27 September 2024 - Newsletter (Vol 41 No 15)
- Acting Principal
- Assistant Principal - Mission
- Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
- SJPC Merit Award Recipients
- School Evangelisation
- Curriculum Matters
- Study Skills Handbook - Preparing for Exams
- Literacy Matters
- Sports Corner
- Year 10 Geography
- PDHPE in Focus
- Visual Arts
- International Photographic and Short Film Competition
- Mosman Prep Excursion
- Office News
- We're Hiring
- Seasons for Growth
- Groove & Grub in the Garden
- Galambila Family Fun Day
Celebrating Year 12 Graduates: A Journey of 13 Years in Catholic Education
This week, we gathered as a community to celebrate the graduation of our Year 12 students, for most, this concludes 13 years of Catholic Education.
Our Year 12 students have exemplified dedication, perseverance, and a commitment to the values instilled in them throughout their time at St John Paul College.
This was exemplified by their involvement, support and participation in a new initiative of a Year 12 Graduation Mass. It was at this mass that our Year 12s were called to carry the light of faith, hope, and love into the world, as Christ's disciples. The values they have learned at SJPC will guide them through life’s challenges and triumphs.
In addition to celebrating the graduation of all our students, we take a moment to recognise those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies, extracurricular activities, and community service. A special congratulations to the following award recipients:
Year 12 2024 Graduation & Awards
 1st in Year Academic Excellence |
 2nd in Year Academic Excellence |
 3rd in Year Academic Excellence |
 3rd in Year Academic Excellence |
|
|
 ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork |
|
AMPOL Best All Rounder |
 Colin Reinhard Service to Community |
 College Leadership Award |
Citizenship Award |
 David Goswell Memorial Award |
 Emmaus Award |
 Mick Bryant Award |
 Olympic Change Maker Award |
|
Year 12 Sportsman of the Year |
Year 12 Sportswoman of the Year |
 VET Work Placement Award |
 University of New England Scholarship |
University of Newcastle Scholarship |
|
Southern Cross University Scholarship |
 Southern Cross University Scholarship |
We pray for their continued success and remind them that they will always have a home here in our Catholic community.
Congratulations, Year 12 Class of 2024! We are incredibly proud of you all.
AMDG
Acting Principal
Last Sunday 22nd September, our Year 12 students, their families, homeroom teachers, staff from the College, and parishioners gathered at St Augustine's Church to celebrate a special Mass marking the beginning of our Year 12 Graduation Week. It was heartwarming to see the church overflowing with people, all united in prayer and celebration of the students' achievements throughout their Catholic education journey. The Mass was enhanced by the beautiful music performed by both Year 12 students and teachers, making it a truly memorable occasion. Being the first time our College has held a dedicated Graduation Mass at the parish, it was a resounding success and will undoubtedly become a cherished tradition in the years to come.
During the Mass, each Year 12 student was presented with a special comfort/palm cross made from Olivewood sourced from Bethlehem. The crosses were blessed by Father Joe and serve as a meaningful reminder of their faith and the supportive community they have been part of. We hope these crosses will bring comfort and peace to the students throughout their lives, reminding them that they are never alone on their journey, with the cross as a symbol of God's presence and love. The palm cross can be held during times of reflection or prayer, offering a tangible connection to their faith and the lessons they have learned at our College.
We wish all our Year 12 students the very best as they approach their final examinations and step into life beyond high school, confident that they are well-prepared for whatever the future holds.
Assistant Principal - Mission
As we approach three quarter time of the year it is a good time to take a breath and regroup to positively embark on the remainder of 2024. It has been a very busy term. Not only the day to day school life but we have also had students and teachers involved in HSC preparations and showcases, music presentations, writing workshops and sporting competitions only to name a few. These holidays are hopefully a chance to take that breath and relax before the extra business of Term 4 is upon us.
Our HSC students are possibly not thinking of the upcoming holiday period as a rest and relaxation time however it is just as important for them if not more so. Often, we only allow ourselves to truly rest on holidays. However, it’s so important to prioritize adequate rest and quality sleep in our everyday life. Rest and sleep are two different things, but both are equally important to our mental, emotional and physical health. Plus, prioritizing rest can actually improve our quality of sleep. Rest can be difficult to define because it can look different for everyone. Rest is any behavior aimed at increasing physical or mental well-being. It can be active, such as going for a walk outside, or passive, such as taking 10 minutes to sit down and breathe deeply. Regardless of how we choose to rest, these daily behaviours can help us recover and recharge from physical and mental effort. That’s why better rest is linked to better physical and mental health.
School holidays are a great opportunity for children to take a break from the intensity of the school routine and embrace the joys of lazy days, playtime, and exploration. However, while many parents make an effort to plan activities and outings to keep their kids ‘busy’ and entertained, they often forget the importance of rest and relaxation time during these breaks.
Dr Daniel Siegel (a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Centre at UCLA) has developed a tool called ‘The Healthy Mind Platter’, which contains seven daily essential activities to ensure a balanced approach to life, and therefore optimal wellbeing. One of the activities in ‘The Healthy Mind Platter’ is DOWNTIME.
While it’s essential to provide children with engaging and stimulating activities over the school holidays, it’s equally important to schedule in some downtime for rest and relaxation. By doing so, parents can help their children to regulate their emotions, reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, foster creativity and imagination, and even perform better academically. Ultimately, rest and relaxation are essential for maintaining overall health and wellbeing, and should be a priority in every child’s holiday plan.
You can find a copy of ‘The Healthy Mind Platter’ here.
Calm Kids Wellbeing - School holidays rest and relaxation
Until next term, God Bless and stay safe
Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
Merit Awards
Below are our current Distinction Award recipients so as to recognise student efforts not just at Assemblies but also within our Community throughout the year.
SJPC Merit Award Recipients
|
Year 7 |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
Year 8 |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
Year 9 |
 Distinction Award |
Year 12 |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
 Distinction Award |
AMDG
Acting Principal
Ignite Conference
IGNITE is a dynamic national youth conference that has been connecting young people with their faith since 2001.
Their motto, “Not just changed for a day, but transformed for a life” encapsulates the aim of “gathering, raising up and sending out a new generation of Catholics who are on fire for Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, formed in the faith and centered in the Eucharist – young people living their Catholic faith with dynamism and passion to reach out to their world with the life of the gospel”.
Framed by prayer, worship, music and amazing keynotes, the four day event works at providing an ENCOUNTER for our students while connecting them with many other students from our school communities across the diocese and beyond.
The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Limited supports our students to attend this event, providing transport, accommodation and meals.
An unforgettable experience! Stay tuned for information regarding next year’s Ignite Conference which will be held on 25 - 28 September 2025, themed “The Light”.
Leader of School Evangelisation
Year 12
Congratulations to all those students who have now completed the oral, performance or project component of their HSC! You can now take a breath and focus on your written examinations.
The College Library will be open for Year 12 students during the Spring Holidays during 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 study centre 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 during the holidays to ensure you are alert and ready for your written examinations which start for most students on Tuesday 15 October.
Year 11
Year 11 students have now finished their preliminary courses and should be setting specific goals for Term 4 – their first HSC term- based on the feedback from teachers.
Over the next 12 months students will be working on improving and honing study and writing skills.
We 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 in 2 weeks.
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.
Year 10
In Week 1 of Term 4 those Year 10 students who have indicated they are returning to SJPC will receive a letter confirming which courses they are enrolled in as well as the appointment time for the Round Table Conferences which, as you know, will be taking place on Wednesday October 23rd.
Again, we encourage any student, whose intentions have changed for 2025, to inform the Curriculum Office as soon as possible. Thank you to those who have already done so.
A reminder
If you have any questions about Curriculum, NESA requirements or College Assessment Policies please feel free to contact the Curriculum Office.
Year 8
Electives for 2025 are being finalised and Year 8 students will be receiving a letter early in Term 4 informing them of their elective choices for 2025.
Year 7 - 10
All students are about to embark on the last 10 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 2025 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 Compass portal, but a dedicated space at home is vital.
All things Literacy, because Literacy matters in all things
Our Year 7 Spelling Bee Competition involved all Year 7 students as they attempted to accurately spell 20 words taken from the Prime Minister’s Spelling Challenge. While the words were challenging, students were encouraged to use this as an opportunity to trial many and varied spelling strategies. Identifying the sounds and sound blends, saying the word out loud and looking for spelling rules and patterns are crucial in this process. From there students work through identified tricky parts, any clues from the meaning and contextual use of the word and, of course, looking carefully at what the word looks like when written.
Spelling and word recognition are key components of the reading rope, and improving ability with spelling can aid comprehension because students can guess new words they come across by looking at how they are put together.
The ability to spell is not static - all students can improve with practice in both reading and writing. This can help set students up for success and confidence in reading, writing and beyond.
Congratulations to our Year 7 Spelling Bee Champion 2024, Jazlynn Donohue. Special commendation to Arlo Dent, Aiden Baldock, Mahla Guselli, Albie Webb, Brody Doland, Sian Morrison, Kya Murphy, Pippa Robertson, Henry Foy and Andria Maria Jaison.
Maree McKelvie
Athlete Spotlight - SJPC Open Boys Football team
Our Open Boys football team had an outstanding year, reaching the quarter-finals of the NSWCCC Football Championships. This involved being Diocesan Champions, defeating Armidale Diocese Champions, and facing St Edwards as Diocesan Champions from the Central Coast. Despite the narrow loss in the quarter-finals, our boys were outstanding throughout the tournament. Thank you to Mr Rod Abbott who has led this talented group for several years.
Congratulations and thank you to our Year 12 students Loki Marchant (Captain), Jak Snowling, Jack Lemair, Olly Angus-Brown, Ajay Atwal, Riley Carniato, Jesse Crick, Nikolas Davies, Gurkirit Dhariwal, Liam Newbery, Tomas Rodriguez-Miranda and Archie Wright who have represented the College in Football over many years. Their talent, dedication, and passion for Football will be missed.
Rugby 7s State Finals
SJPC had 3 teams compete in the State Finals of the Rugby 7’s schools tournament. Only one other school had multiple teams, and they were a State Sports High!
All of our teams played well and did the school and themselves proud. The 14 boys and 14 girls played well all day with mixed results. Both finished third in their pool which meant they did not qualify for semis. The 16s boys had a surprise loss against a very highly skilled and well-drilled Kiama Sports High, resulting in placing second in their pool. Unfortunately, with several key players down our boys didn’t have the legs or pace to sustain their high level of play in the semi against the Central Coast Sports High School. The boys finished third in the state – not a bad result. We were the only non-state sports high in the top 4!
A massive thank you to our dedicated coaches, Mr Kris Kent, Mr Joshuah Moore and Mr Mitch Walton, and volunteer parent assistant coach, Tanya Kelly. It was a wonderful trip to be on, the students were well-behaved, with outstanding leadership from the 16s boys who ensured they provided positive role modelling for the junior students on and off the field.
CCC Athletics Carnival
SJPC had 6 athletes represent the Diocese at the NSWCCC Athletics at Homebush on Monday 16 September. The day was warm and excellent conditions for competition. All students performed well with a number of personal bests and a podium finish.
Congratulations to all athletes and in particular, Evie Hill who finished equal 2nd in the High Jump with a massive leap of 1.51m! Of the results obtained, our students achieved the following:
| Sian Morrison | 5th in 100m; 8th in 200m |
| Thomas Joyce | 4th in 400m; 7th in 200m |
| Evie Hill | 2nd in High jump; 12th in 100m |
| Eric Greenwood | 12th in 800m 12th in 1500m |
| Alex Greenwood | 18th in 800m; 15th in 1500m |
| Riley Woods | 14th in 1500m |
Berg Shield Cricket
Our junior cricket team competed in Round 1 of the NSWCCC Berg Shield tournament against McAuley College in Grafton on Thursday 26 September. The boys were strong in both batting and fielding and came away with the win, scoring 95 runs and bowling McAuley out for 79. Highlights include 34 runs from Oakley Bayliss and Jack Howe taking two wickets.
The boys now progress to Round 2 against Trinity Catholic College. The game is scheduled to be played at Bray St on Thursday 14 October.
Like the junior team, our senior Cricket team competed in Round 1 of the NSWCCC Downie Cup tournament against McAuley College in Grafton on Thursday 26 September. Unlike the boys, the game did not go their way. McAuley was strong in all aspects of the game. A highlight was James Watson’s 30 runs and Sam Rava purchasing cricket whites to play his first and last Cricket match!
Term 4 School Sport
The new timetables and rosters for Wednesday and Thursday sports will be published in the Sport Classroom throughout the holidays.
Coming Up - Term 4 2024
Term 4 |
| Monday 14 - 16 October |
NSWCCC Boys 9/10 Basketball, Penrith |
| Tuesday 22 October |
Diocesan Touch Football, Port Macquarie |
| Thursday 24 October |
Round 2 Berg Shield, Bray St Coffs |
| Friday 25 October |
Diocesan Volleyball, Sportz Central |
| Sunday 3 - 5 November |
NSWCCC Girls 9/10 Basketball, Bankstown |
| Thursday 9 - 12 November |
Australian Schools Futsal 13s and 14s girls, Brisbane |
| Monday 11 November |
Diocesan Golf, South West Rocks
|
| Monday 13 - 14 November |
NSW Netball Cup State Finals 9/10 Boys, Sydney |
| Thursday 14 November |
Diocesan Senior Water Polo, Alstonville |
| Tuesday 19 November |
Diocesan Netball, Grafton |
| Thursday 21 November |
Diocesan Junior Waterpolo, Alstonville |
| Wednesday 27 November |
3 x 3 Coffs Schools Basketball Tournament, Sportz Central |
Leader of Sport
Local Landcare Efforts - Sawtell Beach
This week, our Year 10 Geography students, accompanied by our dedicated Student Leaders, took part in a meaningful environmental initiative at Sawtell Beach. In collaboration with the local Landcare group, the students spent half a day contributing to the preservation of our coastal environment by picking up litter and removing invasive weeds from the beach dunes.
This hands-on experience was more than just a clean-up effort, it tied into the Geography curriculum, giving students a real-world understanding of how human activities impact our local ecosystems. Working side by side with Landcare volunteers, students learned about the importance of protecting native plants and ensuring the sustainability of fragile dune systems.
Our Student Leaders set a fantastic example of community involvement, encouraging their peers and showing that even small actions can make a big difference in preserving our beautiful beaches. Their efforts in removing invasive species not only helped protect native plants but also contributed to maintaining the natural balance of this important coastal habitat.
As one of the students remarked, "It was eye-opening to see the amount of rubbish collected and how much work goes into protecting the dunes. It really made me appreciate our local environment even more."
We are incredibly proud of our Year 10 students and Student Leaders for their hard work and commitment to environmental stewardship. A special thanks to the local Landcare group for guiding the students and helping them understand the significance of their actions.
This initiative reflects our school's continued commitment to fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to the environment. We hope this experience inspires our students to continue making positive changes in their local communities.
Teacher
Yr 11 First Aid Course
Last week 30 students from PDHPE and Exploring Early Childhood were given the opportunity to complete a Royal Life Saving Society First Aid Course. The First Aid course provided essential life-saving skills, including CPR, wound care, and emergency response techniques. Participants engaged in hands-on training with certified instructors, boosting their confidence to handle medical emergencies. This course equipped our students with valuable knowledge that can be applied in real-world situations.
Kurt Marle
Leader of Learning - PDHPE
The Year 11 Photograph, Video, and Digital Imaging students have spent the last 12 weeks working on a self-directed study, exploring and creating an extended Body of Work portfolio. The works were an extension of the previous two units of study and areas of personal interest to the individual students. Lily Smith’s work explored mental health issues and Emily Cassidy examined portraiture. Both girls' works were inspired by the Surrealists. Elicia Brookes worked with time slicing, merging images of the same scene but at different times of the day.
Vicki Foggiato
Leader of Learning - Visual Arts
Sarah Corsalini
Leader of Inclusion and Diversity
Last week five of our Year 7 Aboriginal students were offered the opportunity to attend a two day excursion with students from Mosman Preparatory School for Boys and Mary Help of Christians Primary School. The purpose of this excursion is to bring Year 5 and 6 students together with our Year 7 students to connect on the experiences of highschool, create meaningful relationships and provide an insight to traditional Gumbaynggirr Culture.
These two days were filled with a range of activities, such as visiting sacred sites on Gumbaynggirr land, learning Gumbaynggirr language and traditional stories from Uncle Matt, visiting Kulai Preschool and enjoying some time at the adventure centre.
This excursion was a great experience for our students to create connections beyond the classroom and to educate others on their connection to Culture.
Tahlia Quin
Aboriginal Education Worker
Finance
SJPC Communication - Facebook
Do you follow SJPC's Facebook page? This is where you will find reminders of upcoming social events, sporting updates, transport delays, job advertisements and photos of SJPC students participating in everyday life at the College.
To start following St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour please click on this link
Compass
Attendance and Permission to Leave School during the Day - Early Departure
Please note early departures or late arrivals cannot be submitted as an attendance note via the Compass App. Only full day absences can be submitted using the attendance note via the Compass App.
Students must have a written note from their parents/carers, giving an explanation and requesting permission to leave the College at a specific time. Students must take the note to the College Office before school and a Compass reminder notice is uploaded on the student's dashboard. At the allocated time, students must return to the College Office to formally sign out for the day and return the handwritten note.
For urgent appointments or requests to leave the College without a written note, parents/carers are required to collect their student from the College Office. Students will not be dismissed from class until parents/carers arrival at the College Office. Please allow enough time for the Office staff to retrieve students, as there could be delays leaving the Office. If students are able to bring a note in the morning this will alleviate any delay.
Arriving Late or Returning from an Appointment
Students MUST sign in at the College Office if they are arriving late to school or if students are returning to school after an appointment.
Compass - Permission to Leave from SPORT - Early Departure
Students must bring a written note from their parents/carers to the College Office before they depart for sport. Early departure from Sport cannot be submitted via the Compass App only a written note will be accepted. Only full day absences can be submitted using the attendance note via the Compass App.
Student Diary
Lost Property
Uniform Shop
Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 7:30am - 9:00am
Homework Centre
Hours: Monday - Thursday 3:20pm - 5:00pm
Dear Parents and Carers,
Everyone is affected by change and loss at some time in their lives. At St John Paul College, we recognise that when changes such as separation, divorce, death, school transitions and natural disasters occur, students may benefit from learning the skills to manage these changes effectively. To support students who are facing these and other challenges, we are offering an education program called Seasons for Growth, which will commence in Term 4. The program is an opportunity to learn with a small group of peers who have experienced similar issues.
Seasons for Growth is facilitated in small groups of up to 7 participants and is based on research that highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on building skills such as how to manage feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication, and developing peer support networks. Participation in the program can promote improved self-esteem and self-confidence as well as giving children the opportunity to find their own voice amid change.
If you think your child/children would enjoy joining the Seasons for Growth program, we encourage you to talk to him/her about it. Seasons for Growth will run for eight weeks, and each weekly session is approximately 45 minutes. We are pleased to be able to offer this successful program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those involved. If you feel the Seasons for Growth Program would suit your child/ren, please register them by emailing Talia Saban at talia.saban@lism.catholic.edu.au or Bradley Poidevin at bradley.poidevin@lism.catholic.edu.au.
Please note that depending on the numbers of students nominated, not all applicants may be placed in a group in Term 4, but we will continue to run the groups in Term 1, 2025 and beyond.
Brad Poidevin and Talia Saban
School Counsellor / Student Wellbeing Officer
