Thursday 5th May 2016 - JPC Open Day

It has been lovely to welcome students back to school and to see them looking very smart in their winter uniform.  Just a reminder that all students should be in full winter uniform now.  As you are aware, this includes a compulsory tie for the boys.  There is still some winter uniform stock in our 2nd hand uniform supplies so feel free to drop in to check if you are still in need of some items. 

Students appear to have settled back into their study routine very successfully and we are feeling quite settled.  We were privileged to celebrate ANZAC Day on Wednesday.  I feel sure you will enjoy reading the article by Mrs Vicki Walsh, our Defence Transition Mentor in this Key Messages.  I would like to formally thank Mrs Walsh for her great work in organising what was such a moving commemoration. 

This week also included the second Parent/Student/Teacher discussion evening.  There was a real buzz in the room as families moved from teacher to teacher.  I really enjoyed the conversations that I had with many of you as you moved in and out of discussions with teachers.  Thank you all for your support. 

Term 2 is a very busy academic term as students complete assessment and we move towards the end of semester 1. In my walks around the school this week, it has been quite inspiring to see the purposeful work going on in many classrooms as well as seeing students focused and working hard during ILT.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have queries around school work.  The Mentor Teacher is always a good starting point but you can always contact subject teachers as well.  You will find a full list of teachers and their email addresses on our web page or on the Parent Moodle page. 

All of my best wishes for a successful Term 2.

Catherine Rey

On Wednesday, we commemorated the Centennial of the ANZAC Landings with an ANZAC DAY Ceremony attended by students, staff, families and special guests. 

Our students read a story of mercy which occurred during the Gallipoli Campaign.  This reminded us that even during the horrific times of war and conflict, humans can produce extraordinary acts of compassion, humanity, kindness and mercy.   Our story of mercy was about one of the more remarkable episodes of the four years of fighting, the Burial Armistice which took place on May 24th, 1915.

Our students read prayers of the Intercession, asking God for peace, mercy and protection for people currently at war, for refugees, for the imprisoned and for the families who have lost loved ones through war. 

Charlie Beck, Year 7, eloquently read the poem “Lone Pine” which was written by Edward Harrington.  Edward was an Australian author and he served with the Australian Light Horse during the First World War.

Brianna Pilicic led us in voice with the New Zealand and Australian National Anthems.

Mrs Anna Cook, from the Gunghalin RSL Sub Branch laid a wreath in memory of the ANZACs who lost their lives during the Gallipoli Campaign.  Our students laid three more wreaths for the Indigenous soldiers and for the New Zealand and Australian Defence Personnel who have lost their lives through other wars and conflicts.

We were honoured to have two guest speakers at our Ceremony.  One of our teachers, Mr Paul McKie, shared his very personal and emotional memories of his visit to Gallipoli last year with his family.  He showed a video of him reciting a prayer at Anzac Cove that he had especially written. He urged us all to visit Gallipoli at some time in our future.

Our other special guest was Commander Mark Chadwick, Naval Advisor to the New Zealand High Commission.  Commander Chadwick, who has served with the New Zealand Navy for over 28 years, spoke to our College about what ANZAC Day means to New Zealanders and the very close and unique bond which Australians and New Zealanders share.  It was indeed a privilege to hear Commander Chadwick’s speech and we thank him for sharing his story with us.  It was especially moving to hear him speak of visits he made to families who had lost loved ones recently in Afghanistan. The following day, I asked some students what they thought of our Ceremony and most of them said how good it was to hear a New Zealander’s point of view.

We were privileged to have Leading Seaman Lisa Elsom, RAN, read the Ode for us.  This was followed by Mr Edward Alley, from the Salvation Army, performing the Last Post and the Rouse on his bugle.

Special mention to our four cadets, who marched in our ceremony and performed with perfection.  Army cadets, Marija Rathouski, Lachlan Glover, Ajay Thomas and Air Force cadet Zamir Bulbul were a credit to their CO’s and to our college.
As we remember the landings at ANZAC Cove 101 years ago, we thank those young men and the courageous sacrifices they made.  Without their bravery, we would not be living in this wonderful free and peaceful land we all enjoy today.   We also remember our Defence Personnel who continue to guard and protect us.

Thank you to all the families and guests for taking the time to attend our ANZAC Day Ceremony.

Lest We Forget

Vicki Walsh
DTM

You may well have heard our ads on 104.7 this week.  We are excited to be moving into our enrolment period with Open Day next week.  We look forward to welcoming lots of interested families into the school on Thursday. Thank you to all families who are supporting the day through allowing their students to be at school into the evening as ambassadors for our College.

The following week, our radio ads will change their focus to our move into Years 11 & 12 next year.  The Information Evening for the Senior Years will take place on Thursday 12 May from 5.30-6.30 which will be both for continuing JPC students and for prospective new Year 11 students.  It has been lovely to be able to continue informal conversations with our Year 10 students regarding next year and to discuss with them many aspects of senior studies.  We look forward now to opening the conversation with parents.

Our preparations for Year 11 2017 are well underway with the full range of courses being adopted from the ACT BSSS (ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies) and a Course Outline and Policies Booklet being prepared.

A Year 10 Transitions page has been set up on Moodle for our Year 10 students and families.  Along with general information, it provides links to key websites and resources. This will be a place where information will be added throughout the year as Year 10 students transition into their senior studies.

We are well aware that existing families and word of mouth are our best strategy for marketing the College to prospective new families.  Thank you for the informal conversations that you might be having in the community.

The timetable for the NAPLAN testing for students in Years 7-9 has been posted on Moodle on the Parent Information Page.  The testing will take place from Tuesday 10 May to Thursday 12 May.  This should not be an anxious time for students.  We believe that NAPLAN testing just provides a useful snapshot of student performance and some very valuable data for the families and the College.  We will be speaking with the students from both year groups next week to reassure them that all we need of them is for them to focus and give their best in each session. 

Information has also been given to those students who have been randomly selected to participate in the NAPLAN Equating Test which will be held next week.  This is a trial of test questions with the purpose of ensuring the validity of questions used.  Schools are randomly selected to run these trials.

If you have any queries or questions about either the NAPLAN testing itself or the Equating tests, please feel free to contact Assistant Principal, Mrs Rachel Francis-Davies.

A group of nine Year 7 – 8 boys represented the College on Wednesday in the finals of the Combined High Schools Basketball Competition.