Learning Vision Launch

A New Learning Vision for St John's

This week, our Curriculum Leadership Team, led by Deputy Principal Mrs Kamila Bielinski, introduced the new learning vision to our students.

Mr Rhynehart used the Southern Cross at the launch to illustrate its profound significance. He first spoke about Bunjil, an essential figure in First Nations culture, whose image appears in the constellation as a symbol of knowledge and life. In European settlement and Catholic tradition, the Southern Cross became a sign of God's presence and protection over Australia.

At St John's, the stars of the Southern Cross represent our commitment to learning and living as responsible citizens, guided by the Gospel and our College motto, Virtus in astra tendit—"Courage reaches for the stars." The cross within the constellation reminds us of Christ's redemptive action, central to our teaching and learning.

Our approach to education focuses on four key pillars:

Skilled Students
Tailored Pathways
Active Learners
Responsible Citizens

Each pillar is built on our College values—faith, learning, integrity, service, and community. Our new learning vision and logo reflect our Catholic identity, values, and educational philosophy, inspiring students to strive for excellence in all they do. We look forward to working with our students, families and staff as we bring this learning vision to life.

St. John's Sports Academy Expands in 2025!

The St. John's Sports Academy continues to grow in 2025, offering exciting opportunities for students passionate about Football and Basketball. Under our newly appointed Sports Academy Leader, Mr Ben McGee, the program has expanded to include over 100 students from Years 7 to 10, reflecting its increasing popularity and success.

Football Program

Now in its third year, the St. John's Football Program continues its strong partnership with Football Technique Australia and Dandenong City Soccer Club. This program has expanded to include students from Years 7 to 12, providing a structured pathway into high-level football development, with the opportunity to complete a Certificate II in VET Sport & Recreation.

Led by Director of Football, Mr Ljuban Palinic, alongside Sports Assistant Mr Justin Chungue, Senior PE Teacher Ms Ash Fraraccio and PE Teachers Mr Mark Bowler and Ms Candela Ferreyra-Bas, students will experience:

Multiple training sessions per week
Strength & conditioning development
On-field tactical and technical coaching
Classroom learning focused on sports science and career pathways

Basketball Program – New for 2025!

We are excited to introduce Basketball as a key addition to our Sports Academy, providing elite coaching and skill development under the guidance of the Director of Basketball, Mr Rick Voss. Students will benefit from:

High-performance coaching and skill acquisition
Strength & conditioning Tailored for Basketball
Tactical and team strategy training
Opportunities to compete at a high level

With the expansion of both programs, our Sports Academy is creating pathways for students to excel in their chosen sport while balancing their academic journey.

Interested families can learn more about the SJRC Sports Academy by visiting our school website.

School Advisory Committee & Parent Forum 18 February

To commence the school year, a special joint meeting of the School Advisory Committee (SAC) and Parent Forum took place on Tuesday, 18 February 2025. This meeting was a significant opportunity for parents to engage with the College's leadership and gain insight into key developments and future planning.

Introduction of the New School Advisory Committee Chair and its members.

During this meeting, we introduced the newly appointed Chair of the SAC, Ms Cathy Pascal, who has served on the SAC for several years now as a representative of the parent body. Other members of the SAC and who they represent are outlined below:

Ms Cathy Pascal (Chair – Parent Representative)

Mr Tim Hogan (Principal - SJRC)

Mr John Loizou – (Finance Representative – Alumni)

Ms Emma Bradley (Staff Representative SJRC)

Mr Chris Richardson (Alumni Representative)

Ms Anna Jorissen (Parent Representative)

Mr Peter Liddell (Finance Representative - Alumni)

Mr Matter Machar (Parent Representative)

Ms Shelley Iles (Business Manager – SJRC)

The SAC plays a vital role in providing advice to the principal on a range of key school areas, including:

School Policies
Financial planning
Enrolments and growth opportunities

The SAC meets eight times a year with the Principal and Business Manager to discuss and guide the strategic direction of St John's Regional College.

Role of the Parent Forum

The Parent Forum is another significant body within the College that allows parents to hear about the latest school developments and initiatives. The forum meets with the Deputy Principal of Student Engagement, Mr Greg Van Es, and serves as a platform for parents to raise questions, seek clarification on school policies, and contribute their insights to student engagement and wellbeing discussions.

Joint Meeting Outcomes

A key highlight of the joint meeting was a presentation by our newly appointed architects, WOWOWA Architects, who have been entrusted with leading the St John's Masterplan review. This masterplan was last reviewed in 2017, and the updated planning process will shape the College's future learning environment and facilities.

During the meeting, WOWOWA Architects:

Provided an overview of the masterplan review process
Outlined the timeline for future works
Sought input and feedback from parents regarding the future learning needs of students and the facilities required to support them.

The revised master plan should be completed by the end of the term and lead to the development of an application for a Federal Capital Grant for stage 1 of the revised master plan. I invite all parents to attend the following parent forum, which will be advertised in term 2.

HPE Week

This week, our Health and Physical Education staff curated an exciting lineup of activities designed to promote wellbeing, teamwork, and the joy of movement. From the fast-paced excitement of table tennis to the dynamic energy of volleyball, the agility and skill of soccer, the precision of darts, and the revitalising challenge of Pilates, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Fresh fruit was provided to complement the physical activities, reinforcing the importance of nutritious choices alongside an active lifestyle. Beyond the fun and competition, these activities highlighted the powerful connection between movement and mental wellbeing, demonstrating that staying active is not just beneficial for the body but essential for the mind.

A big thank you to our dedicated Health and Physical Education team, led by Ms Hughes, for organising such a fantastic week of fun, fitness, and wellbeing for our students.

Student Leadership Dinner – Wednesday 26 February

Student Leadership Development Program

On Wednesday, 26 February, our newly appointed Student Leaders for 2025 embarked on their leadership development journey with facilitators from the African Youth Alliance. The workshops focused on essential leadership skills, including public speaking, effective leadership development, amplifying student voice, and setting achievable goals for the year ahead. These goals were informed by their analysis of the student voice surveys conducted at the end of 2024.

Student voice and empowerment were displayed throughout the evening, as our leaders from Year 7 to 12 actively engaged in meaningful discussions and strategic planning to enhance our school community.

I thank Mr Van Es, our Student Engagement Leaders, Mr Adkin and Ms Fraraccio, and our House Leaders for their invaluable mentoring of our young leaders. We thank our hospitality team for their outstanding service to over 150 staff members, students, and parents on the night.

Newsletter

Issue 2 · 28 Feb 2025

In this issue