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At St John’s our Catholic values guide our models of leadership and this week at our commissioning ceremony our prayer unpacked the Beatitudes as a guide to this faith based leadership model.
The Beatitudes are eight bold statements about Christian life and leadership.
They provide valuable and practical insights that we can use to examine our consciences, monitor our behaviours and build the inner qualities we need to become a human being capable of leadership.
It is interesting that in each beatitude Jesus enters gently, patiently and powerfully, but not with coercion. What a great model for leadership.
I would like to congratulate all the students who were commissioned as leaders as School Captains and Vice Captains, House Captains, SRC and Youth Ministry Leaders.
As elected leaders they exemplify the leadership qualities that we value in all our young people. They have decided what is important to them and they are prepared to work to make this happen.For Leaders at St John’s this aligns with our school values. Leaders at St John’s value peace and speak up for justice. They value excellence in learning and always do their best and look to the words of Jesus to guide their actions. Leaders at St John’s value the Catholic social teaching of the Dignity of all human persons.
And they also support others to achieve these gifts, get involved to bring about justice and peace and help others to create supportive and rich learning environments.
Leaders are people of action.
They have optimistic thoughts and believe they can make a difference. They energize people, giving them hope and inspire them to work diligently on what is best for everyone, not just themselves.
Congratulations to our elected leaders and I encourage them and all our young people to use your leadership qualities to make a difference and support others to do so.
YEAR 11 DARWIN KAKADU IMMERSION
Over the holidays and into the first week of Term 4 a group of Year 11 students, Mr Comensoli and Mrs Kelly had the privilege to travel to Darwin, Kakadu and Litchfield with Catholic Missions for an immersion experience. They were supported by local Indigenous people and returned to our community with a deeper understanding of the lives, values, and lived experiences of these people. They will share their stories with the school community however I believe that they will be forever changed by this experience.
Nungalinya Experience
WAKAKIRRI NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS
Click here to view our students' incredible performance!
Mrs Sandra Hogan
Principal
UNIFORM
PALS teachers will be putting students out of uniform on lunch withdrawal and writing notes in the student diary to communicate with families.
Please ensure that your son or daughter are meeting the uniform expectations.
TEEN VAPING WEBINAR WITH PAUL DILLON
Vaping (the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or 'vapes') continues to be an issue that attracts a great deal of attention as well as debate across the country. Vaping is a new phenomenon, with the first e-cigarette being invented in 2003. As a result, many parents have little or no experience with the issue as the devices simply weren’t around when they were in their teens.
This session will examine what we currently know about the use of e-cigarettes and vaping amongst Australian school-based young people. This is an area that is constantly changing and parents attempting to make sense of the information provided by both the ‘pro-vaping’ and ‘anti-vaping’ lobbies may find it extremely difficult to navigate. As we move towards the end of the school year parents are likely to need as much assistance as possible.
Cost: $25 plus GST
This event will be live-streamed but, for those unable to attend live, a recording of the event will also be made available for a period following the event's conclusion.
To register for the event please go to the following link: https://events.humanitix.com/teen-vaping-an-update-for-parents?_ga=2.18745392.80608819.1666043659-467732293.1627864130
Mr Aidan Leishman
TERM 4 2022
WEEK 3A
Year 12 HSC Final Exams continue.
Monday 24 October: P & F General Meeting 6pm - All Welcome!
Thursday 27 October: Year 11 Presentation & HSC Information Evening 5:15pm for 5:30pm start
WEEK 4B
Thursday 3 November: Volunteers Afternoon Tea 2pm
WEEK 5A
Monday 7 November: Year 7 2023 Parent Information Evening
Tuesday 8 November: Year 7 2023 Orientation Day
WEEK 6B
Thursday 17 November: Year 12 Graduation Dinner
There are many challenges that will face students as they move through their schooling years and Year 7 has mastered one of the biggest challenges - the transition from primary to high school!
When surveying the students about challenges they have faced this year- overwhelmingly, students were proud of the way they had stepped outside their comfort zone and started conversations and connected with their peers and made new friends - and it shows in the positive interactions that occur in this year group every day. Many talked about the challenges of having more homework but also how they came up with strategies to manage their time to ensure they were able to complete their homework and still fit in their sporting and family commitments. Being solution focused and being open to challenges shows how much the students in Year 7 have grown. The skills they are developing now to manage change will help them to continue to grow on their journey through high school and beyond. The nurturing community of St John's will provide them with the fertile ground in which they will be able to grow to become resilient young people, who will continue to see challenges as opportunities for growth.
SRC REPRESENTATIVES FOR 2023
Congratulations to the following students, nominated by their peers as Year 8 Student Representative Council members for 2023;
Mrs Wendy Isemonger
Year 7 Coordinator
POSITIVE CONNECTIONS
- The “Be More award”:. This Year 8 award recognises students who have displayed contributions to the school values and or the Learning Dispositions as listed in the diary pages 15 and 29.
- Staff were asked to nominate students at the end of last term and these certificates were presented at a Year assembly last term.
- The aim is to continue to build a sense of connection and engagement through these awards and celebrate success.
The following is a list of students who received a teacher nominated award:
SPORTS COMPETITION TERM 4
Year 8 will have an opportunity to be involved in a Year group sports competition this term and this will be offered at lunchtimes throughout successive weeks. Details regarding this will be posted soon and discussed on Year Assembly in Week 3.
ATTENDANCE
Just a reminder as we progress through the final weeks of the year. Attendance at school is compulsory as per law. Data shows that attendance relates specifically to positive connections being made between the student, the school and their learning. As part of the process of maintaining students' satisfactory attendance at St John’s we have a school based policy that is a supportive positive process for this. This progression of support is as follows:
- PALS teachers will ring home if a student is absent for 3 or more consecutive days to enquire about the students welfare and offer support around this if required.
- If a student drops below 90% of attendance at any time during the school year, commencing from term one, a Step 1 notification will be issued to provide the students and families with an alert that they have reached this level and again any support that may be required will be offered.
- If a student is to drop below 85% attendance a Step 2 notification will be implemented again as an alert and a method of support to investigate whether the school can assist in maintaining consistent attendance. There are steps beyond this point where intervention may be required via the Catholic Education office to further support in conjunction with the family and the school
SOCIAL MEDIA
There are both benefits and challenges around the student use of social media. Positive conduct around the use of social media is obviously encouraged and this can involve effective communication in some circumstances between friends and families. However uploading material to the internet using any variety of social media platform can be harmful and dangerous.
If confronting or negative personal statements or videos are uploaded to the internet this can be extremely damaging for those whom they target. The following issues need to be considered by all students at St John’s:
- It can be offensive to a range of people even if it was not meant to be. It can be interpreted as such and have a big negative psychological impact on people.
- All students at St John’s have signed an agreement (technology) that outlines expected appropriate use of computers and mobile phones, this does not include posting inappropriate material through any social media platform.
- Individuals and families have the right to involve the police if any material proves to be offensive or harmful to anyone in any way.
In summary we are saying this to support you in making the right decisions and also to report anything that you feel is having an effect on you or someone you know. Please report any incidents of social media misuse that you know may be affecting the peaceful relationships and/or the positive learning environment at St John’s.
YEAR 9 SRC REPRESENTATIVES
Congratulations to the following students elected by their peers as Student Representative Council Members for 2023.
Mr Simon Vaughan
Year 8 Coordinator
Religious Education in a Catholic school is far more than Religion lessons. The “education” of students about the Catholic faith integrates a variety of learning opportunities which are all grounded in the teachings of Jesus.
IMMERSION TRIP
In the second week of the school holidays, four Year 11 students, accompanied by Mrs Kelly and Mr Comensoli, flew to Darwin to participate in a 10 day immersion trip led by Catholic Mission. This trip provided valuable learning experiences about Aboriginal culture, social justice issues faced by Aboriginal people and how to be the hands of Christ in today’s Australian society. The students were outstanding ambassadors of St John’s and actively engaged at a deep level in all the activities, learning modules and experiences provided during the 10 days.
YEAR 11 SENIOR RETREAT
This week Year 11 students have attended their 3 day retreat at Waterslea. Unlike a camp, the retreat is an opportunity to push the pause button on their busy lives, and spend time reflecting about who they are, how they relate to others and to develop a deeper understanding of their own individual spirituality. The retreat provides a valuable learning experience which also aims to assist students to recalibrate their lives as they undertake the final year of secondary education.
SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES
The various opportunities for students to engage in social justice initiatives is not simply about raising money or donating food. These activities, which put into action Catholic Social teachings, provide significant learning opportunities about the needs of others and our environment, as well as developing understanding, empathy and compassion. Some of the initiatives planned for this term are:
- Trivia Night to support those in need in the Shoalhaven
- 2nd hand clothing sale and a bake sale to support the work of Catholic Mission for Aboriginal people in Darwin
- Vinnies Christmas Appeal
IN THE CLASSROOM
The topics currently being studied in the classroom at present are:
NOWRA PARISH
EXCEPTIONAL TEACHING IN GEOGRAPHY
NSW ALLSCHOOLS STATE ATHLETICS
HOUSE CUP CHAMPIONS
SIENNA CONTINUES HER GOLFING EXCELLENCE
DANCING INTO YEAR 12
FAITHS FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE MULTI-FAITH SERVICE
YEAR 10 CHILD STUDIES
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS
NOTICE FROM NSW POLICE- GEL GUNS
Gel Guns or Gel Blasters are lifelike ‘toy’ guns that closely resemble firearms. They fire gel balls and can be very difficult to differentiate from a real firearm. They are classified as air guns under NSW law and gel balls are classified as ammunition.
It is a crime to possess a Gel Gun in NSW unless you have a firearms licence, even if it was purchased online or legally in another State. It is also a crime to bring a Gel Gun to school.
There is potential for injury if a person is struck by a gel pellet ammunition and understandably students and staff may become frightened and distressed if they believe a firearm has been brought into the school.
If a student is found to have a Gel Gun in a school, it will be confiscated, parents and the police will be called. The student may face disciplinary action through the school and could be arrested and charged with possession of a firearm. Parents may also be held liable as per Section 82 of the Firearms Act.
On 1 July 2021, New South Wales Police commenced an ongoing National Firearms Amnesty along with all other states and territories. This allows for any firearms or firearm related articles to be surrendered to a police station without fear of prosecution. If this issue relates to you please ensure you contact your local police station prior to attending and ensure the firearm is in a bag or wrapped in a blanket.
P&F MEETING - MONDAY 24 OCTOBER 6PM
WORKING BEE - COMING SOON
We will be holding our final Working Bee for 2022 in the coming weeks. This is a great opportunity for families to connect with the school community and at the same time complete some much needed jobs around the school. There will be a sausage sizzle provided on completion of the working bee. For details will be coming soon.
P&F NEWS
LUNCH ORDERS
CANTEEN ROSTER
We wish to thank all parents/carers, grandparents and friends who have assisted in our school canteen this year. We still require assistance most days this term, and urgently require helpers on;
Week 3
- Monday 24 October (1 helper required)
- Tuesday 25 October (2 helpers required)
- Wednesday 26 October (1 helper required)
- Thursday 27 October (1 helper required)
- Friday 28 October (3 helpers required)
Week 4
- Tuesday 1 November (1 helper required)
- Wednesday 2 November (2 helpers required)
- Thursday 3 November (1 helper required)
- Friday 4 November (3 helpers required)
If you may be able to assist, please contact our school on 4423 1666 or info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au.
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.
BOWLS XPRESS
The Bowls Xpress Carnival is over 6 Friday nights. 3 players per team. New games every week so you may substitute players as you wish.
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