From the Principal

Dear SJC Families and Community

This is always a very emotional week in any NSW school. This is the week we sadly bid farewell to our Year 12 students and commences 10 weeks when our school has considerably fewer students as we await the arrival of our new Year 7 cohort. Our Year 12 students completed their last formal lessons on Friday last week and in a nod to the year, they have experienced, partook in a group photo opportunity you can see below. I would like to congratulate these young women and men on the way they have acted given how much they have missed in 2020. Adversity can and most likely will visit people during their lifetime, but to complete their senior school accreditation during a time when the whole of society has experienced adversity is something one could not have envisaged. Well done Seniors of 2020 and I hope you enjoy your last three days at SJC.

I would like to relay some behaviours I have witnessed of late that really epitomises what it is to be a student at SJC. In the past fortnight, three major incidents have occurred on the in the College that saw three different students not seriously injured as a result of accidents relating to the sport they were playing. I would just like to acknowledge the level of care, compassion and maturity shown by the friends and fellow students of these three young men during their time of distress. What myself and other staff witnessed provided affirmation of the wonderful students we have at SJC and that the qualities that we hold of most importance are present in our young people.

Year 12 Graduation

As was previously mentioned, Year 12 have two days of alternate activities (Retreat experience and guest speakers) followed by their graduation on Wednesday, September 23. The event will be live-streamed (the link will be shared on Tuesday) from 9.50 am. For the remainder of our students, there will be normal lessons and it is an expectation that students are at school until Thursday, September 24. 

Term 3 Focus Areas

You will recall that for the last five weeks of term, all staff have been impressing upon our young people the need to be punctual, organised and respectful. The three focus areas have made a considerable difference to how the College is currently operating with students ensuring they are on time to lessons to ensure the whole time apportioned to learning is being used and they are present with the correct equipment. A zero tolerance to any defiant behaviour from students was implemented and despite some students taking longer than others to understand this, we witnessed very few incidents of conflict last week.

I would like to thank our students for turning their attention to these three basic qualities living up to the SJC expectations. From the commencement of Term 4, staff will continue their vigilance in the areas of punctuality, organisation and respect in our students. This will ultimately lead to young people who will carry these traits into their later life and be an asset to any organisation for which they work.

Write a Book in a Day

We are very excited to witness the new initiative in the College that will see nearly 80 students spend close to 12 hours in the College Library tomorrow and will 'Write a Book in a Day'. Under the guidance of Acting Teacher Librarian Ms Melaina Faranda and other staff, our students, who have all volunteered, will squirrel away until 8pm to produce an entire book. The school has raised nearly $300 for The Kids Cancer Project and I would like to wish all involved the best of luck. 

Professional Learning Days

As a friendly reminder, please ensure you have made alternate care arrangements for your child as this Friday (September 25) will be a staff professional learning day and hence, there will be no supervision available for students at school. The first day of Term 4 (October 12) will also be a staff professional learning so students will not return to school until Tuesday, October 13. Please ensure all arrangements are in place. 

Finally, I would like to wish all of our students an enjoyable, safe and relaxing break and I look forward to seeing you all in Term 4. 

Kind regards

Mr Scott Thomson
Principal