We are not perfect.

Our College is not perfect. We are a work in progress. From time to time, we get things wrong, and we make mistakes. We are a school of human beings, and part of the very nature of our humanity, is that we are imperfect. What I can reliably inform you though, is that we are attempting to do better, and be better as an educational institution, and importantly, one that is Catholic in its life, mission, culture, and lived-values.

During the course of 2024, we have invited families to respond to a number of surveys, to be involved in focus group meetings, to join various working parties, and to provide feedback in myriad other ways. Likewise, we have provided new opportunities for students to exercise leadership by nomination for committees, working parties and events management. My main aim in all of this is to listen to the voices of our community in continuing to shape an excellent school, albeit one that is flawed.

Admitting our shortcomings, seeking feedback and then having this inform future policy and practice is part of our process of continuous improvement. This year we have listened carefully to the overwhelming feedback we have received regarding Independent Learning Time. Consequently, we have discontinued this model of learning. We are working at providing more opportunities for parents to participate in the life of the school, and to feel welcome at events, celebrations and carnivals. We are currently working on developing better rewards and awards systems for students who continually do the right thing, and we are working to improve the perception of our College in the wider community.

We are being really clear on responding to the outcomes of the CE review of the College in 2023, and are systematically attending to the required actions from it. We are in the process of developing our next Strategic Plan, with active contribution from parents, students and staff on our working party. Our curriculum is being overhauled and the timetable for 2025 is being reviewed. We are also undertaking preliminary work in the anticipation of a library space for our College.

There is much underway. We are working tremendously hard to safeguard and retain all that is really good about St John Paul II College, while simultaneously taking measured strides in our efforts to make our school an even better one. It is clear that while we may have areas that are certainly still a work in progress, our enrolment interest for 2025 provides some comfort that there is confidence in our work, held by families in the Gungahlin region. As I say often, we are better when we hold similar values, expectations, and passions about our school. We do this together, with a hallmark of mutual respect and dignity.

Our school is not a “thing”, it is essentially “us”. All of us. We become better when we speak and think positively about each other, and therefore, about our College. I am always grateful to community members who speak positively about the College in the community. This helps build our collective sense of self – the individuals who make up this collective become who we are as a school, and the prevailing culture is down to all of us.

Welcome back to Term 3 and with a renewed sense of vigour and commitment to learning, we commence our second semester.

Dr Craig Wattam 

Mobile phones and earbuds are NOT permitted at all by any student during the school day.

The phone should be either left at home or in the student’s locker. They will be confiscated if students are found using them.

We are pleased to inform you that ATAR estimates have now been provided to our Year 11 & 12 students. These estimates serve as a valuable benchmark, helping students understand their current academic standing  in the Tertiary package.

Where to from here?

Maintaining a concerted and diligent effort throughout Year 12 is essential, as each semester holds equal significance. Consistent performance can enable students to 'bump out' a lower score from an earlier semester in their strongest subjects.

Additionally, some subjects may be grouped before the final ATAR calculations are made. For instance, Modern, Ancient, and Premodern History might be combined into a single History category. This process is handled automatically to maximize the students' Course scores.

It is important to note that external courses, such as those from ANU and UC extension programs, are not included in the JPC estimate calculations. These courses are scaled differently by the BSSS and can still contribute as a Minor to the final ATAR calculation.

Support and Guidance

We understand that some students might have concerns about their future pathways, especially if their ATAR estimate is below the entry requirements for their preferred university courses. We encourage these students to make an appointment with their mentor, Ms. Stokman (Senior Studies Coordinator, Mr. Charter, or Ms. Zorzi (Careers and VET Adviser) to explore alternate pathways and receive personalised advice.

For students who wish to follow up specifically regarding their ATAR estimate calculation, appointments can be scheduled with Ms. Stokman (Senior Studies Coordinator).

Thank you for your continued support as we help our students navigate this critical period in their academic journey.

Ms Jessica Stokman
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing
Senior Studies - Maathai Houses 

Thank you to over 100 families who have attended the Year 11 2025 subject selection interviews this past week.

Senior staff members continue to conduct interviews this week for families continuing at JPC for Year 11 2025 and invite families who have not booked an interview to contact Natasha Bramham to book a time.

Natasha Bramham
Public Relations & Careers Administration Officer
Ferré House

The Year 7 and 8 futsal team arrived at 8:30 to play a set of matches against other schools. Our first game was a tough one against Brindabella Christian College. It was a close game with a late goal from Tomasz to get the win.

The final score was 4-3.

Our next two games were against the two toughest teams in our group. The first game was against Radford College. We played well as a team and got our reward early on thanks to Desan’s great free kick. We stood strong and took the win. It was an important game to get the three points. Our third game was against Harrison. They took an early lead within the first 5 seconds and later doubled it to make it two-zero. At half time it was 2-1. We made some changes at the break and came out firing. We ended up taking the win with a 4-2 victory.

At this point, we knew we made it to the semi-finals due to results from the other teams but we still wanted to finish first on the table. Our next two games were against Taqwa School and Lyneham High School 2. We took a 6-0 win against Taqwa School and unfortunately lost 4-1 to Lyneham High School 2.

In the semi-final we faced Lyneham High School 1. They dominated their pool. It was a tight game at the start. They scored, then we scored, then they scored and once again we equalised. At half time it was 2-2. In the second half, we showed why we wanted it more and ended up with a 5-2 win to send us to the final.

In the final we faced a familiar opponent that we had beaten earlier, it was Radford College. We got an early lead from Justin and they equalised late in the first half. In the second half we got another lead and then they scored a lucky goal straight off the kick off. With not long left we were struggling to take the lead. Suddenly they went on the attack and passed across the face of the goal and tapped it into an open net. With three minutes left, they ran down the clock and that was it. Radford College had won the final. We were devastated but happy that we made it to the final and overcame any doubts we had.

Thank you to Mr Hanna and Mr Pudja for coaching us on the day and Mrs Darmody for organising us to be there.

Written by Christian Inacio and Cooper Kerr.

Our Year 10 students participated in their work experience week at the end of last term. Many of our JPC staff visited work experience sites or called employees, receiving positive feedback that our students were excellent College representatives and participated enthusiastically.

Some of our Year 10 students have shared their experience below.

Imogen Hannaford - Canberra Hospital
The placement at Canberra Hospital was fantastic and has really expanded my passion to become a nurse. Speaking to the nurses in my area about what they did at uni has also given me an idea of what to do.

Liam Russell -Tu’ulakitau McGuire Law Firm
I gained a better understanding, and greater appreciation towards these various practices, and the sheer workload involved within civil law. I would certainly enjoy to continue studying and pursuing law in the future.

Abigail Hernandez - Missing Bits Productions
I've learned how to use software such as Blackmagic Fusion, Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, and Freesound in order to create an animated storyboard. I've also learned about animation tips and animation in general. Now I've realised that this is the perfect career for me and I will be sure to apply for digital media in uni.

Natasha Hartley - Good Shepherd Primary School
I learnt how to communicate to all different ages of kids and how to work in a classroom. It made me realise that I really enjoyed doing this and am considering teaching now.

We have opportunities for everyone!

Get involved in one of our bands and start your musical journey today!

No matter what style of music or instrument you like we have something for everyone. We have the best musical tutors in the ACT and endless opportunities! Grow your musical skills and talents through being involved in performances at our school, ACT events, and in live music venues across the ACT! Follow the link and sign up today.

Extra-Curricular Groups

Instrumental Lessons  

For further information contact:

Aron Lyon: aron.lyon@cg.catholic.edu.au 

In the coming weeks, we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of our school using an online survey. The surveys are an important part of our whole school evaluation and planning process.

We would like to invite and encourage you to complete the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St John Paul II College.

The survey is anonymous and will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. You can access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device and the survey link will be sent to you in the coming weeks.

Kind regards

Mr Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal – Development
Drexel and Mathieu Houses 

All unnamed lost property will be donated to the College uniform shop or donated to charity every week as we have limited storage space for the large amount not collected.

Students will be emailed to collect their items from the College office as soon as the items are handed in if they are clearly labelled.

Please make sure all items are labelled with your child's name.

The College Office

St John Paul II College is excited to welcome Dr Justin Coulson 

On: Tuesday 6 August

Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Soup and Roll available from 5:40 pm
(GF/DF/Veg Options available)

In this presentation you'll discover:

• Why screen time is an unhelpful way to talk about kids and screens
• How boys and girls are affected differently by their screen use
• The true story about screens and social media
• The uncomfortable truth about boys and violent video games
• Why 'the displacement hypothesis' is the critical lever to pull in balancing screen use for our kids' wellbeing

This is a FREE event and highly recommended for all parents.

Tickets - https://www.trybooking.com/CTGJE

Sponsored by the ACT Government

St John Paul II College (JPC) will be producing the first ever whole school Yearbook for 2024. Previously the Yearbook only included year 12 students and the cost of the book was included in the school fees.

This year the whole school Yearbook is not included in each family's school fees; therefore, families will need to purchase the book in advance.

For JPC to order enough Yearbooks, we ask for families to commit to purchasing a Yearbook now and delivery of the Yearbook will be at the end of Term 4, 2024.

The book will cost $40.00 each.

Orders must be placed by the end of week 4, Term 3, Friday 16 August 2024.

Note – an additional charge will be incurred if you order after 16 August 2024.

We look forward to starting a new tradition for JPC and keeping a visual archive of what has happened at JPC in 2024.

FOR SALE

St John Paul II College Umbrella

$40.00 ea
Available from the College Office
Cash or Card 

Never be caught in the rain again,
stay dry with a JPC Umbrella.

• Full-sized umbrella to protect you from the craziest of storms
• 8 ribbed frame made from fibreglass and vented wind panel
• The shade is made from a 190T pongee fabric
• Automatic button release and a matching pongee sleeve.

Parish Newsletter

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