Alumni

Elissa Macleod

Year Commenced: 1989

Career: Professional Netball

PLAYING CAREER- Melbourne Vixens 2013 and 2014, Queensland Firebirds 2011 and 2012, Premiership 2011 ANZ Champions QLD Firebirds, Australian Squad 2011, invitee 2012, Australian Fast 5 Captain 2012, Underage pathway through Victorian State Netball teams and Underage National Squads

COACHING CAREER- VNL Head Coach Melbourne University Lightning 2016-current, ANL head Coach Collingwood Magpies 2019, Assistant coach Vic Fury 2018, Australian U/19 National camp, Specialist coach 2018,19,20, 2020 - AIS Talent Leadership Program participant, funded by the Minister for Women and AIS

Career Highlight: 2011 Undefeated season and premiership with the Queensland Firebirds and making the Australian Squad in my debut year. (Also a 2009 premiership with my university friends playing for Melbourne University in a premier league competition for fun, which ignited my passion for the sport again)

A Memory from St John’s: Playing in the yard at lunch time with friends, marbles and hanging off the monkey bars in the playground.

Advice to Students: Be persistent for any goals you have, if you want it enough you will find a way, or you will be better off for trying to get there!

Gena Rose Bruce

Year Commenced: 1993

Career: Musician

Career Highlight : I have two. The year after I finished high school I won a national singing/songwriting competition and performed in Nashville in the US as part of the prize. More recently, I released my debut album on Remote Control Records in 2019, was nominated for a Vic Music award, and was invited to showcase at the South By South-West Festival in Austin, Texas.

Memories from St John’s: My favourite day of the year was the St Johns Parish Fete, I used to love going around all the stalls with my best friends and eating until I felt sick. My favourite store was the bric a brac! I also loved the St Johns annual talent show, where I would perform every year with my friends!

Advice to students: Keep reading books and never be afraid to ask questions.

Ben Crowe St John's School Mitcham

Ben Crowe

Year Commenced: Prep 1974 -1980

Career: Nike international sports marketing director and Professional mentor & life coach

Career Highlight : Mentoring Ash Barty to French Open win and mentoring Richmond FC in 2017 Premiership victory

Memories from St John’s: I couldn’t wait for the school Fete in November. I was the buzzer boy in grade 6 (rang the bell for recess and lunch and end of school) which was a huge thrill.

Advice to students: Create a courage mantra for yourself that you can use whenever you’re feeling afraid or don’t belong. My two mantras that I’ve used throughout my life are “I’ve got this” and “I am enough”

Kathleen MacLeod

Year Commenced: Prep 1992

Career: Professional Basketballer

Career Highlight: 2012 London Olympics

A Memory from St John’s: First day at school and meeting all my new friends.

Advice to Students: Set your goals high, believe in yourself and work hard to achieve them.

Sophie Chan

Year Commenced: Prep 2006

Career: Student

Sophie finished school at St John’s in 2012 . She was the recipient of the annual year 6 Adamson Cotter Award, recognising outstanding community service in 2012. In 2017 Sophie was presented with a Leadership Achievement Award by Archbishop Dennis Hart.