HOPE      FAITH        JOY      PEACE

Stay awake! You never know when the Lord will come.

Mark 13: 33–37

This Sunday, November 29, begins our new liturgical year with the first Sunday of Advent – leading us into the Christmas season.

ADVENT WREATH

For many Christians, the ADVENT WREATH is a beautiful way to celebrate the month of December leading up to Christmas Day. 

Although Advent Wreaths are popular among Christians, many are not aware of the rich meaning and symbolism embedded in the tradition. Learning about its meaning helps us appreciate it all the more, and we hope that this may inspire you to create one at home with your own family. 

The Advent Wreath is simply a circle of 4 candles –

3 violet and 1 rose coloured candle. They represent HOPE, FAITH, JOY & PEACE. The shape of the wreath, and the colour and number of candles hold special significance for the Advent liturgical season.

SHAPE

The circular shape of the wreath, without beginning or end, symbolises God’s unending love for us—a love that sent his Son into the world to redeem us from sin.  It also represents eternal life which becomes ours through faith in Jesus Christ.

COLOR

Violet is a liturgical colour that is used to signify a time of prayer, penance, and sacrifice and is used during Advent and Lent.  Advent, also called “little Lent,” is the season where we spiritually wait in our “darkness” with hopeful expectation for our promised redemption, just as the whole world did before Christ’s birth, and just as the whole world does now as we await his promised return.

NUMBER

The Advent Wreath’s 4 candles are lit, one at a time, on each of the four Sundays of the Advent season.  Each candle represents 1,000 years of the 4,000 years that humanity waited for the world’s Saviour—from Adam and Eve, to Jesus, whose birth was foretold in the Old Testament.

The lighting of the candles:

1. The “Prophets’ Candle”, lit on the 1^st Sunday of Advent, symbolises HOPE, reminding us that Jesus is coming.
2. The “Bethlehem Candle”, lit on the 2nd Sunday of Advent symbolises FAITH, reminding us of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem.
3. The 3^rd candle to be lit is the ROSE COLOURED “Shepherd’s Candle”, lit on the 3rd Sunday of Advent. It symbolises JOY, reminding us of the Joy the world experienced at the birth of Jesus, and that our wait for his advent is nearly over.
4. Finally, the remaining violet coloured “Angel’s Candle” is lit on the 4th Sunday of Advent. It symbolises PEACE, and reminding us of the message of the angels: “Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

Some Advent wreath traditions also include a fifth white “Christ” candle in the centre, symbolizing purity, that is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 

DARKNESS AND LIGHT

The Advent candles demonstrate the strong contrast between the darkness of sin and Christ as the light of the world.  As Christ’s Advent, or “coming,” draws nearer, another candle is lit, with each candle dispelling the darkness a little more. The special Advent blessing is a wonderful way to start of the Advent season with a sense of meaning and purpose in anticipation of the many graces given during this liturgical season.

SET ONE UP FOR YOUR FAMILY!

Please head over to the Catholic Bookshop in Manuka for your advent candles, and set one up at home. It is a beautiful Christmas tradition to begin with your family!

A BLESSING FOR YOUR WREATH:

In the season of Advent, we prepare to celebrate the coming of Jesus. We recall the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future with hope.

We prepare to celebrate not only the birth of Jesus but also his presence in our JPC family.

We wait for the return of the Lord when all hopes will be fulfilled. We await the coming of the light that will shine in the darkness, shining light on our path to peace.
Lord God, bless this wreath and bless us, as well. May this wreath remind us of the hope and joy that Jesus brings into the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

ST JOHN PAUL II – PRAY FOR US

Jennifer Tually
LEADER OF MISSION AND MINISTRY

Year 10 Reports

Semester 2 Academic Reports for students in Year 10 will have been sent home today. Please notify the College if you did not receive this email.

Teachers have considered student achievement against each of the subject-specific outcomes in determining the final grade. These grades are the final input needed to complete students’ Year 10 certificates, which will be printed on Monday 30 November and awarded on Tuesday 1 December.  

If you have any queries regarding your child’s grade on any subject, we encourage you to raise this with the subject teacher before 12 noon on Monday 30 November.

Senior Results

All final unit scores and grades for all Tertiary and Accredited senior subjects have now been finalised and published to students’ BSSS Profile Online.

Students should:

• check Unit Scores and ranking in meshing groups. These relate directly to the numerical scores achieved on tasks this semester. (Tertiary students only)
• check final Grade. These relate directly to any grades achieved on tasks this semester and an overall evaluation of student performance against on the subject specific achievement standards. (Accredited & Tertiary)

If students have any questions on their Grades or Unit Scores, they need to discuss these with their teacher or the Head of the Faculty in the first instance. If there is anything unresolved through discussion, appeals must be lodged within the designated appeal period (below).

Year 12: Year 12 Semester 2 Unit Results published: 10:06 am Thursday 26 November.  Appeals close: 10:06 am on Monday 30 November.

Year 12 final Course Scores will be published on Monday 30 November at 12:00 pm. Appeals close: 12:00 pm on Tuesday 1 December. Subjects will be grouped into Majors, Minors, Double Majors, Major Minors in order for the course scores to be calculated. Groupings will be done to maximise students’ course scores. Any student with queries as to their final course groupings needs to contact Dr Cleary within the 1 day Appeals period. Ann.cleary@cg.catholic.edu.au

A final reminder that Year 12 students need to provide a hand-signed note giving permission for any alternative pick up person for all final official BSSS Certificates. Pick up is 1:00-3:00 pm Wednesday 16th December.

Year 11: Year 11 Semester 2 Results published: 10:02 am Friday 27 November.  Appeals close: 10:02am on Friday 4 December November.

Year 11 students now have all available data to inform their choice of subjects for Year 12.  Most Year 12 students complete their studies by focussing on 5 subjects. The subject change form is available on Moodle and students are encouraged to complete this form as soon as possible, with either a parent signature on the form or parent email address in the CC: of the submission. Please email these to Dr Cleary Ann.cleary@cg.catholic.edu.au

House Assistant Principals will review all requests and be in touch if we are concerned about any potential negative impacts on a student’s package. Please contact your House Assistant Principal if you would like to discuss options for 2021.

This week our Aboriginal students planted their own native bush tucker plant and personalised marker in our Native edible bush tucker garden bed with the help of Nat Tarry. They will be designing an Indigenous garden inside our existing JPC garden over the coming weeks and this will be our new project for 2021.

Very exciting!

Annie Daley
Contact teacher for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students

This term Year 9 & 10 Dance have been studying World Dance. Over the last five weeks Ms Mostyn has taught a new dance style each week. Week 1- Bollywood, week 2- Salsa, week 3 - Afrobeats, week 4 - Brazilian Funk and week 5 - French Ballet.

Last week the students performed their creations in each style as a World Dance Showcase assessment. Performing all five styles in full costume. The performances were an incredible showcase of how dedicated and passionate the Year 9 & 10 students are about dance.

More exciting Dance news…

This week, we had special guest teacher Aishani Perumal from Year 9 Dance teach the two classes Classical Indian Dance style called Bharatanatyam. We learnt various types of mudras (hand positions) and a lot of the movement was instigated by stamping our feet. Aishani was wearing traditional bells on her ankles, and the stamping shook the bells. It was loads of fun and the students learnt so much. Thank you Aishani for sharing your knowledge with us.

Ms Ellie Mostyn
Dance and English Teacher, Kennedy House

JPC Senior Hospitality class went on an excursion to Ricardo’s in Jamieson to celebrate the end of a wonderful (if very different!) year together.

Food was delicious!

As always the whole group has formed strong bonds and we are sad that it has come to an end, but will always remain connected.

Ms Daley and Mrs Hadjuk
Hospitality team

This is the last careers newsletter for the year, as we take the time to start planning for a big 2021 in the careers space. If you have a moment, please share your feedback on Careers at JPC. https://forms.gle/amkvdJksTHM3hX8JA

Careers Newsletter

ANU Extension courses – a reminder for Year 10 students

Online applications for ANU Extension courses offered in 2021 are now open through http://extension.anu.edu.au/.

The programs on offer in 2021 will include:

• Astrophysics
• Biodiversity
• Chemistry
• Discovering Engineering
• Physics
• Specialist Mathematics
• Advanced Japanese
• Continuing Japanese
• Continuing Chinese
• Korean Culture and Language
• Indonesian Politics and Culture
• Creative Computing
• Global Perspectives in Commerce.

Level up your skills for free! JobTrainer offers free vocational education and training to young people (17 to 24 years, who have finished school), across Canberra in areas of employment growth.

This is one of the ways the ACT Government is supporting jobs and the economy during COVID-19. JobTrainer will deliver approximately 3,500 training places in key industries and occupations that are in demand in the ACT. 

To explore the courses available and the training providers who will offer these courses, click the link below.

To see what courses CIT are offering to start NOW, click on the link below

NECA Holiday program

Mrs Teena Zorzi
Leader of Learning (Careers) and Wellbeing (Drexel House)

We look forward to celebrating the end of the year with our Year 10 Students with our Year 10 Liturgy and Awards Ceremony

On - Tuesday 1 December 2020, 9.30 am
Venue - St John Paull II College - Hall
Dress - Student to wear full summer uniform

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this event is for Year 10 families and only two immediate family members per student are able to attend on the day.

Tickets MUST be booked by close TODAY (Friday 27 Nov 2020). Unfortunately, we are unable to let those without tickets enter the hall.

Year 10 families, please check your emails from last week for the booking details.

Thank you

We look forward to celebrating the Year 12 Mass and Awards Ceremony with the year 12 Students and their families. This is a significant event for the students as they end their chapter at JPC and we recognise the efforts of all the students. We have focussed on making this a very special and memorable event which celebrates and recognises the many achievements of this year’s graduating class.

Date - Tuesday 8 December 2020, 5.30 pm
Venue - St John Paul II College – Hall
Dress - Students are to wear full summer uniform with the JPC Senior Blazer

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this event is for Year 12 families and only two immediate family members per student are able to attend on the day.

Tickets MUST be booked by close Friday 4 December 2020. Unfortunately, we are unable to let those without tickets enter the hall.

Year 12 families, please check your emails for the booking details.

Thank you

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Have you ever thought of a career in the performing arts? A touring musician, music teacher, session musician or maybe even scoring music for major movies and television….

You have to start somewhere! Take the first step and get involved with our performing arts program at St John Paul II College. We have the finest tutors to help you reach your goals, tutoring bass guitar, electric guitar, vocals, piano, strings, brass, woodwind and drums. We also offer many opportunities with our Extra-Curricular ensembles including rock band, unplugged (acoustic groups), choir, concert band and jazz band to name a few. If you’re interested, please follow the link below. We are now taking enrolments for Term 1 2021.

Please get your application in before the end of the year to ensure your place with our tutors for 2021!

Further information about the programs are on the JPC Website

Aron Lyon

DCO News…

Who needs a hug?

Canberra ADF families, send your loved ones your biggest hug through arts and crafts by registering to receive a ‘Mail–a–hug pack’. Register by 27 November to receive a ‘hugs pack’, including an envelope, stamp, instructions and A3 sized paper for you to decorate. A great activity for all family members to have some fun and show your artistic flair! See Eventbrite for details and to get your ticket.

DCO Webinar Series – “Making a new home – integrating into the new location”

Are you due to post soon, or have recently posted and have questions about the process?

Join DCO for their webinar ‘Making a new home—integrating into the new location’. Talk about strategies and tips to help with settling into a new location after a posting and explore the options around re-establishing family members’ work, schooling and childcare. Find out about Defence support and new interest groups to help you and your family thrive in the new location. Register through Eventbrite by 01 December.

Support for you and your family

If you or a family member is experiencing concern or anxiety due to current events, there is a range of support available.

You can access support or information with the Defence Family Helpline on 1800 624 608 which is your first point of contact and is the quickest way for you to get assistance. The Defence Family Helpline is available 24-7 and is staffed by qualified human services professionals, including social workers and psychologists. You can also email the Helpline on DefenceFamilyHelpline@defence.gov.au 

There is also a range of welfare support available for serving members and their families click the below link.

Open Arms – Veterans’ & Families Counselling They offer free & confidential counselling to the veteran community 24/7 on 1800 011 046. 

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) They are focused on the wellbeing of veterans and their families and offer a range of support services. Start here

Safe Zone is free, anonymous and confidential for current and former defence personnel on 1800 142 072.

Reach out to your local ex-service organisation

Lifeline Australia

Provides free support services if you are in crisis and need to talk to someone.

Head to Health

Head to Health provides resources and links to a variety of websites and apps to support veteran mental health and wellbeing 

Joint Health Command

The ADF Health & Wellbeing Portal ‘Fighting Fit’ directs you to a wide range of Defence websites containing information on ADF Health and Mental Health services and support.

Ex-service organisations

Connect with an Ex-service organisation in your local area. These organisations may be able to provide you with support and resources.

This is a busy time of the year for everyone and we are all “juggling lots of plates”. Remember to be kind to yourselves and enjoy those special moments when they transpire! As always, if you have any concerns with your child, please contact me.

Vicki Walsh
DSM

Parents with students enrolled in Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese schools have free access to some great web sites that will assist you to work with some learning challenges that your student might be facing. The online training is flexible, up to date, and relevant to the Australian curriculum. Currently, there are 2 short courses for parents:

1. ADHD for Parents for parents and carers who have, or think they might have, a student with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD).
2. Autism for Parents aimed at parents and carers of children with Autism.

To access this valuable information click

Choose the log In (top right) then if you have not got an account, follow the prompts to Register.

We have a Learning Support Team at JPC and if you have any questions about the learning challenges that your student might be facing, please ask your student’s Mentor to follow these up with us.

Cate Wright