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- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- FROM THE CURRICULUM OFFICE
- NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
- UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
- YEAR 11 NEWS
- YEAR 12 NEWS
- NEWS FROM MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
- CAREERS NEWS
- ASSORTED NEWS
- NEWS FROM THE LIBRARY
- P&F NEWS
- CANTEEN NEWS
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
- SHOALHAVEN COMMUNITY OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
- COMMUNITY NOTICES
Next week our Year 12 students are undertaking their trial HSC exams. This is one of those milestones that moves them towards completing the Higher School Certificate and hence their school life here at St John’s.
Whilst our focus is on preparing and supporting them to achieve their potential, I am well aware that they must be wondering where the time has gone. We encourage them to always do their best and seek feedback for improvement, we also encourage them to celebrate their successes along the journey and share their talents with each other so that collectively they may enrich the lives of each other. This advice is at the heart of a successful student and in turn will lead to a successful life. Everyone within our school community has unique gifts and in sharing these with each other it is ensured that all will be challenged and supported.
So whether you are in Year 7 at the start of the journey or Year 12, we encourage you to always do your best, challenge yourselves and others, seek feedback, give and ask for support and celebrate your successes.
Good luck Year 12, you have generally prepared well for this time and we look forward to celebrating your successes with you over the last weeks of your time at St John’s.
Mrs Sandra Hogan
Principal
School photos will be taken on Tuesday 18 August. All photos at this stage will be taken as individuals. Group photos will be digitally compiled. These will include PALS, Year 12 and staff photos. I know this sounds a little unusual but we have seen samples from the company and the group photos look great. It is absolutely vital that all students have their individual photo taken. These photos are also the official photos used for compass etc.
Important to note too is that these photos are being taken on the second day of Year 12 trials. We absolutely know that this is not ideal but was the only date available after we postponed due to working remotely earlier in the year. We will organise the timetable for the day to ensure minimal disruption to Year 12 as a priority.
Please ensure that all students are wearing their full winter uniform so that students are ready for the photos: hair, shaving, blazers, skirt length and correct socks. All hair below collar length is to be tied back.
Thank you for your support with this.
Mrs Leonie Pearce
SUBJECT SELECTION
Year 7 - 10 should now be entered. We are currently working with the timetable committee and subjects will be finalised later this term. Students will be notified of their subject choices by the beginning of Term 4.
YEAR 12 TRIAL EXAMS
Year 12 Trial HSC Exams begin this week and will go for 2 weeks. Students are reminded to read the Student Rules and Procedures for Trial Exams. Any illness and misadventure must be communicated to the curriculum office on the day of the exam. Students are to follow normal procedures for illness and misadventure. Exams will follow the COVID-safe exam procedures as outlined by NESA and the CEDoW.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MATHS PATHWAY 200 CLUB NOMINEES
FINANCE OFFICE NEWS
The Australian Dance Festival "Resonate" has now been cancelled.
Refunds of $20.00 will be given to students today.
Fee Statements will also be emailed/mailed out. Direct Debits/BPay's have
been receipted up to 31 July 2020.
TERM 3
Week 5 Year 12 HSC Trial examinations
Tues 18 Aug: School Photographs
Week 10
Tues 22 Sept: Year 12 Breakfast 7:30am
Wed 23 Sept: Year 12 Graduation Assembly (Livestream at this stage) 9:30am
Thurs 24 Sept: Parent/Teacher Interviews 3:30pm
Fri 25 Sept: Parent/Teacher Interviews 9am-2:30pm. Pupil Free Day.
TERM 4
Week 2- Week 5
Tues 20 October - Wed 11 November: Year 12 HSC
Week 4
Mon 2 Nov: Year 7 Immunisations (1st dose)
Week 5
8-15 Nov: NAIDOC Week Celebrations
REFLECTION / LEADERSHIP DAY
Our Reflection Day involving a fun, engaging and purposeful Leadership program was held yesterday for Year 11 students.
The concept behind this day is to further develop leadership qualities in our students. It is a program designed to encourage students to become more confident and decisive, as well as fostering an awareness regarding the importance of community and how to support each other. Students were also encouraged to consider their role as senior school leaders over the next twelve months. This is an important program and a compulsory school day which all students in Year 11 are expected to attend.
RETREAT
At this point our Year 11 Retreat will be going ahead and we are all looking forward to this special time together with our students.
JERSEYS
The orders for the Year 12 2021 jersey are in! As is the case with many manufacturing companies there may be some delay to orders during the disruption created by COVID 19.
Just a reminder as per previously stated in the permission note, it is the student and family responsibility to ensure that correct sizing has been made, as once the jerseys are produced the correction of any errors will incur a cost to the family. Everyone has been thorough with this process and the jersey will look magnificent. Our design is very different to previous year groups and was decided on by a collective of students on a voluntary uniform committee. - Well done team!
HANDBALL COMPETITION
SRC and interested students from Year 11 will organise and participate in a handball competition during this term. This competition will be for Year 11 students only and it will be conducted on the school Basketball courts during lunchtimes. Dates and organisation will be detailed in PALS messages during Week 5, at which time the start date will be announced.
YEAR 11 HISTORY DEBATE
On Monday 3 August Yasmin Willis, Sam Parkes and J.D. Talty demonstrated excellence by engaging in an online debate with Tara Anglican School in North Parramatta. It was an extremely challenging event, arguing as the negative team on the topic 'That Cleopatra Betrayed Egypt'.
CHESS CHAMPIONS
Congratulations to Year 11 students Asha Uebe, J.D Talty and Nicholas Roberts who joined Arabici Talty (Year 9) to participate in Round 3 of the interschool Chess competition last Friday. Games were played online with our team successful with the win over Bomaderry High School. Congratulations!
WORKING TOGETHER PDHPE
Mr Simon Vaughan
Year 11 Coordinator
There is no question that this is a hard part of a young person’s life - it is important to try not to make it any harder by discouraging them from worrying about what might happen as this can lead to procrastination and over-thinking. What is important for students is to be in the present and focus on what is on the page in front of them (when completing tasks/exams) and what is happening now in their learning.
Below are some strategies which parents can use to support their child over the next few months;
- Take a whole family approach to supporting your child
- Maintain routine – SO important!! (helps your child maintain their study plan)
- Provide healthy, nutritious meals and encourage exercise
- Sleep is vital – try to ensure technology is out of the room and the house is quiet.
- Try to keep a calm household and allow your child to opt out of chores during exam time
- Provide physical conditions to aid studying – good lighting, cool/warm temperatures, a desk and a comfortable chair.
- Stay positive, provide encouragement (try not to nag!) Let them know you are there when they need you
- Encourage them to believe in themselves.
- Ultimately it is your son or daughter’s HSC – and they have to be responsible for the final outcome
(Adapted from “SURVIVING YEAR 12 – A sanity kit for students and their parents.” by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg)
LILY LEADING THE WAY
Year 12 are busy studying for their upcoming trial HSC exams, however on top of her studies, Lily Wright has demonstrated what a remarkable student she is, attending a recent Shoalhaven Local Government Youth Council Meeting where she presented her for views for improvements in our local area for people with disability. Lily's speech will be broadcast on our school Livestream Assembly. Congratulations Lily!
SHOALHAVEN EXCELLENCE IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING ANNUAL AWARDS
Congratulations is extended to the following Year 12 students who were nominated for the awards on the basis of outstanding application to all areas of their course and were awarded the following;
Certificate of Excellence in Hospitality:
Juliet Vandor, Madisson Powick, Caitlyn Sultana
Certificate of Excellence in Construction
Sebastian Sezonenko and William Pratt
Certificate of Excellence in Animal Studies:
A big congratulations to our St John’s students who then went on to win Student of the year in each of these categories;
Hospitality Student of the Year:
Madisson Powick
Construction Student of the Year
William Pratt
DRAMA FUN
Our Year 12 students are a very close-knit cohort consistently support others and demonstrate our school value. The supportive learning environment was very evident as our Year 12 Drama students recently performed their HSC practical exam for an external marker.
St John's continues to excel in the Creative and Performing Arts with many students achieving nominations for HSC Onstage over recent years. The level of excellence continues as our class of 2020 have excelled this year. We are extremely proud of their efforts!
END OF YEAR EVENTS
Below is an outline of events to celebrate the graduation of Year 12 2020. Obviously, these events need to have some flexibility depending on what is happening with the impact of the COVID virus.
Thursday 17 September (8:39am): Leadership Changeover Assembly (Livestreamed)
Tuesday 22 September: Year 12 Breakfast; Normal lessons Periods 1-2; Graduation rehearsal (period 3); Fancy Dress Funday (from lunch onwards)
Wednesday 23 September (9:30am) Graduation Assembly - (Live streamed at this time).
Thursday 12 November: Graduation Dinner (Students only at this time). Formal part of the evening to be live streamed.
Click here to download a summary of Year 12 events
“With gracious hearts and strong minds”
Mrs Wendy Isemonger
Year 12 Coordinator
NEW OPPORTUNITIES
2020 is certainly a challenging year for everyone. St John’s Maths staff are excited to announce some new opportunities available to students.
Last term, Ms Lee started an Origami club. This club meets at lunchtime on Tuesdays where the students enjoy creating some amazing things out of paper. A very friendly and fun atmosphere pervades the room with lots of friendly chatting between students and Ms Lee.
Recently, Mr McLoughlin established the Maths Club. This club meets at lunchtime on Mondays where the students work collaboratively to solve interesting Maths problems. Visitors to the room will notice a real buzz in the room as students take on the challenges presented by Mr McLoughlin.
EXCURSION CANCELLED
Sadly, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Mathematics in Surveying Excursion that was planned has been cancelled. This is disappointing for the Year 10 students and their teachers who are missing this opportunity. We all are hoping things return to normal next year.
STUDENT FEEDBACK
Our Year 7 and Year 8 students really appreciated the benefits of the Maths Pathway during last term’s lockdown. A number of parents contacted the school expressing appreciation of the benefits of the Maths Pathway program particularly how their children could keep growing in their Maths knowledge despite the difficulties of remote learning. Recently we have received emails from students explaining how Maths Pathway really benefits their learning. They mentioned many advantages including completing work at the right level for them, progressing at their own pace.
MATHS TUITION
Parents often enquire about extra assistance for their child. The Maths staff very generously offer their time every Thursday afternoon in B-block until 4pm. Students come along and do homework or study and have teachers readily available to help. This is always spoken of by departing Year 12 students as being of real benefit to their studies. Click here to access the Maths Tuition Permission Note.
Mr Mark McKinnon
Mathematics Coordinator
OPEN DAYS
Year 10, 11 and 12 students are encouraged to attend open days to obtain first-hand information.
UAC University Open Days
APPRENTICESHIPS
Students are encouraged to join Mrs Hill as AATIS on Thursday 27August (period 6) for the webinar ‘Job hunting for an Australian Apprenticeship in a post COVID-19 world’.
Expressions of interest for this Webinar will be taken in the student foyer.
In this webinar, the expert panel will share job hunting resources, incentives available, explain what a group training organisation is and how it can help you build your future, discuss current trends in apprenticeship industries and provide general job searching tips. Click here for details.
YEAR 12 UNIVERSITY INFORMATION
ACU’s brand new Bachelor of Arts (Western Civilisation) This new course will dive into the intellectual tradition and culture of the West. Students will study with a motivated group of peers dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and academic enquiry. The Ramsay Centre is funding 30 scholarships valued at $30,000 per year ($90,000 total) across the duration of your degree. Click here for details.
UNIVERSITY EARLY ENTRIES
UOW: Early admission is currently open and applications must be submitted by Friday 14 August at 5pm. Year 12 students can access all information about this via the Year 12 Careers Google classroom page.
ACU:Guarantee is now open and closing on Friday 25 September. This program will offer places based on a student's Year 11 results. Offers for ACU based on this program have already been made and will continue to be made fortnightly until the end of Sept.
Southern Cross University: The STAR early offer program allows you to secure your place in a Southern Cross University degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and give you a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on your Year 12 results. It’s free to apply and doesn’t take your ATAR into account. Apply now at www.scu.edu.au/star
Charles Sturt: Advantage Early Offer Applications are open until Monday 31 August. The program looks beyond academic skills and rewards people with soft skills. In addition to a conditional offer in September, students receive an exclusive support program, welcome events, gifts and a 5 point ATAR reduction for most courses.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarships for future teachers opening soon! Apply for a scholarship with the NSW Department of Education to receive financial support whilst you study and a guaranteed permanent teaching position upon graduation. Find out more in a Teaching 101 webinar, register at: bit.ly/Teaching101Webinars.
2021 CAREER GUIDE TAFE NSW
2021 Career Guide is now available! Download your interactive copy today https://bit.ly/300wjnG
POSITIONS VACANT
FITNESS TRAINEESHIP (BOMADERRY)
A Bomaderry gym are currently seeking a passionate Fitness trainee to join the team. As a Fitness trainee you will learn and undertaking duties such as assisting with membership, facility maintenance, administration and promotion. You will also work towards completing a nationally recognised qualification in Certificate III in Fitness. To be considered for this position you will need to have reliable transport to Bomaderry, be available to work a rotating roster between the hours of 6am and 8pm, have a genuine long term passion for a career within the fitness industry, be reliable and willing to learn. Junior traineeship wages apply. Click here for details.
MULTIPLE APPRENTICESHIP & TRAINEESHIPS
Komatsu has begun recruitment for their apprenticeship and traineeship program. Plant Mechanics, Auto & High Voltage Electrical, Boilermaker/Welder, Certificate III in Business Management. In NSW they have opportunities at the following locations: Sydney, Wollongong, Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Gunnedah. For details and applications, click here .
Mrs Carla Hill
Transition and Pathways Specialist
SENIOR MC CLASS SHOW CONSTRUCTION SKILLS
NATIONAL TREE DAY
Earlier this term our school participated in the National Tree Planting Day, with many students volunteering to get their hands dirty and assist by digging, shoveling, wheeling barrows and planting new shrubs outside our gymnasium area.
SURFING SUCCESS
Congratulations to Keira (Year 9) & Beau (Year 12) Buckpitt continuing to excel in the surf representing at the NSW School State Titles in Coffs Harbour last week.
Also in Coffs Harbour Keira competed on the weekend in the NSW Girls U/16 Surf titles claiming 3rd place! Congratulations Keira & Beau!
NEW HSC RESOURCES IN THE LIBRARY
Many new and updated resources have been purchased to support the current HSC students. A list of new titles have been included below. Overnight loans have also been introduced to provide greater access to these resources. The guidelines for these loans are outlined below.
- 2015 Community and Family Studies. Exam workbook
- 2017 Community and Family Studies. Exam workbook
- 2019 HSC English Standard. Paper 2, Modules. Exam Workbook
- Apple & the iPhone Business Case Study
- ATAR Notes Maths Extension 1: Topic Tests. NSW Year 12, 2020-2022
- ATAR Notes Year 12 Mathematics Advanced Topic Tests, 2020-2022
- ATAR Year 12 Business Studies Complete Course Notes, 2020-2022
- ATAR Year 12 Legal Studies Complete Course Notes 2020-2022
- Biology. Year 12
- Business Studies. Year 12 NSW 2020-2021
- Chemistry. Year 12 NSW 2019-2020
- Community and Family Studies. Year 12 NSW 2020-2021
- Decoding HSC Business Studies: Past HSC exams & responses topic by topic coverage 2012-2018. Book 2, Business reports & extended responses
- HSC Ancient History Study Guide
- HTA Modern History Study Guide [2019]
- HTA Year 11 Ancient History
- Legal Studies [HSC Course Focus Study Family]
- Legal Studies [HSC Course Focus Study Shelter]
- Legal Studies HSC Course. Study Guide. Core topics. Crime & Human Rights
- Legal Studies. Year 12 NSW 2020-2021
- Mastering Physics: HSC Sample Exam Papers and Answers
- Mastering the Craft of Writing : Year 12 Standard and Advanced Module C : The Craft of Writing [2nd ed] Student Book
- Mastering the Craft of Writing : Year 12 Standard and Advanced Module C : The Craft of Writing. Student Book
- Mathematics Advanced. Year 12 NSW 2020-2021
- Mathematics Extension 1. Year 12 NSW 2020-2021
- Modern History. Year 12
- NSW Biology. Modules 1 to 4 [Dot Point]
- NSW Chemistry. Modules 1 to 4
- NSW Earth and Environmental Science. Modules 1 to 4
- PDHPE. Year 12 NSW 2020-2021
- Physics. 3 & 4. Year 11, Waves and Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism
- Physics. 5 & 6. Year 12, Advanced Mechanics, Electromagnetism
- Physics. 7 & 8. Year 12, The Nature of Light, from the Universe to the Atom
- Physics. Year 11, Kinematics, Dynamics
- Physics. Year 12 NSW 2019-2020
- Studies of Religion I & II. Year 12 NSW 2020-2021
- World Order [HSC course focus study]
- Year 12 Standard English
YEAR 12 STUDENTS BORROWING HSC RESOURCES. OVERNIGHT ONLY
- Students may reserve books for loan. Reservations completed through Oliver system.
- Students need to have their Compass Card to borrow or reserve a resource.
- No borrowing or reserving if a student has overdue items.
- Books can be collected after school. Students with an early bus will need to leave class 5 minutes early to collect a resource.
- Books to be returned BEFORE school each morning. No exceptions. Failure to comply will result in consequences.
- Students may borrow one book at any one time.
- Limits may apply for popular titles.
- Student equity is paramount.
I encourage students to make use of these resources as they prepare for their upcoming exams.
SCIENCE DISPLAY - PRELIMINARY HSC BIOLOGY MODELS
Students in the Year 11 Biology classes were given the task of constructing a Fluid Mosaic Model of the cell membrane. These models are currently on display in the library foyer.
Mrs Jenni Allchin
Librarian
P&F NEWS
P&F meetings have been difficult to plan due to current restrictions during these difficult times of social distancing and looking after our families. For the moment the P&F Executive Committee are keeping in touch via email with our focus limited to arranging volunteers for essential school assistance only. The committee will continue to revisit ways to recommence school engagement as soon as it is permitted, for now thank you in advance for any assistance provided.
CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS
Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who make themselves available to assist in our canteen. We are still in need of some additional volunteers to fill the Term 3 canteen roster which can be found within the Canteen News section of the Newsletter, if you have any capacity to assist please call Vicki on 44231 359.
Mrs. Jacinta Davis
Close off for orders is 8.30am daily, a 25c transaction fee applies.
We have also now received approval for volunteers to assist in the canteen. Volunteers have been identified as essential workers. Vicki has prepared a roster for the remainder of this term however we have several days where assistance is required. If you are able to assist in our canteen, please contact Vicki on 4423 1666 or e-mail info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au. Come alone or it would be lovely to bring a friend along to assist.
TERM 3 CANTEEN ROSTER
*URGENT* SEVERAL POSITIONS NEEDING TO BE FILLED*
NOWRA PARISH
Click here to access Nowra Parish
Click here to access Nowra Parish Facebook Page
Click here to access the latest Nowra Parish Bulletin
Mr David Comensoli
Religious Education Coordinator
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.
