College Update

Easter is the most significant day in the Christian calendar, as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking the birth of our eternal hope. The term "Easter" literally means "the feast of fresh flowers," and it is the greatest and most important feast in the Church. We celebrate it with pride and jubilation for four reasons:

The Resurrection of Christ is the basis of our Christian Faith. It is the greatest of the miracles, for it proves that Jesus is God. That is why St. Paul writes: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain; and your Faith is in vain” (I Cor 15:14). “Jesus is Lord, He is risen” (Rom 10:9), was the central theme of the kerygma (or “preaching”), of the Apostles
Easter is the guarantee of our own resurrection. Jesus assured Martha at the tomb of Lazarus: “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me will live even though he dies…” (Jn 11:25-26).
Easter is a feast which gives us hope and encouragement in this world of pain, sorrows and tears. It reminds us that life is worth living. It also gives us strength to fight against temptations and freedom from unnecessary worries and fears.
Easter gives meaning to our prayers: It supports our belief in the Real Presence of the Risen Jesus in and around us, in His Church, in the Blessed Sacrament, and in Heaven, hearing our prayers, and so gives meaning to our personal as well as our communal prayers.

The teachings of Easter are not just for Holy Week. They are a reminder of how we should live our lives every day. By forgiving others, loving one another, having faith, spreading the Good News, and embracing hope, we can live out the teachings of Christ and make a positive impact in our world. Let us remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us and the hope his resurrection brings. Let us live our lives with faith, knowing that God is with us always.

The College hosted a UAC (University Admission Centre) forum at the Nirimba campus, facilitated by the manager of UAC at which students and families were provided with materials outlining university entry processes and expectations. There were over 300 attendees from St John Paul II and other surround secondary schools.

The 2026 Alumni Breakfast and presentation was a huge success with six former students sharing their post-school pathways and current occupations. The event allowed our young people to ask pertinent questions about career choices as well as explore different pathways and job options.

The College held Harmony Day on Monday 23 March with a school assembly at which we showcased inclusive style of prayers, cultural dancing and messages of hope and tolerance. Students and staff also took part in an extended lunch to enjoy cultural dishes, be entertained by their peers, and share stories from other backgrounds.

God Bless

Mr R. Muscat

Ms Michalea Evans - Head of Catholic Identity and Mission

Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Catholic calendar because it leads believers into the central mystery of faith: the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Across these days, we do not simply remember these events—they enter into them spiritually, encountering God’s saving love revealed through the Cross and the empty tomb.

Holy Week shows who God truly is: a God of self-giving love. In the sacrifice of Good Friday and the hope of Easter Sunday, believers see that love is stronger than sin and death, which is the foundation of Christian faith.

Pope John Paul II taught that Holy Week is a living encounter with Christ, reminding us that “we are an Easter people.” This means we are called to live with hope, even in suffering, and to be transformed by Christ’s love in our daily lives.

In preparation for Holy week some students visited St Joseph’s Primary school to deepen and share their understanding of Holy week in particular Palm Sunday. To help the Parish prepare for Palm Sunday the students gathered to create small crosses to share with the Parish community.

Mrs Emily Catt - Business Manager

Operations and Facilities

With a number of projects coming to fruition this term, the term break will be limited to regular scheduled maintenance of plant and equipment around the College campuses.

Our Nirimba Campus will be closed during the Term Break, but the Schofields Office will remain open should you require support from Administration Services.

School Fees

Instalment #2 of 2026 School Fees will be issued during the second week of the School Holidays so please make a note to look out for it in your emails. If you wish to make payment in instalments, details and instructions will be listed on the invoice. If you require assistance to make payment, please contact the College 9208 7200 and Press Option 3 for Finance.

Ms Christina Luzi - Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

What a vibrant and action-packed Term One it has been!

Our Year 11 and Year 12 students have navigated their Assessment Blocks with focus and resilience. Year 12 continue to demonstrate commitment as they move closer to their final exams, while Year 11 are really beginning to step up and embrace the challenges and opportunities of senior study.

Across the school, students have engaged in important external assessments. Years 7 and 9 completed NAPLAN, and our Year 10 students undertook Minimum Standards testing, building essential skills for future success.

We’ve also celebrated students beyond the classroom. Our Public Speaking representatives impressed with their confidence and clarity, while our Da Vinci Decathlon teams showcased creativity, teamwork and problem-solving across a range of disciplines, an incredible effort!

A special shoutout to our Year 7 students, who have settled beautifully into high school life. From navigating new routines to building friendships, they have made a confident and positive start to their secondary journey.

Behind the scenes, our staff have been equally busy, engaging in professional learning to strengthen classroom practice. This term’s focus has included:

sharpening our use of learning intentions and success criteria
enhancing how we teach writing through exemplar texts
developing strategies to better support and extend our gifted learners and
implementing targeted support through our Year 8 Numeracy Project and EPIC Maths intervention program

As we approach the break, it’s important to pause and recharge. We encourage all students to disconnect, rest and enjoy time with family and friends. For our Year 12 students, this is also a valuable opportunity to spend some structured time progressing major works and study notes. Finding the right balance between rest and preparation will be key.

Finally, we would like to wish our entire school community a happy and holy Easter. May this time bring rest, renewal and connection. I wish to thank our students and families for warmly welcoming me into the St John Paul II community.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting term ahead!

College Events and Student Achievements

PDSSSC Swimming Carnival

Our students made a splash at last week’s PDSSSC Swimming Championships!

With great determination and school spirit, they represented us proudly in and out of the pool.

Congratulations to all competitors on a fantastic effort!

Madison (Year 11)

Congratulations to Madison (Year 11), the winner of our Term Pokémon Library Challenge!

Madison showed incredible dedication, reading 10 books to take out the top spot in a field of over 40 competitors from both St JPII and Wyndham Colleges. It was wonderful to see such high engagement from our senior students!

Madison took home a $50 Dymocks gift card thanks to the Nirimba Library Team. Stay tuned for next term’s challenge—check upcoming library displays and the Nirimba Library News to see how you can get involved!

St Columba’s Art Prize Finalists

We're delighted to share that four of our students, Ava, Kirsten, Lucas, and Neha, have been selected as finalists in the 2026 St Columba’s Art Prize. This is an outstanding achievement!

The St Columba’s Art Prize is an annual exhibition showcasing works from both established and emerging artists across Australia. With a prize pool exceeding $17,000—including a $10,000 Open Prize, $2,000 Local Artist Prize, and $1,000 Youth Prize—the event celebrates excellence in Australian art and creativity.

The Open Prize winner will be announced at a cocktail reception on Friday 1 May. The Finalists’ Exhibition will then be open to the public from 2–3 May, 10:00am to 4:00pm, and will continue from 4-6 May for both public viewing and school group visits by appointment.

columbasartprize.com.au

Important Dates 2026

Key Dates Term 2, 2026

WEEK 1B:

Mon 20 Apr Staff Professional Development Day (Pupil Free day, no classes)

Tue 21 Apr All students return for Term 2 in full winter uniform

Fri 24 Apr Whole school assembly - Year 11 & 12 commence at Schofields

WEE 2A:

Mon 27 Apr Anzac Day Public Holiday

Tue 28 & Wed 29 Apr Year 9 Future Anything Event - Nirimba Campus (students to make own arrangments to and from the Nirimba Campus, refer to Busways for timetable)

Thu 30 Apr Year 11 & 12 Parent/Carer/Teacher Interviews (Online)

Thu 30 Apr Nirimba Open Evening - for New Students commencing at the College in 2027 (current students do not need to attend)

WEEK 3B:

Mon 4 & Tue 5 May Year 7, 2027 Enrolment Interviews - Families who have applied will receive an email on Wed 1 Apr with the appointment booking link.

Mon 4 May Year 9, 2027 Subject Selection Information Evening (5:30 – 6:15pm)

Mon 4 May Year 11, 2027 Subject Selection Information Evening (6:30 – 7:15pm)

Fri 8 May Mother's Day Breakfast (7am) Schofields Campus

OTHER TERM 2 KEY DATES

Mon 25 May College Photo day - purchasing information will be sent out early Term 2

Fri 5 Jun Staff Professional Development Day (Pupil Free day, no classes)

Mon 8 Jun Kings Birthday Public Holiday

Fri 12 Jun College Photo day - catch up day

Thu 2 Jul Last day of scheduled classes for Term 2.

Thu 2 Jul Year 7-11 Parent/Teacher Interviews, ONLINE (3:00pm-6:30pm)

Fri 3 Jul Year 7-11 Parent/Teacher Interviews, Schofields Campus (8:30am-2:30pm). There will be no scheduled classes. Students are required to attend with their parents/carers in full school uniform if interviews are booked.

Students return in Term 2 wearing their full College Winter Uniform

Please see the Uniform page for requirements.

The School Locker will be closed over the Easter weekend, please refer to the website for the most up to date opening times.

below times are correct as of 31/03/2026

2026 Events Calendar

This calendar is also available via Compass

Careers and Pathways

Check out this weeks Careers Newsletter

Western Sydney Careers of Today Parent Forum

Choosing a career path can feel overwhelming - especially in a world where industries are constantly evolving and new jobs are emerging every year.
The Western Sydney Careers of Today Parent Forum, presented as part of WEXPO, is a special event designed for parents and students in high school who want to better understand the future of work and the opportunities available after school.

This event will help students discover exciting career pathways across a range of industries, while also providing parents with practical advice on how to support and guide their child as they make important decisions about their future.

Attendees will hear from industry experts, entrepreneurs and education leaders who will provide insights into the industry trends, jobs and career pathways in growing industries including: