John Paul College is a private secondary school located in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The college has strong Catholic roots, being named after the late Pope John Paul the Second.
John Paul College was opened in 1983 with years 7 and 8, and was the culmination of many years of planning by the Parish Priest of Coffs Harbour, Father Anthony Casey and the Parents' Planning Committee.
Land on Hogbin Drive was donated by Mr. Paddy Hargraves and the first stage of construction was completed in 1982. The second stage of building was commenced in 1985 and opened in 1986, followed by the opening of the Chapel (now Drama) and Multi-purpose hall in 1987. After the school grew quickly to nearly 1000 students, a new block was opened in 1992 and named Nagle Block after the foundress of the Presentation Order. To commemorate the contribution of the Sisters of Mercy to John Paul College, 1983 though 1992, the library was dedicated to Catherine McAuley, their foundress. A larger chapel "Stella Maris" was added in 1996.
John Paul College is also notable for its progressive staff. The full teaching staff is lay, and were the first Catholic teaching staff in Australia to go on strike. Students frequently travel 100 kilometre round trips each day to attend the school.
College colours are sky blue, maroon and navy. The student population is divided into four houses, mostly for sports, with teams and individual sports people participating in all sports to a very high level. The houses, that is Casey, Hardgraves, Kelly and McAuley, all were named after founding figures of John Paul College and have house colours affiliated with them also (green, blue, yellow and red respectively).
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—Pope John Paul II (b. 1920)
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