Canteen Menu

Student Leader Gatherings

Our College Captains and Vice Captains have been privelleged to take part in a number of leadership gatherings over recent weeks. The Marist Leaders retreat took place from Sunday 19th November to Tuesday 21st November, and the Wollongong Diocese Bishop's retreat took place from Tuesday 5th December to Thursday 7th December. Both retreats brought together the captains from a wide range of Catholic schools to explore the concept of leadership with a Catholic lens. The programs are really quite amazing and emphasise servant leadership as demonstrated by Jesus, and provide a wonderful opportunity for our students to meet and collaborate with other student leaders. I particularly thanks Ms Pracy and Mr Robinson who spent time away from home to ensure our students could participate in these experiences.

Year 7 2024 Orientation Days

We have welcomed almost 200 new students to our community in recent weeks at our Year 7 2024 Orientation Days. Students explored the College grounds and engaged in a range of ice breaker activities and games to meet their new class mates. Our year 12 captains and year 9 peer support leaders did a wonderful job of leading the activities on these days, and modelling so wonderfully how we treat each other and support each other at John Therry. 

Mobile Phone Policy 2024

We have been reviewing the use of mobile phones at John Therry, in line with the recent NSW Deaprtment of Education mobile phone ban. We will implement some tighter restrictions for 2024 to support student learning and wellbeing and seek your support in ensuring that this is effective. 

There is evidence in a wide number of schools that the strict enforcement of the ban,  while initially creating some tension, has resulted in a significant change in the issues revolving around mobile phones. The purpose of the ban is twofold:

1. A safe and supportive environment for learning without the distraction and issues mobile phones present.

2. An emphasis on presence and positive social connections and interactions at school.

Key features of our new policy will be that phones and earphones will be off and away at school through the entire day, with students required to hand their phone to the office if seen at all by a teacher. There will not be a warning process for students seen with their phones out. Students will collect their phones from the office at 3:10pm

Parent support - we are aware that some parents may currently be messaging and calling their children at school and this will no longer be possible. We are advising that parents can still communicate with children via their laptops if needed (email, messaging apps) but we would request this is kept to the minimum necessary. We are also adjusting our office processes to ensure there is additional support to answer calls and pass messages to their children.

Exemptions: parents will be able to apply to the Principal for an exemption in exceptional circumstances, which may include the need for the use of their phone for medical monitoring (eg: diabetes). 

We will be sending a survey to parents this week to seek feedback on a few issues including the use of phones at the canteen before sharing the final policy document. 

Advent

As we enter the season of Advent, a time eagerly anticipated in our Catholic Church calendar, we embark on a period of reflection and joyful anticipation. Advent, derived from the Latin word "adventus" meaning "coming," symbolises the arrival of Christ. It's a time of preparation, not only for the celebration of the birth of Jesus but also for the anticipation of His second coming. Throughout these four weeks, we focus on themes of hope, peace, joy, and love, lighting candles to mark the passing of each week. We can use this special time to deepen our faith, cultivate a sense of gratitude, and share the spirit of kindness with one another. May the light of Advent illuminate our hearts, fostering a sense of unity and goodwill within our community and beyond.

End of Year Events

Please see the below details of the upcoming events as we finish off the 2023 School year. Parents are welcome to attend our awards presentations, with invitations sent to parents for our award winners.

The first of 4 drone incursions took place on Friday 8th December. We had 25 keen students from years 7-12 participating, most of whom are a part of the WISE club. Our lovely instructor Brooke from SurfLifesaving NSW gave a talk about the uses of drones and about perceptions of gender-bias in professions. The girls then learnt how to do manual flying with the drones followed by flight using coded flight paths. It was great to see the girls picking up these skills so quickly, they were extremely competent drone pilots today, well done! If you are keen to try this in the future please let Dr Harris know.

On Monday 18th December there is the opportunity for parents and students to meet with teachers to discuss the Semester 2 reports. The interviews will run between 8:30am and 12pm on Monday with bookings made through compass. 

A compass alert will be sent early week 10 with booking details. 

This year our school had an unprecedented FIVE Artexpress nominations from our HSC Visual Arts class. ARTEXPRESS is an annual series of exhibitions of exemplary artworks created by New South Wales Visual Arts students for the Higher School Certificate examination. Congratulations to these students;

Lyric Jeanneret

Expressive Form: Drawing. 

Title: ‘Beyond the Lines’

Artexpress Statement

My collection of drawings, “Beyond the Lines'' is to explore the intrinsic relationship between identity and experience, most evident within older generations. I drew two sets of portraits for each of my grandparents that contrast their serious exteriority with their emotive expressions to deliberately transcend the singularity of portraits. The background of texts is a culmination of anecdotes, phrases and wisdom my grandparents have shared. Elements of intertextuality that visually communicates the transformative effect of these words upon our person. Exhibiting the stories we tell and everyday diction become the window to our truest selves.

Achan Ajak 

Expressive Form: Drawing. 

Title: ‘Stories of the Dark”

Artexpress Statement

Belonging is not a given. It is constantly challenged. While Australians of different descents may live in Australia as law-abiding and productive citizens, the ongoing scrutiny, questioning and unending construction of foreigner status positions them as “perpetual strangers”. My body of work represents how a particular racial identity is imposed on an individual or a group, without their consent. Recognising the hyper-visibility of their skin colour, the different colours reflect on the difficult and transcendental journeys of embracing their blackness, resenting it, or feeling separated from it. Therefore to be non-white, particularly to be black, is occupy the space on the margin. 

Tess McEvoy-King

Expressive Form: Photomedia

Title: ‘8 Second Rule’

Artexpress Statement

My Body of Work highlights the multifaceted aspects  of Australian rodeos. It delves into the intriguing realm of this highly controversial industry. My images express the intertwined theatrical triumphs and tragedies of both beast and rider, showcasing the emotional tapestry of rodeo events. This complexity of emotions, including compassion for animals to the determination of rodeo chasers, is akin to the drama of Ancient Roman Gladiators. The dramatic imagery elucidates the inherent risks and bravery in the events, whilst fostering a deeper appreciation.  It is a catalyst for vital discussions on the inherent risk of bull riding in this industry.

Angelica Estrada

Expressive Form; Photomedia

Title; ‘The Grain of the Present’

Artexpress Statement

My body of work; "The Grain of the Present" documents the authenticity of moments in time, allowing the Philippines' vibrant soul to resonate with the audience. Through my lens, a captivating narrative unfolds - an unfiltered depiction of raw emotions. By capturing the essence of the present, it emphasises the extraordinary found in the ordinary. Through candid black-and-white street photography, I explore the interplay of light and shadows, delving into the intricacies of daily life. As the grain forms a tapestry of memories, it reminds us of our collective journey - a nation firmly rooted in tradition yet embracing an ever-changing world.

Montana Taff

Expressive Form; Photomedia

Title:’Reflectives Perspectives’ 

Artexpress Statement

"Reflective Perspectives," invites viewers to explore the intricate tapestry of urban life through the interplay of reflections. Through multiple layered photos capturing fleeting moments of people, iconic Sydney architecture, and the glistening surfaces of glass, this piece embodies the dynamic essence of the city. Each layer serves as a window into a different facet, forming a visual symphony that resonates with the viewer's own experiences. The reflections bend and reshape reality, blurring the boundaries between the tangible and the ethereal. By embracing the complexities of reflections, it encourages us to delve deeper into the multifaceted nature of our own lives.

The Fisher’s Ghost Art Award coincides with Campbelltown’s annual  Festival of Fisher’s Ghost. Held over four days, the Festival dates back to 1956 and celebrates Australia’s most famous ghost – Frederick Fisher. 

Held at the Campbelltown Arts Centre, the Fisher’s Ghost Art Award is an annual art prize inviting artists to submit works in a variety of artistic categories and mediums. Now in its 61st year, there is $72,000 in prize money to be won. 

Up to two artworks can be entered in the different categories with exhibition finalists selected by a panel and judged by three industry professionals who will collectively choose the winners for each category and award. Each Secondary student may enter one artwork and will be automatic finalists for exhibition.  

This year we have sixteen students entered into this exhibition in the secondary exhibition. Congratulations to the following students whose works are exhibited;. 

Year 11	Year 10	Year 9	Year 8
Bianca Brticevich Elizabeth Douglas Bethany Houston Chloe Peters Gemma Quinn	Evlyn Booth  Zac Britton   Bradley Calvert  Gaius Cassar Breanna Kelly Alexander Nohra	Brady Wilson Metta Keen Iyrene Navin MarceL Nicholas McLeod	Lara Spires

 

Student Work and Greatness (SWAG) is your platform for student pieces. In each issue we showcase a sample of student work, from poetry to painting, photography to prose.

Year 8 poetry has evolved, from the page to the physical world this week in the form of guerrilla poetry. These students have produced poems that engage their audiences to consider bigger issues.

My poem has been made from laminated A4 paper and featured little toy soldiers made from plasticine. The poem itself was produced on Canva using a variety of colours such as olive green,greys and whites. The poem was titled “The Sadness of War” and the point of this poem was to express to people the ways of politicians and the ways of wars and also how it is a lose lose situation - Julian Palumbo

JTCC SPORT UPDATE - Term 4 Week 9

We have come to the end of our Sporting Year, with our MISA teams playing off for grand finals last week. Thank you to our coaches and our students for a successful season of MISA. It is good to see the John Therry students enjoying their sport.

Congratulations to the following teams who went through the MISA Season undefeated and were crowned premiers in Term 4.

7-9 Boys AFL - Mr Geribo	10-11 Mixed Frisbee - Mr Cook

Please see the final results for our Term 4 MISA TEAMS:

MISA - Term Four - Finals

Sport	Result	MVP	Short Report
OzTag 7-9 Boys McGrath	vs  SBCC 7-1 win	Tre-James Roberts	A struggle again to field a side but with the help from Boston, we were able to field 8. A huge turn around from last week, with the boys showing big improvements in attack and defence. We were unlucky to finish 3rd this season. However with most of the boys coming back we will be sure to finish higher in 2024
OzTag 7-9 Girls Albery	vs MCCC 10-2 Loss	Chloe Donovan	A struggle against a Mount Carmel side filled with quality players, the girls fought valiantly. A couple of great runaway tries from Bella and Tyleaha kept us in the game. MVp was Chloe who was everywhere during this game.
AFL 7-9 Boys Geribo	vs MAG 51-2 WIN	Sullivan O'Dwyer	After going through to the grand final undefeated the boys had placed some added pressure on themselves to perform when it matters. We arrived at a wet Eschol Park and knew we needed to adjust to the conditions to succeed on the day. However, it was Magdalene who took ascendency and applied plenty of pressure around the ball, which led to them scoring the first point of the match. From there, we were able to wrestle back control as our midfielders stepped up and worked themselves into the game. Some excellent ball winning and distribution from Cooper Dickie created plenty of scoring chances for our forwards but it wasn’t until some individual brilliance from Sully that we were able to score our first goal. Sully went on to kick 6 goals for the game as he starred in an MVP grand final performance. It was an excellent season by all of the boys, most of whom are in Year 8, and we hope to go back-to-back next year. Final score: John Therry 7.9.51 Magdalene 0.2.2
AFL 7-9 Girls Neaves	vs MAS	Amelia Smith	After a challenging season it was a success for the girls to finish 3rd place overall with Macarthur Anglican forfeiting the last game of the year. It was unfortunate that the girls couldn't make it through to compete in the grand final but they developed new skills and a big improvement from all of the girls throughout the season has been identified. The girls played well against Macarthur Anglican with both teams only fielding 8 players at a time, making this more challenging for both sides.
Volleyball 10-11 Boys Williamson	CANCELLED 3RD PLACE
Volleyball 10-11 Girls Hynard	vs St Pats Game cancelled due to inclement weather
Cricket 7-9 Boys Chapman	vs Mag Lost 183-6	Nick Augustine	JT played the Grand Final against a red hot Magdalene team and were sent into bat. The opposition bowled excellently, making it very difficult to build any substantial partnerships. With the ball we bowled okay, but in the end the better team won on the day. Well done on a great season and 2nd place finish.  MVP: Nick Augustine.  Score: 183-6 MAG
Softball 7-9 Girls Joy	vs St Pats Cancelled due to weather conditions on mutual agreement	n/a	n/a
Frisbee 10-11 Mixed Cook	JTCC (11) vs  MCCC (7)	Ayla Cook  + Garang Bol	After taking out the minor premiership, the JTCC Mixed Frisbee team had it all to lose today. The rain welcomed us to Victoria Park for our Grand Final match against our nemesis team, Mt Carmel. Mt Carmel were the most competitive team throughout the season and caused our team some issues in seeking forward play. They are to be congratulated on their efforts throughout the season. JTCC were down players today with Annelise Hall away at National Netball. Special mention to Laura Augustine and Lily Short who willingly stepped up to fill the void. The game began with several dropped catches and the rain was making the disc difficult to catch. We soon found some great combination play and Preston found Alexis open for a 2 point touchdown, followed by Riley assisting Jude, then Angus assisting Garang twice. We still forced our forward options and this led to quick counter attacks by Mt Carmel and they were able to score two female touchdowns, which made it 6-4 at the break The team was heated due to the physical demands of the game, some dubious self referred calls and the number of mistakes we were making. Cool heads was the basic instruction and the squad went out and soon executed.Second half touchdowns to Lily Short (Angus assist) and Ayla Cook x 2 (Diego and Darcy assisting) changed the dynamic of the game as Mt Carmel were forcing forward play and could not execute. The tempo of the game slowed to drain the game clock, and the score  was settled at 11-7. Even though we were making mistakes in attack, our defensive presence was phenomenal. Great job by Grace, Coby, Diego, Darcy, Preston, Riley and Bridget. Special mention to the team for continuing the JTCCC tradition of the Mixed Frisbee trophy not being held by another school in MISA since its inception. Assists - (3) Angus, (1) Preston, Riley, Diego, Darcy Touchdowns - (2) Ayla, Garang, (1) Alexis, Jude, Lily. Let’s Go JTCC!

We wish to invite you to the 2023 Sports Assembly to celebrate the sporting success of our John Therry students in 2023. If you are planning to attend and would like to reserve a seat can you please email Mr Cook and/or Mr Bodeker.  Mr Cook - andrew.cook@dow.catholic.edu.au Mr Bodeker - bodekerl01@dow.catholic.edu.au We look forward to seeing you at our assembly to celebrate the many talented athletes at John Therry.

JACK CRAWFORD GAMES 2023

Our annual College “feast”day will be held on Friday 15th December, Week 10.

Students will be involved in activities all day and will be expected to engage, interact and support there House and peers.

Students will be required to arrive in college sport uniform for a 8:45 Learning Group.

The canteen will not be opening on the day, so students will be required to bring additional nutritional items for the day.Lunch will be provided (sausage sizzle, fruit, chips, zooper dooper) during the designated lunch break.

Please see below for all necessary information.

JT GIFT PARTICIPANTS

TIMETABLE

Students to meet in House Areas. 

Year Coordinator to secure all student bags in year group areas and lock doors.

Ensure all students move promptly to the HALL for Liturgy.

Students who are late need to sign in at HALL and leave their bags in the textiles 

CHISHOLM  : Senior Quad (A9/A10) MURRAY : Lower Hall

CONOLLY: F Block  RYAN: Shelter Shed C1/C2/C3

ROTATIONS

A reminder to check the Compass Portal for upcoming sporting events and their respective closing dates.

NSWCCC Teams

Remember that there is a new way to nominate individual sports for NSWCCC. This portal is open now and all students wanting to trial for Southern Country and NSWCCC representative teams are to ensure they register by the appropriate CLOSING DATE.

This information, including registration closing dates can be found on the website:

https://csnsw.sport/

Please note that some sports are selected by individual trials, and these can be held throughout NSW. Individual nominations require students to make their own way to and from selections. 

Selection in the following sports: Swimming, Cross Country, Athletics, Touch Football, AFL (Boys) and Football are done through the Wollongong Diocese carnivals by way of representing John Therry at these respective carnivals.

Selection in the following sports: AFL (Girls), Baseball, Basketball, Cricket – Girls,  Golf, Hockey, Netball, Rugby League, Rugby, Softball, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball will need to be done via individual nomination and selections.

You can also access the Wollongong Sport site for more information throughout the year.

https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/sport/diocesan-sport-news

SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS:

If your child has had an outstanding high level, sporting achievement outside of school, we would love to hear from you. Please email me so we can celebrate  their achievements with the JTCC community. 

Yours in Sport,

Mr Jamie Cook Mr Luke Bodeker

cooka01@dow.catholic.edu.au bodekerl01@dow.catholic.edu.au 

Please see the link below for the latest Marist Newsletter

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Taqi0RmKvEkiOh8ivnQm9RCQIfPEFj95/view

Please find below a link to the latest Parish Bulletin

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