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WELCOME BACK
Welcome back to Term 3. We have been so very blessed that despite the fact that more than 50% of Australia is in lockdown and all the other high schools in the Wollongong diocese are undertaking remote learning, we are here on campus continuing with face to face learning.
In continuing to support our positive mindset we are focussing on developing an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’. Research shows that people who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better,express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, with two key aspects; a readiness to show appreciation and to return kindness.
With this in mind, at St John’s, we are thanking each other and striving to give kindness at every opportunity. It is through these actions that we will grow our own culture and we then get to enjoy it, but it takes each of us to do our bit and collectively we can create something amazing.
ST JOHN'S 2021 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
What a great celebration the school production of ‘Babes in the Woods’ was for our school. It was such a clever and joyful story delivered by the most talented young people under the direction of Mr Mark Burian.
Congratulations to our students who have prepared for this event since the start of 2021. It was also supported by many staff undertaking the various roles. Mrs Jan Johnston designed and made costumes with Mrs Leone Frank. She has undertaken this role for so very long and truly been of great service to our school community.
FANTASTIC BASKETBALL COURT SHADE COVERS
We wish to thank the ongoing efforts of our P & F Committee and volunteers who have assisted in various fundraising activities.One of the shelters was provided by the P&F and the other was funded by the school. This is such a wonderful area now that can provide a suitable location for students in all weather conditions.
CONGRATULATIONS MR JAMES EIRTH
I would like to congratulate Mr James Eirth who has been appointed to the substantive position of Assistant Principal of St John the Evangelist, Nowra.
Following the recruitment process for the Assistant Principal position James has successfully obtained the substantive position commencing immediately.
James has been the Acting Assistant Principal at St John the Evangelist since Term 4, 2020, and has held the position of Middle Leader 3, Pastoral Care Coordinator since January 2018. He commenced in the Diocese of Wollongong in 2016, as an Education Officer in the School Improvement Specialist Support Team, and prior to that, was the Administration Coordinator at Bethlehem College, Ashfield. He has over 15 years of experience in Catholic Education.
James holds a Bachelor in Education from the University of NSW, a Graduate Certificate in RE, and is currently studying a Master in Educational Leadership with the ACU. He is an active parishioner of the All Saints Catholic Church in Shellharbour City.
Since coming to St John’s James has worked to provide excellence in teaching and pastoral care. He has focussed in further developing our school culture of Excellence in Learning and Peaceful and Just Relationships.
We are very blessed to have James as the Assistant Principal in our school.
NEW CANTEEN MANAGER
We wish to congratulate Ms Gerri Hart on her appointment as our new Canteen Manager. Gerri has been working as our Canteen Assistant, making for a smooth transition into her Canteen Manager's role. Despite the challenges faced with the current Covid-19 regulations preventing volunteers on-site, Gerri has adapted to these difficulties, amending the canteen menu to be able to continue to offer this service to our school. We wish you well with your new role, Gerri!
NAIDOC SPEECH
Mr David Muller presented an inspirational speech at the St John’s NAIDOC assembly. I understand that it is difficult for our parents and carers to watch these livestreams so I have published his speech in this newsletter. I highly recommend that you take the time to read it. Click here to view David's presentation.
Mrs Sandra Hogan
Principal
YEAR 12 NEWS
Trials: SJE Year 12 Trial examinations are now scheduled for Week 5 and 6, commencing Monday 9 August. Click here to download the Year 12 Trial HSC timetable.
Advice from NESA for HSC students:
The Stay Healthy HSC hub has advice on staying healthy, active and connected during the HSC. Students can use the resources for studying, self-care and staying informed.
Click here to access the 2021 HSC Study Guide provided by the Sydney Morning Herald.
ICAS COMPETITIONS
ICAS Assessments are designed to recognise academic excellence. Students are assessed on their ability to apply classroom learning to new contexts, using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
St John’s facilitates a number of these competitions in August and September. An email with further details has been sent to all families. This year we are trialling Parents to Purchase (PPS) directly from ICAS. Those students who have purchased papers will then be sitting the assessments here at school. Please click here for further details.
SUBJECT SELECTION
Year 8 into Year 9 2022 subject selection has now closed.
Year 10 into Year 11 2022 subject selection has now closed.
Year 9 into Year 10 2022 100 hour electives: Students will be given information about these courses on Wednesday during long PALS. The booklet will be available electronically. When selecting these electives students are encouraged to try subjects that they are interested in and that will build strong foundations for their Stage 6 studies. The online selection process closes Monday 2 August.
HOMEWORK CLUB & MATHS TUTORING
A Reminder that all students in Years 7-12 are welcome to make use of the extra learning support offered after school in our weekly Gooroon Homework Club and Maths Tutoring sessions.
Gooroon Homework Club : Wednesday afternoons 3pm - 4:30pm. Afternoon Tea provided.
Maths Tutoring Thursday afternoons 3pm - 4pm in B Block
Click here to view Term 3 Week 2 OOAAA Nominations
Click here to view the Maths Pathway 200+ Club Nominees (Week 2)
TERM 3 2021
WEEK 4 (Week A)
Friday 6 August: Staff Development Day POSTPONED (School as normal)
WEEK 5 & 6
Monday 9 August - Monday 23 August: Year 12 HSC Trial Exams
WEEK 8 (Week A)
Monday 30 August - Friday 3 Sept: Year 11 Yearly Exams
Term 3 has started well for Year 9 as students returned from their holidays with renewed enthusiasm and ready to meet the term ahead. I would like to congratulate all of Year 9 for the way they have embraced the restrictions in place as a result of COVID-19. Students have had some significant changes to their timetables with a number of subjects changing. I remind them to update their diary to reflect the changes that have been made.
In the coming weeks students and parents will receive information about students' 100 hour elective choices for Year 10 2022. Students will be given time to make these choices and I ask that they take the time to consider the choices that best suit their interests rather than that of their peer group.
Year 9 Bushcraft students recently participated in a Rogaine. Rogaining is an orienteering sport of long distance cross-country navigation, involving both route planning and navigation between checkpoints using a variety of map types.
All students enjoyed the experience and feedback from staff on the day was extremely positive. I congratulate all students who participated in this event
I recently surveyed Year 9 students on their year so far and where they would like to improve. These were some of their responses;
What is your favourite memory of Year 9 so far?
What area do you want to improve in for Semester 2 and why?
I look forward to seeing Year 9 achieve these goals they have set for themselves.
‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me and loved me as yourself’
Mrs Sophie Daley
Year 9 Coordinator
I would like to welcome the Year 10 cohort and their PALS teachers to Term 3. I would especially like to welcome our two new year 10 students Clancy Whelan and Maluane Poleka to the St. John’s community and to the year group. I know Year 10 have lived out the school values of hospitality and compassion and have made these two students feel welcome.
I hope all of the students have had a restful holiday and have come back refreshed and ready to set and achieve their learning goals for this Semester.
This Semester is important for the Year 10 cohort as they prepare themselves for their senior course of study from 2022. The students have selected their subjects for their course of study in Years 11 and 12 and are reminded to put their subject selections into Edval.
In preparation for Year 11, now is a good time for Year 10 to further develop their study skills and habits and work to improve their learning dispositions. One easy way for students to develop good study habits is to ask their teachers for feedback and then apply that feedback to their classwork and assessments. Students can also continue to use their diaries effectively to further develop time management skills.
It has been a pleasure to step into the role of acting Year 10 Coordinator in Mrs. Kelly’s absence. I would like to thank all of Year 10 and their PALS teachers for welcoming me and assisting me in this role.
YEAR 10 PASS STUDENTS
Earlier this week our Year 10 Physical Activity and Sport Studies students did a tremendous job of assisting with St Michael's Catholic Primary School Athletics Carnival.
These students are to be commended on their fantastic efforts and positive contributions - they were fantastic representatives of our our school!
YEAR 10 BUSHCRAFT
This week our Year 10 Bushcraft students took on the challenge of abseiling at Nowra Showground.
"God has no hands but yours'
Mrs Susan Surreau
Acting Year 10 Coordinator
As we move into Term 3 we do not know with absolute certainty what awaits us but there will continue to be a focus on developing core skills, after all that is the reason that students attend school. To that end, I remind all students and parents about the importance of home reading. There is no mystery to becoming a strong English student. Students that read regularly and widely open up a wide world of words and situations that stimulate the mind and expand their knowledge. There is a wide selection of texts available in the library for students to borrow and I encourage them to make the most of this resource. I also encourage students to let Mrs Allchin know if there is a particular author or text they'd like the school to purchase.
Year 12 moves into a demanding part of their high school experience. First, I would like to applaud the Year 12 students for their diligence. In the coming weeks I encourage students to revise class notes, access 2019 and 2020 HSC markers comments and the syllabus rubric on the NESA site. If time permits, reading texts again will also enable students to look at the texts through a sharpened lens. As we do revision in class in the lead up to the Trial HSC, I encourage all Year 12 students to seek and take on feedback and direction given by the English teachers.
To students in Year 7-11, I encourage you to set goals for your study of English this semester and these should be set using feedback from the Semester One report and in consultation with the class teacher. This goal should ideally involve reading on a night basis as there is no better way to improve reading and writing than to read well written texts.
YEAR 10 TAFE YES PROGRAM
Eight Year 10 students enrolled for the Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) program offered at Nowra TAFE for Semester 1 2021 (Term 2), which was a wonderful opportunity for these students to experience training in a vocational context.
The 4 day courses undertaken were:
- Beauty - Students learnt the art of makeup and nail technology. They explored the latest trends from highly qualified industry experts, including makeup colours, face shapes, skincare, nail shape and colour application.
- Conservation Land Management – This course aimed to prepare learners who may one day want to work in Conservation and Land Management. The course could lead to study or work in environmental issues or land management programs. The course will provide basic knowledge of some components of local ecosystem management. Students carried out hands on activities as part of understanding how local ecosystems function and the important ways they need to be managed to be maintained.
- Tourism Travel and Events – This program aimed to provide students with an interest into tourism, travel and events. Students set up their own event (a lunch), theme it and ran the event. The class activities gave the students greater insight into the events industry. They also learnt to plan a holiday using a number of sites and destinations to see if they are interested in gaining more experience in the tourism and travel industry. Setting up tents was also an interesting challenge for the students.
- Café Skills – Café Skills prepare students who may want to enter Hospitality as an industry. An overview of Front of House - Restaurant and Back of House - Kitchen using real life practical activities to give it a taster.
YEAR 12 SCHOLARSHIPS
The Shoalhaven Education Fund applications for funding for 2022 are now open.
Students can apply for funding for University, TAFE, vocational studies and training,
apprenticeships and entry level employment.
Students don't need to have been accepted into their course/training yet to apply: simply complete the application with details of what you're hoping to do and then if that changes, let them know by email before your interview.
Applications remain open until 31 December 2021, and all candidates will be interviewed in January.
All applications are online at: www.cef.org.au/shoalhaven. Just click on 'Apply for a grant'.
ROYAL AGRICULTURE SOCIETY OF NSW
Students in regional areas often have to relocate in order to study, leaving behind the support of family and friends and feeling torn between their education and their obligations. Fortunately, assistance in the form of a scholarship can help ease some worries and allow greater freedom to more regularly visit home and lend a hand.
Applicants for a Rural Scholarship must:
- Be enrolled in or applying for study in any accredited tertiary course at an approved Australian education provider
- Demonstrate a desire to contribute to the future of rural and regional NSW
- Demonstrate how a scholarship would assist them in achieving their education or
training goal
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
Scholarships of up to $6,000 for full-time study or $3,000 for part-time study are available.
Click here to apply.
EARLY ADMISSION FOR UNIVERSITY
Each University has a different program for early admission. Click here to access a document for information on all the programs, including what is required and closing dates for Universities in NSW and ACT.
UOW Early admissions are now open, closing on Friday 13 August. All Year 12
students attended an information session on Wednesday.
Mrs Carla Hill
Transition & Pathway Specialist
NEW OUTDOOR LEARNING AREA
NOWRA PARISH
Click here to access Nowra Parish
Click here to access Nowra Parish Facebook Page
Click here to read the latest Nowra Parish Bulletin
MILTON PARISH
Click here to access Milton ParishClick here to access the Milton Parish Facebook Page
Mr David Comensoli
Religious Education Coordinator
LUNCH ORDERS
The canteen accepts only online lunch orders. While there will still be lunch food available at the canteen, specific, handwritten lunch orders, will not be accepted.
- To register for online lunches, please click on the following link and register; http://www.
schoollunchonline.com.au - Please note, all orders are to be placed by 8.30am.
PARENT VOLUNTEERS & CANTEEN MENU
Under the current Covid-19 guidelines we are unable to allow volunteers onto the school grounds at the present time . We wish to thank those who have offered their assistance in filling our canteen roster. Once the restrictions are lifeted we will be in touch to re-instate our canteen volunteer roster.
As we are operating our canteen with limited staff, our canteen menu has been revised to enable the service to continue. Click here to access our current menu.
WELCOME BACK - TERM 3
Welcome back to another school term. We hope you all had a wonderful break and enjoyed some family time together. Unfortunately, due to the current Covid-19 directions, our school is operating on Level 2 restrictions which means that we are unable to allow parent/carer volunteers onsite at this time. We are hoping that things will improve soon so that we can have our wonderful parents, grandparents and carers back at school.
NEW CANTEEN MANAGER
We would like to welcome and introduce our new Canteen Manager Gerri Hart.
Gerri is a familiar face within our school moving up from assisting in the canteen to the role of Canteen Manager. The P&F look forward to working with Gerri with support to Canteen services in St John’s in her new role.
2021 SCHOOL PRODUCTION
‘ROBIN HOOD & THE BABES IN THE WOOD'
St John’s was very fortunate to be able to host a School Production this year, especially with rapidly changing COVID protocols this month. The P&F would like to congratulate everyone involved for a successful and very entertaining production. We are so lucky to have such wonderful talent within our school and being able to showcase this to an audience improves the overall sense of achievement for the entire cast.
P&F MEETING - POSTPONED
Our P&F General Meeting that was scheduled for Monday 19 July had to be postponed due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, with a new meeting date to be advised.
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.
