OzHarvest is an Australia-wide food rescue organization. They collect quality excess food from commercial outlets and deliver it directly to people in need across Australia, as well as distributing cooked ready to eat meals.

JPC staff, students and parents spent Wednesday afternoon and evening on Wednesday 8th August cooking over 200 meals for the Oz harvest charity, including banana bread, butter chicken, vegetable curry and rice - ready to heat and eat meals which were packaged by our volunteers and collected by Oz Harvest on Friday morning to deliver to Canberra people in need.

After the dishes were cooked and packaged we sat and shared a drink and a meal together in the restaurant, topped off with a delicious dessert.

It was a great way for members of the JPC community to socialize and enjoy a fun evening, all for a good cause!

A massive thank you to the JPC staff involved, especially Megan Hajduk for her wonderful organisation, Belinda Kelly and canteen staff for their assistance, Helen for the labels, Drexel staff: Vicki Williams, Teena Zorzi, Greg Mitchell, Sarah Zhou, Jason Paris and Principal Catherine Rey, and especially families, Jane, Chloe and Mia McGovern, Katrina, Gabby and Michael Woodman, Louisa, Loren and Gemma Obst, Sally and Nicholas Taurasi and Belinda and Benjamin Parkes and students Matthew Pheng, Rhys Toms and Kimberley Bryan (and Jen Tually for their tickets!)  for their enthusiastic participation!

We look forward to meeting more JPC families in future charity cooking events!

Annie Daley
Hospitality

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Matthew 28:20

This week saw our Year 12 students taking time out for a time of rest and reflection as they embarked on their retreat experience. Over 3 days at the beautiful Warrambui Retreat Centre, students had the opportunity to contemplate their personal strengths, their relationships with their families, friends and teachers, and the place of faith in their lives, as we explored the theme of “An Encounter on the Mountain” together. Our time was punctuated by powerful input from members of staff, as well as the chance to break open ideas in small groups, learning more about the people that make up this very special cohort. There was plenty of laughter, great food, an incredible display of dancing prowess, and more than a few tears shed, that highlighted the moving nature of the retreat experience.

These are some of the comments our Year 12 students have shared about retreat:

“It was so amazing to go and spend time away from the stressors of life.”

“The stories from the teachers were something I was not expecting. They turned out to be something that I learned the most from, and something that made the retreat really special.”

“I cried to my mum when I was telling her everything, and she cried too. It was so nice to see everyone just be together and embrace the mystery of the retreat, like nothing I've ever seen before.”

“I feel like I can end Year 12 knowing that I went through my high school years with really beautiful people. It feels like we're all one big family, rather than stuck in our own little circle.”

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my heartfelt thanks to Year 12 for the way in which they embraced the retreat, particularly as they had very little understanding of what it would be like before they arrived at Warrambui! Your open-mindedness, authenticity, and respect for each other made our time together very moving, and I know it is an experience I will not forget. I hope it has inspired you to move through this last semester of your high school adventure with fresh eyes and gentle hearts. To our staff team of Mrs Rey, Mrs O’Meara, Mrs Tually, Mr Stakelum, Mr Whatman and Mr Wood, I extend my most sincere thanks for your collaboration in planning this first JPC retreat, and for your passion for helping our young people to grow in their knowledge of themselves. Events of this nature simply cannot happen without the broader support of our College community, and I know this will be only the first of many years of exceptional Year 12 retreat experiences for our students.

Mrs Nicola Edghill
Leader of Learning and Wellbeing
Religious Education

Today JPC Dancers from Years 9-12 went to Canberra Theatre to see Two Zero, a performance by Quantum leap Dance Company. We travelled to Canberra Theatre for the matinee performance at 10:30 am. The performance was 80 minutes long and was an excellent source of inspiration for our dancers at JPC. In class the Year 9 -12 Dance students will be doing Dance appreciation work on this performance. Appreciating live Dance, compared to Dance on film and appreciating how important Dance is within our community.

A long time − where will we be? Does looking back help us imagine the future? Does looking forward 20 years help us be in the present? 20 years ago the first Quantum Leap ensemble was brought together: to learn, to create, to perform. They are now all over the world, many doing great things in dance, and many others taking that unique experience into other things. Now we are bringing back alumni as choreographers to consider both the past and the future − to create a brand new work with a brand new Quantum Leap ensemble, as well as revisiting highlights from Quantum Leap over the years. What will Quantum Leap dancers be doing in 2038?

Ms Mostyn
Dance Teacher

Have you ever dreamt of running away to the circus? Who doesn’t love a night out? Tickets for JPC’s first production, The Greatest Show: A Vaudeville are on sale! Follow the latest trend on the internet and purchase your tickets via the https://www.trybooking.com/WLCP. The Show is going to dazzle you – literally!

Wednesday 22nd August, 7pm
Thursday 23rd August,7pm
Friday 24th August,7pm

Circus themed food will also be available for purchase during intermission.

Roll up, roll up – come and join us at the circus!

On Thursday and Friday of week one, myself and six wonderful students attended the ACT Schools Constitutional Convention for Year 11s. Bronte Froome, Codie Haycraft, Jarrod Koenig, Thomas Purton, Jackson Quinn, and Finn Salisbury did the school proud as they worked their way through the quagmire of constitutional law, coming up with a thoughtful position regarding section 51 of the Constitution and whether or not the Federal Government should have specific powers to legislate for the environment.

A massive congratulations need to go to Bronte Froome who was selected to participate in the 2019 National Schools Constitutional Convention. She was one of five selected and was noted for being a ‘solid performer across all areas at the convention and was actively involved in working within teams’

Congratulations to all students and Bronte for a very successful convention.

Daniel Burns

Teacher - SOSE and RE, Drexel House

National Science Week is about to blast off next week, with JPC and the rest of Australia already buzzing with anticipation!

Next Monday through to Friday will see our Science labs alive with even MORE excitement than usual, as Science@JPC launches a week of “Sciencey Art” lunchtime activities where Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths join up with Art to create STEAM! Rainbows with Walking Water, Bag Sculptors, making SunPrints, Lovely Lava Lamps and Shrinkies will inspire creativity in our science students!

On Wednesday, we will take some of our Arty Science Fun to Mother Teresa school, and on Friday, senior science students will attend the Canberra Convention Centre to see Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, a famous science communicator, specially brought to our JPC students by The Australian Academy of Science, to explore such questions as - What is the real colour of the Universe? Do you really use only 10% of your brain? Do the Seven Deadly Sins still exist? What generates more power on a weight and volume basis—the mighty sun or your compost pile? And finally, the truth about Santa and astrology.

These are just some of the questions Dr Karl will cover in a show set to inspire and entertain.

Joining Dr Karl on stage for this special event is materials scientist, inventor and Academy Fellow, Professor Veena Sahajwalla FAA from UNSW Sydney. Veena recently launched the world's first e-waste micro-factory and is changing the way we think about recycling.

The show will conclude with an audience Q&A where we’ll get an opportunity to ask Dr Karl questions and have our Dr Karl books signed by the man himself!

This year brings back your favourites shows and events, from science extravaganza to movie festivals and behind the scene tours.

Science in ACTion (12-13 August, Old Bus Depot, Kingston) is even bigger, bolder and better this year, with drones, droids and everything robots! Dr Graham is touring the ACT (and beyond!) with his excitingly fun Gas What? and Extraordinary Science with Ordinary Stuff shows.

Why not spend an evening enjoying some of your favourite movies at the Palace Electric, this time with a science-cy eye? You could also explore the Universe at Mt Stromlo, learn about the secret history of space travel with Amy Shira Teitel. Or what about discovering Canberra’s bettongs, the fluffiest and cutest “environment engineers”, at Mulligans Flat?

But that’s not all! This year, National Science Week in the ACT is bringing you more fun, more excitement, more science and more wonder!

Wonder what play dough, toothbrushes and robots have in common? Register for an Electronics workshop at Canberra Innovation Network and find out! Or discover the amazing LEGO robots created at the YWCA Canberra Tech Time. Watch two teams of five young women compete during a breathtaking finale at the YWCA Canberra’s Tuggeranong Hyperdome space!

Do you know a girl aged 10-16 interested in science or discovery? Then Greenlight for Girls Day is an event not to miss on Saturday, 18th! With interactive, hands-on workshops run by scientists and community leaders, Greenlight for Girls Day is an inspiring and fun way to learn more about science careers.

Are we alone in the Universe? How did life begin on Earth? If these questions keep you awake at night (or even if they don’t!), you don’t want to miss The Restless Hunt for Life at the Australian Academy of Science!

Visit www.scienceweek.net.au to find out more!

On August 7, St John Paul II College’s Bill Turner squad travelled down to Albury to compete in the last 32 of Australia’s elite soccer competition. It was a long awaited trip for this talented group who had previously defeated all opposition on the way to winning the regional competition (ACT/Southern NSW) earlier in the year. On a cold but sunny afternoon, JPC’s opposition was Marian Catholic College from Griffith, a largely unknown entity.

After settling into their rooms at Albury Tourist Park the boys headed to the ground to commence their pre-match preparations. Petro Kapantais and Cameron McCluskey failed a late fitness test due to injuries sustained for their respective clubs on the weekend meaning JPC were down to just a 14 man match squad – not the best news prior to the game. The game commenced at a fast pace with both teams testing the keepers. It took just 2 minutes for stand-in keeper Steven Cerni to be tested by what was a speedy front line for Marian. Cerni’s thorough warm-up led by the team’s usual keeper Nick Katsoulis prepared him perfectly for what was to be a busy afternoon. After several half chances at both ends, JPC settled into the game, dominating possession and moving the ball around all areas of the field. After some intricate work on the right hand side, Alexander Walsh’s shot was parried by the keeper before Sebastian Wood’s tapped into the empty net. Five minutes later and the JPC defensive line was caught ball watching as a long kick from the goalkeeper caught the defense by surprise; Cerni was left isolated and unable to do anything about the equalizer, 1-1 a score line that went completely against the run of play. In the final ten minutes of the first half, JPC again dominated the play and were able to score two goals in quick succession. The first, scored by forward Jack Rowley, was a typical poachers finish after some great build up play in central midfield and a perfectly weighted through pass by Aiden Milicevic. The latter, a headed goal by team captain Krisitan Tokic, came straight from the training field with a superb corner by Samuel Hewitt. Marian’s aggressive play throughout the first half left several players feeling somewhat bruised at half time but the score line reflected what was a fine first half display, 3-1 to JPC.

On Tuesday (Week 3), two teams of incredible netballers (and students) participated in the annual ASC Netball Carnival in Lyneham.

The weather was on our side with the rain as it meant the Year 7 and 8 girls were moved indoors. The girls showed a lot of courage and determination against very strong opposition and came away with 2 wins. The girls displayed excellent sportsmanship and their school spirit was strong as they stayed to support and cheer the other JPC teams on. We had the best Mexican wave there! Well done Year 7 and 8 Girls.

After an earlier than expected start, the Year 9 and 10 team hit the court with strength and focus. They showed an improvement in their skills, winning a number of close games against schools they had never beat before and even drew with Canberra Girls Grammar. This placed the girls equal 3rd for the competition.

A special thank you goes to our wonderful umpires, Mandy Allan and Carolina Gaete, who are amazing volunteers and parents that gave up their time to support the girls. Other big thanks to Sally Dawe, who always jumps on board to help out coaching our teams. We are so very appreciative!

Stay tuned for the next JPC Netball adventure to Penrith for the NSW CCC carnival in Week 5.

Miss Turner

We would like to take the opportunity to say hello. We are both very pleased to be part of the JPC School community and look forward to the opportunity to get to know parents, students and staff.

We are located in the Student Hub and we are available Monday to Friday during school hours except for Wednesday 9am -12pm.

The counselling team can provide therapeutic counselling, information and referral to both students and parents. If you have any emotional or social welfare concerns relating to students, please contact us for a chat or make an appointment to see us.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,

Jess and Anna