This week has seen students continue to settle into the routine of school following the summer holidays. It is important that students get into a routine at home also, especially around sleep. The impact of sleep on the teenage brain is well researched and documented. A recent article from the Sleep Foundation stated:

‘Sleep is vital for children’s and adolescents’ wellbeing. Sleep supports healthy development of the body and mind. Evidence shows that children and adolescents who do not get enough sleep have more trouble learning. They are less attentive and motivated, have poor problem-solving, more confusion, increased irritability, reduced memory, impaired communication, slower processing of information, poorer judgement, diminished reaction times and more indifference.’

The full article can be found on the Sleep Foundation website.

Houses are in full preparation for next week’s swimming carnival with rumours of House chants and themes circulating as Houses vie for the year’s first opportunity to place one hand on the House Spirit Cup which is currently in Drexel’s possession. Please be aware we require students to be attired in modest, school-appropriate swimwear.

On Tuesday evening we welcomed our new families to the College with some presentations about JPC followed by a shared meal. Our first school assembly focused on coming together as a College with Principal Dr Wattam urging students to take pride in their school and embrace all the school has to offer to better feel a connection and sense of belonging.

I am requesting families to assist the College in managing mobile phone usage at the school. The process requires phones for years 7-12 to be in lockers from the start to the end of the school day. Phones that are seen will be confiscated. If you need to contact your child during the school day, please do so via the office. In case of emergency, a member of staff can collect your child from class if urgent contact is needed.

This is part of a wider discussion regarding cyber safety and technology that will be had through the mentoring and pastoral programs this term.

Strategies to support parents and carers of young people in our community as advised by the eSafety commissioner include talking about online safety openly, setting up family rules regarding phone use in the house, setting up appropriate areas where computers are used and being aware of the apps your child is accessing including social media. More information for parents and young people can be found on the eSafety Commissioner website by following this LINK. The St John Paul II College Technology Policy can be found in student diaries, and we ask that parents/ carers read through this policy with their child and sign it. It can also be found by following this LINK to our JPC website. Thank you for supporting us in working with your child to ensure that we are setting them up with all of the best advice to stay safe online.

All the best for a safe and relaxing weekend and thank you for the continued support of our teachers and the College.

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

I am delighted to take this opportunity in Key Messages to share some insights with the community about the curriculum in the Religious Education space.

I am Cheryl Jones, new to the role of LLWB Religious Education here at St John Paul II College. I have an extensive background in teaching Religious Education and Philosophy and am thrilled to be leading the direction of the Religious Education curriculum in our community.

As a diverse team of teachers, drawing from a range of expertise and curriculum knowledge we are excited about the direction of Religious Education in 2024.

The curriculum in this space is unique, offering opportunities for critical thinking, academic rigour, inclusivity as well as spiritual reflection and engagement with the tenets, practices and traditions of the Catholic faith as well as World Religions.

Term One is starting with gusto!

Students in Year 7 are learning about the language and composition of religion, leading to a richer appreciation for the role of Religion in shaping our lives, and giving meaning and purpose to our community. This course offers an introduction to Christianity, ensuring that all of our students can access the traditions and practices of our community meaningfully.

The Year 8 course is challenging. Students are grappling with the enduring questions of existence, already sharing their ideas collaboratively on what is right or wrong, and whether or not this world is fair, among other important questions. They will continue their studies by exploring the connections between logic, reason, faith, and morality.

Year 9 students are developing their understanding of the foundational beliefs of Christianity. This will engage them in a critical analysis of the challenges presented by faith in a world of facts and science. Already students are contemplating their worldviews, their own beliefs and the role Epistemology plays, for them as individuals and as part of a broader community.

Year 10 is undergoing a conceptual course unpacking attributes of God, Creation, the role of Leaders and more through the language and symbolism of Taosim. This is an enriching course, challenging students to draw on their interdisciplinary skills from both English and Science.

Years 11 and 12 are well underway! A focus on skills development in line with the BSSS frameworks is ensuring our students have every opportunity to maximise their results as they move through their respective courses.

We look forward to a learning year characterised by student-centred learning experiences and a lifelong love of learning.

Cheryl Jones
LLWB Religious Education
Kennedy House

Our Year 11 students have had a busy start to the new school year. On the second day of school, all Year 11 students packed their bags and headed to Camp Wombaroo for the Year 11 Conference.

This conference is aimed at assisting the students settle into their lives as senior students within the St John Paul II College community. On the first day, a company called Burn Bright led the students through a range of team-building, leadership, and reflection activities. All students had an opportunity to meet new students and join together as a group that will support each other over the next two years of their education.

Dr Craig Wattam ensured he attended the first day of the conference and took the time to meet our Year 11s and let them know they are supported and cared for. We also welcomed our new Leader of Learning and Wellbeing, Mission and Ministry, Mr Matthew Bourke. Mr Bourke teamed with Miss Fowley to support our students in prayer, reflection and faith formation.

Students also participated in outdoor adventure activities such as rope swing, raft building, team initiative and vertical challenge (high ropes). It was wonderful to see our students challenging themselves and working together.

All staff were extremely proud of the students and how they positively engaged in the Conference. The Year 11 students have now started classes and many have already started their first assignments. Staff have commented that the Year 11s are settled and focused. We have had a range of students nominate to become Year 11 House Captains, which is just wonderful.

Well done to all our Year 11 students and thank you for the hard work and courage you demonstrated at the conference and we wish you all the best in your journey as senior students at our College.

In week 3, the Year 11 students will attend a Mini-Conference at St John Paul II College which will focus on the ACT BSSS, career pathways, volunteering and time management.

Ms Candy
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing
Ferré House and Y11/12 wellbeing

Special Provisions applications for Year 12 Tertiary students are due 26 March.

Please contact Ms Stokman if you have questions/queries or if you would like a form to apply.

Provisions that are made for students with a disability or special need are underpinned by the Disability Discrimination ACT (1992) and the Disability Standards for Education (2005).

Thank you

Dear Parents & Carers,

If you have not granted permission for your child to attend the JPC sports carnivals by 4.00 pm Monday 12 February 2024 your child will not be able to attend the swimming carnival on Friday 16 February 2024.

Permissions for all excursions/events are to be completed via Compass (see article below on how to grant permission) only.

JPC can no longer accept permission via email or phone and no permissions will be accepted on the day.

Thank you for your cooperation.

For any enquiries, contact - Sharon Robinson or Aron Lyon

A 'How to Guide' on how to give your child permission to attend an excursion in Compass is now available on the JPC website here or attached to this email.

All excursions must be approved before the excursion day via the Compass portal. We are unable to do last-minute approvals so if the excursion permission has NOT been completed before the event your child will remain at school.

If you have not received the email asking you to register for Compass, please contact the college office.

Information on our JPC Key Links is available here.

Reminder for all families that hats are a compulsory item in Terms 1 & 4. It is the expectation that when students are using the playground at recess and lunch they are wearing a suitable JPC hat.

Any student not wearing a hat need to move to a shaded area.

Mr Tom Van de Waterbeemd
Assistant Principal – Wellbeing and Community
Maathai and Van Thuan Houses

Parish Newsletter

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

American Flag Football is expanding and a Wednesday league at the University of Canberra is starting soon.

American Flag Football is a small sport that has just been added to the Olympics and Gridiron Australia wants to get some younger groups involved in the hope of making a competitive national team by the 2028 LA Olympics.

Students can enter an entire team of 7-10 (any gender identification and skill level) into the competition or individuals can be listed as free agents and will be added to a pre-existing team.

Round details:

*Game start time will depend on which team you’re in. We’ll confirm after our ‘come and try’ event once all teams are registered.

**UC Ovals closed for maintenance so we need to relocate for 2 weeks