Week 8 Term 3 2023
From the Acting Principal
Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
On Thursday we celebrated the Transfer of Leadership Ceremony at the College. We are blessed to have so many students accepting positions of formal responsibility. These young people engender hope. They are authentic, committed, and enthusiastic about possibilities. The Transfer of Leadership Ceremony is a tradition that the College has embraced since its inception. As the Year 12 students passed the Symbols of Office to the incoming leaders, it was heartening to see the reverence and authenticity they displayed. The smiles were indicative of the hope we have for the future and the gratitude we share for those who have carried the leadership mantle for the past year. I have worked closely with the SRC who have collectively driven their agenda to bring back the traditions with energy and action.
The challenge was issued to all students in the College during my address; that everyone has the capacity to lead their own lives with courage and integrity. I shared the words of Pope Francis: students are reminded to not spend their lives sitting on the couch. He reminds everyone ‘that we didn’t come into the world to vegetate- we have been given a life to live’ and that we should all endeavour to grow and thrive.
Thank you to Ms Karen Davies, the Mission Team, our Technician Team, Musicians, Maintenance, and catering Staff for their effort for the event.
To each and every one of the 2023 Student Leaders, we give thanks and acknowledge their dedication and enthusiasm to reinvigorate many aspects of College life. They have been proponents of the servant leadership way, which we value at the College: empathetic, service-oriented, and relational. We will miss each and every one of them.
Departing 2023 Student Leadership Team
College Captains: Lilly Munce and Cory McInnes
College Vice Captains: Lucinda Bell and Connor Kempshall
Ministry Captain: Nikki McKinlay
Student Representative Council President: Thomas Rowling
Student Representative Council: Olivia Taylor, Bella Griffiths, Chelsea Copeland, Hannah Leadbeatter-O'Reilly, Mark Wright, Daniel Butler, Darryl Studders, Lawson Ward in addition to the above students.
Bell House Captains: Amy Martin and Noah Hague
Bell House Vice Captains: Eloise Davis and Mark Wright
Carroll House Captains: Lucy Mosse and Lawson Ward
Carroll Vice Captains: Darcey Allen and Jay Mason
Kennedy House Captains: Bronte Gammon and William Bates
Kennedy Vice Captains: Elizabeth Clark and Yuvraj Johal
Segrief House Captain: Rose Parrish and Declan Wilde
Segrief Vice Captains: Hannah Leadbeatter-O’Reilly and Luca Beasley-Kenk
St Vincent De Paul President: Lily Lindsay
St Vincent De Paul Vice-President: Noah Hague
St Vincent De Paul Secretary: Sarah Martin
St Vincent De Paul Treasurer: Chloe Packer
We look forward to the promise of continued commitment by everyone in the College to heed the words of St Paul to the Colossians: "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." A Leadership group who follows these words will have a strong foundation from which to grow.
Thanks to our Year 9s for the enthusiastic way they have embraced their camp. We should always take the time to be grateful for our staff who extend their vocation to include all types of offerings beyond the classroom. Thanks to Ms Green, Mrs Fennamore, Mrs Fraser, Mr O’Toole, Mr Kennedy, Mr Campbell, Mr Reen, Mr Hayden and Mr Flynn for taking the time from their families to give our students the best opportunities to build connections. Our many sporting teams, extension opportunities and Tournament Teams flourish because of the dedication of our staff. I would encourage you to take five minutes in the next week to drop one of our teachers a quick email to show your appreciation for their dedication to our College offerings.
Given the demand for places at Woodlawn, if there are any current students who will not be returning to the College for Term 4, please notify Mrs Debbie Melino, our College Registrar, ASAP so that we can contact families on our waiting list.
This week we hosted the Casino Rotarians. We thank Wendy Lane, John Lane and John Reynolds for sharing lunch with our Vinnies Service Team. Our students were great ambassadors for the College working alongside Mr Beach and the Rotarans in Casino.
We are looking forward to the celebration of the years that were with our Year 12 students and families over the coming weeks.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is any way I can help you or your family.
Annette Reen
Acting Principal
From the Acting Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
The Changing of the Guard
The end of Term 3 always heralds the changing of the guard in senior high school: As Winter turns to Spring, our Year 12 students graduate and move towards their HSC Examinations; Year 11 finish their penultimate academic year; leadership roles are passed on and the College moves towards a new senior academic year. It is a time of tradition and ceremony, joy and trepidation. All the while, the junior school thrums with the activity of assessment, camps, extra-curricular activities, sports, and subject choices. It’s an exciting time. Below are some of the key events to be aware of in the coming weeks.
Year 12 Graduation and HSC
Our Year 12 students are fast approaching the bittersweet moment of their last day at the College. On Wednesday, September 20, we will celebrate their Graduation Mass at 6:00 pm in our College Chapel. It is a celebration we look forward to each year, but also one that carries a touch of sadness as we say farewell to the fine young adults we have had the privilege to know over the last six years. Families of Year 12 students received a letter from Mr Aaron Beach late last month outlining the many details and obligations associated with Graduation. Please be sure to read it well, as there is a lot to know. We do wish our Year 12 students and families every joy and success in these final few weeks. They have been a wonderful year group to work with and are thoroughly deserving of a strong finish.
HSC Holiday Study Days
Whilst there is no obligation for teachers to run study sessions during the holidays, many do so. It is yet another example of the dedication and commitment of our fine staff here at Woodlawn. Teachers of Year 12 classes have been consulting with their students and we have created a Study Seminar Timetable to reduce clashes between subjects. The sessions are aimed at fine-tuning and revising content before the HSC Examinations begin on October 11. All Year 12 students are welcome and encouraged to attend the sessions relevant to them. Here is the timetable: Holiday HSC study seminars
Year 11 Examinations
All Year 11 students began their end-of-course examinations this week, with a condensed examination block that is designed to minimise disruption to the College. Students may sign out and leave the College after an examination only if they are being picked up by a parent or guardian. Given our limited parking space, they are not permitted to drive themselves; that has always been a privilege reserved for our Year 12 students.
Stage 5 Subject Selection
Our Years 8 and 9 students finalised their elective subject choices this week. It is an exciting time for students as they begin to take some control over the direction of their education and move into fields that appeal to their interests, skills and future goals. The confirmed choices are used to timetable and staff our Stage 5 Courses for 2024. Whilst the vast majority of students were able to be placed in their first-preference electives, class sizes dictate that it is not possible to give every student both of their first preferences. Students who are being placed in second-preference classes will be contacted by Mr Matthew Bailey over the coming weeks to discuss and confirm their second preference.
Pupil-free days: Friday, September 22 and Monday, October 9.
The final day of this term and the first day of Term 4 are both pupil-free days. These are important for staff development and professional learning. Our upcoming Staff Development Days focus on Curriculum Reform and Indigenous Education. You are probably aware that NESA has initiated the most significant Curriculum Reform in over thirty years. This involves re-writing teaching and learning programs in all subjects over the coming years. It is important work that is intended to refine our programs to the essential skills and knowledge that our young people need in the 21st Century. You can read more about it here.
Parent Seminar - How to support your child during exams, September 13, 6.30 pm
Earlier this term, Elevate Education ran a study workshop for our Year 11 students. They also offer parent seminars. The next seminar may be helpful to parents of Senior students. You can register for their parent seminars using this link. - Elevate education study seminars
Christopher Mason
Acting Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
christopher.mason@lism.catholic.edu.au
Student Wellbeing
Youth Mental Health First Aid course
In partnership with the Parent Assembly, we are pleased to offer our parent community the opportunity to participate in a free mental health course that will enable families to support the mental health of their children. Adolescence is a time of important change and development. It is also the time when mental health problems can first emerge. During high school years, mental health problems are among the leading causes of falling grades, problems with friends and relationships, substance use or abuse, and they can have lifelong impacts.
That is where Mental Health First Aid training can help. With a focus on improved mental health literacy and early intervention, Youth MHFA is perfect for parents and caregivers.
Coping with Emotional Challenges in Career Development
R U OK? Day 2023
Webinar: Thursday, September 14, 2023, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM AEST
Young people face uncertain employment pathways in their futures and often feel enormous pressure to make the “right” career decisions to ensure success. Many typical career development tasks and situations can trigger or worsen stress and mental ill-health.
In this webinar, the teams from the Student Wellbeing Hub and the myfuture career information service will join in a discussion about how career development influences, and is influenced by, wellbeing and emotional resilience.
Coinciding with R U OK? Day 2023, they will share practical tips and resources for parents to help young people cope with the emotional challenges that are so central to career development learning.
If you are interested you can register here.
Attendance Matters
If you have any questions or concerns I can be contacted at fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au or 6626 2627.
Fiona Fennamore
Leader of Student Welfare
fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au
Ministry Matters
Accendere - St Carthage's Primary School
On Friday, September 1, sixteen students from the Year 10 CSYMA class visited St Carthage's Primary School to help lead the Year 4 Accendere Retreat. Accendere means to 'switch on', kindle to catch fire, and light to strike. The students broke into four groups and moved to different rotations for each session. The theme of the day was "Friendship - What makes a good friend? How did Jesus treat his friends? Who is my neighbour and How do I be a good friend?" The day was reinforced with prayer, games, music, dance, craft, reading, and online activities. It was a pleasure to work with our Mission Assistant, Megan Elliott during this day.
SHINE Conference
On August 24 and 25, seventy students from Years 9-12 were given the opportunity to travel to St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour for this year's SHINE Conference. SHINE is an eye-opening experience for those fortunate enough to attend, with many different faith opportunities, such as Adoration and Mass, night and morning rallies, breakout sessions, games, and more. Our two Mission Assistants, Megan and Sophie, were crucial to the running of this conference. Sophie led two breakout sessions and sang for the Mass as part of Proclaim Lismore Wildfire and Megan led a breakout session and was one of the two MC’s over the two-day event. We would like to thank everyone who made this conference possible, particularly the teachers who took the time to travel with the students for the duration of the conference.
Kallie Deegan
Acting Leader of Evangelisation
kallie.deegan@lism.catholic.edu.au
Momentum Dance Showcase
Please join us for the College's 14th Annual Momentum Dance Showcase performance.
Momentum is a great opportunity to proudly showcase our student's Dance works to family, friends and the wider College community. Students from Years 7 to 12 will be represented. The details for the upcoming event are below:
When: Thursday, 14 September at 6:00 pm
Where: Pidcock Centre for Performing Arts (PAC)
Entry: Gold coin donation at the door
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sports News
Eagles Cricket Program
Term 3 2023 has seen the introduction of a new concept at Woodlawn when it comes to the learning of the game of Cricket.
We take great pride in welcoming students to the Eagles Cricket Program.
Playing Cricket is the perfect way to make friends and learn new skills. The Eagles Cricket Program is open to all students of any age to participate in a program to learn and develop the skills of Cricket in a fun and energetic atmosphere. We aim to provide a friendly environment to allow everyone to develop to the best of their abilities. We hope to expose participants to a structured coaching regime across all facets of the game. The program consists of the full range of Cricketing skills, including batting, throwing, bowling, wicketkeeping, fielding, fitness, along with game sense, match awareness, and strategy.
A variety of opportunities for selection will become available to those involved in the program including: Downie Trophy, Berg Shield, Adam Gilchrist Shield, Matthew Phelps Shield, Lyn Larson Trophy.
Obviously, we want our participants to strive for these opportunities but most of all the aim is to have fun, be active, and develop skills. Come along and make new friends, work as a team, and be part of our Woodlawn Eagles community.
We currently meet during lunchtime on Wednesdays as well as Wednesday afternoons from 3.30 - 5.30pm. The aim of our program is to stimulate a new and exciting interest in Cricket on the back of our 2022/23 season success of winning the Berg Shield and coming 4th in the Downie Trophy.
To kickstart our program we have been fortunate enough to gain some funding to purchase some quality equipment.
On Wednesday August 23 we received two new bowling machines donated by Bazooka Sports. These machines are of international quality and are capable of bowling up to 160 KPH.
Brett Pickett from Bazooka Sports personally delivered the machines to save us freight costs as well as donating funds towards our Marist Cricket Carnival trip to Bunbury, Western Australia, at the end of the year. We cannot thank Brett and Bazooka Sports enough for their quality machinery, compassion, and kind donation. These machines will be highly effective additions to our training program.
David Maslen
College Cricket Coach
david.maslen@lism.catholic.edu.au
NRCC Junior AFL Gala Day
On Tuesday September 5, our Under 14's AFL Teams travelled to Byron Bay to compete in the NRCC Junior AFL Gala Day. The day was a great learning experience with most of the students, promoting teamwork and sportsmanship. We look forward to their continued success on the field.
The Girl's team was full of nerves and excitement even without goals. Managing to score 'a behind' thrilled the players and the coach alike, making a tackle was a proud achievement, and in the third game, we finally saw a mark taken!
But it wasn't just about the score across the Carnival. The day was a showcase of skills, with players learning about shepherding, kicking, handballing and tackling, emphasising the fundamentals of the game. These young athletes displayed incredible determination and passion. They enjoyed themselves throughout the day, supporting each other and learning a lot about the game from those who were more experienced and simply by getting in and having a go.
We are looking forward to seeing them all take part again next year.
Matthew Bailey and Sally Ryall
U14's College AFL Coaches
Canteen News
Flexischools orders has a cut-off time of 9.00am.
The cash free way to pay! - REGISTER NOW
Paying for lunches is now safer and hassle free. With cashless cards there's no need for students to bring cash to school.
The College has Flexischools to allow students to pay at the Canteen using their existing student ID card. Paying for lunches and items at recess or lunch is now safer and hassle free. With cashless cards there's no need for students to bring cash to school. Parents can set daily spending limits and view transactions online. Parents can also top-up funds at any time.
The Canteen has introduced a Fast-Track line for students who have pre-ordered to collect their lunches, making it much easier and quicker for students.
We encourage all students to register. This will allow for those days when your student may have forgotten their homemade lunches.
Please follow the link below to register now:
Uniform Shop
The Woodlawn Uniform Shop is proudly managed by P&C Uniforms.
To ensure you have an easy and pleasant experience 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