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The College Executive have been approached by a number of students and parents regarding the option for girls pants as part of the school uniform. In recent years this has become mandatory as an option in DEC schools and many Catholic and Independent schools have provided this option also. We are supportive as a college of exploring this and will consult with our students and parents on this and possible options for design. The P & F Meeting in Week 8 will have this item for discussion and all are welcome to attend. 

Just a reminder that it is now possible for you to update your details in the compass app. This will update our systems immediately and is a very efficient way to manage this. If you are having trouble accessing your account, please contact the office and we would be happy to assist you.

This Sunday is Mothers Day, a time of commemoration and celebration for our Mums. It is a time for breakfast in bed, family gatherings and a day ‘off’ for Mum.

Mothers hold a special place in our hearts. They embody the compassion, devotion, energy and commitment to the fundamental values of respect and tolerance. Mothers also impart a strength that allows us to meet our challenges and the love that comforts and sustains us in times of need. They have an insight into life and the world that only comes with motherhood.

At John Therry, we wish all Mothers a wonderful, peaceful and happy Mothers’ Day. Mothers have a special place in our school community – a community that is dedicated to Mary, the greatest Mother of all. Through both our Marist and Carmelite traditions. Mary is the centre of our prayer-life. Through her acceptance of the Spirit and the struggles of life to the death of her Son, she was an exemplary mother and example.

MOTHERS DAY BREAKFAST

On Thursday 9th May we held a Mother's Day Breakfast for students, their mothers & Grandmother's with lots of delicious food and pleasant company.

YOU DON’T KNOW HOW MUCH FAITH THAT YOU HAVE, UNTIL ALL YOU HAVE IS YOUR FAITH

This is a very interesting thought. As Australia edges past to 220 years since colonisation, I reflect on the changing nature of the country and society. For the first 150 years Australian society was predominantly Christian, being Anglican (Church of England) English and Catholic Irish. As such the culture of the world of Australians was very much carrying and reflective of the Christian faith. Culture and faith were entwined. As we move well into the 21st century quite clearly the nature of Australian society has evolved and the modern culture is reflective of this.

There is no longer a Christian society in Australia since it has embraced multiculturalism. Easter and Christmas may be considered Christian events, but are debatable. So the faith, that was for so long carried and perpetuated by the very society it sat in, no longer supports it. We now live in a world stripped of unity of culture and faith and as a result we have emerging factions that are quite distinct from each other. While this does not prove a problem, what does, is the lack of tolerance that some people show to anyone who is ‘different’ to them. As Catholics, to carry the faith forward we need to have people of faith who make a commitment to it. These are truly the faithful.

As mentioned, Easter and Christmas are two Christian events that still dominate Australian calendars. But is there any Christian meaning to them in todays world? I ask you – where do people flock to on these occasions? Is it the Churches that serve the faithful or is it the beaches at Christmas, or the shopping “cathedral‟ of Campbelltown, Macarthur Square, where the great God of capitalism is worshipped so regularly. Do you visit this “Cathedral‟ and not your local church? Our new church at Our Lady Help of Christians is truly a beautiful place to visit, worship or find peace and grace. If you have not visited as yet, I urge you to do so and sit in the majesty of it.

So who will carry the faith into the future for us? I would hope and pray that it is your children who are blessed to have a Catholic education and upbringing. That they are enlivened by strong Catholic values and morals.

The Catholic Education Office in Wollongong (CEDoW) has announced that it will support a Catholic education for any relocated refugee family. While the government spends millions on the modern concentration camps in Nauru and Manus Island, who will stand up and say enough is enough.

In recent events I have been shocked by the senseless slaughter in the Mosque in Christchurch, followed by the punitive payback bombings in Sri Lanka. I ask and wonder how people of faith, whatever their faith, can bring themselves to these actions. I am also saddened by my belief that further tragedies will occur, where innocents are killed and families destroyed. So again I ask, where do you stand on tolerance and acceptance and the place of your faith in your world?.

These are big questions in our society, but not so big that they do not need consideration and discussion. We all need to have an opinion about such matters as modern day Christians.

MR McALLISTER’S APPRAISAL

All parents have been sent via SENTRAL a link to a survey to generate data for the Appraisal process of Mr McAllister as Assistant Principal. I urge all parents to take the five minutes to complete this and contribute to the feedback he will receive through this process.

SCHOOL FUNDING ISSUES AND THE ELECTION

As we move to a week from the Federal Election a prominent issue for catholic Schools is the ongoing funding support offered by the major parties. The following is an ABC News summary of the major party policies on early learning and school education:

Early education

The Coalition is spending about $450 million to give children access to 15 hours of preschool education a week until the end of 2020.

Labor has promised to commit permanent funding for preschool, replacing the current year-to-year funding arrangement, and extend it to three-year-olds from 2021.

The Opposition describes the plan as a major economic and social reform, however the Coalition has criticised the price tag ($9.8 billion over 10 years) and says it is more important to improve four-year-olds' attendance rates first.

Schools

The “Gonski 2.0” funding arrangement announced by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, replaced separate school funding deals in favour of a nationally consistent, needs-based system costing an extra $23.5 billion over a decade.

Following concerns identified primarily by the Catholic education sector over the funding formula for non-government schools, a new model based on parents' income, rather than their postcode, was identified resulting in an extra $4.5 billion over the next decade.

The Coalition's 2019 Budget also included a $30 million fund for school equipment and upgrades.

Labor has pledged an extra $14 billion for government schools over the next 10 years, $3.3 billion of which would flow in the first three years — an amount it says could pay for thousands of extra teachers.

The Opposition will not reverse the $4.5 billion funding for non-government schools. It has threatened to cap teaching degree places if universities do not do more to lift standards.

Read about the major party policies for higher and vocational education via ABCNews

If your child is taking medication could you please ensure we have the paperwork completed to notify us of this. This is important for us to be aware of for the safety and wellbeing of your child, particularly for excursions and other events outside our usual school environment. Please contact the front office for further information.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

NAPLAN 2019 commences next week (Term 2, Week 3).

An information brochure about the online NAPLAN 2019 tests was included in your child's Interim Report package (attached). I hope you had a chance to read this document.

The dates for the NALAN tests being run at John Therry are as follows:

Year 9 NAPLAN 2019

So, in preparation for the tests, students have been reminded of the following and your support will be much appreciated:

1. Students must be present on the days of the test 
2. Students must arrive well in time for the tests
3. Students must have a fully charged device 
4. Students must have ear/headphones 
5. Students must have the lock-down browser on their device 

Students must take the tests seriously as it is a NESA requirement that they meet the minimum standard in the tests. Else, they will have to re-sit the tests at a later date.

Please get in touch with the Curriculum office if you require further clarification.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

NAPLAN 2019 commences next week (Term 2, Week 3).

An information brochure about the online NAPLAN 2019 tests was included in your child's Interim Report package (attached). I hope you had a chance to read this document.

The dates for the NALAN tests being run at John Therry are as follows:

YEAR 7 NAPLAN 2019

So, in preparation for the tests, students have been reminded of the following and your support will be much appreciated:

Students must be present on the days of the test 

1. Students must arrive well in time for the tests
2. Students must have a fully charged device 
3. Students must have ear/headphones 
4. Students must have the lock-down browser on their device 

Students must take the tests seriously as it is a NESA requirement that they meet the minimum standard in the tests. Else, they will have to re-sit the tests at a later date.

Please get in touch with the Curriculum office if you require further clarification.

On May 3rd, Year 12 Students Larissa Koura and Rose Kon Chol volunteered their weekend to attend a Marist Vocation Retreat at the Hermitage Mittagong. Over the weekend 6 Marist schools gathered to join in conversation about what vocation meant to them. Larissa and Rose thoroughly enjoyed the experience shared in the presence of like minded year 12 students.

SPORT NEWS TERM 2- WEEK 2

A great start to MISA term 2 with John Therry picking up 7 out of a possible 10 victories. Coaches are all keen to improve on week one’s performances and are organising coaching sessions to continue to improve results.

Our junior sports 7-10 also began their first round today with Year 7 partaking in cricket at Thomas Acres, Year 8 completing school sport (supported by external coaches), Year 9 rotating through internal and external sports and Year 10 completing a sport of their choice. More information can be found at the sport page regarding sport throughout the term.

On a negative note a number of students today were also in detention unfortunately due to permissions notes not being returned for Year 10 sport. Hopefully this is rectified for next week.

BREAKING NEWS

BILL TURNER BOYS:

Well done to the boys Bill Turner team who defeated St Gregs (Mr Cook's team) in a penalty shootout, Xavier Martin scoring our final penalty with Kayd Sumners making the save. Good luck in the next round, the team will now play the winner of Liverpool boys and John Edmundson.

Coach: Mr Dermot Holmes (awaiting full match report)

BILL TURNER GIRLS:

We arrived at Lynwood ready to compete against what we knew would be a strong Freeman side. The game kicked off and we were under pressure immediately, relying on Montanna Taff to thwart Freeman's attempts on goal, often with the assistance of goalkeeper Zarlie Lakeman's cool touch under pressure. We managed to get into the game and create some chances of our own through Ella Fisher, which often stemmed from Shane, Allanda or Sophie's pressure in the middle of the park. Neither side could capitalise on first half opportunities as we headed into halftime at 0-0.

Freeman came out firing in the second half after a shot from the edge of the area rebounded off a save to the feet of Freeman's striker. Disappointingly, our heads dropped having conceded and Freeman were able to capitalise, scoring their second soon after. We were able to regroup and get ourselves back in the match but it wasn't enough as Freeman scored their third goal late as we looked to push forward and make an impact on the scoreboard. Well done to all the girls on their efforts but Freeman were the deserved winners on the day, progressing through to the third round of the knockout competition.

Report: Mr Brenton Geribo

Further, 3 of our Boys representing the CCC at Wagga made the team for the next level. This means they will represent Southern Country at the next game in just over two weeks. This gives the boys an opportunity to make the NSW team.

• Callum Van Diesen
• Emmanneul Fatialofa
• Ray Redmond

Finally- Good luck to Nathan Doggett who will represent NSW at the All School Swimming tournament, held at Homebush. Nathan will compete in the 100m freestyle.

DIOCESE SPORT

A busy start to term two for Diocese sport with three male and female soccer teams representing the school in Week 1. Whilst many students also backed up their soccer performance by running at the Diocese Cross Country in Nowra.

Overall we had some very positive results at all tournaments.

Diocese Soccer- Soccer highlights include our senior boys, and intermediate teams, who both made the grand final unfortunately going down to Edmund Rice in narrow defeats. Patrick Picot, Baxter Sparks and Olivia Sloan were selected in the Opens Diocese soccer teams and will represent the Diocese at Valentine Sports Park later in the term. We wish our students the best of luck!

Both the boys and girls teams were a credit to the school in terms of behaviour and spirit shown. Thank you to all coaches for taking teams.

Diocese Cross Country- Another early start 6:00am for the trip down to Nowra to compete at the cross country. Again our behaviour and spirit was excellent throughout the day and we had some strong performances verses tough competition.

The following students will go on to represent the Diocese at the next level CCC. Well done and best of luck.

Bridget Shearer - 6th

Paul Salmond- 3rd

Olivia Southby- 4th

Our goal next year is to make our school carnival more competitive and increase participation (particularly of our senior girls) to ensure we have maximum competitors in all races.

Upcoming events:

Bill Turner Round 2 games - Wednesday 8th May

Week 7 Wednesday 12th June - Dio CCC Football Playoffs

Week 8 Thursday 20th June - Dio CCC Basketball Playoffs – Jnr + Int

Week 9 Thursday 27th June - JT Athletics Carnival

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

This term we also have our Athletics Carnival in Week 9. Currently Conolly house hold a strong lead in the sporting house championship, can anybody catch them? If you did not bring back your swimming/ athletics note you are required to do so. Spare notes can be collect at the sport office.

Finally, please ensure all sport permission notes are returned to the sports office or your team's coach (not your LG teacher), reminder there is now a permission note mailbox if the office is unattended.

Looking forward to a great Term 2 in sport.

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

John Therry student Mason Mcphee superstar baseballer

Mason McPhee recently competed as part of the Macarthur All Stars Representative baseball team at the NSW Baseball State Championships. His team won the championship and are now heading to the National Championships in Adelaide beginning May 26th.

 As a school community we wish Mason and his team the best of luck in Adelaide. Looking forward to sharing any further updates with our wonderfully talented school community.

 Our last student who competed at the NSW baseball state championship was ‘Rhys Dewick (class of 2018). Rhys has stepped out onto the field as a NSWCCC, NSW All Schools and an Australian Schools representative, with his efforts culminating in a recent baseball tour of the US in front of the sport’s top scouts.

On returning to Australia, Dewick has been awarded CEDoW’s highest honour for a male student athlete - the Bishop Mascord Trophy for Most Outstanding Secondary Sportsman at the 2018 CDF Sports Awards.

*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