Good afternoon Students, Parents and Carers,

As we come to the end of our first week in Remote Learning, I can only say how incredibly proud and grateful I am to be part of such a beautiful community.

I have been quite overwhelmed by the amazing work the JPC community has done to make Remote Learning as productive as possible for our students. Support staff have worked to prepare needed resources for our students and have coped with the Front Office being transformed into what resembles a post office! Parents have been cheery (I think!) couriers, bringing an endless stream of students to school to pick up things from lockers or to collect prepared packs of resources. Teachers have been incredibly creative in finding engaging ways to do things and have reworked their programs to ensure that students will not be overwhelmed with too much to manage but that they will learn essential concepts for each of their subjects. It has also been wonderful to see the lovely things happening in PC each day – with today being “Bring your Pet to PC Day”!  Students have been impressive in ensuring they know their timetable and are attending all of their virtual meetings. I look forward to hearing early next week that there has been an equally impressive submission of quality student work this week.

It has been encouraging to see the numbers of positive cases in the ACT diminishing these last few days. Despite this, I think we can’t expect Remote Learning to end quickly and, for this reason, having our students establish good work routines at home this first week will stand them in good stead as we progress. Thank you everyone for all of the efforts.

Included in Key Messages this week is a message from Roberta McRae, Chair of the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies, about the AST which was scheduled to run for all Year 12 Tertiary students on 31 August and 1 September. You will see that these tests have been postponed until the first week of Term 4.  It is good to have certainty on a way forward with these.

I wish you all a very safe and restful weekend. 

Catherine Rey

“I really enjoyed having the time to reflect on myself - I needed that more than I thought I did.”

Last week, our Year 12 students spent 3 days taking time out of the ‘busyness’ of life to pause and reflect on who they are, how they relate to others and the place they make for God in their lives.

Our sessions led the students along a spiritual path of self-discovery, no matter where they are on their faith journey, through a series of experiences that ranged from learning how to pause from life, be mindful and meditate or pray in a variety of ways including art and listening to beautiful music. We also shared in raw and open testimonials from teachers who generously imparted learnings from their life experiences.

In undertaking explorations of self, many students were pushed beyond their comfort zone and into the realm of developing true self-awareness and vulnerability. This was balanced with chill time with friends – new and old – during peaceful walks along the river, letting off steam on the oval, some fun games and hanging out at the firepit while toasting marshmallows. There was something for everyone!

Students and staff openly shared their feelings, hopes, memories and uncertainties about life, families, friends and their faith. The group built new and deepened old relationships, and developed a profound connection between students and teachers, as the Year 12s move into their final months at JPC.

A heartfelt thanks goes to the JPC teachers who worked with our Year 12s – Matthew Caldow, Dominic Charter, Kat Allan, Catherine Rey, and Nic Whatman, and particular gratitude to our Youth Minister, Caitlyn D’Cruze, who brought her special perspective to connections with the students in the retreat experience.

Our Year 12s were very grateful that this event was able to proceed. They embraced the 3 days with such openness and a willingness to take risks – there were lots of tears and laughter, which pulled the group together and cemented friendships.

Mrs Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing – Mission and Ministry

The students’ feedback is testimony to the benefits of the whole experience:

Click on the link below to read the feedback

“The Living Water”

The CSYMA Shine Student Gathering, 2021

On Friday of Week 4, about 100 Year 10 students who opted into the Youth Ministry Classes in Semester 1 “connected” with over 500 other secondary Youth Ministry students from across the Archdiocese of Canberra & Goulburn in the CSYMA virtual Shine Student Gathering 2021. The SHINE Student Gathering is a guided series of games, activities, testimonies, scriptures, reflections and worship for Youth Ministry students in our Archdiocese.

Usually held in person, this special online edition of SHINE drew young people together to pray and invite Jesus – the Living Water – into their lives. The program was designed to encourage students to be open to developing their own relationship with Jesus, and they explored the gift of faith with the chance to ask questions and find out more. 

Our students did a beautiful job embracing the day and actively participating in the activities, especially the Holy Water Liturgy which ended the session.  We hope each one learned something new and interesting to take them forward in their faith journey, and their commitment to Youth Ministry at JPC.

Thanks to Caitlyn D’Cruze and Father Mark for being part of this special day, and to the Year 10 students who embraced the gifts of the day so openly.

Mrs Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing – Mission and Ministry

For all Year 12 Tertiary students and their families.

The following is a message from Roberta McRae, Chair of the Board of the ACT Board of Secondary School Studies. 

ACT SCALING TEST (AST) 2021 

The ACT Scaling Test (AST) was scheduled for Tuesday 31 August and Wednesday 1 September 2021.

As the ACT is in lockdown, the AST has been postponed until Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 October 2021. 

The Board acknowledges that this can be a stressful time for students and families.

The Board is committed to the health and well-being of students and to processes that support the validity of academic results.

All plans and arrangements for the AST will be subject to the public health directions and advice at the time. 

Roberta McRae
Board Chair

ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies

Dear Parents and Carers,

For many Defence personnel (both current & ex-serving) and their families, the past week has been a doubly anxious time. The events in Afghanistan may be causing distress and frustration for anyone who has served in our Australian Defence Force or other Forces.

Your service has enabled the Afghanistan people an opportunity to live without fear, bring education to females and equal rights to all. Your efforts were made with honour and courage and you should hold your heads up high.

At this time, we should look after our wellbeing and look out for our mates. Please reach out if you need support or someone to talk to – you are not alone.

Please stay connected.

Vicki Walsh
Defence School Mentor

On Tuesday 10^th and Wednesday 11^th August, the two 9/10 music classes were lucky enough to go on their Music Industry excursions.

The music excursion has many fun elements to it. There was so much to learn about the music industry and how much effort it takes to succeed. The first location we went to was the Canberra theatre to go see the Australian Royal Military College Band. This band was amazing! All the instruments playing their own parts to make a harmonic sound and all the percussion was perfectly executed into a masterpiece. You could really tell that a lot of practice had gone into this performance. After the concert, we got to speak to the band members and ask them questions about their musical careers. They had lots of good answers but overall, they said that it takes a lot of time and dedication to get to the position they are in now.

The second place we visited was the Groove Warehouse where we got introduced to Gary France, a world-famous percussionist. Gary spoke to us about his 50 years of drumming and percussion experience around the world. Gary had been involved in circus bands, he’s taught at some of the top universities in Australia and now starting his own business, so for him to spread his knowledge with us was a lifechanging experience. After talking to Gary, we headed upstairs where over 10 drum kits were set up, and we got a lesson of the basics on drumming. We learnt how to hold a drum stick properly and we learnt the million dollar beat (rock beat).

The third place we visited was Better Music in Phillip. Better music is a mega music store selling thousands of dollars’ worth of musical equipment every single day across the country. They also talked to us about how they have a marketing team that works on deals with big music brands every day. They showed us around all the amazing instrument locations like the 12-string guitar and the $80,000 grand piano.

Overall, the was an amazing learning experience to have. Huge thanks to Miss Robinson for taking us all on this learning experience. I hope we do more stuff like this in the future. We are so fortunate to have gone on these excursions just before we went into lockdown. 

Finlay Rowe & Lachlan Stiller

Australian Public Service Career Starter Program

Next week on Wednesday, a guest speaker from the APS will be available to speak to Y11 and 12 students about the Career Starter Program for school leavers. This will occur virtually on Wednesday at 4pm. Students will receive the link for this talk early next week!

FOLLOW US ONLINE!

Higher Education Courses (H Courses) for YEAR 10 students

During Y11/12, students can apply to complete a H course. This is a course offered by Higher Education institutions. In Canberra, the ANU and UC offer H courses for students. Applications open towards the end of the year, but information is available now, with upcoming information sessions available for the ANU courses.

(Click on links below to see flyers)

Uni of Canberra Open day – Sat 11^th September

The University of Canberra has moved their open day to Saturday 11^th September. This will be a fully virtual open day and students can register online at https://www.canberra.edu.au/openday.

Congratulations to the following year 12 Students who have all received early entry offers to University/Performing Arts Schools in 2022.

• Cullen Savle, Ferré
  • Bachelor of Politics and International Relations/Bachelor of Arts, UC
• Hamazah Kerr, Drexel
  • Bachelor Of Medical Science, ANU
• Dairy Guzairov, Van Thuan
  • Bachelor of Advanced Computing (Honours), ANU
• Bridget Shelley, Mathieu
  • International Security Studies, ANU
• Chelsea Harrop, Van Thuan
  • Bachelor of Building and Construction Management, UC
• Paige Nieuwendyk, Maathai
  • Bachelor of Science, ANU
  • Bachelor of Medical Science, UC
• Amisha Sehgal, Van Thuan
  • Bachelor of Software Engineering, UC
  • Flexible Double Engineering and Advanced Computing, ANU
• Ella Colquhoun, Ferré
  • Diploma of Musical Theatre, Brent Street
• Tia Morris, Mathieu
  • Bachelor of Environmental Science (Environmental Science & Management), Uni of Western Australia
• Campbell Ellison, Van Thuan
  • Bachelor of Nursing, UC

Well Done!

Birrigai Excursion

Last week our Year 9 and 10 Defence students headed out to BIrrigai for an all-day excursion. They met up with Defence students from Merici and a great day was had in the beautiful sunshine. Our students challenged themselves by climbing up high and trusting the flying fox ride and then pushing themselves on the giant swing. They teamed up on the low ropes and hopefully made some new friends. Thanks to Mrs Shegog for joining in on the fun!

DFMS events

Stay connected and up to date with Canberra & Surround Enews. Email Kim FLO at DMFS to receive the newsletters on DMFS.canberra@defence.gov.au.

• An almost amazing challenge – more tickets released - If you would like to register, please send DMFS an email with your family name and mobile phone number to dmfs.canberra@defence.gov.au
• Animals at Home – Livestream from Zoos - Bring the zoo into your home with live cams, keeper talks and virtual animal encounters from Australian zoos.

ADFA Virtual Open Day postponed 

Unfortunately, ADFA Virtual Open Day will no longer take place on Saturday 21 August due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year’s event will take place at a later date. In the meantime, you can learn more about ADFA here, and discover what makes it a university like no other.

Defence Member and Family Helpline 1800 624 608

Support for our Defence Force Personnel and their Families

For support for the last week’s events in Afghanistan please see the Defence support article above. Please reach out and stay connected.

Stay safe everyone and may your Covid tests be negative. Please contact me for any Defence support or concerns.

Vicki Walsh
DSM

Parish Newsletter

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