Newsletter Term 4 Weeks 6- 10 2023
Principal's Report
Dear Members of the St John’s Catholic College Community,
2024 Dates
- Administration office opens Monday 8 January 2024 (Back to school vouchers available)
- Staff return Monday 29 January 2024
- Boarders' travel day Tuesday 30 January 2024
- Classes commence Wednesday 31 January 2024
2023 Principal’s Report
Inspired by Scripture, our theme for 2023 was ‘I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.’ At our Opening Mass students were asked to reflect on the many opportunities a new academic year brings. We are a community Strong in Faith and Strong Together, committed to the wellbeing and learning of all students. We aspire for our students to flourish, by leading, living, loving and learning with a strong sense of heart spirituality. We aspire that our graduates can pursue their dreams, make positive contributions to the local and global community, and make good moral decisions that promote a better world.
This year the College Advisory Board endorsed our College Prayer which inspires us to live our motto Fortes in Fide – Strong in Faith, and to give witness to our values of: Compassion, Courage, Welcome and Truth.
Dearest Lord,
Lift us high on Eagles’ wings,
teach us to be Strong in Faith,
St John the Evangelist guides us to live Your Word,
giving witness to compassion and courage,
welcome and truth.
Amen
St John the Evangelist – Pray for Us
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved – forever!
We call ourselves Heart People. The colour red is significant to us, representing heart, love, compassion and spirit, and celebrating our MSC heritage. Therefore, it is appropriate to acknowledge the vision and dedication of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, students, families and staff who have contributed to the College over 64 great years.
We are a community committed to inclusivity and diversity. That is why we launched our Unity in Diversity image celebrating the many heritages, languages, cultures and customs present in our community, whilst at the same time celebrating our Catholic values, ethos and traditions that unite us. In a challenging year both nationally and internationally, the St John’s message of Unity in Diversity is a relevant and powerful symbol of welcome and belonging.
We are a community committed to the process of school improvement. That is why we remain committed to working across the domains of the School Improvement Tool and look forward to engaging in the Catholic Education Learning Alliance supported by internationally recognised practitioner, researcher, author and presenter in the field of education, Dr. Lyn Sharratt.
We were pleased to report at the beginning of the year the success of the Class of 2022. Despite only consisting of 11 students, the Class of 2022 scored: 14 A Grades in Stage 2 subjects, 65% of Stage 2 Grades awarded were either an A or B Grade, 99% of Stage 2 Grades awarded were a C Grade or higher and NTCET completers were reflective of the cultural diversity present at the College, including: 2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, 1 student from a Refugee or Humanitarian program background, 5 International students and 8 students from a Language Background Other Than English.
We also celebrated Dux of the Class of 2022, Veronica Thomas, who scored an ATAR of 94.40, and an A+ in Stage 2 Religion Studies and an A in Specialist Mathematics. We are proud of the Class of 2022 just as we are proud and confident in the Class of 2023.
NAPLAN results continue to be positive and provide an ongoing rationale for the implementation of our Targeted Placement policy. Targeted Placement refers to the grouping of students in classes based on academic levels to best cater for their learning needs. There is much to celebrate within our individual, class and cohort NAPLAN data. Our mean scores are above the NT mean score in every single category and our mean scores in the Year 7.1 and 9.1 classes are also above the Australian mean score in every single category.
We are a community committed to the integration ICT skills into 21st century teaching and learning. That is why this year we introduced a BYOD Laptop Program. This implementation allowed the College to further engage, enhance and resource our students and teachers and next year we will transition to SEQTA as our online learning management system.
2023 saw the introduction of Middle School and Stage 1 Dance, Stage 1 Drama, Stage 1 Legal Studies and Stage 1 Child Studies into our subject offering. In 2024 the College will introduce Chess into the Middle School elective program. Often hailed as the ‘game of kings’, Chess has long been recognised for its profound impact on cognitive development and reflects the College’s commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education developing both academic and general capabilities.
We are a growing College, that is why this year we were able to celebrate the return of Doneley House to our vertical pastoral care and wellbeing structure. Named after former Principal Father Ignatius Tyson Doneley MSC, Doneley House is represented by the colour Orange with its crest inspired by Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand. We acknowledge the work of Head of House, Mr Benjamin Friis, and the foundation students in leading the successful return of Doneley. With regards to the House Cup, we congratulate Burford House on their victory this year.
With regards to enrolment trends, the past three years have seen the College shift from a period of consolidation to growth, with a 9% increase in year-on-year enrolments in 2021, an 8% increase in 2022, and a further 19% increase in 2023. The College is anticipating an enrolment of 275 students in 2024, and is on track to reach our goal of 300 students by 2025. As we continue to grow in enrolments, the College continues to advocate for a school bus service to service the inner city and surrounding suburbs, as well as additional capital works funding to renovate and renew the Chevalier Campus. The College has now triplicated our middle school to three streams, larger entry cohorts in Year 7 are replacing smaller graduating cohorts in Year 12, and Boarding is moving closer to capacity of 80 students.
We continue to support our partner, Melaleuca Australia, in providing an inspiring welcome as part of our refugee and humanitarian program This year we were blessed to welcome a number of new families from Pakistan, Burundi, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Post covid restrictions, International students have returned to St John’s, with the College welcoming International students from Indonesia, Timor Leste, China, India, Thailand, the Philippines, Ghana, Nepal, Kenya, Bangladesh, Kenya, Japan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nigeria, Malaysia, Japan and Papua New Guinea. We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the NT Government through Study NT in rebuilding the international sector post covid restrictions.
With regards to major capital works for 2023, the College was successful in obtaining funding through the Commonwealth Government’s Block Grant Authority to the amount of $78,000 to install an external CCTV system around the College. I’m pleased to report that works were completed by mid-year. In addition, I am pleased to report that our 2024 BGA application has been successful, with the Commonwealth Government to contribute $243,750 to renovate Jubilee Hall which was constructed in 1985. We thank the Minister for Education and the Commonwealth Government for their approval of our 2024 BGA project. In addition, we thank the team who prepared the funding application, as well as the College Advisory Board for their endorsement of the project.
My thanks for the leadership, governance, guidance and support of the College Advisory Board, Catholic Education Northern Territory Executive, Bishop Charles Gauci and Diocesan Office. Of special mention, we congratulate St John’s alumni from the Class of 1980, Mrs Jacqui Langdon, on her 37+ years of dedicated service and support to Catholic Education as a teacher, leader, principal and deputy director. My thanks also to the College Strategic Leadership Team, middle management teams and all staff of the College who contribute to provide a quality Catholic education 24 hours a day, seven days a week for over forty weeks of the year.
We also acknowledge, affirm and celebrate the Student Leadership Team of 2023: Samuel Tinal (College Captain), Lawarence Puno (College Vice Captain and O’Loughlin House Captain), Isadora Lorenzo (College Vice Captain), Hayden Jansz (Burford House Captain), Munashe Matizanadzo (Burford House Captain), Precilla Campbell (Daley House Captain), Rishi Mishra (Daley House Captain) and Janeth Msafiri (O’Loughlin House Captain).
Staffing update
At the end of the 2023 academic year the College will farewell the following teachers: Mrs Ayesha Fatima, Mr Richard Bryant, Mr Ben Johns, Mr Sheikh Ahmed, Ms Grace Ngo, Mr Hasan Talukder, Mrs Keshiya Anthony, Mr Ridwan Islam and Mr Tom Wang. We thank the departing staff for their contributions to the College and wish them well at their next school. In addition, we are pleased to announce the appointment of the following teachers for the 2024 academic year:
Mr Joseph Hicks - Deputy Principal
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Joseph Hicks as Deputy Principal at St John's Catholic College with effect from 22 January 2024. Mr Hicks qualifications include a Diploma of Justice Studies from the South Australian Police Academy (1997), a Bachelor of Theology from Flinders University (2010), a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary) from the Wesley Institute (2011) and he is currently pursuing a Master of Education (Theological Studies) from the Australian Catholic University. Mr Hicks has worked in several roles during his career including as a South Australian Police Officer and as a Diocesan Youth Minister at Catholic Archdiocese & Catholic Education Office, Adelaide SA. He has also held important roles in the education sector including School Chaplain at Rostrevor College, Classroom Teacher, Acting Deputy Principal on several occasions and many years as a substantive Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission at Nazareth Catholic College and St Paul's College, SA. Mr Hicks has a strong connection to the community and works in the Liturgical Team of St Augustine's Catholic Parish in Salisbury. (Information sourced from CENT Circular)
Ms Keely Bent - Classroom Teacher and Sports Coordinator
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Keely Bent to the position of Sports Coordinator commencing at the beginning of the 2024 academic year. Ms Bent holds a Bachelor of Health and Physical Education from Federation University Ballarat. Ms Bent has teaching experience as a classroom teacher at Xavier Catholic College Wurrumiyanga as well as Casual Relief Teacher experience from Geelong College, Sacred Heart College as well as through ANZUK Education. Ms Bent has sporting and coaching experience across a number of sports including rowing, netball, athletics and surf lifesaving. Ms Bent's primary teaching area is Health and Physical Education; however, she has experience teaching across the learning areas from her employment at Xavier Catholic College.
Ms Ching Janet Yeung - Classroom Teacher
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Ching Janet Yeung to a teaching position commencing at the beginning of the 2024 academic year. Ms Yeung holds a Bachelor of Education (Honours) English Language, from the Education University of Hong Kong and a Master of Arts English (Literary) from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Ms Yeung has taught at The Mission Covenant Church Holm Glad College Hong Kong, and the Christian and Missionary Sun Kei Primary School Hong Kong. Ms Yeung has been teaching at St John's in Term 4 2023 where she has provided long service leave cover for Mrs Bronwyn Graham. Ms Yeung is fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Mr Nandu Nair Classroom Teacher
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Nandu Nair to a teaching position at the College. Mr Nair commenced as an Inclusion Support Assistant and Casual Relief Teacher in Term 4, 2023 and will take on a full time teaching role from the beginning of the 2024 academic year. Mr Nair holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Majors in Accounting and Finance) from Melbourne University and a Masters of Teaching (Secondary) from Charles Darwin University.
Mr Jacob Parsons - Classroom Teacher
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Jacob Parsons to a teaching position commencing at the beginning of the 2024 academic year. Mr Parsons is an Alumni of St John's Catholic College having graduated in 2009, and holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education (English and History) from Charles Darwin University. Mr Parsons is a graduate teacher having undertaken his practicum at the CIA International School Cambodia, Palmerston College, MacKillop Catholic College and Darwin High School. Mr Parsons will join St John's from the Northern Territory Board of Studies where he holds the role of Executive Officer. Mr Parson's teaching areas are English and History.
Ms April Hoskin - Classroom Teacher
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Ms April Hoskin to a teaching position commencing the beginning of the 2024 academic year. Ms Hoskin holds a Diploma of Graphic Design and a Bachelor of Design (Communication) from Swinburne University of Technology, Certificate IV in Youth Work from Gordon Institute of TAFE and a Master of Teaching (Secondary) from Federation University. Ms Hoskin has experience as an Education Support Officer at St Joseph's College Geelong and a Visual Art / Visual Communication Design Teacher from Geelong High School. Ms Hoskin's teaching areas are Art and Design.
Mr Enrique Vargas - Assistant Director of Boarding : Pastoral Care and Wellbeing
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Enrique (Eric) Vargas to the position of Assistant Director of Boarding: Pastoral Care and Wellbeing commencing the beginning of the 2024 academic year. Mr Vargas holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Finance from the Philippine Maritime Institute, Certificate IV in Community Service Residential Student Care from Byron Regional Community College, Certificate IV in Frontline Management from Sejumi Institute of Further Management and a Diploma in Community Service in Residential Care from the Australian Boarding School Association. Mr Vargas' employment history includes a range of experiences from Sky City Darwin Casino, Kentish Lifelong Learning & Care Inc, O'Loughlin Catholic College, as well as a long previous employment history in Boarding at St John's Catholic College. Mr Vargas will join St John's Catholic College from Rostrevor College where he is currently the Boarding House Supervisor.
National Teacher Shortage
Nationally there continues to be a teacher shortage, with both government and non-government schools, including St John's, impacted by the shortage. The College has been active in the recruitment market and continues to support the development of future teachers through providing practical experience. At the time of writing, the College is still seeking to recruit teachers for the following positions for 2024:
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Teacher of Food and Hospitality / Home Economics
Teacher of Physics and Chemistry
Regarding the position of Assistant Principal Religious Education, the College continues to work with Catholic Education Northern Territory (CENT) for the recruitment of this position.
Regarding Food and Hospitality, the College will cover this subject with existing staff, whilst at the same time remaining active in the recruitment market for a specialist Food and Hospitality / Home Economics teacher.
Regarding the position of Teacher of Chemistry and Physics, the College remains active in the recruitment market. The College presents the following options for students wishing to undertake Chemistry or Physics in 2024:
Stage 2 Students - O'Loughlin Catholic College
The Principal of O'Loughlin Catholic College, Mrs Megan Evans, has kindly agreed to allow St John's students to enrol in the O'Loughlin Stage 2 Chemistry and Physics classes. St John's will provide shuttle bus transport between St John's and O'Loughlin to facilitate our students attending O'Loughlin classes, and learning materials will also be placed on our new learning management system SEQTA. More information will follow regarding the logistics of the arrangements.
Stage 1 Students - Northern Territory School of Distance Education (NTSDE)
The Northern Territory School of Distance Education (NTSDE) is an option for students wishing to undertake Stage 1 Chemistry or Physics. Students wishing to undertake Stage 1 Chemistry or Physics through NTSDE are strongly advised to enrol now as class sizes are limited. Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning, Mrs Cherilyn Hughes, is available to assist students wanting to enrol in Stage 1 Chemistry or Physics through NTSDE.
The College's preference remains that Chemistry and Physics are delivered onsite by a St John's teacher, and we will continue to remain active in the teacher recruitment market.
The College acknowledges the concern caused by the ongoing national teacher shortage and senior staff, including myself, are available should you wish to discuss this matter further.
St John’s Catholic College Presentation of Awards Ceremony 2023
Catholic Identity and Pastoral Care Awards - Awarded to a students who have consistently demonstrated the College values of: Compassion, Courage, Welcome and Truth across the year.
- Year 7 Greg Lyons Award Hunter Watling
- Year 8 Luke Hochman Award Maki Ushindi
- Year 9 Don Burgett Award Alifah Mahmood
- Year 10 Hugh Eckel Award Afia Azam
- Year 11 Catholic Diocese of Darwin Development Fund Award Nathania Palendeng
Boarding Awards - Awarded to Boarding students who have consistently demonstrated excellence within the residential community across the areas of: Attendance, Behaviour, Attitude, Engagement, Leadership and Responsibility.
- Stanley Tipiloura Middle School Boys Boarding Award Stephen Kantilla
- Middle School Girls Boarding Award Preveena Manmurulu
- Wesley Lunhupuy Senior School Boys Boarding Award Rishi Mishra
- Elle Majid Senior School Girls Boarding Award Tenelle Daniels
Reconciliation Award Awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to the goals and activities of the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
- Reconciliation Award Isiah Dhurrkay
Chief Ministers Literacy Achievement Awards - Recognise the literacy achievements of students from Years 7-9
- Most Imaginative - Written Hunter Watling
- Most Outstanding Communicator Alexander Brotherton
- Most Improved - Writing Elisabeth Daniels
- Most Imaginative - Written Felicity Idama
- Most Improved - Writing Arkady Heritier
- Most Imaginative - Written Oliver Southwick
- Most Improved - Writing Zachary Hancock
- Most Improved - Writing Jean Msafiri
- Most Improved - Writing Ruby Williams
Department of Treasury & Finance Excellence in Mathematics Award - Awarded to the highest achieving Mathematics student in each year level (Years 10-12).
- Year 10 Avika Malik
- Year 11 Luca Abate
- Year 12 Marie Helisha Radhini Jansz
Academic Effort and Achievement Awards Years 7-8 - Certificate for Outstanding Effort Awarded to students who demonstrate consistent effort across all core subjects.
- Year 8.1 Lachlan Meredith
- Year 8.1 Felicity Idama
- Year 8.2 Trey Hall
- Year 8.3 Serayah Fletcher
Certificate for Academic Achievement - Awarded to students who achieve academic success across all core subjects.
- Year 8.1 Chloe Ryan
- Year 8.2 Ben Christianson
- Year 8.3 Preveena Manmurulu
St John’s Dux Award Year 8 - Awarded to the highest achieving academic student across all core subjects.
St John’s Dux Award Year 8 Grace Harris
Certificate of Academic Achievement - Individual Subjects (for the top achiever in Stage 1 subjects for Year 10 & Year 11 students)
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - 10.1 Mathematics Avika Malik
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Personal Learning Plan Avika Malik
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Food & Hospitality Avika Malik
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Drama Byamungu Janora
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Physical Education Byamungu Janora
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Community Studies: RE Byamungu Janora
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Digital Technologies Dylan Ngere
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - English Emma Ryan
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Indonesian Continuers Emma Ryan
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Mandarin Emma Ryan
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Indonesian Ester Nirigi
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - General Mathematics Gabrielle Hall
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Essential Mathematics .2 James Marralanybananga
- Certificate for Academic Achievement – Music Jorja Brisbane
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Spirituality, Religion & Meaning Kiara Ryan
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Biology Kiara Ryan
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Business Innovation Luca Abate
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Psychology Luca Abate
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Essential English .1 Madeline MacDonald
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Child Studies Madeline MacDonald
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Essential English .3 Manchit Basnet
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Essential Mathematics .1 Marie Itongwa
- Certificate for Academic Achievement – Mathematics Nathania Palendeng
- Top Visual Arts Sr Philippa Murphy OLSH Award Nathania Palendeng
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Material Solutions (Wood & Metal) Nicholas Brisbane
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Chemistry Patrick Costigan-Dwyer
- Certificate for Academic Achievement – Physics Rishi Mishra
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Legal Studies Sofia Serventi
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Essential English .2 Sasha Kelantumama
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - 10.2 Mathematics Thanner Rynne
- Certificate for Academic Achievement – Dance Thomas Mack
Sr Anne Corbett Scholarship Award - Awarded to a Year 10 or 11 student from a Timor Leste background as a contribution towards their tuition. The student who is honored must have demonstrated the
following qualities of Sr Anne: friendship, kindness, honesty and compassion.
- Sr Anne Corbett Scholarship Award Rishi Mishra
Lyn Powierza Year 12 Dux Award - Awarded to the highest achieving academic student based on the ATAR from the previous year’s graduating class.
Lyn Powierza Year 12 Dux Award Veronica Thomas
Father Jules Chevalier MSC Award - Awarded to a Year 12 student whose contribution to the life and values of the College is outstanding in pastoral and religious areas. The student who is honored must also
display high levels of academic effort and leadership.
- Father Jules Chevalier MSC Award Isadora Lorenzo
Australian Defence Force Long Tan Youth Leadership & Future Innovators Awards
- ADF Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award Year 10 Tyrell Lindsay
- ADF Long Tan Leadership & Teamwork Award Year 12 Precilla Campbell
- ADF Future Innovators Award Year 10 Kiara Ryan
- ADF Future Innovators Award Year 12 Mirabelle Matyorautah
ACHPER HPE/Sport Awards - Awarded to the highest achieving HPE student in each year level (Years 7 – 9)
- Year 7.1 Frederick Richards
- Year 7.2 Shannon Rogers
- Year 7.3 Elisabeth Daniels
- Year 8.1 Maria Helina Ravini Jansz
- Year 8.2 Jayden Ford
- Year 8.3 Preveena Manmurulu
- Year 9.1 Korede Dada
- Year 9.2 Dawood Nasrat
- Year 9.3 Nathias Bourke-Miler
Certificate of Academic Achievement - Individual Subjects - (for the top achiever in a Stage 2 subject)
- Top Language Inger Hallenstein Certificate for Academic Achievement Angelica Witarmin (Indonesian)
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Material Solution (Wood & Metal) Deng Akol Jok
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Spirituality Religion & Meaning Emma Ryan
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Essential English Jeanika Wurramara
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Psychology Joshua Winters
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Community Studies: RE Katie Austral
- Certificate for Academic Achievement – Physics Leonardo Soares
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Physical Education Marc Lawrence Puno
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Chemistry Marie Helisha Radhini Jansz
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Mathematical Methods Marie Helisha Radhini Jansz
- Certificate for Academic Achievement – English Marie Helisha Radhini Jansz
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - General Mathematics Mirabelle Matyorauta
- Certificate for Academic Achievement – Biology Nathania Palendeng
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Music Nicholas Brisbane
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Community Studies Food Noella Wisoba Fabrice
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Ancient Studies Samuel Tinal
- Certificate for Academic Achievement - Essential Mathematics Samuel Tinal
Certificate for Outstanding Effort - Awarded to students who demonstrate consistent effort across all core subjects.
- Year 7.1 William Thurgood
- Year 7.2 Madiha Azam
- Year 7.3 Elisabeth Daniels
Certificate for Academic Achievement - Awarded to students who achieve academic success across all core subjects.
- Year 7.1 Nash Eddy
- Year 7.2 Makanaka Pawandiwa
- Year 7.3 Tanya Cook
St John’s Dux Award Year 7 - Awarded to the highest achieving academic student across all core subjects.
St John’s Dux Award Year 7 Frederick Richards
Academic Effort and Achievement Awards - Years 9 - 11
Certificate for Outstanding Effort Awarded to students who demonstrate consistent effort across all core subjects.
Year 9.1 Zachary Hancock
- Year 9.2 Jean Msafiri
- Year 9.3 Ruby Williams
Certificate for Academic Achievement - Awarded to students who achieve academic success across all core subjects.
- Year 9.1 Korede Dada
- Year 9.2 Brieanna Tyrrell
- Year 9.3 Denise Martin
Area 9 Year 9 Dux Award - Awarded to the highest achieving academic student across all core subjects.
Area 9 Year 9 Dux Award Catrina Meldrum
Intensive English Progress Award - Awarded to the student who has demonstrated significant progress in their English language acquisition during their time in the IEU.
- Intensive English Progress Award Hoang Ngoc An
Hanna Wosiri Intensive English Dux - Awarded to the highest achieving academic student across all core subjects.
Hanna Wosiri Intensive English Dux Sun Zhibin
VET School Based Apprenticeship Award - Awarded to the most outstanding VET / School Based apprenticeship student in Years 10 – 12.
- Most outstanding VET Student Greg Norris
St John’s Dux Award Year 10 - Awarded to the highest achieving Year 10 academic student across subjects studied.
St John’s Dux Award Year 10 Emma Ryan
Eileen Robinson NTCPA Dux Award Year 11 - Awarded to the highest achieving Year 11 academic student across subjects studied
Eileen Robinson NTCPA Dux Award Year 11 Nathania Palendeng
Thank you to all parents, guardians and carers who continue to place their trust in us, the St John’s Catholic College Community. We are blessed to have you and your children as part of our community.
Fortes in Fide,
Cameron Hughes
Principal
2023 Awards Night
Principal's Gallery
Assistant Principal: Teaching and Learning
Dear St John’s Catholic College Community,
Semester Reports
Our semester reports will be released electronically at the end of the year. If you have any queries regarding results please contact the relevant subject teacher. Staff will be unavailable from Friday the 15 December 2023 through to the start of Term 1 2024. The College will respond to queries after this date when staff return in 2024.
Please note that if you have any questions concerning reports staff are unable to respond during the holiday period. Relevant staff will respond to your queries when back at work.
Year 12 Students – Results release date!
Year 12 students can access their results and ATAR through the StudentsOnline portal. The results are not released by the College. If there are any issues with results, students are to contact the SACE Enquiry Line. The College will not release results or ATAR as the SACE Board is the reporting authority.
StudentsOnline can be accessed using the link below:
https://apps.sace.sa.edu.au/students-online/login.do
SACE results enquiries
askSACE@sa.gov.au
(08) 8115 4700
8.30 am to 5 pm (Australian Central Daylight Time) Monday to Friday
The operator will have access to the details of your results. Please have your personal details (including your SACE registration number) handy before you call.
Naturally it gets busy, but we'll answer your call as soon as possible. You may decide to contact your school first — they have a full register of results.
Students use their SACE registration number and a 4 digit PIN (day of birth and month of birth) which is changed after they first log in. All Year 12 students have logged into the system at school. Any issues with the PIN or access to StudentsOnline students are to call the SACE technical support line or email.
Technical support
If you have forgotten your password, you can request a password reset in Students Online.
For any other help logging in, contact our support team.
askSACE@sa.gov.au
(08) 8115 4700
8.30 am to 5 pm (Australian Central Daylight Time) Monday to Friday
End-of-year results (https://www.sace.sa.edu.au/studying/results/end-of-year)
Results will be released at 8.30 am on Monday 18 December 2023.
End-of-year results can be accessed in Students Online once results have been released in December. You will also receive an official certificate (if eligible) and Record of Achievement (ROA) in the post.
Qualifying for the NTCET/ATAR at Stage 2
Students are required to achieve a ‘C-‘ or better in 3 subjects (60 credits) at Stage 2 in order to qualify for the NTCET. This is in conjunction with the 140 credits at a ‘C’ grade or better at a Stage 1 or 2 level and the successful completion of the compulsory subjects (PLP, 2 x literacy, 1 x numeracy units).
To achieve an ATAR (university entrance score), students are required to undertake 90 credits worth of Stage 2 subjects.
StudentsOnline – SACE Results portal for students
Year 12 students must log into StudentsOnline, the SACE results portal for students, in order to
access their results and ATAR at the end of the year. Students must log into the portal and ensure
that they have ticked ‘yes’ to the sharing preferences. By not doing this, you may restrict your result access, which may include not generating an ATAR as you have not ticked ‘yes’ to sharing with SATAC.
To achieve the NTCET, students need to meet certain markers by the end of Year 10, 11 and 12.
By the end of Year 10 students must have achieved:
- Minimum of 40 credits at a ‘C’ or higher
- Successful completion of PLP
- Successful completion of 1 x Stage 1 Literacy unit
By the end of Year 11 students must have achieved:
- Achieved a 140 credits at a ‘C’ grade or higher
- Successful completion of PLP, 2 x literacy units, 1 x numeracy unit
By the end of Year 12 students must have achieved:
- C- or better in 60 credits at Stage 2
- Successful completion of 200 credits in total
To generate an ATAR at Year 12:
- Complete NTCET
- Achieve 90 credits at Stage 2
Teaching & Learning Team
The Teaching & Learning Team members for 2023 are as follows:
APRE Mr Richard Bryant Richard.Brysant@nt.catholic.edu.au
Inclusion Support Ms Shinead Love Shinead.Love@nt.catholic.edu.au
VET/Careers Ms Tracey Ingui Tracey.Ingui@nt.catholic.edu.au
ACARA Coordinator – STEAM Mr Hasan Talukder Hasan.Talukder@nt.catholic.edu.au
Please make contact with the relevant Coordinator if you have questions.
May God Bless you all,
Cherilyn Hughes
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
Dear St John’s Catholic College Community,
Year 12 Graduation Mass
Year 12 Graduation Mass took place during Week 7 of Term 4. As they stood in The Cathedral on the threshold of a new chapter, the Year 12 graduation marked not just the end of a scholastic journey but the commencement of a pilgrimage through the uncharted waters of life. The symbolic gifts given to them during the mass carried profound meanings that resonate with the essence of their transitional stage in life.
The shell, a timeless emblem of pilgrimage, It was given to encapsulate the idea that life itself is a journey. Just as a shell collects memories and experiences from the vastness of the ocean, so too shall we gather the moments that shape their narrative. It serves as a reminder that their path is unique, with its own twists and turns, and that the journey is as significant as the destination.
The packets of seeds handed to them were not mere tokens but potent symbols of potential and growth. Just as a seed carries the promise of a flourishing life, so do they carry the potential for success, resilience, and blooming into their true selves. These seeds signify the responsibility they hold to nurture and cultivate our dreams, passions, and aspirations, allowing them to thrive in the fertile soil of their efforts.
Finally, the candle, a beacon of light, is emblematic of their individual identities. Each flame is distinct, casting its own unique glow. Similarly, as they embark on their separate paths, the candle symbolises the authenticity that resides within them. It encourages them to shine brightly in the face of challenges, illuminating their true selves and leaving an indelible mark on the world.
Response to the cry of the Poor
This year’s St John’s Catholic College focused on the “response to the cry of the poor” aspect of Laudato Si. We have lived that theme throughout the year in the best ways possible. We have engaged in activities that appeal to the very heart of who we are. We have created an awareness of the various issues within our community which lead us to advocacy and action or, in other words, linking our heads and our hearts to our feet and our hands.
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, Year 9 Students have dedicated their time and skills to make a positive impact on the lives of those less fortunate. Engaging in service work, these compassionate young individuals have taken their commitment beyond the classroom to bring comfort and joy to others.
One impactful initiative involved students taking part in cooking for the less fortunate, providing warm and nourishing meals to those in need. This selfless act not only showcases their culinary talents but also reflects a deep sense of empathy and a desire to address issues of hunger and food insecurity within the community.
Additionally, the students have been actively involved in wrapping clothes and soft toys for the needy children of the Tiwi Islands, Borroloola, Hermannsburg and Wadeye. Their efforts extend beyond the immediate community, reaching out to areas where assistance is crucial. The act of carefully wrapping and preparing clothing items demonstrates a thoughtful approach to addressing the basic needs of children in remote locations, bringing smiles to faces and warmth to hearts.
The service initiatives undertaken by these students not only highlight their dedication to social responsibility but also emphasise the importance of fostering a sense of community on a broader scale. The impact of their actions resonates not just in the provision of meals and clothing but in the creation of a network of support that transcends geographical boundaries.
May God bless you all.
Richard Bryant
Assistant Principal Religious Education
Richard.Bryant@nt.catholic.edu.au
Year 12 Graduation
Response to the Cry of the Poor
Assistant Principal: Administration
Dear Members of the St John’s Catholic College Community,
As we reflect on the theme for 2023, "I have come that they may have life and have it to the full" (John 10:10), it is evident that this year has been filled with vibrant life and enriching experiences for our St. John's College community. The students in middle and senior school have been actively engaged in numerous activities throughout the year, contributing to a sense of belonging and fulfillment.
Semester 1 Highlights:
Formation Days:
The Year 7-9 Formation Days were a tremendous success, fostering strong relationships and enhancing student engagement. These well-organized days, led by the Head of House, provided students with opportunities to build rapport with their peers and staff.
Induction of College Leaders:
The College community came together to celebrate and acknowledge the St. John's Student Leadership Team. This year's leaders were announced on Founders' Day Mass at St. Pauls, marking a significant moment of affirmation and recognition.
Swimming Carnival / Athletics Carnival:
The Daley House Swimming Carnival champions and Burford House Athletics Carnival champion showcased outstanding leadership, thanks to House Captains Rishi Mishra, Precilla, Hayden Janz, and Munashe Matizanadzo.
ANZAC Assembly:
Levi Aldenhoven's inspiring speech during the ANZAC Day assembly reminded us of the values of justice, freedom, and peace. His personal account added depth to our understanding of the ANZAC spirit.
Party Program:
Year 10 students participated in the P.A.R.T.Y Program, emphasizing the importance of making informed choices to prevent alcohol and risk-related trauma in youth.
Pro-diligentia Awards:
Recognition of students' commitment and consistently high-standard work through the Pro-diligentia Awards underscored the importance of dedication in secondary school.
Year Level Assemblies:
Informative programs on Child Safe Curriculum, Cyber Safety, PAT Cronin workshop, CDU presentation, and Health and Safety focused on harmful effects of Vaping were delivered to various year levels.
Leadership Workshop:
The St. John's student leadership group attended a GRIP Leadership workshop, gaining valuable insights into transcendent leadership values.
Sacred Heart Day:
Celebrating Sacred Heart Day, a significant event at St. John's, emphasized our commitment to Heart Spirituality and living with purpose.
Street Smart High:
AANT Street Smart High provided a realistic crash scene re-enactment, reinforcing the importance of responsible behavior on the road.
Semester 2 Highlights:
Cum-Laude Awards:
Recognizing academic excellence through the Cum Laude Awards, the Director of Catholic Education Northern Territory, Mr. Paul Greaves, encouraged all students to work hard and strive for success.
Spelling Bee:
The annual Spelling Bee Competition showcased House spirit, with Doneley House emerging as the winners. The competition was an excellent example of House spirit. Students representing their House: Daley: Alifah Mahmood, Samuel Tinal, Korede Dada and Rishi Mishra. O’Loughlin: Spencer Evans, Sianna Lindsay, Gabrielle Hall, and David Priore. Burford: David Costigan-Dwyer, Afia Azam, Grace Harris and Catrina Meldrum and Doneley House the Spelling Bee winners: Nathania Palendang, Tobias Thomas, Lachlan Moffat, and William Bingham.
Sports:
In addition to regular events like Athletics and Swimming Carnivals, students actively participated in Gala days, including Netball, 3x3 Basketball, and Touch football. The Basketball clinic was particularly popular.
Survey:
Insights from the "Tell Them From Me" survey will inform programs in 2024, covering Catholic identity, Social and Emotional Well-being, and college operations.
House Spirit:
New events like Formation Day and House Spirit Day were added to the calendar, promoting a strong sense of community and togetherness among staff and students.
2024 Student Leaders:
The preferential voting system determined the 2023 College leaders, showcasing the growth of our young leaders.
Valedictory Mass and Dinner:
Year 12 students bid farewell during the Valedictory Mass and Dinner, receiving graduation certificates and our heartfelt best wishes for their future endeavors.
Presentation Awards Evening:
Parents, families, and special guests joined us to celebrate student achievements during the Presentation Awards Evening, recognizing both academic excellence and effort.
As we look forward to a new year, let us carry the spirit of unity, learning, and leadership into 2024. Thank you to all staff, students, and parents for your unwavering support.
Wishing you a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.
Ayesha Fatima
Assistant Principal - Administration
Ayesha.Fatima@nt.catholic.edu.au
Director of Boarding
To our St. John’s community,
We are very grateful to be at the end of another year and to have been part of the ongoing educational journey of a wonderful group of students.
There have been a number of exciting experiences and opportunities for our students this year. Generally, our focus, and the purpose of being at Boarding is to be in class, at school. We want our students to focus on the day to day structures that go with creating routines and building a solid foundation to attend school every day, and to make consistent effort across the year. However, we also understand that living at the College should be an enjoyable experience and that students will have access to opportunities that provide new experiences and give a diverse range of interests and extra-curricular activities as part of the process.
We started the year with our annual “Clean Up Australia” Day at Mindil Beach, we create a site registered with the organisation and on the Sunday morning, our staff and students attend to do a big clean-up of the beach area. This is part of our focus on “gratitude and giving back” throughout the year and the beach is a space that we use, proving to be a great initiative to help our local community. The rain stayed away this year, and a sausage sizzle helped feed the masses once the clean-up was complete.
This year we created deliberate opportunities for our boarding families to come into the College and engage with the staff about the education of their children. Living remotely, it can be difficult for parents and families to attend the College on a regular basis and engage directly with the school community. At the end of Term 1 and the end of Term 3, we held Parent – Teacher Interviews for our remote families, allowing engaging conversations about education to take place between teaching staff and parents. These were a great success. The schedule allowed for the meeting at school, dinner at the Boarding House, and time at the residence to allow for interactions with boarding staff. This also provided the chance for the families to travel home with their children for the end of term.
Working closely with our parents and extended families drives partnerships that result in positive outcomes for the students. Making parents and families feel welcome and comfortable at the College is very important, giving them the ability to interact and engage with how we do things. We had around 40 family members for each of our parent – teacher interviews and at the end of the year, for our presentation awards, we had over 80 family members come into Darwin to be part of the event. An enormous success. I would like to congratulate and thank our Enrolment Officer, Harvey Jupp for his work co-ordinating these events, for his communication and for his gentle manner and care he shows to all of our boarding families.
2023 brought the FIFA Women’s World Cup to Australia and New Zealand. As part of the event, FIFA wanted to recognise and pay tribute to the Indigenous people of both the host countries. They offered 50 tickets to a game in New Zealand for young Maori people to attend and 50 tickets in Australia for young Indigenous women to attend. Through Football NT, St John’s was offered six tickets for some of our young Indigenous boarding students to attend. Six of our young boarding girls attended the quarter final in Brisbane, where they sat in VIP seats and engaged in the best of women’s football. This was a fantastic opportunity and one that the girls will not forget. We are very grateful to FIFA and to Football NT for coordinating the event and providing this opportunity to the girls.
Every year, the GARMA festival is held on Yolngu country, west of Nhulunbuy. It as a key event on the calendar for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a celebration of culture and a discussion forum on issues that affect policy in this area. It is visited by significant politicians and dignitaries each year. This year was highly publicised due to the upcoming referendum and the discussions related to The Voice, being very topical at the time. Two of our young men were invited to attend the event through the Department of Education Youth Forum. Tyrell Lindsay and Isiah Dhurrkay went along and represented themselves and the College with outstanding maturity. They had the opportunity to engage with discussions with other young man and women and with senior politicians, including the Prime Minister. A great opportunity and one they will remember. We were very proud of their engagement and interactions.
The Smith Family has been a key partner with the College over a number of years. The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program supports some of our boarding students across the senior years of their schooling, providing leadership development and financial support to ensure that students are able to complete their education at the High School level. This year, three of our students attended the National Student Gathering in Sydney as part of this program, Tyrell Lindsay, Brienna Tyrell, and Deborah Tipungwuti. They were well support by staff members Ben Friis and Zuleika Aylward and were able to engage with participants from across the country and take part in workshops and leadership development over four days. They also managed to see some of the highlights of Sydney Harbour on a cultural cruise on the last day. We hope this support allows these students to maintain their education and develop leadership skills through to their senior school graduation in the years to come.
During the dry season, we held a senior students camp at Litchfield National Park. The aim of the camp was to spend some engaging time with our senior students and allow them to interact and bond together as a group to support each other through the year. We also had the opportunity to engage closely with them, to participate in fun activities, team building and leadership discussions that will help engage them in the College and give them skills to allow them to succeed. We were very impressed (but not surprised) at the levels of engagement and interaction from the students with the staff and with each other. The students took responsibility for the set up and pack up of equipment, of cooking and serving meals, cleaning up and maintaining the facilities and generally just enjoying themselves. We had some great conversations around the fire at night and lots of swimming and walking during the day. A camp like this can be difficult to arrange logistically and is a lot of work for staff across the weekend but we all agree that the time spent together was very rewarding and enjoyable for all.
Across the year, boarding staff are encouraged to nominate students for a “Golden Ticket”, if they do something in the boarding house that is above and beyond expectations. Students who receive three golden tickets are then given a special gift that they have a part in selecting. This year we had a number of successful students receiving prizes for going above and beyond the expectations of the College. We see students going out of their way to make others feel welcome when they are new, helping and supporting staff, going out of their way to encourage and inspire each other, supporting those in times of need and many other areas. It is important that these actions are recognised and encouraged as part of living in our community and encouraging students to live by the values of the College, in particular that we are Strong Together.
This year we celebrate the graduation of five boarding students who we have journeyed with across a number of years. Three of those students have been at the College since Year 7 and have been living with us and attending school for 6 years. During that time there have been many ups and downs, and the College has become a second home, moving on brings excitement but also trepidation and worry. I would like to thank these students for being part of our community and for living the values of the College across that time. It is very emotional for us all saying goodbye to them but we are extremely proud, as young men and women and of their achievements to date. Isadora Lorenzo, Jacinta Joshua, Jeanika Wurramara, William Munkara and John Orsto deserve to be recognised and celebrated for their journey. They have all played a key role in leading our boarding students and of creating a positive atmosphere at the Boarding House. We wish them all the very best in the near future, the College will always be a home to you and we welcome you back at any time.
For anyone that has spent time in a boarding house, you will know that a lot happens day to day just to make things work. There are many different moving parts, enormous diversity of individuals, many different feelings and emotions happening at any one time, and always something else to do. The busyness of a family household on steroids!! We are extremely grateful to have a wonderful team of staff at the College who support the students and who are clearly invested in giving them the best opportunities to succeed. It takes teamwork and understanding between each other and it takes patience and goodwill on a daily basis to make things work. Our boarding staff do an incredible job getting students up and ready for school in the morning, driving around to any number of sporting events and training, organising and delivering activites across the weekend, communicating with families, managing emotions, supporting those in need and just being there to have a chat at the end of the day.
We have a special group of staff which make all of this possible, including our Team Leaders, Sophie Berry, Alison Lowe, Paula Gates and Cheryl Bowman. Houseparents, Doris Kamber, Grace Arrowsmith, James Brook-Lenehan, Jikany Kour, Jaakan Finau, Kieran Parnell, Henry Nilkare, Lucy Vallejo, Tegan Djanghara-Cooper, Olivia Marchesi, Stephen Lyons, Bernard Ho, Max Newton, Robin Bartie, Rose-Maree Pintur, and others who are not with us currently but have supported us through the year. We thank you enormously.
Our staff are well supported by our Deputy Director of Boarding, Zuleika Aylward who plays a significant part in the boarding operations with her infectious smile and ongoing positivity. Zuleika supports our staff with care and always has an office full of students who seek her genuine nature, care and guidance. For me, Zuleika continues to be an enormous support, an attentive listener, advice giver and wonderful colleague. Thank you.
Congratulations to all the students of 2023, I hope you all enjoy a Merry Christmas, a restful and enjoyable holiday, and we look forward to having you all back for 2024.
Best Wishes
Scott Mannion
Director of Boarding
Boarding Staff
Finance Manager
Dear College Community,
As we close the 2023 school year, I wish to thank my team for their hard work and commitment to maintaining the high quality of accounting and finance services at the College.
I also wish to thank all families who made their fee payments on time. I would like to request families who still have outstanding balances to ensure school fees are paid in full before the end of the year.
Paying school fees is a crucial part of supporting students and maintaining the high standards of education that we provide. We rely on your timely payments to cover the cost of our programmes and services, and to ensure we continue to offer these services. To facilitate the payment process, we offer several convenient payment options including weekly / fortnightly direct debits, online payments, credit card payments and in-person payments at our finance office. If you have any questions about the payment options available to you, please do not hesitate to contact our finance team.
The finance team is committed to providing seamless support services to the College to ensure the best possible education outcomes for our students.
Wishing you all a blessed Christmas.
Ruth Suriyagoda CA, CPA, FCA (SL)
Finance Manager
Operations Manager
Dear College Community,
As we approach the festive season, I would like to extend warm wishes to you and your loved ones. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May this holiday season be filled with joy, love, and cherished moments for you and your family.
I would like to take this opportunity to share some important updates and information with you.
Holiday Closure:
The college admin office will be closed from the 22nd of December until the 8th of January. During this period, if you have any urgent matters or need to get in touch with us, please direct your correspondence to admin.stjohns@nt.catholic.edu.au. Our team will respond to your inquiries as soon as possible upon our return. If you need to pick up back-to-school vouchers, they will be available for collection from the admin office after the 8th of January. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this period.
BYOD Program Support:
For families whose children have laptops purchased through the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program and are experiencing any technical issues, we are here to assist you. Please contact the college administration via email. Additionally, you can find more information or seek assistance by visiting our technology portal at https://stjohnscollege.technologyportal.com.au/ or by contacting Edunet directly at (03) 9708 8700 or portal@edunet.com.au.
Project Update:
Jubilee Hall Roof Renovation
Exciting developments are underway at St. John's Catholic College, thanks to BGA capital grant funding secured for the refurbishment of the Jubilee Hall roof. Our dedicated property and maintenance team is collaborating with the Catholic Education Office infrastructure team to plan the project execution in the early next year. We will keep you informed about the progress and milestones achieved as we work towards enhancing our facilities for the benefit of the entire school community.
Introduction of SEQTA:
SEQTA, our new learning management platform. will be introduced to the college community by the end of term 1 next year. Parents will gain access to SEQTA Engage, allowing them to monitor real-time attendance and track their child's academic performance. Similarly, students will have access to SEQTA Learn to enhance their learning experience. Further details about the implementation progress will be shared with families early next year.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during the holiday closure period. Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring a smooth and efficient resolution to any concerns or inquiries you may have.
Thank you for being a valued part of the St. John's Catholic College community. We look forward to continuing our journey together in the upcoming year.
Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
Warm regards,
Gayan Abeysekara
Operations Manager
St. John's Catholic College
Inclusion Support
Dear College Community,
Thank you to all our inclusion families for your support this year. A big thank you to our inclusion team with support our students. We wish everyone a very happy and safe Christmas break.
There will be Educational Adjustment Plans coming home before the holiday period, please make sure you sign and return these.
We have purchased a number of c-pens for students to access next year. This can support students with Specific Learning Disorders and ADHD. This is a great tool for scanning and reading information to students. Please research out if you would like to be part of the trial for 2024 as we have limited c-pens.
If you have any questions or concerns I will be avliable to contact up until the 15th of December via shinead.love@nt.catholic.edu.au. I will be returning on the 29th of January.
Kind regards
Shinead Love
ACARA Co-ordinator - STEAM
Dear College Community,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you all know that last few weeks our year 10s were a part of a workshop facilitated by representatives from Financial Information Services NT.
They ran a financial literacy session for our pre-SACE students which included discussions on topics, enhancing students' understanding about payslips, budgeting and superannuation.
If you have taught SACE mathematics, you would know that Financial Maths is an integral part of General and Essential Mathematics. and it was an amazing opportunity for our students to develop their financial literacy skills but also understand the mathematical applications in making and managing real-life financial decisions.
A big shout-out to Keshiya Anthony for organising this workshop for our students and successfully integrating this as a part of their Year 10 maths program.
Kindest regards
Hasan Talukder
Financial Information Services Visit
Good News Stories
Stage 1 Creative Arts Exhibition
On Monday the 4 th December the Stage 1 Creative Arts class exhibited their final artwork for the
Semester. Student have explored realism in the mediums of oil pastel, water colour paints, graphite
pencil, and charcoal. Students researched Henri Matisse, Leonardo Da Vinci, Kathe Kollwitz and
Albert Namatjira. From this research and experimentation students produced a final artwork that
linked to the artist and their process. Well done to all the students on their hard work and beautiful
artwork. A special thank you to Mr. Sheikh and his Food and Hospitality class for the beautiful
catering that kept all the guests fed as they enjoyed the artwork.
Kind regards
Shinead love
Art Teacher
Art Show
Good News Stories
Dear College Community,
This week we invited Ms.Wendy Wu from the Confucius Institute of Charles Darwin University to have a fantastically vibrant workshop for our both middle and senior Mandarin students.
In the first session, Ms.Wu introduced the historical and cultural values of various Chinese traditional musical instruments as well as connecting some pieces of music with the stories behind them.Right after that during the second session, Ms.Wu taught students how to easily make a DIY mooncake, which motivated and engaged our students a lot with experiencing Chinese food culture. Students made their own mooncakes and took them home after amazing involvement in mooncakes' making.
On December 6th both middle and senior level Mandarin students came to Loong Fong restaurant at Darwin City for the Chinese lunch to learn about Chinese cuisine culture. Students had a variety of Chinese food such as fried noodles, Cantonese duck, sizzling beef, spicy Mapo Tofu and so on, which Chinese communities, especially Chinese Australian groups, usually eat. They also learned Chinese dining etiquette including how to use chopsticks properly, pour half cup of tea for others, and spin the food on the round plate to the front of you when you want some of it.
Much appreciation for Mr.Samweli driving the school bus!
kind regards
Tianyu Wang
Mandarin Teacher
Mandarin Classes
Student Newspaper
In 2023, a few students decided to establish a 'Student Newspaper' section of the College Newsletter. The College will be calling for article submissions Week 4 and Week 8 of each term.
Amazing awards night
The awards night was amazing. The night started with a performance of scars to your beautiful, after that we had the acknowledgement of country. We then had advance australia fair followed by the college prayer. We had catholic identity awards, boarding awards, sponsored awards, australian defense awards, HPE awards, academic achievement awards. Vet school awards, certificate of academic achievement and special awards. In between all that we had all the Dux awards for year 7 we had Frederick Richards, for year 8 we had Grace Harris, for year 9 Catrina Meldrum, for IEU we had Sun Zhibin, For year 10 we had Emma Ryan, for year 11 we had Nathania Palendeng amd for year 12 we had Lyn Powierza. We also had some amazing performances based around the theme of relationships. The night finished with some food and drinks. All and all it was an amazing night
Student interviews
I interviewed a few students about their Christmas traditions. First I interviewed Nicolas, he said that he goes to church with his family, then his family goes home and has a christmas party. Second, I interviewed Maki, he said that his family usually stays home and has Fufu for christmas dinner, lastly I interviewed Ben C, he said that his family goes down to Queensland and goes to the beach.
Teacher interviews
For the teacher interviews, I interviewed Makuer, who has been working with the 8.2 class for term 4. I asked him what he thinks of the class, he said “the class is hardworking, I've seen people put in a lot of hard work”. I then asked him what his favorite thing about Christmas is, Makuer said “spending time with family and celebrating Christmas as a family, finally I asked him what his favorite thing about St John's is, He said “everyone belonging and having a part in the school community.
Interview with Tyrell
I interviewed one of the most inspirational students of our school, Tyrell. I asked him a few questions about leadership. First I asked him how he got to the position he is in now, Tyrell said that the main reason is his confidence and the way he presents himself. He said that it all comes down to the way he acts and the way he presents himself in front of the students and teachers. I asked Tyrell what his plans are with being house captain of Doneley house. He said that he plans to teach each of the kids that Doneley works because of each member of Doneley. Tyrell wants everyone to know that they do make a change in Doneley. I also asked him how he thinks his chances at winning the house cup are in 2024. Tyrell said that Doneley is gonna win the House Cup in 2024, He said that Doneley is gonna be a threat. My final question for Tyrell was what he would change about the St John's. Tyrell said that he wants everyone at the school to stop judging a book by its cover and instead be open to everyone at the school. Thank you to Tyrell for letting me interview him, he is a true inspiration to not only the students but also teachers and parents. The school would not be the same without him.
Have a good Christmas and holiday. I hope everyone has a good Christmas and a happy new year. Let it be filled with joy and cheer.
With Thanks from the St John's News Team
