St Johns College Dubbo Term 2, Week 4 2025

Principal

Dear St Johns Community

Attendance Matters

Each day of instruction is an opportunity for students to absorb new knowledge, engage in classroom discussions, and develop critical thinking skills.

Every school day provides a unique opportunity for students to grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally. Consistent attendance ensures that students make the most of these opportunities, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling educational journey.

Being present in class enables students to actively engage in all aspects of their learning, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter. It helps to develop a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and contributes to a positive attitude toward education.

With the amount of travel many of our families do on a weekend for family engagements in all parts of the state I can understand the challenges of getting to school on Monday mornings after spending long hours in the car. I implore families to encourage their children to get to school because students best laid plans of having a sleep in and then doing study don’t often materialise. Although they may not be at 100% efficiency at school they will learn while in the classroom and stay connected. 

Resilience Project

For the past term the College has been engaged in the Resilience Project program, which is delivered to all year groups during Academic Care. The founder of such a relevant and applicable program, Hugh Van Cuylenberg has recently announced astounding results, which were published in the Journal of British Psychiatry relating to the incredible benefits of children participating in this school based program over 6 years:

• Their odds of living with depression have decreased by 47%
• Their odds of having an anxiety disorder have decreased by 34%

This incredible resilience based program created by Hugh and his team and led by the teachers here at SJC, helps to promote positive emotions, emotional literacy and works to foster the key principles of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. As a parent and carer I encourage you to check-in with your child to discuss why building these skills helps to build more resilient, healthy and successful individuals. 

God bless

Mr Justin McCarney
Principal

Assistant Principal

Annual School Improvement Survey
All families and students of SJC have been emailed a link to complete the Annual School Improvement Survey. At this stage, student engagement with the survey is quite low. This survey provides a valuable opportunity for students and families to share their voice regarding the direction of the school and their education.
Please encourage your child to complete the survey.

Winter Uniform
A reminder that students are expected to be in their formal winter uniform as of Monday, 26 May.
Students in Years 7–10 should only be wearing their sports uniform once, or at most twice, a week. Please check your child’s schedule and any emails from their PDHPE teacher to ensure they are wearing the correct uniform on the appropriate days.

For our senior students, the formal winter uniform includes the blazer as the outermost garment.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding the uniform, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s homeroom teacher

Warm regards

Mrs Emma Chater
Assistant Principal

Faith and Mission

Yr 11 Retreat

Our Yr 11 students are having a wonderful time together at their Retreat at Lake Macquarie. They gave not let the wet weather dampen their spirits. Lots of teamwork and encouragement on show, as well as people stepping outside their comfort zones.

Yours in faith

Mrs Elissa Burden
Leader of Faith and Mission

Teaching and Learning

Elevate Education
With about 70 days til the TrIal Examinations commence for Year 12, we are welcoming Elevate Education to the College on Monday to work with them on planning their study time, and how to make the most out of the time they have. One of the biggest pieces of advice Elevate provides every year is the importance of practice questions during study, especially those that are challenging and bring together multiple aspects of the syllabus. Completing these and getting feedback and advice from teachers is a powerful strategy to prepare for high stakes exams.

SAT Notifications
Summative Assessment Tasks are appearing in Canvas now for Term 2. Students and parents should check out the “To Do” list and the “Calendar” in Canvas to see all upcoming tasks. If they are labelled SAT - this means they are a summative task, and students should strive to show all that they understand and can do.

In class preparation for SATs is important, because we can get fast feedback from our teachers, however, those students who put in a bit extra at home will always improve their performance.

Assessment Hack
In preparing for assessment, students can use the rubric in the task to keep elevating their work. These rubrics are set up as developmental rubrics. This means that you should be able to identify the qualities in your work now, and the qualities needed to step your work up. Sometimes it can be as simple as improving the language of the response by including the terminology of the subject.

Academic Care - Goal Setting
Academic goal setting is a focus of many of our Academic Care lessons this term.

All year groups are undertaking a form of academic “check in” and completing planners that ask them to examine:

• What they are learning
• What they need help with
• What tasks they have coming up
• How they can organise these in priority order
• Feedback from previous tasks
• Other commitments that they need to accommodate like work and sport and family things
• How they can create a to do list
• Setting fortnightly goals

Year 10 Subject Selection for Year 11 2026
Year 10 are starting preparation for selecting their Stage 6 subjects. It is such an important and exciting time for them. In Week 5 they will meet to learn about how school changes in Year 11 and the terminology NESA uses in Stage 6, as well as requirements for successful completion of the HSC. These things are important to know as students start to make important decisions about their future in learning and beyond school.

Here is the timeline of events for Year 10 leading to subject selection.

Warm regards

Mrs Catherine Jones
Leader of Teaching and Learning

Literacy at SJC

Mr Keith Hill | Literacy

Art

Indigenous Australian Artist Billy Bain Inspires SJC Students

Year 9 Visual Arts have been studying the practice of contemporary Indigenous Australian artist and Dharug man Billy Bain.

Billy Bain creates artworks that explore his experiences as a young Aboriginal man living in a city. Similarly, Year 9 students have been exploring the Australian identity, and amongst their sculptures we find dads who BBQ in their budgies and Bunnings hats, beach babes, tradies, state of origin fans, ladies who lunch, surfies, gamers, guys who own samurai swords, toddlers who drop their ice creams and many more.

Mrs Catherine Jones | Leader of Teaching and Learning

Pathways

University of Sydney Regional Residential Program

In the April school holidays Year 12 students Kripa P., Keely H., Jess B., Caitlin S. and Noah B. participated in the University of Sydney’s Year 12 Regional Residential program. The program provides regional NSW students with the opportunity to explore campus and discover what university life is like. Students learnt a lot about applying for university courses and highly recommend this opportunity to other students.

Mrs Patricia Strahorn | Stage 6 Pathways & ASPA Coordinator

Meet and Greet

Year 12 students had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the University of Newcastle for an information session to discuss courses, pathways into courses, early entry programs, accommodation options and scholarships.

Patricia Strahorn | Stage 6 Pathways & ASPA Coordinator

iStem

Questacon Inspires STEM Learning

Students at St Johns College had a fantastic experience during the recent QUESTACON visit. The engaging and interactive sessions provided students with a hands-on opportunity to explore the wonders of STEM. From exciting experiments to thought-provoking challenges, the experience helped build student confidence and curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It was a memorable day that sparked enthusiasm and deepened interest in the world of STEM.

Mr Jose Sunny | KLA Leader Science

School Improvements

There has been a positive start to the term at the College and students and staff have hit the ground running. The landscapers and concreters have left now and have mostly finished. It is planned that they will return in the next break just to finish the last little piece of our amazing new main quadrangle.

Local company McNamara Landscaping & Softfall did a wonderful job bringing the vision of the playground to a reality in such a quick time.

This space has a multi-use dimension to it and it has been terrific to see so many students using the new spaces during break and classes using it during lessons.

With the addition of a number of new trees this will provide more shaded areas during the hot summer months.

Rotary Youth In Agriculture (RYAG)

Earlier this year, James Wonderley and Peyton McDonald attended the RYAG Sheep program, run by the Walcha Rotary Club. This was an excellent opportunity for students interested in gaining an understanding of the modern sheep industry, both wool and meat.  The camp this year was based at historic Europambela Station with student accommodation in the revamped shearers’ quarters. Students undertook activities at Europambela Station and Nerstane Merino Stud, both operating at the cutting edge of the sheep industry, as well as other activities at the Walcha Showground and a local butchery.

Our students came away with a wealth of knowledge about the sheep industry and their eyes opened to potential career paths. It was a great chance to also make friendships with likeminded people.

Thank you to the Rotary Club of South Dubbo for their endorsement and sponsorship of our students to attend. 

Miss Emma Rice | Assistant KLA Leader - Science

Vaccinations

Year 10 Immunisations & Year 7 Catch ups will be held Wednesday 4th June. If your child didn't receive their Immunisation and would like to please consent online.

Sport

NSW CCC Cochrane Cup Quarter Finals

The College Under 14 Boys Rugby League team have qualified for the NSW CCC Cochrane Cup Quarter Finals.

In Forbes yesterday the Mr McCarney coached Under 14's won the Western Area Catholic Schools competition. Undefeated on the day they have been rewarded with a place at the Southern Country Finals to be played in Term 3. The team defeated Redbend Forbes, Stannies Bathurst and St Matts Mudgee, and whilst having a draw with James Sheahan Orange still gave them the overall win on the day.

The Under 16's also competed on the day and had a few close wins and a few close losses against the four other Catholic Schools.

Thanks to Mr O'Leary and Mr McCarney for coaching the teams.

Mr Andy Haycock | Rugby League Coordinator

SJC Athletics Carnival

The College Athletics Carnival will be held on Thursday 29 May at Barden Park (Week 5). Students are expected to meet at the venue for Roll Call at 8:50 am. It is a compulsory School day. If students do not have transport to the venue and require transport from St Johns College, Mr McAlister needs to be contacted so that we can organise a bus from the College. The bus will depart at approximately 8:50 am and return for buses at the end of the day.

If students wish to participate in an event, they need to move to that area when it is called. Track events have preference over field events. If students have a track event and a field event is on at the same time, they are to record their name at the field event, compete in the track event and then proceed back to the field event.

All students are permitted to wear house colours on the day. Winners of field events and first / second placings in track events will be eligible to compete at the Bathurst Diocesan Athletics Carnival that will be held in Term 3.

The Canteen and a BBQ will operate on the day.

Students will be emailed a list of events, times and current records.

Mr Dave McAlister | Sports Coordinator

Diocesan Cross Country - Orange

Well done to the 38 runners who competed at Lake Canobolas Orange in the Bathurst Diocesan Cross Country Carnival. All runners represented the College well.

12 Boys
Max Rohr 3rd
Finn McKinnon 5th
12 Girls
Addison Maas 4th
13 Boys
Archie Bleechmore 14th
Archie Williams 18th
Will Boland 19th
Kenji McLachlan 20th
13 Girls
Brooklyn Dowton 6th
Adelaide McPherson 17th
Emma Robinson 22nd
Polly Hubbard 24th
14 Boys
Jarvis Penman 1st
Brodie Pearson 6th
14 Girls
Grace Christianson 3rd
Phoebe Lavelle 19th
Lily Butler 20th
15 Boys
Jonah Walker 17th
15 Girls
Molly Jones 3rd
16 Girls
Tatiana Pietrese 1st
16 Boys
Harrison Cooke 1st
Logan Penman 2nd
Callum Bowen 12th
Archie Dickson 13th
Matthew May 24th
17 Boys
Gus Campbell 7th
18 Boys
Noah Warman 5th
Archie Morgan 6th
Zander Barton 7th
Max Hawkins 8th

Mr Richard Eggleston | Teacher

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NSW Southern CCC Rugby League

Congratulations to the following boys who were named in the NSW Southern CCC Rugby League sides.
U15's
Nullah B. Nate R. Sam L.
OPENS
Noah S. Alex M.
PRESIDENTS
Nate B. and Ben S.

Well done boys the College is incredibly proud of your achievments.

CCC Selections

Congratualtions to the James, Emily, Chloe and Jazzy on their recent selections for the CCC teams.
Jazzy G. - NSW CCC U16 Basketball
James R. - NSW CCC Open Boys Hockey
Chloe O - Southern NSW CCC Open Girls Soccer
Emily M. - Southern NSW CCC U16 Girls Rugby League

Well done to you all, the College is extremely proud of you.

Parent Webinars

The Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) are providing a series of very pertinent free, one-hour webinars to support parent carers to be engaged with the schooling of their high school children. Please share this information.

• A Parents Roadmap to Careers and Pathways 4 June 7 – 8 pm. Register here

• Supporting your Child through the HSC 11 June 7 – 8 pm.  Register here

• Parenting Tweens: What kids need to know before the teen years 24 June 7 – 8 pm. Register here 

• Parenting Teens: Staying connected through the teen years 25 June 7 – 8 pm. Register here

Trivia Night

SJC YEAR 12 TRIVIA NIGHT - SUPPORTING ST VINCENT DE PAUL

Put your knowledge to the test and join us for a night of fun, helping our Year 12 cohort raise money for their chosen charity, St Vincent de Paul. There will be some amazing prizes, a silent auction and raffles throughout the evening.

Date: Friday 13th June 2025
Time: 6pm to 10pm
Location: St Johns College - Barbara Amos Hall
Cost: $100 per table (10 people). BYO picnic and drinks

Table bookings can be made via this link:https://www.123tix.com.au/.../48145/sjc-year-12-trivia-night
Bookings close Monday 9th June 2025

Wellbeing

Resource Hub - Library

Alice in Wonderland

Lewis Caroll published the Story of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ in November of 1865, Alice was written to fall down the rabbit hole in the same year on May the 4th. The story of ‘Alice and Wonderland’ was originally told on the 4th July 1862 to Alice Lidell, two years before being published. 

This is why we have chosen ‘Alice in Wonderland’ to be a Term 2 theme in our Library for 2025. 

The display set up near the main entrance of the space is a spark of colour to our beautiful Library.

The display will stand from now until the 4th July at the end of term. So make sure you pop in and check out the display. 

It wouldn't be the SJC library without a termly event. Later in the term we will be running the ‘Mad Hatters Tea Party’ This event will need 4 groups of 4. Each Group will be declared either hearts, diamonds, spades or clubs and sit down for our Mad hatters tea party. 

This won't be like any normal tea party as “we are all mad here” !! Each student will sit in front of a hat, each hat will contain a task that needs to be completed. Once the 4 tasks for the table have been completed, the students must notify the Mad Hatter who will determine if they have passed or failed. The first table to complete all tasks correctly will be declared our Winners and receive a $10 Canteen Voucher per student on the winning table. 

If you and your friends would like to have a chance at winning these Canteen Vouchers, then assemble your team and sign up today with Mrs Bruce or Miss Lappa in the library. Dates of the event will be revealed to the students who sign up!! 

‘Alice in Wonderland’ explores themes of childhood, identity and often the bewildering world of adulthood. In a world where we all want to fit in and be popular this old school classic encourages readers to be themselves and embrace their uniqueness. 

“You’re entirely Bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret, all the best people are.”

Mrs Bruce - Teacher Librarian
Miss Lappa - Library Technician

RESOURCE REVIEW

Uniform

Attendance

Reconcilation Week

School Fees

Dear Parents/Guardians 

School Fees - Term 2 Instalment Due 23 May 2025

Thank you to those families who have paid their College fees.

Families paying their fees by the term please note instalment 2 is due by this Friday 23 May 2025.

You can check your balance owing and make payments via the Compass App or BPAY.

For families making regular, weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments please ensure your payment plan is on track to have your College fees account finalised by 30 November 2025.

To ensure your College fees account is on track please note from this Friday 23 May 2025 there are 28 weeks, 14 fortnights or 7 months until fees are due. Contact the College Fees Office if you need to adjust your payment plan.

HSC fees are due by 31 October 2025.

If you wish to discuss your account please contact the College Fees Office on 6841 5142 or email m.carlow@bth.catholic.edu.au.

Kind Regards 

Maree Carlow
Administration Finance Leader

Important Dates

Term 2 2025

If you would like to add the St Johns College Calendar
to your google calendar please click on this link.

Wednesday 21st May - Friday 23rd May
Yr 11 Retreat

Saturday 24th May
Shape of You - Drama Excursion

Tuesday 27th May
Spelling Bee

Thursday 29th May
SJC Athletics Carnival, Barden Park

Friday 30th May & Saturday 31st May
Cattle Team - Dubbo Show

Wednesday 4th June
Yr 10 Vaccination and Yr 7 Catch ups

Tuesday 10th June
Pupil Free Day

Community Notices

Help Me Help My Teen - live event with Maggie Dent

This 2-hour event, based on Maggie’s latest book, is a reassuring, practical guide for parents, carers and educators to help teenagers navigate adolescence and grow into confident, capable adults.

Maggie will provide clear and compassionate ‘what to do’ advice for some of the most difficult, sensitive topics – such as technology use, sex, drugs and alcohol, dropped school grades, school refusal, mental health and identity – and shows us how we can provide a safe and supportive environment for all our teens.

NOTE: Sensitive topics are discussed. Teens 13+ can attend with their parent/s or carer at their discretion. All attendees require a ticket.
Link to information and tickets