Supporting Our Students
Wellbeing
Our High School is proud to support student wellbeing through a range of initiatives. We have a focus on mindfulness, resilience-building and managing stress to promote positive mental health, particularly through our Social Emotional Learning classes with Years 7-9. We continue to facilitate long standing programs such as Raise Mentoring, a program that provides trained volunteer mentors to support young people in schools, helping them build resilience, confidence, and important life skills. We value student voices, involving them in planning and feedback. These initiatives reflect our commitment to fostering a safe, supportive environment, ensuring every student is empowered to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally at school.
The Wellbeing Team provides confidential support and a variety of expertise to help students with any challenges they may face throughout their schooling. We would like to warmly welcome our new Student Support officer, Kate Sweeney to our team. Kate brings experience from both the health and aged care sector and has returned to schools to share her knowledge and connections with our community. She has recently installed a self-referral letter box outside her office, where students can complete a self-referral form and share a little bit about what has been happening lately i.e. friendship issues. This box is checked multiple times per day, and remains confidential. Thank you Kate, for your warmth and for wholeheartedly embracing our school community. We are excited to see what programs and resources you will bring to support our students.
As the school holidays approach, we encourage everyone to take time to rejuvenate and recharge for the term ahead. If you need extra support during the break, the following services are available:
- Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511
- Parent Line: 1300 130 52
We wish all students and families a safe and restful holiday.
Ms. McInnes
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Activities
This Term 2, our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have shone brightly through meaningful cultural events and programs. We proudly celebrated National Reconciliation Week with a moving student-led assembly. The celebration continued with a delightful afternoon tea prepared by Mr. Truss and his Year 12 cookery class, featuring delicious native ingredient dishes. A heartfelt thank you to Aunty Karen and all students who led and supported the day.
Our junior Aboriginal girls took part in the Sista Speak mentoring program, where under the guidance of Aunty Carrine Liddell, they explored the traditional art of Shellwork and its deep cultural significance. They also enjoyed a wellness session with Avalon Pallier, crafting their own lip scrubs using native ingredients. This program offers a safe, enriching space to connect with culture and community while learning from our local Elders.
Early in the term, our senior students attended the Kari Aboriginal Education and Employment Expo. This event offered valuable opportunities to explore pathways in education, training, and employment, helping to shape their future goals with guidance from Aboriginal organisations and employers alike.
Additionally, we hosted Sydney Local Health District who presented opportunities and pathways for students interested in exploring opportunities in Allied Health.
We welcomed back the South Cares Nanga Mai Murri program to our community and introduce a new mentor, Reneigh Scott. Reneigh brings a wealth of knowledge and cultural wisdom, further strengthening our commitment to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through meaningful connections and activities.
Looking ahead, we are excited to announce that our 2026 NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held on Friday, 3 July. The day will feature a student-led assembly and a special dance performance taught by Aunty Kerry Johnson, Maci-Grace Johnson, and Ephraim Bani from Burrundi Theatre . The whole school and special guest will join us in activities around the school as we come together to celebrate and finish Term 2 with pride and unity
Ms. Johnson & Ms. Welch
Student Representative Council
The Student Representative Council has experienced an incredibly productive first half of the year, driven by the outstanding commitment of our student leaders. Attendance and engagement at our weekly meetings have been consistently strong, with representatives from all year groups arriving with enthusiasm and fresh ideas to improve our school community.
A special commendation must go to our Year 10 and Year 11 SRC members. These senior students have been actively volunteering their personal time and demonstrating immense dedication to various ongoing school projects. Whether assisting at official school functions or organising school campaigns, their reliable leadership sets a wonderful example for the younger cohorts.
Behind the scenes, the council is currently working on several student-led initiatives aimed at boosting school spirit and improving school amenities. Our sub-committees are presently collaborating with school executive staff to refresh the seating options in the school playground and plan other facilities improvements. We continue to review student feedback carefully to present practical, effective recommendations directly to the school leadership team.
Furthermore, we are looking forward to the upcoming community days next term, where our representatives will run school events that promote wellbeing and connections across the school. These events will offer inclusive spaces for students to interact, share experiences, and build strong support networks with their peers. The SRC remains a vital voice for the student body, and we look forward to achieving even more positive outcomes together in the months ahead. Thank you to all the families who continue to support our young leaders in these valuable community endeavours.
Mr. Nguyen
Learning Hub
Learning Support and Learning Hub have had a great half year so far. We have expanded and are now a team of seven. We have worked with students throughout the school, in the classroom, the playground and Learning Hub. JJ Students are benefitting from the great work our SLSO’s do and we are so lucky to have the most spectacular crew of SLSO ever.
We have also been working hard on our small group and targeted literacy and numeracy support and are thrilled to see so many of the amazing JJ students excelling. Ms Anna and Mr Rob and their small group work have been challenging and motivating our students to show off their dazzling learning skills and all the groups are kicking huge goals.
But it's not all work in Learning Hub as we are planning our take over of the Rumikub world, with so many of our students working at genius level accomplishment and beating Learning Hub Staff hands down. You know who you are, you Rumikub geniuses.
Learning Hub Team
Vaccinations
This term we had the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District vaccination team on site at our school to provide immunisations to our Year 10 students. In Week 9 of Term 3, Year 7 will have their vaccination day on Tuesday 15th of September. Information has been sent home with students and signed consent cards can be returned to the school office or consent can also be given online. Any students who require to catch up on any vaccinations can do so on the next vaccination date.
Ms. Gunawan Daly
Library
A Record-Breaking Year in the JJ Library!
Term 2 has been a busy and exciting time in the JJ Library, with students continuing to embrace reading in record numbers.
Our borrowing statistics tell an incredible story. In 2024, a total of 357 books were borrowed throughout the entire year. In 2025, that number more than doubled to 734 books. Even more impressive, from January to June 2026 alone. students have already borrowed 642 books, putting us well on tract to surpass last year's total!
Our Library Legends Reading Challenge continues to grow, with 138 students currently featured on the Library Legends Wall. We're aiming for 150 Legends by the end of the term - can we make it?
We are also proud to celebrate more than 15 students who have achieved Living Legends status by reading over 20 books this year. Students who move up a level in the challenge receive a mini luck-dip prize to recognise and reward their reading efforts.
Mrs. Kasparian
Parents & Citizens
The P&C (Parents and Carers Association) is a dedicated group of volunteers who work together to support the school and contribute to various projects throughout the year. By getting involved, parents and carers play a key role in enhancing the school community and helping with initiatives that benefit both students and staff. The P&C meets on Wednesdays during Week 3 and Week 8 of each term, providing an opportunity to collaborate on upcoming projects and share ideas. If you're interested in staying informed and getting involved, please email jjcahillpandc@gmail.com to sign up for regular updates and email communication from the P&C. Your support and participation are always welcome!