History of St John's

St John the Evangelist High School is a Diocesan Catholic, co-educational secondary school whose purpose is to provide a catholic education for students in Years 7 - 12. The School serves the Shoalhaven and surrounding regions.

Until 1967 there was a catholic secondary at St Michaels. After the closure of this school, parishioners made efforts to re-establish a secondary school for the youth of the region. In the 1980's their efforts, with the support of Monsignor John Purcell, were largely responsible for for the initial stages of development of St John's High School.

St John the Evangelist High School was founded in 1990. The Foundation Principal is Sr Carmel Bambridge. The Sisters of the Good Samaritan had worked in the Nowra Parish since 1893, particularly in the area of the Catholic Education in St. Michaels's School and State schools of the region. The Good Samaritans were founded in 1857 by Archbishop John Bede Polding to work with the female convict women, initially, and then moved into the field of Catholic Education generally. The concept of the gospel parable of the Good Samaritan focuses on Christian Ministry with special emphasis on compassion -a characteristic which expresses itself in relating to persons in the reality of their situation. Polding's patron saint was St. John the Evangelist, and as a Benedictine monk he adapted to the rule of St. Benedict for the Good Samaritan Congregation. The Benedictine motto is 'PAX' the Latin word for 'PEACE'.

St Benedict's rule of life was based on a balance of work, prayer and rest. Underpinning all activity however, was the achievement of a constant state of listening to the word of God, active and alive. We believe and pray that the authentic Catholic school models attentiveness to God's call in our world.

St John's strives to be a peaceful, caring and friendly community, were people are welcomed and encouraged to grow.

School Principals

Sr Carmel Bambridge	1990 - 1992
Mr Frank Leonard	1992 - 1997
Mr Noel Meadows	1997 - 2001
Sr Catherine Slattery	2001
Ms Karen Young	2001 - 2008
Mr Neil McCann	2008 - 2015
Mrs Sandra Hogan	2015 - present

Construction Timeline

1967	Close of the Secondary Section of St. Michael's School.
1984	24 Acres of land purchased at Park Road for the cost of $185,000.
1985	Berry School sight sold to raise funds in support of a Catholic School in Nowra -$200,000.
1986	Parish sells cottages in North Street to raise further funds.
1987	Development Application approved by council.
1988	Local meeting with State members, Mr Terry Metherell and Parish representatives.
1989	Stage I -Building Application submitted. Budget for Stage I approved by Mons. Purcell Parish contribution $600,000 Government funds $1,194,000 for stage I Building Contract signed - Work commenced Foundation Principal Sr. Carmel Bambrigge SGS appointed. Uniform designed. Medal of St. Benedict placed in the concrete near Principal's office. First Parents and Friends Committee formed. Recorded submission for government funding
1990	Stage 1 completed. St. John the Evangelist High School commences in the White Ensign Club. Official Opening of Stage I.
1991 - 1992	Stage II and III completed. Stage IV under construction.
1994 - 1997	Stages III to VI completed:- Stage III C Block, Music, Art Rooms Stage IV B Block . Multi-Purpose Hall . Boys and Girls change rooms Stage V D1 and D2 . Canteen . New Toilet . Independent Learning Center Stage VI D3/4/5 . Senior Study . Print Room . Change Room Multi-Purpose . Hall (MPH) . Grounds men Storage Construction on the Chapel commenced. From 1984 to 1997 some 11 years after the initial reason to build a new Catholic secondary school arose St Johns The Evangelist high school was officially completed to the original plan. With coverage from the local TV and papers the Bishop and other people who had contributed in many different ways to the completion of the school were involved in the opening ceremony with a plaque and other gifts. However, following significant growth since 2001, a new phase of building activity was subsequently required. Much of this was funded with Federal government grants.
1998	Construction of the Chapel was completed. St John's community members assisted witht he project making mud bricks and helping with the construction.
2008	Construction of Performing Arts classrooms and facilities as well a General Purpose classrooms (E Block).
2009	Construction of K Block classrooms (Religious Education) and construction of Gymnasium (With P & F funding). Renovation of classroom block into new staff facilities – staff room, meeting rooms and common room.
2010	Construction of Language Centre consisting of five classrooms with specialist facilities.
2011	Renovations and extension to Canteen (with P&F funding).
2012	Construction of Trade Training Centre for VET Hospitality and Construction courses.
2013	Construction of the Hall extension.
2015	Construction of the Anniversary Garden.
2017	Construction of Administration Building Refurbishment & F Block Upgrades