Principal's Report 

2020 St John’s Regional College Awards Evening and Visual Arts Exhibition 

Due to COVID19 restrictions we were unable to stage our annual Awards Evening in the usual way, however I was very proud to send out the link to our Virtual Awards Evening and Visual Arts exhibition earlier this week. The feedback from parents indicated that it captured well the life of St John’s this year and was a wonderful celebration of student achievement. Parent and students also enjoyed viewing the Virtual Visual Arts Exhibition showcasing the talents of those students in the fields of Visual Art and Media. I congratulate all our award winners on the consistent effort and determination they have displayed this year.

A production like this requires a dedicated team to present the polished product on the night so I extend my thanks and appreciation to Mr Van Es, Ms Biggin, Mr Swan, Mr Holewa, Ms Robinson, Mr Bailey, Mr Alexander, Ms Hughes, Mr Graham, Mr Massouras, Ms Goodwin, Fr Brendan, our House Leaders, Mr Heeps and the administration team.

Staffing: Contract Appointments for 2021

I congratulate the following staff members who have been appointed to the Teaching Staff of St John’s Regional College for 2021. 

Samantha Hadley             Psychology & VCAL

Peter Samuel                     VCAL & English

Anna Nguyen                     Science & RE 

NAIDOC Week 2020

I congratulate the following students who were the winners of this year’s NAIDOC art competition.

Overall winner: Cleyara Warnakulasooriya 

Second prize: Isabelle Mercer 

Third Prize: Niyandagala Liyanage Perera

These students submitted work which reflected their response to this year’s NAIDOC theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ which celebrates the continuous connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with this land, and that the nation’s story began at the dawn of time and not after European contact.

Year 12 Exams

Over the last two weeks our Year 12 VCE students have been completing their final exams which round off their 2-year VCE program. They have applied themselves well during the exam period and we wish them well over the coming days as their exams conclude on the 2nd of December. Exam results and ATAR ranking will be available to students on December 30th this year because of the COVID Restrictions.  St John’s will send a letter home to all Year 12 students at the end of the exam period detailing the careers counselling and support services that will be provided to students on that day as they consider their results and review their selection of University preferences.

Remembrance Day November 11

Our school community stopped on the 11th of November at the 11th hour to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the many men and women that have served in all wars. Our school foyer was decorated with poppies made by several student’s homerooms following the idea of Mr Perryman and Mr Bailey.  The reason poppies are used to remember those who have given their lives in battle is because they are the flowers which grew on the battlefields after World War One and have come to be symbolic of our remembrance day.

Our Fundraising Efforts

Our students have returned with a fundraising seal as they have comeback to term 4.  Delphinus House was very proud to be able to donate $657 to Wellsprings for Women to assist them with the wonderful work they do in the community.  Columba, Leonis, Aquila, Phoenix and Monoceros Houses have also been working towards our Vinnie’s Christmas appeal where money raised will go towards Coles Vouchers for needy families in our local area.

VCAL Project – Lantern CAFÉ

Our Year 11 VCAL students have been hard at work converting the old unform shop into the Lantern a CAFÉ for 2021.  Named in honour of our patron the Venerable Nano Nagle, our students will use this as a base project to cover the outcomes of their VCAL Program which includes Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development Skills and Work-related skills.

VET Hospitality 

Our VET Hospitality students completed their two years programs last week and enjoyed a celebratory meal together with their trainers in the Graduates Restaurant.  Over the two years students would complete either a Certificate 2 in Kitchen Operations or Certificate 2 in Hospitality utilising the fully functioning Graduates Restaurant as a classroom for the development of their skills with qualified trainers Chef Kees Van Der Laan, Chef Karla Thomas  and our Restaurant Manager Ms Sally Taylor. Unfortunately, the restaurant has not been open to the public over the last six months, but we look forward to offering bookings again to our loyal customers in 2021.

Extension of Enrolment Open Mornings 2021/2022

Due to restrictions imposed on parent movement during the lockdown, we have added a further two Open mornings for new parents for this year.  On Thursday 26th of November and Thursday December 3rd families will be able to hear about our engaging curriculum opportunities and plans for expansion of facilities while taking a virtual tour of our school.  Parents wishing to take a virtual tour on these dates should make a booking through https://www.trybooking.com/BALBU.  

Enrolment applications are still being taken for 2021 and 2022.  For any enrolment enquiries please contact Registrar Ms Symone Goodwin on (03) 87932000.