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Exam periods are stressful and this is even more true of 2021! Stressful for our HSC students but also for parents, family and friends of our HSC students.

The following article appeared in the Catholic Weekly and the points being made are so relevant that I thought I’d share excerpts of the article with parents of our HSC students:

Tom Alegounarias, ex-president of the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW, nominated “patience and support” as the two key ingredients for surviving the coming weeks.

“We survive if they survive,” he said.

“Teenagers often put a lot of pressure on themselves and find it hard to maintain their momentum when things don’t go according to plan. As parents we have the advantage of perspective and can reassure them that you often learn more when things don’t go right than when they do.”

Going back to the basics of parenting to support your children is not a bad idea- “Make sure they are getting enough sleep and eating well, help them plan their journey to each exam so they get there well in time. Above all, reassure them. With the help of their teachers they have spent months preparing for these exams. Now is their chance to show the exam markers how much they have learnt.

“Remind them to stay calm and just do their best.”

Dr Michael Slattery, ex-principal at St Edward’s College on the Central Coast, said it’s also important to show a keen interest in the exams, discuss how your child found each paper and encourage preparedness for the next one.

“And remember to keep an eye on the HSC timetable to ensure your child knows when their examinations are on.”

So, we wish our HSC students ‘Good luck and God’s blessings’ as they commence their written exams and want to reassure parents, family and friends of our HSC students that the College is here to support our students and keep them safe through the exam period.

More advice on how to support your children is available at:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/stay-healthy-hsc/resources/tips-to-support-your-kids

Article adapted from: https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/hsc-survival-tips-for-parents/

On Tuesday 16th November starting at 5.30pm there will be a one hour Webinar focusing on Tourism, Travel, Events & Hospitality Career Opportunities from an RIEP colleague in the mid north coast in partnership with the SkillsIQ ITAB.
 
Local Employers and Industry experts will answer your questions about the industry and how to get started on an exciting career.  Hear from:

• Chef Paul Rifkin
• Chelsea McInnes, 2021 winner SBAT of the Year
• Karen Curnow, Human Resources Manager, C.EX Coffs Harbour
• Allison Campbell, Events and HR Operations Manager, PLB Group
• Brett Eldershaw, Colourful Collective Travel
• Toni Bellos & Donna Kearns, SBAT Mentors, NSW DOE

 
Register here!
 
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/career-opportunities-in-tourism-travel-events-and-hospitality-tickets-186438942897

The rain held off on Tuesday for students to enjoy another excellent afternoon of sport around the school grounds and at our external venues. We kicked off our swimming program for year 7 & 8, with Year 7 boys the first group to attend the pool.

Year 7 & 8 students will be involved in the compulsory swimming program that the school will be conducting at Bradbury Pools in week 6-9 of Term 4. There is a Compass note with more information that needs to be completed and submitted on the Parent Portal ASAP. 

This is being run during the students normal Sport time within a 4 week rotation, with the aim of encouraging confidence and improved skills in the water. Students will attend ONE session only. 

Students will be participate in the program as follows:

• Week 6 - Year 7 Boys - 9/11/2021 ✅
• Week 7 - Year 7 Girls - 16/11/2021
• Week 8 - Year 8 Boys - 23/11/2021
• Week 9 - Year 8 Girls - 30/11/2021

This opportunity cannot be found in the school environment and there are  water safety aspects within the PDHPE curriculum that are required, including satisfying the outcome of “demonstrates ways to enhance safety in physical activity”. Students will complete activities focused around Royal Life Saving Swim and Survive Awards and general stroke correction.

John Therry Catholic College has a strong sporting culture and heritage and we look to include all students in our sporting pursuits and opportunities. John Therry Catholic College aims to foster a healthy culture of physical activity and ensure our sporting and activities programs are for ALL, regardless of the student’s experience and skill level. Our different programs aim to increase and enhance student’s skills and abilities across a wide variety of physical activity pursuits and sports in order to assist students to develop a positive attitude towards lifelong physical activity and healthy habits. 

A reminder that if students are involved in any of the following examples of negative incidents during sport, they will be at risk of being withdrawn from sport:

• Deliberately missing the bus
• Truanting
• Lateness 
• Not giving consent prior to activities (Eg. swimming sessions)
• Disrespectful behaviour on charter buses 
• Disruptive or disrespectful behaviour during sport
• Poor uniform standards
• Disruptive behaviour during sports detention
• Poor participation
• Not following COVID guidelines 

At the beginning of the year, all students and their parents/carers gave consent on an electronic permission note stating that they understood that exemplary behaviour is required whilst participating in sport and physical activity opportunities. There are only 4 weeks of our regular Tuesday Sport left, we hope students can enjoy themselves and behave properly in these final few weeks. If some students do not improve their behaviour this term, they are at risk of being withdrawn from Sport for a period of time or withdrawn completely during Term 4.

We're excited to announce that the 24th Annual CDF Sports Awards will be a virtual presentation to be held on Friday, 12 November 2021. The viewing will commence online at 6:45 pm via a web link on the CEDoW Sport website.

Despite a year interrupted by COVID-19, making it challenging for students to train and compete, 2021 has been a remarkable time for sporting achievement in the diocese. 

The evening will highlight the achievements of over 190 talented and dedicated students who have proudly represented our diocese at MacKillop and NSW Combined Catholic College events. Two primary teams and seven secondary teams winning state Catholic school titles will also be recognised.

Our champion 2021 secondary schools will be announced, along with the most outstanding primary and secondary athletes for the year. 

To inspire educators, parents, and students alike two special guests will be interviewed, former students (and Olympians), Blake Govers (St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Albion Park – hockey), and Kieran Woolley (Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats – skateboarding). 

Through these interviews, Blake and Kieran will relive some of their amazing Tokyo experiences, and share advice for students looking to excel in their chosen sport. 

We look forward to you joining us for a great night of celebration.

 Jack Crawford Games and John Therry Catholic College Sport Assembly

At the moment JTCC is unsure whether these events will go ahead as planned, or be another victim of COVID restrictions. We are looking to present the Sports Assembly in some sort of virtual format instead of a full school assembly. Further details will be presented as they come about - stay tuned to Compass and the weekly newsletter for updates.

*If you have any sporting news and achievements, in particular leading into the Sports Assembly please contact Ms Georgia Leach at leachg01@dow.catholic.edu.au 

Regards,

Ms Leach

We recently launched our Christmas appeal to support children living with a disability in Asia and the Pacific.

Attached is a poster outlining the appeal details. It also includes a QR code to make donating super simple.

Tax-deductable donations will help more children with a disability gain the care and skills they need to achieve their potential.

Together, we can bring inclusive educational opportunities to vulnerable young people in Asia and the Pacific.

Together, we bring hope.

Yours in solidarity,

Deirdre Looney
Acting CEO, Australian Marist Solidarity.