16 June 2023 - Newsletter (Vol 40 No 9)

Lyn Sharratt’s Assessment Waterfall Chart

As the College continues with Lyn Sharratt’s Assessment Waterfall Chart it is important that families understand this approach to assessment and feedback that has been making a positive impact on our students' literacy skills. In line with our commitment to student-centered education and continuous improvement, we have integrated Lyn Sharratt's Assessment Waterfall Chart and peer feedback strategies into our learning and teaching. 

The AWC, developed by Dr Lyn Sharratt, provides a clear and structured framework for assessing student work and providing meaningful feedback. It allows teachers to guide students through a process of self-assessment, peer assessment, and teacher feedback, enabling students to take ownership of their learning and become active participants in their literacy development.

One crucial aspect of this approach is the incorporation of peer feedback. Peer feedback allows students to engage in constructive discussions, exchange ideas, and provide valuable insights to their classmates. It empowers them to not only receive feedback from their teachers but also learn from and support one another's growth.

Here's how the AWC and peer feedback work together to improve every students' literacy growth:

1. Self-Assessment: Students begin by assessing their own work using the teacher’s criteria. This process encourages self-reflection and helps students identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
2. Peer Feedback: Students engage in peer feedback sessions where they share their work with their classmates/critical friends. They provide constructive feedback based on the criteria from the Assessment Waterfall Chart, focusing on areas where their peers can enhance their literacy skills. This process promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and effective communication.
3. Teacher Feedback: After the peer feedback stage, teachers provide additional feedback, highlighting key areas of improvement and offering guidance for further development. This step ensures that students receive comprehensive feedback from both their peers and their teachers.
4. Reflection and Revision: Students reflect on the feedback received and make revisions to their work based on the insights gained. This iterative process encourages students to refine their literacy skills, reinforce their learning, and strive for continuous improvement.

By incorporating peer feedback into the AWC, our students benefit from multiple perspectives, diverse insights, and collaborative learning experiences. They learn to appreciate different viewpoints, develop empathy, and refine their critical thinking skills.

The aim of this approach is to foster a supportive classroom environment where students actively engage in their own learning and support one another's growth. It empowers them to become responsible, independent learners who take ownership of their literacy development.

As part of this continuing journey,  I would like students to begin to utilise the options of where they can receive feedback beyond the traditional classroom teacher input. Our students can engage in every lesson’s Learning Intention & Success Criteria and then seek feedback from self assessment and peers as part of the AWC process. 

Study Skills

Learn more about the ‘managing stress’ resources through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au . Our College access details are:

School’s Username – stjohnpaul

School’s password – 89success

In addition, our subscription to Elevate Education may assist in this area.

This online platform contains resources and useful study tips that all SJPC students will find effective. We encourage them to access this Student Portal and try some of the strategies. Students have the password to this site. The password can also be found on the Curriculum Noticeboard.

AMDG

James Furey
Assistant Principal
Learning and Teaching

Goals give us something to work toward, purpose to keep us motivated and – with a little luck and a lot of hard work – something to celebrate.

Learning how to set goals is a vital skill for young people. After all, it's hard to get somewhere without knowing the destination you're heading to. Goals help teens focus on the journey to whatever they want to achieve, helping them to make plans, use their time and resources wisely, and identify the places where they may need some help.

For teens, learning how to set goals has many benefits, such as:

• achieving the desired end result
• increasing self-confidence throughout the process
• understanding and developing their work ethic
• learning what works best to motivate them
• building their perseverance when things don't go as planned
• learning when to ask for help or support

Setting goals helps teens put action behind their ideas. These skills will serve them well personally, in school and in the workforce.

Coming up with a goal is easy, but creating an action plan to reach it can be challenging. SMART goals are a way to write goal statements that include the actual steps that you need to take to achieve the goal.

"SMART" is an acronym to help guide the goal-setting process. Goals should be:

Specific: The goal does not need to be broad – it needs to be specific enough so that teens can focus their efforts and clearly define what they are going to do.
Measurable: The goal should be measurable. When they can measure a goal, they see changes occur. 
Attainable: The goal should be attainable. If they set a goal that is too far out of their reach, then they will not commit to it for long.
Realistic: The goal should be realistic. Set the bar high enough for a satisfying achievement. It must require some effort.
Time-bound: The goal should be achievable in a reasonable amount of time. Some teens can lose interest.

When thinking of the goal they want to achieve, teens should check that it's a SMART goal, meeting the criteria above. Then, it's time to consider how they will measure the goal and within what time frame.

At the beginning of each year we spend time discussing this acronym with our Year 11 group as they begin their senior years of study.

Here are five ways to support teens in their goal-setting efforts:

Model what goal-setting looks like in your life
When your teen sees you set goals and work to achieve them, it’s one of their most direct ways to experience goal-setting.  Be open with them throughout the process, share what steps you’re taking to achieve your goal and be candid about setbacks and changes. 

Some examples of goal-setting that adults can model for teens might include: 

• Making a plan to find a new job
• Implementing a new healthy habit, like journaling or getting enough sleep
• Sticking to a budget to save toward something

Make a plan
Once they've decided on a goal to work toward, your teen should make a plan for how to achieve it. Writing it down often helps make it feel real and gives your teen a sense of accountability. 

Let teens lead the way
The best goals for teens are the ones teens pick themselves, plan for themselves and go after themselves. Self-driven experiences are often the most motivating and the most rewarding, with plenty of lessons to learn along the way. 

It’s OK if the goal changes
Today’s youth have a lot on their minds and busy schedules across academics, social life and more. It's OK if their goal changes. We've all experienced this at some point when working toward something. In the end, it's far healthier for your teen to acknowledge what's going on with them, share why something isn't working and how they're feeling about it, and make a plan to reset – instead of continuing to stress out over something because they feel they need to, that you are expecting them to, etc. 

Always celebrate when a goal is achieved
In a busy world where we often maintain a rapid pace, it's never been more important to take time to celebrate. Ensure your teen takes time to celebrate a job well done, and as the adult in their life, be sure to model this in your every day. 

Goals help teens make a plan and go after it, building skills that will last a lifetime.

Until next time:

It is difficult to believe that we are now approaching the year’s half-way point!  I hope that this newsletter finds you happy and healthy in this often hectic world. 

In a recent homily, Father reminded us of the great comfort in praying to the Holy Spirit and that this distinct person within the Holy Trinity is so often neglected.

I immediately realised that I too had been neglecting the Holy Spirit, and instead regularly prayed to God the Father and God the Son. And I wondered,  WHY? Sometimes we just need a prompt!

We are reminded of the great healing power of this essential person, reflecting on (Galatians 5:22-23) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  Pretty powerful stuff! We are all in need of daily strength, yes? Of the gifts that we can then share with others, yes? Look no further than the Holy Spirit!

I explained this to my students using a real world example- from my own recent experience- to show them the absolute joy and comfort that belief and faith can bring them. Allowing “space” in your heart, being quiet and still to welcome the gifts that are waiting for us. Our days are filled with noise and so let’s focus on creating  moments of stillness. 

Bishop Greg’s Homily this week, observing Corpus Christi , reiterates the importance of “being alone” with God, and the centrality of taking “Communion” as the heart of being Catholic: “ for ONE moment in the week or the day, spend time quietly alone with Him”, acknowledging the joy and solace  of being part of something so powerfully nourishing, something that unites us as a community: the Holy Eucharist. 

Friday, 16 June: The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Benedict XVI wrote: “By encouraging devotion to the Heart of Jesus, [we exhort] believers to open themselves to the mystery of God and of his love and to allow themselves to be transformed by it. After 50 years, it is still a fitting task for Christians to continue to deepen their relationship with the Heart of Jesus, in such a way as to revive their faith in the saving love of God and to welcome Him ever better into their lives.  Catholic Culture 

Please follow our SJPC Youth Ministry Instagram account for announcements and student opportunities:

MASS TIMES

Janine Sawtell
Leader of School Evangelisation

Interview with Sarah de Byl - Leader of Catechesis

1. What is your favourite place you have visited and why?

Croatia, I loved the scenery, history, people, and food. 

2. Describe something about you that most staff or students wouldn’t know?

I make an awesome lasagne! It fixes everything in my household. 

3. Why did you choose to be a Religion Teacher?

Since I was young I have always admired St Mary McKillop and aspired to be just like her. She is the reason I became a teacher and continue to work and lead in Catholic Education. I'm also a huge bible nerd!

4. What role does God play in your life?

My relationship with God is the most important in my life. If my relationship with him isn't good none of my other relationships work either. 

Ashlinn de Dassel & Kalob Stone
Ministry Assistants

Compass - Permission to Leave from SPORT - Early Departure

Students must bring a written note from their parents/carers to the College Office before they depart for sport. Early departure from Sport cannot be submitted via the Compass App only a written note will be accepted. Only full day absences can be submitted using the attendance note via the Compass App.

SJPC Communication - Facebook

Do you follow SJPC's Facebook page? This is where you will find reminders of upcoming social events, sporting updates, transport delays, job advertisements and photos of SJPC students participating in everyday life at the College.

To start following St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour please click on this link

Lost Property

Please encourage your child to visit the Office if they have lost any school items. Please mark your child's name on all school items, including airpods, pencil cases, drink bottles, sport bags and all items of school uniform. 

Uniform Shop

Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 7:30am - 9:00am

Homework Centre

Hours: Monday - Thursday 3:20pm - 5:00pm

Finance

For fee related enquiries and payment plan assistance, please contact the Catholic Schools Office by email: cofhs-fees@lism.catholic.edu.au

The Catholic Schools Office Fee Enquiry

Ph: 6653 1655 - Mell and Tess

Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Email: cofhs-fees@lism.catholic.edu.au

Reflection Day 2023

Last Friday Year 8 were fortunate to be involved in a wellbeing opportunity designed to improve their understanding of themselves and the social world around them. This allowed them to improve their ability to interact positively and be responsible participants in their relationships with others.

During the morning the boys and girls split into groups to discuss important issues that aim to develop an understanding of key terms such as image-based abuse, sexual harassment and coercion.

More accurately:

• Gaining a thorough understanding of the concerns, dangers and legalities around the issue of sexting.
• Understanding the powerful role of empathy and encouraging students to be an upstander rather than a bystander.
• Evaluating the unhealthy belief that their value is determined by the way they look: reframing value to be more than skin deep.

• Gaining an understanding of the popularity myth and the power of true friendship: what science has to say about quality friendship over quantity.

• Considering the impact of social media and the way it can be affecting their understanding of themselves and the way they view relationships.

• Reframing ‘asking for help’ as a positive course of action and a sign of strength. Identify the key personnel in their world they can turn to for help.

Afterwards, they travelled to Boambee Bay for an afternoon of fun games and activities and it was great to see many smiles and laughter on the day. With the support of their Homeroom teachers, the students played games such as ‘44 home’, Tunnelball, Tug-o-War and held a sand sculpture competition, all designed to allow them to reflect and spend quality time together to build friendships and confidence as a group.

This was a valuable opportunity that added to the student's social knowledge and understanding, making them more resilient and a better contributor to their relationships.

Year 8 and The Values I See In Others - Survey

It's always important to recognise the values we hold important, and also the values we see in those around us. Sometimes they match exactly and sometimes they don't. That's what makes a vibrant community.

In life, often we gravitate to those who hold similar values to us and can find it difficult to interact with those who don't. However, life has a way of throwing us together in so many different ways.

Following on from our discussions and activities at Wednesday's Pastoral time, Year 8 has been contemplating the importance of identifying their values and what they are.

They are now invited to complete a survey to recognise the values they see in other people in Year 8. Using the information from this survey we will be creating visual representations for homerooms (example). 

The survey link has been emailed to students and is in the Year 8 Pastoral Google classroom as well. The more students we can get to fill it in the more visuals we will be able to create.

Mark Coster

Year 8 Leader of Student Wellbeing

Year 11 & 12

Year 11 & 12 students hosted a beautiful family breakfast on Tuesday 13 June. There were lots of smiles, warm coffee and delicious breaky treats while we were entertained by the talented students of SJPC. A wonderful way to start the day.  

Trish Furey & Alana Johnson

Year 11 & 12 Leaders of Student Wellbeing

Year 12

Year 12 Fundraising Trivia Night 2023

Our second major fundraising event for 2023 is next Friday 23 June and there only a few tables still available. Please contact the College Office to purchase your trivia table ($15 per seat / $150 per table). 

We have a number of items available for purchase through our silent auction and eftpos will be available. Also, lots of raffle and lucky door prizes on offer! We look forward to a great night of fun and frivolity and don't forget the "Masquerade" dress-up theme.

Your ongoing support of our fundraising efforts will ensure that Wesley Mission https://www.wesleymission.org.au/ can continue to serve those in need in our Coffs Harbour Community.

Alana Johnson

Year 12 Leader of Student Wellbeing

All things Literacy, because Literacy matters in all things

Mrs McKelvie and Mrs Brennan have registered SJPC in the WRITE A BOOK IN A DAY competition for 2023, and they have opened this opportunity up to students from Year 7 and Year 8. It will all happen in the library in Week 10 from 8am to 8pm on Tuesday 27 June.

This fun and creative team writing competition is managed by the Kids Cancer Project, raising funds for childhood cancer research to find better treatment and ultimately a cure.

Students work in teams of 5-10 to plan, write, edit and illustrate a book in a day. Every story grows from a unique set of parameters given to each writing team on the morning of the competition. While covering some curriculum outcomes this also provides a hands-on collaborative learning experience, teaching empathy, teamwork and sharing creative and literacy skills. This also results in hours of entertaining and inspirational reading for sick kids in hospital.

Once teams have been finalised, participants will receive a sponsorship page to share with family and friends and fundraise for this cause. It is not, however, compulsory to fundraise. Family members will have an opportunity to  witness the final products during the evening of the competition.

We look forward to your future support. 

Mrs McKelvie & Mrs Brennan
Literacy Coach & LOL Technologies & Librarian

WORD OF THE WEEK

Facilitate (verb)

DEFINITION To make easier or bring about

IN A SENTENCE: Children’s capacity for learning has been greatly facilitated by the use of technology.

Our classroom furniture facilitates robust discussion and accountable talk.

Cutting taxes may facilitate economic recovery.

Pseudonym (noun)

DEFINITION: A fictitious name, used especially by authors, to conceal identity.

IN A SENTENCE 

A lot of people use pseudonyms when posting controversial comments online.

Bitcoin’s still anonymous inventor went by the pseudonym, Satoshi Nakamoto.

In legal proceedings, the pseudonyms, John Doe, Jane Doe, Richard Roe and Jane Roe are used when a person’s name is being kept anonymous. Such names are also called, anonyms.

Writers of the Week

Congratulations to the following students for their expertise in sentence structure and the use of complex punctuation with accuracy. These students excelled in their comic representations of Photosynthesis in Science.

On Friday of Week 7, the English faculty had the pleasure of welcoming Will Kostakis to the college to conduct workshops with our Year 12 students. Will is a widely published Australian author who has extensive experience in working with senior English students on improving their creative writing skills, as well as providing advice and expert tips on how to best prepare for the upcoming Trial and HSC exams. It was a valuable learning experience for both our English Standard and Advanced groups. They were given a range of practical strategies to implement within their preparation for their final assessments, while being entertained by Will's engaging approach and energy. His passion for writing was evident and was a great motivator for our seniors to continue their pursuit of excellence in imaginative writing. We thank the organisers of the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival who provide us with opportunities to host authors every year; but especially we thank Will! Your time and wisdom is much appreciated by the English faculty and our senior students. 

Siobhan McCosker
Leader of Learning - English

­­­Year 12

https://atarnotes.com/lectures/nsw#available-lectures

The College library will be opened between 9am and 12pm for Year 12 students during the winter school holidays on the following dates in July;

Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4^th, Wednesday 5^th, Monday 10^th, Tuesday 11^th, Wednesday 12^th.

Some staff will be holding workshops outside these hours for specialist classes. Information regarding these workshops will be made available to the students closer to the break.

Reminder:

Plan your revision and study time over the coming weeks and winter break, with reference to the HSC Trial Examination timetable posted on the HSC Curriculum Matters Google Classroom and in study areas.

Year 11

Ensure you are meeting the requirements of all Week 9 and 10 Assessments.

Remember that the Curriculum Office is open to all students if you have any queries regarding procedures and processes linked to assessments.

A reminder that Year 11 students must successfully complete over 50% of in school assessments to be eligible to continue on to the HSC course of their subjects.

Year 10

As parents of Year 10 already know, Year 10 students worked on a Personal Profile Reflection Booklet this week in preparation for making decisions about what the next 2 years look like for them.

A reminder that parents and carers are to complete the last page of the booklet, which then needs to be returned to the College by Week 10, which is when the students will be presented with their Curriculum Guide to Stage 6, and given access to a website containing many supporting materials, including information about Stage 6 options and the different pathways of study available.

Years 7 – 9 

All students should now be receiving feedback regarding their learning. It is important for students to now re-evaluate Semester 1 goals and determine what they want to achieve in regards to their learning in Semester 2.

 

GENERAL REMINDER

It is timely that we remind students not to come to school if they are sick even if they have an assessment. It is important students are well and thinking clearly if they are to perform their best in all learning activities.

Claudia Brown
Leader of Curriculum

Year 8 Pop Art

Year 8 Visual Art students have explored the vast realm of popular culture from the past and present-day and how it greatly influences our everyday lives.  Artists and their artworks from the Pop Art period of the late 1950s and early 60s were investigated and where objects from everyday life were used as subject matter in their artmaking. Students explored the idea of party food as a concept where they developed their problem-solving skills by transforming a drawing into a 3D form using a variety of sculpture-constructing techniques including papier mache. As you can see, these food forms are visually exciting and capture the viewers' attention immediately.

Vicki Foggiato
Leader of Learning - Visual Arts

Forty Marine Studies students have just returned from a extraordinary week of diving and exploring the reefs and ecosystems of Heron Island, near Gladstone. Each day started at 6 am, with all kids snorkeling out to the wreck to swim with an abundance of sharks, rays, turtles and a myriad of other amazing creatures and organisms.

After breakfast, we would then load up the boats and head out to the reef rim to see more of the incredible coral habitats found on the Great Barrier Reef. The students were blessed with good weather this year and we managed to use the dive boats nearly every afternoon as well. Keen students could also take up an optional wreck dive in the last hour of each day, with some kids getting 7 dives in per day!

Our nights were spent in the lab completing research tasks or taking a guided low tide reef walk. I am very proud of how this group behaved during this trip. They were polite, well behaved and as keen as mustard. I am also very grateful to our wonderful staff who worked very long hours to ensure that this expedition was safely and successfully conducted. David Attenborough has called this part of the world his favorite spot on Earth. If you ask any of our marine studies kids, they can tell you why.

Toby Waters
Teacher

THE PUSH-UP CHALLENGE 2023 is well underway and the staff team has already gone beyond their fundraising target of $1000. The challenge continues through until 23 June with participants completing 3144 push-ups. Tragically, this represents the number of people who died by suicide in Australia in 2021. Each day the number of push-ups is linked to a statistic or fact about mental health and we have been sharing our learning from this with the college through daily updates on the walk-through sub-way. The SRC team have also been rigorous with their push-ups and competitive spirit.

If you haven’t yet donated, you still have time!!!  All funds raised will go towards mental health and crisis support services helping to break stigmas and provide hope to those struggling with their mental health. 

Help us push for better mental health.

Please hit the link and donate to our staff push-up team

St John Paul College staff 2023

Think of us and our shoulders as today we complete 163 pushups and tomorrow we smash out 200!!!

SRC Student team consists of: 

Please click on this link to apply for the paid Exam Supervisors position by 9.00am on Monday 19 June 2023.