A MIXTURE OF EMOTIONS

 

Lots of smiling, happy faces. 

 

They have felt all of the emotions that we talked about, they would have felt sad of the many failures along the way. Anger, fear, grief and anxiety would have all been a part of their journey.

 

However the true happiness they experience is because they gave it a go, stuck with and can celebrate their personal growth at the end. We encourage each of our young people to ‘get out of their comfort zone’ regularly.

Under the expert guidance of teachers Ms. Savannah Lloyd and Mrs. Dianne Bryce, our team of 43 students from Years 7 to 12 commit to many months rehearsing and refining our entry into the 2019 Wakakirri Story Dance Festival. Wakakirri is Australia's Largest Performing Arts Event for Schools, involving over 20,000 students and hundreds of schools nationwide, with performances reflecting students' thoughts, ideas and aspirations.

 

St John's entry presented the heart-touching journey of a Syrian refugee having to flee her home in search of safety. The story reflects the struggle many Syrians have been through, noting it is not a choice to live in a refugee camp but the only means of survival. Since 2011, four million Syrians have been forced to flee their country in the face of the ongoing war in their country.

 

Mrs. Sandra Hogan

Principal

IMPORTANT SKOOLBAG APP UPDATE
The SkoolBag App is the most reliable way to stay up to date with school life. A new version of the Skoolbag App was released during 2018, with both the new and original versions being available.

PLEASE NOTE, THE ORIGINAL SKOOLBAG APP WAS REMOVED ON 1 AUGUST, 2019.

To ensure you continue to receive important notifications, please click here to download the latest version of Skoolbag.

The app is frequently updated with bug fixes and improvements, so we recommend enabling automatic updates. Be sure to allow notifications and subscribe to content groups.

YEAR 7 VACCINATIONS & CATCH UPS

NSW Health will be attending our school on Friday 30 August, 2019 to deliver the following vaccinations, commencing at 9am;

YEAR 7: dose 2 of HPV; and any missed doses of dTpa (Boostrix).

Students who were absent at visit 1 or 2 can commence their course.

YEAR 8: catch-up vaccinations will be offered to those students who are identified as needing further doses of HPV (Gardasil) to complete the course.

YEAR 10: single dose Nimenrix (Meningococcal ACWY) vaccine for Year 10 students (if not done at a 2nd visit).

Please ensure students wear their sports uniform and eat breakfast in the morning to reduce the risk of feeling unwell following vaccination. 

Our P&F Parent Liaison & Publicity Officer, Jacinta Davis is organising volunteers to assist on the day. If you're able to help, please contact Jacinta on 0455 173 924.

YEAR 7 G DAY

What a busy and exciting start it has been to Term 3 for Year 7. It is so exciting and pleasing to see the mark that they are beginning to leave on St John’s and how well they have settled in.

Wednesday was especially significant for Year 7 with the celebration of G Day Mass. I thank all those who were able to attend but would also like to acknowledge those that were unable to make it. Students participated reverently and prayerfully in mass and were so excited to share this time with the special people in their lives.

Students decorated rocks in their religion classes for the special people in their lives and these were blessed on the day by Fr Pat.

Moving forward this will be a busy term for Year 7. Progress grades will be made available at the end of week 7 and I encourage students to use these as an opportunity to seek feedback on their progress and learning in the classroom.

A reminder that these are not a final grade but an indication of where students are sitting at the present moment. There's lots of opportunity for growth. I look forward to a positive and exciting term for Year 7!

‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me and loved me as yourself”

Mrs. Sophie Daly

Year 7 Coordinator 2019

Year 8 have been busy involving themselves in the many and varied extra-curricular activities. It is important to realise that being an active member of the community is vital for an individual to be a productive member of society.

Over the next two terms there will be a focus for Year 8 to become more involved through volunteering their time across all areas of the school community. I encourage parents to discuss with their children the benefits of being involved in the extra-curricular areas of our school community. The Helping Hand Award for Year 8 will focus on rewarding those students who volunteer their time, talent and skills to various aspects of school life.

DIOCESAN NETBALL

Year 8 girls participated in the Diocesan Netball Carnival held at Berkeley in July. Hannah Button, Halle McKnight, Phoebe Szymoniczek, Maggie Smith, Tahlia Walsh, Kiralee Gray, Makyla Paddick, Madison Carr and Mylea Knight all put in a big effort on the day. Good luck to Hannah, Halle, Phoebe, Maggie, Tahlia, Kiralee and Madison when they head to Penrith for the State competition.

FOOTBALL

The Open Girls football team are heading to the State finals and Anna Simon from Year 8 will be right there with them. Anna stepped up into the senior team and was happy to do her bit. We are also looking forward to hearing of more success when the team plays in the State finals at Glenwood in September.

 

VINNIES YOUTH

There are a number of Year 8 students actively working hard to raise money and awareness of the plight of the needy in our local area through Vinnies Youth. These students live out the Core Values of Compassion, Love and Hope through their involvement in our school based social justice group.

 

WAKAKIRRI DANCE TROUPE 

The successful Wakakirri Dance Troupe included students from Years 7 - 12, with Year 8 students Phoebe Syzmoniczek, Maggie Smith, Madison Doosey, Scarlett Mahony, Sophie Le, Alyssa Ide, Amelia-Kate Willson, Lauren Stevens, Sienna Clarke, Sophie Krikstolaitis, Hannah Button, Zeo Klapsis and Halle McKnight being members of this successful group. All girls danced with passion and commitment and should be very proud of their achievement!

  

ABORIGINAL DANCE

Years 7, 8 & 9 students danced on Monday for children at Orient Point and Districts Pre School for their NAIDOC celebrations. This was an excellent opportunity for members of the junior dance troupe to demonstrate their leadership skills. Kiah Shine, Daniel Foster, Hunter Woods, Ky Nolan-Cooper, Arabici Talty, Georgina Hooke, Keeley Longbottom, Jamie Beattie, Lauren Ball and Madison Doosey from Year 8 showed that they have what it takes to step out into the wider community and represent St John’s in a positive way, demonstrating our connection to the local Aboriginal culture.

SJE NETWORK NEWS

SJENN includes several very dedicated and talented crew. Abbey Paton, Kiara Skinner, Annabelle Morison, Ella Auslebrook, Kate Drinkwalter and Grace Hartigan of Year 8 are developing their skills in the area of media as well as getting the opportunity to meet celebrities such as Conrad Sewell who performed at St John’s on Tuesday.

ACADEMIC CARE FACILITATION 

Another term of the Academic Care Facilitation (ACF) is commencing again this week. This involves the selection of students to be involved in sustaining and/or further improving their results and overall classroom application. Weekly meetings will occur with students and their teachers to maximise the opportunity for growth by analysing students' classroom practices and developing strategies for further engagement. Students are selected from a range of criteria targeting them as high achievers. This includes a comparison of NAPLAN data with school grades as well as Year Coordinator and teacher data.

Congratulations to those that are selected to participate in the program.

I would also like to congratulate Year 8 on the way they have entered Semester 2 with diligent learning taking place in the classrooms as well as the involvement of many students in other areas across the school. It is important that Year 8 connect their involvement to their motto “God has no hands but yours”.

Mrs. Lynette Kelly

Year 8 Coordinator

Students returned to school this term to a new look gym learning space with signage of our school's learning dispositions installed during the holidays. 

The display creates opportunities for students to reflect on their learning and provide individual and peer feedback to improve students' learning and physical performance. 

The PDHPE staff encourage all students to continually strive to demonstrate the dispositions of learning in both the practical and theory elements of PDHPE. 

YEAR 7 PDHPE students are provided with many opportunities to learn about and practice ways of adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a productive and active life. During Term 1 students worked on a range of simple movement skills,  including some lead up work to the major school carnivals, Athletics, Cross Country and Swimming.

During Terms 2 and 3 students are provided with learning experiences that develop understanding around healthy habits in relation to nutrition and exercise, the current issues relating to drug use, including the use and effect of alcohol, movement activities, centred creative dance and Indigenous games. 

In Term 4 the focus shifts to physical and social/emotional issues around moving through puberty, where students are able to contribute ideas, thoughts and questions in a relaxed, safe and positive learning environment.  

YEAR 8 PDHPE began the year with the 'Health Matters' and 'Strike/Catch/Throw' units. Health Matters provided students with an overview of what impacts their lives and how we can be proactive in decision-making processes.

In Term 2 students commenced the 'Supporting Myself and Others' and 'Athletics' units, in preparation for the athletics carnival. First aid quizzes tested students' knowledge on the skills taught in class, which empower students with life skills and awareness of first aid principles.

This term students will become the teacher in court games when they are given the opportunity to create their own game. Year 8 will finish the year with gymnastics and 'Risky Business' where they explore positive relationships and communication methods to create a safe and supportive environment.

YEAR 9 PDHPE students are enjoying a physically challenging and mentally thought-provoking year due to the diverse range of practical and theory units studied. Practical units include: 'Invasion Games', 'Active for Life', 'World Games' and 'Celebrating Diversity'. Each unit provides students with the opportunity to enhance decision-making and problem solving skills in game situations and participating in some unique non-mainstream sports.

Theory units 'HeadStrong', 'Drugs Use', 'Sexual Health' and 'Celebrating Diversity', provide students with the opportunity to collaboratively discuss and individually research topics of great significance in their current lives. 

This semester students will be engaging in a group project based learning task requiring students to create a product that can be used within the school community which answers the driving question, "How can I keep my mental health at its best and support the mental health of others?”. This project based learning task will go hand in hand with the Year 9 Wellbeing Day on Friday 23 August. The PE staff are very excited to see what each of the student groups produce!

YEAR 10 PDHPE have explored a variety of topics which support students to challenge perspectives, develop deeper knowledge and build decision making skills to ensure they continue as lifelong learners in our community. 

Topics included: 'Planning for Safety', 'Road Safety Advocacy', 'Dance', 'Movement Composition/ Appraisal', 'Relationships', 'Overcoming Adversity', 'Planning for Safety', 'Striking Games' and 'Contemporary Games'.  

This term students are working on a practical Movement Appraisal Task where they will assess the movement skills of their peers. In theory, students will be working on an assessment task that emcompasses the impacting issues surrounding road safety. The Op Shop Ball is always a highlight in the calendar for year 10 PE and a quality fundraiser for St Vincent de Paul and will take place in Term 4.

YEAR 11 PDHPE This year we welcomed Mrs Isemonger and Mrs Frew to lead the preliminary PDHPE charge to the HSC. Year 11 PDHPE students are currently working through the unit Better Health for Individuals where they explore health behaviours and the influence of policy and promotion on individual and community health. In Term 2 students explored biomechanical principles in the Unit 'Body in Motion'. 'First Aid' and 'Outdoor Recreation' are being taught this term.

Last week students completed a walk from Durras to Kiola, camping overnight at Pebbly Beach - putting into practice the theory they will have learnt in the Outdoor Education unit. 

YEAR 12 PDHPE Year 12 PDHPE students regularly strive to expand and challenge their knowledge on the 'Health of Australians' and 'Factors affecting Performance'.  In learning teams, the cohort are working hard demonstrating high work ethic and a passion to learn more about health, movement and sports medicine.

YEAR 11 COMMUNITY AND FAMILY STUDIES Students are studying resource management and the intricacies that contribute to the wellness of individuals in our community. Students will identify the Individuals and Groups as to which our resources are diminished or built upon and how people can use techniques such as conflict resolution, leadership styles and group cohesion to influence overall wellness. We are analysing the effects of these techniques by viewing the 'Blind Side' and submitting an assessment task displaying our findings.

Lastly, we will study Families and Communities looking at stages of the lifespan, socialisation, the nature of change and the impacts these factors can have.

YEAR 12 COMMUNITY AND FAMILY STUDIES are  involved in a number of learning experiences, assessment tasks and activities that will enrich their knowledge and understanding of matters concerning our local, national and global matters within communities and family groups. Students are currently  involved in completing Independent Research Projects (IRPs) and will have the informal task of taking home and caring for a robotic baby overnight. Both classes are demonstrating great enthusiasm and dedication to their learning and studies.

The PE staff would like to congratulate the PDHPE and CAFS cohort on their efforts with trial HSC exams last week. 

The PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SPORTS STUDIES (PASS) program is a two year elective subject for students in Years 9 and 10. This subject allows students with an interest in physical activity to deepen their knowledge and skills further than the PDHPE compulsory course.

PASS encourages students to be involved in new and different sports encouraging them to apply their skills and thinking in a new way. The information students learn in theory are applied to practical lessons giving them a strong foundation of knowledge and a real-life basis for what they are learning.

Students in Year 9 are studying the anatomy and physiology of the human body, Australian sporting identities and issues in sport, such as drug use and financial inequalities between athletes. In the practical setting we are looking at the intricacies in sports officiating, how to outsmart and outplay our opponents with strategic and tactical development, hockey and lastly we undertook our Bronze Medallion.

The very competitive 2019 Year 10 PASS cohort are engaging in Coaching, Tournament Games, Team Play, Nutrition and Technology in Sport. The students will draw on knowledge explored in theory classes to coach skills to the class, analyse their peers movement performances, along with organising and running sport tournaments. 

Learning in CHILD STUDIES promotes in students a sense of empathy for children, their parents, caregivers and those that have the potential to influence learning environments. From the unit, 'Conception and Newborn Care', students have the opportunity to put theory into practice when assigned a robotic baby to care for overnight.

The unit 'Child Nutrition' will offer students practical experience of creating and sharing a nutritious meal developed for a child. In the 'Child Service and Career Opportunities' unit Mrs. Melissa Fulop, Mrs. Hayley Prayetno and Mrs. Ellen Gray will guide students through child care activity stations aimed to develop fundamental motor and social skills of children. 

YEAR 10 BUSHCRAFT: Year 10 have been busy preparing and refining their leadership skills in anticipation for the Year 7 and 9 camps, with all Year 10 students  assigned activities to lead the campers in, including canoeing, abseiling, bush walking and swimming. The maturity and care our Year 10 Bushcraft students have shown in organising activities which are engaging, fun and educational is extremely impressive. Well done Year 10!

YEAR 9 BUSHCRAFT: Year 9 have commenced their two year course in Bushcraft with enthusiasm and high energy. Over the coming months they will be learning the basics of what bushcraft has to offer ranging from wilderness first aid, navigation, ecology and canoeing skills. We look forward to seeing the new group of Bushcraft students achieve personal goals and learn invaluable skills!

Ms. Rachel Frew

PDHPE Coordinator

Our school has had another busy and successful few weeks of Representative Sport!

Congratulations to the Open Girls Football side who, in Week 2, won the Quarter Final of the NSWCCC Knockout 4-nil! The girls will now progress to the Semi Finals in September. Week 2 also saw our Girls Netball teams compete at the Diocesan Gala Day in Berkeley. A big thank you to Ms Sophie Cadman, Ms Melissa Fulop and Ms Abbey Baker for coaching and assisting the girls on the day!

This week, our Diocesan Athletics team travelled to Campbelltown to compete in the Diocesan Athletics Carnival. Well done to all athletes for their efforts and achievements at this event. Coming up in Rep Sport is NSWCCC Netball and Boys Netball Schools Cup Regional Finals in Week 5, along with Diocesan Hockey and Volleyball in Week 6. Good luck to all teams and coaches for these events. A reminder that students also continue to check the Rep Sport Google Classroom page, and listen to the morning notices for any updates about all things to do with representative sport. 

NSWCCC NOTICE - BOYS CRICKET

NSW All Schools will be sending a 15 years Boys Cricket team to Queensland on Sunday 29 September  - Friday 4 October, 2019. Registrations are now open  by clicking here, however the initial registration is EXPRESSION OF INTEREST only. Players will be notified if they have been selected to trial.  More information still to come.

UPDATE: PRE-EXISTING INJURY INCLUDING CONCUSSION - INFORMATION TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS  

Parents are required to notify the school, event organiser/s (i.e. Convener) and team manager/s should their child be carrying a pre-existing injury leading into an event including concussion. A student who has suffered a concussion injury may not return to contact/collision activities less than 14 days from the resolution of all symptoms. For further information refer to the Australian Medical Association accessed by clicking here. 

NSWCCC FOOTBALL KNOCKOUT - QUARTER FINALS 

On 30 July, our Senior Girls Soccer team travelled to the Sutherland Shire to play Xavier College in the NSWCCC state quarter finals.

The girls started the match with a dominant display of possession with crisp passing and fantastic ball movement. The girls snatched an early goal, courtesy of Charlotte Ryan and unrelenting pressure in Xavier's half. Casey Johnson scored another goal, roaming from the backs to tap the ball into the bottom corner for a 2 - 0 lead heading into half time. At the resumption of the break super-sub, Niamh Murphy, scored the goal of the day by expertly placing the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the 18 yard box. Following this, an unfortunate handball to one of Xavier's defenders in the box lead to a penalty. Zoe Anderson stepped up to calmly slot the ball into the goal.

We came away from the day 4 - 0 victors, progressing to the state semi finals in September. A special mention to Anna Simon for stepping up into the senior girls team as Goalkeeper.

Congratulations girls, let's take this momentum into the semi finals and put on another display of team cohesion and skill!

Mr. Joshua Watson

PDHPE Teacher

DIOCESAN GIRLS NETBALL

On Wednesday 31 July, five teams of enthusiastic Netballers headed to Berkeley for the Diocesan Secondary Netball Gala Day.

JUNIOR NETBALLERS

INTERMEDIATE NETBALLERS

Our division 1 team played nine games on the day and put in a mammoth effort. After 3 consecutive losses to start the day, the girls put up a valiant effort and won the next 4 games in a row. 

Our division 2 team played hard in every one of their 6 games but unfortunately weren’t able to come away with a win on the day. 

Both intermediate teams consisted of experienced and highly skilled Netballers who displayed great sportsmanship and team spirit on the day. Well done girls! 

SENIOR NETBALLERS

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.

Miss Kate Davis
Sports Coordinator

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK

National Science Week ran between 10-18 August, 2019.

St John's celebrated the event with our Science faculty running various activities including competing against friends, classmates and other schools in the Science content on Education Perfect to win tasty prizes including pizza, chocolate and ice-cream.

To celebrate National Science Week, Year 11 students made ice-cream using liquid nitrogen, selling their delicious creations for $1 per serve.

Click here to view a short video of students making their ice-cream.

 

HANDS ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Studying the Living World Science theme, 'Our Place' students from our Junior MC class enjoyed making edible Solar Systems of the Primary Planets.

The gas planets, Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter and Neptune were based on a popcorn mixture while the terrestrial planets were made using a biscuit base recipe to represent the rock planets of Mercury, Earth, Venus and Mars.

AGVISION AND CATTLE JUDGING

It has been a busy time for Agriculture with two excursions and some new arrivals in the last couple of weeks.

On Wednesday 7 August, 36 students travelled to Homebush for the AgVision Careers Expo. Students chose to attend several workshops to explore the many possibilities offered as careers in agriculture and related industries. These included everything from drones and remote sensing, through the more traditional farming areas such as dairy, beef and sheep, to regenerative agriculture and edible insect farming. 

Many students commented that they were exposed to ideas that they had not necessarily considered before and will definitely be following up with further investigations.

The next day, 21 students travelled to Albion Park to compete in the Dairy Cattle Young Judges Competition. Students are asked to judge three pens of four cattle with the aim of placing them in the same order as the head judge. The competition is run by the Agricultural Societies Council (ASC) and is open to 15 to 25 year old competitors. 

Congratulations to Charlotte Hilton, Year 9, who was the overall winner. Charlotte not only won her class for 15 to 18 year olds but took out the main prize against older competitors. Charlotte received the Geoff Mayo Memorial Award and will now represent the ASC South Coast region in the State Finals at the 2020 Sydney Royal Easter Show. One outstanding aspect of Charlotte's achievement is that she recorded a perfect 150 points in judging the three classes of cattle, a feat that is very rarely accomplished.

Congratulations also to Elizabeth Coulthart who placed second in the Junior section, as well as  Alfred Coulthart and Megan Sbragia who made the final. Thank you to the Albion Park Show Society for hosting this event.

With spring around the corner, our goat herd has begun to expand. Two new kids have been born and are finding their feet among lots of attention from the students. Two more kids are expected over the coming weeks.

We are also currently hosting two dairy calves for the Cows Create Careers program.

As part of this program, Year 9 have also welcomed two guest speakers this week. Vicki Timbs and Greg Duncan have joined us to share their stories of careers in the dairy industry. There are a wide variety of jobs throughout the whole supply chain from farm to consumer. We are grateful for their insights and thank them for giving up their time to visit us.

We are appreciative to the guest speakers and to Dairy Australia and the Boyd family for supporting the program.

Following the completion of the ‘fox proof’ chicken pen, our chicken breeding program has also recommenced. Our silkie flock has produced fertile eggs and we have welcomed the first hatchlings from this process. More chicken breeding will follow and there should be layer pullets available later in the year.

Mr. David Muller

Coordinator Agriculture

ARCHIBALD PRIZE WINNER

Inspired by the works of Daumier, Year 8 created caricatures and clay busts of a family member or friend, exaggerating key characteristics. Finalists sculptures were placed on display in the library for voting to determine the SJE Archibald Prize Winner, to receive an art supply goodie bag.

Congratulations to winners Jarrah Treweek, Lachlan Hickey and  Hope Ide!

ART GALLERY EXCURSION

Year 9, 10 and 11 Visual Arts Students enjoyed their recent excursion to the Art Gallery.

YEAR 9 CREATIVE PODCASTS

The creative minds of our Year 9 students have been hard at work, writing, editing and submitting short stories as a recent part of their studies of English. They were focusing on the genre of horror stories and were asked to create their own story using features of this genre.

Our students produced some wonderful material.

Please click below to enjoy listening to 'Ghost Writer' written and recorded by Cerise Scanlon and 'A Single Rose' written and recorded by Cody Ewens.

Cody Ewens A single Rose         Cerise Scanlon Ghost Writer Yr 9         

 

Students in Years 10-12 who are considering going to university should consider  attending the upcoming University Open Days, occuring over the next couple of months. Click here for details. 

The TAFE NSW Open Day is coming up on 14 September. Click here to discover a huge range of courses, diplomas and degrees on offer at TAFE NSW, both on-campus and online.

INTERVIEWERS REQUIRED FOR MOCK INTERVIEWS

We are conducting a Mock Interview Day for our Year 11 students on Monday 23 September. This is a great opportunity for our students to experience the reality of preparing for and presenting themselves at an interview for potential employment.

We are currently sourcing parents and other members of the community with experience in interviewing who may be willing to donate their time to interview a series of students on this day at our school.

Interviews will be 15 minutes each and the day will be in three main sessions: 8.40am to 11.10am, 12.00pm to 1.45pm and 2.00pm to 2.45pm.

As we need to interview around 150 students on this day any assistance would be greatly appreciated. 

Please contact  Ms. Carla Hill on 4423 1666 or hillc05@dow.catholic.edu.au.

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE 

Shoalhaven City Council work experience applications are now open, offering many interesting vocations for work experience between 9-13 December, 2019.

Please click here for further details. 

UNIVERSITY EARLY ENTRY

Year 12 students considering early entry for university need to be finalising their applications, keeping an eye on the closing dates. 

POSITIONS VACANT

Trainee Business Administration cert 3 in Nowra http://srajobs.sarinarusso.com/Vacancies/Details/VAC-07104

 

TOURNAMENT OF MINDS (TOM) PREPARATION

This term 2 teams of St. John's students have been very busy preparing for the 2019 TOM competition which offers teams of students the opportunity to solve authentic, open-ended challenges that foster creative, divergent thinking whilst developing collaborative enterprise, excellence and teamwork.  

 

Our language literature team is working on 'TOM-unication' comprising of Year 8's Grace Hartigan, Kane Williams and year 7's Lucas Tooley, Georgia Coleman, Lilly Kowalczyk and Victoria Sargeant.

Lilly is pleased the group are working well together, adding 'with a great team you can achieve anything!'.

The Arts group working on the 'Wizard of AUS' challenge consist of Year 7 students Harry Ludman, Hugh Vaughan, Isaac Sleath and Year 8's Ben Royston, Jamie Godfrey, Zac Harrap and Riley Mason. 

Isaac is enjoying being a part of the group, noting 'TOM has been a great way to learn about teamwork and to engage in challenging activities'. 

Jamie agrees noting 'TOM is a fun and educational activity that teaches us the importance of teamwork'. 

We wish both teams the best of luck for the Tournament of Minds Challenge on Sunday 1 September!

Ms. Carla Hill

Careers Advisor

YEAR 11 ANCIENT HISTORY

Year 11 Ancient History students have been working collaboratively and challenging themselves to research and reconstruct the town layout and some of the significant buildings of the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria. Most of these significant architectural structures have been destroyed by ISIS during the war in Syria, signifying a monumental loss to our collective world heritage.

YEAR 11 MODERN HISTORY

Year 11 Modern History have been looking at the Schlieffen Plan, recreating the steps of the armies of Europe in 1914 using the visual tool of lollies.

HOMEWORK CENTRE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS

PARENT GOOROON MEETING

ABORIGINAL DANCERS REPRESENTING ST JOHN'S

Our Aboriginal Dance Troupes, Gudjarahs have been fantastic ambassadors, performing at several events this month. The troupe enjoyed performing at Orient Point & Districts Preschool for their NAIDOC Celebration, as well as performing at TAFE and Greenwell Gardens Nursing Home.

Congratulations to several of our students, recently competing in the Berry Riding Club Superphase Showjumping Championships on 13 July.

Luca Boyton of Year 7, riding Monty placed 1st in all three 60cm, 70cm and 80cm showjumping events whilst Year 8 student Bayli Batchelor achieved 2nd in the 60cm event.

Year 9 students Jack Rutledge placed 2nd in the 80cm event and McKayla Smith finished 5th in the 60cm and 3rd in the 70cm event on horse Milo.

More recently, McKayla contested the 75cm, 80cm and 85cm events at the Berry Riding Club Showjumping Championships on 11 August, winning the Best Presented and Sportsmanship Award. McKayla followed up her achievement, finishing 3rd D grade Grand Prix and 4th D grade (75cm) AM5 at the 19 May Zone 28 Showjumping Championships.

Congratulations to these students!

KOBY HEADING TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Congratulations to Year 7 student Koby Hantis, named in the NSW team to represent at the Australian Junior Motocross Championships in South Australia in October. Good luck Koby!

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. Susan Surreau

Social Justice Coordinator 

HOT CHOCOLATE FUNDRAISER

It was a very chilly morning on Wednesday. The Vinnies Youth students served up hot chocolate to a long line of eagerly awaiting students. Many students were motivated by free marshmallows and helping the environment, bringing their own keep cups with them! We were mindful of those who face the challenges of homelessness especially at winter time. The students raised $160 towards the Vinnies Winter appeal. Well done!

Grocery donations are still being collected at school for this worthy cause.

TREK FOR TIMOR

St John's teacher, Mr David 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.

St John’s P&F Committee are pleased to announce that a proposal has been passed, to offer sponsorship awards to incoming Year 7 students during their St John’s Orientation Night. These awards will consist of a $50 voucher for redemption at Lowes (our uniform providers).

Twenty students will be chosen via a door prize ticket on orientation night. The committee has also agreed that sponsorship awards will occur annually and commence in 2020. The P&F looks forward to welcoming all new students to St Johns. 

CALLING FOR CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS 

Are you looking for something new to do and want to be involved?  Our wonderful Canteen staff would love for you to join them.  Even if you can only spare an hour or two, one day a week, month or term, every bit helps.  No experience necessary. Duties may include slicing & dicing, stocking fridges & washing up.  If this sounds like something that you would be interested in please call Vicki on 4423 1359.

Just a friendly reminder that the canteen volunteer roster can be found within the Canteen News section of the newsletter, please click the link to check the Canteen Volunteer Roster.

WORKING BEE 

Our next Working Bee won’t be until Term 4 with the date to be announced in the next Newsletter.  

NEXT GENERAL MEETING 

The next General Meeting of the P&F will be held on Monday 4 November at 6pm 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.

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

Click here to view the Canteen Menu

Click here to view the canteen roster for Term 3