As we transition into the second half of the academic year, I am excited to share some wonderful updates and reflections with you.

We have recently concluded our exams, and I am pleased to report that the Exam Feedback Day was a tremendous success. This day provided our students with a valuable opportunity to learn from their mistakes and understand their areas for improvement. It's important to remember that while grades and scores are significant, the true essence lies in the feedback. By focusing on constructive feedback, students can identify their strengths and work on their weaknesses, fostering a growth mindset that will benefit them throughout their academic journey and beyond.

Our Year 12 students celebrated a fantastic night at the Year 12 Formal. The event was a testament to their maturity and exemplary behaviour, making it a memorable evening for everyone involved. The formal was not just a celebration of their hard work and dedication, but also a symbol of the strong bonds and friendships that have been forged over the years. It was lovely to see our students enjoying themselves in such a respectful manner.

As we embark on Semester 2 classes, we open the door to new and exciting opportunities. For our Year 12 students, this marks their final semester, a pivotal time to consolidate their learning and prepare for their next steps, whether that be further education, training, or entering the workforce. We encourage them to make the most of this period, focusing on their goals and aspirations.

For our junior students, the start of new electives is an exciting chapter. These electives allow them to explore diverse subjects, igniting new passions and interests. Whether it's diving into the arts, exploring the sciences, or engaging with technology, these courses provide a platform for students to discover what truly excites and motivates them.

As we move forward, I encourage all students to embrace the new opportunities that Semester 2 brings. Whether it's through learning from feedback, celebrating achievements, or exploring new academic interests, there is much to look forward to. Together, let's continue to support our students in their educational journey, ensuring they have the tools and confidence to succeed.

In this season of new beginnings, let us also turn to our faith for inspiration and strength. Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." As we navigate through these new opportunities, let us commit our efforts and aspirations to the Lord, trusting that He will guide and bless our endeavours. With faith and perseverance, we can look forward to a future filled with hope and fulfillment.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community.

Warm regards,

Laura Ruddick

Acting Principal

As we wrap up Semester One and begin the second half of the academic year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the St John’s staff for their dedication and commitment in supporting our students. It has been pleasing to witness the studious manner in which our junior boys approached their exams, and even more impressive was how all students took on feedback, and actively considered and made plans for how they can improve their application and efforts moving forward.

St John’s officially launched the Push Up Challenge during extended Learner Mentor last week and it has been great to see staff and students really embracing the challenge to be active, have fun and ‘push’ for better mental health.

A reminder to students and parents/careers that each Wednesday the College offers an After School Program where students engage in sporting, learning and group activities. This is a great opportunity to come and have some fun with your friends in a supervised and supportive environment.

The College also offers an SJ Homework Club that runs in the BISC each Thursday afternoon from 3:10 pm- 4:10 pm, another opportunity to get some extra teacher support in completing any unfinished classwork or Checkpoint tasks. Hope to see many more students there each Thursday!

All the best,

Luke Robinson

As Term 2 comes to an end, exams are finished, students have had Exam Feedback Day and we encourage them to learn about the study habits that suit them best, in order to improve and excel at the end of the year, when they will again complete exams. Units 2 and 4 have begun for our VCE and VCE-VM students. Our Year 12’s have begun the last stretch of study that they will do as a secondary school student. They will begin the Exam Ready Program in LM during Term 3, where they start to prepare for the end of year exams. This program is in its third year now and we believe it is a part of the success our Year 12’s have had in recent years. Our Year 10’s are busy getting recommendations for their Year 11 and 12 programs in preparation for Course Counselling which is early in Term 3. This is an exciting time for the Year 10’s as they plan their next 2 years at the College. We had the Winter Concert where our music students were able to showcase their amazing musical talents for parents, families and the school community. In the final weeks of the term we have some exciting things happening; the Winter Vinnies Sleepout, the Brennan Charity Run – raising money in honour of Mr Rob Brennan our late principal and Sacred Heart Day on the last day of term. Sacred Heart Day is mandatory for all students, we start with a mass, then we have the fair to raise money for charity and we end with the Talent Quest where again we get to witness some of the talents of our amazing students.

I look forward to the final few weeks of the term for the staff, students and families of Sacred Heart. I wish all our students a safe holiday and look forward to seeing everyone ready to go in Term 3.

Molly Coyne

Director of Sacred Heart Campus

Dear Students and Families of CTK,

Welcome to Semester 2!

I spoke to the CTK students this week about a new semester being an exciting time to reflect, evaluate and plan for the term ahead. Even though we haven’t started Term 3, we are starting fresh with new units of work to learn and new electives to experience.

Please don’t think that the colder weather means we are staying in our comfort zones at CTK. We have students participating in various activities, such as the Vinnies Winter sleep out, the push up challenge, crochet club, camps, book club, lunchtime sports and the list goes on. It is great to see students signing up for events that they connect with and working with each other to make the events successful.

As we head towards the end of Term 2, we are gearing up for the big event of Sacred Heart Day. Much planning goes into this day and not only is it fun, but it is also a day that lingers in the minds of students and staff. Sacred Heart Day is a festival about tradition, coming together and celebrating our college community. I look forward to being apart of the day with the CTK campus and celebrating together.

For now, take care and stay warm.

Veronica

Thursday 27 June - Full College Assembly

Friday 28 June - Sacred Heart Day, and last day of Term 2

Monday 15 July - Term 3 Begins, student free day

Tuesday 16 July - Students start back on campus

ACU Step Up Uni Program

Congratulations to our 11 students in Year 11 who have been offered a place in the ACU Step up program for 2024.

This means that they can complete two university units before they graduate Year 12 to go towards their degree, and are guaranteed entry into their course.

Winter Music Concert

Our students amazed in the recent Winter Music Concert, held on the evening of the 11th of June.
The caliber of performance was incredible, and the range of music, across classical, classic hits and contemporary showed off the diverse talents of our students.

Congratulations to all who performed, and thank you tot our wonderful AV team for the lighting and sound work.

Reflection Days

Our reflection days are continuing at 4C's, with our Year 8's having their reflection days today and yesterday.

One Year Reunion

This year we had our first annual One-Year Reunion. It was exciting to see the Class of 2023 return to the senior study centre to hang out, eat pizza and catch up. Many also attended the Winter Music Concert, to cheer their past classmates on and celebrate their musical achievements. 

Women in Trade Event

The Year 9 Christ the King students were incredibly lucky to experience a Women in Trade event on Thursday the 6th of June.

Students got to practice some hands on examples of working in trade, including plumbing, carpentry and building. 

They also heard from a few women who work in trade, and have been running training courses for women who want to learn some of the basics of how to build for life-skills. 

Introduction

This past Saturday the Church celebrated the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Immaculate Heart of Mary refers to Mary’s interior heart, which remained sinless and devoted to God despite the challenges and sorrows she encountered on earth.

This celebration comes immediately after the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which we celebrated last Friday. These two celebrations of Jesus and Mary are closely connected. The devotion to Jesus’s heart emphasises His heart full of love for all humankind, while Mary’s heart, immaculate and sinless, is our perfect model for loving Jesus.

Our prayer today comes from Pope Francis’ own prayer to entrust the people of Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary to bring peace. May we too pray to Mary for peace in our own lives, for those we love, and for all places around the world where peace and mercy are in desperate need.

Prayer

Through your intercession, may God’s mercy be poured out on the earth and the gentle rhythm of peace return to mark our days.

Our Lady of the ‘Fiat’, on whom the Holy Spirit descended, restore among us the harmony that comes from God.

May you, our ‘living fountain of hope’, water the dryness of our hearts. In your womb Jesus took flesh; help us to foster the growth of communion.

You once trod the streets of our world; lead us now on the paths of peace.

Amen.