There have been many things happening at the College this week.

This week our Year 12 students sat their AST test. This is the test the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (ACT BSSS) uses to help calculate a student’s university entry scores (ATARs). While we won’t get the exam results until December, our students were commended by the external supervisors for their conduct during the exams and how polite they were. Our congratulations go to our year 12 T students for the effort they have put into preparing for these tests.

Shortly after the AST finished our Year 10 students sat their first formal exams. This activity gives students an opportunity to experience the processes and practices that will occur in Year 11 and 12. This is an important process for our students to go through as sitting an exam requires planned preparation and skill development e,specially in the areas of time management and study habits.

On Monday this week, we held our Father’s Day celebration. Thank you to the many fathers who took time out of their day to join with their child and have breakfast - we hope you enjoyed breakfast!  It has been lovely to welcome families into the College at various times this year.

In Week 10 we will have the first of this Semesters three-way interviews (parent or carer/student/teacher). These interviews hold a significant importance in the educational journey of a students. They provide a platform for collaboration between parents and teachers, and helping with a holistic understanding of a student’s progress and needs. What makes these meetings even more valuable is the active involvement of students themselves. When students participate in these discussions, they not only gain a sense of ownership of their education, but also learn the importance of effective communication and self-advocacy. Encouraging students to ask questions during these interviews, changes the focus from a reporting session to a dynamic forum for enhancing the educational experience, strengthening the home-school relations and nurturing a lifelong love of learning.

Kathleen Garvie
Acting Principal

20 Sept & 12 Oct 2023

Dear Parents/Carers,

This semester our Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews will be held face-to-face in the school Hall. There will be two sessions:

1. Term 3 Week 10, Wednesday 20 September 2023 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
2. Term 4 Week 1, Thursday 12 October 2023 4.00 pm - 6.30 pm

You will need to be registered on the parent portal to access and book your interviews. If you are new to the school this year, you received your registration details in January.

We always advise that your son or daughter is part of the discussion with teachers.

Interview bookings open on Monday 11^th September 2023 at 12:00pm and close at the following times for each session:

• Session 1 Booking Session Closes:  Monday 18^th September at 4.00 pm
• Session 2 Booking Session Closes:  Tuesday 10^th October at 4.00 pm

Interview bookings are 6 minutes in duration. Please do not book your interviews back to back. Some teachers may want to speak with you and your child specifically. If this is the case, you will receive a notification through the portal, requesting that you book an interview with them. If you do not receive a notification, you are still very welcome to book an interview. However, please remember that the number of sessions available to all parents is limited.

If you are unable to secure a booking with your child’s teacher, please contact the teacher directly, via email to arrange another time to have a discussion.

Should you experience difficulties please do not hesitate to contact IT Support for assistance, Email JPCPortal@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Kind Regards

Kathleen Garvie
Acting Principal

Last week on Friday, a group of Year 9 students proudly represented JPC at the Annual CSYMI ‘Shine Conference’. This Youth Ministry day is designed to encourage students in their faith journey and further deepen their personal relationship with Jesus.

The conference was comprised of a variety of keynote speakers including Sir Augie – a popular hiphop artist, presenters, dramas, testimony, music and other practical workshops and experiences – one even led by our very own Youth Minister, Bree Foley. Additionally, two Alumni JPC students, Paris Morris (2020) and Maddie Greenwood (2019), presented workshops as well.

SHINE was a great opportunity for young people across the Archdiocese to come together, be encouraged and learn from each other as well as build relationships outside of their school community. With a total of 500 students from around Canberra and local areas, students were open to all experiences that were on offer.

Mrs Sarah Smith
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing – The Arts
Van Thuan House

On Tuesday night, the 9/10 Music class had their assessment performances held at Smith’s alternative in the city. They performed solos, band performances and trios. It was so great seeing students try new things and perform for the family, friends and members of the community. A huge thank you to everyone who attended on the night to support the students, and a massive thank you to Aron Lyon for all of your help with getting the students ready, assisting students get ready for each performance and playing with them in their performances.

Sharon Robinson
Music teacher

On Thursday this week, Senior Outdoor Education went on a great ski trip to Perisher Valley, NSW. Students learnt foundational skills in backcountry skiing on a beautiful Spring Snow day!

It was a fun day learning ski technique, playing games and having the occasional fall, which is all part of learning how to Ski! 

In knowing these skills, students are now able to do foundational backcountry ski journey’s in the Perisher area. What a cool thing to know how to do.

Adam McDonnell and Peter Igoe-Taylor

Fried noodles, fried rice, spring onion pancake, dumplings and more dumplings…

Our Year 8 Chinese students had a fantastic time at the Shanghai Dumpling Cafe, where they learned about Chinese culture through food. They read menus Chinese, which helped them practice reading Chinese characters. With the help of their teachers, Ms. Hu and Ms. Li, they even talked to the waitress in Chinese, which was a bit scary but fun. They tried delicious dishes like dumplings, spring onion pancakes, fried rice, and fried noodles. They could experience and use the language in the Chinese lessons.

The best part was that they left the cafe with full tummies and happy hearts. Some students used chopsticks for the very first time, it was very impressive that they had a go. Trying different foods from China and sharing this experience with their classmates. This made them realize how cool it is to learn about other cultures through their food. This trip was a great way to get a taste of Chinese culture and language, and it made our Year 8 students excited to learn more about China.

Ms Vannavong

Are you Leaving JPC at the end of Term 3 or the end of 2023? 

Year 7/8 Girls Oz-tag

On Thursday (7/9), 14 year 7 and 8 girls arrived at Southwell Park for the oz-tag gala day. The girls were eager to play and to improve on their results from last year. The girls confidence grew after their first game against Lanyon High which saw them get their first win of the day (4-1).

The second game against Melba Copeland proved to be our most difficult game of the day as we went down 5-0. Feeling nervous about our third game against Melrose, the girls went in with one thing in mind, Defence! The girls proved they were up for the challenge drawing the game 2-2. Riding this monument, the girls went through the last two games without having a single try scored against them! We defeated a strong St. Clare's team 4-0, and Harrison School 8-0. The girls finished 7^th, out of 20 teams and left the fields leaving happy and successful in their achievements for the day.

A special thanks to the families that came out to support the girls!

Congratulations on a great day girls, and we look forward to next year!

Mr. Dominic Charter
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing
Careers and VET | Maathai House

2023 Australian Cross Country

Last weekend (25th-28th August), I competed in the 2023 Australian Cross Country Championships held at Stromlo Forest Park in Canberra! It was extremely special to have the National Cross Country Championships in Canberra as it hadn't been held here at this venue since 2016!

The weekend was action-packed with Saturday being the big race, Sunday being an educational experience, and lastly on Monday they held School Sport Relay events and time trials.

Firstly, on Saturday we had the main race which featured me running the 4km in the U16s. This race included 132 of the fastest 14/15 year old boys in Australia which felt very cramped on the narrow start line. I finished in 13:25, 29th out of 67 in my age, and 38th out of 129 who finished the race in the double age group. I was the 4th fastest ACT athlete on the day in my age group. Team ACT came 3rd overall as a team.

Then on Sunday, we had an educational experience at the National Museum of Australia where we explored the museum looking at the wonderful artefacts on display.

Lastly, on Monday I ran in the team relay as I was one of the top 5 ACT runners from the events held on Saturday. The relay consisted of 5 running legs, each running 2km around the criterium track circuit at Stromlo. I ran the 3rd leg and ran the 2km in 5:59. Our U16 ACT Team did extremely well just missing out on the gold coming in 2nd receiving the silver medal behind New South Wales. 

The ACT team finished these championships with more medals than at any other championships in their history. This was a really special event for all athletes, especially being held here in Canberra.

I look forward to continuing my running journey and hopefully competing in next year's edition of the Australian Cross Country Championships. At this stage, we are unsure where the championships will be held.

Daniel R, Year 9 - Kennedy

The Year 10 students will be receiving their Meningococcal ACWY vaccine (1 dose) on Friday the 3rd of November 2023.

We have been contacted by the School Immunisation Department at ACT Health to let us know that not all consent cards have been received. If you have not yet returned your student's consent card or it has been misplaced, please complete the attached card and return it to the school as soon as possible.

Please note that the Health Department cannot accept scanned and emailed copies, these must be originals that are returned to the front office. If you DO NOT consent for your student to have the Immunisation, please complete the Do not Consent section on the card.

Please see the information flyer attached from Canberra Health Services for more information.

The College Office

University of Canberra Open Day

Saturday 16 September, 2023
10 am - 2 pm

Click here for full details

Parish Newsletter

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

October is also known as Frogtober - as it's the time we conduct our annual Frog Census.

Frogs are like the canary in the coalmine - they are an important indicator of ecosystem health, that's why we make it our business to check up on them at this time of year.

We are running a series of events to share the world of frogs with the Canberra community and have devised an evening specifically for young folk aged 15-30yrs.

FROG FACTS AFTER DARK

Save the date and get spooky on black Friday - October 13th - with a special event just for bright young things.

Make your way to Gungahlin Valley Ponds for some spooky frog facts after dark. Meet beside Birralee Scout Hall at 6:30 p.m. for a hot drink (look for the glowing lanterns). Join FrogWatch Coordinator Anke Maria from Ginninderra Catchment Group and Sally Holliday from Landcare ACT's Wellbeing through Nature program to explore this wetland habitat under the cloak (or even croak!) of night. Attune your sensory perception, identify calls of different frog species and learn how you can be involved in citizen science. Gungahlin Valley Ponds are opposite Burgmann Anglican School. Park next to Birralee Scout Hall. *Please note there are no toilet facilities on site. Rug up, wear comfortable enclosed shoes, and bring a torch.

Registration is via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spooky-frog-facts-after-dark-tickets-671249113167?aff=oddtdtcreator

More information about Landcare ACT's Wellbeing through Nature program can be found on our website (including a video and report) - https://www.landcareact.org.au/wellbeing

Facebook group for the Wellbeing through Nature program - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wellbeingthroughnature