Principal's News

Dear Parents and Families, 

As we reach the final week of the 2025 school year, I want to begin by thanking you for the incredible warmth and support you’ve shown since I joined St John’s at the beginning of Term 4. It has been a privilege to step into such a welcoming, faith-filled school community. This time of year is always a mix of excitement, anticipation, and emotion as we look back on all that has happened and look ahead to what is coming next. With only a week left together, the energy around the school is full of joy and we can’t wait to finish the year well. 

Farewell to Leaving Staff 

We extend our sincere thanks to Tess Scanlan for stepping into the Art Teacher role during Term 4. The incredible steampunk creations now displayed proudly in our front foyer are a credit to Tess! We are very grateful for Tess’ willingness to support our school this term, and we look forward to welcoming her back throughout 2026 as a Casual Relief Teacher. 

We also farewell Jake Penman, who has had a wonderful year teaching at St John’s. Jake will be moving to Stella Maris Catholic Primary School in Point Cook next year, to take up an exciting new role teaching his very own Year 5/6 class and what lucky students they will be. Jake has been such a positive presence in our school. He is incredibly well-respected by staff for his fun, warmth and strong sense of teamwork, and by families for the genuine relationships he builds and the trust he earns so naturally. But above all, Jake will be remembered most fondly by the students of St John’s. He has a rare gift for connecting with children making them feel valued, understood, and capable of great things. We are truly grateful for Jake’s contribution to our community this year and wish him every success as he continues to grow in his teaching career. Stella Maris in Point Cook is very lucky to have him. 

Finally, we farewell Ally Johnston, who is retiring after an extraordinary 41-year career in education. Ally is one of those rare teachers whose presence lifts a whole community. This year, she has contributed so much both as our Year 3 teacher and as our Mental Health in Primary Schools Leader. Her calm guidance, deep care for students, and passion for wellbeing have made a lasting impact on St John’s. Ally has given so much to St John’s. Her professionalism, her warmth, and her deep belief in the wellbeing of every child. We are incredibly grateful for her time with us and wish her a joyful and fulfilling retirement surrounded by family, travel and all the things she loves. Ally would like the following message shared with our community: 

Dear St Johns School Community, 

After 41 years in education, many of you know that I will be retiring at the end of this year. As I prepare to turn 60 in January, I feel it is the right time to begin a new chapter—one that brings me closer to family and allows me the joy of travelling from state to state to spend precious time with my children and grandchildren. 

Reflecting on my journey, I feel immensely grateful. My four decades in education have taken me on countless adventures and offered opportunities I never imagined when I first began teaching. I have taught overseas, in remote communities, and on the Lands in Coober Pedy. My career has stretched from Mount Gambier to Swan Reach, to Kent in England for a memorable 12-month teaching experience, then on to Port Augusta, behaviour support schools in Victoria, and finally the past eight years in Catholic education. 

Along the way, I even stepped beyond education, spending time working with Centrelink and in the funeral industry—roles that deepened my understanding of people and strengthened my compassion. I raised my children in Coober Pedy and eventually settled in Adelaide before returning to Victoria, not far from where I was born. 

Every place, every school, every community has shaped me. I feel blessed to have lived such a rich and varied life, and honoured to have made lifelong friends along the way. One of my greatest joys has been staying connected to many of my former students and watching them grow into incredible adults—and, for some, wonderful parents themselves. 

I am especially grateful to have finished my permanent teaching career at St Johns. My Year 3 class this year has been an absolute delight, and they have brought me so much joy. Stepping into the role of Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader has reignited my passion for holistic education and strengthened my belief that healthy minds create strong learners. 

As I step into retirement, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire St Johns community—students, families, and staff. Thank you for welcoming me, supporting me, and allowing me to play a small part in the life of this beautiful school. 

I wish you all a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season, and once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Warmest regards, 

Ally Johnston 

This is Ally in her first year teaching 

Below is Ally in Year 1

Events Coming Up in Our Final Week 

• Christmas Concert this Thursday 11th December at 6pm in the Mercy Centre:We are very excited to gather for our Christmas Concert this Thursday evening. This year, we'll be performing indoors in the Mercy Centre. It will be a tight squeeze, and we hope that the air conditioning and our new sound system will make for a comfortable and enjoyable night. Parents will be asked to sit behind students who will be at the front of Mercy Centre with the St John’s Staff. We’re looking forward to seeing the students shine and welcoming families, extended families and friends to celebrate together. 
• Year 6 Graduation – Monday 15th December, 6pm in the Mercy Centre: Our graduating class of 2025 has finished their final year with such pride, joy, and spirit. We look forward to celebrating their seven-year journey with families at our Graduation Dinner. 
• End of Year Mass at St John’s Church + Farewell Assembly in the Mercy Centre – Tuesday 16th December: Our final day together begins with Mass in the Church at 12:30pm, followed by our Goodbye and Farewell Assembly at 2:30pm. During the assembly we will: watch the Year 6 Graduation Movie together, celebrate and thank our departing staff, students and families and form a whole-school guard of honour as we farewell them at the end of the day. Students finish at the usual time of 3:15pm. 

Farewell to Families Leaving St John’s 

To our Year 6 students and the families finishing their time at St John’s, thank you for the contribution you have made during your years here. You will always be part of our story. 

We say goodbye to...

Selby Burke and his family

Alex Burton and his family

Gypsy Campbell and her family

Harlow Cummins and her family

Mackenzie Hamill and her family

Chloe Harvey-Bredden and her family

Jake Hornby and his family

Jim Macdermid and his family

Grace O'Dea and her family

Zoe Pretlove and her family

Harry Rowan and his family

Owen Rozema and his family

Jaeger Saxon and his family

Luca Treloar and his family 

Nash Wade and his family

To the students and families returning in 2026, I look forward to all that the new year will bring us, as we continue to grow together in Truth, Love and Service. As we approach Christmas, may we find moments of stillness among the busyness to reflect on the joy of Jesus’ birth; a reminder of hope, love and God’s presence in our lives. I invite all families to join us for Christmas Eve Family Mass at 6pm as we celebrate this special season together. 

Wishing all families a safe, restful and joy-filled Christmas break. The school office will reopen from Monday 19th January (mornings only), staff will be onsite preparing for the year ahead. We look forward to welcoming the children back to school on Friday 30th January to begin another exciting year at St John’s for 2026. 

Take care, 

Sam Kerlin 

Principal – St John’s School, Euroa