Congratulations to all of Year 11 for a successful preliminary year. Moving into next term, we will officially be starting our Year 12 courses. This is a reminder for students that their HSC year will commence in Term 4. More information regarding the HSC year, assessment schedules and policies will be communicated with students, parents and carers at the beginning of next term.

During our final term of Year 11, we have had a lot going on. Before remote learning, the whole year group engaged in a Leadership Day. We also started lunchtime volleyball and many of our SRC reps and other students were helping in the canteen.

During remote learning we held the leadership selection process which concluded with the announcement of our leadership team for 2022. We have also been busy working on assessments and school work in meeting the outcomes of Year 11.

Many classes, PALS groups and students have also been mindful to have balance during this time. There has been zoom trivia, mindfulness activities and many household pets have been able to join in on remote learning. Hopefully we will see students back at school for face to face learning soon!

We also wish to advise that due to the pandemic our Year 11 Senior Retreat planned for 13 - 15 October 2021 has been postponed until May 2022.

Students took part in a Reflection Day involving the Leadership program for all Year 11 students on Thursday 12 August 2021.

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 considered their role as senior school leaders over the next twelve months.

Thank you to all students and staff who were involved in the day, it was a positive insight into how amazing our year group will be as Year 12 leaders next year.

Before remote learning, Year 11 started running lunchtime volleyball on Thursdays. This was a good way for peers to connect with each other outside of the classroom. 

The process for selecting the leadership team for Year 12 2022 was moved online. Year 11 were invited to nominate themselves for a formal leadership position. Nominees were then involved in a leadership panel zoom meeting with each other, along with Mrs Hogan, Mr Eirth, Mr Leishman, Mrs Murphy, Mr Comensoli, Mrs Frawley and Miss Davis. Students did an excellent job in presenting themselves and responding to their specific questions. 

Following this, the rest of Year 11 viewed the zoom recording in PALS, they were also given an opportunity to read all written applications before casting their online vote. 

Thank you to all students and staff who were involved in this process. 

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected as captains for 2022:

In celebrating the achievements and positive examples of students in the year group, teachers and students have been nominating Year 11s for the Walk Awards. The award is modelled after our year group motto:

‘Walk in the way of the good and the just and be the change you wish to see in the world’.

Students who have recently set a positive example within the school can be nominated. Positive examples come from a range of things such as work ethic in the classroom, engagement with brain training, improvements in learning, supporting others, exhibiting one or more of the core SJE values and/or learning dispositions, helping another student (from Year 11 or another year group), helping a staff member or living by Pax Christi. 

OUTSTANDING VIDEOGRAPHY

Year 11 student Isaac Podmore has been a wonderful contributor to our collection of photos and videos of special moments at St John's. During this week's assembly we were fortunate to view two of Isaac's productions, including his coverage of the Oztag and Athletics Carnivals, as seen below. Well done Isaac!

Ms Kate Davis

Year 11 Coordinator

Thank you once again for your tremendous efforts and the ongoing support you continue to provide to each other and to teachers and school staff during this difficult and uncertain time. 

We are pleased to inform you that at least some of that uncertainty has now been addressed, with the NSW Government recently announcing the confirmed timeline for the 2021 HSC Exams:

Return to face-to-face learning for HSC/Yr 12 students from Monday 25 October 2021

A reminder that per the NSW Government’s COVID-safe return to face-to-face learning roadmap, Year 12 students will have full-time access to the school and teachers from 25 October 2021. Schools will only be able to resume face-to-face learning before 25 October 2021 if the region they are located in comes out of stay at home orders before this date.

Information about vaccination for students aged 16 and up
Students aged 16 and up are eligible for the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine. Information about making a booking can be found by visiting the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Checker, or contacting your GP or pharmacy. Please note that eligibility does not guarantee a priority appointment, as the available appointments are still dependent on supply of the Pfizer vaccine.

Further updates

We hope that this update provides you with some reassurance. Your teachers will continue to communicate with you as we head towards a return to face-to-face learning ahead of the HSC written exams commencing on Tuesday 9 November 2021. 

Our students and their teachers have done a remarkable job transitioning to remote learning and making the best of a difficult situation. I encourage you to keep your focus on positive outcomes and give yourself the opportunity to rest, enjoy your journey, engage with others and spend some time in the natural environment. I also encourage you to take time to renew your spirit with some personal time and time with your God.

We will continue to provide you with regular updates as the situation progresses. If you have any questions or require any additional support, please contact the school and we will do all we can to assist you.

It has been a long term for Year 12 2021 students and some students may be feeling like they will never make it to the end of the HSC but as Isak Dinesan says;

So, while it is important that during these upcoming holidays students have the opportunity to re-charge, ready for the continuation of their HSC, it is also important that they use this time to consolidate after the Trials in which they managed so well, starting the approach to the HSC on the front foot as opposed to the back foot. 

Despite the difficulties of remote learning, students should stick to what they have been taught in relation to approaching their HSC exams after reviewing their feedback from the recent trials:

• Review dot point summaries, podcast, palm cards, posters etc are which are resources that students can be continue to aid with their study leading up to the revised HSC dates 
• This sounds like a contradiction - telling students to re-charge on one hand and then study on the other but the HSC despite our new challenges with Covid remains as a balancing act between work, physical well being, social well being and community. 
• It is about “rewarding yourself with the things you do enjoy as an incentive for completing the things you don’t.”

The following tips and tricks are essentials in being the best students can be approaching the HSC for 2021:

REVIEW YOUR LIFESTYLE

PRESENTATION TO YEAR 12

Yesterday Mrs Hogan & I addressed our Year 12 students, commending them on their persistance and resilience and informing students of the plan for Term 4.

The presentation may be seen below;

YEAR 12 VISUAL ARTS

Outstanding work was produced by our Year 12 Visual Arts students for their HSC major work projects, as seen in the clip below;

Mr Simon Vaughan

Year 12 Coordinator