Let us remember the past with gratitude,

live the present with enthusiasm, and look

forward to the future with confidence.

Saint John Paul II

FEAST DAY

In an exciting week, the College celebrated the Feast Day of St John Paul II on Friday. During his homily, Archbishop Prowse spoke about the many qualities of John Paul and specifically referenced the attempted assassination of the Pope in 1981. The incredible forgiveness the pontiff showed in meeting, talking to and ultimately forgiving Mehmet Ali Agca highlighted to students and staff the importance that

forgiveness and reconciliation play in our lives. The meeting between John Paul and Agca and what was discussed was largely not reported, but the image that was captured speaks volumes to our College themes of Justice, Peace and Courage. For John Paul to meet his attacker in prison, talk and accept his attacker's apology and even shake his hand and hug him exemplifies how we can live our lives.

During the Mass Archbishop Prowse also blessed a new Altar, designed and made by our talented Technology & Design assistant Mr Andrew Rose. The Altar is hand-crafted in Tasmanian oak and also features an inlay of a first-class relic of John Paul. The altar will primarily be housed in the College Chapel but has been designed to be transported for use at significant whole of school celebrations.

Following the Mass students participated in market day stalls, these stalls were designed, prepared and run by Year 12 students. This change was led by our 2024 student leaders who were keen to leave a legacy of service back to the school community. The day culminated in some amazing inter-house activities.

On behalf of the College, we thank the Student leadership team led by Captains Lauren M (DR) and Tiago H (KE) for the organisation, energy and vision in making our 2024 feast day so special.

Finally, I would like to express my thanks to all students who attended and participated in our Feast Day celebrations, in the coming days we will be able to announce our donation to Catholic Mission which our Feast Day events were raising funds for. The way students engaged so reverently in Mass was commented upon by many of our guests and the spirit and sense of community throughout the market stalls and inter-house activities made for an enjoyable day for the entire school body.  

UNIFORM

The College is currently in discussions with Lowes regarding our school uniform. This process will take place in stages and will involve consultations with students, parents, and our Community Council. Rest assured, any updates to the uniform will be introduced gradually to accommodate families with existing uniform collections.

As we head into the warmer months we remind families to encourage students to stay sun smart. Students should wear the College bucket hat while outside, keep hydrated throughout the day, and make use of the sunscreen available from their House Leaders and the front office.

Wishing everyone a productive and enjoyable Term Four! In my house, the annual debate over when to put up the Christmas tree has already begun— a sure sign that the end of the year is fast approaching!

Tom van de Waterbeemd
Assistant Principal Wellbeing

At St John Paul II College, we are proud to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of our dedicated staff. Their commitment to excellence, professional growth, and mentorship play an essential role in shaping the supportive learning environment we provide. This past week, three of our staff members received prestigious acknowledgments for their contributions to education.

Firstly, congratulations to Kat Allan, who was presented with a TQI Teaching Award last Friday morning on World Teachers Day. It is great to see fabulous practitioners recognised!

We also celebrate Kelly Candy, who received recertification as a Highly Accomplished Teacher. A significant amount of work goes into this process with portfolios reviewed and examined by external adjudicators to make a recommendation.

Finally, congratulations to Sarah Smith, who received an award from the University of Canberra in recognition of her outstanding mentorship of Pre-Service Teachers. This is vital in safeguarding our profession and supporting new people in teaching.

Please join us in congratulating Kat, Kelly, and Sarah on these well-deserved accolades. Their accomplishments highlight the high standards of teaching and commitment to learning at JPC.

(Weeks 15-17 – 12-29 November)

This year our Year 7-10 students will be sitting formal end of Semester Exams with their cohorts. Senior Exams will be held during week 15, from 12 November through to and including 18 November 2024. Year 10 exams will be held in week 16 and the Junior exams for Year 7 to Year 9 will be held during week 17. The timetables are available below. Assessment return day for Senior students is Thursday 24 November.

All students eligible for special provisions have been emailed separately to confirm the timing of exams with additional time conditions.

If you have not received an email by the end of Wednesday 23 October 2024 and believe you are eligible, please contact Mrs Dwyer.

For our senior students if there are any issues with exam scheduling, please address these with Mrs Stokman by 31 October 2024.

Mrs Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal -Learning
Kennedy and Ferre Houses

The Power of Planning: Crafting a Study Schedule Together

As exams loom closer, having a study schedule can alleviate stress and improve performance. Parents can play a pivotal role in helping their children devise a plan:

1. Assess Time Available: Sit down with your child and review the time left before exams. Identify how many subjects need to be covered and allocate study sessions accordingly.
2. Set Realistic Goals: Help your child set achievable daily and weekly goals. Breaking down study material into manageable chunks can make it feel less overwhelming.
3. Incorporate Breaks: Remind them to schedule short breaks to recharge. Studies show that short breaks can enhance focus and retention.
4. Stay Flexible: Life can be unpredictable, so encourage flexibility in the schedule. If something doesn’t go as planned, encourage students to adapt and adjust rather than stress over it.

By working together on a study schedule, students develop a sense of responsibility.

Mrs Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal -Learning
Kennedy and Ferre Houses

All students in Year 10 should have received a draft copy of their Year 10 transcript. Both students and parents are required to review the information, using the instructions provided with the draft. If there are any inaccuracies or concerns, please note these on the document and they will be followed up. Then sign where indicated and return it to your house LLWB.

All forms were due back by 25 October 2024. If you have not returned your transcript, please do so immediately.

Parish Newsletter

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