Officer.
Year 12 students, Montana Bisat and Annaliese Turner also put on a fine display of netball skills, playing 21 games over 3 days, with their team finishing a strong 11th place of 24 teams.
Well done to all players and supporters, these are fantastic achievements!
CELEBRATING ACHIEVEMENTS
Whilst success demonstrated at school is often acknowledged, there are many students earning wonderful achievements in various activities, sports and performing arts outside of school.
We love to hear about all student achievements and ask that details be sent to our school so we can celebrate hard work and success!
Please forward to sjenewsletter@dow.catholic.edu.au.
SCHOOL PRODUCTION
Rehearsals are well underway with the first performance at 2pm on Sunday 21 July. The canteen will be open before the performance and at intermission for light refreshments. If anyone is able to assist in the canteen, it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Jacinta Davis (P&F Parent Liaison & Publicity Officer) on 0455 173 924.
WORKING BEE
Our next Working Bee won’t be until Term 4 with a date to be advised closer to the event.
NEXT GENERAL MEETING
The next P & F General Meeting will be held at 6pm on Monday 12 August in the staff room. All are welcome to attend, this is a great opportunity to meet other parents and carers and have your say in our school community.
HOLIDAYS
Well that’s it for another term. Just wanting to again thank all our wonderful parent and carer volunteers for all that they do. Thanks to your time and help events and special occasions have run smoothly and it is very much appreciated. Wishing you a safe and happy break and we look forward to seeing everyone back for Term 3.
Sunday 21 July: School Musical Production 2pm
Monday 22 July: Students Return for Term 3
Wednesday 24 July: School Musical Production 2pm
Thurs, Fri, Sat
25-27 July: School Musical Production 7:30pm
Friday 26 July: NSW All Schools Cross Country
Wednesday 31 July: Diocesan Netball
Monday July 29: Wakakirri Performance
Thursday 1 August: Visual Arts – Yr 9-12 Art Gallery Excursion
Monday 5 August: HSC trials commence
ART EXPRESS 2019
ARTEXPRESS represents the high standards and diversity achieved by Year 12 Visual Arts students in New South Wales schools.
Click here to view current Art Express exhibitions.
10 WAYS THE DIOCESE CAME TOGETHER TO #BEATAIRPOLLUTION
St John’s Environmental Action Group joined CEDoW students in the Diocese of Wollongong and millions of people around the world to celebrate World Environment Day.
Schools embraced the 2019 theme of ‘Beat Air Pollution’ to draw attention to this pressing environmental concern and how we can all do our part to improve the quality of the air we breathe.
Click here to view the 10 ways the Diocese came together to beat air pollution or select the following social media links.
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.