The reality of being a refugee is inconceivable to most of us. People become refugees or displaced people for a number of reasons:

• fleeing persecution for their political or religious beliefs, ethnicity, nationality or membership of a particular social group
• the result of war
• displacement because of “natural” disasters,

Often refugees are forced to flee to other countries to seek asylum where they may face further racial discrimination and similar problems caused by lack of acceptance; as if they haven’t suffered enough.

All refugees and internally displaced people have the right to receive assistance; the right to protection from abuse and the freedom to seek asylum. These rights were enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is the basis of all human rights laws and conventions — which applies to everybody — regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Was Jesus a refugee?

With refugees and migrants in the news, some commentators have sought to draw parallels between their plight and that of the Holy Family—Jesus, Mary and Joseph. How accurate are these comparisons? Were Jesus, Mary and Joseph what we would consider today “refugees”?

Yes, according to James Martin, S.J. (2017).

In the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, we read the story of the flight into Egypt in which, after the birth of Jesus and the visit from the Magi, an angel of the Lord comes to Joseph in a dream and warns him to leave Bethlehem for Egypt (Mt 2:12-15).

Why did they flee?

King Herod was planning to seek out “the child” to destroy him. Mary and Joseph left, along with Jesus, and, according to Matthew, made their way into Egypt. Afterward, King Herod slaughtered all the male children in Bethlehem under two years of age.

Year 9 students at JPC are about to get “A Wake-Up Call in Empathy”.

Our Religious Education and Retreat program is about to give our Year 9 students “A Wake-Up Call in Empathy”. This event will allow our students to experience uncertainty, social isolation, physical and cultural displacement, and, whilst our experience might appear superficial when compared to that of a refugee, it is an opportunity for our students to not only develop empathy for the many people in the world who are in such dire circumstance, but also to reflect on how blessed they are to live in a country such as Australia, with the benefits, wealth and opportunities afforded to them. I hope they come away from this as changed people.

Jennifer Tually
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing - Mission and Ministry

Reference

Martin, J. (2017) Were Jesus, Mary and Joseph refugees? America, the Jesuit Review. Retrieved on 4/9/20 from

As part of their History studies, Year 7 Integrated Humanities classes have been very busy these past weeks developing inquiry questions, researching and creating artefacts to display for their Ancient Greece Museum project.

The highly creative displays explored a wide range of topics and areas of student interest including the Parthenon, Spartan weapons, gods and goddesses, triremes, coins, theatre and many other fascinating areas of ancient Greek life.

Year 7 can be justifiably proud of their efforts towards this project. They clearly have shown their developing abilities in undertaking historical inquiry this term.

Congratulations Year 7!

Mr Rick Dodd

This year, to acknowledge our lovely dad’s on staff (and ‘want to be’ dad’s), our Hospitality classes prepared warm home-made Apple Cinnamon Turnovers and Coffees on Thursday morning. A very low key but heart-warming morning.

Happy Father’s Day to all JPC dads!

Annie Daley and Megan Hadjuk

Year 7 Food Tech classes made their Superfood Fried Rice this week using ingredients picked from the garden!
With the lovely Spring weather upon us, we look forward to cooking with the JPC garden produce more and more.
Many thanks to Natalie Tarry for her devotion and care of our garden and Megan Hadjuk for bringing produce to plate!

Annie Daley
Food Technology Teacher

The 9/10 Python Programming class has completed the NCSS Challenge as part of their studies this term, with a number of students achieving excellent results.

The NCSS Challenge is a competition for school students run by the Australian Computing Academy at the University of Sydney.  Each week for 5 weeks, a set of Digital Technologies teaching resources are distributed to participants together with a set of questions testing this material. Participants submit their solutions to the Challenge website where they are automatically marked.

Congratulations Everyone!

Year 9, 10 & 11 Outdoor Education class went rock climbing this week to further develop their skills on climbing and belaying.

Mrs Kelly Candy
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing

There are a lot of misconceptions about the study of Drama. The beauty of the subject is that the benefits far outreach the sole purpose of acting. The development of the learner holistically is the forefront of all that is done in the classroom.

In Drama we play (a lot). Yes, there is play, but play is ok. In Drama, we play with scripts, props, costumes and even our minds. From play, stems some of our best material.

In Drama we use our imagination: This is how we become great thinkers, but thinking outside of the box with endless possibilities.

In Drama we love being creative. Regardless of what others may think, we know being creative in Drama makes us better learners in all our subjects at school.

In Drama we engage: We love what we do in Drama class so much, we sometimes refer to it as our passion. We learn about human relationships by working closely with classmates and through studying characters in play scripts, discover more about traditions in our own culture and others around the world, understand what community is just by looking around our class, get in touch with our emotions every lesson, and use higher order thinking skills like decision-making, interpreting, analysing, evaluating, and reviewing.

To experience some of these benefits, join us for “Theatre Thursdays”; a lunchtime Drama club.

See you there!

The JPC Dance Festival is now available to view on the JPC YouTube channel.

Click below to view the following dances:

1. Pjapflash - choreographed by Ella & Caitlin
2. Grooves - choreographed by Esha and Larni
3. Jazzercise - choreographed by Emma and Izzy
4. Twelve- choreographed by Bella and Emilia

Each day this week, staff and students have lit a candle and prayed for the sad passing of the mother of one of our teachers. Today, Tyler Nguyen (Year 10) and Sharon Robinson made the time even more special by playing for us as we prayed.

This has inspired us to continue with a beautiful, meditative prayer through music every Friday at RECESS, called “Chill in the Chapel”, where anyone can join us in the Chapel and take some time out of our busy day for a few moments of quiet contemplation.

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

Hey JPC!!

Starting next Thursday, we are setting up an in-school Youth Group called “Belong” every Thursday at lunchtime (from 11:20AM - bring your lunch). We will meet in the Chapel.

It will be a time to get together with your friends, meet some new friends, pray and feel part of a great group who is exploring their relationship with God and giving back to others.

Everyone is invited, so come along, and bring a friend!

Click on this link to register:  https://forms.gle/N8jnR81EH4v3tQHh8

See you there.

Caitlyn D'Cruze
Youth Minister