Leaders of Student Wellbeing
Year 7
Year 7 students have been working very hard to adjust well to their new environment at SJPC and both students and teachers are very happy with the progress so far. It is early days for our new cohort, and this fits like a glove with our pastoral focus of “new beginnings”.
Huge congratulations to students and parents and a heartfelt thank you to our Year 7 Homeroom Team, and to Student Services who have worked so hard to ensure a smooth and meaningful start to highschool for our students.
We are delighted to have Mikayla Hanford as Assistant Leader of Student Wellbeing for Year 7 as another point of support for our students.
Year 7 Belonging Day
Year 7 students finished their second week of high school sharing in fun activities, BBQ lunch, and building new friendships in our outdoor classroom of Boambee Bay picnic area. Teachers shared good news stories, peer mentors led the games and activities in and out of the water. We enjoyed a delicious sausage sizzle, kindly cooked by our maintenance staff.
Year 8
Year 8 - Embracing Growth and Community
Over the past two weeks it has been wonderful to witness the Year 8 cohort settle in with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a strong sense of community. Their engagement in learning has been outstanding, with a particular passion emerging for their new subject this year, Japanese. Whilst continuing with all subjects they engaged with last year, it is inspiring to see students embrace the challenge of learning a new language, demonstrating persistence, curiosity, and a love of learning.
Beyond the classroom, Year 8 students have brought great energy to the playground. The handball courts continue to be a space of friendly competition, where students challenge each other in the spirit of fun and fairness. A newfound love for table tennis has also taken hold, with students gathering to refine their skills and enjoy each other’s company. Perhaps most heartwarming is the way Year 8 has welcomed and supported new members of the cohort, fostering a culture of kindness and belonging within our school community.
This year, Year 8 is guided by the Gospel passage from Matthew 6:25-26, which reminds us to trust in God's providence and recognise our own worth:
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
This passage speaks to the importance of faith and trust, reminding us that our true value is not defined by material things but by the dignity and worth given to us by God. It connects deeply with the teachings of St John Paul II, who encouraged us to embrace our faith with confidence and to see ourselves as cherished members of God’s creation. Throughout the year, we will continue to explore this message, reflecting on what it means to know our value and to trust in God’s plan for us.
Exciting Updates to Pastoral Care at St John Paul College!
As mentioned late last year, we are pleased to introduce a new structure in our pastoral care system, designed to further support the wellbeing and growth of our students. As part of this, we warmly welcome Matt Currie to the team in his role as Assistant Leader of Student Wellbeing for Year 8. Matt brings a passion for student support and development, and we are excited for the positive impact he will have on our Year 8 cohort.
At St John Paul College, we are committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student feels supported. We look forward to seeing this new structure enhance the pastoral care experience for our students and families.
Year 9
It’s been a great start to the year for Year 9. Students are excited about new opportunities i.e new subjects and new sport choices. They are super excited about their first high school camp at “The Great Aussie Bush Camp” in Tea Gardens in Term 2. Year 9 students will also have an opportunity to attend the Diocesan wide “SHINE” mini retreat later in Term 3 which in the past has proven to be a very valuable experience. Along with Pastoral Days and other events 2025 is set to be a big year for the students.
I would like to welcome Rodrigo De La Hoz and Jasmine Swe to the Homeroom Team for 2025 and welcome back Damien Wood, Mark Hoare, Jess Chiswell, Sally Poidevin, Hollie Pellat and Brett Bujeya who did such a wonderful job last year caring for their students.
I would especially like to welcome Elise Cox who is our new Year 9 Assistant Leader of Student Wellbeing. Elise brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the new role and I am excited to work with her and the team this year and beyond.
I look forward to working with and getting to know the Year 9 students this year. Mr Sultana and I will be working together to make sure that all students feel welcome in 2025, and we look forward to helping Year 9 students this year.
This year the Leader of Student Wellbeing office has been moved to the staffroom at the end of S-Block. Students are encouraged to find Mr Sultana and myself there if they would like to talk to us or need assistance.
We are lucky to have welcomed ten new Year 9 students to SJPC this year. A very warm welcome to our new students, and welcome back to all Year 9!
Our Emmaus theme this year is “Love your Enemies” and Year 9 was introduced to this theme on the first day back. So, remember “if your enemy strikes you on the cheek, show them your other cheek!” (Matthew 5:38-40)
Year 10
I hope this message finds you well and that the start of the new year has been positive for your child. As they embark on the next stage of their spiritual, educational, social, and emotional journey, we understand that transitioning to a new learning environment can be challenging. With the support and guidance of family, friends, and our dedicated teaching staff, we are confident that your child will navigate these challenges successfully.
As part of the school’s Emmaus Project, Year 10 students will be reflecting on the Gospel passage from Mark 9:33-37, “Who is the Greatest?” focusing on stewardship and compassion for one another. It is our hope that this message will resonate with them throughout the year.
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and extend a warm welcome to everyone at St John Paul College. I grew up near the town of Moree and spent six years at a boarding school in Sydney, where I developed a strong passion for sports, particularly rugby and cricket. In addition to playing, I have had the privilege of coaching men’s, women’s, and schoolboy teams. I strongly believe in the value of team sports and activities that encourage students to embrace new challenges and grow together.
In my personal life, I have been married for 28 years and am the proud father of three children. My eldest (22) is studying at Sydney University, my second (19) has just completed his HSC and will also study at Sydney Uni, and my youngest (12) is starting Year 6.
I have been teaching professionally for 33 years, with a background in Mathematics. I began my teaching career in Sydney before moving to Coffs Harbour, and I have been part of the SJPC community since 1997. From 2002 to 2015, I served as a Leader of Student Wellbeing, and from 2016 to 2024, I was part of the leadership team in Pastoral Care.
I would also like to welcome Anneliese Mills, who is joining our Year 10 Pastoral Care team as the Assistant Leader of Student Wellbeing for 2025. Along with our homeroom team—Sarah Coates, Cory Blight, Paul Hewitt, Siobhan McCosker, Lex Carruthers, Anna Mills, Jo-Anne Benten, and John Podesta—we are committed to supporting your child throughout this year.
I look forward to working closely with you and your child and supporting them during this exciting and sometimes challenging stage of their education.
Year 11
The excitement of the first day of being a Senior was certainly evident on the first day of the year as the current Year 11 cohort were introduced to all things HSC.
We began the day looking at what success looked like and sounded like before investigating the ingredients required to build a strong culture and the values we need to uphold.
This then led into exploring the characteristics of being “employable” and how important these traits are in our lives, both at school and at home.
Finally, we developed a code of conduct, identifying both our rights and responsibilities, which will provide a framework to keep everyone accountable to the group over the coming two years.
After this Ms Brown took everyone through the complexities of NESA requirements and Mr Furey provided his expertise around developing sound study habits.
All in all, this was quite a valuable day to set the group up for success, but by the end of the day it was evident that everyone just wanted to get into the classroom and get their teeth into their work.
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back all Year 11 students and their families and extend a warm invitation to all parents to be a part of the exciting journey their children have begun as they put the finishes touches to their formal school education.
Year 12
We began this significant year with a heartfelt video montage, capturing cherished memories from their time in high school. From their very first days in Year 7 to the young adults they have become today, this visual journey reminded us all of how far they have come and the incredible growth they have experienced.
This year, our theme is inspired by the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew:
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)
We encourage our Year 12 students to embrace this message—to recognize their worth, their gifts, and their ability to make a difference. We remind them: Don’t hide yourself. Shine! This is their time to step forward with confidence, to be a light in the world, and to lead by example in kindness, courage, and faith.
The year ahead will be filled with incredible opportunities—academic challenges, leadership roles, friendships to deepen, and memories to create. We urge them to embrace it all: to work hard, to have fun, and to support one another as they navigate their final year together.
Here’s to a year of growth, discovery, and shining brightly!
Year 12 Valentine's Day Fundraiser – Spreading the Love!
Our amazing Year 12 students truly embraced the spirit of Valentine’s Day with their heartwarming fundraiser, spreading love and joy throughout the school! From beautiful roses and sweet treats to heartfelt messages, they worked hard to make the day special for everyone. A huge thank you to all the students and staff who supported the event—whether by purchasing gifts, sending kind words, or simply sharing in the fun. Your generosity and enthusiasm helped make this fundraiser a wonderful success. Well done, Year 12, for showing that a little kindness goes a long way!
