“As I have loved you, so you must LOVE one another”

 John 13:34

On Wednesday this week, we formally celebrated the beginning of 2021 at JPC with our Opening Mass, celebrated by Father Mark and invited guests from the Catholic Colleges around the ACT. We also took the opportunity to launch our Liturgical Theme for 2021 from John 13:34 – “As I have loved you, so you must LOVE one another”, led by members of our College Leadership Team and Youth Ministry Team, exploring what it means to love those with whom we interact as Jesus loves us – sacrificially, unconditionally and purely.

Congratulations to our 2021 College Leadership Team:

Our 2021 College Leaders were commissioned into their new leadership roles, and we look forward to seeing them develop as leaders and grow as people, as the year proceeds.

College Captains -  Campbell Ellison & Caitlin Richards

Justice Leaders -    Cullen Savle & Amisha Sehgal

Peace Leaders -      Emma Bramham & Olivia Mugridge

Courage Leaders -  Cameron Cortes & Lilith Prado

The contribution to the Mass by our students made it a very special occasion – the music was exceptional (as always!) led by Ms Robinson and Mr Lyons, with a new song by Graham Kendrick, celebrating the Liturgical Theme – “As I have loved you”, being performed by the band and vocal group.

Thank you to the many students who prayed, read or processed in our Mass. The spirit with which our staff and students contribute to our faith experiences at JPC is fantastic.

Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing - Mission and Ministry

On Tuesday and Thursday, our Year 11 students participated in the JPC Year 11 Conference. Our goals for these two days were to:

• to provoke students’ thoughtful reflection on goal-setting and dealing with change
• to introduce students to the formalities of senior study, considering JPC and BSSS requirements
• to raise Tertiary package student awareness of the BSSS processes for ranking, scaling and determining the ATAR
• to raise Accredited package student awareness of pathways and opportunities during senior years

Day 1: Day of Hope with Glen Gerreyn

On this day our JPC students learnt to recognise negativity, step away from it and start making choices that allow them to tap into their talents and start to shine.

Day of Hope gave the students the foundations they needed to build a hope-filled future.

The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with students very excited to have emailed Glen their future goals.

One parent wrote to me to tell me that when they asked their child what his day had been like he responded with – “it was the best day at school, I’ve ever had”

The parent explained that the student spoke about the seminar and about Glen all the way home. The student told his parents about Glen’s life, he showed them the booklet and what he wrote, he was very impressed with how Glen spoke and the way he got his message across. The student felt that he got a lot out of it and it was one of the best/informative/helpful seminars he has ever attended, and he will remember for the rest of his life.

Some of our student’s testimonials:

Glen Gerreyn’s seminar was a moving and thought-provoking experience, one I will carry with me throughout my senior years and beyond. The skills and perspectives that he shared, provided me with a new outlook on my goals and aspirations. His words have inspired me to shoot for the stars and back myself in all future endeavours. The way by which he engaged the entire auditorium was perplexing, I found myself engrossed by his ideas and empowered by his story. - Ivy Keating

“Glen was amazing! He was open and honest and throughout the 5 hours I didn’t check the time once, not once did I lose focus on what he was saying. When we left for the day I felt like I could do anything and I could accept failure and work with it to become better” - Charli Altman

Day 2: What you need to know to succeed as a senior student

Dr Ann Cleary did a comprehensive presentation on the technicalities of the ACT Senior Secondary System and the expectations that are expected by the BSSS. Students undertaking a T package were also given a presentation on Scaling and Meshing and determining the ATAR. A recording of this is available on the JPC website in the Senior section.

For parents and student new to the BSSS system I highly recommend that you access this recording. Having listened to this presentation several times, I find I learn something new each time I hear it. We are very lucky to have Dr Cleary able to talk to our students with such authority and knowledge. Dr Cleary is widely recognised as an expert on all things regarding the BSSS as well as meshing and scaling. This recognition is not only within our system but across the ACT and she is also held in high regard by the members of the BSSS.

Students undertaking an A course were given a presentation on the many pathways they can take as part of their Senior package including ASBA’s and VET courses. This session was very expertly led by Mrs Teena Zorzi and Mr Jacob Knowles. The students reported back that this was an “excellent” session and very informative.

The day finished with Ame Uidam, our new Counsellor and Tim Guthrie, who also works supporting our students. Ame’s presentation on "Making Stress Your Friend” gives a new perspective of stress, which can often be viewed as only a negative experience.

I would like to thank the wonderful Year 11 students who participated so enthusiastically in the conference. We are looking forward to walking with them on the Senior journey and seeing them grow and flourish so they can meet the goals they have set for themselves.

Stephanie O’Meara
Assistant Principal

LENT & Project Compassion at JPC

Donations to Project Compassion allow Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.

Be More! Be like St Oscar Romero

Lent prepares us for the season of Easter, the most important time in the Church’s calendar. There are 3 things that Christians are called to do in Lent - give, pray and fast. We encourage you to use your compassion to BE MORE this Lent by giving to Project Compassion.

By praying, fasting and giving to others, we are reminded of Jesus’ death and Resurrection.

Jesus brought the promise of hope to all people so that we may “Have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10), so that with our neighbours, we can fulfil the goals of this year’s Caritas campaign focus, with the words of Saint Oscar Romero – “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.”

Oscar Romero was a priest and Archbishop in El Salvador, South America, who spoke out against the violence of the brutal civil war of his country in his sermons. He was assassinated in 1980 as he said mass, and became a hero for his people and a Saint in our Church.

PROJECT COMPASSION AT JPC

Each year, JPC undertakes the Inter-House Project Compassion fund raising competition – a good humoured ‘race’ to raise the most funds towards our goal of $10,000!  Giving of ourselves to those less fortunate is big part of the life of a Christian and we focus strongly on this as an issue of Catholic Social Justice with our students.

DONATING during LENT at JPC

 it only takes $2.50 per week!

If each student and staff member at JPC brings in $2.50 per week, for 4 weeks, we will EASILY reach our goal of $10,000 for Project Compassion!

PC groups will collect each day and from next week, we will have a Project compassion option on Qkr! where you can donate to your House tally.

Please support Project Compassion at JPC!

Jennifer Tually
Leader of Mission and Ministry

The Tips & Tricks Information session was held on Wednesday 24 February via zoom.

The topics covered during the session were;

• Using our Online Learning Portal – MOODLE
• Introduction to Independent Learning Time (ILT)
• Assessment Tips
• Cyber Safety

Thank you to everyone who zoomed in and we hope you found the evening helpful.

If you missed the session, the evening was recorded and it will be available early next week along with the frequently asked questions. We will notify you when it is ready to view.

If you have any further questions from the evening we encourage you to contact your students House Leaders or Mentor.

Catherine Rey
Principal

Moderation Day is an important day for teachers to attend venues across the ACT to review and moderate the work of senior students. Moderation Day is a requirement for teachers to ensure grade comparability across the senior secondary sector. Moderation Day is a pupil free day (Yr 7-10 only) and no classes will be running.

Students from Years 7-10 are encouraged to use the day productively to work on learning tasks, assignments and general study. Students are discouraged from visiting 7-10 High Schools or Primary Schools, as their presence can prove very disruptive to the learning of these students.

Stephanie O'Meara

Year 11 and 12 students undertaking a T package will be doing practice tests in preparation for the AST test on 2 March 2021 on Moderation Day.

Year 11 students​ need to arrive at school by 9.15 am. The testing for Year 11 students should conclude by 11.45 am and students are able to leave at 12.00 noon.

Year 12 students ​will be undertaking two practice AST tests in preparation for the AST. They will be doing the Multiple Choice test in the morning. Students need to be at school at 9.00 am.

The second test is the Short Response test and this should conclude at approximately 2.30 pm. Students are able to leave at the conclusion of the afternoon test.

An email has been sent to all Year 11 & 12 families and students with the full details about the day and what to bring.

It is essential that all students attend these tests as they are crucial preparation for the AST.  Any student not attending these tests will need to attend an after-school session to ensure the tests are completed.

Regards,

Mrs Stephanie O’Meara

Hi JPC,

I was given the privilege to join JPC at the end of last year with a move from the South Coast. I’m originally from Sydney where I grew up, completed my education in Industrial Design and started my career in Finance working my way into project management. A career change saw me land in secondary education where I have been working in a number of schools over the past 12 years. As well as teaching, I’m also currently completing my second masters in Education (Learning and Leadership) at the University of Technology Sydney.

My roles at JPC include Leader of Learning and Wellbeing for Van Thuan House and Informed Learning Initiatives including coordinating NAPLAN. My key learning areas include: Design & Technology, Construction, Woodwork and Religious studies. This year I will be also involved in school Rugby as the NSW Combined Catholic Schools U16s coach and NSW U16s selector.

Over the years, I have particularly enjoyed helping students achieve goals and supporting families through their journeys. I’m looking forward to the new challenges at JPC and working with the community in building positive school culture.

Michael Nicoletti
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing (Van Thuan House)

Congratulation to Bridget Shelley, year 12

Bridget submitted a three-minute video along with a supporting written persuasive argument, address the topic, 'Australian Republic - To be or Not to Be'. From this Bridget has been selected as one of five ACT students to attend the 2021 National Schools Constitutional Convention.

The Committee was influenced by Bridgets unique and enthusiastic video application and she will be a valuable addition to the ACT delegation.

Well Done Bridget!

We welcomed our JPC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and their families to a delicious native bush tucker infused afternoon tea on Thursday 18^th, using ingredients from our garden, and prepared and served by our Hospitality students. Mentor teachers helped students set academic and cultural goals for the year ahead and we all enjoyed getting to know one another.

Annie Daley
Contact Teacher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

Year 11 and 12 Exercise Science students, getting to grips, with their study of Anatomy and Physiology.

The start of 2021 in Exercise Science has been fantastic, with more students than ever electing to study the course.

The students started out strong looking at the structure and function of some key bodily systems, in preparation for movement analysis, later this term.

Mr Steve Thomas

On Saturday night, the Senior Music class visited the Street Theatre to see the Wayne Kelly Jazz trio. We are studying ‘Ensembles’ this semester so it was very fitting to go and see one live, which we were very excited about considering the year just gone. At the end of the gig we had a private Q&A session with the band. The questions asked by the students were very professional and meaningful to them. It was an absolute privilege taking these students to this performance.

We are super excited to announce that Wayne Kelly will be joining our music department at JPC as a piano teacher.

I would like to thank the band for a wonderful night of jazz, and also to Paul McKie, his lovely wife Di and my partner John for joining us on the night.

Sharon Robinson

The Food Technology students in Years 9/10 were treated to special guests this week. Bharati and Mohan Sthalekar came into the class to demonstrate how to make Masala Dosa and to talk to the students about food in India. This fits in very nicely with our current unit of work, which looks at issues around food, in different countries around the world. Most of the students had not heard of Masala Dosa, which is a very thin savoury and crispy pancake that contains a curried potato filling.  The students were very attentive and enjoyed this experience.

Ms Vicki Murphy

This week the Year 9/10 Outdoor Education classes have been learning about survival skills including how to safely build and light a fire. After being inspired by Bear Grylls, students began digging, building and collecting their materials to prepare their fire pits, and then used flint to start their fires. The students all worked exceptionally well, battling the elements of the wind, overcoming several trial and error attempts and definitely learnt that preparation is key!

Well done!

Miss Zedde and Mr Maloney

Year 7's will be heading off to camp on Wednesday 3 March.

Students are to arrive at school at 7.30 am. Due to COVID restrictions, we ask parents to drop off their child and then leave.

All the camp information is on Moodle and the Student and Parent booklet is also available on the JPC website.

Mrs Chauntell McNamara
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing

AIR FORCE 2021

Then * Now * Always

On 31 March 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force will mark 100 years as an independent service to Australia. This is a significant national milestone and the most significant commemoration event for Air Force will be a fly-past in Canberra on 31 March.  If you would like to find out more information on key engagements, follow the link below for the Air Force public website. https://airforce2021.airforce.gov.au/

DCO Event

Due to the popularity of DCO’s Coffee & Conversation events, they have scheduled a lunchtime event for Tuesday 9 March at Café Injoy. To give as many people as possible an opportunity to attend, you are asked to choose to attend either the Coffee & Conversation or the Let’s Do Lunch event. With COVID restrictions impacting venue capacity, DCO can only offer a limited number of tickets for each event.

Registrations for Let’s Do Lunch are open now. Click here to register. 

NB: This event is for only ADF Families.

Birrigai Excursion

Another successful excursion for our Year 7 & 8 Defence students who teamed up with other Defence schools from around Canberra. Our students pushed themselves out of their comfort zones and conquered some of their fears. They made some new friends and some caught up with old friends. Always a pleasure to escort these wonderful Defence students on excursions and a delight to watch them as they build resilience and expand on their life skills.

On Tuesday the 4th of February, the Year 7 & 8 Defence students took an excursion to Berrigai. It was a fun 1-hour bus ride. JPC Defence students were greeted by five other schools, St Clare’s, Girls Grammar, Gold Creek, Merci and Campbell High. We were split into four groups and started our activities. My group went to team initiatives which is a bunch of fun activities and group/team building games. Some of these were; blindfolded walking and building walkways with planks. My most favourite part of the day was the crate climb! This was a game where two people would climb up stacked up crates and people below would climb them. I think everyone’s favourite was the leap of faith. In the leap of faith, we would be connected to a harness and climb up a 10-meter-high pole, once we reached the platform we would jump! To end the day, we all had a muffin and took a group photo. Now onto the bus!

Thanks, Mrs Walsh, for the super fun experience, all defence kids are so lucky to have you!

Ainsley Brotherton, Year 7

The Defence excursion we did on Tuesday was so much fun! It’s really great to give yourself a challenge. My favourite activity was the rescue team where we had to get across an obstacle course and save the imaginary frogs. This involved a lot of teamwork and getting to know each other, which was nice especially for us all being defence kids who often have to move schools and make new friends. 

It was truly a great experience and I would definitely recommend for anyone going next year! Thank you, Mrs Walsh for organising. 

Zali Hoare, Year 7

Don’t forget if you have posted in from interstate or Overseas, you may be entitled to the Defence Education Assistance Scheme for your child/ren. Please contact me for more information.

Vicki Walsh
Defence School Mentor

Lost Property is becoming a huge issue at JPC – we are running out of space to store it.

All named lost property is stored in the office and students are sent an email to inform them that it is there and to please collect it.

Unnamed Lost Property will be cleaned out each fortnight beginning on Friday 12 March. All clothes will be placed in the 2^nd Hand Uniform shop. All drink bottles and lunch boxes will be disposed of.

Please ask your son/daughter to check the lost property regularly and we would really appreciate it if you could name all items so they can be returned to their rightful owner.

Thank you for your support.

QCity & TBX Bus Passes

The Student bus passes have arrived. If you ordered a card, please collect them from the College office.

Thank you

If your child is unwell

There has been a lot of students presenting sick in first aid this week. Please do not send your child to school if they have any symptoms of a cold, sore throat or temperature.

If your child becomes unwell during school, they are to go to first aid and the college will contact parents/carers.

Many thanks for keeping our community safe.

On the evening of Wednesday 3 March, St Edmund’s College has the privilege of hosting a book launch for well-known and respected author Robert Falzon.

Robert is a husband, father, businessman, published author and co-founder of menALIVE. He has been awarded many business accolades.  In 2007, Robert sold his primary manufacturing business to focus in a full-time volunteer capacity on working with men through menALIVE – a National Catholic Ministry to Men. Since the founding of menALIVE in 2003, this work has delivered 450 events across 26 dioceses and numerous schools in Australia and New Zealand, reaching more than 30,000 men.

Robert will be launching his new book, Raising Fathers. “In an age where there is a training manual to do almost everything, there is still no manual, map or compass to do one of the most important and impacting task on earth – Fathering!” This event is open to anyone (not just fathers) interested in families, raising children and establishing positive family relationships. Join us for this free evening event as Robert unpacks practical advice and stories that are powerfully important, impacting, informative and instructional for fathering in today’s world. I sincerely recommend Robert Falzon’s work to you and hope to see you at the book launch.

Please register for this event by following this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1088585198280632/