St Johns College Dubbo Term 3, Week 10 2025
Principal
Dear Families.
On Wednesday of Week 10 we gathered as a school community with all students and staff in the SJC Hall to acknowledge and acclaim the graduation of the Year 12, 2025 cohort. Our students listened intently to the final Captains Address which was delivered beautifully by Captains Charlotte Cooke and Daniel Butcherine. There were a number of items presented to honour the journey of these students over their time at the College and celebrate the significance of their completion of their schooling. At the completion of the assembly staff formed a guard of honour for the graduating class as they processed out of the hall.
On Wednesday evening we celebrated our Year 12 Graduation Mass and Academic Awards Presentation. This was a most wonderful event and a formal occasion to acknowledge the cohort's graduation from the College. We were blessed to have Father Greg Kennedy celebrate Mass for our community. Father has known many of these students since they were in Year 2 and has such a deep connection to the year group. After Mass we moved into the Awards and Graduation Ceremony where academic achievement was acknowledged amongst a range of special awards including recognising sporting achievement, the arts and varying missional values. Finally all graduates were presented to the community before rejoining their loved ones. A really beautiful celebration of our wonderful Year 12 students. I would ask that our community keeps these students in their prayers as they ready themselves for the HSC Examinations which start on Thursday 16 October.
At the final assembly the outgoing leaders announced formally to the community the incoming leaders for 2026. The Student Leadership Team for 2026 is:
Captains: Jim Sullivan and Sophie Egan
Vice Captains: Angus Campbell and Kirralee McAllister
House Captains
LaSalle: James Fletcher and Millie Jackson
Lennon: Ethan Morris and Isabella Minney
McAuley: Charlie Carr and Amelia Heckendorf
Moore: Japjot Gill and Heidi Connolly
The incoming leaders assisted at the Graduation Mass and Academic Awards Presentation before helping facilitate Founders Day on the last day of school. We look forward to the formal induction of these leaders and working with them throughout their final year of schooling.
I would like to wish a safe and restful break to all of our community and look forward to seeing our students return on Tuesday 14th October.
God bless
Mr Justin McCarney
Principal
Faith and Mission
Dear Families,
Last week our Year 11 students spent the week on Community Service. Our students were spread out among a variety of places. Orana Support Services, Macquarie Home Stay, Orana Gardens, St Johns Primary, St Pius, St Laurence's, St Mary's, St Joseph's Gilgandra and here at the College. Some students organised their own Community Service. Their help was well received and it was wonderful to see them giving back. Community Service Week recognises that it is not enough to read about our faith. As a Catholic school, we must live out our beliefs and values. This sense of giving back was again on display last Sunday at the St Brigid's Parish Picnic. Approximately 20 of our students came along to paint faces and run games. It was wonderful to be able to connect with our parish.
On Thursday Week 10, we celebrated Founder's Day. This is a day on which we celebrate who we are as a school, where we came from and where we are going. It was a day full of fun and laughter. We started with a Liturgy then moved into 'The Amazing Race' in which teams are pitted against each other to solve riddles and complete challenges. 'Organised chaos' are the only words to describe hundreds of students running around the school finding their challenge and completing it. The middle session saw students choose from a range of activities, from Drama games to Just Dance; lego building to a driving simulation games; touch football to golf schools. The day finished with the famous 'St Johns has Got Talent' - where we had over 12 acts perform - pianos players, guitarists, drummers, violinists and singers. This was a beautiful way to finish the day- the audience was extremely supportive of their peers as they performed. We even finished the day with a whole school rendition of 'Sweet Caroline'. It was the perfect end to a wonderful day.
We are all extremely blessed to be part of this amazing community.
Have a wonderful break - I look forward to a busy but happy Term 4.
Yours in faith
Mrs Elissa Burden
Leader of Faith and Mission
Pathways
Literacy
Keith Hill | Literacy
Biology
Year 12 Biology have been learning about a range of disorders by investigating the structures and functions of organs such as the ear, kidney, and eye.
Last Friday, students had the opportunity to dissect lamb kidneys and eyes, giving them first-hand experience in observing organ structures. Thank you to Mrs. Morrissey for your assistance with this practical activity.
Miss Emma Rice | Assistant KLA Leader Science
Public Speaking
On the 26th of August, Vaylia S (Year 11) and Molly J (Year 9) represented St Johns College with pride at the local heats of the 2025-2026 Rotary Public Speaking Contest. The heat was hosted by the Rotary Club of Dubbo South, at the South Dubbo Tavern. They competed against students from Dubbo Christian School and Central West Leadership Academy.Each student was to develop and deliver a 5 minute speech on any topic, as long as it could be linked to the Rotary 4-Way Test:
"Of the things we think, say and do:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"
Molly delivered a quality speech focusing on the power of community, drawing on her experiences in the local running community, namely through ParkRun and Tracksesh. Vaylia delivered a powerful message on the importance of kindness in the community.
Vaylia finished as the first runner-up, meaning she advances to the next level of competition. This will be held on 23rd September, again at a Rotary Club of Dubbo South meeting at the South Dubbo Tavern. We wish her well!
Mr Richard Eggleston
Technology/Textiles
Yr 8 students were very excited to complete their bags just in time for the holidays. They were able to choose from a duffle bag, gym bag or a tote bag, including a pocket and a decoration on to their bag. A great effort everybody!
Mrs Nicole Bussey | KLA Leader TAS
Class of the Week
Yr 10 Drama
A class full of vibrant, talented individuals. The greatest part about the class is the way they support and encourage one another. This term they have been working on Realism Duologues. It has been wonderful to see students really think about how to bring characters to life by developing an understanding of the objectives of their characters.
Students are really starting to appreciate how feelings can be expressed in a variety of ways - for example, anger is not always loud. Learning lines can be a real challenge, but every class member has worked hard to ensure they remember every word and movement.
Look out Meryl Streep and Robert DeNiro - Year 10 Drama are coming for you!
Mrs Elissa Burden | Leader of Faith and Mission/Year 10 Drama Teacher
Yr 11 Advanced Maths
Congratulations to Yr 11 Advanced Maths on your nomination for the class of the week! This group are an absolute joy to teach. Their strength is in their collaboration, the way they work together as a team to solve problems.The Advanced course is a very demanding course and a huge jump from Year 10 but they have handled every setback with resilience and a determination to improve upon past performance. Well done on all of your achievements 11MAD2D!!!
Mr Luke Doyle | Maths Teacher
Resoure Hub
Harry Potter Tri-Wizard Cup
Our Harry Potter’s Triwizard Cup Games were held on the Monday of Week 10 this term. There were four teams consisting of Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, and each team had 4 students and a staff member, if a student was absent. Each team had to complete four tasks in order to win the prize, which was a Canteen Voucher for each member of the team.
The tasks consisted of :
Task One: Muggles studies - Testing their humanity with Dobby Sock Toss. A sock was tossed from a distance, If students got the sock in the hoop they received 10 points for their team. They also then had the opportunity to answer a Harry Potter question for an additional 20 points.
Task Two: Potions Class - Students sat at their team’s cauldron and had to read an ingredients list on How to make Liquid Luck. Students had to place the ingredients into the cauldron and raise their hand. Once it was checked, if the potion was made correctly, they received points. 1st place received 40 points, 2nd received 30 points, 3rd place received 20 points and 4th place received 10 points.
Task Three: Study of Magical Creatures - Students read through the Monster Book of Monsters and using the information on the pages, were able to solve a riddle revealing the order the Magical Creatures were to be placed. 1st place received 40 points, 2nd received 30 points, 3rd place received 20 points and 4th place received 10 points.
Task Four: Quidditch Practice - Team members would toss a hacky sack into the Quidditch Pitch. If the hacky sack went through the hoop, the team member would be given a card. On this card was an image of a library book, which included the gentrification and Classification of where the book was located. Once the team players had their card, they were tasked with locating the book. When it was located, each player received two golden snitches. 1st place received 40 points, 2nd received 30 points, 3rd place received 20 points and 4th place received 10 points.
Additional points were awarded throughout for good sportsmanship and team work. This was done in the form of Golden Snitches. Students handed Miss Lappa their golden snitches to be added to the final tallies.
Once all the Tasks were completed, Miss Daymond handed out Harry Potter Cupcakes to the participants. The inside of the cupcakes were coloured in house colours and were topped with Bertie Botts Every Flavour Bean and a Golden Snitch.
While the students devoured their cupcakes, Miss Lappa announced the Winning Team.
Congratulations to Hufflepuff who had 110 points. With Griffindoor, Slytherin and Ravenclaw all tying with 100 Points on the board. A very close game but fun nonetheless. Thank you to the students and staff who participated. We hope you all enjoyed the Harry Potter Triwizard Cup!
Keep an eye out for more Library Events.
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." — Albus Dumbledore
"When in doubt, go to the library." — Ron Weasley
Mrs Bruce - Teacher Librarian
Miss Lappa - Library Technician
Book Reviews by Mrs Bruce
Job Vacancies
Sport
Diocesan Touch Trial Nominations
Diocesan Touch Trial nominations are now open for 2026 competition. The trials will be held on Wednesday 18 November this year in Wellington. Nominations close Wednesday 11 November.
To trial for the Diocesan team, it is recommended that students play at a high level of Touch Football in the Dubbo community (Dubbo Representative Touch or higher). This is not a Gala Day.
To nominate, parents need to complete registration through the NSW CS Sport Website.
Link for help to register:
https://docs.google.com/
Eligible students
U15 Boys and Girls (Born in 2011, 2012 and 2013)
Open Boys and Girls (Born in 2008, 2009 & 2010)
The College will not be supplying transport to the trials. It is the responsibility of parents.
UNDER 16's GIRLS RUGBY LEAGUE
Brave and Proud!
The College Girls Under 16's rugby league team have been awarded runners-up at the NSW Country Schools final in Bathurst on Wednesday. Playing Mackillop Port Macquarie they were defeated by the slendest of margins 12 - 10. The St Johns girls were so brave and resilient throughout the match. As a College we are immensely proud of the way girls played not only in the final, but in the 8 games played throughout the tournament at Dubbo, Parkes, Wagga and Bathurst.
In the final, Isla B scored in the opening minute, with Sienna S converting. We then defended the rest of the half with passion and vigour repelling Mackillop efforts to score. In particular during the 1st half, team Captain Emily M put on a tackling clinic for the North Coast opposition, continually turning the Mackillop attack around with technique and attitude.
In the 2nd half Mackillop scored next to the posts to make it 6 all. Addie B then scored in the corner to give St Johns a 4 point lead. Towards the end of the 2nd half Port scored, then converted a difficult shot at goal to win by 2.
All the girls were so brave with their defence, as Port Macquarie had two NSWCCC representatives who continually asked questions of the St Johns defence. The girls also showed great resilience under trying circumstances as we only had 1 reserve to start the game, and then we lost our inspirational halfback and organiser Emily M to injury at half time. The parents, supporters and coach who watched the game in Bathurst were so proud of the girls in the way they represented the College with a "can do" positive attitude. All the girls played well on the day, but Isla B, Addie B and Emily M deserve special mention for their strong games and leadership.
Thank you to the parents and supporters who travelled to Bathurst and Wagga allowing the girls to compete at the highest level of schoolgirl rugby league outside of Sydney.
A successful season overall, 2nd in All-Schools NSW Country, but more importantly the girls displayed great character, bravery and resilience. They were an absolute pleasure to be involved with, and certainly one of the highlights of my SJC coaching journey.
Andy Haycock - Rugby League Coordinator
NSW All Schools Touch Football Carnival
Well done to three teams that participated on Wednesday at the NSW All Schools Touch Football Carnival at Manly.
All teams performed admirably on the day with the Year 7/8 Boys and Year 9/10 Girls making the quarter finals. The Year 9/10 Boys finished 4th in their pool following the round matches.
Thanks to Mr O'Leary, Mrs McIntosh and Mr McAlister for managing the sides.
School Fees
Dear Parents/Guardians
The College Fees Office will be closed for the school holidays.
Wishing everyone a happy and restful break.
Kind Regards
Maree Carlow | Finance Leader
Important Dates
Term 4 2025
If you would like to add the St Johns College Calendar
to your google calendar please click on this link.
Monday 13th October
Pupil Free Day - Staff Development Day
Tuesday 14th October
NSW CCC Basketball Championships
Thursday 16th October
HSC Begins
Monday 20th October
Yr 9 & 10 Work Ready Program
Tuesday 21st October
Girls League Tag Gala Day
23rd & 26th October
Upper Hunter Beef Bonanza
Friday 7th November
Last Day HSC
Saturday 8th November
First Lego League Competition in Sydney
Monday 10th November
Strings Music Ensemble
Thursday 13th November
Band Music Ensemble
Friday 14th November
Yr 12 Graduation Ball
Monday 17th November
Yr 10 PASS Bronze Medallion Course
Tuesday 18th November
Bathurst Diocesan Touch Football
20th & 21st November
Yr 10 Elective USYD Presentation
20th November
Yr 9 PASS Bronze Medallion Course
2nd December
Yr 11 Try a Trade Expo
2025 School Term Dates
Term 4: Monday 13th October - Friday 19th December
2026 School Term Dates
Term 1: Tuesday 27th January - Staff Return, Thursday 29th January - Yr 7, 11 & 12
Friday 30th January - Yr 8, 9 & 10
Term 2: Monday 20th April - Friday 3rd July
Term 3: Monday July 20th - Friday 25th September
Term 4: Monday 12th Oct - Thursday 17th December
2025 Diocesan Sports
The Diocesan Sports Calendar is now available to view. We may have some students who are involved in sports that we are unaware of and who may want to attend the trials. There are many different sports on the Diocesan Calendar such as Diving, Triathlon's, Baseball, Volleyball, Sailing, Hockey etc. If your child is of a competitive standard and wishes to compete in the events on the calendar please let us know.
Community Notices
