To the community of St John Paul II College

Last Friday, 15 August, the Church celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a deeply significant day in our Catholic tradition. This feast commemorates the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life. It is a celebration of hope, grace, and the promise of eternal life.

Mary’s Assumption reminds us of the dignity of every human life and the call to live with faith and trust in God’s plan. Her life of humility, courage, and unwavering love continues to inspire us to walk with compassion and conviction in our own lives.

Prayer for the Feast of the Assumption Loving God, You chose Mary to be the mother of Your Son, and in her Assumption, You show us the glory that awaits those who follow You. Help us to live with faith, hope, and love, and to trust in Your promise of eternal life. May we, like Mary, say “yes” to Your call each day. Amen. St John Paul II, pray for us.

Thank You for a Wonderful Science Week

Last week, the College came alive with curiosity and discovery as we celebrated Science Week. I would like to specifically thank Mrs Jen Tually and the entire Science Faculty for their leadership and creativity in organising a week filled with engaging activities and learning opportunities. Your efforts continue to inspire our students to explore the wonders of the world around them, and to think critically and creatively.

Book Week – “Book an Adventure”

This week, we turn our attention to the joy of reading as we celebrate Book Week with the theme “Book an Adventure.” Our Library Team, led by Mrs Stokman and Mrs Thomas, has prepared a fantastic program of activities that invite students to explore new worlds, characters, and ideas through literature. Thank you for your dedication to fostering a love of reading, and for transforming our library into a vibrant hub of imagination and learning.

As we approach the mid-way point of Term 3, we remind students of our winter uniform expectations. It is important that the correct uniform is worn each day, and students should expect to be challenged if they fail to meet the expectations. Details of the required uniform are available in student diaries and on the College website.

Kind regards,

Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal, Strategy and Staff

Science Week @ JPC "Decoding the Universe - Exploring the unknown with nature's hidden language"

National Science Week @ JPC

National Science Week at JPC once again promoted our interest in science, engineering, mathematics, technology, and innovation, with a series of activities held across the week.

Monday: Crack the Code

Students worked in teams to decipher a binary code and discover the secret Mystery and Mayhem messages.

Tuesday: Guest Presenter – Laura McMahon

Laura McMahon, Therapeutic Goods Administration Officer, spoke to our lunchtime crowd, as well as Senior Biology and Health Science classes, about her work Unlocking the code of creating vaccines for current and emerging pathogens using mRNA and protein-based technologies.

Wednesday: Myrtle the Turtle and the IUCN

We welcomed Myrtle the Turtle, supported by Mr Rohan Holloway on behalf of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Together, they explored Unlocking the Secrets of Turtle Genetics and Ecology for Global Wellbeing.

Friday: Chemistry Fun with the Science Team

Science Week in the Labs

Fun with the Flight Simulator in Year 10 Engineering

Dissections in Year 8 Biology

Even the library joined in!

Mrs Jennifer Tually
Science Coordinator

This week is the most exciting week of the year! Here’s everything students and families need to know:

Book Week Events Schedule

Monday, 18 August – The Lost Mummy Escape Room

Come to the library at lunch and test your problem-solving skills.

• Work in teams to crack the clues
• Solve puzzles and escape the mummy’s tomb
• Fun, fast, and free to join!

Tuesday, 19 August – Uncle Nic Story Time + Themed Kahoot!

Join Mr Carey-Ide and our school leaders in the library for:

• A fabulous book reading to spark your imagination
• A themed Kahoot quiz to test your knowledge and win bragging rights!

Wednesday, 20 August – The Great Book Swap

Bring a book to trade, swap, or even buy at the library during lunch.

• Browse and take home a “new-to-you” read
• No book to bring? Buy one for a small cost (silver or gold coin – all donations go to the St Vincent de Paul Society)
• A fun way to recycle books and discover new stories!

Thursday, 21 August – Dramatic Reading by the English Faculty

Friday, 22 August – Lunchtime Movies

Head to the library, grab a seat, and enjoy an adventure on the big screen.

Dress-Up Day & Costume Parade

Friday, 22 August, Come dressed as your favourite fictional character — either solo or with friends.

Important: In the spirit of Book Week, costumes must represent fictional characters only (not real people, e.g., autobiographies). This is not a uniform-free day. Your costume is your “ticket” to the fun!

Amazing prizes for:

• Best costume
• Best group
• Most creative
• Most on theme
• Best house

Join us as we Book an Adventure and celebrate a week full of stories, characters, and imagination.

Ms Jessica Stokman
Library Coordinator

The Year 9 Urban Challenge 2025 was an amazing experience that brought together unexpected groups of people and helped us create long-lasting memories. Each team worked together to earn points and complete challenges by budgeting, navigating, and communicating. Urban Challenge turned each group into a slightly crazy but unstoppable team.

We started the first day with a clue chase around Sydney, following a trail of colourful envelopes. Every turn felt like we were getting closer to solving the Cluedo-style mystery. Our “army” team approached this challenge like a mission — quick-thinking and ready for riddles. It was a great introduction to Urban Challenge, helping our groups kickstart teamwork and discover each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Our “FBI agents” roamed the streets of Sydney as we explored different areas around the CBD. Teams 1–4 ended the day at Cockatoo Island Resort, while Teams 5–12 stayed at the hotel, enjoying a night ferry ride.

On Day 2, we travelled to the eastern suburbs of Sydney. During the day, we gave back to our community by cooking meals for people experiencing homelessness, while learning about real-world issues and developing practical cooking skills. Bondi Beach became our dance floor (much like our silent disco) for our ’90s hip hop and Soulja Boy crews. The salty wind met our cheeks and the waves crashed before us as we enjoyed a seafood lunch overlooking the beach. Locals barely glanced when our “tradies” posed on the sand or when our “sport” and “cheerleader” groups performed stunts. Our “Subway Surfers” jumped from tram, to bus, to ferry, exploring further afield. This time, Teams 5–12 stayed at Cockatoo Island Resort, while Teams 1–4 stayed at the hotel, with another night ferry ride to end the day.

The final day of our Urban Challenge was bittersweet. The streets of Sydney were alive with Year 9 adventurers — from medieval travellers to sports jerseys and pyjama-clad explorers. We visited places such as Darling Harbour and the city centre, completing point-heavy challenges along the way, including taking photos, giving back to those in need, and creating mini dances. While a picnic lunch could not make up for the sadness of finishing the adventure, our “party-goers” kept the energy high until the very end.

Urban Challenge was a valuable experience for all of us — learning to collaborate, building independence, and having fun every step of the way. The activities and food were amazing, and we wouldn’t change a thing. Participants shared:
• “Urban Challenge boosted my confidence in a city environment and gave me independence with the most fun I’ve had all year with friends.”
• “A really cool independent experience — I’ve never done anything like it before.”

Urban Challenge 2025 was part competition, part costume party, and all fun — an adventure through Sydney that bonded us in ways we’ll be talking about for years to come.

Eluney Tapply Orozco
Year 9 Student – Mathieu

The ACT Scaling Test (AST) is a vital part of Year 12 for students seeking an ATAR. It assesses general reasoning and thinking skills across three components: the Short Response Test, the Multiple Choice Test, and the Writing Task.

Arrival and Departure Times

Students sitting the AST must arrive at school no later than 8:40 AM. Breakfast will be available from 8:15 AM in the café.

• You will not be admitted to the test room later than 30 minutes after the start of the test (40 minutes after the start of reading time for the Short Response and Multiple Choice tests).
• Students arriving within this time may commence the test but will not be granted extra time.
• If you have a valid reason for being late, with independent evidence (e.g., a car accident), speak with the AST Coordinator before starting the test. It may be more appropriate to apply for the Second Sitting — permission is not granted automatically and must be applied for with supporting evidence.
• Reasons such as sleeping in or missing a bus are not considered acceptable for being more than 30 minutes late or missing a test.

AST 2025 Schedule

Day 1 – Tuesday, 26 August
• Short Response Test: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Multiple Choice Test: 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Day 2 – Wednesday, 27 August
• Writing Task: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Students must attend all three sessions and make a serious attempt at each test to be eligible for an ATAR.

What to Bring

Students must bring their own equipment:
• Pens, pencils (2B), erasers, ruler
• ID card
• Dictionary (book form only, no thesaurus)
• Clear, unlabelled water bottle

Prohibited items include:
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, electronic devices
• Bags, food (unless approved), electronic dictionaries
• Dictionaries with diagrams or annotations

All equipment is subject to inspection. Spot checks will occur during the test.

What If You’re Sick?

If a student is sick before or during the AST:
• Do not attempt the test if unwell.
• Notify the school’s AST Coordinator, Miss Martin, immediately. If you become unwell during the AST, notify the supervisor immediately.
• Obtain a medical certificate within 24 hours.

Note: Students who begin a test but do not complete it due to illness may not be eligible to re-sit that component unless specific conditions are met.

Rules and Expectations

To ensure fairness and integrity:
• Follow all supervisor instructions.
• No communication is allowed during the test.
• Leaving the test centre early or temporarily requires supervision.
• Cheating, bringing unauthorised items, or disruptive behaviour may result in penalties, including cancellation of AST results or impact on the ATAR.

Students must bring a serious attitude and respect the conditions of the test to support both their own success and that of their peers.

For more details or questions, students should speak with the AST Coordinator, Miss Martin.

Jenna Martin
Acting Senior Studies Coordinator

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 in their musical journey.  If interested, please fill out the form via the link below and visit the JPC Music Tuition page for more information.

Music Tuition Form

Matthew Dennett
Music Teacher