House System

In 2008 the St John’s Community established a vertical House System which operates from Year 7 to Year 12. This system is designed to develop and encourage connectedness and loyalty in students to their House and the College.

St John’s is a safe environment where all students are cared for in their educational, spiritual, social and emotional needs. All members of the College Community have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, with their personal growth unhindered by discriminatory or anti-social behaviour. To support this endeavour the Vertical homeroom system encourages peer support, leadership and mentoring through the combinations of students from all year levels for the daily morning homeroom time. Supportive relationships are formed between younger and older students assisting with the growth and development of all students on their journey through St John’s Regional College.

Each House consists of five Homeroom Groups, with each Homeroom containing approximately four students from years 7 to 12.

• Each House has a Leader who, in conjunction with the Learning Mentor, is responsible for the overall development of each individual’s sense of belonging, loyalty and spirit in his/her House, as well as for administrative tasks.
• Each Homeroom Group is immediately cared for by the Learning Mentor. The Learning Mentor is an important first point of contact for any parent inquires concerning their child. As much as possible, the same Learning Mentor will remain with the students throughout their enrolment at the College.
• Family members are placed in the same House but not usually in the same Homeroom Group.
• The Homeroom Groups meet each morning.
• The Learning Mentor leads the Homeroom through a structured pastoral program for one period each week.

House Leaders work with the team of Learning Mentors and subject teachers to ensure that the environment and atmosphere which promotes the growth of each student. Supporting students in need and liaising with parents are a primary focus.

 

As a result of discussion and feedback, the College’s Catholic Identity Committee recommended to the College’s Leadership Team that a discussion, consultation and discernment be adopted to rename the College’s Houses.  The Leadership Team endorsed this recommendation.  Consequently, throughout the remainder of 2024 and the better part of the 2025 academic year, the Catholic Identity Committee, along with a soon-to-be-instituted Working Party, will begin the process of selecting new names for the College’s Houses.  House colours will remain, but a focus on a person with a rich Catholic narrative will be selected to replace the current constellations.  The primary reason for this process is to enhance the Catholic Identity of St John’s Regional College.  It is important to note that the process we are about to undertake is but one of several; however, it is also the most significant.  The underlying thinking for the adoption of the recommendation follows:

 

1. As is reasonable, a human face lends itself to a human relationship from which values may be modelled.
2. One’s personal faith story and faith development need to be connected to a person of faith, and in doing so, we should immerse ourselves and our students in the Catholic story.
3. The aims and objectives of a Catholic School ensure opportunities for evangelisation—knowing the narrative of those from our rich faith Tradition is one means to this end.
4. This is one of the opportunities we have to humanise our Christianity for and with our students.
5. This also honours our great Tradition of the Saints and the role they play in the lives of the people who venerate them. We see their holiness and humanity.

 

As the timeline for this process reaches certain key decisions, we will update all families, students and staff to ensure the entire community is aware of the progress made.