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JOHN PAUL COLLEGE NEWSLETTER
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John Paul College
Term 2, Week 2
Ma te Pono me te Aroha – Through Faith and Love
School Theme for 2026 - He kākā ki te rere. Life to the full
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Principal Message
Welcome Back to Term 2!
I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating break. It was wonderful to see the buzz of energy return to our school last week as students reunited with friends and teachers. Term 1 provided a fantastic foundation for the year, and as we head into the cooler months, our focus shifts toward deepening our academic engagement and strengthening our school community.
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It is a profound honor and privilege to serve as the Acting Principal of John Paul College this term. Having been a part of this dedicated educational community for many years, I am deeply aware of the responsibility that comes with leading such a vibrant group of students, and teachers.
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Stepping into this role is not just a professional milestone for me, but an opportunity to further support the values of Faith, Service, Community and Excellence, that define our school. I am committed to maintaining our momentum and ensuring that every student continues to feel safe, challenged, and inspired during this period of transition.
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I look forward to working closely with our talented staff and engaging with our parents to uphold the high standards of John Paul College. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. I’m sure you join me in wishing Mr. Harper a safe and productive sabbatical this term.
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Key Themes for the Term
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Academic Momentum: Term 2 and 3 are often the "powerhouse" terms where the most significant curriculum progress is made. We encourage students to settle into their studies and make the most of all learning opportunities in classes.
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Resilience & Wellbeing: With the shorter days, we’ll be placing a special emphasis on student wellbeing and maintaining healthy routines in our classrooms.
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Winter Sports & Activities: We encourage students to make the most of our extracurricular activities. Whether on the field, the stage, or in a club, we love seeing our students seek out these opportunities outside the classroom.
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A Note on Health and Safety
As we enter the flu season, a gentle reminder to please keep children home if they are feeling unwell. This helps us keep our classrooms healthy and our learning uninterrupted.
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"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." — Malcolm X
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We are looking forward to a productive, creative, and inspiring Term 2. Thank you for your ongoing partnership in your child's education.
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Matt Czyrek - Acting Principal - Term 2
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- Co-requisite testing 19th - 21st May
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Term Dates/Public Holidays/Teacher only Days (ToD)
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- ToD - Friday 29th May
- Kings B.Day - 1st June
- Akonga end of term: 2nd July
- ToD - Friday 3rd July
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- Start of term: Monday 20th July
- Akonga end of term: 25th September
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Please work with our school to ensure that all unexplained absences are resolved as quickly as possible. We ask that whānau use School Bridge to inform us of student absence or send an email in the morning to absentees@jpc.school.nz
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A knowledge-rich curriculum underpinned by the science of learning
This year, we are continuing to grow our Science of Learning approach, building on the foundations we began to establish in 2025. This work sits at the heart of the national curriculum refresh, one of the most significant shifts in Aotearoa New Zealand education in decades.
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Throughout this term, a number of our teachers, including curriculum leaders, will engage in targeted professional learning focused on the science of learning. This is about strengthening not only what we teach, but how we teach, ensuring that classroom practice is grounded in evidence about how students learn best.
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We are investing in developing the expertise of our middle and senior leaders so that this approach is embedded consistently across the school.
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To support this, we are working with Lorraine Hammond from the University of Notre Dame Australia, alongside her team from Shaping Minds Australia. Their expertise will help build both knowledge and practical capability in this area. As part of this partnership some of our staff will engage in Teaching Intensives and High Impact Coaching.
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Preparing for the Literacy and Numeracy co-requisites
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The Literacy and Numeracy co-requisites are a mandatory requirement for all NCEA qualifications. Students must achieve these to gain NCEA Levels 1, 2, and 3.
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These requirements can be met either through NZQA’s digital assessments or through selected approved NCEA standards. Most students begin working towards these in Year 10.
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Students who are ready will sit the digital assessments on the following dates in the Edmund Rice Centre:
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Tuesday 19th May (Periods 3, 4, and lunchtime)
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Thursday 21th May (Periods 3, 4, and lunchtime)
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Wednesday 20th May (Periods 3, 4, and lunchtime)
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There are no catch-ups provided. Further opportunities will be available in September if needed.
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Who Will Be Sitting These Assessments?
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Year 10 students: Those identified as ready will attempt the assessments.
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Year 11, 12, 13 students: Any student who has not yet achieved the co-requisites will be entered.
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If you are unsure whether your child will be sitting these assessments:
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Ask your child to check their NZQA learner login
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Speak with their English or Mathematics teacher
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Students will be supported to set up their MyNZQA account during English class.
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It is essential that students can log in on the day of their digital assessment.
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Please support your child at home by ensuring their account is set up and accessible.
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Preparing for the Assessments
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Students can access practice materials online:
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Practice digital assessments:
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Past papers and exemplars:
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Assessment Day Requirements
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Students will complete the assessments digitally and must bring:
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A fully charged Chromebook or laptop
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Headphones (for text-to-speech, available to all students for Writing and Numeracy)
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A calculator (required for Numeracy)
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Spare school devices will be available if required.
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Special Assessment Conditions (SAC)
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Students with approved Special Assessment Conditions will be supported in line with NZQA requirements.
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If you have any questions about SAC, please contact our SENCO Belinda Herbert.
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If you have any questions, please contact:
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Your child’s English or Mathematics teacher or Daniel Allen (Leader of Learning – Mathematics) and Ashley Welman (Leader of Learning – English)
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ACTING DP PASTORAL
It has been a real privilege to step into the role of Acting Deputy Principal – Pastoral this term. I have thoroughly enjoyed working alongside our students, staff, and whānau, and I am continually impressed by the positive culture and strong sense of community here at John Paul College.
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As we move into Week 2 of Term 2, it’s great to see students settling back into routines. At JPC, we place a strong emphasis on pride and personal responsibility, and this is reflected in wearing our uniform correctly each day. Our uniform is an important part of our identity as a College and helps foster a sense of belonging and pride in who we are.
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A reminder that small habits make a big difference—arriving at school and class on time, staying on top of deadlines through good planning, and ensuring commitments outside of school are balanced so that learning remains the priority.
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Regular attendance is essential. Being present in class gives students the best opportunity to learn, connect, and succeed. We are also required to meet clear expectations set by the Ministry of Education around attendance, and we appreciate the support of whānau in ensuring students are at school and engaged in their learning.
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Most importantly, we encourage all students to bring a positive mindset each day. Effort, attitude, and a willingness to learn will set our students up for success both in and beyond the classroom.
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Ngā mihi
Paul Johnson
Acting Deputy Principal – Student Management
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Celebrating Success
We love to hear all about student successes! If your child has been doing amazing things whether that be through sports, arts or extra curriculars and you would like to share with the wider John Paul College community then please follow the link and complete the google form. Share anytime, anywhere throughout the year.
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https://forms.gle/fjXwp2KteWpBHnLD6
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Can't wait to hear from you!
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kimiora.grant@jpc.school.nz
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NZ Uniforms - Now Open on Saturday!
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Great news, parents! From Saturday 2nd May 2026, NZ Uniforms will be open every Saturday from 9am–1pm to support all your school uniform needs.
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Vision and Hearing Testing - Opt Out Letter
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If your child is Year 7 and you would like to opt out of Vision and Hearing Testing from Te Whatu Ora Lakes on Wednesday 13th May please fill out the opt out letter and return to Cathy in the Wellness Centre.
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Homework Club – After-School Study Support
The JPC Homework Club will continue in the school library in 2026 every Monday & Wednesday, 15h05-17h00, unless otherwise stated.
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This after-school period in the school library provides a quiet, supervised space for students to complete homework, to study, revise their days work, or to read.
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The Homework Club is for learning, where a quiet, respectful environment is always required. Students are to only use devices for learning purposes and are to always adhere to library and school rules and expectations.
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Students are supervised during Homework Club hours only. The library will be closed at 17h00.
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Assistance at the Homework Club can be obtained from the Homework Club Supervisors (Craig Symes & Angela Gunn) or from volunteer senior students.
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Homestay Families Wanted
John Paul College International Department is looking for families to host international students.
This is such a great experience for the whole family. Anyone interested please contact Jo
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Phone (07) 347 8795 ext 8863 or 021 355 280 or email homestay@jpc.school.nz to request an
information pack and application form.
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He has risen – Alleluia, Alleluia.
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We are now in Eastertide, which is the beginning of a 50-day liturgical season. We know that Easter Sunday is not the end of the celebration, rather a time for us to fully embrace the joy of the Resurrection and its profound significance for our day to day lives.
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Catholics believe that Easter is a present reality, not just a historical event. The Eastertide season provides us with hope, knowing that we have the strength to face any difficulties. May we all find opportunities to bear witness to the Resurrection by living out in a practical way the teachings of Jesus Christ.
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Autumn Prayer
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God of Creation, you have blessed us with the
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As we welcome the Autumn months, may the earlier setting of the Sun remind us to take time to rest.
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May the brilliant colours of the leaves remind us of the wonder
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May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that it is you who gave us the breath of life.
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May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others.
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May the dying of Summer’s spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary … and life is eternal. AMEN
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A Gateway for the best teaching videos, audio, e-books to deepen your families relationship with Christ
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St Augustine - Formed Resource
This year our School and Parish community are trialling the use of a media resource
called Formed. Anyone in our communities is welcome to sign up to use it at school or
home. You are welcome to join this. The sign up information has been added below.
Formed is a digital platform that provides Catholic content from more than 60
organisations to help parishes, families and individuals explore their faith anywhere.
Supporting thousands of movies, children’s programmes, ebooks, audio, parish
programmes and studies direct to your browser, mobile or connected device.
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To sign up for Formed:
1. On your internet browser, go to formed.org/signup
2. Click on the blue button "Continue to Sign up/Login"
3. On the new screen titled "Sign In or Create an Account", enter your preferred
email address
4. The "Next" button will turn from gray to blue. Click on it.
5. The registrant is required to confirm email and enter first and last name. Phone
number is optional.
6. Check the box for "I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy
Policy."
7. The "SIGN UP" button will turn from gray to blue. Click on it.
8. On the new screen titled "Join your parish", enter the postal code "3015" and
select "John Paul College" from the drop down menu. One option is to enter "John
Paul College" but this will give you a list of ten other organizations. By using the
postal code, it narrows the results to your school alone, which is simpler for all.
9. The "Submit" button will turn from gray to blue. Click on it.
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For any further help contact Nicola Harper
nicola.harper@jpc.school.nz
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Hockey
Hockey 2026
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The BoP Hockey Association secondary schools' competition kicks off the week of Monday 4th May. Our 1st X1 boys' and girls' teams start on Tuesday 5th May with the 2nd & 3rd X1 girls' teams on Thursday 7th May.
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The girls' 3rd X1 game on the 7th May is in Whakatane, 5.30pm.
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Secondary schools player registration is with PlayHQ. If you have not registered your son/daughter etc, here are the links. Please complete asap.
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Our intermediate teams start Friday 8th May. The draw is on the Rotorua Hockey Association website under Junior Hockey, then Intermediate.
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We are looking for managers for our 3rd X1 Girls, JPC AIMS Boys, Red and Green teams. If you are able to assist, please contact Ms Northey.
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2026 JPC Cross Country
Our annual school cross country will be held next week on Thursday 7th May. The event will take place throughout the day, with each year level running during their allocated period:
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Period 5 - Years 11-13 (run as one group)
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Participation is compulsory for Years 7-10 and optional for senior students, although some senior PE classes and sports teams are expected to participate.
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The course is a 1km loop within the school grounds, with students completing:
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Students should come prepared with appropriate PE gear and must wear shoes (sports shoes are recommended). Please also ensure students bring food and a water bottle so they are well fuelled and hydrated for their race.
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Parents and whānau are welcome to come along and support their child on the day, we look forward to seeing you there!
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North Island Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships Success
A big congratulations to our students who competed at the recent North Island Secondary Schools Orienteering Championships, held over three days of competition including the Individual Sprint Championship (17th), Individual Long Distance Championship (18th), and Relay Championship (19th).
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Special congratulations to Jeremy Billing, who achieved outstanding results with 7th place in the Senior Boys Sprint Championship and 9th place in the Relay Championship. Congratulations also to Aaron Pepper, who placed 10th in both the Senior Boys Sprint Championship and the Relay Championship events.
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Congratulations to the Senior Boys Relay Team of Jeremy Billing, Aaron Pepper, and Liam Guyton, who achieved an excellent 3rd place in the Relay Championship while representing JPC.
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We would also like to recognise Hayden Billing, Liam Guyton, Abby Leslie, Ruby Leslie, Easton Guyton, Carissa Billing, and the Intermediate Girls Relay Team for representing the school across the championships and competing strongly throughout the three days of competition.
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Congratulations to all students involved on representing the school so well!
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KEY DATES
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6th RYDA Road Safety Education Workshop Year 12s
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6th Tourism, Hospitality and Retail Career Pathways event
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8th Victoria University school visit
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11th Waikato University Scholarship & Accommodation workshop
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12th Defence Force Information Evening 5:30pm Register
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22nd Waikato University Open Day - Year 13s register now (in Careers) for a seat on the bus!
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27th Otago University visit
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Video Library - watch career idea videos and find out what it’s like to work in 200+ jobs
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Careers Facebook Groups
In these groups we share: careers news, updates and events - so join today.
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CAREERS STAFF
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Mrs Sheryl Hewitson – Careers & Transition Coordinator
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E: sheryl.hewitson@jpc.school.nz
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Mrs Jan Thompson – Careers Assistant/ Trades Coordinator
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E: jan.thompson@jpc.school.nz
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Ms Rachael Hindrup – Gateway Coordinator
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E: rachael.hindrup@jpc.school.nz
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Community Notices
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