Week 4 Term 2 2024

Message from the Principal

Sunday, May 19, was Pentecost Sunday. In our Liturgical Year, Pentecost represents a time when we reflect on the power of the Holy Spirit to enliven our relationships and to keep hope alive.

Pope Francis reflects on how the Holy Spirit, operating in the Church with power and gentleness, never leaves us alone, and, if we let Him, gives us His presence and gifts to accomplish that for which us, alone, would have otherwise been impossible. I spoke at length at Assembly about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and reminded our students about the importance of humility and the power of the Holy Spirit to accept ourselves, forgive and reconcile with the past and start afresh. We are also reminded that the Christian church is one of inclusion and an imperative to care for all. This message is clear and underpins our relationships. We accept that we are all flawed but have the capacity to reconcile with each other when relationships are bruised. Our staff are dedicated to ensuring that this is a lived message. Please communicate with us if there is something we can do for you and your family. Communication is key to fostering a College family partnership.

The external review processes continue to be a feature of our College routines. We would like to encourage parents to nominate to be part of the review conversations. In Week 1 of next term the external reviewers would like to interview 16 parents about the catholic nature of the College and how you view our commitment to worship, witness, evangelisation, community, tradition, and service. The time commitment for this is 1 hour on Monday, July 22. There is also the ACER review of the key 9 domains. These have been shared in past newsletters, spoken about, and workshopped with parents from the P and F. The domains include parent community partnerships, culture, data and learning and teaching. On Tuesday, July 23 we would like to have 20 parents interviewed for 1 hour. 

To have a valid process we really need parents to nominate to be part of the feedback interviews. You will be in groups and informally discussing all aspects of the College. The review process findings will then be shared and our strategic plan for the next 3 years will be formulated. Please indicate your availability on the attached Google form.  If we are under-subscribed with self-nominations there will be an invitational process. 

There has been a great deal of positive energy around our photo days. The photographers commented that our students were the most polite and well-behaved group they have photographed this year. Affirmations of this nature need to be shared with you the families who assisted in organising uniforms and grooming. I have included a couple of selfies to share the many smiles I witnessed during the day. 

The DLCSL organises a wide range of evangelisation opportunities for our students over the year. I would like to congratulate Eric Graydon, John Gooding, Madeleine Butler and Annabelle Taylor who were selected to attend the annual Street Retreat in Brisbane. I would also like to thank all those students who took the time to nominate themselves. Unfortunately we were only allocated 4 places. Street Retreat gathers students from across the Diocese to experience 4 days of service in various organisations. These include Rosies Van, Blind Eye and St Vincent de Paul. It is through service that students expand their knowledge and understanding of the complexities of poverty and social inequities. We will feature their experiences in a future newsletter.

A huge thank you to the parents who attended the Year 12 Hospitality dinner on Tuesday night. It was a special evening where students practised their waitressing and cooking skills. We were served some delicious courses including beef ragout and calamari. This initiative is the work of Sophie Base, our Hospitality teacher. We are blessed at Woodlawn to have staff go above and beyond the day to day. Thanks also to Tanya Pearson and Eliza Smith for being the support crew on the night.

If you are heading out to Bunnings in Lismore on Sunday please drop in and support our Eagles Cricketers who are raising much needed funds to assist with the costs of travel etc. Our staff will also be there to chat and encourage sales of sausages and drinks. 

‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind’

Please contact the College if there is anything we can assist you with.

Regards,
Annette Reen
Principal 2024

Message from the Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Staff Development - Pupil Free Day Reminders
We would like to remind you of two upcoming pupil free days for important staff development. The first is on Wednesday, 29 May (Week 5), dedicated to Proclaim which aims to rejuvenate our staff with purposeful prayer and passionate commitment towards their vocation in guiding students to embrace the fullness of life in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. The second pupil-free day is scheduled for Friday, 7 June (Week 6). On this day, our staff will continue preparations for the ACER School Improvement Review and the Catholic Schools Mission Review, both taking place in Week 1 of Term 3. These reviews, along with data from the Tell Them From Me survey, will support the development of our College's three-year strategic plan. We appreciate your support in making necessary arrangements for your children on these days. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Year 12 Reports
Year 12 Mid-Course Reports were posted on Compass last week. Families can access them by navigating to the Compass Home Page and selecting "View Academic Reports" followed by "2024 Year 12 Mid-Course Report." Students should continue to seek feedback from individual teachers about how best to prepare for their remaining assessments in the lead-up to the Trial and HSC examinations. 

Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Survey Closed
The survey is now closed. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all families for participating in the 2024 "Tell Them From Me" Survey. Your feedback, along with feedback from our students and staff, will be instrumental in helping the College shape its future strategic plan. We look forward to offering further opportunities for families to engage in the College's operation. 

Year 11 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews
Following the completion of the Year 11 Examinations in Week 2, students have been receiving valuable feedback in class. The next step involves parents in the Year 11 Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews, scheduled for Tuesday, 4 June, from 4 pm to 8 pm. This evening provides an important opportunity for families to discuss successes and areas needing improvement.

In times of disappointment or exceptional achievement, it's crucial to remind our students that the HSC is a long journey, with the goal of peaking in October of Year 12. Everything leading up to that is a chance for preparation, reflection, and learning. Encouraging a balanced approach is key to avoiding burnout and maintaining steady progress. Mrs Ryall, our Leader of Curriculum, has sent out booking information for the interviews this week, with bookings opening on Monday morning, 27 May. 

Year 10 Examinations and Subject Selection
Year 10 Assessment Week is scheduled for Week 6, from Monday, 3 June, to Thursday, 6 June. The schedule has been posted on the Year 10 Assessment Hub Google Classroom. Students can access task notifications and revision guides from this classroom page. Additionally, they should seek guidance from their class teachers on how best to prepare for the assessments. We wish them well in these important assessments. Results and feedback will no doubt help shape discussions around Year 10 Subject Selections. This process will begin in Week 1 of Term 3. Please refer to the previous communication shared by Mrs Ryall.   

Year 7 - 9 Assessment Week
Years 7, 8, and 9 will undertake a series of formal assessments in Week 7, Tuesday, 11 June to Friday, 14 June. The schedule for this will be distributed in Week 5 of this term. Students will be able to access task notifications and revision guides on their respective Assessment Hub Google Classrooms from Week 5. Classroom teachers can clarify task details and discuss how best to prepare. 

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)
Each year, all Australian schools participate in the NCCD, which involves identifying and reporting supports provided to students with disabilities. This process aligns with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005.

The data collected includes:

• Year of schooling
• Category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory, or social/emotional
• Level of adjustment: quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial, or extensive

This helps schools:

• Recognise and enhance support for students with disabilities
• Develop shared practices to improve educational outcomes

The NCCD data aids government planning without directly impacting your child. No individual students are identifiable, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.

For more information, visit the NCCD Portal, refer to the flowchart below or contact the College.

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

Message from the Assistant Principal - Mission

National Reconciliation Week
Next week is National Reconciliation Week which serves as a reminder to us all that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will - and must - continue. The theme of the week is Now More Than Ever. We will be acknowledging this week during our College assembly on Monday morning.

The dates for National Reconciliation Week remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.

Uniform
It was pleasing to see our students presenting themselves so well for our College photos. I would like to see this standard maintained as we move into the term.

A reminder that it is compulsory to wear blazers to and from school after the long weekend.

Parent Assembly
We have been fortunate to have our Catholic Schools Parent Assembly arrange for us to host an evening titled the Whole Person Parent Workshop. This is the perfect opportunity to come along and find out the latest news about keeping our young people safe online. Madeleine West from Safe on Social will cover a number of key areas. Matt Bailey, our Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching will explain how to access the College Assessment Hub and outline how our Homework Centre works. 

I look forward to seeing you there.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me on 66262627 or fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Kind regards,

Fiona Fennamore
Assistant Principal Mission 2024

Message from the Leader of Pastoral Care

Term 2 is quickly moving on, and there are many wonderful opportunities to be a part of here at Woodlawn.

College Photos 
Our students presented so well for the photo days; it was a pleasure to see them all taking pride in how they presented for this occasion. It has been more encouraging with fewer students presenting in the incorrect uniform in the last fortnight. Thank you for your parental support in assisting your child to wear the correct garments on the relevant days.

My encouragement is that we do this every day.

This leads me to the following - Attendance Matters!

Regular attendance at school is essential for students to achieve quality life outcomes. Schools, in partnership with parents, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students. Whilst it might seem that a casual day off school is of no consequence, the image below demonstrates that the cumulative effect of absent days is significant over time.

Being late to class or school each day will also have an impact on education. We need to work together so that our young people arrive at school on time on each day and attend each class on time.

Absences include both explained and unexplained absences. Together, these can add up to a significant number of days away from school. This year, many families have received letters from the College asking for explanations for unexplained absences. If your young person is absent from school, the easiest way to notify Student Services is via the Compass app. Should you have any difficulties with this, please let me know.

Family Connect
We are fortunate to have a Family Connect worker based at school each Thursday.  If you think Cass would be able to assist your family, you can make direct contact with her or contact your young person’s Year Coordinator for assistance.

Semester Examinations Years 7 - 10
Finally, we are moving toward Semester Examinations for Years 7 – 10. These can be times of challenge for all as many students take pride in their results.  If you as the parent/carer, start to see stress in this preparation stage, please contact your Year Coordinators or our College Counsellors to seek support tools for your child, so that they can perform to the best of their ability. We are always available to assist those who seek support.

Have a lovely fortnight.

Karen Davies
Leader of Pastoral Care

Message from the Leader of Evangelisation

Year 8 Festa Christi 2024
Next Week (Week 5) we will be introducing Festa Christi to Year 8. Festa Christi is a gathering for selected Year 8 students from parish secondary schools in the Diocese to celebrate their faith at a Diocesan level.

The two-day retreat experience involves activities that focus on ‘walking in another person’s shoes', having the students overcome their fears and gaining a greater awareness of social justice. Festa Christi allows time for prayer and reflection and concludes with the celebration of the Eucharist. The program has been geared to meet the needs of Year 8 students.

The gathering will be split into two separate retreats - one male and one female. Festa Christi is an overnight experience in Coffs Harbour which will allow relationships to be built with other students from throughout the Diocese, as well as a chance for students to talk about and share their faith journey.

We encourage you to have a discussion with your child about attending Festa Christi. If they wish to attend, please ensure that your child speaks to the Leader of School Evangelisation/AP Mission to have their name included for the retreat.

Applications close on Friday 14th June, 2024 and shortly after you shall receive all of the details of the retreat through the events module in your Compass portal where you can give consent for your child to attend.

Ignite Launch 2024
Last Saturday, May 18, 27 students attended Ignite Launch, which was an external faith event for students to celebrate and gain an understanding of the importance of sharing the Good News of the Gospels.

Students spent the day at Dreamworld enjoying the rides, and then at the end of the day the theme park closed for members of the public and the students participated in a Youth Rally.

This was a great opportunity for students to gather with others from across the Diocese as well as those from Brisbane schools and share the faith experience. Everyone is looking forward to Ignite Conference later in the year.

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

Message from the Sports Coordinator

Start of Term 2 and things are already running at speed. The NSWCCC calendar is jampacked with opportunities for individual students and school-based teams. Please ensure that registration close dates are shared as these are hard close and no entries will be taken after the published close date.

NSW All Schools Canoeing – Close date SOON
Individual registrations via Sports Unit DASH portal – Canoeing log in >> For More Information: https://app.education.nsw.gov.au/sport/Events/View?eventId=16717  25 & 26 May  South Grafton & Jackadgery.

NSWCCC 18 Years Boys Rugby – Close date 28 May
Individual registrations via CSNSW. Sport portal. 18 Years Boys – 3 June. Rowland Park, Daceyville.

NSWCCC 16  & 18 Years Girls Rugby Selections – Close date 28 May
Individual registrations via CSNSW. Sport portal. 16 & 18 Years Girls – 4 June. Rowland Park, Daceyville.

NSWCCC Opens Basketball Championships -School Based – Close date 3 June
School-based competition – Diocesan Champion teams only – entry by School Sport Coordinator via CSNSW. Sport portal. Boys & Girls Open divisions (Yrs 7-12)  19 & 20 June – Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre

Other sports opportunities:
Pathway sports this term that has a Diocesan pathway to NSWCCC – please check with your Diocese – the pathway may be underway and closed for trials -

15 Years & 18 Years Boys Rugby League – NSWCCC selections – 24 & 25 May at St Marys Rugby League Stadium

16 Years & 18 Years Girls Rugby League – NSWCCC selections – 21 & 22 May at Morrie Breen Oval, Wyong.

19 Years Boys & 18 Yrs Girls Football – NSWCCC Championships/selections – 28 & 29 May at Valentine Sportpark, Glenwood

NSWCCC Cross Country Championships – 5 June at Sydney International Equestrian Centre, Horsley Park.

Lismore Diocesan Cross Country
On Friday 17th May Woodlawn sent 37 athletes to Grafton to participate in the Diocesan Cross Country. Congratulations to the following students who placed in the top 6 and therefore qualified for the next level which is the CCC Championships to be held in Sydney later this term. Special mention to Rue Heffernan and Jethro Leedman who placed first in their event.

Bill Turner Soccer 
Congratulations to both our boy's and girls' Bill Turner Cup and Bill Turner Trophy sides as they both had a first-round victory over Alstonville High. They now move on to the second round which will be played against Trinity next week.

CCC Hockey Championships - Bathurst
The Open Girls and Boys Hockey teams recently embarked on a long journey to Bathurst, accompanied by Peter O'Toole, Andrew Davy and Nicole Hetherington. Despite the chilly weather, the spirit and determination of our teams burned brightly, showcasing talent and sportsmanship.

The Open Girls team completed the pool games with an undefeated streak that set a high standard for the tournament. Their performance started with a commanding 10-0 victory against Santa Sabina. The team’s skills and teamwork were on full display. 

Building on their momentum, the girls faced Red Bend Forbes and secured a 2-0 win. This match was on grass, which was a new experience for most of the team.

The Third Pool match against La Salle Lithgow at a frosty 8am saw the girls continue to dominate with a 4 nil score line. Onto the semi-final the girls went. Unfortunately, James Sheahan Catholic School Orange proved too strong for the girls, going down 4-1. 

The girls are to be congratulated on their efforts. It was a privilege to watch these girls over the course of the tournament. 

The Open Boys team also demonstrated great potential in their opening match, securing a solid 5-nil win against St Francis Xavier Hamilton and setting a positive tone for the rest of the tournament.

Their second game vs McAuley Grafton on grass was a new experience for the boys. McAuley adapted better to the ‘foreign’ conditions and after a very even first half they fared better with the bounce of the ball to secure a 3-nil win.

The final match on day 1 was against the defending champions and red hot team from Red Bend, Forbes, who were hunting their 4th premiership in a row. The Woodlawn boys never gave up, working hard for each other until the final whistle. Aside from the opposition's supreme skills, the highlight of the match was our lone goal scorer for the match, and birthday boy, Riley Chaplin who had the Woodlawn supporters in raptures.

Day 2 for the boys started and ended in very chilly conditions and their final pool match against near neighbours, Mount St Patrick College Murwillumbah. The boys conceded a very early goal and struggled to recover from there. To their credit they didn’t give up, creating some good chances, just lacking the finishing touch.

Well done to all the boys who displayed a positive attitude across both days, demonstrating great sportsmanship and a willingness to compete until the end. A great experience for all, especially the younger members of the squad.

A big thank you to Mrs Hetherigton for her organisation of the trip and Mr O’Toole for his excellent managerial skills and care and concern for all. Without you the trip would not have been possible, or as enjoyable.

Simon Andrews
Sports Coordinator
simon.andrews@lism.catholic.edu.au
6626 2639

Year 7 Immunisations

School Vaccination Program

Year 7 Immunisation will occur at the College on Thursday, 6 June. If you would like your student to receive the vaccination please scan the QR Code provided to register. Forms are also available in SSO to complete and return prior to the date.

Keeping your child up to date with routine vaccinations helps to protect them from serious preventable diseases such as meningococcal, whooping cough, tetanus, and cancers that are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus).

As part of the NSW School Vaccination Program, students in Year 7 are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa) and human papillomavirus (HPV). In Year 10, students are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine. 

Parental consent is required for your child to receive routine vaccinations at school. If your child is in Year 7 or Year 10 this year, you can now provide this consent through the online consent portal by clicking login with a ‘Service NSW Account’. 

Read a step-by-step guide on how to provide consent online. Translated guides are available in Arabic, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese.

From February 2023, children in year 7 will now only need one dose of HPV vaccination. This change has been endorsed by ATAGI based on evidence showing that one dose provides the same level of protection against HPV as two doses. 

If you have already consented to your child receiving two doses of the HPV vaccine, they will only receive one dose.

If your child previously missed their second dose of the HPV vaccine, they are now considered fully vaccinated and do not require a second dose.

A small number of students who are immunocompromised are still recommended to receive a three-dose course of the HPV vaccine. If your child is immunocompromised, please discuss their immunisation needs with their GP. 

If your child misses a school vaccination clinic, you can speak to your local GP or pharmacist about catching up on these vaccinations.

For more information on school vaccinations, visit: health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination

Attendance

Going on a Family Holiday/Family Event?
Less than 10 days: Please notify the school that your student will be absent via the Compass Absence feature or email lisjc-studentservices@lism.catholic.edu.au 
More than 10 days: Complete Form 01 Extended Leave Notification.

Does your student compete or attend Elite Sport programs?
Also include talented identification programs run by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
Complete Form 05 Exemption from Attendance General.

Dose your student attend Elite Arts Programs?
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
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.

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.

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.

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. 

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 

Community News