This week, the College embraced the spirit of reconciliation through daily prayers and a special visit from Duncan Smith of the Wiradjuri Echoes. Duncan shared his deep passion for performance, reconciliation, and culture with our school community, enriching our understanding and appreciation of First Nations heritage.

In 1986, St John Paul II visited Australia and made a historic stop in Alice Springs, where he delivered a powerful message acknowledging the importance of reconciliation. He emphasised that reconciliation was not only crucial for Australia at the time, but also a vital part of the Catholic mission—recognising past injustices as a necessary step toward healing.

Thirty years later, in 2016, the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) commemorated this significant moment. Council member Betty Pike reflected on the visit, noting that while it was not without controversy, it held deep meaning. She wrote:

“For thousands of years, Aboriginal people have lived in this land and fashioned a culture that endures to this day. The Spirit of the Creator has been with us. The ‘Dreaming’ influenced our lives so strongly, that no matter what happens, we remain forever a people that have been touched by the Spirit of the Creator of all things.”

She concluded her remarks with a reflection, reminding us of the enduring strength and spirituality of Aboriginal culture:

“We must have the courage to listen to the words of the Spirit
Do not be afraid, I have called you by your name, you are mine...
I will give you a new heart, and new hope; you shall be my people, and I will be your God,
and shepherd you into the future, so that you all might have life...
in your own land, and have it to the full.”
— Betty Pike (NATSICC)

We acknowledge the work of our First Nations Facilitator, Mrs Ruth Hill, in organising this year’s Reconciliation Assembly.

Careers and Studies Expo

On Tuesday evening, the College welcomed families from Years 8–12 to our Careers and Studies Expo. The event featured stalls hosted by representatives from a wide range of industries, education providers, and training organisations. It gave students a chance to explore future pathways, ask questions, and discover what it might take to pursue different careers or training opportunities.

Our faculty areas also showcased their subjects with creative displays, sparking curiosity and discussion about the many course offerings available to students. A huge thank you goes to our Faculty Coordinators for developing their subject presentations, to our Careers and VET Coordinator, and to the many students involved in the evening. Special thanks to our Hospitality students, who ensured our guests were well fed with their outstanding culinary skills.

Social Media and Young People

Last week, I attended a School Regulatory and Governance Conference that brought together presentations from leading legal firms across Australia. The sessions addressed issues affecting schools today, supported by recent legal cases.

One session focused on the increasing number of parents seeking court intervention regarding online behaviour. Two case studies highlighted the dangers of unsupervised group chats on social media. In both cases, students came from homes with strong values and community involvement—one family even volunteered regularly with a local refugee support group.

Despite these positive environments, a lack of supervision online allowed concerning behaviours to escalate. Students often didn’t know how to disengage or seek support. While the court outcomes were not made public, both cases led to serious consequences, including protection orders, compensation, and legal costs.

These cases serve as a powerful reminder that our children need guidance in navigating the digital world. As one presenter said: “We wouldn’t let our children ride a bike without a helmet or drive a car without knowing how to change a tyre—yet we hand them powerful devices without teaching them how to use them safely.”

The eSafety Commissioner continues to be one of the best resources for practical advice and support. Visit the eSafety Parents Resource Page for tools and guidance to help your child stay safe online.

Mr Tom van de Waterbeemd
Assistant Principal – Wellbeing

Senior Psychology and Sociology Step into the Riddle Room

Recently, our Year 12 Psychology class joined with Year 11/12 Sociology students for an off-campus excursion to the Riddle Room in Mitchell. Students were placed into four groups and tasked with escaping their assigned rooms by uncovering clues and solving puzzles—under serious time pressure.

This experience offered a hands-on opportunity to explore key concepts from both Psychology and Sociology. Students were able to observe how individual differences influenced group dynamics, and how those dynamics impacted their ability to achieve a shared goal under stress. The escape room environment brought to life a number of theories and models studied in class, particularly around group processes and social interaction.

Here’s what some of the students had to say about the experience:

“It was a good way of utilising critical thinking skills.”
— Year 12 Sociology student

“It was interesting to see how different in-group (and out-group) dynamics resulted in either good teamwork or disorganised chaos. I found practical applications of social psychology theories fascinating.”
— Year 12 Psychology student

“It was a day of teamwork and learning, as we worked together to identify strengths when getting out (of the room).”
— Year 11 Sociology student (2nd Place)

“The Riddle Room was a fun ‘scientific’ experiment. It was exciting coming out of the room first thanks to our group’s teamwork.”
— Xavier, Year 12 Psychology (1st Place)

Well done to all students who participated! Your teamwork, insight, and reflective thinking made the day both educational and engaging.

Year 12 Psychology and Year 11/12 Sociology.

L-R: Alex, Hamish, Xavier, Ojas. First Place

L-R: Teagan, Clare, Eleanor, Natasha. Second Place

There’s no shortage of energy and expression in the Drama rooms this term!

Our Senior Drama students are deep in rehearsal for the ACT UP Showcase, taking to the stage on Friday 6 June. This evening of bold storytelling and student-devised theatre is not to be missed. The two featured groups, ‘Evolution’ and ‘The Cancel Council’, are bringing powerful and thought-provoking narratives to life with creativity, courage, and flair.

Purchase your tickets now and come support our performers!

Meanwhile, Year 7 students have been exploring the world of Greek Theatre, delving into the origins of Western drama while creating their own expressive theatrical masks.

Year 9/10 Drama students have just completed a moving exploration of The 7 Stages of Grieving and are now embracing the exaggerated world of Melodrama—expect dramatic plot twists, heroic characters, and a few oversized moustaches!

There’s never a dull moment in the Drama spotlight at JPC.

Mrs Sarah Smith
Drama Teacher

Exploring Post-School Pathways with Unserious Careers

With the Senior Expo now in the rear-view mirror and Year 11 subject selections just around the corner, many of our Year 10 students are starting to ask themselves some big—often daunting—questions:
What comes next? What do I want to do with my life? Why do I feel unmotivated or unsure?

It’s important for both students and families to know that these feelings are completely normal.

To support our students in navigating this phase, we were thrilled to welcome Alana Kilmartin, author of Unserious Careers, to speak with our Year 10 cohort. Alana offered an honest, refreshing perspective on post-school life and reassured students that the path to a meaningful career doesn’t need to be a straight line.

The “Casual Jog Years”

Alana introduced the idea of the Casual Jog Years—the first five years after school—as a time for exploration and discovery. Whether it’s part-time work, travel, short courses or volunteering, this period is about moving forward without pressure, trying new things, and learning by doing.

Career Superpowers

Rather than stressing over rigid career paths, Alana encouraged students to discover their career superpowers—the personal strengths, talents and interests that can shape their future. Whether it’s creativity, empathy, problem-solving or communication, aligning future work with these strengths will lead to more meaningful and fulfilling careers.

Embracing Uncertainty

One of the most powerful takeaways was that it’s okay not to have it all figured out. Career planning isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Alana reminded students that making mistakes and changing direction is all part of the process.

The College library now holds four copies of Unserious Careers by Alana Kilmartin. We encourage all students in Years 10–12 to borrow a copy and explore its helpful insights.

Junior Elective Interviews

Families are invited to book an optional appointment to discuss elective choices for 2026. These interviews are ideal for families seeking clarity on how subject choices can align with a student’s strengths, interests, or long-term goals.

Appointments are available online or in person and can be booked via Conferences in the Compass Parent Portal.

We look forward to supporting students as they make informed choices for their future.

Careers and VET Coordinator

With the Vinnies CEO Sleepout fast approaching on Thursday, 19 June, there’s still one final opportunity to support Dr Craig Wattam’s fundraising efforts — and double your donation.

Thanks to the incredible generosity of an anonymous donor, every donation made to Dr Wattam’s CEO Sleepout page from 8AM on Wednesday, 4 June can be matched dollar for dollar, up to $1,000 per donation.

That means your $200 donation could become $400 — but be quick. The matching fund is limited, and last time it ran out in just minutes.

To make your donation count:

• Set your alarm for 8AM sharp on Wednesday, 4 June

• Use this link to donate:
  https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/craigwattam

• Donations before 8AM won’t be matched, so timing is essential

Your donation will go directly to support the homelessness services Vinnies provides — including meals, shelter, case support, and pathways to stable housing.

Let’s come together and help make a meaningful difference.

Music Tuition at JPC

If your child is interested in learning a musical instrument and improving their theoretical and practical skills, individual tuition is available through the JPC Music Program. Our experienced tutors and professional performers cover a wide range of styles and instruments, including:

• Violin, cello
• Saxophone, clarinet
• Guitar, bass
• Drums
• Vocals
• Piano — and more

Band opportunities and instrument hire are also available to support students as they progress in their musical journey.

If you are interested, please complete the form below and visit the JPC Music Tuition page for more information.

Music Tuition Form

Featured Band: The JPC Classical Ensemble (Pilot Program)

Among the many bands rehearsing before and after school, JPC has launched its inaugural Classical Ensemble pilot program. This talented group of students is already working on an impressive selection of repertoire and preparing to perform at our Mid-Year Music Showcase on 27 June.

Ensemble Members:

• Zacharie Zulkalpli – Flute

• Zahra Zulkapli – Voice

• Benjamin Flanagan – Violin

• Zachary Li – Piano

• Lilybell Li – Piano

Their repertoire includes:

• Sonata for Flute and Piano, FP 164 – Francis Poulenc

• O mio babbino caro – Giacomo Puccini

• Beau Soir – Claude Debussy

• Piano duets by Georges Bizet and more

We look forward to seeing them take the stage and share the beauty of classical music with our College community!

Mr Dennett

Music Teacher

The gates to Wonka’s world are officially open! Grab your golden ticket and step inside a world of pure imagination with our school’s spectacular production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Expect Oompa Loompas, chocolate rivers, and a whole lot of sweet surprises as the curtain rises for four magical performances – Thursday 31 July – Saturday 2 August

Tickets on sale now via trybooking!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this scrumdiddlyumptious adventure. Seats are selling faster than Everlasting Gobstoppers – get yours before they vanish!