Newsletter Term 4_ Week5_2025
Principal's Report
Dear Members of the St John’s Catholic College Community,
As we near the end of another school year, we hold our Year 12 students in our thoughts and prayers as they undertake their final examinations. Their dedication, resilience, and faith have been inspiring.
We look forward to celebrating our students’ achievements at the upcoming Presentation of Awards Evening on Monday 17 November, followed by our Graduation Mass on Thursday 20 November.
In alignment with Catholic Education NT’s Horizons Strategy, Items 8 and 9 (see below) present significant opportunities for growth and renewal across our schools. These include the proposed alignment of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and St John’s Catholic College to create a seamless T–12 educational pathway, and the reimagining of the St John’s site to best serve the future needs of Catholic education in the Darwin region.
To support this vision, Catholic Education NT is exploring demolition options for the unused campus—many buildings of which are beyond economic repair. The potential works, proposed for the Dry Season 2026, would create a 'Greenfields' site ready for future Catholic Education development, improve safety, reduce costs, and position St John’s and St Mary’s for exciting possibilities ahead.
Together with St Mary’s, we are working on a joint marketing campaign, uniting both schools under the message:
“In the heart of Darwin, two schools share one mission, one spirit… one heart.”
This collaboration celebrates our shared values and strengthens the transition from St Mary’s to St John’s.
Other campus improvements continue, including fencing works along the Stuart Highway and the boundary with the Botanical Gardens, co-funded through the Commonwealth Government’s Block Grant Authority.
Despite the closure of Boarding, our enrolment outlook remains positive for 2026.
Finally, as previously announced, I will be taking Enrichment and Long Service Leave for Semester 1, 2026. Catholic Education NT will soon appoint an Acting Principal for this period.
Thank you for your continued support, faith, and trust in St John’s Catholic College.
Fortes in Fide,
Cameron Hughes
Principal
Horizons 2030 and Beyond:
Item 08. Consolidate and Align Key Schools: Form three new colleges by bringing together O’Loughlin Catholic College with Holy Family Catholic Primary School, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School with St John’s Catholic College, and Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic Primary School with Xavier Catholic College. Additionally, strategically align Ltyentye Apurte CS with OLSH Alice Springs to streamline operations, optimise resources, and strengthen educational pathways.
Item 09. Plan for St John’s Catholic College Site: Phase out boarding and reimagine the Catholic Education purpose of the site.
Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning
Dear St John’s Catholic College Community,
AI in Assessments
While AI technologies have become an inseparable aspects of our lives, there are guidelines and rules surrounding what is and what is not appropriate for its use in school assessments.
The College adopts the SACE Board’s Guidelines for Using Artificial Intelligence for all Year 7-12. All students and parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to read the guidelines to ensure they comply with the academic rules.
The College reminds all students that inappropriate use of AI to complete assessments constitutes a breach of academic rules and therefore will result in a penalty. If an assessment is suspected to be written using AI, the onus is on the students to provide evidence that the work is completed independently, that is their own and produced without undue assistance from other people or sources. Evidence can include, but not limited to:
- day-to-day formative work and draft completed in class
- planning undertaken for the assessment, in and out of class such as brainstorming and concept maps
- historical record of research undertaken e.g. history of web browsing / journal studies.
Examples of appropriate AI use include:
- Use AI to research for factual information, just as they would for a textbook or other traditional source.
- Use AI to generate images where they are not available.
- Use an app to provide suggestions to improve writing during drafting.
In all cases, acknowledgement of the AI source, in the form of citations and referencing, must be provided.
Examples of inappropriate AI use:
- Use AI to generate writing prompts in creative writing tasks e.g. narrative writing in English.
- Enter a draft into an app which could change the syntax and structure of the text without the student making decisions about phrasing e.g. QuillBot to paraphrase sentences.
- Enter a piece of data or text into an app to analyse and evaluate information when students are required to demonstrate the critical thinking e.g. comparative analysis of texts in history; evaluation of errors in science report; analysis of data in mathematical investigation.
In all cases, inappropriate use of AI will result in penalty even if its use is acknowledged.
Stage 2 Exams start this week
External examinations will start Monday Week 5 to Friday Week 6.
All exams (both written and e-exam) will take place in either the library or MP2 at the Hartzer campus. All students have been informed of the exam venue.
Students must arrive at least 30 minutes before the exam start time at the exam venue. This is because there are several exam administration tasks that must be completed before the exam can be administered each session.
Stage 2 School-based Assessment
Stage 2 students without an external examination should already complete their school assessments. If their teachers requested for further refinement, students are expected to comply with the instruction so that their grades can be improved or confirmed.
Year 10-12 Tracking
Year level meetings were held in Week 1 to provide students their tracking in all subjects.
Students who did not attend those meetings are asked to collect their tracking from Mr. Tio, as several reminders were already made on SEQTA and over the PA announcement.
Students will not receive their tracking slips again in Week 4, as resulting period will occur. Instead, students and parents / guardians will be advised and contacted if their child does not meet the markers set for each senior year level.
Below are the markers set by the College:
Year 10
- Achieve a minimum of 40 credits with a C or better at Stage 1.
- Successful completion of Stage 1 Exploring Identities and Futures.
- Successful completion of 1 x Stage 1 literacy unit.
- Demonstrate ability to succeed in senior study – majority of results at a C or better.
Year 11
- Achieve a minimum of 140 credits with a C grade or better at Stage 1.
- Successful completion of 2 x Stage 1 literacy unit.
- Successful completion of 1 x Stage 1 numeracy unit.
- Majority of results at a C grade or higher.
Year 12
- Achieve 60 credits with a C- or better at Stage 2.
- Successful completion of 200 credits to qualify for the NTCET.
- If aspiring for ATAR (university entrance score), qualify for the NTCET and undertake 90 credits at Stage 2.
The College may make recommendations for pathway changes if students do not meet the markers set, including Year 10, 11 or 12 over 2 years, conditional enrolment into the following year level, conversion from an ATAR to non-NTCET pathway etc.
Stage 1 and Stage 2 Results
Stage 1 and Stage 2 results will be released on Students Online on the 15 December 2025. This is the Monday of the first end-of-year school break. Students will require access to Students Online to access their results.
Year 12 students must log into StudentsOnline to access their Record of Achievement and ATAR (if eligible). No paper-based copy will be provided by the SACE Board.
https://www.sace.sa.edu.au/studying/your-sace/what-is-students-online
VET Applications and Interviews
As this newsletter is written, VET interviews are proceeding with many students scheduled to meet with the interviews to assess their eligibility for entry. We wish the students all the best in their interview.
Students and parents/guardians are reminded that, unless a special arrangement is negotiated, students who gained entry to a VET course will still have to study academic subjects at the College. As VET credits are successfully gained, students can then discuss with Mr. Tio – Assistant Principal Teaching & Learning to negotiate their study load. This is because subject enrolment for the College closes in Week 2 of Term 1 (for Semester 1 offerings). If a student does not enrol in the required number of subject load, and withdraw from a VET course mid-year, the student will be at-risk of not attaining the required number of NTCET credits by the end of each year level.
Semester 2 Reports
Semester 2 reports will be released electronically on SEQTA Learn and SEQTA Engage for students and parents/guardians to access at the end of this semester. The College endeavours to ensure the release occurs in Week 10, Term 4 before students embark on their semester break.
Teaching & Learning Team
The Teaching & Learning Team members for 2025 are as follows:
Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning Mr. Nelson Tio nelson.tio@nt.catholic.edu.au
Head of Faculty A Ms. Cherilyn Hughes cherilyn.hughes@nt.catholic.edu.au
Head of Faculty B Mr. Brayden Nheu brayden.nheu@nt.catholic.edu.au
Head of Faculty (RE) Ms. Carla Hayes carla.hayes@nt.catholic.edu.au
Acting Inclusion Support Mr Ramanan Poovainthan ramanan.poovainthan@nt.
VET/Careers Ms Tracey Ingui tracey.ingui@nt.catholic.edu.au
Please contact the relevant coordinators if you have questions.
Fortes in Fide,
Nelson Tio
Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning
Director of Boarding
Dear St John’s Catholic College Community,
As we enter the halfway mark of Term 4, and with the end of the year fast approaching, the reality of the boarding house closure is becoming more of a reality. Our Year 12 students have all but finished their work and are setting up for their Graduation celebrations. The rest of our students are working toward the end of another years work.
The main focus for us at the moment is the Year 12 students and enjoying the last couple of weeks with them. This is a special time of year where hard work and persistence are realised in the culmination of annual events and celebrations to mark the passing of another year and the achievements of another successful cohort.
This year we have 8 students that will graduate. Half of those have been living with us for more than 5 years. It really is like watching family members grow up and it is a proud moment to see them reach the target they have been chasing. None of them have done it easy. All of them have had challenges and bumps in the road. All of them have shown persistence and resilience to achieve their goals and graduate with their NTCET certificates. We are very proud.
We also celebrated a number of students graduating from their VET courses last week. Three of our senior girls completed Certificate 3 in Allied Health Assistance and can look forward to working in the Health sector when they graduate.
A lot of support has gone into helping our students succeed. Our boarding staff do a lot of work across the year to allow for this success to be possible. Thanks to everyone for your work and we hope the last five weeks of term are enjoyable and successful.
Kind Regards,
Scott Mannion
Director of Boarding
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
To our St. John’s community,
Recently, our St John’s College community has been joyfully living out our Catholic mission through prayer, service, and gratitude. The spirit of discipleship has been alive across the school, with activities such as Crazy Sock Day and engaging Mission Classes with Sr Jessika reminding us of the importance of compassion and faith in action.
Our Year 7 students have also been exploring what it means to be a disciple of Christ in their studies of Church for the World. Inspired by the life of St Carlo Acutis, they have expressed their learning through authentic, faith-filled projects including bake sales raising funds for Caritas, clothing drives supporting St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army, and the creation of Rosary bead kits and handmade pocket altars. Each initiative has shown their growing understanding of discipleship through action.
We are also proud to share that representatives from St John’s College will soon attend the Australian Catholic Youth Festival in Melbourne, from 30 November to 2 December, joining a group of 37 pilgrims from the Diocese of Darwin. Our students have begun their formation journey in preparation for this significant event, and we hold them in prayer as they continue to deepen their faith and commitment to being disciples of hope, courage, and love in the world today.
Kind Regards,
Carla Hayes
Assistant Principal – Religious Education
NEWS HEADLINES
Daley News
After ‘Student Voice’ feedback from the Daley team, the Term 4 program has continued to include Monday Daley Team Chats, Fun Friday and a Breakfast Club.
As always, our goal, in line with the St Johns College Vision, is that ‘EVERY Daley student develops the knowledge, skills and attributes to contribute positively to their world!’ We aim to be more compassionate, more courageous, more welcoming and truthful.
Daley team members have had a number of opportunities to represent the House and the College in the first part of the term. Well done to all those who put up their hand in Gala Sports events and House Cup events.
The Daley Class of 2025 have now finished their time at St Johns. The College held a range of events to celebrate their time at the College. Daley House also held a special assembly to thank them for their contribution to the House. Their ‘handprints’ have been added to their respective Homerooms so their legacy will not be forgotten.
The coming week’s will give us the opportunity to celebrate the House successes of 2025, as well as the chance to reflect on what ‘What Worked Well’ (WWW) and what would be ‘Even Better If’ (EBI) as part of our 2026 planning. Please feel free to contribute your ideas either by email or by phone to Homeroom Teachers or myself.
Thanks for your ongoing support and encouragement for the Daley program.
Go Daley Stingrays!
Ernie Fleming
Head of House for the Daley Team
Doneley House News
The beginning of Term 4 has provided Doneley students with a range of opportunities to get involved in College life. We celebrated the joint Doneley & O’Loughlin House Spirit Day, our Year 12s Final Day and participated in the House Cup: Spelling Bee.
Thank you to our House Captains Virginia and Sheraz, for their work in the joint House Spirit Day. This was an opportunity for Doneley and O’Loughlin to come together and celebrate what makes our houses strong. Virginia and Sheraz supported with preparing activities for Home Room, including an orange and purple themed kahoot and prizes. A huge shout out to students from all houses, who supported with preparations, putting up decorations on the morning and cooking the BBQ at lunch. The joy felt during the day proves how successful our houses can be, when we work together!
Well done to the following students, who led Doneley House to our first House Cup win of 2025, in the Spelling Bee – Reyansh Reyansh (Year 7), Sysha Lamba (Year 8), Danny Dias (Year 11) and Patricia Rubi Sefu (Year 11). You worked well as a team to spell some extremely tricky words and kept a positive attitude through the afternoon. Well done!
Thank you for your ongoing support in Term 4. These successes have been fantastic to see as we work towards ending the 2025 school year on a high!
Madeline Pruscino
Doneley Head of House
O’Loughlin House News
The first half of term 4 has been a busy one for O’Loughlin House. Over the past few weeks, we have celebrated a number of wonderful achievements, including outstanding efforts in our inter-house activities and crazy sock day to raise funds for Catholic Mission. Organising bake sales and food/clothes drives for charity and consistent improvements in classroom engagement.
As we approach the final stretch of the school year, our focus is on finishing strong—maintaining positive routines, striving for personal bests, and continuing to build a culture where every student feels supported to succeed. I look forward to working alongside our staff, students, and families to ensure we end the year on a high note.
Lucy Cronin-Downes
O’Loughlin Head of House
Burford House News
It is hard to believe that the year is almost over. We farewelled our Year 12 students to prepare for their final exams, and on behalf of Burford house I wish them all the best in the future. Hopefully they take some of the Burford House Spirit with them, especially the importance of acts of service and love taught to us from gospel of John 13:1-20, the washing of the disciple’s feet.
As the year 12s leave it has been lovely to see the growth and confidence of other students in our house. This includes those senior students who have put their hands up for leadership positions in 2026, to our year 7 students have had an amazing first year of high school and have brought so many gifts and talents to Burford.
Well done to the Spelling Bee team, made up of Abherdeep, Catrina, Jemima and Jayden, who came second for Burford in the final house cup competition. They had some particularly tough words to spell. Congratulations to Doneley for an inspirational win late in the year.
The next couple of weeks are busy with final assessment tasks and end of year activities, but I encourage everyone to stay focused and to look after themselves so we can all work hard until the end. Make sure you drink lots of water and get plenty of rest.
Ms McGrath
Burford Head of House
Thankgiving Mass
O'Loughlin & Doneley House Spirit
YEAR 12 BREAKFAST
Textiles Fun
Students represented St John's (and Territory) in the NT Youth Parliament. Congratulation Harnoor, Afia, Virginia and Patricia.
