PRINCIPALS REPORT
Champagnat Day Assembly
Each year we acknowledge staff and students who live out our Catholic and Marist values at our Champagnat day assembly. These are some of my favourite awards of the year as they recognise our community members who demonstrate the things at the heart of our faith, and what we hope to be as good christians and good citizens. These awards are extra special as there are so many students who are deserving of this acknowledgement, and so to be chosen for an award really is significant. I congratulate all of our award winners, and all of our community members who live out these values each day making John Therry a great place to attend.
The Marist theme this year, and the theme for the Jubilee Year is Pilgrims of Hope. I love the way Pope Francis talked about Hope being contagious and that we are called to be hopeful not only for ourselves, but to inspire those around us - a contagion of hope! This hope also calls us to action, and leads us to do things to bring about a better for ourselves and others. I have included a lovely reflection about this theme at the end of the newsletter and I encourage you to read it, particularly if you are in need of a little Hope at this time.
P & F Meeting
Our P & F meet each term on Tuesday of Week 8 at 6:30pm in the staff common room. We welcome all parents and carers who are interested to join us on Tuesday 17th June. I will provide a brief update on the Master Plan and where this stands, how parents would like to use P & F funds to support our students, and importantly hear from parents on things that are working well and things that we can improve on. These are always really constructive and welcoming meetings and we would love for you to join us.
Attendance rate up to Term 2 Week 7 - 90.8%
Bullying: Ditching the Notion of Snitching
Bullying has been a long-standing issue in schools — and one that has received renewed attention in the media recently. As a Catholic and Marist school, building strong, respectful relationships is at the heart of who we are. That’s why it’s essential that we work together to address conflict, disrespect, and bullying when they arise.
One of the biggest challenges we face is the belief among some students that speaking up about bullying or poor behaviour is “snitching.” This mindset can stop students from reporting what they see or experience — which means we may not become aware of issues until much later, or sometimes not at all. Without that knowledge, we’re unable to fully support those affected — both the person being harmed and the one causing harm.
This is deeply concerning.
Our John Therry College motto calls us to “know, love and relish what is right and just.” This means standing up when something isn’t right. If someone is being treated unfairly or unkindly, speaking up isn’t snitching — it’s doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.
We remind all students that speaking up is a sign of integrity and courage, and a vital part of living out our faith. Staying silent when others are being hurt doesn’t keep the peace — it allows injustice to continue. Whether you're a bystander or directly involved, your voice matters.
Parents are important advocates for their children, and we strongly encourage parents to report any concerns to us. There are a range of ways we can respond, and we are always open to working with students and families to find an approach that the student feels safe and comfortable with.
We encourage parents to have conversations at home about this idea — about the difference between “snitching” and standing up for what is right. By working in partnership, we give our young people the best chance to learn how to handle conflict with courage and compassion, and to create a school where bullying is not tolerated.