Principal's Report
Reports
Our reports for Semester Two will be on Seqta to parents early next week and will provide feedback for students as to how they have performed over a range of assessment tasks. The summer break gives all students some time to review the goals they have set for themselves over the past year and set new ones for the 2020 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 2020 school year.
Farewell to Staff - 2019
I acknowledge 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.
Ms Arlene Dilston- Student Counsellor
Mr David Miles- Teacher
Miss Adrianna Grech- Sports Assistant
Miss Harmony Miller- Youth Minister
Our Director of Faith and Mission Mr John Rhynehart will be taking a well-deserved 12-month break of Long Service Leave in 2020 and we wish him a relaxed and enjoyable time with his family. Staff Member Mr Tim Swan will take on the role of Director of Faith & Mission for the 2020 school year.
Mr David Fong will also take a leave of absence in 2020 to work with the Catholic Palms organisation. The Palms Organisation fosters Catholic outreach work and Mr Fong will be working in a Secondary school in Myanmar for the 2020 school year. We look forward to catching up on his journey through his pictures and stories as they are published in the newsletter next year.
Canonical Administrator –
Farewell Fr Kevin
I farewell Fr Kevin Dance and Fr Pastor who will be leaving the Parish of St Paul Apostle at the end of this year. Fr Kevin in a particular has been a great supporter of St John’s over the last few years and we wish him well on his new appointment in Sydney. Fr Pastor will be moving to Templestowe as part of the Redemptorist Retreat Centre.
Class of 2019
Congratulations to the Class of 2019 who enjoyed a wonderful celebration of their graduation at St Patrick's Cathedral followed by dinner at the Sofitel Ballroom. I thank our celebrant Fr Brendan Lane and in particular Deacon George who gave a moving homily to our graduates including his son Daniel 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:
Caltex All-rounder- Svetlana Brillantes
Lasallian Award- Dylan Morris
Presentation Award- Alysha Teav
Spirit of St John- Dion Zapantis
I also acknowledge the work of Mr John Rhynehart, Miss Ash Holly, Deputy Principal Mr Van Es and Ms Harmony Miller and our Student Choir 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 Maria Hinen from Year 10 on her selection into the Class of 2021 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 Maria will attend a tailored program of events and activities at Melbourne University which will enhance her secondary studies, inform her career plans and provide opportunities to interact with the University community. She was recognised from 1700 secondary applications from across Victoria. I congratulate Maria on this wonderful acknowledgment of her academic achievements.
Catholic Youth Festival
Next week Mr John Rhynehart and Ms Sue Keel will accompany five students from St John’s as they attend the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Perth. Students Aker Mawith, Aleesha Lay, Cecilia Lay, Aiden Cachart and Kent Mijares will be attending this national gathering of Catholic young people established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC). It exists to provide young people with opportunities to deepen their relationship with Jesus, be empowered to be disciples in the world today and encounter and celebrate the vitality of the Church in Australia. Our young leaders will be able to share their experiences with our community on their return.
The Eagle
The school yearbook "The Eagle" has been completed for 2019 and will be made available to students over this final week of school. I congratulate Mr Rhynhart, Mr Aaron Bailey and Miss Sarah Ramantanis for capturing the vibrant life of our school community through many beautiful pictures and carefully crafted words.
Congratulations
I congratulate former student Daniela Di Toro on her announcement as the Co-Captain of the Australian Paralympic Team for the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. Daniela has competed as a member of the Australian Paralympic Swimming team at several Olympics and attended St John’s Regional College in the 1980’s. We wish her well as she leads our Country in Tokyo in 2020.
Papua New Guinea Container Project
Our PNG container has arrived this week to commence a joint project between the four Melbourne Based Lasallian schools: St Bede’s, De La Salle Malvern, St John’s Regional College Dandenong and St James East Bentleigh. This project will see the Container based at St Johns and filled by the four Melbourne schools with educational supplies and equipment over term 1 of 2020. The container will be shipped to Port Moresby for the benefit of several schools including De La Salle Secondary School Bomana, Jubilee Catholic Secondary School , La Salle Technical College Hohola and Sacred Heart Teachers’ College.
Further updates will be provided early next year as to how each of our school communities can contribute the specific resources required by our friends in Papua New Guinea.
Congratulations – SIS Softball Champions
Congratulations to our intermediate girls softball team and Coach Mrs Sonia McNally who took out the SIS Girls Softball pennant. The girls listed below have spent many lunchtimes with their Coach developing their skills and game strategies and thoroughly deserve taking out this award. Ms McNally has coached our SIS Softball team to victory several seasons in a row and is looking for an even higher level of performance as the team takes possession of the newly constructed softball pitch for the 2020 school year.
Sukithra Vijaykumar
Yukithra Vijaykumar
Joni Gubatange
Shayne Fisher
Jethmi Almeida
Isa Olsen
Ysabel Solorzano
Alek Mawith
Jylisa Balaba Cao
Georgia Maxwell
Aliya Little
Coaches
Natarsha Acton Yr 11
Athena Gear Yr 11
Launch of 2019
Shared Stories Anthology
Many Catholic Schools in Melbourne participate in the production of Shared stories which this year saw our students contribute art works, short stories and poetry under the theme of “Gratitude”. The Anthology is published each year in the State and National Libraries which is a wonderful acknowledgement and achievement for our students. Renee Duncombe was acknowledged from St John’s for her art contribution to this year's “Shared Stories”. I wish to thank our Arts and Engagement Leader, Ms Tania Robinson, Communication Leader, Ms Lisa Finamore and our teaching staff for inspiring and challenging our students in their contributions to this years Shared Stories Anthology.
Attached below is a report from Isa Olsen who attended the shared stories Anthology launch at Kotska Hall Brighton.
The ‘Shared Stories Anthology’ presentation occurred at Kotska Hall Campus, Brighton on Wednesday 27 November. The school was filled with celebration, joy and achievement with participants from 26 Catholic Schools across Victoria.
Isa Olsen and the other attending St John’s participants: Joni Gubatanga, Georgia Maxwell, Chihara Di Cosmo, Justyna Komar, Renee Duncombe and Tameka Haggett had the privilege of having our literary works and art pieces published in the Shared Stories Anthology which was celebrated during the afternoon. Tim Cope, a famous Australian adventurer was a special guest speaker whom beautifully portrayed his great journey and determination from Mongolia to Russia, and thus expressed and experienced the theme for this year’s anthology, ‘Gratitude’.
As the orchestra played and awards presented, the afternoon progressed, ending with the final celebration of our achievements. Overall, this afternoon was a memory to keep and remember our dedication and achievements to produce these amazing works.
Isa Olsen, Student
Cambodia Immersion
Our Immersion touring party is having a wonderful time in Cambodia with this week focusing on literacy in the classroom. Our travellers prepared a range of lessons for their young pupils and even joined in the afternoon compulsory naptime. One of the routines they thoroughly enjoyed was the whole school starting the day with singing the National Anthem followed by a dancing medley of Baby shark, the chicken dance, the hokey pokey and heads, shoulders knees and toes! Might be a good strategy to introduce next year at SJRC. Our touring party returns at the end of this week.
Masterplan Update
Construction Company Turf One are on schedule with the redevelopment of our Sports Precinct which will be open just in time for the beginning of the 2020 school year. As per our Drone shot, you can see the redeveloped oval taking shape along with the all-weather roofing for our three basketball and netball courts. The surfacing of the FIFA accredited soccer pitch and running track will take place over the next four weeks.
Office Hours
The College Office will close for the Christmas Holidays on 20 December at 12pm and will reopen at 8am on 20 January 2020.
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 and the Holiday season ahead. I look forward to and pray for everyone's safe return for the 2020 school year. God Bless you all.