Filter Content
RETURN TO ONSITE LEARNING
How wonderful it has been to have everyone back on site. I have had such positive feedback from staff and students alike have engaged so positively with the COVID requirements and are very mindful of following the guidelines for the common good of everyone in our community.
We would like to thank all the parents and carers who have helped prepare our students to return and assist them to understand the importance of safe distancing and hygiene measures.
YEAR 12 RECOGNITION CEREMONY
On Thursday we celebrated the achievements of our Year 12 students. They have been a very focussed group of young people who have committed to their HSC studies with an admirable focus on their learning despite having to undertake remote learning over both their preliminary and HSC years. They worked with their teachers to develop their skills in independent learning and adjusted to the alternate delivery of the assessments with a strong resilience to manage this change. I am certain that this has them well-prepared for post school studies.
They have also made such a wonderful contribution to the wider school community. They have engaged with many social justice activities including Vinnies Youth, Vinnies Van, Timor Leste fundraisers, Relay for life and Christmas hampers. They also assisted in the canteen, helped with liturgies, engaged with Youth Alpha and LIVE events and took on leadership positions in groups such as PAX and Jag. This community engagement has prepared them to be active and informed citizens and truly make a difference in the world both now and in the future.
So many of them have already gained early entry to university or post school options such as apprenticeships and others are still considering what they may want to do.
Year 12 have been well supported by their Year Coordinator Mr Simon Vaughan, who is so very proud of what amazing young people they have become. Their PALS teachers are so very proud of them and many tears were shed. They have provided constant support and encouragement and enjoyed their company for many years with most being their PALS teachers from Year 7.
I also pray that during their years at St John’s they grew in their spiritual connection to their God and developed a moral compass embedded in the values of St John’s.
We wish them all the best as they prepare for the HSC exams and look forward to sharing their formal with them after their exams.
YEAR 11 RECOGNITION CEREMONY
On Wednesday we acknowledged the Year 11 students with their preliminary reports and awards. They have moved into their HSC studies with a wonderful sense of commitment and are a very engaged group of young people. We look forward to them moving into the school leadership roles and wish them the best for the HSC year.
SR CARMEL BAMBRIDGE AND SR EILEEN BROWN
Over the last couple of weeks we have seen the passing of Sr. Carmel and Sr. Eileen. Both were Good Samaritan sisters.They have both been significant members of our school community and been instrumental in creating the culture that we all hold dear.
Sr. Carmel was the first principal of St John’s and she had a very clear focus on this school embedded in its practice in its school motto of ‘Pax Christi’, a peaceful school.
Sister Eileen worked in a pastoral role in the parish and regularly in the school. Her ministry was from a very caring and generous heart.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen
Mrs Sandra Hogan
Principal
Welcome back to face to face learning! It was so nice to welcome back our students and staff this week. Seeing our students' smiling faces on the playground and the positive interactions students were having with their teachers and peers is testament to St John’s school spirit.
Tips to support students as we return to school:
- Be kind to yourself. Give yourself the same advice that you’d give to a good friend.
- Give yourself time to adjust back into routine. Be realistic in your thinking about how long it might take.
- Be realistic and flexible. Talk with your teachers about your work, both the strengths and the challenges. Your teachers are there to help you.
- Get organised the night before. Get your school uniform and shoes ready. Pack your school bag the day before, including a face mask and hand sanitiser. If you don’t have hand sanitiser or a mask don’t stress, your school can give this to you.
- Check your timetable to know what lessons you’ll be having and prepare the equipment you might need.
- Try to reconnect with a friend before the first day back and arrange a time and place to meet on your return.
- There may be changes to school-based activities like assemblies, sport and excursions to encourage physical distancing and help keep people safe.
- If you feel unsafe, or are worried about safety, talk to a trusted adult in the school about your feelings.
Don’t forget your physical health:
- Eating a healthy balance of food throughout the day and drinking water will help to improve your mood, help you concentrate, boost your energy level and support your general health. This includes eating breakfast.
- Stay active. Returning to school may make you physically and mentally tired for a while. Try to spend some time doing something physical at the end of the day to give yourself a break, get the blood flowing and boost your mood. This could be a walk, bike-riding, dancing, yoga, surfing or any exercise you enjoy!
- Make sure you get enough sleep to give your brain a rest and allow you to recharge. Get back into the routine of sleeping 8-10 hours so you can wake up in the morning in time for school. Uninterrupted sleep is best, so put your phone on silent or even better, in another room.
Our students should be commended for their achievements during remote learning. I am truly excited about what we can achieve as a school community for the rest of Term 4.
Mr Aidan Leishman
Pastoral Care Coordinator
SCHOOLS WITH FEES INVOICED BY THE SCHOOL SUPPORT TEAM FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2022
PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT – NEW FAMILIES TO OUR SCHOOL
School Fees are invoiced as an annual account, due for payment in full 30 days after invoicing. However, many families elect to pay their school fees by regular instalments and as a new family to our school, we would like to offer you this option. If wish to take up this offer, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2022 school fees. Your school fee statements will be emailed to you and they will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
OPTION OF PAYING SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT
During last year our school migrated to a new accounting program. This system provides the opportunity to generate regular instalments with due dates, rather than having an annual bill which is due for payment, in full, 30 days after invoicing. If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2022, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. On completion of the request either email it to instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2022 school fees. Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.
IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.
TERM 4 2021
WEEK 5B
Monday 1 November Year 7 Immunisations (2nd dose) & catch-ups- POSTPONED TO 2022
Wednesday 3 November Yr 11 Reflection Pastoral Day (P4-P6)
WEEK 6A
Tuesday 9 November Year 12 HSC Commences
WEEK 9B
Monday 29 November Year 10 Work Experience Week 9
Thursday 2 December Year 7 2022 Parent Information Evening via zoom 6pm
Friday 3 December Year 12 Graduation Dinner
WEEK 10A
Monday 6 December Year 7 2022 Orientation 9:15am - 2:30pm
2022 RETURN TO SCHOOL DATES
Friday 28 January & Monday 31 January 2022: Staff Development Days
Tuesday 1 February 2022: New students in Years 8-11 attend (partial day for induction)
Tuesday 1 February 2022: Year 7, Year 10 Peer Support & Year 12 return
Wednesday 2 February 2022: All students at school
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday 23 February 2022: St John's Open Night. Year 7 2023 Enrolments open.
After so many weeks of remote learning, it was so wonderful to welcome our Year 9 cohort into school this week. I know that they have dearly missed the social interactions of school, and it was wonderful to see them connecting with their peers, teachers and face to face learning in such a positive manner.
While remote learning was not everyone’s favourite (although many students mentioned that it did allow them a bit of an extra sleep in!), I'd like to congratulate all of Year 9 on how they engaged with their remote learning and the mature way they took part in our PALS Zooms, allowing them to connect with their PALS class and teacher.
Well done Year 9, we are all so proud of you and how you took on the challenges presented during remote learning.
It’s a pleasure to be back working with this year group after being with this cohort in Year 7 and 8. Mr Garner and I are so excited to take on the role of Year 9 Coordinator and work with Year 9 in their transition to Year 10.
Mrs Tammie Castles
Year 9 Coordinator
It is wonderful to have the students back at school and in the classrooms. Many of the Year 10 cohort have expressed their excitement on returning to the school in a physical capacity and in being able to engage with their peers and teachers.
This year has brought many challenges that have forced us out of our comfort zones and created unwanted change. Year 10 have proven themselves to be a resilient group of individuals who have faced these challenges head on and worked through the changes required to continue to be the amazing year group they are.
Here are some comments from Year 10 about who were their biggest supports in Year 10;
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
KEIRA BUCKPITT - AUSTRALIAN U/18 SURF CHAMPION
Click here to view Keira in action
SIENNA CLARKECongratulations to Sienna Clarke, runner-up to Kelsey Bennett, a St John’s graduate,
in the recent Mollymook Golf Championships!
DYLAN JOHNSTONE & IZAC MAHER
SPORT
Students have been engaged in various activities this term while in remote learning. They have had opportunities to complete a fitness circuit where they attempted the exercises 3 times, competing against themselves and involving their families in the workout. Year 10 were encouraged to get outside in the beautiful weather and engage in activities they enjoy such as walking, riding their bikes or playing a sport of their choice.
SUBJECT SELECTIONS FOR YEAR 11 2022
Students have received their subject selections for Year 11 and need to check them with parents/carers, complete the note and return it to their PALS teacher this week.
If any students have any concerns regarding their subjects they must be included on the note and this will be followed up by Mrs Murphy in Curriculum.
Mrs Lynette Kelly
Year 10 Coordinator
SOCIAL SCIENCE CHALLENGE
COMMERCE - ASX GAME
Students in Commerce have been exploring investing. From which property to buy as an investment, to which savings account provides the highest interest. They have also been engaging in the ASX game which is open to students across the school. Of interest are the stocks of Flight Centre w
hich theclass has been following. Currently, Ms Blades remains the leader. However, Mitchell, Cameron, Ella and Gypsy-Ann are going well in their portfolios.
HISTORY PROJECTS
Before online learning commenced, Year 11 students submitted their projects on a Modern History topic. They were tasked with creating an artefact to accompany their research. Some topics included The Cuban Nuclear Crisis, 9-11, Women's Rights, Tank Man and the American Civil Rights movement.
Our Year 10 History Elective class has also had the opportunity to complete individual research on a topic of their choice, this included Ancient Greece, Ancient China, Ancient Rome, Crime and Punishment.
GEOGRAPHY
As we return to school, our Geography classes are keen to get out and about in the school environment to complete fieldwork activities such as mapping and using a compass.
Our Augmented Reality Sandbox which has been in progress for the later part of the year. A massive thankyou to the IT and TAS departments for their support on this project. We added sand today and HSIE staff are excited to have the opportunity to learn this new technology and embed it into their lessons.
GOOD LUCK YEAR 12
To our HSC students, it has been great to have you back for a few days. HSIE has Ancient History, Modern History, Aboriginal Studies, Business Studies and Legal Studies completing their HSC. The Legal Studies class enjoyed a competitive zoom on their final lesson and were gifted homemade plants and a poem from Ms Hooke and Ms Freshwater.
We wish all our students the best of luck for their HSC, but most importantly, we thank you for studying HSIE subjects, for learning about our past, our present, our world, and our society. We hope you take the lessons learnt into the future with you. The importance of being informed and active citizens is why we teach, it's why we are passionate about our subjects.
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.
POSITIONS VACANT
Current positions vacant, see the Careers Google Classroom page or HVTC for full detail of these positions and what is required to apply.
Waste Operations - Shoalhaven City Council
Civil Construction - Shoalhaven City Council
Business Administration - Shoalhaven Water
Horticultural - Shoalhaven City Council
Mrs Carla Hill
Transition & Pathway Specialist
NEWS FROM TIMOR LESTE
YEAR 7 DRAMA
There was loads of laughter during this week’s Yr 7 Drama ? lesson with students creating and performing comedy skits!
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
SCHOOL CANTEEN - VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED
We are really excited to see students back at school and pleased to advise that our canteen service is available.
Canteen access is currently staggered with each year group allocated an area for distribution of lunches. There is a limited range of food available for purchase. Students and families are encouraged to use the online lunch orders to purchase lunches. This helps with the distribution of lunches and staggered access to the canteen.
Click here to access the online ordering system and current menu, available on our school website.
In order to continue providing our canteen service, we are seeking the assistance of volunteers. Current guidelines allow only volunteers who have received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine. Parents, Grandparents and Friends are all welcome to assist!
If you may be able to help, even as little as an hour or two, please click here or contact our school on 4423 1666 or info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au. We look forward to hearing from you!
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.