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ATTENDANCE RATE

There is an interesting pattern with our attendance rate at John Therry, with Friday's having a much lower attendance rate compared to every other day. I would encourage students to ensure they do not get into habits of taking the occasional day off, unless genuinely needed, as these habits can develop and then impact their education. 

MONDAY to THURSDAY Attendance - 93%

FRIDAY Attendance - 86% 

Encouaragingly - 11% of students have an attendance rate of above 99%.

You can check your child's attendance rate in the compass app.

DRIVING SAFELY IN AND AROUND THE SCHOOL

A reminder of the importance of being safe and patient in and around the school. We have had some reports of dangerous driving and behaviour, that puts the safety of others at risk. Student safety should be our priority and I request all to be mindful when driving around the school. 

Top Tip - 

Traffic is cleared by 3:25pm - if you are not in a rush - I recommend a slightly later pick up that will be far less stressful.

ANZAC DAY MARCH - FRIDAY 25th APRIL

John Therry will once again participate in the Campbelltown ANZAC Day March. We invite all students who would like to attend to register in the google form provided below. We will assemble at Campbelltown Mall (near the Commonwealth Bank) at 8.15am on Friday 25th April. Students should wear their full winter uniform.The march to Mawson Park moves off at 8.40am and then the Anzac Day Service and wreath laying commences at approximately 9.00am.

All students are more than welcome to attend.

ANZAC DAY FORM

As Term 1 draws to a close, last day of Term is Friday, 11 April, we’d like to wish all our students, staff, and families a safe and restful break. With Easter just around the corner, it's a wonderful time to pause, reflect, and celebrate with loved ones. May this Easter season bring peace, renewal, and joy to your hearts and homes. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for Term 2!

Dear Parents and Carers,

The safety and wellbeing of our students is always our top priority. This includes protecting their privacy and respecting your wishes regarding the use of student photos, images, and work.

At the beginning of each school year, we ask you to complete an Insight event in Compass to indicate whether you consent to your child’s image being used in various contexts, such as newsletters, social media, or promotional materials.

What do you need to do?
Please click the link provided in the Compass App to access the Insight. Read the information carefully, discuss it with your child, and then submit your response to either give or decline consent. Instructions on how to access the Insight are provided in the image below.

To ensure no child misses out on being photographed during school activities, we will occasionally send reminders to families who have not yet completed the Insight. If you have already completed the insight for this year you can disregard this message.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please don’t hesitate to contact the school.

Year 7 2026 Enrolments Closing Soon

A reminder to families that enrolments for Year 7 2026 at John Therry Catholic College will close on Friday, 11th April. To ensure your child secures an interview, all enrolments must be fully completed by this date.

This deadline applies to new enrolments, sibling applications, and applications that have been received but are incomplete due to missing documentation. Families are encouraged to check their applications and submit any outstanding files as soon as possible to avoid delays.

? All enrolments are submitted online via our website.

For further information or assistance, please visit our website or contact the school office.

Year 12 Business and Work Studies Excursion to Port Kembla Steelworks

Year 12 Business Studies and Work Studies students recently had the opportunity to visit Port Kembla Steelworks, where they gained valuable insights into the steelmaking process and the industry's significant role in the regional economy.

The excursion provided students with a firsthand look at large-scale industrial operations, highlighting the complexities of manufacturing and the many career opportunities available within the sector. This experience offered a real-world connection to their studies, helping them understand the impact of industry on business, employment, and economic growth.

A special thank you to the team at Port Kembla Steelworks for hosting our students and providing such an engaging and educational experience.

Last night, MWLP | Linking Youth hosted their annual Work Placement Student of the Year awards. We would like to congratulated Sidney Norris year 12 who was one of this year’s recipient for Business Services. Students were nominated by their host employers for outstanding performances during their work placement. Over the two regions there are 500 host employers who take 6500 students. These host employers were asked to nominate students who they believe are worthy of the award and put in an exceptional effort over the course of their work placement.

We congratulate Sidney on the consistent effort he put in during his work placement.

Year 12 Studies in Catholic Thought – A Lesson in the Church

Year 12 Studies in Catholic Thought students took their learning beyond the classroom this week, visiting the Church to conclude their unit on virtue, vice, and salvation.

During the lesson, students reflected on God’s plan of salvation in their lives and explored the beauty and significance of the Church. This unique experience allowed them to deepen their understanding of their faith in a meaningful and engaging way.

Cyber safety and Parenting in the Digital Age

With the rise of digital media, teenagers are more connected than ever, navigating friendships, school, and social pressures online. The Netflix show Adolescence offers a glimpse into the challenges teens face in today’s digital world, making it a great conversation starter for families. I must admit having two boys myself I found the show hard hitting but so well done in highlighting the online issues that exist for our children.

Key Cyber Safety Themes for Parents

• Digital Identity & Social Media: Teens often feel pressure to present a 'perfect' online image. Encourage open discussions about self-esteem, authenticity, and the impact of social media on mental health.

• Online Safety & Privacy: Reinforce the importance of keeping personal information private, recognising online scams, and handling cyberbullying appropriately.

• Screen Time & Digital Balance: Help your teen develop healthy habits by setting screen-free times, such as during meals or before bed.

• Peer Pressure & Online Trends: Discuss the risks of viral challenges and impulsive online behaviours. Encouraging critical thinking can help teens make safer choices.

• Relationships & Online Communication: Emphasise the importance of respectful communication, recognising red flags in online interactions, and knowing where to seek help when needed.

Practical Cyber Safety Tips

 Keep an open dialogue—talk regularly about online experiences without judgement.
 Encourage strong privacy settings on social media and apps.
 Remind teens that online actions have real-world consequences.
 Teach them how to spot misinformation and online risks.
 Model healthy digital habits as a family.

By staying engaged and informed, parents can support their teens in making safe, responsible, and positive choices online. For me the biggest thing you can do as a parent is to continue to have conversations with your child about what they are doing online and discussing any issues that they might face.

JTCC SPORT UPDATE - Term 1, Week 10

As we slide towards the completion of Term 1, we have our big finale being the 2024 rescheduled Jack Crawford Games next FRIDAY 11th April. It's been great to be able to reflect on what a positive start we’ve had to 2025 in the realm of sport. Our students continue to shine in their sporting endeavors, demonstrating not only skill and dedication but also the values of sportsmanship, integrity, and effort. Whether competing at MISA, Diocese or NSWCCC level they consistently show resilience, teamwork, and respect—both on and off the field.

We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the way they represent our school with pride and determination. Their hard work and commitment serve as an inspiration to their peers, proving that success is not just measured in medals but in the character they display throughout their sporting journeys.

Congratulations to all our athletes—we look forward to seeing you continue to excel in Term 2.

Please see below some of our Final results and standings for MISA Term 1. JTCC did really well, securing three Championships so far, with our 10-12 Girls Basketball playing their Grand Final next week. Congratulations to the following teams:

ROUND 6/Semis

FINALS 

TERM 1 MISA CHAMPIONS

On Tuesday April 1st, John Therry female students under the age of 16 were given the opportunity to participate in an introduction to Rugby League session that was run by NRL Development. Thanks to Mr Tran for his organisation and passion for getting our young girls involved in rugby league.

The girls all participated in activities such as learning how to tackle, passing and defending drills, as well as the importance of basic techniques to protect themselves while playing. This program was a great introduction to Rugby League by all involved and we hope to see them join the JTCC team in Term 2.

Diocesan Rugby League 

The Wollongong Diocese Rugby League trials were held in Corrimal in Week 9 of Term 1. The rain held off on the day, with the sun shining bright, allowing the grounds to dry up ready for a full day of rugby league. We sent 8 of our students to trial across various age groups (u15’s boys, u16’s girls and u18’s boys) where they each played multiple games throughout the day. Despite the heat, each student gave it their best effort which saw a few JT students selected to represent John Therry in Wagga in term 2.

Congratulations to the following students on making the Wollongong Dicosecan team in 2025:

Keiren Mostyn - u15 boys
Rico Logai-Lusiano - u15 boys
Tayah Maharaj - u16 girls
Nathaniel Leal - Opens
Zeph McLean-Lemalu - Shadow Opens

Diocesan Football 

AGE GROUP: Under 13 Girls

MVP: Emily Harris 

The Under 13 Girls Diocesan Soccer Team set out early this morning, departing school at 6:30am to head down to South Nowra for a day of competitive soccer. While they didn’t secure a win, the girls played with unwavering determination and a positive attitude, showing their true sportsmanship throughout the day.

In their opening match against St. Patrick’s, the girls found themselves down early, with St. Patrick’s scoring three goals in the first half. However, the JT girls refused to back down and held strong in the second half, keeping their opponents from adding any more goals.

The next pool game saw the girls face the formidable St. Mary’s team. Unfortunately, they were on the receiving end of an 8-0 loss. Despite the tough result, the girls stayed focused and continued to show their fighting spirit.

The third game, however, was undoubtedly their best. The team took on Mt. Carmel in an exciting match that saw both teams go goal for goal. Emily H opened the scoring for JT, and Ella M followed suit, scoring the team’s second goal. Despite a late goal from Mt. Carmel, the final score was a close 3-2, with the girls showing their true potential.

In their final pool game, the girls faced Magdalene. Although they put up a valiant effort, they were ultimately defeated 2-0. The girls played hard and kept their heads up throughout the match, showing great resilience.

The final game of the day was a clash for 9th or 10th place against Corpus Christi. The team fought hard, but the match ended in a 4-1 defeat, with Emily H scoring the lone goal for JT, a stunning strike that showed her skill and determination.

The results of the day may not reflect the hard work and sportsmanship the girls displayed, but the team showed incredible heart and commitment. Notably, the team had to play without a designated goalkeeper, but Lilly A, Olivia S, and Aleesha M all stepped up into the position, giving their best effort to keep the team in the game.

Special shoutouts go to Emily H and Ella M for scoring the team’s only goals of the day, as well as Aleesha M for her solid defensive work and Harper Woolcock for her all-rounder performance. While the final results weren’t what the team had hoped for, the Under 13 Girls Diocesan Soccer Team proved their character and sportsmanship, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.

Bottom row (left to right): Ella Meisenhofen, Emily Harris, Aleesha McVittie, Madison Minovski, Ivy Barty, Sophie Kumutat 

Top row (left to right) Harper Waller, Harper Woolcock, Olivia Syed, Lilly Anderson, Lea Camoin, Joselyn Quezada Ayquipa, Isabella Hilli 

AGE GROUP: 7-9 Pathway Girls

MVP: Tamariz Lobos-Zuniga

It was an early morning start for our 7-9 girls, leaving school grounds before daylight kicked in at 6:30am. Despite the long journey, our girls were eager and full of enthusiasm from minute one of the Diocesan competition. It was evident early on that we were up against some serious talent with many schools bringing elite players as our competition but it didn’t deter the squad. 

The girls opened the account with a respectable 1-1 draw against Magdalene, although it was a bittersweet moment having conceded in the final seconds of the game to allow our opposition to equalise. It was, however, after this that we started to face some difficulty with most other teams consisting mainly of Year 9s compared to our handful of girls in stage 5. The difference in physicality was the difference between us and them as we went into a streak of losses for the remainder of the competition.

A huge silver lining however, was the attitude and determination the girls showed throughout the competition up until the very last game where they faced unbeaten team Holy Spirit who had annihilated every team they faced. We took an early lead thanks to a brilliant strike from Matilda Lamaro (Year 9) from outside the box. This was also followed by some brilliant chance creation which had the opposition flustered and turning up the heat for what should’ve been a walk in the park for them. In the end, they did find their way into the back of our net in quick succession but at no point did the girls stop grinding to bring the game back. 

Although the competition didn’t go the way we would’ve hoped, it did allow us to uncover some real talent within the team, with glimpses of brilliance coming from both ends of the pitch. Despite not having an assigned goalkeeper, a number of our girls showed initiative to play out of position for the team, with Matilda Sasse (Year 8) saving a penalty despite never playing as a keeper before. In addition to this, some brilliant displays of awareness by Candice Stapleton (Year 9), brilliant finishing instinct by goalscorer Zoe Hawkes (Year 8) and stellar defensive link ups between Scarlett Fisher (Year 8) and debut player Zali Linden (Year 7) leaves little to be disappointed about going forward. 

Having lost some vital players from our former Year 9s, it is a season for rebuilding and developing new leaders. We hope to improve our form as we head into Bill Turner next week against area champions Mount Carmel Catholic College.

Bottom row (left to right): Elissa Tsonis, Zoe Hawkes, Cristina Alvarado, Zali Linden, Scarlett Fisher, Elouise Hughes, Tamariz Lobos-Zuniga
Top row (left to right): Raquel Bayon, Sierra Polistina, Matilda Sasse, Suprina Upadhyaya, Savannah-May Phommaxay, Matilda Lamaro, Candice Stapleton, Vivien Eduaful

AGE GROUP: U13 Boys

MVP: Luka Ribicic

On Thursday March 27th, 2025 the Under 13 Boys team headed to Kooringa Reserve to partake in the  Wollongong Diocesan Football Championships. After 3 trials with 34 players and a couple of training sessions the boys were keen to get on the pitch and, for lots of our team, play with some of their weekend opponents.

We started off red hot with wins against Edmund Rice and Corpus Christi, before suffering a disappointing 1-0 loss to Magdalene. The boys were able to regroup for a final pool game and beat St Joseph’s, meaning we progressed out of the group and into the semi final. Unfortunately conceding an early goal and back-to-back injuries put us on the back foot, which we were unable to recover from.

The boys were all quite deflated coming off after that loss but picked themselves up for the 3rd place playoff. We started on fire, scoring once, hitting the post twice, rattling the crossbar and creating two one-on-one chances within the first 8 minutes but were unable to put the game to bed as the score remained 1-1 going into the dying stages. To the boys credit, they remained patient and supportive of each other as they finished the game, and the day, on a really positive note!

Our results on the day were:

• 2-0 win vs Edmund Rice
• 2-1 win vs Corpus Christi
• 1-0 loss vs Magdalene
• 2-0 win vs St Joseph’s
• 3-0 loss vs Holy Spirit (semi final)
• 2-1 win vs St Benedict’s (3rd place playoff)

I look forward to seeing how these boys gel as a group and perform in all MISA and Diocesan events over the next five years.

AGE GROUP: 8-9-10

MVP: Cooper Marshall

Our junior JTCC footballs arrived at Mt Carmel Catholic College for the annual diocesan championships. Our team consisted of some quality representative footballers who represented the College with pride and enthusiasm. 

As with previous years, John Therry drew the early game against Mt Carmel and after a sloppy warm-up, we started on the back foot and were under the pump from the get go. 

We had a majority of the possession and most of the early opportunities on goal but we failed to execute. And in a blink of an eye, Mt Carmel transitioned to our end of the field, we gave away a cheap free kick and they converted. JTCC continued to dominate the game but we failed to equalise the much needed game. Good games by Cooper Firman, Davonne Plaatjies and Lucas Failla.

JTCC 0 - 1 Mt Carmel

Game 2  against Magdalene was do or die as we wnneded the win to stay in touch with the other teams in our pool who had already secured a win. After receiving game instructions and warming up appropriately, JT started the game off in fashion with some ball pressure which resulted in Magdalene turning the ball over and we were soon on goal several times thanks to some fantastic forward opportunities by Levi Fitzpatrick of Year 8 who was able to produce two assists to Cooper Marshall who secured a 2 - 0  win. A much better effort from the boys to secure the win. Good games by Levi Fitzpatrick, Cooper Marshall, Alez Sanchez and Lucas Alvarado.

JTCC 2 - 0 Magdalene

Game 3 against St Benedicts was much anticipated as both teams were on top of the pool by this stage of the day. Again, some different tactics and a change of line-up allowed some tough defense to keep SBCC at bay. While allowing our midfield multiple goal scoring opportunities in which we converted. Goals to Cooper Marshall, Lucas Alvarado and Cooper Firman. Much credit to our defenders in this game who nullified the attacking players from the SBCC team.

JTCC 3 - 0 SBCC

Game for was against Edmund Rice College. Theu possessed a majority of small skillful footballers who were well trained and played some quality team football. JTCC started a different line-up to cater for the loss of Floilan Magalona to cramps and resting some starters. A disappointing start saw ERC score 2 goals in quick succession after failing to clear the ball out of goal area from two set pieces. The boys dropped their heads and soon, two goals became four and we were mentally out of the game. Some shared game time in the later minutes saw some strong contributions by our younger players but we were not going to stop ERC. These goals would eventually come back to hinder our semi final run.

JTCC 0 - 5 ERC

The team was sittingn in 2nd place to ERC and were safe for the semi-finals, until the SBCC scored an upset win scoring the required amount of goals in the last round robin game to sneak past the JTCC boys on for and against. The JTCC boys secured 3rd place and would face off against Corpus Christi from Albion Park in the 5th place play-off match.

Corpus were a big team but the JTCC boys stepped up one final time and game a match winning performance. Again strong performance from Levi Fitzpatrick providing assists to Cooper Marshall allowed the team to secure a dominant 2 nil victory.

Diocese Netball 

JTCC had 5 students attend the Wollongong Diocese Individual Netball Trials on Monday 31st March - Sienna Coghlan, Charlotte Haeren, Hannah MacDiarmid, Annelise Hall and Tahlia Sutton.  The standard of skill and sportsmanship was first class from all of the students, and our girls represented the college with pride and integrity. The process was highly competitive, with Annelise being our sole athlete selected into the U18 team, which will now go to the NSWCCC Selection Trials at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre on Friday 30 May. Congratulations Annelise!

JTCC Cross Country 

Our college cross-country was held on Thursday of week 10. We had 96 students in attendance, including a number of Year 12 SLR helpers. It was a fantastic day, blessed with beautiful weather and plenty of enthusiasm from our runners. The course was a little damp, leaving many with soggy socks, but that didn’t slow down the excitement! We saw some incredible performances, with our age champions setting some very fast times. Only one child was unlucky enough to lose their breakfast, but they showed true grit! Best of luck to those who have now qualified for the Diocesan Carnival - to be held in Nowra in Term 2. 

In the overall house points, competition was fierce, with every runner making a valuable contribution to their team’s total. However, it was disappointing to see that some age groups had no runners, missing out on the chance to earn points and represent their house. Hopefully, next year we’ll see even more participation! 

See below our overall house placing for the 2025 cross country carnival. Well done to Murray house for claiming victory. 

Please see below our age champions for the event, along with finishing time. 

Congratulations again.

Pathway Achievements

William Chanhdara - Volleyball

Congratulations William, who has recently been selected into the NSWCCC U18 Boys Volleyball Team to compete at the NSW All Schools Carnival on the 1st of May. William continues to be a dominant force in volleyball, with this being his second year in a row gaining selection into the U18 NSWCCC team. Well done!

Upcoming Events Term 1 2025:

Diocesan and Pathways update

2025 Sport is well and truly underway.  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

INSTAGRAM 

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: 

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/