As we reach the midpoint of Term 3, I am pleased to share with you some of the highlights and achievements that have shaped the past few weeks at St John’s College. It has been a vibrant and eventful period, filled with student success, community engagement, and meaningful connections.

The first half of the term has seen our students deeply engaged in their winter sports codes. Last weekend marked the culmination of many competitions, with our 1^st XI Hockey, Football and Basketball teams participating in the Winter Tournament Week. Our Junior A Football team emerged as league champions, while the U15 Rugby and Senior A basketball teams both finished as runners-up in their respective finals. Regardless of the outcomes, the unwavering support from our community was truly inspiring. The spirit and encouragement shown by families, staff and fellow students is a testament to the strong bonds we share at St John’s.

We hosted another successful Open Day, welcoming prospective families to experience the essence of St John’s College. The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the respectful, polite, and passionate nature of our students. This event followed the impressive showcase by our Young Enterprise students at the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Market. Their creativity, energy and pride in presenting their products to the public was a joy to witness and a credit to their entrepreneurial spirit.

Earlier, this year, in collaboration with the Hastings District Council, our students participated in a waste audit to assess our environmental impact. The findings, presented last Friday, revealed that food waste is our largest contributor. This insight challenges us to reflect on our practices and explore ways to become a more sustainable school community.

Over the past fortnight, I have had the privilege of visiting our contributing schools and meeting families considering St John’s for 2026. These visits have not only strengthened our relationships but also opened opportunities for our current students to connect with younger peers. A particularly memorable moment was witnessing a Pasifika performance at one of the schools, which has led to plans for our own Pasifika students to engage and support these groups in the future.

As we look ahead to the remainder of Term 3, I encourage everyone to continue supporting one another and celebrating the many ways our students grow and thrive. Thank you for being an integral part of the St John’s journey.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

George Rogers

TUMUAKI / PRINCIPAL