To the community of St John Paul II College.

On Tuesday 22 October, the Church celebrates the Feast Day of our patron St John Paul II.

St John Paul II was a Polish Pope whose deep spirituality, unwavering faith, and dedication to spreading the message of Christ touched the lives of millions around the world. Born Karol Józef Wojtyła, he faced great personal and national adversity throughout his life, including the tragedies of World War II and the oppressive regime in his homeland. His experience with suffering and his strong devotion to prayer shaped his compassionate outlook and fierce dedication to human dignity.

As Pope, St John Paul II was known for his emphasis on forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. He inspired the world with his tireless efforts to unite people of all faiths and cultures, promoting human rights and the sanctity of life. His work as a global pastor, teacher, and philosopher continues to resonate through his writings, teachings, and the example he set for living a Christ-centered life.

We look to St John Paul II as an example of courage, faith, and love. His papacy was marked by his focus on the importance of youth, family, and the call to "be not afraid" in living out one's faith in daily life. His legacy reminds us to seek out truth, stand up for justice, and strive for peace in our communities.

Prayer to St John Paul II
St. John Paul II,
You were called to shepherd Christ’s Church during times of great challenge and change.
Through your courage, faith, and love,
You reminded the world of the power of forgiveness, reconciliation,
and hope.
Please pray for us, That we may live with the same courage to proclaim the Gospel and seek unity in our families, schools, and communities.

Amen
St. John Paul II, pray for us.

JPC Feast Day 2024 – Friday 25 October

This year, the celebration of our JPC Feast Day will take place on Friday 25 October. We look forward to this special event as a moment to reflect on and celebrate the wonderful spirit of our college community. Archbishop Christopher Prowse will be joining us to celebrate Mass, and there will be a variety of fun house-based and whole school activities planned throughout the day.

It is essential that all students attend and engage in this day, as it is a key opportunity to foster a sense of belonging and celebrate our collective identity. We ask families to ensure that students are present to share in the joy and significance of this celebration.

Inspiring Performances from Our College Band

This week, one of our College bands delivered two remarkable performances at our Assembly on Tuesday and during the Year 7 2025 Information Night. The band played “Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen, a contemporary musical that tells the story of a socially anxious high school student, Evan, who feels invisible and struggles to connect with others. After a misunderstanding involving a letter, Evan finds himself at the center of a lie that brings him unexpected popularity but also emotional turmoil. The musical explores themes of loneliness, mental health, identity, and the desire for belonging.

The central themes of Dear Evan Hansen, include the value of honesty, the impact of social isolation, and the importance of building genuine connections. The story emphasises that everyone has struggles, but reaching out for support and being true to oneself is key to finding personal peace and connection with others.

I would like to thank our band members Zahra, Jacob, Eamon, Cooper, Sam, and Martin for their wonderful performances. Thank you also to our music teacher Mr Jonathan Goodwin for his work in bringing these performances together.

Year 7 2025 Information Evening – Wednesday 16 October

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who made our Year 7 2025 Information Evening a success. On Wednesday 16 October, we welcomed our future Year 7 students and their families to learn more about our school, discover their house groups, and meet their House Leaders. It was a fantastic evening that provided a strong foundation for these students as they begin their journey at JPC. We appreciate the hard work and commitment of the staff, students, and families involved.

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.

We look forward to another week of achievements and celebrations at St John Paul II College!

Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal – Strategy and Staff

Tom van de Waterbeemd
Assistant Principal – Wellbeing & Community
Maathai and Van Thuan Houses

PAT Assessment this week and next week  

Twice a year, all students in our College participate in PAT (Progressive Achievement Tests) for Mathematics and Reading. This test will be administered for the second time this year, in weeks 2 and 3.  These adaptive, online assessments are a key part of our data collection efforts, helping us understand each student’s strengths and areas for improvement. The adaptive nature of the tests means they adjust in difficulty based on the student’s responses, providing a more accurate picture of their abilities. The results from these assessments are invaluable; they allow teachers to tailor their lesson plans to the students in their classes.

We encourage all students to approach these tests with their best effort, as their performance not only contributes to their personal growth but also enhances our overall teaching effectiveness. Students are required to bring a Calculator to the PATM Exam.

Semester 2 Exams coming up

As you may be aware all students will be sitting exams for the first time this year. This is so that students become familiar with these processes as they move towards the senior years. Exam preparation skills will be taught across all subjects, which are running exams, in the lead up to the exam period. Over the next couple of weeks, we will include resources and additional tips in this newsletter to support preparation at home. We do recognise that most students have sat some form of exams in the past, these may have been NAPLAN or PAT. Our hope is that, with the more practice students have at exams, the more comfortable they become with this form of assessment, and the more prepared they feel going into them. Students with personal learning plans who have accommodations, such as extra time,  will receive information about how this will be administered from their classroom teachers prior to their exams.

The exam timetable will be published in the newsletter in the coming weeks.

Setting the Stage for Success: The Importance of a Study Space

As exams approach, creating a conducive study environment at home can significantly impact a student’s focus and productivity. Here are some tips for parents to help set up an effective study space:

1. Choose the Right Location: Find a quiet, well-lit area in the home that is free from distractions. This could be a dedicated room, a corner of a living room, or even a cozy nook in a bedroom.
2. Organise Materials: Ensure students have all their study materials readily available—textbooks, notebooks, stationery, and a computer. A clutter-free space helps minimize distractions.
3. Limit Distractions: Encourage the use of tools like website blockers or apps that limit phone usage during study times. A focused environment can lead to more efficient study sessions.
4. Comfort Matters: Provide comfortable seating and adequate lighting to enhance concentration. A good chair and desk can make a world of difference!

By collaborating on creating a study space, we created a shared responsibility of effective study habits.

New Learning Management System Coming in 2025

At JPC we are adopting a new Learning Management System in 2025. After much analysis Canvas has been chosen as the product we will be going with, and students in the focus groups were excited by the new look and feel. Unlike Moodle, this system will enable students and parents to have their own login, there is also a phone app that goes alongside the program for easy access. Parents will be enrolled as observers and will have access to:

• Results (including rubrics and feedback)
• Observing classwork including expected homework
• Assessment items and when they are due

For students Canvas will provide a more interactive online platform, with a consistent look and approach by all subjects, enabling information to be found more readily. Information will come out via the newsletter early next year about how parents can access this platform.

Mrs Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal -Learning
Kennedy and Ferre Houses

This term, we are excited to welcome Mr Abram Wilcox to the Technologies department. Mr. Wilcox brings a diverse set of skills to our team, teaching Food Technology, Design and Technology, as well as a HASS course. His wide-ranging expertise adds great value to our department, and we are thrilled to have him on board.

In our senior Design and Emerging Technologies class, students are getting hands-on with innovative techniques that combine the timeless craft of woodworking with modern materials like resin and laser cut acrylic and veneers. Parquetry, the art of assembling small pieces of wood into decorative patterns, has traditionally been a meticulous and time-consuming process. However, with new tools such as laser cutters, students can now create incredibly precise designs faster than ever before. They're also using epoxy resin to add a contemporary twist, filling gaps and giving their pieces a glossy, durable finish that enhances both beauty and practicality. This allows for endless creativity, as students experiment with embedding pigments, creating unique colour schemes, and even adding metallic effects to their parquetry projects. It's exciting to see how students are embracing these innovations, crafting eye-catching designs that wouldn't have been possible a few decades ago.

At the end of last term, you might have spotted some posts on our socials showcasing the incredible chalk art created by our Year 9/10 Graphic Design students. In their final double lesson, students worked in teams, exploring how graffiti can be a powerful tool for communicating messages. This term, they are diving even deeper into street art, studying the works of Banksy, and examining how his rule-breaking approach transformed him into one of the world’s most iconic artists. Students are learning about the intersection of art, activism, and creativity. We can’t wait to see how this inspires their projects!

A special shout-out to Thomas A (Yr10 Drexel), whose redesigned graffiti-style JPC logo caught the eye of his teacher, Miss Allan. With Thomas' permission, she turned his design into custom t-shirts for the teachers attending a professional learning event in Sydney this week. This is a great example of how an idea can be taken from concept to digital design and then applied in a practical and creative way. Well done, Thomas!

Miss Chloe McCallum
Leader of Learning (Technology) and Wellbeing
Van Thuan House

On Monday 21 October, we were privileged with the opportunity to represent St John Paul II College, alongside a group of students and other schools, at Canberra Airport to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla for their royal visit. This was an honour that we are so grateful to have been selected for and an experience that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

Lauren and Tiago
College Captains

Get ready for an incredible night of dance as our students from Years 7 to 12 take the stage at the 2024 Youth Dance Festival on Friday, 8 November, at the Canberra Theatre.

This event is the highlight of our senior dance assessment, where the senior students have not only choreographed the performances but have also been responsible for all the technical elements, including lighting, music, costumes, and make-up. Since last term, the senior students have been meeting every Tuesday at 8 am, showing their dedication and commitment to dance at JPC. Now, their creative vision comes to life as students across all year levels perform in this collaborative production.

It is a fantastic opportunity to see the whole school come together in a celebration of dance and creativity. Don’t miss this spectacular event—get your tickets now at Canberra Theatre Youth Dance Festival!’

Zoe Dowling
Dance Teacher
Drexel House

Have you ever wanted to explore the mysteries of science, conduct your own experiments, or share your discoveries with others? Now’s your chance!

We’re excited to announce that the long awaited JPC Science Fair is happening this term!

It will take place during Week 3, (Tuesday, 29 October) at lunchtime in JG1/2 & JG3. This is a unique opportunity for you to showcase your project, experiment, and ideas.

Registration closes at the end of week 2 - Friday 25 October.

Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just looking to try something new, we encourage you to get involved. Don’t miss this chance to make history as part of JPC’s first-ever Science Fair.

Fill out this application form to enter as a group or an individual - https://forms.gle/WqaBMcNrXzknacCZ9.

Science Fair Organisation Team

If you missed the opportunity to order a 2024 Yearbook in Term 2, you have another opportunity this week ONLY

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, Monday 28 October 2024 via the College Office.

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

Parish Newsletter

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