Principal's Report

Semster 2 Reports

Semester 2 reports will be emailed to parents early next week. It brings a time of reflection and I applaud the many students who will use the summer break to start thinking about areas for improvement. However, without identifying solid actions or behaviours that will be put in place each week next year than their approach and performance in their studies will change little.  This is summed up by the logic that when we continue with the same actions we will get the same results.

I encourage our students to identify the small changes in their approach to learning like asking their teachers questions about what they do not understand. These simple changes if applied consistently throughout the year will lead to improvements in their learning and attitude to school overall. I also encourage them on their return next year to share the small goals they have identified with their Learning Mentor so that we can actively support and encourage them on the pursuit of their best next year.

Class of 2018

Congratulations to the Class of 2018 who enjoyed a wonderful celebration of their graduation at St Patrick's Cathedral followed by dinner at the Sofitel Ballroom. I thank our celebrant Fr Brendan Lane and Mr John Rhynehart for our liturgy focused on giving thanks, House Leader Ms Sonia McNally, and Deputy Principal Mr Van Es for organising this thoroughly enjoyable family event.

I also acknowledge the beautiful music created by our student choir and band led by Ms Harmony Millar and Mr Michael Perryman.

Student Achievements

Kwong Lee Dow - Melbourne University Young Scholars Program

I congratulate Caitlin Jones from Year 10 on her selection into the Class of 2020 Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars. 

The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program offers participants the opportunity to mix with like-minded peers and future leaders. Over the next two years Caitlin will attend a tailored program of events and activities at Melbourne University which will enhance her secondary studies, inform her career plans and provide opportunities to interact with the University community.

Caitlin, who is a St Mary’s College of the Deaf student attending St John’s, was recognised from 1700 secondary applications from across Victoria. I congratulate Caitlin on this wonderful acknowledgement of her impressive achievements to date.

SIS Softball Team

Congratulations to our intermediate girls’ softball team and Coach Mrs Sonia McNally who completed the SIS Softball Season undefeated. The girls have spent many lunchtimes with their Coach developing their skills and game strategies and thoroughly deserve taking out the SIS Pennant for term 4.

Farewell to Staff

I acknowledge the following staff who will be leaving St John’s at the end of the year and thank them for their service to our community over this year. We wish them well for the next stage of their careers.

Mr James Koroma

Mr Jonathan Michaels

Mr Shaun McInnes.

Representation Football 

I congratulate Matthew Cross on his selection into the Sandringham Dragons U16 Program . Matthew Cross has been playing for Cheltenham Junior Football Club for the past 3 years in the (SMJ) South Metro Junior Football League. In this time Matthew was nominated to participate in the Under 14’s Sandringham Dragons Development Program and this year was invited back to participate in the St. Kilda (NGA) Next Generation Academy.

After 6 months of training and two trial games in the September School Holidays, Matthew was selected to join the Sandringham Dragons Under 16’s program. This program serves as a platform to be selected for the Victorian Metro Under 16 side.

Elevate Study Skills

During the week, our senior students going into Year 11 and 12 next year took advantage of the Elevate Study Skills program. The Elevate program draws upon 15 years of research into the successful study habits of the country’s top students. The program, which is delivered by high achieving University Students in seminars & workshops, help students improve their study techniques, increase motivation, build confidence, and lift exam performance.

Our students will have the opportunity to revisit the Elevate Study Skills techniques in the early part of term 1.

2019 College Cafe Program

On Wednesday 28 November, St John's launched its College café Program for 2019. The College Café will be run as a core learning project for our Year 9 students, enabling rich learning opportunities in the areas of Business, Marketing, Health, Food production and Hospitality.

This project will see students immersed in the management and daily operation of the College Café under the supervision of our Food technology and Hospitality Staff.  They will gain important knowledge and skills in budgeting, cash handling, menu creation and patisserie as well as receive a certificate in Food handling and Barista (coffee making).

I thank our Curriculum Development Team lead by Dr Janine Biggin, Mr Denis Palanci, Mr Dion Spoljar and Mr Kees Van Der Laan for their contributions in bringing this important curriculum project to life.

On Track - Mushroom Records: Holiday Program

During the middle term holidays, a number of our students attend the Mushroom Records Holiday Program where they worked with a variety of recording artists. The week long program saw them develop skills in song writing, DJ recording and performing.

As a follow-up to that very successful program, the following five students have been selected  to record their music at the Port Melbourne Studios of Mushroom Records over the school holidays.

I congratulate the following students who formed the group “Waves” for the program and wrote a great song, developed their skills and performed to an exceptional degree in their first live performance. The group will have their music recorded at the Sunshine Recorders studio during January. 

Congratulations to Eric Babiak, Lennon Hughes, Diliana Benevides, Shanaya Pacheco and Samantha Mallari

Melbourne Victory Holiday Program

Congratulations to the following students who gained selection in the Melbourne Victory Holiday Program in late January.

Warren Sookun, Denis Ofuho, Matthew Piech Meat, Luka Pecer  and Joshua Ferro will attend the  program supported by the Victorian Department of Education and Training. This program provides students the opportunity to experience football, engage with Melbourne Victory players, coaches and staff and to learn and develop new skills through a broad range of activities.

The five students selected were part of the successful intermediate boy’s soccer team who took out the SIS Pennant this year.

Alumni Newsletter

Following the very successful 60th Year Alumni Event for past students held on the 11 October this year, the executive of the Alumni have produced their first Alumni Newsletter to keep past students connected to our community.

I congratulate the President of the Alumni Ms Kellie Walden on this initiative and encourage all ex-students of the College to register their details with the Alumni database found on our school website or by contacting Ms Kellie Walden via her details in the Alumni Newsletter.

Office Hours

The College Office will close for the Christmas Holidays on the 21 December at 12noon and will reopen at 8am on the 21 January 2019.

Merry Christmas

As we close this year we shout with joy our College Theme “ Jubilate “ one last time and give thanks to God for all that we have achieved this year. I wish all of our families a Merry and Holy Christmas and look forward to our students return for the 2019 school year.

Tim Hogan, Principal