We are all looking forward to the holiday break and whilst we look to our break it is important to celebrate our successes. This week we have celebrated the graduation of our Year 12 students, a wonderful group of young people. They will take with them their learnings from St John’s along in peaceful and just relationships along with their scholarship skills.

I have shared with you the Principal's graduation address:

YEAR 12 PRINCIPAL’S GRADUATION ADDRESS

Well Year 12, this year has certainly been unique

You came to your HSC year as a year group that was ready for the challenge.

You had your goals set and you were ready to peak in this, your HSC year.

And then the changes came, bringing with it whole new challenges. The arrival of COVID-19 moved the goalposts.

As a group of young people you have faced many challenges this year and your response to these have been admirable.

In reflecting on role models and those who have been there before, I call to mind a young woman, who once attended St John’s, for whom I have nothing but admiration. 

Turia Pitt was a very successful young lady who had a life plan mapped out and then was caught in a devastating fire and was so very badly burned and her world changed forever.

She also has been inspirational in taking on such extreme challenges.

Turia uses quotes to inspire her and there is one that I often consider….

“A river cuts through rock…. not because of its power, but because of its persistence.”

And recently Turia said: 

I am not the person I thought I would be, I am better.

And it has been your quiet persistence that has brought you to this point. 

You have taken on the challenges and with the support team: your parents, teachers and fellow students, like the river, you have cut through the challenges and continued your journey to this day.

I have been impressed at how quickly and with generous hearts you have taken every opportunity to engage with social justice.

As we have chatted about your future plans I have been overwhelmed at how many of you have gained early entry into universities or other post school options.

You have plans, and some of you are still waiting for that inspiration, but you have given it your best.

And now it’s time to shine.

Our Gospel reading today called you to ‘Let your light shine’.

Here in the Shoalhaven we are blessed with one of nature’s most beautiful spectacles. 

For the lucky ones who have managed to be at Jervis Bay on just the right evening you may have witnessed the magical appearance of phosphorescence. 

When the water glows with tiny lights in the darkness. 

It is spectacular to see.

However, it's the science behind the glow that truly tells its story.

Is there anything more beautiful than living light?

Light that is released by living things is called phosphorescence.

What really glows are millions of tiny algae in the water. Each small algae glows with its own light and the collective glow is created by each piece of algae glowing brightly.

I learned recently that apparently all living things glow, even humans.

We have all encountered people who radiate goodness and inhabit a kind of joy. 

People who brim with life, peace and light.

So for our graduates today: I encourage each of you to let your light shine and may your collective glow be a great gift to our world just like the phosphorescence of Jervis Bay.

The vibrant and... slightly frightened Year 7 students who came to us in 2015 are now graduates of St John’s. 

They know how to be People of Peace inspired by a great sense of hope and belief that they can make a difference. 

Hold onto your dreams and create new ones. 

Be thankful for the gifts God gave each of you and use them every day.

We have challenged you to let your light shine and this you have done. 

As you leave St John’s ensure it always glows brightly so that the seeds of peacemakers continue to flourish. 

Be measured not by what you do for a job but who you are: shining lights and people of peace.

Finally

I would like to acknowledge our wonderful young people. They never cease to surprise us with their ingenuity. They take on the challenges and they support each other. I would also like to thank our parents for their ongoing support. Your support enables us to ensure that all our young people are encouraged and supported to reach their full potential.

Following our Year 12 graduation on Wednesday, we have received many notes of gratitude. It is nice to hear so much positive feedback and we thank those who have taken the time to write to us.

Have a restful and fun couple of weeks holiday.

Mrs Sandra Hogan

Principal

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST – 2020 HSC EXAM SUPERVISORS

St John’s are taking expressions of interest for supervisors for the 2020 HSC Examination. The examination period is from Tuesday 20 October to Friday 6 November 2020.

Supervisors will assist the School’s HSC Presiding Officer, Mr Neil Parker, during the HSC exams. They will be supervising students.

Supervisors receive a roster from their presiding officer. The number and length of shifts varies depending on the number of exams held.

Essential requirements

 Supervisors must:

• be over 18 years of age
• have a valid Working With Children Check clearance for employment ($80 for five years)
• work as part of a team
• have attention to detail
• be able to carry out duties confidentially and discreetly
• be able to stand for long periods of time. Supervisors must not have a friend or close relative sitting the HSC at the same school or be an employee of or have recently been employed by the school.

The current rate of pay for supervisors is $23.82 per hour. If you are interested in being a supervisor, please contact the school on 4423 1666 or email info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE OOAAA NOMINATIONS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MATHS PATHWAY 200 CLUB NOMINEES

LEADERSHIP DAY 

Students took part in a Reflection Day involving the Leadership program for all Year 11 students on Thursday 13 August 2020. 

The concept behind this day was to further develop leadership qualities in all 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 will also 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. 

The day was a careful look at what it means to be a leader, to think about the qualities of a leader and gave students the opportunity to discover their own leadership qualities which all students have and what special characteristics they could bring personally to the school community.  The challenge put to students, as with any year group day, was that they interacted with someone who was out of their friendship group, get out their comfort zone and have some fun.  At the end of this day leaders were given the opportunity to vote for their leaders for 2021. 

LEADERSHIP FORMATION DAY 

Recently the newly elected leaders took part in a formation day to:  

• To build a stronger connection within the leadership team
• To develop role descriptions for the new leadership roles
• To finalise the leadership roles for 2021

Leaders are using the model of the dispositions of the school to be part of teams that will shape specific directions for activities and common purpose within the school.  The areas that will be specifically developed are being led by prefects from the leadership body in the following areas:

• Academic Prefects (Inquires)
• Sporting Prefects (Ownership) 
• Technology/STEM Prefects (Challenge)
• CAPA Prefects (Imaginative)
• Cultural awareness Prefects (Not only Social Justice - and maintaining that Social Justice is the responsibility of all Houses) (Connects) 
• Stewardship Captain (Reflective)

 All of this relates specifically to support of the school and wider community. Students broke into groups and looked at:   

• Identifying the main aim of the role
• Identifying ways these leaders could specifically be engaged in  the community to fulfil that role: “If these captains were to be active, what would they be doing?
• Identify the measure of success after 1 year in the role: “If these captains were to be successful, how would the school be improved?”

 We are all very excited looking to the future of our leaders in 2021. 

HANDBALL COMPETITION 

Students have been taking part in a knockout handball competition throughout the latter part of term 3 and this will continue into term 4 as a way of combining social interaction with some fitness and fun.  Students have taken part in Boys and girls competitions in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.  Handball does seem to be a healthy obsession with this year group! 

 

'Full hearts, through service, love and courage'

Mr Simon Vaughan

Year 11 Coordinator

It has been an enormous week for Year 12 as we have celebrated the success of students with breakfast and the traditional dress up day on Tuesday followed by the Graduation Ceremony livestreamed to Year 12 families on Wednesday.

 

Click here to read the Year 12 Coordinator Graduation Speech

 

YEAR 12 GRADUATION - SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS

 

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

 

YEAR 12 GRADUATION - GUARD OF HONOUR

YEAR 12 GRADUATION - STAFF SONG

Thank you to teacher Ms Abbey Baker for coordinating a very special farewell tribute song for the class of 2020. Thanks also to all staff for 'putting yourself out there' for Year 12!

YEAR 7 MACKILLOP GIRLS GIFT TO YEAR 12 STUDENTS

YEAR 12 VISUAL ARTS

Our Year 12 Visual Arts students have excelled with their HSC Body of Works projects. Students and staff really enjoyed viewing the variety of artwork during the recent lunchtime exhibition.

YEAR 12 CONSTRUCTION 

 

'Strong minds. Gracious Hearts.'

Mrs Wendy Isemonger

Year 12 Coordinator

Walk 4TIMOR

For the past 8 years, students and teachers from St John’s have given up their September/October holiday break to travel to Timor Leste, one of the poorest nations in the world. The group visits the same communities each year, immersing themselves in the communities and forged wonderful, ongoing relationships. St John’s has been able to offer support to these communities through donations of educational supplies, assistance with school fees, musical instruments, support and participation in a food and medical program and other resources which many Timorese can simply not afford.

Sadly, due to COVID19, this trip will not be proceeding. This is very disappointing for the group that was to travel next week, but more importantly, it means that none of the usual donations will be made. 

To alleviate this in some way, and on the initiative of students, a fundraiser has been organised. Each Thursday, students and staff will be walking laps of the oval at lunchtime. The aim is to provide the opportunity to have a conversation about Timor Leste and the differences in the situation in our two countries. For example, the government of Timor Leste were able to provide some financial assistance to the people during the COVID crisis. Each family (not each person) received a total of $300 in aid this year.  

In Timor, many people walk to their destinations as other transport options may not be available or affordable. Walking provides the opportunity for groups of people to 

have a great chat while on their journey. The following distance targets have been suggested, however any level of participation is fabulous;

8 km - the distance from Dili Airport to the Dominican Orphanage

25 km - the distance from Dili to Railaco, where the food and medical program is located.

Thankfully, Timor Leste is currently Covid free, however, relatively poor services and infrastructure mean that an outbreak remains a dangerous possibility.

The fundraiser will continue through until next term. Donations can be made at the student foyer each Monday and Thursday Lunch 1, or directly to the office. Donations will be evenly distributed between the Dominican Orphanage in Dili and the food and medical program in Railaco.

So why not get a small group together and go for a walk? It is a great opportunity to spend some time with family and friends, take some time to think about people in a difficult situation and (PLEASE!) make a contribution to our friends in Timor Leste.

For any further information, please contact Mr David Muller, Immersion Coordinator

mullerd01@dow.catholic.edu.au

LIBRARY FOYER DISPLAY

Our school library foyer is always changing, displaying an array of quality student work. The current display of Year 7 & Year 8 Artwork is wonderful!

Mrs Jenni Allchin

Librarian

Mrs Natalie Hayes

Defence School Mentor

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