DIGNITY OF EACH PERSON & SELF-BELIEF

We value the community that we share at St John’s however it is important to always be mindful of the dignity of every human person that is a part of our community. As a catholic community we believe that each person was created by God and with that in mind; who knows how amazing they can be? 

What does that look like at St John’s? 

We have here in our community over 1000 unique individuals. What a wealth of talents and skills.

If our young people can truly believe in themselves, feel supported to take on life’s challenges and build resilience they will experience the fulfillment of their gifts and truly make a difference in the world.

Self belief, connection and the dignity of each person are focus areas for St John’s in 2022. We know that our young people can embrace these attributes and do amazing things. We have seen it in our students so many ways such as in:

• The amazing school productions and musicals that come from the hard work of many young people. Learning lines and songs, practicing each week and in the holidays
• The recognition ceremony earlier this year of students who are now undertaking careers, universities and apprenticeships as a results of working hard in their studies
• Sporting successes that we hear of so regularly from students who have trained and given their best
• Social justice initiatives from students who believe deeply in justice for all and are willing to give up their time to make it happen

Thousands of students, thousands of skills but all unique individuals that understand the dignity of each person, believe in themselves and persevere with life's challenges and show resilience to reach their potential.

So we encourage them to dream big and work hard, create some dreams and set their goals high, give their best in every lesson, seek feedback and try again.

It may not be easy however it is worth it.

 

SCHOOL MUSICAL PRODUCTION

This week we saw over 60 students attend auditions after school on Wednesday for our 2022 School Musical Production, 'The Curse of the Mummy'. We commend students on taking on this challenge and commitment and look forward to viewing the performance on 20-23 July.

CHALLENGING WEATHER 

Thanks to all our families for the support during the challenging weather. We appreciate your support as we try to keep everyone safe whilst maintaining the learning environment. It was very impressive how quickly and effectively staff and students adapted to the change of delivery. Here’s hoping we don’t have to do this too many times in the future.

OPEN NIGHT

We are very excited that we are able to welcome visitors to our school on Open Night next Thursday 17 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. Bookings can be made by clicking here.

YEAR 7 2023 ENROLMENTS OPEN

Enrolments for Year 7 2023 are now open, closing Monday 4 April 2022. Enrolment packages may be collected at our Open Night or from our school office (8am - 3:30pm), downloaded from our school website or by clicking here.

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.

YEAR 10 - 12 MISADVENTURE PROCESS 

As stated in the Assessment Booklets it is very important students follow the correct procedures when applying for a misadventure.  

If a student is absent on the day an assessment is due or a test is to be held, the student must make sure that the office is notified by 8.30am on or before the due date. Application for Misadventure Forms are available from the Curriculum Office, on the school website and under the Favourites (Star icon) on Compass. The student must complete an Application for Misadventure Form on their return.  

Students must have ALL sections of the Application for Misadventure Form completed before it will be considered by the Assessment Committee.The student must fill out Section 1 indicating why they are applying for Illness/Misadventure and how it has affected their ability to complete a task.  A parent/guardian must sign the form. The student must get their class teacher to complete and sign Section 2. Documentation must be provided. Once Sections 1-3 have been completed and documentation attached, the student is to submit the form to the Curriculum Office. 

YEAR 7 & 9 NAPLAN TESTS

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

Our Years 7 and 9 students will participate in NAPLAN during 10-19 May 2022. In preparation for NAPLAN, our Years 7 and 9 students will also participate in practice tests on Tuesday 22 March and Thursday 24 March. The practice tests are a trial-run and key preparation activity for NAPLAN in May and will not be marked.

Key dates:

• Tuesday 22 March - NAPLAN Omnibus Practice Test
• Thursday 24 March - NAPLAN Writing Practice Test
• Tuesday 10 May - NAPLAN Reading Test
• Wednesday 11 May - NAPLAN Writing Test
• Monday 16 May - NAPLAN Conventions of Language Test
• Wednesday 18 May - NAPLAN Numeracy Test

The school will run a number of catch-up sessions for students who miss any of their NAPLAN tests. 

Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in the NAPLAN tests.

Our students will use their own laptop with the NAP lockdown browser app installed. Students are expected to bring their own corded earphones.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s PALS teacher on 4423 1666.

OOAAA AWARD WINNERS

Click below to view our Term 1 Week 6 OOAAA Nominees.

OOAAA Nominees T1W6

It’s been wonderful to see Year 11 return to school with such enthusiasm. The commitment to their studies has been evident throughout the first half of Term One. While many students have been finding their way with their new subjects, on the whole, as a year group they have been really settled. Teachers are commenting on how the students are constantly questioning in classes which clearly highlights their focus on the St John’s Learning Dispositions of Inquiring and Connection.

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Year 11 have also thrown themselves into connecting with the school community with over 60 students volunteering to help on Open Night which is an outstanding effort. Involving themselves in this type of event at school, as well as community events/volunteering outside school, will contribute to their Passport. I remind all students to get their passports signed whenever they contribute to community service.

 

Year 11 students are again well represented in JAG, PAX and Vinnies Youth and I encourage all students to take up the challenge of working with our Social Justice Groups to “be the change they wish to see in the world”.

UNIFORM

Whilst the year group as a whole is making every effort to ensure that the uniform expectations are met each day, there are still a small percentage that are choosing not to adhere to the St John’s guidelines around the wearing of jewellery, correct school and/or sport shoes, skirt length, hair styles and facial hair. PALS teachers will be issuing consequences for any student not meeting the school’s expectations. This also means jewellery will be confiscated until the end of term.

 

YOUTH MINISTRY LEADERS

The Year 11 Youth Ministry Leaders have had a busy start to the year with their involvement in the Ash Wednesday Liturgies. These students have taken on this significant leadership role with respect and dignity and are now preparing for the first Live Event on Wednesday 23 March. 

2022 IMMERSION

Expressions of interest are now open to Year 11 students for the 2022 Catholic Mission Immersion to Darwin/Kakadu. Expressions of interest can be emailed to Mr David Muller: mullerd01@dow.catholic.edu.au 

A parent information evening with Catholic Mission will be held at school on Monday 28 March. There are a limited number of places available. A selection process may be required.

190_Darwin_Kakadu_Flyer_EOI.pdf

190_Darwin_Kakadu_Flyer_EOI _pdf 361.40 KB

 

CREATIVE ARTS WORKSHOP

We wish to thank Fiona from S&S Creativity Unlimited for providing our Year 11 Visual Arts students with an engaging workshop, learning how to apply a variety of different techniques and mediums in their artwork.

 

 

BOOK CLUB

Year 11 student Florelise Caron has organised for a School Book Club, with students meeting in the library each Wednesday (Week B) lunchtime. Several Year 11 students have been attending the group and look forward to sharing their thoughts on the group's chosen book in the coming meetings.

 

Matilda & Logan

Year 11 student Matilda Sinclair and her partner Logan Marsh have been participating in the blessing of the Fleet. Matilda attended numerous activities such as dance, etiquette & interviews for the Princess of the Fleet.

On 18 December, Matilda was crowned 2021’s representative Princess of the Fleet, a great honour with 33 girls vying for the crown. Congratulations Matilda! 

 

Sienna Clarke

Congratulations to Sienna of Year 11, with her recent huge achievement to win her first NSW Major junior golf tournament with a victory in the Harvey Norman Sydney Week of Golf!  Sienna’s highlight was her last round, shooting 2 under par and bogey free! Another incredible achievement by Sienna! Congratulations!

 

Keira Buckpitt

Keira Buckpitt has been selected to represent Australia for surfing in the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships. The competition will be held in El Salvador May 23 to June 5 2022. This is a wonderful achievement for Keira and we wish her all the best.

Mrs Lynette Kelly

Year 11 Coordinator

PALS GROWTH CONVERSATIONS & 2022 PALS TEAM 

Year 12 has welcomed some new and also familiar staff faces for the PALS team for 2022. We are very fortunate to have a great range of knowledgeable and experienced staff who will be supporting students this year through growth conversations taking place during extended PALS each Wednesday.

Students have already engaged in a positive way with their growth conversions and mentors so early in the year. 

YEAR 12 ASPIRATION WALL

As part of the Year 11 Reflection Day held late last year, students were involved in creating their own personal canvas hand tiles, which showcased their future goals and aspirations. These tiles are now on display in the E block open space, where Year 12 meet for morning PALS.

Our new aspiration wall is a visible reminder of the power of connection amongst our year group - that we are all working toward our own individual goals and aspirations, however it is through the power of teamwork and connection that we will support each other to reach our best. It is also a visual for the younger students of St John’s to see the amazing goals and progress of Year 12. 

 

 

YEAR 7 CAMP HELPERS

Well done to the amazing group of Year 12 students and leaders who helped with the night time activities at Year 7 Camp. The helpers represented our year group extremely well, and were welcomed by Year 7 and the staff at camp as they navigated the camp dance and trivia nights. 

HSC ASSESSMENT CALENDAR 

All students should now have received the St John’s HSC Assessment Calendar for 2022. Students may ask their PALS teachers or the curriculum office for a copy of the calendar if theirs has been misplaced. It is vital that students keep track of key assessment dates and deadlines as they progress this year. 

Other important curriculum documents (including misadventure forms) can be found on the school website under the curriculum tab. 

YEAR 12 RETREAT 

The postponed Year 12 Retreat from Term 4 2021 is taking place on May 25-27 2022 (Term 2, Week 5) at Youthworks Shoalhaven Conference Centre, Waterslea. Retreats offer a rare opportunity for students to stop and think more deeply about the religious and spiritual dimension of their life. They are a compulsory aspect of the Religious Education Program of the School. Students are expected to make arrangements if part-time work, TAFE or other commitments clash.

 

Image from Y12 retreat 2021  year in the rain (Thanks to Ms Lloyd)

SENIOR LEGAL STUDIES MAGISTRATE VISIT

This week our Senior Legal Studies students were extremely fortunate to have the wisdom of a Childrens' Court Magistrate visit our school and speak to students about various legal matters. This unique opportunity was very well received by students.

 

 

LIBRARY STUDY SUPPORT 

Year 12 are reminded of the study options that are available to them at St John’s. In addition to Gooroon Homework Centre on Wednesday afternoons and Mathematics tutoring Thursday afternoons, the upstairs section of the school library is available for Year 12 during lunch, recess and afterschool. 

WALK AWARDS

This year we have continued our year group ‘WALK AWARDS’. 

 

In celebrating the achievements and positive examples of students in the year group, teachers and students have been nominating Year 12 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 or staff member, or living by Pax Christi. Each week during the Tuesday morning meeting, a winner from the week's nominations will be chosen at random. This student will receive a special 'walk award' pin which can be worn on the school blazer. Other nominees will receive a positive affirmation on Compass. 

 

The winners our recent Walk Awards are:

 

 

YEAR 12 IMPORTANT DATES 2022 

 

IN2UNI SUMMER MASTERCLASS HOLIDAY WORKSHOP

During the recent holidays, Year 12 students Isabelle Duncan, Milla Watts, Abbey Teall & Cody Ewens attended the University of Wollongong's In2Uni Summer Masterclass Holiday Workshop.

The workshop provided students with some fabulous benefits including;

• Students who successfully passed their Summer Master Class subject, at minimum were guaranteed an Early Admission Interview to the university degrees that align with the Summer Master Class subject they complete.

• Credit towards a UOW degree that could make them eligible to skip a whole subject when they study at UOW.

To attain a spot in the UOW summer master class you need to approach with a good work ethic and a willingness to challenge yourself. We encourage anyone who is unsure of their path after school to become involved. Year 11 students should consider this opportunity which will become available to them in Term 4 this year. The cost of this year's course was $460, however scholarship opportunities are available. For further information, please see our Transition and Pathways specialist Mrs Carla Hill.

YEAR 12 MUSIC

Last week our Year 12 Music students excelled in their practical assessments and Viva Voce presentations. We are blessed to have such passionate and talented students and staff in our Creative Arts Faculty. Well done to all!

Ms Kate Davis

Year 12 Coordinator 

WHITE CARD COURSE

Accelerated Training will be running a White Card course at school on Tuesday 29 March. All students taking construction in Year 11, students wanting to do work experience or gain employment in an industry that attends construction sites need to hold this nationally recognised qualification. To take part students collect 2 x company forms from Mrs Hill and upon the return of these forms they will be given a school parental permission note and pay $100 (a bargain for this qualification).

UNI CHATS @ LUNCH

Throughout Term 1 there have been six information sessions run, during lunchtime,  by various Universities for senior students to attend.

To finish off this term we will hear from UNSW (rescheduled), UTS and ANU. Senior students are encouraged to attend as they can hear what each University has to offer and ask questions directly. 

YEAR 12 EARLY ADMISSION

• Charles Sturt University (CSU) first round of early admission is open now and closes 31st August.
• Australian National University (ANU) early entry program is now open and closes 10th April.
• University of New England (UNE) early admission program is open and closes 23rd Sept. 

All information about these programs can be found on the Year 12 Careers Google Classroom page. 

ADF GAP YEAR PROGRAM - APPLY NOW

An ADF Gap Year is a unique opportunity for your students to experience life in the Navy, Army or Air Force, without needing to make a long-term commitment. The skills obtained through the ADF Gap Year program will provide them valuable work and life experience and are completely transferable. It will enable your students to develop the confidence for their next endeavour.

Students who take part in the ADF Gap Year program:

• Gain valuable skills and work experience
• Enjoy a great salary package plus free healthcare
• Live a varied, active and healthy lifestyle
• Make friends with like-minded people
• Have the opportunity to see more of Australia

Whatever their interest, there are a variety of roles to select that will provide young Australians valuable life skills. These include experiences as an officer, in management, engineering, logistics and warehousing, combat and security, and administration. Click here for further details.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Students at St John's can undertake work experience if they are 14 years or older, have completed the appropriate paperwork and it has been approved (based on our insurance policy). Students are encouraged to do work experience during the school holidays. Contact Mrs Hill to set up work experience. 

Mrs Carla Hill

Transition and Pathways Specialist

NATIONALLY CONSISTENT COLLECTION OF DATA

The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year.
The NCCD is a collection that counts:
• the number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability
• the level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.

Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability.

All schools in Australia must collect information about students with disability. Further details about the NCDD are available here.

 

LOCAL EXCURSION FOR HSIE STUDIES

On Friday 4 March our Senior and Junior MC classes went to the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Shoalhaven Library & 91 Junction St Cafe.

Students were excited to see St John’s Year 12 2021 artwork on exhibition & Peter Sharp’s photographs of the painted view which showed the artist’s process of capturing the essence of landscapes.

Mrs Ruth Fox

Learning Support Coordinator

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