A message from the 2022 College Captains
Courtney Martyn
I am Courtney Martyn and I feel very privileged to be elected as a College Captain for 2022. I am the third and last of my siblings to attend SJPC. I have been fortunate to have two older brothers Cameron & Andrew attend our school and they have been my role models. They have set a high standard for me and they loved being part of our school.
I have always enjoyed being involved in our school community. SJPC has provided me with great memories and life lessons through participation in all areas of college life and I encourage other students to do the same. This year, I hope to help inspire students to take the initiative and accept all opportunities the school offers. I hope all students feel excited and proud to be part of the SJPC community and to look outside of our school for opportunities where we can all make a positive contribution to the local community and wider society.
These past years haven't been the kindest to everyone and teenagers especially have been challenged. When Covid first hit back in 2019 I was living in Michigan USA on a student exchange program for 10 months. Covid meant that I was forced to fly home early and quarantine. I loved living and going to school in Michigan and it changed my life for the better. I can't wait to go back for a visit to my host family and friends.
Being a teenager in 2021 with lockdowns and online learning has been difficult. It has taught me how important community is and to appreciate freedoms. Social media was very helpful in maintaining communication and relationships between friends and family. We as students have adapted to new ways of learning. Thanks to the teachers and staff at SJPC for their hard work in making our lives a lot easier with online learning. Covid has forced us all to reconsider the way we are living and it is important to start again next year renewed. Next year I look forward to being outdoors, away from devices and connecting with friends and loved ones.
Being a community at SJPC means that everyone should feel involved and valued. Being a Catholic school, we have the opportunity to use God’s teachings to help others and strengthen our relationship with God. Hopefully in 2022 we will be able to do more as a college community together, give back to our community and be seen as a leading secondary college in Coffs Harbour.
Harrison Colyer
My name is Harrison Colyer and I’m from Moonee Beach. I feel very fortunate and grateful that I was elected 2022 school captain. In my family, I have a younger brother in year 7 who is only concerned about the Bulldogs making the top 8, a father who is overly invested in the length of the grass and a mother who is fanatically training to break her park run record. I’ve always been a sport-oriented person ever since primary school. I found that I excelled in athletics and cross country when I started making it to All Schools in year 4. Running has always been my major passion, however, I enjoy many other sports like soccer, surfing, mountain biking and triathlons (which I’ve only been doing for a short time). I’ve always enjoyed challenging my body with the physicality of new hobbies and sports. I’m also an aspiring vet who’s aiming to complete the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/ Bachelor of Veterinary Science double degree at Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga.
As captain, I hope to develop SJPC’s inclusive school community. Fostering a sense of community can be accomplished through celebrating our successes whether in the academic or sporting fields, encouraging student voice in areas of concern or consideration, and especially creating a wide range of opportunities for student involvement. These opportunities should ultimately stimulate a sense of belonging and strengthen the collective bond between all year groups.
As a teenager and a high school student, I cannot stress the importance of maximising your final years as a teenager before you reach adulthood. My advice as a year 12 student would be to have a go at all the opportunities on offer at SJPC which you’re capable of doing. Get out of your comfort zone and put your abilities to the test. This could be anything from participating in the college’s sporting teams, enlisting in the many student discipleship retreats, joining the college’s debating teams or signing up for extracurricular camps. Most importantly, make sure you’re maintaining a positive state of wellbeing and don’t place unrealistic pressures on yourself. Live a balanced lifestyle. Set achievable short and long term goals. Especially, reward yourself when you complete your goals as an incentive to encourage positive reinforcement.
