Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

As we reach the end of another week of remote learning, I thank parents and carers again for your support of our students in what we know are challenging home situations with both parents and students working remotely. I thank our students for their ongoing engagement with learning and their strong attendance in virtual meetings.

Some students may have struggled to complete and submit all of the set work last week and parents will have heard from a Leader of Learning and Wellbeing if that is the case. Please know that we are there to support your child and reach out to us if they are finding things challenging. 

Many of us did a very informal survey of our Mentor groups this week and it was not very surprising to learn that, for many of our students, remote learning is not their preferred way of learning. They miss the company of friends and the collaborative environment of being physically at school. I admire their fortitude as they nevertheless do their best.

We heard today from our Chief Minister that it is unlikely that schools will return to face to face learning before next term. This means potentially three more weeks of remote learning. We await further news next week. Given the likelihood of an extension, I advise that our Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews scheduled for the last week of term may potentially be postponed until we return in Term 4 to enable them to be held face to face. This will mean that we will run two sessions in Term 4 rather than one. Obviously arrangements for these events will be subject to any COVID restrictions that may be in place.

Similarly, we were looking forward to welcoming our 2022 Year 7 students and their families into the school for an information evening next week. We will postpone this event until next term also. We will be communicating with all families next week and, in the meantime, sending them several forms to be completed regarding choice of language and the Year 7 Band Program.

In these uncertain and difficult times, it has been humbling to see the generous support to others being offered across our community. Our hearts go out to those who are ill at the present time or suffering in other ways. Rest assured, you all remain in my prayers.  

Catherine Rey

St Katharine Drexel always made a point of finding joy through acts of service and we in Drexel house wanted to continue pointing out the good in our community. She said “If we wish to serve God and love our neighbour well. We must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing.” Often charitable endeavours come down to fundraising. No doubt this is critical for projects and programs to operate, however the donation of time for a meaningful cause is inherent in not only Catholic Social Teachings, but evident across faiths.

We have been inspired in Drexel house by the community spirit being shown throughout Canberra. The Sikh community amongst others coming together to provide meals, local artists coming together to form the Ken Behrens Club to support those doing it tough, and the teddy bears and artworks appearing throughout suburbs to brightening up our walks.

Next week in Drexel we will be trying to do our own part to brighten the lives of those most impacted by the lockdown in our community. We will be providing student with the opportunity to engage in the Letterbox Project created by Connected AU. The Letterbox Project is a chance for the students and their families to write a handwritten letter to people experiencing isolation and loneliness. As the Connected AU states on their website “In the digital age, a handwritten letter is a beautiful reminder of the power of real connection. Something seemingly simple can have a profound and lasting impact - for both the recipient and the writer.” This will give students a tangible way to connect with others and do good within the community. 

We in Drexel house would also like to hear from the JPC community. Are there any innovative or kind actions you have seen, or an organisation that you think deserves a shout out. Let us know through the following email daniel.burns@cg.catholic.edu.au  

On behalf of the Drexel teachers, stay safe, reach out.

"Press forward and Fear nothing" - St Katherine Drexel 

Daniel Burns and Drexel House

JPC would like to acknowledge the service and sacrifices our Australian Defence Force have made in the past and continue to do so.

If the current situation in Afghanistan is causing distress for you or someone you may know, support services are available.

Not even a pandemic and consequent remote learning can dampen the spirits of Miss Allan’s Year 11 Literature class!

This semester in their unit of Intertextuality students are studying Gothic literature. In celebration of Book Week, the class was right on board with Miss Allan’s request to come dressed to impress.

Students were asked to dress up, do their hair or do their makeup as either a character, concept or technique in Gothic literature. They then had to select a famous artwork or photograph they thought enhanced that Gothic feature OR was an artwork or photograph that they felt their Gothic feature subverted or altered the meaning of.

There were distraught Damsels, the Grim Reaper, a couple of morally conflicted vampires and a few ever-mysterious femme fatales. A plethora of classic artworks served as the dramatic scene-setting backgrounds for these Gothic elements. Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Van Gough’s Starry Night and Sunflowers, John Everett Millai’s Ophelia and some classically gothic shadowed woods and architecture could all be spotted during the lesson. In discussion, students had to justify their choice in costume and background, showing their understanding of the core concepts of the unit. 

It was great to see students rise to the occasion, breaking up their day with a bit of fun!

Kathryn Allan
Leader of Wellbeing (Maathai House)

The Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed classes were off to a flying start during remote learning where they were tasked with the challenge to test their map reading and navigation skills. Using the app ‘Geocaching’ students embarked on the ultimate treasure hunt by using GPS units to locate and find hidden treasures or ‘caches’ around their suburb. 

Students will be working towards creating and publishing their very own Geocaches for us all to enjoy!

Here are some of their awesome finds!

Carlia Zedde
Health and Physical Education/English Teacher

Australian Public Service Career Starter Program

Defence University Scholarship

On Thursday afternoon, Ms Zorzi held a Y12 Q&A discussing all things uni/gap year/jobs. A recording of the session is available (see link below) for Y12 students  or check your emails!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IHA1FylI_cCQ-pwgmV3KbkO34UC7SWR9/view?usp=sharing

FOLLOW US ONLINE!

YEAR 10 STUDENTS - Higher Education Courses (H Courses)

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.

Ms Teena Zorzi
Leader of Learning (Careers) and Wellbeing

Unfortunately on Wednesday night (25 Aug) JPC had some illegal dumping of household items on our school grounds.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the College Office.

Thank you

Does your child stay up late the night before exams madly ‘cramming’, rushing to study and feeling stressed?

Register for this Exam Home Stretch Webinar so you can help your child structure their final week before exams, stay on track, and  avoid cramming or stressing the night before. 

Wednesday, September 1^st

@ 7:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Media Release
23 August, 2021

Despite Covid-19, the Archdiocesan Catholic Women’s Taskforce is pressing ahead with an event to celebrate women’s ministry in the Catholic Church. 

Originally, the Taskforce had organised to host an Inaugural Dinner at the Canberra Southern Cross Club to celebrate the Feast of St Mary Magdalene, however, after postponing the event due to COVID lockdowns, they decided they wanted to work toward building community online.

Designed to restore the maligned St Mary Magdalene to her proper place as ‘apostle to the apostles’ the free interactive Zoom Seminar will be open to all, running for 90 minutes from 7-8:30pm on Friday 3 September.

Guest speaker, Dr Margaret Beirne RSC, a Sister of Charity with experience that ranges from secondary maths teaching to scripture study in Jerusalem, now holds the position of Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies at St Andrew's Greek Orthodox Theological College in Sydney. 

Margaret’s expertise in Mary Magdalene developed during her doctoral research into the "gender pairs" of characters, including Mary Magdalene and Thomas in the Gospel of John. The members of each pair are portrayed in a parallel or contrasting faith encounter with Jesus, which is of substantial theological importance.

Margaret’s thesis was published as Women and Men in the Fourth Gospel, a Genuine Discipleship of Equals.

Katie Walsh-Smith, a member of the taskforce and mother of four, is passionate about seeing greater opportunities for women in the Catholic Church.

“Recently, I encouraged my daughter to become an altar server because I know that there will be limited formal roles for her within the Church as she matures. Sometimes I feel like we get the crumbs from the table. I hope this event helps educate us about what equality, rather than complementarity, in the Church could mean.”

Jude Stuart, a new member of the taskforce and recently retired Principal of Mulwaree High School, said

“We will endeavour to make this Zoom seminar an opportunity to connect with other men and women who might be feeling discouraged because of the lockdown. Anyone who is keen to develop a knowledge of scripture will come away inspired by the richness of the Gospel and by the figure of Mary Magdalene.”

Donations are welcome and will go toward the Archdiocesan Women’s Taskforce’s work and to provide an honorarium for Sr Margaret.

Register at https://bit.ly/ZoomWorkshopMaryM or phone Beth Doherty on 0432 608 310 to book your ticket.