Principal's Report 

Welcome Back

I hope that families and students have enjoyed the extended break. The inclusion of both the Easter celebration and ANZAC Day  provided some wonderful opportunities to catch-up  and relax with family members. I also thank all our families for their attendance at the Parent Teacher Interviews at the end of last term and encourage those parents who missed out on that opportunity for a progress check to contact their child’s teacher over the first few weeks of Term 2.

Winter Uniform

I also advise that as students return, they move into full Winter Uniform for Term 2. This will require them to additionally wear the school tie each day except on days when they are allowed to wear sports uniform. School ties are available through Academy Uniforms who can be reached through the following website:

 http://www.academyuniforms.com.au

ANZAC Day

The timing of the ANZAC day public holiday gives us time to reflect on its significance to Australian culture. It is an  important day for Australians because it commemorates the landing of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops at Gallipoli Turkey on April 25 1915 during World War One. It was the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the war and it resulted in a significant loss of life. Anzac day is a day to remember and honour the sacrifices made by the ANZAC troops as well as all Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. It is a day of national remembrance and reflection, and it is observed with solemn ceremonies, parades and other commemorative events across Australia and New Zealand. 

As we pray together we keep in mind our debt of gratitude for the fallen servicemen and women of our nation and, in particular, those who died in or survived the horrors of World War One . We offer the Ode as our prayer. The Ode comes from ‘For the Fallen’, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in 1914. 

A Prayer for ANZAC Day.

Let us remember we are in the holy presence of God.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

"They shall grow not old,  

as we that are left grow old;  

Age shall not weary them,  

nor the years condemn.  

At the going down of the sun and in the morning  

We will remember them." 

Lest we forget. 

All:  Lest we forget.  Amen. 

Ven. Nano Nagle:  pray for us.

St John Baptist de La Salle:  pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts:  forever.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Staffing

I advise of the following staffing changes  as we begin Term 2 :

NEW APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCEMENT -   

Congratulations to Ms Emily Cuciniello -  who has just gained her permission to teach through VIT. Emily will take on a junior Maths and Science Class and Year 9 Science.

I also welcome our new EAL & Humanitarian Support Leader Ms Marcela Nievas who will start in week two of this term. Ms Nievas will replace Ms Dawn Heldt.

The following staffing changes will also be in effect during Term 2. 

Miss Havah Klajn (teacher training leave) Weeks 1-4  replaced by Michael Toomey.

Mr Derick Williams (Long Service Leave) Weeks 1-10  replaced by Mr David Miles and Mr Julian Fernandez (VCE Systems & Engineering)

Mr Naim Abdelahad Weeks ( Long Service Leave) 1-10 replaced by Mr Roland Clements

2023 SJRC House Athletics Championship

In the last week of Term 1, St John’s staged the annual Athletics Carnival at Casey Fields. Under a beautiful sunny sky, Leonis House took home the overall Champion House Shield and Delphinus the Shield for House Spirit. I thank our Sports Co-ordinator Mr Mark Alexander, the HPE staff and all staff for this wonderful celebration of health, fitness, fun and sportsmanship.

SIS Division B – Swimming Carnival

Next week our students compete in the  SIS Division B Swimming carnival on Wednesday. It has been a busy time for Sport Co-Ordinator Mr Mark Alexander and staff members Nigel Adkin, Aaron Bailey, Ash Fraraccio, Marina Kintzel and Deb Sherrard who have been conducting early morning training sessions during Term 1 in preparation for this competition. Parents are most welcome to attend the event next Wednesday at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre.

Tutoring Program

Following on from the Parent Teacher Interviews where students may be reflecting on the need for extra assistance with their studies in Term 2,  I advise of our free after school tutoring program for all year levels. The tutoring program takes place in the CLC each Monday to  Thursday from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm. Students can book in for a half hour or more for assistance with any subject area via the try booking site on our school website.  

Soccer Gala Day –  Paul Wade Cup May 8th 

The third annual Paul Wade Cup will take place on May 8 from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm at the St John’s Sports precinct.  We have over 180 students from seven Primary Schools who will be attending on the day and playing off for the trophy named after Paul Wade, an ex-student of St John’s and a former Captain of the Australian Socceroos. Last year's winner, St Paul Apostle North, are keen to defend their title so it will be interesting to see who of the following schools will step-up to challenge them.

St Paul Apostle – North

St Paul Apostle – South

St Kevin’s - Hampton Park

St Mary's – Dandenong 

St Francis De Sales - Lynbrook

Holy Family - Doveton

St Gerard’s – Dandenong North

Parents from our Primary schools are warmly invited to attend on the day and cheer on their sons and daughters. Parking will be available along Power Street and at the Robert Booth Reserve on Clow Street.

St Paul Apostle Athletics Carnival.

It was exciting to see the students from St Paul Apostle North Primary School visit St John’s in the last week of Term 1 to conduct their annual athletics carnival. Current St John’s students who went to SPAN helped with the running of the track and field events and the visiting parents thoroughly enjoyed a BBQ and the opportunity to socialise with other parents. I thank Mr Tyler Hall-Ferguson and the maintenance team for their preparation of our excellent facilities for our visitors.

Enrolments 2024 and 2025

In Term 2, open mornings for prospective students and their families will take place each Thursday at 9.15 am to give Parents the opportunity to learn about our History, Curriculum programs and future plans for St John’s. The one-hour session will also include a tour through our facilities. Out of school hours tours for this term have been scheduled for the following dates:

Wednesday 17 May at 6pm 

Thursday 8 June at 6pm

Enrolments for 2024 and 2025 are invited and parents can book a place for these tours by contacting our College reception on (03) 8793 2000 or through Try Booking via the Enrolment tab on our school website https://www.sjrc.vic.edu.au.