Teaching and Learning

Classroom spaces at John Paul College are designed to promote flexibility of instruction with traditional classroom spaces promoting focus and individual learning, alongside flexible learning spaces such as break out areas, adjoining classrooms that open to create larger spaces for collaboration, and dedicated study spaces for senior students.

The Arts

The John Paul College Performing Arts Centre is the newest building at the College and boasts dedicated learning spaces for Music including two double-sized classrooms and six music tutorial rooms for instrumental music lessons. Our 205-seat theatre is ‘state of the art’ with professional level lighting and sound desks, tiered seating, and a large stage area suitable for dance, drama, and musical productions. The theatre had the capacity to transform into a lecture theatre space for guest lectures, visiting artists and speakers and senior school academic lectures.

The Smith Hall is our dedicated dance and drama space with wood flooring, wall mirrors, and a large sound system. The hall can be divided into two teaching spaces and is opened up for house or year group assemblies and other special events utilising the in-built projector system and flexible seating.

Visual Art has two dedicated spaces with bench spaces at waist height for ergonomic support to enhance real-world artistic experiences such as painting & sculpting with a multitude of mediums. Art classrooms are equipped with wash spaces, student art storage, and aprons to protect uniforms as students work.

Our Media Arts classroom includes desktop computers as well as spaces for student laptop learning alongside a wide variety of media equipment including digital photo and video cameras, audio recording and podcasting microphones and recorders, and specialised printing facilities.

Technologies

Food Science and Technology has two dedicated learning spaces including an industrial kitchen with café space and a cooking classroom space with multiple small group cooking facilities. Students in the lower year levels develop real-world skills in recipe cooking and food health and safety training, alongside and understanding of food science and creative chef skills.

Our Materials Design and Technology classrooms form the Trade Training Centre (TTC) at John Paul College. These industry-standard facilities allow students to work in design with woodworking and metalworking facilities alongside drafting spaces and mechanical learning spaces.

The dedicated Textiles space sees students engage in sewing and fabric crafting and artistic design in purpose-built spaces with sewing machines, ironing stations and large sewing benches.

Students engage in Robotics and Mechatronics learning activities in our purpose-built robotics room. This space includes desktop computers combined with laptop computer stations surrounding a collaborative open-bench space and interactive technology hardware and software.

Physical Education

John Paul College has a large oval space, open-air bitumen courts, and an air-conditioned gymnasium where our students participate in a variety of sporting activities. Within walking distance, students also access the local hockey grounds. Local athletics and swimming facilities are utilised by the College for specialised events such as the annual Athletics Carnival.

Science

Science labs are used by all students to engage in practical activities and experiments in scientific enquiry. A dedicated Laboratory technician manages all equipment and chemicals to keep experiments safe for our students. Science labs facilities include bench workspaces, gas outlets for Bunsen burners, sinks and equipment racks as well as safety stations as required.

Dillon Library

Our College library facilities include a well-stocked fiction and non-fiction selection of print materials accompanied by alternative learning spaces for large and small group learning and tutoring. The Library Seminar room utilises relaxed seating arrangements for informal learning classes and senior student study sessions.

Education Support

Our dedicated Education Support space provides flexible learning areas to nurture our diverse student population. With accommodations for quiet spaces for mindful practices, textured sensory support, and dedicated tutoring areas, John Paul College strives to meet the needs of all students in our care.

Canteen Facilities

The College has a dedicated Canteen facility, which caters for students at break times. Students may pre-order lunches or purchase hot and cold food items, cold beverages, and frozen confectionary at break times without ordering. Students utilise EFTPOS or cash transactions to purchase food from our friendly canteen staff.

Student Facilities & Grounds

All students who attend the College are allocated a locker for personal items. Students who travel to and from the College by bicycle have access to a bike storage area (access via Hampden Street) that is locked during the day. Our wonderful groundskeeping team nurture many stunning garden spaces throughout the College that are used by our students at break times. These include shaded areas for sitting and conversation as well as four-square courts, grassed areas, and water features.

Chapel

Our College Chapel provides a sacred, reflective space for students and staff to engage in Catholic Faith practices. The Chapel offers Friday morning services, and is used throughout the week by Religious Education classes for class masses and reflection activities.