Dear Parents and Carers,

We may be in lockdown, but you will see in this week’s Key Messages that there are lots of opportunities to connect with each other, explore new things and ensure we are caring for ourselves. 

As we continue in our remote learning journey, the Remote Learning Infograph (see below) provides a visual stimulus for students and families to revisit the expectations of working from home and to access some advice on managing this time. In particular, I commend to you the section Be Mindful, reminding us all of the need to take regular breaks from the screen during the day, to be physically active and to stay connected with friends.

On this note of self-care and with RUOK day coming up next week, you will see the free seminars on offer from the Black Dog Institute. There are seminars aimed at high school students, parents and adults and I recommend them to you.

The theme of our staff prayer life this week is encapsulated in the It takes a Village segment about ways to continue to build our JPC village even when we can’t be physically together. Our staff prayer has been led by Drexel House this week and it has been inspiring for us as staff to see the many ways people in our JPC community and in the broader community have been caring for those who may be particularly vulnerable at this time. We are all encouraged to seek out such opportunities to assist and support others.

With a view to the safe return to face to face learning, you may have seen earlier today the communication from our Chief Minister that priority will be given over the next few weeks to the vaccination of our Year 12 students and of our staff in schools. This is welcome news indeed. We have sent the details of this out to our Year 12 students and their families and I encourage you all to take advantage of this.

Thank you all for your messages of support and thanks, which we pass on to our staff. In these times, encouragement of each other and recognition of efforts made are hugely appreciated.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us if your child is struggling in some way or if we can assist you with support.

Have a restful weekend!

Catherine Rey
Principal

It Takes a Village to Raise a Child

(oft-quoted Traditional African Proverb)

But we don’t even HAVE a ‘village’ at the moment!

So, build one.

How do we build this ‘village’ when we are NOT EVEN TOGETHER?

Well, create the SENSE of community.

It is not just our learning processes that have ‘taken a hit’ in this time of remote learning, but also impacted is our sense of belonging and connection.

Earlier this week in our daily staff catch up and prayer, we contemplated the concept of ‘community’ and how it is built from the sense of responsibility we have for each other. The value of reaching out to others cannot be understated while we are in lockdown and unable to access the normal channels of interaction. There are also MANY references to the importance of community in God’s words:

“… spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another….” Hebrews 10:24-25

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5

Jesus spoke often about the way we must work together to love one another, such as those in Matthew -

Matthew 25:35 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.

And even our 2021 Liturgical theme:

John 13:34

"As I have loved you, so you must LOVE one another." John 13:34

Maintaining a connection with others has been at the forefront of our staff’s efforts to establish processes that sustain our thriving community. The creativity, dedication and persistence that our staff has shown in this has been incredible and we strongly encourage all those who have not taken advantage of the opportunities for connection to do so.

It is, however, important for each of us to individually take action, not just to be the ‘villagers’ who are part of children’s lives, but to deliberately build, repair, and restore our school community for all – it may be a different, virtual community, but it is one to which we must all feel we belong. Just because we are apart, doesn’t mean we can’t be together, and it doesn’t just magically happen! It requires thought and effort by each of us.

Be part of the solution!

Please take a moment to consider what YOUR role might be as a parent, student, staff member, parish member, or friend of JPC in strengthening our community

(even remotely) for everyone in this time: 

1. 1. 1. What can YOU do to make others feel part of JPC, accepted, safe, & that they identify with us?
      2. What ACTION can YOU take to make others feel they ‘matter’ to our community?
      3. What can YOU do to make YOUR needs known, & to meet the needs of others?
      4. How can YOU create shared emotional connections that build bonds between us?

This week has seen more wonderful examples in our communities of people deliberately acting to show Solidarity, to uphold Human Dignity, to work for the Common Good, to give Preferential Option for the Poor and to promote Peace. You may recognise these terms as some of the elements of Catholic Social Teaching! With human dignity at its core, Catholic Social Teaching covers all spheres of life – the economic, political, personal and spiritual. It is a holistic approach to how we operate, which creates a highly functioning society that cares for the vulnerable in our midst.

Please take time to consider how YOU can give to others, welcome strangers, and build our community! Don’t leave it to someone else…..

Take care and love one another.

Jen Tually
Leader of Learning - Mission and Ministry

The Year 9/10 Photography and Media students have been developing their photography skills and created thought provoking portrait galleries. Students were tasked with capturing the essence of someone they admire, showcasing the person's qualities and personality. Students overcame the complications of lockdown and met the task brief capturing imaginative, innovative and original ideas showcasing their development of technical skills. There may be some future photographers in the making! Students now progress into the Media component of the course and we are excited to see what they create.

Mrs Jewell and Mrs Smith - Teachers of Photography & Media

This Sunday is Father’s Day, and we ask you to join in a prayer to honour all the dads, husbands, sons, uncles, grandfathers, cousins, neighbours, work colleagues, friends – in fact, ALL the men in our lives. Let’s praise God for placing these honourable, kind, gentle souls in our paths for His loving light to shine through, providing us with a beautiful example of what it means to live for God.

Malachi 4:6: "He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers."

Indigenous Literacy Day was celebrated this week on the 1st September.

There are 60 inspiring short stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities including Jess Mauboy, Archie Roach, and Elders and kids from communities. No need to register, simply click here and start watching! The stories will stay on the site for the next 12 months.

Spend some time exploring the stories.

Happy Indigenous Literacy Day!  

Are you Leaving JPC at the end of 2021? 

If you know that your child will be leaving JPC at the end of this year, please complete the form below and email it to the college office (office.jpc@cg.catholic.edu.au) as soon as possible.

Year 10 & 12 families - There is no need to respond.

Thank you to those who have notified us already.

The College Office

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In line with our new policies and procedures surrounding extra-curricular music, we are asking all new band applicants for Term 4 2021 to please have your applications in by the end of week 9 Friday 10^th of September. This is to ensure your place in band for Term 4. This is only for new applicants.

New applicants - complete the form HERE

Further information can be found on the JPC website HERE

Continuing students, please use the qkr payments form “Extra-Curricular Music Payments”. Term 4 payments are due by Friday 10th Spetember 2021.

Thank you,

JPC Music Team

The MonitorBM Point of Sale system which is used to top up your childs canteen account has had a security update.

Parents and carers are likely to be asked to change their passwords for the Parent POS portal when you next log in.

Thanks

IT Office

Uni of Canberra Online Open day

Tomorrow 11^th September

https://www.canberra.edu.au/openday

Australian Public Service Career Starter Program

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. (See flyers below – the ANU dates have been updated)

YOWIE Women in Engineering

https://www.unsw.adfa.edu.au/yowie

CIT Studio 21

CIT invites year 11 and 12 students who are interested in a career in photography, graphic design, visual arts, fashion, building/interior design, screen & media, music & sound production or make-up to Studio21. Students can participate in fun hands-on practical activities and workshops, meet the trainers, increase their awareness of amazing career opportunities and much, much more.

When: Thursday 14 October 2021
Where: CIT Reid Campus, 37 Constitution Avenue, Reid, ACT 

For more information and to register online, visit: https://cit.edu.au/news/studio21

Ms Teena Zorzi
Leader of Learning (Careers) and Wellbeing

Parentline ACT continues to provide counselling services to parents and carers. 

Write4fun Writing Competition is NOW OPEN!!

Closes 19 September 2021

Students from ALL AROUND Australia are invited to enter their original poems or short stories in our second writing competition for 2021.

ONE (1) ENTRY PER STUDENT.
All grades from Prep/Kindergarten through to Grade 12 can participate.

There is NO THEME!

Entrants are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild
and get their creative juices flowing to write on
ANY TOPIC and in ANY STYLE.

Over $3000 in CASH and PRIZES to be won -
including $500 for your school!

Click below for all the competition information and RULES.

ENTER NOW! https://www.write4fun.net/competitions/70/enter