Palm Sunday

This Sunday the Catholic Church around the world will celebrate Palm Sunday, a significant event in the calendar as it marks start of Holy Week. Palm Sunday is also celebrated as World Youth Day (WYD) in the Catholic church, which was instilled by Pope John Paul II, 34 years ago. The theme for this Year’s World Youth day is “Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary” (cf. Is 40:31). It is no coincidence that the timing of World Youth Day (WYD) and one of the key symbols is the World youth day Cross (see picture).

In 2007, I had the privilege of escorting the WYD cross and Icon through central Australia, as it made its way from Darwin to Sydney for the international celebration, which saw more than a million young Catholics from around the world gather to celebrate their faith. The WYD cross as it travels, spreads a powerful message of hope for people who encountered it. I was privileged to see this in the isolated communities, and furthermore the peace it brought to those who spent time in quiet contemplation in its presence. Most of all the Cross brought people together. It highlighted the beauty and creativity of both people and creation, and compassion which can exist when complete strangers come together. As I travelled alongside the WYD cross I saw and heard people’s stories, including the struggle of those who had been in detention as refugees, young people isolated and suffering social injustice, and in some places the invisible poor often living on the fringe of society. For many I encountered on this journey their faith brought hope and endurance.

As we commemorate the final week of Jesus' life, leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection, it is a time for reflection, prayer, and deep contemplation as we walk alongside him during his passion, death, and resurrection. More than this, Holy Week invites us to renew our commitment to living out the values of compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness in our daily lives, by being beacons of hope to those in our community. The story of the passion and the cross, bring with it a new hope and endurance for the year ahead. It also reminds us of the importance and power of shared stories, and how the faith has the power unite and to heal. Let us embrace Holy Week with open hearts and minds, seeking to deepen our understanding of others and grow closer to God as we prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter.

Assessment

This time of term, students should be receiving a number of assessment tasks and considering what further learning needs to take place. At St John Paul II College we believe that teaching and learning are collaborative endeavours that involve not just educators and students, but also parents and the wider community. All results will be released to parents through the Sentral Portal, so that they can be discussed at home. In addition, as we approach our upcoming parent-teacher interviews, we extend a warm invitation to all parents to attend. Your insights and perspectives are invaluable in helping us create a supportive and enriching learning environment tailored to the needs of each student.

Survey - Teaching & Learning

In addition to discussing your child's progress, we also invite you to contribute to our ‘Teaching and Learning - 2025 and beyond’ survey. The survey can be accessed through the following link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LPMNGPF. Your feedback will play a vital role in shaping the future direction of our school curriculum and programs. Together, let us continue to foster a culture of collaboration and excellence in education, ensuring the success and well-being of every student in our community.

Survey closes on Friday 29 March 2024.

Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal – Learning
Ferré and Kennedy Houses

We have had an exciting start to the year in Technologies, with our workshops, kitchens and sewing rooms buzzing with excitement and creativity. Teachers have focused on increasing our practical application of mathematics concepts from aligning the V9 Maths Australian Curriuclum in the Technologies spaces, and have seen some excellent examples of trigonometry, measurement, conversion techniques and other concepts displayed in the spaces.

Students develop their skills through content knowledge and immediate application in their respective subject areas. All students are encouraged to develop designs and follow a design process in which they research and take inspiration from real life designers and real world jobs.

This year our Technologies staff include Miss Kathryn Allan, Mrs Lizette French, Mrs Chauntell McNamara, Mr Peter Igoe-Taylor, Mr Harley Bartlett, Mr Brendan Booysen, Mr Dominic Charter, Mrs Clementine Wallace and Miss Chloe McCallum – supported by our wonderful support staff, Mr Andrew Rose, Mrs Veronika McCluskey and Mrs Megan Hajduk.

Please see below for more specifics on the work in which JPC students have been involved.

Year 7 Food Technology

Year 7 students completing food technology this term have been busy learning about healthy eating choices, and brand new skills of cooking that allows them the opportunity to demonstrate independence at home as they successfully cooked a chicken schnitzel with two sides for their families!

Year 7 Design and Technology

Year 7 students studying DT have propelled themselves into the world of aerodynamics, with an exploration of car design. Students have researched, designed, and are currently in the throes of creating their very own propeller driven helicar to race against their peers for the ultimate aerodynamic victory.

Year 8 Digital Technology

Year 8 have started the term advancing in their computer literacy with skills such as Microsoft and researching Cybersafety. Students are now developing a base level understanding of how coding works, by using Scratch to develop their own game designs.

Year 8 Textiles

In Textiles, students design and sew their own pencil cases. In order to achieve this, students must sew straight lines, insert a zip and use the zigzag stitch to enhance the strength of fabric edges.

9/10 Design and Technology

Students have been challenged with the application of trigonometry to real world design in their Phone Dock unit this semester. They have grappled with client, consumer, and personal design preferences to produce a functional design which they will work to create next term, experiencing new machinery and tools.

9/10 Food technology

Students have been learning about how different dietary requirements, such as coeliac, allergies, religious requirements and personal preferences impact decision making when it comes to preparing and choosing food. Students have also been looking at the different food trends that consumers have or/are influencing globally; such as TikTok trends, clean eating, and even the evolution of convenient foods.

9/10 Woodwork

Students have been developing their woodworking skills, using hand tools and machinery to develop either a treasure chest or a lolly dispenser. Students have focused on Orthographic Drawing and sustainability over the term, and will continue to develop their measurement skills, improving the conversaion between cm and mm, as well as using trigonometry to determine angles.

Seniors

Designed Environments

Designed Environments is not all about town planning and looking up street patterns! This term seniors students have had a very hands on sensory experience as we explore the world of interior design. Students challenged their comfort zones with a mystery box activity which required them to use any sense, other than sight to explore textures, patterns, and the experience of the consumer. Their consideration of the JPC school context has led to them redesigning some of the Wellbeing offices and thinking about how a space influences a consumer’s perception and experience.

Design and Emerging Technology

Senior DET students dove straight into the world of creativity and design with a case study of Bauhaus principles and the evolution of clock design. Students had to amalgamate current design trends with the basics of Bauhaus to create a functional and aesthetic clock that embodies the ‘form follows function’ ideal.

Hospitality

Students in Hospitality are working towards their nationally recognised certificate, at this stage students have been learning about industry relevant practices regarding safe work practices, proper hygienic food handling practices, and learning to prepare and present simple dishes. Students are currently planning for the upcoming Open Evening, their first big service test- which they are excited for!

Design and Graphics

Students in Design and Graphics have gone back to basics, developing their skills in analysing through impression deconstructions of print advertisement and packaging. Students have spent a lot of time this semester sketching, cutting, drawing, colouring, gluing and pushing themselves to be okay with the less-than-perfect. Students also looked at creating within the bounds of a client, creating either a Try-Highschool day or an Open night flyer as seen below.

Construction

Construction students started with a bang, by fixing some unfortunate holes made by the old ‘wing’ tables in one of our classrooms. Students learned how to back the piece of plasterboard, cut plasterboard and then plaster around the holes. Back in the classroom, students are creating their own saw horses, ready for when they go out into the workforce. Later this term, students will be enclosing some nooks in the school, to create some much needed storage.

Chloe McCallum
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing – Technologies

Over the past couple of weeks Year 7 and Year 9 students participated in NAPLAN testing. Students completed tests in writing, conventions of language, numeracy and reading. This year NAPLAN tests were tailored meaning that each test presents questions that may be more or less difficult depending on a student’s responses.

Tailored testing allows a wider range of student abilities to be assessed and measures student achievement more precisely. A student’s overall NAPLAN result is based on both the number and complexity of questions they answer correctly.

NAPLAN provides valuable information to our school as well as parents about literacy and numeracy achievement. It supports school improvement processes by enabling teachers to monitor student progress over time and to identify areas of strength and development.

Between Year 7 and Year 9, across the four different test domains over 1600 tests were completed. This is a great achievement for all students who completed the tests. Thank you for your support of NAPLAN. We look forward to seeing the results so we can utilise the data to inform our teaching.

Mr Sam McCombe
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing
Maathai House – Year 9
Teacher – Health and Physical Education

Dear Parents/Carers,

Parent teacher interviews are fast approaching and are an opportunity to keep up to date with your child's progress in the classroom. This is not the only way parents receive feedback, as student results are made available through the Sentral Parent portal once marked by the classroom teacher. This semester our Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews will be held face to face in the school Hall. There will be two sessions:

• Term 1 Week 11, Tuesday 9 April 2024 4:00pm – 6:30pm
• Term 2 Week 1, Thursday 2 May 2024 4.00pm - 6.30pm

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 Tuesday 26 March 2024 at 12:00pm and close at the following times for each session:

• Session 1 Booking Session Closes:  Monday 8 April at 12:00pm
• Session 2 Booking Session Closes: Wednesday 1 May at 12:00pm

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
Assistant Principal - Learning

Note – Instructions on how to access the Parent Portal (Sentral) - https://jpc.act.edu.au/key-jpc-links

Youth Ministry Equipping School!

On 1 - 2 March, the JPC Youth Ministry Team gathered at the St Christopher's Cathedral Precinct in Manuka for the annual Catholic Education/CSYMI Youth Ministry Equipping School. The team joined over 150 other Youth Ministry students, teachers, and leaders from across Australia and spent the two days attending keynotes and workshops that equipped them for ministry in their own school contexts. From keynotes on discipleship and the importance of the school youth ministry team, to practical workshops on planning retreat experiences, and sharing their own stories, students came out of the school with endless skills and knowledge to be powerful witnesses of faith in our JPC community.

Each night of the school provided the opportunity for students to sit in prayer and Adoration, experience the Sacrament of Reconciliation, seek spiritual conversation with clergy from our Archdiocese and be led in worship by Archdiocesan worship band Cana. 

Connecting with other Youth Ministry teams from schools both within and beyond our Archdiocese proved to be a highlight of the weekend for our students, with many friendships forged in shared experiences of faith, and shared dreams for their generation’s role as future leaders of our Church.

“Youth Ministry Equipping School was a great experience to meet new people, learn more about my faith, and grow further in youth ministry.”

Bree Foley (Kuhn)
Youth Ministry Officer

On Thursday 21 March, we celebrated Harmony Day here at JPC! With the 2024 slogan of 'Everyone Belongs', the Languages Faculty hosted a multicultural activities hub at lunch. There was Jianzi (a traditional Chinese game), K-pop Dance, board games, origami, Gonggi (Korean game) Harmony Day colouring in, and of course, we tasted some delicious Korean and Chinese snacks! It was heart-warming to see our JPC students being proud to embrace the diversity at our school and to engage in new cultural activities! 

We wish everyone a Happy Harmony Day!

LANGUAGES TEAM

A “Daily Review” with a difference:

Year 10 SOSE students studying WWII grilling Winston Churchill about why he wouldn’t release Australian troops back to the Pacific in 1942.

Last week, the year 9/10 and 11/12 music students at JPC were honoured to be in the presence of multiple Grammy award-winning artist, Skip Martin, the lead singer of the hit band ‘Kool and The Gang’. With the students, he shared some of his most valuable and important ‘wisdoms’. He talked about his song writing process, how music came to him, and how to ‘feel’ the groove. He was so nice and even gave us thoughtful advice on our music rehearsals. What an incredible experience! Thank you so much Skip Martin for coming to share your experiences with us.

Sharon Robinson
Music Teacher - Van Thuan House

A keen Business Studies Student has taken his skills from the exercise book to becoming the CEO of his own retail company, utilising his learning to start his own aftershave business- all at the age of 16!

Carter C, Year 10 Drexel was always intrigued by the market and as he grew older, he “observed the high costs associated with premium scents, I felt driven to offer a substitute. This ambition led me to start my own fragrance company, which provides beautifully designed fragrances at a reasonable price for anyone looking for improvement without going over budget.” Using his new learning from Business Studies classes at JPC, he decided to make, as he puts it “affordable luxury.” 

His business model centred on affordability and accessibility. “Our goal is to make luxury perfumes affordable for anyone by providing high-quality scents at a price point of only $25 per bottle. We present appealing promotions like our "2 for $35" deal to further encourage customers to stock up and try out a variety of perfumes in an effort to promote sales and encourage purchases. This approach not only boosts profits but also develops loyal customers.”

“ Throughout this journey I have had support through friends, family, and peers. In particular my good friends Xavier P, Year 10 Ferre (business parnter) and Alex Z, Year 10 Kennedy as the both of them have provided feedback and critiqued the scents. However nontheless they have given much support in providing suggestions.”

Carter is a strong advocate for Business education is schools, stating “...participating in my Business Studies unit for the last year, I have learned not only the needs and wants of a consumer but also the course has taught me that you must carefully plan each aspect of your firm, including product development and marketing tactics to ensure success. Do a thorough analysis of the market to understand the dynamics of supply and demand and spot any gaps or missing requirements.  Create a special value offer that fills up these gaps and guarantee growth.”

Carter has experienced great success early and has big plans for the future. “From marketing mainly here at JPC and to other friends, I would like to move forward as marketing at different schools through employees. Once sales are at a high enough and the online marketing is a success through TikTok and Instagram, a website will be created which will ship Australia wide. This is where the business name will get out where we provide quality and cheap services. Go follow Bello.Profumo on instagram and TikTok!”

St John Paul II College had our second Duke of Edinburgh Hike on 16-17 March at Budawangs National Park in NSW.

Students had a great time navigating in remote terrain through the forest, swamps, caves and mountains. On the first night, we were delighted to find a cave camping area where we stayed overnight with a beautiful waterfall sound helping us go to sleep. No tent required!

The next morning, we found Corang Arch; A unique rock that is in a shape similar to Sydney Harbour Bridge. The morale of the group was strong and everyone enjoyed the serenity. 

Overall, the Duke of Edinburgh crew wasawesome and we are excited for more adventurous journeys ahead.

A big thank you to Miss Tori Dallas and Miss Elissa Burt for coming on the camp and to the parents for helping the program!

Mr. Adam McDonnell
Teacher – Outdoor Education, PE
Drexel House

ACT School AFL - College

The Year 10-12 boys took the fields at the AFL Gala Day last Thursday. It was a great opportunity for the boys to display their skill on the field, with a mix of AFL players and other boys representing the College and being involved in the sport program. They came up against some other quality teams such as St Edmund's College, Marist College, Canberra College and despite not winning the games, the boys played with immense pride and respect on and off the field. They had an enjoyable day, and we look forward to participating next year.

School Sport 2023 Excellence Awards

Last Thursday afternoon, ACT School Sport held the 2023 School Sport Excellence in Sport Awards Ceremony at the Ainslie Football Club. It was fantastic to have around two hundred Students, Parents, Teachers, Principals and State Team Officials recognised and more importantly celebrating all students who have competed in ACT School Sports teams and being nominated for awards from 2023.

Michael Pettersson MLA joined the evening personally to congratulate each nominated student, teacher and team official.

Award nominees/recipients for each category:

Team Achievement Award Nominees:

• 15&U Girls Australian Football Team - Sam G, Year 10 KE

12&U Achievement Nominees:

• Boys – Dylan B, Year 8 Mathieu & Sioeli H, Year 7 Ferré
• Recipients – Sioeli H

Sporting Achievements:

If your child is achieving in sport in the community, please let us know. We love to share our students’ sporting achievements.

Kym Darmody
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing - PE
Maathai House

The Management and residents of The Grove Ngunnawal (1 Monty Place) request that JPC families do not collect their student/s from the entrance of the property. 

The number of vehicles using this small street as a parking and pickup point for students from JPC is becoming dangerous. This afternoon two incidents occurred which could have resulted in serious injury.

Vehicles are now often blocking the entry and/or exit of the Village and creating dangerous situations for the children walking to the cars and the resident's ability to enter and exit the village safely.

If you have been using the entrance to The Grove as a pickup point, we ask that you cease using this area immediately.

Parents are encouraged to make alternate arrangements for collecting their students eg. from Casey shops (accessed by students through the underpass) or in the parking area of the Nicholls Playing Fields.

Many thanks for your cooperation and for considering the community around us.

Regards,
The College Office

Parish Newsletter

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

Eddi's Maker2Market Business Taster Experience for creative teens (aged 10-17) is at UCFAD these school holidays!

Ideal for creative teens who want to have a crack at starting their own hand-made business and earning their own $ while learning design thinking through a real-world learning experience of building a business, products and selling to real customers at Old Bus Depot Markets. Limited places.

Is your creative teen ready to build their entrepreneurial mindset and create a micro-business these school holidays?