In their role as members of the Students Representative Council the newly elected leaders for 2024 from each house group were asked to share with the rest of the school community the many ways that Year 8 students contribute to and the diverse activities they participate in, in the  Shoalhaven community. As you will read, the list is many and varied, we have many talented students in Year 8 at St John's.

BENEDICT PALS 1

This year in Mrs. Blades Benedict PALS 1, there have been a lot of achievements, inside of school and outside of school activities. Mrs Blades has done 2 open swims in the ocean. Clancy made it on the Phoenix soccer team. David and Lilly M have been working very hard in cadets recently, David was promoted to AB (Able Seaman), David also has contributed his time for the school in ANZAC march assembly. Lilly M was promoted to LS (Leading Seaman). Heidi went to New Zealand for cheerleading and got the highest score out of NZ, NSW and Queensland. Lilly M has also gone undefeated in her soccer team and made it to the championships for the winter soccer comp.Trae has made it to PSSA (State) swimming this year gaining new PB’s and medals from the competition. Throughout this year a lot has happened in our PALS and I hope there is more achievements next year

Trae Spencer

BENEDICT PALS 2

Benedict students have achieved great success this year by participating in various extracurricular activities inside and outside of school. Izzy is a part of Phoenix soccer and has been actively involved in summer soccer with Tia, whilst Ruby B, Maddie P, and Tia K have been a part of Miss Lloyd's dance troupes on Fridays and Maddie on Wednesdays. Ruby B has also been a part of the Jam Musicals whilst Maddie helps teach dance classes weekly. Ruby O was a proud member of the Aboriginal girl's dance troupe performing at NAIDOC Week at not only St Johns but other schools. Additionally,  Arlyn was a  proud member of the St John’s State Boys netball team, Cala refereed netball outside of school and represented the school in netball and Oscar represented the Diocese in the state school championships in Swimming. Noah plays representative Hockey outside and inside of school and Lachlan participated in a few working bees across the school. Congratulations Benedict! 

Maddison Pritchard

CHISHOLM PALS 2

This year our half of Chisholm PALS has been involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities in and out of school. We are not sure if the Matilda's World Cup had anything to do with it but most of our PALS group plays soccer (Lily, Taylah, Ryley, Nash, Matilda.)  Rugby is another popular sport outside of school (Jake, Tahila, Chaise W). Our singing star Breanna is part of the St John's vocal group performing at the Junior Creative Arts night and the Year 12 Graduation. Netball for the boys was a big part of this term with Clayton and Nash being part of St John's State Netball team showing lots of commitment in their training sessions. Continuing with the sporting success was Clayton and Jake being involved in representing the school in AFL with Clayton reaching State AFL. Lily continued her success inside and outside of school in running and athletics, attending All Schools Athletics, NSW CCC Cross Country as well as representing the school in Touch Football. As you can see a lot has been happening in Chisolm.  Go, Team!!

Lily Sproule

MCCABE PALS 1

McCabe pals 1 has been very busy inside and outside of school. 

Siena and Jake play rugby, Jake is competing in the Country Care Cup in January and is refereeing Oz Tag. Johanna is going to singing lessons and drama with Charlotte. Charlotte is her Venture group treasurer and goes to JAG. Arlo is playing cricket. Angela is in the school rock band and does piano tutoring. Ashton is going to the gym every day. Ava is playing league tag although a knee injury has slowed her down. Lexi is playing soccer with Phoenix which is in the second-highest division for her age group, she is also the assistant coach for her little brother's team. 

Our mighty McCabe Pals group is full of talented aspiring students.

Charlotte Hertzberg

MCCABE PALS 2

During the year students in Mr Christie’s PALS have participated in a wide range of extracurricular activities in sport, creative arts and other areas . In our PALS we have many students that participate in sporting activities. Harrison Leavesley participated in the St John's State Netball team and Khai Sexton also represented the school in mountain biking. Giana Gonzaga participated in Tennis comps inside and outside of school. Noah Tyrell played AFL for the school. Keira Sater played Netball.Tiana Kochaniewicz plays soccer outside of school. In creative arts Keira Sater has participated in a number of musicals, Aboriginal dance and sung for the year 8 rock band. Sienna Alcock has participated in dance inside and outside of school. Tiana Kochaniewicz has done drama club and Aboriginal dance. Giana Gonzaga has participated in vocal group, drama club and does singing outside of school. Khai Sexton and Harrison Leavesley both do Didgeridoo.  Some other activities include Tiana Kochaniewicz participating in NAVY Cadets and Lucus Shadforth participating in the Legacy Centennial Torch Relay. In McCabe PALS 2 our students have done some amazing things this year and we hope to see more of the same this year.

Elliot Camilleri 

MAKILLOP PALS 2

In Mackillop, we strive to spread goodness to all. This is displayed through the wide variety of activities that our PALS participate in outside of school. Recently, Madi and Deacon have been playing summer soccer. Frankie enjoys her time playing tennis in Cambewarra. Kieran and Xavier put time and effort into the community by partaking in Navy Cadets at HMAS Albatross. We also stay active, with Madi and Emmi playing netball. Jackson has expressed that he enjoys getting out and playing cricket. Claire and Jackson help out the community by working at local stores. Hannah enjoys spending her spare time volunteering at the Nowra Culburra Surf Club, helping to protect others and teach them about water safety. 

Emmi Daniel

POLDING PALS 1

The people in Miss Arenas PALS are very compassionate and great people that are always willing to help the community like Henry Archer helping out at a nursing home and Jack Collins doing the working bee at the school. In addition, Sarah and Eva referee netball games, Jack Cruden referees basketball, and Campbell Hooke does life saving patrols.  They are also willing to represent the school, for example Campbell representing the school at the mountain bike championships in Canberra. We also have talented sports people such as Hugh Duff who excels in soccer representing NSW Country.

Joe Angus

POLDING PALS 2

Emmeline Le

PURCELL PALS 1

Year 8 2023 Purcell PALS 1 has had a very exciting and entertaining all round year. In morning PALS there is not a day where the teachers and students are not entertained by their peers. There is a large range of outside sports that people play in Purcell from Karate and Netball to Rugby League and Soccer. They have achieved high levels in these sports like Luke making it to nationals in Judo and placing 3rd or Lizzie making it into the state team for Rugby Union which placed 1st. In the school side of extracurricular activities we have had many students make it into school teams like the rugby union, basketball, soccer, netball, touch, oztag, rugby league, league tag and more teams. Throughout the year Purcell students have picked up a variety of different activities like Dom’s mountain biking and Isaac’s strong passion for maths. Purcell students have also had an impact on the local dance community with Naomi being an amazing dancer. There have also been many students that have made the effort to connect with the outer and school community from participating in the school working bee to honouring those that have passed at the ANZAC day march and ceremonies. Purcell PALS.1 has a great 2024 future ahead. GO PURCELL!!

Lizzie Davis

PURCELL PALS 2

The Purcell PALS 2 have been very busy with achievements. These include both Ella Douglas and Ella Darby representing state netball in Sydney. Oli Wilson and Ethan Luke have also been doing a variety of musical performances including the junior showcase assembly and CAPA evening. Ethan has also helped out some HSC students by assisting them in their performances. While these two have been representing musically, Henry Fairs has been participating in a variety of mountain biking events. These include but are not limited to state mountain biking race, CORC ACT mountain bike race, he won first in Willow and 2 flow enduro staged mountain biking races. He also is participating in SCUM advanced mountain bike training. On top of all these cycling events he managed to make time to participate in the school play. As well of these many of the students participate in summer soccer, netball, soccer and a variety of other sports. 

Ethan Luke

SPORT

As you can see from the photos, Year 8 have enjoyed playing and having fun together at sport. This term students participated in an aquatics unit. The students (and staff!) enjoyed getting on the bus and heading out of school for a change of scenery and some fun in the water while learning about some water safety as well. All the teachers on sport reported that the students showed awesome sportsmanship and worked well together to ensure everyone was able to participate and enjoy themselves. 

Year 8 has had a wonderful year and I look forward to continuing their high school journey with them.

As this is the last Newsletter report for the year, I would like to wish all the Year 8 students and their families a joyful and peaceful Christmas with lots of quality time shared together with family and friends (and hopefully lots of sunshine!!!)

Look forward to seeing you all again next year!

'With strong minds and gracious hearts'