Week 10 Term 3 2023

From the Acting Principal

We have much to be grateful for in our College community. Weeks 9 and 10 have been indicative of our staff's commitment to ensure that all students are given opportunities to shine in a number of arenas. Excelling on the sporting field, completing Preliminary Course Examinations and representing the College in a number of forums has been testament to this.

Celebrations of leadership, and the achievements of the Graduating Class of 2023 have showcased our community values, standards and connectivity. Our Year 12s shone with pride in the celebration of the Year 12 Mass and Prize Giving Ceremony with Fr Bing, our College Chaplain and Parish Administrator. Fr Bing reminded those gathered of the importance of living the words of Micah and in all things ‘to act justly, to love tenderly and walk humbly with our God.’ The celebration of individual success and commitment highlighted the breadth of talent in this cohort. As well as commending the students who have excelled in various subjects, we celebrated those who have displayed positive leadership, outstanding participation, and whose search for justice and contributions to the College make it a place filled with Spirit and hope for the future.

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Our College has a long tradition of fostering a sense of social justice in our students. This week we marched together for justice at the conclusion of the ‘Walk a Mile in My Shoes’ campaign dedicated to raising funds for our Cambodian connections; LaValla School for students with disabilities. Over 100 students collected sponsorship funds for this campaign and collectively raised over $5,000. This is indicative of the generosity of families and our students actively living out the Catholic social teachings of solidarity, ensuring dignity for all, and care for the poor. We are grateful for families who also support these values through action and deed.

Authentic relationships are at the heart of all we do here at Woodlawn. The photos also show that we are always happy to support each other whilst maintaining a sense of humour.

Monday, 9 October is a Staff Development Day that is dedicated to training all staff in supporting the wellbeing of our students. Throughout the afternoon session, we will celebrate the partnership of the College with our local Bundjalung community. 

We pray for the families in our community who have suffered loss in recent weeks. Please know that we are here to support our students and family members at all times.  

May our lives echo the words of Hebrews 13:18  ‘ACT HONORABLY IN ALL THINGS.’

Annette Reen
Acting Principal

From the Acting Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Year 12 Graduation and Academic Award recipients
They’re off!
This week we said farewell to our Year 12 graduating class. It was a wonderful week of celebration, culminating in the Graduation Mass and Prize Giving. Academic Awards for the most outstanding students were presented to those who achieved the highest result in their courses. The number of students who received an award was a testament to the huge variety of talent we have in the Year Group. We congratulate and applaud all the winners of the 2023 Academic Awards for outstanding achievement. We also congratulate the recipients of the 2023 Meritorious Achievement Awards, presented earlier in the week. These students, whilst not topping their courses, were in the top few places and have been commended for their ongoing dedication and application to their courses. We applaud their efforts and congratulate the entire year group for their achievements.

College Dux, as always, will be awarded after the HSC Examinations are completed and ATAR scores have been calculated.

Year 12 Reports and HSC Preparation
The HSC Examinations begin on October 11, 2023.

Year 12 Reports are now accessible for viewing under the student profile in Compass. We strongly encourage students to utilise this valuable information, in conjunction with the feedback provided by teachers on the Trial Examinations, to formulate a well-structured revision plan in preparation for the upcoming final HSC Examinations. 

As they enter their ‘stu-vac’ period, we encourage all Year 12 students to balance their academic and personal commitments, maintaining connections with friends and family. Equally important is sleep, as a well-rested mind is more conducive to effective learning. Included here, is a link to an article in the SMH outlining some practical tips to help students prepare for the HSC.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all Year 12 students for reaching this culminating stage of their educational journey. Their dedication and hard work have brought them to the brink of success, and the finish line is within sight.

Year 11  - The HSC Year Begins
For our Year 11 students, the HSC will begin on the first day of Term 4. This is a time when many students streamline their patterns of study by dropping a course. In many cases, this is a wise move, as it allows students to focus all their energies on the courses that they have enjoyed and excelled in, whilst removing the distraction of other courses that haven’t been so appealing to their interests and skills. When dropping courses, students should remember that they MUST maintain at least 10 units to be eligible for the HSC.

Beginning the HSC course often takes Year 11 students off-guard; after all, it’s still the same calendar year, and they still feel like they’re in Year 11. It is, however, critically important that they approach their classes with renewed focus and vigour. Every mark counts; every dot-point can be examined in October 2024. The HSC courses are brimming with content, and, once covered, it won’t be taught again, so it is essential that students apply themselves with focus and diligence because every assessment they do next Term will contribute towards their HSC assessment grade.

Stages 4 and 5
Students in Years 7-10 have been busily applying themselves to learning activities and completing assessments this term. The end of the Term marks the mid-point of the Academic Semester. Next term, all students in Years 7-10 will sit formal Examinations in Week 4 (Year 10) and Week 6 (Years 7-9). We encourage all students in the Junior school to enjoy a restful holiday and come back ready to knuckle down to study and revise in preparation for these Examinations.

Happy Holidays - Return to School is Tuesday, October 10. 
We wish all our students a safe and restful break. Term 4 will commence for students on Tuesday, October 10.

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

Ministry Matters

Sacramental Program 2023
We are pleased to offer students the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Baptism. Baptism is the first Sacrament in the Catholic Church and welcomes individuals into the body of the Church.

Please complete this Google Form  if you would like your student to be involved or you would like to receive more information about the Sacraments. Students will also be given an opportunity to register their interest.

Sharni-Lee Garrington
Leader of Catechesis
sharnilee.garrington@lism.catholic.edu.au 

From the Humanities Department

Term 3 has been a busy term for the Humanities subjects across all year levels with a number of opportunities for students to see how the content they are learning translates to the real world.

Seniors

Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations
The HSC Trial Examinations took place in Weeks 3 and 4 of this Term, and for our Year 12 Humanities students, it was the culmination of two years of learning. 

Our Humanities faculty implements the most Stage 6 courses within the College, including Geography, Ancient History, Modern History, Legal Studies, Business Studies, Italian and Society and Culture. Most of these subjects culminate in a three hour examination, and our Trial HSC Examinations offer our Year 12 students the opportunity to practise their skills, handwriting stamina, and memory of content. For our Senior teachers, the Examinations offer an opportunity to provide feedback to students on areas they can continue to refine and improve leading into the final HSC Examinations in October.

We would like to congratulate our Year 12 students for their efforts this term, in the important final stretch of their Secondary education, and wish them every success over the next few weeks.

A reminder, that most Senior HSIE teachers are hosting a study session during the September/October holidays- a valuable opportunity in your final HSC preparations!

History and Geography Competition Results
Last term all History and Geography students completed the Australian History and Geography Competitions.

The following Year 7 students received a Distinction in the Geography Competition: Isaac Grace, John Jacobs, Oscar Longmire, Miles Parkinson, and Damien Simpkin. A number of students are also to be congratulated for receiving High Distinctions: Sonny Butler, Archie Da Fre, Memphis Grossman and Amelie McPhee.

The following Year 8 students received a Distinction in the History Competition with scores of over 80%: Osian Ayling, Ethan Bromhead, Lara Carvalho, Carmen Garcia and Kiara O’Brien.

The following Year 9 Students received a Distinction in the Geography Competition: Jasmine Boyd, Benjamin Deacon, Tom McPhee, Jonah Pilbeam and Ellie Sharpley, with Jemima Southwood and Boyd Wilson receiving High Distinctions: 

The following Year 10 students received a Distinction in the History Competition with scores of over 80%: Maddy Butler, Indira Coble, Eric Graydon, Lachlan O’Sullivan, Matilda Price and Quinn Van Kleef with  Benjamin Newton receiving a High Distinction.

In Year 11 Jed Dougherty is to be congratulated for receiving a Distinction in the Australian Geography Competition along with Eliza Lamas who received a High Distinction. 

Year 7 Geography Incursion
On Wednesday, 23rd August Year 7 Geography students enjoyed a school incursion to explore the College grounds and make observations about the environment that surrounds them daily. This incursion is part of the “Water in the World” unit that is studied in Term 3 and students had the opportunity to see their theoretical knowledge applied before them.

The afternoon consisted of three separate locations where students and teachers navigated between and engaged in discussions about their observations of the Wilsons River surrounding the College. The locations consisted of our rainforest, the river by the Colin Centre, and the far side of the Oval. Students had to consider how the environment has changed since the College was founded and how we interact with the waterways that surround us. They were also able to build on their geographical skills, including the creation of field sketches.

This was a great opportunity for students to experience an immersive approach to their learning and interact with areas of the College they don’t normally see every day. 

Year 9 Geography Excursion
On Monday, 28th August Year 9 Geography students completed mandatory field work at Shaws Bay in Ballina. Whilst it was a fun day out in the sun, this trip was an integral part of Stage 5 Geography which allows students to make observations on coastal landforms and their management, a key focus for the Term 3 unit of study ‘Environmental Change and Management’. 

The day consisted of three ‘stations’, which saw students and their teachers rotate around Shaws Bay, observing the coastal landforms at the site, including the headland at Ballina Head Lookout, sand dunes, Lighthouse Beach, spits, and sandbars. Students were asked to consider the stakeholders of these landforms and how they are impacted by ongoing natural processes such as erosion and deposition. 

The day was enjoyed by all and proved to be a valuable learning experience enabling our students to apply their knowledge of coastal landforms and management to the real world. We hope to continue this experience for all future students at the College. 

Year 10 History Incursion
As an introduction to a core Stage 5 History unit: Changing Rights and Freedoms, Year 10 students viewed a performance about the civil rights movement in Australia including the Freedom Ride led by Charles Perkins and Paul Keating’s ‘Redfern Speech’. The students were also given the opportunity to ask questions at the end, to clarify their understanding.

Stefanie Darke
Acting Leader of Humanities
stefanie.darke@lism.catholic.edu.au

Mathematics News

Students at Woodlawn have opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities, such as the Maths Challenge and the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition run by the Australian Maths Trust. 

The Maths Challenge is a four week problem-solving challenge that requires students to work on six problems in their own time, whereas the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking Competition is an opportunity for students to develop their problem-solving skills through algorithmic thinking, tested in a sixty minute online test.

The results are in and congratulations to Noah Gallagher-Summers (Year 8) who received a High Distinction; and Alannah Davis (Year 8), and Amelie McPhee (Year 7) who both received Distinctions. Congratulations also to Aidan Tandetzke-Moran (Year 9) whose result in the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking (CAT) Competition placed him in the top 2% of his year level across Australia, resulting in him being awarded a High Distinction.

Well done to everyone who took part in these competitions. 

Sally Ryall
Leader of Mathematics
sally.ryall@lism.catholic.edu.au

Tournment of Minds State Finals

Our Year 8 Woodlawn Tournament of Minds team represented the College in the NSW Finals of the Tournament of Minds STEM competition at the University of NSW, Sydney, on September 10.

Carmen Garcia, Ellie McKay, Lila Pedley, Noah Gallagher-Summers, Oliver Pennisi, and Oxford Childs were the NSW North Coast Finalists, and competed against ten teams from Sydney and other NSW Regions on the day. 

The team undertook a Spontaneous Problem Solving Challenge and a three-hour Team Challenge, the latter a response to the hypothetical discovery of an Amazonian plant. 

While not chosen as the team to continue to the International Final, the students’ great camaraderie, creativity, and critical thinking were evident in their engaging final presentation to a public audience. 

Along with the excitement of the competition and the visit to the UNSW Campus, students also spent time in Sydney, visiting Darling Harbour and the Powerhouse Museum where all enjoyed the immersive 'Atmospheric Memory' exhibition.  

The team was accompanied for the weekend by myself and Year 8 Coordinator, Mr Luke Flynn. Mr Flynn set a cracking pace on walks through the city; listened patiently to countless stories, and mentored the students calmly throughout.  

Recognition and thanks to Acting Leader of Learning HSIE, Ms Stef Darke; Head Teacher Librarian, Mrs Catherine Graham-Smith; and Mr Flynn who organised the Sydney trip, and worked with all the Tournament of Minds participants over Terms 2 and 3 this year to achieve this outstanding result.

Some thoughts from the weekend: 
“The experience was great and we had an amazing time. I would highly recommend doing it.”   Tess
“Even if we didn’t win, we all still had a good time.” Oxford
"It was utter chaos, but the chaos was somewhat organised." Ellie
“We all had a great time and bonded as a team.”  Oliver
“The experience was great fun, and a lesson for all of us.” Noah
“The team was really productive, and it was great to spend time with people who we don’t usually hang out with.” Carmen 

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

Sports News

NSW North Coast Rugby Sevens 
After successfully winning their way through the NSW North Coast Rugby Sevens Tournament, the Under 16 Boys Team earned a spot in the NSW State Rugby Sevens Finals competition in Sydney.

An early morning flight was followed by a day of discovery in North Sydney. A good sleep and a hearty breakfast had the boys prepared for the day ahead. Despite having no change rooms or access to a working tap, the team were well prepared for their first game against John Paul College, Coffs Harbour. A slow start saw them down 20-0 at half time, but an inspired defensive minded speech from Mr Hayden saw them finish the match 25-14. The second game against Hunter Sports High saw a much better team effort, led by Captain, Jimmy McCombie and a Woodlawn victory 30-19. Davidson High were no match for the Woodlawn attack with some great play from Elliott Farrell and Thomas Welman, winning 30-0. This set up a must win match against Edmund Rice College. It was a close encounter with Noah Vakararawa stepping up and leading from the front. Unfortunately our tour ‘MVP’ Oliver Walker suffered a bad ankle injury and we were unable to recover from that point, going down 12-7 in a determined performance. A big congratulations to the team for their effort throughout the year and thank you to the staff and parents involved.

Netball NSW Schools Cup Regional Finals
On Thursday 14 September, Woodlawn took four teams to Ballina to compete in the Regional Finals of the Netball NSW Schools Cup. This is the second phase of a state-wide competition after the initial local days were held in August. Winners from this day progress to the State Finals in November to be held at Netball Central in Sydney. 

A special mention and thanks to our playing umpires; Chloe Ryall and Allie Robinson, as well as Mrs Fennamore and Ms Farrugia for taking on umpiring duties as well as coaching. An extra special thank you to Alana Turner for coming to umpire for the day for us - your expertise and ability to be flexible on the day was greatly appreciated and invaluable.

Years 7 / 8 Girls
The Years 7/8 Girls Team went through their three pool matches undefeated which was a great boost to their confidence, especially as they were close games against quality teams. The girls then had a tough match in the Semi-Final against McAuley Catholic College, Grafton but worked well as a team to come away with a win. This then sent the team on to the Grand Final against St Joseph's College, Banora Point who we had only defeated by two goals in our pool match in a hard-fought and physical game. The girls went in fired up, determined to win their way through to Sydney. The game was drawn at half time and again at full time, sending the match into extra time (three minutes each way) where they eventually came away with the win - winning by one goal in the last ten seconds of the match. The team should be proud of the way they played together, staying calm under pressure and pushing hard in defense when they were behind. The girls are now looking forward to the challenge of playing at the Netball NSW Schools Cup State Finals in Sydney in November. 
Team: Claudia Barnes, Bella Duncan, Milani Kerr, Sam McLennan, Ellie McKay, McKenzie Olivieri, Willow Pace, Matilda Pope, Allie Robinson and Kaytlyn Turner. 

Sally Ryall
Coach

Years 7 / 8  Boys
After answering a late call to play in the event, our boys exceeded all expectations by finishing second in their pool and qualifying for the Semi-Finals. They played their hearts out all day long and represented Woodlawn proudly. Well done, boys!

Luke Collings
Coach

Years 9 / 10 Girls 
The Years 9/10 girls were adamant that they wanted to take out the title at the Regional Netball Finals. After being defeated by Xavier in their first game in unlucky circumstances, they rallied to win their next pool games. Finishing second meant that in the crossover final they were up against long-standing rivals Trinity. Despite the heat and having played all day without any subs the girls pulled off a 9-6 victory and were through to the Grand Final. It was a re-match of the first pool game the girls had lost earlier in the day, so they had something to prove. For most of the match the score was even, until some excellent centre court turnovers gave our Woodlawn team the advantage. The score finished up 14-10 to Woodlawn and the Years 9/10 Girls Team had booked their spot at the State Finals in Sydney. A huge congratulations to the girls for their determination and teamwork, not to mention playing a whole Carnival without ANY subs. Well done!

Team: Quinn McInnes (Captain), Ava Lisetto, Alanna Bromhead, Chloe Ryall, Harper Bailey, Ruby-Mae Campbell and Madison Coppola.

Jane Farrugia
Coach

Years 9 / 10 Boys
The boys were excited to be one of eight teams to make the Regional Finals held on Thursday, September 14 in Ballina. We had a few training sessions between the previous Carnival and this one to fine-tune skills and court play. The boys were much improved and should be proud of their achievements. We were impacted by the fact that several team members were exhausted from their recent rugby trip, not to mention injuries and illnesses that depleted our numbers.
Our results were:
Game 1 v Kingscliff High School   11 - 5
Game 2 v Casino High School 6 - 12
Game 3 v Grafton High School 10 - 5
Semi Final v Trinity 3 - 15

The Team finished third overall which is certainly a creditable position and testament to the athleticism and attitude of the boys.

These young men were a pleasure to coach and represented the College in a positive manner. Thank you to: Dean Bryant, Noah Vakararawa, Lachlan O’Sullivan, Rio Carter, Billy Drooger, Josh Holland, Keenan Faber, Leo Smith and Elliott Farrell.

Fiona Fennamore
Coach

SJC Eagles Cricket Program
The Eagles Cricket community received a very generous donation this week from two supportive companies: Keith Dudgeon Cricket Specialists (KD Sports) and Greg Chappell Cricket Centre. KD Sports donated a number of KD training balls to aid with general training and fielding drills, and Greg Chappell Cricket Centre donated a number of Bazooka bowling machine balls as well as giving every member of the Eagles Cricket Program a gift voucher. 

The new equipment will support our young, enthusiastic boy and girl cricketers to kick-start their sessions. Having confidence in their gear will allow our Eagles to learn some critical skills and put them in good stead for a successful season when competitions start in term 4.

The whole Eagles Cricket community would like to thank both KD Sports and the Greg Chappell Cricket Centre for their generous support of our program.

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

Community News

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.

Please remember the College summer uniform is to be worn at the commencement of Term 4.
The opening hours for the uniform shop throughout the school holidays are as follows:

Once Term 4 begins, the opening hours will return to usual trading:

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