St Johns College Dubbo Term 2, Week 10 2024
Principal
Dear St Johns Community
Our most recent school assembly in the beautiful St Johns Hall was a great opportunity to acknowledge some of the wonderful successes and achievements by our students that have recently occurred. Events like this help you understand the enormous diverse experiences our students are exposed to at the College and the support that they receive from the wonderful staff here. In the same assembly we celebrated success in activities such as Mindcraft Challenge, World Champions in Ranch Sorting held in Texas, Athletics Carnival Age Champions, Education Perfect English Championships and the CAT Competition (maths competition).
The College community were reminded that all students need to be in full Winter Uniform when they return for Term 3. They were also reminded of the need to be wearing the appropriate footwear with their Academic Uniform. It is unfortunate that some students are choosing to wear joggers rather than the school shoes outlined in the policy, which states, students are to wear fully enclosed black, lace-up, leather, polishable, traditional school shoe style, with a low heel. The expectation is that this is corrected over the holidays and all students adhere to the guidelines with good grace what is set out in the school policy.
We keep the members of our community that are participating in the immersion experience in Cambodia in our thoughts and prayers. It has been a monumental effort from this group, with wonderful leadership and direction from Miss Easman to prepare for this experience and to give so generously so others may benefit. As the school holidays begin at the end of the week I wish all families a safe and restful break. I hope students are able to recharge and return to school with renewed energy to perform at their best in Term 3.
God bless
Justin McCarney
Principal
Religious Education
Dear Families,
Whilst I cannot believe we have come to the end of another term, I am proud of what we have achieved in terms of faith development.
As a Catholic high school, we have a definite point of difference from other schools, and it is our faith.
It is a joy and a privilege as Leader of Faith to lead our students on their individual faith journeys. Our retreats so far this year have been very successful not just because they were fun, but because our students reflected on their relationships with God. It is important that our students know they are children of God and that the gifts and talents they have are from this same God.
Our point of difference as a school was very clear on Thursday. After the loss of the father of one of our students, I held a prayer service at lunch time in our chapel. Many students, especially those who knew Mr Macleod attended. To have a place and an opportunity to gather in their shared grief was very special. Whilst they might not be able to name the feeling that was in the room, you could tell it was very real and very special. Is it these moments and explorations of faith that we able to offer that makes the College a very special place.
Yours in Faith
Elissa Burden
Leader of Ministry and Mission
Teaching and Learning
Semester 1 Reports
Semester 1 Reports for students in Years 7 - 10 will be available via Compass at the end of this week
Our teachers have dedicated an exceptional amount of time to ensuring every student has a clear understanding of their progress in their courses at this halfway point. Reports are a great opportunity for families to reflect on the last two terms, celebrate successes, and set some achievable goals for the remainder of the year.
The reports contain a grade, performance against subject outcomes, performance within some key learning habits and a personal comment.
To access reports, login to Compass, and head to the “View Academic Reports” menu. If using the app, it works best if you go to “More”, and then “Open in Browser”.
We are looking forward to acknowledging students who have excelled in their studies in Semester 1 in our academic assembly in Week 4.
Year 12 Trials
HSC Trial Examinations are on the horizon, commencing Monday 12th August and continuing until Monday 26th August.
In Academic Care last week we examined this critical preparation period, and provided students with some knowledge and tools to be strategic in their study.
Here are some really useful links to boost Trials study and preparation:
Study Planner Template
2024 HSC Trial Examinations Schedule
Year 12 Tutorials and Workshops July School Holidays
HSC Examinations - Past Papers
HSC Standards Materials - Sample Responses
Atomi Study Tips
Art of Smart Trials Mark Calculator
It is an extremely busy and often stressful time for students as these important exams typically coincide with the submission of major projects in many subjects. Students are reminded that there are lots of supports in place to navigate this time.
Here are some essentials:
- Understand all of your commitments over the next 7 weeks - including those relating to sport, work, social life, family etc.
- Plan your time so you have a clear understanding of when you can study and what to focus on.
Use the resources in your “Year 12 Study Skills” course in Atomi. - Make sure you know how your exam paper works by viewing past papers and doing some practice questions.
- Ask for help - from your teachers, your Year Leader, your family - to help you stay on track, to help you clarify your understanding, and especially, to help you create a strategy if you are feeling really stressed.
Semester 2 Course Changes
Students in Year 7 and 8 study some of their subjects over a term or a semester, meaning a change in lots of courses next term.
- History changes to Geography
- Music Students will move to Visual Arts and vice versa
- Technology subjects will change
Year 10 Subject Selection
Our subject selection process for Year 10 is underway, with students completing a series of tasks in PDHPE lessons, as well as meeting one-on-one with our Stage 5 and 6 Pathways Coordinators, Mrs Strain and Mrs Strahorn.
This work is intended to get students thinking about the decisions coming up. Our key message for Year 10 is to really reflect upon the subjects they enjoy, the subjects they are finding success in, and, if they have some post school goals already, subjects that will help them towards these.
Important dates for Subject Selection are:
Week 1 Term 3, Tuesday 23nd July
Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Evening and Faculty Fair
Week 2, Term 3
Students have the opportunity to “try on” some subjects by attending nominated Stage 6 classes
Week 3, Term 3, Tuesday 6th August
Individual interviews with all Year 10 students and their families
Week 3, Term 3, Friday 9th August
The first round of subject selections closes
Warm regards
Catherine Jones
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Pathways and Careers
Early Childhood Education Careers Forum
Early Childhood Careers Forum Students attended an Early Childhood Education Careers Forum - a collaboration between Dubbo Family Day Care, Dubbo Regional Council and the NSW Government through the Regional Industry Education Partnerships program. The aim of the forum was to encourage students to explore careers that are available across Early Childhood Education.
Patricia Strahorn | Stage 6 Future Pathways
p.strahorn@bth.catholic.edu.
Pathways Hub Information Newsletter
Check out our new Information Newsletters to help you be more prepared with your future!
These Newsletters will have different resources and opportunities every fortnight so make sure you read up on it.
A year from now, you will wish you had started today!
"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." — Michael Jordan
SO MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Thank you
Mrs Strain | VET KLA Leader and Stage 5 Pathways Coordinator
Mrs Strahorn | Stage 6 Pathways and ASPA coordinator
Miss Lappa | Pathways Hub Assistant
ICAS Competitions
The 2024 ICAS Competitions will be held on the following dates:
Writing - 5 – 9 August 2024
English - 12 – 16 August 2024
Science - 19 – 23 August 2024
Mathematics - 26 – 30 August 2024
This is an optional competition for students who are interested in these subject areas.
Enrolment in each test can be purchased by families using the following information:
SJC School access code is: NBN501
Parent page link is: https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
Purchases must be completed by Monday 29th of July, 2024.
Information Technology
AEL Minecraft Winners
Congratulations to two of the four SJC teams who entered and placed in the top 3 out of 18 schools entered!
Team One - 2nd Place - Jye R, Brodie P, Toby C, Alex B Team
Three - 3rd Place - Angus C, Ruben D, Dylan M, Aiden D.
Many thanks to Mr Cody McDonald for his expertise in guiding the teams to produce such successful results!
Science
Warrumbungal National Park Education Centre
Year 11 Biology students enjoyed an enriching field trip to Warrumbungal National Park Educational Centre, where they thoroughly immersed themselves in studying ecosystem dynamics.
Mr Jose Sunny | KLA Leader - Science
Music
SJC Music Concert
Congratulations to all of the performers at the Eisteddfod Showcase in the SJC Hall, Thursday June 27. Families and friends were wowed by all of our musical talents from Year 7-12, particularly the wild drum solo by Kade Ryan. Isabella McAlister, our School Captain, was the perfect MC throughout the concert. This concert demonstrated the huge growth of the Music Department and community with more performers, presenting a wide variety of musical styles with confidence and charisma.
Simply stunning!
Catherine Crossing | KLA Leader CAPA
Sport
Yr 7-9 Boys AFL Team Undefeated
Congratulations to the Yr 7-9 Boys on winning the Central West's Boys JSC day held in Bathurst. They now progress to the Greater Sydney Regional Final to be held at Blacktown next term. All boys played well and represented our school with pride. Well done, we are proud of you all
Diocesan Netball Gala Day - Orange
Congratuation to all the girls who represented St Johns on Friday at the Diocesan Netball Gala Day in Orange.
- Opens - Won 2 from 5 games.
- 9/10 girls - Undefeated in regular rounds, though narrowly went down in the final 13-11 against James Sheahan.
- 7/8 girls - Undefeated all day, coming back from 1 point down at half time in the final to win 15-10 against MacKillop. Awesome effort from the girls.
Thank you to Sophie Brotherton, Jess Doran and Tegan Douglas for their fabulous coaching.
Penrith Panthers Visit St Johns
Penrith Panthers Rugby League Club CEO Matt Cameron, and Panthers Head of Football Shane Elford visited the College yesterday. St Johns College and Penrith have had a strong relationship in particular since 2017. Current NRL Panthers captain Isaah Yeo is a former student of SJC, and 4 of our ex-students are in the 2024 Panthers Under 21's. Matt and Shane met with College Principal Mr McCarney to discuss continuing the relationship that has involved over the years upgrades to gym infrastructure, charity auction items and leadership mentoring.Panthers management also spoke with a number of our developing rugby league players about NRL Pathways. The news was great for the rugby league girls in particular as Panthers will have a side in the NRLW in the next few years. Matt Cameron took the time to follow up his 2023 Zoom with our Year 11 Cohort. Last December Matt spoke about leadership to the students via a Zoom. Yesterday he was in person to revisit the Leadership theme with the students.Thank you to Matt and Shane for their wise words, and their presence at St Johns.
Mr Andy Haycock | SJC Rugby League Coorindator
Resource Hub - Library
Canteen
Term 3 will see our first price rise for 2024. Once the pricing has been finalised we will send this out.
A few online ordering tips:
- Order cut off for ordering is at 11:30am the day of
- Orders can be placed for a full week
- If your child goes home sick please let us know and we can cancel the order
- Friday is a huge lunch order day, sometimes the lines are quite long.
Mrs Nicole Howell | Canteen Manager
Attendance
We care about attendance because we care about your child.
School Fees
Dear Parents/Guardians
The College Fees Office will be closed for the school holidays.
Kind Regards
Maree Carlow
Administration Finance Leader
Important Dates
Term 3 2024
If you would like to add the St Johns College Calendar
to your google calendar please click on this link.
Monday 22nd July
Pupil Free Day
Tuesday 23rd July
NSW All Schools Hockey - Newcastle
Yr 11 2025 Subject Selection Evening
and Faculity Fair 6pm - 8.30pm
Wednesday 24th July
Ken Eggleton Cup
Yr 10 RIEP We Care Work Expereince Program begins
Thursday 25th July
Yr 12 French Community Visit
Tuesday 30th July
Rotary Public Speaking Competition
2024 School Term Dates
Term 3: Monday 22nd July - Friday 27th September
Term 4: Monday 14th October - Friday 20th December
2024 Diocesan Sports
The Diocesan Sports Calendar is now available to view. We may have some students who are involved in sports that we are unaware of and who may want to attend the trials. There are many different sports on the Diocesan Calendar such as Diving, Triathlon's, Baseball, Volleyball, Sailing, Hockey etc. If your child is of a competitive standard and wishes to compete in the events on the calendar please let us know.
Community News
