Principal Report

St Francis De Sales Twilight Community Market

On 6 November, the St John's Choir performed at the St Francis De Sales Community Market, delighting the crowd with their renditions of our school song and a few much-loved favourites. Under the direction of Ms Perri Espinoza, our students represented the College beautifully through their talent, enthusiasm, and community spirit.

It was a wonderful evening that also gave our students and their families the chance to reconnect with former teachers from St Francis De Sales, who played such an essential role in their early education.

The partnership between St John's Regional College and our local primary feeder schools remains strong. Events like this highlight the outstanding work of our primary school colleagues and the shared commitment we have to supporting young people and their families in our Catholic community.

African Australian Student Conference – A Celebration of Culture, Connection and Leadership

Last Thursday, a group of our students proudly represented St John's at the Department of Education's annual African Australian Student Conference, themed "Dreaming Out Loud: Our Future in Focus."

Our students were outstanding ambassadors for the College, engaging fully in the day's workshops, performances, and panel discussions. The conference provided a powerful space for young people of African heritage to connect, share their stories, and be inspired as they imagine their futures with confidence and purpose.

A big thank you to Ms Duke and Mr Bowler for organising and supporting our students' involvement in this valuable event.

St John's Regional College 2025 Awards Evening & Art and Technology Exhibition

We warmly invite all members of our St. John's community to join us in celebrating the achievements and excellence of our students at the 2025 Awards Evening on Wednesday, 3 December. The event will be held in the Br. Leo Schollen Stadium, beginning at 7:00 pm. This is a special occasion to honour the growth, dedication, and talents our students have shown across all areas of school life.

Starting at 6:30 pm, we welcome you to explore the St. John's Art & Technology Exhibition, featuring outstanding student work. During the Awards Evening, we will also present the prestigious Br. Amedy Principal's Prize for Art.

We look forward to celebrating this memorable evening with you! To reserve tickets, please visit our TryBooking page using the following link  - https://www.trybooking.com/DHGPU.

Step Up 2026

Our STEP-UP program commences on Tuesday, 18 November, following a student-free day on Monday, 17 November, to allow for staff preparation. Over the final three weeks of the school year, we expect all students to be in attendance as they move into the next year level and begin their course of studies for 2026. I thank all staff for providing a high-quality teaching program as we look forward to an excellent finish to the school year.

Celebrating Our 2026 Student Leaders and the Launch of Our New House Names

I am pleased to announce and congratulate our newly appointed House Captains for 2026. These student leaders will play a vital role in representing the Student Voice within our community, helping to build a culture where every student feels encouraged to learn, grow, and contribute. Together with our staff, they will help foster a supportive and dynamic atmosphere grounded in respect, inclusion, and excellence.

The 2026 school year also marks a historic milestone for St John's Regional College as we prepare to launch our new House names at the Whole College Assembly on 18 November. Beginning in Semester 1, these Houses will honour six remarkable figures whose lives exemplify courage, faith, and service within the story of the Catholic Church in Australia and around the world. The new Houses and Captains are outlined below :

Our 2026 House Captains will have the unique privilege of being the first to lead under these new names, guiding their peers as servant leaders who model our College values each day. I look forward to working alongside them in the coming year as they help shape this exciting new chapter in our College story.

We will formally introduce and celebrate all student leaders at our Awards Evening on 3 December.

Frankston Food Van – A New Initiative in Service and Solidarity

Last week, several staff members and students from our Year 10 Catholic Action Program (CAP) participated in the Frankston Food Van, an initiative coordinated by John Paul College. The Food Van provides meals, clothing, and a helping hand to adults in the Frankston region who need support with a range of introductory provisions.

The service operates every Thursday evening from 5:00 to 7:30 pm in the Tasman Meats carpark, offering a warm meal and a listening ear to those experiencing hardship.

Throughout this term, St John's Regional College will take part in a four-week trial of the program to assess its long-term viability as part of our ongoing Social Justice initiatives. This hands-on experience offers our students a meaningful opportunity to embody the Gospel values of compassion and service.

I extend my thanks to our Social Justice Team, led by Mr Rhynehart, Mr Joshua, and Miss Simon, for introducing and supporting this program, and for their ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of faith in action within our community.

Semester Exams – Years 7 to 11

Our Semester Exam Program is now underway for students in Years 7 to 11. I encourage all students to take this opportunity to revise thoroughly, prepare well, and approach their exams with confidence and focus.

Years 7–9 Exams: Tuesday 5 – Thursday 7 November

Years 10–11 Exams: Monday 10 – Friday 14 November

These assessments offer an essential opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and reflect on their progress throughout the semester. We wish all students every success in the weeks ahead.