Week 2 Term 4 2024
Message from the Principal
This week, for World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate our teachers and their commitment, passion for learning, empathy, knowledge and adaptability. As Christians, we look to Jesus who taught with wisdom. In the four Gospels describing Jesus’s career, it is made clear that he was a teacher. He proclaimed, and he instructed; the New Testament makes little distinction between these two activities. Jesus was known for his teachings because of the methods he used and the message that he preached. Throughout his teaching ministry, Jesus used a variety of methods that made his teachings both striking and memorable, understandable and provocative for the times. At Woodlawn, we attempt to follow the guidance of Gospel teaching in all of our interactions as teachers.
Pope Francis also reminds us that “Education is not about knowing things or taking lessons but about being able to use three languages: those of the head, the heart, and the hands... learning so that you can think about what you feel and do, can feel what you think and do, and can do what you feel and think. Unity within a person." Our teachers are very cognisant of our commitment to enabling our students to live life to the full and have many opportunities for growth.
I have been collecting some photos of our dedicated teachers in action. Please take a minute to reflect on the amazing people who spend approximately 200 days of the year nurturing your child. This is also an opportunity to express my gratitude to those families who have written emails acknowledging many of our teachers and thanking them for their time. I would love to see my inbox filled with emails of this nature next week.
For Your Information:
- Woodlawn Road upcoming works commencing 28 October 2024. Please see the attached information sheet.
- Professional Development Day, 14 November. Our staff will be developing a new curriculum and planning for 2025. This day is on a Thursday this term as we have the Year 12 Formal scheduled on this date. Our graduates will be arriving for their photos from 4 pm and the driveway needs to be prepared for this very special celebration.
- Save the Date: Prize Giving and Awards Ceremony, 17 December. More information to follow.
- Year 7 / 2025 Orientation Day is on 6 December. Permission forms have been emailed to all families. Please return by the due date.
- Last day of term, 18 December 2024.
- Frequently used forms have now been added to Compass for your convenience. Please follow the instructions below to access these forms.
Students Not Returning For 2025
The College has been receiving a number of enrolment enquiries for various year groups for 2025. If you are aware that you are, or may be, relocating at the end of the year, or that your student/s will not be returning to Woodlawn to continue their studies, could you please contact Jasmine Andrews on 6626 2606 or via email at jasmine.andrews@lism.catholic.edu.au and inform her of your decision.
Please phone me at the College if you have anything you would like to discuss. First-hand information and clarification of processes, activities, or College procedures are vital in building a connected community.
Regards,
Annette Reen
Principal 2024
Message from the Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Welcome to Term 4 - A Time for Growth and Achievement
We extend a warm welcome to all our families as we embark on the final term of 2024. We invite students to reflect on their learning journey and establish a meaningful academic target for this term - one that will position them strongly for their educational progression in 2025. Your child's teachers are here to support them in reaching these aspirations. In support of these aspirations, I would like to remind families that the College continues to run our Monday afternoon ‘Homework Hub’ in the library from 3:30 - 4:30pm. There is no need to register. All are welcome to attend and receive further support in their learning.
HSC Journey Continues
We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 students who are demonstrating exceptional dedication during their HSC Examinations. Should any student experience illness or misadventure before or during an examination, please reach out to Mrs Sally Ryall promptly for guidance on submitting the appropriate NESA documentation.
New Chapter Begins for Year 11
Our Year 11 students have successfully completed their preliminary studies and are now transitioning into their HSC courses. Following the distribution of academic reports during the break, our teachers have engaged in valuable discussions with students regarding their achievements and HSC subject selections. Subject adjustments can be accommodated until Week 3, after which students are encouraged to consult with Mrs Ryall for academic guidance.
Year 10 Assessment Period
A formal assessment period for Year 10 is scheduled for Week 4 (Monday 4 November - Friday 8 November). Core subject assessments will take place in the College Hall, providing students with valuable experience in formal examination conditions. Elective subject assessments will be conducted during regular class times under teacher supervision. Students will attend their regular classes when not participating in assessments. Please refer to the examination schedule distributed by Mrs Ryall.
Years 7-9 Assessment Program
Our Years 7-9 students will participate in their end-of-year assessment program during Week 6 (Monday 18 November - Friday 22 November). This important milestone allows students to showcase their learning and academic progress. Assessment schedules will be communicated to families shortly, enabling students to prepare effectively. Further guidance on how best to prepare should be sought from each student's classroom teacher.
Professional Learning Opportunity - Staff Development Day
We wish to remind our community that Thursday, 14 November (Week 5), has been allocated as a staff development day. This means students will not attend school on this date. Our dedicated teaching staff will utilise this time to collaborate on developing innovative learning programs aligned with the comprehensive NSW curriculum reforms. This significant educational transformation presents exciting opportunities to enhance teaching and learning across all year levels. We value your support in providing our staff with this essential professional development time.
Matthew Bailey
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
Message from the Assistant Principal - Mission
Monday was the feast day of St Luke the Evangelist. Whilst not alive when Jesus was, Luke wrote the third gospel so that we may come to know the message of Christ. A notable story from Luke’s gospel is the Good Samaritan in which the message is clearly one of love, particularly love of neighbour. Jesus pointed out that our neighbour is all people - not just those we know. I spoke to our students about this at our recent Monday assembly. This term the College has a fundraising focus on Catholic Mission and St Vincent de Paul and I encourage all students to get involved and love their neighbour.
Year 9 Reflection Day
Next Thursday, 31 October, Year 9 will be participating in their Reflection Day which will be facilitated by well-known youth minister and public speaker, Mr Sam Clear. Sam is an inspiring presenter, encouraging students to make a difference in the world around them. We look forward to Sam joining us. Thank you to Kallie Deegan (Leader of Evangelisation) for arranging this day.
All Souls Day Mass
On Saturday, 2 November, the College will be hosting a Mass for All Souls Day at 10.00am in the Chapel. We would like to invite all members of our community to join us. Father Gerry Hall, a Marist Father who previously worked at Woodlawn, is celebrating the Mass for us.
The NSW Council of Catholic School Parents is providing an opportunity for all Catholic school parents to register to attend a free webinar from Justin Coulson, “Breaking Point - Unpacking the Crisis in Youth Mental Health”. If you would like to learn more about how you as a parent can understand what is happening in regard to youth mental health issues, and how to support your young person to thrive, see the details on the flyer below. If you would like to register, use this link.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me on 6626 2627 or fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au.
Stay well,
Fiona Fennamore
Assistant Principal - Mission
Counselling Corner
Supporting Your Teen Through Higher School Certificate Exam Stress
As your teen commences the Higher School Certificate (HSC), it's natural to feel a mix of pride and concern. The HSC can be a challenging time for students and families alike and your teen may experience increased stress and anxiety.
Here are some ways you can support them during this challenging time:
- Create a calm and supportive environment: Ensure your home is conducive to studying, with minimal distractions and a quiet space for your teen to work. Be understanding of their need for more privacy and space.
- Encourage healthy habits: Promote regular exercise, balanced nutrition and regular meals, and adequate sleep (8-9 hours per night). These factors significantly impact stress levels and cognitive function.
- Help with time management: Assist your teen in creating a realistic study schedule that includes breaks and leisure time. Help them to prioritise tasks and subjects.
- Listen and validate their feelings: Maintain open communication. Be available to talk and acknowledge their concerns without judgement. Offer emotional support and encouragement. Be available to talk, but don't force conversations.
- Offer perspective: Remind them that while these exams are important, they don't define their worth or future success. Focus on effort rather than grades.
- Provide practical support: Help with chores or prepare healthy snacks to allow more time for studying. Offer to quiz them or proofread their work, if they want. Ensure they have the necessary study materials.
- Encourage relaxation techniques: Introduce stress-reduction methods like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
- Maintain normalcy: Continue family routines and activities, where possible, to provide a sense of stability. Plan family activities to provide breaks from studying. Remind them to stay connected with friends.
- Celebrate small victories: Acknowledge their efforts and progress, not just results.
- Recognise signs of stress: Watch for changes in behaviour, mood, or sleep patterns. Encourage your teen to reach out to their school counsellor, Headspace Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800), or Lifeline (13 11 14).
Remember, every student is unique and will handle the HSC differently. Your role is to provide a supportive, understanding environment that allows your teen to perform at their best. Your support and understanding can make a significant difference in helping your teen navigate this stressful period. By working together, you can help them approach their exams with confidence and resilience.
Christina, Susan & Jacqui
College Counsellors
Message from the School Community Forum
Hello Parents and Carers,
Welcome to Term 4! It’s hard to believe how quickly the year has flown by. We’re excited to share that the new School Community Forum is coming together nicely, and we’re settling into a great routine and rhythm.
A big thank you to everyone who attended our meeting on Monday afternoon—it was wonderful to see some new faces and to hear your thoughts and feedback. We truly value your input and encourage you to reach out with any concerns or suggestions you may have.
Our meetings are held in Week 2 and Week 7 of each term, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, and we’d love to see more new and existing families join us. Your insights can help us make our school community even better! If you’ve never attended a meeting before, please don’t be shy. We are a friendly and welcoming group, and we’re eager to hear from you.
At the meeting, we also discussed hosting a casual gathering before the Christmas period. This event is open to all parents and carers and will take place at the Northern Rivers Hotel on Thursday, 21 November 2024, from 5pm. It’s a great chance for us to support a local business and connect with other families in a relaxed setting. There’s no pressure—feel free to drop by for a drink or stay longer and enjoy a meal.
We hope this gathering helps us continue to foster and grow our Parent Forum, and we would love to see as many of you there as possible.
Looking forward to seeing you soon.
Kara Parrish
sjcwscpf@gmail.com
Chairperson
Widjabul Wia-bal and NPWS Capacity Building
Building on the foundation of Fire Management, Incident Control, and Cultural Burning Training conducted in August, two of our Aboriginal students recently joined other local Aboriginal Widjabul Wia-bal students to further enhance their skills by completing First Aid, Four Wheel Drive Recovery, and Chainsaw Safety courses. Hosted at Woodlawn for the theory components, the students then moved on to Country to apply their learning in practical settings.
This training represents a fantastic opportunity for our students to broaden their skillsets, paving the way for future roles as Indigenous Rangers in National Parks, the Rural Fire Service (RFS), and within local Land Councils. By equipping students with these essential competencies, we are helping to create new pathways for meaningful employment and strengthening their ability to protect and manage our lands.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Fireground Training for their expert instruction and to the National Parks and Widjabul Wia-bal Corporation for their unwavering support in empowering these students to build capacity for the future.
Bernie Maginnity
Bernie.Maginnity@lism.catholic.edu.au
Careers Advisor
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 Sports Programs?
Also includes talented identification programs run by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
Complete Form 05 Exemption from Attendance General.
Does 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 Services Office cannot guarantee your student will 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 have 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, we encourage you to order online ahead of time for easy click-and-collect in store.
Uniform Shop Opening Hours (School Term):
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 (School Term):
Time: 11.00am - 2.00pm
When: Every Wednesday
Where: Colin Centre
Leanne Copeland
Uniform Shop Convenor
0407 739 237
Community News
