A warm welcome to the 2026 school year! I hope you’ve enjoyed a restful break and are ready to embrace the exciting opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
It was a joy to reconnect with new students and their families as they began their journey at St. John’s. Their first day was filled with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy, but with the encouragement and support of our dedicated teachers and older students, they quickly settled into the rhythm of their new school environment.
Our annual theme this year is “Justice for All …”.
This year, our College theme is Justice for All, a call that sits at the very heart of our Catholic identity and our commitment to forming young people who act with compassion, integrity, and responsibility. In the Catholic tradition, justice is not simply about fairness—it is about recognising the dignity of every person and working actively to ensure that all are treated with respect, inclusion, and care.
Throughout 2026, Justice for All will guide our prayer, learning, and relationships. It challenges us to look beyond ourselves, to speak up for those who are vulnerable, and to take responsibility for the way our actions impact others. As a community, we are called to ensure that St John’s is a place where every student feels safe, valued, and supported to reach their full potential.
Opening School Mass and Welcome Evening
Our school year began in a spirit of faith and community with the Opening School Mass and Welcome Evening, held on Thursday 5 February. We were grateful to be joined by Fr Joby, Parish Priest of Holy Family Parish, Doveton, who celebrated the Mass and warmly welcomed our Year 7 students and their families into the life of St John’s Regional College.
The Mass provided a meaningful opportunity to gather as a faith community and to reflect on our 2026 Annual Theme, Justice for All. Through prayer and reflection, we were reminded that justice is lived daily through respect, inclusion, and care for one another, and that each member of our community has a role to play in creating a place where everyone belongs and can flourish.
Following the Mass, families participated in the Welcome Evening, where they met their child’s House Leaders and Learning Mentors. This time together reinforced the importance of a strong partnership between home and school, clear expectations, and shared commitment to student learning, wellbeing, and growth. It also marked an important first step in supporting our students as they begin their journey toward independence, responsibility, and success at St John’s.
We thank all families for their presence and engagement on the evening and look forward to working closely together throughout the year.
Opening College Assembly – Celebrating Achievement and Leadership
Our Opening College Assembly, held on Thursday 5 February in the Br Leo Scollen Stadium, was a wonderful occasion to recognise our 2025 Academic High Achievers and to formally invest our Student Leaders for 2026. Families joined staff and students to celebrate excellence, leadership, and the strong sense of community that defines St John’s Regional College.
Inspiring Voices from Our Community
The Assembly was enriched by two outstanding speakers from our community: Kiara Lay, our 2025 Dux, and distinguished alumni Warrick Cramer.
In her address, Kiara spoke with humility and clarity about the importance of persistence, focus, and disciplined effort. She reminded students that success is built gradually through consistent hard work and a willingness to stay committed, even when challenges arise.
Warrick shared his own journey beyond school, reflecting on the unexpected turns, setbacks, and learning moments that shaped his path. His message resonated strongly with students as he emphasised that challenges do not define us—rather, it is how we respond to them that matters most.
Together, their stories reinforced a powerful message: excellence is built over time, and courage is required to keep moving forward when the path changes.
Celebrating Our 2025 Dux
We were proud to formally acknowledge Kiara Lay, the 2025 Dux of St John’s Regional College, who achieved an outstanding ATAR of 98, including a perfect score of 50 in Legal Studies. This exceptional result is a testament to Kiara’s dedication, determination, and consistent effort throughout her secondary schooling.
Kiara has commenced a double degree in Law and Global Studies at Monash University, and we were delighted to welcome her back to the College to share her insights and experiences with our community. We congratulate Kiara on her remarkable achievements and thank her for the inspiration she provided to our students.
Student Leadership 2026
A key highlight of the Assembly was the formal investiture of our 2026 Student Leaders, who proudly received their leadership badges. These students were selected for their commitment to the life of the College and their dedication to ensuring that student voice is valued and heard.
We thank each of these leaders for their willingness to serve our community and look forward to the positive contribution they will make throughout the year.
College Captains
Alexis Jackson & Ralph Buela
Faith & Mission Captains
Lena Finau & Mher Annayan
Bakhita Captains
Salina Balay & Jerom Prasad
MacKillop Captains
Aluong Matiok & Thomas Holden
Assisi Captains
May Elaine Harrisson & Alex Bennetts
Chisholm Captains
Emma Jorissen & Jacob Wilberforce
Acutis Captains
Michaellah Ganiquem Puspus & Kenan Elez
Romero Captains
Nyabana Gatkuoth & Ainsley Lwin
Welcoming New Staff to St John’s
As the school year commenced, we were pleased to welcome a number of new staff members to St John’s Regional College. Each brings valuable experience, skills, and enthusiasm, and we look forward to the positive impact they will have on student learning, wellbeing, and community life.
New Staff Appointments
Ms Ria Greene – Director of Faith & Mission
Ms Tania Robinson – VCE Programs Leader (Art, VM)
Mr Chris Leak – Arts and Engagement Leader
Mr Travis Bhandari – Humanities / English
Mr Nicholas Cox – Mathematics / Science / Humanities
Ms Alicia Pegram – Mathematics
Ms Kiera Crupi – English
Mr Kyle Turnbull – Mathematics / VM
Mr Kevin Vinoj – Youth Minister
Miss Sarah Gijo – Youth Minister
Miss Samantha Goodies – Learning Diversity Officer
Miss Rania Zafiropoulos – Learning Support Officer
Ms Tarse Matziaris – Learning Support Officer
We warmly welcome all new staff to our community and wish them every success as they begin their journey at St John’s.
Enrolment Information: Inviting Prospective Families
Our Open mornings for prospective students and their families take place every Thursday at 9:15 am. Parents will have the opportunity to learn about our History, Curriculum programs, and future plans for St John’s during a one-hour session that includes a tour through our facilities. Enrolments for 2026, 2027 and 2028 are now open, and parents can book a place for this tour by contacting our College reception or through Try Booking via the Enrolment tab on our school website https://www.sjrc.vic.edu.au.
After School Tutoring Program: Supporting Academic Growth
St John’s will continue to offer the after-school tutoring program in 2026 for all year levels. Running each Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3.30 pm to 5 pm in the Contemporary Learning Centre, this program is designed to assist students with homework tasks and develop their literacy and numeracy skills. There is no fee for the tutoring program, which will commence on Monday the 9th of February. Any students requiring extra assistance are encouraged to attend the CLC, where experienced tutors, all with Working with Children registration, provide support.
We look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and success for each member of our St John’s Regional College community.
