Key Messages Week 4 - Term 4From the Acting Principal Thank you to everyone for the very warm welcome I have received in my current role as Acting Principal. Term 4 is going to be busy, but I look forward to working with staff, students and the JPC Community for the remainder of the year. Kind Regards, Stephanie O'Meara Uniform Reminder Just a reminder that all students are required to wear black lace-up, traditional leather, polishable shoes only. Black sports shoes or canvas shoes do not meet health and safety requirements. Boys are required to wear short (above the ankle) grey socks and girls should be wearing short (above the ankle) white socks. Socks should not have logos or bands of colour. Incorrect socks will be swapped over with socks at the wellbeing hub. With the warmer weather, students are also required to wear the school bucket hat while outside during recess and lunchtime. Click here to see the full school uniform policy. Exam Stress A little stress around exam time can be a good thing, as it motivates you to put in the work. But sometimes stress levels can get out of hand, particularly at the end of an academic year. When you become stressed, the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system gets switched on. Initially, this is a good thing, because it is the activation of this system that releases the neurochemical adrenaline – and this stimulates you to get going and focus on your work. But the problem starts when periods of stress become prolonged. When this happens, the sympathetic branch stays permanently on, pouring adrenaline into the body and keeping you on high alert. This causes you to worry more, experience anxiety and depression, lose sleep, become forgetful, irritable, overwhelmed, exhausted and feel out of control. This can really impact on your ability to prepare for your assignments and exams, as well as negatively affect your levels of performance and sense of well-being. What can you do?
Helpful sites: https://au.reachout.com/everyday-issues/exam-stress The Wellbeing Team In and Around the School Student Leadership News Over the past 4 weeks, a group of 15 dedicated Year 11 students have been participating in a series of workshops designed to prepare them to take on senior leadership roles in 2020. These students have shown great commitment and courage in participating in this process, sharing in the process of discernment that has challenged them to reflect on their own strengths and areas for future development. Tuesday afternoon saw the culmination of this process, with our leadership nominees presenting their speeches to Year 11 and returning Year 10 students as they sought to put their case for election to the team. Each of the candidates presented an articulate and authentic overview of themselves and why they hoped to be a leader, and the caliber of the speeches was exceptional. There is no doubt that any of these students would make exceptional College leaders, and that they will all play an important role in leading as Year 12 students next year. It gives me great pleasure to announce that the following students have been elected to the Year 12 Leadership Team for 2020:
These students met with a panel on Thursday to discuss their interests in specific portfolio roles within the team. These positions will be announced at the Year 12 Farewell Assembly on Tuesday, 12 November. On behalf of the College community, I would like to thank all of the nominees for taking part in this important process, and to wish the newly elected team the very best as they begin preparations for their leadership year to commence. Mrs. Nicola Edghill Leader of Learning and Wellbeing Panda Competition Winners St John Paul II College Chinese students recently entered the annual Panda Competition, a cultural competition organised by the Australia China Friendly Society. This year’s theme was ‘Ancient Chinese Inventions’. From the over 500 entries from 17 Canberra schools, we had three place winners in the ’13 Years Sculpture’ category.
I attended a prize ceremony on Wednesday with Christiaan and Brendan, and their parents at the Chinese Embassy. We were treated to some Chinese cultural entertainment and a delicious buffet lunch prepared by the Chinese Embassy staff. It was a fantastic experience for not only the winners but all Chinese students, to engage in language learning through cultural investigation and creativity. I big thank you to Mrs Lim, Mrs Li and Miss Zhou for organising and supporting the students through this experience and congratulations again to all participants and winners. Mrs O’Sullivan Languages Facilitator Girls - Clyde & Rauter Shield On Tuesday the 5th of November, our Year 9/10 girls team competed in the Clyde & Rauter Shield at Southwell Park, Lyneham. The Rugby League 9’s format allowed free flowing games, and all fixtures were decided by less than two tries. The matches were fierce and physical, but despite some of the bounces of the ball not going our way, spirits remained high. To their credit, our girls almost bested the eventual winners, Campbell High, and defeated a strong Lyneham team. St John Paul II College would like to congratulate our girls on their pride in the jersey, and their willingness to remain tough when low on substitute players. Team List
Jason Paris and Carly Conlan Sustainability - Solar Panels Following a 12 months investigation and consultation with suppliers and the Catholic Education Office we have installed stage one of our Solar Panel installation. The System will be up and running by the beginning of the new school year as it still needs to be certified by the authorities. A summary of the System: - The cost of the system was $136,808 (Ex GST) and the electricity produced will offset our annual electricity costs of $153,131.87 Ex GST 1.1.2018 to 31.12.18. Stage two of a further 200 KW system will be installed in approximately 12 months’ time. Keith Vardanega Bursar/Business Manager Defence NewDefence News On Wednesday, Holy Spirit School commemorated Remembrance Day. The Ceremony was attended by several ADF Parents who belong to both JPC and HSP. JPC Parent, Colonel Blaydon Morris addressed the audience reminding us of the significance of the loses made during war times, but also of the assistance provided to countries in need by our Australian Defence Forces. Australia’s Federation Guard executed a Catafalque Party RMC Bugler, Musician David Willis performed the Last Post and Rouse. Music was provided by the very talented JPC Vocal Group and Miss Robinson, who performed a haunting rendition of “In Flanders Fields” and led us in the National Anthem. Miss Robinson and Ms Taylor (HSP) worked in close collaboration together and produced beautiful music, enhancing our Ceremony. JPC will observe one minute’s silence on Monday at 11 am to acknowledge Remembrance Day. If you would like to attend the National Ceremony at the AWM, at 10:30 on Monday 11 November, please follow this link for your free tickets. There will be a Defence Excursion 19th November to St Francis Xavier College. This excursion is open to all Year 7-10 Defence Students and permission forms may be found on QKR. There is no cost for this excursion. Defence Students who are departing JPC have been sent an invitation for a farewell lunch on Tuesday, 12th November (next week). RSVPs are due by Monday, please. Lest We Forget Vicki Walsh, DSM CanteenThe Canteen Menu for Week 5, Term 4 is now available on the JPC website - or Moodle under Canteen Menu From the College OfficeExtra-Curricular Music Term 4 Payment DUE Term 4 payments for the extra-curricular music program ($26) are now due. Payments to be made via Qkr! under Music. Thank you JPCII – Uniform & Tech to You With the growth of the College, many families are looking for ways to buy and sell items that are no longer required. Based on this demand St John Paul II College Community Council has established a “closed” Facebook Page to enable parents and carers to buy and sell preloved uniform and school technology equipment (ie laptop/ipads). Families will still be able to donate Uniforms through the College Front Office to the 2nd Hand Uniform Shop with items sold at a discounted rate. Funds raised from the Uniform Shop are utilised to support other families in our College Community. Visit Facebook and search for JPCII - Uniform & Tech to You Further details about the JPC Community Council can be found here Leaving JPC? 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 12 families - There is no need to respond. Thank you to those who have notified us already. The College Office For the latest CELEBRATE Edition Click Here Diary DatesLauren Murphy, Yr 7 Drexel, would like your support with raising funds for Barnados. She will be at the Kingston Markets on 17th November (see flyer below). If you can't make it to the markets but would still like to make a donation to help Lauren support kids this Christmas, you can email her mandy@mmsurveys.com.au. She is excited to also be able to provide Tax Receipts this year if required. Senior Rock Concert On Tuesday 12th November from 5.30-6.30pm, the senior music class will be delivering a Rock Concert as their final assessment for the year. This Concert is open to all members of the community who would like to come and watch. All the songs are from the 70s and 80s and sound amazing. It is a gold coin donation on entry which will go towards to World’s Greatest Shave as JPC is participating in this in week 8. The senior students would love your support at this event and we would love to see you there.
World’s Greatest Shave I first met Mia Gibb at the start of the year when she was asking about participating in the World’s Greatest Shave. Mia is in year 7 with the most beautiful, long, blonde hair. I was amazed and so proud that one of our students wanted to do such a brave thing. Mia’s Aunty has suffered with leukemia, and fortunately her story is a successful one. Mia’s Aunty is her motivation for doing the World’s Greatest Shave this year. Through Mia’s friendship, kindness and willingness to do amazing things, she has gained a huge committee of JPC students to back her, either also shaving, colouring or simply helping to raise funds for the Leukemia foundation. Mia’s goal is $10,000! She is aiming high and hoping she can reach her goal by the date of the shave. The shave will take place on Wednesday 4th December from 5-7.30pm during our end of term music concert; Christmas picnic extravaganza which will be held on the terrace while people picnic on the oval. Every music student will be performing and we will also be having face painting, balloon making and a sausage sizzle. All funds raised will go towards the Leukemia foundation. Mia would very much appreciate your support. If you would like to donate, the link to Mia’s fundraising page (team Kessie) is below. We would love to see you at the concert to watch Mia and others shave for a cure! We are all super proud of you Mia and JPC will be supporting you all the way!!! Career News ANU Extension Early Entry Year 11 H-Courses 2020 Applications are NOW OPEN! ANU Extension is the University’s extension program for senior secondary students. The program offers courses in sciences, engineering, mathematics and Asian languages. Students who successfully undertake studies in ANU Extension will gain priority placement through the Admission, Scholarships and Accommodation application system and may receive an early conditional offer of entry into an ANU bachelor degree program. They will also receive credit towards a Bachelor Degree for the studies successfully completed through ANU Extension. The following 2020 courses are open to eligible students who are studying Year 11 in 2020. You must apply online before 16 Feb, 2020.
All Year 10 students have been emailed a detailed information sheet. You can also speak with Mrs Tually or Dr Cleary if you have any questions. For further information or to apply, go to the following link: http://extension.anu.edu.au/ Mrs Jennifer Tually Assistant Principal (Acting) Jennifer.tually@cg.catholic.edu.au Youth Ministry At the heart of our Church is a call to belong, believe and become. To invite young people to answer this call, and draw them into the life and mission of the Church, schools and Parishes across the Archdiocese have employed established Youth Minister positions. If you are a young adult and want to be employed on a year of formation and mission, we invite you to become a Youth Minister in 2020 in the St. John Paul II College/ Holy Spirit Parish community. For more information, visit cgyouthministry.org.au/youthministers or email youth@cg.org.au Year 10 Work Experience Final Reminder – Deadline for application form submission is FRIDAY 15 NOVEMBER (WEEK 5) A reminder that Year 10 students have the option of completing Work Experience in Week 7 of this term (25th to the 29th of Nov). It is up to students to find a work location and have all the forms completed by the end of Week 5, next week. All completed forms need to be handed to Mrs Bramham (located in the student hub) or emailed to office.jpc@cg.catholic.edu.au. All forms are located at the top of the Careers Moodle page or outside Mrs Bramham's office in the student well being hub. If students do not have the forms correctly completed by Friday 15th of November (end of Week 5) they will be attending normal classes in Week 7, as mentioned in previous communication. Ian Pettit For the latest Parish Bulletin Click Here Community NewsInternational Science Centre and Science Museum Day (ISCSMD) ISCSM Day is a yearly, global event illustrating the impact and reach of all the world’s science centres and science museums. It demonstrates the role these institutions play with their millions of visitors in raising awareness of—and engagement in—sustainable development and the solutions to worldwide challenges such as climate change and technological advances. Come celebrate at Questacon and enjoy:
Come dressed as your favourite scientist and chat to our staff about their fantastic science outfits. Tickets available now from https://shop.questacon.edu.au/tickets/. Use the code ISCSMD19 at checkout for 50% discount (tickets purchased with this code are only valid for admission on 10/11/2019) Children’s Asthma Education ServiceWe are writing to you to let you know about the free Canberra Health Services Children’s Asthma Education Service that is available to your students who have asthma. Asthma affects 1 in 10 children. Students with asthma have been found to be generally less active than their non-asthmatic peers and have an increase in school absenteeism. Asthma education for children and adolescents improves lung function and feelings of self-control, reduce absenteeism from school, number of days with restricted activity, number of visits to an emergency department, and possibly number of disturbed nights. The Children’s Asthma Education Service is available to all children in the ACT and surrounds up to the age of 18. Providing children, young people and their families with initial and continuing support to manage their asthma by Registered Nurse asthma educators. This includes helping:
If you feel you would benefit from receiving asthma education, please contact the Community Health Intake line on 5124 9977 to make an appointment. If you would like any further information about our service, please click here Children’s Asthma Education Service, Women Youth, and Children Community Health Program Canberra Health Services |