Dear Parents/Guardians and students,

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE AND THANK YOU 

With Christmas Day just a few weeks away there are signs of the festive season everywhere; red robed Santa’s in the shopping centres, decorations all around and houses festooned with lights. The sights and sounds of Christmas are normally bright and joyful, announcing the season of good cheer. It is also a time of ending and as the year ends we think ahead to what may be and how we might do things better. 

This Christmas may the spirit of loving relationships be with our families and friends. May we have the power to forgive any hurts that we may have suffered. May we have the courage to forgive, and make a new start and proceed to make amends. Remember that we are all connected to John Therry and as such, have the capacity to improve and become better people. We try to live the values of Marcellin Champagnat and set out to be a gift for one another. 

Within this edition of the College Newsletter are the Christmas Mass times for our surrounding Parishes. I encourage all to attend a service and experience the joy of the risen Lord. It is a special time in our Catholic calendar. John Therry is very proudly a Catholic College and we support our links to our Parishes. As a parent, support your child in their faith development at this time. Embrace the opportunity to be part of the celebration of the birth of Christ. 

I wish to thank all members of the College community for their contributions this year. We all work together to provide a quality Catholic education for the students – quality Catholic and quality education. May the peace of the family of Bethlehem be with your family this Christmas. I wish all families a wonderful Christmas break and look forward to 2022.

YEAR 12 FINISH – GRADUATION and FORMAL

After such a disruptive year we finally had our end of year events for this wonderful group of students. The Graduation on Monday night was a celebration of the resilience and talent of the group. Worthy award winners will be listed in this Newsletter later. 

Tuesday saw the fabulous dresses and stylish suits come out for the Formal. This year held at Ottimo House in Denham Court. A wonderful evening of fine food and dancing closed with hugs and tears.

STAFF CHANGES

As is normally the case we have a turnover of Staff each year. The last few years has been very small but this year is a little larger. I name these people so that the students may wish them well over the final few days of next week. 

Staff leaving

• Mr Jim Forshaw – retiring
• Ms Katrina Pemberton – Casimir Catholic College
• Mr Nick Kmet – St Gregory’s College
• Mr Darren Conway – Corpus Christi Catholic High School
• Ms Laura Killen – St Francis Catholic College
• Ms Danica Duval – Magdalene Catholic College
• Mrs Mariam Abdel-Malek – Home duties and casual work
• Mr Harry Vella – McCarthy Catholic College
• Mrs Jacky Benney – St Patrick’s College
• Mr Josh Howe – The Smith Family
• Ms Samantha Painter – Chevalier College
• Mrs Josephine Carroll – Catholic Education Office
• Mrs Katrina Robinson – Macarthur Anglican School
• Mr Brad Humbles – Catholic Education Office (Term1 and 2)

New Staff to the College will be announced in the first Newsletter of 2022. 

SAD NEWS FROM THE U.S. AGAIN

I am an educator and I hesitate to make political commentary but I am also a teacher and a Father. I heard with great sadness on Tuesday of last week, the news of another school shooting in the US. Four innocent lives lost and another six seriously injured. Why? The pointlessness of these events is stunning. And yet what truly shocked me – was that this was the 222nd school shooting for THIS year in schools in the US. I will never understand their gun laws and ease of purchase of them. 

We live in a country where our politicians prove time and time again that they are fallible. But they do lead a country which is inherently safe – for us and our children – to live and flourish in society. Our gun regulations are strong for good reason. The terrifying incident at Wyndang was a reminder of what can happen, even in Australia. I pray that these sorts of events never occur in our wonderful country.

The following came from Br Peter Carroll, leader of the Marist Association. 

To state the obvious, we are most fortunate. We live in stable social environments. Our towns and cities are safe and secure. Most of us are untouched by violence. We experience peace on a daily basis. The recent demonstrations in Melbourne and civil disturbance in Honiara are the exceptions. Large parts of our world don’t share our good fortune. You only need to view the nightly news to know that: out of control gun violence in the USA, border tensions in Eastern Europe, civil war in Ethiopia, residual suffering in Afghanistan, oppression in Myanmar or Hong Kong, displaced people on every continent, and it goes on. Peace is only a distant aspiration for many, not a reality.

Peace is a virtue associated with Christmas and is represented in the second advent candle.

I wish the peace of Christmas to descend across the world after this most difficult year. 

Have a wonderful Christmas,

Wayne Marshall

This week at John Therry our VET students have been greatly immersed in both the Construction and Hospitality Industry. 

We had Tony and his team from Campbelltown Coolrooms to work closely with the Construction students in forming and laying concrete slabs around the school. The students were able to gain skills in formworking, mixing and pouring concrete. Our new slabs were poured near the oval gates and a shed slab by our vegetable  gardens. The students were able to witness the skills of the qualified tradesmen as well as assist in screting, leveling and pouring concrete. 

Our Food and Beverage students also showcased their skills in the Marista Cafe. Our students prepared a range of sandwiches, slices and drinks for their customers to enjoy. Each student had the opportunity to prepare each dish and drink as well as serve their happy customers. 

VET at John Therry allows our students to gain new industry skills that will not only help in the classroom but also for their future careers.

 YEAR 12 MAJOR AWARDS

FIRST IN COURSE

On the 7th of December John Therry Catholic College held the Annual Sport Assembly, and for the first time ever this was live streamed. There was apprehension about whether we would be able to go ahead due to COVID restrictions, so to be able to proceed in an adapted format was fantastic.  The assembly acknowledged those students who have represented the school in our winning MISA, Diocesan and Knock-Out teams along with those students who gained selection into a Diocesan team, a NSWCCC team or NSW All Schools team by individual selection or by placing 1st/2nd in a NSW pathway event.

I would like to thank all those who joined us virtually to help celebrate the success John Therry has had in the sporting arena, including our guest speaker Emma Tonegato. The passion and competitiveness that the staff and students have for sport can clearly be seen each week in our MISA and other school representative teams. 

John Therry completed the 2021 season in very strong form. This year we were once again very competitive before COVID cancelled MISA in term 3 & 4;  winning 9 MISA East  competitions from term 4 2020 to the end of term 2 2021. 

After winning the MISA Champion school trophy 3 years in a row up until 2019 we haven’t had a chance to compete in a full year of competition to lay claim to  another consecutive win. In saying that, based on the points for Term 1 & 4 last year, and Term 1 & 2 of this year, I’m proud to say that results  showed us on top of the MISA East Champion School Tally. I’m sure if we had 4 terms of MISA we would’ve most certainly continued our dominance over the MISA East competition.

In Diocesan competitions this year, 24 students were selected into Diocesan teams, plus two teams winning Diocesan carnivals to progress through to NSWCCC Knockout Carnivals,  6 through to Southern Country League, and one student being select in an NSW All Schools Merit team. 

Congratulations once again to MURRAY House on your 2020/2021 achievements, but a reminder to all students that your participation in all MISA, Diocesan, CCC competitions and all school carnivals earn your House valuable points, which of course starts on Tuesday in the “Jack Crawford Games”.

A big thank you to Jayden Cook (Sport Captain - 2021/2022) who did a fantastic job hosting the 2021 Sport Assembly.

Major Awards

SportsPerson of the Year - Coby Hilton

(Other Finalists =  Riley Oitmann & Ella Fisher).

Best on Ground - - Sarah White 

Best on Ground: Sarah White proving why she’s ‘Best on Ground’. Arrived at 8.30am after her Formal the night before to collect her award from Miss Leach

Coach of the year - Mr Webb

Swimming Age Champions 

Cross Country Age Champions 

Athletics Age Champions

Diocesan Team Selection

A number of Diocese Representatives (L-R): Patrick Picot, Zarli Lakeman, Ella Fisher, Noah McKenzie, Kynan Sparkes

Year 7-10 Pathway Soccer Team - Winners Wollongong Diocese Qualifying Tournament

Southern Country Rugby League 

Sporting Blues (Pathway)

• Ethan Ross - Swimming 
• Coby Hilton - AFL 
• Ryan Connors - Golf 
• Frankie Gerace - Golf 
• Pat Picot - Soccer 
• Xavier Martin - Soccer 
• Noah McKenzie - Rugby League & Touch
• Darcy Wilson - Cross Country & Football 
• Emmanuel Fatialofa - Rugby League & Touch 

Sporting Blues (External)

Mason McPhee - Baseball

Grace Augustine - Indoor Cricket 

Diego Martin - Soccer