Welcome Back

What a wonderful moment it was to have our students back today. The sounds of joy that echoed through the corridors gave everybody a lift and brought a smile and energy to our work. On behalf of our school, I want to say a big thank you to all our teachers, students, parents and carers for your continued resilience and support throughout this year. I know remote and flexible learning has not always been easy, but through our collective efforts, our students have continued to make valuable progress in their learning.

The staggered return of students is outlined below, and we are hopeful that the full-time return of all students set for November 5th will be brought forward once the 80% Vaccination rate is achieved.

Year 7 students will return on Friday 22 October and remain onsite full time.
Year 8 and 9 students will stay on the current schedule. Commencing Tuesday 26 October returning 2 days per week (Tues & Wed).
Year 10 students will return on Friday 22 October and will be onsite part time for the following week. They will learn remotely Monday 25 to Wednesday 27 October before returning onsite on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October.
Year 11 students will return on Friday 22 October and remain onsite full time.

Calendar Changes Term 4

Due to the impact of remote learning and the easing of restrictions the following adjustments have been made to the Term 4 Calendar:

Years 7-9

25 & 26 October: Year 7-9 Exam Period will not run. Students will have normal classes during this time. Year 7-9 students will complete the ACER Literacy and Numeracy testing during the STEP-UP Program which will be communicated to parents as part of the Semester 2 Reports.

Year 10 and 11 Exam Period

8-11 November: during this time Year 10 students will complete a combination of regular classes and exams for their core subjects: English, Mathematics and Physical Education. Year 10 students will be required onsite for their exam period.

Year 11 Students completing VCE and VCE VET Unit 1 and 2 subjects will complete exams for all subject areas as per their exam timetable. Year 11 Students will be able to revise at home when they don’t have an exam timetabled.

Our Year 11 VCAL Classes run onsite until 11 November.

12 November: STEP-UP Preparation Day

As previously outlined in the Newsletter all students in Years 7-11 will be stepping up into their 2022 programs from 16 November this year. Friday 12 November will be a student free day to allow staff to prepare their 2022 programs.

15 November: Report Writing Day

The Semester 2 report writing day for staff will take place on Monday 15 November, this will be a student free day.

16 November: Step-Up Program Commences

Our Step-Up Program provides an opportunity for students to begin next year's academic program in the last three weeks of this school year. All students from Years 7 -11 will start their 2022 timetable and subjects from this date.

16 November: 2021 St Johns Regional College Awards Evening (New Date)

This event will take place on Thursday 25 November and will be confirmed as an onsite or virtual event depending on the easing of health restrictions by the State Government.

19 November: Graduation Mass & Ceremony

Current health restrictions are allowing an outdoor gathering of 500 once we reach the 80% vaccination rate. We will confirm the venue and structure of our 2021 Graduation once restrictions are known.

2 & 3 December: The Addams Family College Production at the Br Leo Scollen Stadium

Current restrictions are allowing for an audience of 150 once we reach the 80% vaccination rate. We are very excited to give our students and hardworking staff the opportunity to showcase the 2021 Production onsite at St John’s.

Year 12 Class of 2021

It has been a difficult two years for everybody in our community and none more so than for our senior students in their final years of secondary schooling, and yet despite this they have been exemplary in their behaviour.

In our online Assembly to farewell the Class of 2021 I congratulated them all on the leadership they have shown over the last two years. People have seen them lead with care and determination under difficult circumstances and this is how we will remember them and the lesson they pass onto our 2022 Student Leaders.

I also wish to thank all our staff and of course, our parents and carers who have contributed to the growth and development of these wonderful young men and women over the last six years. We extend our best wishes and prayers for all of our Year 12 students as they prepare for their final exams and look forward to a celebration of the Class of 2021 on the 19th of November where we can thank God that exams are over and an exciting new journey begins.

Student Leaders 2022

I congratulate our newly appointed Student Leaders for 2022. Over the last few weeks our students have completed detailed applications for leadership positions, presented a virtual speech to their peers and been interviewed by our Current College Captains, Mr Van Es and myself as part of the selection process for our 2021 leaders. I congratulate the following students on their appointment to these important roles for our college community. On the 25th of November all student leaders will be presented to the community at our Awards Evening. I look forward to working with our school leaders and helping them develop as servant leaders of our College in 2022.

College Captains

Vanessa Sayers & Kye Duncan

Faith & Mission Captains

Jethmi Almeida & Chris Kelly

House Captains

Aquilla House

Joleena Tam & Adam Gilchrist

Columba House

Alliyah Manoop & Lennon Hughes

Delphinus

Amanda Britto & Jade Grundy

Leonis

Shayne Fisher & Anthony Heng

Monoceros

Laura Gardner & Cooper Marshall

Phoenix House

Josephine Malwal & Charlie Barry

Scholarship Winners 2022

I announce that the following students have been awarded general excellence scholarships for the 2022 school year. There were many excellent applications, but these students stood out for their academic performance, respectful interactions with staff and students and engagement with school life. I congratulate them all. These students will be acknowledged formally on the 2022 Awards Evening in November. The next round of scholarships will be awarded to students in Years 7, 8 & 10 in Term 3 of 2022.

Year 7

Phoebe Castillo

Lynn Cho Man Yan

May Ellaine Harrisson

Emma Jorissen

Year 8

Quratullance Ali

Benjamin Gomes

Samarah Haque

Levi Hughes

Year 10

Caitlin Cross

Justyna Komar

Chris Lampard

Tristan Longmuir

Staffing

This week we farewell Ms Samantha Hadley who is leaving St John’s to welcome the arrival of her second child. I wish her well on this exciting life journey and thank her for wonderful teaching over the last two years.

Junior STEM – Construction Continues

Our junior STEM facility has just passed some major construction milestones with the pouring of the second floor and columns this week. Despite some time lost through construction lockdowns we are on track for completion of the $5m facility by the end of Term 1, 2022.

Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

Greg Van Es