Our History

Catholic education began in Coffs Harbour in 1913 when the Good Samaritan Sisters opened a school with 31 pupils. In 1972, the Sisters of Mercy of Grafton took over the running of St Augustine's School with the assistance of lay teachers.

After many years of planning by the Parish Priest of Coffs Harbour, Father Anthony Casey, and the Parents' Planning Committee, St John Paul College (originally called John Paul College) opened in 1983 for students in Years 7 and 8.

Land on Hogbin Drive was donated by Mr Paddy Hargraves, and the first stage of construction was completed in 1982. During that year, the original staff of 15 was appointed, and John Paul College was the first school in the Lismore Diocese to be opened with a lay Principal, Mr Peter Mullane. The Sisters of Mercy, Grafton, sent Sr Margaret Boyle as the Religious Education Co-ordinator. In recognition of the Mercy Sisters' input into the College, the College has a sports house named after their foundress, Catherine McAuley. Other houses are named after Fr Casey, the Parish Priest of Coffs Harbour, Mr Paddy Hargraves and Fr John Kelly, the Parish Priest of Sawtell at that time.

To commemorate the contribution of the Sisters of Mercy to St John Paul College, 1983 - 1992, the library has been dedicated to Catherine McAuley, their foundress.

The first Chaplain for St John Paul College was Fr Peter Slack from the Coffs Harbour Parish.

In 2014, after the canonisation of Pope John Paul II, the college was renamed St John Paul College.

Building Works

1982	Stage 1
1986	Stage 2
1987	Chapel (now Drama) and Multi-purpose Hall
1992	Nagle Block
1997	Stella Maris Chapel moved on-site from Hood Street
2007	Theatre, Hospitality, and Art Block
2011	Language Centre and refurbishment of Science
2020	New carpark
2022	New Library PDHPE Building 1 Staff Room
2023	PDHPE Building 2 Refurbishment - B, C, D and N Blocks

College Principals

1983 - 1986	Mr Peter Mullane
1987 - 1993	Sr Anne Henson
1994 - 1996	Mr John Reidy
1997 - 1998	Mr Eric Littler
1999 - 2010	Mr Ian Walton
2011 -	Mr Michael Carniato

Acknowledgement of Country

We recognise the Traditional Custodians of the Land on which we meet, the Gumbaynggirr people and their continued connection with this Land and waters. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We acknowledge their stories, traditions and living cultures. We commit ourselves to actively work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for reconciliation, justice and truth telling.