NEWSLETTER TERM 4 WEEK 1A · 2015. 10. 11. · John%TherryCatholic%High%School%%%%%Term%4Week1A%! “Recta&Sapere”&ToKnow,&Love&and&Relishwhat&is&Right&and&Just& As we begin Term

John Therry Catholic High School Term 4 Week 1A

“Recta Sapere” To Know, Love and Relish what is Right and Just

As we begin Term 4, it seems that as the broader community begins to wind down, our school is about to launch into an important time for all students: the 2015 HSC is about to being, Year 11 students are their HSC journey , and students from Year 7 – 10 are preparing for their final exams and assessments. As a major examination and assessment period, it is a great opportunity for students to develop their study and examination strategies.

I would like to suggest a few tips that might help students in their preparation for and during the examination period.

• Create a realistic revision plan to help you feel in control of the process, allowing yourself

some fun-time each day to relax.

• Find out what is involved in the exam(where, when, exam length, exam content)

• Think positively

• Eat sensibly – your brain cells need energy to function well. Make sure you drink plenty of

water to avoid becoming dehydrated. Dehydration makes you tired and reduces concentration.

Get good sleep each night.

Remember that if you have any concerns or issues arise, make sure you get in touch with your Year

co-ordinator or class teacher.

Please keep our Year 12 students in your prayers over the coming weeks.

Karen Young Principal Dear Lord, As we begin a new term and approach the ending of another year, help us always to remember that the Messiah is truly amoung us and within us. May we recognise your presence in all the unexpected ways you show yourself and may we continue to be your revelation to all we meet, especially the members of the John Therry Community. Amen



DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE Diocese of Wollongong 86 -‐ 88 Market Street (Locked Mail Bag 8802) Wollongong NSW 2500 PH 02 4253 0925 | WEB www.dow.catholic.edu.au ABN 67 786 923 621

CATHOLIC EDUCATION DIOCESE OF WOLLONGONG Serving Catholic systemic school communities in the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven & Southern Highlands

18 September 2015

Announcement of Foundation Principal

Appointing a new Principal for a school at any time is a significant responsibility. The process of securing the Foundation Principal for a new school is particularly crucial. We are delighted to announce that Mr Simon Abernethy has been appointed as the first Principal of the newest educational venture in the Diocese of Wollongong; a Catholic school to be established at Edmondson Park, in the parish of Mary, Mother of the Church, Macquarie Fields. Simon is a highly respected educator with a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and a passion for the learning and wellbeing of young people. This new school, the first P-‐12 co-‐educational Catholic school in the Diocese of Wollongong, will be established in collaboration with Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA), honouring the charism and traditions of Blessed Edmund Rice. An extensive recruitment process was undertaken with the final round of interviews held last week. Shortlisting and first round interviews were conducted with panel representatives from Catholic Education, Diocese of Wollongong and EREA, as well as a parent representative and the Parish Priest, Father Linh Nguyen SVD. Fr Linh has an integral role in the planning and development of this new school. The position of Foundation Principal attracted a large and strong field of candidates from across Australia. Simon will commence in this role from the beginning of the 2016 school year. An active parishioner of St Paul’s Camden, Simon is currently Assistant Principal at John Therry Catholic High School, Rosemeadow and has held this position since 2010. He has over 15 years leadership experience in a career in education spanning 24 years. He holds a Masters of Religious Education from ACU and a Masters of Educational Administration from Deakin University. Simon is a committed Catholic man with the aspiration and evidenced capacity to take forward a quality 21st century learning agenda in this new and exciting school community.



We congratulate Simon on his appointment to this significant leadership role and commend him to you as a highly successful leader who has a deep understanding and commitment to the purpose of a Catholic school within the broader evangelising mission of the Catholic Church. Simon is a dedicated and talented educator who will now work closely with the Steering Committee during 2016 to bring this school to realisation for a planned commencement of operation in 2017. I know that you will join with us in extending our congratulations and best wishes to Simon as he takes up this position and give him every support as we journey through to the establishment of this new Catholic school, one that will be nurtured through his leadership. Yours sincerely Mr Peter Turner Dr Wayne Tinsey Director of Schools Executive Director Catholic Education Edmund Rice Education Australia Diocese of Wollongong



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Top 10 Tips for Dealing with Examination Pressure

1. KNOW YOUR MATERIAL The more confident you are about the topic(s) in your exam, the less stress you will feel come exam time. Make sure you stay on top of your school work and homework throughout the term. Follow up with your teacher, or another subject matter expert, if there are things you don’t understand, well before the exams. Trying to understand new concepts the night before the exam is very stressful.

2. PRACTISE Make sure you do practise papers if they are available, or practise questions. This might include multiple choice, short answer or essay style questions. Always study in the way you will be tested. Work out a plan of action so you know how long you are going to allocate to each question type, what question types you will start with and what you will do if you come across things you aren’t sure about. Learn more about this in the Active Studying unit.

3. FUEL YOUR BODY AND YOUR MIND In the days leading up to an exam make sure you get enough sleep. Being tired makes it harder to concentrate and remember. Fuel your body and mind by eating well and drinking plenty of water. Learn more about this in the Lifestyle and Balance unit.

4. MANAGE THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF STRESS Familiarise yourself with how your body feels when you are stressed. Do you get headaches? Tension in your neck or shoulders? Does your heart race faster? What happens to your breathing? Whenever you feel these effects, quickly start some relaxation exercises. A good one to try during an exam is to breathe in deeply for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds and breathe out for 8 seconds. Do this a few times to calm yourself down and allow yourself to refocus. Learn more about this in the Managing Stress unit.

5. BE PREPARED ON THE DAY Make sure you have packed or prepared everything you need for the exam day the night before. Have a plan for how you are going to get to school on time -‐ including a back-‐up plan if necessary. Eat a nutritious breakfast and make sure you are hydrated. Learn more about this in the Test-‐Taking Techniques unit.

6. VISUALISE Use visualisation techniques to help reduce your stress on the day. Every day in the weeks prior to the exam, last thing at night and first thing in the morning, visualise yourself calmly walking into the exam room, preparing your equipment, reviewing and completing your exam paper and feeling good about how you did. Learn more about this in the Managing Stress unit.



7. INVOLVE YOUR PARENTS IN YOUR SCHOOLWORK Throughout the term talk to your parents about what you are studying. Show them your bookwork and homework. The more your parents understand about what you are doing and how you are going along the way, the better they are able to manage their expectations. They may also be able to help you study by testing you on what you are learning.

8. TALK TO YOUR PARENTS ABOUT REALISTIC GOALS Keep talking to your parents about what you want to achieve, in individual subjects, at school overall and in other aspects of your life. Involve them in helping you to identify where to concentrate the most effort to achieve your goals. Learn more about this in the Goal Setting unit.

9. UNDERSTAND EXPECTATIONS Many students feel like they are not meeting their parents’ expectations. Often this is a result of poor communication about expectations by both parties. Assessment and reporting systems also change over time and are different in different schools and systems. Making sure your parents really understand what your report means may help them to understand what you are actually achieving. Your school can assist you to explain these to your parents if need be and most schools provide booklets of explanation. Often students are achieving, but reporting structures may not clearly represent this to parents.

10. ASK FOR HELP The most important way to deal with stress is by talking to people and asking for help. Don’t try and go it alone. Your school, teachers, parents and friends are your support structure so keep lines of communication open (that means talk to them!) and let everyone know how you are feeling and what help you need.

You can learn more about how to deal with examination pressure in the Managing Stress and Test-‐Taking Techniques units at www.studyskillshandbook.com.au by logging in with these details:



GOOD LUCK YEAR 12 – 2015 Good luck Year 12 for the upcoming HSC exams! The whole school community is wishing you every success. Remember that the staff at John Therry are here to guide and support you, so please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any concerns. Below is an important article that all of you should take the time to read leading up to the HSC exams. Best of luck and know that all of you are in our prayers. Mr Chapman

I am lucky enough to be a guardian of an amazing 17-‐year old who, along with thousands of other students, received her Higher School Certificate results this week. I have heard parents use the term "we are doing the HSC" but it is only when you live through it that you realise the journey is one the entire family takes: from turning our living room into an art studio as she completed her major art work to endless discussions of the biology of the human eye over dinner. All those who have been part of the HSC journey know what I am talking about. Attending a number of functions at her school, I saw the same look on the faces of parents and students as I do at my university's open day: one that verges on shear panic about the mystical number that we call the ATAR. As the Head of the Academy at the University of Western Sydney – a program designed for high performing and high-‐ATAR students – I am continuously asked for advice about what to do and what happens if "I do not make it"? People are surprised when I say: "Do not stress, your ATAR will not define who you will become." The irony of the stress caused by this single number is that it is only relevant for a grand total of one day: once received and a student decides on options, it is quickly forgotten. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying that it is not important, nor that it does not open doors. But I am saying that we are lucky to live in a country where the ATAR is only one pathway into university. What options you may or may not have following the HSC results can change.



No matter your ATAR result, please refuse to be defined by it. The ATAR is not a measure of intelligence but one of aptitude: your ability to work through a program named the HSC. Like all such numbers and programs around the world, this is a deeply flawed process and should not define you. If your goal is university and the results are not what you desired, don't stress, there are many options available. First, if you do not get the grade you want and cannot get into the degree you want, you have not "bombed out". My advice is enter the university you want, even if it is not the degree of choice, and work towards a transfer into your desired degree. This is what I did. Second, you can take advantage of the various pathways programs being offered through university-‐based college programs. At UWS, I have seen students enter uni this way and eventually go on to do a PhD. Various universities offer such programs now and provide an outstanding orientation into uni – moving directly into second year if you get through first year. The environment is highly supportive and aims to get you "uni-‐ready". The third option is to spend some time in the workforce before applying to enter uni as a "non-‐school leaver". Again, I have seen students enter university after a number of years of working and then excel in their studies and build successful careers. Many of these students have been among my best. They enter with a maturity and resilience, openly admitting that they are glad they did no progress directly into university from school. The final pathway is to combine the above two: working while undertaking some part-‐time study through a free open program or college. For example, we are surrounded by various "massive open online courses" (affectionately known as MOOCs) offered by universities across the world. These are often self-‐paced and allow you to build knowledge and give you a taste of your area of interest. In March next year, I will deliver my first lecture to our new group of first year students. As part of the introduction, I will tell them that despite being a professor, heading a program for high-‐performing students, having published various books and being named the 2012 Prime Minister's University Teacher of the Year, I only just scraped into university. I didn't get into the course I wanted and had to take the long journey. On my first day as an undergraduate, I attended the wrong lecture and through my degree, I felt like an imposter – that I was never smart enough to be at university. It is a feeling that frequently returns even now. I failed half my first-‐year subjects and the then Dean suggested I pursue a non-‐university career. He asked "what does your father do?" (He was a labourer). Despite the imposter feeling, I never allowed the HSC to define who I was: I used various pathways to achieve my goals. No matter your results this week, I encourage you not to be discouraged and never stop striving for what you want to achieve. Professor James Arvanitakis is the Head of the Academy at the University of Western Sydney.







Our Lady Help of Christians Parish

SACRAMENT OF FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2015 This Sacrament will be celebrated on Sunday 15th and Sunday 22nd November, 2015. It is available to all children in Year 3 or above who have been baptised and have received the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). If you wish your child to make this Sacrament and did not come to the enrolment night last year you MUST attend the first lesson for this programme on Saturday 10th October, 2015 commencing at 4.15p.m. You must bring a copy of your child’s Baptism and Birth certificate with you to attach to the

enrolment form. Children will participate in lessons within the Parish School classrooms whilst parents will meet with Father in the Parish Meeting Room. This is the last opportunity for you to enrol for 2015. NOTE: If you will be enrolling at the first lesson, then please arrive at 3.45pm to the Parish Meeting Room before the lesson to complete the paperwork. The program fee of $25 is also payable at the first lesson. Thank you.

HEART WOMEN’S CONFERNCE A time to come together as women to be refreshed and renewed in our busy lives. 16th – 17th October, Fairfield RSL, Sydney. Register: TheCatholicGuy.tv/heart Email: [email protected] Phone: 1300 734 880

AUSTRALIAN CATHOLIC YOUTH FESTIVAL 3rd – 5th December 2015 in Adelaide. For those from Year 9 through to 25 years of age, and is an excellent opportunity for young people to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia. Contact Seth Harsh on 02 4222 2460 or email: [email protected] MATER DEI COUNTRY FAIR Sunday 11th October, 9am – 3pm. Funds raised is for specialised education for 147 students in the Primary and Secondary School and the 4 Group homes as well as programs offered in Early Intervention to 180 babies and pre-‐schoolers with special needs. All welcome. POSITIONS VACANT -‐ PASTORAL SUPPORT WORKER, SCHOOL CHAPLAINCY Based in various schools within the Diocese of Wollongong (Temporary part-‐time (minimum 10 hpw) commencing Term 1 2016). CatholicCare has been engaged to administer pastoral support services to Catholic primary schools in the Diocese under the National School Chaplaincy Program. We are seeking suitably qualified people to deliver a range of non-‐therapeutic welfare, faith formation, spiritual and emotional support to students, families and staff of Catholic primary schools. For more information including application pack go to Careers page at www.catholiccare.dow.org.au or call Peter Burgoyne on 4254 9354. DEMENTIA WORKSHOP Monday 28 Sept 9:00am-‐3:30pm at Micah House, 35a Cordeaux St Campbelltown. Exploring the dimensions of Dementia and the effect it has on those with the illness and their families and carers. Information: Carmen Karauda 4640 8515. Registration [email protected] or 4222 2403



WORLD WIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Worldwide Marriage Encounter has a weekend coming up in November. We would greatly appreciate a mention for the next few weeks in your parish/school/community bulletin/newsletter (see below). Please edit to fit your available space, if necessary. Also, please pray for the Marriage Encounter Team as we make preparations for this Weekend. Let your love blossom this spring with a weekend together. A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is a Marriage Enrichment experience – set in peaceful, picturesque surroundings, away from the distractions of everyday life. During the weekend, couples have a unique opportunity to reconnect, rekindle and refresh their relationship. Give the greatest gift, that of your time alone -‐ invest in your most precious asset . . . your Marriage! 2015 Weekend Date -‐ 13-‐15 November Venue for Weekends: Mount Carmel Retreat Centre, Varroville, NSW To apply contact: Ardell & Bill Sharpe Tel. 02 4283 3435 or [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

Documents

NEWSLETTER TERM 4 WEEK 1A · 2015. 10. 11. · John%TherryCatholic%High%School%%%%%Term%4Week1A%! “Recta&Sapere”&ToKnow,&Love&and&Relishwhat&is&Right&and&Just& As we begin Term