National Sorry Day – A Time for Reflection and Reconciliation

On Monday, our school community marked National Sorry Day, a time to acknowledge the grief and injustice experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly members of the Stolen Generations. It is also a time to walk together in the spirit of healing and hope.

Students and staff joined in a whole-school prayer led by our FIRE Carriers—students and teachers dedicated to learning about and promoting reconciliation. Grounded in our Catholic values of justice, peace, and dignity for all, this prayer called us to remember, reflect, and act:

God of Love, You are the creator of this land and all good things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history and the suffering of our people –

especially the grief of those who were taken as children from their homes and families,

taken from all they knew and loved.

We ask your forgiveness.

We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures.

Give us the courage to acknowledge the realities of our history

so that we may build a better future for our nation.

Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life

for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

I thank Mr Rhynehart and our FIRE Carriers for leading this moment of reflection, along with a variety of activities in the CLC, to engage our students with the story of our First Nations people. As a Catholic community, we are committed to building understanding, standing in solidarity, and contributing to a future of reconciliation.

Year 9 Experiential Program – 2 June to 6 June

During Week 8, our Year 9 students will participate in Experiential Week, an exciting and enriching program designed to broaden their learning beyond the classroom. With a diverse range of activities—from city explorations and cultural experiences to career pathway sessions, leadership development, and practical life skills—students will build confidence, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. I thank our staff team, led by Student Engagement Leader Ms Fraraccio, and our dedicated staff for their careful planning and support in making this valuable week possible for our students.

Semester 1 Report Writing Day

(Tuesday 10 June) - Commencement Semester 2 (11 June)

A school closure day will take place on 10 June to allow teaching staff to complete Semester One reports, which will be distributed to families in the first week of the school holidays. The school administration will be open as per regular hours on Tuesday.

Class will resume on Wednesday, 11 June, when we commence our Semester 2 curriculum program.

Staffing News

As we approach the second half of the year, I would like to inform you of several staffing updates within our St. John's community.

Farewell and Best Wishes

Adam Gordon has advised that he will be returning to St Margaret's to pursue leadership opportunities and has tendered his resignation. Adam will commence his new role at the beginning of Term 3, 2025. We thank him for his contribution to St John's Regional College and wish him every success in this next chapter of his career. Students and families affected by timetable changes will be notified at the end of Term 2.

I also farewell Learning Support Officer Renee Derimboglou and extend our best wishes and safe travels. Thank you, Renee, for your service to our school community.

Congratulations

Warm congratulations to Christine Petrone and Lee on their recent engagement. We wish them much happiness in the years ahead.

New Appointment

I warmly welcome Miss Bellamy Duke, who joins our team as a School Counsellor from Monday, 2 June. Bellamy holds a Bachelor of Social Work and brings a strong passion for delivering engagement programs that promote social connection, self-efficacy, and a sense of belonging, which will be of great value to our community.

I also welcome Mr. Kevin Joshua, who has commenced as our new Youth Minister. Kevin is in the final year of his Bachelor of Science and Master of Teaching program at Deakin University, bringing a rich background in youth ministry through his mission work with the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Melbourne.

We are excited to have both Bellamy and Kevin join our community and look forward to their contributions in the months ahead.

St Gerard's & St Anthony's Enjoy a Taste of Life at St John's

This week, we were delighted to welcome students and staff from St. Gerard's Primary School and St. Anthony's Primary School for a Secondary School Taster Day at St. John's.

The day provided students with a fun and engaging introduction to secondary school life, featuring hands-on sessions across a range of learning areas, including science, technology, the arts, and sports. Students experienced our welcoming school environment, met some of our passionate teachers, and explored what learning at St John's is all about.

Taster Days are designed to build confidence and excitement in primary school students as they begin to imagine their high school journey. A big thank you to the St John's staff and the teachers from St Gerard's and St Anthony's for making the day such a success.

Exams – The Importance of Preparation

The Semester 1 Exam Schedule for Years 8–11 commenced last Wednesday and will continue through to the end of next week. These exams provide students with an opportunity to consolidate their learning and demonstrate their understanding under test conditions. Results will be included in the Semester 1 reports and offer valuable feedback on each student's progress and readiness for future academic challenges.

For students aspiring to university pathways, developing confidence and competence in examinations is essential. Like any skill, exam performance improves with consistent practice, preparation, and support.

I encourage students to make the most of the tutoring support available in the CLC during Terms 2 and 3, where they can sharpen their study techniques, strengthen their subject knowledge, and build effective revision habits.

Success in exams begins with preparation — and our committed and experienced staff are here to help every step of the way.

Enrolments for 2026 and 2027

We are pleased to welcome families considering St John's Regional College for their child's secondary education in 2026 and 2027.

Weekly School Tours

School tours are available every Thursday at 9:15 am, offering parents the opportunity to see our vibrant learning environment in action.

Upcoming Enrolment Information Session

We also invite current and prospective families to our upcoming Enrolment Information Session:

Saturday, 14 June at 10:00 am

This session will include student-led tours of our facilities, providing you with a firsthand look at life at St. John's. You'll also hear from senior staff about our academic programs, learning pathways, and the values that shape our Catholic learning community.

To book your place, please get in touch with our College Reception on (03) 8793 2000 or reserve your spot via TryBooking through the Enrolment tab on our website:

www.sjrc.vic.edu.au

I look forward to welcoming you to St John's.

Newsletter

Issue 7 · 30 May 2025

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