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Dear JPC Families,
Welcome back to Term 2.
On Monday we started the term with Teachers undertaking professional learning; a continuation of the Catholic Education Catalyst program that we began at the start of the year. We had the opportunity to learn about cognitive psychology from experts who connected this research about how brains learn to very practical teaching practices. We continue to explore research-based approaches to teaching that will enhance our students’ learning.
ANZAC day is this weekend, and as a community, we reflected on the significance of the day with a moving ceremony on Wednesday. Thank you to Mrs Vicki Walsh and all the staff and students involved in making this ceremony so meaningful. See Vicki Walsh’s article below.
Last night we had our second Parent-Teacher night. If you were unable to attend either of the evenings, but you would like to speak to your child’s teacher, I encourage you to contact them via email to arrange a time to talk or meet in person.
Term 2 is looking to be a busy term with our enrolment period now open. Throughout May we will be welcoming many families into the school for a tour of our facilities.
We have the Year 7-10 Information Night on the 29th April via Zoom and the Senior Information Night via Zoom on the 6th May. We welcome families to register for these evenings and to hear from students and the College Leadership team. There will be an opportunity to ask questions during the sessions and FAQ sheets will be collated for later distribution, so all parent questions are answered.
As part of the transition for Year 10 students into senior college, we have scheduled Senior Subject Information Sessions during Week 14. Students can hear about the Courses on offer and ask teachers specific questions about each subject. During Week 19, Year 10 students participate in Transitions Week, including family interviews to discuss senior packages for Year 11, 2022. Further information will be sent to Year 10 families next week.
Catherine Rey
Principal
A reminder that the 2021 National Assessment Program (NAPLAN) will take place in Week 4 and 5 of Term 2 (11-21 May 2021) for all students in Years 7 and 9. More information can be found at the below link.
Students and their families are encouraged to look at the Public Demonstration Site tab that has the demonstration tests, which will help familiarise students with the type of questions and related functionalities available in the NAPLAN Online assessment.
If you require further information about the tests or you feel that your child will not be able to participate in the testing program, please contact me via email, Michael.Nicoletti@cg.catholic.edu.au by no later than Monday 3rd May.
On Wednesday our College came together to commemorate ANZAC Day, welcoming many of our ADF parents who attended in uniform and were accompanied by their Defence child/ren. Defence parents who are currently away due to Deployment or posting were also acknowledged, with their child/ren bringing forward their service hats. Our Defence parents were escorted into the Hall by our JPC Cadets lead by Leading Cadet Jacob Randell-Sly. Our Cadets practised for many hours and it certainly showed as they performed with precision and were a brilliant enhancement to our Ceremony. Well done Jacob, Thomas, Khakan, Kyeton, Darshan, Isobel, Tara, Amity, Sean, Muhammad and Jackson.
Wing Commander Glen Graham, Air Advisor for Australia, New Zealand High Commission, gave a moving and heartfelt commemorative speech, on the significance of ANZAC Day. He spoke of his Uncle Jack who fought in the trenches in Dieppe, France in 1918. At age 22 Jack was gassed and was cared for by Matron Ethel Gray-Watson. His family have the handwritten letter from the Matron assuring them they were caring for him and that he was amongst friends. Wing Commander Graham then spoke of his own years as a RAF pilot during the “Cold War” and then being deployed to the Arabian Gulf, leaving behind his young family. He spoke candidly of a battle when he and his crew achieved their outcome and started cheering, suddenly followed by a long silence of reflection. Wing Commander Graham’s speech focussed on the value of friends and our College’s values, which are parallel to the values of our (and New Zealand) Defence Force. He urged our students to aspire to those values throughout their life – to be good people and make the best friends.
The Ode was expertly recited by one of our Defence parents Group Captain Paul Harte and Commander Richard Elsom laid a wreath on behalf of the JPC community in memory of the ANZACs who lost their lives. We were also fortunate to have Bugler, Musician Benjamin Lim from the Band of the Royal Military College, Duntroon perform a faultless and haunting rendition of the Last Post and Rouse. Fr Thonn, kindly opened and closed our Ceremony, which was the second Ceremony our Parish Priest had attended that day (having been present for the HSP Ceremony).
Our beautiful music was provided by Ms Robinson, Ms Taylor (HSP) and Miss Kalokerinos (HSP) who united the very talented voices of the HSP Choir and the JPC Vocal Group. Our own JPC Band provided the music and Defence student Tom Williams voice for “Can you hear Australia’s Heroes marching?” song was a special addition. Mention should be made of the New Zealand National Anthem which was performed to perfection and was certainly appreciated by our Kiwi guests.
JPC students were respectful throughout our Ceremony and I hope they have taken home some understanding of the importance and significance of this important occasion.
What is the significance of ANZAC Day? For our Guest speaker at today’s ceremony, it is the opportunity to reflect on the immediate and longer-term consequences of war/conflict and to try to not repeat the mistakes of war. As young adults, our students are asked to seek the truth, challenge, research and respect the opinions of others. To aspire to the values of Justice, Peace and Courage throughout their lives.
How will you be choosing to commemorate ANZAC Day this year?
The Australian War Memorial’s National Ceremonies will be held on Sunday and unfortunately, tickets for these two Ceremonies are no longer available. However, there are lots of ways you can honour and observe our special day. The AWM have lots of interesting ideas on their ANZAC at Home website. Information about where to watch ANZAC Day, how to remember with your family or friends and posting a virtual poppy.
Follow this link to post a virtual poppy https://lestweforget.gov.au/#/
Follow this link to the ANZAC at Home webpage for all the information https://www.awm.gov.au/anzacathome
Open Arms are encouraging us all to #Check5
Don’t forget to check in with 5 people this ANZAC Day. For more information about how to connect with mates visit their website - https://www.openarms.gov.au/check-5
Take the time to come together this ANZAC Day to remember and honour our past and present Defence Force Personnel and their families.
May we always remember them and honour their spirit. Lest we forget.
Vicki Walsh
Defence School Mentor
Would you like to be part of a friendly space where students can come, be with old and new friends, share in some food, and have conversations about life, God, relationships and faith - especially great when you don’t know where to go or who you can talk about this stuff! And around yummy FOOD, which is always a winner!
Over Term 2, our senior Youth Ministry Team members are running an exciting program for all JPC students called “Alpha” - which is a course that creates a space where people can be with new and old friends for a conversation about faith, life and God. It is a super chill environment with food, games and discussions.
Olivia Mugridge, Emma Bramham, Tia Morris, Ella Colquhoun, Adau Kuir, Mia Bolton and Campbell Ellison are currently in training to lead the program.
Testimony –
I have done Alpha before, and it was fun – I loved it. It was a really engaging version of a retreat-like program – nothing like I had ever done before. I am looking forward to being part of it again!
Emma, Year 12
Who? Any JPC student from Years 7 - 12
What? A super chill space with food, games & discussions about life, God & stuff!
When? Every Thursday LUNCH from Week 12, 6/5/21 to Week 16
Where? JPC Chapel
Use this Qr Code, which has also been emailed to all JPC students, to sign up then come along to the first session in Week 12!
Thanks to Caitlyn D’Cruze, our Youth Minister for supporting our Youth Ministry Leaders in the fantastic program for our JPC community.
Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing, Mission and Ministry.
“Theatre Thursdays” – a lunchtime drama club has started again! Each Thursday lunchtime, students will participate in a variety of Drama games and activities to develop their confidence and presentation skills, creative thinking and collaboration.
An eager group of students from all year levels attended the first lunchtime club session this week and engaged in different games. The energy was high and the enjoyment was real.
Mrs Sarah Smith
Next week on Wednesday, the University of Canberra College will be coming to speak to accredited students about pathways to university. They have Diploma Courses and the UC Connect program that helps with entry into University. Please encourage your child to attend (more details have been emailed to accredited students).
Some upcoming university talks at JPC for your child’s diary!
Wednesday 12th May, Period 2:
Charles Sturt University: offers a wide range of online courses, as well as on campus courses in animal studies, health/medicine and more!
Thursday 27th May, Period 1:
University of Wollongong: Ranked 10 in Australia, with a huge range of study options.
Work Experience Review: National Zoo and Aquarium, Canberra
At the end of the last term, Emma Bramham (year 12) had the rare opportunity to complete a block of work experience at the National Zoo and Aquarium. She has generously shared some photos and reflections about her time:
"I undertook this work experience because I am wanting to pursue a career with animals and felt this would be a good starting place. I loved being hands-on with all the animals and not having to sit at a desk all day. I learnt lots of things about the way that animals are cared for and the way that enrichment is provided to animals to keep them stimulated. Some of the challenges that were faced whilst I was undertaking my work experience, were keeping animals warm and safe during the rain, moving animals between enclosures and taking animals in for medical care. All of these matters were handled extremely well and the teams held a meeting before all events to ensure that they ran smoothly as possible. This experience has made me decide that I definitely want to work with animals in the future. I am completing more work experience in November at Taronga Zoo in Sydney as well as looking at completing my Certificate II in Animal Studies and Certificate III in Captive Animals once I have finished year 12."
Ms Teena Zorzi
Congratulations Olivia Brankovic
For 3 days during the school holiday's Olivia (year 8) was playing in a basketball tournament in Newcastle. The tournament was a competition between all of the NSW Regional Academies of sports and the ACT was invited for the first time in the competition's 21 year history. The Scorers Academy of which Olivia trains with here in Canberra entered a team that is coached by former Australian Olympic basketball champion Fiona Hannan. Olivia has been training under her for 2 years now and the team she is part of has been playing together for most of that time. So after 3 days of competition and only a single loss in the group stage the Scorers team made the Grand Final and played against the Illawarra Academy of sport. In a really tense match Scorers came out victorious 58-53, which meant the gold medal was won by a Canberra team for the first time ever.
Well Done Olivia!
Riverside Dance Festival
During the second week of the school holidays three year 7 students, Natalija Katavic, Imogen Zimmer and Jontee Van Dalen, were highly successful in the recent Riverside Dance Festival held at Erindale Theatre. All 3 students did extremely well in solos, however, their Troupe Performance for Vieira Dance School of Excellence (VDSE) in the 12 and Under Ballet Section was spectacular. They placed 1st in this category in a strong field of 14 troupes, and were awarded the Trophy and highest Scoring Overall performance for the whole 12 and Under Troupe Section.
Great Work Girls!
Qualified for ACT Swimming
Congratulations to all those who competed at the ASC Swimming Carnival.
Of all the students who competed, our school has had the following students selected to compete in the ACT Team.
- Emma Brahman
- Brady Bryant
- Campbell Ellison
- Georgia Ellison
- Hamish Ellison
- Taylah Guthrie
- Isabella Revell
- Victoria Revell
Congratulations to these people!
Mr Mitchell
If you would like to share your child achievements, please email a short paragraph and an image (optional) to the College office and your child's mentor for submission into Key Messages. Submissions are due by Thursday.
They are here!
The new JPC Leggings are now in store at Lowes Gungahlin.
The leggings now form a part of the PE uniform. As such they may now be worn for PE and Dance only.
The Tracksuit and Shorts are the other options and remained unchanged.
Mr Steve Thomas
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing