College Update

Term 3, Week 8B

We are called to be people of Christ with courageous hearts & minds for all to flourish.

In this week's College Update

Mr Rob Muscat - Principal Leader

Dear St John Paul II community,

It has been another wonderful fortnight at the College, with many opportunities for our students, families and staff to come together, celebrate achievement and strengthen our sense of community.

We were delighted to welcome Year 5 students from our local Catholic primary schools to St John Paul II Catholic College as part of our Step Up to Secondary School Programme. It was wonderful to see our future students enthusiastically embracing the opportunity to experience secondary school life. The students participated in a range of activities and enjoyed meeting staff and students, exploring our facilities and getting a taste of what awaits them in the years ahead. We are grateful to our primary school colleagues and our College staff and students who helped make the experience such a positive and enjoyable one.

STEP UP INTO SECONDARY SCHOOL.mp4

We also extend our warmest congratulations to Year 12 student Tyarrah J, who has been awarded the 2026 Bishop’s Student Excellence Award. This is a wonderful achievement and one that is richly deserved. Tyarrah has demonstrated the qualities of an outstanding young person through her commitment, character, leadership and contribution to our College community. We are incredibly proud of her achievement and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.

Last Friday, we were pleased to welcome so many fathers to our Father’s Day Liturgy and Breakfast. It was wonderful to see our fathers and father figures sharing in the celebration of the liturgy before enjoying breakfast together. Events such as these remind us of the importance of family and the strong partnerships that exist between home and school. Thank you to all those fathers who took the time to join us and contribute to such a warm and enjoyable morning.

Our Wellbeing Week, culminating in RUOK Day, was also a tremendous success. The week provided our students with valuable opportunities to focus on their wellbeing, develop positive connections and recognise the importance of looking after themselves and one another. Most importantly, it encouraged us to remember that a simple question such as “Are you OK?” can open the door to an important conversation and remind someone that they are not alone.

I sincerely thank our staff and students for their enthusiastic participation and support throughout the week. Building a culture in which we look out for one another is an important part of our College identity and reflects our commitment to ensuring that all members of our community can flourish.

These events have once again demonstrated the wonderful spirit of St John Paul II Catholic College. Whether welcoming our future students, celebrating the achievements of our young people, strengthening family connections or promoting wellbeing, we continue to build a community in which everyone is valued, supported and encouraged to flourish.

God Bless

Mr Robert Muscat

2027 College Leaders Announcement

Mr Anthony Hulme - Assistant Principal - Wellbeing and Learning

Wellbeing Week

As we progress through this busy term, I would like to sincerely congratulate everyone who contributed to making our recent Wellbeing Week such a remarkable success. The enthusiasm and positive energy demonstrated by both staff and students created a wonderful atmosphere across the College as we focused on the importance of positive physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

A particular highlight of the week was the opportunity to come together as a community in faith, celebration and recognition. At our assembly, it was wonderful to see so many students acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to the College and the wider community. These moments remind us of the importance of recognising not only academic achievement, but also the qualities of service, compassion, courage, leadership and care for others.

Wellbeing is central to our mission as a Catholic community, and opportunities such as Wellbeing Week allow us to pause, reflect and strengthen the connections that help our students flourish.

Updates to Compass and Student Procedures

At the beginning of next term, the Diocese will commence the standardisation of a number of existing school procedures, including processes relating to student behaviour and wellbeing.

Previously, individual schools have developed and implemented their own behaviour management procedures. As part of this system-wide alignment, St John Paul II Catholic College will need to ensure that our existing policies and procedures, including those connected to our RISEUP model, align with the new standardised processes.

Over the student vacation, some existing data will be securely saved and stored, while new templates and processes will be introduced. As a result, some of our current policies, procedures and Compass processes will require adjustment.

One significant change will be the full implementation of the Mobile Phone and Electronic Devices Policy. For example, parents/carers will receive an SMS notification for each recorded mobile phone incident that does not comply with College expectations and policy.

We appreciate the patience and understanding of our families as we transition to these new system-aligned procedures. During the implementation and testing phase, there may be occasional errors or inconsistencies in data recording. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your support as we work towards greater consistency across Catholic schools within the Diocese.

Hotmail and Microsoft Email Accounts

Parents and carers are reminded that we are currently experiencing issues with Hotmail and some other Microsoft email accounts, with some messages being intercepted or blocked by security settings.

If you send an email to the College from a Hotmail or similar Microsoft-based account, please contact the College Office or the staff member you have contacted to confirm that your message has been received.

Where possible, we encourage families to consider using an alternative contemporary email service, such as Gmail, to help ensure reliable communication with the College.

Opal Cards and Student Travel

A reminder to all students that it is the responsibility of every student to use their Opal Card correctly when travelling on public transport. Tapping on and tapping off is a condition of using the Opal network and is essential for accurately recording passenger numbers and travel patterns.

Students and families often raise concerns when buses are operating at capacity. However, accurate data about passenger numbers relies on students correctly tapping on and tapping off for every journey. When students do not use their Opal Cards correctly, the data collected does not accurately reflect the demand for particular services.

Earlier this year, some services were withdrawn or adjusted because available usage data indicated low or no recorded usage in particular areas. This highlights the importance of every student following the correct procedures.

Students must remember:

Tap ON when beginning your journey.
Tap OFF when completing your journey.
Always use your own Opal Card.
Follow all behaviour expectations when travelling on public transport.
Raise service or timetable concerns directly with Transport for NSW, as the operator of these services.

Students and families can also check current bus routes and timetables through Transport for NSW – Bus Routes.

Thank you to our students and families for your continued support as we work together to strengthen student wellbeing, positive behaviour, communication and engagement across our College community.

Ms Christina Luzi - Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

Embracing the Possibilities of AI in Education

Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live, learn and work. For our students, it presents exciting opportunities to explore ideas, deepen their understanding and develop skills that will be increasingly valuable in their future study and careers.

At our College, we see AI as a powerful learning tool when it is used purposefully, responsibly and with the guidance of skilled teachers. It can help students ask better questions, clarify challenging concepts, practise skills, receive feedback and explore different perspectives. It can also support accessibility and enable students to engage with learning in ways that respond to their individual needs.

Our goal is to ensure that students learn not only how to use AI, but how to use it wisely. This means developing the ability to question information, recognise inaccuracies and bias, make thoughtful decisions and communicate ideas authentically. AI can support the learning process, but it should never replace a student’s own thinking, creativity or voice.

As part of this changing educational landscape, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has announced changes to Stage 6 assessment. From Term 4, 2026 for HSC courses and Term 1, 2027 for Preliminary courses, most courses may include no more than one take-home assessment task, worth a maximum of 15 per cent of the school-based assessment program.

These changes are designed to ensure that assessment continues to provide an accurate picture of each student’s knowledge, skills and understanding. They also create an opportunity for schools to offer a broader range of meaningful assessment experiences, including supervised, oral, practical and process-based tasks.

While the new NESA requirements specifically apply to Stage 6, our College response will extend across Stages 4, 5 and 6. Responsible and effective AI use is not something that should begin when students enter their senior years. From Years 7 to 10, students will progressively learn how AI works, where it can support their learning and where its limitations and risks lie.

Across Stages 4 and 5, students will be supported to use AI appropriately to generate questions, practise skills, seek feedback and test their understanding. They will also learn to verify information, identify bias, protect their privacy, acknowledge AI assistance and recognise the difference between receiving support and submitting work that is not their own. Assessment practices will continue to evolve so that teachers can see students’ thinking, monitor the development of their work and provide meaningful feedback throughout the learning process.

By Stage 6, students should be confident and discerning users of AI who understand both its possibilities and their responsibilities. Teachers will provide clear guidance about when AI may be used, how it should be acknowledged and when students must work independently.

We are excited about the opportunities AI brings to education. By combining innovative technology with strong teaching, authentic assessment and meaningful feedback, we can help our students become confident, capable and responsible learners.

The future will require more than knowing how to access information. It will require young people who can think critically, create thoughtfully and use powerful tools with integrity and purpose. These are the learners we are committed to developing.

Mrs Emily Catt - Business Manager

Construction Commencement

In the last week of this term, we look forward to setting up our Building Compound at the back of the CLS carpark. As the site is established and the Builders begin to move equipment onto the College premises, there may be reduced car parking spaces available at drop off and pick up times. Where possible, please meet students off site either in Arilla close, Large Street or at the new Ken Birdsley Park to the North of the College. As the Building works progress, information and photos will be shared of the progress.

Office Closure - Monday 12 October

Please be advised that on Monday 12th October - the College Offices at both Schofields and Nirimba will be closed with all staff attending a special event offsite. Normal office operation will resume on Tuesday 13th October.

Year 12, 2027 Student Resources - Textbooks and Stationery

The Year 12 2027 Booklist is now Live and available to purchase through Box of Books BOB Shop. To ensure your Year 11 Student has the appropriate texts and equipment for the commencement of the Year 12 Course in Term 4 of this year, please ensure you order the resources as soon as possible. Ordering information can be found on the Box of Books Page of the Community Page.

Student Achievements

NSWCCC Tennis

Well done to our dedicated students who recently represented St John Paul II Catholic College at the NSWCCC Teams Tennis Championship!

After earning their spot to compete at this prestigious level, our team demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, skill, and College pride throughout the competition.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work and commitment to excellence on the court. Please join us in celebrating our talented athletes for their fantastic efforts and achievement in representing our school community so brilliantly!

PDSSSC Athletics Carnival

A huge congratulations to our athletes who recently represented St John Paul II Catholic College at the PDSSSC Athletics Championships!

Our students demonstrated outstanding effort, sportsmanship and College pride across a huge range of track and field events. We are so proud of everyone who competed and gave it their all.

A special shout-out to the following students for their fantastic individual achievements:

Pheonix B – 3rd Place in 200m
Dominic G – 3rd Place in 200m
Indiana M – 1st Place in 1500m
Bronte P – 1st Place in High Jump and Long Jump
Dakota P – 1st Place in Javelin
Lacey W – 3rd Place in 400m

Thank you to all the students and staff involved for representing our school community so brilliantly. Join us in celebrating these extraordinary results and wishing our advancing athletes the best of luck at the upcoming NSWCCC Athletics Championships!

3rd in 400m - Lacey W

1st in High Jump and Long Jump - Bronte P

1st in Javelin - Dakota P

3rd place in 200m -

Dominic G and Pheonix B

1st in Javelin - Dakota P

1st in 1500m - Indiana M

Captivate Arts Factor Dance Eisteddfod

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible talent, dedication and passion of our students who recently represented the College at the Captivate Arts Factor Dance Eisteddfod!

Our dancers delivered an extraordinary performance across multiple categories, securing some of the best results our College has ever achieved at an eisteddfod:

1st Place – Hip Hop Group: Choreographed by Sehejpreet K (Year 12)
2nd Place – Bollywood Group: Put together and choreographed in just 5 weeks!
3rd Place – Lyrical Group: Choreographed by Eryn P and Allanah T in a massive division
3rd Place – Junior Solo: Mia M (Year 9)
Highly Commended – Senior Solo: Jasmyn B (Year 12)

Well done on this achievements!

Bring It On.mp4

Student Volunteer Umpires at Primary Netball Gala Day

A group of 11 dedicated recently represented our College as volunteer netball umpires at the Stage 2 & 3 Gala Day.

Our students spent the day assisting teams from St Joseph’s Schofields, St John’s Riverstone and St Joseph’s Kingswood. Staff praised the girls for their outstanding effort, professional conduct and leadership on and off the court.

In addition to their umpiring duties, the students proudly embraced Wellbeing Week by wearing pink hair accessories in support of "Wear It Pink" day.

Thank you to our volunteers for demonstrating fantastic school spirit and serving as brilliant role models for the primary school students!

Update to College Media Processes

As outlined in a recent letter from head office, Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) has advised all schools to restrict social media photos and videos showing full facial features of students, in accordance with eSafety Commissioner guidelines updated on July 31, 2026.

The College is adjusting its media processes accordingly. You will observe a shift in the style of imagery published on our channels as we align with CSPD policy to prioritise student privacy and online safety.