Principal's Address

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