Week 4 Term 4 2021
From the Principal
Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
Our Year 12 students have now completed their final week of classes and move into a study week before commencing their HSC Exams on 9 November. They departed the College on Thursday with the utmost grace and as a school community, we can be so proud of the way our Seniors have handled the many setbacks that this year kept throwing at them, as recently as the postponement of their Graduation last week. We offer our collective prayers and best wishes for the HSC Exam period and look forward to our Graduation and Formal celebrations in early December.
I would like to offer our collective congratulations and best wishes to Ms Sharni Garrington and her husband, Myles, on the birth of their first child, Aubrey on Wednesday. Both Mum and bub are doing well!
In conjunction with Fr Bing, I am happy to announce the following Middle Leadership appointments for the 2022 – 2024 triennium:
Leader of Pastoral Care – Mrs Fiona Fennamore
Leader of Curriculum – Mr Matthew Bailey
Leader of Pedagogy – Mr Craig Saad
Leader of School Evangelisation – Mr Nick Jones
Leader of Administration – Mr Brad Ryall
Leader of Catechesis – Ms Sharni-Lee Garrington
Leader of Creative Arts – Mrs Sharon Thompson
Leader of English – Mrs Claire Ritchie
Leader of Humanities – Mr Chris Mason
Leader of Mathematics – Mrs Sally Ryall
Leader of PDHPE – Ms Jane Farrugia
Leader of Science – Dr Toni Pacey
Leader of TAS – Mr David Maslen
Leader of Learning Technologies – Ms Catherine Graham-Smith
Leader of VET – Mrs Tanya Pearson
Assistant LOL English – Mrs Marlaina Garcia
Assistant LOL Humanities – Ms Stefanie Darke
Sports Coordinator – Mr Brian Battese
Leader of Careers – Mr Bernie Maginnity
Year 7 Coordinator – Mr Luke Flynn
Asst Year 7 Coordinator – Ms Justine Kennedy
Year 8 Coordinator – Ms Annabelle Green
Year 9 Coordinator – Mr Joel Saye
Year 10 Coordinator – Ms Stevie Whitton
Year 11 Coordinator – Mr Ruben Garcia
Year 12 Coordinator – Mr Simon Andrews
I’m sure all in our community will join with me in congratulating these staff on their appointments and offer them our full support over the next three years.
We would like to again remind all families of the College Policy around providing one term’s notice to the College should your child be leaving the school. Please contact our College Registrar, Mrs Debbie Melino, at your earliest convenience should your son/daughter not be returning to Woodlawn in 2022.
As you would be well aware from various media reports, COVID-19 restrictions change regularly. Put simply, if your child has cold or flu symptoms, please follow the health advice, get tested and stay at home while unwell. Students who are unwell and attend school will be sent home with the request to get tested. We appreciate your support in keeping our community safe and healthy.
Finally, given this liminal moment in the school year where our community farewells another Senior class, I leave you with the following reflection which encourages us all to really ‘make our mark’ in our own unique way:
Are You a Painting or a Masterpiece?
We are born into the world like a blank canvas, and each person who crosses our path takes up the brush and makes his or her mark upon our surface. And so it is that we develop.
But we must realise that there will come a day that we must take up the brush and finish the work. For only we can decide if we are to be just another painting or a masterpiece.
With best wishes for the fortnight ahead.
Sincerely
Aaron Beach
Principal
From the Assistant Principal - Mission
The Power of the Collective.
Thanks to everyone in our community who supported Dag Day. This event is an important feature of how we stand in solidarity with the poor and marginalised. These pictures showcase staff and students working for our Cambodian connections.
There are other opportunities to be involved in this important Mission. I have reshared the link to our promotion of the Justice Walk and how students can become involved in this fundraiser. Watch the clip and notice the smiles of those we help. All money raised by the College goes straight to the La Valla Community. Students who raise over $20 will receive Commendation Certificates. This is a chance to show compassion and care for people you may never meet and for people whose lives are changed through your generosity. Sponsorship envelopes are available from my office. To date, the response from our Year 7 students has been commendable.
Farewelling our Year 12 students this week was both emotional and heartwarming. We are grateful for their contributions to College life, their resilience and the way they embraced what is Woodlawn in order to ‘live life to the full’. Our Ministry Team put together a reflection for the group. It is worth sharing!
Issues of concern around the grounds:
- Mobile Phones: These are to be kept in lockers during the school day. This is essential to ensure that there are no infractions. Each family signed an agreement when students were enrolled at the College. One of the stipulations is to abide by the College policy around technology. Students' whose phones are out during the school day will have them confiscated. Those who are repeat offenders will have meetings involving families. Nothing good comes of students having access to their phones during the school day. On a positive note, I had the pleasure of visiting twelve classes today and there was only one phone to be confiscated.
- Uniform: Sports uniform is to be worn on Wednesday only. If you have issues sourcing elements of the uniform, please contact me directly. Regulation socks are required. As a community we have a responsibility to represent the standards that are expected.
Thanks to the many parents I have met in the last few weeks. The partnership we foster between families, staff and students becomes the cornerstone for forming positive relationships that are centered on the growth and development of all students in our care. On this World Teachers' Day, take a couple of minutes to email a teacher who is nurturing your child.
Annette Reen
Assistant Principal - Mission
annette.reen@lism.catholic.edu.au
From the Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
Year 12 2021
I would like to congratulate all Year 12 students who finally completed their last day of formal classes this week. I would like to acknowledge the positive contribution they have made to our College over the past six years. They have shown tremendous resilience and a great sense of community, absorbing all the challenges that have been thrown at them this year. One of the many highlights in high school teaching is watching young children grow and leave us as young adults ready to take on the world. I had the privilege of spending a substantial amount of time with this group and look forward to celebrating with them in more formal celebrations in December.
Well done, and congratulations Year 12.
HSC
Due to COVID-19, there are a number of protocols that students must be made aware of prior to 9 November. Mrs Sue Roff, the HSC Presiding Officer, will join in a Zoom meeting next Thursday, 4 November to inform students of their requirements. All Year 12 students will be emailed a link to this Zoom meeting early next week.
Michael Campbell
Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching
michael.campbell@lism.catholic.edu.au
Student Wellbeing
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I am not sure if you are feeling this way, but at school there has been a sense that the weeks are passing by very quickly. This week we said farewell to our Year 12 cohort. We wish them all well - those preparing for the HSC Examinations which begin on November 9 and those transitioning to employment.
Grooming and Uniform requirements
As we approach the end of the year it is timely to remind our community of our expectations around uniform and grooming. Some of our students have become less conscious of the requirements so I am asking for your support in helping them to present to school in the appropriate manner. Here are the expectations we have of students:
Personal Grooming
Students must be clean, neat and tidy at all times.
- Extremes in hairstyle, cut or colour are not permitted (ie ‘mullets’);
- Hair longer than shoulder length must be tied back;
- Hair accessories should be in keeping with College colours;
- Students must be clean shaven at all times;
- Make-up should be kept to a natural appearance;
- Nails should be kept to neutral shades or French tips.
Tattoos
These are not to be visible.
Jewellery
Students are permitted to wear:
- No more than 2 plain rings on each hand;
- No more than 2 earrings per ear. These are to be studs or sleepers;
- NB - No other piercings are acceptable;
- 1 necklace;
- 1 watch;
- 2 plain bracelets or bangles.
We appreciate your support in helping us to maintain these standards.
Welcome to a new addition to the Welfare Team
We would like to welcome Mr John Hamilton to our team as our Student Support Worker. John is working on Mondays and Fridays and will become a familiar presence around the playground. He will also spend some time supporting students. John has held numerous positions in Catholic Education spanning four decades as a PDHPE, Religious Education and Legal Studies teacher. He taught at Marist Hamilton, Newcastle, St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino and Trinity Catholic College, Lismore. John has also been a Deputy Principal and Principal. He was previously the Student Support Worker at St Mary’s Catholic College, Casino.
We are looking forward to the contribution John will make to our community.
Increasing Student Wellbeing
I have used Andrew Fuller’s work before, and I really like what he has to say about how to increase wellbeing. Andrew says that compassion and love are our oldest medicines. As Christians our faith is grounded in this. When we add hope and connectedness to this, we have the four most powerful ingredients to improve wellbeing.
Each of these elements alone may not be of use to us, but when they work together they are powerful. They can help to, among other things, lower stress, resist disease, increase academic results and help you to live a happier life.
What creates resilience varies at different stages in our lives. People thrive when they are:
Connecting with one another
Protective of one another
Respecting one another
At Woodlawn we want our students to thrive. To this end, we encourage them to make connections within our community, protect others in our community and show respect for all members of our community - both staff and students. We want all students to feel as though they belong and can succeed.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me: fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au or 66262627.
Take care,
Fiona Fennamore
Leader of Student Welfare
fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au
Swimming Carnival 2022
Attached is the Swimming programme for 2022, including Woodlawn, Lismore Diocesan, NSWCCC and NSW All Schools.
We are currently calling for students who wish to swim in championship events at the 2022 Carnival.
Entries close on Friday, 17 November and trials will be held in Week 8, if required for any events.
Brian Battese
Sports Coordinator
Careers Update
We wish Year 12 good luck as they move into post-school work and study for their HSC examinations. If luck is when opportunity and preparedness meet, we hope that each of these students have taken the opportunities presented to them and prepared to the very best of their abilities.
To give themselves the greatest opportunity for success, Year 11 are encouraged to set realistic goals for their Senior year. Talk to your Year Coordinator or Home Group teacher to help set a goal that is right for you.
In this fortnight’s Careers Update there are a number of positions vacant. Please contact Mr Maginnity for further information on any of these positions. A number of Universities are looking at ways that they can make life a little easier for school leavers and we have included information about ‘How to ask people about their jobs’ to help students gather information to aid them in goal setting as they work towards their chosen future options. There is also a short article on ‘Acing your exams’, which is directly aimed at our Year 12 students, but may be helpful for students across all year groups as they prepare for Yearly Examinations in each of their subjects.
Please see below for Positions Vacant. Alternatively, select this link to see the full Careers Update.
Positions Vacant
Richmond Valley Council’s Yes Program (Youth Engagement Strategy). Follow this link to the website for online applications.
Cotton Australia: Students wanting to start a career in agriculture or have a unique experience (while being paid) before starting tertiary education can try cotton. Cotton Jobs Australia has been launched to connect prospective employees with cotton growers looking to attract Year 12 leavers to help maintain and pick the 2021/22 crop through a simple online form. Apply today.
Letz Live New Gap Year Programme! Letz Live have launched a Camp Assistant programme in the UK. Any school leaver who may have missed out on a Gap Year for 2022 will be pleased to know this 6-8 month programme starts March/April 2022. Working at an outdoor activity camp these are paid roles with accommodation and meals included. Link.
First Year Apprentice Chef: A well known local business is seeking a first year chef to join their team. Students who are seeking a full-time apprenticeship should contact Mr Maginnity for further information.
Fabrication/Welding Apprenticeship: There are currently two positions available for a first year apprentice to join local companies and learn Fabrication and Welding. Contact Mr Maginnity for further information.
Bernie Maginnity
Vocational Pathways Coordinator
bernie.maginnity@lism.catholic.edu.au
Year 7 Vaccination
If your child missed receiving HPV dose 2, as per schedule, due to proximity to a COVID vaccination, we will automatically place them for catch-up at school in 2022.
Please let Jennie know if you wish to make alternative arrangements for your child to receive this vaccine, so we can remove your child’s consent form from the School Vaccination Program.
Jennie Tolman
School Immunisation Program Coordinator
Monday-Thursday 8.30-5pm
Lismore Public Health Unit
6620 7503
Book Pack - Online Ordering
Please find attached information on ordering Book Packs for 2022.
https://www.booklists.com.au/dolphin/
School Locker - School Uniforms
Student Uniforms and supplies are available at the following stores. Please click on the links below for more information and opening hours.