Dear Parents and Carers, 

I would like to take the opportunity to formally welcome you to the 2025 school year. We have now been back at school for two full weeks and I can honestly say that we are excited to embark on another year of learning, growth, and success alongside you and your children/young people in your care. As always, we have started the year remaining faithful to living out our School Mission, ‘to create a dynamic educational environment within a caring, involved community centred on the Catholic ethos, valuing peace and pursuing excellence.’

Last week, I welcomed our students back and reinforced our commitment to making 2025 a year marked by an unwavering and unapologetic focus on learning growth. This year, we are refreshing our focus with a strong emphasis on positive engagement and connection with families, upholding high expectations for students both within and outside of the classroom and ensuring that they are challenged, encouraged, and given the tools they need to succeed. I also explained that we can not do this alone, that if we are going to ‘create a culture where everyone believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough, but because they can be better’ (Dylan Wiliam), then we need to do it together - parents, students and teachers.

To support this, I reminded students of their responsibilities as members of our community—what it means to be a St John’s graduate, to be ready to learn, and to take ownership of their education. We reflected on the lessons of 2024, viewing both successes and challenges as opportunities for growth. And, while I understand that our young people may make mistakes along the way, I promised them that we will challenge those who repeatedly disrupt the learning environment and work with them and their families to ensure that they have the tools to improve. 

Additionally, myself, Mrs Akai (Acting Curriculum Coordinator) and Mrs Murphy (Acting Assistant Principal) met with our Year 11 and 12 students to reinforce the expectations of post-compulsory schooling and renew their commitment to their learning at St John’s.

This was followed up by our Recognition Ceremony in Week three where we, as a whole community, gathered to celebrate the Year 12 cohort of 2024, in particular, the Distinguished Achievers who graciously joined us one last time. We also named the 2024 Dux of the year, Isaac Sleath. Isaac is to be congratulated on this amazing honour, which was a culmination of his dedication and hardwork. After our ceremony, the Year 11 and 12 students were given the opportunity to ask questions and learn from those who have successfully completed the Higher School Certificate and, to say I was impressed with the questions asked and the insights given would be an understatement - we are truly proud!

YEAR 12 2024 RECOGNITION ASSEMBLY

YEAR 12 2024 - Q & A SESSION 

To further support our Year 11 and 12 students as they continue to embark on their Preliminary and HSC journey, we have introduced measures to help them engage in the extracurricular life of the school while maintaining a balanced academic focus:

• Year 11 engagement in extracurricular activities
• Term 1: Two events
• Term 2: Two events
• Term 3: Two events
• Year 12 engagement in extracurricular activities
• Term 1 (Term 4 Year 11/12): One event
• Term 2 (Term 1 2025): Two events
• Term 3 (Term 2  2025): One event
• Term 4 (Term 3 2025): One event

As a Catholic school in the Shoalhaven with a proud Indigenous culture, social justice initiatives and cultural programs will not be considered as ‘extracurricular activities.’ Additionally, if an event is successful and progresses to the next round, stage or zone, this will not be counted as an additional event. 

Finally, I want to sincerely thank you for choosing to be part of our school community and for entrusting us with your child’s education. This is a responsibility we embrace wholeheartedly, and we look forward to a year of shared success.

Kind Regards

James Eirth

Acting Principal