Principal's Report 

Farewell Class of 2020

On Friday of last week, we celebrated the final school day for the class of 2020. It was pleasing to be able to thank them at our open-air assembly for the way they have led the student body this year under difficult circumstances.

Our student leaders have not had the opportunity to be part of the big events of a normal year but they have lead in other ways.  They have found ways to keep people together. As I went back through the school newsletters and Facebook page I saw our seniors involved in creative videos, Anzac and Founders day contributions, House challenges, the writing of amazing prayers, preparing the Captains’ Corner in the newsletter, Virtual talent quests and choirs and finally helping to prepare the 2021 student leaders as they returned to school. 

What I have admired is their ability to stay positive in their words and actions; it has helped us all stay together.  I thank them for the energy and life they have brought to our school over the last six years and extended to them our best wishes and prayers as they prepare for their final exams commencing on Monday November 9th.

I thank our Director of Faith and Mission Mr Swan and our Deputy Principal of Students Mr Van Es for facilitating our Final Celebration and all of our Staff who play an important role in the growth and development of our Year 12 students over the last six years.

Student Leaders 2021

I congratulate our newly appointed College Captains and Faith & Mission Captains for 2021.  Over the last two weeks our students have completed detailed applications for leadership positions, presented a virtual speech to their peers and been interviewed by our Current College Captains, Mr Van Es and myself as part of the selection process for our 2021 leaders.  I congratulate the following students on their appointment to these important roles for our College community:                        

College Captains                  Maria Hinen                                                                    Aiden Cachart  

Faith & Mission Captains       Tiana Amoretti                                                                 Kent Mijares

On the 17th of November all student leaders, including our yet to be appointed House Captains, will be presented to the community at our Awards Evening.  I look forward to working with our school leaders and helping them develop as servant leaders of our College in 2021.

St John’s Regional College Awards Evening 2020

Our Annual Awards Evening will be a virtual event this year and take place on the 17th of November at 7pm.  All families will be sent a link on the 17th to live-stream a presentation of the 2020 Awards ceremony.  This special evening will focus on celebrating the growth, development and excellence achieved by our students in all facets of school life in what has been a challenging year.  The St John’s Regional College Art & Technology Exhibition will also be able to be viewed on the night with the announcement of the Principals Prize for Art to take place during the Awards Evening. 

Lasallian & CSYMA Retreat Day

On Thursday and Friday of this week our Year 7 and 8 students participated in a one-day retreat facilitated by the Young Lasallian Team. Using the power of the Internet, the team based in Sydney led our students through a series of activities to explore their relationship with Jesus and how this impacted on their daily lives.  To finish the retreat, our Year 11 students involved in the Catholic Schools Youth Ministry Australia (CSYMA) program facilitated a prayer service to allow the junior students to reflect on their experiences of the day, and give thanks for all the gifts and talents God has given them.

Staffing 

After 38 years staff member Clive Moore has announced his retirement from St John’s Regional College.  Mr Moore has held several key leadership roles in Learning and Pastoral Care and will be remembered as a brilliant teacher, wonderful colleague and mentor to many students and staff who have spent time at St John’s.  We wish him well as he enjoys retirement with his children and grandchildren. 

World Teachers Day

In this edition I have included a few photos of our celebration of World Teacher’s day last Friday. World Teacher’s day is celebrated around the world each year in recognition of the important role that teachers play in our communities.  Working with young people to discover their purpose,  teaching them skills that will set them up for success as future citizens of our world, inspiring them to do well and succeed in life are all aspects of this very important, challenging and immensely satisfying role that teachers have.  Happy World teachers Day. #brightfuture

SIS Art & Technology Exhibition

The 2020 SIS Art & Technology exhibition was created as a virtual event this year giving our students the opportunity to show a variety of arts work that have been developed during lockdown.  I congratulate the students listed below whose amazing work was featured in the SIS Art & Technology Exhibition.  These works of Art will also be available to be viewed on the night of our Awards evening as part of the St John’s Regional College Art & Technology Exhibition and will be considered for the Br Amedy Molloy Principals Prize for Art.

Anthony Heng, Tristian Longmuir, Kevin Williams, Sadhana George, Juan Wani, 

Katrina Angelopulous, Cleyara Warnakulasooriya, Peter Tang , Justyna Komar, Nimrod Tessera

2021/2022 Enrolment Information Session

Our second virtual school tour for this term will take place on Tuesday the 19th of November beginning at 6pm.  Parents will have the opportunity to learn about our history, curriculum programs and future plans for St John’s in a one-hour session that incorporates a virtual tour through our facilities.  Enrolments for 2021/2022 are invited and parents can book a place for this tour by contacting our College reception on (03) 8793 2000 or through Try Booking via the Enrolment tab on our school website https://www.sjrc.vic.edu.au.