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Key Messages Week 8

Upcoming Events

Monday 12 September - ASC Girls Basketball

Tuesday 13 September - Year 7 Information Evening

Wednesday 14th September - Drama Showcase

Friday 16 September - 4 Schools Day

JPC produce an impressive performance at Dance Fest 2016

Every year the national governing body of Dance, Aus Dance Australia celebrates dance through its school’s festival. This year for the very first year, JPC have entered a team of dancers. The whole philosophy of the festival is aimed at being completely student driven, this year JPC had an extremely strong leadership team driving the movement and the vision. Codie Haycraft and Emily Watt headed up the co-curricular program as Directors; both students played a crucial role in the organisation and cultivation of the dance piece. Jason El-Khoury was one of our lead choreographers, his creativity and dedication culminated in a powerful and perfectly composed hip-hop section of the piece. Annika Ginnivan took on the role as music master as well as being a choreographer of the opening scenes. Her skill and innovation in combining sounds and tracks was impressive, resulting in a unique and original compilation of music. Annika’s choreography was perfectly in line with the emotive movement, in keeping with the vision of the piece. Geraldine Lim and Danijela Bodo worked cooperatively in creating movement that was influential, sensitive and conceptual. Both students demonstrated impressive teaching and leadership skills when working with younger students and leading whole group sessions. Hannah Dawson and Brianna Ross were the aesthetics coordinators, they collaborated with other leaders in pulling all the elements of the piece together via costuming, sound and lighting. Both girls were outstanding in their communication and organisation, their ability to combine textures and mediate vision was rather impressive.

 

Thirty-five JPC dancers took part in this year’s festival. Boys and girls from years seven to ten have worked tirelessly in rehearsal for weeks, their passion for dance was a true testament to the dedication they demonstrated throughout the whole process. The hard work paid off, our students produced a stellar performance last night. The piece ‘Asylum’ evolved around the stimulus ‘be heard, be loud’. Our students succeeded in portraying the struggle of asylum seekers and the need for humanity to be as one. ‘Asylum’ was powerful, challenging and impressive. I was extremely proud of our students, the maturity they demonstrated was impressive and exceptional. The positive feedback received all round was overwhelming, the genuine words of kindness from other schools, parents and members of the audience was fantastic.

Not only did JPC impress on stage, but also back stage. Five year ten students volunteered to be part of the stage crew. Thomas Mugridge, Daniel Cunneen, Nick Dale, Parker Owen and Maximus Leskien stepped up to the plate and surpassed their year eleven and twelve counterparts from other schools in their ability to time manage, delegate and instruct the over three hundred dancers who participated in last night’s festival.

Whole school co-curriculum project such as Dance Fest can only become a reality if a team of people both students and staff are prepared to work diligently in achieving an outcome that is reflective enough of their passion. At JPC we are very passionate about dance. Chuantell McNamara (Vanier/IMS/Sustainability Coordinator) played a vital role within the team, her experience in being part of numerous Dance Fest teams in addition to her energy, drive and dedication helped to project the team and performance to the next level.

 

Dance Fest 2016 has been a fantastic success for JPC. It has been a huge team effort, with students and staff working collaboratively and diligently, resulting in an impressive performance. I am very proud of our team; we look forward to being part of the fantastic event next year.

 

Faye Robertson

Arts Evening

A little over a week ago JPC celebrated the Arts with its annual ‘Arts Evening’. This year the talent on display was unprecedented, the show was dynamic, contemporary and creative. Students involved had been working tirelessly towards the evening's celebrations, it was very apparent that the Arts are alive and kicking at JPC, with an array of Media, Art and Photography on display and inspiring performances in Drama, Dance and Music.  

 

As part of their Media course Year 8 students are required to create a digital story. They are to develop their own narrative, take their own images and source appropriate sounds. Students are then to combine these into a digital story. There were three works highlighted in the evening: the first work was by Charlie Jenkins and his personal recount of recent events in his life. The second work was by William Carey and draws us into a forgotten world and requires us to think and contemplate. The third work by Sarah Grieb was a joyous celebration of literature.

 

Students in Year 9/10 Art and Year 9/10 Photography and Graphic Design produced a fantastic portfolio of work. The images displayed were examples of the student’s photographs and also their creative works using Photoshop. The images explore themes including portraits, still life, street art and minimalism.

 

In Year 7, students study Drama for one term. During this course, they learn how to collaborate using playbuilding techniques. To focus these performances, students study the theory of practitioner, Rudolf Von Laban. Without using dialogue, Drama students effectively told a story through their actions and facial expressions.

 

The first topic studied in Year 9 and 10 Drama this semester, is Stansilavski’s System to develop authentic characters. Through a series of workshops, students have been developing realistic characters and engaging with Method Acting. A monologue taken from the contemporary and moving play Stuff Happens written by David Hare, deals with real people’s reflections about the aftermath of 9/11 in America. Rios Valenzuela wanted to tackle this monologue and through subtle staging and vocal delivery, he retold this powerful story from the anonymous character based on the real experiences of people involved.

 

Students haven’t only been exploring contemporary texts to develop authentic characters, but they have also reverted to the ‘classics’. And what is more classic than Juliet from William Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet? In order to connect with these older characters, students not only researched the play and then broke down the language, they used their own experiences and emotions to connect. Briana Pilicic's monologue excellently demonstrated Juliet hopelessly in teenage love with Romeo and longing for their upcoming nuptials.

 

All assessment dances performed throughout the evening were from the Musical Theatre genre. During the semester students developed the skills to create adaptations from well-known musical theatre scenes. Students investigated the impact of prop, lighting and choreographic devices and elements of dance in order to create an amalgamated musical theatre piece. The dances performed were a fantastic representation of choreographical devices and elements of dance.

 

The music throughout the evening was wonderful, the concert band kicked off with an excellent performance of ‘fun, fun, fun’ followed by performances from the rock bands and un-plugged bands. The music on offer was varied and entertaining, the skill level of our young students was quite impressive.

 

The evening was made all that more special by the amazing catering provided in the intermission by our very own Belinda Kelly and her kitchen team, supported by our Food Technology teacher Annie Daley. The professionalism and standard of service was second to none, providing a platform for celebratory discussion surround the first Act performances. 
I think most would agree that the evening was a great success, the talent on show was varied and celebrated. A great evening enjoyed by all those who were a part of it. The Arts team feel very excited about the possibilities for next year’s celebrations, the sky is the limit!

 

Faye Robertson

Fresh Taste hits JPC!

On Monday JPC hosted an event for the Fresh Tastes program. We were selected to host the Government-run program’s professional development for their canteen managers. Our beautiful facilities, our menu and all our sustainable practices were showcased for the managers as we were identified as an exemplary school in canteen practices.

 

Belinda Kelly (Canteen Manger and Head Chef at JPC) showcased our excellent practices and principles for all the attending canteen mangers from across the ACT. The event was attended by Minister Meegan Fitzharris. Meegan is currently the Minister for Transport and City Services, Minister for Higher Education, Training and Research and Assistant Health Minister. Our beautiful students were lovely hosts and great ambassadors for JPC!

 

It was such a proud moment for the Sustainability team at JPC to be held up as a ‘shining example’ of healthy culture and practices!

 

Mrs Chauntell McNamara

JPC Mercy Challenge

At the recent Kennedy House Assembly, Miss Elle Boller and Miss Sarah Keane shared some of their reflections about WYD with the College. The pilgrims spoke about some of the great homilies Pope Francis delivered during the events of WYD. The most popular of his homilies was the “Couch Potato” where Pope Francis urged young people to choose to leave a mark through their actions. It is their simple actions that can make a difference and, in turn, change the world. During the assembly, students reenacted what the millions of WYD pilgrims did. They held hands with the people around them to “build a bridge” of friendship, of reconciliation, and of community. It was this act which made Miss Keane and Miss Boller create the JPC Mercy Challenge.

 

Students have been encouraged to take up Pope Francis’ advice and perform small acts of mercy with the people around them. Students have also been asked to be a witness to merciful acts happening in the College and then document them by placing them in the Mercy Box at the Chapel.

 

Some JPC Acts of Mercy have been:
• Codie Haycraft and Geraldine Lim “going above and beyond for Dance Fest”
• Paighe Brockmann-Haines “showing appreciation without being asked”
• Fixing up other House’s decorations
• Emily Sajler sharing food with hungry friends
• “Marija giving me a pen”
• Year 9 students helping Year 7 students
• Maddie D’Ambrosio helping a new student complete their planner

 

And these are only a few acts completed by our students. Keep up the merciful acts!

RU OK DAY?

Thursday the 8th of September 2016 marked the significance of RUOK DAY? At JPC we aim to foster positive relationships between students and teachers to create an environment that is supportive and caring of one another. First thing in the morning, students raced around displaying the posters with the statements ‘RU OK?’ in classrooms and hallways to begin raising the awareness of how important it can be to simply ask the question. RU OK DAY’s mission is to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life.

 

Their goals are to:


1. Boost our confidence to meaningfully connect and ask about life's ups and down


2. Nurture our sense of responsibility to regularly connect and support others


3. Strengthen our sense of belonging because we know people are there for us


4. Be relevant, strong and dynamic

 

It's this lack of connection that the organisation want to prevent. By inspiring people to take the time to ask "are you ok?" and listen, we can help people struggling with life feel connected. It all comes down to regular, face-to-face, meaningful conversations about life. And asking “are you ok?” is a great place to start.

 

We were extremely lucky to listen to two guest speakers in the morning as a school, Todd Berry and Rob Ginnivan who shared their experiences of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and how organisations such as RU OK and other mental health groups can assist and provide benefit to those who suffer. The students at JPC formed the statement RU OK at lunch time in the hall and outside on the terrace. Let’s continue asking the question which could make a difference someone’s life.

 

Elle Boller

 

 

Australian Society for Medical Reasearch Quiz Award Winners

Three students Logan Russell, Alison Fisher and Tyson Truong have picked up place awards in the The Australian Society for Medical Research quiz. This is a fantastic achievement for these students as hundreds entered across the ACT. The questions related directly to issues within the field of science, including health, how the body functions and how medicine can aid the body in recovery. Again this is a fantastic achievement and these students can be very proud of their efforts.

 

Logan Russell received Second Runner-Up in the Year 7-8 Category

 

Alison Fisher received Second Runner-Up in the Year 9-10 Category

 

Tyson Truong received First Runner-Up in the Year 7-8 Category

 

The students were presented with their awards at the College this week. Congratulations to these three students! 

 

 

 

Term 3 Drama Showcase

Both the Year 7 and years 9/10 Elective Drama have been working extremely hard to create and perform pieces of theatre this term. The showcase will be a variety of assessment performances and scenes of their own creation from these Drama classes. Students have self-nominated to perform. There will also be performances from students who have self-nominated to be part of an extra-curricular drama opportunity.

 

Please join us to support our budding actors as they dazzle you with their growing talents!

Semester 2 Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews

 

 

 

Have your Say about Catholic secondary education

The Catholic Education Commission (CEC), Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn is seeking your advice.


The CEC is looking at the future provision of Catholic secondary schooling in the ACT over the next 20 years.  We need current students, future students, parents and our staff to take part in this Study to ensure that we have a clear picture of our future requirements. For further information and to complete the survey follow the following link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MT329WM

 

 

 

 

 

GUNGAHLIN LITTLE ATHLETICS

Come and join in the fun at Gungahlin Little Athletics Centre. Fun and friendly athletics in a safe and enjoyable environment.

 

There’s something for everyone: running, jumping, throws, hurdles, walks.

 

Who: 4½ to 17 years; for the 2016/17 season we welcome athletes born between 1 Oct 1999 and 31 March 2012.

 

Season Dates:


The 2016/17 season commences on Saturday 15 October 2015 (season runs across Term 4 and Term 1 of school).
Weekly meets are held at Amaroo Oval, Horsepark Drive (behind Amaroo and Good Shepherd schools) on Saturday mornings from 8.55am to 11.30am.

 

Registration Details:


Registration Days - Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2016, Gungahlin Marketplace (outside BigW), 10.00am - 2.00pm


Come & Try and Registration Days - Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 October 2016, Amaroo Playing Fields, 10.00am - 12.00pm

 

On-line registration is available through the ACT Little Athletics website - www.actlaa.org.au (register now).


Bring a copy of your on-line payment receipt along to a Registration / Come & Try Day to collect your registration pack.



Cost: Online registration costs - $120 = 1st child, $115 = 2nd child, $110 = 3rd child, $85 = 4th & subsequent children. Manual/paper registration add $15/athlete.

 

It’s easy to register so come and have some fun with us.

 

For more information please go to our website at www.gunlac.org.au, visit our Facebook page or email enquiries@gunlac.org.au

 

 

 

Upcoming ACT Elections

As you may be aware, ACT Elections will be held on Saturday 15th October. Catholic Education are aiming to keep parents informed about the policies put forward by each of the parties that will affect us as a Catholic school in Canberra. This will be communicated in small messages through our newsletter regularly until Election Day. We welcome any comments or feedback on the policies from parents within our community

1021 Gungahlin Drive Nicholls ACT  |  Ph: (02) 6163 4800
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