Week 8 Term 3 2022
From the Principal
Dear Parents, Staff and Students,
We join with the broader national and international community in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose life and character epitomised an ethic of servant leadership which we speak of so often at Woodlawn.
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President of The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference writes, ‘The death of Queen Elizabeth II, after a long reign marked by extraordinary constancy, fidelity, courage and service, will bring great sadness to many people in Australia, including members of the Catholic community.
As the Queen enters into the great mystery of eternal life with the Lord, we will pray for the repose of her soul and for the support and comfort of her family, her nation and the wider community of the Commonwealth.
Queen Elizabeth was never reticent about acknowledging her Christian faith. Her annual Christmas message invariably focused on Jesus Christ as a model of humble and generous service. It was a model she strived to emulate throughout her long life. May she rest in peace’.
As you will all no doubt be aware, Prime Minister Albanese has declared a National Day of Mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, 22 September, which will be a Public Holiday. This was to have been the day of our Year 12 Graduation Mass and Prize Giving Ceremony. I have written to our Year 12 families, under separate cover, outlining the proposed changes to our Year 12 students’ final week. Friday, 23 September, will be a day of normal classes for students across Years 7 – 11 and the final day of Term 3.
After a very thorough selection process which involved written applications, interviews, speeches and a student/staff vote, and in conjunction with Fr Bing, I am pleased to announce the following Student Leadership appointments for 2023:
College Captains – Lilly Munce & Cory McInnes
College Vice-Captains – Lucinda Bell & Connor Kempshall
Ministry Captain – Nikki McKinlay
SRC President – Thomas Rowling
Student Representative Council – Chelsea Copeland, Bella Griffiths, Hannah O’Reilly, Olivia Taylor, Daniel Butler, Darrell Studders, Lawson Ward & Mark Wright
Bell House Captains & Vice-Captains – Amy Martin & Noah Hague (C); Eloise Davis & Mark Wright (VC)
Carroll House Captains & Vice-Captains – Lucy Mosse & Lawson Ward (C); Skyla Pope & Jay Mason (VC)
Kennedy House Captains & Vice-Captains – Bronte Gammon & William Bates (C); Elizabeth Clark & Yuvraj Johal (VC)
Segrief House Captains & Vice-Captains – Rose Parrish & Declan Wilde (C); Hannah O’Reilly & Luca Beasley-Kenk (VC)
St Vincent De Paul - Lily Lindsay (President), Noah Hague (Vice-President), Sarah Martin (Treasurer), Chloe Packer (Secretary)
Student Representative Council
Chelsea Copeland, Bella Griffiths, Hannah O’Reilly, Olivia Taylor, Daniel Butler, Darrell Studders, Lawson Ward & Mark Wright
Bell House Captains & Vice-Captains
Amy Martin & Noah Hague (C); Eloise Davis & Mark Wright (VC)
Carroll House Captains & Vice-Captains
Lucy Mosse & Lawson Ward (C); Skyla Pope & Jay Mason (VC)
Kennedy House Captains & Vice-Captains
Bronte Gammon & William Bates (C); Elizabeth Clark & Yuvraj Johal (VC)
Segrief House Captains & Vice-Captains
Rose Parrish & Declan Wilde (C); Hannah O’Reilly & Luca Beasley-Kenk (VC)
St Vincent De Paul Executive
Lily Lindsay - President, Noah Hague - Vice-President, Sarah Martin - Treasurer, Chloe Packer - Secretary
I know that all members of our College community will join me in congratulating these students on their appointments and wish them well for the year ahead. Thank you, also, to the broader group of Year 11 students who nominated themselves for a leadership position. Any of these young people would have been worthy ambassadors for the College.
In COVID-19 updates:
NSW Health has advised the isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases has
been reduced from 7 days to 5 days from Friday, 9 September with the following caveats:
- The staff member or student is not showing symptoms on the morning of day 5 of
receiving a positive test result;
In line with the decision by National Cabinet and reflecting the changes to community
settings, the current advice is that in mainstream school settings staff, students and visitors who have tested positive to COVID-19 must:
- Complete 5 days of isolation from the date they tested positive for COVID-19;
- Be symptom-free before returning to school. If symptoms remain after day 5, they must continue following NSW Health guidelines to self-isolate and undertake another rapid antigen test.
- Complete a rapid antigen test (RAT) and return a negative result before attending school on days 6 and 7 after testing positive to COVID-19 AND wear a mask on days 6 and 7 when attending school (for all staff and those students 12 years and older).
- Due to the higher risk associated with some school settings and activities the 7-day isolation period will remain for staff, students and visitors who have tested positive to COVID-19 and work at or attend:
- specialist centres;
- support units;
- assisted transport;
- overnight excursions.
- In a first for 2022, there were 0 cases of COVID-19 amongst students or staff at Woodlawn last week.
As this fortnight’s reflection, I include the following thoughts drawn from what we now know to be her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II’s final Christmas Message in 2021:
‘But life, of course, consists of final partings as well as first meetings;… (and throughout our lives we) embrace the roles, traditions and values that mean so much to us, as these are passed from one generation to the next, sometimes being updated for changing times… (For in life we are merely custodians and must be) always mindful of this sense of passing the baton.
…My Platinum Jubilee year… will be an opportunity for people everywhere to enjoy a sense of togetherness; a chance to give thanks for the enormous changes of the last seventy years - social, scientific and cultural - and also to look ahead with confidence… (For there will always be) a new dawn with endless potential.
(And throughout our lives we should centre ourselves in) the life of Jesus — a man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of (our) faith’.
Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II (2021 Christmas Message)
Finally, we wish our 2022 Senior class all the very best for these final days of their formal schooling. They have been a most adaptable and amenable group and deserve our singular praise for their flexibility throughout the vagaries of this past school year, especially.
Enjoy the fortnight ahead and thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.
Sincerely
Aaron Beach
Principal
From the Assistant Principal - Mission
We have much to celebrate. As Pope Francis reminds us, celebrations are a moment in time to stop, reflect and appreciate the gifts we have been afforded. Celebrations are times 'to enjoy that which cannot be produced or consumed, that cannot be bought or sold. A celebration is above all a loving and grateful gaze at work done well'.
On Monday, August 29, we celebrated and remembered the gifts of Fr Lionel Marsden SM. This annual celebration acknowledges students who emulate his example and the students who receive this award authentically share the following qualities:
- Concern for others;
- Compassion;
- Being open to reconciliation and forgiveness;
- Living out the Christian faith providing witness and service as did Fr Marsden.
Following our Liturgy, Lilly Munce and Liam Weekes were congratulated for the way they choose to live with similar virtues to Fr Marsden.
We are currently finding new opportunities for our students to find their voice and be part of community reflections. Our Years 9 and 10 Base Class Leaders joined with other youth between the ages of 14-21 to discuss issues that affect youth in our Northern Rivers Community. We were very proud of the way our students participated in group discussions and reflected on the burning issues of the environment, the floods, image and the pressures associated with social media.
Where are they now?
I am proud to re-introduce our community to Dorian Larcher. Dorian graduated from Woodlawn in 2014. Whilst he dedicated himself to his academic pursuits, he was also known for his commitment to community service, standing in solidarity with our Cambodian connections and his love of science. Dorian’s authenticity was known widely at Woodlawn. If he wasn’t playing guitar to raise money for charity, he was finding other ways to make a difference. His life was about balance. Dorian was the College Dux in 2014. Dorian studied Aerospace Engineering at the University of Sydney, pursuing his dreams and graduated with Honours in 2019. He became a flight test engineer and currently works in research and development. The design of fixed wing UAVs is his current focus. He loves gardening and is currently establishing a mini-farm in his Melbourne backyard.
Around the Grounds
This week's pictures include a photos of the Casino Rotarians donating and delivering bicycles to students who had lost them during the floods.
Celebrating All Things St John: September 9, 2022
Following a celebration Mass with the whole school community, we were able to continue with our scheduled program. Our Mass focused on the gift of love and the need for us all to show love to others. It is not something that we do to shine a light on who or what we are, but to show better who God is and what he freely gives to us. Congratulations to Kennedy 7 for winning the ultimate Touch challenge, to the staff for winning the student teacher Netball challenge and to all those who supported the food and entertainment sectors of the day. Check out this gallery.
Ministry In Action
Thanks to our Year 9 Ministry class for sharing a thoughtful reflection about the significance of Mary in our lives. As we celebrated the Holy Name of Mary Feast Day, students prayed to emulate the qualities of Mary: presence, love of hard work, humility and service. This was also an opportunity to introduce the concept of Ministry to our Year 8 students. Our Year 8s are currently applying to be part of the Ministry class for 2023.
Recognising The Diversity Of Our Students
Congratulations to our students who received Silver Badges acknowledging their commitment to College life and being the best they can be:
- Isabella Higgins
- Eliza Lamas
- Bella Griffiths
- Lily Lindsay
- Nikki McKinlay
- Lucy Mosse
- Lilly Munce
Congratulations to our Eagle Award winners for their outstanding educational commitment:
The Eagle Award was instituted in 2021 to recognise students’ academic excellence across any field of study offered by the College.
Award winners receive a certificate and cheque for $125, sponsored by the College P&F.
These awards from Terms 1 and 2 had been postponed due to the flood.
Term 1
Lara Carvalho (Yr 7)
For displaying an excellent standard of narrative writing, and writing analytically in response to an unseen text.
Kye Newberry (Yr 12)
Top mark in English Standard vodcast on ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’.
An original, perceptive and beautifully controlled piece of work that made insightful and precise commentary on the novel.
Exceptional achievement in Extension 1 and 2 Maths. In Ext 1, he has dropped ½ a mark in the last two assessments - an incredible effort.
Physics half yearly exam - 100%.
Term 2
Jacob Southwood (Yr 9)
Jacob has been able to achieve close to 100% in all Mathematics tasks this year. He always applies himself to the best of his ability in order to challenge himself.
Tia Jegen (Yr 11)
Exceptionally high standard of work in both assessment tasks in Year 11 Society and Culture. These included a Year 11 Personal Interest Project (PIP ) which involved highly developed research skills, academic rigour, primary research methodology, critical and creative thinking .
Tia’s assessment task 2 showed sophisticated understanding of theories related to Personal and Social Identity. The research was creatively and thoughtfully synthesised into an engaging podcast and she completed a highly evaluative annotated reference list.
An excellent level of independent inquiry skills was evident in both of these tasks .
Championship House - Segrief
BIRMINGHAM SHIELD WINNER for community engagement, participation and support of charitable works was awarded to Kennedy House.
DON'T FORGET DAG DAY this FRIDAY. Please think about donating $2 or more for the education of our Cambodian connections.
We are truly blessed to have such a flourishing community.
Annette Reen
Assistant Principal - Mission
annette.reen@lism.catholic.edu.au
From the SRC
Last Friday, Year 12 students hosted the celebration of our Patron Saint John, a time in which the community of Woodlawn comes together to celebrate our history and the Woodlawn Way. It was refreshing to see students and teachers dressed up to the theme of 'Heroes and Villains' and all actively participating in our celebration Mass. The weather this year has not always been cooperative; however, a bit of rain didn't dampen the mood. The Home Group Touch Competition was a fun opportunity to build on teamwork and relationships across year groups with S7 taking out the win. The afternoon program consisted of an Eat the Street, games, activities and student-teacher competitions. The notorious Teacher v Student Netball game left talk of a rematch as the teachers' team walked away with the win. The day was a great success. Thank you to Fr Bing, Mr Beach, Mr Campbell, Mrs Reen, Mr Andrews and all teachers for helping Year 12 reinvigorate this significant tradition of Woodlawn.
Eva Crotty
College Captain
Ministry Matters
This week commenced with the International Day of Charity (September 5). Whilst it was not formally marked with a whole College event (there are quite a number in the coming weeks), both Staff Briefing and our College Assembly began with the following prayer:
Jesus, my Saviour,
You teach us that good fruit is
Produced from a good tree.
Likewise, kindness flows not from a
Heart that is made of stone, but
From a new heart that is given to us
Through your spirit.
Lord, teach us to be kind in heart, so
That love, grace, and charity flow
Forth like a river. Give us a
Generosity that reflects your own,
Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
It was a fitting start to Week 8, when the struggles of fatigue and the challenges of a long term can begin to make their mark. These words are a stark reminder to us all to look to be that new heart, with a freshness and openness in our daily encounters, to show the love of Jesus to all we meet.
In doing so, we go that step further to promoting a life of abundance in our College and community. A life that leads us all to joy, in the loving presence of one another.
IGNITE Conference
On Thursday, 22 September, we have a group of staff and students heading off to IGNITE Conference in Brisbane. The final preparation is now underway for those students attending the Conference and we certainly look forward to this very exciting time in our discipleship calendar.
There will be more information about the Conference in our next Newsletter, as well as some photos of the departure of our delegates from the College. Please keep our staff and students attending IGNITE in your prayers over the coming weeks as they embark on this very exciting adventure.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if I can assist your family in any way regarding matters of faith and worship.
Nick Jones
Leader of School Evangelisation
nick.jones@lism.catholic.edu.au
Wellbeing Matters
Dear Parent/Caregivers,
Attendance
(From the Catholic Schools Office, Lismore)
Regular attendance at school for every student is essential if students are to achieve their potential, and increase their career and life options. Student non-attendance at school places the student’s learning, social and emotional growth at risk.
Schools, in partnership with families, are responsible for promoting the regular attendance of students and for ensuring that non-attendance is addressed effectively.
While families are legally responsible for the regular attendance of their children, school staff, as part of their duty of care, record and monitor part and whole day absences. The school has legal obligations to follow up with the family when non-attendance becomes a concern.
Thank you to parents and caregivers for notifying us when students are absent, and for providing Medical Certificates and documentation, where available or relevant.
For students whose attendance falls to a concerning level, we do need to arrange a formal meeting to discuss attendance and develop an Attendance Improvement Plan, in conjunction with the family, that will support a successful improvement in attendance.
Phones
Mobile phones are NOT permitted to be used at school during the school day. Students are to place their phone in their locker upon arrival at school and these devices are to remain there until the end of the school day. We ask that you support us in this as we know that mobile phones are a distraction and are antisocial by nature. If you wish to communicate with your child during the day, please do so via the Student Services Office.
Wellbeing Check-in
The wellbeing of our students is important to us. So that we can more effectively support them at school, we are introducing a 'Wellbeing Check-in' where students will indicate how they are feeling and the corresponding reasons for these feelings. Students will engage in some self-reflection in order to do this. Staff will be able to see these responses and provide support, should it be necessary. These check-ins will be done on a weekly basis in Home Group and will begin next week.
Disaster Recovery Program
Woodlawn has been fortunate to secure a series of Natural Disasters workshops, facilitated by Headspace, focusing on mental health education sessions, as mentioned in previous Newsletters. These will be held next Tuesday and Wednesday for Years 7, 11 and 12 and some of Year 9. The remainder of the year groups will participate next term.
If you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on 66262627 or via email.
Regards,
Fiona Fennamore
Leader of Student Welfare
fiona.fennamore@lism.catholic.edu.au
HSC Dance students nominated for “Best of the State” Showcase!
Congratulations to Leia Golding and Ruby Hussey who have been nominated for Callback 2022 for their HSC Dance performances this year. Callback is a selection of outstanding performances and projects from Higher School Certificate Dance students and will be held at the Seymour Centre in Sydney in February, 2023. We are very pleased to celebrate these students and congratulate them on their outstanding achievements.
Ruby Hussey has received a nomination for her Core Composition piece. This was a dance created by Ruby titled “Hangetsu” portraying the internal battle within oneself between the sides of defence and offence which struggle to find peace, inspired by the practice of Karate.
Leia Golding received nominations for all three of her practical components which is a remarkable achievement. She has been recognized for outstanding work in her Core Performance, Major Performance and Core Composition components. Leia created her Core Composition for her Year 9 student dancer, Cinta Hamilton. This piece was based on “The Cherry Blossom” showing the cycle of the cherry blossom and its importance to life, celebrations and human connection in some cultures. Well done to Leia and Cinta for their commitment throughout the year.
Well done to all of our Dance students involved here, along with their teachers. It is a wonderful reflection of the hard work and dedication occurring in Dance and the Performing Arts at St John's College, Woodlawn.
Finally, all in our College community are invited to come along and see these nominated pieces and many more at our annual Momentum Dance Showcase on Monday evening, 19 September. Tickets are available now from the College Office.
Sports News
Mitchell Medal Nominations
The Mitchell Medal is a memorial to Fr Sid Mitchell, S.M (1918-1984), ex-student and Rector of St John’s College, who had a great love of sport and, for the many years he worked in Marist Colleges throughout Australia, he greatly encouraged students to give their best in sport.
The Award can be conferred on any sportsperson from the College in recognition of an outstanding sporting achievement. Winners of previous medals in the same sport are ineligible. Nominees should include as many details as possible – number of competitors, competition levels etc. Normally students who make State teams or place at State Championships would be highly considered.
Nomination forms are in the Sports Coordinators office and close on Friday, 16 September.
Years 7/8 NRCC AFL Gala Day
It was a cracking day for AFL at the Cavanbah Centre in Byron Bay. The Years 7/8 Boys team consisted of a mixed bag of spirited players; some who have played the great game of aerial ping pong and many more who had spent time playing Rugby and NRL. It didn't take long for the boys who were not natives to the game to transfer their skills and make a solid contest of the four games played throughout the day.
Game 1 pitted Woodlawn against Casino. Woodlawn ran away with the game, showing superior physical ability and game sense. The full time score: Woodlawn 7 goals 6 behinds, 48 to one solitary point from Casino. The team shared the goals around with majors coming from Thomas McPhee, Lachlan Barnes, Calum Kirkpatrick, Angus Graham and Max Anderson.
Game 2 saw Woodlawn come up against a spirited Grafton team. Grafton got away to a flyer with three quick goals, leaving Woodlawn to rally for a comeback and they did just that. With some outstanding defence in the backs from Hudson Farrell, James Green, Alister Gapes and Malekai Kubils, Woodlawn were able to hold off the Grafton attack. Off the halfback and centre lines there was plenty of run from Kieran Weekes, Kik Hussey and Zac Pentecost to get the ball forward to the safe hands of Tom McPhee, who was a prominent target up front. In the end, Woodlawn ran away with the game through improved ruck, centre and half forward work from Ayden Holmes, Django Hudson-Sheaffe, Cooper Roberts, Lachlan Barnes and Aidan Tandetzke-Moran. The score line read: 10 goals 3 behinds, 63 to Grafton’s 5 goals 6 behinds, 36. This was a convincing team win.
Game three was a different story. Woodlawn were no match for a well-drilled Mt St Patrick's team who ran away with the game defeating us by 42 points at the siren. In the final game the boys were up against Banora Point who came into the game on the same win-loss ratio (2:1). A spirited first half saw both teams level at the break with 3 goals 2 behinds, 20 a piece. In the end, Banora ran the game out with some fresher legs, Woodlawn having played the last three games straight.
Overall, it was a fantastic day of AFL, one that showed Woodlawn’s gamesmanship and team spirit. All boys are to be commended on their effort and skill development on the day.
Matthew Bailey
AFL Coach
matthew.bailey@lism.catholic.edu.au
An opportunity to play AFL for Woodlawn was too good of an experience to pass up for sixteen Years 7 and 8 girls. With only one training session to get a feel for how to play the game and learn how to handball, catch, kick and tackle, the girls were excited and nervous to see how their athletic abilities would translate to the footy field.
With only two other schools entering the Carnival, we only needed to win one of our two games to get another opportunity to play in the final game. Our first game was against an experienced team from Mt St Patrick College, Murwillumbah. The Woodlawn team fought well and learnt a lot. They discovered that they needed to try to kick the ball down the field, not straight up in the air and that they were allowed to be a (little bit) rough, but most of all they improved incredibly by the end of the match. While we were beaten convincingly, the girls loved, what was for most, their first experience of AFL and were excited to get into their second game.
Our second game was against McAuley Catholic College, Grafton. This game was a much more evenly matched experience. With one game to their names, the girls were more confident and prepared to get in and have a go. We looked the far better team for most of the game, tackling strongly, kicking accurately to each other and playing as a team, but we just couldn’t get the ball through for a 6 pointer! While we had many more scoring opportunities, McAuley were able to win the game with 2 goals to our 5 behinds. Unable to secure a win, our day was over.
While we may not have had the result we were after, the girls are to be commended on the way they came together and improved immensely over the day. Hopefully, we will see you all back next year!
The team consisted of: Scarlett Johnston, Miley Brown, Olivia Weston, Chloe Weston, Georgia Kennelly, Katrina McQuilty, Elouise Evans, Mimi Bolam, Layla Macfarlane, Ava Greensill, Ilaria Blenkhorn, Kate Wolton, Charli Golding, Marni Charters, Rhiannon Woods, Emily Marsters, Lily O’Sullivan.
Sally Ryall
AFL Coach
sally.ryall@lism.catholic.edu.au
Careers Update
You can make your University applications with the NSW, QLD and Victorian University Admission Centres now for any of the offer rounds. Remember to put your preferences in order from highest selection rank to lowest. You can change your preferences after you have entered them, but note that you will need to pay if you make multiple changes in some states. The early bird rate for UAC applications runs out on 30 September, so if you are applying for University in NSW make sure you get in before this date so you avoid the price rise.
Closing dates for many early entry options are late September. So that we can gather the required information, speak with your teachers and get the applications approved and submitted by the due date; we need you to submit all early entry, EAS and SRS applications by 12 September. Please speak with me as soon as possible if you need assistance with this.
The following advice from Year 13 is useful to consider for students who wish to apply for University when ordering course preferences:
- Put your desired course first, no matter what your ATAR results;
2. Use up all of your five UAC preferences, to maximise your offers. Do you have a backup plan?;
3. Make note of key cut-off dates and rounds;
4. Have you talked to alumni or experts to learn more about your options?;
5. Remember that you can re-order, add or delete courses in your preferences throughout the duration of your application.
Please read the Positions Vacant offering casual, Traineeships and Apprenticeships through a range of local employers. If you are planning to work after school or thinking about a gap year, consider applying for one of these positions and keep an eye out for other upcoming vacancies for Years 10, 11 and 12 school leavers.
Please click this link for details of current positions vacant.
Please click this link for the full version of the Careers Update.
Bernie Maginnity
Vocational Pathways Coordinator
bernie.maginnity@lism.catholic.edu.au
Uniform Shop
During the school holidays the Uniform Shop will be open on Saturday, 8 October from 9am-1pm.
The St John's College Woodlawn Uniform Shop is proudly managed by P&C Uniforms.
To ensure you have an easy and pleasant experience while ordering uniforms, we encourage you to order online ahead of time for easy click-and-collect in store.
Opening Hours: Monday 8.00am - 9.30am & Wednesday 11.00am - 2.00pm
Where: Colin Centre
Order Online: www.sjcwuniformshop.com.au
Book a fitting: www.sjcwuniformshop.com.au/bts-appointments
Second Hand Uniform Shop
When: Every Wednesday
Where: Colin Centre
Time: 11am - 2pm
Canteen News
Term 4 Changes
Please be aware there will be a price increase in some menu items.
Flexischools orders will have a new cut-off time of 9.00 am.
The cash free way to pay! - REGISTER NOW
Paying for lunches is now safer and hassle free. With cashless cards there's no need for students to bring cash to school.
The College has Flexischools to allow students to pay at the Canteen using their existing student ID card. Paying for lunches and items at recess or lunch is now safer and hassle free. With cashless cards there's no need for students to bring cash to school. Parents can set daily spending limits and view transactions online. Parents can also top-up funds at anytime.
The Canteen has introduced a Fast-Track line for students who have pre-ordered to collect their lunches, making it much easier and quicker for students.
We encourage all students to register. This will allow for those days when your student may have forgotten their homemade lunches.
Please follow the link below to register now: