St John's
School Advisory Council
The first St John's School Advisory Council (SAC) meeting for Term 2, 2025, was held on the evening of Tuesday, 29 April, onsite in the staffroom. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with current members and warmly welcome our new committee member, Kate Roberts. We renewed our sense of commitment and focus, as we looked ahead to the opportunities for the year. Looking forward to the many initiatives and projects we will work on together and we appreciate the ongoing dedication of all SAC members in making this year a successful one.
Meet the team
Verona Gridley - School Principal
Father Dispin John - Parish Priest (Custodian of Mission)
Melinda Buscema - Deputy School Principal/RE Leader (Custodian of Mission)
Angela Maclean – Chairperson, Parent Representative
Samantha Solomons - Secretary, Parent Representative (Parishioner)
Anne Tyedin - Parent Representative
Kate Roberts - Parent Representative
May De Almeida - Parent Representative
Rob Kruisheer - Parent Representative
Key messages and opportunities from our recent meeting include:
We’re off to a strong start this term at St John’s, with exciting developments across leadership, learning, faith and wellbeing. Here’s a look at what’s been happening in and around our vibrant school community.
Leadership and Management
Our Leadership Team continues to meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons, to ensure smooth planning and responsive decision-making. We warmly welcome Diane Lewis, who has joined our staff this term, working one day a week in 5/6A to release Tracey Farra for her leadership role. We also congratulate Elina Li, our wonderful Chinese teacher, who has decreased her time at St John’s to three days per week. Elina will be taking maternity leave in Term 3, and we wish her all the best in this exciting chapter.
Prep 2026 enrolments are coming in steadily, with 19 enrolments already received. We encourage families considering St John’s to get in touch soon to secure a place.
Our Open Day was on Friday, 2 May, which was a great opportunity for prospective families to see our school in action.
Thanks to Jellis Craig for their continued support in marketing our school, including updated boards at the front of the school and Mitcham Football Club and boards scheduled for June. They’ve also kindly donated a coffee cart for our Mother’s Day celebration—a warm gesture we know our families will appreciate!
Religious Dimension
Faith and tradition continue to be central to life at St John’s:
Our First Eucharist Family Night was a meaningful and successful gathering. Students presented a reverent and moving Holy Week role play to the whole school. We began the term with a liturgy dedicated to the Pope. Our ANZAC Day Service was beautifully supported by the choir, with excellent sound quality thanks to microphone upgrades. The Year 5/6 Pilgrimage around sacred sites in Mitcham last term offered students a rich, reflective experience of faith in action.
Learning and Teaching
There’s plenty of exciting learning happening across the school:
Geography is a key focus this term, with a range of units designed to develop global awareness and critical thinking.
Parents and guardians should have received Curriculum Overviews—a great way to stay informed and engaged with classroom learning.
Students in Prep to Year 2 recently enjoyed a Yarra Valley Water incursion, exploring sustainability and water conservation.
We’re also thrilled to host an Auskick program on-site this term, supporting students’ physical development and love of sport.
Student Wellbeing
We’re looking forward to Grandparents Day, a cherished tradition that celebrates the love, wisdom and support that our grandparents bring to our students’ lives. More details will be shared soon.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the incredible learning, faith and community work happening every day at St John’s. We look forward to a productive and joyful term ahead!
Wellbeing and Behaviour Programs at St John’s - Tracey Farrar Presentation
Fostering Resilience, Respect and Purpose in Every Child
At St John’s, we believe that education goes beyond academics. Our wellbeing and behaviourmanagement programs are grounded in a holistic approach that nurtures the spiritual, cognitive, physical, emotional and social development of every student. This supports not just their growth aslearners, but as thriving individuals equipped for life beyond the classroom.
This year, we have continued to embed wellbeing practices through a range of structured programs aligned with the Victorian Curriculum 2.0, helping students build the skills they need to navigate life as confident, capable adults. Our focus has been on developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, social skills and a strong sense of purpose.
The Resilience Project (TRP)
A key component of our wellbeing journeys this year has been the implementation of The Resilience Project (TRP). Students participate in weekly sessions exploring the core pillars of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM), along with emotional literacy. Each year level follows a tailored program, with engaging, age-appropriate materials delivered creatively in hour-long sessions. Staff have also undertaken professional learning to support this, including modules from the Be You initiative, and training focused on mental health and self-harm awareness.
The Youth Resilience Survey, completed earlier this year, provides us with a benchmark for future growth, and we look forward to repeating it in 12 months to assess impact.One highlight has been seeing students reflect on “3 Things I’m Grateful For”— a simple but powerful daily practice that’s become a school-wide ritual.
The impact has been tangible, as student wellbeing has improved significantly and behavioural incidents have dropped dramatically. For example, in Term 2 last year, we recorded over 140 behaviour reflection sheets; this year, that number is down to just a
handful — a clear sign that these programs are working.
We also encourage families to explore the TRP Parent Hub, which offers valuable resources to support these practices at home.
Student Voice and Passion Projects
We are proud to be empowering our students to take ownership of their school experience. Student Voice is promoted via meetings, held fortnightly, for our future leaders. They have discussions to share ideas on how to improve school buildings, grounds and processes. They are organsied he new playground equipment for this term.
In Years 5 and 6, Passion Projects—run in place of traditional homework—give students a chance to explore what matters most to them. These projects build confidence, curiosity and creativity.
Looking Ahead: 2025 and Beyond
We are already planning our wellbeing and behaviour management initiatives for 2025 including:
Term 1: Reintroduce TRP, revisit Be You modules, embed the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum, and continue Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL).
Term 2: Deepen community involvement, enhance peaceful classroom practices, celebrate “BKinder Day” in memory of Billie Kinder, and continue embedding GEM practices.
Term 3: Focus on staff wellbeing, expand passion projects, and celebrate Wellbeing Week and Seasons for Growth.
Term 4: Evaluate TRP outcomes and use feedback to plan our 2026 wellbeing strategy, including a review of survey results.
Thanks to the leadership and dedication of staff like Tracey, who has been instrumental in driving these programs, our students are flourishing. The positive changes we are seeing across the school—in both wellbeing and behaviour—are a testament to her vision and the strong foundation these initiatives are building. Let’s continue working together to support every child at St John’s in becoming resilient, respectful and ready for the world ahead.
With Hope and Gratitude Column
Aligned with our school theme of “HOPE” for the year, the SAC explored the idea of introducing a Parent page in the newsletter called “With Hope and Gratitude Column” to express or show courage for things felt or observed in our community and invite your submissions to principal@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au
We begin this Hope and Gratitude Column by acknowledging the incredible dedication and hardwork of Tracey Farrar for her outstanding leadership and dedication in driving the implementation and ongoing practice of our Wellbeing programs—Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and the ResilienceProject. Thanks to Tracey’s commitment and vision, these programs have become an integral part of our school culture. The positive impact on our students has been profound: increased self-awareness, stronger peer relationships and a noticeable growth in emotional resilience. These programs have not only equipped our students with vital life skills but have also fostered a more compassionate and connected school community. Tracey’s work continues to inspire hope and bring to life our shared aspiration for peaceful, confident children who nurture healthy, respectful and positive relationships. We are deeply grateful for her passion and the positive change she continues to lead within our community. Thank you, Tracey, for everything you do.
During Catholic Education Week, I had the opportunity to attend the MACS SAC Dinner alongside fellow SAC Chairs and members of the MACS Leadership Team. It was a wonderful evening filled with engaging conversation, inspiring speakers and a delicious meal.
One of the most memorable moments of the night was hearing from one of the newest Bishops, Rev. FrThinh Nguyen. He shared his personal journey of faith—how it shaped his path to the priesthood and ultimately to becoming a Bishop. His story was both moving and deeply inspiring, reminding us of the power of faith and the importance of service in our Catholic communities.
As always, please come and say ‘hello’ if you see us around school. We’d love to hear your thoughts and input and are always happy to answer any questions.
Angela Maclean
Chairperson and Parent Representative