THANK YOU

As the Term comes to an end, so does my visit and stay at St John’s. I have been welcomed by all and have thoroughly enjoyed the time here. I am saddened to have to leave really. I have been very impressed with the students and their friendliness and you can see in the nature of their interaction with each other that a genuine respect and care for friends exists. 

I particularly wish the Year 12 students well as they enter their final Term of secondary schooling. With most assessments completed a time of focus will help to give your best and do yourself proud. 

The school has a wonderful calmness about it and the Staff are to be congratulated for the care and pastoral nature of all that they do with the students. The end of each term is always busy for Staff with assessments, marking, reporting and completion of necessary content for registration etc. These things do not go away and yet the Staff still go beyond. 

Normally at this time I would spend time reflecting on all the good things that have happened in the Term. There are so many wonderful ‘small’ things that happen each day and week that we can sometimes lose the appreciation for them. For they are the things, the moments that make a quality Catholic school – like St John’s.

So, after the holiday period I will be returning to John Therry Catholic College and Mrs Hogan will be returning here. She will be refreshed by her leave and the last I heard she was on the Gibb River Road travelling to Broome and the wider Kimberly region of far north Western Australia. 

God Bless,

In Week 8 this term the St John’s CAPA staff, in conjunction with external Music, Drama, Dance and Visual Arts tutors, ran this year’s CAPA Camp.

Students were offered taster sessions on Wednesday in three of the four CAPA subjects, Music, Drama, Visual Arts and Dance.

After the taster sessions students then focussed on one CAPA subject that they had chosen and participated in workshops run by industry professionals from Upstage productions which included our own St John's graduate Natalie Abbott, star of Muriel’s Wedding and ABC TV series Aftertaste and local artists.

It was exciting to see how thoroughly students engaged in the learning opportunities that were provided by the 12 professionals who were specialists in acting, singing, songwriting, a variety of instruments, dance and artmaking.

At the conclusion of the workshops on Thursday we then held an exhibition and performances from the work created throughout the day. Parents and friends were invited to attend the twilight performance and exhibition with approximately 100 people in attendance.

I would like to thank Upstage and our local artists for their wonderful work in providing the workshops that students learnt so much from. I congratulate the students on their positive and enthusiastic participation in the camp. I especially would like to thank the CAPA staff - Mr Christie, Ms Baker, Mr Malady, Ms Lloyd, Mrs Lloyd, Ms Castles and Ms Richards for the incredible amount of time and effort they put into the planning, organisation and running of the CAPA Camp. It was a huge collaborative effort and the reason that the two days ran so well and provided such an amazing opportunity for the students here at St Johns. Finally, I want to thank the school staff for their understanding and Mrs Hogan for her support of the CAPA camp.

MUSIC

Year 7 music students have been learning about the concepts of music this semester within the context of orchestral music and Australian music. The students have been fantastic this semester and have involved themselves in listening, composition and practical activities. Here are some pictures of 7MUS2 learning 'Memories' by Maroon 5 in an ensemble setting where students selected an instrument they wanted to learn their part on and then performed the piece together!  

Year 8 music students have also been learning about the concepts of music this semester within the context of the blues, rock music and music for film, television and video games.  The students have involved themselves in listening, composition and practical activities to demonstrate their knowledge and skills learnt. Here are some images of students from 8MUS8 engaging with practical activities this semester.

Year 9 music students have been learning about British Pop/Rock music this semester. All students participated in 'Battle of the Bands' which saw each student perform in a band this term to develop their ensemble skills. The students of Year 9 music cheered on each group when they performed and then voted on their favourite act to take out the prize. Well done to Aiden, Josh, Lara, Callum and Nadia for taking out the win!

Year 11 music students have undertaken their preliminary course with great eagerness and positivity. All students have just completed 'Common Task 2' which saw students perform an Australian piece of music and engage in a Viva Voce. All students should be commended on their work for this task. Stage 6 Music is a notable step up from Stage 5 and all students are encouraged to continue taking part in the extra curricular music groups and activities on offer to better their skills learnt in class. 

Mr Mark Burian

CAPA Coordinator

NOWRA PARISH 

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Mr David Comensoli

Religious Education Coordinator

THANK YOU & FAREWELL VICKI