Week 4 Term 1 2024

From the Principal

F.I.R.E. in the Woodlawn Way
Our use of the F.I.R.E. anacronym has evolved over a two year period of consultation. In line with our partnership with Real Schools Australia, we have developed a student engagement plan that focuses on Faith, Integrity, Relationships and Empathy. The plan is a commitment to working restoratively with our students at the heart of all we do to ensure students ‘Live Life to the Full’ (John 10:10)

Celebrations
Our Opening College Mass and welcome to new SRC Leaders was an opportunity to share the Eucharist and congratulate our leaders who have chosen to serve in the way of Mary. We are called to be servant leaders with a sense of commitment to faith, service and care for the dignity of all.

The energy of our senior students was palpable as they began the traditional rivalry associated with the Swimming Carnival. Heartfelt acknowledgement to all those participants and those whose encouragement of all students made this an inclusive event. I am looking forward to tonight. A huge thank you goes to our staff who give of their own time to make this a reality.

In line with building a community based on consultation, there are some areas for everyone to access.

• Complaints Process:  This is a clearly articulated process when you wish to follow up on an issue. 
  

• Voting for a new model of parent engagement. This is your last opportunity to have a say on the parent organisations going forward. We feel that four votes may not represent 300 parent opinions. This is important and we ask you to take five minutes to vote for the option you feel suits our context via this Link

Looking forward to the coming weeks.

Annette Reen
Principal 2024

From the Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

DIBELS Testing
The upcoming DIBELS Testing is a crucial component in assessing our students' reading proficiency. DIBELS, which stands for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, provides invaluable insights into students' reading abilities across Years 7 and 8. Developed through extensive research conducted by the University of Oregon's Centre for Teaching and Learning, these measures evaluate essential skills such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Over the next two weeks, we will administer DIBELS measures to our Stage 4 students identified through the PAT Reading Assessment completed in Week 4. These assessments allow us to gauge students' progress in critical reading skills without consuming extensive instructional time.

Year 12 Parent-Teacher Interviews and Half-Yearly Examinations
On Tuesday, February 27, we will be hosting Year 12 parent, student, and teacher interviews. Mrs. Ryall, our Leader of Curriculum, has sent out information regarding bookings via email, with bookings closing on Monday, February 26, at 3:30 pm.  We encourage families to schedule interviews with teachers to receive feedback on student's progress in their HSC courses, aiding them in better preparing for the Year 12 Half-Yearly Examinations.

The examinations will commence on Monday, March 11 (Week 7) and conclude on Tuesday, March 19, spanning Weeks 7 and 8 of this term. It is imperative that all students are adequately prepared for these assessments, and preparation should  already be underway.

Assessment Calendars (Years 7-12)
Families have received Assessment Calendars and Curriculum Booklets via email, providing comprehensive information on the scope, sequence, and timing of Assessment Tasks for all courses. We encourage families to utilise this information for effective at-home study planning and engage in conversations with their children about the content and upcoming assessments.

We urge students to promptly accept the invite to their Assessment Hub Google  Classroom, where they will find their Assessment Calendar for each term, Assessment Handbooks, and notifications/revision guides for upcoming assessments throughout the year.

Elevate Education - Year 11
Elevate Education will conduct high-impact workshops for our Year 11 students on March 1. These workshops are designed to enhance study skills, motivation, and exam preparation techniques. Students will benefit from insights into top students' study techniques, providing them with a roadmap for success across Year 11 and 12.

Topics covered include working consistently, note-taking, conceptual learning skills, standing out on assessments, study routines, working smart, study groups, and overcoming procrastination.

Parents are also invited to join the parent webinar series over the next term, where they can support their child's learning journey at home by reinforcing the skills learned at school. Registration is open at the following link.

Webinar dates are as follows:

How You Can Help Your Child Manage Their Time - February 28, 6:30 pm

How You Can Make Technology an Ally - March 13, 6:30 pm

How You Can Help Improve Your Child's Memory - March 27, 6:30 pm

Homework Club
The College again offers study support in the College Library from 3:30pm until 4:30pm every Monday afternoon. This opportunity operates outside of bus times so personal transportation or pick up will be required by families and is voluntary in nature. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to receive extra support from staff across a variety of Key Learning Areas.

It has been a busy yet productive start to the year, and seeing students engage so positively in their learning is encouraging. Let's continue working together to ensure the success and growth of our students.

Matthew Bailey
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
matthew.bailey@lism.catholic.edu.au

Student Wellbeing

Uniform
We have had a focus on uniforms over the last week. Students have been reminded of the expectations with regard to what is to be worn, and how it is to be worn. These guidelines are in the Information for Parent and Student Handbook on the side panel of the Newsletter.

Please ensure your young person has the correct uniform and wears it to school each day. Should this not be possible, a note outlining reasons should be provided and presented to the relevant Year Coordinator where the student will be given a Uniform Stamp in their planner on each day the uniform is incorrect.

Mobile Phones
Thank you to the majority of students who have applied the NSW Government rule of no phones at school during the academic day.

Parents/carers will receive a Compass notification if their son/daughter has had their mobile phone confiscated.  The phone will be able to be collected by the student that afternoon at the end of the school day.

Should this happen for a third time, parents/carers will receive a notification and then a call from the Year Coordinator to discuss the collection of the phone. Students will not be able to collect their phone.

Social Futures and Family Connect
Last year St John's College joined 22 schools in the Lismore Diocese that have direct support from Family Connect. In a collaboration between the Catholic Schools Office, Social Futures and the College, we have a Program Worker based in our College each Thursday. Social Futures will be able to offer support and services to families, as required. 

Cassandra Finucane is our Program Worker again for 2024, and is based at the College each Thursday. We look forward to the positive outcomes that Cass and Social Futures will have for members of our community.

School Attendance
School attendance matters. Regular attendance at school for every student is essential if students are to achieve their potential and increase their career and life options. If your child is absent, it is important to notify the school. The easiest way to do this is via the Compass app. Once you open the browser the following page will appear:

Karen Davies
Leader of Pastoral Care
karen.davies2@lism.catholic.edu.au

From the Leader of Evangelisation

Opening School Mass
The St John’s College Opening School Mass at St Carthage’s Cathedral was a success on Wednesday, February 21. We thank Father Bing for presiding, Parish staff, Woodlawn staff, Students and Student leaders, Readers, Altar Servers, and Choir members, for helping with its success. Many of these students were new to these roles in 2024. 

First Week of Lent 
(Week beginning Monday, 19 February)

This year, Project Compassion brings you the stories of three resilient women from three different corners of the world. They are facing vastly different challenges, but are all united by one dream: to create a better tomorrow for all future generations.

Meet Ronita from the Philippines. Ronita lives with her husband and two children in a barangay (local district) in Quezon City, which is situated in Metro Manila in the Philippines. She went back to school to finish her education so that she could earn income to support her children.

Meet Leaia from Samoa. Not having access to a reliable source of clean water was very difficult for Leaia and her family. But, with the support of Caritas Australia, a water tank was installed at their home, improving their health and living conditions.

Meet Memory from Malawi. Memory, the eldest daughter from a rural Malawian family, trained to become a carpenter and is now a trailblazer for future generations of women in her village.

Throughout Project Compassion, you will get to know the stories of Ronita, Leaia and Memory. Journey with them as they forge a path to a brighter future for all generations. 

Watch a short film: Introduction to Project Compassion. 

Please donate to Project Compassion. You can donate through Project Compassion donation boxes, online by visiting caritas.org.au/project-compassion or by calling 1800 024 413.

Kallie Deegan
Leader of Evangelisation
kallie.deegan@lism.catholic.edu.au

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. NAPLAN Online testing will occur in Week 8, between 19 March-21 March 2024.

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in Reading, Writing, Conventions of Language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and Numeracy. The assessment provides parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.

St John's College has conducted NAPLAN testing Online since 2018. Federal, State and Territory Ministers made the decision that all Australian schools would transition from paper-based NAPLAN to NAPLAN Online in order to provide a better and more precise assessment that is more engaging for students.

There will no longer be a coordinated practice test in preparation for the tests. In 2023, all online testing was successfully conducted and this was a testament to the resilience and patience of our students and the support of our staff.

This year, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) will continue to administer the NAPLAN Online testing, with improvements and upgrades to their platform. St John's College staff will be attending NAPLAN Online training to ensure these tests are administered smoothly, and that if technological problems do arise, our students will not be adversely affected.

Students will be supported by teachers with downloading and installing the locked down browser on their devices in the coming weeks. As a requirement to complete the test, students will need headphones, preferably corded, so they can listen to audio questions and respond accordingly. Please ensure your student's device is compatible. Cordless headphones (e.g. Apple Airpods) will still work, however, they do not always work and we request they are corded so connectivity is not an issue the morning of the first test. 

Please take the time to read the NAPLAN Online information sheet attached. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the NAPLAN testing or process, please don't hesitate to contact me via email.

Natalie Harris
NAPLAN Coordinator
natalie.harris@lism.catholic.edu.au

Attendance

Daily Procedures
Following Home Group each morning from 8:55 am-9:10 am, lessons commence at 9:10 am and conclude at 3:15 pm. 

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. 

Absent from School
If we have not heard from you, via the Compass "Submit Attendance Note" feature you will receive an SMS generated by Compass at 10.30am. Please respond by clicking on the link in the SMS (the link is active for 7 days but can only be used once). In the case of shared care of a student, both parents will receive an SMS but we ask the parent who has the child in their care that morning to respond. A medical certificate is required if your child is absent for three or more consecutive days due to illness.

If you do not advise the reason for your child’s absence, you will receive a letter from the school requesting an explanation, which we ask you to return within 7 days of your child’s absence so that we can update your child’s attendance records. 

Late Arrival
Students arriving after 8.55 am, need to enter via the Student Service Office. Please submit late arrivals via the Compass Submit Attendance Note feature. 

Early Departure
Please use the Compass Submit Attendance Note feature to notify of early departure. The Student Service Office cannot guarantee your student to be ready for an early departure without adequate notification. 

Instructions for entering details into Compass to submit absence/ late arrival/ early departure (alternatively see attached pdf for instructions)

• Log into your Compass account

• Click on the +Shortcuts symbol at the bottom of the page

• Select Submit Attendance Note

• Select Reason

• Add Details/Comments

• Select the date and time that your child will be collected or absent

• Select the End date as the date or time your child will be returning to school (or 3.15pm if they are not returning to school that day)
  
• Select Potentially Affected Sessions 

• Hit Add Attendance Note at the bottom of the page.

Absence due to holiday/family event:
Less than 10 days: Please notify the school that your student will be absent via the Compass Submit Attendance Note 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.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Zone
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 due to safety reasons.

Messages
Please phone the Student Service Office PRIOR to 2.45pm to advise of any changes to afternoon arrangements. This will provide office staff with the best chance of ensuring that your child receives the message. Last minute phone calls at this busy time of the school day are not ideal and we cannot guarantee that late messages will be received. We all experience emergencies from time to time and that is understood and accepted.

Administering Non-Prescription Medication (eg. Paracetamol) to Students
A reminder to parents that when a student presents to Sick Bay a member of staff will contact their parent or guardian seeking permission to administer non-prescription pain relief (eg. Paracetamol) if required. 

Any previous permission to give non-prescription pain relief no longer applies. You will receive a phone call each time your child presents to Sick Bay seeking consent.

Lost Property
Lost Property is located outside the Student Services Office. Please clearly label all items that are brought or worn to school.

Student Services Office
Lisjc-studentservices@lism.catholic.edu.au
6626 2629

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. 

Blazer Fitting Day
The Uniform Shop will be hosting a try on day for blazers on Saturday 9 March and Sunday 10 March. Please book in via the link below for either one of these dates

Outside of the above dates, the Uniform Shop will operate in their normal business hours as below:

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