College Update

The College celebrated its 30th Anniversary this year with Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta followed by a special morning tea for former staff members, Principals and community dignitaries. It was a great opportunity to honour leaders, dedicated staff, families and students who had brought life and energy to the community over the years. We were reminded by Bishop Vincent; catholic schools are not simply places where knowledge is taught but where young people are formed and transformed in Christ.

St John Paul II had a profound love for young people and a deep belief in the power of education. He reminded educators that Catholic schools play a vital role in the success of young people by giving them meaning and purpose. His message continues to resonate in the College today. Every day in our classrooms, on the sporting fields, in our creative spaces and in our prayer, we strive to form young peoples who are compassionate, courageous and committed to making a difference in the world.

The College congratulates Mia Campbell in Year 12 for being a grand finalist in the CSDA Public Speaking competition. This is a fantastic achievement considering that the competition involves all Catholic Secondary Schools in Sydney.

Several beginning teachers accompanied me to the CSPD Commissioning Mass on Thursday at which Bishop Vincent presided and blessed new teachers into the profession. We were reminded that educators working in Catholic schools have a significant role as they not only provide a rich learning environment but also build strong relationships based on the love of Christ which makes our vocation truly holy in the eyes of the Church.

God Bless

Mr R. Muscat

View the full gallery via this link

Ms Michalea Evans - Head of Catholic Identity and Mission

Last week our school community gathered to celebrate a very special milestone, 30 years of Catholic education within our College. It was a significant moment of gratitude and reflection as we honoured the faith, dedication and vision of those who have shaped our community over the past three decades.

We were privileged to celebrate this occasion with The Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, who presided at our anniversary Mass and shared a powerful homily reflecting on the mission of Catholic education and the importance of nurturing faith, hope and service in the lives of our young people. We would like to take this opportunity to share Bishop Vincent’s homily with you so that our wider community can reflect on the meaning and significance of this celebration.

As St John Paul II reminded the Church: "Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ."

These words continue to inspire our mission as a Catholic school — to form young people who are open to Christ, committed to learning, and dedicated to serving others.

We give thanks for the many families, staff and students who have been part of our journey over the past 30 years, and we look forward with hope to the future of Catholic education in our community.

Homily of the 30th Anniversary of St John Paul II Catholic College Homily by The Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta

Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-9; Matthew 5:17-19

Dear friends,

Today, we gather to give thanks for the 30th birthday of our college and to ask God’s blessing as we move into the future. John Paul II Catholic College began in humble circumstances, with just a small number of staff and students in what was then a market gardens' area. Known initially as Terra Sancta, meaning "holy ground", the College's mission was to treat and to imbue everyone with the spirit of Jesus. Later on, in honour of the founder of our diocese who was made a saint in 2014, it was renamed St John Paul II.

Our motto "The way passes through this land" was adopted to signify that faith is not something abstract and disconnected with reality. Rather, it is a journey that is lived out in everyday life and relationships. I am pleased to note in my recent visit that the spirit of Jesus is alive in so many ways at the college. It is alive through the warmth of your welcome, the care you show to each other, the respectful relationships, the faith in action and of course not the least is the stewardship of God's creation.

The Word of God challenges us to seek deeper levels of transformation. Life fully lived is not a strait jacket that we can impose on everyone. Rather, we must recognise that every person’s journey is unique. Our task is to enable them to be the best version of themselves. In this way, we help grow the image of God in which they were created.

In the first reading, Moses instructs the people as they are about to settle in the Promise Land. After the enemies have been routed, they enjoy a period of peace, stability and prosperity. There is a real temptation, however, to grow comfortable and forget that they are the People of God in mission. Moses warns them against complacency and reminds them of the covenant relationship that would define them as the chosen people. He tells them: “Keep the laws and customs. Observe them and show other people your wisdom and understanding”. The Israelites are to set themselves apart from the other nations and peoples around them. Just as they were not to model on the oppressive society under Pharaoh in Egypt, now in Palestine they must distinguish themselves as "Terra Sancta" or land of hospitality, compassion and care for the most vulnerable.

Choosing to serve God who delivered them from bondage, oppression and human indignity has real implications to the way they treat others. It means they have to give an account to God as to how they treat the strangers, the widows and the orphans. These are the most vulnerable people in ancient times. The God of love and freedom expects them to be champions of love and compassion. In other words, what Moses reminds the people very much aligns with your college pillars: be the people of mercy, justice, dignity and service.

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the purpose of the law in terms of transformation. He condemns the shallow, self-serving and superficial observance that does not change the person. He challenges his disciples to practice a holiness that goes to the heart, that has to do with integrity, love and service. It is not just avoiding infringements of the law but fulfilling its purpose. It is not checking all the right boxes but getting one’s heart right with God. It is not doing the minimum but loving others even at our own cost. Christian discipleship demands our moral courage, integrity and fidelity. Our ancestors in faith were asked to reject false gods and live by God’s wisdom instead.

The disciples were asked to go beyond the letter of the law and to interiorise holiness in a way that transforms their lives, relationships and behaviours. They were to set themselves apart; to become an alternative society rather assimilating and conforming to the value system of the dominant culture. We are told that the early Church was poorly resourced, few in numbers, marginalized and persecuted by the power that be. Yet it was a powerhouse of prayer, love and solidarity. In the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, they showed to the world that it was possible to live with care, compassion and harmony.

Dear friends,

As we give thanks to God, to the pioneering men and women that gave so much of themselves, let us also be resolved to respond to the needs of our times, in the spirit of faith, hope and love. Let us pray with a deep sense of gratitude and humility for all that the Lord has been able to accomplish in the lives of our students, staff and

parents at our college: past and present. Let John Paul II community be not only a centre for academic excellence and achievement but also a spiritual oasis where the spirit of Jesus is alive. May it be the place where lives are connected, enhanced and transformed. May we become people grounded in the mercy and love of God in Christ, so that we can influence others for the sake of a better world and a better future for all.

Take a step back in time to explore our foundations in the making.

Mr Anthony Hulme - Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Learning

What an amazing couple of weeks we have at StJPII!

Last week we celebrated our 30th Anniversary Mass
Harmony Week
- - Harmony Week is this week, 15-22 March. Students will attend a liturgy on Monday 23 March. This is due to NAPLAN exams running during the week, and Year 11 & 12 assessments.
Athletics Carnival
- - Week 9, Friday 27 March. Families welcome to attend.
Easter Liturgy - Week 10, Thursday 2 April.

PIVOT Wellbeing

In 2026 our College will be aligning with all other CSPD schools in the launch of a system wide PIVOT Wellbeing for learning survey.

In Week 8, all students will be completing a Baseline survey which will give valuable data back to the Wellbeing Team at Head Office. This data will assist in the allocation of resources to schools. In Term 2, the first cycle of 5 weeks will be completed. More info will be coming in the weeks ahead.

In Week 8, parents/carers will be sent a Survey which is being conducted by SchoolTV. It is part of a national survey that will assist in a report.

Ms Christina Luzi - Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Student Portal– Tools for success!

Student Portal — We're thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new Student Portal! Parents and students can now find everything they need in one handy place, including Assessment Schedules for the year, Illness and Misadventure forms, and subject change and leave forms. The Assessment Schedules are a great tool to help you build a personalised calendar so your child can stay on top of upcoming assessments and never be caught off guard. If your child is ever unwell or unable to complete an assessment, the Illness and Misadventure process is a really important one to know about. Submitting the form ensures teachers are informed of the circumstances and helps protect your child from receiving a zero. Head over to the portal today and have an explore!

Atomi – Learning Made Easy for Your Child!

We're excited to share a fantastic resource that students are loving - Atomi! Atomi offers engaging video lessons and tutorials across all key subjects, making it easier than ever for students to understand and revisit what they're learning in class. It's perfect for exam preparation, with everything students need to study and revise at their own pace. Best of all, it's available anytime, anywhere - so learning can happen whether they're at home, on the bus, or wherever life takes them! This can be accessed through Box of Books, and the link is on the student portal.

Jacaranda — Smarter Learning, All in One Place!

We also want to draw your attention to a fantastic digital learning platform that gives students access to their textbooks and resources all in one place! With interactive practice questions built right in, students get instant feedback to help them understand and grow as they learn. The JacBundle makes it even better by bundling all the key subjects your child needs into one convenient package, saving you the hassle of tracking down multiple resources. Whether it's after school, on weekends, or the night before an assessment, students can log in and get straight to work whenever it suits them! 📚This can be accessed through Box of Books and the link is on the student portal.

College Events and Student Achievements

CSDA Public Speaking Competition

The College is extremely proud of Mia Campbell, Year 12 Portfolio Leader, who was a grand finalist in this year's CSDA Public Speaking competition. Mia competed with a number of well positioned Catholic Secondary Colleges across the metropolitan area which is a testament to her dedication and will-power. I would like to thank Mr Oscan, Ms Phillips and Ms Ponce for their time and energy in ensuring our people have the best experience and chance for success.

Step Up Into Teaching Program (SUIT)

On Thursday 19 March, five students in our Step Up Into Teaching Program were proudly awarded their Graduation Certificates, supporting their pathway into a teaching degree at Australian Catholic University.

Congratulations to Amalia, Ruby, Tyarrah, Darcy and Chloe, who plan to use this valuable experience to gain credit towards a leading university degree in Education. Well done!

Congratuations!!

Celebrating our students’ sporting achievements beyond the College. Congratulations on your success!

Jack (Year 12)

BASEBALL

Please join us in congratulating Jack on his selection in the NSWCCC Boys Baseball Team.

Aleena (Year 10)

CRICKET

Aleena has had an outstanding cricket season, with all three of her teams reaching their respective grand finals, an incredible achievement. Her success includes being recognised by Cricket NSW as a key batting anchor for Penrith in the Brewers Shield, ranking among the top five batters, earning multiple Team of the Week selections in The Daily Telegraph, and being invited to U19 academy matches while also excelling as the youngest player in a Grade 1 senior women’s team on the Central Coast.