The Year 12 formal was held last Thursday and this was a night of true celebration. Not only did the hall present as an amazing Gatsby themed dining room, the students graced it with a true sense of style and graciousness. 

Everyone had a wonderful time as the evening was celebrated with simple good fun. The usual dancing was replaced with a music trivia to meet the COVID expectations and this was very successful as the students were so willingly engaged with a great spirit of fun. 

Congratulations to Ms Davis and Mrs Isemonger who worked with a team of students to prepare the event. And congratulations to our Year 12 students who, once again, engaged with a positive mindset that ensured they had a wonderful graduation night. We will miss your smiles and strength of character. Best wishes for all the students in our graduating class of 2020.

And as we farewelled one year group we welcomed another with the orientation day for Year 7, 2021.

It was so lovely to finally see them on grounds and the Year 9 students did a wonderful job working with these newest members of our school community to begin to build the spirit that will bring them into our school community. It was great to see them having such a fun day and we look forward to the gifts that they will bring to all of us here at St John’s. Welcome Year 7, 2021!

Mrs Sandra Hogan

Principal

THANKS - ASSISTANCE AT THE YEAR 12 FORMAL

A huge thank you goes out to the Year 11 students involved in assisting at the Year 12 Graduation dinner on Thursday 12th November in the school hall.  The students showed independence and tenacity in their work in serving drinks, assisting with the catering and taking photos.  

Every student involved has received an OOAAA nomination and a merit award.  This activity will also be entered by each student in their Year 12 passport as a record of activity.

There were many students who volunteered for the work on the night and thanks also goes out to these students.

The students involved are listed below:

YEAR 11 PRESENTATION

The Year 11 Presentation was held earlier this term to celebrate the achievements by the cohort who have now commenced their Year 12 studies. We wish to congratulate all students and the award recipients.

PASSPORTS

Year 12 Student passports have been issued to all Year 11 students who are commencing their Year 12 work and extracurricular activities during Term 4.  I would ask that all parents / guardians encourage their sons and daughters to continue to look for any extracurricular activities that will be entered in their passports as a record of their involvement.  This is very important in informing their reference which is provided to every student when they complete Year 12 in 2021.  This has also proved to be effective for students as a way of presenting to potential employers when they are applying for jobs.

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Students have been identifying a short term goal with their PALS teachers in extended PALS. This goal will tie in with students who have similar aspirations in their studies and particular subject areas.  The outcome will be that students will work cooperatively in extended PALS on common tasks and learning experiences in specific subjects where they have identified a need.

HANDBALL COMPETITION

Those who had entered the handball competition will be involved in the final rounds of the tournament over the next couple of weeks.

UNIFORM FOCUS

All students in Year 11 are now our leaders of the school.  It is imperative that all students wear their uniforms as required by the school policy to show pride in our school and demonstrate this in a positive way to our younger students.  Our year has had a history of wearing their uniform well and with pride and I would like to see this continue throughout their final year at St John’s.

Mr Simon Vaughan

Year 11 Coordinator

YEAR 12 GRADUATION DINNER SPEECH

Well Year 12 2020, I kept telling you all to stay groovy - and boy - do you look groovy tonight!

 

Before I begin my speech I would like to acknowledge the work of Kate Davis. Miss Davis as Assistant Year Coordinator has been responsible for organising everything you see tonight and it would not have happened without her. I would also like to thank Monica from Hoorah Events who has transformed our boring school hall into a glittering gatsby ballroom!! Mrs Chittick who was our counsel to make sure we were doing it right! And all the staff who have offered their assistance and support and are here tonight to wish you well.

My graduation speech was lessons learnt from Masterchef - tonight it is “Lessons learnt from COVID”

Lesson 1

We have learnt the value of friendship - and to actually be with our friends and in the company of people that make us smile and bring us joy.

 

Lesson 2

We have learnt the value of community (especially the St John’s community!) and the strength it can provide.

 

Lesson 3

We have learnt that it is OK to slow down and take time to appreciate, with awe and wonder, the natural beauty that surrounds us in the beautiful Shoalhaven.

 

Lesson 4

We have learnt how lucky we are to live in Australia!

 

Lesson 5

We have learnt the value of zoom!!!!!!!!!

 

But most importantly - We have learnt about the things in life that matter most!

This is the script from a video I show to staff when it is my turn to do prayer - it is something that resonates with me and hopefully you!

 

If life is a race, then who are we competing with, is there a prize for first place, or do we just reach the end a little quicker? Humans aren’t designed to go fast, sooner or later we crash. 

 

But when we slow down, we discover that life has a natural pace and it is good. We slot into a groove and life becomes richer, more pleasurable and more fulfilling, we may do fewer things but what we do we do well.

Life is where you are and what you are doing right now! 

 

Life will always have its ups and downs but you should ALL draw strength from knowing that you have persevered and completed your HSC - and although it was a challenging experience for each and everyone of you - you should take comfort in the fact that you did it - you successfully completed the HSC when others had given up. 

 

And know that the HSC (and life!) is a lot like the weather. Every time you hit the big storms that seem like they are going to snow you under, it will change and get better and the sun will come out!

In fact, the sun is shining so brightly on your future Year 12 - you're going to need those shades!!!!

Never lose your groove Year 12 2020!

 

BISHOP'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

Broadcast livestream to our Chapel last week, we received the pleasure of presenting the prestigious Bishop's Excellence Award to worthy recipient Jonathon Staunton.

Mrs Wendy Isemonger

Year 12 Coordinator

YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE

All Year 10 students will be undertaking work experience in Term 4 Week 8 (Monday 30 November - Friday 4 December). As it is very challenging this year to get an employer to take on work experience students we are very grateful to those businesses that have been able to accept our students.

Year 10 students will have a preparation session for work experience in Week 7 and we wish them well with their work experience placements. 

POSITIONS VACANT

All positions vacant are advertised in students Careers Google Classroom page along with more information and a link to the application process. 

AEROSKILLS APPRENTICESHIPS X 3 (SIKORSKY - NOWRA) 

Sikorsky Australia are excited to offer 3 apprenticeships, one for each trade (mechanical, avionics and structures) in their maintenance team. 

APPRENTICE BAKER AND TRAINEESHIP RETAIL (HUSKISSON)

There are 4 positions available at Huskisson Bakehouse for school leavers.

• 2 x apprenticeships as a baker or chef
• 2 x traineeship in retail/hospitality

All full time positions with Friday/Saturday off or Sunday/Monday off

APPRENTICE BOAT BUILDER/REPAIRER (NOWRA)

The successful applicant will be trained in all aspects of boatbuilding and repair. They will learn fibreglassing, woodworking, metalworking, electrical, plumbing, marine engineering along with other various skills.

APPRENTICE MARINE MECHANIC (SOUTH NOWRA) 

Supra Boats are looking for a hardworking, self-motivated, clean, organised person who can follow instructions and a manual. You will be working with a highly-skilled mechanic and management team who service and repair electrical and mechanical equipment on high end inboard wakeboard and waterski boats. You will be actively repairing and maintaining inboard motors including; Indmar, PCM, Illmor, Mercruiser, Monsoon as well as working with all types of marine systems.

Mrs Carla Hill

Transition and Pathways Specialist

Walk4TIMOR

The fundraiser concluded on Friday 13 November with a Mufti Day.

Students and staff really embraced the theme to put some colour into 'Black Friday' and dressed in a range of weird and wonderful outfits from decades past. 

A huge thank you to the St John's community for supporting this fundraiser. Many students also directly assisted in this fundraiser, joining in the oval walks, collecting donations, donating and selling soft drinks, coordinating a lolly guessing competition and promoting the fundraiser. A great effort by all involved.

A fantastic total of $2099.10 was raised and will be sent to the Railaco Mission food and medical program (via Jesuit Mission) and to the Dominican Orphanage in Dili. These communities are very grateful for our support.

BAKEHOUSE SALE & CRAZY SOCKS FOR CATHOLIC MISSION

Thank you to everyone who contributed and supported our house bake sale and crazy sock day for Catholic Mission earlier this term!

We received so many wonderful baked goods to sell and were able to also provide cake donations to John Purcell House Refuge for Homeless in our local area.

SJE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING DESIGN (TED) TEAM

• dance in a practical setting;
• dance on location,
• various angles,
• repetition and the camera! 

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