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In last Sunday’s Mass reading of Mark 12:41-44, we hear the story of the poor widow who gives two small coins at the temple, an amount seen as tiny by most but deeply valued by Jesus. He praises her offering, noting that she has given all she had, unlike others who gave from their surplus. This passage reminds us that what matters most isn’t the size of our gifts, but the sincerity and generosity behind them. At school and in life, we can all strive to follow her example by giving from the heart—whether it’s our time, energy, kindness, or support for others. True generosity often means offering what feels small or challenging to give, knowing it makes a real difference. This mindset can help us build a community marked by care, humility, and authentic compassion.

The Year 12 class of 2024 gathered for one last time on Thursday 14th November at the Year 12 Formal. This is always a wonderful celebration and important life milestone that students look forward to. It was a privelege to be in attendance and see the students enjoy each others company and celebrate in such a fun and respectful way. We wish the class of Year 12 2024 every blessing as they move on from our community. They have been wonderful custodians of John Therry and we have no doubt that they will go on to serve and enrich the various communities they join in the future.

We received wonderfu news last week that John Therry won a $5000 prize in the Coles Planet Ark Schools Competition. This competition was entered by our Year 10 Commerce class under the guidance of Mrs Wagstaff, and proposed a textiles recycling program that could be run through the school. You will see more information on this in a later newsletter but I wanted to share this news and congratulate these students on this wonderful achievement. The focus on sustainability aligns with our desire to live out Pope Francis' call to us to take care of our common home.

On Thursday 14th November, The John Therry community celebrated the successes of our Year 11 2024 students. It was a pleasure to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and perseverance of all our Year 11 students. The major awards further acknowledged students who contributed to specific arrears of College life and demonstrated how 'doing one's best' is such a rewarding experience. 

The CAPA Department is thrilled to announce that several of our talented Year 12 Drama students have been nominated for the prestigious ‘Onstage’ HSC Showcase. This celebrates the best performances and projects from the Higher School Certificate (HSC) Drama examinations. Being nominated puts them in the top 5% of the state and means they have received excellent marks.

Group Performance Nomination: Kyle Faber, Lacey Johnson, and Ashlle Hunter have been recognised for their outstanding group performance of their original piece, 2044. Their piece captivated the markers with its compelling narrative and powerful execution. Their playbuilt performance was a fresh take on the book 1984 by George Orwell, set in an authoritarian school in 2044.

Costume Design Nomination: Alyssa Giampaolo has been nominated for her innovative and creative costume design based on the Play, ‘Stories in the Dark’ by Debra Oswald. Her work demonstrated a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of character and theme, contributing significantly to the overall impact of the performance.

Congratulations to Kyle, Lacey, Ashlle, and Alyssa and their teacher Mr Alex Hayden on these remarkable achievements!

 Exciting News from Our Library!

We are thrilled to announce that our Library has undergone a fantastic reorganisation to better support our students' learning and reading enjoyment!

Non-Fiction Section Revamp
We've reorganised our non-fiction books into Key Learning Areas (KLAs) to make it easier for students to locate resources that support their classroom learning. This means more efficient and effective research for all our budding scholars!

Looking Ahead to 2025
By 2025, we aim to have a collection of books that are centred around the topics explored in the classroom. This will further enhance the connection between what students learn in class and the resources available in our Library.

Fiction Section Makeover
Our fiction novels have also been reorganised into genres! This change is designed to help students find novels that match their interests and keep them engaged in reading. Whether your child loves mystery, fantasy, science fiction, or romance, there's a perfect book waiting for them.

What will your child's next novel be?
Encourage them to explore our newly organised sections and discover their next favourite read!

Special Thanks
A big thank you to Emeliya of year 12, for all her time and effort in helping get this project done in record time. Your dedication is truly appreciated!

Come visit us and see the new and improved Library! Happy reading!

Information about leaving school

The Services Australia website has some great information to support students finishing secondary school, whether they are interested in working, doing an apprenticeship or traineeship, or doing further study.

Youth Allowance for students and apprentices and ABSTUDY are the main payments students may get. There are also other payments for students who need to move away from a regional or remote area to study.

Students can find out more at servicesaustralia.gov.au/leavingschool. In particular, the interactive school leavers video that can be found on this web page is a fun way to find out about student payments, Medicare and more.

Medicare benefits

Year 12s need to add a bank account to their Medicare account to get Medicare benefits, regardless of having their own Medicare card or staying on their parents’ card. Find out more about getting Medicare benefits.

Resources schools can pass on to their students

The School Leavers Resource eKit on the Services Australia website has been updated for this year, and we encourage all secondary schools to download and use this.
It contains many different resources that explain Centrelink payments and how to get started with myGov.

Download the eKit at servicesaustralia.gov.au/schoolleaversekit.

JTCC SPORT UPDATE - Term 4, Week 5 

As we head towards the end of Term 4, it means that we are heading towards two of our major sporting events of the year. More information is available via the newsletter and Compass. 

Sports Assembly - THURSDAY 12th December 

Jack Crawford Games - TUESDAY 17th December 

JTCC headed into MISA Rounds 3 and 4 with some confidence to build on some positive results. 

Round 3 saw JT have 2 byes and 2 forfeits and then we failed to capitalise across the board only winning one match in the Junior Boys AFL. Not the best way to climb the MISA Championship ladder.

Round 4 saw some much needed wins for our Boys AFL, Girls OzTag and our Senior Mixed Frisbee. Alot of improvement will need to take place in the next few weeks if we are to claim semi-final positions and have a genuine go at winning Term 4 MISA competitions.

Uniform Expectations:

A reminder that as we are in Term 4, the College will be enforcing the College Summer Uniform Policy and requesting all students wear hats at recess and lunch and during all PDHPE and sport lessons. A reminder that students are to wear the appropriate white sports socks [no anklets] and the required sport shorts [not rolled up at the waist]. 

MISA Results - Round 3

MISA Results - Round 4

If you have any questions regarding MISA Sports, please feel free to contact me. Mr Jamie Cook cooka01@dow.catholic.edu.au

Diocesan and Pathways update

Wow, what a big few weeks of sport we have had, and with some fantastic results for JTCC. Firstly, a huge congratulations to Mr Jefferys and the 7-9 Boys Basketball team, who have won their FOURTH Diocesan Championship in a row. What an incredible achievement! Congratulations also extend to our senior girls team that lost a close grand final match, and really put St. Mary’s on notice considering our team was only put together recently!

Diocesan Basketball Tournament 

7 - 9 Boys - Mr. Jefferys

7 - 9 Boys Basketball Team Continues Winning Streak at Diocesan Carnival

The pressure was on for the 7-9 boys basketball team as they entered the Diocesan Basketball Carnival, having clinched victory in the previous three carnivals. However, the boys rose to the challenge, showcasing their exceptional skills and teamwork throughout the day.

The team started strong with a decisive 30-11 win against Edmund Rice College Wollongong, followed by a 44-31 victory against St Benedict's College Oran Park. They continued their winning streak, defeating Holy Spirit Bellambi 27-14 and Corpus Christi Oak Flats 53-34. This put us in first place in the group stage and put us against Mt Carmel. 

In the semi-final, the boys faced tough competition from Mt Carmel Catholic College but ultimately secured a 44-29 win with some impressive defence and ball movement. The grand final saw them up against a team that had been pushed to overtime in their semi-final match. Despite their opponents' fatigue, the boys maintained their composure and emerged victorious with a final score of 43-26. Azor managed to keep their best player contained as we managed to get multiple defensive stops in a row.

The highlight of the day was the team's outstanding defensive performance, which created numerous opportunities for their offense to shine. Their hard work and dedication paid off, resulting in another well-deserved championship title. Congratulations to the 7-9 boys basketball team on their continued success!

10-11 Boys - Mr Winter 

The JTCC boys arrived at Minto ready to play 4 games of basketball to qualify for a potential 2 more in the finals. 

The first match was against St Francis, the boys kept their composure by displaying a fantastic example of offence and defence. Multiple steals resulted in over 10 points off fast breaks that broke down St Francis’ defence allowing consistent scoring against them, this was led by Levi and Keontrell. The final result was a JTCC win at 39-9. 

The next game against Edmund Rice College would be the biggest challenge the team would come up against for the day, they were a formidable team who would go on to win every game in the pool stage. Edmund Rice took advantage of slow efforts to set up defensively and breakdowns in communication on our end resulting in a 13-37 loss. 

A chance for the boys to redeem themselves was during the next game against Magdalene. The errors and mistakes from the previous games were evident and the boys patched things up, solidifying their defensive structure by obtaining much needed rebounds and getting back to zone positions before the opposition could make a move. The defensive efforts were led by Moni T. A well-deserved win by the JTCC boys with a 43-20 result. 

The last game of the pool stage was the most important. The boys were up against Holy Spirit College and with our tied records for the day, a win was needed to progress to the Semi Finals. The boys played fantastically, utilising all players on the team, especially the forwards under the post. Patient and calculated passes to Cooper D, resulted in a high volume of points scored in the paint. This made it difficult for Holy Spirit to catch up in points, finishing the game with a 29-18 win for JTCC, allowing us to progress to the semi finals.

The Semi final match was against the winner of the B Pool, Corpus Christi. A confident and cohesive team that managed to overwhelm the JTCC boys on both offensive and defensive ends. Too many fast break points in conjunction with lazy efforts getting back defensively worked against us resulting in a loss and getting knocked out for finals contention. 

The day ended with a 4th place result with a loss against Mount Carmel in the consolation round. MVP for the day goes to Keontrell Zaglas for consistent efforts on both offensive and defensive ends of the court. 

Back row: Sienna Larner - Isabelle Nolan - Lucy Wicks - Sophie Regan (c) - Raquel Bayon - Eva Bolshakova 
Front row: Piper Regan - Kristena Marinos - Jada Wagstaff - Emily Marks - Layla Caruana 

The John Therry Catholic College 7-9 DIO Girls Basketball team displayed tremendous heart and determination in their recent competition, despite facing tough opposition in every game. Led by their fierce and committed captain, Sophie Regan, the girls left everything on the court, showing an admirable level of sportsmanship, teamwork, and resilience.

Though the results may not have gone their way, with the team unfortunately not securing a win, they demonstrated unwavering determination, often putting their bodies on the line in defence and fighting for every loose ball. Each game was a showcase of their grit and effort, proving that success is not always measured on the scoreboard but in the strength of character.

A standout performance came from Jada Wagstaff, who was named Player of the Day. Her energy, skill, and relentless drive kept the team in contention throughout the games, earning her well-deserved recognition for her commitment to the team’s cause.

Every member of the team should be proud of the way they represented John Therry Catholic College. 

10-11 Girls - Mrs. Hynard

For the first time I had the privilege of taking the Open Girls Basketball team to the Diocesan Championships in Wollongong on Monday 21st October. I was very impressed with their enthusiasm to represent the school so passionately considering they arrived more than two hours before their first game.

The team showed immense determination and talent as they played four other schools in pool B. The girls began their dominance in this pool with a 26-10 win against Corpus Christi, followed by an easy 22-6 win against St. Benedicts, a very convincing victory against St.Patrick’s (38-12) and finally a 32-9 annihilation against Mt. Carmel, which came as a surprise to the girls. Throughout these four games the girls showed fantastic teamwork, strong defensive pressure and awesome offensive plays, especially from Georgia, Georgina and Annelise. 

The girls therefore progressed to the semi-finals without really being contested. Here they played Holy Spirit (second place in pool A). This game was a very tight, somewhat aggressive affair throughout and saw the girls challenged to be smarter in their approaches in defence. Failure to focus in the first few minutes created a deficit we found difficult to overcome. Frustration started to take its toll however the girls were able to hold onto win 25-22 to place them in the final.

Coming up against the experienced St Mary’s representative team in the final, the JT girls lacked confidence even before they took to the court. They did however play remarkably well, only being a point down at half time. A few three pointers from Annelise kept them in the game until the last two minutes. In the end, the skill and fitness levels of the St. Mary's team led them to a 22-16 victory.

All girls were excellent ambassadors for the school, displaying fabulous sportsmanship and exceptional school spirit. I would especially like to thank Navarah Mataipule and Akira Smith for managing the team and assisting with bench duty the whole day. I thoroughly enjoyed the day out with this team and am very proud of their achievements. Well done once again to all team members

Bottom row (left to right): Mrs Hynard, Alexis Paulo, Ava Hilton, Annelise Hall, Georgia Bastock, Elyse Stonebridge
Top row (left to right): Bella Grace Marshall, Georgina Akol, Sarah Vidal Numiamalii, Tahlia Sutton, Atong Kon Chol

Diocesan AFL Tournament 

7-9 Girls 

On Monday 28th October I had the privilege of taking 14 of our amazing students to the Diocesan 7-9 Girls AFL Championships. I was very impressed with their desire to be present and have a go at a game that most had minimal experience in. It was a hot day and we only had two substitutes, but everyone stuck in and rotated around to find our best possible combinations. 

Our girls showed immense determination and talent as they played four other schools in pool A, which was definitely the tougher of the two pools. The Year 7-9 girls’ AFL tournament showcased not only the spirit of competition but also the resilience and determination of our young athletes. Despite facing tough opponents and ending the day without a win in their four games, the girls demonstrated remarkable teamwork and tenacity.

From the outset, they put pressure on some of the dominant teams, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship. Each match highlighted their commitment to improving, as they rallied together and supported one another on and off the field. Their enduring spirit was evident as they celebrated small victories, such as strong tackles and effective plays, despite the final scores.

While the results may not have reflected their hard work, the girls left the tournament with invaluable experience and a stronger sense of camaraderie. Their determination is sure to lay the groundwork for future success in the league. Well done to all the players for their effort and enthusiasm!

A big thank you also to our three year 10 girls who came along to assist on the day, Maddi B., Ava H. and Isabella S. Your assistance and encouragement was admirable. 

Mrs Roberts

U14 Boys 

On Monday 28th October our U14 boys AFL headed down to Thomas Dalton Park, Fairy Meadow, to take on the Diocese on a cloudy and windy day. For all but one of the boys it was their first time playing AFL so we had a lot to learn in regards to the rules, skills and tactics required for the game. We took on St John’s, Nowra, in our first game and after conceding two goals early our boys were able to get into the game and became quite competitive. Goals to Floilan and Elijah kept the scores close but we ended up losing 22-15. 

Our second game was against Holy Spirit, Bellambi and we had some great opportunities early, kicking four behinds, which could easily have been four goals. This inaccurate kicking cost us in the end as we went down 23-4 to the eventual winners of the day.

Our final Pool B match was against St Joseph’s, Albion Park and our boys were really keen to get a win on the board. Cooper stepped it up in the middle of the field with some good support from Rico and we were able to pile on three goals, courtesy of Cooper, Rico and Deng. St Joseph’s late comeback wasn’t enough as we held on to win 24-14.

That win meant we finished third in our pool and were set to take on Magdalene in a playoff for 5th. Our boys were high on confidence heading in and rightly so as Kieren, Deng and Noah all kicked goals in our 20-7 victory. Deng should have kicked a second goal after taking a terrific mark going back with the flight of the ball 2 metres out from goal but was unable to convert.

Overall it was a great day and a really enjoyable introduction to AFL.  Mr Geribo

MVP: Cooper Firman

Front row: Isaiah Leal, Dion Kaye, Abdalla Mohammed, Elijah Leal, Lennix O’Dwyer, Kaiden Myers, Kayden Thompson, Rhys McEvoy, Floilan Magalona, Brenton Geribo (coach)

Back row: Deng Deng, Corey Cook, Kieren Mostyn, Rico Logai-Lusiano, Lucas Failla, Mayen Ajak, Tommy Ribicic, Cooper Firman, Noah Donovan  

Upcoming events 

Upcoming NSW All Schools Events

Students at John Therry are given the opportunity to represent John Therry at College, Diocesan and CCC sporting events.

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: 

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

https://www.olhcrosemeadow.org.au/bulletin/