Week 6 Term 2 2024

Message from the Principal

Welcome to the halfway point of the term.

Whilst reflecting on the learning that is taking place, the opportunities for growth being offered to our students, and the sporting teams that are representing the College, it is evident that we need to notice, appreciate and thank all those who make this possible.

Our staff are living their vocational commitment to ensure our students have a chance to live life to the full. There are so many references in scripture to the power of gratitude to build communities. Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God has forgiven you.” In this sentence, Paul has summarised the biblical message: that we are to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to establish strong foundations upon which to build our community.

This week I have included links to the Weekly Wraps from the Term. These reflections are representative of our commitment to ensuring your child has the opportunity to flourish. I would encourage you to join our Facebook group as it is another form of communication that allows us to showcase our students and the support they receive from our staff.

3 May https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCollegeWoodlawn/videos/1508389753132670

10 May https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCollegeWoodlawn/videos/7533824353366468

17 May https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCollegeWoodlawn/videos/974872407383471

24 May https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCollegeWoodlawn/videos/974872407383471

31 May https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsCollegeWoodlawn/videos/446696854748918

For your information:

Fire Remediation continues
This investment will see the most up-to-date safety level. This work is due to be completed in early October.

Staff Development Days
These days are essential to ensuring all staff have strong mission foundations and explore learning and teaching practises that enable us to positively impact on student learning. Thank you for your support of these days.

Review Process - Final collation of evidence
We will be inviting parents to be part of the panels to be interviewed.

Acceptance of offers for Year 7 2025
We were privileged to meet so many aspirational families seeking to join our community in 2025. To ensure your place is secured please accept the offer and complete the process by Friday, 14 June 2024.

Call to Action
Please consider taking 5 minutes to email a staff member who has been supporting your child’s growth and learning. We have much to be grateful for. Gratitude grows connection. Being in partnership with families is enhanced if communication goes both ways.
I thought this prayer encapsulates my thinking as Week 6 draws to a conclusion. Being present is a theme we explore in our Mission to serve.

Lord, I don't know what lay before me today, but I commit it all to You. Please give me strength and courage to get through the joys, challenges and happenings of the day. I thank You for my life and for all that I have; I commit this day to You. No matter what happens, I know You have me in the palm of Your hand.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me or any of our staff if you have any questions or require clarity about things that are happening at the College.

Regards,
Annette Reen
Principal 2024

Message from the Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

As we approach the end of Semester 1, students in Stages 4 and 5 are entering their examination blocks, while Stage 6 students should be deeply engaged in their learning and preparations for any upcoming assessments. Below are some of this fortnight’s key events in teaching and learning:

Year 11 Parent-Teacher Interviews
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the parents of Year 11 students who attended this week’s Parent-Teacher interviews. The evening was well-attended, underscoring the strength of our connected and collaborative learning community. Discussions primarily focused on reflecting on recent examinations and setting goals for the remainder of the Year 11 course. As students prepare for their final subject changes at the end of Term 3, most are considering reducing their study load to 11 units as they enter their HSC year. Staff encourage students to apply themselves diligently to all subjects over the next 15 weeks and to delay any subject-related decisions until the final Year 11 grade and rank are determined, as students often exceed their own expectations.

Year 10 Assessment Week and Work Experience
Year 10 students have been undertaking their formal assessments throughout the week. This marks their first experience with a formal, out-of-class assessment block, an essential step in preparing for Stage 6. The seriousness and preparedness demonstrated by students reflect positively on our academic culture. We also wish them well as they have their first taste of potential careers during next week's work experience placements. Work experience is an excellent opportunity to test the waters in the workforce and plays an important part in the subject selection process at the start of Term 3.

Years 7-9 Assessment Week
Students in Years 7-9 will sit in-class assessments starting Tuesday of next week (Week 7). These formal tests are designed to assess students' knowledge and understanding of core skills and concepts in each Key Learning Area (KLA). Assessments are administered by classroom teachers during regular class times. Students can access their assessment timetable via the Assessment Hub on Google Classroom. The results of these examinations contribute to, but do not solely determine, the Semester 1 Report, which also includes ongoing formative assessment and day-to-day learning.

Years 8 and 9 Parent-Teacher Interviews
The upcoming Parent-Teacher nights are scheduled as follows:

• Years 8 and 9: Tuesday, June 25, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Bookings will be made available via Compass by Mrs Ryall. We encourage parents to attend, meet their child’s teachers, and participate in academic reflection and goal-setting as we conclude Semester 1.

Thank you for continuing to work in partnership with the College in support of your child's education.

Matthew Bailey
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
matthew.bailey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Message from the Assistant Principal - Mission

Proclaim Lismore Staff

Last week our staff were fortunate to attend the Proclaim Lismore staff event held at Xavier Catholic College. The theme of the day was Hope For The Future. It was a wonderful opportunity to come together with staff from our local Richmond region to listen to powerful guest speakers who informed and challenged our thinking, as well as entertained us. It was fitting to finish with Mass celebrated by Father Peter Slack. 

Parent Assembly

Our local Parent Assembly recently arranged an engaging event for our families. We were fortunate to have Madeleine West from Safe on Social and Matthew Bailey, our Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching, as presenters. Madeleine was an expert in sharing information about the dangers associated with an online presence and activity, as well as providing hints and tips for keeping young people safe. She also outlined what to do should you find your child experiencing difficulty in the cyber world. The link to access a range of useful resources related to keeping young people safe can be found here. This really is worth a look.

Matthew Bailey outlined the features of the College Assessment Hub, explaining how to support children during examinations.

Thank you to the Parent Assembly for organising such an informative evening. Thank you also to those families who attended - I am sure you found the evening worthwhile.

Digital Technology User Agreement

In the next week, families will be asked to complete a Digital Technology User Agreement. We want our students to be responsible, safe and ethical digital citizens so please read through and discuss the agreement with your child / guardian before both parties sign.

Thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any questions or concern, please contact me on 6626267 or fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Kind regards,

Fiona Fennamore
Assistant Principal Mission 2024

Message from the Leader of Evangelisation

Catch the Wave - Diving Deeper with Wildfire

Friday of Week 2 this term saw Years 9 and 10 Ministry Classes, along with a number of Senior Ministry students participate in Catch the Wave - Diving Deeper, with Diocese worship group Proclaim Lismore Wildfire.

Guided by Youth Ministers from across the Lismore Diocese, students dove deeper into faith, relationships, and community. 

Two brave students, Mia and Miley, gave testimonies they can both be proud of. Mia spoke about her faith journey from Year 9 to Year 11, and Miley spoke about her experience with prayer. 

The day was filled with faith, discussion, prayer, games, drama, dance, music and laughter, and a great insight into the possibilities if students want to follow a path of Ministry.

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Year 7 Cathedral Visits

Over the course of the year, each Year 7 class will have the opportunity to visit St Carthage’s Cathedral and attend the Friday Midday Mass. This gives students the opportunity to gain understanding and appreciation for our local parish, the running of the Mass and features of the Cathedral. During the month of May 703 and 704 went to Mass. Later in the year, 701, 702, and 705 will have their turn in visiting the Cathedral.

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Kallie Deegan
Leader of Evangelisation
kallie.deegan@lism.catholic.edu.au

Carroll House Breakfast

Good afternoon Carroll House students and families, 

Please find attached an invitation to the Carroll House Breakfast to be held on Friday June 21, at 7:30 am.  An event notice was sent out through Compass earlier this term. We would appreciate you letting us know if you can make it by responding to that event notification.
We look forward to sharing a lovely breakfast with you all in a few weeks.

Many thanks,

Erin Parrey & Luke Flynn
Carroll House Patrons 

Message from the Leader of Humanities

On 19 May twenty very excited Year 10 students boarded the train in Casino for the twelve-hour journey to Sydney to attend the Jewish Museum. This excursion has been a longstanding tradition of the College that was put on pause due to COVID restrictions and we are thrilled that the opportunity is available to students and staff again.

For three days the students attended the Museum, examining the wide range of artifacts and displays, as well as attending workshops on topics including Genocide, Jewish Resistance, the Holocaust and Jewish history and culture. Not only did it extend their knowledge of their upcoming History focus study on the Holocaust but also introduced them to content they will be studying in Studies of Religion. However, the highlight of the trip for the students was hearing the stories of three Holocaust survivors; Ella, Paul and Susan and having the opportunity to ask them questions about their experiences in Europe before the war, in hiding, in the ghettos and in the camps, as well as about their lives since coming to Australia. 

The group also spent time walking around the city and visiting the ANZAC Memorial where they found Lismore listed in the Hall of Service which displays soil from towns, cities, suburbs and homesteads given as a home address for those who enlisted in WWI. A trip over to Manly on the famous Manly Ferry was also a highlight.

Some thoughts from Year 10:
It was a great experience and opens your eyes to other perspectives. Kieran Weekes

The experience allows you to truly understand the sheer amount of death and destruction that occurred during World War two, whilst also providing you the chance to experience time in the city with friends, and feel a sense of independence. Meeting the survivors allows you to see and review the world that we currently live in, and subsequently be grateful for not only what the world has learnt from such a harrowing period of time, but also the peace we are so blessed to have now. Elizabeth Maginnity

I learned that grief from losing a loved one never leaves you and you can be 85 years old and still vividly remember how terrifying and painful it is to be separated from loved ones and not know what happened to them. It is a firsthand account of the pain of war and it is generous of survivors to spend their time sharing their past despite it being hard to talk about. I feel really privileged to have had the chance to experience the stories of survivors. This is a lesson for every generation that follows. Arlen Miller

Stefanie Darke
Leader of  Humanities

Message from the Agriculture Department

Meat Judging - Friday 24 May 2024 at the Casino Food Co-op

Thirteen students represented St John’s College, Woodlawn at the Beef Week Intercollegiate Meat Judging competition held at the Casino Food Co-op on Friday 24 May.

The students had to judge 5 classes of beef in a chiller at 20c. 
2x Beef carcase class
1x Shortloin class 
1x retail cut identification of 15 cuts
1x primal identification of 15 cuts

Congratulations to the students for participating in a great learning experience and for their fantastic performance.

Georgia Sheridan and Emily Maher placed 3rd and 1st in the Beef Placings. 
Georgia Sheridan, Tess Maher, Jonah Pilbeam, and Emily Maher won Champion Team in Beef Judging and were Runner-Up Team Overall.
Emily Maher had an outstanding performance and was awarded the Individual Champion Overall.

A bonus for the day was a tour around the Food Co-op facility making it an insightful experience.

Congratulations to the team and thank you for all of your hard work out of hours learning how to identify a range of beef cuts and carcase traits. You are a credit to yourself and the College. 

Thank you to Bernie Maginity for his support on the day as well.

Tania Fraser
Agriculture Teacher

Attendance

Going on a Family Holiday/Family Event?
Less than 10 days: Please notify the school that your student will be absent via the Compass Absence feature or email lisjc-studentservices@lism.catholic.edu.au 
More than 10 days: Complete Form 01 Extended Leave Notification.

Does your student compete or attend Elite Sport programs?
Also include talented identification programs run by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
Complete Form 05 Exemption from Attendance General.

Dose your student attend Elite Arts Programs?
Accredited Elite Arts programs are defined as an opportunity for a student to participate in an event or program that is beyond the gifted and talented opportunities that the Diocese offers.
Complete Form 05 Exemption from Attendance General.

Late Arrival
Students arriving after 8.55 am, need to enter via the Student Service Office. Please submit late arrivals via the Compass Submit Attendance Note feature. 

Early Departure
Please use the Compass Submit Attendance Note feature to notify of early departure. The Student Service Office cannot guarantee your student to be ready for an early departure without adequate notification.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zone
Reminder the drop-off and pick-up zone is located between the school and the ovals at the back of the school. Please do not collect your student from the front entrance due to safety reasons.

Instructions for entering details into Compass to submit absence/ late arrival/ early departure (alternatively see attached pdf for instructions)

• Log into your Compass account

• Click on the +Shortcuts symbol at the bottom of the page

• Select Submit Attendance Note

• Select Reason

• Add Details/Comments

• Select the date and time that your child will be collected or absent

• Select the End date as the date or time your child will be returning to school (or 3.15pm if they are not returning to school that day)
• Select Potentially Affected Sessions 

• Hit Add Attendance Note at the bottom of the page.

Lost Property
Lost Property is located outside the Student Services Office. Please clearly label all items that are brought or worn to school.

Student Services Office
Lisjc-studentservices@lism.catholic.edu.au
6626 2629

Canteen News

Flexischools orders has a cut-off time of 9.00am.

The cash free way to pay! - REGISTER NOW
Paying for lunches is now safer and hassle free. With cashless cards there's no need for students to bring cash to school.

The College has Flexischools to allow students to pay at the Canteen using their existing student ID card. Paying for lunches and items at recess or lunch is now safer and hassle free. With cashless cards there's no need for students to bring cash to school. Parents can set daily spending limits and view transactions online. Parents can also top-up funds at any time.

The Canteen has introduced a Fast-Track line for students who have pre-ordered to collect their lunches, making it much easier and quicker for students.

We encourage all students to register. This will allow for those days when your student may have forgotten their homemade lunches.

Please follow the link below to register now:

Uniform Shop

The Woodlawn Uniform Shop is proudly managed by P&C Uniforms.
To ensure you have an easy and pleasant experience while ordering uniforms, we encourage you to order online ahead of time for easy click-and-collect in store. 

Uniform Shop Opening Hours:
Time: Monday 8.00am - 9.30am & Wednesday 11.00am - 2.00pm
Where: Colin Centre
Order Online: www.sjcwuniformshop.com.au 
Book a fitting: www.sjcwuniformshop.com.au/bts-appointments

Second Hand Uniform Shop Opening Hours:
Time: 11.00am - 2.00pm
When: Every Wednesday
Where: Colin Centre 

Leanne Copeland
Uniform Shop Convenor
0407 739 237 

Community News