In this week’s gospel, Jesus shares a powerful message of hope and encouragement. He reminds us that true blessings come not from material wealth or social status, but from our faith and resilience in the face of adversity. This message invites us to reflect on our own lives and to find strength in our faith, knowing that God's love and blessings are with us always. This makes us a people of hope.

Last week, we were delighted to see so many families visit our school for the Year 7, 11 and 12 Information Night and BBQ. It was heartwarming to witness the strong sense of community as parents, students, and staff came together to share in this informative and enjoyable evening. The event provided families with the opportunity to connect with teachers and learn more about the upcoming school year and high school processes. Additionally, our senior students and their families gained valuable insights into the BSSS processes and post-school options.

Congratulations on Academic Awards

We would like to extend our congratulations to the 147 students who received awards at our award ceremony last Tuesday. This ceremony recognised those students who have achieved academic excellence and those who have shown a growth mindset.

Parent-Teacher Interviews and Goal Setting

This evening, we look forward to welcoming families to the PC teacher meetings to discuss goals for this year, which is an important part of the learning process. We hope that through these meetings, families can continue to build positive relationships with the school.

At these meetings, pastoral care teachers will have the most recent set of PAT results available to share with families to support goal setting. Year 12 students will also receive their ATAR estimate. During these meetings, we are asking every student in Year 7-10 to set a reading goal to be achieved by early Term 4.

Through the library, and in classes, we look forward to working together to improve the reading skills of all students throughout the year. Attached are some ideas for helping secondary school students with reading at home and an article on some of the reasons secondary students struggle to read. See attachement here.

Compass and Canvas

Thank you to the many families who have logged onto Compass and Canvas. Every parent has been assigned an individual login to Canvas, to access their child’s assessment, results, and family feedback. If you would like support with logging on, please come to the Wellbeing hub (upstairs) during the Parent-Teacher interviews this evening (4.30pm-6.30pm). Unit outlines are finalised and published as of today and are available to all families in Years 7-10. For Years 11 and 12, unit outlines are published through ACS, as required by the BSSS.

The login details for both Canvas & Compass Instructions can be found here.

Thank you

Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning

This year the maths teachers are focusing on building fluency skills using Retrieval Practice. This involves daily reviews each lesson based on previously learned content before commencing with the content for the lesson. In Years 7 and 8 we are focusing on times tables skills and in Years 9 and 10 we are focusing on algebra skills. By building fluency in basic mathematical skills, students will have more working memory to work on the new concepts being learned. Your child will have homework after every maths lesson. This may consist of finishing class work or a worksheet to complete before the next lesson. Please assist your child in completing their homework and do not hesitate to contact their classroom teacher if you find they need additional support.

Equipment

All students are expected to have their equipment every lesson. This includes;

• Maths Workbook
• Maths Textbook
• Charged Laptop
• Black and Red Pens
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Calculator (Casio FX-82AU Preferred)

The maths staff are looking forward to working with students this year to improve their maths and make maths enjoyable.

The Importance of Playing Games

Do you remember sitting around the dining table as a child playing board games with your friends and family? You might not have realised it, but you were learning maths and many other skills. Games such as Monopoly, Pay Day, Rummikub, MasterMind and many other games require us to think mathematically and logically. Many students, when learning about probability in maths class, do not know simple card facts such as how many cards are in a deck of cards, how many suits in a deck, what a picture card is. Playing these games with your child can help to develop their mathematical thinking and teach them about the probability of winning/losing within a game.

Shin, Sutherland, Norris, and Soloway (2012) state that games have consistently yielded positive results regarding student motivation, persistence, curiosity, attention, and attitude toward learning and their study indicates that games can have a positive impact on students’ learning in mathematics, regardless of their ability level.

Squire (2005) states that play is a powerful pervasive method of learning outside school, it is crucial to the development of new skills and social roles. He goes on to indicate that games allow us to bend or temporarily dismiss normal social rules and hence take on a different identity within the game (Squire, 2005). Games can create intense engagement in learners, encourage active learning or learning by doing, which are effective tools for enhancing learning and understanding of complex subject matter.  Games are an effective way to learn because they combine learning and fun, offer maths in different contexts that require exploration and challenge them to learn maths.

So, in this time of social isolation due to the increased use of digital technologies, why not sit down and help your child learn maths (or English (Scrabble) Geography (Risk) etc.) by playing a family board or card game. Help to make the learning of maths fun.

Amanda Brown

Mathematics Coordinator

References:

Shin, N., Sutherland, L. M., Norris, C. A., & Soloway, E. (2012). Effects of game technology on elementary student learning in mathematics. British journal of educational technology, 43(4), pp. 540-560.

Squire, K., (2005). Changing the Game: What happens when video games enter the classroom? Innovate: Journal of Online Education, 1 (6).

NAPLAN testing will occur in our school between Wednesday, 12 March and Monday, 24 March 2025 for students in Years 7 and 9.

Online NAPLAN tests provide more precise results and are engaging for students. The tests are tailored (or adaptive), which means that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult, depending on a student’s responses. This helps students remain engaged with the assessment.

Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly. Your child should not be concerned if they find questions challenging; they may be taking a more complex test pathway.

NAPLAN provides valuable information to schools and parents about literacy and numeracy achievement. It supports school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor student progress over time and identify areas of strength and development.

All eligible students are encouraged and supported to participate in NAPLAN testing. Visit www.nap.edu.au to see interactive versions of the test and for more information.

Encourage Your Child to Join the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge!✨

We’re excited to invite students to take part in the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge 2025! This initiative encourages a love of reading by challenging students to read 30 books by September while exploring new ideas, stories, and perspectives.

There may even be fun rewards along the way—like hot chocolate on chilly mornings—to keep students motivated!

To participate, students need to register in the Library with Ms Stokman by Friday, Week 3.

Let’s inspire a love of reading together! ?? #CMRC2025

On Tuesday night, we hosted an information session for students and families from Years 11-12 who are completing their Senior Secondary Certificate through the Accredited Pathways Program. One of the biggest takeaways we wanted everyone to leave with is that there is a pathway for every student, whether they are wanting to go straight from Year 12 into university or undertake an apprenticeship/traineeship — there is an option for every student. I would like to thank Ms Chloe McCallum and Mrs Kym Darmody who graciously assisted with the information session.

Work Experience

Work experience helps students connect with the real world and create a sense of identity and purpose post school. It is very common for our young people to be unsure on what they should do once they leave Year 12. Work experience helps provide students with some answers and gives them a chance to explore their industry of interest. Even if students leave work experience still unsure of what career they want to explore, they still learn something about themselves.

To view our work experience process, please click here.

Current Expressions of Interest

Please note: students must be signed into their school email accounts on the browser to access the forms.

White Card, Asbestos & Silica Awareness certificates.

We are now taking expression of interest for students who wish to obtain their White Card, Asbestos & Silica Awareness certificates.

If you are considering working in a trade or completing work experience on a job site, you must hold these certificates prior to commencement. This is particularly important for Year 10 students who may wish to complete work experience on a job site as part of their work experience week!

If interested, please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/r/v341NjHdar

ACT Health Work Experience EOI Application

ACT Health provides a limited number of work experience placements for students, which can be very competitive! To be considered for an ACT Health work experience placement, please complete this application to the best of your ability. Applications close Week 4, Monday, 24 March 2025 at 4pm.  https://forms.office.com/r/UwAJ7S4CGj

Careers Community

If you or your business would be interested in hosting work experience students or looking for apprentices, please join our Careers community by clicking here!

To contact us to either book an appointment or ask any questions, please email Careers.jpc@cg.catholic.edu.au

Special provisions are designed to minimise the impact of a student’s disability, illness, or unforeseen circumstances on their assessment performance. These arrangements ensure that students can access a fair testing environment without compromising the integrity, validity, or reliability of the AST. Special provisions do not provide an unfair advantage, and all students are expected to complete all components of the AST.

If your child requires special provisions, they are required to complete a Special Provisions Application through the BSSS by Tuesday, 1 April 2025. It is important that they discuss their needs and eligibility with Mrs Dwyer and Ms Martin before the end of Week 3.

The application process includes:

• A student application form
• A confidential college report, supported by the principal and based on recommendations from the school counsellor or special needs team
• A confidential medical report from a relevant health professional with current supporting documentation

In some cases, additional functional evidence (such as a recent handwritten essay) may be required.

Please note that the Office of the Board of Senior Secondary Studies is solely responsible for determining eligibility for special provisions or a second sitting of the AST. Some accommodations provided for school assessments may not apply to the AST.

Information and the links in relation to information about Special Provisions for the 2025 AST can be found below and are also available on the Senior Studies Canvas page.

If you have any questions, please contact Ms Martin.

The student form is accessed here.

Senior Studies Academic Agreement

Year 11 and Year 12 students are reminded that they are required to return their signed copy of the Senior Studies Academic Agreement by tomorrow afternoon. Ensure that you have read the Senior Studies Handbook, and all information provided prior to signing this document.

Senior Studies Academic Agreement

Senior Studies Handbook

Senior Studies Subject Changes

Please ensure that all subject change request forms are completed and submitted by Friday, 14 February 2025 (Week 2).

St John Paul II College is offering students the opportunity to hire a variety of musical instruments for the upcoming term.

Our selection includes guitars, saxophones (alto and tenor), euphoniums, clarinets, trumpets, trombones, flutes, and more, all available for a hire fee of $58 per term.

To express your interest and assist us with instrument allocation, please fill out the form available at this link

We are excited to kick off our extracurricular band program for the new school year! Last year, we had some incredible student performances, and we cannot wait to build on that success.

This year, our bands will meet before and after school in 45-minute sessions:

• Morning sessions run from 8:00 to 8:45 AM, and
• Afternoon sessions run from 3:45 to 4:30 PM.

Semester 1 Band Rehearsal Timetable:

• Monday afternoons: Senior Concert Band and Vocal Group
• Tuesday mornings: Year 7 & 8 Contemporary Bands, Tech Crew
• Wednesday mornings: Jazz Band, Intermediate Contemporary Band
• Wednesday afternoons: Senior and Session Contemporary Bands
• Thursday mornings: Year 9 & 10 Contemporary Band

Please note: Students involved in our 2025 musical production, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, will have ensemble rehearsals on Wednesday afternoons and orchestra + lead rehearsals on Thursday afternoons.

The program will be led by Mr Goodwin and Mr Dennett, and all rehearsals will take place in the Music and Band classrooms (PG1 and PG2). Students in contemporary bands will also have opportunities to contribute to our school’s liturgical events.

Program Cost:

There is a $50 fee per semester to participate in the band program. This contribution helps cover the maintenance and upkeep of our rehearsal space, instruments, and equipment.

How to Sign Up:

To register for the program, please complete the sign-up form here: https://forms.office.com/r/tpdTzSDcS7

This week, the Senior Drama class has taken an exciting step forward in creating an ensemble. Through group improvisation, students have begun strengthening their teamwork and trust while exploring the art of creative collaboration. It’s all about learning to support each other, think on their feet, and create together.

The photos capture the energy and originality the students already possess as they embark on this semester’s unit, ‘Drama in Context’. With the genre of comedy set to study, many laughs will ensue. Chookas!

Mrs Sarah Smith

Drama teacher