Leaders of Student Wellbeing
Year 8
Year 8 have returned energised and enthusiastic for Term 4. It has been wonderful to see students reconnecting and sharing stories from their holiday break with one another.
I’d like to warmly welcome Mr Matthew Quinton, who has joined our team as the Assistant Leader of Student Wellbeing for the next 12 months. Matthew brings a wealth of pastoral experience to this role, and we look forward to his contributions and support of our Year 8 cohort during this time.
Last Wednesday, we also acknowledged our newly appointed Student Leaders for 2026. We recognise and congratulate Ekamdeep Kaur, Leila Perdicaro, Justine Vana Bataclan and Archie Walker on this wonderful achievement. We look forward to seeing their leadership and positive influence as they guide their peers over the next 12 months.
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Looking ahead, Term 4 is shaping up to be a meaningful and engaging one for our Year 8 students. Throughout the term, students will take part in four pastoral lessons focused on our College theme of Resilience. Resilience is the ability to recover from or adapt to challenges, demonstrating emotional strength and a healthy response to change. These lessons will help students explore what it means to be resilient and how they can continue to grow in this important aspect of their personal development.
In Week 5, Year 8 will participate in the “ Make Bulling History” program. This evidence informed program shares real life stories of how individuals and school communities can overcome bullying.
In Week 8, we will celebrate the end of the school year with our Year 8 trip to Wet’n’Wild on the Gold Coast. Details for this event are available on Compass, and consent and payment are due by Wednesday, 12 November.
I’m genuinely excited about the term ahead and the many opportunities to continue working with you to support and guide your children as they prepare for their transition into Year 9 in 2026.
Matt Currie & Matthew Quinton
Year 8 Leaders of Student Wellbeing
Year 9
Welcome back to Term 4! This term is all about bringing everything together, consolidating your knowledge, and getting ready for the next chapter.
We're thrilled to announce and congratulate several outstanding students who have been honored with College Commendation Awards for their remarkable academic achievements, dedication, and contributions to the college community. These awards recognise students who have gone above and beyond, setting a high standard for their peers.
Congratulations to Our Award Recipients
Please join us in celebrating the hard work and success of the following individuals:
| College Commendation Awards |
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Each of these students have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to excellence in their studies and various college endeavours. Their achievements are a source of great pride for their families, faculty, and the entire institution.
Our Best All rounder for this week is Kristen Hansen so well done on a fine achievement!
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The key to a successful Term 4 is balance and planning. Don't let the end-of-year rush catch you off guard.
- Plan Ahead: Look at your subject outlines and create a study timetable. Know when your major due dates and final assessments are. Breaking down big tasks into smaller, manageable chunks will help you from feeling overwhelmed.
- Use Your Teachers: Your teachers are your biggest resource. If you're confused about a topic, unsure about an assignment, or just need a little extra help, ask! The sooner you seek help, the better prepared you'll be.
- Prioritise Wellbeing: With all the activity, it's easy to burn out. Make time for the things you enjoy—whether it's sport, music, seeing friends, or just relaxing. A fresh mind learns better than a tired one.
- Finish Strong: This is your last chance to lift your results for the year. Commit to putting in your best effort right up until the last day. The foundation you build in Year 9 will make Year 10 so much easier.
Let's make this final term your most successful one yet.
Year 10
Finishing Strong and Building Resilience
Welcome back to the final, crucial term of Year 10. The year has flown by, and now is the time for every student to commit to finishing strong, not just academically, but as members of our school community.
For Year 10 students, maintaining a sharp focus over this final term is paramount. These assessments don't just contribute to this semester's results; they are vital practice for what awaits them in the senior years or the vocation they choose to pursue.
This term, we are asking all students to:
- Prioritise Attendance: Every lesson counts. Missing even one class at this stage can mean missing crucial revision or instructions for final tasks.
- Commit to Revision: Start planning revision for final exams and submitting high-quality work for all assignments. Use the time in class wisely.
- Display Respect: Show courtesy to all teachers and staff, and maintain a respectful learning environment for all peers.
- Wear the correct school uniform each day.
These ideas tie directly into this term's pastoral theme of resilience. In Week 1, we discussed with the students what resilience means: the ability to bounce back from challenges, setbacks, and disappointments.
Resilience is not just about individual strength; it’s also about the strength of the community. We discussed how we can build our own resilience by:
- Taking responsibility: for our learning and actions.
- Practicing self-care: sleep, exercise, and balance.
- Developing a growth mindset: seeing mistakes as opportunities to learn.
Equally important is how we support the resilience of our peers. We encouraged students to be active, supportive members of the year group, reaching out to those who might be struggling and ensuring our year group is a place of genuine connection and kindness.
Our Gospel Theme: Who is the Greatest?
This focus on resilience and support directly connects to our Year Group Gospel Theme from Mark 9:33-37. In this passage, Jesus asks his disciples what they were arguing about on the road, and they were silent because they had been debating "who was the greatest."
Jesus then sits down and says: "If anyone wants to be first, they must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)
This message reminds our Year 10 students that true strength, leadership, and greatness in our community come not from seeking power or status, but from humble service and support for others. As we enter the home stretch, please reinforce these key messages with your child. We thank you for your support as we work together to ensure a successful and respectful finish to Year 10.
Year 11
A big thank you to all the parents and families who joined us for the recent Year 11 into Year 12 Information Night. The evening was a fantastic opportunity to prepare for the important year ahead, offering valuable insights and support for our students as they embark on their final chapter at St John Paul College.
Hosted wonderfully by our College Student Leaders, the night began with a beautiful musical performance from talented Year 11 students, Kayla and Charena.
Expert Guidance for the Journey
We were privileged to hear from a range of speakers who shared their expertise on navigating the challenges and opportunities of the HSC year.
Tony Abbotts, Leader of Student Wellbeing for the year group, opened with a passionate address on the profound value of education and the significant, yet rewarding, challenge our students are about to undertake. It was clear to see that this group is in good hands for the year to come.
A very welcome addition to the evening was Senior Constable Phillip Geurs, a local Youth Engagement Officer. It was fantastic to see him mingling so openly and chatting with students and families before the formal presentations began. He then delivered a frank talk on safety and responsibility, focusing on policing issues affecting young people, with a strong emphasis on road safety risks like speeding and mobile phone use.
Academic, Career, and Personal Support
Parents then received an overview of the academic landscape from Claudia Brown, who demystified all things HSC and NESA. She outlined what lies ahead for the cohort and detailed the various avenues for academic help available at the college.
Looking beyond graduation, Careers Advisor Paul Corsalini provided a look at TAFE and university pathways, assuring families of the extensive support the college offers to help students make informed decisions and what things have been put in place to assist with these big decisions.
Finally, College Counsellor Brad Poidevin addressed the critical topic of wellbeing, offering practical strategies for managing the stress of the HSC and balancing personal situations to help students achieve their best.
To cap off a wonderful evening, each family left with a small gift pack to help them ‘cope’ with the year ahead. It included items such as a paperclip, to help hold it all together; a stress ball, to absorb their concerns; and a mint, to be an 'encourage-mint' for the year ahead among other things.
Thank you again to our wonderful speakers and families for making the night a great success. We are committed to supporting the Class of 2026 every step of the way.
