Week 2 Term 3 2022

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Staff and Students,

Having now completed two weeks of Term 3 it is almost fraudulent to say ‘welcome back’ as the College has been a hive of activity over the past fortnight. Co-curricular activities are well and truly back on the agenda, despite the current COVID-19 wave, which has seen daily attendance at close to normal levels. I certainly hope this continues for the remainder of the term.

In staffing news, we have welcomed Mrs Fiona Thompson to our Library team, replacing Mrs Jasmine Andrews who has moved into the Office. On behalf of all at Woodlawn, I warmly welcome Mrs Thompson to staff and hope that she enjoys her time with us.

In our last Newsletter we congratulated Mrs Sophie Base, our Hospitality teacher, who was a finalist for the North and Mid-North Coast 2022 NSW Training Awards as VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year. Mrs Base was the overall winner of this Regional Final and now progresses to the State Finals to be held in Sydney later this term. We congratulate Mrs Base on this marvellous achievement and wish her all the very best for the next level of competition.

Our ancillary staff were busy, as always, during the recent holiday period. Keeping a 92 year old school, such as ours, in such pristine condition is no easy feat and I commend the work our maintenance and cleaning teams, in particular, undertook during this time. To give you an idea of specific tasks completed, I include the following ‘Holiday Job Sheet’ for your information:

• Timber lockers in Webber Block installed;
• Painting – PAC Foyer, 3 walls, stage back wall;
• Plaster repairs front Library Room 22;
• WHS safety signs installed throughout campus;
• Dance flooring to stage (PAC);
• Replaced 3 urinal cisterns;
• Cleaned basement;
• Pressure cleaning throughout campus;
• Started replacing 2 rooves (Mid-Richmond Plumbers);
• Classroom maintenance repair sheets completed throughout campus;
• Installed all football goal posts;
• Drainage repairs to Ladies Toilets level 2;
• Front steps pressure cleaned;
• Additional fencing installed;
• A/C servicing completed;
• Pest control throughout campus;
• New Canteen servery works commenced.

Special thanks to Mr Darren Magner, Mr Kirk Elliott, Mr Trent Bowler, Mr Max Condon-Hunnisett, Mrs Lisa Canini and our sub-contractors for their tremendous work here.

In COVID-19 updates:

• The Term 3 allocation of Rapid Antigen Tests (1 x 7 pack per student/staff member) was distributed to students yesterday during Home Group. If your daughter/son was absent, please ensure they attend SSO to get their RATs on their return to school;
• Since returning from holidays, we are aware of at least 33 cases of COVID-19 across students in all year levels, 7 - 12.

The full COVID-19 Advice to Schools for Term 3 is as follows:

Students learn best in a face-to-face learning environment. To continue to provide this learning environment while prioritising student and staff wellbeing, schools will have a number of COVID-smart settings in place for this term.

The COVID-smart settings that students, staff and communities have become used to will continue in Term 3 including:

• Staying home if unwell or showing any symptoms, and not returning to school or work until fully recovered;
• Rapid antigen testing for any students or staff showing symptoms and for close contacts who are able to return to school;
• Maximising natural ventilation;
• Good hygiene practices for students and staff including regular hand washing with soap and water;
• Encouraging all students, staff and families to keep up-to-date with vaccinations, including COVID-19 booster shots when eligible and the flu vaccine;
• Identifying when schools need to implement additional COVID-smart measures if experiencing rapidly increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases.

In addition to these baseline settings, some additional layers this term as extra protection for staff, students and school communities, include:

• Strongly encouraging all staff, students and school visitors to wear a mask while indoors, particularly during the first four weeks from the beginning of term;
• Distributing RAT kits to all staff and students in schools (1 pack per person);
• Boosting day cleaning in schools, with a particular focus on high-touch areas.

COVID-19 reinfection period reduced to four weeks

NSW Health has revised the COVID-19 reinfection period from 12 weeks down to four weeks effective from 19 July, 2022.

People who have previously had COVID-19 should test for COVID-19 after 28 days since their isolation ended if experiencing symptoms and follow the relevant health advice if they test positive. People who test positive again will be reported and managed as new cases.

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, said the reduced reinfection period, which follows the advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, is due to the latest sub-variants of Omicron circulating in the community.

As this fortnight’s reflection, I include the following thoughts with you, as we recently marked the 60^th Anniversary of the Goulburn School Strike which was the catalyst for ensuring State Aid for Independent Schools in Australia:

‘On 16 July, 1962, up to 2,000 students from six Goulburn-area Catholic schools presented themselves to nearby government schools for enrolment, overwhelming the public school system. The Catholic schools had closed the previous Friday on the authorisation of Eris O’Brien, Archbishop of the Canberra-Goulburn Archdiocese, who had called the ‘strike’ in response to the New South Wales Government ordering St Brigid’s Primary School to build a new block of toilets that it simply could not afford. The purpose of the strike was to highlight that the Catholic schools needed some government funding to survive, while demonstrating that if their students were unable to attend Catholic schooling it would cost the public system and the taxpayer far more to cover the whole cost of their education.

This was a watershed moment in Australian political history, acting as a catalyst for the adoption of ‘State Aid’ for independent schools, an innovation in the Australian education system which has endured to this day. ‘State Aid’ would help to break down sectarian divisions that had long endured in Australian society – the poverty of the Catholic schools had contributed to the ‘otherness’ of a large minority group, while the Catholics themselves had long resented paying taxes for an education system which did not service them…

Apart from Indigenous Australians, Irish Catholics were Australia’s oldest minority group, and their unique education system became a defining aspect of their identity and culture. The fact that they had been able to fund their own schooling through fees and charity, despite often being a relatively impoverished group, was a matter of considerable pride. However, with the growth of Science classes and an explosion in student numbers (created by the post-war baby and immigration booms), schooling was becoming increasingly expensive, and these funding methods were failing to keep up with the times…

(Ultimately), the issue was bigger than politics. It was about a fundamental freedom to choose, touching on identity, equality, and deeply held beliefs. Many Australians… felt a sense of gratitude over this issue’.                                                                                                                                                   (The Robert Menzies Institute)

Finally, I ask that you keep our former Rector (1978 – 1980), Fr Lew Molloy, in your prayers as he is unwell at this time.

Enjoy the fortnight ahead and best wishes for Term 3.

Sincerely

Aaron Beach
Principal

From the Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

PISA
PISA is an international assessment program, which is the measure through which governments, education authorities and schools can determine whether or not young people are meeting important educational outcomes. All Australian Education Ministers have agreed to Australian schools’ participation in PISA, which is reflected in the Australian Education Act 2013.

International assessments provide a wide range of valuable information for education policy and review in Australia and overseas and also enable Australia to consider the performance of our education system compared with others.

Since the first PISA assessment involving thirty-two countries in 2000, the survey has continued to raise interest amongst educators and policy-makers world-wide.  In 2022, Australia will be one of over eighty-five countries participating in PISA with around 15,000 students (from around 800 schools) representing our country.

Twenty-six of our Year 10 students will be involved in PISA on 24 August.

Tell Them From Me Surveys
In the coming weeks, we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are essential to our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We will invite you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community, we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The College will use the information you provide to maintain our commitment to working in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St. John’s College, Woodlawn.

Reporting Survey
The Catholic Schools Office is looking to standardise student reports across the Diocese. They wish to obtain parent and student voice before a final product is delivered. This voice will be obtained via a short survey. Could parents please open the attached Google form link and complete the parent survey, which will only take five minutes of your time.

Reporting Parent Voice Survey

Year 12 Trial Examinations
Year 12 Trial HSC examinations commence next Monday, 1 August. We wish our Seniors well for these important examinations. Students must gather for their examinations in Br Edward Park near the flag poles at least 10 minutes before the examination start time indicated on the timetable issued by Mr Bailey.

Students are not permitted to drive and park at the College during exam block. Buses will be provided for travel between the College and Lismore after morning examinations and again after the completion of afternoon examinations. If you only have an afternoon examination, then you must catch the bus in the morning and remain in supervised study until your afternoon examination, unless you are dropped to school by a parent/caregiver. Students may be dropped off and collected by parents/guardians if they wish to come and go outside of the arranged bus times.

If students are unwell or suffer any 'misadventure' that stops them from attending an examination, please contact Mr Bailey. Relevant supporting documentation will be required.

Michael Campbell
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
michael.campbell@lism.catholic.edu.au

From the Assistant Principal - Mission

The idea of a full life is something that we have explored in many of our Newsletters. John 10:10 is both a clear statement of Jesus’ promise to us all but also a challenge - we have the gift of life and how do we ensure that we live it to the fullest? The answer to this question is very different for every one of us. Our Mission at Woodlawn is to provide opportunities, encourage and support our students as they traverse their formative years. Over the next few Newsletters I will be promoting and acknowledging many of the opportunities for our students that are available in learning and teaching and in College life beyond the classroom. At the heart of all interactions are relationships. 

Last week, we congratulated our Base Class Leaders at our Stage Assemblies. The depth of our student leadership is testament to students' commitment and capacity to build relationships within their year groups. Student voice and advocacy are key platforms within a fullness of life framework. As always, we were thankful to Fr Bing for being part of this celebration.

Living Life to the Full Beyond the Classroom:
We encourage students to take up many of the opportunities that are offered to them. Over the next few weeks, I will be showcasing some of the amazing things that are happening at Woodlawn. We see these as opportunities to 'live a fuller life'. Please encourage your students to be involved. Note that I have not included the wide array of sports that are on offer, and these are also opportunities for individuals to live their best lives. 

• Mindful Me Program (contact Ms Kennedy or Mrs Thompson);
• Knitting for a Cause Ministry Group (Natasha Wotherspoon);
• Junior Justice Team: Years 7 and 8 (Mrs Reen) beginning in Week 3;
• TEC (The Environment Committee): all year groups (Mr Base);
• Trading Card Game -social club (Mr Robinson);
• Library Lovers Team (Ms Graham-Smith);
• Social Justice Committee (Mrs Reen);
• CHESS (Mr Base);
• Duke of Edinburgh Scheme (Mr Mason and Mr Bailey);
• Brotherhood (Luke Rowling);
• Sisterhood (Natasha Wotherspoon).

This week we feature the Sisterhood group which has been together for a number of years. This group of girls from Years 9-12 meet every Friday to provide a comfortable space to chat about their faith, their relationships and develop supportive connections. 

I would like to acknowledge the generosity of our staff who give of their time to provide these opportunities for our students.

Our Year 11 SRC members also showcased how our uniform is to be worn during Term 3. We have been fortunate enough to assist all students in obtaining uniforms through our Access Program. Thanks to our SRC for setting the standard that is not only demonstrative of a proud tradition but also supported by all College community groups. If you need assistance with any aspect of uniform, please contact me dirctly via email.

We look forward to:
Year 12 Retreat Afternoon - 16 August
SRC Sleepover - 17 August
SHINE - 19 August
Year 7 Sleepout - 8 September
St John’s Day - 9 September
Holy Name of Mary Mass and celebration of our Marist heritage - 12 September
Year 12 Graduation - 22 September

The NAIDOC theme for 2022 also links with our mission to live a full life: “GET UP,STAND UP SHOW UP’. We have been given the gift of life and can choose how we share this gift. 
Let's live it on purpose and be the best we can be.

Annette Reen
Assistant Principal - Mission
annette.reen@lism.catholic.edu.au

Ministry Matters

“I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). We often hear or read this rich piece of scripture in the context of our College within the Diocese of Lismore. Sometimes utilised or determined as the ‘fullness of life’, we have been given an all-encompassing aim for our students, staff and families for their time with us at Woodlawn.

Years 8 & 10 Reflections Days
This week we were truly blessed to have Mr Chris Doyle join our Years 8 and 10 students for Reflection Days in the College Hall. Through the use of song, dance, teamwork and stories, Chris was able to entertain and inspire these students to live their life to the full.

I personally reflected on his challenge to love others we encounter. He reminded students that we are all made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26-27) and then of the beautiful message in John’s first epistle; that “God is Love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16). The challenge then to each of us as Christians is to ensure that we take delight in our capacity to love and share this with others whenever the opportunity might present itself.
This message and focus was a great way to remind all present (and those within our wider community) to engage others we meet with love in an effort to show them the face of Jesus in our modern world. It was a timely reminder for me, particularly, in a time where we are looking to build stronger relationships in our College.

We are very grateful for the energy and passion that Chris brings to his vocation and look forward to seeing our Years 8 and 10 students utilise their learning from the day.

Year 8 Reflection Day

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Year 10 Reflection Day

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SHINE Conference 2022
Our build-up to the annual SHINE Conference continues this term. Natasha and Luke, our very energetic YMOs, have been into the Ministry classes to discuss the Conference and continue preparing and forming our students for what promises to be a wonderful experience.

The theme for this year’s conference is: NO LIMITS - on God’s Love. It is a message that will stand our students in good stead to return to our College community and look for ways to lead within faith initiatives.

In staffing news, I announce with gratitude the inclusion of Mrs Sharni-Lee Garrington and Mr Joel Saye in our SHINE Conference Team. Such is the number of students we have attending the Conference from Woodlawn, that we required a boost on the supervision front. I know that our students will echo my thanks to these staff for helping to make this discipleship opportunity possible.

As always, please contact me if I can be of any assistance in helping you and your family engage in your faith journey in any way.

Nick Jones
Leader of School Evangelisation
nick.jones@lism.catholic.edu.au

Humanities News

Australian Geography Competition results
Last term, all students in Years 7 and 9 competed in the Australian Geography Competition. So too did all senior Geography students. Congratulations to the following students:
Distinction: Oxford Childs (7), Alister Gapes (7), Carmen Garcia (7), Georgia Kennelly (7), Oliver Pennisi (7), Ben Porter (7), Harvey Andrew (9), Wilson Bebbington (9), Alanna Bromhead (9), Elijah Evans (9), Sienna Kemmister (9), Laura Masman (9), Lachlan O’Sullivan (9), Jacob Southwood (9), Zach Cuneen (11), Jay Mason (11), Rain Jackson (12), Indigo Laverick (12).
High Distinction: Ethan Bromhead (7), Kiara O’Brien (7), Mikayla Hart (12), Jaya Morphett (12).

Young Geographer’s Award winner’s list
Congratulations to Jaya Morphett for making the Winners List in the 2021 Young Geographers Award. Jaya's research and final presentation of her Senior Geography Project was recognised by the Geography Teachers' Association of NSW as Highly Commended in the Senior Geography Project/International Baccalaureate Internal Assessment category of the awards. An outstanding effort from Jaya and her classroom teacher, Mr Matt Bailey, who supported her through the project.

Fieldwork Excursions
This term all students in Years 7 and 9 will participate in fieldwork excursions. Fieldwork is a mandatory component of the syllabus and gives students an opportunity to be involved in active, geographical enquiry outside the classroom. The fieldwork excursion leads directly into a Common Task assessment, and is further assessed in the end of year examination.

Year 9 students will visit Shaws Bay in Ballina to look at coastal management. The cost will be $15 per student, added to Term 4 school fees. Year 7 students will conduct their study on-site at Woodlawn, focusing on the rainforest and Wilsons River. Cost will be $3.00 per student to cover materials and resources.

Year 12 Geography Excursion
Last term, our year 12 Geography class went to Moreton Island to participate in a fieldwork immersion on their ‘ecosystems at risk’ topic. We studied the dunes, wrecks, forests and beaches on the Island as well as visiting an aquaculture farm that wild-harvests native oysters. We studied the interactions between people and the environment at the Tangalooma Resort and participated in lectures and information sessions about the flora and fauna on the island. Students completed their assessment report on-site before returning to the mainland after a brilliant and worthwhile week of immersion.

National History Challenge
We have a number of students preparing historical inquiry projects for the National History Challenge. This is being offered as a voluntary extension project for students who have a particular interest in history. Submissions will be finalised in late August. 

Year 10 History ‘Rights and Freedoms’ Incursion
All Year 10 students will attend an in-school incursion on their ‘Rights and Freedoms’ topic in Week 7. The cost is $8.00, added to Term 4 school fees. The incursion brings to life many of the topics from the syllabus, and will lead into a Common Task assessment.

Italian Continuers Incursion
Our senior Italian students attended an online incursion after school this week to prepare for their HSC speaking examinations. We congratulate them on their commitment to their studies and thank their teacher, Ms Jodie Lynch, for her dedication in organising this event.

Duke of Edinburgh Scheme
Last term, twenty-five students and three staff embarked on an ill-fated expedition to Girraween National Park. After weeks of preparing menus, shopping lists, hiking plans and learning to cook on Trangia stoves, each group felt prepared and ready to hit the hills for a weekend of walking in the granite country. The plan was to spend the weekend hiking in the National Park, visiting Castle Rock, The Sphinx, Turtle Rock and Bald Rock. It was a brilliant itinerary. Sadly, the weather was not so cooperative. On the day of departure, the forecast looked poor, but not prohibitive, so we set off after lunch, driving into what looked like a clearing sky. 

Alas, this was not to be: as we drove up the range, the clouds closed in and a light rain turned into sideways sheets of doom and gloom. Arriving in Tenterfield, we made the decision that camping would not be safe, so we searched for alternative accommodation, settling finally on spending the night in the office building of the Tenterfield Saleyards (thanks to the connections of one Mr Simon Andrews - an old Tenterfield boy). Unperturbed, our students cheerfully rolled out their sleeping bags, fired up their stoves, cooked some impressive meals and settled in for a night of listening to the rain hammering at the roof. At dawn, we learned that Giraween had been closed due to flooding, but Bald Rock was still open and safe. So we spent the day exploring the fringes of Bald Rock, before loading onto the bus and heading back to Lismore disappointed, but not defeated.

Given the circumstances, it was a remarkably positive camp. Students demonstrated the flexibility, resilience and optimism that underpins the Duke of Edinburgh philosophy.  Congratulations to: Luca Beasley-Kenk, Bella Griffiths, Eliza Lamas, Indigo Soria, Logan Berriman, Adrian Westerman, Ashlee Rugendyke, Jacob Southwood, Georgia Sheridan, Mia Gulliver-Ward, Ben Davis, Jay Mason, Oliver Mason, Edie Wadsworth,  Mardhi Acton, Asha Baker, Declan Daley, Olive Davidson, Harvey Andrew, Sienna Kemister, Sam Herington, Lachie O’Sullivan, Tijara Taylor and Flynn Doriean.

Thanks to Mr Matt Bailey and Mrs Sally Ryall for giving up their time to attend.

This term, we will be taking nominations for the Term 4 ‘South Passage’ trip. South Passage is a 100-foot tall-ship that we sail from Brisbane to Coffs Harbour. The trip is offered to Duke of Edinburgh students and any remaining places are allocated to students in consultation with Year Coordinators. Given that we have missed the passage for the past two years due to COVID, students from Years 11 and 10 will be prioritised this year. Typically, this experience is offered to students in Years 9 and 10.

Christopher Mason
Leader of Humanities
christopher.mason@lism.catholic.edu.au

Kokoda Challenge

Most Australians are familiar with the Kokoda Trail; a trail set in history by a group of Australian reservists who halted the advance of the Japanese in the unforgiving Papua New Guinea Highlands during World War Two. In this campaign, the Australian forces travelled 96km through dense, mountainous jungle, while repelling the Japanese advance. They are credited with preventing an Axis stronghold from which Australia could have been attacked.  It has served as an example of how mateship, strength, courage and resilience makes even the most unbelievable feats possible.

To commemorate this, the Kokoda Youth Foundation runs an annual event named The Kokoda Challenge. The Kokoda Challenge requires a team to travel 96km in the Gold Coast Hinterland (or 48km for the half event) over a track designed to mirror the 4km of elevation in the Kokoda trail.  Each team must complete the distance in less than thirty-nine hours. To compete in this event, you are required to raise money for the Kokoda Youth Foundation and assemble a support crew to meet the teams at selected checkpoints with supplies and medical aid. It’s a massive commitment for everyone involved, and this year, we at Woodlawn took twenty students, five teachers and twelve of our most selfless parents to see what it was all about.

With six months of preparation, a total of five teams of senior students nominated for the event, each led by a teacher and supported by parent volunteers. Emma Allen/Jane Farrugia, Chris Mason and I led twelve students through the 48km event, and Luke Flynn and  Noah Coleman led a keen crew of students through the insane 96km event. It’s at this point that words fail to truly explain what we as teachers witnessed from our students and College community. In the context of incredible physical and emotional fatigue, injury and sleep deprivation, all five of our teams finished the event. Teachers and students supported each other alike and our parent body drove the hills of the Numinbah Valley with almost no sleep to ensure that we all got through as best we could. As a teacher of eighteen years experience, I can’t recall a more difficult, inspiring or rewarding school event. I think Jane Farrugia, Leader of PDHPE, described it best when she said:
'Seeing the Woodlawn Walkie Talkies (Jane’s Team) come across the finish line, with their head lamps, poles and weary bodies was one of the proudest moments of my teaching career. What an incredible and inspiring group of young men and women'.

I would like to publicly thank all the of our students, teachers and parents who were part of this enormously challenging event. Despite the difficulty, everyone involved has been buoyed by the experience. It really is so much more than a run. It’s proof of the depth of strength that we can draw from when things become difficult. I can only echo Ms Farrugia in saying that I, too, have found the resilience to adversity that our community has demonstrated in recent times to be inspiring. This event further proved it. 

Stay tuned for The Kokoda Challenge 2023!

Ruben Garcia
Proud Mathematics Teacher
Even Prouder Year 11 Year Coordinator
ruben.garcia@lism.catholic.edu.au

Reminder

Absentees
Please  ring the College on our Student Absence Line (6626 2629)
or email lisjc-studentservices@lism.catholic.edu.au if your son/daughter is absent from school. You can also reply to the text message which is sent out on the morning of the absence.

All student absences need to be accounted for. Accounting for student absences is a legal requirement for all schools. Your assistance in providing the relevant information to us regarding your child’s absences daily is appreciated.

Student Drop-off & Pick-up Zone
The student drop-off zone is located at the sporting field entrance leading to a roundabout with two-way traffic where you may drop-off and pick-up in a marked drop-off zone. There are waiting bays for short stopping on the left hand side when entering, if required. Please also note that the College speed limit is a maximum of 15km/hr.

Signing Students In and Out of the College
If students are arriving late to the College, we ask parents/guardians to phone Student Services Office on 6626 2629 on their arrival. 

If students are leaving the College early, please email lisjc-studentservices@lism.catholic.edu.au with the arrangement details prior to pick-up time.

Sharon Robotham
Student Services Office
lisjc-studentservices@lism.catholic.edu.au
6626 2629

Canteen News

Term 3 Changes
Please be aware there will be a price increase in menu items. 
Flexischools orders will have a new cut-off time of 9am.

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 anytime.

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 St John's College 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.

Opening Hours: 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
When: 1st Wednesday of every month
Where: Colin Centre 
Time: 8am - 2pm