I recently had a wonderful opportunity to accompany 28 of our students on the French Study tour. This trip was mesmerizing as we delved deep into the heart of history and spirituality. Among the many inspiring experiences, were visits to many churches. From watching the rebuild of the majestic Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris to the serene sanctuaries tucked away in quaint villages, each church we explored told of tales of centuries past. As we wandered through the aisles, marveling at the intricate architecture, beautiful religious art and vibrant stained glass windows, we couldn't help but imagine the countless people who had walked these floor before us.

Reflecting on the significance of Pentecost, which the Church will celebrate this weekend, we were reminded of the universal nature of faith and the power of community. Just as pilgrims from across the globe have journeyed to these churches over the centuries, we too felt a sense of unity with our fellow travellers, bound together by our shared reverence for something greater than ourselves. May experiences in life, such as these, inspire us to seek out moments of beauty and connection in our own lives, knowing that wherever we go, we are surrounded by the presence of something sacred.

Lockdown and Fire Drill

This week we wanted to inform you of an upcoming fire and lockdown practice that will be taking place before the end of term. These drills are an essential part of our safety protocols, designed to ensure that our students are well-prepared and equipped to respond calmly and effectively in the event of an emergency. While we understand that these exercises can sometimes cause anxiety for students, please rest assured that their safety is our utmost priority. If you think this may cause stress to your child we ask that you take the time to discuss the importance of these drills with your children, reassuring them that our primary goal is to keep them safe and secure at all times. Please feel free to contact the school and discuss any concerns you have with this with your child’s mentor.

Student Results

Over the past two weeks in Mentoring, students have been reflecting on their results to date and discussing ways to learn and grow from the feedback they have received. If you would like to view your child’s results for a discussion at home these can be assessed online. For students in Year 7-10 this can be done via the Sentral Parent portal; For students in Year 11 and 12 results are released via the BSSS ACS data base. If your child has any questions about their results, they are encouraged to speak with their classroom teacher for additional clarity.

Mrs Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal -Learning
Kennedy and Ferré Houses

Dear Parents & Carers,

Emails have gone out to student households requesting families to "Opt-In" to the school building fund contributions. While this is a voluntary (and tax deductible) fund it is crucial for the maintenance and upkeep of our school facilities that we receive support from as many families as possible. We appreciate the current financial environment may cause you to rethink your preferred donation options. However, the building fund plays a vital role in ensuring that our school remains a safe and conducive learning environment for our students. At St John Paul II College, we are blessed to have resources and facilities that are the envy of many other schools. Our collective role is to ensure the appropriate stewardship of the College for our current students and also those who are to enjoy these facilities in the future. Obviously, maintaining such a large campus is a costly task.

We would like to highlight a few important points regarding the contribution to the building fund:

• An email will be sent from the email address donotreply-accounts@cg.catholic.edu.au. Please be assured that this is an authentic CECG email address and not spam.
• The Opt-In email will be sent to both parents, and the option chosen by the first parent will be applied. Split families will receive separate emails for their portion of the split.
• The contribution amount will be locked at $210 per term, with an option to add an additional amount if desired.
• As donations, families can utilise the receipt, for personal tax purposes.

Your contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a difference in ensuring the continued excellence of our school facilities. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school community.

Leon Sanft
Business Manager

Languages are Alive at JPC

At JPC, we have a robust language program that aims to equip students with 21st-century skills, enabling them to interact and engage with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

In Years 7 and 8, we have 400 students learning French or Chinese. Within the classes, they engage in many interactive activities that help them build their capacity for understanding and producing the target language. Students are encouraged to select the language as an elective in Year 9 if they feel they have the aptitude and strong interest to continue learning it.

In Years 9 and 10, students have the opportunity to continue learning French or Chinese as an elective, further deepening their language and cultural understanding. To provide students with an authentic environment to practise the language they have learned, the school endeavours to organise a study tour to a country where the language is predominantly spoken. These study tours are very popular and motivate students to learn the language for a purpose. In addition to continuing with Chinese or French, an additional language option of beginning Korean and French is also offered.

For Years 11 and 12, we offer continuing Chinese and French for students who have studied those languages in at least Years 9 and 10. For those who have not studied a language since Years 7 and 8, there is an opportunity to select beginning Korean, French, Chinese, or Italian. Learning additional languages widens horizons, broadens cognitive and cultural experiences, and develops communicative and intercultural capabilities. It also opens up new perspectives for continuing learners, not only about other cultures and languages but also in terms of their own language and cultural practices.

We have a dedicated team of language teachers who are eager to share their knowledge and expertise. We hope that students will join us on a wonderful journey of learning a language and equip themselves for the future.

Mai Vannavong
Languages Coordinator

On a drizzly Sunday at the start of April, 28 students and four teachers left JPC for what would be an educational experience of epic proportions

Our first destination was the iconic city of Paris, where we spent four nights soaking in the rich culture and historic sights. The group explored world-renowned landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Latin Quarter. Each site visit offered students a unique chance to practice their French language skills in real-life settings, enhancing both their conversational abilities and cultural understanding.

From Paris, our adventure continued to Saint Denis, a town that, while smaller, was no less rich in history and significance. Here, we stayed for two nights, during which the highlight was undoubtedly our day trip to Mont Saint-Michel. This breathtaking medieval fortress, set dramatically on a tidal island, provided a perfect backdrop for students to breathe in the fresh air and decompress from time in the big city. Students were captivated by the ancient walls and narrow pathways, which seemed to transport us all back in time.

After our inspiring visit to Saint Denis, we travelled to the Loire Valley, known for its picturesque landscapes and stunning châteaux. Our stay included visits to two of the most spectacular estates in the region including Château de Chenonceau, which spans the River Cher. These visits offered students insights into the Renaissance era of France, underlining the influence of French aristocracy on art and culture.

The next leg of our journey took us to Nice on the French Riviera, where we stayed for four nights. In Nice, students attended structured French language lessons, which not only refined their language skills but also prepared them to interact more confidently in French. During our stay, we explored the nearby towns of Grasse and Eze, each offering unique experiences—from Grasse’s world-famous perfumeries to the medieval charm of Eze village perched high above the Mediterranean.

Our study tour concluded with a return to Paris for a final day, during which we explored the artistic neighbourhood of Montmartre. Despite the chilly weather, students were thrilled to see the famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the bustling artists' square, Place du Tertre. This area, known for its bohemian spirit, was a fitting end to our French odyssey, filled with creativity and inspiration.

Throughout this journey, students not only enhanced their language skills and cultural knowledge but also developed invaluable life skills such as independence, teamwork, and adaptability. They returned with a deeper appreciation of the French culture and memories that will last a lifetime. We would also like to thank the staff who organised and facilitated the trip, and cared for the students while away; Clementine Wallace, Jacob Knowles, Kathleen Garvie and Sacha Jeffrey.

As we reflect on our trip, we are immensely proud of our students for embracing every aspect of this experience with enthusiasm and curiosity. It was indeed an educational journey of epic proportions, one that has left a lasting imprint on all who were part of it.

Until next time, France, merci et au revoir!

This week we celebrated National Careers Week!

The students enjoyed chatting to JPC staff about their previous careers/jobs. We are so lucky to have staff members who have so much experience! You can see their career profiles below.

Happy reading! 

Ms Zorzi

Girls Oz Tag Gala Day

Wednesday saw two JPC teams venture out to Southwell Park to compete in the girls' Oz-tag Gala Day.

We were fortunate enough to take one, 7/8 team and one 9/10 team. The girls represented the College with pride throughout the whole day!

The 7/8 girls had a very successful day and were unfortunate not to make the next round!

Mr Dominic Charter (7/8 girls) & Ms Katie Siviour (9/10 Girls)

Dear Families

We are unable to issue new or replacement Student ID Cards at the moment and temporary cards are not available from the front office.

Until a new supplier has been sourced students do not need to have a student card for canteen service.

Students who do have a card, please continue to use your card at the canteen to help with service.

For students who have paid for a replacement card, your card will be issued as soon as we can.

Thank you for your cooperation.

College Office

Parish Newsletter

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