Week 8 Term 1 2021
From the Principal
Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
It was wonderful to host prospective parents and students at Tuesday night’s ‘Open Night’. While the evening’s format was different from previous years due to COVID-19 restrictions, our visitors and existing families were still able to experience the very best a Woodlawn education has to offer. Any families who were unable to attend on Tuesday night, and would like an enrolment package, are asked to contact our College Registrar, Mrs Debbie Melino: debbie.melino@lism.catholic.edu.au Applications for Year 7, 2022 close on Tuesday, 30 March.
We will be celebrating a Requiem Mass for the late Fr Bob Barber sm tomorrow morning (Saturday, 20 March) at 10am here in the College Chapel. There are still some seats available and these can be booked via our College website. The Principal Celebrant is Fr Gerry Hall sm (a Marist Provincial Councillor), who will be joined by Frs Jim Carty sm, Ray Chapman sm (former Woodlawn Principal), Bing Monteagudo, Peter Slack EV and Jim Griffin. While there is always an element of sadness at any such celebration, we will be remembering with much fondness the contribution of one of the ‘giants’ in Woodlawn’s history.
From time to time certain trends develop within the community and these often have the habit of transferring into schools. Twenty years ago as a young Assistant Principal, I frequently dealt with students caught smoking. As this practice became less socially acceptable, so too did the frequency with which we dealt with the issue in schools. Traditional cigarettes now appear to have been replaced by the more trendy ‘e-cigarettes’ or ‘vapes’. Both are banned in NSW schools.
‘The sale and use of e-liquid nicotine, including in e-cigarettes, is against the law. E-cigarettes are not harm-free and may expose users and bystanders to chemicals that are harmful to health.’ (health.nsw.gov.au)
Our Parent Assembly will be hosting an evening in Term 2 which will specifically address the detrimental nature of this practice, amongst others, that some of our students have been experimenting with. Please take the time to discuss this issue with your sons and daughters. Your support here is very much appreciated.
A reminder that it is imperative that students who are displaying even the slightest signs of illness remain at home. Should a student become unwell during the course of a school day they will be required to be collected from the Student Services Office ASAP to minimise the risk of cross-infection.
As per NSW Health advice, people displaying symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, headache) are advised to get tested. A student or staff member who has been unwell cannot return to school unless proof of a negative COVID-19 test has been provided. There are several local testing centres aside from your local GP, including Lismore Base Hospital and Ballina Respiratory Clinic. Visit the NSW Health website for further details.
Current Public Health Orders can also be found at: health.nsw.gov.au by clicking on COVID-19 (Case Alerts). These lists are updated daily and if you have recently travelled you must follow any relevant mandatory isolation guidelines stringently.
Additional cleaning measures remain in place at the College and while social distancing is not officially required of students in schools, students are restricted to mixing within their immediate year levels only, where possible, and have also been asked to refrain from close interactions with other students and staff.
Finally, I provide the following Reflection on Pope Francis’ analogy of the Church as a ‘Field Hospital’:
‘For Pope Francis the heart of pastoral action is to heal the hearts of men and women who are suffering. Pope Francis beautifully describes the Church as a field hospital: ‘I see clearly that the thing the Church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity. I see the Church as a field hospital after battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol and about the level of his blood sugars. You have to heal his wounds. And you have to start from the ground up. This is the mission of the Church: the Church heals, it cures… The mission of the Church is to heal wounds of the heart, to open doors, to free people, to say that God is good, God forgives all, God is the Father.’ (Br Mark O’Connor fms)
Thank you for your ongoing support during these final weeks of term.
Sincerely
Aaron Beach
Principal
From Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Year 12 Assessment
On Thursday, we welcomed Year 12 back to normal classes after an intense period of school-based HSC assessment. I would like to congratulate all students for the way they engaged in this process. School-based assessment is designed to prepare students for their final HSC examinations. Their HSC examinations ultimately determine their final results. Students need to be reminded that there is a direct correlation between purposeful, intentional study and sound results. For optimum performance, students need to continually revise content and apply this knowledge by completing past HSC questions and submitting practice essays for teacher feedback.
If students are disappointed with their result, it is not a disaster. They need to reflect on their preparation, absorb and act on teacher feedback. If your son or daughter requires any further tuition, there is an additional opportunity for engagement in after school tutorial sessions from 3.30pm-4.30pm (open to all year groups) in the Library every Monday afternoon. The tutorials are staffed by numerous teachers from a wide range of KLAs.
Congratulations
Olivia Mosse (Year 12)
2020 Arthur Phillip Award
The Brock Rowe Senior Geography Fieldwork Competition
First Place
The Geography Teachers’ Association of NSW and ACT organises an annual competition for students to foster an enthusiasm for Geography. This competition received entries from all over NSW and the ACT. The emphasis of the competition was inquiry, the use of fieldwork and the gathering of primary and secondary data.
Olivia was awarded first place for her project entitled ‘The impact of Covid-19 on the township of Alstonville’. Olivia is to be congratulated not only for an outstanding submission of work that awarded her first place, but also on her commitment to the College and role modelling to other students of how hard work and persistence can lead to outstanding success.
Well done, Olivia.
Billie Bridle (Year 12 class of 2020)
ARTEXPRESS
I would like to acknowledge Billie Bridle from our Year 12 class of 2020 for an outstanding achievement. Billie’s artwork will be on display at the Sydney Olympic Park Armory Gallery. On display will be inspiring artworks from fifty-nine of the state’s young artists.
Billie's inspiration for his work:
“My body of work expresses the uncertain and often strenuous nature of dealing with trauma, especially how it can impact your sleep, and cause desolate and volatile dreams.”
Billie hopes to pursue a career in the arts. The display of his work in such a high profile exhibition will be a great step in achieving that goal.
Congratulations, Billie.
Year 11 Parent-Teacher Interviews
Due to the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, we are excited to announce that we are once again available to host Parent/Teacher/Student interviews, in person here at Woodlawn. This is an important process for providing feedback to all stakeholders, with the aim of improving relationships and learning.
The Year 11 PTIs will be held at the College on Monday, 29 March in the Colin Centre between 4:30pm and 7:00pm. Parents are invited to make a booking via the PTO portal on the College website (go to the Teaching & Learning tab, Parent/Teacher Online Booking) which will open in the coming days. This round of interviews is particularly important for parents and students to discuss the current academic progress of all Year 11 students leading into the Half Yearly Examinations (commencing Friday, Week 1, Term 2 - Friday, Week 2, Term 2).
Teachers are looking forward to the opportunity to provide feedback and guidance to best prepare students for their ongoing learning. As always, parents who are unable to attend the PTIs in person are invited to make contact with their child’s teachers to organise a phone interview at a mutually convenient time.
Michael Campbell
Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
michael.campbell@lism.catholic.edu.au
Head Heart Hands
Over the past three weeks, student leadership has been the focus of many Assemblies and the importance of student voice has been the key theme running across our Year Group gatherings. We were justifiably proud of those who nominated themselves and were elected by their peers to be authentic witnesses, participate in decision-making and to represent ‘student voice’ as part of the SRC. At Woodlawn, we offer a student centred education and our students are at the heart of all that we do.
I am proud to announce the following students who addressed their peers with sincerity and conviction and were subsequently elected to advocate for their respective year groups.
Year 11 Representatives - Ryan Allen, Harry Baker, Finlay Buchanan, Eva Crotty, Madeline Ewing, Jillian Gao, Leia Golding, Alana Rojo, Jack Taylor and Luka Venables.
Year 10 Representatives - Lilly Munce and Oscar Murchinson.
Year 9 Representatives - Eliza Lamas and Heath Borgeest.
Year 8 Representatives - Noah Gilliland and Taia Kempshall.
I would also like to congratulate each of the students who nominated to be part of this process for their courage and conviction, despite not being elected this year. Base Class Leaders are also vital members of our Student Leadership Team.
On 12 March, Mr Beach and I had the honour of attending the Ordination to the Diaconate of Prodencio Bacuso Bognay. We were accompanied by Lily Munce, Tom Rowling, Olivia Taylor and Clare Young. These members of my Year 10 Ministry Class represented the College with pride and respect at this ceremony, where Prodencio dedicated his life to the service of the Church. We were also fortunate enough to meet with Fr Peter Wood, who was the Woodlawn College Captain in 2001.
This week has been acknowledged by all Australians as a week to reflect on anti-bullying practices and the need to stand together against violence. Our Catholic faith calls us to live together as a community and to love one another. Bullying, in any form, runs counter to Christ’s message of inclusion and His instruction that we treat one another with care and respect. We asked students to take a role in preventing bullying and become an upstander instead of simply a bystander. Following a Zoom Assembly, facilitated by our Year 11 SRC representatives, Home Groups designed pledges that reflected their commitment to stand in solidarity with those who need our care. I have included some of these pledges as they were reflective of the message of the power of the collective to overcome adversity and embrace the Gospel teachings known as 'The Golden Rule'.
‘So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the law and the prophets’ (MATTHEW 7:12).
We would like to congratulate our students for their commitment to being respectful and engaged in their education. The first round of RFLs have been analysed and we were impressed by the number of students who were acknowledged positively for their work ethic and classroom behaviour. We are currently trialling linking the RFLs with our Award system. In each year group the ten students with the highest GPA will receive Commendation Certificates at the end of Term Assemblies.
Thanks to all those who have supported the Project Compassion 'Hearts of Hope' Campaign. We are entering the final two weeks of fundraising for Caritas. Traditionally, each Home Group has purchased one of these hearts as a sign of standing in solidarity with the poor.
On Friday, 26 March we will also have our first Casual Clothes Day in support of Caritas. The day will be coordinated by the Year 10 Social Justice Committee. The theme for the day is 'LOUD and PROUD'. Traditionally, our staff and students relish the opportunity to participate in this fundraiser. $2 donations are collected in the morning during Home Group.
The following rules apply when selecting your ‘LOUD AND PROUD’ attire:
- Normal school rules apply regarding grooming, jewellery and footwear (covered footwear - not thongs, sandals, crocs etc. Singlets, short shorts or short skirts are not permitted);
- If students have practical subjects they must bring their leather shoes and appropriate gear;
- Cross-dressing is not appropriate.
Please note that students who contravene these conditions will be asked to change into school uniforms. Casual clothes days are an opportunity to support many projects. They are at risk if students do not respect the rules. The inappropriate behaviour of a few can adversely affect this opportunity for a bit of fun.
We are blessed to have such a caring community here at Woodlawn. Please note these words from Pope Francis as we journey through Lent.
Annettte Reen
Assistant Principal - Mission
annette.reen@lism.catholic.edu.au
Ministry Matters
Ministry Matters
Our students continue to thrive in the Ministry space this term in what has become an increasingly busy few weeks. The Spirit of Community around the College this week has been bolstered by the work of our Year 11 SRC students in facilitating our Anti-bullying Assembly. This work promotes Christ’s message to look out for and care for the downtrodden in our midst, something that is a strong part of our rich tradition at Woodlawn.
LEAD Conference
We had twenty-five Senior students head to McAuley Catholic College, Grafton on 11-12 March for the LEAD Senior Student Discipleship Retreat. From the moment the group gathered until our return there was a prayerful and energetic spirit amongst them, all keen to experience and develop their faith.
The group experienced keynote presentations, small-group discussions and workshops as opportunities for their own faith development and growth. We were fortunate to be able to celebrate Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Mass with the 300 Conference participants. Our staff & students alike were very grateful to be joined for these moments by Mrs Reen who drove down to share the experience with us.
Most excitingly, all students present at LEAD have committed themselves to join the Senior Ministry Team in the hope of sharing their faith and experience with the rest of the student body in an attempt to bring Christ more fully alive in our College community.
Thanks especially to Jacob, Emerson and Tash, our wonderful Youth Ministry Officers, for their work in preparing and delivering a truly life-giving experience for our students at LEAD. Thanks also to Ms Jane Farrugia for giving generously of her time to accompany our group.
Transitus Year 7 Student Discipleship Retreat
We have been overjoyed by the response of our Year 7 students in their desire to participate in this year's Transitus Retreat. Applications closed on Monday and students were handed their notes. We were grateful to be granted extra positions by the CSO SEACS Team for this year meaning that every one of our seventeen students who applied are able to attend.
Reading the applications from these students showed the depth and breadth of their desire to get to know who Jesus is to each of them and how they would like to help building our Faith community at Woodlawn.
These students will be on Transitus next Thursday and Friday and we will publish some of their experience in our next article.
IGNITE Launch 2021
This annual event is back again this year, hosted at Dreamworld! We are currently calling for student nominations for the IGNITE Launch. It will take place on Saturday, 15 May (Term 2) and is a wonderful opportunity for students of all ages to engage in a day of fun with their peers before attending a Youth Rally within the grounds of Dreamworld in the evening.
Permission notes are available through the Ministry Team and SSO. We will need to have numbers and payment finalised by the end of this term so please attend to this swiftly.
St. Patrick’s Day 2021
Wednesday saw the Feast of St. Patrick celebrated in the Church. As such, I would like to leave you with this beautiful Irish Blessing for the week. May you experience every blessing in the coming weeks.
An Irish Blessing
“May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be ever at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rain fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of his hands.
May God give you
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share,
For every sign, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.”
Nicholas Jones
Leader of School Evangelisation
nick.jones@lism.catholic.edu.au
Student Welfare
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
Year 7 Big Day Out
Last Friday, Year 7 had their annual Big Day Out at the Ballina Waterslide. As always, it was a fantastic day for the students to connect and grow as a year group. The students spent the day swimming and laughing with their peers and racing down the giant waterslides. It was great to observe the developing friendships, with a particular highlight seeing students teach each other how to dive with great success. The Ballina pool staff congratulated our students at the end of the day for their wonderful manners and friendly dispositions. Overall, I would like to thank Year 7 for such a fun and positive day, of which I look forward to many more.
Annabelle Green
Year 7 Coordinator
annabelle.green@lism.catholic.edu.au
National Day of Action Against Bullying
Today is the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. Over the course of the last two weeks we have looked at what bullying actually is, what can be done to stop bullying and what we can do when bullying has occurred. Woodlawn is an anti-bullying school and as such our students have pledged to stamp out bullying. Today in Home Groups, students wrote personal pledges that aligned with our beliefs around bullying and the fact that bullying is not accepted here at Woodlawn.
Year 11 Examinations
When they return from holidays, Year 11 students will enter into their first formal examination period in Stage 6. In preparation, they should: listen to the advice of their teachers in regards to subject specific expectations; prepare study notes using a variety of sources including class notes, text books, and other trusted sources; learn the required content; and complete practice questions to prepare them for the question types they will encounter in the examinations. These examinations are not going to simply ask students to regurgitate content. Students will need to be able to apply this content to a range of question types, so practising written responses is the key to doing well. Submitting these responses to teachers for marking and feedback is the final step in the process. Students can then act on this feedback to improve their results.
Winter Uniform
A reminder that students will return to school after the holidays wearing the College winter uniform. This can be purchased from the School Locker at Southern Cross University or the Homemaker Centre in Ballina. The College Second Hand Uniform Shop in the Colin Centre will be open on Wednesday, April 21 (the first Wednesday after the school holidays) and then will be open on the first Wednesday of each month. A reminder also that the old College tracksuit is no longer part of our uniform. Blazers are not required to be worn until after the June long weekend.
Mental health concerns
One in four young people in Australia experience mental health difficulties and 70% of those do not seek help.
Reachout.com has some great resources to assist in this area. The following are excerpts from their website. Stress and anxiety are two of the leading causes of mental ill-health in our young people.
What is stress?
Dr Bill Kefalas from the University of NSW explains in this clip what stress is: its' benefits and its' limitations. It is normal to feel stressed sometimes, but if you always feel under-the-pump it can have a really negative impact on your mind and body. This is because stress is supposed to be a short-term response to danger and not a constant state of being. If you know the signs that you are experiencing stress, you will be better placed to keep it under control.
Is stress always bad?
Feeling stressed can be normal, healthy and helpful – depending on the situation. Stress is the fight-or-flight response that gets you through job interviews, impromptu speeches and those awkward encounters with your ex. In these situations, stress helps you to overcome a short-term challenge that you know you can handle. It is only a problem when it is constant or the situation is out of your control. At times like these, it is important to know how to cope with stress.
What are the signs of stress?
When your body senses danger, it releases stress hormones that cause short-term physical changes. These changes help you to stay focused and alert until things are under control. However, if stress is constant and these changes persist, they can lead to serious problems in the long term.
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is our body’s physical response to threats. Breathing rates might increase, your heart might start pounding, you could feel butterflies in your stomach, and you might get a burst of energy.
Everyone feels anxious at times, and a certain level of anxiety is normal, and even helpful, in some situations. Anxiety is your body’s way of keeping you safe. For instance, imagine you are walking home, and you are dragging your feet because you are tired. Out of the corner of your eye, you think you see a snake. Suddenly, you forget how tired you are and have a burst of energy that helps you to get out of harm’s way.
Anxiety can also motivate you. If you feel a bit anxious about an assignment that is due or a job interview, anxiety can help you to power through.
However, feeling too much anxiety about something, or feeling anxiety that is not connected to an obvious challenge, is not helpful. It can get in the way of your day-to-day activities and affect your quality of life.
What are the signs and symptoms of anxiety?
People who experience anxiety or an anxiety disorder may display a variety of different signs and symptoms. Different types of anxiety disorders can also have different symptoms. However, there are some common ones, including:
- racing heart or tightening of the chest;
- rapid breathing;
- feeling tense, restless, ‘on edge’ or wound up;
- hot and cold flushes;
- sweating;
- shaking;
- feeling weak or tired;
- obsessive thinking, excessive fear and worrying;
- having a sense of impending panic, doom or danger;
- imagining the worst-case scenario;
- having difficulty thinking about anything other than what is worrying you;
- having trouble sleeping;
- stomach or digestion issues;
- avoiding situations that make you feel anxious (e.g. taking public transport, going to class or meeting new people).
Keep in mind that some people may not fit these exact symptoms, and this list is not designed to give you a diagnosis. You can use these as a guide, but only a doctor can give you a proper diagnosis.
What is an anxiety disorder?
An anxiety disorder occurs when anxiety starts to impact on a person’s life and prevents them from engaging with friends, family, work or school. Rather than feeling anxious in response to actual danger, someone with an anxiety disorder will experience the same symptoms in situations they perceive as dangerous (e.g. when meeting new people or taking public transport).
If you feel your child may need some support in these areas, please contact their Year Coordinator or our College Counsellor, Ms Jessica Godfrey, who was introduced in last fortnight’s Newsletter.
Points to note
As always, there are areas in the school that we are focusing on in an effort to improve the health and wellbeing of our students.
Year 8 recently had a presentation, titled the Digital Thumbprint Program, which showcased an individual’s digital identity and how to be a responsible digital citizen. This was well received by the students as they learnt much about how to be responsible users of technology.
Regards,
Fiona Fennamore
Leader of Student Welfare
fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au
NAPLAN
Dear Parents/Caregivers,
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) assesses literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. NAPLAN Online testing will occur between 11 May- 14 May, 2021.
Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The assessment provides parents and schools with an understanding of how individual students are performing at the time of the tests. NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and reporting process – it does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance.
St. John's College has conducted NAPLAN testing Online since 2018. Federal, State and Territory Ministers made the decision that all Australian schools would transition from paper-based NAPLAN to NAPLAN Online in order to provide a better and more precise assessment that is more engaging for students.
In 2019, the NAPLAN Online platform experienced delays and connection difficulties. Students at Woodlawn were affected by these technological problems during the NAPLAN writing test, and those who were affected were able to nominate to resit the writing test, which was successfully re-administered. In 2020, NAPLAN was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the change to blended learning over this time period. Over the past week, staff have assisted students in checking their devices and downloading the necessary lock down platform to complete the NAPLAN Online tests on their own devices. We will also participate in a NAPLAN Online practice test on Thursday, 25 March, 2021.
This year, the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) will continue to administer the NAPLAN Online testing, with improvements and upgrades to their platform. St. John's College staff will be attending NAPLAN Online training in March to ensure these tests are administered smoothly, and that if technological problems do arise, our students will not be adversely affected.
Please take the time to read the NAPLAN Online information sheet attached. If you have any questions or concerns concerning the NAPLAN testing or process, please do not hesitate to contact me via email.
Kind Regards,
Natalie Harris
NAPLAN Coordinator
natalie.harris@lism.catholic.edu.au
Sport News
Lismore Diocesan Swimming Carnival Results
Niamh Thompson
2nd – 50 m Backstroke
3rd – 50m Freestyle
Oliver Mason
3rd – 50m Freestyle
Madeline Ewing
1st - 200m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle
2nd - 100m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke, 200m IM, 100m Butterfly
3rd - 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke
Luca Beasley-Kenk
3rd - 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle
Niquola White
1st - 100m Backstroke, 50m Backstroke
2nd - 50m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke, 200m IM
3rd - 50m Butterfly, 200m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle
Patrick Thompson
1st - 50m Butterfly, 400m Freestyle
2nd - 200m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 100m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly
3rd - 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke
Max Alcorn
2nd - 50m Butterfly
3rd - 50m Breaststroke, 100m Freestyle
Padraig Heffernan
2nd - 400m Freestyle
3rd - 50m Butterfly
Isabella Rowe
3rd - 200m Freestyle, 50m Breaststroke
Michael Bullpitt
2nd - 100m Backstroke
3rd - 400m Freestyle
Alanna Bromhead
2nd - 100m Freestyle
3rd - 50m Breaststroke
Tahlia Rowe
3rd - 50m Breaststroke
Zac Landrigan
2nd - 50m Breaststroke
3rd - 100m Breaststroke
Corey McInnes
2nd - 50m Breaststroke
15-16s Girls - St John’s College Woodlawn Relay team - 3rd
15-16s Boys - St John's College Woodlawn Relay team - 1st
Those students who finished first in an event or first and second in 50m Freestyle qualify to represent the Lismore Diocese at NSWCCC Swimming.
Diocesan Tennis Championships
Congratulation to the Junior Boys (U/15 yrs) team of Digby Langdon and Patrick Maginnity who won the Diocesan Championship and to the Junior Girls team of Emily Hoskins and Jaya Wisemantel who were runners-up in the Championships.
Diocesan Rugby League Trials
Congratulations to the following students who were selected in the Lismore Diocesan under 18 team to contest the Northern Country trials:
Harry Baker, Reshawn Brown, Kye Cooper, Jye Davis, Jack Elmore, Henry Lee, Lennox Rowe and Harry Sivewright.
Diocesan Soccer Trials
Congratulations to Chloe Organ (Open Girls) and Sam Gillett (Open Boys) who were selected in the Lismore Diocesan teams to contest the NSWCCC Trials/Championships later this year.
Brian Battese
Sports Coordinator
brian.battese@lism.catholic.edu.au
Careers Update
In an effort to refine the news provided to students and their families, we are trialling a new format for the Careers Update. A full version of the Careers Update can be found at this link. Newsletters are listed on the left side of the page. Select the week for the most up-to-date news. Don’t forget to check the calendar for Open Days, events, Career Expos, new dates and closing dates, etc.
In this fortnight’s news, a number of Universities have opened their Early Access Programs and Residential Colleges are encouraging students to apply early to secure a place. There are also a number of Open Days on the horizon, as well as holiday workshops available.
Please click on the links below to read more about the latest news and events.
Bernie Maginnity
Vocational Pathways Coordinator
bernie.maginnity@lism.catholic.edu.au
Country Secondary Schools Chess Teams Competition
Chess is a challenging yet fun game that generally brings together like-minded personalities. Five of these personalities have stood out from the Friday lunchtime Chess crowd. These students have not only displayed skill, but a dedication to improvement. They have become our Woodlawn Chess Team for Round 1 of the Country Secondary Schools Chess Teams Competition.
On Wednesday, we played our first round against Kempsey. It is a knockout competition in which twenty-four schools are competing for the North Coast crown and the opportunity to play in the NSW finals. Here is a summary of our first round:
On Board 1, Mark Wright (Year 10) had a winning position in under four moves and quickly won the game. Things did not go so smoothly on Board 2 where Jahedyn Finlayson (Year 10) blundered a bishop and rook early on. He could have justifiably resigned the game. But instead he resiliently played on, finding a winning tactic and checkmate soon after! On Board 3, William Cronin (Year 10) displayed tactical genius taking a knight and queen in the first sixteen moves before securing victory. And finally, on Board 4, Jacob Southwood (Year 8) played a near perfect game (with computer evaluation Jacob did not make a single inaccuracy! Highly commendable!). He mated his opponent in twenty-one moves.
Our fifth personality is Ben Davis (Year 8) who will play in Round 2.
Congratulations to each of these students on their success - a perfect start to the competition with 4-0.
Jonathan Weslake
Chess Coordinator
jonathan.weslake@lism.catholic.edu.au
International Women's Day
SRC REFLECTIONS: This week’s feature is written by Tiana Riley, one of our College Captains.
Early last week we celebrated women worldwide. March 8 is not only a time to celebrate our achievements as individuals, but also a time to reflect on how far the world has come in recognising the contributions women have on society.
This International Women’s Day the theme was ‘Choose to Challenge’. As individuals, we are responsible for our thoughts and actions. We can choose to call out imbalance. We can choose to call out inequality. We can choose to celebrate women’s achievements. Together, we can play a part in creating an equal and just world.
“From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.” - IWD2021
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every woman here in our College community. Our teachers, who guide us and contribute endless amounts of time to ensure we have the best learning experience possible. Our mothers, grandmothers, caregivers, family and friends, who continue to support us in our learning journey and our lives, who care for us everyday. To all the students who make the Woodlawn community what it is, each one of you is beyond important and I hope that you all know that you are valued and appreciated.
Below are some reflections from a few of our Senior students on what International Women’s Day means to them, particularly in the current social climate. I have also included a number of pictures of some of the lovely girls from our school community. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the article and continue to promote the rights of women in our community.
Being a 'woman' is multifaceted, complex, and often unfair. It's a difficult gender to identify with. Society holds us to ridiculous standards, outdated gender norms are pervasive in our daily lives, gender pay gaps are still rampant, and the patriarchy, although facing criticism, is still a force to be reckoned with. Often I find myself frustrated and angered at the situations that still confront us.
Despite this, I take so much pride and hope in knowing that there's never been a more significant time for women. Facing the spread of feminism, #MeToo movements, and intense feelings of solidarity, despite the vast and intersectional diversity of women's issues, I am beyond glad to be part of this collective force of womankind.
However, this International Women's Day was a bit different. With the recent murder of Sarah Everard in the UK, an incredible outpouring of women's stories on social media in response to Everard's death, a particular image stood out:
Many men have acknowledged the privileges they enjoy in public spaces – such as freely being able to walk the streets at night without fear of sexual harassment or assault – things women cannot take for granted.
In times of crisis, we stand together. As mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, teachers, and most importantly, women. It is moments like these that make me proud to be a woman - showing solidarity in these times of collective anger against harassment and gender-based violence. We're able to stand up for what we believe in, no matter what the cost. We can disagree with opposing arguments without fear of how our opponents will respond. Our intelligence and knowledge make us strong, equal voices in our world.
I am proud to be a woman because we have a voice.
Lily Delman - Year 12
To be a woman in today’s society means knowing how to safely walk home at night to avoid being sexually harassed. To be a woman in today’s society means fearing the possibility that your experiences will be invalidated and that your trauma will be rebutted because you could simply be “looking for attention”. To be a woman in today’s society means accepting the frustration that instead of teaching boys how to behave, women are taught how to protect themselves.
However, to be a woman in today’s society also means having the ability to use your voice to challenge these standards. To be a woman in today’s society means having the freedom to continue the efforts of the amazing women who came before us and paved the way for gender equality and inclusivity. To be a woman in today’s society means being empowered and unified through a shared understanding that all women’s rights are important and should be fought for.
International Women’s Day recognises the strength, resilience, and capability of the women in our society and the challenges we have faced for centuries. It calls us to encourage other women around us to use their voice and to continue to fight for gender equality, to be united through sisterhood, both today and every day.
Molly O’Toole - Year 12
Not just on International Women’s Day but EVERYDAY. Everyday we must appreciate, recognise, and show solidarity for all the females in this world. I would like to give an extra emphasis in addressing the males of this world. We must do better. We must call out our mates. We need to voice these issues, bear witness and not turn a blind eye. We must stand up and protect women from injustices and harassment. We all need to truly reflect on this and do our part. Because after all it isn’t all of us, but it’s enough of us, it requires ALL of us to stand up and show genuine solidarity for the dignity of all women in our daily actions.
Dan Westerman - Year 12
International Women's Day has been celebrated for 110 years. This year, however, with the death of Sarah Evernand and Brittany Higgins sharing her survival story amongst many more, IWD has a heightened focus on the change needed in our society, whilst also celebrating the power every woman holds. The other night when watching ‘The Project’ I heard Carrie Bickmore quote Amy Remeikis “A message to anyone who has a story they can’t tell - you are no less brave than those who have told their stories for continuing to put one foot in the other. Your story is your own. You do not have to tell it. You do not have to feel shame for not speaking it.”
At seventeen years old, I already have stories of my own as do many of my peers. Whether we speak them out loud or hold them close to ourselves, we are united as women. I am so proud to be a woman in a changing society where conversations are happening highlighting our strength, our resilience, our right to be treated equally and our right to be heard.
It is so empowering to be part of an international sisterhood as we come together every March 8 and celebrate the strength it takes everyday to be a woman. The generations of women before us have led the fight against gender inequality and now it's our time to join them. Together we will stand in solidarity and we will raise our voices. International Women's Day to me is the reminder that every woman is my sister and that when we support each other, amazing things can happen.
Leilani Mangan - Year 12
Parents & Friends' Association
The next P&F meeting is on Monday, 26 April at 5.30pm, in the College Library.
We are an inclusive voice for our school community as well as raising valuable funds to assist our College and students. We look forward to seeing our familiar faces and welcome any new parents and friends who might like to come along to meet other parents and stay in touch with what is happening at the College.
If you would like to become a member of our P&F Association, membership is $10 per year or $30 for lifetime membership.
Please see form attached and account details are as follows:
Account Name: St John's College Woodlawn P&F Association
BSB: 012-715
Account No: 2090 26113
Reference: Your Surname.
The P&F Annual Raffle Tickets have been distributed to students this week.
The tickets are $2 each with each student will receiving 1 x book of 5 tickets.
Tickets are due back by Friday, 23 April and the raffle will be drawn on Monday, 3 May, 2021 at the College Assembly.
The Home Group that sells the most books of tickets will receive a lunchtime pizza party!
The raffle prizes are as follows:
1st Prize: Hot Air Balloon Ride for 2 people valued at $650 - donated by Balloons Aloft
2nd Prize: Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm) valued at $599 - donated by the Lorkin and Williamson families.
3rd Prize: Apple Airpods Generation 2 with wireless charge case valued at $319 - donated by The Goonellabah Denture Clinic.
4th Prize: Gourmet Hamper & Veuve and Quilted Picnic Rug - valued at $250 - donated by First National Byron Bay; and Ms Gay Strong.
5th Prize: $100 Dinner Voucher at The Clydesdale Motel and Steakhouse and $50 Dan Murphys Voucher - valued at $150 - donated by the George Family and the P&F Asssociation.
The P&F would like to sincerely thank the families and businesses that donated these amazing prizes!
Good luck to everyone!
Lisa Love
P&F President
Canteen News
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 mush 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: