Our Team

My name is Jo Zhang, and I am the International Student Coordinator and Chinese Teacher. My role involves screening and enrolling new students, matching them with host families, as well as helping them settling in the new environment. Also I communicate with parents through emails, WeChat or personal visits. In my Chinese classes, not only do I introduce the students to the Australian way of learning, but also to the cultural facts in a language they understand. My aim is to create a positive group of international students, assist them to reach their potential and happily study and live in Adelaide.

I completed high school and Bachelor degrees (Economics and Commercial Law) in China, then went to UK for postgraduate study. I had also worked in the international education industry in Shanghai before I came to Australia in 2008. This is my ninth year working at St John’s Grammar School. All of these experiences enable me to understand the difficulties and challenges faced by international students. Through various programs and activities, we help them settle in and become independent.

St John’s Grammar School provides a supportive environment for international students, and I hope to assist everyone to Learn to Soar.

Jo can be contacted on jzhang@stjohns.sa.edu.au

Hello, my name is Catherine Emmerson and I am the Deputy Principal.

My main role in the program is to oversee each International student’s schooling progress and to ensure that they are all making the most of their opportunities and integrating well into our school community. I work closely with the support teaching staff to meet the needs of our International guests.

At St John’s Grammar, we strive to provide an opportunity for International students to integrate with Australian students allowing them to develop strong connections and feel that this is their home. We also provide a rigorous education, allowing students to access Universities around the world.

International students provide a wonderful diversity to our student population that we seek to celebrate. We teach Indonesian, Japanese and Chinese and we have exchange students from across the globe. A number of events and activities are planned including International week, Chinese New Year celebrations, Cultural Sharing Days, Asian Sport’s Day, Youth United Nation Forums and beach days.

We have developed an International hub – a place where our International students call home in their school with study facilities and social areas. A number of tutors and mentors visit the hub every day to offer support to our International students.

Leonie can be contacted on cemmerson@stjohns.sa.edu.au

My name is Candice Flinn and I am the International Student Services Officer and Homestay Coordinator at St John’s Grammar School.

My role includes working closely with the International Student Coordinator to support and handle all administration needs for the International Student Program. This includes working with Education Agents to assist with student enrolment, coordinating the arrival of new students and matching and placing students with our wonderful host families. I recruit suitable host families for both long and short term students to ensure all students have a safe and nurturing environment from the moment they arrive.

I enjoy working with students, host families and the School to ensure everyone’s needs are met and looked after.

Candice can be contacted on cflinn@stjohns.sa.edu.au

Hello. My name is Maggie Li. I am from Hong Kong and I am fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. I am an International Precinct Mentor at St John’s Grammar School. My role is to provide support and care for the international students with a particular focus on wellbeing and mental health.

I visit the school’s International Hub regularly to offer support and organise meetings with students to ensure they are happy, progressing well and making the most of the many opportunities placed in front of them.

I immigrated to Australia 10 years ago. This experience has given me a deep insight into the challenges facing students as they integrate into a new school whilst learning a new language and a new culture. I am also a host mother for one of our international students. In my mentoring role, I help St John’s Grammar international students develop the essential skills of independent study, thinking and living.

Hello, my name is Jaiyi Ye and I am the International Student Captain 2021-2022.

I come from Zhejiang, China, and I am currently studying in Year 11. Many of my friends describe me as a positive and optimistic person. Studying in Australia gives me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and have a better intercultural understanding. I enjoy exploring new things our school offers and managing them as well as I can. I have been able to play the piano in the School’s Big Band 1, and I play Badminton, Volleyball and Netball. I see studying at St John’s Grammar a great opportunity to broaden my views for life, and make new friends.

As a new International Student Captain, I would love to help international students and local students with building a closer friendships. I aim to help more international students integrate into the St John’s Grammar community by organising more activities. For instance, volunteering in canteen, sport events, and more. Additionally, I will always be there if any international student needs help. Not only the international students who are now in Australia but also the potential international students who are not be able to be in Australia, or those interested in our school.

I will try my best to bring a comfortable and supportive environment to international students, and working with all the international students to integrate with the community.