St Johns College Dubbo Term 2, Week 10 2025
Principal
Dear Families
Semester One Reports are available to families through Compass. At times, reports can be uncomfortable as they can expose us to areas that we might sometimes prefer to gloss over or we can often avoid spending time reflecting on our performance. This can be the case with any feedback type reports, not just academic reports. To really get the most value out of these Semester 1 Reports, I strongly encourage families to create some time to look through the reports and reflect on the successes of the report and look at the areas that require attention and develop some targeted goals for improvement moving forward. For our students, best practice suggests writing down your goals and sharing those with others as a way of increasing our accountability and limiting the ‘moving the goalposts’ over time. I would suggest that students find time upon their return to school to talk with individual teachers about their goals so that they can provide feedback and advice to maximise the chance of success. There will potentially be setbacks along the way but these are absolutely okay and will lead to further growth and development. This is a reason why it is important for students to bring their parents or carers and teachers along on the journey- for the ongoing support and encouragement. Reflecting on the reports can provide the opportunity to work on a growth mindset and look for the opportunities to improve in the areas within their control.
I do hope that our students can take time away from their studies to unwind and do the things that they enjoy so that they can return to school reenergised and best able to achieve their potential.
I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday.
God bless
Mr Justin McCarney
Principal
Faith and Mission
Dear Families,
I am sure I cannot be the only one who cannot believe we have come to the end of another term. Term 2 was a busy one. I am very proud of the opportunities the College provides our students, and it is always wonderful to see our students embracing these opportunities.
Reports for Year 7-10 go out on the last day of term. These are of course reports about how your child is going in the classroom in terms of academia and work ethic. As your children reflect upon their reports, I would love them to also reflect upon whether they have upheld the values that Jesus taught us. Have they treated everyone with respect? Have they included others? Have they displayed empathy? Have they stood up for others? Have their words and actions come from a place of kindness and love? My dream is that when people come into our school, they don’t need to see crucifixes and Catholic iconography to know we are a Catholic school. They would be able to tell by the way our students treat one another and our staff. Jesus is the ultimate example for our students. My hope is that staff, parents/guardians and students can work together to ensure His example is followed every day.
I hope all our families are able to use these holidays to slow down and spend some quality time with one another. Have a safe and restful break.
Yours in faith
Mrs Elissa Burden
Leader of Faith and Mission
Teaching and Learning
Semester 1 Reports
Student reports for Semester 1 are now available in Compass.
It’s always important to track how learning is progressing in grades. But possibly the most valuable section of the report for family discussion, is the section on learning habits. Success in learning habits requires no special talent - everyone can achieve well in these. In turn, focusing on these skills builds great habits, and can typically lead to increased achievement in outcomes and grades.
Teachers have provided significant, thoughtful feedback, with tangible advice for improvement. Students will use Academic Care at the start of Term 3 to reflect upon this feedback and set some goals.
Summative Assessment Tasks - Feedback and Results
A reminder that parents and students can find feedback for Term 2 appearing in Canvas. Canvas will have marks, rubrics, comments and comparative data.
Access Canvas through the Canvas portal on the homepage of our website, here.
Year 10 Subject Selection for Year 11 2026
Students will take home their subject selection handbook at the start of Term 3.
Please find the subject selection process outlined below. We look forward to catching up with families at the Faculty Fair and Information Evening in Week 3.
Year 12 Holiday Workshops, Tutorials and Practise Exams
There are many opportunities for Year 12 to advance their preparation to the Trial Examinations and the completion of major projects during our holiday break.
I acknowledge the complete dedication of our teachers in providing this additional support - it speaks to the care and investment they have towards their students.
Year 12 are encouraged to take full advantage of this time, and lean in to learning.
Student responsibilities:
- Email teachers to inform them of your intention to attend
- Follow school rules while on site
- Bring food and drink to tutorials as you are not permitted to come and go
- Practice exams are designed to emulate actual exams. They are silent, timed events, without access to notes or technology
Warm regards
Mrs Catherine Jones
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Literacy at SJC
Mr Keith Hill | Literacy
Pathways
Visit from Astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg
SJC students had the wonderful opportunity to meet Katherine Bennell-Pegg, a space engineer and the first person qualified as an astronaut under the Australian flag. As Director of Technology for the Australian Space Agency, Katherine shared how her early passion for space and engineering has driven her remarkable career developing space programs, technologies, and missions worldwide. Students learnt about her work as technical lead on Australia's first Moon rover mission and her role in developing plans to capitalise on Australia's space capabilities.
Mrs Strain and Mrs Strahorn | Pathways Hub
Photos: Andy Roberts, courtesy of Powerhouse
White Card Opportunity
Year 9 -12 - check your emails!
POSSIBLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Dubbo Regional Council is recruiting!
Looking for a hands-on way to start your career, earn while you learn, and make a difference in your local community?
Whether you’re finishing school or just thinking about your next steps, your local council could be the perfect place to begin.
The NSW Office of Local Government is helping councils across the state hire and support young people like you through apprenticeships, traineeships and cadetships. It’s all about building strong local workforces and helping young people kick start their career.
Dubbo Regional Council has been successful in receiving funding through the Fresh Start Program for 5 apprenticeships, 11 traineeships and 3 cadetships.
APPRENTICES: Carpenter; Heavy Vehicle Mechanic; Parks and Gardens x 2; Water Supply and Sewerage Electrician
TRAINEESHIPS: Administration Officer - D&E; Airport Operations Officer; Customer Experience Officer; Finance; Human Resources; Information Technology; Procurement; Touri
CADETSHIPS: Development Planner; Finance; Planner
TO APPLY CLICK THIS LINK: https://www.dubbo.nsw.
Applications are open until 9am Monday 14 July 2025.
Chess
The St. Johns College Chess Team travelled to Parkes Christian School for Round 4 in the New South Wales Junior Chess Team Competition - Western Region.
Our team included Sarayu, Callum, Archie and Dilan, with Jonah, Leanne and James travelling as Reserves. The teams appeared evenly matched but St. Johns were successful in this game and came out as the eventual winners.
The students enjoyed their games against the Parkes Christian School Chess Team consisting of Josh, Xander, Oliver, Christian, Ryan and Riley - and we were pleased that every student was able to play a game.
We would like to thank the Parkes Christian School for their hospitality and we look forward to playing against them in 2026.
St. Johns Chess Team now moves towards playing Round 5 in the competition in second division, which will be played in Term 3.
Thank you to our Team.
Mrs. Bruce | Chess Team Leader
Ryan, Callum, Archie, Jonah, Riley, Leanne, Dilan, James, Sarayu
Yr 10 Food Technology
Helping the Homeless Community
This term students have been studying a unit on "Food Equity". Students were given the opportunity to create a meal for the homeless in our community. Each class prepared a food item including: zucchini slice, chicken pesto pasta salad, raspberry and white chocolate muffin and a choc chip biscuit.
Some students also volunteered to distribute these one night during the week with volunteers from the "Help a mate" organisation.
We would like to thank Miss Ryan for organising this for us! All students embraced this opportunity to provide for others and we hope to do this again!
Mrs Nicole Bussey | KLA leader TAS
Business Studies
Year 11 Business Studies students visit Little Big Dairy
In Week 10 30 Year 11 Business Studies students visited a fantastic family owned business- Little Big Dairy. This hands-on experience gave students valuable insight into how a vertically integrated business operates from the paddock to a finished product! They explored every stage of the production process, gaining firsthand knowledge of operations, marketing and human resources in action. A huge thank you to Kate and the team at Little Big Dairy for welcoming us and sharing your time, expertise and passion. What a fantastic way to connect classroom learning with a local case study.
Mrs Annabelle Morris and Miss Caitlin Bowman
Sport
Soccer
Last week, our Under 15 boys soccer team travelled to Orange on a cold and wet morning — but that didn’t stop them from putting on a dominant display! In their opening match, the boys came out firing with a 14-1 win over Red Bend Catholic College. This secured their place in the final against James Sheahan Catholic High School, where they continued their strong form with a solid 2-0 victory.This incredible effort sees our team crowned Western Area Premiers and now progressing to Albury in Term 3 for the Inter Area Playoffs – a massive achievement!
Mr Zac O'Leary | PDHPE Teacher
Parent Webinars
AI & The Digital Generation
What every parent needs to know about deepfakes, AI companions and online truth.
Monday 11th August 2025
Register by clicking on link below:
SJC Flash Sale
Resource Hub - Library
RESOURCE REVIEW
Attendance
School Fees
Dear Parents/Guardians
The College Fees Office will be closed for the school holidays.
Wishing everyone a happy and restful break.
Kind Regards
Maree Carlow | Finance Leader
Important Dates
Term 3 2025
If you would like to add the St Johns College Calendar
to your google calendar please click on this link.
Monday 21st July
First Day of Term 3
Tuesday 22nd July
Western Rugby League Finals - Parkes
Wednesday 23rd July
Michael Dolce Band Workshop
Thursday 24th July
All Schools Touch Competition
Friday 25th July
Bathurst Diocesan Netball Gala Day - Orange
Wednesday 30th July
Bill Turner Cup - Albury
Thursday 31st July
Bill Turner Cup - Albury
2025 School Term Dates
Term 3: Monday 21st July - Friday 26th September
Term 4: Monday 13th October - Friday 19th December
2025 Diocesan Sports
The Diocesan Sports Calendar is now available to view. We may have some students who are involved in sports that we are unaware of and who may want to attend the trials. There are many different sports on the Diocesan Calendar such as Diving, Triathlon's, Baseball, Volleyball, Sailing, Hockey etc. If your child is of a competitive standard and wishes to compete in the events on the calendar please let us know.
Community Notices
2025 Dubbo Stampede
The entries are flowing in thick and fast for the 2025 Dubbo Stampede, to be held on the 7th September 2025. This year's relocation to Ollie Robbins Oval brings with it a new event village and all-new courses.
On offer for all are the 5.3k Dingo Dash and 10k Cheetah Chase. For 16s and over we have the 21.1k Zebra Zoom Half Marathon and the 42.2k Rhino Ramble Marathon for over 18s only.
Part of this annual event is the Regional Australia Bank Schools Challenge. This year, those taking part can earn more points for their school by undertaking more challenging events. Including these two young lads.....
Angus Campbell (Yr11) and Hugh Bevan (Yr12) took advantage of a special offer of free event entry put forth by Mr Richard Eggleston in his role as a Stampede Committee member and have both signed up for the challenging Half Marathon.
This gruelling event will take runners on a large loop around the Macquarie River, including an out-and back spur on the LH Ford Bridge and a reverse lap of Dubbo Zoo, before finishing back at Ollie Robbins Oval. A fully certified 21.095km Half Marathon with a total of 140m elevation gain.
A Parkrun regular, this will be Gus' first Half Marathon. Tracksesh aficionado Hugh is looking to improve upon his recent 2:36 Half Marathon in Canberra back in April. Who will emerge victorious? As always, the sport of road running will have the final say....
For more information about the Dubbo Stampede, get in touch with Mr Eggleston in the Maths Faculty or visit www.dubbostampede.com.au
Mr Richard Eggleston.
Don't miss........Come From Away
Featuring our very own staff! Get ready for an unforgettable night of theatre! The Dubbo Theatre Company is proud to present the internationally acclaimed, Tony Award winning musical Come From Away - and we're excited to share that three of our amazing staff members, Mrs Burden, Mr Doyle and Mr Barnes, are part of the cast.
Set in the days following 9/11, Come From Away tells the inspiring true story of a small town in Newfoundland that welcomed 7000 stranded passengers with open arms. It's a powerful tale of compassion, community and unexpected friendship.
Come along and support our talented staff as they take the stage in this moving and uplifting production.
Show Dates: Friday 25th July and Saturday 26th July
Friday 1 August and
Saturday 2 August
Location: Dubbo Regional Theatre, 155 Darling Street, Dubbo
Tickets: www.drtccc.com.au
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical
Presented by St John’s Primary SchoolWe are thrilled to announce our 2025 school musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, featuring every student from Kindergarten to Year 6 alongside our talented main cast! This vibrant production will take place Week 2 Term 3 and every class and student from K - 6 will have a moment to shine on stage. Students have been working hard in rehearsals and are ready to bring the magic of Willy Wonka’s chocolate world to life!
Performance Schedule
Monday 28 July – Gold classes will perform in both the Matinee and Evening Shows
Tuesday 29 July – Blue classes will perform in both the Matinee and Evening Show
Tickets are now on sale via 123Tix
https://www.123tix.com.au/.../charlie-and-the-chocolate...
Be sure to select your child’s class group (Gold or Blue) when booking.
Here’s what each grade will bring to the stage:Kindergarten: Opens the show with the joyful classic “Lollipop”
Year 1: Sets the scene with “The Golden Age of Chocolate”
Year 2: Brings the laughs with “More of Him to Love” – meet Augustus Gloop!
Year 3: Welcomes Willy Wonka with the iconic “Candyman”
Year 4: Joins in the farewell song “Auf Wiedersehen Augustus”
Year 5: Adds a techno twist with the high-energy Mike TV scene
Year 6: Delivers a blue-tastic performance for a certain gum-chewing star!
This is a production not to be missed! Gather your friends and family and come celebrate the incredible talent of our students.
Get your tickets early and spread the word!
