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We were blessed with cold crisp mornings and sunny afternoons this week, as students generally started to thaw out and dry out after the last weeks. At a time when we can all feel restricted in what we can do, the JPC community continues to pull together to find creative and safe ways to showcase talents and have some fun.
This week, the COVID-safe, home grown, Dance Festival saw our senior student choreographers showcase their talents through their work with students from across the year levels. The afternoon performance was lively, colourful and certainly fulfilled the brief of light and bright.
Despite their best efforts, and a late ring-in, the students succumbed to the superior skill of the staff in the lunchtime basketball game. The fine weather also allowed our commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, a giant poppy on the front tear drop garden, to be seen in the Science Week Satellite flyover. We hope to see our poppy and the accompanying Science class in the satellite photos when they are released.
Wishing all our JPC families a wonderful weekend, leading into Spring; a season of promise, renewal and growth.
Dr Ann Cleary
Feast of St Monica – Thursday, August 27
An inspiration to parents and teachers
Yesterday was the Feast Day of St Monica, the long-suffering mother of her wayward
The circumstances of St. Monica’s life could have made her a grumpy wife and a despairing mother, yet she did not give way to any of these temptations. She continually fasted, prayed, and wept on her son’s behalf.
St. Monica is a good example not only of the power of prayer united with tears and suffering, but also of patience. She is a strong model to all parents that patience, love, prayer and kindness not only supports a difficult child, but helps parents cope with the challenges they face.
We can pray to St Monica for guidance and support when the parenting (and teaching!) going gets tough:
St Monica, prayerful wife and mother, many sorrows grieved your heart throughout your life, yet you never gave in to despair or lost hope.
With unwavering persistence, and steadfast faith, you prayed fervently for the conversation of your troubled husband and for your beloved son, Augustine. God answered your tearful prayers.
Grant our JPC Mothers, Fathers and Teachers that same enduring patience and trust in the Lord.
St Monica, pray that God may listen to the cries of their hearts and grant them the grace to embrace his will for all their lives.
St John Paul II, pray for us.
Amen
Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing, Mission and Ministry
Caitlyn D’Cruze
JPC Youth Minister
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In Week 8, Year 7 and 9 students will complete a Reading and Numeracy test, modelled on the style and practice of NAPLAN testing. Whilst we appreciate that this is a very busy year, full of uncertainties, these tests allow the school to capture valuable data, which helps us inform Personal Plans and specialised tutorials. It also provides teachers with a deeper understanding of student needs.
Two tests will be completed over the course of Independent Learning Time in Week 8. The first is a Reading test, 65 minutes, 50 questions. The second is a Numeracy test, 40 minutes, 40 questions. Students will complete the tests in our Tech Hubs on Macbooks. Every teacher has been informed of these tests and understands the need for flexibility regarding assessment and task work.
Finally, these tests are not government mandated tests. They are designed by the literacy and numeracy team at Catholic Education. The results are used for school purposes only.
Patrick Wood
Literacy and Numeracy Initiatives
The JPC Dance Festival was a huge success!!
This Semester the senior dance students are studying Dance in the Community. Usually our big Dance in the Community performance is performed at the huge three-day Dance Festival at Canberra Theatre. However due to COVID that was cancelled this year. So instead I set the students the task of creating a mini Dance Fest at JPC. What does that mean? Well instead of one big 5-minute piece they had to split into pairs and create their own 4-minute pieces, in response to the theme LIGHT AND BRIGHT! This year the students chose to focus on a positive, happy, fun, bright theme with the purpose of bringing joy to the audience members. The four dance pieces in the JPC dance festival were:
- Pjapflash - choreographed by Ella & Caitlin
- Grooves - choreographed by Esha and Larni
- Jazzercise - choreographed by Emma and Izzy
- Twelve- choreographed by Bella and Emilia
Well done to the senior dance class for their spectacular efforts!!
I would like to acknowledge our incredible production crew!! We could not have done this festival or these performances without them. They are integral part of our Performing Arts team.
Thank you Dr Ann Clearly, Mr Nic Whatman and Mr David Johns our executive staff members for coming. I would like to thank the 30 plus JPC staff members, and the families and friends of the senior dance class who came to support.
There were 75 students involved in this Dance Festival on Wednesday afternoon. I know each and every one of them were so excited that you came to see them perform.
Ms Mostyn
Dance Teacher.
White Card/Asbestos Course
JPC Students have the opportunity to complete the White Card/Asbestos course at St Francis Xavier College during week 10 on Monday and Tuesday. If your child is interested, could they please email the JPC Careers email for more information – careers.jpc@cg.catholic.edu.au
ANU Extension program information sessions
NECA Electrical Industry Holiday Program
JPC Career’s Community – Work Experience
Leaving JPC at the end of 2020?
Planning for 2021 has commenced!
If you know that your child will be leaving JPC at the end of this year, please email the college office (office.jpc@cg.catholic.edu.au) as soon as possible.
Year 10 families - if you have not confirmed that your child is staying/leaving, please do this immediately. Students should have had there subject selections interviews, if not please contact the college office to organise an interview with an Assistant Principal.
Year 12 families - There is no need to respond.
Thank you to those who have notified us already.
The College Office
JPC Community Council Nominations
St John Paul II College has achieved some significant milestones over the past 8 years including reaching a total of 902 students.
As part of the evolution and growth, we are looking for interested parents who would like to bring their expertise, commitment and passion to provide continued success to St John Paul II College. The College Council was established in 2013 and has made a significant contribution over this time. The Council is seeking to fill a number of vacant parent positions and ask all parents to consider how they may contribute to the College and nominate themselves to join the Council.
The College Council is your way of having a say in how the college operates and providing the College with ideas and feedback across all areas of operation. The Council is actively involved in guiding the development of the Catholic identity and character, approving governance structures and finances, ensuring the College is meeting its obligations to the parent community and working to build networks and relationships to support the College in the achievement of strategic goals.
Mrs Stephanie O’Meara and the Leadership Team in conjunction with the Catholic Education Office are responsible for the day to day operation of the College with the Council providing a governance structure, similar to that of a Board for a corporation. Working with Mrs O’Meara who is the public representative of the school, the council has responsibility for providing feedback and making decisions on behalf of the school community in relation to areas such as:
- Supporting the development of the Catholic identity, ethos and mission of the school.
- Supporting pastoral care strategies in the school community.
- Promoting the school in the local community, supporting the engagement of parents and providing feedback in relation to curriculum, activities and operational matters.
- Developing, approving and monitoring the annual budget, including school determined levies, loan commitments and the fees collection and remission policy.
The Council meets approximately every 6 weeks between 5.30 & 7.30 pm – Council members will also contribute to activities outside meetings in support of College activities – these are not onerous.
If you would like to nominate yourself for a position on the Community Council please submit your nomination form to Mrs Stephanie O’Meara via Kris.Davis@cg.catholic.edu.au by 11 September 2020.
Women's Reflection Afternoon Event
All women are invited to participate in an Archdiocesan Women’s Reflection Afternoon which will be live-streamed to all corners of the Canberra Goulburn Archdiocese this Saturday 29th August from 2.00 pm to 4:30 pm. Gather with friends at home to hear inspiring talks and participate in short guided prayer experiences.
Register for free at www.bit.ly/WomensReflectionAfternoon
Speakers:
Clara Geoghegan is the Executive Secretary to the Bishops’ Commission for Evangelisation, Laity & Ministry. Clara has lectured in Church History and Spirituality at Catholic Theological College (Melbourne). Clara is also the Co-Director of the Catherine of Siena Institute, Australia.
Clara hopes to inspire the women of the Archdiocese to respond to their baptismal calling to intimacy with Christ and to co-responsibility for the mission of the Church.
Brigid will share her personal journey of discovering her own baptismal calling to intimacy with Christ and co-responsibility for the Mission of the Church. She will also explain why she put her hand up as a delegate for the Plenary Council and what she hopes will be achieved.
Enquiries email catholic.women@cg.org.au or ring/text Lara on 0429 192 869
This event is hosted by the Archdiocesan Women’s Taskforce
Lara Kirk
Chair, Archdiocesan Women’s Taskforce