It has been terrific to welcome students back this term. It has been a smooth start, and I thank all families for the work they have done to re-establish routines. Returning to school can be a challenge, and it is a credit to you and the work you do to reassure and provide strategies to help your child navigate the demands of high school.

Our Gospel this week came from John 20:19–31 and offers powerful relevance for high school students. It explores themes of faith, doubt, and the importance of community, which remain central to the adolescent experience:

• Faith and Doubt: Like Thomas, our students may encounter doubt and questions—about their beliefs, the world, and their place in it. This passage encourages them to seek understanding and hold on to faith, even in times of uncertainty.

• Peace and Forgiveness: Jesus' message of peace and his act of forgiveness inspire students to approach others with compassion and grace.

• Community and Support: The gathering of the disciples reminds us of the strength found in connection. JPC students can reflect on how friendships, family, and staff form their support network.

It is an exciting term of events for our school community, and I look forward to sharing these with you in the weeks ahead.

ANZAC Assembly

On Wednesday, our College held our annual ANZAC Assembly, a tradition that holds deep meaning for students and staff alike. In his address, Major Eamon Kenny shared the story of Private James (Jim) Martin, Australia’s youngest serving soldier in WWI at just 14 years of age. His bravery left a lasting impression.

This moving assembly reminded us of the enduring values of courage, mateship, and resilience, while also prompting reflection on the impact of war and the importance of peace. At JPC, we acknowledge and support our Defence families and are proud to walk alongside them in their educational journey.

A heartfelt thanks to Mrs Zonika Smith, our Defence Transition Mentor, for coordinating the event, and to our musicians and special guests who contributed to the occasion.

Uniform – Winter Reminder

The changing temperatures and leaf colours signal the transition to winter uniform. Families are reminded that uniform expectations are outlined on pages 24–25 of the College diary and can also be found on the College website.

We particularly ask parents to review the regulations on school shoes and piercings. Students are required to wear the College jumper and softshell jacket. Please note that hoodies and puffer jackets are not permitted.

We are aware of stock shortages at Lowes, and this week Dr Wattam and I met with Lowes’ senior management to raise our concerns. They have advised that new stock is expected in the coming weeks. Families are encouraged to use the ‘notify me’ function via Lowes to receive an alert when items are restocked.

We are also working closely with Lowes to improve select uniform items and explore new additions. Most elements of the uniform will remain unchanged. Once samples are available, we will share these with families and students for feedback.

Small Changes, Big Impact: Why Being On Time Matters

As Term 2 begins, we are focusing on something simple but powerful: being on time.

When students arrive late, even by 5–10 minutes per class, the impact adds up:

• 10 minutes late per class = nearly an hour of learning lost per day
• That is equivalent to over a week of lost learning per term

It also affects:

• Classroom flow and concentration
• The student’s confidence and engagement
• Accurate roll-marking, which is a legal requirement

We ask families to support this by:

• Ensuring drop-off before 8.45am
• Encouraging students to take responsibility for signing in if late
• Using Compass only to explain absences, not as a messaging tool

Together, we can build a strong foundation for every student’s success.