St Johns College Dubbo Term 4, Week 2 2025
Principal
Dear Families,
Welcome back for the final term of 2025. We are grateful for the support from families for our Pupil Free Days, both on the last day of Term 3 and the first day of Term 4. On the final day of Term 3, staff from St Johns College, St Johns Primary and St Pius X meet at the zoo for a day of retreat with Brother Damien Price. Br Damien is a gifted presenter who gently allowed us to explore some themes from the gospel but also look at how we can have a positive impact on those around us, particularly our students. On the first day of Term 4 we met as a staff to work through some reviews of programs that we are currently running and then spent the vast majority of the day working on areas in faculties on the curriculum reform.
It was lovely last week to welcome students back to school, for the most part students have begun really well and should be congratulated for this. A focus this term will be on ensuring the little things are taken care of. Things like uniform, punctuality and being prepared for learning and having the self discipline to work right through to the end of term.
Year 12 students began their HSC Examinations with the two English Papers last Thursday and Friday. These exams continue until Friday 7th November. We continue to keep Year 12 in our prayers as they move through the next few weeks of examinations.
God bless
Mr Justin McCarney
Principal
Faith and Mission
Year 7 Retreat
Yours in faith
Mrs Elissa Burden
Leader of Faith and Mission
Teaching and Learning
HSC Exams
It is the halfway point of the HSC exams.
Week 3 and 4 of the exams are very busy and we wish all of our students the very best.
Week 3 of the HSC
Legal Studies, Maths Extension 1, Business Services, Construction, Economics, Business Studies, Chemistry, Visual Arts, PDHPE
Week 4 of the HSC
Geography, Industrial Technology, Agriculture, Textiles and Design, English Extension 1, Engineering, Society and Culture, Drama, Community and Family Studies, Dance, Physics, Food Technology
Year 11 Commences the HSC Course in Term 4
On Monday we took the opportunity to meet with Year 11 as they commence their HSC year. We looked at how the HSC works, where HSC marks come from, and why focusing on your course rank is more important than your mark. We also examined study schedules and how to find 15 hours of study a week.
Parents have been sent an email outlining the presentation and linking them into it.
Year 11 Reports will be released via Compass on Friday 24th October
Year 11 Parent Teacher Student Conferences will take place on Tuesday 4th November.
Bookings for Parent Teacher Student Conferences will open with the release of reports.
7 - 9 Examinations Feedback and Results
Feedback to students on their Term 3 Examinations can be found in Canvas.
Parents can log in to Canvas through the Canvas Portal on the College website.
In addition to marks and comments, parents can find comparative information like this:
To access this,
- Select a course from the dashboard
- Click “Marks” on the top left
- Click “Show All Details” on the top right
Like any app that is new to us, Canvas can take some exploring to navigate all of its features and functions, but the resources are excellent.
Year 10 Exams
Year 10 end of course exams will take place in Week 8.
Assessment Notifications for the exams, with links to revision guides will be appearing in Canvas over the next few weeks.
Year 10 will have lots of resources at their fingertips to start setting up a study routine, which will be explored in their Academic Care Course.
Year 8 Subject Selection for Year 9 2026
We will meet with Year 8 in Week 3 to explore the subject selection process and the many new subjects they can select for Year 9. Parents will receive a copy of the presentation and all of the information about courses.
The most important things for our Year 8 students to remember is:
- Choose subjects that you enjoy and will work hard in
- Subject selection is an important milestone as we start to shape what and how we learn as we grow towards senior study
Academic Care Year 7 - 9
This term, many of the assessments for Years 7 - 9 are project and research based. To support students in this work, we will look at some research skills in Academic Care. To set them up for success, our first two lessons have been a chance for students to unpack their exam results and set some goals, and understand how marking criteria supports improvement through a task.
Warm regards
Mrs Catherine Jones
Leader of Teaching and Learning
Pathways
Science
2025 STANSW YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARDS
The Science Department is thrilled to announce that our Year 10 Elective Research Hub Science Students — Sarayu Prakashbabu, Sophie Eastburn, Leanne Galang, and Katie Hathway have been selected for an award at the 2025 STANSW Young Scientist Awards for their outstanding project, “Decoding Identity: Are Fingerprints the Window to Our Biology?”
With over 500 entries this year, this achievement is a testament to their creativity, hard work, and scientific curiosity.
This marks the second time SJC has received this prestigious award, the first being in 2019 — a proud and inspiring milestone for our community!
Please join us in congratulating these brilliant young scientists on their remarkable accomplishment!
Mr Jose Sunny | KLA Leader Science
The Man Cave
This week, our Year 9 boys participated in The Man Cave Level 2 Workshop — a full-day experience designed to challenge outdated stereotypes around masculinity and promote personal growth.
Building on the self-awareness developed in Level 1, this workshop encouraged students to reflect on how societal expectations can shape their identities and relationships. Through open conversations, storytelling, and reflection, participants explored what it means to build healthy connections with themselves and those around them.
A big thank you to The Man Cave team for creating such a meaningful and empowering experience for our students!
Mr Peter Maher | Leader of Wellbeing
Book Reviews by Mrs Bruce
Sport
Girls League Tag
On Tuesday over 70 girls represented the College at the Dubbo League Tag gala day. We had five teams compete in warm conditions. The girls were very competitive, winning most of their games.
MVP's for each team
Year 7: Paityn C, Poppy D, Zoey G, Brooklyn D
Year 8 Navy: Isla T, Belle M, Quade M, Emma F
Year 8 Pink: Macey T, Bailee O, Abbey M, Tilly Mc
Year 9/10: Molly O, Isla B, Ava S, Niomi O
Year 10: Emily M, Addison B and special mention to the new players Abbey K, Lacey B & Sophia C.
Huge congratulations to all the girls for their conduct throughout the day. They were terrific ambassadors for the College.
Also a thank you to the coaches Miss Easman and Miss Doran for their continued support of the girls rugby league program at St Johns.
Mr Andy Haycock | Rugby League Coordinator
School Fees
Dear Parents/Guardians
Thank you to those families who have already paid their College school fees.
Families who pay their College school fees by the term, all term payments should be finalised. If you have not yet paid the term 3 instalment please ensure prompt payment by 31 October 2025.
For families making regular, weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments please ensure your payment plan is on track to have your College school fees account finalised by 30 November 2025.
To ensure your College school fees account is on track by the due date, please note from this Friday 24 October 2025 there are 6 weeks, 3 fortnights or 1 months until fees are due. Contact the College Fees Office if you need to adjust your payment plan.
HSC fees are due by 31 October 2025.
You can check your balance owing and make payments via the Compass App or BPAY.
Please note Term 4 statements will be emailed this week.
If you wish to discuss your account please contact the College Fees Office on 6841 5142 or email m.carlow@bth.catholic.edu.au.
Maree Carlow | Finance Leader
Important Dates
Term 4 2025
If you would like to add the St Johns College Calendar
to your google calendar please click on this link.
23rd & 26th October
Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza
Friday 7th November
Last Day HSC
Saturday 8th November
First Lego League Competition in Sydney
Monday 10th November
Strings Music Ensemble
Thursday 13th November
Band Music Ensemble
Friday 14th November
Yr 12 Graduation Ball
Monday 17th November
Yr 10 PASS Bronze Medallion Course
Tuesday 18th November
Bathurst Diocesan Touch Football
20th & 21st November
Yr 10 Elective USYD Presentation
20th November
Yr 9 PASS Bronze Medallion Course
2nd December
Yr 11 Try a Trade Expo
2025 School Term Dates
Term 4: Monday 13th October - Friday 19th December
2026 School Term Dates
Term 1: Tuesday 27th January - Staff Return, Thursday 29th January - Yr 7, 11 & 12
Friday 30th January - Yr 8, 9 & 10
Term 2: Monday 20th April - Friday 3rd July
Term 3: Monday July 20th - Friday 25th September
Term 4: Monday 12th Oct - Thursday 17th December
2025 Diocesan Sports
The Diocesan Sports Calendar is now available to view. We may have some students who are involved in sports that we are unaware of and who may want to attend the trials. There are many different sports on the Diocesan Calendar such as Diving, Triathlon's, Baseball, Volleyball, Sailing, Hockey etc. If your child is of a competitive standard and wishes to compete in the events on the calendar please let us know.
Community Notices
Our Help A Mate Raffle is on again!
Raffle tickets are $5 each or $50 for a book.
Tickets can be purchased through PAYID 0439042693 (message your name and number to our Facebook Page Help A Mate Dubbo on Instagram Page @helpamatedubbo), see us at our Bunnings BBQs or at our feed every Thursday at the information centre car park.
Other ways you can help: - volunteering at our feed for the homeless on Thursdays or our fortnightly Saturday Bunnings BBQs.
Thank you for your support. Being a part of these fundraisers make a huge difference to homelessness and mental health in our local community.
