12 September 2025 - Newsletter (Vol 42 No 14)
- Principal's Message
- Assistant Principal - Mission
- Assistant Principal - Pastoral Care
- Assistant Principal - Learning and Teaching
- SJPC Merit Award Recipients
- School Evangelisation
- Wellbeing Matters
- Leaders of Student Wellbeing
- Literacy Coach
- Curriculum Matters
- Study Skills Handbook - Mastering Test Preparation
- Drama
- Music - Year 12 HSC Music Concert
- Student Services
- The Vinnies Van
- 2025 Legacy
- Sports Corner
- What's On!
- Office News
- Father's Day Breakfast
- St Francis Xavier School Community Fete
Saint Carlo Acutis – The Millennial Saint
Last Sunday, the Church celebrated the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, a teenager who died in 2006 at the age of 15. Known as the “Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist,” Carlo’s story has captured the attention of Catholics worldwide—particularly because of how relevant he is to the digital generation. As parents and educators, his life presents us with a powerful opportunity to reflect on the kind of formation we want for our young people.
Carlo was an ordinary teenager in many ways—he loved video games, computers, soccer, and hanging out with friends. But beneath that teenage exterior was a young man of extraordinary faith. Born in London and raised in Milan, Carlo had a deep love for the Eucharist, attended daily Mass, prayed the rosary, and had a natural compassion for the poor and marginalized.
At age 11, he taught himself coding and built a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles from around the world—a project that now travels globally as a Vatican-approved exhibit. When diagnosed with leukemia at 15, he offered his suffering “for the Pope and the Church,” showing maturity and faith well beyond his years. He died in 2006 and was beatified in 2020.
Why Does Carlo Matter for Our Students?
In a world where faith can often feel outdated or irrelevant, Carlo reminds us—and our children—that holiness is not reserved for the past or for adults. It’s for today. And it’s possible even in a world dominated by smartphones, social media, and streaming platforms.
Here are a few key learnings we can share with our students from Carlo’s life:
Technology as a Tool, not a Distraction
Carlo loved computers and used them to share his faith creatively and effectively. He reminds students those digital skills can be used for good, to evangelise, inspire, and educate—not just entertain.
“The Internet is not bad. It depends how you use it.” – Carlo Acutis
A Deep Spiritual Life is Possible, Even for Teenagers
Despite the pressures and distractions of teen life, Carlo made time daily for Mass, prayer, and acts of charity. His life challenges the idea that young people are "too young" to take faith seriously.
Service and Compassion Go Hand in Hand with Faith
Carlo regularly helped the homeless and supported his classmates who were bullied or struggling. He understood that love for Christ must overflow into love for others.
You Can Be a Saint Without Waiting Until You're Old
Carlo often said, “All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies.” His message to young people was clear: Be yourself, be holy, and don’t wait to live with purpose.
It is my hope and prayer that St Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, sparks a renewed excitement in our students about the potential for holiness in everyday life. Whether they aspire to be scientists, artists, athletes, or engineers - Carlo shows that being close to God enhances, not limits, their potential.
Let’s keep each other in prayer as we guide our children to grow not only in knowledge and skills, but in the virtues that will serve them for life—and for eternity.
St Carlo Acutis – Pray for Us
God Bless
Michael Carniato
Principal
Year 12 Graduation Mass - Celebrating the Class of 2025
On Sunday 21st September, our parish community will come together to celebrate a very special occasion - the Year 12 Graduation Mass for the Class of 2025. This joyful and faith-filled celebration will be held at St Augustine’s Church, Coffs Harbour, at 5:30pm, and we kindly ask everyone to arrive by 5:15pm.
This Mass marks the beginning of Graduation Week events for our Year 12 students. It is not only a chance to honour their achievements but also an opportunity for the whole parish and wider community to gather in prayer and support. Together, we will give thanks for their journey through Catholic education, ask God’s blessing as they prepare for their HSC exams, and send them forth with encouragement for the future.
We first held this Graduation Mass last year, and it proved to be a huge success - a truly memorable occasion for our students, their families, and our parish community. We look forward to building on that tradition again this year.
Year 12 students are asked to attend in their full academic uniform as a sign of pride, unity, and respect for this significant milestone.
Our community is strongest when we come together in faith and fellowship. The Graduation Mass is a beautiful reminder that our students are part of a much larger family that surrounds them with prayer, hope, and love.
We warmly invite all family members, parishioners, and the wider community to join us in this celebration. Your presence will mean so much to our Year 12 students as they take this next important step in their lives.
Assistant Principal - Mission
Digital well-being helps teenagers develop a balanced, healthy relationship with technology, ensuring screen use supports learning, social connections, and creativity rather than undermining mental and emotional health. Teens spend significant time online for homework, hobbies, and friendships, so guiding their digital habits early builds lifelong resilience and self-regulation.
Technology for teens often blends social, academic, and entertainment needs, creating pressure to be constantly available and “in the know.” Teens have unique social and emotional needs, and overly restrictive rules can backfire—open dialogue and partnership foster safety more effectively than fear-based controls.
The following are suggestions for core digital boundaries for teens:
- Screen-Time Agreements
Collaboratively set daily or weekly caps on nonessential apps. - Content and Privacy Rules
Define what types of content are off-limits and reinforce online privacy habits. - Social Media Etiquette
Discuss acceptable interaction patterns, including respectful commenting and unfollowing toxic accounts. - Tech-Free Activities
Promote offline hobbies—sports, music, art—to balance digital engagement. - Sleep and Downtime Limits
Enforce device-free periods at night to protect rest and mental recharge.
Practical Strategies and Steps
- Understand How Your Teen Uses Technology
Ask them to demo favorite apps or games. Focus on quality rather than just quantity of screen time. - Approach with Curiosity, Not Judgment
Respond calmly to concerns or mistakes to maintain trust and open communication. - Mentor Rather Than Monitor
Guide decision-making around content and interactions instead of imposing strict controls. - Co-Create a Family Media Agreement
Draft rules together on device use, boundaries, and values to encourage teen buy-in.
Recommended Resources
- Teens & Screens Program: A Guide for Families (Black Dog Institute)
- Digital Boundaries for Teens and Caregivers (Nationwide Children’s)
- Setting Healthy Boundaries for Teens (Mental Health Center Kids)
By combining clear boundary frameworks with ongoing dialogue and shared decision-making, you empower teenagers to navigate the digital world with confidence and care.
The Power of Collaborative Learning
Learning with other students can be a very powerful way to improve your learning outcomes. You might be sitting next to each other discussing what you are learning, or working together in a group online and sharing your screens, or giving a friend feedback about an assignment. There are many benefits to learning to work with other students.
MOTIVATION: Studying together can be much more motivating than studying on your own. Setting targets and working towards them together can help keep you focused on completing assignments. Often study done together is more active and engaging than studying on your own and this is much better for retention.
DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING: Discussing with a friend, being able to bounce ideas off each other, ask each other questions – all of these activities will help strengthen your neural networks and deepen your understanding of what you are learning. This can help to develop our higher order thinking skills.
DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES: Sometimes we don’t realise that we are only looking at things in one particular way and there are different and diverse viewpoints to ours. Learning with a friend can help you see things in a different light and broaden your perspective. This can help develop our critical thinking skills.
BUILD TEAMWORK SKILLS: Learning to cooperate, negotiate and problem solve with other people is a great skill to have in later life. By learning with other students you will have opportunities to learn to be a more active participant in group work and also develop communication and leadership skills.
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 following 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
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.
Week 6
Week 7
Vinnies Winter Sleepout 2025: A Night of Compassion and Community
On a chilly John Paul Day eve, St John Paul College once again opened its doors and hearts for the annual Vinnies Winter Sleepout, a powerful event that brings awareness to homelessness and supports those in need within our local community.
Our students gathered to listen attentively to Gai Newman from Pete’s Place, who joined us as our special guest speaker. Gai shared firsthand insights into the challenges faced by many in our area and highlighted how our fundraising efforts can make a real difference. It was a moving and eye-opening experience that helped students connect with the cause on a deeper level.
Adding to the inspiration, Year 11 students who recently participated in the Street Retreat shared their stories and experiences. Their testimonials encouraged fellow students to consider joining this impactful retreat when their time comes, fostering a spirit of empathy and service throughout the school.
Despite the cold night, the energy was high as students engaged in a massive game of spotlight, built cardboard cubbies to simulate shelter, played cards, and supported each other through the night. This shared experience not only raised funds but also strengthened our school community’s commitment to social justice and compassion.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all staff and students involved for their dedication, enthusiasm, and generosity. Together, we continue to live out the values of St John Paul College by standing with those who need us most.
Leader of School Evangelisation
A Week of Connection and Conversation: Celebrating a Successful R U OK? week at SJPC
What a fantastic week it has been at St John Paul College! Our school was filled with a wonderful sense of community spirit as students and staff came together to champion the important message of R U OK? Day. The sea of yellow ribbons worn proudly on uniforms was a vibrant, daily reminder to check in with one another, listen with an open mind, and start a conversation that could change a life.
The week was packed with activities designed to foster connection and raise awareness. The daily Staff versus Student Table Tennis Challenge near C Block was a massive hit, drawing crowds every lunchtime. The rallies were fierce, the sportsmanship was excellent, and the laughter was a testament to the positive relationships we cherish in our community.
On Tuesday, the Fabulous Friends Photo Competition captured beautiful moments of connection and camaraderie from around the school. It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces and creative snapshots celebrating the friendships that support us every day.
Our mid-week pastoral assembly provided a valuable opportunity for deeper reflection. Students engaged thoughtfully in pastoral activities focused on the four steps of an R U OK? conversation: Ask, Listen, Encourage Action, and Check In.
The aroma of freshly cooked pancakes filled the air on Thursday morning for our Pancakes in the bus bay. This event was the perfect way to start R U OK? Day, providing a warm and welcoming space for everyone to gather and connect before the school day began.
To round out the week, our senior students showed incredible leadership by hosting R U OK? conversations during Friday homeroom with Year 7 and 8 students. They did an outstanding job creating a safe and supportive environment, empowering their peers with the confidence to approach a friend who might be struggling.
The R U OK? Art Competition encouraged all budding artists to finalise their entries, which will serve as powerful visual reminders of this important message long after the week is over.
A sincere thank you to every student and staff member who participated and helped make our R U OK? week, such a resounding success. While the official events have concluded, the message remains. Let’s continue to look out for one another and make every day a day to ask, "Are you OK?".
Mark Coster
Leader of Student Engagement
Year 9
R U OK? Week
This week, Year 9 students are celebrating R U OK? Week. During pastoral lessons, students are:
- Learning when and how to connect with someone to see how they are doing
- Building empathy and understanding
- Identifying when it’s a good time to check in with a friend
This important focus helps strengthen student wellbeing and positive peer connections.
Year 9 Awards
We are proud to recognise the achievements of our students who were presented with awards at this week’s Year 9 Assembly.
| College Commendation Awards |
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 |
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 Jack White |
 Sharon Shabu |
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 Fletcher O’Sullivan |
 Finlay Bath |
Year 12
Year 12 BBQ Breakfast
We would love your help to cook a BBQ breakfast for our Year 12 Students. Are you free to help on Tuesday 23 September at 6am? If so, please click here to register your name.
We look forward to seeing you all there.
Year 12 Graduation Events
Year 12 Formal
Nick Haworth
Year 12 Leader of Student Wellbeing
LITERACY MATTERS
ALL THINGS LITERACY, BECAUSE LITERACY MATTERS IN ALL THINGS
Beyond the Textbook – What Is 'Visual Literacy?'
We often think of "literacy" as reading novels, writing essays, or mastering grammar. And yes, these skills are incredibly important! But in our visually-driven world there's another crucial skill emerging: visual literacy.
Visual literacy is the ability to not just see an image, but to read it. It's understanding the message, the emotion, and even the hidden intentions behind the pictures we encounter.
For Students: Decoding the World Around Us
Every post, every meme, every ad for a new game or concert isn't just a picture; it's communicating something. Visual literacy helps us:
- Spot the Story: Why did a news site choose that particular photo of a protest or a sports victory? What mood does it create?
- Question the Angles: How does an advertiser use colour, light, or camera angles to make a product seem more exciting or desirable? Think about those perfectly styled burger ads versus the actual burger!
- Navigate Misinformation: Sadly, it's easier than ever to alter photos or create misleading graphics. Being visually literate helps us notice inconsistencies or question the source before we share. For example, is that image of a shark in a flooded Sydney street real, or a clever edit? Often, a quick search can reveal the truth.
- Express Ourselves Better: Understanding how images work helps us communicate our ideas more effectively.
For Parents: Equipping Them for Tomorrow's World
As parents, we are guiding our children through an increasingly complex visual landscape. Fostering visual literacy helps a teen:
- Become a Critical Thinker: Instead of passively accepting what they see, they learn to analyse and question, a skill invaluable in all areas of life, from academics to career choices.
- Prepare for Future Careers: Many jobs today require strong visual communication skills. Understanding how to create and interpret visual messages is a huge asset.
- Build Resilience Online: By understanding how visual cues can be used to influence, persuade, or even manipulate, children are better equipped to navigate social media and online content safely and confidently.
Just as we teach the alphabet, let's also empower our students to "read" the rich and complex language of images. It's a fundamental skill in life today.
Writer of the Term
We celebrate Ekamdeep Kaur for consistently writing with maturity and cohesion and including relevant evidence to support her claims. Congratulations, Ekam
Word of the Week
Cogent (adj)
Clear, logical and convincing.
‘They put forward cogent arguments during the debate.’
Hebetude noun
The state of being dull, sluggish or mentally lethargic.
After the long lecture, a sense of hebetude spread across the class.
Literacy Coach
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
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.
Year 10
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.
Leader of Curriculum
Year 12 HSC Showcase Evening - Drama
Last Thursday evening the Year 12 Drama class of five students - Pepper Bowie-Ford, Makaylah Beatty, Alice Martin, Ruby Lawlor and Sharni Morris - took to the stage in front of friends and family to showcase their group performance and their individual performances that had been seen and assessed by HSC markers only two days before. Now that the practical exam component of this subject had been completed, the students were visibly relaxed and joyous in their performances, allowing themselves to finally enjoy the chemistry that comes from performing in front of a live audience. To cheers and laughter from the audience, the students explored the unique challenges and pitfalls to growing up female and through different scenarios explored the ins and outs of how women may undermine or ultimately support each other. The title of the group devised piece -”Pecking Order”- saw the five students alternate between embodying birds and embodying women. There were some real insights on show that had the audience talking afterwards.The individual pieces saw many different topics under review-from what it means to belong as expressed by a First Nations woman in “Belonging” to the heartache and struggle of refugees from Vietnam in “Lift”, to the deranged reasons behind a murder in Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Telltale Heart” to the deranged mutterings of a cockroach killer in “Living with the enemy”. All in all, it was a great night’s entertainment and a fitting way to send off these talented performers. Many thanks to the students who assisted on the night-Mel Page, Katelyn Davidson, Justin MacDonald, Logan Munro. Mrs Marshall and Miss Cotton.
Teacher - Drama/English
Get ready to be impressed! Year 12 HSC Music students will be showcasing their hard work at next week's music concert. We invite you to join us and support these talented and dedicated students as they present their HSC performance pieces.
Leader of Learning - Music & Drama
Partnering for Your Child's Success
Helping your child succeed at school is a team effort. Sharing information about challenges your child may be facing at home, such as anxiety, helps us better understand their needs and support them in the classroom. This insight allows us to monitor their engagement and behaviour, and make helpful adjustments to support them academically and socially.
We are also here to work with any medical practitioners involved in your child's care. Their recommendations can be very helpful in creating a plan for your child's success.
Personalised Plans (PP) and Other Meetings
If your child has a diagnosed condition and a Personalised Plan (PP), you can request a review if you have new concerns or information to share. To start this process, please contact our Student Services Admin team.
Your attendance at confirmed PP meetings is also incredibly important. We put a significant amount of work into preparing for these, including gathering feedback from teachers and coordinating staff schedules. Your presence is a valued part of this collaborative process.
For any subject-specific concerns, the best first step is to speak directly with your child's class teachers. Attending Parent-Student-Teacher (PST) Conferences is also a great way to stay connected and get an overview of your child’s progress.
Remember, your child's Leader and Assistant Leader of Student Well-being are always available to help.
Celebrating our Wonderful College’s Teacher Aides
What a fantastic week it was for our incredible teacher aides! A huge thank you to everyone who took the time to acknowledge and appreciate their hard work. Your kind words and gestures truly meant the world to them.
Our teacher aides were absolutely spoiled! They were celebrated with heartfelt Facebook posts, prayers, and personal thank yous from students, staff, and parents. They also enjoyed a lovely lunch and a well-deserved coffee shout from our boss, thank you, Mr Carniato! A truly beautiful moment was hearing the touching words of appreciation from our students themselves after the college assembly.
We are so blessed to have such a diverse and experienced team of teacher aides. They consistently go above and beyond every single day. Their dedication, patience, and support are invaluable to our students' learning and well-being. They play a vital role in our college community, and we are so grateful for everything they do.
Leanne Gennat and Brett Bujeya
SJPC Vinnies Conference
In the aftermath of the carnage of WWI, Legacy came into existence to support veterans and their families. For over one hundred years, Legacy has continued that tradition and is active with families in our local community.
In September of each year, Legacy holds their major fundraiser, and SJPC is proud to support such an organistaion. On Friday 5 September, eleven Year 12 students travelled to Toormina Gardens to sell merchandise to allow the fine work of Legacy to continue.
Year 12 students from SJPC at Legacy Badge selling
Brett Bujeya
Teacher - St Vincent de Paul
Bill Turner Trophy Football Team at the National Championships
On Monday, the Bill Turner Trophy Football team travelled to Speers Point in Newcastle to compete in the National Championships, facing top teams from Queensland, NSW, and Victoria.
Our first match was against Maribyrnong Sports Academy from Victoria. After a strong defensive effort, we held this highly skilled team to just 1-0 at halftime. Unfortunately, a few injuries in the second half affected our performance, and Maribyrnong secured the win with a final score of 5-0. This result meant our girls were playing for 3rd place on Wednesday.
After an extremely hot day on Tuesday, the weather turned wet and miserable by Wednesday. The team carried over injuries from Tuesday’s game, including a fractured elbow and a rolled ankle, leaving us with only one substitute for the final match. Despite this, we went into the game confident and again held our opponents, Kelvin Grove from Queensland, to 1-0 at halftime. Unfortunately, we ran out of energy in the second half, and the skilled Kelvin Grove team took the win 5-0.
We are extremely proud of this team - their skill, determination, and passion for the game were evident throughout the tournament. For our small country school to compete on the national stage against large sports academy high schools is a tremendous achievement. We are proud to finish 4th in Australia for the second year in a row.
Congratulations to our amazing players and coaching staff, whose dedication and hard work have brought St John Paul College football to this impressive level and put our school on the map once again.
Lismore Diocesan Athletics Carnival
Last week, SJPC sent a team of 84 students to compete at the Lismore Diocesan Athletics Carnival. Our athletes showed outstanding ability, perseverance and skill throughout the day. Overall, the school achieved an impressive 3rd place finish, with many students recording brilliant individual results in their respective age groups:
 15 Girls Diocesan Age Champion. 1st in 100m, 200m, High Jump, Javelin and Triple Jump Juniors |
 14 Boys Runner Up Age Champion. 1st in Long Jump |
 1st in Long Jump and Triple Jump Seniors |
 1st in Javelin and Shot Put |
 1st in Triple Jump Seniors |
 1st in 200m |
 1st in 200m |
 1st in Long Jump |
 1st in 400m |
 2nd in 1500m |
 1st in Shot Put |
Thank you to the SJPC staff and PASS students for their support and assistance in helping run the carnival on the day.
Netball NSW Schools Cup Regional Final
Our netball teams travelled to Port Macquarie to compete in the Netball NSW Schools Cup Regional Final.
Our 7/8 Boys team played amazing netball all day, showing incredible improvement since the first round in March. Their hard work paid off with a strong 4th place finish – a fantastic achievement!
Our 9/10 Girls team also had a stellar day, going undefeated through the rounds and securing a place in the Grand Final against BDC. It was an intense, nail-biting match, going goal for goal until the final moments, where they finished as well-deserved Runners-Up.
Our 7/8 Girls team were once again outstanding from the first whistle. They went through the day undefeated and carried that momentum into the Grand Final, where they dominated to take out a convincing championship win. The team now progresses to Sydney, where they’ll compete against the top 8 schools in NSW. We wish them the best of luck!
Congratulations to all players for your outstanding effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship. A huge thank you to our dedicated coaches Jesse Druzinec, Tanya Slaviero and Louise Maybury for their guidance and support.
Good luck to our 7/8 Girls team as they prepare to represent our school in Sydney!
NSWCCC Open Girls Football State Final
Our Open Girls football team competed at Valentine Sports Park, Sydney, in the NSWCCC Knockout semi finals. The girls displayed tremendous skill and determination against a strong Marist Sisters' College Woolwich side, going down 5-0.
We are extremely proud of their achievement in reaching the final four in the state – a fantastic effort and well-deserved recognition of their hard work!
A special thank you to Meg Pittman and Louis Van Dartel for accompanying and supporting the team in Sydney.
Year 9 & 10 Term 4 Sport Selections
Sports selections have been finalised and invoices will be issued via Compass. Payment is required by the Tuesday 23 September 2025.
Coming Up - Term 3 & 4 2025
Term 3, 2025 |
| Monday 15 September |
NSWCCC Athletics Championships, Sydney |
| Friday 19 September |
North Coast Schools Mountain Biking, Woolgoolga |
Term 4, 2025 |
| Friday 24 October |
Diocesan Volleyball |
* events require students to sign up directly on the Diocesan Sport website
Acting Leader of Sport
Year 7 & 10 Catch up Vaccinations - Tuesday, 16 September 2025
You can now provide online consent for your child's routine school vaccinations.
In Year 7 and Year 10, students are offered free vaccines for diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (dTpa), human papillomavirus (HPV) and Meningococcal ACWY. Vaccination will only be provided at School if consent has been received.
How to provide consent:
1. To complete online consent for your child’s school vaccinations, visit: https://nswhealth.service-now.com/school
2. Click the login with ‘Service NSW Account’ button and log in using your Service NSW details. This is the same account you may already use to renew your driver’s license. If you don’t have a Service NSW account, refer to Service NSW to create one.
3. Update or confirm your personal details in Service NSW as required.
4. Complete the School Vaccination Consent Form for your child. You will need to:
a) Enter your child’s personal details
b) Provide the Medicare card details for you and your child
c) Read the linked Parent Information Sheet and Privacy Statement
d) Provide consent
If you or your child do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by requesting a paper-based consent form directly from the College Office.
For more information on routine school vaccinations, please visit www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination
Translated information about school vaccination is available in 27 languages, please visit
www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/school_vaccination_language.aspx
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
SJPC Virtual Tour
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.
Last Friday we came together to celebrate the special men in our lives — dads, grandads, uncles, brothers and carers. It was a wonderful morning filled with laughter, music from our talented students, and a delicious breakfast shared with family and friends.
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.