Learning as a Continuous Journey

Yesterday’s Gospel reading (Luke 12:13–21) reminds us that true wealth is not measured by material possessions but by generosity and wise stewardship. This message connects closely with our recent celebrations—where we not only recognised academic excellence but also students’ commitment to personal growth.

Just as the parable encourages us to focus on what truly matters beyond material riches, we remember that education is not a straight path but a continuous, circular journey. Each lesson, assessment and reflection builds on the last, creating a cycle that supports ongoing improvement. Learning is ever-evolving, with every step preparing students for the next challenge.

Last week’s awards ceremony celebrated not only final results but also the consistent effort and active engagement shown throughout the term. Highlighting these achievements underscores that meaningful learning happens every day, not just at exam time.

The Role of Formative Assessment

Assignments and tests often steal the spotlight, but assessment’s real value lies in the feedback it provides. This semester, you’ll notice an increased emphasis on formative assessments—shorter tasks designed to give students and teachers ongoing guidance in the lead-up to summative tasks (those that count towards final grades). In subjects such as Mathematics, Science, HASS and English, these formative results will be available on Canvas, enabling students to monitor their progress closely. This continuous feedback ensures teaching is tailored to each learner’s needs and helps everyone stay on track.

Setting and Supporting Goals

With the new semester now underway, it’s the perfect time for students to revisit the goals they set during last week’s Pastoral Care period. Clear, achievable goals help students take ownership of their learning and maintain motivation throughout the year. To support this, attached are the Semester 2 Assessment Calendars—mapping out every major task to help families plan ahead, balance workloads and still make time for other interests.

The Importance of Punctuality

Another vital part of the learning cycle is punctuality. Arriving on time for every lesson ensures students don’t miss critical explanations or formative checks that guide their progress. Punctuality is more than attendance; it’s about seizing every opportunity to learn.

Thank you for partnering with us on this journey of continuous learning and growth.

Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal – Teaching & Learning

National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Held each year from the first Sunday in July to the following Sunday, this year’s NAIDOC Week ran from 6–13 July, coinciding with the school holidays.

At the start of Term 3, JPC marked NAIDOC Week during Pastoral Care on Wednesday. PC classes linked this year’s NAIDOC theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy” with CECG’s faith focus of “Pilgrims of Hope.” Each class crafted a “pledge of hope” in the spirit of Australia’s First Nations peoples, writing these pledges on paper footprints that now form a “Pilgrims’ Path” display in the Learning Street.

Later that week, a group of JPC students attended Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral alongside schools from across the Archdiocese. Lucy S from Kennedy House represented JPC by leading the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel acclamation.

It was a wonderful opportunity for our community to honour the world’s oldest continuous living culture and to reflect on how we can all contribute to “strength, vision and legacy” in the generations to come.

Ruth Hill
Science Teacher & First Nations Facilitator

Our Year 12 Retreat earlier this term was a resounding success, providing students with opportunities for reflection, connection, and growth. Here’s what some of our cohort had to say:

“Overall, it was a really enjoyable experience for both myself and the entire grade. We all appreciated the time and effort that went into making the retreat happen.”

“Many students found the letter-writing activities—both writing letters to peers and receiving letters from teachers—very meaningful.”

“The affirmations activity, where we wrote messages in the hearts on each other’s booklets, left a strong impact on many.”

“The ‘Pearls of Wisdom’ was a highlight. Hearing teachers share their stories and advice was both interesting and a privilege.”

“The double-decker bus was a brilliant addition that everyone really enjoyed.”

“I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The calm, casual environment and comfortable location made it the best camp I’ve been on.”

“It had a bigger impact on me than I originally expected. I’m not normally a big fan of reflecting, but it was interesting to look back on the past.”

“My favourite activity was writing thoughtful messages about classmates I don’t usually interact with, and I really appreciated hearing the kind things others had to say about me.”

“Year 12 retreat was a fun and memorable experience focused on growth, connection and reflection.”

“This retreat was truly memorable and helped us create lasting moments in our final year of school!”

We’re proud of our Year 12s for embracing every activity with enthusiasm and openness. Thank you to all staff and student leaders whose dedication made these days so special.

Maria Tolfree
Mission and Ministry Coordinator

We’ve recently seen an increase in students arriving after Pastoral Care without signing in at the Front Office, which results in a full day absence being recorded.

If your child arrives late to school (after the 8:55 AM bell), please remind them to sign in at the Front Office. This quick step ensures their attendance is marked correctly and helps us keep accurate records for wellbeing, safety, and reporting.

Thank you for your support in helping us stay across student attendance and ensuring everyone is accounted for.

Jo Brown
Student Administration

Friday Combo Deals – Online Only!

We’re serving up something special to end the week, exclusive Friday-only canteen combos, available online only!

These meal deals are designed to make Friday lunches easier, more affordable, and a whole lot tastier. With great value options and student favourites bundled together, it’s the perfect way to wrap up the week.

Important to note: These combos won’t be available over the counter, this is for online orders only! Check each week’s combo lineup on our website and social stories we’ll be updating them regularly with new favourites and seasonal specials.

Canteen Payments Reminder:

A reminder that all canteen accounts must be topped up via the Compass app. The front office cannot accept card or cash payments. Please ensure your child’s account has sufficient funds before placing an order.