Friday, 18th August 2017

“The primary lesson for life must be implanted in the soul from the earliest age. The primary lesson for children is to know the eternal God, the One who gives everlasting life.” - St. Paisos of Mount Athos

Principal’s Message

St John’s College focusses upon developing all our students as well-rounded young people, achieving growth and success in their academic and personal lives. We know this is best achieved by a strong relationship between students, parents and teachers. And, for quality learning and development to occur, our mindset must be one of determination and growth. With so many distractions competing for our students’ attention, it can be difficult for them to focus upon the important things. In the future, many jobs and professions that now exist will be no longer. Research shows that the mindset a student adopts (and is encouraged to develop)significantly increases their academic achievement and social growth in the long term. It is important that all of us work together in promoting a mindset of achievement and growth. By reaching beyond the baseline we are preparing our young people for the future and for the transforming things they will do. Our mindset does matter. With the help of God and a determination to grow and achieve, wonderful things can be realized.

Lance Ryan Principal

The Forerunner

Junior School News

play continued. I liked the magic carpet because it flew in the air. I liked the happy ending. Finally, we boarded the bus back to school and our parents picked us up and we went home! I liked Aladdin because it was the best.”

Chrisovalantis Kalodimos (Year 2)

As part of Science Week celebrations, students had the opportunity to partake in scientific learning experiences like a paper plane contest, tallest tower challenge, rocket

launching, making slime and even dressing up as Mad Scientists!

As this is my final week as Acting Junior College Coordinator, I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all the students, parents and staff who supported me in this role. St. John’s is a great school to work at, with a real sense of community and belonging... It feels like home.

Mrs Vlahos

Middle School News

What a great time the Years 7/8 students had on camp last week. They undertook a range of challenging and physically demanding activities including a 6km canoe journey and 30-40km bike ride. They also did hiking, archery and survivor challenges in the rural/coastal area. I was very impressed with how they worked together and displayed perseverance to complete tasks. It highlighted how important camps are in student learning.

Last week all students took part in a Resilience Workshop, which gave them scenarios and tips on how to develop resilience. It is very important that students develop skills such as resilience and perseverance, especially when undertaking schoolwork, setting personal goals and dealing with peers.

“An eye-opener of how we should be living our lives.” - Yianna Manifavas (Year 8)

“I found it motivating to continue striving for my goals.” - Dion Karellas (Year 8)

A reminder that students are not to wear ‘hoodies’ under their uniforms. If students are cold they are to wear clothes underneath that are not visible. Also, sports uniforms are only to be worn on PE and sport days. Thank you for your assistance.

Derek Sherwood

“On Wednesday the 2nd of August, F-6 went to watch Aladdin at Her Majesty’s Theatre. Firstly, we boarded the bus and went to the theatre. Next, we waited in a room because the teachers were preparing the tickets. The ushers told us where to sit. We got to sit at the top. Then the performance began and we watched the performance. I got a bit scared when the cave appeared. I liked the Genie because when he tapped his shoes they sparkled. Sparks came down in the cave and came up the cave. Then we had a break. After, the

Orthodoxy Day

Senior School News

John SavopoulosHead of Senior School

During our College assembly held on Monday 7th August the following students received awards for academic achievement based on the Semester One reports:

Jamie Kondilis, Marina Stavrinidis, Anthony Georgiou, Steven Chhiev, Dion Karellas, Varvara Kapetanea, Monique Kolyvas, Yianna Manifavas, Anna Roussos, Mariam Taliambes, Michael Chhiev, Elih Gentikoglou, Deanna Pace, Evangelia Eliades, Thalia Kondilis, Florentia Pop and Elyssa Velves.

I would like to offer my congratulations to these students for the commitment and dedication they have shown towards their studies and wish them continued success.

Victoria University - Early Entry Offer Program (EEOP)

The Early Entry Offer Program (EEOP) is an alternative entry program for current Year 12 students. You can receive a guaranteed place at Victoria University by fulfilling one of these categories:

a) Leadership - You will need to be endorsed as someone who has proven your ability to apply yourself and build on your strengths, nurture or lead others or have made an ethical or social impact at school or in the broader community,

b) Educational Disadvantage - You have not been able to reach your academic potential at school due to external factors in your life over which you have no

control. You will need to be able to demonstrate you have had an educational disadvantage,

c) You have attended an eligible school in the west.

All VU courses offered through VTAC are part of the EEOP. To be eligible for admission for an early entry offer, you must:

- Currently study VCE at a Victorian Secondary School.- Be studying any required VCE subjects for your selected course.- Meet the EEOP application categories criteria.- Show potential to succeed at University.

You must apply for the Early Entry Offer Program by 13 October 2017. EEOP nominations after this date will not be considered.

To be eligible for entry into an EEOP listed degree course you must obtain the minimum EEOP ATAR for that course, as well as any tertiary entrance requirements and course requirements, such as prerequisites.

Please see Mr Lonie or Mr Savopoulos if you require further information.

On Friday 4th August SJC held its annual Orthodoxy Day. This was marked by an on-campus Divine Liturgy served by Father Chris and chanters from the David the Psalmist choir, who went on to run a Byzantine chanting workshop for Years 5 & 6.Mother Kallistheni and Sister Gregoria from the Monastery of Panayia Gorgoepikoos in Geelong

also visited and brought books and wares for students and parents to purchase. Mother Kallistheni spent time with Year 10 students discussing aspects of their Orthodox Christian Faith.Orthodoxy Day is an opportunity to celebrate our Orthodox Christian Faith, and give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon our College.

Each week, several lucky students in the Junior School receive awards for a variety of contributions to their learning and the school community. Above, this week’s recipients celebrate their achievements.

VCE exams begin on Wednesday November the 1st so as a timely reminder here are some study hints for our Year 12 students.

1. Make sure you are studying in a clean, quiet and orderly room.

2. Studying in a dark room is not recommended. Add lamps at night if needed. People tend to study and focus well in a brighter, oxygenated room with little noise. Eliminate any background noise if it becomes a distraction.

3. Decide if music is right for you. Music’s effect on memory performance varies between individuals. If you absolutely must listen to music, find instrumental music so that the words in the music don’t interfere with your studying.

Years 11 and 12 Psychology students had a blast applying their knowledge of principles of visual perception in understanding Australia’s first immersive art gallery – ArtVo. Stepping into a world of optical illusions, the larger than life murals allowed our students to come face to face with wild animals, scale rocky crevasses and surf the ultimate pipelines. Stretching over 1900 square metres, they walked through a variety of different zones, each with its own spectacular theme.

ArtVo Excursion

Student Achievement

Awards

Study Tips

“At Camp Coolamatong, we had lots of fun. All the actvities were fun and the food was great!” - Sam Dimopoulos

Diary Dates21st August 2017 - 25th August 2017...............................................................Book Week - Book Fair all week and Book Parade on Tuesday 2:45pm

28th August 2017 - 1st September 2017.............................................................Literacy and Numeracy Week. ‘Little Bad Wolf ’ performance (Foundation-Yr6) on Monday

Thursday August 31st............................................................................................Years 5/6 Athletics Years 9/10 Table Tennis

Friday 1st September.............................................................................................Father’s Day Stall

St John’s College 18th August 2017Years 7 and 8 Camp

“Camp Coolamatong was a wild experience! I especially loved the bike riding and boat trip.” - Yianna Manifavas

“Camp Coolamatong was fun. Especially Survivor, because it was challenging.” - Stefan Stefanidis

“This was the most fun at a camp we ever had. Canoeing was fun because we did a whole day of it.” - Peter Tsaltas