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This week our assembly prayer was focussed on the Polding. Our Polding house captains, Ryan and Isabelle, led the prayer that reflected on Archbishop John Bede Polding, the first Archbishop of Australia after whom the house is named and the patron saint of Polding St Vincent de Paul who is the Patron Saint of charitable societies. Some of the reflections in the prayer were:
And the words of St Vincent de Paul:
This reminds us to live by the Polding House value of compassion, and be the hands of active service that will bring the goodness of God to those in need. It calls us to service to ensure that the dignity of each person is preserved and that we place this as a priority in our lives. Saint Paul was not necessarily highlighting the giving of money but rather proclaiming the giving of time and service. So, when we return to school in Week 4, let's all follow the words of Saint Paul and give our time and service through groups such as PAX, JAG, or at a Working Bee, or assisting in the Canteen. And remember, one of the best ways to give to others when we return in Week 4 is to be friendly, caring, positive and covid safe towards other students and staff.
RETURN TO SCHOOL
We are very excited about the fact that we will all be back on site on Monday 25 October. Parents and carers have done the most wonderful job in supporting our young people to take on the challenge of remote learning. Thank you for your support. There are many skills they have strengthened over this time especially in the areas of resilience and perseverance. So now as we return to school we will focus on supporting their wellbeing by listening to their concerns, encouraging their connection and engagement to our community with taking every opportunity to engage with others and returning to normal routines and practices.
We will also be introducing measures to keep COVID safe. These include not mixing year groups, where possible, separated playground areas, all staff and students wearing face masks, hand sanitisers and disinfectant in each room, new bus line and canteen procedures and many more.
As students will be required to wear face masks both indoors and outside at school, we ask for parents to make this transition easier for students by encouraging them to gradually increase the amount of time they wear a mask prior to their return to school.
GRATITUDE WALL
'Live can be Beautiful if you make it Beautiful'.
To continue our focus on gratitude and recognise 'World Mental Health Awareness' month, we have created a 'Gratitude Wall', a space for sharing and embracing kindness.
We would like the St John's community to contribute to our wall by adding messages, photos or videos acknowledging the people and things you are grateful for. You are welcome to add several messages to the board.
To participate, please click on the link below then select 'Add to Board'.
YEAR COORDINATOR POSITIONS
2022 STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
Mrs Sandra Hogan
Principal
Last week students viewed an information session regarding the requirements around the Higher School Certificate, Careers and Futures. Year 11 students have now begun their HSC courses. Any changes to subjects require students to complete the online form and then email it to the curriculum office.
TERM 4 2021
WEEK 4A
Monday 25 October Year 7-11 Return to On-site Learning
Mon 25 & Tues 26 October Year 12 Return for timetabled classes
Thursday 28 October Year 12 Recognition Ceremony
WEEK 5B
Monday 1 November Year 7 Immunisations (2nd dose) & catch-ups
WEEK 6A
Tuesday 9 November Year 12 HSC Commences
WEEK 9B
Friday 3 December Year 12 Graduation Dinner
BUS TRAVEL APPLICATIONS 2022
You only need to apply:
- if applying for a school travel pass for the first time.
- if requesting an extra pass due to parents living separately.
As we move to the end of year, I want to congratulate Year 7 on the amazing job they have done adapting to the changes and challenges they have faced this year. As much as we would all love to create a predictable calm course for our students to travel - there are some things that we cannot control. However, I truly believe that from their experiences this year, they have developed some great skills in overcoming challenges and responding to change. I know that the next time they have to ‘adjust their sails’ they will do so in the knowledge that they have the readiness and understanding to set a smooth course.
Here are some comments from Year 7 about how they overcame challenges this year;
As of Week 5 this term, Mr Simon Vaughan will be taking over the role of Year Coordinator for this year group and I will be moving back to Year 7 2022.
From when we first met in December 2020, when most students wiped me off the court in handball; to Year 7 camp when I revisited my own childhood playing string games and struggled trying to remember 180 names!; to remote learning and making weekly videos for the Year group with some not-so-cool sunnies!, I have had a blast helping Year 7 navigate the transition into high school and I have learnt a lot from the students which will guide me and help me to be a better Year Coordinator for next year’s Year 7 cohort.
I would like to thank parents for your support throughout the year and I look forward to seeing you at various school events in the future. I will continue to enjoy seeing the smiling faces of Year 7 2021 in the playground - and will continue to struggle to remember everyone's names!!!! But you will always be a special year group for me and remember - ‘Aspire not to have more, be more’.
Mrs Wendy Isemonger
Year 7 Coordinator
Term 3 was new and interesting to say the least. All students, teachers and staff tackled remote learning with enthusiasm and vigour. I want to congratulate all of Year 8 for putting their best foot forward and upskilling their organisation skills and motivation levels throughout the term. I know it wasn't easy to keep up with multiple Zoom calls each day, assessments and learning tasks, but you took to it like ducks to water.
It appears the end of remote learning is approaching, and it looks highly likely we will all get to see each other soon. I cannot wait to see all of your happy smiling faces back at school. I know you all have grown and matured as young adults over the last few weeks and I am looking forward to hearing your stories from your time spent at home.
I asked a couple students to share some reflections about their time at school in Year 8. I would like to thank Gypsy and Aldriche for their time in writing these reflections.
Mr Joshua Watson
Year 8 Coordinator
STUDIES IN CATHOLIC THOUGHT
Thirty five Year 12 students are the first cohort of students at St John’s to complete the new 'Studies in Catholic Thought' HSC course. This course commenced in Catholic schools across the state last year and focuses on an understanding of the Catholic faith through philosophy, theology and the arts. The students are to be congratulated on their diligence and openness to having their thinking challenged. Through participation in the course students have gained a deeper insight into what it means to be human, how to live a fulfilling life and why the common good serves the needs of society as well as the individual.
YEAR 7 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
For the past few weeks Year 7 Religious Education students have been working on an assessment task for the current unit titled 'Stewards of Creation'. Through completing the task, students discovered, made sense of and presented HOW and WHY they show care for all of God’s creation. Students were required to complete chosen activities from a matrix, one of which was a Season of Creation October calendar with a daily jolt for each day. A daily jolt is an action which demonstrates student responsibility for all components of creation. Below are examples of some daily jolts:
YEAR 8 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
As part of the unit titled Sacraments of Initiation, Year 8 Religious Education students have been recognising and valuing the place of ritual in human experience by considering their use at key moments of a person’s life. The below student work samples demonstrate a chosen significant life event, photo and description of the event's significance. The elements of these events that make them rituals were reflected upon before beginning to examine the rituals associated with Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
CLASS LITURGY
During Weeks 1 and 2 of this term, students in Years 7-10 have participated in a class liturgy via Zoom. The Year 10 liturgy focussed on how all of creation is connected as evident in the Canticle of Creation by Francis of Assisi. As part of the liturgy students spent time outside reflecting on the environment and then took a photo of an aspect of creation which promoted a sense of joy, hope, or awe and wonder. Some student examples are below.
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN
Based on the encyclical Laudato si by Pope Francis, the Catholic Church is embarking on a 7 year plan for the environment - The Laudato Si’ Action Platform. It is a seven-year journey toward ecological conversion and total sustainability that incorporates simpler lifestyles, moving away from fossil fuels and embracing renewable alternatives. A pastoral letter from Bishop Brian Mascord, the Bishop of Wollongong Diocese, was recently made available and outlines our diocese’s participation in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform.
NOWRA PARISH
Click here to access Nowra Parish
Click here to access Nowra Parish Facebook Page
MILTON PARISH
Click here to access Milton ParishClick here to access the Milton Parish Facebook Page
Mr David Comensoli
Religious Education Coordinator
ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA UPCOMING PROGRAMS
'Engineering your Future' webinar series continues until Monday 29 November. Coming events include site visit to Dolby's OPaL Lab; life changing technology at Cochlear; a visit to the Victorian Heart Hospital construction site; learn about Defence Force Engineering; student projects "Solar Car Challenge" and more!
Who: Students Years 7-12, Parents, Careers Advisors, Teachers
When: Mondays between 5-6pm - all sessions are recorded and available within 48hrs.
2022 PROGRAMS
Click here for further details or to register.
YEAR 10
WORK EXPERIENCE
The Year 10 mandatory 'Work Experience Week' is to take place in Week 9 this term, Monday 29 November - Friday 3 December. Under the current NSW Health orders we can not approve work experience while we are under Level 3, or higher, Covid-19 restrictions. Upon the return to school we will be under Level 3 plus restrictions and no work experience can be approved.
If the restrictions on work experience are eased, suitable work experiences will be approved. You will be informed if this occurs.
It is acknowledged that many businesses will find it difficult to accommodate work experience students under the current circumstances and as such finding a suitable work experience will be challenging for students. Should the restrictions on work experience not be lifted in time or students can not secure a work experience we will run a virtual work experience program. Further details of this program will be forthcoming.
YEAR 12
FREE SKILLS SESSIONS - FOR ALL SCHOOL LEAVERS
Hospitality skills for Cafe and Bar work, including RSA and RCG. Excellent courses for anyone wanting to get part-time work in a bar or cafe while studying.
The courses include barista, infection control, customer service & RSA/RCG. It offers great foundation skills for any hospitality roles, with the option of obtaining the Responsible Service of Alcohol & Responsible Conduct of Gambling.
Venues will be all LOCAL.
The course is 100% FREE OF CHARGE even covering things like enough coffee (& machines), cocktail mixers, etc that go into the course.
Fill in the expression of interest forms, located in the Careers Google Classroom and full details will be sent directly to you.
CONSTRUCTION - PRODUCTIVITY BOOTCAMP (5 week course - starts soon)
An excellent way for anyone interested in any Construction related industries to get skills and potentially a job.
The accelerated 5 week program is only for students who are completing their HSC in 2021.
They are aware that the dates for the exams have changed and will be flexible for the participants to take the time off when they need to complete any exams.
At the moment the date is set for early November start. They are now accepting applicants for this program, if interested students are more than welcome to contact Teagan directly on 0434 054 012. Click here for further details.
SCHOOL RECOMMENDATION SCHEME (SRS)
The Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) is one way institutions make early offers of undergraduate admission to Year 12 students. They do this by using criteria other than (or in addition to) the ATAR. The first round of SRS offers will be released on 12 November. If students receive an offer, they will be notified via email.
UAC WEBINAR- 10 NOVEMBER 2021 6pm
Applied for the Schools Recommendation Scheme? Learn about key dates, listing course preferences and what to do once you receive an offer.
Register for the UAC SRS webinar.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Year 12 students are encouraged to apply for as many scholarships as they are eligible for. Scholarships are available to all school leavers. They can be awarded for students from rural areas, families in financial hardship, sporting, academics, having a passion for a particular industry and many other reasons.
Click here to view a list of current scholarships to consider.
POSITIONS VACANT
Current positions vacant, see the Careers Google Classroom page or HVTC for full details of these positions and what is required to apply.
Business Admin. - Shoalhaven City Council
Mechanic (Heavy Vehicle) - Shoalhaven City Council
Mechanical (Female) - Bluescope
Mechanical (Fitting and Machining) - Bluescope
Horticultural - Shoalhaven City Council
Civil Constructions - Shoalhaven City Council
Mrs Carla Hill
Transition & Pathway Specialist
YEAR 12 HSC VISUAL ARTS
Click here to view our Year 12 HSC Body of Works Visual Art exhibition. Our students have produced some incredible work, it is well worth a look!
The link is also available on our school website.
NATIONAL SOCIAL SCIENCE WEEK COMPETITION WINNERS
Congratulations to all students who provided entries into our National Social Science Week Competition.
We saw some fabulous creativity with the following students providing winning entries;
ATHLETE OF THE YEAR- SWIMMING- TALIKA IRVINE
CCC CROSS COUNTRY STATE TEAM SELECTION- NICHOLAS MCGILL
KEIRA SELECTED IN TOP 15 SURFERS IN AUSTRALIA
HAPPY RETURNS!
Remember what Bluey has to say;
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.