Principal's Report

Masterplan - Approval  - Stage 1

At the last meeting of the Association of Canonical Administrators, the master plan for our school was formally approved. This will be a 7 stage process covering the next 10-12 years and provide a physical environment with state of the art facilities in all areas of learning.

Our students are moving into a rapidly changing world  which requires of them the knowledge, skills and confidence to apply their learning in a variety of  different situations and contexts. We are confident that the continuous improvement of our learning environment will assist them in their development as successful learners - that is young people who have the ability to adapt and learn in any new environment that they find themselves in the future.

The construction of Stage 1 will commence next year with the relocation  of the Administration into the second floor De La Salle Building facing Caroline St and the construction of a new synthetic soccer pitch, new  basketball courts with roofing and extended car parking at the front of the Br Leo Scollen Stadium.

We anticipate Stage 1 will be complete by the end of Term 4 in 2018. More details of our Masterplan can be found on our school website.

Presentation Day, 21 November

Presentation Day is a special day of celebration for Presentation Sisters and their colleagues and friends around the world. It is celebrated on the Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple. 

Nano Nagle whose charism we honour at St John’s was understood to have a special devotion to Mary, and when her religious congregation was approved by Rome in 1805, the congregation’s name was changed to the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

This week we pray this special prayer in honour of Nano Nagle whose life was inspired by Mary the Mother of God.

WE are Presentation People called to share our gifts.

Mary ‘danced for joy with her feet’ in the presence of Love...

May we, too, be enlivened by the many people, places and experiences that grace our day, and find enjoyment and enrichment in conversation, laughter, learning and leading.

May we marvel at the beauty in a gumnut, in a sunlit sky, in a playful puppy and in the greening of the land after rain.

WE are Presentation People called to seek and celebrate life.

Nano enabled those most in need, in her time, to forge a life for themselves, and founded a future for those who came after her...

May we, too, be creative and courageous in our imagining, committed and compassionate in our

standing with and speaking out.

May our collaboration and connection, as Presentation People, create a continuous way of hope, light, love and life for all, wherever we are.

WE are Presentation People, called to carry the light and love of Christ into the world, as Mary

and Nano did.

WE ask this in and through the ever-present Love we call God.

Amen

Graduation Mass and Dinner

This week we celebrate the Graduation of our class of 2017 with  Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral followed by dinner at the Plaza Ballroom. I congratulate the Class of 2017 on their graduation from St John’s Regional College. 

Over the last six years through their enthusiasm, passion and hard work  they have helped to create an environment of learning where people are treated with dignity and respect and I wish to acknowledge and thank them for their generosity of spirit. It has certainly been evident in their celebrations at the Final Assembly and participation in many events during their time here that this group of students love their school.

This does not happen overnight and I wish to thank our House Leaders, Homeroom Teachers  and Admin support staff who have all played a significant part in the development of these young men and women.  I also extend my thanks to Fr Brendan Lane and Fr Shadbolt for celebrating our Mass and to Ms Sonia McNally, Mr Stephen Bourbon and Mr John Rhynehart for the organisation of this wonderful celebration  for our students and their families.

Cambodia Immersion

This week  we have 16 senior students listed below who are flying out to Cambodia alongside teachers  Ms Ashleigh Holly and Mr David Graham as part of our Immersion Program. 

The group will present much needed funds  to the  De La Salle run school in the village of Poh Thom, outside Phnom Penh during their 10 day stay. They will also take up the opportunity to run English classes for students of both junior primary age and lower secondary age.

I thank our students and staff for their magnificent example of service. We pray for safe journey and return in 10 days time.

Shania Amarasekara                                                           Adrianna Grech

Davina Isaac                                                                           Ravleen Kaur

Eden Krol                                                                                 Japman Lamba

Brooklyn Ludowyk                                                              Margaret Opiew

Amanda Oreski                                                                     Rochelle Peters

Erin Smith                                                                               Ethan Taig-Roberts

Rohan Taylor                                                                          Aeron Terrasson

Laura Thomas                                                                        Montel Thomas

Arts and Technology Exhibition 

On Tuesday  evening of this week, our Arts and  Technology Exhibition was staged to showcase the talents of our students who presented work from the Arts and Technology as well as a number of dance performances.  Parents and students enjoyed  touring through the gallery of displayed work and seeing our dance students at work.

I thank the Arts and Technology team consisting of Arts Learning Area Leader Mrs Tania Robinson, Technology Leader Mr David Phillips,   Assistant Technology Learning Leader  Mr Roger Manning, Arts Aide Mr Aaron Bailey and all the Arts and Technology Teachers for their preparation of the night and their ongoing support and challenge of our students.

I also wish to thank our Creativity Captains Shania Amarasekara (PH2) and Moesha Pina (AQ3) who were wonderful ambassadors for our school when they formally opened the SIS Arts and Technology Exhibition held at the Cube Theatre in Frankston.

Kwong Lee Dow Scholars - St John's Regional College

I congratulate Mikala Bulleid (MO1) on the the announcement of her Kwong Lee Dow Scholarship for 2020. Over the next two years Mikala will attend a number of event and activities staged by Melbourne University. These events range from motivational speakers to study skills sessions that will prepare and assist her in her transition to further study and her chosen career path.

Congratulations on a wonderful achievement Mikala.

VCE Transition 

Next week we begin our Transition Program program where all students from Year 10 and  11 will move up into the next year level and effectively  start their 2018 curriculum program.

I wish to acknowledge and thank teaching and administrative staff who have worked diligently over the last few months to ensure that timetables and programs are in place to maximise the learning of our students over the last few weeks of the school year.

Lasallian Youth Minister

It is pleasing to announce the appointment of our own Lasallian Youth Minister for 2018 - Miss Harmony Miller.

Harmony was a student at St John’s in 2014  and after completing her VCE studies volunteered with NET Ministries Australia (National Evangelisation Team) for two years before leading youth groups in her own Parish of Our Lady Help of Christians Narre Warren.

Harmony will take up her Youth Minister role, two days a week in 2018.

Tim Hogan, Principal