Principal's Report

Lasallian Tercentenary Celebration Mass 

As part of the Tercentenary Celebrations, on Friday 8 March, a thanksgiving Mass and dinner was held in the College Chapel and Graduates' Restaurant for the Lasallian Brothers living in Melbourne. The mass conducted by Fr Brian Gleeson included a moving homily by Mr John Rhynehart and was a fitting tribute to the legacy of John Baptise La Salle and the brothers who have continued his inspirational work. 

Guests included:

Brother Visitor David Hawke, Visitor Brother Michael Carroll (Malvern) 

Brother Michael McCabe (Malvern)Brother Paul Smith (Malvern)  

Brother Lawrence King (Malvern) Brother Peter Smyth (Malvern) 

Brother Ken Ormerod (Mentone) Brother Tony Cummins (Mentone) 

Brother Joseph Gabel (Mentone) Brother Jack Kidd (Mentone) 

Brother Hilary Walsh (Mentone)Brother Bede Mackrell (Mentone)  

Brother Quentin O’Halloran (Mentone)Brother Cletus Storey (Mentone)  

Brother Kevin Moloney (Mentone) Brother Dennis Loft (Jerusalem) , 

Brother Calixtus Cusak ,Mr John Finn – Principal St Bede  

Ms Maria Haggett – St Bedes Ms Ria Greene – St Bedes 

Mr David Cracknell – St BedesMr Dominic Langdon – St Bedes 

Ms Jan BROWN – St BedesMr Peter Houlihan Principal-De La Salle 

Ms Rana Brogan – De La SalleMs Jessica Alger- De La Salle 

Mr Tom Ryan – De La Salle Ms Sandy Wreford – De La Salle  

Mr Mark Gustincic – De La Salle Ms Lyn McGuinness- De La Salle 

Mr Greg Van Es- St John’s Ms Janine Biggin – St Johns 

Ms Helen Kelly – St John’sMr John Rhynehart – St John’s  

Mr Stephen Pooley -Principal St James Bentleigh  

Mr Patrick Janes- St James BentleighMr Marty Callahan-St James Bentleigh

Year 9 College Cafe Program

The Year 9 College Café program began last week as a core learning project with a focus on providing rich learning opportunities in the areas of Business, Marketing, Health,Food production and Hospitality. 

Throughout the year our Year 9 students, under the supervision of our Food Technology and Hospitality staff, will be immersed for a two-week block in the management and daily operation of the College Café. Students 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). 

The first team of students have thoroughly enjoyed this learning opportunity and the quality of home made menu items has been a talking point among the student population.  

Staffing

Ms Katrina Blick our Marketing and Administration Officer will be leaving us at the beginning of March. We wish her well in her new role within a Kindergarten Organisation. The recruitment process has begun for a Marketing and Administration Officer to commence in early March.

Year 7 Camp

Last week our Year 7 Students enjoyed a wonderful three days at Adanac Camp near Yarra Junction. The students participated in a number of activities including archery, kayaking, volleyball and rock climbing amongst a beautiful bush setting. 

I thank the teaching staff lead by Ms Trish Dounias and Mr Mark Alexander for facilitating such a fun-filled environment where students go to know each other and many new friendships were formed.

Opening Mass and House Welcome Evening

I thank Fr Brendan, Fr Michael, Fr Kevin and Fr Matthew for welcoming our Year 7 students and their families into our Community at our Opening Mass of the school year. It was a wonderful introduction for our new families and students to experience our liturgy as the centre our faith community. I also wish to acknowledge our Board members who were able to attend Ms Kellie Walden, Mr Andrew Schoenmaekers, Ms Danai Cerra and Ms Cathy Pascal. 

A light supper and an opportunity for families to meet their house leaders and learning mentors followed the welcome mass. 

Investiture of Student Leaders and Acknowledgement of 2018 High Achievers

On the 12 February, the opening College assembly was held to acknowledge all of our High Achievers from 2018 and to formally inaugurate the 2019 Student Leaders for St John’s. Guests included student representatives and senior staff from St Bede’s, St James and De La Salle Malvern.  

Bereavement

Over the last week, we received the sad news of the passing of two wonderful leaders from our Lasallian and Presentation Charisms.  Sr Patricia Carroll pbvm, a former Principal of Star of the Sea and Avila College and Br Jeff Calligan , a passionate teacher and retreat leader will be missed by the many communities that they were part of and we give thanks for their lives of service. 

We pray:   

Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord and may perpetual light shine on them.  May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.  Master of the Universe, hear our prayers, we make them in confidence forever and ever.