Welcome back to the new academic year! St John’s College is an amazing school with amazing people. 2025 is a Catholic Jubilee Year, and it is a Year of Hope. My hope is that our SJC community gets to experience the same joy I feel daily at our wonderful school.

This year began well with a beautiful pōhiri. An exciting first step for our new students, and those new to our community. It was the first opportunity for our community to connect and for the new students to feel part of something very special.

Our first full Mass was a very special Commissioning Mass where we recognised the Prefects for 2025. The final word was given to our Head Boy, Jayden Mathers, who addressed the school community, sharing his aspirations for this coming year, and the college’s aspiration of students leaving with a Catholic heart and a Catholic mind. Jayden’s words are below:

“I was asked what my vision for the college will be under my reign. I truthfully and humbly answered. “I really don’t know”. But then I imagined a world where everybody acted as themselves, where nobody felt the need to put on a mask or hide who they are. A world where people weren’t afraid of judgement, rejection, or failure – where they could exist as they were meant to be. So, if I could go back to that day to answer that question, “what is your vision for St John’s College as Head Boy”, my answer would be “a place where everyone can be themselves.”

We recently held our annual Athletics Day and are looking forward to our Swimming Sports which will be held this Thursday, 27 February, at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre. These events provide a great opportunity for our students to come together and enjoy the vibrant SJC house spirit. I am also looking forward to connecting with our students outside of the usual school context.

There have been four staff changes leading into the 2025 academic year. Last Friday we farewelled Mr Peter Connell at our morning assembly who has taken up a role at another school. We would like to thank him for his contribution to St John’s College over the past four years. We also welcome three new staff to the St John’s community:

Mr Mzukisi Matonana (Commerce), Mrs Sarah Coram-O’Kane (Culinary) and Mrs Mieke Burger (Science/Mathematics).

At the beginning of Term Two, we are excited to welcome Mr Seamus Flood, our new Deputy Principal of Pastoral, to the St John’s College whānau.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

George Rogers

TUMUAKI / PRINCIPAL