St John Paul II Catholic College Newsletter

Dear Parents/Caregivers and Students,

As we come towards the end of Term 3, we again take the time to reflect upon the learning and several events that have and will occur at St John Paul II Catholic College.

Parents/caregivers were recently invited to provide feedback about our college by completing the Tell Them From Me Survey. The following are some of the results from the parent/caregiver survey that were discussed at the Principal/Parent Chat Groups in Term 2.

• Students included in all the learning and extra-curricular activities.
• Students have positive attendance and behaviour at school.
• There is a positive learning environment
• Students are treated fairly
• Supporting learning at home.
• Encourage their child to do well at school
• Had opportunities to talk with the teachers.
• Teachers expect homework to be done on time.
• Teachers expect my child to work hard.
• Teachers expect my child to pay attention in class.
• Where possible attended the meetings at the college.
• Faith development of their child was a priority.
• The college helps my child to understand the Catholic Faith.

Students and staff have also received feedback about their survey responses at several assemblies and meetings. Thank you to the parents/caregivers for completing the survey.

St John Paul II Catholic College’s performance on the 2019 National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) testing is improving each year. There was an increase in the number of Year 9 achieving Bands, 8, 9 and 10 in comparison to previous years. This has resulted in Year 9 having an increased learning gain since completing their NAPLAN in Year 7- 2017. The NAPLAN reports for Year 7 and 9 will be sent home to all families before the end of this term. Most Year 7 and 9 students are above the national minimum standard average across all five areas of the NAPLAN test (reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy).

On Friday 20 September we will celebrate who we are at the St John Paul II/Terra Sancta Day and say farewell to these fine young men and women as a whole school through the beauty and spiritual richness of the Mass. It will be an opportunity to turn our attention to the college motto “the way passes through this land” as it’s during such ceremonies when our Year 12 students are coming to the end of their journey with us that we can celebrate their time with us. As befits the dual nature of our one school, the Mass will once again be celebrated at the Schofields Campus with the senior students returning to the place where they commenced their journey six years ago. While we look back at the past six years of schooling for the Year 12 students, we also look forward to rejoicing in their lives beyond St John Paul II as valued members of a wider community. We trust that they will take with them core values of respect, honesty, integrity and above all, faith into their lives from now onwards.

Traditions are also reinforced and strengthened when we take the opportunity at Mass to symbolically hand over the student leadership of the College for next term and next year. The transition of leadership includes the passing on from one year to the next of school symbols to the incoming Student Leaders, Claire Lynch and Christian Cipri. 

We have now accepted 220 applications for Year 7 in 2019. Considering the increase of schools in our area this is great testimony to the trust our community places in us to provide our students with the best education possible. If you are aware of any families who have not made application for next year for Years 7-12 please advise them to contact Mrs Fay Lovett on 92087205 at the college as a matter of urgency to avoid the possibility missing out on enrolment for their son/daughter.

The change of student uniform from Winter to Summer will occur in the last week of this term. Thus, students are to wear either full winter or summer uniform in Week 10. With all students in summer uniform at the start of Term 4. A reminder that the students return to school on Tuesday 15 October – Week A of the timetable after the Term 3 Vacation Break. All Staff will be participating in a learning day on Monday 15 October.

Let us pray...

Loving, faithful God,

We give you thanks and praise for the gift of our fathers

and all those who are like fathers to us.

May they be guided by you, so that we may come to know

your love and care in them.

Bless them in all that they need and desire for life.

We make our prayer in Jesus’ name.

Amen 

Parents and Caregivers are reminded that the speed limit around the school is 40 kph during school hours. The area directly out the front of the school is a bus bay only. All parent/caregivers must pick up and drop off students from outside the Cottage. There is no stopping at the front of the school due to roadworks.

Attendance

Please telephone the school office to notify of daily absences. If a student is absent, a letter from a parent/caregiver with the dates and explanation of absence must be provided. For absences of 10 days or more an Application for Extended Leave must be completed and are available from the College Website. If your child is ill, please keep them at home and notify the school.

Currently there are a significant number of families who are taking leave during the school term. Any work that is missed must be followed up by the student and parents. All assessment dates are published in the student handbook. Could we also ask that Doctor/Dentist appointments are made after school hours.

 Uniform

Parent/Caregivers are asked to refer to page 34a of the student diary for our Uniform Policy. This policy is also available on the College website. We still need a little more support from parents/caregivers to make sure school shoes meet Workplace Safety requirements. Traditional black polishable lace-up school shoes with a solid heel must be worn on normal school days (see previous newsletter for images). Black vinyl flat soled skating styles have never been part of our uniform. Students are not permitted to wear different jumper/hoodies. If a student cannot wear the correct sport uniform, the full College uniform must be worn. No combinations of College and Sport uniform is permitted. Girls are permitted to wear one small sleeper/stud in the lower ear lobe only. Boys are not permitted earrings. Plastic spacers/keepers are not to be worn at any time. Due to safety requirements, girls must have their hair tied back at all times. 

Contacting Teachers

The school office is open from 7:30am until 3:30pm. If calling for a teacher please allow them 24 hours to return your call. Parents/Caregivers are asked to remember that teachers are in class during the day and have meetings after school hours. Please make sure an appointment is made with a teacher before coming into the school as a teacher cannot meet with a parent/caregiver during a scheduled learning time or meeting. We thank you for your understanding.

Student Medical Action Plans 

Parent/Caregivers are reminded to send in updated Action Plans for students with Anaphylaxis or Asthma, these can be supplied by your GP.

Supply and administration of Over the Counter Medication (OTC) 

Over the counter medication will not be administered by school staff unless a written request is received from the student’s parent/caregiver and is accompanied by written advice from a medical practitioner or chemist with the medication in the original labelled container. Parents/caregivers can request the Chemist place a label on the medication with the child’s name and dosage.  

The exception is reliever puffers for the emergency treatment of asthma.

Student Devices

It is the expectation that every student brings a charged laptop to school everyday. Most subject areas use Google Classroom and email communication to connect with the students and their learning. 

Mobile phones

Students are not permitted to use mobile phones during normal class time. A mobile phone must be switched off during learning time. The use of social media is not permitted at STJPII. Could we ask that if a parent/caregiver needs to send a message to a student that they call the school office so a message can be given to the student. At no time is a student permitted to film or take an image of another student or community member without specific permission. 

Student Travel on buses

OPAL Cards have been sent directly to home addresses if applications have been approved. All students travelling on a school bus must TAP ON and TAP OFF,or services may be restricted. Transport NSW can cut services if numbers are of students are low. Please make sure your child uses the correct entry and exit process to a bus. If a student does not have an OPAL Card, they would be expected to pay the correct fare. It is suggested by the College that students take a photo of their OPAL Card in the instance that they forget or lose their OPAL Card. Inspectors have recently been checking and have asked us to remind parents/students of the expectations and conditions for travel.

2019 Assessment Handbooks

All of the 2019 Assessment Handbooks are available online from the website for parents/caregivers and students to access.

We are here to help you with your Maths work

Maths Assistance afternoons are every even-Wednesdays of the Term St John Paul II, Schofields Campus Library Duration: 2.15pm – 3.30pm (Students are to make their own way home from the Schofields Campus)

All you have to do ...

1. Bring in your permission note, which can be found on our school website - ‘In The Loop’ ‘School Notes’ - ‘Student Assistance’ 

2. Bring your Maths work you need help with

3. Come every even-Wednesdays of the term … not just when you have an Assessment Task!

See you all there or be squared!

CEDP EDUCATION MASS

On August 13, SRC students joined other schools in the diocese to witness a beautiful mass celebrated by Bishop Vincent. The CEDP Education Mass held at Parramatta Cathedral was a day filled with praise and worship with the theme of ‘curiosity & purpose.’ Our students were invited to be Eucharistic Ministers with Claire Lynch leading the mass with acknowledgement of country. “It was a really good experience for my first time administering the Eucharist. Also, after mass we had the opportunity to speak to Bishop Vincent about our school and our experience of being ministers for the very first time.” -- Tess Turner 

FATHER'S DAY LITURGY AND STALL

The Father’s Day liturgy and stall was a huge success with our community celebrating fathers, grandparents and father figures. “Mass expressed the importance of appreciating my father, which allowed me to take into account the amount of time and love my father provides me with” -- Gabriella Papallo. SRC completely sold out of Father's Day gifts this year, the College raised $$640.35 which was donated to the College Immersion Program. 

SRC/ COLLEGE LEADERS ELECTION 2020

SRC elections took place in week 5 this term with many students self-nominating for the role. Prior to their speeches, students were briefed about college expectations and the duties of the role. In week 5, nominees conducted themselves with great pride with Sage Nassar commenting "It was a great learning experience and a useful lesson on confidence."

The College Leader elections were held during learning enrichment with Mitchell Laycock, Claire Lynch, Alyssandra Bessounian, Sage Nassar and Christian Cipri all delivering fantastic speeches about their journey at StJPII “I was able to share it with my peers, teachers and staff what I had contributed to the college during the past 5 years and my thoughts and ideas about improving certain aspects of the college. It was also great to share the experience with the other 4 candidates and hear their thoughts.” -- Christian Cipri. 

THANK YOU
Thank you to all our dedicated  SRC students of 2019 who sacrificed their time and served the College and the wider community with pride. Our SRC students were not afraid to be people of Christ and help promote our 2019 College mission of 'Solidarity.' Thank you! 

Mrs Brooks

Please follow us and stay connected on instagram @STJPIICC 

As we head towards the end of term our semi final series are starting to take place. Our Basketball and Soccer girls have all sealed places in the semi finals. Good luck girls!

Our boys Touch teams are also close sealing a spot in the semi's with 1 week of normal competition left.

Good luck to all our teams throughout the semi finals and hopefully Grand Finals!

Next term will be boys Basketball and Cricket, and girls Oztag, Cricket and Junior Waterpolo

Congratulations to the following students who will be representing the College at the NSWCCC Athletics Championships later this term!

Rabab Elrayah

Rahab Elrayah

Isobel Grech

Hailey Targarona

Jayden Weymark

Blake Kennedy

As always if anyone has any or hears of any outstanding sporting achievements please contact bhorder@parra.catholic.edu.au

Mr Horder