College Update

Term 1, Week 4A

We are called to be people of Christ with courageous

hearts & minds for all to flourish.

Photo of Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, College Executive and SRC members. Friday 20 February 2026.

In this week's College Update

Mr Rob Muscat - Principal Leader

Careers and Pathways

Mrs Emily Catt - Business Manager

Mr Rob Muscat - Principal Leader

Dear St John Paul II community,

The College community celebrated Ash Wednesday to commence the season of Lent this week at which we were reminded that it is a time for deep introspection on human mortality and our need for spiritual renewal. As this holy season unfolds, believers are invited to embrace generosity, commit to fasting and dedicate themselves to prayer, continuing these traditions until the sun sets on Holy Thursday.

We had the privilege of hosting the visit of Bishop Vincent, the Bishop of Parramatta. He met several students and staff to hear the wonderful work we are doing in spreading the gospels. He was especially impressed with our commitment towards the Diocesan Catechist programme which involves student volunteers sharing their faith journey with Catholic students in Sate Primary schools.

The College is immensely proud of our Berg Shield Cricket team who are semi-finalist in the NSWCCC Cricket competition. This is an enormous effort when one considers that only the best school in NSW are competing at this level.

Year 7 attended the Camp at the Aussie Bush Camp in Morisset this week with our young people returning exhausted but happy to have had the experience. For many of our students this was their first time away from home which in itself makes it a more memorable experience.

I have been made aware that the move away from double periods to single periods in a day has meant that students are receiving more homework compared to last year. I have addressed this concern with the teaching staff by asking that greater consideration in the type and length of work be made when issuing homework. The reasoning behind having more singles is to ensure that there is greater continuity of lessons over the ten-day cycle. This is aligned to educational research in the science of learning which states that students remember more content when it is delivered more regularly.

God Bless

Mr R Muscat

Careers and Pathways

Make sure you check out the Careers and Pathways page by Mrs Karyn Abela. If you have any questions for her, please email her on stjohnpaul2careers@parra.catholic.edu.au

Mrs Emily Catt - Business Manager

With Term 1 in full swing the College is excited to prepare for our annual Open Afternoon where we welcome so many prospective families to our Schofields Campus and showcase our facilities and Learning Environments. For those families with younger siblings in years 4, 5 and 6, we encourage you to attend with your children to help them get accustomed to the College. We are now taking enrolments for Year 7 2028 and draw closer to the closing date for applications for Year 7 2027.

The documentation required to lodge an enrolment application for Year 7 2028 along with the $50 application fee, is:

Enrolment Form A
Most Recent School Report
Year 3 NAPLAN
Overseas Exchange Student Form (If Applicable)
Baptism or Confirmation Certificate (If Applicable)

All of the above can be submitted via email to the College if paying the Application Fee via the QKR app.

We encourage you to lodge your sibling applications now.

Stage 2 of our Hambledon Road Frontage Landscaping has been completed with the new Turf being laid this week. We hope you like the finished result. Next week our large waterproof structure commences the second stage of its construction with it being finalised shortly.

Enrol Your Child at Our School | St John Paul II Catholic College SchofieldsEnrollments are now open! Apply by requesting an enrolment application pack and begin the process today.

SchoolTV

The SchoolTV platform provides schools with an extensive range of wellbeing resources for parents, so they can work together in partnership. At regular intervals we will release important information, tip and tricks that will assist families.

Our recent release was on the transition to school:

https://stjohnpaul2.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions

2026 CSPD Mobile Phone Policy Update

We have had a great start to the year in regard to the non use of phones on the College site. The CSPD policy that we will be following is that student mobile phones must be switched off when they enter the College grounds.

Some students are adjusting after the holiday break, but with a few reminders we will hopefully all be in alignment without consequences.

For those students who are consistently not following the guidelines, they will be asked to place their phone in the College office during the day.

~ Original communications sent Week 10, Term 4, 2026.

From Term 1, 2026, all CSPD schools will implement a new Student Use of Mobile Phones and Other Digital Devices Policy.

This policy has been developed to create more focused learning environments and to support student wellbeing and safety. It follows strong evidence from schools across Australia showing that limiting mobile phone use during the school day helps improve learning focus, reduces distraction, and supports positive relationships.

Under the new approach, students will not use mobile phones during school hours.

Secondary students will be responsible for the safe keeping of their phones. They cannot be used during the day.
Other digital devices such as smartwatches or Bluetooth earbuds may only be used for learning activities and require principal approval.

The significant change is that mobile phones must be switched off the moment a student walks into the gate. They can only be used once they leave the gate in the afternoon. This also includes bus lines (no access).

Using a phone to check the time is not a valid reason to switch on or check a phone.

Please note: A plan will need to be further developed with the canteen operators. Students will be able to use a physical card or cash for canteen purchases. Online ordering is currently being investigated. More info in the coming weeks.

Exemptions to the policy will need to be approved by the principal, justifying the need for the mobile phone to be accessible by the student. For example, medical or educational needs could be grounds for an exemption.

We understand that families may rely on mobile phones for communication, so if your child needs to contact you during the day, they can do so through the school office. Likewise, you can contact your child by calling the school office.

This change is part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every CSPD school remains a safe, supportive, and respectful place to learn. More information, including FAQs, will be available on the CSPD website.

Thank you for your support as we work together to build focused, respectful, and distraction-free learning environments at St John Paul II Catholic College.