To the community of St John Paul II College,

Today the church celebrates the feast day of St Katherine Drexel (1858–1955), the Patron Saint of ‘radical justice’ and philanthropists. Drexel House at the college is named after St Katherine and celebrates the work she accomplished in changing the lives of those she worked with.

Katherine was born in Philadelphia into a wealthy family. She had an excellent education and was fortunate to travel widely interacting with many people. Her life took a profound turn when she took on the role to care for her stepmother through a three-year terminal illness. What Katherine experienced and learnt was that her family's wealth could not buy safety from pain or death.

After considerable reflection and discernment, she began the process of training and after three and a half years, Mother Katherine led her first group of nuns – The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Indians and Coloured – in opening a boarding school in Santa Fe. By 1942 she had developed a system of coloured Catholic schools in 13 states, as well as 40 mission centres and 23 rural schools. During this period of American History, she was met with much opposition. Segregationists harassed her work relentlessly, even burning a school in Pennsylvania.

At the age of 77, Mother Drexel suffered a heart attack and was forced to retire from her life of service. What followed was almost 20 years of quiet, intense prayer. She died at 96 and was canonized on October 1 2000 by Blessed Pope John Paul II.

Prayer to St Katherine Drexel:

Saint Katharine, you gave up earthly wealth so that you could receive the spiritual riches of a life of grace, and better the lives of many.

God called and you responded. Please pray for us, that I may never give our hearts over to worldly and passing goals, but to seek only lives of selfless service to all whom you give us to love.

Saint Katharine Drexel, pray for us.

Saint John Paul II, pray for us.

Sunday Family Mass (5 pm)  – Holy Spirit Parish Amaroo

Last weekend, Holy Spirit Parish Amaroo reintroduced its 5 pm Family Mass. This had been a long-running service that had to be stopped as a result of coronavirus. I would strongly encourage and invite all members of the community to this service as it continues to grow.

Moderation Day – Term One 2022

On Tuesday, staff from across Canberra participated in the first Moderation Day of 2023. Moderation in the ACT is based on an advisory model where teachers peer-review and seek to affirm and/or assist colleges with their judgements in senior tasks and marking. This is an important professional development day for staff and promotes positive inter-school dialogue about teaching and learning. I would like to thank our staff for their participation in the day.

We also ran sessions here at JPC for our Year 11 and 12 students. These sessions were designed to engage all students with Tertiary students becoming more familiar with the key elements of the AST and Accredited students looking at post-school opportunities. I would like to particularly thank the staff that planned and led these engaging sessions.

2024 Enrolment Period

Over the next few weeks, I hope that you will notice an increase in the promotion of our College around our community. This will be in both print media and social media platforms. We are quickly entering the ACT Enrolment period for 2024. This will include events such as our annual Open Evening, Come and Try Days and the Senior College Expo. We would appreciate you sharing any of the information you see with your friends and family members and talking positively about the opportunities on offer at JPC.

Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal – Development
Drexel and Mathieu House

I am new to JPC this year, teaching in the Arts and Religion Faculties and am in Mathieu house. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Dance) and a Masters in Secondary teaching. I am from Canberra but have lived in Perth for 3 years to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

I am excited to begin my teaching career back in Canberra this year, as I have previously been teaching dance and working overseas as a professional dancer for a Cruise Line. I am looking forward to this year and becoming part of the JPC community.

Jessica Haynes
Dance and Religion Teacher

The second week of our UC Clinics who are working with half the Year 8 SOSE classes has continued to be successful for all. 

Students were engaged in a variety of interesting lessons run by UC pre-service teachers. Students received the benefit of small group lessons and the pre-service teachers have been highly engaged in getting to know the students, understanding how they learn and using a variety of activities and strategies to do this. 

Along with this our Year 8 teachers have been providing some valuable observations and feedback to this next generation of enthusiastic teachers. 

We are looking forward to the positive outcomes and relationships this program will bring.

Ms Alison Middleton
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing  – SOSE Faculty and Ferré House

Athletics Carnival

The athletics carnival is next Friday 10 March 2023 and we are getting very excited to celebrate our athletes for the first time since 2020! A few details for the day.

• This year we will be arriving at Amaroo by bus and walking back. Please limit the number of belongings you bring with you as you will have to carry them– no devices or “extras”
• If there are particular Track or Field events you would like to participate in please let your PC teacher know
• It is expected that ALL Students participate in NOVELTY events
• No thongs or open toed shoes
• Sun Smart clothing – sunscreen and a hat
• Don’t forget to bring food and a water bottle – there is no canteen available at the venue
• PERMISSION MUST BE GIVEN ON QKR! PRIOR TO THE EVENT
• If for some reason students are unable to walk back from Amaroo please advise Danni Jewell or their PC Teacher ASAP
• Don’t forget to dress up in your house colours and themes again – there will be more prices for the best dressed.
• In the event of bad weather, a decision will be made at 7 am and posted on our social media – this will result in a normal school day.

Any questions please get in touch with your child’s PC teacher or Danni Jewell (danni.jewell@cg.catholic.edu.au)

This is a friendly reminder that Term 1 school fees are due for payment Friday 17 March 2023.

If you have not received your Term 1 Statement, please email the Finance Office - JPC.Finance@cg.catholic.edu.au

Thank you

No Card = No Service

All students have now been issued a Student ID card apart from a few exceptions who have a temporary card.

To help with the canteen queue all students must have their ID card.

If you have lost your ID card, a replacement card can be ordered at the college office for $8.00.

Any student who has not had a card issued because they have not had a school photo needs to see Mrs Bramham (Student hub) for a photo, and then a card will be ordered.

Thank you 

College Office

Parish Newsletter

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