Principal Report

Farewell to the Class of 2025

On Tuesday, 21 October, our Class of 2025 gathered for their final day of school — a day filled with joy, reflection, and gratitude. The farewell assembly was a wonderful celebration of all they have achieved and contributed during their years at St John's.

Our College Captains, Kiara L and Kelemen D, delivered an inspiring final address that captured the heart of their shared journey. At the same time, a beautiful performance from the school choir added warmth and emotion to the occasion. The assembly concluded with our staff and Year 7 students forming a Guard of Honour, symbolically sending off our graduates with pride and affection.

Throughout their final weeks, our Year 12 students have shown deep respect for our College values and community standards. They have led with integrity, celebrated with gratitude, and upheld the spirit of "Courage Reaches for the Stars."

As they now prepare for their final exams, we extend our very best wishes and prayers to each of them. We look forward to celebrating their journey and achievements together at the Graduation Mass and Dinner on Thursday, 21 November.

Cambodia Immersion Trivia Night – A Wonderful Evening of Community and Compassion

The Cambodia Immersion Trivia Night, held on Friday, 10 October, was a great success. For over twelve years, students and staff from St John's Regional College have been transforming lives through our partnership with La Salle School in Pouthum, Cambodia, working alongside the De La Salle Brothers to support the education and wellbeing of young people living in poverty.

The Trivia Night captured the true spirit of our founders, Nano Nagle and St John Baptiste De La Salle, whose lives were dedicated to bringing faith, education, and hope to those most in need. Their legacy continues through the generosity and service of our community today.

Staff, families, and friends filled the room with great energy and good humour, contributing through games, auctions, and table challenges. A big thank you goes to Mr Rhynehart and  Ms Fraraccio for their outstanding work in hosting and preparing the quiz. Many people worked behind the scenes, and we had a long list of generous donors, which made the silent auction very competitive indeed. A big thank you to all who contributed to this fantastic night.

The event truly reflected the St John's spirit of community and service, reminding us that through small acts of kindness, we can make a lasting difference. Our Cambodian Immersion team of year 12 students will head off after the final exams to work at the LaSalle School for a few weeks and deliver some much-needed financial resources.

Maths Week a Huge Success!

Congratulations to our dedicated Mathematics team for delivering an exciting and engaging Maths Week (13–17 October) that inspired creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving across the College.

Students took part in a range of activities, including the A-Mathing Race, Problem-Solving Relay, Kahoot Quiz, and the always-popular Collisions (Egg Challenge). At the same time, daily riddles and puzzles kept both students and staff on their feet.

The week was a wonderful celebration of mathematical thinking in action — full of energy, fun, and friendly competition. Thank you to our Maths staff for their creativity and commitment in making learning so enjoyable for our students.

Preparing for Semester Exams – Years 7 to 11

As we move into the final part of Term 4, our Semester Exams provide students with a valuable opportunity to consolidate their learning and demonstrate their understanding across all subjects.

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

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

These exams are an essential part of every student's learning journey — not only for assessing knowledge but also for building effective study habits, time management, and exam techniques that will serve them well in the years ahead.

Students are encouraged to begin preparing now by developing a revision program, reviewing notes regularly, and practising past papers or example questions. Teachers are available to provide guidance, and students can also take advantage of our free after-school tutoring program in the CLC from 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm each day.

With preparation, persistence, and a positive mindset, students can approach exams with confidence and achieve their personal best.

World Teachers' Day – Friday, 31 October

“Thank you to all teachers: educating is an important mission, which draws young people to what is good, beautiful, and true."

— Pope Francis

Next Friday, 31 October, we celebrate World Teachers' Day — a time to acknowledge the care, dedication, and inspiration our teachers bring to St John's every day.

To mark the occasion, we will celebrate with a special morning tea in appreciation of their extraordinary work in shaping the minds and hearts of our young people.

Step-Up 2026 — Preparing for the Year Ahead

On Tuesday, 18 November, all students at St John's will take part in our annual Step-Up Program, marking their transition to the next year level and beginning their 2026 curriculum for the final three weeks of Term 4.

The Step-Up Program ensures that every week of learning counts. By introducing students to their new teachers, subjects, and classmates, it allows them to start their first 2026 learning units early — building confidence, momentum, and a strong foundation for the year ahead.

This initiative reflects our commitment to continuous improvement and a seamless transition between year levels. It helps students adjust to new expectations, engage with their upcoming studies, and begin developing the learning habits and relationships that will support success in 2026.

To enable staff to prepare for this transition, Monday, 17 November will be a Student-Free Day, allowing time to finalise 2025 assessments and plan for the launch of the new curriculum.

The success of the Step-Up Program depends on thoughtful planning and teamwork across the College. I extend my sincere thanks to Ms Kamila Bielinski, Ms Maria Nasioulas, Business Manager Ms Shelley Iles, IT Manager Mr Brian Griffith, Daily Organiser Ms Emma Bradley, and all our Learning Leaders and teaching staff for their outstanding efforts in preparing this valuable learning experience for our students.