Reconciliation Day 2021 is fast approaching it is a timely reminder that as a school community it is our role to embrace this day as a day of coming together as one, to embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders history and culture, and also to celebrate the history and culture of everyone in our community. One of St John Paul II College’s house patrons Father Ted Kennedy was an individual who embraced respectful relationships and welcomed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture into his Redfern, NSW parish. Before he went to Redfern, Father Ted worked in the Sydney parishes of Ryde, Punchbowl, Elizabeth Bay and Neutral Bay. He was also chaplain to the University of Sydney. He was not afraid to stand up for the injustices occurring in the Catholic Church and dedicated his life to ensuring the underprivileged were cared for.

Father Ted was known as a rebellious individual, and this was well documented in his book, Who is Worthy: The role of conscience in restoring hope to the Church. The book argued that the Australian church has corrupted the basic teachings of Christ and has become a church of exclusion rather than inclusion so that a process of reformation was required. From this, it is clear to see that inclusivity is fundamental to being Christian.

Fr Ted commonly welcomed the ‘outcasts’ of the Redfern community encouraging reconciliation, inclusivity and faith in all people he interacted with. His example of personal poverty and commitment influenced other people and organisations. Father Ted was a controversial figure and not all Catholics or all Australians supported his radical views. In 2001, however, his work received direct support from Pope John Paul II which supported the work Father Ted spent bridging the gap for the community of Redfern. Father Ted also spent a lot of time working with the Indigenous community in remote areas around Australia.

Father Ted Kennedy died on 17 May 2005. His funeral was attended by thousands. He left a legacy that is still present today, but has outgrown the Redfern area showing the service that he delivered is one transferrable Australia wide.

Father Ted Kennedy’s legacy is at the forefront of our respectful relationships’ ethos at St John Paul II College and underpinned by our School Wide Positive Behaviour Framework. Our challenge as a community is to commit ourselves to encourage reconciliation and justice for all, celebrating diversity and importantly embracing respectful relationships between all in our community. With Father Ted Kennedy’s legacy and Reconciliation Day on the 31 May, it is an opportune time to remember the importance of respect and creating a positive and respectful environment for all in our community. The link to our School Wide Positive Behaviour Framework is listed below. 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Mentoring is recognised as the “jewel in the crown” of JPC and is valued by students, staff and parents. This year we have trialled the introduction of a Mentoring lesson that is held each week before ILT starts.

The aim of this lesson is to strengthen the relationship between Mentor and student so that it truly reflects our philosophy of the child at the centre of what we do. Weekly contact ensures that this relationship develops quickly and we as the Mentor get to know our students and how they are learning and progressing.

Another important component of the Mentor lesson is for teachers to be able to spend more time working with their mentor students around planning for ILT, managing workloads and helping with issues that may arise with a particular year group – such as Year 7 planning for ILT or Senior students managing the increasing expectation of workload or preparing for exams.

The feedback from staff is that they feel the Mentor lesson is valuable as they are able to have a regular touch base with their students instead of every 4 – 5 weeks and even though many teachers see their students in PC time that there is not really time to check-in and see how things are going. 

Because there is less time for formal one-on-one conversations teachers will be sending home one formal mentor report per term. We, of course, welcome and encourage parent’s feedback and information regarding their child. This does not have to wait for a formal mentor report. We know that working in partnership with our families ensures the best outcome for our students.

Stephanie O’Meara
Assistant Principal

Year 11 2022 Commitment Form

An invitation to all members of the wider JPC community:

Please come along to our JPC Community Masses!

Thursdays of even weeks

8:30AM – 8:55AM in the JPC Chapel

All parents, grandparents, carers, siblings and family friends are welcome to join our fortnightly JPC Community Masses, celebrated by Father Thonn or Father Mark from the Holy Spirit Parish, hosted by our JPC Youth Ministry Team or one of our Year 10 Youth Ministry Elective classes.

These Masses are a special way to share in our faith with everyone from the JPC community, and a LOVELY way to start the day!

Visitors would just need to sign in using the QR code at the JPC Office, and come up to the Chapel, ready to start by 8:30AM.

Our next JPC Community Mass: Thursday of Week 16 – June 3, 2021

Youth Ministry Team seniors looking fantastic in our 2021 Youth Ministry Team T-Shirts!

On Sunday the 16May, the Year 11/12 Earth and Environmental Science students braved the frosty morning in search of treasure. Dr Colin Price (Daramalan) lead an expedition to Grabben Gullen creek and showed the group how to identify the best areas for Sapphire prospecting. This area is famously productive due to the weathering of a basaltic outcrop further upstream. Everyone was successful in their sapphire extraction endeavours and each student was able to bring home something shiny and blue as a result. Following on from this expedition the group headed to the Oallen Ford bridge on the Shoalhaven River. This area is well-known for the gold that is caught up in the sand and sediment. In fact, there were a few other prospectors already hard at work when the JPC crew arrived. Dr Price instructed the group on how to pan for gold. Although it is a tricky skill to master, each student was able to identify three or four tiny gold specs in their pans by the end of the day. Thank you to Dr Colin Price for giving up your Sunday and sharing your expertise with our Earth and Environmental Science students. And thank you to the JPC Earth and Environmental Science students for being so enthusiastic, well-behaved and a credit to the school.

Nikala Prendja (Year 9) was successful in obtaining $550 as part of the Youth InterACT grants. Her aim – to make, design and sell masks, to fundraise for the Backpack Bed for the Homeless, who provide swags for those living on the street.

Each week, Nikala has been working hard with friends and student volunteer to create these masks.

You can buy a mask from the front office for $5. Payments can be made via Qkr! Additional donations are welcomed and encouraged! Students can also come up to the textiles room at lunch on Wednesday’s/Thursday’s to purchase a mask.

Well done, Nikala!

80 meals were prepared, packaged and picked up by Oz Harvest charity this week, to feed the homeless/ those in need. This was the practical part of their ‘World Food Issues’ assessment and the students were very proud of their efforts and glad to be able to do something to help others, especially offering a warm nourishing meal to those less fortunate than themselves.

Well done students!

Our amazing instrumental and band tutor Aron Lyon, has been organising Tuesday tunes every week this term for our students to perform. It is such a fantastic opportunity for the students to perform in an informal setting but also builds their courage by performing what they have been rehearsing in their bands. The teachers and students in the audience always greatly appreciate a live concert.

Sharon Robinson
Music Teacher

Fitness Club has been so much fun! From 7.30 am on Wednesday mornings we play sport in the hall. This week we decided to do a circuit workout in the gym before completing the beep test. Thanks to those students who come along for some fun and fitness on Wednesday mornings.

Sharon Robinson

Find your purpose

What do you want to do after you have finished high school? It’s a tough question that can cause high anxiety. Click here for an exciting event that will help your child answer just that!

Year 10 Transition Week

A reminder to parents/carers that an email was sent out last week with initial information about transition week. If your child is undertaking an accredited package or an ASBA, they are welcome to partake in work experience during this week. More information is provided in the letter.

University of Wollongong – Liberal Arts School

The University of Wollongong are offering this opportunity to high-achieving and intellectually fearless year 12 students. Other than travel, all costs are covered by the UOW. To find out more info or to register your interest – click here.

Ms Teena Zorzi
Leader of Learning (Careers) and Wellbeing (Drexel House)

This is a friendly reminder that Term 3 school fees are due on Friday 13 August 2021.

If you haven’t already done so, could you please settle your account as soon as possible?

This does not apply to those families who have direct debit arrangements in place.

Please contact the Finance Office (JPC.Finance@cg.catholic.edu.au) if you wish to discuss your account or have any queries.

Thank you

Parish Newsletter

For the latest news Click here or you can view it on the Parish App or visit the website below.