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St John's College Woodlawn

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203 Woodlawn Road
Woodlawn NSW 2480
Subscribe: https://www.lisjclism.catholic.edu.au/subscribe

Email: lisjc@lism.catholic.edu.au
Phone: 02 6626 2600

St John's College Woodlawn

203 Woodlawn Road
Woodlawn NSW 2480

Phone: 02 6626 2600

  • Visit our Website
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • School Map
  • School Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Information for Parents and Students
  • St Carthage's Cathedral Bulletin

College Information

Attendance

  • Extended Leave Notification - Travel and Other Greater Than 10 Days
  • Exemption from Attendance General

Compass

  • Compass - Accessing Insights Parent Guide

Canteen

  • Canteen Volunteer Form
  • Flexischools

Mass Timetable

St Carthage's Cathedral Mass Times
Tuesday: 8am
Wednesday: 8am
Thursday: 8am
Friday: 12.05pm 
Saturday: 5:30pm
Sunday: 9am
Sunday: 11am

Reconciliation Times:
Friday 11.30am - 11.50am
Saturday 4.45pm - 5.15pm


Carmelite Monastery Mass Times
Monday - Friday: 7am
Saturday: 8am
​Sunday: 7am

St Dympna's Dunoon Mass Time
Sunday: 8:30am

Weekday Masses
Lismore

Monday - Friday  7am Carmelite Monastery, Goonellabah.
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday  8.00am  St Carthage's Cathedral 
Friday -  12.05pm St Carthage's Cathedral 
Saturday   8am  Carmelite Monastery, Goonellabah

Eucharistic Adoration
​1st Friday of the month: Carmelite Monastery 7.30am-11am.

Rosary
Dunoon: 5pm Wednesdays

Please call the Parish Office on 6626 0200 for further information.

Upcoming Events

4 Aug
Yr 11 VET work placement

04 Aug 2025 - 05 Aug 2025

4 Aug
HSC Trial Examinations

04 Aug 2025 - 18 Aug 2025

4 Aug
Day 1

All day

Recurring event

4 Aug
Year 12 Italian Homework Hub -HSC Italian Speaking

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Recurring event

4 Aug
Eagles Cricket Training

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Recurring event

5 Aug
Day 2

All day

Recurring event

6 Aug
First XIII Training

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Recurring event

6 Aug
Australian Mathematics Competition

9:10 AM - 11:10 AM

6 Aug
Year 11 Leadership: Service, Connections and Growth Workshop

All day

6 Aug
Day 3

All day

Recurring event

7 Aug
Year 10 Headspace Workshop

8:55 AM - 9:30 AM

7 Aug
Byron Writer's Festival

All day

7 Aug
Yr 11 VET work placement

07 Aug 2025 - 08 Aug 2025

7 Aug
Day 4

All day

Recurring event

8 Aug
Day 5

All day

Recurring event

11 Aug
Year 10/11 Subject Selection Form Closes

All day

11 Aug
Yr 11 VET work placement

11 Aug 2025 - 15 Aug 2025

11 Aug
Dio Junior Basketball

11 Aug 2025 - 13 Aug 2025

11 Aug
Day 6

All day

Recurring event

11 Aug
Year 12 Italian Homework Hub -HSC Italian Speaking

3:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Recurring event

11 Aug
Eagles Cricket Training

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Recurring event

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Week 2 Term 3

  • Message from the Principal
  • Message from the Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
  • Message from the Assistant Principal-Mission
  • Pastoral Care News
  • Inside the Classroom
  • Sports at Woodlawn
  • From the Library Learning Hub
  • Administration Announcements
  • Parent Information Hub
  • Community Notices

Message from the Principal

This week, we have celebrated some of the partnerships that are fostered between the College and the home. These highlights are featured in our Catholic Education Week celebrations. The Church teaches that the family is a school of humanity, love and hope for society. It is the place where each of us learns who we are as individuals and as members of human society.

The family is also where we first learn how to live, how to take care of ourselves, how to share our gifts and talents with others, and how to collaborate and live in harmony with our neighbours, whether close to home or far away. This is where we learn to recognise the sacredness of every human life and the beauty (and necessity) of living together in peace. This is where we discover the fundamental principle that grounds all human rights and dignity: every person, regardless of gender, race, religion, economic or social status, is deserving of our respect. This is where we learn that the family is the only lasting, solid foundation on which healthy societies can be built. It is these principles that Woodlawn sees as foundational and on which we build learning and culture. It is these teachings that guide us in establishing connections.

It is clearly outlined in associated practices that there are four key dimensions that work together to promote authentic and healthy family-school partnerships. No one dimension is more important than another; rather, they overlap and work in mutuality. Whilst schools must take responsibility for ensuring opportunities for parents to engage in all dimensions, families may enter partnerships in one or more ways, moving in and out of different partnership activities depending upon the unique circumstances of each family. Please consider how you may become more involved in this essential partnership.

  • Communicating: This is a two-way process that is outlined in a number of documents and spoken about previously. We would like to encourage more feedback from families to teachers, which also includes positive, affirming emails. If you have an issue, the classroom teacher is always the first point of contact. Sometimes it may feel like over communication through Compass, but our aim is to ensure families remain well-informed about what is happening at the College. Opportunities such as Parent/Teacher nights, information sessions and personal phone calls are all part of this.
  • Connecting: This week has provided rich opportunities to connect with the College. Monday Night: Parent Forum gathering. Advocacy for students, the expression of opinions and future planning were the focus of this essential group in the life of the College. I would encourage more parents to become involved.

Our Grandparents Day was a highlight of the year to date for me. Watching families come together in a communal spirit was heartwarming. Our prayer Liturgy was followed by a trivia competition with added elements of fun.

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Wednesday evening, we enjoyed the HSC Lights Up Production. Families and friends gathered to share in viewing the talents of students from the Arts sector. We began with the celebration of our artists. With various mediums and portfolios on display, this curated exhibition was a testament to the diversity of our artists. The Dance and Drama Showcases followed, demonstrating performances of an exceptional standard. Our Drama students entertained us with clever scripts and well-developed characterisation in a highly engaging comedic performance. The Dance showcase was professional and spellbinding. Each dance was choreographed to an exceptional standard with dynamic performances from HSC students and their young dance crews. 

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Friday’s Bell House Breakfast was well attended with a real buzz around the connections between families, staff and students. It was a beautiful morning where students served the community with wide smiles and positive energy. Bell House has always been known for its spirit and its commitment to being inclusive. All were welcome.

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  • Consulting: We have consulted families on a number of occasions regarding the 2024 reviews and the development of Annual School Plans. One of the key features of this consultation was the need to work together in understanding the complexities of the social media landscape, the associated ‘lingo’ and the development of strategies to keep our students safe. The Parent Assembly has invested their budget in bringing Kirra Prendergast to the College to present on these issues and to answer your questions. There is no household that is untouched by the power of social media. It is vital that we come together to hear a common message and work together in this space. Please spend a couple of hours with a world expert in this field so that we all share a common understanding. If there is one thing you attend this year, please sign up for this evening. There are spaces available, and this is open to other Catholic schools and primary schools. Why not? 
Please click here for the Kirra Pendergast Flyer
  • Participating: Please take the opportunity to participate and develop a further sense of belonging to our community. If you have ideas on how you would like this to happen, drop me a line.

Today at lunch, our students and Mr Saye participated in the Shave for a Cure. This was an outstanding event with over $15 000 raised for Cancer research. Partnerships with past students, families and friends raising money and families attending to support the shave was the last event of our week, where partnerships were on display.

Before

After

Our Year 7 Trivia Night will be later in the term. Further information to come. There is also the Annual Spring Fling. Come with a group of friends and students and help raise money for La Valla School, our Cambodian family. Save the Date: September 12. 

We would also like to support the Doolan family, who are longstanding members of our community with many connections. Nate Doolan recently suffered a major spinal injury, and the community has come together in prayer and is happy to share the GoFundMe details if anyone can support Nate and his recovery. ‘Help Support Nate Doolan Through His Recovery.’

In the spirit of practising mutuality, with our mutual connection being our students, thank you for being part of Catholic Education Week, and may you consider investing some time to further enrich these partnerships that are integral to the success of our students. 

If you would like to discuss any of these further, please make an appointment. Together we are stronger.

Kind regards, 

Annette Reen 
Acting Principal 2025

Message from the Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Welcome Back

We are pleased to report that Term 3 has begun on a very positive note, with students and staff settling back into school routines smoothly. Thank you to all parents and caregivers for supporting our Day One Pupil Free Day. Your partnership enabled our staff to participate in important professional learning aligned to our School’s Annual Improvement Plan.

During this dedicated learning day, staff actively engaged in sessions on innovative topics, including the emerging and exciting use of AI in education, strategies for engaging boys, strengthening literacy and numeracy outcomes, and building strong learning communities through High Impact Teaching Strategies and creating inspiring classroom environments (the ‘Third Teacher’). Our team is also progressing with curriculum reform to ensure our students continue to receive a future-focused, high-quality education.

Celebrating Excellence: Term 2 Eagle Awards

At our opening assembly for Term 3, we had the pleasure of celebrating the Term 2 Eagle Awards for Academic Excellence. Sponsored generously by the College Parent Forum, these prestigious awards recognise outstanding achievement across a wide range of Key Learning Areas. This term, 19 students were nominated and received certificates of recognition for their dedication and effort. A warm congratulations goes to Amelie McPhee and Oliver Jackson, who were affirmed by the College community as the overall winners of the Eagle Award for their exceptional academic excellence. Well done to all nominees and winners.

Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations

Next week marks an important milestone for our Year 12 students as they commence their Trial HSC Examinations on Monday, August 4 (Week 3). These examinations, which continue until August 18, serve as the final internal assessment and an excellent opportunity to practice under real examination conditions. Students are only required to attend school on the days they have a scheduled exam. Many have already been working hard by completing past papers, seeking feedback, and refining their examination technique and preparation strategies, which has proven to be highly effective.

We encourage all students to continue organising notes, practising timed responses, and revising key exam strategies. We wish our Year 12 cohort every success during this important time and look forward to welcoming them back to regular classes on Tuesday, August 19.

Year 10 to 11 Subject Selection

It was fantastic to see so many families attend the Year 10 into 11 Subject Selection Evening in Week 1! We encourage students to keep discussing options with their families, teachers, and friends, and to make use of the Subject Selection Website to inform their choices for Stage 6. Over the past week, students also gained valuable perspectives at the Northern Rivers Careers Expo as well as during the recent Parent/Teacher/Student interviews on Tuesday evening, July 29. The online subject selection process opens Monday, August 4 (Week 3) and closes on Monday, August 11.

Years 7–10 Academic Reports

A reminder that Semester One Academic Reports for Years 7 to 10 were issued at the end of Term 2. Families can access these reports via the student profile in Compass. Please note that all reports are delivered digitally and will not be sent via mail.

We encourage parents and students to review these reports together, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for growth. Combined with feedback from Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews, these reports provide excellent guidance as students set new academic goals for Semester Two.

Looking ahead, Year 8 Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews are scheduled for Week 4, Tuesday, August 12. This is a fantastic opportunity for families to celebrate successes, hear valuable feedback, and work with College staff to set meaningful goals for ongoing growth. Mrs Ryall, our Leader of Curriculum, will send further information on how to book interviews in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to an exciting and productive Term 3.

Warm regards,

Matthew Bailey
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching

Message from the Assistant Principal-Mission

It is always lovely to welcome students back to school after a holiday. There is a buzz in the air and a sense of excitement. 

This week, we celebrate Catholic Education Week. This means that we acknowledge our Catholic identity through the many activities that we have on offer throughout the week. This was certainly an action-packed week; however, each and every week, there are always great things happening. Pope Francis said that education is “....a journey that enables you to learn three languages that a mature person should know how to express: the language of the mind, the language of the heart and the language of the hands. Harmoniously, though, that is, to think what you feel and what you do; to feel deeply what you think and what you do; and to do well what you think and what you feel.’ This week at Woodlawn, our young people have certainly had the opportunity to engage their minds in academic grappling, their hearts to encompass others and their hands to come together to serve others.

NAIDOC Day Celebration

We began the week on Monday with our NAIDOC Day celebration. This year is the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week, and the theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’, which celebrates the achievements of the past and looks to a bright future ahead. Uncle Peter Roberts shared with us a Welcome to Country and, in Bundjalung language, sang a song to the warriors. Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students joined with members of the local community to celebrate this special day. Woodlawn students provided musical and dance entertainment, offered face painting to our primary school visitors and engaged in a touch football competition with visiting high schools. A special feature of the day was the art installation of Kylie Caldwell in our Performing Arts Centre. This was a successful day that brought together our whole school community in acknowledgement of the important role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Reflection Days

Years 7 - 10 have reflection days each year, which are an opportunity to gather as a year group and focus on relationships, in some form, with activities grounded in scripture and practical application to everyday life. 

On Monday, we had our Year 9 Reflection Day, which was facilitated by Sam Clear. Sam has a background in Youth Ministry and public speaking, and notably a 19-month, 15,600km walk around the world. It is this journey that forms the basis of his presentation. Throughout the duration of Sam’s journey, it was evident that God’s love was ever-present. Sam spoke to our students about the importance of reaching out to those around them, placing their trust in God and appreciating the dignity of others.

On Tuesday, our Year 8 students had their Reflection Day with Chris Doyle. Chris has been a regular visitor to our school over the years, and has a knack of meeting our students where they are at. Through music, singing and games, Chris had the students not only enjoying themselves, but also thinking about our Catholic values: respect, dignity and love, and reflecting on how these are evident in their year group, and within our community. There was an emphasis on making good choices and considering the values associated with positive decision making.

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

Warm regards,

Fiona Fennamore
Assistant Principal Mission

Pastoral Care News

Welcome to Term 3! I hope that you enjoyed the recent school holiday period. It has been lovely to witness the return of our young people with a renewed energy and enthusiasm, ready to tackle the challenges and exciting opportunities that await in the second half of the year.

Uniform

I ask for your continued partnership in reiterating a consistent message with your child/ren at home regarding our standards of dress. We are very proud of our uniform as it unlocks a connection to the long and rich history of our College. I’ve talked at College assemblies on this point, reminding all students that:

“The uniform needs to be worn to a high standard from driveway to driveway”. This means that, from the moment students leave home in the morning until they return in the evening, they should have their uniform worn to the appropriate standard.

Of particular note this term is that ALL students should have their shirts tucked in at all times. Also, blazers are expected to be worn during the winter months, both to and from school. At present, many students have highlighted that they either don’t own or can’t find their blazer. Your continued support is appreciated in ensuring our students look and feel the part.

Attendance

As always, it is our hope to see each student every school day of the year. We understand that life needs to occur and know that there are times when appointments and other necessary commitments need to happen during school hours. 

Please be reminded that we require an explanation for each and every change to attendance. This is most simply done through the Compass App. For assistance with this, select the ‘More’ option at the bottom right, before clicking the ‘Help’ button with the light bulb (as per the image below). Within this help section, you will find information regarding submitting attendance notes.

G.O.A.T Retreat

In Week 1 of the Term, I had the great privilege of accompanying nine Years 10 and 11 students to the G.O.A.T. Retreat as part of the Diocesan Student Formation Continuum. Our students represented the College and their respective families incredibly well, through a series of individual and communal opportunities for prayer, intentional input, and physical challenges.

It was really pleasing to see the engagement of our young men and the support that each of them provided to one another and to boys from other Diocesan schools. The group will continue to meet over the course of 2025, and I look forward to accompanying these wonderful young men through the remainder of their journey this year.

Year 9 Camp

The event notification for our Year 9 Camp will be sent out to families within the next week. Please be reminded that this camp will take place on September 2-4 (Week 7), later this term. I want to publicly thank Ms Justine Kennedy for her tireless work in preparing a challenging and enjoyable experience for our Year 9 cohort.

Parent Learning Opportunities

Raising teens in this day and age is complex. There seems to be a never-ending supply of questions, and the answers can feel like finding a needle in a haystack! We are very fortunate to have access to a vast array of learning opportunities that aim to empower parents to foster loving and fruitful relationships with their children. I attach flyers below that may be of interest to families.

Click here to view Parent Talk News
Strengthening Young People Against Anxiety Seminar

As always, if there is any way that I can assist your family, please get in touch.

Nick Jones
Leader of Pastoral Care
nick.jones@lism.catholic.edu.au

Inside the Classroom

Year 7 Mathematicians have been investigating and analysing sets of data recently. They took part in data Bingo, where they were asked to solve a range of interesting problems.

Our Year 7 HPL Mathematics students attempted to solve the number mazes, which proved quite challenging.

The Years 8, 9 and 10 HPL students took part in another Zoom lesson with Professor Jelena Schmalz from the University of New England. They looked at iterations and solved quadratic equations. A big thank you to Mrs Perry for all her help.

Exhibition of Culture in the PAC

Year 9

This term, our Year 9 students have begun engaging in a series of fitness tests as part of their preparation for their Term 3 Assessment Task. One of the key activities has been the Beep Test, which measures cardiorespiratory endurance. Students demonstrated great enthusiasm and determination as they challenged themselves to reach their personal best. These practical sessions not only support theoretical learning but also help students understand the components of fitness, track their progress, and set personal goals. We look forward to seeing their continued growth and commitment throughout the term.

Year 11 Agriculture

This week, Year 11 Agriculture students visited Paul and Sharon Weir’s property, Hiddenbank, as part of our Farm Case Study. Students had the opportunity to tour the dairy, explore the calf shed, go on a pasture walk, and learn about the technology used on the farm,  including a close look at the silage bunkers.

Thank you to Paul for generously welcoming us onto your property. His passion for dairying, innovation, and education was clear throughout the day and gave our students valuable insight into the realities of modern dairy farming.

Year 10 Cafe Skills

On July 29, several students from the Year 10 Cafe Skills class either competed in or served coffee at the North Coast Junior Barista Championship. This was held in conjunction with the North Coast Careers Expo at the Lismore Showgrounds.

Our coffee caravan was on site to serve coffee for the people attending the event. The milk and coffee were provided by North Coast Community College and Old Quarter Coffee Merchants. A gold coin donation for all hot drinks was given, with all the proceeds going to St Vincent de Paul. A total of $186 was raised. 

Two teams of our students competed on the day, with one of the teams placing third. Considering our students were the youngest competitors there, they performed exceptionally well overall. In addition, the students have worked extremely hard this year to serve our community at events such as house breakfasts and sports carnivals. They all deserve first place in my eyes. 

Mrs Tanya Pearson

Sports at Woodlawn

Rugby Union

Alex Gibbon Cup

On July 23, five teams travelled to the Stan Payne Ovals in Evans Head, to compete in the Alex Gibbon 7-a-side Cup. There were Girls U14s, and U16s teams, as well as Boys U14s, U16s, and Opens teams. 

Under 14 Girls

The Under 14 Girls Team had an outstanding day, displaying incredible sportsmanship, skill, and talent. The Girls had 4 games, all against Byron High due to other teams forfeiting late. The Girls exemplified impressive ballwork and defensive ability, earning themselves a first win. 

As the day progressed, and the Girls continued their impressive wins, they merged sides with Byron High in their 3rd game in an attempt to share their knowledge and provide an opportunity for the opposition to learn new skills. 

Overall, the Girls played with honourable spirits and proved to be a very strong side on the day. They will now progress to the Alex Gibbons Cup Final Day on August 6.

Under 16 Girls

The Under 16 Girls Team exhibited immense grit and resilience in the face of all the opposing teams they faced. The Girls kickstarted their day versing Maclean High School, with an impressive first win. Their second game versus Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School proved to be a challenge, with the Girls winning by a small margin in the first half. Minutes from the end of the game, the Girls secured themselves a win through another fantastic try. 

Their third game, versing Ballina Coast High School, was the most challenging of the day. The Girls put up a great fight against the undefeated team of the day, but unfortunately lost in the end. The Girls’ last game of the day was against Kyogle High School, where they exemplified their impeccable teamwork abilities and skillsmanship. 

Overall, the girls played to their absolute best, never backing down from a challenge.

Under 14 Girls Rugby Union Team

Under 16 Girls Rugby Union Team

Under 14 Boys

The Under 14 Boys Team started the day strongly, displaying excellent teamwork to secure an impressive win in their opening game.

In their following two matches, they came up against strong opposition. Although both games ended in narrow losses, the boys showed great spirit and never gave up.

Some highlights from the sideline included the outstanding teamwork and determination on display throughout the day,  a commendable effort and a credit to the players involved.

Under 16 Boys
Last week, our Under 16s Rugby Team enjoyed good weather and spirited competition at Evans Head for the Alex Gibbon Cup Rugby 7’s. Despite a reduced schedule, the team played two pool games—winning one and narrowly losing the other. They went on to compete for 3rd place and finished just behind Lindisfarne in a closely fought Final.

Jakob Scheibel impressed with strong defensive play, while combinations between Bryce Byrne and Jackson Sheehan improved noticeably throughout the day. Congratulations to all players, and a special thanks to co-captains Tony Leju and Damien Lutze for their leadership. 

Under 18 Boys

The Under 18 Boys Team delivered a strong performance at Stan Payne Oval, stepping up for what was a tough day of rugby. The squad approached the day with focus and plenty of team spirit.

The opening match saw the boys face a skilful McLean High School team, and while it was a shaky start, the group quickly regrouped. They bounced back with a convincing 45-0 win over Kyogle High School, followed by another solid performance against Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School. These efforts earned them a place in the 1 v 2 Final, setting up a highly anticipated rematch against McLean High School.

In the Final, the boys came out firing, racing to a 10-0 lead early in the first half. Despite their strong start, McLean responded well in the second half to take out the win.

Every player who took the field represented Woodlawn with pride. Their commitment, sportsmanship, and willingness to keep improving across the day were a credit to the team and the College.

Rugby League

Boys Country Cup

On Friday, 25 July, at Queen Elizabeth Park in Casino, our Years 7-12 teams competed in the Country Cup Gala Day. Our Under 13s, Under 15s, and Open Boys teams all qualified for the Regional Finals.

Regional Finals

Under 13 Boys

The Under 13 Boys Team competed at Kingsford Smith Park in Ballina on 29 July against Xavier Catholic College, Banora Point High School, and St Joseph's College, Banora Point. The team had a draw and 2 convincing wins.  All the boys played really well and should be proud of their efforts. They will now progress to the next stage of the competition.

Opens

The First XIII travelled to Geoff King Motors Oval in Coffs Harbour for their regional final. They drew 0-0 with St Joseph's Catholic College, Aberdeen, lost 12-6 to St Francis Xavier's College, Hamilton, and defeated Newman Senior Technical College, Port Macquarie 16-10. The win against Newman secured the Phil Tobin Shield. Oliver Walker was best on ground, with strong performances from Matt Gillan, Blake Perkins, and Hudson Farrell.

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Girls Country Cup

Under 14 Girls

Our Under 14 Girls Team travelled to Mullumbimby Rugby League Football Club on 30 July, where they demonstrated exceptional skill and sportsmanship throughout the day. They began with a 14-0 victory over St Joseph's College, Banora Point, showcasing brilliant ball work and team coordination.

The girls then faced a challenging second match against St Mary's Catholic College, Casino, where their resilience shone through in a nail-biting 6-4 victory that secured their place in the finals. Although they were understandably tired after such an intense day, the team showed true Woodlawn spirit in the final, ultimately falling 10-4 to St Mary's Catholic College, Casino in what was a hard-fought contest.

Captain Taleah Eades deserves special recognition for her fierce leadership and constant energy throughout the competition. Dekyra Layton, Mali Cooper, and Aaliyah Garang-Hall also stood out with their exceptional playing abilities and unwavering commitment to the team.

Soccer

NRCC Junior competition

This week, our Years 7 and 8 Woodlawn Soccer Teams competed in the NRCC Junior Competition at Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay.

Junior Boys Team

The boys' team had a draw and four losses over the day. Despite the results, the team played well together and matched their opponents throughout the day. Jesse Davis scored a breakaway goal, slotting the ball past the goalkeeper in a one-on-one contest. Tyler Webster and Sam Herington rotated as goalkeepers, making key saves that kept the scores close. Dannon Pucci McDermott controlled the midfield with good skills, working well with Ben Ryall's passing and work rate.

Junior Girls Team

The girls played six matches, winning two and losing four to finish 5th overall. Playing together for the first time, the team improved throughout the day.

Sophie Maher, the goalkeeper for the final three games, showed good energy and willingness to attack the ball. Willow Englefield played as striker and scored several goals during the tournament.

The tournament provided a good opportunity to see the new football talent at Woodlawn, and we look forward to their development over the next couple of years.

Simon Andrews
Leader of Sport

From the Library Learning Hub

Book Expo Tips for Year 8 Students and Parents

This term, Year 8 students are working on one of Woodlawn’s most loved English tasks – Book Expo. This rich and rewarding assessment encourages students to choose their own novel, read it in full, and create an engaging display to promote the book. It builds critical thinking, creativity and communication skills.

To support success, establishing a regular reading routine at home is essential. Try setting aside 15-20 minutes each evening, either before bed or after dinner. A quiet, well-lit space helps minimise distractions. Reading alongside your child – or even reading the same book – models good habits and creates opportunities for discussion.

After reading at night, encourage your child to put the book straight into their school bag to avoid forgetting it the next day. A sticky note on the bedroom door or lunchbox is another useful reminder.

As part of the assessment, students must also keep a reflective journal throughout the term – this is a compulsory component. To support active reading, encourage your child to ask questions like, “Why did the author include this moment?” or “How is this character changing?” Recording these thoughts regularly makes it easier to build insights for their display.

Over the term, students will also complete a portfolio of scaffolded activities to prepare their final presentation. Supporting your child to stay organised and on track across the weeks is key to avoiding last-minute stress.

Visit our Book Expo LibGuide for reading tips, journal guidance, activity support and examples of past displays. The library is open at lunch for reading, journal help, and general Book Expo support – we’re here to help!

Happy Reading from the Library Team,

Catriona Fraser, Amanda Starr, Helen Koellner and Fiona Thompson.

Administration Announcements

Late Arrival/Early Departure

Please submit ALL attendance (All Day/Partial Attendance) through the Compass App to avoid phoning the College with late arrivals/early departures.

Early Departure
Click on the Plus Button on your Compass APP, click on Submit Attendance Note, select the time you would like to collect your student.

Your student will receive a Departure Pass to leave the class at the selected time and be directed to the drop-off/ pick-up zone.

The Student Service Office cannot guarantee your student will be ready for an early departure without adequate notification. 

Late Arrival
Click on the Plus Button on your Compass APP, click on Attendance Note, select the time your student will arrive at the College. Students arriving after 8.55am need to enter via the Student Service Office.

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.

Absentee

Absence due to holiday/family event:
Less than 10 days: Please notify the school that your student will be absent via the Compass Absence feature.
More than 10 days: Complete Form 01 Extended Leave Notification.

Click here to Download the Extended Leave Form

Absence due to Elite Sport, Elite Arts, Employment in the Entertainment Industry:
Accredited Elite Sports programs include national and international organisations that run camps for athletes and national sports squads in which students have been selected to participate. They also include talented identification programs run by the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation.
Complete Form 05 Exemption from Attendance General.

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.

Click here to Download the General Attendance Form

Parent Information Hub

Canteen Ordering

● Flexischools, by 9:00 am
● Brown Paper Bag: available near the canteen microwaves, by recess.

How to Use Flexischools for Canteen Orders

                 

  1. Create a Flexischools Account

    • Visit www.flexischools.com.au

    • Click “Register” and follow the prompts to create your parent account.

  2. Add Your Student

    • Once logged in, go to “Students” or “Add a Student”

    • Enter your child’s name, school name, year group, and class

    • Enter your child’s student ID number

    • Save your student profile.

  3. Top Up Your Account

    • Go to “My Wallet” or “Top Up”

    • Choose your preferred payment method and add funds to your account.

  4. Place a Canteen Order (order cut-off time of 9.00am)

  • Select your student

  • Choose the canteen and date

  • Pick items from the menu and place the order

  • Confirm and pay at checkout.

Uniform Shop

The Woodlawn Uniform Shop is proudly managed by P&C Uniforms. To ensure you have an easy and pleasant experience, we encourage you to order online ahead of time for easy click-and-collect in store. 

Uniform Shop Opening Hours (School Term):
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 (School Term):
Time: 11.00am - 2.00pm
When:
 Every Wednesday
Where: Colin Centre 

Community Notices

WEP Student Exchange Term 3
FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK INC. Term 3 and 4 PARENTING PROGRAM.pdf
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