Curriculum Matters

Year 12

Congratulations to all those students who have now completed the Language oral, Drama performance and Industrial Technology project component of their HSC! Your hard work, commitment and expertise is evident to us all. You can now take a breath and focus on preparing for your written examinations. Our amazing Music students will be performing for HSC Markers on Thursday of Week 9. We continue to keep you in our prayers.

Students have been informed that the College Library will be open for Year 12 during the Spring Holidays at the following times.

Check with your teachers regarding when they may be holding study sessions during these times and ensure you sign in and out of the Library each day.

Remember to;

• Check Students Online for your HSC examination timetable.
• Check your Google classrooms for updates and access to free online lectures on specific subjects.
• Access the study resources on Compass under ‘School Favourites’.
• Eat well, get enough sleep and take time to exercise.
• Maintain your school routine, even during the holidays, to ensure you are alert and ready for your written examinations which start for most students on Thursday 16 October.

Year 11

Year 11 students have now finished their Preliminary examination block and will be receiving feedback based on their performance. I encourage all students to act on the feedback provided by the staff so that they can make improvements over the remaining 2 weeks of school prior to starting their HSC courses in Term 4.

Students should be setting specific goals for Term 4 based on the feedback they will be receiving over the coming weeks. These 2 weeks are vital so continue to attend classes and work on the areas you need to improve, whether it is honing study skills, literacy skills or deepening assumed knowledge for HSC courses, use this time wisely! 

We also encourage students to use part of their spring break to plan their approach to their HSC year, and organise their study space, materials and routines ready to begin their HSC courses.

A reminder for those who are picking up extension courses in English, History, Mathematics, and/or Science to submit paperwork to the Curriculum Office by Week 1 Term 4.

It was so wonderful to meet with the families of returning students last Wednesday to discuss study pathways, as well as what Stage 6 at SJPC looks like. Thank you to all the staff who volunteered to facilitate these conferences. By all accounts parents and students left feeling calmer, more confident and excited about 2026. Families who need to reschedule will be meeting with the leadership team in the coming weeks.

Once again thank you to parents who have informed us of changes regarding their child’s 2026 enrolment. We appreciate you understanding how important that information is to our 2026 planning.

Year 8

Electives for 2026 are being finalised and Year 8 students will be receiving a letter early in Term 4 informing them of their elective choices for 2026. I have been so impressed with the Year 8 students and the way they have participated in this process. I’ve been enjoying getting to know you!

Year 7-10

All students are about to embark on the last 12 weeks of their current study program. This time is vital in regard to setting the foundational knowledge and developing the writing and thinking skills required for their 2026 program.

Home study routines should be maintained and encouraged with a focus on improvement. We have many resources to assist students, and their families via the Compass portal, but a dedicated space at home is vital.