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DEAR PARENTS, CARERS, FRIENDS AND GUARDIANS,
We enter the last week of Term 3 and I look back and wonder where the year has gone. Somewhat amazingly, Term 4 is almost upon us and preparations for the 2020 school year are already well underway.
I believe that my journey at John Therry over the last seven Terms has been a productive one for your child. The total Staff group has invested time and energy in taking on new in initiatives, standards have been raised and sadly, some students have been moved on. This is not something that we take lightly but we must always protect the learning and development of the total student group.
An improvement in behavior, yard cleanliness, uniform standards and general respect for all is clearly evident. And I believe, that your child is the beneficiary. The students seem happier to be at John Therry.
I often say to the students at Assembly that “not everyone can come first, it isn’t possible. But everyone can do their best”. I truly believe this and that too many of the students at John Therry are not achieving their best as they coast along through school. Well, to achieve your best you need to work at it and put in effort. Our kids are great kids, but how high can they fly?
This is the question. So when the teachers push your child to be better, to do more, it is with the aim of achieving the best possible outcome.
I remind all parents and students that we finish the Term on Friday 27th September with a Farewell Assembly to Yr 12 to start the day. This is an extremely important time for them on their learning journey and the support of the rest of the student population is crucial. Please ensure that your child is present.
Finally, thank you to all parents for the support provided as we work in partnership to get the best results for the kids.
P&F ASSOCIATION CHANGING TO A JOHN THERRY PARENT ADVISORY GROUP
In my seven Terms at John Therry we have held P&F meetings on a regular basis. At these meetings, normally held on a Tuesday evening from 6.30 – 8.00pm we have had between 3 and 8 parents attend and join Mr McAllister and myself. Despite advertising these meetings the figure didn’t seem to change. We had a committed group of regulars attend. So the discussion was held with those present at the last two meetings whether we continue as a P&F or change it up to see if we can get more parent voice.
After consulting with Catholic Education Office we will be moving to a Parent Advisory Group (PAG) in 2020. So you ask, what is the difference?
A PAG does not have to meet at night, can have members asked to be on the group if specific projects are happening where their skills will assist the school, can vary in size, will still represent all parents who wish to have a voice and have greater access to the school Principal.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Parent Advisory Group may:
- Obtain family and community views on programs, services and other matters,
- Contribute to the development of the vision, values and planning,
- Provide advice to the Principal and School Executive on programs and services needed,
- Develop advice for the School Executive on strategies for encouraging family and community participation and engagement,
- Promote the school within the community,
- Participate in training opportunities as appropriate,
- Provide representation on other or Diocesan groups.
So please keep an eye on the school Newsletter in Term 4 as we advertise for members.
Please feel free to call and discuss any matter that this may arise.
Uniform Term 4
Students will return to Term 4 in their full Summer Uniforms.
Correct school uniform is Mandatory for all students. Please ensure your child wears their uniform proudly and correctly.
No inappropriate jewellery is to be worn other than a plain chain with cross and a watch. No facial jewellery/piercings are to be worn. Girls may wear one earring only per ear and are to be worn only on the lobe of each ear.
No clear piercings are permitted for boys or girls. Students are to be discouraged from getting piercings in the coming holidays. These are best done in the Christmas holiday period so that they can then be later removed when returning to school.
Students hair must be neat and tidy, no extreme hair colour/hair styles will be tolerated. Girls with long hair are required to have it tied up.
No nail polish or acrylic nails to be worn and boys are to be clean shaven.
Your child will be sent home if they present with anything other than what is uniform acceptable until the issue is rectified. Refer to page 9 of the 2019 Student Planner.
| GIRLS UNIFORM | |
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Summer dress should touch the ground when kneeling “V” neck jumper with emblem Bottle green, black or white ribbons in hair Black leather lace up school shoes Only plain white ankle socks with turnover top to be worn |
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| BOYS UNIFORM | |
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White short sleeve shirt with emblem Grey regulation school trousers Grey regulation school shorts (Yrs 7-10 only) Plain black leather belt “V” neck jumper with emblem Black leather lace up school shoes Only grey or black school socks are to be worn. |
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A reminder that Sports Uniforms are only to be worn on designated Sport/PDHPE days.
Please note there will be consequences for your child if they are not in correct uniform with a valid reason.
NAPLAN 2019
The NAPLAN 2019 results have been published and, as a school community, we are very proud of our students' achievements in the tests.
Hard copies will be mailed out this afternoon. Each envelope contains:
- The 2019 individual student report
- The 2019 additional student report
- A letter to parents and caregivers
Year 11 exams
The Year 11 exam concluded this week and we are confident that students did their best. Now, we look forward to starting an important part of the HSC journey with our students.
Year 12
The HSC exams commence on the 17th October and conclude on the 11th November. We wish our students the best of luck for their exams.
During Term 4, Year 7 students were tasked to build an effective filter that could filter dirty, muddy water so that it would be "clean" with only items that could be found at home. Owen Astruc came up with a brilliant idea on how he could filter the water, and move a step further and also purify the water.
Owen Astruc: "I came up with my idea for the filter from my knowledge of distillation and from watching how it works up close. Before I even put the water into the pot i made a basic filter to get rid of the bigger chunks, it was a sieve with a tea towel over it collecting the bigger chunks. To purify the water my theory was that if the water rose then the dirt and sand would be too heavy to go with it and stay behind. To use the vapor created effectively l needed a lid to force the steam into the hose. Since there are no lids with holes in them l used tin foil as a lid and used a hose for the steam. The steam also would need to cool down from the heat so I added ice packs to the hose to turn the steam back into water and SUCCESS!"
On Monday the 26th of August, Year 12 students had the priviledge of attending a live broadcast of popular current affairs program 'Q and A' at ABC's Pyrmont studio. Upon arrival at the studio, my peers and I were welcomed with pre-broadcast entertainment and refreshments. After this we were invited to be seated in the live studio, an acoustic performance was held which really lifted everyone's spirits and got us excited for the program, which was specifically a 'High School Special'.
Our panel on the night consisted of NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian and NSW Senator, Kristina Keneally. The program consisted of various students from around Australia asking questions related to prevalent issues within today’s Australian society. Having such people on the panel allowed for opposing views on each discussed topic, therefore allowing the audience, including myself, to consider different perspectives on significant issues. The key issues examined were Climate Change, Student Protest/Activism, Funding Inequity for Education and the merits of wearing a uniform.
Overall, the Q&A experience was-eye opening as it promoted an understanding and acknowledgment of issues happening within Australia which I was not previously aware of. The experience made me become more politically aware which is beneficial for students in years 11 and 12 as they are coming to an age where they have a call to vote and possibly even advocate their beliefs. As the generation of the future, the need for quality education and problem-solving will be critical towards overcoming the big issues that we will face.
-Monique Sammut
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Education NSW State Conference 2019
This year the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander State Conference was held in the Hunter Valley on the traditional lands of the Wonnarua people. The conference brought together over 500 Aboriginal & non-Aboriginal educators including 40 from the Wollongong Diocesan in the spirit of reconciliation. The focus of the conference was on incorporating Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander content, perspectives, culture & pedagogy in Catholic education.
The theme of the conference was inspired by the traditional custodians of the region, their culture, ritual, ceremony, language & connection to country. The focal themes of the conference were:
Punaal – the Spirit of the Sun
Ponte-Boone – the Spirit of the Moon
Biamie – the Creator Spirit
Guest speakers included Dr Jeff McMullen & multiple Olympian Kurt Fernley & presenters were exceptional, delivering powerful messages about the past, present & future of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders.
All attendees participated in a range of cultural & spiritual workshops including visits to local sacred sites where we were guided on our journey by local elders. The conference also focused on sharing success stories from around the state & discussion took place on how these initiatives can be extended & adapted into more of our Catholic schools.
SPORT REPORT TERM 3 - Week 9 Interzone FINALS
 Cancelled: Wet Weather |
After a very dry 2019 the rain finally fell during our Interzone finals week. Whilst we need the rain, we have a number of disappointed players and coaches who were unable to partake in sport Interzone finals. The rugby league final at Wests stadium was said to be a highlight and sport coordinators and the MISA coordinator is working hard to reschedule the matches. Stay tuned for any further update on this matter. Congratulations to:
Who are our premiers for Term 3. A remarkable achievement by players and coaches. A big thank you to all players who participated in MISA this term regardless of results. Thank you for your participation and sportsmanship each week! |
CCC Athletics
Good luck to the following students competing at CCC Athletics at Homebush on Friday 20th September.
- Olivia Southby (1500m)
- Patrick Picot (High Jump)
- Nikita Maika-Teal (Javelin)
- Kynan Sparks (100m)
- Allyssa Barry (Javelin)
- Kylee Dries (Hurdles)
Sporting opportunities coming up:
MISA term 4: TRIALS will take place in week 10 of Term 3 and week 1 of Term 4.
MISA OPTIONS: TERM 4
-7-9 Boys OZTAG
-7-9 Girls OZTAG
-10-11 MIXED FRISBEE
-7-9 BOYS AFL
-7-9 GIRLS AFL
-7-9 BOYS INDOOR CRICKET
-7-9 GIRLS SOFTBALL
-10-11 BOYS VOLLEYBALL
-10-11 GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Term 4
Week 1- Friday 18th October Diocese Junior Boys (8-9)/ Girls AFL (7-9)
Week 2- Wednesday 23rd October Diocese Cricket Junior Boys
Week 3- Monday 28th October Diocese Basketball (Junior/ Senior) Boys + Girls
Primary School Sport Association News
A big thank you to those students that have volunteered to umpire/ referee at the PSSA (Primary school) Gala day from our local area. We had fantastic reports from our primary schools about the fantastic work of our Year 7 and 8 volunteers. The next round of PSSA umpiring will occur on Friday in week 9.
Further PSSA opportunity to umpire Primary school Basketball Gala day. Thursday/ Friday in week 9. Please see me at the sport office (year 8-10 to discuss the Basketball Gala day).
*If you have any sporting news you would like to share with our community, please contact Mr Daniel Goodhew daniel.goodhew@dow.catholic.edu.au
For more sporting information, please visit the John Therry Sport Page
https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/johntherrysport/home
Regards
Mr Daniel Goodhew
