Welcome everyone as we journey together as the St John’s community in 2019.

We hope that everyone has been able to take some time for rest and renewal and is looking forward to the year ahead. I would like to extend a special welcome to all the new members of our school community, about 190 young people from Years 7-11. We look forward to getting to know you and the gifts that you will share with us.

We have a deep commitment to our School Mission:

The staff development day had a strong focus on ensuring that all students are given the opportunity to reach their potential. We looked at whole school data and details for each student so that we may plan for success for each of them.

Engagement in learning is a decision that each student makes and they are well supported by their parents and teachers here at St John’s. It is essential to develop good practices to enable success and we recommend that parents help them establish these practices and support them to maintain them. These would include:

• Have a good breakfast each morning.
• Have a good sleep each night, a break from interruptions supported with no devices in the bedroom.
• Get plenty of exercise and company of family and friends.
• Come to school each day well prepared: Books and pens and fully charged computers.
• Make time each afternoon or evening to engage in self-directed learning, regardless of whether homework has been set.
  • Age appropriate time Year 7: thirty minutes increasing up to Year 12: 1 & 1/2 to 2 hours.
  • Year 7 and 8 should engage with 15 minutes of Maths Pathways each night and word flyers 3 times per week.
  • Students do not need their own desk, a central family location assists some young people to remain on task.
  • Reading for understanding is always a great way to develop learning skills.

St John’s is committed to ensuring the best outcome for each student and recognise the importance of the partnership that we share with parents in being successful in this goal. We encourage parents to chat with their child about their learning with a focus on acknowledging their journey. The questions you ask will help determine the quality of the response. Avoid questions with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and use questions like ‘What are you learning about in history?’ or maybe ‘What were some of the items presented on assembly today?'

Parents are always welcome to contact the school to pass on information or to seek information about their child’s progress. The first point of call is the PALS teacher or Year Coordinator for pastoral issues or the teacher or KLA Coordinator for classroom concerns.

I also encourage all parents to become involved in Parent and Friends events including meetings and working bees. The AGM for the St John’s P&F will be held on Monday 18 February at 6.00pm. I strongly encourage all parents and carers to attend. The P&F is a great way of keeping in close touch with what is going on at school. Each meeting we have a brief presentation to assist parents in supporting their child in their learning and development.

Year group mottos and their Coordinators:

Year 7: I was a stranger and you welcomed me and loved me as yourself – Mrs Sophie Daley

Year 8: God has no hands but yours - Mrs Lynette Kelly

Year 9: Walk in the way of the Good and the Just and be the change you wish to see in the world - Mrs Maggie Frawley

Year 10: Full Hearts through Service, Love & Courage - Mr Simon Vaughan

Year 11: Strong Minds, Gracious Hearts - Ms Sarah Blades

Year 12: Practise Kindness in all you say and do - Mr Nicholas Garner

Congratulations to Year 12 2018

What an outstanding achievement for these students and for the school. This group of students were so highly focused, we are very proud of both their academic and personal outcomes for their Higher School Certificate. We wish them the best in their post-school ventures. On Thursday 7 February 2019, the special recognition assembly acknowledges the achievements of last year’s HSC group and inspires current students to work to achieve their personal best. We have a long tradition of excellence in the HSC and congratulate last year’s cohort for continuing this tradition.

2018 Dux of the Year

Congratulations to Emma McDonald on achieving an ATAR of 97.25 an outstanding achievement.

New Staff

We would like to welcome the following new staff: Mrs Abbey Baker: Music, Mr Paul Brodie: Learning Support and Gooroon, Mrs Nichole Crossley: Learning Support, Mr Colin Evans: Maths,
Ms Kristy Hall: TAS, Mrs Serena Jablonskis: Office Manager, Mrs Justine Lang: Office support, Mrs Sandra Johnston: Food Tech Support, Ms Carmen Lee: Maths, Mr Aidan Leishman: Learning Support and PDHPE, Mr Tom Matthews: Gooroon Support, Mr Keegan McLoughlin: Maths and Science, Ms Kris Rodwell: Outdoor Ed, Mr Jake Summers: Geography and Miss Savannah Lloyd: HSIE.

Mrs Sandra Hogan
Principal