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Welcome back!
What a wonderful start it has been to our new school year. It is so wonderful to welcome about 200 new members to our school community including new students for each year group and 180 Year 7 students. A special welcome to all our new families.
We also welcomed five new staff members Mr Simon Zulian in HSIE, Mr Brendan Gibson in TAS, Ms Melanie Smillie and Ms Monique Liberale in Learning Support and Ms Lee Peters in the office. We also welcome back Mr Nicholas Garner and Mrs Maggie Frawley. We are very excited about what our new members will bring to our school community.
Whilst last year presented us with many challenges, we certainly did learn a lot. Not only were we challenged to think and go about things in a different way we also have new ways of connecting, not the least of which are our streamed assemblies. I was so delighted this week to receive some positive feedback from a parent watching the streaming within 10 minutes of completion. For so many years we had wished that our families could share these very positive events and now they can. We will continue to seek opportunities for connection with families especially in supporting your child in their learning. Your feedback and ideas are always valued by us. Two imminent events that you are invited to join are the Working Bee on Thursday 18 February from 3.15pm and the Parents and Friends Meeting on 15 February at 6pm.
As a Catholic community we create a safe place where all young people can excel and grow to reach their potential. Our expectations are clear and we aim to support and encourage all students to reach this potential. Out Two Wells of ‘Peaceful and Just Relationships’ and ‘Excellence in Learning’ guide our conversations and our school prayer guides our actions:
EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING
We were very pleased with the 2020 HSC results and how blessed we were to have a number of the high achieving students acknowledged at the Recognition Ceremony on Thursday.
These young people have applied themselves with diligence and as a result achieved outstanding results. They will now move into a wide variety of careers as their hard work has opened many doors for them.
They also held a forum with the students in Years 11 and 12 allowing our current students to ask questions and seek advice for their future study skills.
Click here to view the Q & A Forum
The school dux, Cameron Miller addressed the assembly.
Click here to read Cameron's speech or click below to view.
Click here to view Dux Cameron Miller's Address
Mrs Sandra Hogan
Principal
Over the Summer holidays students tend to experiment with their hairstyles and
piercings. In particular, unnatural colour and the mullet style haircut made famous by NRL players and the Black Dog institute (quite short/shaved sides and longer at the back).
We ask for parents/ guardians to please refer students to uniform expectations in the school diary on page 22 and 23.
In particular:
Page 23 in the diary states-
- Extreme styles would include: Undercuts, extremely short or shaved hair, carved styles, short sides with long tops, rat's tails, Mohawks styles, extreme or multi-coloured hair.
- Earring: One pair of silver or gold sleepers or studs may be worn in the earlobes
- No facial or body piercing is allowed.
- Any piercings outside the school uniform policy must be clear/ non visible studs.
Page 22 in the diary states- School shoes must be black, polishable lace up leather shoes. Skate shoes are not appropriate at any time (Canvas/non leather variety. Black leather vans/nike shoes are acceptable).
Thank you for your support of the school uniform policy.
Mr Aidan Leishman
YEAR 10 AND YEAR 11 INFORMATION SESSIONS
Year 10 and Year 11 attended information sessions regarding the RoSA and Preliminary courses. A link to these very important sessions will be sent to families next week. Please sit with your child and watch these clips. Assessment information booklets will be distributed on Wednesday during long PALS. These booklets are an important reference for the year ahead.
YEAR 11 SUBJECT CHANGES
The deadline for Year 11 subject changes is Friday 12 February, 2021.
USEFUL LINKS FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
- Reach Out: Parent/Child exam expectation quiz, tips for managing a range of things including stress https://parents.au.reachout.com/common-concerns/everyday-issues/things-to-try-exam-stress/reflecting-on-your-expectations
- NSW Government: HSC help for parents and carers https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/learning/tests-and-exams/hsc-help/parents
- Catholic Education: Diocese of Wollongong - Resources for Parents and Carers https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/for-parents/parent-resources/
TERM 1 2021
WEEK 3 (Week B)
Monday 8 February: Year 7 (& Year 8 & 11 catchup) immunisations
Tues 9 & Wed 10 February: Year 8 Love Bites Program
Wed 10 - Fri 12 February: Year 7 camp
WEEK 4 (Week A)
Monday 15 February: P & F AGM (6pm)
Tuesday 16 February: Year 12 UOW Discovery Day
Thursday 18 February: School Working Bee (3:15pm - 5:30pm)
Friday 19 February: School Swimming Carnival (Competitors only)
WEEK 5 (Week B)
Wednesday 24 February: SJE Open Night for Future Students & Year 7 2022
WEEK 6 (Week A)
Wed 3 - Fri 5 March: Year 9 Camp
WEEK 9 (Week B)
Friday 26 March: School Cross Country Carnival
TERM 2 2021
WEEK 2 (Week A)
Friday 30 April: School Athletics Carnival
WEEK 5 (Week B)
Saturday 22 May: School Working Bee
Click here to access the 2021 Representative Sports Calendar
The following are a list of procedures, which if followed correctly, will enable us to serve you in a friendly, efficient, professional manner at all times as well as allow students to focus on their learning.
EARLY LEAVERS
If you need to collect your child early from school, please send a note in with them in the morning, which they will bring to the office before school. Students will receive an Early Leaver stamp in their diary providing them permission to leave class. They will meet you at the office and there is no waiting for anyone. It is very difficult to get a child out of class on short notice. It is a disruption for the teachers and the rest of the class. If a student is at sport, or doing a practical class then they can be difficult to locate. If you find you need to pick your child up urgently please ring the school before you come in to give us time to locate them. Notes are needed for audit purposes, so you will be asked to provide a note every time your child is late to school, absent for any reason or leaves early.
It would be appreciated if any change to after school travel arrangements to be communicated to your child is received by the office no later than 2.30pm.
SCHOOL TIMES
Please ensure your child arrives to school on time. School begins at 8.30am each morning. If they are late they must report to the office to be signed in or they will be marked absent on the roll.
LOST PROPERTY
A real concern is the amount of lost property that comes into the office. There are a number of uniform items each year that end up being sent to St Vincent de Paul as they have no names on them and students do not come to claim them. We cannot return items if they are not clearly labelled. Please put your child's name on all of their uniform items, especially blazers and sports track suits. Hats are another item that often come to the office with no name. Do not think because they are now in high school they will not lose things!
CAMPS & CARNIVALS
With the upcoming camps and carnivals, please label all items that your child takes to camp so everything will be returned to them if it gets mixed up with other students' belongings. Please follow the provided ‘what to bring list’ on camp notes so students have the requirements but not take too much.
ILLNESS
If your child becomes ill during the day you will be phoned to come and collect them. Students who are not well enough to be in class must go home. Please ensure we always have your updated telephone numbers. Students are not to use their mobile phones to ring you if they are sick. Medication (including Paracetamol) will only be administered if supplied to the office with a Medical Consent form.
VALUABLES AT SCHOOL
Students are encouraged not to bring valuables or money to school. The school is not responsible for loss or theft of valuables whilst students are at school. All students are advised to keep valuables with them at all times, either in their pockets or in a pencil case in the classroom. Due to WHS regulations all bags have to be left outside of classrooms.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Mobile phones and other electronic devices are permitted to be used before and after school however they are not to be used during school hours and must be switched off. If a student is found to be using these items they will be confiscated. The first confiscation is classed as their one and only warning, they will have the item returned to them at the end of the day.
The second confiscation will result in the phone/electronic device being stored in the school office and the student will be required to attend a playground withdrawal before collecting their device the next day.
Third and consequent confiscations will be treated as an act of defiance and dealt with accordingly. Parents are asked not to phone their children on their mobiles or to send them text messages during the day. If you need to get an urgent message to your child please ring the school office and we will relay the message for you.
EXCURSIONS
All monies for excursions, fees etc are to be brought to the office immediately when the child comes to school, or at lunch/recess time. Receipts will be issued for all money paid to the school. Payment for some excursions will be able to be done on-line. This will incur a 30 cent administration fee. Information regarding this is available on our website via the Excursion Letters & Payment link.
All monies and permission notes must be submitted before the due date or the student may not be permitted to attend the excursion. The office will not accept notes past the due date without prior approval from the Assistant Principal. Notes must be submitted together with payment or online receipt details attached.
If there is any concern over the cost of an excursion or the ability to pay, please contact the Principal’s Secretary via the school office. No child will be excluded from any compulsory excursion due to money constraints, however students or parents must inform the Coordinator or appropriate person before the due date.
FAMILY INFORMATION
Please ensure that you advise the office of any change in family circumstances or contact details including email addresses, telephone numbers and residential and postal addresses. This will assist the school with the communication process throughout the year. Important messages will be sent out via Compass and email so it is essential that the school is informed of current email addresses. Carers of students who travel on school buses are now required to update address details online via the Transport NSW website, apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updatedetails.
NEWSLETTER
The school newsletter will be emailed to parents fortnightly on Fridays and available via the school website. A hard copy may be obtained from the front office. We are trying to cut down on the number of newsletters that are printed. If we have your email address, you will receive a newsletter notification each week.
SCHOOL POLICIES
Please refer to the school website (via the Admin menu) or student diary, for school policies regarding jewellery, shoes, uniform and the consequences involved in non compliance with these policies.
Please do not hesitate to contact the St John’s School Office via email, info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au or by calling the office at any time if you have concerns.
NOTIFYING AND EXPLAINING STUDENT ABSENCES
Our Compass Communication App allows parents to notify the school of student absences. Please click here for further details.
COMPASS STUDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
St John’s uses the Compass student management computer system to communicate with students, parents and carers. This system is also used for parents to view student reports, make parent-teacher interview bookings, receive information and provide approval for excursions.
You are advised that unless we are informed otherwise (eg by providing a copy of court orders), the school assumes that both parents retain a shared and equal parental responsibility for their children. This means that the school will recognise that each parent has equal opportunities, duties, obligations and responsibilities in relation to matters involving their children’s education at St John’s.
With this in mind, both parents, whether residing at the same address or not, will receive their own individual login details for Compass. This is in accordance with policy guidelines stipulated from the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong.
Likewise, both parents will also receive copies of communication regarding their children and absentee notifications via SMS.
Should you have any concerns regarding this information, please contact the school as soon as possible. If there are court orders a copy must be provided.
2021 STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
Click on the link below to access our Parent Information Booklet containing important details for 2021 including student stationery and book requirements.
2021 Parent Information Booklet
PRE LOVED UNIFORMS
We would like to thank those families who have recently made donations of uniforms to the school.
At the beginning of each school year we are required to collect a media consent form from every student, signed by parents/carers and students. These forms are required to enable students to be photographed for a number of events including;
- Group School Photographs
- Annual School Yearbook
- St John's website
- Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Website
- Livstream of assemblies and events
All students are required to return this form to their PALS teacher by Week 3.
YEAR 7
“Aspire not to have more, but be more”
Wow - Year 7 has had a great start to high school at St John’s. Parents and carers, you should be so proud of the way your child and the year group as a whole have settled into the routine of high school. They have been inundated with information but they have listened carefully and followed instructions which has helped them cope with the busyness of school. I have been blown away by all the positive comments I have received from the teachers of Year 7 - already I am a very proud Year Coordinator!
To assist with organisation at home I will go through some of the information that I have been sharing with Year 7 below;
YEAR 7 CAMP
- Camp Notes were due on 4 February - they have been distributed via Compass (the school’s online portal) but a signed hard copy needs to be returned to the school. If you have any problems accessing the camp note please email the school (or ask other parents who may be able to assist!)
- A “What to bring” list has been given to your child and there is a digital copy on your child’s PALS classroom page.
- Tent groups have been organised by students. If your child has been nominated as providing the tent, could you please ensure that you practice putting up the tent so you know that it is in working order and that it has all the poles and pegs. Please do this in advance so you have time to organise parts etc. if needed.
- Parent Helpers are welcome but you will need to complete the Volunteer form which is also accessed via compass.
- Transport - ALL students must travel to the venue by bus, even if parents are helping.
- Morning Drop Off - Students will need to leave all their camp gear on the grass area outside the bus bay. Please be very careful and aware that normal school buses will be arriving and it does get busy in this area. Parents may park in this area if they are assisting with taking gear to camp.
- Labelling of gear - try to label everything - We have 180 students with gear coming on this camp - that means a lot of items! Make sure your child knows what their gear looks like so they can identify it - luggage tags would be useful.
- Rash vest for swimming - ALL students must have a rash vest or old tight fitting t-shirt to wear for sun protection when swimming.
- Medication Notes - Students who will be taking medication should have collected a PINK form on Tuesday at our Year meeting. Forms need to be returned BEFORE camp.
VACCINATIONS
Vaccination forms were due on 3 February. Vaccinations will occur on Monday 8 February.
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Due to COVID restrictions, we have had to change the way the carnival is organised, parents should have received an email with more details about this but students will need to enter online. Their PE teacher will be able to assist with this. The carnival will be held on 19 February.
CONSENT FORM FOR USE OF STUDENT'S IMAGE
The consent form for use of student’s image and/or work was due on 1 February. If your child has misplaced this form or any other notes ask your child to check with your PALS teacher, download from our school website beneath parent information/forms and letters or click here to download.
DIARY USE
The use of the school diary is an important and compulsory tool to support students in their organisation at St John’s. It is also an important communication tool between parents and teachers and for this reason we ask that parents read and sign their child’s diary every week - preferably on Tuesday night, as the PALS teacher will check on Wednesday morning and if the diary is not signed, consequences are put in place by the PALS teacher.
As you can see by all the information listed above, it has been a busy start to high school for Year 7 and they have shown great maturity, patience and understanding during this very busy time.
Mrs Wendy Isemonger
Year 7 Coordinator
It was a pleasure welcoming our new Year 8 students back for 2021. After speaking with several individuals about their holiday break, I was delighted to hear that many students got to spend some quality time with their families and friends and are feeling refreshed and excited for the upcoming year.
I would like to welcome our new students in Year 8, who have seamlessly integrated into our Year group. I would also like to welcome our new PALS staff members. We are lucky enough to have some new and experienced staff, who are enthusiastic about the pastoral needs of our students and getting to know their PALS classes over the coming weeks.
A reminder to all parents and guardians that if your son or daughter is having any pastoral issues, their PALS teachers are the first point of contact. They will communicate with me if the issue cannot be resolved.
The upcoming year has many exciting prospects. I am sure our Year 8 group will be even more impressed as to what St John's has to offer, hopefully with less restrictions from COVID. I encourage all students to start saying yes more often. Yes to some extracurricular activities, yes to new friendships and yes to taking on all educational opportunities that our wonderful school has to offer.
Have a fantastic year. I look forward to creating many treasured memories with you all!
UNIFORM AND DIARY
A reminder to students and parents/caregivers to revisit the uniform requirements and ensure that students are presenting themselves each day to the high expectations of the school. A reminder that sports shorts are to be a suitable length and not rolled up. This is also the case with the girls' skirts and the boys' shorts. They are to sit on the knee. Please give me a call if there are any issues in regards to uniform. Also, the use of the school diary will be a focus for 2021. Each student is to have their diary with them every day and must take it into PALS in the morning and to each lesson. Consistent and correct use of the diary will assist students in their organisation and keep them focused on achieving success in all areas of their learning.
Mr Joshua Watson
Year 8 Coordinator
As we begin another exciting school year at St John's it is imperative to stop and set some real and achievable goals. As I reflect upon our pleasing results in the 2020 HSC, it is important that I share the one common attribute each student who achieved these outstanding and personal best results developed, as they progressed through the grades at St John's. They read. They read regularly and widely. They asked questions as they read and they developed the ability to form opinions on the worthiness of texts. This reading exposed them to thousands of words that otherwise would be unknown. This in turn enabled these students to develop a sophisticated and highly academic writing style, that they could manipulate according to the academic register they were required to use.
Therefore as students set goals for the upcoming academic year, many will naturally focus on achieving a certain grade. However, I encourage them to set goals that include a regular and wide reading pattern. I also encourage them to enter additional reading and writing competitions that will be advertised in daily notices and the newsletter. This dedication to reading will be of more benefit to a student and will allow them to be exposed to styles and language otherwise unknown.
Of course students will be reading short and longer texts in English but going beyond what is required in class can only enhance the skill development of a student.
In addition to reading, students are encouraged to use SCRIBO across all grades. This online program assists students with developing the complexity and cohesion of their written texts.
We have a very passionate and dedicated English staff and should you have any concerns regarding your son or daughter’s progress, please contact the class teacher or myself. I look forward to another successful year, full of students reading and improving writing skills.
Ms Michelle Selmes
English Coordinator
Welcome to 2021 in our Library! Here are a few reminders that should help us all share our Library.
- The Library is open to students before school, all of lunch, and after school until 4pm (except on Friday when we close at 3.30).
- Please remember to bring your Compass Card with you as you will need it to borrow any resource.
- Please check your school emails daily, as this is how we will communicate with you.
We look forward to seeing you all soon!
UOW DISCOVERY DAY - TUESDAY 16 FEBRUARY
Discovery Day at UOW Wollongong Campus gives Year 12 students the opportunity to experience first-hand what a day at University is like. It is highly recommended for students interested in exploring the option of University anytime in the future (not just 2022) to attend this day.
To attend students must:
- Register through UOW website before 5pm Monday 8 February. Do this ASAP to get the session you want. Some fill up fast! Click here to register.
- Return the school excursion permission note (you will be able to get this after registration) and $10 payment by the due date
Bus will depart from school at 8am sharp and return approximately 4:30pm, depending on traffic.
UCAT - UNIVERSITY CLINICAL APTITUDE TESTS
Any student considering a career in medicine or dentistry, will need to sit a compulsory entry exam known as the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) before they can apply for relevant placements in the aforementioned fields of study within the Universities.
UCAT preparation is highly recommended. Being UCAT-ready means practising UCAT-style questions consistently over a longer period of time as opposed to leaving it until the time when students need to devote their full attention to their Year 12 work. Click here to access practice tests.
YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE
Year 10 work experience will take place in Term 4 Week 9 (Mon 29 Nov - Fri 3 Dec 2021). Students are responsible for organising their own work experience and will receive the paperwork for this before the end of this term.
COMPETITIONS
SIX WORD WONDER CONTEST 2021
A Six Word Wonder is a story, memoir, poem, or joke, told in only six words. The Six Word Wonder Contest gives you the chance to get published in the next Six Word Wonder collection, plus win up to $100.
The contest is open until 31 August. Click here for details.
AUSTRALASIA’S TOP EMERGING PHOTOGRAPHERS 2021
The competition is open to Australians and New Zealanders with less than four years’ professional photography experience, including amateurs.
This year, winners and runners-up will share in a prize pool of more than $30,000, including $9,000 in cash prizes. The best entries will be showcased in the May-July issue of Capture magazine. Entries are open until Sunday 21 February. Click here for details.
YOUNG ARCHIE COMPETITION 2021
The Art Gallery of New South Wales invites budding artists from around Australia between the ages of 5 and 18 to submit a portrait for the Young Archie 2021 competition.
The portrait must be of a person who is special to you – someone who is known to you and who knows you and plays a significant role in your life.
Entries are open until 5.00pm on Sunday 7 March. Click here for details.
POSITIONS VACANT
Clerical Assistant (Nowra). AIS Certifiers are looking for a Junior Clerical Assistant. This role would be suitable for any school leavers aged 16-18 years of age. If interested in this position please email accounts@aiscertifiers.com.au
Mrs Carla Hill
Transition and Pathways Specialist
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2021
A brief note to inform parents/guardians and students about the Sacramental Program running this year at St John’s.
Any students that would like to be baptised into the Catholic faith or receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or Confirmation, are invited to participate in the Sacramental program that will be running during the year and in school time.
Please click here for further information.
Mr Mark Fuller
Sacramental Program Facilitator
NOWRA PARISH
Click here to access Nowra Parish
Click here to access the latest Nowra Parish Bulletin
Click here to access Nowra Parish Facebook Page
Mr David Comensoli
Religious Education Coordinator
Welcome back to returning students, new students, staff, and other members of our school community. The P&F Executive are looking forward to being able to organise and contribute to more hands on activities around the school than we were able to due to last year’s COVID restrictions. If the P&F can help in any way please don’t hesitate to contact us through the school email address (info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au) and we will try to assist wherever we can.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The St John’s P&F AGM will be held at St John’s on Monday 15 February 2021 commencing at 6:00 pm, at which time all positions will be declared vacant and available for nomination. P&F Executive Committee positions available for nomination in 2021 include;
President - The P&F President presides at all meetings and provides leadership and direction for the Association by working cooperatively and collaboratively with the Principal and Parish Priest.
Vice-President - assists the President and fulfils the duties of the President when the President is unavailable.
Assistant Vice-President - understudies and shares the Vice-President’s workload; observes the roles and duties of the committee with a view to volunteering for any role at some point in the future.
Treasurer - is responsible for ensuring that all the financial dealings of the Association are carried out in accordance with the constitution.
Secretary - manages the day-to-day communications and records of the Association; organises meetings, records accurate draft minutes.
Assistant Secretary - understudies and shares the Secretary’s workload; observes the roles and duties of the committee with a view to volunteering for any role at some point in the future.
Parent Liaison Officer - keeps the parent body informed through the school newsletter and website of all P&F events and functions. They contact parent volunteers for various school events such as sporting carnivals, exam supervision and general helpers.
CANTEEN HELP NEEDED
Please contact our school on 4423 1666 or email info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au if you're able to assist
WORKING BEE
This year we are trying a new time slot for school working bees. The first 'After School Working Bee' will be held on Thursday 18 February 2021 starting at 3:15pm and concluding at 5:30pm. This is a great opportunity to improve the school surroundings for the students and meet others in the school community at the same time. We would love to see you all there!
Mrs. Jacinta Davis
Volunteers are required to assist in our canteen during 2021. Parents/Carers, friends, grandparents etc are all welcome!
If you're able to assist in our canteen, please contact Vicki on 4423 1666 or e-mail info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au.
Coming Fortnight Canteen Volunteer Roster
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.
