Last Tuesday 25 March, Catholic communities celebrated the Annunciation, a significant day in the Catholic calendar. This day, exactly nine months before Christmas, commemorates the moment when the Angel Gabriel appeared to the Virgin Mary to announce that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. The Annunciation is a profound reminder of Mary's faith and obedience to God's will, and it marks the beginning of the Incarnation, when God became man. This celebration invites us to reflect on our own faith and openness to God's plan in our lives.

Was Mary scared? Absolutely. The angel had to give her some relief, telling her: “Do not be afraid.” Mary’s fear turned to faith, and then to humility as she recognised that God does—and would continue to—do great things through her.

As we continue in this Lenten season, I hope we are all able to recognise where God is calling us. Let us also “not be afraid” to follow the path of Mary, asking God to turn our fear into faith, believing that our efforts contribute to the dream God has for the world.

Good and gracious God, just as the angel Gabriel reminded Mary she was God’s highly favoured one, may we always see ourselves and one another as highly favoured and called to bring the good news of God’s love to birth in our world. St. John Paul II ~ Pray for Us

Why the Arts Matter Now (More Than Ever)

In a city built on stories—of policy, progress, and people—the Arts are the beating heart of Canberra’s cultural identity. From the recent Enlighten Festival to the Canberra Theatre Centre, the Arts shape how we connect, challenge perspectives, and express our identity. In an unpredictable job market, skills like creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability—honed through the Arts—are more valuable than ever.

But the Arts are not just about careers. As First Nations theatre-maker Wesley Enoch puts it, “the Arts are the conscience of a nation.” Whether through theatre, music, dance, or visual storytelling, the Arts give us ways to process, protest, and make sense of the world.

As educators, industry professionals, and community members, it is our responsibility to champion creative education—not just as an extracurricular pursuit, but as a critical foundation for the future. Whether it is students stepping into new identities onstage, composing original scores, or capturing the world through a camera lens, the Arts are more than subjects—they are pathways to confidence, innovation, and resilience.

At our school, the Arts are thriving. This year’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory production will showcase talent across performance, design, and backstage roles. Our Music Program fosters musicianship and collaboration across year levels, while our Tech Crew is gaining hands-on industry experience in sound, lighting, and stage management. It is not too late to be involved in these offerings! 

These opportunities are not just about the performances themselves; they are about the teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving that the Arts instil—qualities that extend far beyond the classroom.

As we look ahead, the question is no longer if the Arts matter, but how we ensure they continue to grow. Because if Canberra has taught us anything, it is that a city without creativity is a city without soul.

Mrs Sarah Smith
The Arts Coordinator

We are pleased to announce that St John Paul II College will soon introduce the BPoint Enterprise Solution to manage direct debit arrangements as an additional option for school fee payments.

This secure and convenient platform will allow families to set up direct debits from their bank account or credit card (excluding AMEX), providing a streamlined and reliable payment process.

What is BPoint and What Do You Need to Do?

BPoint is a secure Commonwealth Bank payment processing platform designed to facilitate online payments while maintaining the highest security standards. It safeguards your financial information using industry-leading protections.

With this new direct debit platform, families will be able to pay school fees using either a bank account or a credit card (excluding AMEX). Please note, payments made via credit card will incur a 0.5% surcharge.

Establishing Direct Debits

During the Term 1 school holidays, families will receive an email outlining estimated weekly, fortnightly, and monthly repayment options to ensure all fees are paid by the end of the year. These amounts will also include any outstanding 2024 balances.

What’s Next?

Once you receive the email, it will include a direct debit "start" date and three links, allowing you to choose your preferred payment frequency.

By clicking on your chosen frequency, you will be redirected to BPoint, where you can securely enter your bank or credit card details.

After submitting your details, you will receive an email from no-reply@bpoint.com.au (please check your junk/spam folder) containing two important links:
✅ Confirmation Link – Confirms your direct debit arrangement (valid for 7 days).
✅ eDDRSA Copy – Provides a copy of the Electronic Direct Debit Request Service Agreement for your records.

Please note that this payment option is not compulsory; however, it may assist families in managing their financial commitments.

If you have any questions, please contact our Finance Office at JPC.Finance@cg.catholic.edu.au.

We would like to remind all members of the St John Paul II College community that designated disabled parking spaces are reserved strictly for vehicles displaying a valid Australian Disability Parking Permit.

These spaces are essential for members of our community who have accessibility needs. Parking in these spaces without a permit is not only inconsiderate, but also a breach of the law. Infringements may be reported and enforced by relevant authorities.

We kindly ask all parents, carers, and visitors to respect these spaces at all times. If you are dropping off or picking up your child and there are no available general spaces, please use the designated pick-up/drop-off zones and refrain from parking in any area marked for disabled access unless you are legally permitted to do so.

Thank you for your cooperation in supporting an inclusive and accessible environment for all.

On Friday 28 March, our Defence students swapped the classroom for the treetops, taking on an action-packed day at Treetops Adventure! With wobbly bridges, high-flying ziplines, and tricky obstacles to conquer, there was no shortage of excitement (and a few shaky knees). From the get-go, students were up for the challenge, pushing themselves to climb higher, go further, and test their limits—all while having an absolute blast.

One of the best parts of the day was seeing the students support each other through the tough spots. Whether it was shouting words of encouragement, lending a steadying hand, or celebrating each other’s wins, the teamwork was next-level. Some faced their fear of heights, while others tackled the most challenging courses like pros. The mix of determination, resilience, and plenty of laughs made for an unforgettable experience.

By the time the last zipline was conquered, there were big smiles all around (and maybe a few tired arms!). Whether students completed every course or just gave it their best shot, everyone left feeling proud of what they had achieved. It was an epic day of adventure, teamwork, and fun—bring on the next challenge!

Ms Zonika Smith
Defence Mentor

A reminder to all families that students are not permitted to receive food deliveries at school.

The College canteen is established to provide high-quality, affordable, and healthy food, freshly made each day to meet a range of dietary and cultural needs. If students forget their lunch, they are able to purchase food on an IOU basis. The front office staff or Student House Leaders can assist with organising this.

We ask that parents and carers support the College’s healthy eating approach by refraining from ordering takeaway food to be delivered to school.

If food is delivered, it will be confiscated and stored in the fridge at the front office. Students may collect it at the end of the day.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mr Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal – Strategy and Staff

At St John Paul II College, student safety and accurate record keeping are essential. If your child arrives late to school for any reason, they must sign in at the front office before heading to class.

This process ensures that our attendance records are up to date and that we know which students are on campus at all times. Students who do not sign in may be marked absent, which can lead to confusion or unnecessary concern for families.

We kindly ask all parents and carers to remind their children of this important procedure.

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a safe and well-organised school environment.

As a NSW transport operator, CDC Canberra administers school bus passes for students attending schools in Queanbeyan, Canberra, and Yass under the School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS). To qualify, students must meet all eligibility criteria.

To be eligible for a free bus pass, your child must be:
✅ A NSW resident
✅ Enrolled at a registered school
✅ Older than four years and six months
✅ Eligible for free Government education
✅ Living more than the required distance from their school

If your child does not meet all of the above criteria, please refer to the FAQs for information on alternative transport options.

Families who have already applied for a 2025 CDC School Student Transport Card can now collect their card from the front office. Please remind your child to collect it if they have not already done so.

JPC Student Administration/College Office

Parent-teacher interviews provide an opportunity to discuss your child's progress and learning. While this is not the only way parents receive feedback—student results are made available through Canvas once marked by the classroom teacher—these conversations allow for valuable insights and collaboration.

This semester, Parent/Teacher/Student Interviews will be held via Teams, allowing flexibility for families to join from any location.

Interview Date: Monday, 28 April 2025
Time: 12:00 – 5:00pm
Bookings Open: Friday, 4 April at 12:00pm (Week 9)
Bookings Close: Friday, 11 April at 12:00pm (Week 10)
Interview Duration: 6 minutes per session

How to Book:

✅ You must be registered on Compass to access and book your interviews.
✅ Please do not book interviews back-to-back to allow time to transition between meetings.
✅ We strongly encourage students to be part of the discussion with teachers.

By Wednesday of Week 9, all students will receive an interim report, accessible under the Assessment tab in Canvas for each subject area.

Teacher Requests:

Some teachers may specifically request to meet with you and your child. If so, you will see a ‘Yes’ indicator at the bottom of the interim report rubric. If you do not receive a request, you are still welcome to book an interview. However, please be mindful that available time slots are limited.

If you are unable to secure a booking with your child’s teacher, please email them directly to arrange another time for discussion.

For assistance with bookings, please contact Jody Crocombe at jody.crocombe@cg.catholic.edu.au.

Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal – Teaching and Learning

As we approach Parent-Teacher Interviews, please ensure you have access to Canvas to view interim reports for each subject area. Below are instructions on how to log in and access this information.

How to Access Canvas

Parent Canvas Access

You can log in to the Canvas Parent Portal through:
✅ Web Version: https://jpc.instructure.com/
✅ Mobile App: Search for Canvas Parent in your app store. (Students should download “Canvas Student” instead.)

Web Login Instructions:

1. Visit https://jpc.instructure.com/
2. Use your Compass username as your Canvas username
3. Click “Forgot Password” and follow the prompts to set a new password
4. Wait up to 30 minutes for the reset email and follow the instructions
5. Once complete, log in using your Compass username and new Canvas password

Mobile App Login Instructions:

1. Download the Canvas app (new users) or sign out (existing users)
2. Click “Find School”
3. Search for "St John Paul II College Nicholls" and select "St John Paul II College Nicholls (Parents Login)"
4. Click “Forgot Password” and enter your Compass username
5. Click “Request Password” and follow the instructions in the email (this may take up to 30 minutes)

If you experience any login issues, please contact the JPC IT team via the office, with “Canvas Support” in the subject line.

A limited number of 2024 JPC Yearbooks are still available for purchase!

Relive the highlights of 2024 with a beautifully designed keepsake featuring memorable moments, achievements, and celebrations from throughout the year.

Cost: $40
Where to Purchase: Contact the College Office to secure your copy before they are gone!

Get yours before they sell out!