To the community of St John Paul II College,

Pentecost Sunday: The Birth of the Church

This Sunday the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year and often referred to as the Birthday of the Church. Pentecost occurs fifty days after the death and resurrection of Jesus and ten days after his ascension into heaven.

The story of Pentecost tells details the moment that the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem following his death.

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  (Acts 2:1-4)

Recently I was reading some reflections on the importance of Pentecost in relation to other significant events we celebrate in the church. One article, titled ‘The Power and Purpose of Pentecost’ written by Marvin McMickle, suggested that:

“If Christmas marks the birth of Jesus, Pentecost marks the birth of the church; if Easter marks the day when Jesus was raised from the dead, Pentecost marks the day when that message about Jesus began to make its way to people and places all over the world.”

Where possible, I would encourage families to learn more about the importance of Pentecost. There will be many services at our local parishes this weekend where the gospel readings will focus on the story and discerned through the priests' homily. Parish Mass times are available online.

Winter School Uniform

As the weather continues to cool, we want to ensure that our uniform standards are maintained. There has been an increase in both non-JPC branded ‘hoodies’ as well as some students wearing their HPE uniform instead of their school uniform. All staff at JPC will be challenging students who are not in the correct uniform and there is an expectation that parents will communicate with the school if their child needs to be out of the required uniform.

More information about the College uniform can be found here: https://www.jpc.act.edu.au/uniform

There have been many other wonderful things that have occurred at JPC over the last couple of weeks and these are highlighted below. The success of these events can only happen through the planning, preparation and support of students, staff and the wider community. We thank all of those involved in these activities for the collective effort to make them a success.

Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal – Development
Drexel and Mathieu House

BY DEACON GREG KANDRA

The Holy Spirit is surprisingly low key. Despite arriving with a roaring of wind and tongues of fire, the Spirit is very much someone who likes to stay in the background. He works behind the scenes.

To many of us, the Holy Spirit seems to be the quietest member of the Blessed Trinity. After all, in sacred scripture, the Father speaks often, and so does Jesus. But you’d be hard-pressed to find famous quotes from the Holy Spirit. It sometimes seems as if the Spirit is the Trinity’s silent partner.

In fact, the Spirit does speak.  Eloquently.  Passionately.  Fearlessly.

It began in the Acts of the Apostles, and the account of Pentecost - moments after his descent, the Spirit gave the disciples a voice – a voice that could not be contained in that upper room. A voice that needed to be spread to the wider world.

Despite the wide range of cultures and languages gathered in Jerusalem that day, everyone present heard and understood. Someone even exclaimed, incredulously: “We hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”

Those “mighty acts” transcend time, place, language, culture. God’s work is infinite. It is “catholic” in the truest sense of what that word means: it is universal.

It is limitless.  And it is timeless.

Look around you and know this: Pentecost never stopped.

It is still going on. Here and now. And every one of us is a part of it.

Despite our problems, our weaknesses, our broken parts and sinful history, the Spirit continues to abide with us, support us, uplift us, encourage us. He raises up popes and saints, missionaries and martyrs — countless witnesses to God’s goodness in the world, a great cloud of witnesses that includes, incredibly, each of us.

So, Happy Pentecost. Happy birthday of the Church. Celebrate this day and give it its due. Remember God’s never-ending love for the human race and the Holy Spirit’s untiring commitment to us.

But remember, too, that it is more than just one day.

On one day 20 centuries ago, the fire fell.

But it hasn’t stopped burning.

(Week 18/19 – 13-20 June)

Senior Exams will be held during weeks 18 and 19, from 13 June through to and including 20 June 2023.

Exam timetables and exam information will be emailed to students by Wednesday 31 May. Please keep an eye on your emails.

Any issues with exam scheduling need to be addressed with Mrs Stokman by 8 June.

All students eligible for special provisions will be emailed separately to confirm the timing of exams with additional time conditions. If you have not received an email by the end of Wednesday 31 May and believe you are eligible, please contact Ms Dwyer or Mrs Stokman.

Dear Parents & Carers,

Information with regards to Year 11 2024 at JPC was handed out at the Senior College Expo last week.

If you were unable to attend the evening, your child is welcome to collect a pack from Natasha Bramham in the Wellbeing hub (next to the IT office).

All information about Continuing or Leaving JPC for 2024 is available now on our website here - https://jpc.act.edu.au/continuing-into-senior-year... Including scholarship information and the application form.

All year 10 families are asked to complete the online Commitment form to let us know if your child is returning for year 11 or moving on to another college in 2024. Please complete the commitment form here - https://jpc.act.edu.au/year-11-2024-commitment-form

The 2024 Senior Student Prospectuses and the Senior Handbook, which includes subjects on offer in 2024 are available on our website here - https://jpc.act.edu.au/handbook

All year 10 students will be sent a link to select their subject later this term. Students are to either select their subjects or select the ‘not continuing’ button. This needs to be done by week 10, before students attend their subject interviews in week 10.

Subject interviews will be held from Monday 26 June to Thursday 29 June 2023. These interviews will be for parents/carers and students who have indicated that they are continuing at JPC for Year 11. Further information on how to book an interview through the Sentral Portal will be sent out at a later date.

Further information can be found on our website or you can visit the JPC YouTube account for the following videos:
(unfortunately, the sound from this year’s recordings has not worked)

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC4einCx4GpJ_NUJLoJZiEg

• ASBA Talk Senior Expo 11 May 2022
• Senior College Expo Principal's Talk and Panel Discussion 11 May 2022
• How to Select Senior Subjects 2023

If you have any questions, please contact the College.

Thank you

On Thursday the Senior Outdoor Education class went Mountain Biking at Stromlo!

We had a great experience with Dynamic Motivation who took us on the downhill tracks which were gnarly!

 Well done team on the fun Mountain Bike session.

Mr. Adam McDonnell
Teacher – Outdoor Education, PE

Tommy Emmanuel Excursion

On Sunday 21May, the senior Music class headed to Sydney to see Tommy Emmanuel play at the Sydney Opera House. He was supported by Anthony Snape, amazing singer/song writer and guitar player. The concert was absolutely amazing. We then had a tour of the Opera House on Monday morning before heading back to Canberra. It was a pleasure taking these students on this excursion. A huge thank you to Adam McDonnell for accompanying us on our excursion, especially on a Sunday.

Sharon Robinson
Music teacher

3x3 Basketball Tournament

JPC was fortunate to participate in the Inaugural Basketball ACT 3x3 competition on Tuesday. 3x3 is a form of basketball played three-a-side with one backboard and a half-court setup. It is one of the most popular urban sports in the world and featured at the 2021 Olympics.

JPC took out three boys' teams – one year 7/8 team and two years 9/10 teams. The boys acquitted themselves well and enjoyed the day. They demonstrated great teamwork and sportsmanship. It was a successful day for the College with the year 7/8 team, made up of Reuben, Will, Felix, Yaak and Lachlan winning the year 7/8 competition.

The year 9/10 teams also did well – a highlight being both teams facing off in the quarter-finals with the winning JPC team making the Grand Final before losing a close game to a very good Lyneham High team. Well done to Aleer, Bul, Noah and Ashibey for making the Grand Final and to Xander, Mitchell, Noah and Issac for pushing them all the way in the quarters.

Mr Caldow and Mr Ryan (Coaches)

Term 2 Fees are due and payable Friday 26 May 2023, please forward immediate payment for all outstanding balances via Bpay.

Please disregard the notice if you are making regular fortnightly/monthly payments.

Finance Office

JPC.Finance@cg.catholic.edu.au

Van Thaun House has aligned with Roundabout Canberra as their House charity and is running a winter clothing drive.

Your NEW or good quality USED clothing will be used to help Canberra children warm this winter!

The ALDI winter sale is about to kick off can you add an extra jacket, beanie or gloves to your trolley?

Or clean out those wardrobes for the small items that no longer fit your teens!

For more information www.roundaboutcanberra.org or Chauntell.mcnamara@cg.catholic.edu.au

Items can be dropped off at the JPC front office until the last day of Term 2, 2023.

Thank you for the donation already received.

Parish Newsletter

For the latest news Click here or you can view it on the Parish App or visit the website below.

St John Paul II College has had a long-standing relationship with Menslink over the years and we would like to extend the following opportunity to families within our community.

Menslink would like to advise that they currently have a low wait time for any young male 10-25 who feels they would benefit from counselling.

Services are offered at No Charge, No Limit to sessions, and No Mental Health Care Plan is needed.

Services have expanded to cater for our Northside clients as well with a Menslink counsellor working out of Kippax two days a week.