Purpose of Education at St Johns College
  A Short History of the College
  The Student Population
  Staff
  Development of Leadership amoung Students
  Future Directions of the College
  The Academic, Cultural and Sporting Life of the College
  Parent and Community Involvement in the College

Catholic Schools exist to educate Catholic children in a Christian environment where, in addition to the provision of quality education, there are opportunities for the expression of the Church’s pastoral ministry. In doing so St Johns:

· Recognises that parents and teachers work in partnership for the development of their children;
· Recognises the need to develop mutual support, trust and collaboration among students, staff, pastors and the broader education community;
· Establishes and nurtures a school climate which is faith centred.

The College supports the Parish in developing the youth of today. Students are encouraged to display their faith by being involved in the liturgies in their respective Parishes.

A Short History of the College

St Johns College began in 1969 as a result of the amalgamation of the Mercy School and the De La Salle College. The College catered for Catholic education for boys and girls from Year 7 to 10 and operated on the old De La Salle College site in George Street.

In 1986, the College was extended to include Year 11. Year 7 and 8 were moved to new buildings at Sheraton Road. With the first HSC in 1987, more extensions were built to accommodate Year 9 at Sheraton Road. Teachers travelled between both sites.

In June 1991, the College was amalgamated on one site at Sheraton Road. The George Street site had been sold to TAFE. Since then, the College has developed the College Music Centre (2004); opened the College Shoppe to meet student needs for uniform and school supplies (1996); constructed a range of sporting fields (1997), developed and expanded Agriculture within the school (over 1997-2008); constructed an up-to-date Industrial Arts Complex (1998) and constructed a Human Movement Centre containing gymnasium, dance studio, drama studio and multi purpose indoor sports facility (2002). With assistance from the College P&F Association, all classrooms were finally air-conditioned during 2000. The College has established a fully networked computer facility with high speed internet access. It includes 4 computer laboratories and access to a large bank of laptops in the College Library. In 2008, 252 new computers were added with Commonwealth Government assistance.

The Student Population

The College draws students from five Catholic primary feeder schools within a range of seventy minutes travel from Dubbo. The College population is predominantly Catholic. At present there are 990 students enrolled at the College.

Special Needs of students

The College has a Special Education Unit that operates from the Independent Learning Centre. The support teachers and teachers aides in this area work with students, teachers and parents to assist the students in developing their social and academic skills.

The Assistant Principal-Curriculum assists with the academic progress of students at the College. The Assistant Principal-Curriculum is available to both parents and students to assist them in the correct subject choices that will allow them the best opportunity to either attend a tertiary institution to enter the workforce.

Two Counsellors are also available to assist students and families with problems that may arise during the period of a students enrolment at the College.

Staff

The College employs a teaching staff of 78. There are 10 KLA Coordinators, a Religious Education Coordinator, Pastoral Care Coordinator, Administration Coordinator, a College Chaplain and School Manager who, together with the Principal and Assistant Principal, comprise the School Management Team. There are 6 Year Coordinators who work closely with the Assistant Principal and Pastoral Care Coordinator on the pastoral and disciplinary concerns of the students. The College also employs Integration Literacy and Numeracy Aides, a Technology Manager and a Technology Aide, and an Aboriginal Assistant. There are 35 ancillary staff working with teachers in the College.

Development of Leadership amoung Students

An important area in the overall development of the person is to allow students to assume responsibility and have leadership roles within the College. The Student Representative Council (SRC) now plays an active role in decision making and is made up of student representatives from Year 7-12. The majority of Year 11 students are involved in peer leadership/support programs. College Captains and Prefects are elected by Senior Students and staff from nominated Year 12 students who have undertaken a leadership development program aimed at fostering Christian leadership skills.

Future Directions of the College

The College has been developing structures to meet the needs of all of its students. These include expansion of Vocational Education courses through TAFE, the introduction of retailing (Industry Studies), Tourism, Building & Construction, Hospitality, Primary Industries and Information Technology as dual accredited courses. Resources have been made available to ensure a full range of academic, cultural and sporting courses and experiences are available to all students.

In 2009, the College will continue to pursue its goal of ensuring that each student is working to potential within a supportive environment.

The Academic, Cultural and Sporting Life of the College

The College teachers encourage all students to achieve their academic potential. This is reflected in a history of pleasing HSC results being consistently achieved by College students. Since 1998 the College Dux has consistently been placed amongst the top performers in NSW with the following results:

1998     99.2
1999     98.65
2000     98.6
2001     99.5
2002     99.55 (Premiers Award)
2003     99.0
2004     98.2
2005     98.85 (Premiers Award)
2006     98.35
2007     98.55 (Premiers Award)
2008     96.65

As well in this time period between 10-15% of students each year have achieved a UAI in excess of 90, with 30-40% in excess of 80. College mentions in the HSC honours list have been consistently achieved with 54 mentions in 2005 and 2007. High achieving students in 2002, 2005 and 2007 were also the recipient of a Premiers Award for outstanding achievement in the HSC. In 2007, over 10% of the cohort achieved a UAI 90+. Academic achievement will continue as a focus of College life in 2009.

The College has a commitment to developing the creative and performing arts. The College offers a full range of courses including Music, Art, Drama and Dance right through to HSC level. From 1999 to 2008, the College was named as most successful school in Drama at the Dubbo Eisteddfod. The College Musical and Creative Arts nights are successful parts of our calendar and there are a variety of bands and choirs. The 2008 ‘Footloose’ production at the College was a huge success. Music tuition is available to all students in the Music building, which contains a large Music studio and several practice rooms..

Language is compulsory in secondary schools. French and Spanish are currently taught in Year 7. French is also offered in Year 9 Electives and on lines in Year 11.

The College has partially graded Year 7 and 8. This continues into Year 9 and 10 for core subjects. All Year 7 students are tested with an external examination to assist the College in placing them in the correct class. The College has a Special Education Department with a Coordinator, Support Teachers and Teacher Aides.

The College offers an extensive range of sporting opportunities. Students are able to represent at State and National level in a variety of sports.

Parent and Community Involvement in the College

The College has a Parents and Friends body which meets regularly. There are various sub committees of the P&F that assist with making policy to help with the direction and running of the College. Past efforts have assisted in air-conditioning all of the College classrooms and outfitting of the College gymnasium and Music Centre. New directions will be developed by the P&F in 2009.

[ return to top ]