Newsletter - 13th June 2025
Last week, we welcomed visitors from the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office as part of our ongoing school renewal and improvement process. Thank you to the many parents who generously gave their time and shared their thoughts on our school during interviews. It’s your feedback that helps guide our direction as a school.
We have now received the draft review report, and I’m pleased to share that it presents a positive and constructive view of life at St John’s. The report highlights areas of great strength while also identifying some clear opportunities for growth.
One of the strongest themes to emerge was the deep sense of pride that our students have in their school. They spoke positively about their learning experiences, their teachers, and the values that underpin life at St John’s. Our Catholic identity shone through as a central strength, with students sharing how much they enjoy Religious Education and how connected they feel to our school values of respect, excellence, compassion, and justice. The review team also praised our dedicated staff for their commitment to creating meaningful learning opportunities both in and beyond the classroom.
Now, regarding the areas that require our attention. I believe in being honest. Sugar-coating problems doesn’t do anyone any good. If something isn't working, we need to name it, own it, and work together to fix it.
The review identified two key concerns from students:
1. Disruptive behaviour in some Middle School classes is getting in the way of learning.
2. Some students do not feel safe using the toilets during the day due to other students' behaviour.
Both matters are being taken seriously. We’ve already begun work on developing a matrix of student expectations to ensure consistency across classes and strengthening support structures for teachers, along with clear referral lines for issues, so that every student can learn without unnecessary interruptions. We are also reviewing supervision and access to toilets to ensure these spaces are safe and respectful for everyone. If your child shares concerns in this area, please encourage them to speak to a trusted staff member. We depend on that communication to identify the cause of the issue.
While we acknowledge these challenges, I want to emphasise how proud I am of our students and staff. This review reaffirms that we are a school grounded in strong values and a shared commitment to improvement. It’s through our openness and willingness to grow together that we become the best version of St John’s.
When we receive the final report, it will be published on our website for your review.
As part of the presentation the ELT delivered to the review panel, we shared a short video that captures the Spirit of St John’s. Created by Mrs Melody Watt, this video reflects the heart of our community, and I’m delighted to share it with you.
Cheers,
Mark
Exam block commences Monday 16th to Thursday 19th June (Week 9). It is essential for students to be prepared and organised for their exams, which includes having the correct materials.
To ensure a supportive exam environment where every student can perform at their best, all students are required to meet our school's exam expectations. Students who display continuous disruptive behaviour will be removed from the exam. Parents will be contacted, and students will be provided the opportunity to complete their exam after school under teacher supervision.
If students are absent for their exam, the St John’s Assessment Policy (available on the school website) must be followed.
Feel free to contact your child’s teacher if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Melissa Irwin (AP Teaching and Learning)
During this term, from 29 May to 2 June, our junior volleyball team had the opportunity to attend the Intermediate Volleyball Schools Cup on the Gold Coast. The competition spanned Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with two games and a duty each day.
We fought fiercely in all our games over the weekend, coming close to a win against Shailer Park and Kings Christian College. However, the competition was strong in our pool. No matter the results, our spirits weren’t dampened, and each of us improved remarkably. We played every game with determination, learned new skills, and kept pushing ourselves. We blocked, spiked, delivered some killer serves, and supported each other, which earned us important points and proved that growth happens in the heat of competition. Beyond the court, we strengthened our teamwork and formed new friendships, making this experience far from a loss.
Of course, while volleyball was at the heart of the trip, we still found plenty of time for fun. Long days led us straight to the pool and spa, where we could relax and unwind. The water park was a hit, even if some of us thought it was freezing (as it was also torrentially raining)! Miss Campbell and Miss Meyer ensured we explored beyond the courts, taking us shopping and to Surfers Paradise beach.
Some of the trip highlights? Well, Elsie and Isla rocking glowsticks in their hair to Woolies was definitely a standout moment. We also had some unforgettable team karaoke sessions on the bus, and let’s not forget the hilarious challenges Miss Campbell and Miss Meyer had us do, like wearing our jerseys backwards to the tournament and walking without bending your legs in public – sorry Miss Campbell that you drew the short straw on that one!
We are extremely grateful to everyone who made this trip possible—our coaches, Miss Meyer and Miss Campbell, for their unwavering support and dedication. None of this would have happened without their hard work, and we truly appreciate everything they do for us.
Thank you!
Claudia Schafer (captain)
Our Year 7, 8, and 9 students participated in creativity workshops in May with visiting sculptor and artist Chris Mckenzie. Chris is a former student of St John’s and was generous in his desire to give back to his old school.
Chris’ stone and wood sculptures are featured in many private and public collections (‘True Blue’ at Nudgee College, ‘Mercy Memorial’ at St John’s Roma). He encouraged our students to approach life with passion – moving from the head to the heart and then to the hands. It’s important to really care about anything we are working on!
Chris has also sponsored a large cash prize to be awarded to the Junior winner of the upcoming SCULPTURES OUTBACK competition, so please take the time to view this amazing annual exhibition when it opens on the 14th of June.
SMALL SCULPTURES COMPETITION
ROMA ON BUNGIL GALLERY:
Some of our students took up the invitation to enter the Small Sculpture competition. Be sure to look out for works by St John’s students if you visit the Gallery once the exhibition opens on 13th June.
Art Club
The Art Club was introduced for a term last year, with an enthusiastic group of Primary Students meeting during lunch breaks to learn new skills. We would love to start up again in Semester Two and would welcome any parents, grandparents, or friends of the school who’d like to teach or guide in any artistic areas. Macrame? Decoupage eggs? Oil painting? Crochet? If you have some spare time and would like to share a skill, please contact carmel.treasure@twb.catholic.edu.au, and we will do our best to make it happen!
Optiminds
Miss Tarni McCosker will be facilitating our OptiMINDS teams this year. We are fortunate to have the expert guidance of Mrs Yenda Emery as well. Several students have expressed their interest in participating, but it is likely that we can only field two teams this year. Please pay attention to communications and expectations if you wish to be part of our St John’s teams this year.
“The Little Mermaid”
Three hugely successful performances of our school musical, “The Little Mermaid”, showcased the vision of our teachers, Miss Ellie Bradshaw and Mrs Jenny Shuss, alongside their incredible (and substantial) team.
We are incredibly proud of our talented senior students. The benefits of attending a P-12 school are so evident when we observe our younger students participating, learning, and excelling alongside their older schoolmates. The musical not only offered the chance to acquire various musical and dramatic skills but also strengthened social connections across the grades.
We are grateful for the skills of our dance teachers, Miss Bridget Bright and Miss Tilly Coogan, for the creativity they brought to our performance.
Primary Performing Arts teachers Mrs Catherine Vaughan and Mrs Carmel Treasure, along with Miss Katelyn Redinger and Miss Grace Gibbs, formed the team that helped The Little Mermaid sing. Working with such talented students made the task feel effortless! The large chorus of primary and secondary students collaborated effectively, creating many memorable numbers.
MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS!!!
Drama Excursion
Year 11 and 12 Drama in Practice and Year 12 Visual Art in Practice are going on their Cultural Tour in Week 1 of Term 3. As part of this, the D.I.P students are participating in a full-day workshop this Thursday with a ‘Teaching Artist’ from Queensland Theatre Company.
R&D CHORAL SPEAKING WORKSHOPS:
St John’s students and teachers will also be able to gain new skills when they attend.
POETRY CHORAL SPEAKING WORKSHOPS:
With the visiting Drama Specialist, Mrs. Anita McVeigh. Anita is a highly experienced Drama teacher and is able to visit St John’s (and many other schools across the Maranoa) thanks to a RADF grant facilitated by the Workshop Subcommittee of the Roma and District Eisteddfod.
Class groups and teachers will spend time with Anita, gaining stagecraft and conducting tips while exploring different ways to use their voices and bodies to communicate emotions and feelings.
It will be fantastic to see students and teachers using these lessons in the R&D Eisteddfod in September.
Dance
Highland dancers at St Patrick's Night
Three of our talented senior students, Maeve Moloney, Allie Ey, and Claire Lunney, brought some Celtic flavour to the All Saints’ Parish event. St John’s hosted the night in March this year at the P&F shed.
Instrumental Music
Mr. Michael Cahill and Mr. Vincent Kwan lead the school's Instrumental Program. Students from Year Three are able to join. This year, the popular Presto Strings (Thursday afternoon ensemble group) has been followed by Volante, a group for more advanced students. We are very grateful to Miss Cathy Cooper for her assistance with these groups. Orchestra and band rehearsals take place during lunch breaks on Monday and Friday to extend students' skill sets.
Students performed at the Roma Show and at the Anzac Day celebrations in town.
A large number of students were able to benefit from the skilled instructors of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra at the QSO Workshops, held at St John’s and the RSC. Special thanks to Mrs. Catherine Vaughan and Miss Catherine Cooper for their supervision. We appreciate all the work Mr. Cahill and Mr. Kwan do to make these events happen.
Easter in the Country
Approximately 50 St John’s students gathered to march in the annual Easter in the Country Street Parade. It was the perfect opportunity to advertise the school musical, “The Little Mermaid.” An interesting collection of sea creatures paraded down McDowall Street! Special thanks to Miss Nicole Southee and Mrs Toni Densley for organising our students and to all the staff members who participated in the parade!
Anzac day
We congratulate the 70 St John’s students who paid their respects to our servicemen and women as they proudly marched in Roma on Anzac Day. Many more St John’s students participated in other ceremonies across the Maranoa. Primary Choir students collaborated with the Community Choir to lead the singing at the liturgy.
Chess
On May 22nd, 18 students participated in the TCS online chess tournament where they had the opportunity to play against students from Toowoomba, Stanthorpe and Cunnamulla. They played seven rounds of chess during the day. Although quite challenging and most students competing for the first time, they remained focused and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Students had so much fun that they are already working on their game plans for next year’s competition.
Thank you, Mrs. Beattie, for making this opportunity possible.
The Winter Ball was a fantastic success! The evening was made possible by the exceptional support of St John’s P&F, who supplied delicious savoury snacks and desserts, along with an amazing team to bring it all together. A special mention goes to the hardworking and efficient trio of Monique Rashford, Kiara Willians, and Leesa Murray. These creative and generous women created an elegant and memorable evening for our young people to enjoy.
We are grateful to the school for making it possible to have Mr. Peter Vernon from Muzic-4-U to travel to Roma—first to teach all our secondary students a range of Old Time, Jive, and individual dances, and then to return to run a highly successful event!
Thank you to all staff who assisted in big and small ways – encouraging participation (Thank you to our Heads of House – Aaron Brown, Matt Creely and Sami Rogers) and supporting lessons as well as supervising at the Ball. Thank you to Heather Brittian for logistics and organisation, Katarina Silverster for photography, Melody Watt for communications and posters, and all staff who supervised at the event night: Ryan Doig, Mel Irwin, Bethany Campbell, Jenny Shuss, Ellie Bradshaw, Bonnie Meyer, Sue Tiley, Kimberley Challenor, Toni Densley, Lachlan Brennan, Katelyn Redinger, Tilly Coogan, Trisha Parker, Tarnie McCosker, Cassie Shields, Mark Watson, Carmel Treasure.
We are excited to announce that enrolments for Prep and Year 7 in 2026 at St John's School are now open!
Due to a significant increase in applications, Prep and Year 7 enrolments will be closed by COB Monday, 14 July.
We invite you to submit your application using the QR Code or the following link: ENROL HERE
Early applications are encouraged as places are limited.
For more information, please contact our office on (07) 4622 1842 or roma@twb.catholic.edu.au or visit our school website www.roma.catholic.edu.au to learn more.
Uniform Shop Hours:
Monday 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Online:
https://theschoollocker.com.au/schools/st-johns-catholic-school
Please note that the uniform shop is only open during the school term and closed on school holidays.