As we move quite quickly towards the end of year we start to farewell our year groups. At this time, we pray that our students move safely through this exciting time. As a teaching staff we take great pride in seeing students being honoured in Year 12 assemblies. Seeing students, we have worked with for six months or for six years, gives a tremendous sense of achievement and allows teachers to reflect on the journey that we have shared, in partnership with families. To all the families of departing JPC students, I offer the following blessing.

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 St John Paul II, Pray for us.

Farewell Year 12

This week has also been a busy week for our Year 12 students who had their final Year 12 Assembly on Thursday during the school day followed by a fun evening of laser tag and pizza. We wish them all the best for their upcoming Graduation and Formal which will bring a conclusion to their schooling at St John Paul II College. We would like to acknowledge the contribution that all of our Year 12 students have made to the College and ask that they keep in touch with us in their future endeavours.

Year 12 Leaders 2024

As part of our Year 12 assembly our College Student Leadership positions were handed over to our new leaders. The 2024 Leadership team will be formally inducted at the Opening Mass next year.

We are delighted to introduce the 2024 College Leadership Team:

• Lauren Murphy - College Captain
• Tiago Hallen - College Captain
• Sultan Ahmed – Cultural Captain
• Grace Hendon - Justice Leader
• Mary Pelle - Justice Leader
• Greg Thompson- Peace Leader
• Kamil Bah - Peace Leader
• Taya Lyon - Courage Leader
• Nikola Prendja - Courage Leader

Uniform including Hats

There is an increasing number of students not wearing school uniform during the day. Students are required to be in full summer uniform throughout the course of the school day. Where a student is missing items their House leaders will lend students uniforms from our second-hand stock. Students are not permitted to choose to wear sports uniforms for the day. If there is a necessity, students are required to bring in communication from home, if they arrive in non-PE uniform, they will be provided uniform from the second-hand items.  As a school, we understand that close to the end of the year families are not wanting to purchase new items, as such we are willing to provide second-hand items to students to ensure they are in the correct uniform.

As we move into warmer weather and increased UV, there is a  JPC requirement for students to wear hats when outside, particularly during recess and lunch. There is a clear policy from Catholic Education for students to be wearing hats, I have taken the following exert from the policy

4.1  Students are required to wear broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire hats that protect their face, neck and ears, whenever they are outside. 

It is disappointing to note that many students are argumentative and disrespectful to staff on duty when asked to put a hat on or move to a shaded area. Can I request you speak with your child(ren) about the importance of being sun smart and following this reasonable expectation?

JPC Band Extravaganza

A reminder that next Tuesday we have the "JPC Band Extravaganza" and we would love to see as many JPC families & friends come along. Included in this newsletter is a flyer that contains all of the details for this community event.

2023 Enrichment Program

Next week we commence our Enrichment Program for students in Year 10. The program is not only an opportunity for students to be engaged in meaningful activities but also to enable them to experience curriculum areas in a much broader context. Staff have been planning fun, team-based activities which are designed to encourage creative and critical thinking. The program will include a full day devoted to each subject area as well as dedicated Wellbeing Days(s) for each year level. Enrichment for students in Years 7-10 will begin on Wednesday 22 November.

Year 10 Reports

Y10 Student Academic Reports have now been published in the Parent Portal on Sentral.

If you have any queries regarding your student's grades, please notify the school office by 4:00 pm, Monday 20 November 2023. We will follow up with your child's teacher before Year 10 Certificates are printed on Tuesday.

Tom van de Waterbeemd
Acting Assistant Principal – Wellbeing & Community
Maathai and Van Thuan Houses

Surfs up, dude! The Year 9/10 Outdoor Education crew went to Broulee, NSW soaking in beautiful surf and outdoor vibes. Students learnt to surf, kayak, Stand Up Paddle board and Snorkel. The Snorkelling was a highlight where the reef was so clear we could see Wobbegongs! A near threatened species that is hard to find in Aussie waters today. 

At the campground, students grew more independent as they camped, cooked and cleaned in small groups. Only the teachers had to help occasionally!

Overall, the surf camp was yet another highlight of 2023 and could not be done without the help of Mr Maloney, Mrs Felix, Miss Haynes and Mrs Darmody.

Adam McDonnell
Teacher – Outdoor Education, PE
Drexel House

Please ensure ALL outstanding fees are paid as a matter of urgency.

If you are paying on a fortnightly frequency, please check your payments are sufficient to cover your account balance by the end of 2023.

Thank you 

Finance Office

Dear Year 10 families,

Year 10 students are engaging in a 3-day enrichment program for 22/11, 23/11 and 24/11. They will then have an award and certification ceremony on Monday the 27/11/23 as their last official day of year 10.

A Permission form needs to completed on Sentral for your student who is attending the Enrichment 3-day program needs to be completed in order for them to attend. If your child is attending another event on a certain day please send Mrs McNamara an email indicating the day they are attending the alternate activity Chauntell.mcnamara@cg.catholic.edu.au and send in the permission granted form via Sentral.

If your student is not attending the 3 days there is also a permission form on Sentral for you to fill in which will be used by the office for their attendance recorded as -parent permission to not attend the program.

If your child is not attending then they need to not be at school for those 3 days.

Attendance is also contingent on the students meeting the behaviour and attendance requirements of the college in the weeks leading up to the enrichment days. If students do not meet these requirements, they will be attending alternative programs run by the college.

If you have any enquiries, please email the address below.

The program is going to be a wonderful way to end the year and we would really encourage all our students to attend.

Kind regards

Mrs Chauntell McNamara
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing for Van Thuan house

Are you Leaving JPC at the end of 2023?

On Monday morning we prayed for Ella Rattenbury, a Year 6 student at Holy Spirit, who died on the weekend after a very long battle with cancer. We also prayed for her family and for the Holy Spirit community.

Many thanks, everyone.

Catherine Rey

The 2024 School Calendar is now available on our website - https://www.jpc.act.edu.au/ under "News & Events"

The Calendar is updated regularly, so make sure you check for any updates or changes throughout the year.

Parish Newsletter

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

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO?

WHY NOT TRY LAWN BOWLS?

Let’s face it, not all children enjoy participating in body contact sports eg football, netball and the like.

Lawn Bowls provides an alternative pastime for children to exercise their minds and bodies, at the same time relieving the social pressures of modern technology!

We are looking for young people in your life aged 8- 18 years old who would like to give lawn bowls a go.

Lawn Bowls presents an opportunity to participate in a healthy, outdoors activity that will last a lifetime. On the way, long lasting friendships, lifestyle and bowls skills will flourish. Junior bowlers starting now are the champions of the future.

Yowani Junior Bowls Academy, located at 544 Northbourne Ave, Lyneham ACT (opposite Tram Stop/lights at Swinden St), is pleased to invite boys and girls to an introductory Junior Bowls Camp on Monday 11 December 2023, 4.30pm – 6.30pm.

A follow- up Camp is scheduled for Tuesday – Wednesday, 16 – 17 January 2024 9.30am – 12,00pm.

Bowls Australia Accredited Coach and bowls supplied, flat soled shoes preferable (runners) and hat/cap. No payment required.

Please contact Phillip Beggs 0409 392 758 or email pbeggs@tpg.com,au for details.