To the community of St John Paul II College.

Today, Tuesday 28 August, the church celebrates the Feast Day of Saint Monica.

Saint Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, is an inspiring figure, known for her unwavering commitment to her son's conversion and spiritual growth. Her life serves as a powerful example for our school community, encouraging us to support one another in our own journeys of faith and personal development.

Saint Monica,

Though you had a difficult life, you continually turned your difficulties over to God.

You prayed, grew in virtue, and had a profound impact on your whole family.

Please pray for me, that I will never lose hope for those who have gone astray but will remain faithful in prayer for them, trusting in God’s divine mercy.

Saint Monica, pray for me.

Jesus, I trust in You.

Whole College Assembly

Last week, we gathered for our College Assembly, where we had the privilege of a number of wonderful presentations. This included students entering to piano music from the talented Zac L (Yr 8 MA), a performance from our Wakakkiri Dance troup and a science presentation from Mrs Tually, Zac M (Yr 12, VT) and Adam S (Yr 12, DR). As always, our Principal’s Address by Dr Wattam was a highlight and included a thought-provoking story based on an old tale titled "The Monk and the Butterfly". His story illustrated the important role we all play in the development of our college and encouraged all students to help positively shape the future of JPC for the benefit of all. As he said: “the future of JPC is in your hands.”

Dr Wattam also expressed his immense pride in witnessing an increase in student voice throughout over recent weeks. He highlighted how students have become more actively engaged in shaping their learning environment, contributing ideas, and leading initiatives that reflect their growing sense of responsibility and ownership within the school. This shift towards a more participatory culture is a testament to our collective commitment to nurturing confident, articulate, and empowered young people.

Book Week 2024

I would also like to thank all students and staff for their enthusiastic participation in Book Week 2024, which celebrated the enchanting theme of 'Reading is Magic.' Your creativity and dedication in bringing this theme to life was fantastic and this was best seen at the Book Week parade on Friday. The vibrant costumes highlighted the wonder and transformative power of reading. Thank you to those involved in making Book Week a wonderful success.

As always, there have been many other wonderful things that have occurred at JPC over the last couple of weeks. We thank all of those involved in these activities and for the collective effort to make them a success.

Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal – Development

Science Scene @ JPC

The Science Scene @ JPC is not just surviving, but THRIVING, having just completed NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK and a celebratory whole school assembly where we applauded all things Science!

40 Years of Science Weeks in Australia…

This year’s NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK marked 40 years since the Australian Science Teachers’ Association (ASTA) and the Australian Government (through CSIRO) launched an ambitious, school-based science event called Australian Science in Schools Week. The event was so successful that, in 1997, the Australian Government expanded the program from its schools-only origin to its current form as a nation-wide celebration that encourages Australians of all ages to engage with science.

The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science, launched the theme "Species Survival: More than just sustainability” which centres around some of the critical challenges impacting Earth’s human, animal and plant habitation and how we care for all living things, especially here in Australia.

Of all the developed nations on Earth, Australia is one of the most biodiverse. “We share our island home with more than 224,000 animal and plant species.” Our custodianship comes with a great responsibility to protect their long-term survival” said Mr Husic in his opening address for Science Week.

Catholic Social Teaching & Stewardship of Creation - not just a Science Week slogan!

As Catholics, we are called to show our respect and love for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. This is not just a Science Week slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation.

Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation (Genesis 2:15 )

This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that have been explored by our Church leaders at the highest level:

We human beings are not only the beneficiaries but also the stewards of other creatures. God has joined us so closely to the world around us that we can feel the desertification of the soil almost as a physical ailment, and the extinction of a species as a painful disfigurement. Let us not leave in our wake a swathe of destruction and death which will affect our own lives and those of future generations. (Pope Francis 2013, The Joy of the Gospel Evangelii Guadium, no. 215)

Our own patron, St John Paul II, wrote in his 1987 encyclical On Social Concerns (Sollicitudo rei Socialis, no. 34):

The dominion granted to man by the Creator is not an absolute power, nor can one speak of a freedom to 'use and misuse,' or to dispose of things as one pleases.

SO – with this in mind, Science Week at JPC did just that – explored species – the animals, plants and how we can care for them.

Science Week @ JPC

Day 1: Skeletons, Skin and Survival

Thanks to our lab Techs – Mardi and Marg for setting up the specimens on display.

Day 2: Myrtle the Turtle

Thanks to Mr Holloway and Myrtle for your joint presentation.

Day 3 Saving our Bees - The Plight of Pollinators

Guest speakers from Odd Acres Apiary, Pete Czeti and Kim Martin, shared with us background into the plight of the pollinators, in particular, bees. Pete and Kim run a family-owned and operated beekeeping services business based in the ACT and Southern NSW.

https://www.oddacres.io/

Their focus is queen bee rearing and breeding, using technology and data-driven, scientific approaches to track the performance of their queen breeding program.

This helps them understand the many pressures upon our pollinators from environmental effects such as floral degradation, agricultural practices, pests and disease.

Day 4 Minecraft - "Species Survival” Game

Thanks to Ms Goggin for running the Minecraft Science Week themed game.

Mrs Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing (SCIENCE & FERRÉ HOUSE)

As part of implementing Catalyst across the school, this week we look at how we engage all students in the classroom through a strategy called Think-Pair-Share. This simple strategy encourages students to think deeply about what they’re learning, work together with their classmates, and feel more comfortable sharing their ideas. The following outlines the benefits of our teachers using this in the classroom:

1. Encourages Active Participation

Think-Pair-Share starts with students taking a moment to think on their own about a question or problem their teacher has given them. This helps each child get their thoughts together without feeling rushed or pressured. After they’ve had time to think, they pair up with a classmate to discuss their ideas. Finally, they share what they’ve talked about with the whole class. This process helps every student actively participate in the lesson.

2. Builds Communication and Teamwork Skills

When students pair up to discuss their thoughts, they’re not just learning about the subject—they’re also learning how to express their ideas clearly and listen to others. These are important skills that will help them both in school and in life. By working together, students learn how to collaborate and respect different opinions.

3. Boosts Confidence in Sharing Ideas

It’s common for some students to feel nervous about speaking up in front of the whole class. Think-Pair-Share gives them a chance to practise their ideas with just one other person first. This helps build their confidence because they’ve already talked through their thoughts in a smaller, less pressure-filled setting. As a result, they’re more likely to feel comfortable and confident when it comes time to share their ideas with the whole class.

4. Meets the Needs of Different Learners

Every child learns differently and Think-Pair-Share is a flexible approach that works well for a variety of learners. By allowing students to think at their own pace and discuss ideas in pairs, this method ensures that all students can engage with the material in a way that suits them best. Teachers can also pair students strategically, helping them to learn from and support each other.

5. Encourages Deeper Understanding

Think-Pair-Share isn’t just about getting the right answer; it’s about helping students think more deeply about what they’re learning. By talking through their ideas with a classmate and hearing different perspectives, students are encouraged to think critically and gain a better, more well-rounded understanding of the subject.

6. Creates a Positive Classroom Environment

Finally, Think-Pair-Share helps build a positive and supportive classroom atmosphere. When students work together regularly, they develop strong relationships with their peers, creating a sense of community. This not only makes learning more enjoyable but also helps students feel more comfortable taking risks and trying new things in their learning.

Conclusion

Think-Pair-Share is a simple yet powerful tool that helps students learn more effectively and feel more confident in the classroom. By encouraging active participation, building communication skills, and fostering a positive learning environment, this strategy supports all students in their academic journey and helps them develop important life skills.

This is one of the strategies being implemented as part of our High Impact Teaching Strategies across the College. For more information about other strategies or the research behind what we are doing in the classroom please see https://catalyst.cg.catholic.edu.au/

Mrs Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal -Learning
Kennedy and Ferré Houses

JPC recently participated in a school futsal tournament. Our first match was against Merici College. Despite a great effort from JPC, we suffered a tough loss. The game was intense and challenging but was also an incredible experience to both play and spectate. 

Immediately after, JPC faced Lyneham High. We were all determined to win after facing a loss. All the girls played well which secured us a well-deserved win. Our confidence was boosted, and we went on to win all of the remaining matches against Radford College, Jerrabomberra High School, and Emmaus Christian College.

JPC earned a spot in the finals, where we were faced with Merici College once again. The final match was a physical and highly competitive battle from the start. During halftime, we gathered for a team chat, where Mr Hanna talked about the importance of staying focused and playing our best. He wanted to ensure us that when we would look back on this moment we were happy with how we played regardless of the outcome.

The second half was even more intense, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout. Unfortunately, this led to a loss. Despite our disappointment, all of us Year 9/10 girls showed our sportsmanship, congratulating Merici College and thanking them for the game.

Overall, the day was filled with excitement, fun, and was a great experience for both myself and the entire JPC team. We all give a big thanks to Mr Hanna who was our coach and Mr Holloway for supporting us on the sidelines!

Alani M
Year 10 Drexel

PAT Spelling

During English classes in Weeks 7 and 8, students in years 7-10 will undertake the PAT Spelling Test, as part of our commitment to using data to inform our practice. This test is completed on a student’s device and does not take more than one period (around 20-40 minutes). The data collected from this test will be looked at on a cohort basis and will be used to improve our teaching and learning programs across the College.

All students are encouraged to put their best foot forward for this test.

Mrs Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal -Learning
Kennedy and Ferré Houses

PiP-Ed is a new, updated version of the award winning, evidence-based parenting program ‘Partners in Parenting’. The program is designed to support parents of teenagers struggling with school attendance (often called ‘school refusal’) in the context of anxiety and/or depression, by equipping parents with strategies to improve their parenting confidence and support their teen’s mental health and education. The program is self-guided and completed entirely online.

The program is not recommended as a sole source of support for young people experiencing school refusal.  
Although all parents are able to take part, the program content is not tailored for parents of teenagers living with Autism Spectrum Disorder or intellectual disability.​ 

Attention Students!

Do you have a passion for creating? Whether it's building a paper-mâché volcano, designing a robot, or anything else that excites you in the world of STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths—now’s your chance to shine!

We are excited to announce JPC's first-ever Science Fair, happening at the end of the term. You can enter on your own or team up with friends to showcase your project. This event is open to all students from Years 7 to 12, and any project is welcome! Your work will be displayed for everyone to see, and you might even win a prize!

If you're interested, just fill out the Google form with details about your entry and your email. We can’t wait to see your creativity in action!

Parish Newsletter

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

An online literacy event for all families to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day!

 

Wednesday 4 September

7pm – 7.30pm

Indigenous Literacy Day is held on the first Wednesday of September and is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Stories, Cultures and Languages (find out more here: (https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/ild). To celebrate this year, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee has organised a wonderful online evening event open to all families in our schools.

We are delighted that Aboriginal Australian author Anita Heiss will read her book Bidhi Galing.  Dr Anita Heiss AM is a proud member of the Wiradyuri nation of central New South Wales and one of Australia's most prolific and well-known authors publishing across genres including non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial fiction and children's fiction.

Her book Bidhi Galing (Big Rain) tells the story of the Great Flood of Gundagai in 1852 and the Wiradyuri heroes Yarri and Jacky Jacky who paddled bark canoes through raging floodwaters, risking their lives to save countless others. Primary school students aged 7–12 – and their families! – will love this story and the beautiful book illustrations. It’s a chance to sit down together and enjoy a nice, quiet time listening and reading, which is a wonderful way to support children’s literacy skills at home.

Go to the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT website to REGISTER or complete the form here: https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/form/63.

Or use the QR code:

See you online on the 4th September at 7pm! 

Join families from schools across the Archdiocese to hear Joe Brumm, the creator of Bluey, discuss his success with the children's show Bluey and his perspective on developing and maintaining positive relationships with our children (and their school) and the important role parents play in their child's learning and development.

About the Speaker: JOE BRUMM

Joe Brumm is the creator of Bluey, an animated pre-school series that made Rolling Stone's top 100 sitcoms of all time.  

It’s won numerous awards including 2 Logies, an Emmy, and a Bafta. Ostensibly written for 4-6 year olds, the show has reached beyond this demographic to include a passionate base of parents grandparents and 20 year olds, with and without children.

It counts among its fans the likes of Lin Manuel Miranda and Natalie Portman (both who have guest starred) Elijah Wood, Rose Byrne, Joel Edgerton and many more.

It's broken all ABC iview viewership records and was the 7th most streamed show (of any genre) in 2022. It was the most streamed show on Disney Plus.

Yet it was all created and made under the one roof in Brisbane by a crew made up mostly of recent graduates, with next to no consideration to change language or content for an international audience.

Joe worked as an animator for 20 years before starting Bluey.

This presentation is made possible by the support of Catholic Education Canberra and Goulburn and Catholic School Parents Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

Hosted by CSPACG