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MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING PRINCIPAL
This week, we marked Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Through this, we are reminded of two powerful truths: our need for God and our call to transformation. The ashes are not just a sign of humility, marking the words “Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” They are also a challenge: Will we allow our God to shape us into something new?
Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. It is not just about “giving things up” but about giving ourselves over—to a life that reflects Christ’s love, justice, and mercy.
Through a recent Gospel (Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18), Jesus tells us not to practice righteousness for show. Instead, He calls us to a faith that is real, one that is lived in the quiet choices of our hearts: doing what is right is just. We are called to choose kindness over indifference, forgiveness instead of holding onto resentment and speaking up for what is right, especially when it is difficult.
For our students, what might this mean here and now? It means taking Lent seriously—not just as a season, but as a turning point. Maybe it’s a call to be more present in class, to listen more deeply, to help a struggling friend, to reject gossip, or to put away distractions when we should be focused.
Lent is not about waiting for a perfect moment to change. The time is now. During Lent, let us ask ourselves:
What do I need to let go of?
What do I need to take up?
How can I reflect Christ’s love more fully?
May this season not just be about the ashes on our foreheads, but the change in our hearts and selves. Lent is a time when we are called to transformation, and we are called to do this together.
OPEN DAY
Missed our Open Day? We’d love to welcome you to our Information Session & Tour on Wednesday, 12th March from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to explore our school, learn about our vibrant community, and see what makes John Therry Catholic College so special.
? Date: Wednesday, 12th March
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
? Location: John Therry Catholic College
I encourage you to register now at https://enrol.jtccdow.catholic.edu.au/open-day, or alternatively, visit our website to register.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Reminder to Parents & Visitors
For the safety and wellbeing of our students, we kindly remind all parents and visitors that access to school grounds is restricted during school hours. As part of our duty of care and Working with Children Check requirements, all visitors must report to the front office upon arrival. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe.
Important Information for Year 7 & Year 9 Students
Students in Years 7 and 9 will be sitting their NAPLAN tests on the following dates. Attendance is compulsory unless a student is unwell or has an emergency preventing them from sitting the test. Catch-up tests will be organised if required.
NAPLAN Testing Schedule:
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Tuesday, 12 March 2025
- Year 7: Periods 1 & 2 (Writing)
- Year 9: Periods 3 & 4 (Writing)
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Wednesday, 13 March 2025
- Year 7: Periods 1 & 2 (Reading)
- Year 9: Periods 3 & 4 (Reading)
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Thursday, 14 March 2025
- Year 7: Periods 1 & 2 (Conventions of Language)
- Year 9: Periods 3 & 4 (Conventions of Language)
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Monday, 18 March 2025
- Year 7: Periods 1 & 2 (Numeracy)
- Year 9: Periods 3 & 4 (Numeracy)
Students should ensure they bring a fully charged device, headphones, and any necessary stationery for their tests. Parents and carers are encouraged to support students by ensuring they are well-rested and prepared for each testing day.
For more details, please refer to the attached documents.
School photos are now available to order online through Advancedlife! Skip the hassle and secure your memories with just a few clicks. Visit www.advancedlife.com.au to place your order using the code shown below or scan the QR code. ?✨
Photo Day will be on Friday 2nd May 2025
CAMPBELLTOWN - KOSHIGAYA SISTER CITIES
In the upcoming September holidays, Campbelltown will select 15 students aged between 14 and 18 to travel to Koshigaya, Japan for a life changing experience.
To be eligible to apply, students must:
1. Live in the Campbelltown City Council local government area.
2. Be aged 14 to 18 and still at school at the time the delegation departs Sydney.
Students don’t need to be learning Japanese to apply for and go on the trip. We look for students with a desire to travel to experience a new culture, who have an interest in Japan and a desire to be a great ambassador for Campbelltown.
The information and application form can be found at the Student Delegation to Japan 2025 link at www.cksca.org.au
Applications to join the trip close on 11 April 2025.
On Wednesday night, our Year 12 students came together for a social evening, providing an opportunity to relax, connect, and celebrate following their retreat. The event allowed students to take a well-deserved break from their studies, enjoy music, and create lasting memories with their peers.
A special thank you to Sheyahn B, Neha N, Summer H, and Salomiya S for their outstanding efforts in organising and coordinating the evening. Their dedication ensured the event ran smoothly and was an enjoyable experience for all. Well done to everyone involved in making this night a success!


























Exploring Future Pathways at Western Sydney University Open Day
Year 12 students had the exciting opportunity to attend the Western Sydney University (WSU) Open Day as part of the Fast Forward Program, gaining firsthand insight into university life and potential career pathways. The event provided a chance to explore course offerings, attend information sessions, and connect with faculty members and current students.
Salomiya Siby reflected on the experience, stating:
"Attending the Western Sydney University (WSU) Open Day as a Fast Forward student was an insightful and inspiring experience. As I’m in Year 12 now and am looking for what careers I may be interested in, this event provided me with an opportunity to explore what the university has to offer and gain a deeper understanding of what jobs each course can lead into.
One of the highlights of the Open Day was the variety of information sessions available. We could attend two different sessions that consisted of information on the course, the prerequisites and ATAR required to attend the course, and life as a uni student in the course and work after graduating. The sessions on pathways and support services were particularly helpful as they also discussed bridging courses to help you get in the course if you didn’t get the ATAR you needed. As a Fast Forward student, it was reassuring to hear about the range of programs designed to support students like me, including mentoring and academic assistance, which I know will be crucial as I transition from high school to university, as well as scholarships available for Fast Forward students.
I also enjoyed the chance to meet with faculty members and students. Talking to current students about their experiences at WSU allowed me to get a firsthand account of the challenges and rewards of university life.
The campus itself was another highlight. I had the chance to explore the different buildings, from the state-of-the-art lecture halls to the student hubs and libraries, and it made me feel excited about the prospect of studying there in the future.
Western Sydney University's Open Day was a valuable experience that helped me settle on what I truly wanted to do after school. I feel more confident about the next steps in my educational journey and am grateful that I was a part of the Fast Forward Program for letting me be a part of the experience."
From exploring state-of-the-art facilities to learning about scholarships, pathways, and support services, the Open Day proved to be an invaluable experience for students preparing for life beyond high school. It provided them with the knowledge and motivation to take the next step toward their academic and career goals.










JTCC SPORT UPDATE - Term 1, Week 6
We’re already halfway through the term and we’ve had some big events in Week 5 & 6. Thank you to all our staff and students involved in the Swimming Carnival, it was unfortunate that we had to revert to a modified carnival due to the weather, but it was the right decision as it was incredibly hot at the pool on Friday. Wet weather hampered MISA Round 3, fingers crossed we will be able to play across all sports next week.
A reminder that all individual pathway nominations for Diocesan Sports (eg. rugby league, netball, football) are on Compass as well as Year group Google Classrooms - please fill out the relevant nomination forms there.
Round 2 & 3 results of MISA are below. We’ve had some mixed results, and a few of our teams will need to work hard if they intend on making it to the finals.
ROUND 2
TEAM |
COACH |
W/L Score |
Sport Report |
SPOW |
Open Boys Basketball |
H. Jefferys |
95-46 Win |
The Year 10-12 John Therry boys basketball team showcased incredible defense, limiting the opposition to just 12 points in the first half while scoring 32 themselves. In the second half, the boys extended their lead, finishing with an impressive 95-46 victory. The team had fun, with everyone getting a chance to take three-point shots, adding to the excitement. A memorable game filled with competitive spirit and team camaraderie! |
Moni Jnr. Tumanuvao |
Open Girls Basketball |
T. Winter |
66-44 Win |
A strong start to the season with another win. Thomas Hassell put on the pressure with consistent perimeter shooting that kept the girls on their toes, however, rapid ball movement between Georgina, Ava and Annelise got us to the post every time for easy buckets to keep us in the lead. MVP is Annelise Hall for shooting back to back 3’s |
Annelise Hall |
Open Boys OzTag |
M. McGrath |
7-3 Win |
We found ourselves in the battle again today, defending for most of the game. A few signs of brilliance from Tre and the effort from Cory and Truck kept us in the fight. If we can improve on our completion rate, and eliminate our penalties, we will be hard to beat at the end of the term. |
Tre-James Roberts |
Open Girls OzTag |
M. Tran |
6-1 Loss |
Another tough day on the field for the Ladies. Inconsistency in defence and attack was the defining factor. Great effort to start the second half with Chloe leading the team, unfortunately it wasn't enough. Tough loss. 6-1 |
Tayah Maharaj |
7 - 9 Boys Volleyball |
N. Williamson |
3-0 win |
Not a great performance with way too many unforced errors, especially when serving. Did enough through some individual athleticism to gain the victory but will have to show improvement in the coming weeks. |
Floilan Magalona |
7 - 9 Girls Volleyball |
M. Hynard |
0-3 Loss |
The girls played similarly to last week where they were slow to star |
Zoe Hawkes |
7 - 9 Girls Indoor Cricket |
A. Chapman |
76-47 Loss |
Our captain, Racquel won the toss and elected to field first against Oran Park Anglican College. Our bowlers all contributed by either keeping the runs down or taking wickets. Elena in particular bowled well and also chipped in with two great catches. With the bat we played with minimal risk and cruised our way to a win. |
Elena Krupljanin |
7 - 9 Boys Softball |
D. Hatton |
7-0 Win |
After a late start the JT boys got some quick outs to close out the first inning. Our batting saw us fall behind with two quick outs due to good fielding from the opposition. Cooper Hoomans stood up and and hit a home room and eventually we closed with a 2-0 lead. The second innings was again a very efficient fielding performance with another 3 out in quick succession. Great hitting from everyone got us 5 home to close the game out. The whole team performed very well but the MVP this week goes to Cooper Hoomans for great catching and hitting. |
Cooper Hoomans |
ROUND 3
Open Boys Basketball |
H. Jefferys |
49-46 W |
In a nail-biting showdown against Macarthur Anglican, the John Therry boys' basketball team managed to secure a hard-fought 49-46 victory. Despite our less-than-stellar offensive performance and lacklustre ball movement, the team’s relentless ball pressure on defence proved to be the game-changer. The boys showcased their resilience, grinding out a win through sheer determination and tenacity. Every player contributed to the defensive effort, ensuring that Macarthur Anglican could not capitalise on our offensive struggles. It was a gritty, scrappy match, but the John Therry team’s defensive fortitude ultimately carried the us. This game reminds us that sometimes, defence truly wins games. |
Rewa Takiari |
Open Girls Basketball |
T. Winter |
42-17 W |
The girls add one to their win streak with a successful game against St. Pat’s. An all-around team effort kept us in a comfortable lead throughout the game. Points were scored from over 7 different players, that speaks volumes about the girls ball movement and teamwork. Our MVP for this week is Ava Hilton who recorded multiple steals in the first half which prevented any opportunity for St Pats to catchup score-wise. |
Ava Hilton |
Open Boys OzTag |
M. McGrath |
Canceled - wet weather |
||
Open Girls OzTag |
M. Tran |
Canceled - wet weather |
||
7 - 9 Boys Volleyball |
N. Williamson |
Won 2-1 |
A good result against highly fancied opposition. Not too many unforced errors, especially in the second set which led to good setting and blocking. Wins in the first 2 games meant the overall result was not in doubt. |
Cooper Firman |
7 - 9 Girls Volleyball |
M. Hynard |
Lost 3-0 |
The girls were disappointed with their loss today as it was their third loss in a row. The team made some excellent shots and served well however these skills were not consistent enough to win a set. More practice returning powerful serves, anticipating and not hesitating will see the girls improve over the next few matches. Looking forward to having a victory if not, at least winning a set. |
Nhelle Padrones |
7 - 9 Girls Indoor Cricket |
B.Geribo |
Win 84 -52 |
Elena Krupljanin |
|
7 - 9 Boys Softball |
D. Hatton |
Canceled - wet weather |
A few snaps from around the grounds during Week 6.












Swimming Carnival Report
The 2025 reverted to a Yr 12 and Competitor’sOnly Carnival as the heat soared past the expected 35 degrees. 138 students were in attendance and competed in the adjusted activities on competitive swimming, Indoor Pool Volleyball, Yr 12 “Parcel” relay, House Biathlon and the last event of of the day, the “Champions of Champions” Race.
Year 12 started the day off strong with high numbers, plenty of cheering and enthusiasm as the serious competitors got stuck into the 200 individual medley and the 100m freestyle events. Some strong performances by Year 7 students Shane Ross (Murray) and Sophia Wragg-Leigton (Ryan) set the tone of the day and could possibly be future stalwarts of their respective houses and for John Therry.
Two records were broken throughout the day. Congratulations to Isabella Wragg-Leighton of the 15 Girls who broke a record from 2003 (C. Talty 38.94) in a time of 37.94. And congratulations to Sophia Wragg-Leighton of the 13 Girls who broke a record from 2014 (M. Dowse 36.25) in a time of 37.16.
In the Parcel Relay Relay Race - houses were to pass and weighted object the length of the pool, Murray were deemed the winners of this event, as they completed the task without running or throwing the weight down the pool.
The Teams Biathlon event was very competitive. The race consisted of a 50m swim, a 100m run, a return 100m run, followed by a final 50m swim leg. The boys started this annual event with a whitewash of water at the blocks The boys soon disappeared out the gate only for Ryan to return to the pool first followed by Chisholm. Shout out to Shane Ross who competed in the opens race and anchored the team, who enter the pool in third place, and overtook the senior boy swimmers from Chisholm and Ryan to take the win.
1st place Murray, 2nd place Ryan, 3rd Place Chisholm and 4th place Conolly.
The girls race was even more frantic. Ryan was first out of the pool and first to get back with Chelseas Elvy bringing the Ryan girls home in 1st place quite comfortably.
1st place Ryan, 2nd Place Murray, 3rd Place Chisholm, 4th place Conolly.
The Yr 12 Aqua Volleyball event was a standout. It came down to the final serve with Ryan beating Murray in the final by 1 point.
In the final event of the day, our stronger swimmers faced off in a handicapped “Champion of Champions” 50m freestyle event.
Both events were tightly contested with the better students starting 5 seconds off the first swimmer.
Congratulations to Elise Southall (16G Ryan) and once again Shane Ross (13B Murray) on taking out this year's Champions Race.
Shane Ross in action.
Sophia Wragg-Leighton in action




Isabella Wragg-Leighton in action.




Girls Dio Touch
AGE GROUP: U13 Girls -- MVP: Scarlett Fisher
On 28th of February, 2025 the Under 13 Girls team proudly represented our school in a challenging competition of Touch Football down at Thomas Dalton Park in Fairy Meadow. Despite facing tough opponents and enduring the heat, the team displayed unwavering determination and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day.
Although they were unable to secure a win, the girls never let their spirits drop, giving their all in every match. They worked together, took on feedback, and continued to improve with each game. Special mention to Payton Ulugia, Scarlett Georges, Emily Marks and Sierra Polistina for working tirelessly in the middle. Our links Scarlett McClarence, Ella Meisenhofen and Peyton Fakes, supported by Harper Waller and Maka Karimusango played a pivotal role in both offence and defence. Last but not least, a huge credit to our speedy wingers Scarlett Fisher, Kayla Michelutti and Zara Griffiths.
The final shoutout goes to our MVP Scarlett Fisher for her incredible effort in attack, scoring the most tries for the team on the day.
The team should be proud of their performance and the way they represented the school with pride and resilience. Well done, girls! Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we look forward to seeing you grow and develop as a team in future competitions.
Bottom row (left to right): Kayla Michelutti, Zara Griffiths, Scarlett McClarence, Scarlett Georges
Top row (left to right): Peyton Fakes, Scarlett Fisher, Sierra Polistina, Emily Marks, Maka Karimusango, Ella Meisenhofen, Payton Ulugia
Absent from image: Harper Waller
AGE GROUP: U15 Girls - - MVP: Alexa Brown
On 28th of February, 2025 the Under 15 Girls team proudly represented John Therry Catholic College in a challenging competition of Touch Football at Thomas Dalton Park in Fairy Meadow. Despite facing tough opponents and enduring the heat, the team displayed unwavering determination and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day.
The day began with high hopes of multiple wins due to the hard work and effort that the talented group of girls participated in prior to the competition. Unfortunately the girls faced 2 tough match ups to begin the day with the eventual champions - St Mary’s Star of the Sea and Magdalene Catholic College. The girls were unable to hold out both teams and lost both games convincingly. The energy remained high leading into the 3rd game of the day against St Joseph’s, but unfortunately 2 injuries to key players led to the team playing out of position and losing the game 1-0. The girls showed great resilience and determination to achieve success from the carnival and finally had a convincing win against Mt Carmel Catholic College. The positivity was contagious and the effort remained high even against tough opponents and fatigue due to being short players becoming a factor. The girls were able to wrap up the competition with a win against St Benedicts 3-1.
Overall, the girls had a great day being able to participate in a pathways competition against tough opponents. They showed tremendous resilience and sportsmanship and displayed true John Therry Pride.
Bottom row (left to right): Willow Acreman, Raquel Bayon, Layla Caruana, Amelia Brown, Jada Wagstaff, Jazwyn Lyddieth
Top row (left to right): Alexa Brown, Rachel Lee, Ella Harris, Sienna Webb, Maisie Dadd, Olivia North
AGE GROUP: Opens Girls - - MVP: Ava Hilton
On 28th of February, 2025 the Open Girls team represented John Therry Catholic College with pride at the Touch Football Diocesan Trials at Dalton Park Fairy Meadow. Under scorching conditions, our girls battled through back-to-back games with determination and resilience. Despite the heat and the demanding schedule, the team showcased exceptional sportsmanship, never backing down from the challenge, especially missing all our Year 12 students who were absent from the team, attending the school swimming carnival.
Across the day, the girls secured two impressive wins against St Benedicts and St Francis and a hard-fought draw, proving their ability to compete at a high level. While there were some tough losses along the way, the team remained competitive in every match, displaying strong teamwork, skill, and a never-give-up attitude.Their commitment and spirit did not go unnoticed, with several standout performances contributing to the team's success. Special mention to Ava Hilton who led the team around the park and remained positive and supportive. Another mention to Chloe Donovan who showed grit and endurance to keep going, pushing the team to compete. To Isabella Stapleton who was a key member of the team with her speed and drive in defence and finally to all our new players that showed immense improvement over the day and were selfless in their approach to being a team player. The girls can be proud of their efforts, demonstrating not only their talent on the field but also their ability to push through adversity.
Congratulations to all players for their dedication and sportsmanship throughout the day!
Bottom row (left to right): Charlee Gregory, Abbi Coombs, Alice Stephenson, Madi Albrow, Kyra Crews, Tahlia Sutton
Top row (left to right): Isabella Stapleton, Akira Smith, Ava Hilton, Chloe Donovan, Sienna Coghlan, Gwen Klarich
Pathway Achievements
Southern Country AFL - We had 3 students attend the Southern Country U15 Boys AFL trial on the Wednesday of Week 5. Cooper Firman, Cooper Crowe and Lennix O’Dwyer all represented the school with Pride and integrity. Whilst all three missed out on selection into the team on the day, they all said that they had an enjoyable day and it was a great opportunity for skill development. We look forward to seeing Cooper C. and Lennix returning next year to try again as they are still eligible for the U15 age bracket.
NSWCCC Golf - Kobey Thomas attended the NSWCCC Golf trials on Monday of Week 6 in the Central Coast. He had a great day on the green, but unfortunately didn’t perform at his best and was unsuccessful in selection.
Upcoming Events Term 1 2025:
Week 7 |
Monday 10th March - Diocesan Swimming Carnival - Corrimal Swimming Pool |
Week 9 |
Wednesday 26th March, 2025 - Week 9 - Diocesan Rugby League - Boys - 15’s and Open Selection/Girls - 16’s - Ziems Park, Corrimal *Approved students only Thursday 27th March, 2025 - Week 9 - Boys and Girls - 13’s and 7-9 Pathway Team & 7-10 Pathway Team - Kooringa Reserve, Raby (Boys) South Nowra Fields, Nowra (Girls) |
Week 10 |
Monday 31st March - Diocesan Netball Trials - 15’s and Opens - Berkeley Netball Courts *Approved students only Thursday 3rd April - JTCC Cross Country Carnival (Competitors Only) - Thomas Acres Reserve |
Diocesan and Pathways update
2025 Sport is well and truly underway. 2025 planning and calendar for representative pathway opportunities are below.
Upcoming NSWCCC events
NSWCCC & ALL SCHOOL EVENTS
NSWCCC Baseball Selections - Nominations are now closed - Selection date - 5 March at Castle Glen 1 & 2, Castle Hill - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/baseball
NSWCCC Volleyball 15 Years Selections - Nominations are now closed Selection date - 7 March at Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/volleyball
NSWCCC Volleyball 18 Years Selections - close date 19 March 2025 Selection date - 28 March at Netball Central, Sydney Olympic Park - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/volleyball
NSWCCC Hockey 15's & 18's Selections - close date 21 March 2025 Selection date - 7 April at Newcastle - More information https://csnsw.sport/sports/nswccc-secondary/hockey
NSWCCC Diving Selections - TBC Selection date - 5 March at Sydney Olympic Park
This Registration Flyer may come in handy for your students/parents if you require it.
CEDoW WEBSITE- Event Information, Selected rep teams and Carnival Results
A reminder to visit our Secondary CEDoW Sports Web current information about events, selected teams and carnival results
Don't forget to follow and promote the CEDOW instagram handle: @cedow.sport
Students at John Therry are given the opportunity to represent John Therry at College, Diocesan and CCC sporting events.
CLICK HERE - JTCC PATHWAY INFORMATION
Diocesan Sporting Opportunities
This is the main school sporting pathway that is offered to students at John Therry Catholic College. Some John Therry CC Diocesan teams are determined through trials, or a carnival hosted at a college level (Athletics, Cross Country, Swimming), however some teams are determined by individual trials that students must nominate and register for online. Further information can be found at: https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/
NSWCCC Sporting Opportunities
NSWCCC is another school sporting pathway that is offered to students at John Therry Catholic College. Some CCC teams are determined through qualifying at a carnival hosted at a Diocesan level (Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Rugby League, Swimming, Basketball, Touch Football), however some teams are determined by individual trials that students must nominate and register for online. Students must be currently competing at a representative level in their chosen sport to be considered for CCC team trials.The sports that require online nomination and registration include:
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It is important that online registration is completed before the closing date for each sport. These are outlined on the CSNSW website: https://csnsw.sport
Online registrations are now open for 2025. Please refer to the information on the website regarding the registration process. Here is a link to assist with sports registration for parents: https://csnsw.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2/topic/65d787c5-0d2a-4699-a63a-25d586b67ba2
A reminder to check the Compass Portal for upcoming sporting events and their respective closing dates.
You can also access the Wollongong Sport site for more information regarding Diocesan Sport throughout the year.
https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/student-experience/sport/secondary-sport
Yours in Sport,
Georgia Roberts (RobertsG03@dow.catholic.edu.au)
Please find below a link to the latest Parish Bulletin