Dear parents, carers and friends,

Beethoven is widely considered the greatest composer of all time. But by the time he was composing his most renowned works he was completely deaf. JK Rowling had no job, a young daughter, and a typewriter when she created a character named Harry while on a train.  Harry Potter went on to become the highest-selling book series in history. Steve Jobs was at a birthday party when he overheard a discussion about Microsoft’s big plans to release a tablet device. On hearing of their plans to use a stylus pen, he realised how much better it would be to use your finger to navigate a screen. 6 months later, the first iPhone was launched.

Ideas pop up at the most unusual times, often when they are least expected and from a source that’s impossible to identify. Some people talk of the power of the imagination; others of inspiration, literally ‘breathing in’ ideas.

This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost. At Pentecost we are drawn to the image of the disciples, looking for a sign to tell them that Jesus has not abandoned them, waiting for God to send to them the guidance and counsel they had been promised when Jesus ascended to heaven. 50 days after watching their friend suffer and die on the Cross, the disciples have gathered – in fear, in anticipation, in hope, - for a sign. 

In the powerful account in the second chapter of the Book of Acts, we hear that this sign descends on the disciples, “like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there.” In this moment, together, God ignited the inspiration that would inspire this unlikely group of individuals to go out and spread the Gospel message to every corner of the globe.

It is worth noting that Pentecost did not take place in a great arena, with an audience of multitudes keeping watch. Nor did the Spirit descend on a group of great and influential leaders, with the power and clout to enforce their unconventional ideas. Rather, the Spirit came to a quiet house, filled with ordinary people, ready to listen.

It is fitting to speak of inspiration and unconventional ideas when we look at the educational opportunities provided here at JPC. As the Religious Education coordinator, I work with a team of teachers who are committed to making the stories of our faith come alive for our students, and in turn to see our students delve into our shared tradition looking for reason and understanding. Last week I spoke to prospective families of the College at our Open Evening about what drives both RE and faith formation here at JPC - faith informing action. It only takes a short walk through our learning spaces and corridors to see this action taking place - in the care shown to younger students by their peers, in the focus on community spirit at our carnivals and events, on the eagerness of our students to embrace their personal learning goals in independent learning time.

At the other end of the College, our Year 10 students have been grappling with questions of conscience and the different sources of knowledge we can draw on to inform our decision making processes. Working with scenarios that are part of their own lived experience, our students have sought to explore how the richness of the tradition of the Church can help them to make positive choices - ones that are founded in values of social justice and the dignity of every human being.

Imagination, inspiration, innovation - it is certainly ILLUMINATING to see the Spirit moving at JPC.

Wishing you all a Spirit-filled weekend,

Mrs. Nicola Edghill
Coordinator - Religious Education, Maathai House

Our student’s professional yet friendly approach was exemplary and they showed themselves as outstanding ambassadors for our College. Many parents and teachers from Mother Theresa were extremely complimentary about these fine young women and men. As we continue to build links with our feeder primary schools and many other community organisations, these highly valuable student leadership opportunities will continue to arise. At JPC we want to ‘Open Hearts and Minds for the Future’ and so we encourage all of our students to keep their eye out for future opportunities to get involved in building a welcoming community for everyone. Congratulations to all students for all of your hard work.

Mr Robertson

Last night we help our inaugural Senior School Information Evening. It was great to feel the buzz in the room as this next milestone in the development of the College approaches.

JPC is uniquely positioned to provide an exceptional education for students entering Year 11 and 12. Our ILT structures, the mentoring program, as well as our experienced and dedicated staff means that students will be very well looked after JPC. The transition to Senior school is a very important and this was the first formal information session. The evening involved introductory information about the ACT system and the BSSS and how this works in the ACT and at JPC. A full range of courses will also be offered here in 2017 and a brief overview of courses and packages was outlined as well.

There will be another information evening during the Year 10 Transition Week at the end of this semester. Also during Transition Week we will be holding discussion with 2017 Year 11 students and their families to assist them in finalising packages and subject selection.

I was delighted to announce last night that we will offer five full and five part scholarships to students who might otherwise not be able to access Years 11 & 12 at JPC due to financial constraints.  We would be very pleased to discuss these with families. Please feel free to talk to us and access an application form.  This will obviously be a confidential process and the names of recipients will not be made public.

During the evening each student present received an information package. For families that were not able to attend the evening, these packages will be given to Year 10 students on Monday during PC.

Parents in Year 10 are reminded that the survey regarding Senior Uniform is available on the Year 10 Transition page on MOODLE and we look forward to hearing parent and student views as we develop the senior uniform.  These are indeed exciting times!

Do not hesitate to contact us with any queries you have about the senior school and the transition to senior studies.

Catherine Rey