Choosing a College

Catholic, State Or Other?

Catholic schools have historically offered education which is in harmony with the "Catholic way of life". This means education which is permeated by the values of the Gospel as received and lived out in the Catholic tradition. It emphasises the dignity of the person, the uniqueness and giftedness of each human being, a strong sense of moral discernment, a commitment to social justice, service to the community and in more recent times, a keen awareness of our human responsibility for the earth.

It is important that there is a clear convergence of values between the family and the school since the student might find two completely different sets of values contradictory and confusing.

Catholic schools provide formal Religious Education in the classroom and informal support for this in prayer, liturgy, camps and retreats, and community service. In Catholic schools, actions speak louder than words.

Single Gender Or Coeducational?

Historically, Catholic secondary schools in Victoria have been boys' or girls' schools because the religious orders of brothers and sisters who founded them were by definition "single gender." In more recent times diocesan regional colleges such as John Paul College have been established to cater for the needs of Catholic families, especially in the more recently developed outer suburbs. These schools have generally been co-ed since their establishment, not only for practical reasons but also because of changes in our understanding of the development of the human person. Many parents have strong memories of their own school experience which are no longer relevant in the schools being attended by their children.

We live in a "co-ed" world and one strong reason for enrolling children in co-ed secondary schools is to provide them with an environment in which they can learn to relate to other people of both sexes in a way which is open and natural. This is especially significant in our own time when other socialising agencies such as parish based clubs and associations have declined in importance and when the secondary school has become the major socialising agency for young people. It is at school, predominantly, that young people learn how to relate to others of both sexes. School is where they are introduced to role models such as teachers. At John Paul College they see men and women both exercising pastoral and academic leadership in a way which enables them to appreciate the complementarity of the sexes, both in terms of personal relationships and in terms of participating in a community and workplace.

The Proximity Factor

Parents facing the decision about which Catholic secondary school to enrol their child in have to face the practical question of travel to and from school, including the convenience and safety for children travelling to Mentone or beyond. This is a more relevant consideration with younger children, especially those without an older brother or sister.

For most of our students, the fact that they live locally means that friendship groups in the adolescent years are able to be monitored by parents. While children at John Paul College broaden the web of friendships as part of their experience of secondary school, these friends generally reside within a convenient distance from each other so that informal social contact is possible under the careful eye of parents. This support network for students and parents becomes very significant during the middle years of adolescence, especially.

Other factors such as continuity with the friendship group from primary school and the transition between primary and secondary school play a part. John Paul College has developed a close and cooperative set of transition procedures with its partner parish primary schools specifically to address the pastoral and educational needs of the incoming Year 7 students.

Pastoral Care And Discipline

A good pastoral care policy must be humane and rational and must allow for failure as a valuable learning opportunity. John Paul College offers a pastoral care policy which addresses these needs and which is based on close communication between school and home. Parents are also assisted in their parenting role!

Facilities - Do The Physical Facilities And Buildings Support The Curriculum?

The College has recently undertaken a major upgrade of capital facilities. New or refurbished facilities are now available for Science, Visual and Performing Arts, Information Technology, Technology, VCE Student Facilities, Resource Centre, Computer Network supporting the curriculum and providing multi-media, cd-rom and internet services. The College also has a chapel, fully equipped gymnasium, meeting rooms, and grounds.

Does The School Enable Students To Move Successfully To Work, Training Or Further Study?

John Paul College students have consistently accessed tertiary courses of their choice through the provision of a comprehensive range of VCE studies. Students of the College are also preferred applicants for employment because of the standing and reputation of the school in the local community.