Principal's Report 

St John's Sports Academy Expansion 

We are excited to announce that St John's Football Program is expanding into the St John's Sports Academy in 2025, broadening its focus to include both soccer and basketball. This evolution creates a comprehensive academic pathway that nurtures student-athletes, allowing them to excel in their sports and explore sports career pathways while continuing their educational journey at St John's Regional College. 

The Academy prioritises the holistic well-being of every student, closely tracking their academic progress and achievements to support success in both sports and academics.

Our growth involves the continuation of our partnership with Football Technique Australia and Dandenong City Soccer Club, as well as qualified basketball coaches who will lead the basketball stream of the Sports Academy. 

The St John’s Sports Academy will be officially launched at our Careers Expo on the 24 July and for any enrolment inquiries for 2025, please contact our school registrar, Ms Helen Phillips, at enrolments@sjrc.vic.edu.au. 

Soccer Gala Day: Paul Wade Cup May 6 

The 4th annual Paul Wade Cup will take place on May 6, featuring students from seven primary schools. Last year's champions, St Kevin's, Hampton Park, will defend their title against competitors like St Paul Apostle - North and St Mary's - Dandenong. Parents are encouraged to attend and support their children with parking provided at the Stadium Carpark on Power Street. 

Student Voice & Empowerment 

Early this term our student leaders assisted with the launch of our Academic Honesty Policy to reinforce our commitment to academic integrity and student empowerment. Our student leaders have collaborated closely with Deputy Principal Ms Bielinski to communicate and promote our academic honesty policy with the aim of creating a culture of honesty and integrity that resonates with our students on a deeper level.

By giving our students a voice in the conversation, we not only empower them to take ownership of their actions and uphold the values of our school but also ensure that our policies are understood and embraced by the student body. I thank our student leaders and Deputy Principal Ms Bielinski for their leadership in this important endeavor.

ANZAC Ceremony

On the day before ANZAC Day, our student leaders, Navy Cadet Kiara Di Paolo and Army reservist Ms Priya Cardinaletti, conducted a heartfelt tribute online to honor the sacrifices of our service members. The ceremony included the reading of The Ode by Ms Cardinaletti, the playing of the last post, a reflection on the significance of ANZAC Day by Kiara, and prayers for all those who have served our country.

I thank our Director of Faith and Mission, Mr Rhynehart, for organising this respectful and touching Commemoration of those who have fought and served our country.

SIS Division B – Swimming Carnival

On Wednesday April 24 our students participated in the SIS Division B Swimming Carnival at MSAC, showcasing their hard work and dedication. Led by Sports Coordinator Mr Mark Alexander and his team— Mr Nigel Adkin, Ms Anna Nguyen and Ms Marina Kintzel—our athletes trained diligently during early morning sessions throughout Term 1.

Their commitment paid off, earning us an impressive third place overall, our best result in several years. We extend our congratulations to all the students, coaches and supporters who contributed to this result and thank our students for representing our school with pride.

2024 SJRC House Athletics Championship

Despite the overcast skies, we held our annual Athletics Carnival this week at Casey Fields with great success! Columba House claimed the overall Champion House Shield, while Aquila House took home the Shield for House Spirit.

I extend my gratitude to Sports Coordinator Mr Mark Alexander, the HPE staff, and all the students and staff for their dedication and participation despite the cool and damp conditions. Their enthusiasm and school spirit made the day memorable for all.

STEM Visits – St Mary's Primary School

This week, our STEM team—led by Mr Paul Colvin and Miss Teagan Yates—welcomed Grade 3, 4, 5 and 6 students from St Mary's Primary School for an engaging and educational experience. Our Year 10 science students partnered with their younger peers to conduct a variety of hands-on experiments exploring states of matter and reaction types.

Highlights included making dry ice, creating green slime (a clear favorite among the students), and experimenting with vinegar carb balloons. These interactive activities not only sparked curiosity but also strengthened the connection between our secondary and primary schools.

These school visits offer invaluable benefits for all participants. Our secondary students deepened their understanding of scientific concepts by teaching and mentoring their younger counterparts, while the primary students were inspired by role models and set positive goals for their future academic journeys.

Enrolments 2025 and 2026

I invite current and prospective parents to our upcoming Enrolment Information Session for a closer look at the vibrant learning community at St. John. Join us on:

Wednesday, May 9th, at 6:00 p.m.

These sessions will include student-led tours of our facilities, providing you with firsthand insights into our school's offerings. You will also hear from senior staff about the comprehensive  academic programs available to students at St. John.

We welcome enrolments for 2025 and 2026, and we encourage you to book your place for this session by contacting our College reception at (03) 8793 2000 or by reserving your spot through our school website: https://www.sjrc.vic.edu.au.

Happy Mothers Day 

As we prepare to celebrate Mother's Day, we invite you to join us for a special breakfast and afternoon tea at our Graduates Restaurant. Hosted by Ms. Dias and our Vocational Major students, this event promises a delightful culinary experience to honor the incredible mothers in our community.

Our mothers play an irreplaceable role in our lives, embodying unconditional love and nurturing us in countless ways. Through their devotion, we learn about the depth of love and the boundless compassion that God extends to us all.

Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to express gratitude for all that our mothers do. We look forward to welcoming you to our Mother's Day celebration!

Founders Day – May 14th 

On May 14th, our community will come together to honor the lives and legacies of our founders, St. John Baptiste De La Salle and the Venerable Nano Nagle. The day will begin with a whole-school Mass at St. Mary’s Church in Dandenong, officiated by Fr Sebastian. Following the Mass, students can look forward to a variety of fun house activities and the highly anticipated annual SJRC talent quest in the afternoon to which all parents are invited.

In addition to celebrating our founders, the day will also mark the start of our Make a Difference (MAD) Day initiatives, culminating in a whole-school walkathon on the last day of Term 2. Through these efforts, we aim to raise funds to support our partnered Lasallian school in Pakistan and the Wellsprings Foundation in Dandenong.