Last days for our Year 12 students

As I write this, our Senior students are completing their end of year exams. For Year 12 students, this brings them very close to the end of the secondary schooling. Students and staff formally farewelled them at their House Farewells and Year 12 Assembly earlier this week. It provided us with a wonderful opportunity to reflect on their great qualities, talents and skills, both as individuals and as a cohort and to congratulate them on their achievements.

Images by N.Shearman, Yr 11

It was inspiring to be part of one of the House events and to hear the stories of the Year 12 students in that House. Each of their Mentor teachers spoke with great pride of the accomplishments of their Mentor student, the journey that they had taken with that student over the years and the growth that they had witnessed in that student.

In the Farewell Assembly, livestreamed to Year 7-10 students and watched live by Year 11 students, I spoke of their completion of their secondary years of schooling as a momentous occasion: momentous for each one of them as they reach a significant milestone in their lives but momentous also for them as a year group, as they have had to face – and work through - the significant disruption and the challenges that COVID-19 put before them.

We have been so proud of them! They have shown resilience and courage as well as a wonderful sense of optimism. They remained committed to their studies during the lock downs and, since their return to on-site learning this year, they have supported each other with great spirit and good humour. We have loved their “Fun Fridays”, where each Friday they have pursued a different light hearted theme, bringing joy not only to each other but to all of us. They have been wonderful role models to the younger students in the way they have demonstrated that one can be a serious, dedicated student but still have fun and enjoy life.

We thank them sincerely for all of their contributions in their time here at JPC and for all that they have brought us. We will keep them in our hearts and we wish them every blessing and every success as they move into the next phase of their lives. We look forward to hearing of their ongoing journey!

Our very impressive Student Leadership Teams

A particular thank you and congratulations goes to our Year 12 Leadership Team:

• College Captains - Campbell Ellison and Caitlin Richards
• Leaders of Justice - Cullen Savle and Amisha Sehgal
• Leaders of Peace - Emma Bramham and Olivia Mugridge
• Leaders of Courage - Lilith Prado and Cameron Cortes

They have been instrumental in building and maintaining a very positive culture in the College this year. Despite all of the challenges, they have worked with dedication to ensure that key events occurred, whilst also providing great support to their peers and to the younger students.

It was very impressive to hear of their achievements during the year and a delight to see them hand over their portfolios to the Leadership Team of 2022. This team will be formally commissioned at our Opening Mass next year but I am delighted to announce them to you:

• College Captains - Aidan Monteleone and Braidee Purton
• Leaders of Justice - Ivy Keating and Jordan Skerritt
• Leaders of Peace - Addison Atkinson and Albert David
• Leaders of Courage - Derick Tongu and Gabrielle Jordan

Images by N.Shearman, Yr 11

 … and that amazing win by our Year 10 Team in the Kid’s Cancer Project’s ‘Write a Book in a Day’

The work of our students in the ’Write a Book in a Day’ competition is another wonderful example of JPC spirit and talent! All five teams did themselves proud but the win of our Year 10 team in the College section across ACT and NSW was an outstanding achievement. Read about it in this edition of Key Messages and take the time to read the book and watch the video of how it came about. A delight!

Congratulations to each of the students and a particular thank you to Mr Andrew Woodman who organised and led the project, inspiring enthusiasm and providing support throughout. We are indeed blessed!

Catherine Rey