Week 4 Term 2 2023
From the Principal
Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
We’re all taking a breath after a massive week at Woodlawn – our P&F AGM, Year 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews, Year 7 Sleepover, Vinnies Winter Sleepout were all conducted – alongside various sporting fixtures, Chess in Kyogle – so it is abundantly clear that we again have the ‘traditional’ face of the College well and truly shining! Our Seniors, in particular, are to be commended for how they have embraced our Theme for 2023: Recreating the Traditions.
We offer our best wishes to Mrs Annette Reen (AP – Mission) and Ella Cohen (10) who are both recuperating from recent surgeries. Thanks also to Mrs Fiona Fennamore (Acting AP – Mission) and Mrs Karen Davies (Acting Leader of Student Welfare) who have assumed additional responsibilities during this time.
At Monday night’s P&F AGM, the following Executive appointments were made for 2023/2024:
President – Mrs Kara Parrish
Vice-President – Ms Louise McKinlay
Secretary – Mrs Rebecca Prodger
Second Hand Uniform Shop Coordinator - Ms Rebecca Wadsworth
Parent Assembly Representatives – Mrs Rose Smith & Mrs Katrina Mills
On behalf of our entire College community, I would like to thank these parents for their commitment in taking-on these important roles. I would also like to offer my personal thanks to our outgoing President, Ms Louise McKinlay and outgoing Treasurer, Mrs Leanne Copeland, who step down after many years of faithful service to our community. It is impossible to speak too highly of their commitment and support.
There are three formal roles that remain unfilled: Treasurer, Fundraising Coordinator and Sports Canteen Coordinator. I would encourage anyone with an interest in these roles to make contact with me or any member of the P&F Executive to discuss the position/s.
House Breakfasts: one of the initiatives discussed at our last two P&F meetings has been a new concept of parent/community engagement in the form of a House Breakfast. Each of our four House Groups will have the opportunity over the next two school terms to host families for a shared breakfast, which aside from a few minor formalities, will provide families with the opportunity to meet informally with their child’s Home Group teacher and other families from within the House. For families with children in different year levels, this also means you don’t have to attend multiple events! Our inaugural Carroll House Breakfast is being held next Wednesday, 24 May from 7.30am to 8.30am in the Performing Arts Centre foyer. Further details are provided elsewhere in this Newsletter – we would love to see you there!
We are celebrating a belated World Support Staff Day at the College next Tuesday, 23 May. Woodlawn is blessed with a truly committed team of support staff who each help the daily operations of a busy secondary College and I thank each of these staff members for all that they have done, and continue to do, for our Woodlawn students and community.
Date Claimer: Our Year 12 Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, 20 September at 6.00pm in the College Chapel.
As this fortnight’s reflection, I would like to explore the Mission Statement for Catholic Education in the Diocese of Lismore: ‘Enabling students to achieve the fullness of life’. So often this is simply achieved by ‘turning up’: it is our consistency in ‘turning up’ that builds trust and surety. As educators and parents this is our role. We turn up, we set boundaries and expectations, we follow through, and we love unconditionally, even when those boundaries may be crossed. We do this so that the young people we journey with may live fulfilling lives. God’s gift to us is to be people who live fulfilling lives, enriched through a loving relationship which is both constant and predictable. Our young people recognise the authenticity of those who consistently turn up, and love unconditionally. I am proud to say that there are so many authentic people who consistently ‘turn up’ for our students at Woodlawn: whether it be to lead them in a Retreat or sporting team, or offer extra tutorial assistance with study. These small, yet consistent gestures, enable all those in our care to thrive and flourish and truly experience the fullness of life.
Finally, on behalf of all members of the Woodlawn family, we extend our condolences to Ms Suzanne Arnold (Staff); Charlotte Chapman (8); William O’Connor (8); Hannah Johnstone (10); and Reno Crisp (12) who have all lost loved ones over the past fortnight. May they rest in peace.
With best wishes for the fortnight ahead.
Sincerely
Aaron Beach
Principal
From the Acting Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Year 12 Parent - Teacher Interviews
Thank you to the many families who made time to come and meet with staff this week for our final Year 12 Parent-Teacher interviews. Although the Colin Centre was cold, the atmosphere was one of warmth and collaboration. Conversation around the chilly space was peppered with a mix of laughter, goal-setting, nostalgia and a few hard truths, which seems entirely appropriate as we work together to support our young adults in their final push towards the HSC.
Year 12 Reports
Year 12 Semester One Reports were posted via Compass last week. They can be accessed from the Compass Home Page > view academic reports > 2023 Year 12 Semester 1 Report.
Year 11 Examinations and Parent - Teacher Interviews
Year 11 Examinations finished last Friday and students have been getting results and feedback throughout the week. This was the first block of sustained formal examinations that our Year 11 students have experienced. Overall, staff and students were pleased with the outcome as a learning experience. In the case of disappointment - or exceptional achievement - it is essential that we remind our children that the HSC is a long game, and the goal is to peak in October of Year 12; everything prior to that is an opportunity for preparation, reflection and learning. It is important not to give up in the face of set-backs; and equally important not to burn out before the final exam. Balance, as always, is key.
Australian Geography Competition
Students in Years 7 and 9 have been sitting tests for the Australian Geography Competition this week. This is a low-stakes external exam that we value for its academic rigour and examination practice. We look forward to getting our results, which usually contain a pleasing number of distinctions. At Woodlawn, the competition is a compulsory part of the Geography programs. Thank you to the many families who were able to navigate Compass event payment. To those families unable to do this, the $7.00 fee will be added to your Term 3 Fees as per previous Newsletter correspondence.
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
We were thrilled to award four students with their Bronze Awards at Assembly this week. The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award represents around 100 hours of application to activities that cover skill, sport, service and outdoor adventure. Congratulations to Luca Beasley-Kenk, Eva Crotty (Year 12, 2022), Eliza Lamas, Jay Mason and Indigo Soria.
Christopher Mason
Acting Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
christopher.mason@lism.catholic.edu.au
Student Wellbeing
Parent Forum
Last week, our Parent Assembly organised for our community to hear three excellent speakers.
The first speaker was our local Youth Engagement Officer, Brooke Papasidero. Brooke spoke about vaping, safe partying, and cyber safety. Some of her content was new to parents: I am wondering how many of you are aware of the “My Eyes Only” feature on Snapchat, a place to hide information in a personal space?
Rowan Smith, from Headspace, spoke about the services available at Headspace and also outlined the process of providing mental health first aid to young people. This is an essential skill and one that can be used for people of all ages.
Sheila Bollard, from Real Schools, was able to outline the theory behind the Real Schools program that Woodlawn is embarking on. She emphasised the importance of positive relationships and how these will be enhanced through the program.
Push-Up Challenge
This year, Woodlawn has registered to participate in the Push-Up Challenge. This challenge runs from June 1 - 23 and provides an opportunity for students to learn more about mental health, getting fit and having fun. The focus this year is 3 144 pushups - this is the number of Australians who died by suicide in 2021. If your young person is a minor, you will receive a consent form to complete and return to the Push-Up Challenge, prior to participation.
Students will be registering as part of their Home Group team, competing against other Home Groups to see which one can complete the most push-ups. Students might like to start training!
Carroll House Breakfast
Next Wednesday, May 24, we are hosting our Carroll House Breakfast - the first of our House Breakfasts for 2023. This is a combined initiative of the P&F & Parent Assembly in which each of the Houses will have a community breakfast in either Term 2 or 3. The Carroll House Breakfast will run from 7.30am - 8.30am and all Carroll House families are invited to attend. Families will have received notification through Compass Events. If you are planning on attending, could you please complete the Google form that you will find in the Resources tab. The completion of this is important for catering purposes. We look forward to seeing our Carroll House families next week where you can meet our House Patrons, Home Group teachers, and House Captains.
Make Bullying History
Years 8 and 10 recently attended a presentation from Brett Murray who had the message that we need to ensure that all people are treated with honour, dignity, and respect. This message is repeatedly shared with our students so it was great to hear it reinforced by Brett. He shared his personal experience and emphasised that each one of us has a personal worth that cannot be taken away.
Year 10 Consent Presentation
Yesterday, Year 10 heard our Youth Engagement Officer, Brook Papasidero, speak about consent: what it is, what it is not, and when it is required. If you have a young person in Year 10, you could ask them to explain what they learned.
Uniform
It is pleasing to see the majority of our students wearing the correct winter uniform. A reminder that if your young person does not have the correct uniform on any given day, they require a note from home outlining the reason. This note will then be exchanged for a Uniform Pass. We are also working with students to ensure they wear the uniform correctly and present themselves as we expect.
School Photos are next week, Thursday and Friday, May 25 and 26. It is important that students are wearing the correct uniform and are correctly presented on these days. Students have been reminded of expectations, so we are looking forward to these being fuly met.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au or 66262627.
Fiona Fennamore
Leader of Student Welfare
fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au
Numeracy News
Year 10 students will participate in HSC Minimum Standards Testing in Week 7 this term.
The NSW Education Standards Authority requires all students in Year 10 to participate in the HSC Minimum Standards Testing. Together with the NSW Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, the HSC Minimum Standard is part of an effort to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for students.
Your son/daughter will be required to complete three individual tests, in Writing, Reading, and Numeracy. They will also be given an opportunity to engage in a practice test for each subject prior to the test on the day. These will run in Periods 1, 2, and 3 on Tuesday, 6 June, and Period 3 on Wednesday, 7 June. If your child misses these dates, there will be many more opportunities throughout the course of this year.
Please find attached further information about HSC Minimum Standards testing. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Natalie Harris
Leader of Numeracy
natalie.harris@lism.catholic.edu.au
Woodlawn Equestrian Team Success
On the last weekend of April, six members of the Woodlawn Equestrian Team travelled to the Queensland State Equestrian Centre to represent the College across three days in the South-East Qld Regional Equestrian Championships. Students competed against approximately 250 other students from across South-East Qld. The team had great fun with many ribbons won between them; the most talked about being Runner-Up Fancy Dress!
Highlights of the overall championship ribbons included:
Brydie Brown - Champion Working Hunter and 60cm Show Jumping;
Jemima Southwood - Reserve Champion Prelim Dressage and 4th overall 95cm Combined Training; Mimi Bolam - 5th overall 95cm Combined Training; Ayishah Thind- Reserve Champion OTT and 6th overall Prelim Dressage; Sarran Thind- 6th overall 70cm Show Jumping; and Logan Berriman - who put in an amazing effort and managed to squeeze in dressage tests between their Year 11 Examinations!
All students showed great teamwork and support for each other, and are already looking forward to next year's event.
The College would like to thank the parents/guardians who made tremendous efforts to get our Equestrian Team to this event and we look forward to watching our team continue to succeed and grow.
Madeleine Fischer
Equestrian Coordinator
madeleine.mcneilly@lism.catholic.edu.au
Student Services
Year 10 - School Vaccination Program
Thursday, 8 June – Year 10 Meningococcal
Thursday, 7 September – Catch-up for any Years 7 & 10 students
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). Students in Year 10 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 HPV vaccine, they will only receive one dose.
If your child previously missed their second dose of 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 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 vaccination.
For more information on school vaccination visit: health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination
Reminder - Compass App
Thank you to all parents/guardians who have been using the Compass App.
Student Services Office (SSO) cannot guarantee your student will be ready for collection without adequate notification. It is particularly difficult to locate a student during recess and lunch so the more notice we have, the quicker the process will be for you to pick up your child. We understand that unforeseen circumstances do happen; however, we encourage you to use the Compass App for early departures to attend pre-planned appointments.
Once notification is received, SSO will send the student to the drop-off location ready for your collection.
Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up Zone
Please note students need to be collected and dropped back at school at the Drop-Off /Pick-Up Zone which is between the school and the ovals at the back of the school.
Instructions for entering details into Compass to collect a child early
1. Log into your Compass account
2. Click on the +Shortcuts symbol at the bottom of the page
3. Select Submit Absence Note
4. Select Reason
5. Add Details/Comments
6. Select the date and time that your child will be collected or absent
7. 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)
8. Select Potentially Affected Sessions
9. Submit the note by selecting Add Attendance Note at the bottom of the page.
Sharon Robotham & Kendall Thomson
Student Services Office
lisjc-studentservices@lism.catholic.edu.au
02 6626 2629
Community News
Canteen News
Flexischools orders has a cut-off time of 9.00 am.
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
Sports Jackets
Thank you all for your patience, our Sports Jackets are now in stock and are available from the Uniform Shop. Place an order online or call in before it gets too cold!
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