Week 10 Term 2 2024

Message from the Acting Principal

As we reach the end of Term 2, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and hardworking students for their tremendous efforts this term. It has indeed been a busy and productive period.

At Monday's assembly, I shared some thoughts for reflection over the holidays and to action in Term 3. I encouraged students to reflect on times they stepped out of their comfort zones and congratulated those who did. I acknowledged the challenges we all face when stepping out of our comfort zones, drawing from my own experiences to those of our staff and students. 

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) 

This scripture reminds us that we are not alone in our challenges. Whether it be me stepping into Mrs Reens' Principal position for a short period, our staff trying new methods to engage students in their learning, or our students pushing themselves to speak at assemblies, engage in new learning tasks, or deal with challenging social issues, we all need strength and courage.

I praised the students for their courage in various activities and emphasised the importance of embracing new challenges as a way of understanding who they are as individuals and experiencing personal growth. These actions align with our Catholic Social Teachings of community, dignity, and justice. By stepping out of their comfort zones, students not only grow personally but also contribute to building a stronger, more compassionate community. Catholic social teachings call for us to recognise the inherent dignity of every person and to foster a sense of solidarity and responsibility toward one another. When students and staff live out the College values of faith, integrity, respect, and empathy, they help to create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. This sense of community is vital in nurturing individuals who are not only academically capable but also morally and ethically grounded.

While it was disappointing that our St John's Day Celebrations had to be postponed due to the continued poor weather, I want to assure everyone that we are eagerly looking forward to the rescheduled event during Term 3. The decision to postpone was made to ensure that our students can enjoy the day as planned, and I'm confident that the rescheduled event will be even more enjoyable and memorable. 

Despite the inclement weather, we were still able to meet our commitment to the World's Greatest Shave initiative. Students and staff supported 'The World's Greatest Shave' to raise money to fight blood cancer. Blood cancer is Australia's hidden cancer crisis, with 140,000 families currently facing it, and it takes the lives of 16 Australians every day. Every year, thousands of Australians step up to shave, cut, or colour their hair. It's the ultimate act of support for people facing blood cancer. Every dollar raised helps provide families with practical and emotional support to get them through the many challenges that blood cancer can bring.

It's a moment of pride for our school community as we successfully raised over  $12000 for the 'World's Greatest Shave' initiative. The enthusiasm and leadership shown by our students and staff were truly inspiring, and I, too, felt encouraged to participate. As a result, the mop and beard are gone; my head and face are a blank canvas, one that will no doubt have people reintroducing themselves to me as if they have never met me before.

As we prepare for the start of Term 3 on Monday, 22 July, I want to remind everyone of the significant events that await us. We will welcome both the Catholic Schools Mission and ACER School Improvement review teams to assess the current reality of life at the College. The findings from these reviews, along with the recent Tell Them From Me data, will play a crucial role in shaping the College's next three-year strategic plan. I want to express my gratitude to the entire community for their involvement in this important process. As we take some time to rejuvenate over the break, let's remember that our collective efforts will pave the way for a brighter future for our College. 

We look forward to seeing everyone in Term 3.

Take Care,
Matthew Bailey
Acting Principal

Message from the Learning & Teaching Team

Conclusion of Term 2 and Semester 1

As we conclude Term 2 and the first semester of the academic year, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all families who attended the Years 8 and 9 Parent-Teacher-Student interviews. It was a very positive evening, and we greatly appreciate your participation and commitment to your child's education. For those who were unable to meet with a specific teacher, we encourage you to reach out via email to seek feedback on your student's progress.

With the end of our first academic semester, it's an opportune time for our students to reflect on their efforts. Ask yourself, "Did I give it my very best? Would I be proud of the effort I put into everything I did this semester?" Many of our students can proudly answer "Yes!" to these questions, and we are incredibly proud of each of them. For those who feel they fell short of their A-game this term, remember that Semester 2 is a fresh start and an opportunity to make every minute count. 

This past week, we had the pleasure of hosting a special Awards Ceremony to honour the exceptional talents and achievements of our students. It was a joyous occasion where we celebrated their outstanding performances in assessments. One of the highlights was the presentation of the Eagle Award, a commendation by the P&F to recognise academic excellence. I'm delighted to congratulate Ivy Roberts (Year 9) and Benjamin Tibbey (Year 12) as the deserving recipients of this award. Ivy produced an impressive "Who I Admire" portfolio and presentation for Pastoral Care, while Benjamin achieved 95% in his Year 12 Earth and Environmental Science - Modeling Volcanic Eruptions Task. This task required expert planning of a scientific experiment and a comprehensive report documenting the process and findings. Amelie McPhee (Year 8), Zac Cohen (Year 8), and Dilansa Welikadage (Year 7) were also nominated for the awards and were recognised for their dedication to their studies.

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

Year 10 Subject Selection

The Year 10 subject selection process for 2025 has begun, with Leaders of Learning visiting classes to discuss options for students entering Year 11 in 2025. Students will have an information session on Wednesday, 24 July, during Periods 1 and 2, followed by a Parent Information Evening starting at 6 pm in the Performing Arts Centre on the same date. This session will outline the subject selection process and key elements of education for students moving into Year 11.

Additionally, the Year 10 Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday, 30 July, from 4 pm to 8 pm. These interviews are an excellent opportunity to receive feedback on student progress and discuss subject suitability for Years 11 and 12. Mr. Bailey, Mr. Maginnity, Mrs. Pearson, Mrs. Reen, and I will be available to discuss subject selections with families.

Trial HSC Week 3

The Trial HSC begins for our Year 12 students on Monday, 5 August (Week 3). This is the final assessment for most students and can significantly impact their final ranks. It also serves as a crucial opportunity to fine-tune examination techniques before the HSC itself. Please refer to the examination timetable I shared last week for detailed information.

Years 7-10 Reports and RFL 4

Round 4 of the Responsibility for Learning framework will be available via Compass at the close of Term 2, with formal reports for Years 7-10 being released to families via Compass early in Term 3. Both reports provide excellent opportunities for families to engage in meaningful conversations about their child's progress throughout Semester 1, with the aim of setting academic goals for Terms 3 and 4. When reviewing these reports, families should celebrate successes by acknowledging the hard work, dedication, and any improvements made in their child's academic performance. It's important to highlight specific achievements, whether they are high grades, improved study habits, or participation in class activities, to boost each student's confidence and motivation.

In addition to celebrating successes, families should discuss areas for growth by setting meaningful and achievable goals for the next two terms. This can include identifying subjects that may need extra attention, developing better study routines, or seeking additional help from teachers where needed. Encouraging your child to reflect on their learning experiences, challenges faced, and strategies that have worked well can foster a growth mindset and a proactive approach to learning. Setting clear, attainable goals and creating a plan to achieve them can help students stay focused and motivated throughout the rest of the school year.

We look forward to an exciting and productive Semester 2.

Sally Ryall
Leader of Curriculum

Message from the Assistant Principal - Mission

Attendance

As you are aware, student attendance at school matters. Now that parents and carers are able to access student attendance data/information on Compass, we have had enquiries about interpreting this information.

Parents/carers can view the yearly attendance summary, and it will look something like this:

• Green squares indicate the student is present at school
• Blue squares, either full or shaded, are school based activities and do not count towards non-attendance
• Solid orange squares indicate a whole day absent from school, and count towards non-attendance
• Shaded orange squares indicate partial attendance at school, and count towards non-attendance
• Red squares are for unexplained absences and count towards non-attendance

If you have any questions about attendance, please contact your child’s Year Coordinator or myself for clarification.

Year 8 Camp

I had the privilege of visiting the Year 8 Camp at Tyalgum last week. The group was blessed with perfect camping weather - blue skies, mild temperatures and no rain. The variety of activities on offer gave the students the opportunity to challenge themselves, to work as a group and strengthen the bonds within the year group. Thank you to Ms. Kennedy (our Year 8 Coordinator) for her efforts in coordinating the camp, and to the staff who gave their own time to share this experience with the students. 

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Safe on Social          

Last term, thanks to our Parent Assembly, we had a cyber safety presentation from Madeleine West from Safe on Social. She gave us lots of useful information about navigating the cyber world with teenagers. Here is a link for you to download free resources from the Safe on Social website. There are tip sheets about online etiquette, privacy, AI, TikTok and many others.

I spoke with the students at assembly on Monday about letting their individual lights shine - or more importantly - making sure their light shines as brightly as it can. At this assembly, we acknowledged students who had excelled academically and in the sporting field. We cannot all excel all of the time - what I encouraged students to do is their best - shine their light - all of the time. In this way, Woodlawn will continue to be a vibrant place in which all students are achieving to the best of their ability.

As we begin our school holidays, thank you for your support this term. We look forward to seeing all our young people, safe and well, in two weeks time.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me on 6626 2627 or fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au.

Kind regards,

Fiona Fennamore
Assistant Principal - Mission 2024

Message from the Leader of School Evangelisation

Year 7 Reflection Day

On Friday, 21 June, Year 7 students took part in their Reflection Day with visiting presenter Michael Fitzpatrick. They discussed symbolism, unity and division, working together, and settling into high school. Students also enjoyed music, trivia, dancing, and games throughout the day. 

Discussions also included God being three in one, The Trinity, and how He is relationships and communities, leading into talks about why community is important at Woodlawn, and what we stand for. The afternoon then moved onto topics of acceptance, inclusion and forgiveness and the rituals and sacraments associated with our Catholic community.

Street Retreat 2024

From June 27 to June 30, four Year 11 students traveled to Brisbane to participate in Street Retreat 2024 as part of the Proclaim Lismore continuum of Intentional Student Discipleship across the Diocese. It brought together staff and students from across the diocese to meet like-minded peers and to celebrate their faith.

This experience exposes students to social injustice, and equips, forms, and empowers them to return to their parish communities with a passion for social justice; awakening a greater sense of the call of Jesus Christ to serve the poor.

Student Highlights

“Street Retreat was an overall amazing experience that allowed me to offer my service to the marginalized people of Brisbane.  A highlight of mine during this experience was volunteering at St Andrews Soup Kitchen (Andy's Place), the environment and ladies who had given their time up to make these heartfelt meals for those who needed it definitely made this placement rewarding. This was an opportunity to put light into total strangers' lives and for anyone who is thinking about doing this in the future I would highly recommend it.” - Annabelle

“My highlight of Street Retreat was providing assistance out at Rosies Logan. The best part about this was serving one of the younger patrons 7 cups of milo (3 teaspoons of milo and 3 teaspoons of sugar!), which had beaten his previous record of only 6 in one night.” - Eric

“Across the whole Street Retreat, my highlight was the night we spent helping out the Rosie's volunteers in Logan. I was able to gain some perspective on the homelessness issue and also take the time to connect with the visitors. I spoke to a lovely man called Ed who played his harmonica for us and told us all about TV and music from the 'good old days'. I realised how important and meaningful a simple conversation can be for some people and was happy that I could give him the time to just sit there and listen. Volunteering at Rosie's is a night I will never forget because, despite the confronting nature of serving children who were heading off to sleep in their car rather than a bed, I met some truly inspiring people who taught me very valuable lessons to take back to my community.” - Maddy

“Street Retreat was a very confronting experience, but also a big eye opener to see what actually goes on in the lives of the homeless and disadvantaged communities. Seeing all the support they have is amazing, but it also could be much better with the removal of anti-homeless infrastructure, metal ridges on park seats etc. Working with the people in the ministries to help the homeless was a definite highlight of the trip, with also making a heap of new friends along the way.” - John

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Kallie Deegan
Leader of School Evangelisation

Message from the Sports Coordinator

Athletics Carnival 

The Athletics Carnival at St John's College, Woodlawn, held on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 June was a resounding success, filled with spirited competition and enthusiastic participation from students across all houses. The event, which showcased the athletic prowess and camaraderie of the student body, highlighted Kennedy House as the overall winner, culminating in a day of celebration and achievement.

Marist Netball

Two weeks ago, our Marist Netball team placed second at the Marist Netball Carnival held in Sydney. After 3 terms of training and commitment from the girls, this was a great outcome.

After playing 13 games, the team finished second in the point score and played Trinity, Lismore in the semi-final, winning convincingly, 24-13. The team then went on to play the Grand Final against Sacred Heart, Adelaide. Despite putting up a strong effort, the girls were defeated by a taller and more experienced team. The girls are to be congratulated on an excellent carnival – they played consistently well as a team and never gave up, all the while displaying outstanding sportsmanship. Each day of the carnival, a player is nominated, by the coaches from each team, as the Player of the Day. Congratulations to Riley Alvos and Quinn McInnes who received these awards. At the conclusion of each game, coaches nominated a member of the opposing team who they considered to be the Most Wanted Player. At the end of the carnival, Quinn McInnes was voted the Carnival’s Most Wanted Player. In fact, in the 12 games played on the first 2 days, Quinn was voted the Most Wanted Player in 9 of them. When you consider the depth of talent in this team, that is a significant achievement. In addition, each year, two representative teams are chosen: The Highly Recommended and the All Australian teams. This year, Sophie Alcorn was selected for the Highly Recommended team and Quinn McInnes into the All-Australian team. Whilst these individual achievements are outstanding, it is also important to acknowledge how well the girls worked as a team. We would like to thank our six Year 12 students for their contribution to school Netball. We have enjoyed journeying with you and are so glad you could finish your Netball with such an achievement.

Team members are: Riley Alvos, Sophie Alcorn, Claudia Barnes, Alanna Bromhead, Luka Butler, Charlotte Gilliland, Ava Lisetto, Quinn McInnes, Eva McRae, and Talia Rowe.

Game scores:
v Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville: 17 – 13
v St Patrick’s College, Dundas: 27 - 14
v St Francis Xavier College, Hamilton: 15 – 14
v Sacred Heart College, Adelaide: 11 - 33
v Newman College, Perth: 24 - 16
v Good Counsell College, Innisfail: 35 - 3
v OLSH, Alice Springs: 37 – 5
v Trinity Catholic College, Lismore: 15 – 23
v Trinity College, Beenleigh: 21 – 9

v Trinity Catholic College, Auburn: 22 – 15
v Cardijn College, Adelaide: 15 - 15
v Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes: 22 - 12

Semi Final: v Trinity Catholic College, Lismore: 24 – 13
Grand Final: v Sacred Heart College, Adelaide: 15 – 35

Thank you to the families who were able to be in Sydney to support the girls. We also appreciated your help with scoring on each of the matches.

Jane Farrugia and Fiona Fennamore

Phil Tobin Shield - Rugby League, First XIII
The First XIII travelled to Coffs Harbour to participate in the Phil Tobin Shield which is a Secondary Catholic School Rugby League competition. Woodlawn played against Newman College from Port Macquarie. The game was played in good spirit and was a tight affair early on with Newman's size proving difficult to handle in the first half, with the score being 12-10 at halftime. The second half saw the First XIII play expansive Rugby League with exceptional team play running away with the game 42 - 12. With this result, Woodlawn now progresses to the next stage of the competition and will play against a Catholic school from the Newcastle Diocese.

Simon Andrews
Sports Coordinator

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 Sports Programs?
Also includes talented identification programs run by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
Complete Form 05 Exemption from Attendance General.

Does 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 Services 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 Services Office cannot guarantee your student will 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 for 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