Principal's Report 

Reports

Our reports for Semester 2 will be emailed to parents next week and I thank our teaching staff for the performance feedback they have provided to students over a range of assessment tasks. The summer break gives all students some time to review the learning goals they have set for themselves over the past year and set new ones for the 2023 school year. I encourage parents to set aside some time to discuss with their children the feedback from the semester reports and identify their new learning goals for the 2023 school year.

Appointment of Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching

I wish to advise that Ms Kamila Bielinski has been appointed to the role of Deputy Principal: Learning and Teaching at St John’s Regional College. Kamila has held the role of Assistant Principal – Learning, Teaching and Innovation at Salesian College, Chadstone, for several years and is looking forward to returning to St John’s where she was a student in Years 7 – 9. 

Farewell to Staff - 2022 

It is always with sadness that we acknowledge and farewell the following staff who will be leaving St John’s at the end of the year and thank them for their service to our community. I wish them well for the next stage of their careers.

Dr Janine Biggin

Mr Tim Lee

Ms Lisa Finamore

Mr Mario Laing 

Mr Paul Wintle

Mr Adam Gordon

Ms Beth Millership

Ms Anne Marie Corrigan

We acknowledge the retirement of Mr Peter Colvin after 40 years of service to St John’s Regional College. We are grateful for all he has given to our community and wish him well in his retirement.

I also extend a warm welcome to the following staff who have been appointed to St John’s Regional College for 2023 school year.

Ms Julie Millar – Transition Co-ordinator (Returning from Leave)

Ms Marcelle Skoutas – Senior Science

Ms Irene Platis – Senior Maths 

Ms Diane King – Maths / Science  

Miss Hava Klajn – English/Humanities 

Ms Emily Dias – English

Miss Gemma Reynolds - Maths

I also advise that Ms Leana Bailey will be on leave for the 2023 school year and Mr Bruce Topham will return to the Careers and Vet Coordinator role for 2023.

2022 SJRC Awards Evening & Art & Technology Showcase

On Wednesday of this week our community gathered for the Annual St John’s Regional College Awards Night. It was a wonderful celebration of student achievement across all facets of College Life. Parent and students enjoyed viewing the Art and Technology display showcasing the talents of those students in the fields of Visual Art, Technology and Media. 

I congratulate our high achievers for the consistent hard work and determination that has been the foundation of their achievements this year. It was also fantastic to see our students expressing their creative talents through some wonderful performances from our guitar ensemble, school choir and dance troupe.

A highlight this year was the introduction of a new scholarship in Honour of Fr Anthony Guelen, a former Parish Priest of St Mary’s Parish, Dandenong, and previous Canonical Administrator of St John’s. This scholarship is offered by the Hayek family who were greatly assisted by Fr Guelen in coming to St John’s some 30 years ago. Clara Nguyen from Holy Family Primary School, Doveton, was presented with this scholarship for 2023. 

A night like this requires a dedicated team to work efficiently and effectively behind the scenes so I extend my thanks and appreciation to Dr Biggin, Mr Rhynehart , Mr Almery, Ms Phillips, the Arts and Technology Team and all staff who assisted and attended on the Night.                 

Class of 2022

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 who enjoyed a wonderful celebration of their graduation at St Patrick's Cathedral followed by dinner at Zinc on Federation Square. I thank our celebrant Fr Luke Bulley and assistant Deacons, Juma Lofornk and George Piech Meat, for conducting a beautiful Mass with its focus on thanksgiving and prayers for our graduates as they move into the next exciting stage of their lives. 

I congratulate the following graduates who received awards for leadership and school spirit on the night.

• The St John’s All Rounder Award – Laura Gardiner
• Spirit of St John’s Award – Bronson Kingi
• Lasallian Award – Charlie Barry
• Presentation Award – Jethmi Almeida

I also acknowledge the work of Mr Rhynehart, Ms Angelique Phillips-Kemp, Deputy Principals  Mr Van Es and Dr Biggin for their preparation and work in creating a wonderful family celebration for our graduates and their families.

Kwong Lee Dow – Melbourne University: Young Scholars Program

I congratulate Prithis Bhattacharyya from Year 10 on his selection into the Class of 2025 Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars.  The Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program offers participants the opportunity to mix with like-minded peers and future leaders. Over the next two years Prithis will attend a tailored program of events and activities at Melbourne University which will enhance his secondary studies, inform his career plans and provide opportunities to interact with the University community. He was recognised from 1700 secondary applications from across Victoria. I congratulate Prithis on this wonderful acknowledgment of his academic achievements.

Shared Stories Anthology 2022 –“  Imagine If…”

Over 25 Catholic Schools in Melbourne participated in the production of the Shared Stories Anthology which this year saw our students contribute art works, short stories and poetry under the theme “ Imagine If…”  The Anthology is published each year in the State and National Libraries which is a wonderful acknowledgement and achievement for our students. I wish to thank our English Language Co-Ordinator,  Ms Sue Keel,  and all the English teachers and Art teachers who incorporated the theme into their curriculum and guided our students through the process of creating their work. I congratulate the following students for the beautiful and inspiring work they have contributed this year.

Brooklyn Leach LE6

Jeush Fernando CO3

Rahul George LE3

Kiara Lay DE2

Gabriel McDonald DE5

Tran My Ah Nguyen AQ5

Nyawichar Machar CO5

Bronson Kingi – PH3

Condolences

We express our condolences and send our prayers to the family of ex-student Kose Kose  who passed away in early November . A Funeral Mass was held at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dandenong last weekend and was attended by over 300 family, friends and members of the St John’s Community . He will be missed by all at St John’s Regional College.

We pray:           

Eternal Rest grant unto him O Lord and may perpetual light shine on him.  May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.  Master of the Universe, hear our prayers, we make them in confidence forever and ever.

Amen.

Final Christmas Liturgy and Final School Day

The final Christmas liturgy will take place in the Br Leo Scollen stadium on Friday the 2nd December at 9.15 am. Fr Luke Bulley from St Paul Apostle Endeavour Hills will celebrate the mass with its focus on thanksgiving and celebration of our Saviour Jesus Christ. The 2022 school year for students will conclude on Friday 2nd of December at 2.30pm. 

Office Hours 

The College Office will close for the Christmas Holidays on the 20 December at 12 noon and will reopen at 8 am on the 16 January 2022.

Merry Christmas

I pray for Jesus Christ’s wish of Peace and Joy for all members of our community as we move into the wonderful celebration of Christmas with family and loved ones. God Bless you all.