From the Principal

I am delighted to announce the 2017 VCE Dux is Britney Lloyd with an ATAR of 98.75. The College community is incredibly proud of Britney and of all our 2017 VCE and VCAL students.

I wish to congratulate and thank all our students for their hard work and commitment throughout 2017. As part of our 2017 theme; ‘come as you are’ I challenged the students to come as proud MSJ students, be proud to be a member of the MSJ community.  To show their pride in the way they presented themselves, in how they interacted with others and how they challenged and supported each other.  They were also challenged to, in all that they did, to do it with dignity, respect, compassion and integrity.  They have certainly done this.

Throughout the year I have witnessed the pride and commitment that the student body have for MSJ. They truly have embraced the many learning opportunities presented to them. Our 2017 theme has allowed us to celebrate the diverse gifts and talents of all in our community. It has highlighted our inclusiveness and acceptance of all.

The College Merrijig awards night was held on Thursday 7th December. On this night we acknowledged and congratulated the students for their outstanding commitment and contribution to MSJ during 2017. They are to be commended for their dedication and hard work. A full list of ward winners is featured later in this newsletter.

My sincere thanks to the staff at MSJ. They are a very committed and dedicated group of people who have worked hard throughout the year to develop and support the MSJ students. I wish to extend a very special farewell to two of our retiring staff members, Adrianne Ketcheson and John Marshall.

Adrianne has worked at MSJ for 36 years. She commenced in 1981 and has taught PE, Science, Biology, Maths, French, and Humanities.  A very talented and versatile teacher and we are very grateful to the contribution that Adrianne has made to the MSJ community.

John Marshall commenced at MSJ in 1992 and has taught here for 25 years. John has taught Science, Maths Geography and in more recent years Food Technology. John has been a valuable member of our MSJ Community.

Adrianne and John have shown incredible commitment to the students at MSJ and I cannot even imagine how many students they would have taught during their teaching career here at MSJ! We wish both Adrianne and John all the very best as they commence their retirement, they will be missed.  We thank them for all that you have done for the MSJ community over their many years of service.

My thanks to all the families who have worked with us throughout 2017. The staff and I appreciate your support, openness and willingness to enter into a partnership that enables the students here at MSJ to strive to be the best that they can be.

As we come to end of 2017 I wish you all a very peaceful and holy Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all return refreshed and eager to the take on all the challenges that 2018 will bring.

Kate Dishon

Principal