Learning In Focus -Communication 

Dear St John’s community

There is much to look forward to in the Communication Learning Area, in 2021. This year our college theme is “Everything is Interconnected”. As one of our points of focus this year is the design of the 2022 Year 7/8 interdisciplinary program, the concept of everything being interconnected, is a befitting one. This Semester, the Communication Learning Area teachers will collaborate to design the new interdisciplinary Year 7 and 8 program that integrates and connects subject areas across the Victorian Curriculum, within interesting topics of study. The program aims to develop topics of study that are engaging and relevant, that illustrate to our students the interconnectedness of subject area skills. Allowing our students to make connections between ideas, concepts and skills across subject areas, they will consequently deepen their learning experience. Through an interdisciplinary approach, students will also further develop their critical thinking skills, creative problem-solving skills, communication skills and collaboration skills: all crucial skills for the 21st century. In the Communication Learning Area, we are looking forward to working together, to design this exciting new program. 

I officially welcome our new Year 7 students to the Communication Learning Area. The Communication Learning Area offers students studies in Italian, LINKS and STEP. The STEP teachers this year include myself, Ms Sonia McNally, Mr Mark Alexander and Mr Eamonn Farrelly.  STEP is our Secondary Transition Education Program. STEP introduces our new year 7 students to the requirements of secondary school by teaching them a program integrating English, Geography and History, with one teacher, for 6 periods a week. STEP provides a comprehensive yet gentle introduction to the preparation and organisation of secondary school, whilst also developing students’ independence in a supportive environment that keeps the student wellbeing at the core of our program.  The STEP team is also very much looking forward to getting to know all the Year 7 students, at the Year 7 camp in Week 3. 

I welcome back Mr John Rhynehart from his one year long service leave. I also Mr Adam Gordon to St Johns’ and to the Communication Learning Area.  Mr Adam Gordon will be teaching Year 12 English, Year 10 History, Year 8 History and Year 9 LINKS and he brings with him a great deal of experience in the teaching of Humanities. 

We are also looking forward to our annual events such as Shared Stories, Book Week, The History Competition, The Frank Facey Award, The Medieval Castle making day, and the SIS Debating, Public Speaking and Book in A Day. 

Along with the Communication coaches Rachel Towns and Dave Graham, I wish all our students and teachers a fruitful and happy year.

Introducing Adam Gordon, English Teacher 

I am delighted to commence teaching at St. John’s Regional College and am looking forward to getting to know my students. We will have a fantastic year. I am a passionate English, History and Literacy teacher with over twenty years’ teaching experience. I believe that all students succeed when they set clear goals and commit to learning strategies to achieve those goals. I expect my students to reflect regularly on their learning so they can identify what works best for them. In my spare time, I love reading, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with my family. I am a long-time suffering St. Kilda Football Club fan and hope to see the Saints win a flag in my lifetime. My daughter and son are also Saints supporters and we enjoy going to games when we can. There is nothing like the atmosphere of a live audience. Best wishes to you all for 2021.

Adam Gordon 

Sports Bonanza

On Tuesday 2nd February, our year 7’s participated in a Sports Bonanza! The event included mini games, as well as a round robin tournament of basketball, soccer and handball. The event gave our new students the opportunity to build relationships with their peers and teachers. All houses put in a tremendous effort but Delphinus pulled ahead with the win for the day, finishing on a whopping 38 points.