Week 10 Term 2 2023

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff and Students,

On behalf of Fr Bing and all staff, can I thank you for your collective efforts over this past school term. To say that the College has been busy in recent weeks would be an understatement so I would encourage everyone, our HSC students included, to take some genuine ‘down time’ over the next fortnight in readiness for another big term ahead.

In staffing news, our Student Support Worker for the past two years, Mr John Hamilton, will be finishing at the end of Term. Mr Hamilton is known to many parents within our community for the 35+ years he spent between St Mary’s, Casino and Trinity. Mr Hamilton will continue to do some casual teaching at Woodlawn and we thank him for his great wisdom and experience which he has so willingly shared during his time with us. Additionally, Mr Michael Campbell’s secondment to St Mary’s, Casino will continue for Term 3, so Mr Chris Mason and Ms Stefanie Darke will remain in their respective acting roles at Woodlawn during this time. We are blessed to have such significant depth of talent in our Middle Leadership Team at Woodlawn and I thank both Mr Mason and Ms Darke for their ongoing  commitment to these additional responsibilities.

Term 3 commences for students on Tuesday, 18 July which will be Day 2 on the College Timetable. On Monday, 17 July, staff will be attending a professional development day here at the College.

With the traditional cold and flu season now upon us, we offer a gentle reminder to families to ensure that students who are displaying signs of illness remain at home until these symptoms have eased. The College still has a small supply of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) available to students (with Expiry Dates of July, 2023). If you require these, please collect via SSO.

It was fitting that our final Assembly for the term took place on the front drive on Monday as part of NAIDOC 2023, so as this fortnight’s reflection, I include the following thoughts with you on this year’s NAIDOC theme:

‘For Our Elders’

Across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. 

They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and our loved ones.

Our loved ones who pick us up in our low moments and celebrate us in our high ones. Who cook us a feed to comfort us and pull us into line, when we need them too.

They guide our generations and pave the way for us to take the paths we can take today. Guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.  

We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow.

The struggles of our Elders help to move us forward today. The equality we continue to fight for is found in their fight. Their tenacity and strength has carried the survival of our people. 

It is their influence and through their learnings that we must ensure that when it comes to future decision making for our people, there is nothing about us - without us. 

We pay our respects to the Elders we’ve lost and to those who continue fighting for us across all our Nations and we pay homage to them. 
(National NAIDOC Secretariat, 2023)

On behalf of all members of the Woodlawn family, we extend our condolences to Ms Stef Darke (Staff) whose Grandfather died recently. May he rest in peace.

Finally, thank you for working with us, at short notice, on Wednesday morning when we needed to close the College for the day due to a burst Rous Water main. These decisions are never taken lightly and while inconvenient, are certainly in the best interest of our students and staff. As with all critical incidents, we will review our procedures, especially around communications, with various new platforms now in use since the last time this occurred in late 2021. We certainly appreciate your support and feedback in such situations.

With best wishes for a relaxing holiday.

Sincerely

Aaron Beach
Principal

From the Assistant Principal - Mission

We are continually looking for hope and the promise of a brighter future. The foundation of this search is founded in unity and shared commitment. Over the past two weeks we have been blessed to come together and celebrate our Indigenous community and their elders, our students and their commitment to learning, community and sporting pursuits and simply 'youth' in a range of forums. 

Uncle Gilbert joined us as we came together to celebrate diversity and to recognise the unique landscape on which we meet daily at Woodlawn. 

Elijah Mercy-Wilson shared a Welcome to Country that his Grandfather had shared with him.  As a proud Bundjalung representative, Elijah also visited his Primary School to share his culture with the young students. Uncle Gilbert shared the story of his mob and the importance of language, elders and connections with this ancient land. He performed a smoking ceremony that represented the cleansing of the area to allow peace and recognise the importance of the occasion. Our staff and students were reverent and respectful and appreciated the opportunity to come together. 

Focusing on tradition and values were the themes for the Year 7 Reflection Day. Michael Fitzpatrick reminded our students of the importance of our College history, the importance of faith and the way we treat each other and the importance of connecting in our community. At the end of the day he commented that this was one of the best groups he had met over the past year. Our students' respectfulness, enthusiasm and willingness to share openly was evident throughout the day. 

Our Year 11 students: Emily Hosking, Billie White, Matilda Ryzak, Noah Tulk, Alexander Fletcher and Oliver Mason experienced life on the streets in Brisbane, first hand as part of the annual 'Street Retreat'. Thanks to Mrs Colman for being part of their experience.

Their outreach ministries included: Vinnies Warehouse, Street Level, Ignite Live, Soup Kitchens, Mass, cleaning-up rainforests and many more.  

Noah Tulk was moved by the intensity of life on the streets. He saw the experience as life changing and whilst challenging, very rewarding. He spoke to the SRC about the need for us all to recognise the dignity of all people, the imperative of supporting the poor through donations and deeds and ended by recognising the many blessings we have in our lives.

Travelling to Mullumbimby, five of our Year 9 Ministry class spent the day with the Years 3 and 4 students. The theme of friendship and caring for each other was the focus of their prayers and activities. I was very proud of Chloe Ryall, Harper Bailey, Ava Allen, Jack McLean and Corey Brombal who accepted the call and shared their gifts with these students. They also had the honour of meeting David Birmingham, the school Principal and former Woodlawn student. Thanks to Mrs Deegan for being there to support these young people in their peer-to-peer mentoring.

This week we recognise the achievement of a former student, Campbell Kenyon, who started at the College in 2014 and graduated in 2019. Campbell has recently been acknowledged for his outstanding commitment to the RFS, particularly during the 2022 floods. As a volunteer, he worked tirelessly to assist families and was recognised for saving a man’s life during a traumatic cardiac arrest. Campbell was awarded the St Florian Day’s Award for going above and beyond in times of crisis. Campbell works as an arborist from 9-5. At the College, he was noted for his musical talents, particularly drumming. He collects war memorabilia and loves to catch-up with friends and family. Campbell was known for his sense of humour and compassion for others. He was also an important member of the Cambodian Immersion team.

We held a very special Awards Ceremony this week to acknowledge the many gifts and talents of our students. We celebrated those whose assessments were of an exceptional standard. The Eagle Award is an intiaitve of the P&F to affirm academic excellence. Our Award winners Maya Sullivan, Emily Glendinning, Noah Gallagher-Summers and Darcey Allen recived a prize of $125 for their efforts. The Assembly also recognised those whose commit to our community through service, dedication and positive attiudes. Gold Badges were awarded to Lilly Munce and Olivia Taylor. Sports champions were also recognised for their athletic talents. Age Champions for Swimming were presented to U/13 Elijah Mercy-Wilson, Georgie White; U/14 William Bullpitt and Ivy Roberts; U/15 Kik Hussey and Isabella Rowe; U/16 years Michael Bullpit and Alanna Bromhead and Open Champions Oliver Mason and Niamh Thompson.

St John’s Day Celebrations were underway as this Newletter goes to print. We are grateful for our Year 12 Leaders who have made this possible with the help of staff and all students. St John's Day is an annual clebration of our College Patron who taught us to love education and to love one another. The smiles abounded as we came together as one. All funds raised will be divided between our local St Vincent de Paul Society, Marist Solidarity and to assist those suffering hardship in our College community. 

Annette Reen
Assistant Principal - Mission
annette.reen@lism.catholic.edu.au

From the Acting Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Going out with a bang, not a whimper...
One of my favourite books - and one that's always on my desk - is a collection of Athenian plays from the fifth century BC. One of those plays - ‘The Persians’, by Aeschylus - is the oldest surviving work of western drama. But more than that, it’s a reminder that we never know what’s around the corner in our lives, and that we should always strive to be our best so that whatever comes our way, we will see it through with a bang, not a whimper. You see, tradition has it that Aeschylus was sitting in a boulder-field outside Athens, working on his 78th play, when he was hit in the skull and killed by a tortoise that fell out of the sky. You just never know what’s around the corner, do you?

With the conclusion of our first academic semester, it is timely for our students and children to ask themselves ‘Did I give it my very best? If a tortoise fell out of the heavens and did me in today, would I be proud of the effort that I put into everything I did this semester?’ I know of so many students who could honestly answer ‘Yes!’ to those questions. And I am proud of every one of them. To those who know they played somewhere below their A-game this term, Semester 2 is a fresh start and an opportunity to make every minute count. 

We wish all our students a safe and happy holiday, and look forward to seeing them in Term 3.

Pupil Free Day, Monday, July 17  - no classes
A reminder that Day 1 of Term 3 is a Pupil Free Day. Classes will resume on Tuesday, July 18. 

Year 10 Subject Selection
The Year 10 subject selection process for 2024 begins in Term 3.

On Tuesday, 18 June - All Year 10 students will spend the day in the PAC with our Leaders of Learning hearing about the subjects on offer and the process for selecting their pattern of study for Years 11 and 12. Regular classes will not run on this day for Year 10.

On Wednesday, 19 June between 6pm and 7pm we welcome families to the College for an information session outlining the subject selection process and key elements of education for students entering Year 11.
The subject selection libguide is now available for families. This is a fantastic resource which outlines subjects available for selection. 

Trial HSC, Week 3
The Trial HSC begins for our Year 12 students on Monday, July 31 (Week 3). This is the final assessment for most students and can have a significant impact on students’ final ranks. It is also their last chance to practise fine-tuning their examination technique before the HSC itself. Please see the ‘important information’ page in the examination timetable. Mr Bailey emailed this document to all students on June 5.

Year 11 Study Skills Seminar, Week 2
On Wednesday, July 26, all Year 11 students will attend a Study Skills Incursion at the College. The Seminar is run by Elevate Education, who have over twenty years of experience in this field. Their seminar also includes parent access to regular online seminars and study skills materials.

Christopher Mason
A/Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
christopher.mason@lism.catholic.edu.au

Student Wellbeing

Push-Up Challenge
Well - we successfully completed the Push-Up Challenge: 23 days of push-ups completing a community total of 88, 370 pushups:  26 out of 40 Home Groups participated -  the winning Home Group completed 15, 127 push-ups - Congratulations Bell 6!

A special thank you to all those who donated to the Challenge - we raised just over $1000. Whilst this was not the aim of our participation - it was an unintended bonus. By participating we wanted to build a sense of community (through some healthy competition), encourage regular physical activity and raise awareness of mental health, as feedback reflected that 97% of participants in 2022 said they had learnt something about mental health. I think we can consider our inaugural participation a success and we look forward to 2024.

College Uniform and Presentation Expectations
As we head into the holidays, I would like to remind you of our uniform and presentation expectations. Part of belonging to a community is following the established guidelines in all areas, including uniform. Our winter uniform is as follows:

College Blazers are to be worn to and from the College until further notice.

Please note that long sleeve t-shirts, white or black, are not permitted under sports shirts on Wednesdays.

Your support in helping us to maintain these standards and expectations is appreciated.

If you have any concerns or would like clarification about any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact me on 6626 2627 or fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au.

I would like to wish you all the best for the two weeks of holidays and I look forward to being in touch next term.

Regards,

Fiona Fennamore
Leader of Student Welfare
fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au

Literacy News

Spelling Bees
Spelling Bees have been held this semester for Years 7 and 9, and the Year 8 Spelling Bee has been rescheduled to Week 1 of next term. These have been held amid great enthusiasm, with team games on the day, and keen competition beforehand in English classes to compete in the individual best speller category. The winning base classes for Years 7 and 9 respectively were 7.05 and 9.05. 
The individual best spellers for the two year levels were as follows:
 Yr 7: 1st - Nishtha Baweja; 2nd - Bill Corrigan; and 3rd - Ciara McNall.  
Yr 9: 1st - Ziggy Lake; 2nd - Benjamin Deacon; and 3rd - Jasmine Boyd. 

Next term, Years 7 and 8 will also participate in the first round of the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, an online national competition. Consent forms are required for students to participate, and will be emailed to all parents. We’ll look forward to some of our classes progressing to the second round later in the year!

Writing Masterclasses
Goonellabah Library has been conducting a series of Youth Writers Masterclasses with author Sarah Armstrong, suitable for 13-17 year olds. These continue until September. At the time of writing, twelve spots were still available in the classes. This is the link to information on the program and the booking site. 

Suzanne Arnold
Leader of Literacy
suzanne.arnold@lism.catholic.edu.au

Sports News

College Athletics Carnival
Our College Athletics Carnival was a fantastic day filled with athleticism, House spirit, and many memorable moments. Students embraced the opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities and represent their respective Houses. The day witnessed outstanding performances, and the competition was intense.

We extend our congratulations to Kennedy House for their dominant performance, followed closely by Segrief House, then Carroll and Bell. It was a truly impressive display of talent and teamwork from all Houses. Well done to everyone who participated. Congratulations to the age champions and runners-up on their outstanding performances. 

We would also like to give special recognition to some exceptional athletes who achieved College records during the Athletics Carnival. Erika Wisemantel set a new College record in the U/13 Girls 100m sprint, displaying remarkable speed and determination. Amirah Shah ran a new U/13 Girls 800m College record, showcasing endurance and skill. Finally, Nikki Andonov set a new U/16 Javelin College record with her exceptional throwing ability. Congratulations to these outstanding athletes on their remarkable accomplishments!

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the staff members who contributed to the success of the Athletics Carnival. Your dedication and hard work made the day exciting and memorable for all participants. Thank you for your unwavering support.

Bill Turner Cup
We are thrilled to announce that our Bill Turner Boys Soccer team has progressed to the fourth round! They displayed exceptional talent and determination in their recent match against Xavier Catholic College, securing an impressive 3-1 victory. Congratulations to the team on their well-deserved success. We wish them continued triumph in the upcoming rounds.

Len Diett Rugby Union
Our U/15s Len Diett Rugby Union team recently exhibited a dominant performance against Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School. The team participated in competitive matches in both the U/13s and Opens categories, showcasing their skills and dedication. We commend the players for their outstanding performance and sportsmanship. Well done to all the team members!

Marist Netball
Our Marist Netball girls concluded the Marist Netball Carnival on a competitive note. They finished fifth overall, winning an impressive ten out of seventeen games. Their commitment, teamwork, and perseverance were evident throughout the tournament. We applaud each and every member of the team for their hard work and determination. Congratulations on your remarkable achievement! Further results from the Carnival are detailed below.

North Diocesan Netball
The North Diocesan Netball tournament was an amazing outing for our school. We commend all the students who participated in the event, as well as the referees who ensured fair play and sportsmanship. The senior girls were particularly exceptional, securing the Diocesan trophy. In addition, the senior boys drew in the final match and the U16 girls also performed admirably, making it to the finals. Congratulations to all the players for their outstanding efforts!

Simon Andrews
Sports Coordinator
simon.andrews@lism.catholic.edu.au

Australian Marist Netball Carnival

The Marist team and their teachers began their Netball campaign with an early morning flight out of Brisbane, bound for the West Coast. After soaking up the sites of Fremantle on the Saturday afternoon, it was back to the hotel and an early night in preparation for a trip to Rottnest Island the following morning. It was a clear, beautiful day on the Island, with many quokkas in residence (which our girls found equally cute and repulsive). Many kilometres were covered on bikes as stunning bays, beaches and lookouts were explored. With a flat ferry ride and quick change at the hotel, it was off to Newman College for the Opening Mass. Seeing all the Marist teams together was a welcome sight after a three year hiatus due to COVID. One thing was clear though - the competition was going to be tough. 

Monday was a gruelling day of Netball, with the girls playing seven games. They posted four excellent wins and were unlucky to go down in the other games. Despite the incredibly hard work on the court, energy was found to prepare a Mexican feast that night. Needless to say everybody was looking forward to an early night and a chance to recuperate before Tuesday's competition. 
Day 1 results:
V Catholic College, Sale: 11- 28
V Red Bend College, Forbes: 19 - 11
V Newman College, Perth: 19 - 9
V Sacred Heart College, Adelaide: 16 - 31
V Trinity Catholic College, Lismore: 17 - 14
V OLSH, Alice Springs: 31 - 8
V Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon: 13 - 29
Player of the Day: Sophie Alcorn

Tuesday saw Netball from the Woodlawn team that was some of their best. The standout game was against our across-the-border rivals Trinity College, Beenleigh. The girls kept their cool, stayed composed and played with a huge amount of heart to win. It was a fitting finish to a day of tough competition. On Tuesday night, Newman College hosted all the teams and their staff for a celebration dinner, where we were lucky enough to hear from Australian Diamonds and West Coast Fever superstar, Courtney Bruce. It was humbling for our Marist team to hear that Courtney had spent four years on the bench prior to being named in the regular game squad. 
Day 2 results:
V Cardijn College, Noaralunga Downs: 15 - 18
V Marist College, Bendigo: 17 - 12
V Assumption College, Kilmore: 14 - 21
V St Patrick’s College, Dundas: 21 - 13
V Trinity College, Beenleigh: 20 - 16
Player of the Day: Riley Alvos

Play-off day was cold and sunny. With ankles strapped and blisters padded, we took the court against Assumption College. We knew we could win this game as the girls were playing well and had improved as the day went on yesterday. After going down to Assumption by seven goals on Monday, it was a sweet victory and had us feeling positive going into the 5th/6th play-off match. This game was against Marist College, Bendigo. The team was getting stronger with each game they played and were feeling confident of a win. This game demonstrated a high level of skill and sportsmanship. A win was the perfect way to finish the competition. The girls were worthy of their final placing of fifth.
Day 3 results;
Semi-final V Assumption College, Kilmore: 21- 18
Play-off game V Marist College, Bendigo: 22- 14

At the conclusion of the Carnival two teams were selected: a Highly Recommended Team and All Australian Team. Congratulations to Tahlia Kent who was named in the All Australian Team.

Team Members:
Riley Alvos
Sophie Alcorn
Luka Butler
Eloise Davis
Charlotte Gilliland
Bella Griffiths
Tahlia Kent
Quinn McInnes
Nikki McKinlay
Eva McRae

Thank you to the families who were there to support our girls. It was great to have a cheer squad and also volunteers to help with the scoring.

We don’t know where the Carnival is to be held in 2024 - this will be decided early in Term 3. Once that is determined we will begin the process again to prepare our next team to participate in this prestigous Carnival. The number of teams participating in the 2023 Carnival was significantly down on previous years, so we are hoping a move to the East Coast in 2024 will see numbers return to pre-COVID levels.

Jane Farrugia & Fiona Fennamore
Marist Netball Coaches

Canteen News

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

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

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

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

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

Please follow the link below to register now:

Uniform Shop

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

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

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

Leanne Copeland
Uniform Shop Convenor
0407 739 237