Year 10 have made a mature and focussed start to their Year 10 High school year.

INFORMATION NIGHT HELD IN WEEK 4

The Year 10 Information gathering was held last week at the school and the invitation was made to all families and students to attend.  There were many aspects of schooling discussed as our year group move into their senior years at St John’s:

RoSA - RECORD OF SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT

• The RoSA is the credential that formally recognises your school achievement if students leave school before completing the HSC.
• It is a cumulative credential that doesn’t have an end of Year 10 deadline but records all results up until the time that the student leaves school.

Who gets the RoSA?

• It is not a credential for everyone – it is specifically for those students who choose to leave school after the end of Year 10, but before they receive their HSC.
• A student who goes on to achieve their HSC will receive their Year 10 results along with their Year 11 and Year 12 results in an all-inclusive HSC Results Package.
• The results shown on the RoSA are based on school based assessments – not external tests.

MINIMUM STANDARDS

​​Students will need to meet the minimum standard in three areas - reading, writing and numeracy - by Year 12 (or a number of years after) to receive their HSC.

Students will have many chances to meet the standard and this is no longer connected in anyway with Year 9 NAPLAN results.

Short, online reading, writing and numeracy tests for the HSC minimum standard will be available for students to sit. They can attempt the tests twice a year in Year 10, 11 or 12 until they reach the minimum standard. 

‘N’ DETERMINATION WARNING

A student who does not comply with course requirements is at risk of an ‘N’ determination. They will be warned as soon as possible and parents / carers will be advised in writing and a phone call home will be made. This warning will be given in time for the problem to be corrected. Students who are unable to fulfil course requirements within a set time will be referred to the Curriculum coordinator, Assistant Principal or the Principal. 

What will put a student at risk of an “N” determination? 

• Frequent absences from class
• Failure to complete learning experiences and common tasks
• Not applying themselves with diligence and sustained effort

ABSENCE/ ILLNESS / MISADVENTURE

If a student is absent on the day of a common task the office must be notified and the student must complete a Misadventure Form on their return. 

Do not assume misadventure forms will be approved. Holidays, routine appointments, part-time work, driving tests, sporting commitments without principles approval and technical problems concerning computers, printers or internet access will not be considered to be an acceptable form of misadventure. 

It is very important for students and their parents to continue to communicate with teachers if they are struggling with any aspects of the course or if they believe they are eligible for a misadventure. 

CAREERS AND FUTURES 

The statistics show that the average 15 year old could have…17 jobs over 5 different careers. Students are advised to be thinking, planning, accessing opportunities offered, researching and seeking advice to make good decisions for the future.

There are numerous contact points for transition and pathway information. Mrs Arenas, the SJE newsletter and of course google classroom. On this platform all relevant information can be very easily located. Excursions, webinars, industry days, part time work opportunities and potential apprenticeship/traineeship vacancies will be noted. 

WORK EXPERIENCE

This has been moved to Week 10, Term 2:  Monday 1 July - Friday 5 July. This is 3 terms earlier than in any previous year.  This is to facilitate:

• Networking: Build valuable connections within the industry for potential future opportunities.
• Skills and Confidence: Develop essential skills and gain confidence in a real-world workplace setting.
• Part-Time Work or Apprenticeships: Some students may have the chance to secure part-time work or apprenticeships based on their performance.

• Year 11 Subject Selection: You can make more informed choices when this occurs early in Term 3.

• ADVICE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: Talk to your child about the world of work, what they hope to achieve, what their dream job might look like

• Push them to think outside their comfort zone
• Consider and approach your networks; friends, relatives and local businesses. Start now and lock it in.

ATTENDANCE

Year 10 attendance aim in 2024 ie. High Expectations regarding attendance relates to attending 95 of available school days which also equals 10 days or less per year

PEER SUPPORT STUDENT LEADERS

Mrs Frawley stated that “44 peer support leaders were chosen in term 4 last year to be role models and guides for the new year 7 cohort of 2024. We had a wonderful range of applicants and therefore the selection process was difficult.

The peer support students were involved in the year 7 orientation day last term, where they introduced the new students to our school. They have also helped as friendly faces to settle first day nerves and guided them with knowledge and a familiar face on their first formal introductions to school life at St John's. Last week was a highlight where they played a fabulous role helping in many ways on the year 7 camp. Peer Support is a great tradition at St John's and we are grateful for the professional and kind way it has been done.”

STUDY SKILLS 

Focus for extended PALS time each Wednesday - 30 minutes

• Study Skills
• Time management balancing work and play
• How to start assessment tasks
• Research tips

In addition “Elevate” an externally sourced association will host 2 sessions this term for Year 10 specifically on high impact study techniques with a focus on time management.

EXPECTATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS CARNIVALS

School carnival participation is expected and compulsory they are regular school days  and are always great fun for staff and students.

Term 1

• Week 5 - Choicez sessions  - Intention to support students in decision making around relationships and managing online life
• Week 8 - Police Visit - Youth Program - support for decision making on the road and strategies around drug and alcohol harm minimisation
• Week 10 - Digital Thumb Print - E Safety Program

Term 2

• Week 2 - Illawarra Careers Expo
• Week 5 - Subject selection talks for Year 11 2025
• Week 7 - Future Me Finder Day

THE CHOICEZ SESSIONS - RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS - THURSDAY 29 FEBRUARY

External presenters and teaching staff presented these sessions at school involving the following topics:

Relationships: How to build respectful relationships and identify red flags in unhealthy relationships.

Sexual Decision Making: In a hook-up culture that has devalued sex, we will bring love and connection back into the discussion.

Pornography: We will explore the research around the personal and relational impact that pornography can have on the lives of young people.

Consent & Sexual Ethics: Providing tools to help students build strong sexual ethics and values + the current consent laws in your state/territory.

Stereotypes & Pressures: An empathetic exploration of the pressures and stereotypes that young people face. How to forge a path forward despite the challenges.