Principal Report

Jubilee of Hope Reflection Day

The MASC Southern Region Jubilee of Hope Reflection Day, hosted at St Bede's College, Mentone, brought together students from across Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) Southern Region to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope.

Declared by Pope Francis for 2025, the Jubilee invites us all to embrace spiritual renewal, forgiveness, and reconciliation in the face of today's global challenges.

Throughout the day, students listened to inspiring speakers who highlighted the central role of hope in our lives and its deep foundations within our Catholic faith. Building on these messages, students then interacted with peers from other schools in small groups, sharing how these themes resonate in their own lives. Together, they reflected on what spiritual renewal looks like amid the pressures of study, how forgiveness can restore friendships, and how reconciliation can strengthen peace in their families, communities, and broader world.

These rich conversations reminded all present that hope is not only something we believe in, but something we actively live out in daily choices.

I extend my thanks to our Faith & Mission Team led by Mr Rhynehart, our Social Justice Leader Miss Simon, and our Youth Minister Mr Joshua for supporting our students in this meaningful faith experience.

Staffing Update

As we look ahead to the conclusion of the 2025 school year, I acknowledge the upcoming retirements of Ms Priya Cardinaletti and Mr Joe Sirianni. Priya will retire after 22 years of dedicated service, particularly in the Arts & Technology Learning Area, while Joe will conclude 25 years of commitment to Languages and Religious Education. Both have been wonderful servants of our College community, and we extend our gratitude for their passion, professionalism, and care for generations of students. We wish them every blessing in their retirement.

Looking to 2026, I am pleased to announce the following Positions of Leadership Appointments:

VCE Programs Leader – Ms Tania Robinson

Arts and Engagement Leader – Mr Christopher Leak

Mathematics Learning Area Leader – Mr Eddie Taing

I congratulate them on their appointments and look forward to the leadership, expertise, and vision they will bring for the benefit of our staff and students in 2026.

Sports Academy Information Night – A Huge Success

Last Thursday evening, St John's Regional College proudly hosted our Sports Academy Information Night, and it was wonderful to see so many current and prospective families in attendance. The night was a great showcase of the opportunities available to our students through the Academy, highlighting how elite sporting pathways are integrated with a comprehensive academic program.

Families heard from our Head of Sports Academy, Mr Ben McGee, who outlined our coaching approach, the application and screening process, and the many matchplay, competitive, and interstate development opportunities available to Academy athletes.

We were also privileged to welcome two outstanding guest speakers:

Carl Valeri, former Socceroo, World Cup player, and Director at Melbourne Victory,  spoke about the importance of resilience, high-performance culture, and wellbeing pathways for student-athletes.

Richard Bolaffi, Founder of Australia & NZ Basketball Scouts, also shared his expertise on talent development, US college pathways, and opportunities within professional basketball.

The evening reinforced the College's commitment to supporting students to achieve excellence both in the field and in the classroom, ensuring they are equipped with the skills, discipline, and confidence to succeed in all areas of life.

I thank all families who joined us on the night and encourage those considering the Academy to explore the Sports Academy Scholarships available for incoming Year 7 students.

Father's Day BBQ – Thank You

On Friday, we gathered as a community to celebrate Father's Day with a BBQ in the Graduates' Restaurant. It was an excellent opportunity for students to share time with their fathers and father figures, enjoying a well-cooked BBQ and great conversation together.

I extend my thanks to our VET Events Management students and staff, led by Ms Haider and Ms Dias, whose organisation, preparation, and hospitality made the event such a success. The warm and welcoming atmosphere was greatly appreciated by all the Dads who enjoyed the time away from work with their children.

As we look forward to Father's Day on Sunday, we pause to give thanks for the fathers and father figures in our lives — those who guide, encourage, and support our young people with love and care.

A Prayer for Fathers

Dear God,

We thank You for the gift of fathers and all who take on the role of guiding and nurturing others.

Bless them with wisdom to lead with patience, courage to support in times of challenge, and joy in the everyday moments of family life.

We pray for those whose fathers are no longer with them, that they may find comfort in treasured memories and in the love of their community.

May all fathers continue to be signs of Your hope and love in our world.

Ven Nano Nagle - Pray for us.     

St John Baptist de La Salle - Pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts - Forever!

Amen.

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 18 and 19. 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 held in person on Thursday, 18 September, at the Br Leo Scollen Stadium, and online via the Teams App on Friday, 19 September. A video guide on how to connect through TEAMS has been sent home this week by our IT Manager, Mr. Brian Griffith.

If you require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Griffith during work hours at 8793 2000 or our administration staff for help with bookings.

Our New Website is Live!

We are very excited to share that our new College website is now live. The refreshed design highlights the many opportunities available at St John's — from our rich and diverse curriculum to the exciting pathways offered through our Sports Academy and co-curricular programs. Families can also explore details about our community events, enrolment information, and the values that guide us as a Catholic College.

I thank our Marketing Officer, Ms Kylie Box, for her coordination of the website's development and invite you to explore the site and discover the many ways St John's nurtures learning, faith, and opportunity for every student. Your feedback is most welcome and can be directed to Ms Box.