ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT

Wednesday 2 March is Ash Wednesday. This is a day that we stop and prepare for the season of Lent. We mark the day with a liturgy in which ashes are distributed, usually in the form of a cross on the forehead. This signifies that we are engaging in a day of prayer, fasting and reflection as we enter the season of Lent. Lent continues for 40 days of prayer and reflection as we prepare for the season of celebration and hope that is Easter. This is a cycle of renewal and a time of growth.

 

OPEN NIGHT

We are very excited that we are able to welcome visitors to our school on Open Night next Wednesday 2 March. This is always a joyous night as we celebrate and showcase the school community. If you know someone who is planning to attend St John’s in 2023 then please let them know. We are taking bookings to the three sessions that are available on the night.

 

EVENTS

I visited the Year 7 camp last Wednesday afternoon and was welcomed by such a positive and engaging group of students. They had a wonderful 3 days and are such a friendly group of young people. It is exciting to see how they will make a difference in our community over the six years ahead. 

The Year 7 students were so well supported by our Year 10 Bushcraft students who led the activities and the Year 12 students who visited and inspired the Year 7 students at the bushdance and talent show.

The staff that attend should also be commended for developing and sharing their skills and time to present a camp that is purely St John’s. I would also like to thank the wonderful parents who volunteered to assist with transporting and assembling equipment and serving meals throughout the 3 days of camp. Without your help, this fantastic event simply would not be possible.

 

The school has been a busy place with so many activities underway. HSIE has taken students to Jamberoo and run in-school workshops in History and Geography, Science has taken groups to Mount Kiera and even the Careers advisor has been bringing university representatives into the school via ZOOM. It is impressive how the activities have continued in a COVID Smart manner.

 

COVID RESTRICTION CHANGES

Thanks so much to our community who have supported us to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the school environment by following the COVID guidelines. These are being lifted across many areas however we will continue to ensure that we adhere to best practice wherever possible. The new guidelines are;

• From Monday 28 February, we will move to symptomatic testing. Rapid Antigen Tests are to be used at your discretion such as if you are symptomatic or there are cases in your class. The school will provide each student and staff member with 8 tests per student and staff in schools. These will be distributed once received at the school.

• Beyond that, students and staff access PCR tests or buy their own rapid antigen tests.

• For Secondary Schools - From Monday 28 February, masks will no longer be mandatory for students in Year 7 and above and all staff. However, those who wish to continue to use them will be supported to do so.

• From Monday 28 February, visitors can be allowed back on school sites. Our school will consider activities such as assemblies, parent-teacher meetings and other gatherings. We will let you know if these can proceed in a COVID-safe way. All visitors are asked to follow our usual sign-in and sign-out process.
• Our school will continue to ensure our core COVID-smart layers are in place, including vaccinations, maximising natural ventilation in learning spaces, continued good hand hygiene practices and enhanced cleaning.

Further details are available in the correspondence sent to parents/carers on Wednesday 23 February. Click here to view this letter.

Mrs Sandra Hogan

Principal

YEAR 11 PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT HANDBOOK

Year 11 students and their parents/carers have now been sent the Year 11 Preliminary Assessment Handbook and Information Video. These resources are also available on our school website beneath the 'Curriculum/Assessment Schedules & Information' tab, or by clicking here.

OOAAA AWARD WINNERS

Click below to view our Term 1 Week 4 OOAAA Nominees.

OOAAA Nominees T1W4 

Year 9 has started the new school year in such a positive way. I believe the addition of subject electives and making new friends in classes has been invaluable. The feedback I am receiving from classroom teachers is extremely impressive.

I encourage all students to be open to change in their classes, i.e. new classmates, new teachers and new subject content. The more open you are to these changes, the more you will enjoy and excel in Year 9, 2022.

 

In commencing this new year, I am encouraging students to get involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible. There are so many sporting opportunities, social justice initiatives and clubs to participate in:

• The Swimming Carnival
• Football (Soccer)
• Touch Football
• The Chess Club
• The Johnnies Action Group (JAG)
• The Mindfulness Group
• PAX Group
• The Dance Troupe
• Learn The Didgeridoo
• Debating
• Vocal Group

And many more… Please listen out for the PALS announcements in the morning as to when and where these groups meet and how to sign up.

 

At this stage, all students should know their prac and theory timetable for all of their classes. All staff have also been provided an outline of the practical periods in each subject, allowing them to track the correct uniform of students in their classes.

A few uniform reminders I have noticed are becoming an issue:

• The sports jacket can not be worn with the normal uniform. Students must wear the navy school jumper or blazer.
• Girls are only allowed to wear ONE sleeper or stud in each ear.
• Nose rings or any other piercing is not allowed, even if you are wearing a mask.
• Chewing gum is not permitted at school.
• Skirts should be long enough to touch the knee.
• Sport shorts should be loose fitting and should sit just above the knee.

 

I advise all students to revisit the school diary to ensure that they do not receive a playground withdrawal for incorrect uniform.

For whatever reason any of the uniform guidelines cannot be followed, a dated note from home must be in the diary. This may result in a follow up phone call from PALS teachers to discuss the issue.

 

YEAR 9 GEOGRAPHY

On Tuesday Year 9 Geography students travelled to Minnamurra Rainforest to gain further experience in fieldwork and knowledge relevant to Year 9 Geography.

 

Mr Josh Watson

Year 9 Coordinator

Our Year 10’s have started 2022 with a wonderful attitude and have taken on various leadership roles in our school which is wonderful to see. 

 

After a selection process in the final weeks of Year 9, 32 students went on to do further training and were ready to help our new Year 7's on their first day of High School. The peer support leaders assisted the Year 7's in settling into St John’s and getting to know each other and the school through activities and games.

Further supporting our Year 7's, a select team of Bushcraft students also took on leadership roles within the Year 7 camp, running activities and role modelling for our newest students. They made the experience of camp that bit less daunting and allowed them to further develop their problem solving skills when things didn't go as planned, as well as forming new connections with the Year 7 students.

Teachers and the new Year 7's remarked on the maturity and leadership qualities of the Year 10 Peer Support and Bushcraft students and how well they worked together as a team. Well done! 

This last week, furthering our understanding of connection and the Catholic Social Teaching of the Dignity of the Human Person, Year 10 students engaged in the respectful relationship program run here at school. This program aimed to unpack in small groups, what respectful relationships look like, what to do and what support is offered if a relationship is not respectful. Again, the maturity of Year 10's was evident and they gained a lot from the day.

 

I encourage all students to get involved in some aspect of leadership within St John’s as they start their journey into senior school. Mr Garner and I would like to thank the Year 10's for engaging with us so openly and respectfully over the last two terms. 

Mrs Sophie Daley will return from maternity leave in Term 2 to resume the position of Year 10 Coordinator. 

YEAR 10 HISTORY

 

Ms Tammie Castles

Year 10 (Acting) Coordinator 

YEAR 12

UNI CHATS @ LUNCH 

Throughout Term 1 there will be information sessions run, during lunchtime, by various Universities for Year 12 students to attend.

It has been pleasing to hear from Macquarie University (9 Feb), CSU (17 Feb) and Notre Dame (23 Feb). These sessions will run for the remainder of the term and all Year 12 students are encouraged to attend. 

2022 YEAR 12 FUTURE ME PROGRAM

The Year 12 FMP program, run by UOW, commences in Term 2, Week 2 up to and including Week 6 of Term 3.

Applications for this free 15-week program for current Year 12 students are now open.

Students can apply online now at uow.info/yr12prep.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday 9 March, 2022. You need to be able to commit to a minimum of 80% of the 15 week program (there are some options here so see Mrs Hill if this is the only thing stopping you from applying).

Key Program Inclusions and Benefits

The program is offered via mixed delivery (some on campus and some online)

•       Live, online skills development to assist students in their HSC and beyond, whether that is further education or employment (program delivery is via Zoom and UOW’s Open Learning Platform)
•       3 x On-campus experiences (COVID permitting)
•       Weekly live mentoring sessions including peer learning with current UOW student mentors
•       A guaranteed Early Admission interview or conditional offer to UOW/UOW College*
•       Free access to HSC subject support via UOW’s subject support partner’s online platform (please be aware we have changed our subject support partner from the past few years and that the program does not offer subject tutoring during weekly sessions)
•       Mentoring to explore post-high school options, including university, college, TAFE and employment based on academic performance and areas of interest
•       Assistance completing UOW Early Admission and UAC online applications 
•       Holiday Super Study program to finesse exam and interview techniques

Documents Required on Application to FMP

Students must upload the following with their application:

•       Australian Citizens - a copy of their birth certificate or CURRENT Australian Passport. Please note citizens not born in Australia will need to also provide their citizenship papers if providing their birth certificate from their country of birth.

UOW staff presented to all Year 12 students on Wednesday 23 Feb.

CHARLES STURT UNIVERSITY (CSU) ADVANTAGE

The early entry program is now open. To apply, students will need to provide Year 11 results, through Studentsonline, and answer some questions. 

See Mrs Hill for further details or to register for the information Webinar on Tuesday 1 March.

GIRLS ENGINEERING UNSW - YEAR 11 AND 12 

The GIE FEAS Program is a new alternate pathway program for female-identifying high school students in Year 11 and 12 who will be applying for an eligible engineering degree at UNSW Sydney and expecting an ATAR within the FEAS eligibility* range.

This is for students who want to make a difference in the world, have an interest in helping others and would love to learn how engineering can solve problems in disadvantaged communities, then this program is for you!

It is all online and the fee is returned upon completion. Watch the video for more information and apply here.

OPPORTUNITY FOR YEAR 10 & 11 HISTORY STUDENTS

Applications for the 2022 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship Tour (PAMS) are now open to Year 10 and 11 History students.

The Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship gives NSW Year 10 and 11 History students the opportunity to travel on a 2-week study tour to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of Australians at war. Accompanied by a military historian the tour includes visits to significant historical sites to learn about and commemorate the service of Australian men and women in the World Wars and other conflicts.

In 2022, the PAMS study tour will visit places in Sydney, regional NSW and interstate locations.

The tour supports the NSW curriculum and would be most beneficial to students who are studying Modern History.

Click here to find out more and to apply.  Applications will close 28 March 2022. See our HSIE Coordinator, Ms Sarah Blades for further details.

Mrs Carla Hill

Transition and Pathways Specialist

Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.

Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.

St Michael's Primary School

St Mary's Star of the Sea Primary School