Secondary School · Years 7 to 12 · 2026

Welcome to Secondary.

Day 1 is Tuesday 27 January 2026 for Years 7, 10 and 12. All students start on Wednesday 28 January.

Welcome

Welcome to Secondary at JPC

Whether your child is moving from Primary to Secondary or starting a new year level, it’s an exciting time. These resources will help your family prepare for a Secondary School journey full of fun, excitement and new experiences.

More detail is in our College Handbooks, and we’ve answered common questions in the FAQs.

Useful documents

Staggered Start

First day instructions

Secondary first days 2026
Day	Who attends
Tue 27 Jan	Day 1 (8.20am – 3.20pm): Year 7, Year 10 and Year 12 students only
Wed 28 Jan	Day 2 (8.20am – 3.20pm): all students (Years 7 to 12) start their regular timetable

New students: on Day 1, all Year 7 students meet at the Coleman Centre. New students in Years 8 to 11 come directly to Main Administration by 8.00am. This gives us time to prepare students for roll call at 8.20am in their Academic Welfare classrooms.

All students wear their formal uniform, including blazer and school tie, on the first day of term. If a blazer is still being embroidered or hasn’t arrived yet, please send a note from home.

Secondary students talking with a teacher in a corridor

Before Day One

Secondary checklist

Please complete these steps before your child starts. Select each step as you finish it – your progress is saved on this device.

0 of 6 done

Book a uniform fitting
Book a 30-minute uniform fitting for your child. Walk-ins can’t be accepted during this time, and a separate session is needed for each child.
Subject selections
You will receive an email confirming your child’s subjects. If you haven’t submitted a subject selection form or received a confirmation email, please contact the Admissions team.
Buy textbooks and stationery
View book lists and buy textbooks and stationery through Box of Books (how to purchase books). The deadline for Term 1 delivery is Sunday 7 December.
Contact us if you haven’t yet submitted subject preferences.
Instrumental or vocal tuition
Students can enrol in instrumental or vocal lessons at any time during the year by completing a Performing Arts Enrolment Form:
- Form for new students
- Form for current JPC students
Ensemble options are listed in the Performing Arts Handbook.
Sport and activities registration
An email with the Secondary Sport and Activity Overview for Term 1 will be sent to families in early 2026, with schedules and registration details.
Read the College Handbook
We encourage all parents to read the College Handbook so you are familiar with important guidelines and requirements.

Retail Centre Holiday Hours

Uniform fitting

The John Paul College Retail Centre offers 30-minute uniform fitting sessions during the Christmas break for all new and current students. Walk-ins can’t be accepted during this time.

Book a separate session for each child – we recommend making the bookings back to back.
The Athlete’s Foot pop-up is on campus Monday 5 – Friday 23 January (weekdays). No booking needed; purchases available on the day.
Questions? Call 07 3826 3397 or email retailcentre@jpc.qld.edu.au.

Book a Uniform Fitting Uniform Lookbook

Secondary students in formal uniform and blazers

Getting to School

Markwell Car Park drop-off and pick-up

Procedures for parents and carers of Secondary School students.

Parking

Enter Markwell Car Park through Entry 1.
The only exit is also at Entry 1, where all traffic must turn left. You may park in any available space.

Drop-off and pick-up

Enter through Entry 1, turn left and drive at an appropriate speed around the outside ring of the car park.
Please don’t park in the drop-off and pick-up zone. Move forward to the front of the queue so others can join – stopping in place stalls traffic, causes congestion and puts students at risk.
Exit either down the centre aisle or by continuing around the outside ring, as shown on the map.

Morning routine

Drop off before 8.15am to avoid congestion.
Use the drop-off and pick-up area closest to the forested end of the car park.
Teachers supervise drop-off.

Afternoon routine

Students are released at 3.20pm; pick-up starts from 3.25pm.
Students wait under the all-weather shelter on the southern side of the car park.
Please arrive no earlier than 3.15pm and queue in the pick-up chute, moving forward to keep the line flowing.
Staff supervision ends at 3.45pm.

Map of Markwell Car Park showing Entry 1, the outside ring road and the drop-off and pick-up zone — Select the map to open it full size.

Academic Support

After-school programs

Optional programs to support your child’s learning, delivered on campus by our partners.

New for 2026 · Years 5 to 8

A Team Tuition

From Term 1, students in Years 5 to 8 can access on-campus tutoring delivered by A Team Tuition, one of Australia’s leading providers of academic coaching. The program supports students’ engagement, confidence and achievement in years where learning routines, motivation and foundational skills have a big impact on long-term success.

Cost: From $397.00 per term, paid directly to A Team Tuition
Duration: One 90-minute session per week for 8 weeks
Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3.30pm – 5.00pm
Term weeks: Weeks 2 to 9
Location: On-campus classrooms (Wesley Building)

Years 9 to 12

Padea Extended Day Program

The Padea Extended Day Program offers expert guidance in a focused environment, helping students build organisational skills and succeed academically – while making life easier for parents. It runs after school during term time for students in Years 9 to 12.

Registration information will be sent to families during the Christmas break.

Learn more about Padea

Term Dates 2026

Plan ahead

2026 term dates
Term	Dates
Term 1	Tuesday 27 January – Thursday 2 April
Term 2	Tuesday 21 April – Friday 19 June
Term 3	Tuesday 14 July – Friday 18 September
Term 4	Tuesday 6 October – Friday 27 November
See all term dates and public holidays

Secondary student in blazer holding a book with the words Ignite Ambition

Starting Secondary at JPC

Frequently asked questions

What happens in the first week?

The Secondary School has a staggered start in the first week. Please note these key dates:

Day 1 – Tuesday 27 January 2026 (8.20am – 3.20pm): Year 7, Year 10 and Year 12 students only.
Day 2 – Wednesday 28 January 2026 (8.20am – 3.20pm): all students (Years 7 to 12) start their regular timetable.

New students

On Day 1, all Year 7 students meet at the Coleman Centre. New students in Years 8 to 11 come directly to Main Administration by 8.00am, ready for roll call at 8.20am in their Academic Welfare classrooms.

All students

We ask that all students wear their blazers on the first day. We understand there can be delays – if a blazer is being embroidered or hasn’t arrived, please send a note from home.

Students wear their formal uniform, including school tie, on the first day of term. If your child has difficulty getting uniform items in time, they should let their Academic Welfare Mentor know and bring a letter from a parent or guardian.

What are the expectations for uniform and personal appearance?

Personal appearance should reflect the conservative, professional nature of the College and align with our College Values and Expectations and Uniform and Personal Appearance Policy. High standards of dress and appearance are important at all times.

Any holiday changes to hair length or colour need to be brought back in line with College expectations, as set out in the College Handbook. Hairstyles should be neat, sensible and conservative. Bleached, tipped or highlighted hair, and products such as gel, mousse or wax, are not part of our uniform. Make-up is also not part of our uniform.

We appreciate parents’ support in making sure students arrive at school in the correct uniform. Black lace-up school shoes are required.

What co-curricular activities are on offer?

As part of our holistic approach to education, John Paul College offers a wide range of co-curricular activities. All students are required to take part in at least one co-curricular activity each year.

Sport and activities

Registration information for all sports and activities is shared before the start of each term. We place a strong emphasis on participation, but some sports may hold trials where places are limited. To keep the process consistent and fair for new and existing students, this information is sent to all parents before each term and posted in MyJPC. For further information, email sport@jpc.qld.edu.au and we will direct your question to the right staff member.

Performing Arts

New students who would like to join performing arts ensembles and groups can request an audition. To learn more about the Performing Arts Program, call the Performing Arts office on 07 3826 3383 to speak with a program coordinator.

For private or group music lessons, please complete a Performing Arts Enrolment Form – new students or current JPC students. Ensemble options are listed in the Performing Arts Handbook.

Where do I drop off and pick up my child?

Parents and guardians of Years 7 to 12 students are asked to use the Markwell Car Park each day. It was designed with older students in mind to keep traffic flowing smoothly. Please don’t use the main driveway entrance for drop-off or pick-up.

Students should not leave the grounds by the main driveway after school unless they are going to the bus stop or crossing at the lights. The Chatswood Car Park is extremely busy in the first weeks of term, so please avoid it unless you are also collecting Primary School students.

Chatswood Road and John Paul Drive are also busy with local school traffic – please be patient, don’t double-park or park illegally, and remember the 40 km/h school zone. See the car park procedures above.

What is MyJPC and how do I log in?

MyJPC is the College’s all-in-one information platform for parents, students and staff. It gives you instant access to College updates, notices, newsletters, calendars and key resources in one place.

You will receive an email with your username and password about two weeks before your child starts at the College. Please make sure the College has a current email address for you, as accounts can’t be created without one, and check your junk folder in case the email is filtered as spam.

If you haven’t received your login details by the day before New Family Orientation, please contact Techsphere (itadmin@jpc.qld.edu.au).

The MyJPC Platform Guide will help you find your way around MyJPC (sign in to MyJPC to open it). User sessions for new parents are offered as part of the Orientation Program.

How does the Cashless Canteen work?

Your family ID number is your username for the Cashless Canteen. You will be given a temporary password, which you’ll need to change after your first login. To access the Cashless Canteen, log in to the MyJPC dashboard and select “Canteen Online Orders”. Help with setting up My Student Account (MSA) is available on laptop allocation day.

Secondary students can visit the tuckshop directly at first break and lunch. We recommend students bring their own morning tea and lunch for the first few days while they get to know the campus.

Students who want to use the tuckshop in the first few days will need a temporary ID card from Main Administration.

How do I report an absence?

To keep our students safe, please report your child’s absence using the online form in MyJPC (QUICK LINKS → “Report an Absence”). If your child will be late but not absent, or needs to leave during the day for an appointment, choose Partial Day and give the time.

If you can’t use MyJPC, call the Absentee Line on 3826 3566 or email absences@jpc.qld.edu.au. Please let us know by 8.30am so we know your child is safe.

All students must sign in and out whenever they arrive late, leave early or attend an appointment. Parents need to notify the College using one of the methods above, and the student checks in or out at any administration office.

Is there a bus service?

For the safety of our students, John Paul College offers a number of private bus routes around the community for students in Years 4 to 12. Families of younger students who would like to use the service need to contact the Head of School so the College can make sure these students are completely safe.

To keep costs down for families, the buses are not a door-to-door service. Routes are set by the College based on feedback from our Bus Route Expression of Interest forms. While we can’t guarantee a route in your area, we use this feedback to improve our routes each year.

Fares are paid with a Translink card, subsidised by the College, and buses use council bus stops for pick-ups and drop-offs. Students only pay for what they use and no booking is needed. See the full list on our Bus Routes page.