15 August 2025 - Newsletter (Vol 42 No 12)
- Principal's Message
- Assistant Principal - Mission
- Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
- Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
- School Evangelisation
- Leaders of Student Wellbeing
- SJPC Merit Award Recipients
- Literacy Coach
- Curriculum Matters
- Study Skills Handbook - Handling Digital Overload
- Languages
- Visual Arts
- Sports Corner
- Digital Technology
- What's On!
- Staff Development and Pupil Free Day
- Office News
- We're Hiring
- Father's Day Breakfast
- HSC Major Works Showcase Evening
- St John Paul Day 2025
- Aboriginal Language Club
- Reflection Garden
- Family Connect in Schools
- Catholic Schools Parent Assembly - Parenting in the Age of Distraction
- St Francis Xavier School Community Fete
Have your say on the future of SJPC!!
Earlier this week I sent an email to all families about this topic.
As you are no doubt aware there has been continued pressure on enrolments over many years and we continue to struggle to provide places for all families who apply for enrolment here at SJPC. To that end, the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools (DLCSL) are currently considering options for secondary schooling here in Coffs Harbour, including the possible future development of SJPC, particularly in terms of our facilities and the potential for growth in student numbers. As we explore these possibilities, we believe it is essential to involve our whole school community in shaping the direction we may take.
Paynter Dixon, a Sydney based construction services company, have been engaged by DLCSL to develop the next part of the master plan for SJPC and report back their findings by the end of the year. This will involve engaging all stakeholders, including feeder schools, preparing plans and identifying any shortfalls, designing a masterplan brief and working with architects as part of the process. I will keep you informed of the process throughout the remainder of 2025.
Your insights as parents and guardians are incredibly valuable, and we want to ensure your voice is heard as part of the decision-making process. Staff and students also had the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion this week, as their perspectives are equally important in creating a shared vision for the future.
We would greatly appreciate your thoughts, ideas, and any concerns you may have as we plan for the years ahead. Your input will play a vital role in helping us make informed, inclusive decisions that best support our students and school community.
As part of the stakeholder engagement process, we have prepared a survey to go to current St John Paul College parents to obtain your input regarding the proposed Master Plan.
This survey focuses on current and future facilities, transport options, current buildings and their functionality as well as the opportunity to share your thoughts about future development opportunities.
Please find the link below to a brief 10 question survey, for your review. The survey will remain open until Monday 25 August.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HQPZ6ZG
God bless
Michael Carniato
Principal
Celebrating New Additions to Our College Community
At the recent Feast of the Assumption of Mary Mass, we were blessed to celebrate not only this important Holy Day but also some beautiful new additions to our College.
Former student Ethan Sultana, who graduated in 2021 and was the recipient of the Citizenship Award, generously used his skills to create a stunning timber candle stand for our school. Crafted from rich New Guinea rosewood and red cedar, the stand is both functional and artistic. Using the lathe and hand-carving tools, he shaped and detailed the piece to reflect the quality of his craftsmanship while creating something meaningful for our community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ethan for this beautiful candle stand, which will serve our College for many years to come.
The new College candle, which now rests proudly on the stand, was lovingly made by the Benedictine nuns of Jamberoo Abbey. Hand-painted with native Australian flowers and made entirely from pure beeswax, the candle carries a deep symbolism in our Catholic tradition. Beeswax candles have long been valued by the Church for their purity, representing Christ’s sinless nature, and for the work of the bee, which is often seen as a symbol of community, diligence, and the sweetness of God’s love.
During the Mass, Father Joy blessed both the candle and its stand, dedicating them to be used in our liturgies and prayer gatherings for years to come.
Earlier in the week, Father Joe also blessed our newly completed College mural, created by renowned street artist Mulga. This vibrant artwork captures our Catholic identity while also reflecting the unique spirit and story of our St John Paul College community. The mural will stand as a colourful reminder of who we are - a faith-filled, welcoming, and creative community united in Christ.
Assistant Principal - Mission
St John Paul II’s feast day is October 22. He was the Pope, the Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church, from 1978 to 2005. He was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country. St John Paul's pontificate of more than 26 years was the third longest in history. As part of his effort to promote greater understanding between nations and between religions, he undertook numerous trips abroad, traveling far greater distances than had all other popes combined, and he extended his influence beyond the church by campaigning against political oppression and criticizing the materialism of the West.
He also issued several unprecedented apologies to groups that historically had been wronged by Catholics, most notably Jews and Muslims. His unabashed Polish nationalism and his emphasis on nonviolent political activism aided the Solidarity movement in communist Poland in the 1980s and ultimately contributed to the peaceful dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. More generally, John Paul used his influence among Catholics and throughout the world to advance the recognition of human dignity and to deter the use of violence.
SJPC Day not only honours our patron but is also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our College community. Special days can contribute to a positive community and create a sense of belonging. When students feel seen and valued, they're more likely to engage, take risks, and thrive academically. A strong community buffers against isolation and stress, especially during transitions or challenges. In addition, inclusive environments help students develop confidence and empathy. For these reasons it is a great opportunity for the students and staff to get involved and have fun.
Some practicalities for the day include:
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On days like this “cash is king”. With many food choices & activities costing $1, $2 or $3 dollars we cannot use card or phones to pay for things and the office does not have the capabilities to give change. Parents are asked to help their child be organised by bringing small change to school on the day.
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It is a day of great freedom for students with no regular lessons. However we know that with great freedom comes responsibility. Students know how they should behave and this is expected on these types of days.
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Students are not to leave the campus or contact parents to be picked up. It is a regular school day that will finish at 3:20pm (the regular school time).
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Sensible mufti must be worn. Students who wear midriff/singlet tops will be given appropriate clothes to wear for the day.
Until next time:
Mary MacKillop Today
Last Friday Year 7 and 8 had the opportunity to hear from Jane Woolford, CEO of Mary MacKillop Today. Jane along with Sawtell Parish’s Lorraine Kirkaldy, were able to present on the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop, a talk on the legacy of Australia’s first saint.
Mary MacKillop believed education was a pathway to dignity, opportunity, and faith, especially for those most in need. Guided by her motto, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” she and the Sisters of St Joseph established schools across Australia, bringing learning to remote and disadvantaged communities.
Her vision was steeped in compassion, inclusivity, and a deep commitment to nurturing the whole person—spiritually, academically, and socially.
Jane explained to our students that the Josephite education continues Mary’s legacy, fostering environments where every student is valued, supported, and challenged to reach their potential, carrying forward Mary’s belief in the transformative power of learning.
Engaged Learners - Classroom Entry and Exit Routines
Students will now see this graphic appear in classrooms and electronic screens. The aim is to have a greater student engagement in their learning and consistency of practice amongst our staff and student body. The follow graphic is an expectation of what our lesson should look like:
Study Skills
Learn more about the ‘managing stress’ resources through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au . Our College access details are:
School’s Username – stjohnpaul
School’s password – 89success
In addition, our subscription to Elevate Education may assist in this area.
This online platform contains resources and useful study tips that all SJPC students will find effective. We encourage them to access this Student Portal and try some of the strategies. Students have the password to this site. The password can also be found on the Curriculum Noticeboard.
AMDG
Assistant Principal
Learning and Teaching
Feast of the Assumption – Whole School Mass 2025
On Friday, 15 August, the entire St John Paul College community gathered to celebrate one of the most significant feasts in the Catholic calendar — The Feast of the Assumption of Mary. This solemnity marks the moment when Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven, a sign of her faithful discipleship and God’s promise of eternal life.
Our whole-school Mass, held in a spirit of reverence and unity, was a powerful reminder of Mary’s example and our shared faith journey. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Crowned in Stars,” invited us to reflect on Mary’s queenship and her unique place in the communion of saints — a woman of strength, humility, courage, and unshakable trust in God.
Mary’s assumption is not just a celebration of her life, but a call to all of us: to live with faith, to say "yes" to God’s invitation in our own lives, and to look forward with hope to the fullness of life God offers. The title “Crowned in Stars” comes from the image in Revelation 12 — a woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.” It reminds us that Mary, crowned in glory, remains close to us as a model, intercessor, and mother.
A heartfelt thank you to all those who contributed to the Mass — our student organisers, readers, altar servers, tech support and staff. Your efforts made this celebration both beautiful and meaningful.
As we continue through Term 3, may we walk in the footsteps of Mary — faithful, hopeful, and “crowned” not in stars we wear, but in the love and light we share.
Leader of School Evangelisation
Year 8
Year 8 has had a positive and productive start to Term 3, with students showing great enthusiasm and commitment to their learning and school life. A highlight of our start to the term has been recognising students who consistently uphold our College standards with pride through our Fit Check Awards. These awards celebrate those who take care in presenting themselves in line with our College expectations and serve as role models to their peers. Congratulations to the following recipients for this term:
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Our school Pastoral Theme for Term 3 is Leadership. This week, Year 8 participated in the first of three pastoral lessons for the term, focusing on discovering and developing leadership qualities. Leadership is the ability to guide, inspire, or influence others in a positive way—through your actions, choices, and example.
Students were challenged to reflect on the leadership qualities they already have and consider how they could use these throughout the term—in their friendships, classrooms, sporting teams, and family life. We explored the idea that a leader is not always the one in charge or the person wearing a badge, but someone who leads through service and example. Year 8 reflected on Jesus as a servant leader and discussed how we could embody His leadership qualities of love, humility, courage, and kindness in our own lives.
We look forward to seeing how Year 8 students will rise to the challenge of living out these qualities as the term progresses.
Alana Johnson & Matt Currie
Year 9
We would like to take a moment to celebrate the outstanding efforts of a group of Year 9 students who have demonstrated excellence in their learning and contributions to our school community.
Congratulations to the following students who have each received a College Commendation Award: Dilshaan Chahal, James Ward, Ava Nolan, Rune Fowler, Parker Swan and Olive Plunket. These students have shown dedication, a positive attitude, and consistent effort across a range of learning areas. Whether it be through academic success, leadership in the classroom, or modelling our school values, they have each set a wonderful example for others.
Congratulations also to Tiegan Forrester who received the “Best All ‘Rounder” award for week 3; she now has a voucher to spend at the school canteen.
Well done to all. We are proud of you! Keep up the great work as we continue to strive for excellence together this term.
Also in Week 3, our Year 9 students took part in a dedicated Pastoral Day designed to encourage personal growth and self-reflection. We were fortunate to welcome guest presenter Michael Fitzpatrick, who delivered an engaging and thought-provoking presentation.
Michael’s session focused on the importance of self-awareness, respectful interactions, and developing positive relationships with both peers and teachers. Through real-life stories, humour, and interactive moments, students were invited to reflect on their own behaviours, communication styles, and the impact they have on those around them.
The day created space for meaningful conversations and helped reinforce the values of empathy, kindness, and personal responsibility. Many students walked away feeling more connected to their peers and inspired to make positive contributions to their school community.
Thank you to Michael Fitzpatrick for his engaging presentation and to our Year 9 cohort for their thoughtful participation throughout the day.
Year 10
Reflecting on the Year 10 Retreat – Stewardship in Action
The recent Year 10 retreat was a meaningful and rewarding experience for both students and staff, centred around the theme of stewardship — our care for self, others, and our relationship with God. The retreat invited students to step away from their usual routines for a few days and take time to reflect, grow, and connect on a deeper level.
Day One focused on self, through guided reflections and personal challenges, encouraging students to pause and consider their own well-being, identity, and purpose.
Day Two shifted the focus to others, exploring how we interact with and care for the people in our lives — our friends, families, and the wider community.
Day Three turned our hearts and minds toward our relationship with God. It was a time of spiritual reflection, prayer, and a reminder of our place within things bigger than ourselves. Students were invited to contemplate how they can respond to God’s call in their daily lives through compassion, gratitude, and responsibility.
We want to take a moment to acknowledge the students who made the retreat such a memorable time; not only by participating fully in the scheduled activities, many of which were designed to stretch comfort zones, but by simply being present in community. Whether it was cleaning up without being asked, offering quiet support to others, or listening with respect and attentiveness, your contributions helped shape a retreat culture grounded in respect, maturity, and care. Thank you for embracing the spirit of the retreat.
A heartfelt thank you also to the staff who volunteered their time and energy to attend the retreat, many of whom made the personal sacrifice of being away from their own families and young children, to be there for your children. Leanne Gennat, Anneliese Mills, Danni Stephenson, Cory Blight, Lex Carruthers, Paul Hewitt, Brendan Chorazy, Oliver Dwyer, Michael Stubbs, Tahlia Quin, Josh Moore, and Sky Birkett. Your commitment to walking alongside the students, watching over them, and sharing in this journey of faith and formation does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
We also extend a very special thank you to Mrs Sarah de Byl, whose organisation, planning, and commitment made this retreat not only possible but truly exceptional. Her efforts behind the scenes ensured everything ran smoothly, and the time away was as enriching and enjoyable. Finally, to the parents and caregivers, thank you for your support. Getting your child to the bus in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and being there to welcome them home at the end of a big week. Your partnership is a vital part of making retreats like this possible.
Looking Ahead – What's Next for Term 3
As the school year continues to move full steam ahead, here are a few important things to keep in mind:
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Leadership Nominations for 2025–2026 SRC and House Captains are due Monday, Week 5 — a great opportunity for students to step into service and make a difference. Please encourage your child to take the time to nominate for these leadership roles.
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Term 3 assessments will be upon us quicker than we think. Now is the time to get organised and stay on top of workloads.
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Parent-Student-Staff Round Table Meetings will take place in Week 8, providing a valuable chance to reflect on learning progress and set goals together.
We look forward to a strong second half of Term 3, continuing the journey of learning, growth, and stewardship together.
Richard O'Connor & Anneliese Mills
Year 10 Leaders of Student Wellbeing
Merit Awards
Below are our current Distinction Award recipients. We recognise student efforts not just at Assemblies but also within our Community throughout the year. Congratulations students.
LITERACY MATTERS
ALL THINGS LITERACY, BECAUSE LITERACY MATTERS IN ALL THINGS
A seamless reading experience is a pleasant reading experience, and accurate spelling is an essential ingredient in this process.
Why Spelling Matters!
Accuracy with spelling prevents misunderstandings, improves readability, professionalism and credibility and builds a foundation for literacy.
It’s important to remember that spelling is a skill that can be improved with effort and dedication and through applying key spelling strategies.
View mistakes as learning opportunities, for each mistake is a chance to understand why you got it wrong. Analyse the error and find the rule or pattern you missed.
Embrace challenges and see them as a mental workout. The more you work with challenging words, the stronger your spelling skills will become.
Dedicate time each day to actively understanding the logic behind accurate spelling. Look for the root word, suffixes and prefixes and look up the etymology.
Visualise and chunk words to ensure they become intriguing and approachable rather than intimidating.
Leverage technology wisely so that it becomes a teaching tool rather than a crutch.
Create a spelling wall so that words become a reference tool rather than just recurring mistakes.
Celebrate your wins and improvements.
Please join me in celebrating our overall Yr 7 Spelling Champion, Kate de Guzman.
Further awardees are:
High Distinction
 Maia Bennett |
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Distinction
 Emily Crowe |
 Max Cserepany |
 William Dang |
 Lennox Hensman |
 Maya Hitti |
 Mehar Kaur |
 Poppy Moore |
Credit
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Overall Champion
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Congratulations to all. We look forward to witnessing further growth with spelling skills.
Literacy Coach
On Wednesday 20 August, Elevate Education will be hosting another free webinar for parents. By tuning into the webinar series, you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school:
Live Parent Webinar:
*How You Can Make Technology an Ally (& Not the Enemy!)
Wednesday 20 August @6:30-7:30pm (AEST)
Year 12
The Trial Examination period has ended, and students are back in class ready to continue their HSC preparation. Our students are to be congratulated regarding how organised they have been in their approach to the HSC Trial examination period and meeting Term 3 deadlines.
Well done!
HSC examinations and marking have begun with the first Language Oral exams taking place on Saturday 16 August. HSC Markers will be on the College premises over the coming weeks to mark Year 12 Major Works from Industrial Technology, and the performances of Drama and Music students. A very exciting time for these students and the staff who have supported them. Please pray for them.
This is a vital time for our Year 12s as they receive feedback on their HSC Trial examination responses, and plan what they need to do next to improve. We do understand that it may be difficult to maintain momentum at this time, but you can be certain that we are here to support students as they continue to improve their knowledge and understanding, and skill set across all courses. We encourage all students to keep communicating with their teachers so they can work together and make the most of the next 5 weeks of class time.
We remind students of the following;
- Attend all classes as per your timetable
- Work with the feedback your teachers have provided
- Keep up to date with NESA Advice via the following link. NESA student guide
- Access the Stay Healthy HSC hub - stay active and keep connected during the HSC with resources brought to you by the NSW Education Department and Reach Out.
Year 11
Preliminary Examination Block
A reminder that the Year 11 Final Examination period starts on Wednesday 3 September and finishes Friday 12 September.
Students will not be attending timetabled classes during this time.
Year 10 – Course Selection 2026
Now that returning students have submitted their preferences for 2026, it is time for parents and students to make an appointment for a Round Table Discussion on Wednesday 10 September. Students have been given a google form to complete via their Curriculum Matters Google classroom so that they can nominate an appointment time to finalise their courses and discuss the Stage 6 requirements at SJPC. Emails have been sent to parents and carers of returning students to remind them of this part of the process.
Looking forward to having this discussion with you and your child on 10 September 2025.
A Reminder for all Year Groups
Information about the units of work your child is studying and the assessment policies and schedules for each year group can be found on the Assessment and Curriculum Website. This can be easily accessed via Compass, under School Favourites / Assessment.
Leader of Curriculum
Sister School Short Stay Visit
On Friday 1 August, we welcomed students and staff from our sister school, Reitaku Mizunami Junior & Senior High School from Gifu, Japan for the inaugural short stay program.
This was the first time in the 15-year partnership with Reitaku, that our sister school has visited us with a large group. We hosted 16 students and 3 teachers for five days as part of their school trip to Australia.
The students and staff had a wonderful time, enjoying cultural exchange, sharing experiences, and making lasting friendships.
Our past exchange students to Japan were able to catch up with Mr Yanase, Mr Richardson and Madeline sensei to reminisce about their time at Reitaku. The staff were also able to meet Mulga (Joel Moore, our artist in residence) who has collaborated on various projects with Japanese companies and stores.
We would like to thank our generous and supportive host families and students who made the Japanese students’ stay memorable.
Here's to another meaningful chapter in our inter-school journey!
Year 8 and Hiragana
Over the past few weeks, some Year 8 students have taken on the challenge of practising their hiragana (Japanese script) in various different ways. Some invented new raps, others made their characters from various items they had in their pencil cases. While some students drew pictures using the hiragana characters and their creativity knew no bounds.
Hiragana Rhymes (Rhyme Sublime!) by Brooklyn Brown (8F)
あ (a) – Ah, the apple fell from the tree!
い (i) – Eek! A mouse ran past my knee!
う (u) – Oo, the moon is bright and blue!
え (e) – Eh, the elephant danced today!
お (o) – Oh! An octopus put on a show!
か (ka) – Ka-chow! The car zoomed by fast!
き (ki) – Key in the lock, it turns with glee!
く (ku) – Coo, said the pigeon on my shoe!
け (ke) – Okay! The kettle starts to sing!
こ (ko) – Koalas nap in trees so slow.
さ (sa) – Socks on my feet—salsa dance complete!
し (shi) – She sells seashells by the sea!
す (su) – Sue the snail slides with goo!
せ (se) – Set the sail and off we go!
そ (so) – So many stars in a sparkly row!
た (ta) – Tap your toes to the beat of Ta!
ち (chi) – Cheese for Chi the hungry mouse!
つ (tsu) – Tsunamis crash, but we’re safe, phew!
て (te) – Ten tiny turtles danced in line.
と (to) – Toes in the sand, it feels so fine!
Hunar Brar (8H)
A I U E O, let’s go!
KA KI KU KE KO, in the flow!
SA SHI SU SE SO, feel that beat,
TA CHI TSU TE TO, sounding' sweet!
NA NI NU NE NO, get that tone,
HA HI FU HE HO, on the phone!
MA MI MU ME MO, almost done,
YA YU YO, havin' fun!
RA RI RU RE RO, you know!
WA WO N, now you’re pro!
The annual SJPC Year 10 Archibald Prize competition is now open! This year's exhibition is on display upstairs at Coffs Central until 26 August, followed by a display here at school.
Our talented Year 10 visual artists have worked incredibly hard to create impressive portraits of their loved ones. Year 10s were encouraged to choose a medium that would best capture the "essence" and personality of their sitter. The result is a diverse collection of works that showcase their skill and creativity.
We invite you to come and view these insightful portraits, vote for your favourite and support our emerging local artists.
Bill Turner Trophy Round 5
Congratulations to our Bill Turner Trophy team, who have secured their place in the Northern NSW Finals with a convincing 6-1 win over Oxley High School. Goals were scored by Summer Barden (2), Jayda Crocker (1), Eva Corsalini (1), Evie Gibson (1) and Pippa Dodd (1). We wish the girls, along with their coaches Josh Moore and Victorina Istrate, every success for the finals in Coffs Harbour on 19-20 August.
Bill Turner Cup Round 5
Congratulations to our Bill Turner Cup team, who have secured their place in the Northern NSW Finals with an impressive 7-0 victory over Mackillop Catholic College. Goals were scored by Busby Hibberd (3), Rune Fowler (1), Thomas Corsalini (1), and Sam Grabovszky (1). We wish the boys, along with their coaches Damien Wood and Louis Van Dartel, the very best of luck for the finals in Coffs Harbour on 19-20 August.
Diocesan Junior Basketball Championships
The 7/8 Girls set the tone early with great intensity, winning all their round games. In the semi-final, they defeated Woodlawn 45–6, heading into the final full of confidence. After a slow start, some defensive adjustments and a lift in intensity, the girls claimed victory with a 43–19 result, securing them the title of 2025 Lismore Diocesan Champions!
The 7/8 Boys fought hard through four pool games, emerging on top in a tightly contested group. They then won a dramatic semi-final against MSPC Murwillumbah with a free throw after the buzzer. In the Grand Final, they battled well but fell short against MacKillop Port Macquarie, finishing as runners-up.
Our 9/10 Girls dominated the pool stage, finishing first in their group. In the semi-final, they faced a fierce battle against MacKillop Port Macquarie. It was a nail-biter from start to finish, with the girls playing their hearts out and leaving everything on the court. Despite their incredible effort, they narrowly went down by just two points.
The 9/10 Boys produced excellent team basketball, wearing down their opponents with suffocating defence and well-executed offence. They were comfortable winners in the rounds and semi-final, before a thrilling Grand Final against a strong MacKillop side. The game went right down to the wire, but MacKillop edged ahead by three points. Every player made a strong contribution, with standout performances from Cameron King and Jake Bissett.
A huge thank you to coaches Jessi Reeves, Steve Verbruggen, John Philip, Matthew Quinton, and Brooke Dart for the time, dedication, and energy they put into their teams.
NSWCCC Knockout Football Competition
The junior and senior girls football teams faced Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown, in the quarterfinals of the NSWCCC Knockout Football Competition. The junior girls delivered an outstanding performance, narrowly missing victory after a tense penalty shootout, going down by just one goal. The senior girls showcased impressive skill and determination, securing a 2–1 win in their quarterfinal. They will now travel to Sydney later in September to compete against the top teams in the state. Well done to all players and to their coaches Tanya Slaviero, Rodney Abbott, Victorina Istrate and Meg Pittman, for their exceptional efforts!
CCC Junior Girls Football
CCC Senior Girls Football
All Schools Water Polo Exchange
Congratulations to Carlo Eiler (Year 11) who represented NSWCCC at the recent Schools Water Polo Exchange in Brisbane. Carlo played well scoring goals and defending strongly against teams from NSWCHS, NSWCIS and QLD. He fit into the team quickly and learnt a lot as well as having fun and making new friends. Well done Carlo!!!
U15 All Schools Hockey Championships
The School Sport Australia U15 National Hockey Championships took place in Canberra from 2–9 August. Throughout the week, Harper Dent successfully officiated across the tournament. Well done, Harper!
Years 9 & 10 Sports Selections Reminder
Students should have completed their sports selections via Edval earlier in the week. Students are required to check the Palace noticeboard or the SJPC Sport Google Classroom by Friday, 15 August to ensure they have been placed in their selected sport. If a student feels they are in the incorrect sport, they are to complete the form at the Palace staffroom by Thursday, 21 August.
Term 4 Representative Sport Sign Up Form
Students interested in representing the College in volleyball, water polo, golf, cricket, league tag, basketball, or squash are encouraged to complete the Term 4 Representative Sport sign-up form on the SJPC Sport Google Classroom.
Coming Up - Term 3 2025
Term 3, 2025 |
| Tuesday 19 August | Rugby 7s, Kempsey |
| Tuesday 19 and 20 August | Bill Turner Northern NSW Finals, Coffs Harbour |
| Thursday 21 August | AFL Junior Schools cup Northern State Finals, Warners Bay |
| Wednesday 27 August | Netball Cup Regional Finals, Port Macquarie |
| Tuesday 2 September | Diocesan Athletics Carnival, Coffs Harbour |
| Thursday 11 September | Rugby 7s State Finals, Sydney |
| Monday 15 September |
NSWCCC Athletics Championships, Sydney |
| Friday 19 September |
North Coast Schools Mountain Biking, Woolgoolga |
* events require students to sign up directly on the Diocesan Sport website
Acting Leader of Sport
Last week, Year 7 investigated different communication styles and approaches to a task. They had a lot of fun discovering that when communication is clear, agreed terminology is used and patience is exercised, messages are related quickly and successfully. Lots of smiles all round!!
SJPC Virtual Tour
Finance
If you have any questions or require further information, please email:
cofhs-fees@lism.catholic.edu.au
Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools
cofhs-fees@lism.catholic.edu.au
Ph: 6653 1655 Office Hours: 8:30am to 4:00pm
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
Student Diary
Helpful information is found in the student diary regarding daily college procedures. Please take the time to go through the student diary with your child.
Lost Property
Please encourage your child to visit the Office if they have lost any school items. Please mark your child's name on all school items, including airpods, pencil cases, drink bottles, sport bags and school uniform.
Uniform Shop
Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 7:30am - 9:30am
Homework Centre
Hours: Monday - Thursday 3:20pm - 5:00pm
Compass - Reminder
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.
If you are unable to contact the Office or provide a written note for a Late Arrival, once the student has signed into the Office, a notification will appear on your Compass Dashboard to prompt you to explain the partial absence with an attendance note.
Medical Information
Head Injuries
All Head Injuries to anyone in the school or associated with a School Activity are treated seriously.
Any student who receives a concussion or a suspected concussion should be seen by a doctor with experience in managing concussion.
Students who have been diagnosed with a concussion, must have medical clearance before returning to School.
Parents, Carers and/or Guardians are strongly encouraged to advise the school when a student suffers a head injury when in their care, out of school time.
A five-day activity restriction will be recommended for any students who have suffered a head injury.
Kris Kent, Rod Abbott & Dan Burbridge
Family Connect Service at SJPC
Our school, Social Futures and the Catholic Schools Office are in partnership to integrate the Family Connect in Schools Service into our school.
The Family Connect in Schools Service helps families to connect in with a wide range of services in the community. They can also accompany families to service appointments and case manage a support plan if a family needs a significant variety of services.
St Francis Xavier Primary School is holding a Fete on Saturday 25 October from 12pm - 4pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy an afternoon of fun rides, food trucks, great stalls, and entertainment.
We would like to invite any past SFX students who are interested in volunteering for an hour on the day to run the Crazy Hair, Facepaint and Tattoo Stall to fill out this Google Form.