Newsletter Term 3 Weeks 1-5 2023
Principal's Report
Dear Members of the St John’s Catholic College Community,
God bless the path on which you go.
God bless the earth beneath your feet.
God bless your destination.
God be a smooth way before you,
A guiding star above you,
A keen eye behind you
This day, this night, and forever.
God be with you whatever you pass.
Jesus be with you whatever you climb.
Spirit be with you wherever you stay.
God be with you at each stop and each sea,
At each lying down and each rising up,
In the trough of the waves,
on the crest of the billows
each step of the journey you take.
World Youth Day – 2023
Prayers and blessings for those members of our community as they begin their journey home from their pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. At the Closing Mass, Pope Francis announced that the next World Youth Day will be held in Seoul, South Korea in 2027. Previous World Youth Days have been held in: Rome 1986, Buenos Aries 1987, Santiago De Compostela 1989, Czestochowa 1991, Denver 1993, Manila 1995, Paris 1997, Rome 2000, Toronto 2002, Cologne 2005, Sydney 2008, Madrid 2011, Rio 2013, Krakow 2016, Panama 2019, Lisbon 2023.
Formal Assembly
Congratulations to all recipients of awards at our recent Formal Assembly. Thank you to the Director of Catholic Education, Mr Paul Greaves, for being our keynote speaker. Awards were presented under the following categories:
- Cum Laude Awards: Awarded to students who scored 50%+ of As on their End of Semester 1 Report Card.
- Magna Cum Laude Awards: Awarded to students who scored 100% of As on their End of Semester 1 Report Card.
- NAPLAN Achievement Awards: Awarded to students who scored an 'exceeding' proficiency standard in the Term 1 NAPLAN tests.
- NAPLAN Growth Awards: Awarded to students who demonstrated significant growth between their Year 7 (2021) and Year 9 (2023) NAPLAN tests.
Cum Laude Awards: Luca Abate, Anne Go Cabo Chan, Korede Dada, Nash Eddy, Zachary Hancock, Felicity Idama, Tamlin Johnson, Safari Lacaille, Johara Lubguban, Dylan Ngere, Frederick Richards, Chloe Ryan, Emma Ryan, and Kiara Ryan.
Magna Cum Laude Awards: Grace Harris and Catrina Meldrum.
NAPLAN Achievement Awards:
Year 7 Numeracy: Harry Lumsden, Tamlin Johnson, and Frederick Richards.
Year 7 Reading: Raine Lambert, Harry Lumsden, William Thurgood, Hannah Docherty, and Ethan Chirema.
Year 7 Writing: Tamlin Johnson, William Reeves-McNamara, and Hunter Watling.
Year 7 Grammar & Punctuation: Harry Lumsden, Raine Lambert, and Olivia Pledger.
Year 7 Spelling: Cooper Hopkins, William Thurgood, Tamlin Johnson, Olivia Pledger, Ethan Chirema, Frederick Richards, Spencer Evans, and Harry Lumsden.
Year 9 Numeracy: No Awards
Year 9 Reading: Korede Dada, Catrina Meldrum, Alifah Mahmood, and Cristina Prouzos.
Year 9 Writing: Catrina Meldrum, Cristina Prouzos, and Safari Lacaille.
Year 9 Grammar & Punctuation: Korede Dada and Catrina Meldrum.
Year 9 Spelling: Anne Go Cabo Chan, Korede Dada, Olympia Samiotis, and Cristina Prouzos.
NAPLAN Growth Awards:
Numeracy: Jean Msafari, Alifah Mahmood, and Brieanna Tyrrell.
Reading: Korede Dada, Catrina Meldrum, Safari Lacaille, Alifah Mahmood, Brieanna Tyrrell, Bernadette Miller, and Denise Martin.
Writing: Catrina Meldrum, Safari Lacaille, Alifah Mahmood, Anne Go Cabo Chan, Ella Corrie, and Hineamaru Ahpene.
Grammar & Punctuation: Korede Dada and Catrina Meldrum.
Spelling: Korede Dada and Anne Go Cabo Chan.
Staff Catholic Identity Day – Student Free Day
A reminder that Friday 8 September (Week 8) will be a Student Free Day for the annual Catholic Education Northern Territory Staff Catholic Identity Day.
SORA – Online Digital Library
We recently announced that St John’s students have access to the SORA digital library, a range of eBooks, audiobooks and magazines. Students have received an overview of SORA in their Homeroom and we encourage all students to take advantage of these resources. SORA compliments our BYOD program and other online resources provided to students.
SORA – Online Digital Library
St John's Catholic College is part of the Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN). As such, our students have access to SORA, an online digital library. Student log into SORA via their Catholic Education NT dashboard: dashboard-nt.cenet.catholic.edu.au
Jacaranda Textbook eLibrary
With the implementation of the BYOD program, all students in Years 7-12 are provided with access to the Jacaranda Textbook eLibrary (JacPLUS) and the associated online activities (LearnOn). The Jacaranda Textbook eLibrary includes textbooks for all middle school core subjects (except Religious Education) and for selected senior school subjects. Please note that selected middle school electives and Stage 1 & 2 subjects may require additional texts. JacPLUS: https://www.jacplus.com.au
Mathletics
With the implementation of the BYOD program, all students in Years 7-10 and the Intensive English Unit (IEU) are provided with access to Mathletics. This resource compliments the Mathematics teaching and learning program and provides an engaging support and/or extension resource. Mathletics: https://login.mathletics.com
Learning Management System – SEQTA:
St John’s will adopt SEQTA as our learning management system with the implementation to take place over the next 18 months. O’Loughlin Catholic College and MacKillop Catholic College have already implemented SEQTA. SEQTA is considered one of the top tier learning management systems that is available for secondary schools with extensive functions including: Attendance, Pastoral Care, Student Management, Assessment and Reporting functions, Teaching and Learning Programming, Scheduling, Student, Teacher and Parent Portals, and Home / School Communication.
College Advisory Board
The College Advisory Board is committed to supporting the Principal and the Strategic Leadership Team in providing a good governance function and working towards the College’s vision: St John’s Catholic College is a safe, connected, learning community for local, boarding and international students. We strive for excellence and ensure the holistic development of each student through a balanced approach to faith, academic, sporting and cultural activities. The College Advisory Board meets eight times a year, usually on a Tuesday evening from 5pm – 7pm. Parents / Guardians interested in joining the College Advisory Board for 2024 and 2025 are invited to contact the Principal to discuss the nomination process: Cameron.Hughes@nt.catholic.edu.au
Commonwealth Census
The College continues experience growth in student enrolments with a positive result at the recent Commonwealth Census: 2020 – 191 students, 2021 – 208 students, 2022 – 224 students and 2023 – 266 students:
Fortes in Fide,
Cameron Hughes
Principal
Cum Laude Awards
Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning
Dear St John’s Catholic College Community,
Interim Reports
Our Interim Reports will be emailed to all parent/guardians upon the completion of the term. This will aid in reducing our paper usage and photocopier toner and the subsequent impact on the environment. Printed copies of reports will be available upon request through the College
Administration team.
Please ensure that your email address is up to date with our College Administration team prior to Week 8 this term.
Please note that if you have any questions concerning reports that staff are unable to respond
during the holiday period. Relevant staff will respond to your queries when back at work.
Year 12 Students
Year 12 students should now be close to completing their Stage 2 courses. A reminder to Year 12 students that all coursework for your subjects will be completed by Friday Week 10 Term 3. All school-based assessment should be completed by this date. The first version of the SACE Exam timetable is now available; however, is subject to change and does not yet include the languages oral and written exams.
Students are required to achieve a ‘C-‘ or better in 3 subjects (60 credits) at Stage 2 in order to
qualify for the NTCET. This is in conjunction with the 140 credits at a ‘C’ grade or better at a Stage 1
or 2 level and the successful completion of the compulsory subjects (PLP, 2 x literacy, 1 x numeracy
units).
To achieve an ATAR (university entrance score), students are required to undertake 90 credits worth
of Stage 2 subjects.
StudentsOnline – SACE Results portal for students
Year 12 students must log into StudentsOnline, the SACE results portal for students, in order to
access their results and ATAR at the end of the year. Students must log into the portal and ensure
that they have ticked ‘yes’ to the sharing preferences. By not doing this, you may restrict your result access, which may include not generating an ATAR as you have not ticked ‘yes’ to sharing with SATAC.
NTCET Tracking
St John’s Catholic College senior students (Years 10 – 12) undertake the Northern Territory Certificate of
Education and Training (NTCET). The College regularly monitors the academic progress of all senior students to
support successful NTCET completion.
As part of the monitoring process, a traffic light style tracking has taken place. Students have been highlighted in
one of three colours to indicate their current progress in a Stage 2 subject and Stage 1 subjects as pictured
below:
Progress Key
On Track: Students who have submitted all work to date and are on track to potentially earn a C- or higher will receive a green highlight.
Of Concern: Students who may have a missing task or some tasks not at a potential C- or higher will receive an orange highlight.
At Risk of Failure: Students who may have multiple missing tasks and/or multiple tasks not at a potential C- or higher and are therefore at risk of failing a subject will receive a red highlight.
Students are reminded to meet with their Heads of House if they are flagged as ‘of concern’ or ‘at
risk of failure’, in order to complete a study plan. It is also highly recommended that students utilise the Learning Nest to complete their assessment tasks, catch up on work and receive advice from our
tutors.
Students who are flagged as ‘at risk’ of achieving the NTCET will receive a letter detailing their
current progress and recommendations regarding the NTCET completion. If the requirements for
each year level are not met, students may be required to undertake another year of their current
Teaching & Learning Team
The Teaching & Learning Team members for 2023 are as follows:
APRE Mr Richard Bryant Richard.Brysant@nt.catholic.edu.au
ACARA / SACE Coordinator Mr Hasan Talduker Hasan.Talukder@nt.catholic.edu.au
Inclusion Support Ms Shinead Love Shinead.Love@nt.catholic.edu.au
VET/Careers Ms Tracey Ingui Tracey.Ingui@nt.catholic.edu.au
Please make contact with the relevant Coordinator if you have questions.
May God Bless you all,
Cherilyn Hughes
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Dear St John’s Catholic College Community,
The Feast of the Assumption of Mary
“Let us learn from the Virgin Mary how to be bolder in obeying the word of God.” Pope Francis
During the month of August, a special occasion awaited us in the Catholic calendar - the Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This cherished celebration is a time of spiritual significance, allowing us to come together as a community to honor and reflect upon the blessed life of the Virgin Mary.
On August 15th, we gathered for a special Mass at Holy Spirit Parish dedicated to the Feast of the Assumption. Our students had the privilege of participating in various roles during the Mass, from altar servers to readers and choir members. This involvement not only reinforces their connection to the liturgy but also helps them understand the importance of active participation in their faith community. Fr Adam Crouch MGL explained to us in his homily, this doctrine holds a central place in our Catholic faith, as it affirms the belief that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and adopted Mother of St John the Evangelist, was taken up body and soul into the glory of Heaven. It is a celebration of her faithfulness, her unique role in salvation history, and a reminder of the divine rewards for a life lived in unwavering devotion to God.
The Feast of the Assumption is an opportunity for the St John’s Community and the Darwin Christian
Community to deepen our understanding of Mary's significance in our faith journey. Throughout her life, Mary exhibited qualities of humility, obedience, and trust in God plan. In these virtues, we find inspiration to emulate her example in our own lives. Through her intercession, we are reminded to
be open to God's will and to carry out acts of kindness and compassion.
In addition to the Mass, we have organized a series of educational activities that will allow our
students to delve deeper into the significance of the Assumption. Classroom discussions, art
projects, and reflections will help them grasp the theological and spiritual dimensions of this feast
day. We encourage parents to engage with their children on these topics at home, fostering a meaningful dialogue that connects faith with everyday life.
Walking the Road to Emmaus: A Year 11 Pilgrimage Reflection
The Year 11 pilgrimage was a transformative journey that echoed the profound story of the Road to
Emmaus from the Gospel of Luke. Just as the disciples encountered the resurrected Jesus on their
journey, our pilgrimage became a metaphorical path where we, too, encountered moments of
enlightenment and deeper connection with our faith.
The pilgrimage taught us the importance of companionship on our individual faith journeys. Like the
disciples, we began our journey with doubts and uncertainties, but as we walked through the
Botanic Gardens to the Cathedral to celebrate mass we and shared our thoughts, we discovered a
sense of community that illuminated our path and who we are as young leaders in a Catholic school.
We realized that it is through the presence of fellow pilgrims that our faith is strengthened, doubts
are dispelled, and understanding is deepened.
Just as the disciples eyes were opened when Jesus broke bread with them, we experienced
moments of spiritual revelation during our communal meals. Sharing stories and nourishing our bodies reminded us of the significance of breaking down barriers and coming together in the name
of Christ.
The Year 11 pilgrimage, inspired by the Road to Emmaus, was not only a physical journey but also a
spiritual one. Just as the disciples hearts burned within them as Jesus explained the Scriptures, our
hearts were set ablaze with a newfound passion for our faith. We are grateful for this pilgrimage
experience and the opportunity to walk, reflect, and grow on our own road to Emmaus.
May God bless you all.
Richard Bryant
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Richard.Bryant@nt.catholic.edu.au
Assumption Mass
Assistant Principal: Administration
Dear Members of the St John’s Catholic College Community,
As we move into week 6 of Term 3, it's time to reflect on the incredible events that have taken place and share some important updates. Weve had a fantastic start to this term, with numerous celebrations, assemblies, and discussions that have enriched our school community.
NAIDOC Week Celebrations:
NAIDOC Week was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm throughout our school honouring
Culture and Diversity. It was a time of acknowledging and appreciating the rich culture and heritage of our Indigenous Australians. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this celebration memorable. A special shout-out to the Naidoc Week organizing committee, and we want to take a moment to express our deepest appreciation to Mr. Scott Mannion, Director of Boarding, for the planning and organisation. Thanks to Mr. Richard Bryant, APRE, for his exceptional coordination in making this event a true success. Moreover, we cannot forget the remarkable contributions of Levi, Lorraine, Jesse, and Letticha, who played an integral role in making Naidoc Week celebrations vibrant and meaningful.
Refugee Week Assembly:
Our school stood united during Refugee Week, reflecting our commitment to empathy,
understanding, and inclusivity. Mr. Richard Bryant, APRE, for orchestrating a moving Refugee Week
assembly that opened hearts and minds. Afia Azam story gave an insight into the hardships the
family went through be reach a safe zone. Additionally, we thank Mr. Ben Johns for his initiative in
organizing a soccer game that transcended boundaries and brought joy to many. These events
reminded us of the importance of standing together as a global community, supporting those who
seek refuge and a brighter future.
Sports:
Throughout the term, Mr. Ben Johns organised a series of sporting events that brought our students
together in the spirit of friendly competition and camaraderie. From the thrilling Gala Day to the
endurance-testing Cross Country event and the House Cup competition, our students demonstrated
their sportsmanship and teamwork, making each event a great experience. Our students also had
the opportunity to refine their football skills through the dynamic After-School football Clinic
organized by Mr. Johns.
Cum-Laude Assembly:
I would like to thank parents and guardians for joining the award ceremony in celebrating student’s
success. We thank Mr Paul Greaves Director of Catholic Education Office for joining us for the
celebration and encouraging the students to do their best. Head of House, Mr Carlo Di Donato and
Mr Ben Friis are congratulated for well organised assembly and other arrangements. Thank you to
staff who were involved in supporting the event allowing to run it smoothly.
Voice of the Community: "Tell Them From Me" Survey
This term, we participated in the "Tell Them From Me" survey, conducted by the Catholic Education
Office. We extend thanks to our parents, dedicated students, and diligent staff members for taking
the time to complete the survey. Your valuable insights and feedback are essential in guiding our
continuous efforts to enhance the educational experience at our college. Your responses will
undoubtedly contribute to the growth of our school community, allowing us to tailor our approach
to meet your needs and aspirations more effectively.
Capturing Memories: Photo Day
A special appreciation goes out to Ms. Ann-Marie for her meticulous organization of our annual
Photo Day. Through her careful planning and attention to detail, Ms. Ann-Marie ensured that the
day ran smoothly, resulting in stunning individual and group portraits that will forever capture the
unique spirit of our college.
Year Level Assemblies:
Our dedicated Heads of House conducted insightful year level assemblies to address important
matters that impact our students academic and personal growth. The assembly focused on
nurturing growth and resilience.
Year 11 and 12
- Reminder to year 11 students doing stage 2 subjects that Term 4 Week 2 is the last day for
stage two subject assessment submission as designated by SACE. - Reminder to year 11 students doing stage 2 subjects that Term 4 Week 2 is the last day for
stage two subject assessment submission as designated by SACE. - Students will be preparing for exams in Term 4-week 3.
- Students will be preparing for exams in Term 4-week 3.
- Students will be preparing for exams in Term 4-week 3.
Year 10
- provided them with an opportunity to reflect on their Semester 1 experiences.
- Set intentions for Semester 2
- Discussions ranged from effective time management to maintaining a positive attitude
towards learning. - Discussions ranged from effective time management to maintaining a positive attitude
towards learning. - Discussions ranged from effective time management to maintaining a positive attitude
towards learning. - Students engaged in meaningful conversations about: The significance of attending classes
and the impact of truanting, emphasizing the value of every instructional minute. - Establishing healthy phone usage habits, including the expectation that phones are kept in
bags during class time and used only with explicit teacher permission.
Year 9 and 8
- Addressing the issue of nose piercings with girls, offering guidance to those affected while
respecting our school guidelines. - Time out of class - truanting, toilet breaks, lateness, etc. affects learning time.
- Reminder to students that phones are not to be seen in class time including homeroom.
Year 7
- Learn every day
- Stay Safe
- Respect Everyone
Doing little things to improve your day.
- Remove headphones / put mobile away before getting to class.Have books ready prior to getting to class.
- Go to the toilet before the bells ring for class.
- Arrive on time.
- Wear the correct uniform.
- Conflict resolution
Four A’s: Acknowledge, Accept, Appreciate, Apologize.
Acknowledge: that a problem, conflict, misunderstanding exists. Climb out of the comfort of denial.
Accept: responsibility for being part of the conflict even if you got dragged into it. Too late for that defence.
Appreciate: the interests of all parties. You may dismiss the interests of the other party or consider them trivial, but they are not any more trivial than your own and deserve to be respected. Without acknowledging them and taking them into consideration in the resolution, the conflict will not go away.
Apologise: when you have done something wrong but not before understanding what you might be apologizing for. Apologising is sometimes recommended as the first thing to do in a difficult situation. It helps the other parties understand that you are serious about reaching a fair resolution, that you recognise your role in the problem, and that you take their interests seriously. Needless to say, the apology has to be sincere.
Core Expectations – Stay Safe, Respect Everyone & Learn Everyday:
Homeroom Teachers and Heads of House continue to reinforce our expectations in building and
maintaining a safe, respectful learning community that is focused on our Catholic Identity and
Learning. Core expectations:
- Stay Safe
- Respect Everyone
- Learn everyday
Subject Interest survey
A subject interest survey will be conducted to find student interest which will allow the college to
plan subject offerings for 2024 for Stage 1 and Stage 2 subjects. The survey will be conducted in
week 8 of this Term.
Our dedicated career counsellor, Tracey can guide students through the university pre-requisites and
VET pathways. Tracey can provide valuable advice to ensure that the chosen subjects align with
career goals by contacting universities and other pathway officials.
Targeted Placement:
Targeted Placement occurs in Years 7 – 9, and in Year 10 Mathematics. Targeted Placement is used
in the following subject areas: Religious Education, English, Mathematics, Science, History,
Geography and HPE. Targeted Placement refers to the grouping of students in classes based on
academic levels to best cater for their learning needs. Targeted Placement provides the opportunity
for students to receive support and/or extension depending on their progress. Targeted Placement
decisions are informed by a range of data collected by the subject teacher. For more information,
please contact the Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning at:
Cherilyn.Hughes@nt.catholic.edu.au
Attendance/Absenteeism:
Students are expected to have 95% attendance. A reminder to Parents / Guardians to please notify
Lisa Didonato, front office administration in the event of student absence. Lisa can be contacted on
8982 2222 or via Lisa.Didonato@nt.catholic.edu.au In the event of an unexplained absence, the
College notifies Parents / Guardians via our SMS service. Please ensure that the College has up-to-
date family contact details.
School Lockers:
Students can use lockers, provided by the school, during the school year. The locker should be left
clear at the end of each term. Students wishing to use a locker must see their Head of House for
locker allocations. Students are required to provide their own lock and will need to supply their Head
of House with a spare key or combination code, in the event that the student loses their key or
forgets their code. The school takes no responsibility for items stored in the locker.
Late Arrival to School:
Students are expected to sign in via the front office should they arrive late at school. Consistent,
unexplained late arrival to school will be followed up by Homeroom Teachers and Head of House.
Term Dates:
- Term 3 (10 weeks): Tuesday 18 July – Friday 22 September
- Term Break (2 weeks): Monday 25 September – Friday 6 October
- Term 4 (10 weeks): Monday 9 October – Friday 15 December
- 6 Week School Holidays: Monday 18/12/2023 – Tuesday 30/01/2024
As we continue this educational journey, let's remember that its the collective effort of our
students, parents, and staff that makes our school community thrive.
Wishing everyone a successful and enriching Term 3!
Ayesha Fatima
Assistant Principal - Administration
Ayesha.Fatima@nt.catholic.edu.au
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
Refugee Week
Director of Boarding
To our St. John’s community,
The last fortnight has been very exciting for a number of our boarding students. There has been a couple of fantastic opportunities for our students to be engaged with.
FIFA offered the College an opportunity for 6 female Boarding students to attend the Round of 16 soccer match in Brisbane as part of the Women’s World Cup 2023. It was very difficult choosing only six girls to attend but we wanted to give opportunities to girls from a variety of communities, and for those that have not had opportunities like this before. All girls who were chosen have shown excellent commitment to their education and to our College community. They represented themselves, their families and the College in a very positive way.
The girls were supported by teacher Ms. Melissa Nielsen along with representatives from Football NT. They flew to Brisbane on Sunday 6th August and left Brisbane on Thursday 10th. It was an amazing experience and we are very grateful to FIFA and Football NT for offering the opportunity and for helping coordinate the event.
FIFA were intent on recognising young Indigenous females as part of their recognition of Indigenous peoples from the host countries of Australia and New Zealand. 50 Maori students were chosen to attend a game in New Zealand and 50 students were chosen to represent Indigenous Australians in Brisbane. WE are very proud to be a part of this event and for our students to be part of this amazing experience.
We also had two young men represent the College at this year’s Garma Festival. They were given an opportunity to join a group of young people to participate in the Youth Forum of the event. Tyrell Lindsay and Isiah “Lapa” Dhurrkay went as representatives and had an amazing time. The boys were able to experience cultural interactions and participation, meet with political and community leaders from around the country, engage in discussions with the youth group and with wider audiences and meet and make new friends along the way.
We thank staff from the Department of Education for their support of this event and the opportunity for the boys to participate. They both got a lot out of it and enjoyed the amazing experience.
Later this term, we will have a group of 5 students attending the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program student gathering as part of the Smith Family scholarships that they are participating in. The group will travel to Sydney and join others from around the country to participate in leadership activities and cultural understandings of the Sydney area.
We are very grateful as a community that these opportunities are available for some of our students and we want to recognise the people who support our students in this way. Our students recognise the chance to be a part of these events is very special and that they use these events as a chance to grow and develop in their personal and professional lives. For all of our Boarding students who are working hard at school, it is also important to understand that the hard work they are doing will result in opportunities down the line.
Finally I want to recognise that our Enrolment Officer, Harvey Jupp and his wife Bee had their first baby last week, a daughter, Naomi Jupp. Congratulations to both Harvey and Bee.
We also want to wish the Matildas all the best in the Women’s World Cup for 2023. Go Matilda’s!!
Kind regards
Scott Mannion
Director of Boarding
Boarding Photos
Finance Manager
Dear College Community,
Welcome to Semester 2 of 2023.
School fees for Semester 2 were due on 11 August 2023 and I wish to thank all families who have made payments on time or who have set up a direct debit arrangement. I would like to request families who still have outstanding fees to ensure fees are paid in full before the end of the year.
Paying school fees is a crucial part of supporting students and maintaining the high standards of education that we provide. We rely on your timely payments to cover the cost of our programmes and services, and to ensure we continue to offer these services. To facilitate the payment process, we offer several convenient payment options including weekly/fortnighly direct debits, online payments, credit card payments and in-person payments at our finance office. If you have any questions about the payment options available to you, please do not hesitate to contact our finance team.
The finance team is committed to providing seamless support services to the College to ensure the best possible education outcomes for our students.
Ruth Suriyagoda CA, CPA, FCA (SL)
Finance Manager
Doneley Head of House
Dear College Community,
Semester 2 has started with an orange bang – with the reintroduction of Doneley House!
Every morning the foundation Doneley Homeroom is working away to build Doneley House.
So far we have voted on the Indigenous name and animal for Doneley House the Damibila (Barramundi) and we have voted on our foundation Student Representative Council member Lachlan Moffat (Year 11).
Cross Country 2023 was the very first house We were well represented on the podium with Maki Ushindi (Year 8) and Nathania Palendeng (Year 11) polling for their respective age group.
Written by Tyrell Lindsay and Lapa Dhurrkay (Doneley House Students)
Garma Festival is Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering. It is a celebration of Yolngu culture and people. We went to Garma Festival this year because we were selected as young leaders to represent St John’s Catholic College and to participate in The Youth Forum.
We met and chatted to the Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, Tony Armstrong
and King Stingray. They were all fantastic to meet and very inspiring. Our favourite things
about Garma Festival were seeing King Stingray and learning about Yolngu culture.
Kind regards,
Benjamin Friis
Doneley Head of House
Doneley House Photos
Vet Co-ordinator
FROM THE VET/CAREERS COORDINATOR
Dear Members of the St John’s Catholic College Community,
University Visits
It has been a busy start to Term 3 with our senior students thinking about and preparing for their post-secondary school options and what that looks like for them.
On Thursday week one we had Natalie Hodge from Charles Darwin University visit our senior students to talk about what is on offer at Charles Darwin University and our senior students attended our SATAC Information Session on Applying to University.
On Monday week four we have Emily Costello from Flinders University visiting and presenting to our senior students. Then Thursday week four we have Clara Hill from The Australian National University visiting to present to our senior students.
These visits are a wonderful opportunity for students to not only learn about what courses are on offer and how to apply to university but to hear about scholarship offers and accommodation options.
SATAC applications for 2024 opened on Monday, 7 August. Please submit your applications by 29 September as a higher application processing fee will apply after this date for undergraduate applications.
VET
Expression of Interest for VET Courses in 2024 have now opened. If you have students who are interested in applying for a VET course or would like to know what courses are on offer in 2024 please encourage them to visit the VET/Careers Coordinator Miss Tracey in the LOTE Centre to discuss.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
Year 9 – Skill Sets (unless otherwise stated) and Certificate I programs
Year 10 – Skill Sets, Certificate I & II
Year 11 & 12 – All Programs
Kind Regards,
Tracey Ingui
VET/Careers Coordinator
Australian National University Drop In Session
Acting ACARA and SACE Co-ordinator
Dear Members of the St John’s Catholic College Community,
As we embark on a new semester, we are excited to bring you updates on some thrilling developments in our curriculum. Our commitment to providing the best education for our students remains unwavering, and we are thrilled to introduce new subjects, engage in exciting competitions, and celebrate the wonders of science.
Curriculum updates
The semester has started with an exciting stride, as we have introduced the much-anticipated implementation of ACARA version 9.0 across a diverse range of subjects, including English, Geography, HPE, and appealing selection of electives. Moreover, the senior school students now have the opportunity to enroll in subjects such as Stage 1 Legal Studies and Child Studies. This dynamic combination of curriculum enhancements sets the stage for a semester of enriched learning and boundless possibilities.
Mathletics Competition 2023
Our students once again had the opportunity to participate in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC). This competition not only challenges their mathematical prowess but also fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The AMC has consistently been a source of pride for our school, showcasing our students' talents on a national stage. Stay tuned for more details on registration and preparation sessions.
Science Week Challenge 2023
In Week 5, it is all about the exploration and inspiration as we dive into the heart of Science Week 2023 under the captivating theme of "Innovation: Powering Future Industries." Through engaging discussions, hands-on experiments, and thought-provoking challenges, we'll uncover the pivotal role that innovation plays in shaping the industries of tomorrow.
Catapult Construction Challenge: Launching Creativity and Physics
In this exhilarating challenge, students will channel their inner engineers as they delve into the world of physics and mechanics. Working in teams, participants will explore concepts of force, energy, and projectile motion, all while constructing a working catapult. Through trial and error, problem-solving, and collaboration, students will gain hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the principles that govern motion and mechanics.
Bionic Hand Innovation Challenge: Merging Technology and Biology
Our Bionic Hand Innovation Challenge will provide students with the opportunity to merge technology and biology in an extraordinary way. With a focus on innovation and empathy, participants will design and prototype a bionic hand model that can mimic human movement and functionality. This challenge encourages students to delve into the fields of biomechanics, robotics, and medical technology.
Pre-SACE assessments for Year 9s and 10s
Our Science faculty has collaborated to upskill middle school students on the novel-approach to problem-solving, "deconstruction of a problem". This unique methodology, thoughtfully aligned with the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) framework, offer our students will develop analytical skills, critical thinking, and a practical understanding of complex issues—skills that will undoubtedly prove invaluable as they progress on their educational journey.
kind regards
Hasan Talukder
Acting Acara and SACE Co-ordinator
Science Week Challenge
