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Attendance Update
We have been focusing on improving attendance this year and have shared updates on our whole-school attendance data throughout the year. This term, we have seen higher levels of illness among both staff and students, so a slight drop in attendance is to be expected.
Our goal remains to keep our overall attendance rate above 90% in 2025. You can check your child’s individual attendance rate in the Compass app, which can also be a useful starting point for discussion with them.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
School Photos are in. I hope you are as happy with your child's photo as Clover is with hers.
Photos are being distributed through learning group at the moment so please check with your child if they have collected theirs. Any photos not collected early next week will be returned to our front office for collection by students or parents.
John Therry is a systemic school within the Wollongong Diocese, which comprises 39 schools. We are committed to building and maintaining a culture that is welcoming and inclusive, in keeping with our Catholic values.
While no school is without its challenges—and having over 1,050 students in one setting can sometimes present difficulties—I was heartened by recent data that affirmed the strength of our community. Among all schools in the Diocese, John Therry has the lowest percentage of students who report feeling excluded.
Although our goal is always that no child feels excluded, this result is a wonderful acknowledgement of our students and the way they live out our core values of respect, friendship, and presence.
note: I am also mindful that the data in other schools might be inaccurate where very small numbers may have completed surveys etc so I would caution judgement on any other results here.
HSC UPDATE
Our HSC students have returned from their Trial Examinations and were highly commended by the presiding officer for their exemplary behaviour and cooperation. This recognition reflects the high regard in which we hold this outstanding group of students.
Since their return, we have spoken with them about the significance of the HSC examinations and the impact these have on their final results. We continue to encourage them to finish strong and achieve the outcomes they deserve.
The finish line is now in sight, and we look forward to supporting Year 12 over the coming months as they complete their journey with us.
Understanding and Managing Anxiety & Talking About Mental Health
As part of Child Protection Week 2025, John Therry Catholic College will be hosting an information evening on Tuesday, 9th September from 6:30–7:30pm as part of our P&F Meeting. The session, Understanding and Managing Anxiety & Talking About Mental Health, will focus on shifting conversations into actions and providing practical strategies to support wellbeing.
We invite parents, carers, and community members to join us for this important discussion.
Click here to register or scan the QR code on the flyer.
On Friday 1st August the school community gathered for a captivating Friends and Family of Drama Performance Evening, celebrating the hard work and creativity of our Year 12 Drama students and the dedication of their teacher Mr. Hayden.. In preparation for their upcoming HSC exams, students presented a powerful selection of monologues, film and a group performance that demonstrated both technical skill and emotional depth.
The group performance of the evening was an absurdist piece set in a Victorian gaol, where a group of eccentric prisoners grappled with the shocking news that Vegemite has been banned. Blending dark humour with surrealism, the students delivered a sharp and satirical exploration of rebellion, identity, and the absurdity of authority. Their portrayal of the prisoners’ increasingly bizarre escape plan, driven by their devotion to the iconic spread, was both hilarious and thought-provoking, showcasing their ability to balance comedic timing with thematic depth. The performance was a bold and imaginative interpretation that left the audience laughing and reflecting in equal measure.
The monologue performances by Charlotte, Sophia, and Laura showcased exceptional talent and distinct storytelling flair. Charlotte had the audience in stitches with her comedic portrayal of a public speaking competition spiraling into chaos, Sophia brought gravitas and conviction to the stage with a stirring dramatic speech from a passionate suffragette and Laura’s comedic monologue, delivered as a eulogy for an infuriatingly lovable best friend, struck the perfect balance between humour and heart. Each performance was a testament to the students’ creativity, skill, and dedication to their craft.
Ranniell’s film was a poignant and visually striking exploration of grief, healing, and the quiet magic of connection. Centered on a character navigating the aftermath of loss, the story unfolds as mysterious strings begin to appear, guiding him through memories, emotions, and moments of reflection. With subtle cinematography and a deeply empathetic narrative, Ranniell crafted a moving journey that resonated with audiences, offering a gentle reminder of the ways comfort can emerge in unexpected forms.
A huge thank you to Mr Hayden especially who organised and ran the night. Furthermore to the executive staff at the college and Stephen Peters the leader of CAPA for attending and supporting this amazing evening alongside other staff and students. But most importantly to the incredible families of the amazing year 12 Drama students, whose support and encouragement makes what these kids do possible. It is the greatest privilege of my life to be able to work with such talented, empathetic and kind students. They embody what Drama is all about.It was a night filled with applause, pride, and admiration for the dedication these students have poured into their craft. We wish them all the best as they take their performances into the HSC exams!
During Science Week in Week 4, we didn’t just celebrate Science in isolation. We explored it through the infinite lens of creativity. Inspired by this year’s theme, “Decoding the Universe”, students created a Science–Art fusion where imagination had no limits.
They created stunning visions of galaxies, swirling solar systems, bright Milky Ways, mysterious black holes and star-filled night skies. One of our Aboriginal students even painted The Emu in the Sky– an important Dreamtime story – on an emu egg, weaving together culture, Science and the universe.
While time was our only constraint, almost every student completed a piece they could proudly call their own. A reminder that Science can be even more inspiring when we view it from new angles. And their creations didn’t just impress us with their beauty, we were equally moved by their politeness, enthusiasm and genuine appreciation for the activity.
In the end, the event was a great success, loved by both staff and students alike. And who knows, perhaps we’ve sparked a new Science Week tradition by using Art to reveal the wonder of Science?
After all, the possibilities, much like the universe itself, are endless.
On Wednesday 30th July we were thrilled to welcome the students and leaders from the Campbelltown Koshigaya Sister City Association 37th delegation. Throughout the day John Therry students played host by showing them around our school, conducting ‘getting to know you’ interviews and problem solving activities. Clover even made a guest experience!
The Koshigaya students entertained Yr 8 Japanese students with a performance in English which show cased a traditional Japanese dance as well as quizzes and songs. The John Therry MISA dance troupe gave a wonderful performance for our visitors as did Maddi Albrow and our indigenous students.
Opportunities like this give us a chance to connect and bring language alive.
Year 10 Photography and Digital media Cockatoo Island Excursion
On a bright sunny Wednesday 6th August both Year 10 Photography and Digital media classes went on excursion into Sydney to visit Cockatoo Island. This excursion was part of the student's Assessment task 3; Portfolio Body of Work. After an initial briefing and walking tour of the island students engaged with Cockatoo Island's spectacular and natural landscape, colourful convict life and industrial heritage in both film making and digital photography.
Cockatoo Island, located in Sydney Harbour, is a popular choice for filming and photography due to its rich history, diverse industrial and convict-era architecture, and stunning harbour backdrop. The island's unique combination of weathered structures, historic buildings, and scenic waterfront views offers a variety of compelling settings. Cockatoo Island has served as a filming location for several movies, most notably "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "Unbroken". Our students made photographic and digital works both in small groups initially and then individually. These went towards building a portfolio using a range of materials and techniques in still and moving forms representing various investigations of the world based on their own selected creative prompt. There was a choice of twenty creative prompts like ‘Blueprints of Silence’, ‘Marks left behind’, ‘Rusts Never Sleep’, ‘Whispers in the Wall’ to name a few.
In the development of a film work, students could employ the use of narrative, characterisation, abstraction, mise-en-scene, documentation, experimentation, dramatisation and action. Each student needed to choose within their small group key responsibilities . These included; director, Scriptwriter (or Concept Developer), Storyboard Artist, Cinematographer (Director of Photography), Sound Recorder, Actors or Performers, Editor and sound designer. The students really enjoyed the day and we look forward to their finished work later in the term. Thank you to our staff Mrs. Cozzarin, Mrs. Arnold and Mr Peters who made this creative experience possible.
JTCC SPORT UPDATE - Term 3, Week 5
It has been a busy and challenging start to the term with wet weather playing havoc on our MISA and Tuesday Sport schedule, and with Year 10 activities in Week 4 also impacting our MISA fixtures and 9/10 REC Sport. Despite these interruptions, our students have continued to show resilience and commitment to representing JTCC with pride.
We now look ahead to the DIO Athletics Carnival on Friday 22nd August, which will be going ahead despite the scheduled wet weather. This event promises to be a huge day for the College. Over 60 JTCC students will be competing across a range of events, while our College is proud to be hosting the carnival and providing 30 student officials on the day.
Our sporting highlights so far include a successful campaign at DIO Tennis and Mr Cook hosting MISA Golf, both excellent opportunities for our students to showcase their talent and sportsmanship.
We are very lucky to have such passionate and experienced staff on board to host and manage all these events.
Looking ahead, we have several exciting events on the horizon including the re-scheduled DIO Volleyball, DIO Junior Cricket, and the always popular Staff vs. Students competition in Week 8.
We wish all our students the very best as they continue to represent JTCC across these opportunities.
9/10 Rotations update - Activity change
Unfortunately, Maximum Skating is closing it's doors, so replacement activities have been arranged for the rest of the school year. Skating will be substituted by walking and tennis. Please see the updated program options attached.
Important - After that date, from Week 6-8:
- Group B → Tennis
- Group D → Walking
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility. This will impact remaining rotations for Term 3 & 4.
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MISA - Round 3 |
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TEAM |
COACH |
W/L Score |
Sport Report |
SPOW |
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10 - 12 Boys Indoor Cricket |
A.Chapman |
BYE |
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10 - 12 Boys AFL |
B.Geribo |
FORFET |
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10 - 12 Girls AFL |
T.Moon |
BYE |
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7/8 Girls Netball - Div 1 |
N.Wagstaff |
20-13 WIN |
Our Year 7/8 netball team delivered a spectacular performance, securing a brilliant victory! The team's unified effort was the key to this success. The defence was outstanding, shutting down the opposition at every turn, while our shooters were on fire, scoring a fantastic number of goals. What a win! This victory is a true reflection of their teamwork and dedication. |
Charlotte Haeren |
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7/8 Girls Netball - Div 2 |
L. O’Regan |
53-2 Lost |
The girls came up against SFCC today. Once again a team who seemed to not miss a goal. Praise to our defensive circle for not giving up and continued to get some great touches throughout the game. We struggled today with cohesion through the midcourt, which meant our shooters didn't see a lot of the ball. We went down 53-2. |
Emilija Filipovic |
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9/10 Girls Netball |
J.Kelleher |
5 - 37 L |
Our Year 9/10 team was a few players short this week due to Year 10 Camp. Thank you to Rachel, Lucy, Ashmi and Trishal for stepping into the team! Broughton proved a strong side, with many Saturday players and Rep players. We again worked on chunked goals and learning some finer rules, as netball is not the weekend sport of choice for many of our team. An improved second half led to some great goals, and we are definitely learning as a team. |
Dimity Matahau |
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7/8 Boys Soccer - Div 2 |
Williamson |
D2-2 |
An improved performance but an ultimately disappointing result. Went 2 goals up in the first half with goals from Eli and Geon. Too much space at the back and poor clearances let them back into the game. Plenty of positive performances today. |
Eli Hutchinson |
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7/8 Boys Soccer - Div 1 |
Bodeker |
6-0 Win |
Today was a comprehensive victory for our 7/8 Boys Soccer team against Broughton. With Year 10 on camp, we had to loan 2 of our experienced players to the 9/10 team. This left us with only 1 substitute, however it enabled our Year 7’s the chance to showcase their skills and abilities playing important roles in our team. We started strong and created several good chances within the first half. We had all the possession and were just missing the final touches. Fortunately Austin was able to score our first goal after a strong start. We continued this dominance, but were unable to capitalise and went into the break with a 1-0 advantage. At half time we spoke about keeping it simple and to not rush our chances when they arrived. The second half was fantastic to watch, the boys played our style of football and were able to put 5 goals past Broughton. These goals were all high quality and were a result of lengthy buildups with smooth passing and movement. The highlight of the day was seeing regular Goalkeeper Xavier finally getting a chance on the field and scoring 5 minutes later. The boys and Xavier were ecstatic with this and I don’t think Xavier will let me hear the end of it. Well done boys, looking forward to seeing the improvement next week. |
Xavier Abi-Khattar |
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9/10 Boys Soccer |
J.Cook |
2- 0 Win |
Our Round 3 match vs Broughton was expected to be mismatched as our Year 10 students were on camp. Special thanks to Billy Wilson, Blake Foreman, Gabriel Jilson and Omar Olosman who stepped up to fill the gaps in our squad. Broughton are a talented team but lack discipline and we eventually broke them down. JT’s instructions were to sit deep and when possible, find Cooper Firman in the long spaces and hopefully we can jag a few goals. True to our plan, Cooper created for Gabriel Jilson in the first half, and then Cooper scored as solo goal from halfway after a creative combination from Noah Cook and Billy Wilson. Billy Wilson - today’s MVP worked tirelessly and was involved in a number of defensive and attacking plays, pretty good for a Year 8 student. |
Billy Wilson Cooper Firman |
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7 - 9 Girls Soccer |
B.Joy |
Won v MAS |
After missing out on our Round 2 match against Thomas Hassal due to a rainout, the girls had some time to regroup and recruit some extra players given our low numbers costing us the last game. Heading into our Round 3 fixture against Macarthur Anglican School, the addition of Matilda Summers (Year 8) & Zali Linden (Year 7) along with the return of Savannah-May Phommaxay (Year 9) to the lineup made all the difference. |
Tamariz Lobos-Zuniga |
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U15 Boys Rugby League |
M.Tran + D.Hatton |
30-10 W |
Great team performance today from the U15s boys. Multiple players had to step into new positions as numerous key players were away on camp. Isiah Leal organised the attack and Keiran and Rico were strong off the back of good forward carries. Special mention to Adrian Haule and Thomas Pickering who both had great performances. MVP: Kayden Thompson - 2 tries |
Kayden Thompson |
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MISA - Round 4 |
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TEAM |
COACH |
W/L Score |
Sport Report |
SPOW |
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10 - 12 Boys Indoor Cricket |
A.Chapman |
67-53 L |
The John Therry boys came up against Mt Carmel in our round four clash. JT bowled first and missed some chances early on to really put the opposition under pressure. They set a competitive total of 67 from their 8 overs. In our batting innings we lost wickets at regular intervals and didn’t capitalise on the middle overs bowling. As a result we needed 17 runs off the last over and couldn’t quite get the job done. |
Austin Matahau |
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10 - 12 Boys AFL |
B.Geribo |
Washed out |
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10 - 12 Girls AFL |
T.Moon |
Washed out |
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7/8 Girls Netball - Div 1 |
N.Wagstaff |
Washed out |
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7/8 Girls Netball - Div 2 |
L. O’Regan |
Washed out |
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9/10 Girls Netball |
J.Kelleher |
Washed out |
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7/8 Boys Soccer - Div 2 |
Williamson |
Washed out |
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7/8 Boys Soccer - Div 1 |
Bodeker |
Washed out |
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9/10 Boys Soccer |
J.Cook |
Washed out |
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7 - 9 Girls Soccer |
B.Joy |
Washed out |
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U15 Boys Rugby League |
M.Tran + D.Hatton |
Washed out |
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Dio Tennis Teams 2025
After being postponed due to a washout the JT Tennis teams finally got on the courts in the annual Dio Tennis competition and did the College proud.
The girls’ team was made up of regular faces who have represented the College for several years in Ava Hilton, Elyse Stonebridge & Phoebe Eagleton along with late call up Kiara Jakobsson. In their last year of eligibility the girls battled hard against strong opposition however were unable to come up with a win.
The boys team this year was strengthened by the inclusion of the Adeboyejo brothers who lead from the front demonstrating tenacity however more importantly tremendous sportsmanship. The boys team lost a close first round match however went on to repeat their 2024 performance by winning the repechage competition. A special shoutout must go to young Richard Lozano for punching well above his weight class & dominating the KFC celebrations, consuming more than double his nearest rival.
Looking forward to seeing some new faces in the girls’ team for 2026 and clearly there will be tough competition for places in next year's boys’ team as they aim to go one better in 2026.
2025 MISA GOLF Championships
The 2025 MISA Golf Championships moved to Campbelltown Golf Course this year to better cater for the demands of the competition. Heavy rainfall over the weekend saw the course hold a lot of water which tested the players ability to hit their distances.
Seven students competed on the day with Kobey Thomas competing in the MISA Cup event, while Joshua Sambuca, Luke Billinghurst and Aidan Murray participated in the Senior Plate, Brayden Matthew, Benji Elvy and Presley Hovanyecz participated in the Junior Plate event.
RESULTS:
The Plate Events: Twenty eight students across two divisions competed for the Junior Boy and Senior Boy Plate events.
Owen Hart (2024 Junior winner) from Magdalene returned to win this year's Open Boys Division shooting the low round, with a score of 43, to take the major prize for the Senior Plate Event.
Presley Hovanyecz from John Therry shot the low round of the day with a score of 40 to take out the Junior Plate Events
Junior Boys results were:
1st - Presley Hovanyecz - 40 - John Therry Catholic College
2nd - Archie Dobbs - 43 - Marcathur Anglican School
3rd - Mitchell Holt - 44 - Thomas Hassall
Senior Boys results were:
1st - Owen Hart - 43 - Magdalene Catholic College
2nd - Jake Sawyer - 50 - Mt Carmel Catholic College
3rd - Luke Severin 51 - Magdalene Catholic College
The Cup Events: Fourteen students entered this year's Cup Event across three divisions. We have some very talented golfers in our community and it was great to see them in action.
Congratulations to the following students on their achievements. Well done to Kobey Thomas on taking out the Senior Boy Nett division.
Senior Girls Stroke Winner - Macarthur Anglican School - Lucy Bower [10] - 89
Junior Boys Stroke Winner - Harry Pesic (MAS) - [8.3] - 79 (net 71)
Junior Boys Stroke Runner Up - Braxton Andrews (MACC) [8.0] - 90 (net 82)
Junior Boys Nett Winner - William Miners (WCCC) [24.2] - net 75
Senior Boys Stroke Winner - Henry Dippenaar (WAC) [3.9] - 73 (net 69)
Senior Boys Stroke Runner Up - Oliver Birken (MAG) {4.0} - 80 (net 76)
Senior Boys Nett Winner - Kobey Thomas (JTCC) [7] - net 77
Upcoming Events Term 3 2025:
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Term 3, Week 5 |
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Friday 22nd August - Diocesan Athletics Championships - Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Campbelltown |
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Term 3, Week 9 |
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Wednesday 17th September - Diocesan Cricket Championships (Boys 7-9) - Thomas Dalton Park, Wollongong Thursday 18th September, 2025 - Diocesan Cricket Championships (Girls 7-9) - Thomas Dalton Park, Wollongong |
Diocesan and Pathways update
2025 planning and calendar for representative pathway opportunities are below.
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 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