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- PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
- PASTORAL CARE
- FROM THE CURRICULUM OFFICE
- UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER
- YEAR 9 NEWS
- YEAR 10 NEWS
- NEWS FROM MATHEMATICS
- NEWS FROM MUSIC
- GOROON
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
- CAREERS NEWS
- YEAR 7 CAMP
- ASSORTED NEWS
- CANTEEN NEWS
- REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
- NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
- P & F NEWS
- SHOALHAVEN COMMUNITY OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
- COMMUNITY NEWS
ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT
Wednesday 22 February was 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.
Liturgies were held in the hall in three services across the day. The Liturgies were conducted by Fr Tiziano and all students attended one of these services to receive ashes. Ashes are received by the whole school regardless of religion. Thank you to Fr Tiziano for joining us and Mr Jack Lopez, Mr Mark Fuller and Mrs Valerie Lewis for the preparation of the liturgy services. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the Year 11 Ministry Leaders for assisting Father with distributing the ashes to the whole school community.
OPEN NIGHT
We are very excited to welcome visitors to our school on our Open Night being held on Wednesday 8 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 2024 then please let them know. We are taking bookings to the three sessions that are available on the night through trybooking on the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
On Friday 17 February we were able to enjoy our school swimming carnival. This was the first time since 2019 that the whole school was able to attend and the carnival was not affected by adverse weather or Covid.
The day was a fantastic day and we were blessed with beautiful weather. The amount of students competing in races was amazing, with so much support shown by all students for their fellow peers. The school spirit that was displayed on the day in the way the students dressed up in their house colours and cheered for each other is what I have been told St John's is indicative off and what I look forward to seeing throughout the year.
YEAR 12 GIFT
On behalf of St John's I wish to extend a huge thank you to Year 12 2022 for their generous gift of new house flags to the school. The flags look terrific and were presented to the house captains at assembly on Thursday 16 February.
VISITING VIP
On Wednesday 15 February Daniel Delmage visited from CEO. Mr Delmage is the Head of Continuous Catholic School Improvement for the Wollongong Diocese. It was his first time at St John's so I gave him a tour of the school of which he thoroughly enjoyed. Mr Delmage will be back at the school on Monday 27 February to fill in for myself as Acting Principal.
Welcome back to parents and careers. The pastoral team is so excited to help guide our young people this year. A collective approach will support your son or daughter as they navigate through High School.
Our Swimming Carnival held on Friday 17 February presented a fantastic opportunity for our school to celebrate our house spirit and the school values that underlie our respectful relationship practices: Hope, Love, Reverent Spirituality, Hospitality, Justice, Compassion.
Mr Aidan Leishman
Pastoral Care
TERM 1 2023
Week 7
Wednesday 8 March: St Johns Open Night 2023 ( Please book a session time)
Friday 10 March: Diocesan Swimmimg Carnival 2023
Week 8
Tuesday 14 March: Year 7 Immunisation Clinic
Week 9
Friday 24 March: School Cross Country 2023 (Willandra Course)
TERM 1
Term 1 is typically a busy term for students as much of the classroom learning and assessments have moved beyond the initial transition phase. Year 9 have started the term with positive attitudes and from all accounts are making every effort to work to the best of their ability in the classroom. It is important that during this time students seek out the necessary help they need from classroom teachers as well the additional support services available so as to avoid becoming overwhelmed and unnecessarily stressed.
HAIR
Just a reminder that hair should be managed in relation to the policy as stated in the diary and as reinforced daily at school for each and every student. Boys should have no extreme hairstyles, including Mullets and carved hairstyles. The length must be kept to the length of the collar. Girls hair should be tied back at all times including when first arriving at school and in the afternoon when catching buses home
SPORT
Year 9 have been praised for their active involvement in Sport so far this term and have been involved in Sport offsite from school and school based competitions. Students have formed their own friendship based groups and have responded positively in this space.
SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Year 9 were particularly outstanding in their behaviour at school and this was recognised on their Year Assembly on Monday 20th February. It was an uplifting and relaxed day for all and we are exceptionally proud of Year 9 and their positive behaviours on this day
PARENT NIGHT
There is a Parent night scheduled for Year 9 later this term and details will follow regarding this. Details of Year 9 camp being held in term 2 will be discussed in part at this evening. The camp will be held on the South Coast and mainly focussed on water based activities across the 10th, 11th and 12th of May. There will be a cost associated with this and it will be outlined on the night of the parent evening. Also discussed will be the upcoming Youth Adolescent Mental Health program being run at the school during term 2. A a survey will be sent out during this term prior to the evening to enable us to respond to any parent questions in general about Year 9 and St John’s on the evening. We look forward to seeing you all there.
SOCIAL COMPETITIONS
These are designed to give Year 9 further opportunity to interact with each other in a social way at school during lunchtime. A sports and creative arts competition will be offered to the year group to participate in.
ATTENDANCE
Just a note to inform parents that attendance is of paramount importance for students at school and that data indicates that those who attend school regularly achieve highly and are much more likely to build strong and positive social connections. To support this and for your information, PALS teachers are asked to call home if your son/daughter is away from school for 3 consecutive days as way of offering support and to assist in managing any issues.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your son and daughter moving through Year 9 this year, please do not hesitate to contact their PALS teacher and/or Year Coordinator.
YEAR 9 EXPERIMENTING IN SCIENCE
Kind Regards
Mr Simon Vaughan
Year 9 Coordinator
Welcome back to school to all of our Year 10 students and their families.
My name is Nick Garner and I am the new Year Coordinator for this year and I look forward to working with the students over the coming year.
Thank you to all the year 10 students for a wonderful start to 2023. It is great to see the students stepping up into senior school and I encourage all students to look for ways in which they can involve themselves in activities outside the classroom. It has been a busy start to the year with a number of events outlined below.
- RoSA information evening - Thank you to all the students and parents who attended the information evening. As explained on the evening, assessment procedures have changed and expectation of the students has increased.
- Peer Support – Thankyou to all the students involved in the peer support. All reports indicate that students were exceptional. Great to see such quality leadership in the year group.
- Year 7 cdamp - Congratulations to all of our bushcraft students who led the activities at Year 7 camp.
- Swimming Carnival - Thank you to all the students who made this a fun day out.
- Representative sport - Number of activities including soccer, touch football and triathlon.
- Class excursions - Many subjects are running excursions including Bushcraft, Marine Studies and Dance.
EXPERIMENTING IN SCIENCE
Extracting DNA from strawberries.
Nick Garner
Year 10 Coordinator
MATHS TUTORING
Every Thursday 3pm - 4pm in B Block.
Mr Mark McKinnon
Mathematics Coordinator
Spots still available for guitar, piano and vocal tuition! One on one, 30 minute lessons held once a week during school hours right here in our music rooms! Taught by an external professional. Details on our school website under Parents Info/Forms and Letters.
CONGRATULATIONS HARRISON
Congratulations to Harrison Tan Year 12 for being chosen for the NRL St George Illawarra Dragons under 18's.
GOOROON HOMEWORK HUB
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Mass will be held each Wednesday by Fr Joseph in our beautiful chapel and will be attended by two RE classes. On Wednesday 15 February our first Mass was held and attended by 8REI and 8REK.
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM 2023
A brief note to inform parents/guardians and students about the Sacramental Program
running this year at St John’s.
Any students that would like to be baptised into the Catholic faith or receive the Sacraments
of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or Confirmation, are invited to participate in the
Sacramental program that will be running during the year and in school time.
Please see the attached letter that accompanies this newsletter for further information.
Mark Fuller
Sacramental Program Facilitator
NOWRA PARISH
Click here to access Nowra Parish
Click here to access Nowra Parish Facebook Page
MILTON PARISH
UOW DISCOVERY DAY - YEAR 12
YEAR 12
2024 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDES
As we start to receive the 2024 Undergraduate Course Guides, they will be added to a publicly accessible online folder. You are welcome to access the link: http://bit.ly/40OcVsz
ACU CANBERRA NEW STUDENT ACCOMMODATION
The newly refurbished on-campus student accommodation is open in Canberra. Students will benefit from a full calendar of free social, academic and community events, access to campus facilities including a swimming pool and multipurpose court, as well as 24/7 access to support.Find out more: https://www.acu.edu.au/
ETHOS SPORTS AND EDUCATION Join Ethos Sports & Education for a FREE Online Webinar on March 2 to learn more about becoming a university athlete in the US, Canada or UK. Learn more about: how to be recruited, how coaches recruit, how the divisions & scholarships work, uncovering the myths and misconceptions of the recruiting process and more. Click here to register: https://bit.ly/3YutI2j
YEAR 11 AND 12
UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA - EXPERIENCE A WEEK AS A MARINE BIOLOGIST
Apply here: www.utas.edu.au/community-and-partners/schools/marine-discovery-competition
YEAR 10 AND 11
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA FAR SOUTH COAST AND THE NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE
The Regional Development Australia Far South Coast and the NSW Rural Fire Service are delivering the South Coast Youth Volunteer program in 2023. This is a Bushfire Led Economic Recovery program that has been adapted from the previous SYVI program run for many years in the Shoalhaven region.
The program will be a 3-day practical training workshop delivered in 3 consecutive days for up to 20 Year 10 Students from each high schools across the South Coast region. Nowra area high schools will complete their 3-day program at the RFS Centre, Albatross Road, South Nowra on June 1,2 & 5.
Expressions of interest are open in the Careers Office.
YEAR 10 INDUSTRY DAY - TRADE READINESS PROGRAM PLUMBING
Keep an eye out for information on the Trade Readiness Program. The day will be facilitated by Illawarra ITEC and will take place at SJE. The experience will enable students to consider subject choices conducive to pathways into the construction industry.
Expressions of interest are open in the Careers Office.
POSITIONS VACANT
Penzo’s Pizza and Gelato Bar in Nowra is looking for junior staff members from age 14+. If you are interested, contact:
Cameron Penzo on 0413050259.
Horizon Landscapes has two apprenticeships available for keen, hardworking and creative young people.
This business deals with all areas of landscaping such as landscape construction, pool landscaping, retaining walls, machine excavation etc.
TAFE fees are covered by the business
You will be paid while completing TAFE requirements
A drivers licence would be beneficial, but is not necessary
If interested, contact Ben at Horizon Landscapes
Mobile: 0404 4276 333
GIRLS ENGINEERING UNSW - YEAR 10 & 11
The 2023 GIE FEAS Program is open NOW for girls in Year 10 -11
The Girls in Engineering Faculty of Engineering Admissions Scheme (GIE FEAS) Program is an alternate pathway for high school girls in Year 11 and 12 applying for an eligible engineering degree at UNSW Sydney.
If you're a student who wants to make a difference in the world, has an interest in helping others and would love to learn how engineering can solve problems in disadvantaged communities, this program is for you!
If you're a student in Years 7 to 10 (school year 2023) you can still register for the program. However, you will not be able to commence the program until you are in Year 11. You will be alerted by email when you become eligible for the program.
Please note you must be a member of the GIE Club to participate in the GIE FEAS Program.
Apply Here
Ms Marcia Arenas
Transition and Pathways Specialist
STUDENT REFLECTIONS
YEAR 7 CAMP
We ran off the bus, eager to beat the rain- and stay dry.
We all made it under the huge tarp safely. We had a meeting explaining the camp and what we were doing.
We all went to try and find our bags. For many, that meant having to pull huge tents off the top of big piles and hope that their bags were underneath…
Soon, we found our tent! We quickly went to our campsite to get a good spot.
Putting it up was not a challenge. But it turned out to be much smaller than we thought! What was supposed to be a four-person tent was only a two-person tent! And all our gear had to fit in there too!
Luckily Mrs Jennings organised a small tent for our gear!
We had one activity that afternoon,
Mine was wacky sports. Consisting of a mud course, a water slide with lots of soap and bubbles, and water balloons and sponges!
It was a lot of fun, and I got really dirty!
Soon enough, it was dinner! Everyone was super hungry and excited to be eating burgers.
The food went down fast, so we began our night activities. We did some dancing with the year 12s, which was entertaining.
By the end of the night, I was exhausted.
Our tent went to sleep right away because we were so tired!
The following morning, we woke up to pools of water on the sides of our tent! Our sleeping bags were soaked, and some of the stuff we left in the tent was wet too!!
Not the best thing to wake up to, but we had the other tent full of dry gear.
We went down to breakfast, where we had bacon and eggs.
Then we had a meeting.
It wasn’t great news... The camp was cancelled!
That night, Greenwell point got over 300 millimetres of rain. The government issued a warning about the weather, which meant camp had to be cancelled. But before we left, we got to do one more activity.
I got to do the bush walk where we put a shelter up, went bushwalking, and then talked with uncle Archie and had a fire. It was really special.
When we finished, I got a lift home with my friend and her Dad.
The camp was great, and I enjoyed it very much!
Thank you for taking us!
By Jaya Pimm
YEAR 7 CAMP
Even though it was cut short, camp was a really fun experience.
Setting up a tent was something I personally had never done. Together in our tent groups we had to overcome challenges and work as a team to set up the tent to make sure we would stay dry in our sleep.
After our tents were set up we all went to our first activities and then came back together for some delicious afternoon tea served by the teachers and parent volunteers. After that we had another fun activity and then had some free time before our yummy BBQ dinner.
After dinner we had some dessert and then got ready to do the bush dance run by the amazing year twelves, trying to make it as interesting as they could.
The camp was run by the lovely staff of St Johns who gave up their time with their families so that we could have a great time as well as our bushcraft leaders who came along and ran the activities trying to make them as fun as they could, thank you to everyone.
The day after camp we had a year seven fun day full of sports, activities and food for all of us to enjoy, and the mighty Chisholm came out on top!
Even though my white socks will never be the same again, camp was an experience I will never forget.
Thank you!
YEAR 7 EXPERIMENTING IN SCIENCE
Our Year 7 students experimenting with Temperature and Particle Motion and Bunsen Burners.
YEAR 8 GEOGRAPHY
Year 8 Geography are learning about the water cycle as part of their 'Water in the World' topic. This week the students were imagining they were a drop of water flowing through the cycle. Each bead represented a different part of the water cycle, eg. groundwater, ocean, river, plants, etc. At each station the students added a colour and rolled a dice to see which part of the cycle they headed to next.
SHROVE TUESDAY
On Tuesday 21 February we celebrated 'Shrove Tuesday'. Shrove comes from the word 'shrive', which means to give absolution after hearing confession. Shrove Tuesday is the day when people went to confession to prepare themselves for Lent, which begins the following day, Ash Wednesday.
We celebrated by selling yummy pancakes with all proceeds raised being donated to 'Project Compassion'.
AGRICULTURE NEWS - OUR STEERS HAVE ARRIVED !
St Johns are taking part in the 2023 South Coast Beef ‘Schools Steer Spectacular’. Select students in years 10, 11 and 12 Agriculture classes are challenged with looking after and training 2 South Devon steers that have been kindly provided by Lee Pippard of ‘Tannoch South Devons’.
With months of preparation and learning ahead of us we are all very excited for the skills and knowledge we will gain under various mentors from the beef cattle industry in the South Coast. Students and steers will take part in the 2023 Steer School Specular in May at the Nowra Showgrounds. Keep an eye out for exciting updates on the progress of our St John’s Steer spectacular Show Team.
CANTEEN ROSTER TERM 1 2023
Please see below the 2023 Flyer to promote NSWCCC individual pathways and the process for registering through the CSNSW Sport website for students and parents information.
TERM 1 2023 REPRESENTATIVE SPORT OPPORTUNITIES
Below are the NSWCCC individual pathways sports events that students can nominate.
Check the registration process and events via the web site https://csnsw.sport/ or see this link for help
https://csnsw.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/article/198901765?src=-916282111%20%20?
- 18's Ladies Southern Combined Country trials. Tuesday 14 March. Nominations close Tuesday 28 February
- U15's and Open Boys trials Wednesday 29 March. Nominations close on 15 March.
- 15's and Opens Thursday 30 March. Nominations close Wednesday 10 March.
- Boys and Girls Trials Friday 31 March
Please feel free to contact our school with any questions.
IMMUNISATION
All Year 7 and Year 10 Parents and Carers should now have received the email regarding Immunisation. Please ensure you have completed On-line consent for your child to receive their vaccination's at school.
If you have difficulties completing the form online please contact NSW Health on 1300 066 055.
If your child is going to have their immunisation at your own GP please email the school:info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au
The first meeting of the P&F will occur with the AGM being held on Monday 13 March at 6pm. The AGM will also provide an ideal opportunity to meet our new principal, Wayne Marshall. Come along and see what the P&F are all about with no obligation. Joining the P&F is a terrific way to put forth your suggestion's and idea's for fundraising. If you are thinking of being involved with the P&F and would like to know more on the roles of the committee there is a video on the St John’s P&F at the following link https://youtu.be/
If the P&F can help in any way please don’t hesitate to contact us through the school email address (info@sjedow.catholic.edu.au) and we will try to assist wherever we can.
NEW SLIDING DOORS
This week the school front office had new automatic sliding doors installed. These doors were paid for by the P&F. We hope you all enjoy the new doors and hope they make life easier for everyone.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
P&F Executive Committee positions available for nomination in 2023 include;
President - The P&F President presides at all meetings and provides leadership and direction for the Association by working cooperatively and collaboratively with the Principal and Parish Priest.
Vice-President - assists the President and fulfils the duties of the President when the President is unavailable.
Assistant Vice-President - understudies and shares the Vice-President’s workload; observes the roles and duties of the committee with a view to volunteering for any role at some point in the future.
Treasurer - is responsible for ensuring that all the financial dealings of the Association are carried out in accordance with the constitution.
Secretary - manages the day-to-day communications and records of the Association; organises meetings, records accurate draft minutes.
Assistant Secretary - understudies and shares the Secretary’s workload; observes the roles and duties of the committee with a view to volunteering for any role at some point in the future.
Parent Liaison Officer - keeps the parent body informed through the school newsletter and website of all P&F events and functions. They contact parent volunteers for various school events such as sporting carnivals, exam supervision and general helpers.
UPCOMING P&F MEETING DATES FOR 2023
The following is a list of all the P&F meeting dates for 2023:
Monday 13th March 6pm (AGM)
Monday 1st May 6pm
Monday 24th July 6pm
Monday 16th October 6pm
Mrs. Jacinta Davis
P&F Parent Liaison & Publicity Officer
Keeping in touch with the Catholic Primary Schools within the Shoalhaven District.
Please select below links to the Shoalhaven Catholic Primary Schools websites.
SOCCER REGISTRATIONS
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
