That's a wrap for 2023, and what a BIG week we have had to finish the term off.

This week's newsletter features an overview of the 2023 Year 7-10 Academic and Service and Spirit Ceremonies. I thank Mr Ian Lutton, Assistant Principal-Learning & Teaching Ms Anne Marchment, Leader of Curriculum,  and our wonderful office staff for their organisation of these ceremonies.

On Wednesday, we held our Thanksgiving Christmas Mass. This was a chance for both staff and students to reflect and give thanks for the many opportunities here at St Joseph's Regional College.  Thank you to Mr Shane Hyland, Leader of Evangelisation, Youth Ministry Offices, Emily Burg and Mrs Julie Hickling for their organisation of the Christmas Mass on Wednesday. 

After mass, we announced our 2024 Year 8-10 Student Leaders of Mission, Stewardship and Wellbeing along with our Junior PC Leaders. Thank you to our Senior Student leaders who lead the induction process and I congratulate all students who were presented with their badge. I look forward to seeing these students grow and develop in their leadership roles. I thank Mr Matthew Bushe, Assistant Principal, Mission and Mrs Jacqui Crilley, Leader of Pastoral Care Programs, for her organisation of our newly appointed leaders. We will feature our newly appointed junior leaders in the first 2024 newsletter.

The Junior Sports Awards was also held on Wednesday, and I congratulate all students on a successful year in sport. I thank Mr Damien Kelly, Leader of Sport, for the way he goes about calmly organising all things sport.  

I congratulate Year 12 2023 on the fantastic HSC and ATAR results released on Thursday, 14th December. Our Year 12 cohort was invited back to the College on Thursday for a celebration breakfast in honour of their hard work, and it was also an opportunity to gather with their peers one final time. A special newsletter with an overview of results is being prepared for families and will be emailed out as soon as possible. Thank you to Mr Ian Lutton, Assistant Principal, Learning & Teaching, Ms Anne Marchment, Leader of Curriculum and Ms Heidi Flanagan, Leader of Student Wellbeing, for facilitating the Year 12 results morning.

At the Year 7-10 Award Ceremony, I addressed our College community and would like to share this with you.

On behalf of the St Joseph’s Regional College community, I would like to congratulate the wonderful contributions our students have made in this year of ‘Justice’.
I commend our staff and our students who have shown a continued commitment to our changing school environment as we return to pre-covid routines.

I particularly would like to acknowledge our 2023 Junior Pastoral Care Leaders. While there are too many to name individually, the names of the students invested into this significant role are displayed on the screens on either side of the stage. These young leaders have done an exceptional job and should be justifiably proud of your efforts this year. I thank Ms Hyde, Leader of Pastoral Care programs for coordinating the junior leaders and supporting them throughout the year.

I would like to extend a special thank you to key staff members who have been instrumental in student achievements at the College this year.
To our House Leaders of Student Wellbeing:

• Flinders House and Leader of Junior Pastoral Care programs - Ms Hyde and Mrs Jensen
• Hastings House and Year 10 students – Mrs Hulbert
• Innes House and Year 7 students - Mr Kalchbauer
• Oxley House and Year 8 students - Mrs Goldie
• Macquarie House and Year 9 - Mrs Woods (in her absence) & Mr Sainsbury
• Wilson House & Leader of Senior Leadership team - Ms O’Reilly

Your Pastoral Care of our students is ‘of the highest standard’ – thank you for all the work you do in your leadership and behind the scenes to support the students in your respective houses.

To our Pastoral Care teachers, thank you for engendering a real sense of spirit in your house groups. Your work goes ‘over and above’ a teachers’ normal call of duty.

To the members of our Leadership Team:

• Assistant Principal- Mission - Mr Bushe
• Assistant Principal- Learning and Teaching - Mr Lutton
• Assistant Principal- Pastoral Care - Mrs Furney
• Leader of Curriculum - Ms Marchment
• Leader of Student Wellbeing (Behaviour Support) - Mr Walsh
• Leader of Evangelisation - Mr Hyland
• Leader of Catechesis - Mr Jennings
• Leader of Administration - Mr Robertson and
• Leader of Pedagogy - Mr Cato
  
  your service on the College Leadership Team in combination is greatly appreciated.

To our Leaders of Learning:

• Mrs Johnson - Creative Arts
• Ms Roulstone - English
• Mr Warneken - HSIE
• Mr McLachlan - Mathematics
• Mr Kobelke - Science
• Mr Rossington - PDHPE
• Mr Kelly - Sport
• Mr Pares - Technological & Applied Studies
• Mrs Handley - Diversity & Inclusion
• Mrs Cassegrain – Leader of High Potential Learners
• Mr Moore – Leader of Learning Technologies
• Mrs Tinsey - Leader of Future Pathways
• Mr Ryan our Leader of Student Wellbeing (Programs)
• Ms Mooney for resourcing a College Library second to none and
• to all course teachers, Teachers Assistants and Support Staff – your dedication to our student’s learning and overall progress is appreciated by all.

I would also like to take this opportunity to give my sincere thanks to a number of special people who work tirelessly behind the scenes of our College. Firstly, thank you to Mrs Wendy Welsh, Principal’s Assistant of Staff Services and also to Mrs Michelle Reynolds, Principal’s Assistant of Student Services and the dedicated team of ladies in the College office. These ladies are an exemplary team, working together and going beyond the call of duty to ensure that all paperwork is professionally completed and all staff, students and parents are supported in every possible way.
To Mr John Sprague and our maintenance team who keep our College grounds looking superb - thank you.

My sincere thanks also go to Mrs Kelly Mooney, our College Finance Manager who works hard to ensure we have the best resources possible here at the College.

This year, we sadly farewell some long-standing staff members:

Mrs Anne Twomey - Mrs Twomey has served in St Agnes’ Parish Schools for over 25 years, 16 of those years as an English and Drama teacher at SJRC. Mrs Twomey is loved by all and her warmth and care will be missed as she will now enjoy her retirement.

Ms Cheryl Hyde - Ms Hyde has worked in the St Agnes’ Parish schools since 1997. She has taught mainly HSIE subjects and has held many roles. Ms Hyde’s positivity, sense of fun and dedication will be missed as she moves interstate to be closer to her family.

Mr Matt Cato - Mr Cato leaves us to take on the role of the Applications Officer at the Lismore Catholic Schools Office. Mr Cato has been a TAS teacher at the College since 2011 and held leadership positions in Learning Technologies and Pedagogy during his time here. Mr Cato’s dedication, sense of humour and soccer coaching prowess will be missed.

On Wednesday this week, after our Christmas Mass, we farewelled our departing staff and we wished them all the best for the future. Be assured of our St Joseph’s Regional College blessings.

The trainees moving on to the next phases of their lives are Makayla Steele,
Jonah Garven, and Amahli Kennedy: Thank you for your energy and enthusiasm.

I would like to extend best wishes to the parents of our Year 10 families, to those families who will see their sons and daughters embark on a new educational journey at Newman Senior Technical College in 2024, and also to other students who are leaving us to pursue other ventures. Thank you for your loyalty and support for our wonderful College, and we wish you well in the future.

On behalf of the College community, I once again thank you for being part of our family and extend my warm congratulations to our award winners at this ceremony and our Service and Spirit Award ceremony to follow.

I wish you all a very safe, holy and joyful Christmas season.

A Christmas Prayer

“May the blessing of joy abide within you;
May the blessing of peace rest upon you;
May the blessing of love flow out through you;
May all the blessings of the Lord be yours at Christmas and in the new year.” —

Author Unknown

Tanya Daley
College Principal

YEAR 7-10 MAJOR AWARDS

Outstanding Application Awards

The Outstanding Application or ‘Green’ awards are presented to students who receive an Application award in:
- eight or more subjects for Years 7 & 8, and
- seven or more subjects in Year 9 & 10.
These students show dedication to their studies by working diligently and consistently to complete all tasks.

Congratulations to:

Flinders House

Outstanding Achievement Awards

To receive an Outstanding Achievement, our ‘Gold’ award, students must obtain:
-six or more Excellence and Application awards in Years 7 & 8, or,
- five or more Excellence and Application awards in Years 9 & 10.
These students have applied themselves to the thorough completion of all tasks, meeting the highest standards and are consistent in their approaches to their learning.

Congratulations to:

Year 10 - 1st Place in Subject Awards

Congratulations to:

• First place in Commerce - Grace Field
• First place in Dance - Bonnie Clark
• First place in Drama - Lauren Kelly
• First place in Industrial Technology, Metal - Kiara Ryan
• First place in iSTEM - Hriday Thakrani
• First place in Mathematics Pathway 1 - Lela Kingston
• First place in Mathematics Pathway 2 - Jazmin Cooke
• First place in Marine Studies - Brooke Instrell
• First place in Music- Joshua Kobelke
• First place in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education - Kate Ainsworth
• First place in Physical Activity & Sports Studies - Elkie Croft
• First place in Science - Grace Keena
• First place in Textiles Technology - Rae Venice Gaviola
• First place in Visual Arts - Lucinda Murphy
• First place in English and First place in Industrial Technology: Timber- Eliza Bajt
• First place in Information and Software Technology and First place in Mathematics Pathway 3 - Jamieson Walsh
• First place in Food Technology, First place in Geography, First place in Religious Education - Esther Cummins

Year 10 Dux and Runner-up to Dux Awards

Our Year 10 Dux for 2023 has shown excellence, consistency and commitment in all subjects throughout the entire year. They placed in the top ten in seven of their eight subjects
This included:

• 4th in Commerce and Mathematics
• 2nd in English and Science
• 1st in Geography, Food Technology and Religious Education.

The Dux of St Joseph’s Regional College for Year 10, 2023 – Esther Cummins

This year the Year 10 runner up to Dux was placed in the top ten in seven of their eight subjects which included:

• 6th in Religious Education
• 4th in Mathematics
• 2nd in Commerce, Geography and Science
• 1st in English and Industrial Technology: Timber

Congratulations to our Runner Up to Dux for Year 10, 2023 - Eliza Bajt

Year 9 - 1st Place in Subject Awards

Congratulations to:

• First place in Commerce - Jack Duff
• Equal first place in Dance - Taytum Moylan
• First place in Drama - Charlee Maher
• First place in Industrial Technology: Metal - Fynn Barratt
• Equal First place in Industrial Technology - Timber - Jhed Monckton and Jake Purcell
• First place in iSTEM – Adam Jennings
• First place in Mathematics Pathway 1 - Savannah Beard
• First place in Mathematics Pathway 2 - William Naseby
• First place in Music - Elijah Koivu
• First place in Marine and Aquaculture Technology - Sophie Wiggers
• Equal First place in Religious Education - Sophie Pynaert
• First place in Food Technology and Equal First place in Religious Education - Emily Cook
• First place in English and First place in Science - Matilda Ewart
• First place in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education and, First place in Physical Activity & Sports Studies - Paige Hudson
• First place in History, First place in Mathematics Pathway 3, First place in Textiles Technology and First place in Visual Arts – Erin Little

Year 9 Dux and Runner-up to Dux Awards

Our Year 9 Dux for 2023 was placed in the top ten in six of their eight subjects.
This included:

• 7th in Religious Education
• 2nd place in Science
• 1st Place in History, Mathematics, Textiles Technology and Visual Art.

Congratulations to the Dux of St Joseph’s Regional College for Year 9, 2023
- Erin Little

This year the Year 9 runner up to Dux was placed in the top ten in six of their eight subjects. This included:

• 8th in English
• 5th in Mathematics and Science
• 2nd in History
• 1st in Food Technology and Religious Education

Congratulations to our Runner Up to Dux for Year 9, 2023 – Emily Cook

Year 8 - 1st Place in Subject Awards

Congratulations to:

• First place in Dance - Maeve Pepper
• First place in Geography - Tallowa Hill
• First place in Music - Aaron Joseph Biju
• First place in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education - Bella Lahey
• First place in Technical Skills - Odin Alling
• First place in Visual Arts - Sydney Forsyth
• Equal First place in Drama - Hayley Jess
• Equal First place in Textiles Technology - Emmalee Purnell
• Equal First place in Drama, Equal First place in Religious Education, and Equal First place in Textiles Technology - Sophie Kahler
• First place in Enterprise, First place in Science and Equal First place in
  Religious Education - Tahlia McIlveen
• First place in English, First place in iSTEM and First place Technology Mandatory - Ava Cole
• First place in Food Technology, First place in Japanese and First place Mathematics - Cassandra Hill

Year 8 Dux and Runner-up to Dux Awards

Our Year 8 Dux for 2023 has shown excellence, consistency and commitment throughout the entire year. They placed in the top ten in all of their ten subjects. This included:

• 7th in Mathematics
• 6th in Technical Skills, Japanese and Science
• 4th place in English, Religious Education & Textiles Technology
• 3rd place in Music
• 2nd place PDHPE, and
• 1st Place in Geography

Congratulations to the Dux of St Joseph’s Regional College for Year 8, 2023 – Tallowa Hill

This year the Year 8 Runner up to Dux was placed in the top ten in eight of their ten subjects. This included:

• 8th in PDHPE
• 5th in Religious Education and Visual Arts
• 4th in Geography
• 3rd in English, Food Technology and Mathematics
• 2nd place in Science

Congratulations to our Runner Up to Dux for Year 8, 2023 – Noah Langdon

Year 7 1st Place in Subject Awards

Congratulations to the following Year 7 first-place recipients:

• First place in English - Glynnie Mae Domingo
• First place in Japanese - Alexandra Ellis
• First place in Music - Jasmine Bi
• First place in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education - Jack Wilson
• Equal first place in Religious Education- Jaina Thakrani
• First place in Technology Mandatory - Isabelle Moane
• First place in History, and First place in Science – Louisa Smith
• Equal First place in Mathematics and Equal first place in Religious Education –
  Siya Modi
• First place in Mathematics, First place in Religious Education and First place in Visual Arts – Alyssa Eggins

  

  
  

Year 7 Dux Awards and Runner-up to Dux

This year we have two Year 7 Dux recipients.

Both students have shown excellence, consistency and commitment throughout the entire year. Both students have placed in the top ten in seven of their nine subjects, and equally deserved this accolade.

Congratulations to the Duxes of St Joseph’s Regional College for Year 7, 2023
– Jasmine Bi and Louisa Smith

Jasmine Bi achieved results of:

• 7th in History and technical Skills
• 6th in Mathematics
• 4th place in English
• 2nd place in Japanese and Science
• 1st place in Music

Louisa Smith, achieved results of:

• 9th in Technical Skills
• 7th in Mathematics
• 5th in Japanese and Music
• 2nd place in English
• 1st place in History and Science

• 10th in in English
• 8th in History and Visual Arts
• 4th in PDHPE
• 2nd in Science and Technical Skills
• 1st in Religious Education

Congratulations to our Runner Up to Dux for Year 7, 2023 - Jaina Thakrani

100% Attendance

This group of students are leading by example. Well done to the following students on achieving 100% attendance in 2023.

Edvin Benny
Jesse Cato
Anastasia Heffernan
Christie Preston
Jaina Thakrani

Year 7-10 Speaking Awards

The SJRC Speaking Award is about presence, content and delivery and the recipients of this year's SJRC Speaking Awards have displayed these attributes. Congratulations: 

Year 7 - Louisa Smith

Year 8 - Summer Tilston

Year 9 - Elijah Koivu

Year 10 - Keiran Copeland

Quiet Achiever Award

The Quiet Achiever award seeks to recognise the quiet stars in our community – the students who always have smiles on their faces, who go out of their way to assist, who achieve but don’t make a song and dance of it, whose actions speak louder than words. Congratulations to Kallin Furlong and Joshua Kobelke

St Joseph's Regional College Spirit Award

The St Joseph’s Regional College Spirit Award is to recognise students who do not settle for less. It isn’t for excellence in one area but for those across the school who live out the words of our prayer, whose actions and thoughts make this world a better place. This year the honours go to:

Year 7 – Lachlan Ding and Tora Wehlow

Year 8 – Aaron Joseph Biju and Bella Lahey

Year 9 – Sophie Bentley and Paige Hudson

Year 10 – Eliza Bajt and Phoebe Stubbs

Our College prayer tries to capture all that we stand for at St Joseph’s Regional College. It speaks of respect, justice, faith, striving for excellence and preparing for the challenges of creating a better tomorrow. It is everything that Catholic education is about, and each of these recipients embody these characteristics. These awards are presented to those who take the opportunity to better themselves and make our College a great place.

Community Service Awards

St Agnes' Parish Youth Award

Walter Dick Memorial Award for Craftsmanship

The Walter Dick Memorial Award for Craftsmanship commenced in 1988 at the old Regional College site. Walter worked for St Agnes’ Parish as a carpenter and joiner, and in his leisure time he loved to construct wooden boats and furniture. This award is sponsored by the Dick/Gerke family ensuring that students who have a passion and skill for craftsmanship are recognised for their achievements.

Congratulations to Tyce Lee, the recipient of the 2023 Walter Dick Memorial Award for Craftsmanship.

Tyce student has combined passion and skill to produce outstanding projects in both Industrial Technology – Timber and Metal. He has shown that he has the ability to work independently when required, he ably assists other students with their work and has worked outside of normal school hours to extend his skill level beyond Year 10 expectations.

Carol Begley Culinary Spirit Award

The inaugural Carol Begley Culinary Spirit Award, presented for the first time this year, honours a deep enthusiasm for hospitality. Carol, a dedicated and longstanding teacher and leader at St Joseph’s Regional College, was renowned for not only generously sharing her exceptional culinary skills but also for nurturing a passion for food preparation in others.

Sponsored by the Begley family, this award stands as a tribute to Carol's enduring legacy.

The recipient of the inaugural ‘Culinary Spirit’ Award this year is - Madison Wyndham

Creative Arts Award

The Creative Arts Award recognises a student who has demonstrated creativity and commitment across Art forms, excelling in one or more field. This year we have two recipients of this award who could not be split, each with unique creative arts attributes.

Congratulations to Paige Haleblian & Millie Read

Co-curricular Instrumental Award

The Co-curricular Instrumental Award recognises a student’s musical versatility, dedication to enhancing their skills and active participation in school and community performances.

This year the award goes to a remarkable Year 10 student, Joshua Kobelke.

Co-curricular Vocal Award

The Co-curricular Vocal Award recognises a student’s vocal ability and significant singing contribution made to the College.

This year the award goes to Alannah Steele.

Co-curricular Accompanist Award

This year we have introduced the inaugural Co-curricular Accompanist Award. This accolade aims to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional musical abilities of young musicians who have made substantial contributions to the College community through their accompaniment of fellow student musicians.

Congratulations to the inaugural winner of the Accompanist Award - Dominic Matheson.

The John LaMattina Drum Scholarship Award.

The John LaMattina Drum Scholarship Award is chosen by Mr Mark Spence and named after John LaMattina, Mark’s own high school Drum Teacher from Georgia, USA. Mr LaMattina inspired Mark to follow in his footsteps and ‘pay it forward’ as he had done himself.

Congratulations to Samuel Duff

Australian Defence Force (ADF) awards

The ADF Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award is awarded to, Esther Cummins who has displayed leadership and teamwork skills. Esther was nominated for leadership, teamwork, values, communication, cooperation & community involvement.

Congratulations to Hriday Thakrani, who is the recipient of the ADF Future Innovators Award. This award recognises a student who demonstrates motivation and innovation in the areas of science and mathematics abilities while highlighting the value the Navy, Army and Air Force place on STEM skills.

House Person of the Year 

The House person of the year demonstrates a commitment to their House and involves themselves in service in all aspects which develops House spirit.

This extraordinary year saw numerous individuals step up in their service for their houses, so much so that for some houses, there are two award recipients.

Thank you to Year 12 2023 House Person of the Year students for returning to the College for the presentation of awards.

Flinders-      Lily Monckton
Hastings-    Jacob Somers
Innes-         Katie Bell
Macquarie-  Sophie Cheers
Oxley-         Mitchell Bruce
Wilson-        Jeffrey Keena

Outstanding Sporting Involvement

To receive an Outstanding Sporting Involvement award, a student has represented the school in 6 or more sports for yr 7-10 and 5 or more for year 11 out of the many opportunities we offered here at the College in 2023.  Congratulations to this year's recipients:

Excellence in Sport

This award seeks to acknowledge those athletes who have performed exceptionally well in their sport throughout the year. To receive an Excellence in Sport award, a student must have represented NSWCCC or NSW All Schools in a team or squad or excelled in their chosen field. Congratulations to the following six students:

All families are reminded of the fantastic Family Connect service offered free of charge to all SJRC families. Please refer to the flyer below for additional information and self-referral information. Families can access this service by contacting the College Office or our Family Connect Worker, Jerico, on the mobile phone number provided. In 2024 Wendy Jansen will be commencing with us at the College.

Are you not sure if Family Connect could be of benefit to you? Please get in touch with us to find out more information. This is a free and confidential service for families, including parents and siblings of enrolled students.

Jennifer Furney
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care

Music Wrap Up 2023

As the year comes to a close the music department have had a flurry of incredible music performances in school and the community that gives me pause to appreciate all the outstanding work behind the scenes by our treasured music tutors:

• Lydia Wills - Piano
• Carol Irving - Clarinet
• Chris Trotman - all woodwind
• Derek Moule - all Brass
• Karen Gill - Piano
• Sarah and Mark Morabito - Voice
• Mikaela Grob - Guitar
• Jacob Corbert - Bass Guitar
• Jorjia-Rose Styles - woodwind
• Russel Dick - piano and drums
• Josh Thompson - guitar
• Ken McArthur - guitar
• Mark Spence - percussion

Below video link is a snippet of what an average tuition looks like - Carol Irving with three of her clarinet students : Georgina Keogh, Jasmine Bi and Ciana Jones

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MbSUUIrG08P8SvN-rYF3fq-2GmN5XKw7/view?usp=drivesdk

As research now confirms , we recognise that our tutor and band program is the backbone for student success not only in music but in other areas of education, leadership and well-being. To all our hardworking and talented team of tutors we say a huge thankyou.

To our trainees Jonah Garven and Makayla Steele we wish them the very best for their future studies in the Arts : Jonah studying music at Griffith University and Makayla following her love for Arts at Armidale.

None of this program would have been possible without the College executive support for our guru Co-curricular Leader, Mrs Sharon Green, who has conducted, managed and cared for the 120+ students in the music program.

And as I say farewell to the College community in my role, a huge thankyou also to my passionate classroom teacher colleagues of 2023,

• Mrs Sarina Macnamara
• Mrs Emily Young
• Mrs Debbie Kennaugh.

May 2024 be another rich year of music making!

Kindly,

Mrs Leanne Johnson
Leader of Creative Arts

This week, we celebrated four of our 2023 Year 12 students who are recipients of the Hastings Education Fund Commencement Grants.

Congratulations to Harrison Brown, Molly Cicak, Siena Cooper and Jeffrey Keena. In addition, two former students, Tai Khan and Matthew Gleeson were presented with 'Continuing Scholarships' as they forge ahead in their chosen courses.

Over the years, students from St Joseph's Regional College have benefited hugely from the generosity of the Hastings Education Fund and its growing band of local and community sponsors and supporters. As a College community, we are immensely grateful for this level of encouragement and support, and we extend heartfelt thanks to all who enable this amazing initiative. Well done all.

2024 School Travel Applications are Now Open

Students who need a School Opal card or travel pass for 2024 can apply HERE. A new application will need to be submitted if they are applying for the first time, or if they are requesting additional travel entitlement because of new shared parental arrangement (e.g. joint custody).

Students who change address, school, campus location, have repeated a year or received an expiry notification from Transport for NSW for their school travel entitlement should renew or update their details before the end of Term 4. This will ensure that schools can endorse applications, and entitlements remain valid for the start of the 2024 school year. School Opal card holders will have the changes applied to their existing card.

If a student’s distance eligibility has changed based on their grade (i.e. grade two to grade three), the system will automatically update their entitlement if they meet the new criteria. If they do not meet the new eligibility criteria, we will send them an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition that is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their Student Opal card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2024.

Students living in rural and regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the start of the new school year from their nominated transport operator. It may come via the school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.

Travel from Term 1 2024

We ask that parents plan ahead and make sure their child knows which service/s to use and has a valid ticket to travel; either a School Opal card or Child/Youth Opal card (within Greater Sydney) or a School Travel Pass (outside Greater Sydney), from the start of the school year.

Applications for 2024 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel open at the start of Term 4 2023, so parents/students can apply or update details early and be ready for the start of the new school year.

Most students using the Opal network will not need a new Opal card and can continue travelling on their existing card each year.

The start of the year is a busy period for local transport operators, and students travelling without a valid ticket make service planning and operations difficult.

We recognise that for some families last minute changes to school enrolments mean they may not have a School Opal card or Travel Pass for the start of term. In the Opal network, we strongly encourage these families to have their children travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs.

Bus operators are flexible and understanding, particularly at the start of the school year, and will ensure students can travel safely to and from school. But to best support our operators we encourage all students to have a valid ticket, as early as possible, from the start of the school year.

Notification of Change of Route: Morning Bus S658 and Afternoon Bus S536 & S961

Due to multiple road closures being completed and commencing during the upcoming Christmas/New Year Holidays, Busways are providing School’s with advance notice to assist with student travel planning for Day 1 of Term 1 2024.

The following road closure will commence mid to late January 2024 and new diversions will be in place from Thursday 1st February 2024 (Day 1 of Term 1 2024):

King Creek Bridge, King Creek

The below letters detailing the above changes will be distributed to students on the affected services from today until the end of School Term 4 2023. 

In the New Year, please check your School’s Timetable commencing “1 Feb 2024” prior to students returning to School at www.busways.com.au/nsw/school-services/school-timetables

For further information please contact Busways Customer Service on 1300 69 2929 or infoline@busways.com.au.

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