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One of the beautiful beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church is the inherent dignity of every human being — how precious each and every one of us is. In an individualistic and materialistic society, we can sometimes lose sight of our own worth and importance as human beings. Our value does not come from our job, friends, money, fame, or fortune, but simply from being.
When we recognise the worth of others through this same lens, we are naturally drawn to act with compassion and care for one another. I love the quote by Fr Gregory Boyle: “You are exactly what God had in mind when He made you.” It beautifully captures this idea and encourages us to embrace who we are, without constant comparison to others.
We finished last term with parent-teacher interviews, and it was wonderful to see a record level of attendance. It is so valuable for us to come together and reflect on the semester that has passed. One of the most important aspects of this process is that it shows students we value their education. When parents and teachers work in partnership and focus on student learning, it helps foster a mindset in students that their education matters — encouraging them to strive for their best. I understand that family schedules are busy, and I sincerely thank everyone who was able to attend. We hope to continue this positive trend of growing participation in these evenings.
Semester 2 begins for our junior students with a fresh start to their assessments and reporting. A new addition to our most recent reports was the inclusion of the Grade Point Average (GPA). This provides a helpful summary measure of each student's progress, which they can use for tracking improvement and setting personal goals. At John Therry, the notion of ‘personal best’ underpins our approach to learning. We hope that each student will continue working to improve and take pride in the progress they make.
As we look forward to the term ahead, you’ll find a summary of key upcoming events below. I draw your attention to the staff development day for this term which is on Friday 8th August and will be a staff faith formation day.
We especially wish our Year 12 students the best of luck in their upcoming HSC Trial Examinations. We’ve been incredibly impressed by their dedication, with over 90 students attending holiday workshops — a strong testament to their commitment to doing their personal best. With just 30 days of regular school left, the countdown is well and truly on for Year 12. We know this time brings a mix of emotions: excitement for the future and some sadness as this chapter of life draws to a close. Enjoy the journey, Year 12 — you are in our prayers!
While many students took a well-deserved break over the recent holidays, a determined group of Year 12 students chose to stay focused on their HSC goals by attending the College's study sessions. These classes, offered across a range of subjects, provided students with an invaluable opportunity to revise key content, clarify concepts, and continue their exam preparations in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Led by dedicated staff who generously gave up part of their holiday to assist students, the sessions were designed to consolidate learning and build confidence. Whether it was practicing past exam questions, revisiting course content, or receiving one-on-one guidance, students demonstrated a strong work ethic and a commitment to their academic success. We wish them well over the next few weeks as they prepare to sit their Trial Higher School Certificate!
Last Term we hosted the Year 10 Course Preference afternoon in the college hall, trialling a new format that brought together students, families, staff and the wider community engaging in future learning pathways.
The event was designed to support Year 10 as they consider their HSC course preferences and begin to consider post school aspirations. The afternoon featured stalls from KLA coordinators to provide insight into the courses on offer for senior years, as well as a range of external providers including TAFE, universities, Indigenous future engagement pathways, apprenticeship support and industry representatives.
The level of engagement was so positive and families took the opportunity to ask questions, gather information and explore many academic and vocational pathways. Many were impressed by the curiosity shown by our students and the genuine questions that were asked and the external providers praised the JTCC hospitality and maturity of our students. We are excited about the connections and relationships we have built through the event and excited about the potential opportunities this creates for the students’ future.
Thank you to all that attended and contributed to the success of the afternoon and we look forward to continuing this event in years to come. We welcome any feedback, if you have any suggestions please email Mrs Stanley stanleya02@dow.catholic.edu.au
An Unforgettable Experience
Our Year 7 camp at the Sydney Academy of Sport was an incredible experience filled with adventure, new friendships, and lasting memories.
Throughout the camp, students took part in a range of exciting activities that encouraged teamwork, resilience and personal growth. These included abseiling, where many students overcame their fears and enjoyed spectacular views; kayaking across calm waters while building confidence; escape rooms that tested their problem-solving abilities; and pioneering, which involved constructing a moveable wagon.
One of the highlights of the week was watching the State of Origin match on the big screen. It was a fun and spirited evening where students and staff came together to cheer on their teams and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
The weather was absolutely fantastic, making all the outdoor activities even more enjoyable. Students were also treated to delicious meals throughout the camp, with many commenting on how much they enjoyed the food.
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the Year 7 students for their enthusiastic participation and positive attitude. A special thanks also goes to the dedicated teachers who attended and supported our students—your time and commitment are greatly appreciated.
The Year 7 camp was a brilliant way to build stronger connections, step out of comfort zones, and create lasting memories. We’re proud of what our students achieved and look forward to many more adventures ahead.
Year 11 Biology - Excursion to the Duckpond at Mandarama Reserve (newsletter and/or Facebook)
Year 11 Biology classes took part in excursions to the duck pond at Mandarama Reserve over the past two weeks to undertake fieldwork studies on abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) factors of the environment. Whilst there, they collected data such as water pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity levels; soil moisture and pH. They also made observations of plants and animals and their behaviour. Some classes trialled using ArcgGIS software to overlay our data points with maps of vegetation. Interestingly, we could see that the area surrounding the duckpond has pockets of the critically endangered Cumberland Plains Woodland. It was lovely to be out in the field in the sunshine, being amongst nature, and working as a team to collect measurements and then demonstrate the techniques to the rest of the class. Looks like we may have some budding birdwatchers in the class too! Great work year 11!
-Ms Harris and Miss Reinl
Stage 4 TAS Students Get Creative with Designer Cookies! 
At the end of term, our talented Stage 4 TAS students stepped into the shoes of product designers and marketers, taking on the challenge of creating their very own designer cookies! From concept to creation, students developed unique cookie recipes, crafted eye-catching packaging, and produced marketing materials to promote their sweet creations.
This hands-on project allowed students to explore creativity, teamwork, and entrepreneurial thinking, combining food technology with design and marketing skills. The results were as impressive as they were delicious!
Please find below a link to the latest Parish Bulletin