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STAFF LEAVING ST JOHN'S
We so often take time to acknowledge our young people here at St John’s and this year we have celebrated so many successes across so many areas.
At this time however I would like to also acknowledge the remarkable staff and their commitment to excellence. There are a number of staff who will be leaving St John’s at the end of 2021. For many of them they are moving to retirement and others to alternate areas. I would like to acknowledge these staff to our wider community.
Mr John Jakimyszyn has been working at St John’s for 27 years and is now retiring from teaching. He is the face of outdoor education and it was John who has implemented this program to share his love and skills in this area. Our Bushcraft course is unique and we are grateful to him for his time and dedication in this area. John is also a very competent HSIE teacher with a focus on Geography and Society and Culture. Many of you would also not be aware that John held the leadership role of Pastoral Care Coordinator for many years and was responsible for the initial implementation of Restorative Practices.
Mrs Mary Willis will also be retiring after 27 years at St John’s. She has worked in the library and has been integral not only in this role but also in maintaining the archives of the school. This was featured this year in the school’s celebration of our 30th Anniversary.
Mrs Moira Brown will be retiring after 24 years as a Science teacher at St John’s. She has held many leadership roles here including Year Coordinator and Science Coordinator. Moira has been a key member of the timetable team and in more recent years has led the implementation of Compass. Her attention to detail has resulted in outstanding outcomes in all she does.
After 23 years at St John’s, Mrs Carmel Smallwood will be retiring this year. She has a passion for French and ensuring that all students have access and challenge in their learning. She has provided an excellent standard of differentiation. Mrs Smallwood has organised and led many overseas excursions to enable our students to immerse themselves in the French language and culture. Mrs Smallwood is also an excellent Geography and English teacher.
Mrs Leone Frank has taught in the areas of TAS and VET at St John’s for 23 years. She will be retiring at the end of this year. As the VET Coordinator she has ensured that students have a variety of focus areas in work skills based courses. Along with the eVET courses and Tafe offerings we offer Construction and Hospitality as well as Fitness in 2022. Mrs Frank has also supported the school musicals and productions with her sewing skills.
Mrs Jade Roper has worked in English at St John’s for 4 years and has also worked in the gifted area and debating. She will be moving to a school closer to her home next year.
Mrs Sophie Cadman has taught Science and HSC Chemistry at St John’s for 4 years and will be leaving to work in a local business next year. She has also been the School Support Team lead that looks each week at student data and case manages student behaviour and well being.
Mr Sean Gray is currently studying his teaching degree and will be moving closer to his university to complete his studies. He has held roles in both Learning Support and Aboriginal Educational Support. He has generously given his time most lunchtimes to run activities for our students and is always a welcoming and happy presence. He has developed netball, especially for our boys.
Ms Daphne Palucci has worked across several areas for many years, mostly as a relief teacher. She has always ensured that learning continues at times when the classroom teacher is not available. Her commitment to her faith has been shared with students in her work with Youth Alpha.
Mr Simon Zulian joined us again in 2021 as a HSIE teacher. He has a great passion for Legal Studies and students using their voice in the political arena to ensure their voices are heard. He has led the Mock Trial team. He will be moving to a school closer to home.
Mrs Tania Speer has worked in the admin area as the Pastoral Support in 2021. She has managed attendance data and students plans with great competence. She will also be moving to a position closer to home.
FAREWELL AND CONGRATULATIONS YEAR 12
We celebrated the graduation of our HSC students at the most wonderful formal on Friday night. It was such a beautiful evening in which the students clearly valued their educational experience as a cohesive group of students.
I would like to acknowledge the team of staff who prepared the formal including Mr Simon Vaughan, Mrs Jessica Kinna, Ms Kate Davis, Ms Janie Hamilton, Mr James Eirth, Mr Mark Malady and the events planner: Mrs Monica Hartsthorne.
SUCCESS IN ART EXPRESS
Congratulations to Lily Thomas-McKnight whose major work has been selected for the NSW Art Express exhibition as an outstanding major work. Congratulations also to Asha Uebe, Hailey Frew, Paige Manning and Maddison Manasseh whose work has been selected for the 2022 Shoalhaven Gallery 'New Horizons' exhibition.
MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Today we presented our major awards to students in Year 7-10 as well as the whole school awards. Congratulations to all the students who received an award, the result of hard work and commitment. Click here to view our presentation as livestreamed on Monday 13 December.
Special thanks to Dr Francis Antonio who each year donated a beautiful chess set for the chess award.
PARENTS AND FRIENDS APPRECIATION
Thanks to all the parents, carers and friends who have supported us this year with their generous donation of time. The canteen would not run without your support. Thanks also to the Parents and Friends Committee for leading this team of volunteers and supporting people. Thanks to;
President: Mr Corey Carter
Vice President: Mr Brad Simpson
Assistant Vice President: Mrs Sophie Pavlis
Treasurer: Ms Monica Oke
Secretary: Mrs Vanessa Cladingbowl
Assistant Secretary: Ms Melissa Alder
Publicity Officer: Mrs Jacinta Davis
HAPPY CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR & HOLIDAY BREAK
This year has certainly presented its challenges and also many opportunities to do things a little differently. I pray that the Christmas celebration is a special one for you and that you have time to refresh your spirit over the holiday season. May God Bless you and bring you peace during this time.
Mrs Sandra Hogan
Principal
We wish to thank parents, carers, students and staff for your support throughout 2020 and hope you enjoy a safe and peaceful festive season.
St John's will recommence as follows:
- Friday 28 January & Monday 31 January 2022: Staff Development Days
- Tuesday 1 February 2022: Years 8-11 students who are new to St John’s attend a partial day for induction.
- Tuesday 1 February 2022: All Year 7 students, Year 10 Peer Support & all Year 12 students return
- Wednesday 2 February 2022: All students at school (Week A timetable)
2022 STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
Click on the link below to access our Parent Information Booklet containing important details for 2022 including student stationery and book requirements.
2022 Parent Information Booklet
2022 MEDIA CONSENT FORM
At the beginning of each school year we are required to collect a media consent form from every student, signed by parents/carers and students. These forms are required to enable students to be photographed for a number of events including;
- Group School Photographs
- Annual School Yearbook
- St John's website
- Catholic Diocese of Wollongong Website
- Livstream of assemblies and events
All students are required to return this form to their PALS teacher by Term 1,Week 2. Without this form, we are unable to photograph and include students in group class photos.
Click here to download the Media Consent Form
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
Monday 14 February 2022 6pm: P & F Annual General Meeting (AGM)
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 also 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 it 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.
PEER SUPPORT
Year 9’s have finished up Term 4 showing up their leadership potential through their peer support leadership day.
In their groups, our Year 9’s were challenged with activities that explored team building, mindfulness, group work and problem solving to hone their leadership skills.
The day culminated in a 'Going to the Ball' fashion parade where students were given 20 minutes to create a newspaper outfit on a fellow student. I was amazed with the creativity with their final efforts. Well done Year 9 on an excellent day and thank you to Ms Frawley, Ms Isomonger, Mr Leishman, Mr Chard and Ms Auert for their skills and expertise in running the day, I know our students had a fantastic time.
From this day we then had 30 students, recognised for their leadership potential to go into training as peer support leaders for our 2022 Year 7 cohort. The team was put through their paces by Ms Frawley, training them up ready to welcome the Year 6’s for their orientation day.
WREATH
During extended PALS, students reflected on their year group motto “ I was a stranger and you welcomed me and loved me as yourself” and what the idea of welcome means coming up to this Christmas period. Each student was given a paper holly leaf and invited to write something that they wished that someone would say to them when they were having a bad day. These holly leaves were then collected and made into a wreath as a collection of welcoming words for the Advent season.
YEAR 9 SPORT
On Thursday 2 December we were blessed with a day of warm, sunny weather. Several Year 9 students made the most of this enjoying their weekly sport with a range of beach games.
YEAR 9 SPELLING BEE FINALS
Our Year 9 Spelling Bee finals were held on Thursday 9 December, with the following results;
Ms Tammie Castles
Year 9 Coordinator
In this final newsletter of 2021 I would like to congratulate Year 10 on the way they have finished the year. These past few weeks have been very busy with many different activities.
FOOD TECHNOLOGY
The final assessment for the Food Technology students was cake decorating. The cakes produced were amazing with some very creative designs and themes.
REFLECTION DAY
As with many activities over the past 2 years Covid 19 had an impact on how we ran the Reflection Day. To their credit, Year 10 did not let this phase them. The participation and reverence displayed by the year group on this day is a testament to the amazing young adults they are and how they constantly live out their year group Motto “God has no hands but yours”.
VOLLEYBALL
Hannah Brian, with the help of Bella Marsden, organised and ran the year group Volleyball competition again this year. The games were amazing with lots of competitive jumping and hitting. Congratulations to all the teams who participated with such enthusiasm and thank you to all the spectators, you make the atmosphere so much more fun. Well done also to the winners, the T-T team and a big thank you to Hannah and Bella for such a great job….well done everyone!!!
Special mention to the teachers who played the student team and put on an awesome display of courage and skill to take out the win…..Mr Smith was definitely best on court!!!
TRANSITION WEEK
Over this last week the students have had the opportunity to develop life long skills and training around gaining employment. Many students found the Virtual Work Experience interesting and produced some really good work that was submitted and will be marked by industry professionals.
Special guests have spoken to Year 10 about their experience moving into Year 11 and 12, the HSC and post school options and employment.
Drug and alcohol researcher Paul Dillon also spoke to the year group offering the students some valuable information about safe partying and looking out for each other that they will take into their adult life.
Mr Martin Gaffey spoke to the students about his role in the RFS and the importance of volunteering in our local communities.
The Op Shop Ball was a highlight and the students that attended really enjoyed the dances as well as the fun and prizes. Thank you to the PDHPE staff who spent a number of lessons teaching the students to dance as well as running the ball on the day.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers involved in the many activities that Year 10 have been involved in, without their support these great opportunities would not be possible.
Again, I would like to thank Year 10 for the positive way they have finished the year and I wish you and your families all the blessings of Christmas.
Please stay safe over the break and remember “God has no hands but yours” so reach out to others during this festive season.
“God has no hands but yours”
Mrs Lynette Kelly
Year 10 Coordinator
THANK YOU- VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL
We wish to thank our incredible St John's Community for supporting our Vinnies Christmas Appeal. With thanks to the generousity of students, staff and families we have filled 50 baskets to be donated to Vinnies to distribute to families in need in the local Shoalhaven and Ulladulla areas.
Thank you to Ison's Nowra for their donation of the baskets and to our wonderful Year 11 students for the incredible job they did in sorting and wrapping the gifts and produce. Your support will brighten Christmas for fifty families in our local community.
WEEK 10 ASSEMBLY
Our final assembly for the Year was held via livestream on Thursday 9 December and included several students sharing their talents with us. Click here to view our Week 10 assembly.
DEFENCE CADETS
On the morning of Sunday 5 December several our students represented at the Inaugural Shoalhaven District Combined Tri Service Cadet Final Parade 2021.
The cadets are from TS Shoalhaven, TS Jervis Bay (both navy cadet units) then 330 Squadron Air Force Cadets and 238 Australian Army Cadets.
RUGBY LEAGUE SPECIAL AWARD RECIPIENT
During our Week 10 assembly, Year 11 student Madeleine Allen was given a surprise recognition for her talent on the field playing rugby league & contribution to the game. Madeleine plays in the U/19 Illawarra Steelers and was presented with the St George Illawarra Medal for Best Rugby League Player at St John's award. Congratulations Madeleine!
NSW ALLSCHOOLS ATHLETICS
With the pandemic cancelling our Wollongong Diocese and NSWCCC athletics events this year, it was a welcome surprise for NSW athletics to reschedule the NSW Allschools Athletics Championships allowing High School students an opportunity to compete last week. NSW Allschools Championships include athletes from all over the state, including Catholic, Public and Independent schools.
Congratulations to the following students who represented our school at this competitive state event, held over 4 days from Thursday 9 - Sunday 12 December;
- Nicholas McGill (Year 8): 13yr boys
800m (10th. 2m20.34)
1500m (9th 4m45.46)
- Darcy Davis (Year 9): 14yr boys
800m (14th. 2m12.68)
1500m (21st 4m42.62)
400m (18th 59.61)
- Cooper Barrett (Year 9): 15yr boys
800m (10th. 2m09.71)
YEAR 12 CREATIVE ARTS
Congratulations to our Year 12 HSC students on completion of their final exams. A component of the Year 12 Creative Arts Syllabus is to submit a 'Body of Work (BOW)' for assessment by external examiners. The quality of work produced by our students was of an incredibly high standard and may be seen by clicking here.
A special mention to the following students, with their artwork selected as one of the very best to be displayed in Art Exhibitions next year!
STAGE 5 CREATIVE ARTS
Year 9 students have been working on a Mini body of work, which was a personal inquiry based on their chosen medium and concept. The students explored various media choices and enjoyed showing their unique skills, such as digital art, photography, painting, drawing and sculpture. Other mediums explored involved cutting stencils and spray painting, as well as collage and painting.
Year 10 students this term explored the theme of “Future Humans” and were challenged to make a wearable artwork from recycled materials and then curate a photo shoot. They are now investigating their own project and have been relishing the chance to self direct their own work.
MUSIC
Thank you to all music students who performed in the recent Showcase Assembly. In addition to this, the music teachers would like to say a big thank you to all students who performed in assemblies, liturgies and masses throughout the year. It is truly such an amazing thing to be able to share your gift with others.
TRANSITION AND PATHWAYS PROGRAM (TAPP)
All Year 7 - 9 had a TAPP lesson in the last two weeks. The 4 TAPP lessons for this year can be accessed in each student's Careers Google Classroom page.
YEAR 10
In the Year 10 transition week, Monday and Tuesday were career education sessions. During these sessions the students explored different careers, made an individual career plan, heard from Gay Donnelly from HVTC about the recruitment process and what employers are looking for, created a resume and cover letter, participated in a virtual work experience activity and got tips for doing great interviews. These are tools and skills this group can take into their future and make the transition from school as smooth as possible.
YEAR 12 2022
University of Wollongong (UOW) Discovery Day is an excellent opportunity to experience and learn about university life and is highly recommended for any student considering university at any stage in their future.
The Discovery Day will be on Tuesday 15 February 2022 at UOW Wollongong Campus.
Travel will be by bus and will leave promptly at 7:30 am and return at approximately 4:20 pm. If you are attending do not book anything before 5pm (ie. work, driving test)
There is a cost of $10.00 per student for the excursion and school uniform is not required to be worn.
Student registrations for UOW Discovery Days will open on Tuesday 1 February 2022. Students will need to register and build their timetable for the day. You will receive an email from Mrs Hill when student registrations open, register ASAP as numbers are very limited and popular session book-out immediately.
Numbers are limited to the first 60 students. Students need to return the permission note (you will have received this) and register with UOW to attend.
POSITIONS VACANT
The following are positions for school leavers, see the careers google classroom page or email Mrs Hill for further information.
- Electrical Apprentice - Manildra (Bomaderry)
- Electrical Apprentice - Shoalhaven City council (Ulladulla)
- Building Maintenance and Cleaning Traineeship - Shoalhaven City Council (Bomaderry)
- Water Operations Traineeships - Shoalhaven City Council (Nowra, Woollamia & Ulladulla)
- Waste Operations Traineeship - Shoalhaven City Council (West Nowra)
- Swimming Instructor - North Nowra Swim School
- I.T Traineeship - Think smart health (Mollymook and work from home)
- Early Childhood Traineeship - Platypus Kinder (Bomaderry)
- Dental Assistant Traineeship - Live Wire Orthodontist (Nowra)
- Hanlon Windows - Bomaderry
- Garage Door Technician Traineeship - Shoalhaven Garage Doors
Mrs Carla Hill
Transition & Pathways Specialist
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
THANK YOU
Thank you to all parents, carers, grandparents, friends, staff and students who have assisted in our school canteen throughout the year. We wish you a fabulous holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2022!
If you're available to assist in our canteen next year, we would love to hear from you! Please email our school info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au with your availability or click here to complete our volunteer form. Parents/Carers, family and friends are welcome!
At present, all volunteers are required to show their Covid Vaccine certificate upon entry to the school.
We look forward to hearing from you!
For families new to our school, lunch orders are to be placed online before 8am. Details are available on our school website or by clicking here.
The P&F are pleased to again be able to offer $50 Lowes vouchers for 20 of next year's incoming Year 7 students. Well done to the following students:
Lex Castro, Scarlet Christofferson, Oskar Driscoll, Hugh Duff, Lucas Fuller, Glenn Garnett, Gianna Gonzaga, Amyra Ison, Molly Kent, Chayse Melrose, Taleah Peters, Lillie Phelan, Maddison Pritchard, Keily Proctor, Amarli Robinson, Keira Sater, Cala Stubbs, Kate Walker, Deacon Ware, Jackson Wellington.
P&F HOLIDAY WISHES
Well it’s that time of year where we look forward to a well earned break as we enjoy the festive season with family and friends. What a year 2021 has been, the challenges have certainly kept on rolling in and unfortunately the face to face engagement we had hoped for between the P&F and families has been once again very limited due to Government restrictions. Looking forward to next year, we can only hope that we will be able to return to some normalcy with greater engagement in school sporting carnivals, excursions, working bees, camps, and face to face meetings.
We would like to wish all students, parents/carers & staff a lovely break. We thank you for your hard work & understanding throughout the year, stay safe & we look forward to seeing you all in 2022.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
St John's Annual General Meeting (AGM) for next year is scheduled for Monday 14 February 2022 6pm, all are welcome to attend; a meeting for general discussions will be held on completion of the AGM. There will be more information in the new year regarding the roles and positions available on the St John’s P&F Committee. Save the date, we hope to see you there!
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.