Principal Report

Make a Difference Day (MAD Day) – July 4

The term concludes with MAD Day, our annual walkathon fundraising event, which supports Lasallian schools in Pakistan and the Presentation Wellsprings for Women Centre in Dandenong. This year, in addition to our traditional MAD Day Walk, we extended our outreach to support the Vinnies Blanket Drive. This will continue until the end of week 2 in term 3, responding to the growing needs within our local community during these cold winter months.

Our school was featured on Channel Nine News for our partnership with the local Vinnies chapter, which uses our school kitchens to prepare and distribute meals to those in need. The news story highlighted the increasing demand for food, clothing, and shelter in our area, reminding us of the importance of community action.

Last Friday, in the lead-up to MAD Day, our senior students held a Winter Sleepout to raise awareness of the harsh realities faced by many local families, particularly in the current economic climate. It was wonderful leadership of our community, highlighting the need for both solidarity and compassion.

As a Lasallian and Presentation school, we draw inspiration from the lives of our founders, particularly Nano Nagle, who walked the cold streets of Ireland by lantern light to support those on the margins of society.

I thank our students and staff for embodying the principles of Catholic Social Teaching through both their words and actions. Their generosity and commitment can truly make a difference in our local community.

Taster Days – Term 2

Throughout Term 2, we welcomed students from St Gerard’s, Holy Family, St Mary’s, St Paul Apostle North and South, St Anthony’s, and St Kevin’s Primary Schools for our Taster Day experiences. Over 400 enthusiastic students from Years 3 to 5 took part in hands-on activities across a range of subjects, offering them a valuable glimpse into the learning and community life at St John’s.

These days not only spark curiosity and excitement about secondary school, but they also play a vital role in strengthening community connections and supporting a smooth primary-to-secondary transition.

A big thank you to our dedicated staff who helped make these days such a success: Mr Colvin, Mr Willaims, Mr Naidoo, Mr O’Connell, Ms Fraraccio, Mr Adkin, Ms Ferreyra Bas, Mr Boswell, Mr Taing, Mr Stoforidis, , Mr  Vanderlaan, Ms Haider, Ms Phillips, Ms Chase and Ms Bradley.

Well done to all involved on a fantastic team effort.

Staffing Update

I begin by acknowledging and celebrating Ms Jo Webb, our long-serving Family Liaison and Counsellor, who will be retiring at the end of this term after many years of distinguished service to the St John’s community. Jo has provided compassionate care and invaluable support to countless students and families throughout her time at the College. We thank her sincerely for her wonderful service and wish her every happiness in a well-earned, relaxing retirement.

As we farewell Jo, we also welcome new members to our Wellbeing Team. Bellamy Duke commenced on 2 June as a School Counsellor, bringing expertise in social work and youth engagement. She is joined by Mohammad Khawari, an educational psychologist who completes our Counselling Team with a focus on student wellbeing and support. 

In addition, Kevin Joshua has joined us as Youth Minister, bringing a strong background in Catholic mission and youth ministry to further enrich the faith life of our school.

Looking ahead to Term 3, we are excited to welcome Dr Pieter Bosman as Head of English & Languages, replacing Mr Adam Gordon. Dr Bosman joins us from Tarneit College and brings with him experience in curriculum leadership and English education. 

We warmly welcome all our new staff and wish them every success as they begin their journey at St John’s.

SIS Champions – Year 7 & 8 Girls Soccer

Congratulations to our Year 7 & 8 Girls Soccer team who were crowned SIS Champions for Term 2! The team secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Nazareth College in the grand final last Wednesday afternoon, bringing home the SIS Pennant.

This outstanding achievement reflects the skill, determination, and teamwork shown by all players throughout the season. The team has also benefited from their involvement in the St John’s Sports Academy – Football program, where they have received specialist coaching to further develop their skills and game awareness.

A special thank you to coaches Ms Ferreyra-Bas and Mr Chungue for their guidance and commitment in leading the team to success.

Well done to everyone involved, we are proud of you.

CONGRATULATIONS - TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE

Celebrating One of Australia’s Best Teachers

We are delighted to share that Ms Pier Bourne has been recognised in The Herald Sun as part of a national campaign celebrating Australia’s most inspiring educators.

Featured in the Australia’s Best Teachers series, Pier was selected from over 2,500 nominations across more than 300 primary and secondary schools within the Melbourne Archdiocese. This recognition highlights the incredible impact she has in the classroom and beyond.

Pier was acknowledged for creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment that places the needs of her students at the centre. Her warmth, passion, and unwavering sense of purpose shine through in all she does—and her positive influence is felt throughout the St John’s community every day.

We congratulate Pier on this well-deserved recognition and are proud to have such an exceptional educator as part of our College.

Semester 1 Reports – A Time for Reflection and Growth

Semester 1 academic reports will be released in the first week of the school holidays via the SEQTA Engage App. These reports provide a comprehensive overview of each student’s learning progress and achievements throughout the semester.

I extend my sincere thanks to our teaching staff for the time and care taken to provide meaningful feedback that supports continued growth. The holiday break offers an excellent opportunity for families to sit down together, reflect on the feedback, celebrate areas of success, and identify goals for improvement in Semester 2.

While our teachers will continue to guide and support each student’s learning journey, real progress begins with student reflection and ownership. We encourage all students to use this time to think about their next steps and return with a clear sense of direction and purpose for the term ahead.

Year 10 Careers Day – Exploring Pathways for the Future July 2

On Tuesday 2 July, our Year 10 students will take part in a dedicated Careers Day coordinated by our Careers Advisor, Mr Paul Colvin. Designed to support students as they begin planning their senior school journey and future career pathways, the program offers a full day of targeted sessions to inspire and inform.

Students will engage in presentations on subject selection, hear from guest speakers across various industries, explore the Career Tools platform, and take part in practical workshops on résumé writing and interview skills. This important event also serves as key preparation for the St John’s Careers Expo, which will be held on Wednesday 30 July. With the insights gained during Careers Day, students will be well-equipped to ask the right questions, explore meaningful options, and make the most of the opportunities available at the Expo.

Enhancing Classroom Learning with Mini-Whiteboards

At St John’s, we are continually refining our teaching practices to support student learning, and one of the simple yet highly effective strategies we’ve adopted is the use of mini-whiteboards. This approach is part of our commitment to the MACS Vision for Instruction and supports a key element of effective teaching—Checking for Understanding.

During explicit teaching, students use mini-whiteboards to write and display their responses in real-time. This allows teachers to immediately see how well students have grasped a concept, identify any misconceptions, and adjust their instruction accordingly. It ensures that every student is actively participating and receiving timely feedback.

Our goal is to make learning visible, interactive, and inclusive, giving every student a voice in the classroom and ensuring no one gets left behind. By regularly using tools like mini-whiteboards, we help students stay engaged and support their progress in every lesson.

I congratulate our Deputy Principal of Learning & Teaching, Ms Kamila Bielinski, and the entire teaching team for their commitment to sharing and improving their practice. Their collective efforts are making a real difference in classrooms across the College.

Happy Holidays

As we conclude a busy and rewarding term of 11 weeks, I  wish all members of our St John’s community a happy, safe, and relaxing holiday break. I hope this well-earned break gives some  time  for rest, renewal, and the chance to enjoy time with family and friends. For those who are travelling, we wish you a safe journey and a smooth return. 

We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for Term 3 on Tuesday July 22.