How Revision Supports Student Success

Helping students prepare for exams with strategies grounded in cognitive science

Over the past week, a significant number of assessments have taken place across the College as we head toward the end of semester. This week also marks the beginning of formal end-of-semester exams for our Year 11 and 12 students.

Preparing for exams and assessment can be a stressful time for students and families alike, but understanding the science behind effective learning and revision can make a meaningful difference. Instead of relying on last-minute cramming, adopting a strategy of ongoing, spaced revision helps move information from short-term to long-term memory—leading to better retention, understanding, and confidence.

The Science of Learning and Memory

At St John Paul II College, our teaching is informed by the Catalyst learning principles, which are grounded in cognitive science. Research shows that memory is not developed through passive revision like simply rereading or highlighting notes. True learning occurs when students actively engage with the material—by rephrasing ideas in their own words, using visual prompts or analogies, or applying strategies like mnemonics and stories to make content stick.

Why Ongoing Revision Matters

Repetition and revision are crucial because they help consolidate knowledge over time. Each time a student reviews material, it strengthens the neural pathways connected to that information, making it easier to recall later. This becomes increasingly important as students move through the school years and build on prior knowledge. For example, students who consistently practised their times tables in the early years often find it easier to grasp fractions, percentages, and algebra later on.

Spaced Repetition vs Cramming

Cramming might offer short-term gains, but it often leads to fatigue, stress, and poor long-term retention. It promotes surface-level learning and quickly fades after the exam. In contrast, spaced repetition—reviewing material over longer periods and at regular intervals—has been proven to significantly boost long-term memory. This strategy may take more effort, but it leads to deeper learning and improved academic outcomes.

How You Can Support at Home

• Encourage short, regular revision sessions instead of last-minute cramming.

• Help your child summarise key points in their own words.

• Use flashcards or self-quizzing spaced across the week.

• Promote good sleep and healthy routines, which support memory and wellbeing.

• Acknowledge effort and persistence to build motivation and confidence.

We wish our senior students all the very best for their exams, and encourage all students to continue building strong study habits as we approach the end of semester.

Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal – Teaching & Learning

Creativity Meets Purpose: Senior Design & Technologies Showcase

Our Senior Design and Technologies students have wrapped up a productive few weeks of creative exploration and technical development across Design and Emerging Technologies, Designed Environments, and Design and Graphics. Whether working in CAD, sketchbooks, or digital design programs, students refined their problem-solving skills and applied design thinking to real-world challenges.

Throughout the term, they developed innovative concepts, crafted thoughtful prototypes, and produced professional-standard portfolios that showcase their technical ability and creative vision. Their work highlights key skills in sustainability, user-centred thinking, and visual communication — all vital in today’s evolving design industries.

Designed Environments: Tiny Homes for a Greener Future

Year 11/12 students ventured into sustainable architecture with a project focused on designing stationary Tiny Homes for a chosen Australian climate. They balanced eco-conscious material use with modern comfort and practicality, tailoring designs to suit regional needs.

Each portfolio included:

• Annotated concept sketches

• Scaled floor plans and cross-sections

• Environmentally conscious design proposals

• Integration of public transport access and landscape harmony

Design and Emerging Technologies: CNC-Engineered Seating

Students took on the challenge of CNC-routed seat design, drawing inspiration from IKEA's flat-pack efficiency and combining digital fabrication with ergonomic design. Using CAD software and Adobe InDesign, they:

• Researched design precedents

• Modelled and refined prototypes

• Created industry-standard design documentation

• Focused on sustainability and practical functionality

Design and Graphics: Inspiring Civic Action Through Design

In a powerful design brief, students partnered (hypothetically) with Giraffe Studios and the Australian Electoral Commission to encourage voting among young Australians.

Their work involved:

• Designing a campaign logo, slogan, and A3 poster

• Researching voting campaigns and design history

• Building campaign mock-ups for print and digital

• Presenting to peers in a formal critique panel

This project demonstrated how design can drive civic participation and build real-world communication skills.

 

The creativity, professionalism, and purpose demonstrated by these students is a credit to their hard work and the future of design thinking at JPC.

Chloe McCallum
Technologies

Our Year 9/10 Dance students lit up the stage with a vibrant commercial hip hop routine, featuring dynamic choreography and elements of locking. The Year 11/12 class followed with a powerful, student-choreographed contemporary piece exploring the challenges faced by women—both moving and thought-provoking.

We are thrilled to share that both groups received an ‘Excellent’ rating and were awarded gold trophies for their outstanding performances.

Congratulations to all our dancers for their creativity, commitment, and teamwork. You represented JPC with excellence and spirit—we are incredibly proud!

Zoe Dowling
Dance & HPE Teacher  

As exam week approaches, it’s important for students to prepare effectively to perform at their best. Below are key strategies to support both students and families during this important academic period.

1. Organise Study Materials

Keep everything in one place—notes, textbooks, past assignments—sorted by subject. Create summaries, flashcards, or visual outlines to make revision clear and manageable.

2. Use Active Study Techniques

Learning is most effective when it’s active. Try:

• Teaching the content to someone else

• Creating mind maps or timelines

• Using flashcards or self-made quizzes

• Practicing past paper questions under exam conditions

3. Take Regular Breaks and Practise Self-Care

Avoid marathon study sessions. The Pomodoro Technique (25 mins of study + 5 min break) is a great way to stay sharp. Make sure to:

• Get enough sleep

• Eat balanced meals

• Stay hydrated

• Get fresh air or light movement during breaks

4. Manage Exam Stress

Exam nerves are normal. Breathing exercises, visualisation, and positive self-talk can all help. Parents can support by encouraging calm routines and offering reassurance.

5. On Exam Day

• Prepare everything the night before

• Arrive early and avoid rushing

• Start with questions you feel confident about

• Jot down key formulas or notes at the beginning if helpful

By implementing these habits, students are better equipped to tackle exams with confidence. We wish all our senior students the very best in the coming weeks!

Jenna Martin
Acting Senior Studies Coordinator

The Year 11/12 Drama class proudly represented St John Paul II College at the Canberra Theatre’s ACT UP Showcase on Friday evening. This term, students devised two clever and comedic performances—‘Evolution’ and ‘The Cancel Council’—offering sharp social commentary on our growing dependence on artificial intelligence and the rise of cancel culture.

It was a 15-hour day packed with rich industry experiences. Students participated in professional tech runs, a NIDA acting workshop, a costume design workshop, and explored behind the scenes of Shake & Stir’s production of 1984. They also visited the Sidney Nolan exhibition at CMAG and watched a professional performance of Night Night by The Last Great Hunt Productions.

Our JPC performers shone on stage, using conventions of absurdism and satirical humour to captivate the audience. With stylised movement, exaggerated characterisation, and an unforgettable birthing scene, their pieces were powerful, entertaining, and widely praised.

A huge congratulations to our performers:
Rosa Billingham, Mizpah Binny, Olivia Harrington, George Hampshire, Abigail Hernandez, Amelia Logan, Sofia LoPilato, and Ellie Mitchell.
A special shout-out to our incredible stage managers, Tahneeka Hifo and Aliya Sebastian.

We are also grateful to the enthusiastic crowd of family, friends, and members of the public who came to cheer on our students.

Chookas to all involved — your energy, creativity, and professionalism made us proud!

Mrs Sarah Smith
Drama Teacher

As we move through the term, we want to remind families of one of the simplest—yet most powerful—ways to support your child’s learning: reading for just 15 minutes a day.

Research shows that daily reading helps students grow their vocabulary, improve comprehension, and build confidence across all subject areas. Whether it’s reading aloud together, chatting about a book over dinner, or encouraging quiet reading time, those 15 minutes really do make a difference.

Homework Club and Library Support

To further support our students, Homework Club is available in the library from Monday to Thursday, 3:45pm–4:45pm. It’s a quiet and welcoming space where students can complete tasks, ask for help, or simply catch up on reading.

Families and students are also encouraged to explore the incredible digital resources available via the JPC Library Canvas page, including:

• Oliver – our online catalogue to search and reserve books (including access to over 35,000 digital books and magazines).

• LearnPath – curated research guides and learning tools aligned to classroom topics. If there’s a subject you'd like to see covered, reach out to our friendly library staff!

Reading Takes the Lead at JPC

We’re thrilled to see students across all year levels embracing a love of reading through two key initiatives:

The Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge

Students are diving into books daily, and many have already reached their personal reading goals—while others are well on their way. Congratulations to all who are participating!

The JPC Reading Cup Challenge

New in 2024, this friendly, team-based competition sees seven student teams reading together, logging titles, and celebrating milestones. The buzz in the library has been electric, with students recommending books to one another and proudly reaching shared goals.

Both programs aim to grow a strong reading culture by making reading fun, social, and rewarding. We love seeing students explore new genres, build confidence, and share in the joy of storytelling.

Let’s keep the momentum going! Ask your child what book they’re reading and encourage just 15 minutes a day. Together, we’re building a community of curious, confident readers.

Jessica Stockman
Library Coordinator

As part of a new initiative launching in 2025, the elective line for gifted students in Years 9 and 10 has been piloted this year—giving students the opportunity to explore specialised topics in greater depth. In Term 2, the focus was Forensic Science, and the final assessment brought learning to life in a thrilling, hands-on way.

Students were tasked with designing and staging a crime scene for a visiting Year 7 English class to solve—combining scientific analysis with storytelling and teamwork.

Here’s what Gabriella Hannaford (Year 7) had to say about the experience:

“Today, a group of students from Ms Walker’s Year 7 English class got to visit the Gifted and Talented class's crime scene, and it was epic! As part of their forensic science unit, they created a full-on murder mystery for us to solve. There were footprints, fake blood splatter, fingerprints, and even maps and suspect notes. It felt just like playing Cluedo in real life! My group investigated all the clues, and I (pretty much) solved the whole case. Turns out, the killer was Sam—he was couch-surfing and got into a fight with one of the twins whose apartment he was living in. This disagreement led to both of the twins dying. It was such a fun way to learn, and now I kind of want to be a detective!”

This creative project not only challenged our high potential learners to apply their scientific knowledge but also inspired younger students to engage deeply with problem-solving and critical thinking. An outstanding example of authentic, inquiry-based learning in action!

Louise Dwyer

Last week, our Year 7 Korean students took part in their very first Online Language Exchange with our new program partner, Hongdong Middle School in South Korea.

Each student was paired with a buddy from Hongdong, allowing them to practise speaking Korean in a real conversational setting while also helping their buddy practise English. This mutual exchange not only provided valuable language practise but also opened the door to meaningful cross-cultural connection.

This is the first of many opportunities our students will have to connect with their international partners. As these exchanges continue, we hope to see students grow in language fluency, cultural understanding, and confidence — all while building new friendships across the globe.

Elissa Burt 엘리사 선생님
English and Korean Teacher. 

Last Thursday, 40 of our enthusiastic Year 9 and 10 students attended Languages Day at ANU, enjoying a vibrant and immersive cultural experience. The day was a celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity, showcasing four Asian languages — Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, and Japanese — through hands-on workshops and engaging activities.

Students rotated through a series of interactive sessions where they explored each language’s unique writing systems, practised greetings, and took part in cultural traditions. From Chinese calligraphy and Mandarin pronunciation, to Korean Hangul writing and traditional games — each station offered a window into the richness of language and identity.

The Indonesian workshop focused on common phrases and the archipelago’s vibrant heritage, while the Japanese session combined origami and etiquette with everyday conversation.

It was a day filled with discovery, and the students' energy and curiosity were inspiring. Many were surprised by how quickly they picked up new words and expressions — and several left the event expressing interest in pursuing further language studies.

We are grateful to the dedicated language educators at ANU who made this event possible. Their enthusiasm and expertise brought each language to life, creating a memorable experience for all involved.

Events like Languages Day reflect our College’s commitment to nurturing globally aware students who value diversity, respect culture, and engage meaningfully with the world around them.

Jie Li
Languages Faculty Coordinator

This week’s spotlight shines on the JPC Jazz Band, a talented ensemble whose commitment to weekly rehearsals continues to elevate their sound. Their latest piece, Donna Lee — a classic bebop number by Charlie Parker and Miles Davis — is a testament to their musical growth and technical ability. With its rapid tempo and intricate phrasing, the piece demands precision, creativity, and serious ensemble cohesion.

We invite families and friends to witness the JPC Jazz Band live at our Midyear Music Showcase, Momentum, on Thursday 27 June from 5:00pm – 6:30pm in the JPC Theatre. It promises to be an unforgettable evening of music and celebration.

Jazz Band Members:

• Zacharie Zulkapli – flute and alto saxophone

• Zahra Zulkapli – trumpet and voice

• Martin Fisher – double bass

• Eamon Moir – drums

• Cooper Minion – electric guitar

We look forward to seeing you at the Showcase!

St John Paul II College Music Tuition Program

If your child is interested in learning a musical instrument and improving their theoretical and practical skills, individual tuition is available through the JPC Music Program. Our experienced tutors and professional performers cover a wide range of styles and instruments, including:

• Violin, cello
• Saxophone, clarinet
• Guitar, bass
• Drums
• Vocals
• Piano – and more
  
  

Band opportunities and instrument hire are also available to support students in their musical journey. 

If interested, please fill out the form via the link below and visit the JPC Music Tuition page for more information.

Music Tuition Form

Mr Dennett
Music Teacher

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