On Thursday 16 August, the Year 11 Geography class travelled to Bantry Bay.
The students walked along Frenchs Forest and Bantry Bay National Park and were then able to test creeks in both areas.
With the help of their guide (Don from AUSECO), they looked for exotic plants, animals, tested for water pH levels, phosphate, turbidity and conductivity.
After receiving the results, students were able to compare the two creeks and further their knowledge about the effect of pollution from both human activity and natural features.
Distinguishing between disturbed and natural catchments, students discovered that the natural creek located further away from urbanisation was tested to be cleaner. Whereas the disturbed creek was tested dirtier.
Throughout the day, students also explored the pH levels of the soil as well as the number of different materials found in the soil such as clay, silt and sand. This will help their studies immensely as they move into Year 12 next term!
Students explored their way through the different bushes surrounding Bantry Bay to get to the creeks. Walking through the bush was challenging but a great experience, as it wasn’t something the students were able to encounter often.
Students stopped along the way to have lunch while enjoying a magnificent view of the Bay.
As they headed back up to the classroom, students filled out their ‘Biophysical Interactions’ booklet, which they will use in class as a helpful study resource.
“This excursion was very insightful as we were able to learn about the different effects pollution has on our environment and how to effectively reduce it.” - Isabella Morales
Article written by Emily Noble, Isabella Morales & Stephanie Ceh
St John Paul II Catholic College
The way passes through this land
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05 May 2025
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🇮🇹 A Delizioso Start to Term 2 🍝 Over two engaging days, Year 8 students kicked off their 'Mangiamo' food unit with a hands-on Italian incursion led by chef Luca Roncari and his team. Working in small groups, students prepared pasta from scratch, mixing la farina (flour) with l’uovo (egg) and kneading the dough. All while learning Italian vocabulary along the way. The highlight came when they tasted the pasta they had made together. 🍝 In addition to the pasta-making experience, students learned useful tips, such as how to check if an egg 🥚 is fresh and the importance of hygiene when handling ingredients 👨🍳. The Incursion concluded with a lively “Pass the Pasta” game, where students reinforced their new knowledge through fun, food-themed questions in an interactive and memorable way.
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Coming up at StJPII! Join us next week on Friday 9 & Saturday 10 May at the Hawkesbury Show as our Agriculture Students represent the College in various competitions.
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💐Mother's Day Liturgy and Breakfast Our families are invited to join us in celebrating the important roles that Mothers, Grandmothers, and Motherly figures play in the lives of our students. More information and RSVP details are available on Compass. 🌷Please RSVP by Monday 5 May via Compass
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📣🎉 Congratulations Mia and Analiese on their recent graduation from the Australian Catholic Universities (ACU) Step Up Into Teaching course. Mia and Analiese successfully completed two first-year units toward their teaching degrees, putting them ahead with an offer from ACU and credits toward their studies. This is an outstanding achievement while undertaking their HSC studies. We're incredibly proud to see you taking strides towards becoming the teachers of tomorrow! 🌟📚 #FutureTeachers #ACUStepUp #CatholicEducation #StudentSuccess
30 Apr 2025
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🌿 Anzac Day Ceremony 🌿 Today, Wednesday 30 April, we held our Anzac Day ceremonies across both campuses allowing us the opportunity to reflect on, acknowledge, and honour the efforts and sacrifices of servicemen and women in Australia and New Zealand, both past and present. As we commemorate a significant moment in our history, we embrace the opportunity to be inspired, empowered, and grow from the legacy of those who came before us. A big thank you to Ms El-Bustani and HSIE for their organisation and College SRC & Leaders who participated in the ceremony. #lestweforget #Anzacday
30 Apr 2025
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📣 Ignite Food Drive kicks off today at St John Paul II Catholic College 📣 🤝 To support those in need and promote peace, dignity, and the common good. Students are asked to donate food items from the below list. 📅 Final collection date is on Wednesday 14 May. Students can wear sports uniforms on this day and bring their donation. The house with the most donations wins 200 points! Donation Instructions: * Place items in reusable bags (e.g., canvas/tote bags) in line with Catholic Social Teaching on Stewardship. * Hampers are available in homeroom classrooms for those wanting to drop items off earlier. * Final collection on Wednesday 14 May. ❤️ Every contribution helps support a more just and caring society.
28 Apr 2025
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🏫 SCHOOL ZONES ARE BACK IN OPERATION 🚨 A reminder school zones are back in operation as of today, Monday 28 April! 🚗 Always stay under the 40km/h school zone speed limit and look out for children crossing when driving in a school zone. 🚸 🚨 Buses use signs and flashing lights to warn drivers that they’re picking up or setting own school children, and that there may be children crossing or about to cross the road. By law you must not travel past a bus in the same direction at more than 40km/h while the lights are flashing. This applies whether the bus is stationary or moving. 🚌 #school #roadsafety #staysafe #responsible #schofields #nirimba
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Elevate Education delivers high-impact workshops to our students that help to develop their study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. Over the next term, you're invited to join their parent webinar series, where you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they're learning at school! Register today at: https://go.elevateeducation.com/auschoolwebinars
27 Apr 2025
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Contact our College for more information about senior studies opportunities for Year 11 and 12. Nirimba Campus tours are available upon request. https://www.stjohnpaul2.catholic.edu.au/enrolment
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This morning, our Student Leaders laid a wreath to honour and pay their respects to ANZACs past and present at the Riverstone ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Thank you to our College Leaders Isabella, Noah, Analiese and John, SRC Reps Tristan and Jobel, and College staff Miss Ponce, Ms Roach, Miss Cochrane and Mrs Lovett for attending on our behalf. Lest we forget.