As we move into Term 3 we do not know with absolute certainty what awaits us but there will continue to be a focus on developing core skills, after all that is the reason that students attend school. To that end, I remind all students and parents about the importance of home reading. There is no mystery to becoming a strong English student. Students that read regularly and widely open up a wide world of words and situations that stimulate the mind and expand their knowledge. There is a wide selection of texts available in the library for students to borrow and I encourage them to make the most of this resource. I also encourage students to let our school librarian know if there is a particular author or text they'd like the school to purchase.

Year 12 moves into a demanding part of their high school experience. First, I would like to applaud the Year 12 students for their diligence. In the coming weeks I encourage students to revise class notes, access 2020 and 2021 HSC markers comments and the syllabus rubric on the NESA site. If time permits, reading texts again will also enable students to look at the texts through a sharpened lens. As we do revision in class in the lead up to the Trial HSC, I encourage all Year 12 students to seek and take on feedback and direction given by the English teachers.

To students in Year 7-11, I encourage you to set goals for your study of English this semester and these should be set using feedback from the Semester One report and in consultation with the class teacher. This goal should ideally involve reading on a night basis as there is no better way to improve reading and writing than to read well written texts.

Ms Michelle Selmes

English Coordinator

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Johnnies started slowly against a big Corpus Christi side, letting in an early try before finding some cohesion in defence to limit the damage that was being done by their forward runners. 

It took some strong ball carries from Mason Lawrence, Jett Glennan and Luka Treweek up the middle of the field to turn the game around. The dominant carries and fast rucks allowed the halves pairing of Blake Totten and Brodee Green to find space on the edges. Johnnies first try came from a kick ahead that was regathered by Patrick O’Leary, who converted his own try. Patrick soon scored again with too much pace down the left edge. The first half ended in Corpus favour with a try on the last play. 

The second half saw Corpus’ big forwards cause havoc up the middle of the field. Johnnies put in a brave effort with some huge tackles by Jett Glennan and Riley Wells which limited them to a solo try in the half. Taj Barrett's leadership around the field was rewarded with a try late in the half from a strong ball carry and good feet, beating three defenders on his way across the line. 

Game 2 saw Johnnies take on Edmund Rice College. A big and athletic team who were well drilled and deservedly the favourites on the day. Johnnies stepped up to the challenge and dominated the first 6 minutes of play, holding Edmund Rice in their half for repeat sets. Despite dominant ball carries from the forwards including one of the younger team members, Ashton Towns, Johnnies could not get across the try line. It took a turnover and an 80m run for Edmund Rice to strike first. Summing up the boys' determination to win was an enormous chase and tackle over the line by Noah Walker from the opposite centre who almost held up the ball to deny them the opening try. Johnnies had learned their lessons in defence from the previous game and stood up to the Edmund Rice attack, hooker Jett Creary repeatedly chopped down their big runners to halt the attack. Edmund Rice managed to get another try in the second half to go out to a 10 to nil lead. Johnnies never doubted themselves or gave up as the final 5 minutes were played out attacking the try line. Patrick O’Leary and Taj Barrett put unpredictable kicks into the goal area, forcing multiple goal line drop outs. Johnnies had penalties and scrums 10m out from the line but unfortunately, couldn’t find a way through a solid defensive line. 

The team finished the day with some disappointment, not coming away with a victory. However, they held their heads high with pride at the determination and the improvement they demonstrated over a great day of Rugby League.

NSW ALL SCHOOLS STATE CROSS COUNTRY

JOHNNIES ACTION GROUP (JAG)

This week JAG has been focusing on the importance of bin education and the correct bin usage. Using the correct bins and contributing to recycling and compost at St John’s can provide an aspect of sustainability to the functioning of our environment. Our orange bins are for co-mingled recycling, green is the compost for worm farms and our red is for any other waste.

It is also important to translate bin education skills to waste at home. Right now, 60%  of Australian household waste is being recycled, which is excellent news for our environment. However, only 42% of households have an organic compost bin. Try to implement your own compost for gardens or chickens! It is as simple as lining the bottom of a storage bin with some newspaper and soil, and then filling it with food scraps and organic waste. 

In JAG, we have a Clean-Up Committee which focuses on waste management and compost. Any interested students are invited to join the JAG google classroom (4qfg7ep), speak to Miss Freshwater or come along to a JAG meeting on Week A Fridays.