Principal Report

Staffing News

Acting PrincipaI 

I will be taking Long Service Leave from September 16 to October 4. During this time, Mr. Greg Van Es, Deputy Principal of Student Wellbeing, will step in as Acting Principal. Mr. Nigel Adkin and Ms. Ash Fraraccio will share the responsibilities of Deputy Principal of Student Wellbeing.I look forward to reconnecting with staff, students, and families upon my return in the second week of Term 4.

Long Service Leave

Mr. Kees Van der Laan and Ms. Bielinski will also be on Long Service Leave during the final days of Term 3. We wish them a restful and rejuvenating break.

Resignation 

Ms. Margot James has resigned from her position at St John’s to pursue new career opportunities. I thank her for her contributions to our school community and wish her well in the next stage of her professional journey.

Welcome

As previously announced, Ms. Marcela Nievas has accepted a position at Cranbourne East Secondary College. Ms. Kerri Isard will take over her LINKS classes for Term 4. We are also pleased to welcome Mr Fernando Sandoval to the St John’s community as a Learning Support Officer.

Arts & Engagement Week Success

Last week, from September 9 to 13, the school celebrated a very successful Arts & Engagement Week. Students enthusiastically participated in various activities, including the Media Photographic Competition, Art Attack Screenings, the Nutbush City Limits Dance Event, Shadow Tracing and Drawing Workshops, and the Movie & TV-themed Charades.

A highlight of the week was the Performing Arts Evening on Wednesday, which showcased an incredible array of student talent in dance, song, and music. A big congratulations to our Performing Arts Team, led by Perri Espinoza, Tamara Hughes, Reymond Bolano, Montel Thomas, and Anne Aldis, for organising such an amazing night. 

The evening was a huge success, with wonderful performances that truly highlighted the talents of our students.

Thank you to the VET Hospitality Team, led by Ms Haider, for their invaluable support throughout the night.

Thank you to everyone involved for making Arts & Engagement Week a tremendous success!

Congratulations, Ms Teagan Yates!

We are delighted to extend our warmest congratulations to Teagan Yates and her partner Dylan on their wedding, celebrated on September 6.

End of Term: Parent-Teacher Interviews

I strongly encourage all parents to take advantage of the upcoming Parent-Teacher Interviews on the final two days of this term – September 19 and 20. These interviews offer a valuable opportunity for staff to provide detailed feedback on coursework, homework, and assessment tasks completed during Term 3.

The interviews will be in person on Thursday, September 19, at the Br. Leo Scollen Stadium and online via the Teams App on Friday, September 20. Our IT manager, Mr. Brian Griffith, sent home a video guide on how to connect through TEAMS this week.If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Griffith during work hours at 03 8793 2000.

ABC Q&A at Drum Theatre

Last week, student leaders from St John’s attended the ABC Q&A television show staged at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong. We are incredibly proud that our Faith & Mission Captain, Sherlyn Antony, chose to ask a question during the event, which was aired nationwide on ABC. In a vibrant and diverse community like Dandenong, it was a privilege for our students to participate and have their voices heard on such an important platform. Sherlyn’s thoughtful contribution reflects the strength of student leadership, showcasing the positive influence young people can have in shaping meaningful discussions.We are immensely proud of all our student leaders for their dedication to the college, their studies, and the wider community. 

Congratulations to Sherlyn and to everyone for representing St. John’s so admirably.

Student Leaders 2025

Congratulations to our newly appointed College Captains, Kelemen Dominic & Kiara Lay and Faith & Mission Marcus Versoza and Emilia Rusec, for the 2025 school year. 

We are all excited to witness their leadership and commitment to service as they represent the student body and contribute to the continued growth of our school in the coming school year. I also commend all the students who put their hands up for this opportunity to serve but missed out on these roles. Their willingness to lead is an important part of fostering the strong student voice that we value at St John’s, and I am grateful for their love of their school community. 

I look forward to the positive impact our new captains will make on behalf of our student body in 2025.

MACSSIS

This is a final reminder to parents that the MACSSIS survey closes next week. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve our school community. The MACSSIS surveys, explicitly designed for Catholic schools in Melbourne, invite participation from students, families, and staff through a secure, purpose-built online platform operated by ORIMA Research Pty Ltd, ensuring high privacy and data security standards. We encourage you to participate in the survey and contribute to the continued growth of our school. For more information, click here.

YEAR 12 - TRIAL EXAMINATIONS

A reminder to parents and Year 12 students that the Year 12 Trial Exams will take place over the holidays. These exams are a crucial part of preparing for the final exams in November. With just six weeks left of Year 12, this is the time for one final push to focus on revision and exam practice, which can make all the difference. The School Library will be open during the holidays to assist all senior students with their revision.

Happy Holidays

I wish all members of our community a safe and happy holiday with family and friends over the coming break. As the AFL finals series reaches its pinnacle in the coming weeks, I remind everybody to support the mighty Swans!

Blessings to all.