Instagram story viewer> @stjohnscollege_sydney> Posts

St John's College, Sydney

@stjohnscollege_sydney

2.5K

followers

114

following

Join a thriving student community and make the most of your time at the University of Sydney. Apply at www.stjohnscollege.edu.au

POSTS STORIES REELS

The Fathers Who Helped Shape Us

There are some nights at St John’s that remind us that College is about much more than university, study and living away from home. The annual Fathers’ Dinner is one of them.

In 2026, we once again welcomed fathers from across the globe, alongside our students and staff, for an evening of celebration, connection and community.

For our students, university represents an exciting step towards independence. But independence does not mean that the people who have shaped us suddenly become less important. In many ways, the opposite is true. As students begin to make their own decisions, build their careers and establish their place in the world, the influence of their families becomes something they increasingly understand and appreciate.

The exchange was a wonderful reminder that behind every student and every father at St John’s is a story and, very often, a family that has encouraged and supported them along the way.

One of the joys of being Rector is seeing these relationships develop over time. We welcome students to College as young adults, watch them grow in confidence and independence, and eventually see them graduate and begin the next chapter of their lives.

This is why the Fathers’ Dinner is such a unique event. It is not simply a dinner, and it is certainly not just another event on the College calendar. It is a chance to stop for an evening and recognise the people who have helped our students become who they are. At St John’s, we speak often about the importance of community. Nights such as this show us what that word really means. Community is not simply the people who live in the same building. It is the network of relationships that connects students, families, alumni, staff and generations of College members.

To all our College fathers: thank you for the part you have led, and continue to lead, in the lives of our students.

May God bless you and your families.

Dr Mark Schembri Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney

A timeless place by night, built on history and shaped by more than a century of academic tradition.

St John’s College, Sydney by @stjohnscollege_sydney

Rawson Rugby Victorious Three-peat!

In a tremendous night for rugby and intercollegiate sport, St John’s College has claimed the Rawson Rugby Championship for the third consecutive year.

Coached by third-year student Eamon Doyle, the St John’s Rawson Rugby team emerged victorious for the third year in a row, defeating a strong and very talented St Andrew’s College team 45–28.

Once again, the game was played as a grand final under the lights of University Oval No. 2. With student supporter turnout numbers bigger than ever before, the evening also included alumni (young, and young at heart!), parents and other College supporters, with well over a thousand viewing the livestream.

Rawson Rugby Secretaries Isamu Naito and 2026 Junior Wallaby Harper Strachan oversaw an outstanding series of matches, with the team completing another undefeated season against Wesley College, St Paul’s College and St Andrew’s College.

Led once again by captain and fourth-year student Bryn Edwards, the team entered the final determined to retain the championship. After an early try from St John’s College, we held the lead throughout the game, ending the first half 19–7. Within the opening minutes of the second half, St Andrew’s returned with momentum and scored an early try, bringing the score to 19–14.

I would like to thank College alumnus and former Wallaby Nathan Charles for presenting the team jerseys before the match. His mentorship and presence at the final was greatly appreciated by the players and supporters alike.

Congratulations to all involved in this outstanding achievement, and to St Andrew’s College for a well-played game.

Dr Mark Schembri
Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney

Exam Season at St John’s College

In Semester 2 this year, the College will celebrate another two University Medallists, and outstanding weighted average mark (WAM) results across the 2025 academic year. I look forward to formally recognising these achievements at our University Honours Dinner with the Chancellor of the University of Sydney in Semester 2.

These magnificent results are only achieved through the dedication and hard work of our students. What differentiates us at St John’s is the unique situation wherein we have three magnificent libraries (the Nagle Library, the Sir Cyril Walsh KBE Law Library, and the Philosophical Room) as well as a number of tutorial rooms (O’Reilly Room, Greek Room, Latin Room, Walsh Tutorial Room, Hintze Tutorial Room, and the Vaughan Room), readily available for our students to utilise throughout the year.

Our students are currently in their Semester 1 exam period, where the College libraries are packed from early morning to well into the night.

Further support comes from our comprehensive team of academic tutors, who provide guidance across a wide range of subjects, ensuring every student has the help they need to thrive.

All the best to our students in their remaining Semester 1 exams.

Dr Mark Schembri
Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney

St John’s College Hosted at Government House

It was a tremendous honour for our student leaders to be invited to a recent reception at Government House with Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, and Mr Dennis Wilson. Moments like these capture much of what St John’s strives to achieve. Beyond academic success, the College seeks to cultivate thoughtful, principled, and community-minded leaders: young people equipped not only to succeed in their chosen fields, but also to serve others with generosity, humility, and care. Seeing our students in that setting filled me with great pride and optimism for their future.

It was a true privilege to have been hosted at Government House by Her Excellency, and to be joined by one of Australia’s finest former Supreme Court judges, the College’s Senior Tutor, The Hon John Sackar AM KC.

Opportunities of this nature are especially meaningful, as they demonstrate the confidence placed in our students as emerging leaders. They also serve as a reminder of the remarkable calibre of young women and men who continue to shape the life and spirit of St John’s College.

Dr Mark Schembri
Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney

✨Mothers’ Dinner at St Johns College ✨

There’s a special kind of magic that fills St John’s College each year on the night of our Mothers’ Dinner. It’s not in the historic stone walls, the beautiful flowers, or even the spectacular food, though all were impeccable this year, but in the energy that radiates when students, mothers, and staff come together to celebrate motherhood, family, guidance, and the loving bonds that shape our lives.

That magic was evident as the mothers arrived, greeted by many familiar faces and new ones alike. Excitement echoed throughout the corridors as students guided their mothers to the beautifully set tables, to the clinking of glasses punctuated by laughter and warm embraces.

Once again, the evening’s centrepiece was a duet of speeches that stole every heart in the room. Delivered by a College Mum, Dr Pip Friday and her daughter, Co-House President and third-year student Jemima Carmody, I could only describe both as “world-class, phenomenal” speeches.

In my Rector’s Address to all present on the night, I had the privilege and joy of reflecting on 25 years of women at the College and the vital role that mothers have played in this journey. A quarter-century of female students and the extraordinary impact mothers have had, not only in shaping their children, but in nurturing the broader College community, where their influence is woven through every achievement, every friendship, and every act of kindness.

Mothers’ Dinner 2026 was another reminder that it is the connections we nurture, the love we share, and the memories we create that make St John’s College a home. It was an evening of laughter, tears, and above all, heartfelt celebration - honouring mothers, their children, and the enduring bonds that unite us all.

Thank you to all the mothers, guests, staff, and students for making this night truly special.

A very Happy Mothers’ Day to you all!

Dr Mark Schembri
Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney

From Gallipoli to St John’s: Remembering the ANZAC Spirit.

More so now than at any other time in my life, I have witnessed young people embracing the celebration of ANZACs and ANZAC Day with increasing reverence. There are many reasons for this, but today, I won’t delve into them. What I will say is that this year has seen our College observe ANZAC Day with an enthusiasm and solemnity that is truly inspiring. From an at-capacity College Chapel Service on ANZAC Eve, to our largest turnout of students, in my time, attending the Dawn Service at the University of Sydney’s Quadrangle, to the respectful yet convivial ANZAC Dail event at the College Bar, which welcomed many friends and guests - this year, our traditions were proudly upheld.

During the ANZAC Eve ceremony, we reflected on the life of General Sir John Monash GCMG KCB VD an individual who is very well-known in Victoria, yet perhaps not as much in New South Wales, despite his image appearing on the $100 note. took the opportunity to remind our students that when they hear the names Monash University, the Monash Freeway, and the General Sir John Monash Foundation and Scholarships, these are all named after a great Australian with an indisputable and lasting legacy.

As the remembrance celebrations moved to the College Bar the following day, the annual ANZAC Dail event commenced under a warm April afternoon. For our ANZAC Commemorations, the crested flag of St John’s College which traditionally flies above the Freehill Tower was replaced instead with the Australian flag flying at half-mast.

“As the sun set on another magnificent ANZAC Day at St John’s College, we closed the day with a sense of pride in the traditions we have built. This has become a firm tradition at St John’s:one that places reflection, prayer, remembrance, and friendship at the forefront of our activities. It is a tradition that honours the sacrifices of those who came before us, while ensuring that their memory lives on in the values we hold dear today. Lest we forget.”

Dr Mark Schembri
Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney

St John’s College Students Lend a Hand at the Sydney Royal Easter Show: Connecting Rural and City Life

Each year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show attracts thousands of visitors to celebrate Australia’s rural traditions, from its world-renowned agricultural competitions to the excitement of carnival rides, showbags and fireworks.

But beyond the crowds and the competitions, many people don’t realise the hard work that goes into making this iconic event happen, and the opportunity for students of St John’s College to be a part of this magnificent annual fixture on our calendars. This year, St John’s students have been involved in many facets of the Show, including stewarding in the horse, cattle, dogs and veterinary sections.

St John’s College has long been a home for students with rural backgrounds, and this year, our students have once again embraced the opportunity to not only showcase their passions and heritage, but also to reconnect with their agricultural roots. by @stjohnscollege_sydney

Honouring Our Nation’s Heroes: The Spirit of the ANZACs Lives On

The enduring tradition of ANZAC Day as a key National Holiday resounds most poignantly within St John’s College. As is now our tradition, our students come together on the evening of the 24th of April to commemorate and remember those who serve in our nation’s defence forces, and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and its people.

With this year’s ANZAC Day falling amidst the mid-semester break, I was most pleased to see so many students return early for the ANZAC Chapel Service.

The ANZAC Commemorations here at St John’s College have become a much-beloved tradition amongst our students. Starting with the ANZAC Chapel Service on the evening of the 24th, our students dedicate themselves to making a large presence at The University of Sydney Quadrangle Dawn Service, followed by breakfast in the College Quadrangle, and then the ANZAC Dail in the College Bar with two-up.

The ANZAC Dail has rapidly become a key fixture in the calendars not only of our students, but of friends and colleagues from other Colleges, the University of Sydney, and wider friend groups outside of the University.

The ANZAC Chapel Service was led by Father Joseph Gedeon, with music conducted by Mr John Brazier. Traditional hymns including “I Vow to Thee, My Country” and “Abide with Me” were sung, with “The Last Post” being played by second-year student Will Mandeno.

This year, we were fortunate to have our College Piper, first-year student Angus Newman, lead us in procession from the Chapel to the Dr Kevin Fagan AO Memorial in the College Quadrangle, playing “Waltzing Matilda”.

Dr Mark Schembri
Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney

We are very pleased to announce that the College's Dean of Students (Music), Mary-Jean (MJ) O'Doherty, has progressed through the Blind Auditions and made it through to the next round of the Channel 7 program The Voice Australia. Many of you have heard MJ sing at formal dinners and at College Mass since she started at St John’s College in August 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSd6iXBELT4

And

https://shorturl.at/wGxAx

MJ performed a rendition of judge Kate Miller-Heidke's own 2019 Eurovision entry "Zero Gravity", with MJ receiving chair turns from both Kate herself and Australia's own inaugural 2015 Eurovision entrant Guy Sebastian. MJ even performed a reprise of the song's chorus on stage in duet with Kate, with Kate immensely impressed that MJ managed to go even higher than her on the song's last note!

MJ, who has both Armenian and Australian heritage, performed at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest with vocal group Genealogy, representing Armenia with their song "Face the Shadow". MJ was amongst 6 singers handpicked by then-Armenian First Lady Rita Sargsyan to represent the country at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest.

MJ also won the ABC Symphony Australia Young Vocalist Award, and in 2008, she was the inaugural recipient of the Australian International Opera Award. Part of this prize included a scholarship to study at the Cardiff International Academy of Voice in Wales.

St John’s is immensely fortunate and grateful to have a talented individual like MJ mentoring our musically-inclined students in one-on-one vocal lessons and performing alongside our College Choir at the 8pm Mass and our College Christmas carols.

We wish her all the best in the competition and look forward to many more exciting developments in her already illustrious career.

MJ, we are very proud of you! by @stjohnscollege_sydney

Recently, the College hosted a Formal Dinner with guest of honour, College alumnus (1985-1987), the Honourable Joe Hockey, former Australian Ambassador to the United States (2016-2020), former Australian Federal Treasurer (2013-2015), and Founding Partner and Global President – Bondi Partners, along with his wife Melissa Babbage.

The introduction was given by Xavier Leaver (Arts/Law I), who spoke to their common university degrees, as well as some of Mr Hockey’s early interactions with Tony Abbott.

Mr Hockey’s address to the Hall spanned a multitude of topics and experiences, taking us from his father’s humble origins as a Bethlehem Armenian immigrant to Australia, his time as a student in residence at St John’s (noting that he had returned to the place where he and his wife were married), and the span of his illustrious political career. He spoke to the nature of the 2016 US Presidential election, highlighting the shifts in the US political landscape, and his personal experiences in working with a succession of sitting and former US Presidents. The College’s “Q&A Master”, Mr Andrew Coorey did another sterling job in leading this part of the event.

Thanks to all present on the night, especially to the Honourable Joe Hockey.

Dr Mark Schembri,
Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney

St John’s College Rawson Rugby Champions for 2024

In what has been another huge week for the College, after a recent Palladian Oration and Rosebowl Hockey win, the St John’s College rugby team has been crowned outright Rawson Rugby champions for 2024.

On Wednesday 22 May, the grand final for the Rawson Rugby was played at University Oval No. 2, resulting in a win against St Andrew’s College (33-25). The game highlighted the brilliant skill of players on both sides, resulting in an enthralling match exhibiting all that is great about College Rugby in front of a packed grandstand. Congratulations to Rugby Secretaries Jullien Caillol and Tom Bull, as well as Rawson Secretary superstar and rugby player Dylan McCann.

A heartfelt jersey presentation by College alumnus and former professional rugby player and coach, Chris Malone, occurred in the Vaughan Room prior to the game. Thank you to our Rugby Coaches Liam O’Hara and College Dean of Sport and former Wallaby, Nathan Charles for their tireless efforts in preparing our students for this momentous achievement.

Dr Mark Schembri
Rector by @stjohnscollege_sydney