St Johns College Dubbo Term 3, Week 8 2024

Principal

Dear St Johns Community

Recently the College Leadership Team has spent time looking at the NAPLAN data from this year. It is always an interesting assignment to look for trends and get an understanding of where our students are experiencing success and areas that we need to look at how we can make improvements to our students' learning gains.

Across a number of domains our girls in Year 7 and 9 exceeded the Diocese average scores, their writing proving to be a real strength and significantly higher than the Diocese average. It is obvious that there is improvement required in general for our boys from this NAPLAN data. The boys' results raise some questions including: How do our boys value their learning and how are they connecting this to what they are going to do post school? What value are our boys placing on the NAPLAN Assessment? Our next whole staff meeting will be dedicated to the NAPLAN analysis and looking for opportunities to continue to increase our students' outcomes with targeted, embedded strategies.

Yours faithfully

Mr Justin McCarney
Principal

Assistant Principal

Dear Students and Families

As we enter the final weeks of Term 3 I would like to remind families of some of our important policies and some changes that we are implementing from the beginning of Term 4.

Mobile Phone Policy
Please find the most recent version of the SJC Mobile phone policy here: Mobile Phone Policy

SJC Mobile Phone policy is “not on your person”. The expectation is that mobile phones are turned off and placed in lockers as soon as students arrive at school. This means no listening to music at recess or lunch time. Please ensure that you read the policy so that you are familiar with the processes should your child be asked to hand their mobile phone in at the front office.

A key change to this policy is that from the beginning of Term 4, students will not be able to use their mobile to make payments at the canteen. Please ensure that your child comes to school with adequate cash or the correct amount of money on their card to make purchases. From the start of Term 4, any student in the canteen line on their mobile phone will be asked to hand it in to the front office as it is a breach of our policy.

Uniform Reminders
Your child should be wearing their full school uniform on days where they do not have PE Prac lessons. Please ensure that any uniform communication is sent to Academic Care teachers and/or Year Leaders prior to the commencement of Academic Care at 8:45 am. Applications for uniform exemption MUST be approved by the College Principal.

Pupil Free Day Monday 14th October
A reminder that our Term 4 Pupil Free Day is Monday 14 October.

Week 10 - Farewelling Year 12
In Week 10 we farewell Year 12. On Thursday we will have a final assembly with them between recess and lunch. Friday we will celebrate the Founder’s of our school in our annual Founders Day celebration. The remainder of the week will be business as usual.

Social Media Use
We are seeing an increase in toxic student activity on social media. Highly inappropriate social media interactions are happening between our students in your homes and this is often being brought to school the next day. We implore all parents to be aware of how their child is interacting with others online and to have these difficult conversations with them. I have included a link to some helpful advice from kids helpline that you may find useful in your household.
Social Media and Safety

Warm regards

Mrs Emma Chater
Assistant Principal

Religious Education

Dear Families,

Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
St Teresa of Avila

This a prayer that I have used a lot with students to point ot how important it is that they put their faith into action. It is of course important that our students know the history and meaning behind what we believe, but it is not until what Jesus taught us is put into action that it comes alive.

Next week, all Year 11 will be taking part in a Community Service Week. This is the third year in a row that we have had this week and our students get a lot out of it. They get to find out how it feels to give back to their community, whether that be our St Johns College community, the Catholic schools community or the Dubbo community. Our students will be heading to a number of places next week. Some will be helping in the classroom or around the grounds here at school. Some will be helpling at the local primary schools. Some are helping at Orana Gardens, Vinnies and Orana Support Services. 

I am very much looking forward to hearing from our hosts how our students go and hearing from our students themselves what they got out of the week. 

A group of Year 10 students are putting their faith into action on the first weekend of the holidays by attending ‘IGNITE’ - a praise and worship event in Sydney. They will join hundreds of other young people from across NSW who share their faith. The weekend will be filled with music, prayer, reflection and making new friends. Thank you to Miss Danielle Stein and Miss Emily O’Dea who will be accompanying the group. 

In closing, I would like to remind our families about the St Brigid’s Parish picnic on Sunday, 22nd September. This will be held on the lawns of St Brigid’s from 10am - 12pm. It is a great way to connect with others in the parish. I look forward to seeing lots of families there. 

Yours in Faith

Mrs Elissa Burden
Leader of Ministry and Mission

Textiles

Yr11 students were excited to have completed their final project for the year. Next term students will begin planning for their HSC Major Work. This project focused on the construction techniques required to sew a garment with a portfolio also to be completed.

Mrs Nicole Bussey | KLA Leader - TAS

Music

Congratulations to all of the performers who unleashed their inner rock star at the Elective Music Showcase Concert, Wednesday September 11 outside the Music Centre. 

Friends and families were blown away by the talent on show, particularly by an outstanding rendition of Toto’s Hold the Line by Year 10 band “Wondercrumps”. This concert demonstrated the hard work and dedication our Elective Music students put into their craft, presenting a wide variety of musical styles with confidence and charisma. 

Simply stunning!!

Mr Adam Caton | Music Teacher

Pathways Hub

OEC Scholarship Applications

OEC scholarship applications are open for 2025. Closing date for applications is 27 October 2025. Applicants can receive up to $10,000 for scholarships for University, TAFE and apprenticeships. Criteria are listed on the application form and include being located in Orana and Central Western NSW and participating in community work. The scholarship is open to all age groups who are struggling to afford tertiary studies

For applications please email reception@espaccounting.com.au

Mrs Strain | VET KLA Leader and Stage 5 Pathways Coordinator
Mrs Strahorn | Stage 6 Pathways & ASPA Coordinator
Miss Lappa | Careers and Pathways Assistant

Agriculture

Year 9 Agriculture have been working on their practical skills with a fencing project. Students have learnt and been practicing a range of fencing knots and learning how to strain a fence.

Miss Emma Rice | Assistant KLA Leader Science

Yr 12 Industrial Technology Timber

Last week our talented Year 12 Industrial Technology Timber students showcased their HSC major works. Students spent countless hours designing, crafting, and perfecting their unique pieces, showcasing their creativity and technical skills. Congratulations on your significant achievement and special thanks to Mr Tim Long for his expertise and the many extra hours he spent in preparation for the students' submissions for their HSC.

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2025 Leadership

A group of brave and passionate Year 11 students gave their Captains speeches in Week 7 in front of their cohort. It is extremely nerve wracking to get up and speak in front of a large group, but these students did themselves proud. The College has been absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to picking our Student Leadership Team. Congratulations to all students who have put their names forward for Captain, Vice Captain or House Captain. It is wonderful to see that we have so many students who are passionate about making St Johns College the best school it can be.

Mrs Elissa Burden | Leader of Ministry and Mission

HSC Exhibitions

Early Entry to University

Teacher Aide Appreciation Week

Thank you to all our amazing Teacher Aides who support our teachers, assist our students and help to create a positive and engaging learning environment. Your dedication and commitment make a difference in the lives of our students, helping them reach their full potential.

Biology

In class last week, Year 12 Biology dissected eyes and kidneys while learning about visual disorders and kidney function. Students will also investigate technologies used to treat or assist patients with hearing loss, visual disorders or loss of kidney function.

Miss Emma Rice | Assistant KLA leader Science

Cambodia Update

Due to the efforts of the fundraising from the students and staff who attended the Cambodia Immersion earlier this year, there was some money remaining to donate. We were offered an opportunity to support a breakfast program for a local school for the next 2 years. In discussion with the group, we decided that this would be an opportunity where the most amount of people would be impacted in the most positive way. Before we funded this program, these kids would either have plain porridge and raw fish or go without.

Miss Madie Easman | Yr 11 Leader

Sport

NSW Rugby Union Secondary School's 7's Regional Gala Day

Last Wednesday, four teams represented SJC at the NSW Rugby Union Secondary Schools 7's Regional Gala Day. This was a very successful event for St Johns with three teams going through the day undefeated and our 16's Boys side finishing as runner-ups in their age groups. The 14 Boys, 14 Girls, and 16 Girls teams will now compete in the state finals on the 18th of September in Sydney. All players were outstanding college representatives and demonstrated excellent rugby during the event.

Mr Connor Burke | KLA Leader PDHPE

Netball NSW Schools Cup Regional Finals

On Thursday, our 7/8 and 9/10 Boys Netball teams travelled to Orange to compete in the regional final of the Schools Cup Netball competition.

Both teams had exceptionally strong performances and demonstrated some great netball throughout the day. Our 7/8 team went through the day undefeated and convincingly defeated all their competitors on the day.

Our 9/10 side played to a high standard but were narrowly defeated and claimed 2nd place for the day. These results are a reflection of the dedication and commitment from the players but also the dedicated efforts from Mrs Brotherton, Miss Doran and Mrs Bowen over the last number of years. Thanks again to Jane Bowen for excellent coaching of the 7/8 team.

Mr Connor Burke | Assistant KLA Leader PDHPE

Resource Hub - Library

Attendance

We care about attendance because we care about your child.

Is your child struggling to attend school? 

If your child is avoiding school, it's crucial to proactively address the issue by contacting the Pastoral Care Leader. Subject teachers play a key role in observing and understanding students' behaviours and can collaborate with you to identify and address any challenges your child may be facing.

Share your observations about your child's behaviour and express any concerns you may have. Be open and honest about the challenges your child is facing in attending school regularly.Collaboratively work with the school and your child to explore possible causes for your child's avoidance of school. This could include academic challenges or social issues. Work together to develop and monitor strategies to address the identified issues.

You can seek advice free from NSW ParentLine 1300 1300 52.
Book an appointment via phone or emailing your nearest headspace centre. 
Book a session with the free ReachOut Coaching Service for parents and carers.

School Fees

Dear Parents/Guardians 

Thank you to our families who have paid their College fees.

Families paying their fees by the term please note instalment 3, the last instalment for the year, is now overdue, please ensure prompt payment before the end of this term, Friday 27 September 2024.

For families making regular, weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments please ensure your payment plan is on track to have your College fees account finalised by 30 November 2024.

To ensure your College fees account is on track please note from today, Friday 13 September 2024 there are 12 weeks, 6 fortnights or 3 months until fees are due. Contact the College Fees Office if you need to adjust your payment plan.

HSC fees are due by 31 October 2024.

If you wish to discuss your account please contact the College Fees Office on 6841 5142 or email m.carlow@bth.catholic.edu.au.

Kind Regards 

Maree Carlow
Administration Finance Leader

Canteen

Free Parent/Carer Webinars

Council of Catholic Schools Parents Free Webinars for Parents and Carers (CSNSW Ref: 167/24)

Breaking Point with Dr Justin Coulson
Wednesday 11 September from 7.00pm – 8.00pm

Join Dr Justin Coulson, Australia’s leading parenting expert, as he unpacks the mental health crisis enveloping our kids. He’ll cover:

• The root causes behind the deteriorating state of mental health, and who (or what) is responsible
• The tools you need to reverse this trend for your children
• Science-backed, relationship-focused strategies to remedy school refusal
• Realistic approaches for managing screen time in a way that protects your child’s wellbeing without completely alienating them from their peers
• Creating margin in your home and family life to protect and promote mental wellness

To register click here.

Positions Vacant

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.

Friday 15th September
HSC Visual Arts Exhibitiion

Monday 16th September
Yr 7 - 9 Exams Continue this week
Year 10 Work Placement Week

Tuesday 17th September
Yr 10 Geography Fieldwork

Thursday 19th September
HSC Major Projects Exhibition - Design & Technology 5pm - 6pm

Monday 23rd September
Jnr Boys Cricket Trials
Yr 11 Work Placement for Construction and Business Service Students
Yr 11 Community Service Week

Tuesday 24th September
Yr 11 Road Safety Day in Wellington

Thursday 26th September
Grad Mass/Academic Assembly

Friday 27th September
2025 Leadership Team Announcement
Founders Day

Community News