Sport and Activities

6.1 Sports and Activities Overview6.2 Philosophy and Expectations6.3 TAS and Junior TAS Sport6.4 Carnival Dates6.5 Sport Academy Programs6.6 Representative Competitions and Pathways6.7 High Performance Academy (HPA)6.8 Uniform6.9 Student Safety and Welfare6.10 Selection Policy6.11 Communication6.12 Absence Procedure6.12.1 Clash Between College Co-curricular Commitments6.13 Cancellations and Wet Weather6.14 Achievements6.15 Secondary School Leadership Opportunities6.16 Parent Engagement6.17 Key Staff and Contacts6.18 Strategic Partners6.19 Primary Sport & Activites Program6.20 Secondary Sport & Activities Program

6.1 Sports and Activities Overview

Full details on each sport and activity can be found at the end of this overview in the Sport and Activities Program section. 

PRIMARY SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

SECONDARY SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW

6.2  Philosophy and Expectations

JPC is proud to offer a diverse and extensive range of sports and activities within our co-curricular program. We have a strong culture of participation and pride in these programs which support the holistic development of all students. Students are encouraged to participate in sport, emphasising enjoyment, fitness, skill development, social development and self-discipline. The College considers the sporting field to be an extension of the classroom where students have the opportunity to practice and display the key College values:

• Mutual Respect
• Integrity
• Compassion
• Excellence.
  

Expectations

Sports and activities are classified as either co-curricular or extra-curricular. Co-curricular opportunities include College-offered programs and competitions, including TAS and Junior TAS sports, as well as activities including debating, esports and various interest clubs. Extra-curricular sports and activities include club sport, junior development programs, training offered by our strategic partners, and certain activities and recreational pursuits.

More information can be found in the sports and activities overview above.

All students in years 4 to 12 are expected to participate in at least one co-curricular sport or activity each year. In selecting a co-curricular activity, students must give priority to their school co-curricular commitment. If there is a clash between a school commitment and involvement in an external sporting or cultural group, the JPC team/group must take priority.

The College is committed to supporting all students to maintain their co-curricular commitments. Students with a clash between two JPC co-curricular activities should contact their Co-ordinator or the Head of Sport and Activities for advice.

Commitment

We encourage all students to participate in the co-curricular activities offered at JPC. When a student accepts membership of a school team or group, we expect that they accept and commit to all the commitments involved in that membership. It is not acceptable for students to miss training or games or to arrive late for these commitments.

While students must be discouraged from making personal arrangements that conflict with their co-curricular commitments, it is important also that parents do not place their children in a position that forces them to neglect their responsibilities to their team or group. Such decisions as parental punishments, which prevent a child from participating in their team's activities, or weekend excursions that preclude fulfilling co-curricular commitments, disadvantage the student's teammates. We urge that parents recognise their child's obligation to their team or group and ensure that these obligations are met.

If for some reason, a student is unable to attend a Saturday fixture, students must seek permission from the relevant staff Co-ordinator

Club Sport Policy

College policy states that students who play Club Sport, for JPC or other clubs, must also play that sport in The Associated Schools (TAS or Junior TAS) competition. The TAS or Junior TAS competition is the priority.

Students' Co-Curricular Code of Conduct

• Play by the rules set by the coach, officials and the school.
  
• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your captain, coach or manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
• Control your temper. Abuse of officials and sledging other players, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent will not be accepted.
• Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team. Your team's performance will benefit, so will you.
• Be a good sport. Applaud all good plays and always acknowledge the person who made the pass or play to create the score.
• Treat all participants in your sport as you like to be treated. Do not bully or take unfair advantage of another competitor or teammate.
• Co-operate with your coach, teammates and opponents. Without them, there would be no competition.
• Participate for your enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
• Respect all participants' rights, dignity, and worth regardless of their gender, ability, cultural background or religion.
  

6.3  TAS and Junior TAS Sport

The Associated Schools (TAS) is a co-educational allegiance of schools with the mission to 'provide high quality, co-educational, interschool, sporting competition underpinned by the associations core values' of participation, pride, performance, sportsmanship and community.  

TAS has evolved through the years into the premier co-educational inter-school sporting competition in Queensland.

The Mission of the Association is to provide high quality, co-educational, interschool, sporting competition underpinned by the Association's core values.

The Values of the Association are:

Junior TAS Sport

Junior TAS sport is the equivalent primary competition of the TAS association, offered for to students in Years Four - Six. The objective of the competition is based primarily on skill development and participation in an atmosphere of good sportsmanship and fair play.

All Junior TAS sports are offered to both girls and boys in a mixed or single-gender format.

6.4  Carnival Dates

Interhouse Carnivals

Primary

Years 3-6 Swimming: Monday 2 March

Years 3-6 Cross Country: Tuesday 31 March

Years 3-6 Athletics: Wednesday 17 June

Prep - ​Year 2 Sport Day: Thursday 13 August

Year 1 and 2 Swimming Carnival: Thursday 19 November

Secondary

Swimming: Friday 27 February 

Cross Country: Tuesday 31 March

Athletics: Tuesday 16 June 

Esports: Tuesday 22 October

TAS Carnivals

Swimming: Thursday 19 March

Cross Country: Tuesday 19 May 

Athletics: Tuesday 15 September

Junior TAS Carnivals

Swimming: Friday 20 March

Cross Country: Wednesday 20 May

Athletics: Friday 11 September

Southside District Carnivals

Swimming: (10-12 Years) Thursday 12 February

Cross Country (10 - 19 Years): Wednesday 6 May

Athletics (10 - 12 Years): Wednesday 5 August

Athletics (13 - 19 Years): Thursday 6 August

Metropolitan East Regional Carnivals

Swimming (10 - 12 Years): Tuesday 3 March

Swimming (13 - 19 Years): Tuesday 12 May

Cross Country (10 - 19 Years): Tuesday 26 May

Athletics (10 - 19 Years): Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August

6.5 Sport Academy Programs

The JPC Sport Academy Program is a free, inclusive and focused training program available to students in Years 4 - 12 in the following sports:

• Basketball
• Cricket
  
• Football
  
• Netball
• Volleyball

Led by our specialist Head Coaches, the year-round program is designed to support and complement our TAS and Junior TAS programs while encouraging the development of holistic skills and best performance from all athletes. Students of all ability and experience levels are encouraged to attend, with sessions offered in developmental tiers including Primary, Junior, Intermediate and Senior.

In addition to building sequential, fundamental skills and increasing sporting participation, the Academy Program also embeds core strength and fitness principles with regular physical testing conducted with the JPC High Performance Co-ordinator. 

6.6 Representative Competitions and Pathways

College Competitions and Tournaments

Students are encouraged to trial to represent John Paul College at the various State Championship Tournaments and other competitive opportunities listed below.

Students wishing to trial for selection in College tournament teams are expected to represent the College in the corresponding TAS or Junior TAS sport. In cases of extenuating circumstances, the College reserves the right to exercise discretion in determining a student's eligibility.

​For further information on dates and trial information, please contact the relevant JPC Sport Co-ordinator.

Primary School

Basketball - Champion Basketball School of Queensland Primary 3x3 

Esports - FUSE Cup

Futsal - various competitions and Futsal State Titles

Netball - Primary Schools Cup

Rugby - Primary All Schools Rugby 7s

Tennis - Brisbane International Primary Schools Cup

Touch Football - Primary All Schools Touch Football

Volleyball - Primary Schools Cup

Secondary School

Athletics - Queensland All Schools Athletics Championships, Coast to Coast

Basketball - Champion Basketball School of Queensland Tournament (Junior Secondary, Sophomore and Open) and Australian School Basketball Championships

Cross Country - Queensland Athletics Cross Country Relay Championships

Esports - FUSE Cup

Football - U14 ISSA Cup, U19 Uhlsport Cup

Futsal - Football Queensland and Australian Futsal Association regional and state Titles

​Netball - Vicki Wilson (Cup and Shield)

Rugby - All Schools 7s and Emerging Schools 7s

Tennis - Queensland Secondary School Team Tennis

Touch Football - Secondary All Schools

Volleyball - Volleyball Queensland Schools Cup (Junior, Primary, Intermediate and Senior) and Australian Schools Volleyball Championships.

School Sport Representative Pathways and Competitions

Primary and secondary students aged between 10-19 years are eligible to trial for school-based representative sports through the School Sports Australia pathway.

John Paul College is part of the Southside District and Metropolitan East Regional areas.

Students may trial or nominate for selection in a Logan District team. Successful students progress to the Metropolitan East Regional trials, and the final pathway is selection in Queensland School Sport teams to complete at the Australian School Sports Championships.

The College will advertise all District sporting trials in MyJPC Notices. More information is available from Co-ordinators and the Sport and Activities team.

Due to the selection policy outlined by Southside District School Sport, the College may only nominate a limited number of students to attend the Southside District Trials in certain sports, particularly the canival sports of swimming, cross country and athletics. The College will be responsible for selecting interested students to attend the Southside District Trials. Selections will occur through consultation with relevant Sport Co-ordinators and coaches. Students will be notified of their selection to attend a Southside District Trial by the College.

​Club Sport Representative Pathway
Club sport representative pathways and procedures vary from sport to sport. For further information, please contact the relevant JPC Sport Co-ordinator.

6.7 High Performance Academy (HPA)

The High Performance Academy (HPA) is a specialist program designed to support high-performing student athletes in the pursuit of excellence.

The HPA takes an integrated approach to athletic development, providing tailored support through individualised training programs, strength and conditioning, wellbeing monitoring, and eductional workshops. The goal of the program is to nurture both the performance and personal growth of our students athletes as they strive to reach elite levels.

Participation in the HPA requires students to be active members of a JPC TAS Sport and/or JPC Cheer or Dance group. Student athletes are expected to maintain high standards of performance, academic engagement, behaviour, attendance, and effort, and to consistently uphold College values.​

For full details, please read the High Performance Academy Information Letter  or contact our High Performance Co-ordinator 
at (sport@jpc.qld.edu.au).

6.8 Uniform​​

Students must wear sporting uniforms or complete Physical Education (PE) uniforms as prescribed to all practices and competitions. Students will not be permitted to participate if improperly dressed, and parents will be notified. Please review the JPC Uniform Lookbook for guidance on the correct uniform requirements by sport.

When attending any JPC sport or activity as a spectator, students are expected to wear a full school uniform or PE uniform.

6.9 Student Safety and Welfare

Primary School Student Safety and Welfare

Students in Years 3 to 6 who participate in any sports or activities on campus are expected to make their own way to training sessions or activities. Prep - Year 2 students participating in sports and activities will be collected by the session supervisor and escorted to their sport or activity.

Primary students cannot walk to the Cec Munns Sports Centre without adult supervision or written consent from parents/caregivers.

Any student who has not been collected at the end of an activity will be taken to Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) for collection.

6.10  Selection Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for coaches, staff and the JPC community to ensure a fair process for the selection of representative teams.

The process for selection into College teams should reflect fairness, unity and contribution.

John Paul College fields over 200 TAS, Junior TAS and Club teams each year. The aim is to deliver high-quality Sport and Activities programs underpinned by exceptional resources.

TAS, Junior TAS, Club and College representative teams are selected according to ability levels. This ensures that players are entered into competitions where opponents are of similar ability levels.

Consideration must be given to the following factors when selecting teams:

• The number of students who have registered to play
  
• The varying ages and skills/experiences of the students
• The structure of the external competition and its specific requirements.

While all teams are encouraged to do their best, the fundamental focus is on sports participation and enjoyment. Year 5/6 Junior TAS teams may be graded, and this system will continue as students move into TAS sport in secondary school. This allows for all students to develop, compete and be challenged at a level where they can enjoy success.

Selection Process
The selection of various teams may require trials and a selection panel. This process may vary from TAS/Junior TAS, club to representative teams and the panel may consist of the coach and other relevant College staff. Students engaged in trials will be assessed on several factors, including gameplay.

Selection Criteria
Selection into a JPC representative team provides extension opportunities for students proficient in the fundamental skills related to that sport to be further developed by training and playing against similarly skilled students from other schools and clubs.

Student Ability
Students need to demonstrate an ability and appropriate skill level in the sport/team they are trialling for. Other factors such as commitment, maturity, organisation and motivation may be taken into account. The Student Responsibilities and Code of Behaviour Policy can be viewed on MyJPC.

Trial Attendance
Students are encouraged to attend all selection sessions. Absent students should contact the Sport Co-ordinator before the selection date.

Appeals Process
Students and parents are bound by the decisions made by the selection panel. Students have the right to appeal selection decisions made by the selection panel. Appeals need to be in writing to the Head of Sport and Activities and the Sport Co-ordinator within 72 hours of the selection announcement. The appeal will be an enquiry into whether the decision reached by the selection panel was made correctly. Students who do not attend the necessary trial sessions will not have the right to appeal selection decisions.

• The appeal panel may consist of:
• Head of Sport and Activities
• Deputy Principal
• If the appeal does not relate to procedural fairness and natural justice, the student will be advised, and the appeal will be void.
• The student will be advised in writing of the final decision.
  

6.11 Communication

Sport co-ordinators will communicate fixture and training details and other relevant information to parents through the following channels:

• Email
  
• MyJPC Notices
  

Further information about our Sport and Activities Program can be found here:

Primary Term Overviews

Secondary Term Overviews​

Further resources can be found on MyJPC under Sports and Activities.

6.12  Absence Procedure

Absence Procedure

To empower and instil students with the value of commitment, the College expects students to attend all scheduled training sessions and fixtures. It is neither reasonable nor appropriate to fellow team members for a student to simply not attend. Furthermore, staff have a duty of care for all enrolled students in their sport or activity. Therefore, if a student is ill or injured, it is an expectation that parents send notice before the event. Advance notice will also assist staff in organising substitutes if required.

If, for some reason, a student is unable to attend a fixture or activity for any other reason, students must seek advance approval from the coach or co-ordinator associated with the team.

6.12.1 ​Clash Between College Co-curricular Commitments

As a College with an extensive and diverse co-curricular program, we recognise that students may occasionally experience a scheduling conflict between two or more JPC co-curriculars within Sports, Activities and Performing Arts.

The College maintains a policy of shared commitment and priority, ensuring that all students are supported to balance and fulfil their JPC Sport, Activities and Performing Arts co-curricular responsibilities.

To support students managing conflicts between College Sports, Activities and Performing Arts commitments, and to allow enough time to develop a collaborative solution, the following process should be followed:

1. Communication

Students and parents are responsible for informing both the relevant Sport/Activity Co-ordinator and Performing Arts Instrumental/Vocal Director or Head of Department about the scheduling conflict as soon as possible, ideally with a minimum of 48 hours' notice.

Communication should be initiated by:

• Primary students – parents/caregivers
• Secondary students (Years 7-10) – students and parents/caregivers
• Secondary students (Years 11-12) – students, with parents included in communication

Early notification is important to allow sufficient time for solutions to be arranged. Students are encouraged to identify and discuss potential clashes early each term.

To support a consistent and effective process, coaches may also be informed and consulted. Coaches should ensure that enquiries are directed to the appropriate Co-ordinator and Director.

2. Collaboration

The Sport/Activity Co-ordinator and Performing Arts Instrumental/Vocal Director or Head of Department will collaborate to negotiate and propose a solution that accommodates the student's participation in both activities.

Solutions may include:

• Shared schedule each week (e.g. a student attends the first half of one commitment and the second half of the other commitment)
• Alternating weeks (e.g. a student attends sport one week then Performing Arts the following week).
• If multiple training or rehearsal sessions are offered for the same sport or activity within one week, the student should attend one of the two training sessions in order to avoid missing their only performing arts rehearsal of the week.
• Attending the training or rehearsal of a different team or group (this option applies to sports and activities only)

3. Compromise

While our policy of shared commitment exists, there may be circumstances and times of the year which require students to prioritise attendance at one activity, such as training sessions preparing for finals or rehearsals leading up to a performance. The Sport/Activity Co-ordinators and Performing Arts Instrumental/Vocal Directors or Heads of Department will consider these priorities when negotiating a solution, and factors such as event significance, prior preparation and the student's role will be evaluated.

 4. Confirmation

A proposed solution will be suggested, discussed and confirmed in writing. All correspondence will include the student or parent, and the relevant staff, to ensure clarity and mutual understanding.

 5.  Concerns

If a satisfactory solution cannot be reached or if further concerns arise, contact should be made with the Head of Sport and Activities and the Head of Performing Arts who will review the case and determine a final decision.