From the College Finance Manager

Uniform Shop

The College Uniform Shop is operated by an independent business, whose Woodlawn operations are based in the Colin Centre. The College has limited control over this facility, and any queries regarding stock and availability should be directed to the Uniform Shop directly.

 Winter Uniform Requirements for Terms 2 & 3

This notice outlines the Winter Uniform requirements for students during Terms 2 and 3:

• Years 11 and 12: Students in Years 11 and 12 may continue to wear their current winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3 only. Please note that any new uniform purchases made from the Uniform Shop must be the updated version.
• Years 7 to 10: All students in Years 7 to 10 are required to wear the updated winter uniform for Terms 2 and 3.
• Year 7 Blazers: All students in Year 7 are required to wear the new College blazer. We have been informed that some will be available in approximately Week 9. If you have already acquired an old blazer, this can still be worn.

Warm regards,

Nikki Bell
College Finance Manager

Counselling Corner

The Waiting Game: Managing Post-Exam Anxiety

From Your School Counsellors

The exams are over, and now comes what many students describe as the hardest part – waiting for results. If you're lying awake replaying every question you might have got wrong, you're not alone. Post-exam anxiety is incredibly common and completely understandable.

Once the adrenaline fades, our minds often fill the quiet space with worry. Without studying to distract us, we ruminate on every question we second-guessed. Here's something important to remember: you almost certainly did better than you think you did. Research shows students consistently underestimate their exam performance.

Healthy Ways to Cope Right Now

Get moving. Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to manage anxiety. Whether it's a walk, swim, or dancing to your favourite music, movement helps burn off stress hormones.

Reconnect with neglected activities. Rediscover those hobbies, books, or shows you put aside during study time. Engaging in enjoyable activities reminds your brain that life exists beyond academic results.

Limit result speculation. Resist endlessly discussing exam questions with classmates or scrolling through online forums. This rarely provides comfort and often increases anxiety.

Practice mindfulness. When worry thoughts arise, gently redirect your attention to the present moment. Try the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: notice 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.

Remember This

Whatever your results show, they represent your performance on specific days under particular circumstances – they don't define your worth. If results aren't what you hoped for, there are always alternative routes to your goals through pathway programs, gap years, or different courses that might open unexpected doors.

If anxiety is significantly impacting your sleep or daily life, please reach out. You've already done the hard work – you prepared, showed up, and gave your best effort. Now be kind to yourself whilst you wait.

If you'd like to speak with a school counsellor, fill in the self-referral form on your Compass homepage. 

A Word for Parents

This waiting period can be just as stressful for families. The best support you can offer is patience and perspective. Avoid asking daily about results or speculating about outcomes. Instead, focus on your child's wellbeing – encourage normal routines, social connections, and activities they enjoy. Remember that your love and support aren't conditional on academic results, and let them know this through your words and actions.

Rest well,

Christina, Susan and Jacqui
School Counsellors

Community Notices

Year Group News

Exciting Work Experience Opportunities Await Our Students

As part of their ongoing personal and career development, our Year 10 students are preparing to step out of the classroom in Week 7 and into the real world through our annual Work Experience Program. Taking place this term, students will gain invaluable insights into a range of industries and professions, helping them explore their passions and build essential skills for the future.

This year, students will be undertaking placements in a variety of fields, including:

• Australian Seabird & Turtle Rescue
• Truck Repairs
• Customs and Freight
• Engineering
• Local Primary Schools
• Local Vets
• Lismore Council

This program is more than just a week away from school. It’s a valuable step toward building confidence, workplace knowledge, and future aspirations. We are proud of the initiative our students have shown in selecting their placements and thank all the local businesses and organisations who have opened their doors to support our young learners.

We look forward to hearing about their experiences and the new perspectives they’ll bring back to the classroom.

Inside the Classroom

Year 8 HPL Maths working on an activity to calculate the area under a given parabola. They produced many interesting methods and explanations.

Our Year 7 students had fun solving a mathematical murder mystery problem. 

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Year 10 Jewish Museum By Lily O’Sullivan (Year 10)

From the 11th to the 14th of May myself and 13 other students from year 10 went to Sydney for the annual Jewish Museum Trip. Unfortunately, the museum itself was closed for renovations, so instead we went to the Jewish Synagogue at Bondi Junction. 

During the 3 days we were there, we learnt so much about Judaism and about what happened to Jewish people during WW2. We talked to Holocaust survivors Ana De Leon and Jack Feiler, who both had some very emotional stories about their experiences, and we also learnt about Anti-semitism and the history of Jewish people. On top of this we also dug a little into WW2 in Australia and how Nazis and other people who were accessories to the Holocaust escaped here to our country because at the time we didn’t have the genocide law in place, therefore they would suffer no consequences.

I wasn’t expecting to learn as much as I did on this trip, so I’m really glad I went. I strongly encourage the students in the younger years to do this trip when they’re in year 10. You learn so much and have a lot of fun.

Business Studies - Stone & Wood

In Week 4, our Year 11 Business Studies students visited Stone & Wood Brewery in Byron Bay to explore the establishment and growth of a successful local business. The excursion offered an in-depth look at how Stone & Wood grew from a small start-up in the industrial estate of Byron into a $500 million company, driven by clear values, strong leadership, and strategic planning.

Students heard from team members about the company’s journey and gained valuable insights into the key business functions of operations, marketing, and human resources. They explored everything from the brewing process to brand positioning and staff management. The experience enriched their understanding of real-world business practices and provided a strong foundation for the remainder of their Preliminary course and the HSC year ahead.

Year 10 Child Studies: Learning Newborn Care

Our Year 10 Child Studies students have been exploring the demanding world of newborn care, combining theoretical learning with hands-on experiences. Students have studied topics including infant development, feeding, sleep, and safety considerations, learning everything from proper swaddling techniques to learning to put on nappies. 

The highlight so far was the week-long egg baby project, which challenged students to take full responsibility for a fragile "infant" 24 hours a day. Each student received a raw egg, was tasked with creating a birth certificate, and completed a digital journal.

Students got creative, fashioning their baby eggs and protective cases, while others learned hard lessons when their eggs met unfortunate ends.

Industrial Technology: Farm Maintenance

Our Year 10 Farm Maintenance crew have been hard at work since the rain stopped, beginning to erect a new permanent fence around the eastern side of our veggie patch. This has involved designing, planning and constructing new steel panel stays throughout the fenceline, then digging the holes and concreting them in. It has been a huge effort from everyone. Students have used their metalworking skills to cut and weld the end stay frames together. They then cleared the fence line, marked out the position of each stake, and dug the holes, ensuring they would be in line with the whole section of new fence. Students then experienced mixing their own concrete and levelling each step, ready for the wire to be attached next week. A huge thank you to the students from the TAS staff. An amazing effort in a couple of days from an exceptional bunch of young men and women. Well done!

Intercollegiate Meat Judging Beef Week - Friday 30 May

On 30 May, fifteen students represented St John’s College, Woodlawn in an extracurricular activity at the Intercollegiate Meat Judging competition held as part of Beef Week at the Casino Food Co-op. The students have spent time each week this Term preparing and learning.

The students had 10 minutes to judge each of the five classes, which included two classes of four beef carcasses, 1 class of four rumps, 1 class of 15 retail cut identification and 1 class of identifying 15 primal cuts. In a competition of approximately 50 students, our students performed exceptionally well, and several students placed in the top 10 of each category.

In the Individual Beef Judging (Carcass and Rump), Alex Rugendyke placed 2nd, Georgia Sheridan placed 3rd, and Harry Hoskings placed 5th among 50 students. Congratulations on their performance.

Our team of four students: Emily Maher, Lachlan O’Brien, Georgia Sheridan and Edie Wadsworth collectively placed Runner-up in Retail Cuts and Primal Identification, Runner-up Beef Judging (Carcasses and Rumps), and attained Runner-up Team Overall. Congratulations to this group of students.

Thank you to Mr Quade and Mrs Fraser for supporting our students to learn and gain valuable industry experience. Following the competition, students also had the opportunity to tour the Casino Food Co-Op plant to look at the latest technologies for processing meat.

Parent Information Hub

Canteen Ordering

● Flexischools, by 9:00 am
● Brown Paper Bag: available near the canteen microwaves, by recess.

How to Use Flexischools for Canteen Orders

1. Create a Flexischools Account

   • Visit www.flexischools.com.au

   • Click “Register” and follow the prompts to create your parent account.

2. Add Your Student

   • Once logged in, go to “Students” or “Add a Student”

   • Enter your child’s name, school name, year group, and class

   • Enter your child’s student ID number

   • Save your student profile.

3. Top Up Your Account

   • Go to “My Wallet” or “Top Up”

   • Choose your preferred payment method and add funds to your account.

4. Place a Canteen Order (order cut-off time of 9.00am)

• Select your student

• Choose the canteen and date

• Pick items from the menu and place the order

• Confirm and pay at checkout.

Community Parent Forum

Our School Community Forum held its AGM earlier this term. Having parent representation and a voice is an important form of community engagement. We thank our outgoing leadership team members, Kara Parrish and Emma Cronin, for their dedication, organisation and vibrancy. We also thank Grant Stewart, who has subsequently been elected as the new Chair of the committee. 

The new leadership team, Secretary – Rebecca Blakeney, Treasurer – Megan Thorpe, Chairperson – Grant Stewart, met with Mrs Reen to discuss their vision and begin planning for future meetings. Please join us for the next meeting on June 16 at 5.30pm. We will begin our meeting in the Margaret Buckley library, and this will be followed by a College tour with Annette Reen. Our meeting agenda will include presentations from various members of the College Leadership Team and teachers. Another hot topic will be the catering at the Athletics Carnival, and we would like to gather feedback about the canteen and other College offerings. 

Thanks to all who made it to the Parent and Carer Term 2 Catch-Up. This will be an ongoing event every term.  It is a time to ‘get social’ and meet some of the wonderful people who make up this community. 

Our partnership with the College is vital in advocating for our children and learning more about the community to which we all belong.

Grant Stewart

Message from the Principal

At our recent Staff Spirituality Day, we had the opportunity to retreat from the everyday and spend time reflecting on our relationships, our mission as the providers of a Catholic Education and our commitment to being the face of God to all those we encounter. This prayer from St Teresa of Avila summarises many of those reflections. As a community, we ask our staff and students to be the face of kindness, the source of equity, and the model of service in all that we do. As humans, we are all fallible. We also explored the concepts of forgiveness, reconciliation and restorative relationships. These values resonate with not only our faith but the way we teach and accompany each other daily.

Last week, we thanked Mr Aaron Beach for his service to the College and Catholic Education. Mr Beach has dedicated his life to ensuring that Catholic Education is authentic and student-centred. Our College Captains thanked Mr Beach for his interest in student life, his organisational skills and his dedication to service. I reflected on his leadership through very challenging and rewarding times. Mr Beach came to the College in 2020 and was our steward throughout the challenging COVID period, the floods, and enabled the sharing of our facilities with Trinity Catholic College, as well as our extensive building projects. As a true servant leader, Aaron “walked the talk’. He demonstrated a sense of justice, temperance and equity. Aaron brings 25 years of leadership experience in Catholic Education, and we wish him well in his new role as Regional Assistant Director at the DLCS. We will be sharing his leadership in all areas of school improvement and improved systems.

Through their vocation, our staff continually display commitment to encouraging and supporting our students to achieve the fullness of life. We value the relationships that are formed with families and encourage you to consider thanking teachers and staff who have engaged students in the classroom or taken time from their own lives to ensure that sporting opportunities are provided, that excursions are offered as additional learning opportunities and that our camp program can be facilitated to ensure the personal growth of our students. 

Thanks to the SRC for hosting a ‘Biggest Morning Tea’ experience today. This complemented the staff morning tea with over $500 raised collectively. Together we are ‘the feet of Christ’ walking to do good. Other examples of community service can be sourced in other articles. Our SRC is also currently reviewing the College Canteen with a focus on student voice. We look forward to sharing their findings.

I defer to the late Pope Francis for a final reflection.

Enjoy your long weekend, and please contact the College if there is anything we can do for you.

Kind regards, 

Annette Reen 
Principal

Pastoral Care News

Halfway through Term 2 already! This year continues to fly by and our students continue to put in admirable efforts across many aspects of College life. With the marking and reporting adding to the workload of teaching staff currently, it is important to acknowledge the consistent efforts of our students in studying for assessments and submitting assignments. All this work must mean that we’re not too far away from our next break!

Attendance Correspondence

The Pastoral Care Team regularly meet to discuss student attendance as part of our holistic pastoral care offering for students. This week, the team completed an audit in line with the Non-attendance Policy. As a result, there will be communication sent to families where attendance rates have reached a concerning level. Each of the letters contains information and instructions for the required steps moving forward. We look forward to working with families to ensure the best wellbeing and learning outcomes for students through improving attendance.

Leaders of Student Wellbeing Symposium

In Week 3 of the term, our Year Coordinators and other Pastoral Care Team members had the opportunity to attend a symposium on Pastoral Care by DLCS Lismore and attended by staff from the regional diocese of NSW and Queensland. There were numerous topics covered over the two-day conference including; online safety, antibullying approaches, toxic masculinity, violent & extremist ideologies, and topics covering a range of student mental health & wellbeing concerns.

The Pastoral Care Team are looking forward to implementing our learning and understanding of these topics into our daily offerings, particularly through the Pastoral Care Program in Years 7-9.

Uniform Standards

All families are reminded of the expectation for students to wear blazers to and from school each day, commencing Tuesday, 10 June, following the June long weekend. We appreciate your support in ensuring students represent the College with pride in their uniform.

Please also continue to support staff by providing a note to explain any situations where a student is unable to wear the correct uniform. We understand the pressure of family life and know that things can get in the way of washing. Your support and partnership is greatly appreciated in this matter.

Students have been told that they should be dressed to the expected standard of the College from “Driveway to Driveway”. This is a simple way to keep our standards of uniform high. 

Year 8 Camp

I wish all the staff and students attending Year 8 Camp at Tyalgum Ridge Retreat next week a great time away together. Many of our students recall the experience of this camp as one of their highlights of high school. More to come upon their return. I also wish to offer a vote of thanks to Mr Luke Collings, particularly, for his diligent and comprehensive work in putting together the Year 8 Camp program this year. 

As always, if there is any way I can assist you and your family, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards,

Nick Jones
Leader of Pastoral Care
nick.jones@lism.catholic.edu.au

Sports at Woodlawn

Jaime Chapman Cup | U14 & U16 Girls Rugby League 

In Week 3, on Tuesday, 13  May, Woodlawn took an U14S and U16S Girls Rugby League team to compete in the 9-a-side Jaime Chapman Cup, which was held at Kingsford Smith Park in Ballina.

Under 14 Girls:

The Under-14 Girls Team performed extremely well, going undefeated in each game. 

They showed perseverance and determination despite the wet and challenging conditions and consistently showed up as a team. Their attacking and defensive skills never missed a beat. 

While they tied for first place on points with the top team from the other pool, the for-and-against tally placed them second overall for the day.

Under 16 Girls:

The Under-16 Girls Team performed to the absolute best of their abilities, going undefeated in each game. 

The majority of the team’s players had never played a game of rugby, but it didn’t show as their playing skills were exceptional. 

Their ability to continuously make difficult tackles and attack with speed earned them first place in the competition.

We congratulate both teams for their exceptional efforts and are very proud of their achievements!!

Diocesan Tennis Championships

In Week 3 on Wednesday, the 14 May, 10 students from Years 7 to 11 represented the College at the Diocesan Tennis Championships held at the Lismore Tennis Club.

It was a great day of competition, with students showing strong skills and sportsmanship on the court.

Well done to all players.

Elite Sports Program

On Wednesday in Week 4, the Year 9 Elite Sports program did their first training session in the Gym. Personal trainer Jamie from ACE taught the group multiple warming-up/cooling-down strategies to help in the recovery and preparation of muscles and ran through multiple exercises involving joint mobility. 

It is exciting to see such an amazing program up and running, with the support of knowledgeable professionals.

NRCC Hockey

On Thursday, 22 May, a Boys and Girls team of students came to Hepburn Park, Goonellabah to compete in the NRCC Open Age Division Hockey Championship. Both teams competed extremely well in the face of the hot conditions during the day, with some great results. 

Girls Hockey Team:

The Girls' Team had a tough first game versus Mount St Patrick College, with fierce defence and attack. Goalie Chloe Weston made some great saves in the goals. They unfortunately lost 2-0, but did not let it define their day. 

Their second game versus St Joseph's College, Banora Point showcased their amazing skills and great teamwork, with Josephine scoring the girl's first goal of the day. They won 2-1, a tight yet solid win.

Their final game versus Trinity Catholic College solidified their strength in the competition, showcasing their great team dynamics and persistence when wanting to win. They won, with the final score being 3-2. 

Great job, Girls.

Boys Hockey Team:

The Boys' first game versus St Joseph's College Banora Point gave them a great introduction to the day. Isaac C swept in and scored their first goal of the day. Their great team dynamics and skill work got them a 4-0 win.

Their second game versus Trinity Catholic College was a tough game, with the boys providing a challenging fight. Goalie Miles made some great saves against Trinity’s fast hits. They unfortunately lost 2-0. 

Their third game versus St Mary’s was a tight game, with the teams matching each other in attack and defence. The game concluded with a 0-0 draw. Their final game versus Mount St Patrick College was a great game, with the boys displaying persistence in the face of the team's attack. The game concluded with another draw of 1-1. 

Great effort, boys.

Both teams competed exceptionally on the day, and we congratulate them both as they represented Woodlawn very well.

Marist Netball

In Week 5, our Woodlawn Girls Marist Netball Team travelled to Adelaide, South Australia, to compete in the annual Marist Netball Carnival. The event brought together Marist schools from across the country for three days of spirited competition.

The girls delivered an outstanding performance, playing 18 intense games of netball over three days. The girls played in the Challenge Division Grand Final against Marist Regional College, unfortunately going down 21-10, but gave it their all. The dedication and teamwork shown by the girls, on and off the court, were exceptional. 

At the conclusion of the Marist Netball Carnival, 20 players are chosen by external selectors to create an Australian Marist Team and a Highly Recommended Marist Team. These players are named as the top 20 players of the tournament and demonstrated themselves to be highly competitive and skilled athletes. Congratulations to the players below, Quinn McInnes and Amarli King, who certainly deserved their positions on the Highly Recommended Marist Team. 

A huge congratulations again goes out to all of the players in the Marist netball team, you represented Woodlawn exceptionally, and we are very proud. 

A big thank you also goes to the Marist Netball coaches, Fiona Fennamore and Jane Farrugia, for dedicating so much time and energy to coaching the girls and encouraging their development on the court.

Lismore Diocese Netball

Congratulations to Elke Duroux and Quinn McInnes on being selected for the Lismore Diocese team, who trialled at the NSWCCC Netball Selections, 18 Years & Under.

CCC Football Championships

Congratulations to Darcy Hampson, who proudly represented the Lismore Diocese.

The team had one of their most successful campaigns yet, finishing with two wins, a draw and a narrow loss to the eventual champions. 

CCC Rugby League 

On 23 and 24 May, Macy Field, Xavier Eades, Bowie Blakeney, Elliott Farrell, Noah Vakararawa, and Jimmy McCombie competed in the NSW CCC Rugby League State trials in an attempt to get selected in the NSW CCC Rugby League teams that will compete in the National Titles later this year. All students performed exceptionally well. 

Special Mention needs to go to Xavier Eades, who gained selection in the Under 15 NSW CCC team. Congratulations Xavier. 

Simon Andrews
Leader of Sport

From the Library Learning Hub

The Power of Reading at Home – How the Library Can Help

Reading regularly at home is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s learning. Whether it’s a novel, a magazine, or an online article, reading builds the foundation for success across all subject areas. Just 20 minutes a day can make a real difference.

Students can also borrow from our school library collection or access over 24,000 eBooks and 3,000 audiobooks anytime through SORA—a digital reading platform available on any device.

New! 'Read for 10' Choice Board

We’re excited to introduce the 'Read for 10' Choice Board, a tool designed to support and extend the reading experience. After reading for 10 minutes in Period 5, the class selects an activity from the board that encourages students to reflect on, respond to, or share something about what they’ve read. 

This extra step is an important part of helping students engage more deeply with texts. Whether it’s drawing a scene, writing a short summary, or discussing a favourite character, these activities make reading more meaningful and help develop comprehension, critical thinking, and communication skills.

By making the post-reading process fun and interactive, we hope to foster a lifelong love of reading—and we’d love for you to ask your child about the activity they chose.

Library Life: Year 7s Thriving

Our Year 7 students are diving into exciting adventures in the library! One group is deep in fantasy worlds through Dungeons & Dragons, building teamwork and creativity. Another group is sharing stories and sparking great conversations in our Book Club. If your child loves imagination, reading, or just wants to try something new, encourage them to come along – there’s a space for everyone!  

Something New on Thursdays

All students should keep an eye out for our brand-new Puzzle Day activity happening every Thursday in the library. It’s a fun way to challenge your brain, work with friends, and take a break from the usual routine. Come give it a go!

Library Website: LibGuides

To further support your child’s learning journey, our library website offers an ever-growing range of LibGuides—carefully curated online resources. These guides provide reliable sources and research support across subjects for students in Years 7–12.

With assessment blocks upon us, now is the perfect time to explore what the LibGuides have to offer. We encourage families to explore the library website together and use the LibGuides to spark meaningful conversations and effective study habits at home. Supporting your child’s reading and research not only enhances academic achievement but also builds confidence and independence as learners.

Visit the library website and see how we’re supporting student success every step of the way!

From the Library Team

Mrs Starr, Ms Fraser, Mrs Koellner and Mrs Thompson.

Message from the Assistant Principal -Mission

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

We have had a wonderful start to the term, embracing a number of activities that allow our students to live life to the full through witnessing, to the teachings of our tradition, and serving others within, and outside of, our school community.

We had a number of activities at the College during Reconciliation Week. 

Representatives from Together For Humanity presented a one-hour anti-prejudice workshop in which facilitators from diverse cultures and faiths invite students to examine their assumptions about Australian identity and stereotypes.  We had guests from Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths join us. This interactive session, in a student-led Q and A was a positive experience for our students.

We were fortunate to have Father Phillip celebrate a Reconciliation Week Mass with Years 7, 9 and 12. A special feature of this Mass was that our guests from Together for Humanity joined us at Mass in a display of interfaith dialogue and ecumenism.

Sacramental Program

In the first event of our sacramental program this year, three of our Year 7 students were confirmed on Tuesday evening at St Carthage’s Cathedral. Our students joined members of St Carthage’s Primary School and the wider community at the Sacrament of Confirmation. Congratulations to Huntah, Layla and Quinn.

Schools' Mass

Come and join us at our next Community and Schools' Mass at St Carthage’s Cathedral. Our previous Mass was a great celebration, so it would be great to see you there. 

Carroll House breakfast  

Save the date: Our Carroll House Breakfast is on Friday, June 27.

St Vincent de Paul

This term our fundraising focus is St Vincent de Paul, a Catholic organisation that works towards a more just and compassionate society, “I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy”. (Psalm 140:12)

We have had a campaign running to collect items of warm clothing as part of the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. To enable further donations, we are extending the donation period for another two weeks. Items of clothing suitable for all ages are welcome, as are blankets and other items that will help the homeless. Items can be taken to Home Group in the mornings.

Last night we had our Winter Sleepout. Twenty of our St Vincent de Paul members slept in Kelly Park, allowing them to take part in an experiential event where they were given nothing more than a piece of cardboard, a cup of soup and bread for dinner. Sleeping in the cold for one night helps students to appreciate what they have, whilst learning about some of the harsh realities faced by those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. “Sleeping rough” for one night helps raise crucial funds and awareness for vital Vinnies Services and Programs.

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Our casual clothes day today helped to raise funds for St Vincent de Paul. We also had a sausage sizzle at lunchtime to raise additional funds. Thank you to all those who supported these initiatives.

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Blazers

As the weather cools down, after the long weekend, students are required to wear their blazers to and from school. This applies to all students - those who catch a bus or arrive by car. Students will need to wear their blazers to Home Group so we can assist the students who still require a blazer on Wednesday, when the uniform shop is open.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me on 6626 2627 or fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Thank you,

Fiona Fennamore
Assistant Principal Mission

Message from the Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Welcome to Our Thriving Learning Community

As we approach the midpoint of our academic year, we celebrate the remarkable dedication and growth we've witnessed across our College community. This period brings exciting opportunities for learning, connection, and personal development.

Celebrating Community Voice: Tell Them From Me Survey

We're deeply grateful to all families who participated in the 2025 "Tell Them From Me" Survey. Your valuable insights, combined with feedback from our students and staff, will help shape our future strategic direction. This collaborative approach strengthens our school community and ensures we continue to meet the needs of every learner. We are committed to sharing the successes in the data and providing feedback on future initiatives that we will take as a result of the survey. We look forward to creating more opportunities for meaningful family engagement throughout the year.

Strengthening Partnerships: Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

Our Year 9 Parent/Teacher/Student interviews in Week 4 were a wonderful success, with the Webber Wing buzzing with positive energy and meaningful conversations. These collaborative moments between families and our College community are invaluable in supporting each student's journey and creating clear pathways for future growth.

Looking ahead, Year 11 Parent Interviews are scheduled for Week 10, Tuesday 1 July. Mrs Ryall will provide detailed information for bookings as we approach this date. We encourage all families to embrace this opportunity to connect with teachers and gain insights into your child's progress in their first year of HSC study. These conversations help establish meaningful goals and build confidence as students prepare for their final year of secondary education, which begins in Term 4, 2025.

Supporting Our Year 12 Students: The Final Stretch

Our Year 12 students are demonstrating incredible dedication as they work on major projects and assessments in preparation for their Trial Examinations early in Term 3. We encourage students to maintain regular communication with their teachers, seeking feedback and guidance to maximise their potential.

Establishing a balanced study routine that includes regular revision and note summarisation will serve students well. We also emphasise the importance of maintaining wellbeing alongside academic commitments. A healthy balance of focused study time and personal care helps manage stress and supports optimal learning. Students should work with their teachers to identify strengths and areas for growth, creating targeted improvement goals for the upcoming trials.

Celebrating Achievement: Year 8 and 10 Assessments

Congratulations to our Year 8 and 10 students who successfully completed their formal assessments in Week 6. These examinations provide valuable experience in timed conditions, build confidence and demonstrate learning growth. We commend students for their diligent preparation, supported by their dedicated teachers, and look forward to sharing feedback on academic progress in upcoming reports.

We're excited for our Year 8 students as they head to Tyalgum Ridge Camp after the long weekend. This adventure promises to provide enriching experiences beyond the classroom while exploring the beautiful natural environment of our region.

Our Year 10 students are embarking on work experience opportunities that offer their first formal taste of professional life. These experiences provide valuable insights as students prepare for subject selections in Term 3, helping them make informed decisions about their academic pathway for Years 11 and 12.

Looking Ahead: Years 7-9 Assessment Week

Years 7 and 9 will participate in formal assessments during Week 7 (Tuesday, 10 June to Friday, 13 June). Mrs Ryall has distributed the detailed schedule, and students have had access to task notifications and revision guides through their Assessment Hub Google Classrooms since Week 5.

Our classroom teachers have been working closely with students to ensure thorough preparation for these important assessments. We are confident in our students' abilities and look forward to seeing them demonstrate their knowledge and understanding.

Together, we continue to build a learning community that values both academic excellence and personal wellbeing. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in our students' educational journey.

Matthew Bailey
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Counselling Corner

Teen Sleep: More Than Just a Lie-In

If you've ever wondered why your teenager seems physically unable to get out of bed before 10am on weekends, or why they're like zombies at breakfast on school days, you're not alone. Today, we’re talking about teen sleep—why it's crucial for their wellbeing, how it affects their functioning, and what we can do to help them get the rest they need.

The Science Behind Teen Sleep

Contrary to popular belief, teenagers aren't just being lazy when they sleep in. During adolescence, their body clocks (circadian rhythms) naturally shift, making them feel alert later at night and sleepy later in the morning. This biological change, called "sleep phase delay," can push their natural sleep time to 11pm or later.

At the same time, teenagers need more sleep than adults—about 8-10 hours nightly for optimal functioning. With early school start times, many teens accumulate significant "sleep debt" during the week, which they try to repay on weekends.

How Sleep Affects Your Teen

In the Classroom:

• Memory consolidation happens during sleep, directly affecting a student's ability to retain what they've learned
• Problem-solving abilities and creative thinking improve with adequate sleep
• Attention span and focus dramatically decrease when sleep-deprived
• Academic performance can drop by as much as a full letter grade when consistently short on sleep

Beyond the Classroom:

• Emotional regulation becomes challenging without enough sleep (explaining those dramatic reactions)
• Physical coordination and reaction time diminish, affecting sports performance and driving safety
• Immune function weakens, making them more susceptible to the many bugs circulating at school
• Mental health is significantly impacted—lack of sleep increases risk of anxiety and depression

Research from the 2023 Sleep Health Foundation study found that teens who were sleep-deprived were 38% more likely to report feeling sad or hopeless, and 23% more likely to admit to substance use. A similar study by Professor Mary Carskadon at Brown University confirmed these findings, demonstrating that sleep isn't a luxury—it's fundamental to their wellbeing.

Signs Your Teen Might Not Be Getting Enough Sleep

• Difficulty waking up for school most days (beyond the occasional Monday morning blues)
• Falling asleep during quiet activities like reading or watching television
• Becoming increasingly irritable or emotional, particularly in the afternoon
• Sleeping for extra-long periods on weekends (12+ hours)
• Increased caffeine consumption to stay alert
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering information

Practical Strategies for Better Sleep

Environment Matters:

• Keep bedrooms cool (18-22°C is ideal), dark, and quiet
• Remove screens from bedrooms—the blue light disrupts melatonin production
• Consider blackout curtains, especially during summer months when daylight extends into evening

Routines and Habits:

• Encourage a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends (within reason)
• Promote a wind-down routine: lower lights, relaxing activities, shower/bath
• Limit screens 1-2 hours before bedtime (a challenging but worthwhile battle)
• Avoid caffeine after midday and heavy meals close to bedtime

Supporting Overall Sleep Health:

• Encourage morning exposure to natural sunlight to help regulate their body clock
• Promote regular physical activity (but not right before bedtime)
• Create a household culture that values sleep—this might mean adjusting family schedules
• Model healthy sleep habits yourself (I know, easier said than done!)

When to Seek Help

While some sleep difficulties are normal during adolescence, persistent problems might require additional support. Consider speaking with your GP if your teen:

• Has ongoing difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Experiences excessive daytime sleepiness despite seemingly adequate sleep
• Snores loudly or seems to stop breathing during sleep
• Has symptoms that interfere with daily functioning for more than a few weeks

A Final Thought

In our achievement-oriented culture, sleep is often the first thing sacrificed in the pursuit of academic success, social connection, or sporting commitments. However, adequate sleep actually enhances performance in all these areas.

By supporting healthy sleep patterns, you're not just helping your teen function better now—you're helping them establish habits that will benefit their health and wellbeing throughout their lives.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns about your teen’s wellbeing. 

Rest well,

Christina, Susan and Jacqui
School Counsellors

Community Notices

Year Group News

A Day at University – Year 10 Students Explore Future Pathways at SCU

Last Friday, a group of enthusiastic Year 10 students had the unique opportunity to step into the shoes of university students for a day at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus. 

This experience was designed to give students a taste of tertiary life, and it certainly delivered.

Throughout the day, students took part in hands-on, interactive workshops across a diverse range of disciplines, including Nursing, Midwifery, Marine Science, Engineering and Sport Science. These sessions allowed students to explore potential career pathways and to engage directly with university-level learning in a practical and enjoyable way.

Beyond the workshops, our students had the chance to explore the university’s impressive campus facilities and speak with current students and academic staff. These conversations provided valuable insights into university life, including study expectations, course options, and what it’s like to transition from high school to higher education.

The day proved to be an eye-opening experience for many, sparking new interests and fuelling motivation for their future studies. A huge thank you to Southern Cross University for hosting such a dynamic event, and to our students for representing our school so positively.

As Year 10 students begin to consider their pathways post-school, experiences like this provide important exposure to the many opportunities available to them beyond the classroom. A big thank you to Mrs Parrish and Mr Cotgrove for accompanying Year 10 on the day. 

NSW School Vaccination Program 2025

Year 10 students – Tuesday 20th May

• Meningococcal ACWY vaccine (1 dose).

Vaccination will only be provided at school if consent has been received. 

To provide consent for vaccination online, parents/carers will need:

• To complete online consent, parents/carers need to visit the School Vaccination Program online consent portal (https://engage.health.nsw.gov.au/engage).

• For detailed steps on how to provide consent, please refer to the NSW Health webpage, How to Provide Consent (https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/online-consent-school-vaccination.aspx)

 For online consent, parents/carers will need:

• their ServiceNSW log-in details, or to create an account with ServiceNSW if they don’t already have one 
• Medicare details for parents/carers and their child.

Benefits of online consent for parents/carers:

• SMS notification three days before the clinic to remind parents of the vaccination day • SMS notifications on the day once vaccinations are given 
• easy updating of their child’s details online 
• faster upload of their child’s vaccination records to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR)

Inside the Classroom

Upcoming Events in Humanities

Term 2 is a big term in HSIE with a number of events that students have elected to participate in. The Australian History and Geography Competitions will be occurring for students who opted in as well as the Year 11 Geography task. This is a great opportunity for students to check their skills and understanding of these core HSIE subjects and practise working under examination conditions.

On Sunday, a keen group of Year 10 historians will be heading to Sydney with Mrs Garcia and Mr Reen to attend three immersive days at the Jewish Museum. During this time, they will hear the experiences of Holocaust survivors as well as attending lectures and workshops to further enrich their understanding of the Jewish experience during WWII and beyond. This excursion is one of the highlights of the year for the Humanities Department.

Years 11 and 12 Legal Studies - Bond University Criminal Law Workshop & SCU Mock Trial Competition

Years 11 and 12 Legal Studies students attended a Bond University two-day workshop focusing on Criminal Law and Procedure at Emmanuel Anglican College in Ballina last week. It was a great opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the study of criminal law and gain practical insight into the exciting world of criminal law, including going to court, criminal offences, criminal defences, and the powers relied upon by police. The students worked in teams, acting as either the prosecution or the defence on a hypothetical case. Teams then had to prepare advice for the court that they delivered in a moot sentencing hearing.

A number of these students also took part in the Southern Cross University Mock Trial Competition on Thursday night. This was an incredible opportunity to step into the shoes of legal professionals and experience the courtroom. St John’s College acted as the prosecution against Trinity Catholic College in a case involving seld-defence. The students have been working on this case for four weeks and were successful in winning both their Moot Court and finishing equal first overall in the whole competition. Congratulations to Nicholas, Tom, Tobhiyah, Mia, Ella and Yoshi (pictured below with the Judges on the night).

Year 10PDHPE and 10PASS

Year 10PDHPE and 10PASS students recently took to the court for some lively modified netball matches as part of their units on Fundamental Movement Skills (10PASS) and Net and Court Games (10PDHPE). The friendly competition brought great energy, with students showcasing teamwork, agility, and growing confidence. It was especially encouraging to see many of the boys embracing and developing their skills in a sport that continues to grow in popularity among male athletes.

Chess

Friday was the second round of the New South Wales Junior Chess League (NSWJCL). In Round 2, Woodlawn was matched up against Mullumbimby High, who dominated Round 1 of the competition against Shearwater Steiner School.

The team consisted of Ben Davis (year 12) on Board 1 (playing with the black pieces), Lachlan O’Sullivan (Year 12) on Board 2 (playing with the white pieces), Jesse Davis (Year 7) on Board 3 (playing with the black pieces) and Gulliver Smith (Year 8) on Board 4 (playing with the white pieces).

Woodlawn won 3-1 with wins on Board 1, Board 3 and Board 4.

Ben Davis on Board 1 played against a really strong player, with the game taking 1 hour and 50 minutes, consisting of 108 moves (54 moves each). The game was very close for most of the match until Ben pulled away with some brilliant tactical moves to close the match.

Parent Information Hub

Photography Day - Week 5

School photography day is coming up on Thursday, May 29. Group and portrait photographs can be purchased by following the link below.

Student Attendance

All students should be in attendance at school each day unless sick, attending necessary events (e.g. funeral, medical appointment etc) which cannot be scheduled outside school hours. All attendance should be submitted through your Compass App.

Absence due to holiday/family event:
Less than 10 days: Please notify the school that your student will be absent via the Compass Absence feature.
More than 10 days: Complete Form 01 Extended Leave Notification.

Absence due to Elite Sport, Elite Arts, Employment in the Entertainment Industry:
Accredited Elite Sports programs include national and international organisations that run camps for athletes and national sports squads in which students have been selected to participate. They also include talented identification programs run by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
Complete Form 05 Exemption from Attendance General.

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/Early Departure

Please submit ALL attendance (All Day/Partial Attendance) through the Compass App. Please avoid phoning the College with late arrivals/early departures.

Early Departure
Click on the Plus Button on your Compass App, click on Attendance Note, select the time you would like to collect your student. 

Your student will receive a Departure Pass to leave the class at the selected time and be directed to the drop off/pick up zone.

The Student Service Office cannot guarantee your student will be ready for an early departure without adequate notification. 

Late Arrival
Click on the Plus Button on your Compass App click on Attendance Note, select the time your student will arrive at the College. Students arriving after 8.55 am, need to enter via the Student Service Office. 

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zone
A 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 for safety reasons as cars and buses use this area.

Administering Non-Prescription Medication (eg. Paracetamol) to Students

A reminder to parents, if you wish your child to be allowed paracetamol while at school in 2025, please consent using the INSIGHT on your Compass App. 

If your student presents to sick bay requesting paracetamol and the consent has not been completed via the Compass App you will receive a phone call each time.

Canteen Ordering

● Orders can be made via Flexischools. Orders need to be in by 9:00 am.
● Orders can also be placed via the brown paper bags, which are available near the canteen microwaves. These need to be placed in the box in the canteen by recess.

Create a Flexischools Account here: www.flexischools.com.au

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 

Community Parent Forum

 Race Day Cancellation & Upcoming Events

It is with great disappointment that we advise the cancellation of our Race Day event scheduled for this Saturday, 10 May. Despite our best hopes, the persistent and at times frustrating rain has meant it is not possible to proceed, and the Lismore Turf Club called it early this week. We were so looking forward to a day that would bring our parent community together, and it is a real shame that the weather had other plans.

However, we encourage you not to lose momentum, we have more opportunities to connect. Please join us for our upcoming Parents & Carers Catch-Up at the Northern Rivers Hotel on Thursday, 5 June. It promises to be a relaxed and friendly evening, and we’d love to see as many of you there as possible. Your involvement helps keep our parent body vibrant and supportive.

AGM News

This week saw our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday evening, 5 May. During the meeting, both Emma Cronin and I stepped down from our roles on the Forum. We are delighted to announce the new SJCWSCF Executive:

• President – Grant Stewart
  
• Secretary – Rebecca Blakeney
  
• Treasurer – Megan Thorpe
  

We extend our sincere congratulations to Grant, Rebecca, and Megan and thank them for stepping into these important roles.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Emma, Grant, and all the Forum members for their incredible support and collaboration over my time on the committee. It has been a truly rewarding experience, and I wish the new team every success as they continue to build on this important work.

Lastly, please note that our next SJCWSCF meeting will be held Week 8 of Term 2 – Monday, 16th June 2025 at 5:30pm in the Library. (This date has been adjusted due to the June long weekend falling in Week 7 which is our normal meeting week.)

Thank you again for your ongoing support of the Forum and our school community.

Warm regards,
Kara Parrish

Message from the Principal

“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just." This is one of the many calls to action that were made by Pope Francis. His recent death leaves us reflecting on the words and deeds of our great pastoral leader who was defined by his simple humility, his care of the abandoned and those who suffered, his dialogue with all, no matter their beliefs and the way he listened deeply with his heart. As a community we also appreciated his call to action to our young people that they ‘get off their couches" and engage with the world, rather than simply passively consuming entertainment’. He emphasised that young people are not meant to simply "vegetate" or be "couch potatoes" but to "leave a mark" and actively participate in making a difference. This message is conveyed regularly, and for many of our students, it is their lived reality. This is evident in the way our students engage in their studies, their community participation and their sporting lives. Our students are generous and appreciative of the opportunities afforded them at Woodlawn.  We pray that they continue to shine as they take advantage of our mission to enable them ‘to live life to the full’.

Today, we received a very special announcement regarding the appointment of Mr Aaron Beach, our substantive Principal, to the leadership role of Regional Assistant Director. Mr Beach is known for his leadership, guidance and outstanding organisational skills. His connections with our staff and students were underpinned by his belief in our mission to ensure equity, compassion, and relationships are at the heart of all we do. The college will have a formal assembly later this term to thank him for his guidance and leadership. Please read the attached memo from Adam Spencer, the DLCS Director.

In the weeks following our last newsletter, we’ve had several matters for us to reflect on.

We are very grateful to the families who supported our ANZAC Marches across the region. Despite the weather, we witnessed our students reverently representing the College. On our return to school, our students hosted a special ANZAC Assembly. Below, I have included Eric Graydon’s address to the College. Eric is our SRC President and Cadet Under Officer with 326 Squadron (City of Lismore).

This was followed by our celebration of the life of Father Lionel Marsden and his mission to ensure that, despite extreme hardships, there is always hope and reconciliation at the heart of all human interaction. Lionel Marsden attended Woodlawn in the 1930s. He was known for his connection to the Marist Charism. His love of hard work, humility, care for the poor and marginalised, and desire to live life with courage and integrity were evident when he was a student here. Following his call to the priesthood, his chaplaincy resulted in him being a POW during WW2. His story of survival and subsequent mission to restore relationships with the Japanese is included in the attached essay below. Matilda Price, our College Captain, presented this paper while on her study tour in 2024. It is the qualities of Father Marsden that were recognised in our Medal recipients for 2025: Eric Graydon and Elizabeth Maginnity.

Our opening Staff Development Day was an opportunity to learn more about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Crossing Cultures Hidden History workshops were attended by all staff. A key learning of the day was an invitation to immerse ourselves further in our understanding of the local Widjabul Wia-bal people. I have included one of the introductory statements as 'without knowledge, action is useless and knowledge without action is futile’ (Abu Bakr). The land on which we gather each day holds the history of these people, and it is imperative that we appreciate this. 

Widjabul Country is steeped in the tradition of Ngathang Garr, ancestral beings whose movements, travels and events are etched in the landscape and rivers of this ancient land. The Wilsons River that runs through the heart of Lismore is the lifeblood of Widjabul Country, supporting ecosystems that have evolved over thousands of years. The river is sacred to the Widjabul, who view it as an old friend, always there in times of need with sources of nourishment to feed and look after the people. Through this relationship, the river is seen as an important gathering place where shared learning takes place. May we never forget the significance of this relationship.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the members of the Community Forum for their service to the College. On Monday evening, the leadership team changed hands. Thanks to Kara Parrish for chairing this new group over the past year. Her passion for the College, care of all members and encouragement of new members has been outstanding. We also appreciated her sense of humour. Thanks to Emma Cronin, Treasurer, whose organisational skills and dedication to ensuring all meetings function to a high level were valued. Grant Stewart has been a dedicated Secretary, and we thank him for assuming the position of Chair moving forward. Grant brings a wealth of experience to the role. A sincere thank you to our incoming team of Rebecca Blakeney, Secretary, and Megan Thorpe, Treasurer. We appreciate the time parents give to ensure that this partnership at the College is authentic and focused on the needs of our families. The gift of time is something that cannot be repaid. All parents are welcome to attend these meetings. 

Kind regards, 

Annette Reen 
Principal