Gospel reflection — Luke 13:22–30

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate…”

In this passage, Jesus reminds us that the path to the Kingdom of God is not always easy or obvious. It requires effort, humility and a willingness to live with integrity. He challenges us to reflect on our choices and how they align with God’s call to love and serve others. For our JPC community, this could mean considering that entering the narrow door means choosing peace over conflict. In a school setting, this could mean resolving disagreements respectfully, supporting classmates and creating a safe and welcoming environment. It also takes courage to walk the narrow path—especially when it means going against peer pressure or standing up for someone who is being treated unfairly. Jesus encourages us to be brave in living out our values, even when it is unpopular.

Book Week

Always a special week for students across Australia, Book Week 2025 at JPC was extra special with the addition of our new library. This week students were treated to Uncle Nic sharing stories, book swaps, dramatic readings by the English faculty, our fictional-character Book Week parade, and much, much more. A huge thank you to Mrs Stokman for her leadership of this, and to all the staff and students who participated in this exciting week!

Assembly highlights — celebrating community, compassion and opportunity

This week’s school assembly featured a number of initiatives that reflect our College’s commitment to justice, community and student growth.

Kennedy House proudly launched a partnership with the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), a charity that works with remote Indigenous communities to publish books and stories in their own languages. Inspired by their House Patron, Ted Kennedy, the Kennedy House leaders have organised a series of fundraising activities in Week 6, aiming to raise enough funds to purchase eight book packs for remote communities. One highlight of the week will be a livestreamed performance from the Sydney Opera House featuring ILF ambassadors and special guests celebrating Aboriginal storytelling. To support this initiative, please consider donating via the ILF fundraising page: https://fundraising.ilf.org.au/stjohnpaulcollege

Our Justice Captain, Neve, also spoke passionately about the Term 3 Vinnies Winter Appeal. This year, our College captains and the Mission and Ministry team are committed to raising funds to provide a night off the streets for people experiencing homelessness. Each Pastoral Care (PC) group is aiming to raise $52, which covers one night of safe accommodation. Neve reminded us of the words of St John Paul II, who said that all people, regardless of their housing situation, are made in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and compassion. We look forward to our community coming together in support of this important cause.

Finally, we were thrilled to announce the launch of our inaugural World Challenge immersion to Sri Lanka in 2027. This unique opportunity will allow students to experience Sri Lanka in a meaningful way, combining cultural exploration with service and leadership. An online information evening will be held on 3 September at 6:00 pm for families of current Year 8 and 9 students who are interested in learning more.

Defence Captains

In recognition of the important role our Defence students play in supporting the College and their peers, we are proud to announce the appointment of students to leadership positions within the Defence student community.

These roles have been created to strengthen the support available to Defence students throughout their time at JPC. They also reflect our commitment to fostering connection and wellbeing, with students who share similar experiences offering peer support alongside our dedicated Defence Mentor, Mrs Smith.

We were delighted to welcome our newly appointed Defence Captains and their families to a special assembly and morning tea, where students were formally presented with their leadership badges. Congratulations to our new Defence Captains — we look forward to the positive impact you will make within our community.

Uniform

Over the coming weeks, the College will place a renewed focus on ensuring students are wearing the correct uniform. This is in response to a noticeable increase in students out of uniform and is intended to support the many families and students who consistently uphold our uniform standards.

We understand that keeping up with uniform requirements can sometimes be challenging. To assist, the College offers a range of second-hand uniform items through the front office, available to any family needing replacements or additional pieces.

We appreciate your ongoing support in helping us maintain a sense of pride, belonging and consistency across our school community.

Tom van de Waterbeemd
Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Community

Kindness in our school community

At JPC we have just finished recognising Anti-Bullying Week, where our focus was on standing up against negative behaviours and supporting one another. This message now leads us directly into RUOK? Day (Thursday 11 September), a reminder that kindness, empathy and checking in with others can make a real difference in someone’s life.

RUOK? Day

On Thursday 11 September our school will stand together to promote compassion, connection and open conversations. The colour yellow — symbolising optimism, joy, happiness and friendship — reminds us of the light we can bring to others through kindness.

This semester in PDHPE we encourage our students to remember three important messages:
• Be kind to others — show empathy, respect and care in every interaction.
• Embrace change — growth comes from adapting, learning and trying new experiences.
• Everything you are comes from your choices — our decisions shape who we become, so let’s make them count.

What we’re learning in PDHPE

Our Health and PE lessons provide a natural space for teamwork, communication and care for others, all of which build the skills needed to stand against bullying and support one another. This term our focus areas are:

• Year 7 — building strong foundations through nutrition education and developing physical literacy with fun, inclusive games.
• Year 8 — exploring emotions and relationships in Health while engaging in invasion and target games that build problem-solving and cooperation skills.
• Year 9 — developing independence through Road Ready safety education, practical challenge and adventure activities, and learning about international sports to promote cultural understanding and respect.
• Year 10 — focusing on lifelong wellbeing with Fit and Healthy units and developing leadership skills in coaching, teamwork and gameplay.

I have witnessed many wonderful acts of kindness from our students that reflect the spirit of both Anti-Bullying Week and RUOK? Day, such as:

• Encouraging teammates: cheering for someone trying a new skill, even if they make mistakes.
• Including others: inviting someone to join a game or group who may be left out.
• Respect in competition: shaking hands after a match, congratulating opponents and playing fairly.
• Supporting wellbeing: checking in with a classmate who looks upset or anxious.
• Positive communication: using encouraging words (“You’ve got this!”, “Nice effort!”) instead of criticism.
• Role modelling: experienced students helping peers learn a new skill.
• Team spirit: celebrating group achievements rather than only individual success.

Why kindness matters in Education, Health & PE

1. Mental health and wellbeing
• Around 1 in 4 young Australians experience mental health challenges each year (Beyond Blue).
• Kindness reduces stress and anxiety and helps students feel supported.
• It boosts confidence and belonging, lowering feelings of isolation.
• It encourages optimism, self-respect and resilience in both the classroom and on the sporting field.

2. Academic and physical performance
• Students who feel safe and supported at school are more likely to achieve higher grades (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare).
• A supportive environment helps students try new skills without fear of failure.
• It builds confidence to take healthy risks, ask questions and engage in learning.
• It promotes fair play, teamwork and creative problem solving.

3. Reducing bullying and conflict
• Around 1 in 5 Australian students report being bullied (Bullying. No Way!, 2024).
• Anti-Bullying Week highlighted the importance of empathy, respect and inclusivity.
• By carrying these lessons into RUOK? Week, we can turn kindness into action and build a safer, more welcoming environment for all.

4. Building a positive school culture
• Acts of kindness increase serotonin and dopamine levels, improving mood and relationships (University of Oxford, 2023).
• Kindness is contagious — when one student shows it, others follow.
• It strengthens relationships, encourages acceptance and celebrates diversity.
• Through Health and PE we see how kindness on the field or in the classroom makes everyone stronger.

As we step into RUOK? Week, I encourage you to continue these conversations at home. A great way to do this is by asking your child:
• “How did you show kindness in PE this week?”
• “What’s one way you included or encouraged someone today?”

These small but meaningful conversations reinforce the importance of kindness and remind students that what they learn in PE is valuable both inside and outside the classroom.

Kym Darmody
Head of HPE / Sport

Bibliography
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Students’ engagement and achievement in schools. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports
Beyond Blue. (2023). Youth mental health statistics. https://www.beyondblue.org.au
Bullying. No Way! (2024). Bullying statistics. https://bullyingnoway.gov.au
University of Oxford. (2023). The neuroscience of kindness and wellbeing. https://www.ox.ac.uk
Jokela, M., & Hanin, Y. (1999). Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning in sports performance. Routledge.
Hill, D., Hanton, S., Matthews, N., & Fleming, S. (2010). Choking in sport: The role of cognitive anxiety and self-confidence. Journal of Sports Sciences, 28(2), 201–209.

As part of the Year 11/12 Drama course, students are studying how stories can be reimagined and repurposed. To assist their understanding of adaptation and children’s theatre, the class embarked on the first of many experiential learning opportunities by seeing the onstage production by Dan Colley of A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. The performance combined storytelling tools such as live music, puppetry, live video projection, and audience participation to bring this story to the stage, capturing its beautiful, strange emotional richness.

Next up, students will deliver two drama workshops with Year 3 students from Holy Spirit to explore the process of adaptation when creating theatre.

Mrs Sarah Smith
Senior Drama Teacher

The ACT Scaling Test (AST) is a vital part of Year 12 for students seeking an ATAR. It assesses general reasoning and thinking skills across three components: the Short Response Test, the Multiple Choice Test, and the Writing Task.

Arrival and Departure Times

Students sitting the AST must arrive at school no later than 8:40 AM. Breakfast will be available from 8:15 AM in the café.

• You will not be admitted to the test room later than 30 minutes after the start of the test (40 minutes after the start of reading time for the Short Response and Multiple Choice tests).
• Students arriving within this time may commence the test but will not be granted extra time.
• If you have a valid reason for being late, with independent evidence (e.g., a car accident), speak with the AST Coordinator before starting the test. It may be more appropriate to apply for the Second Sitting — permission is not granted automatically and must be applied for with supporting evidence.
• Reasons such as sleeping in or missing a bus are not considered acceptable for being more than 30 minutes late or missing a test.

AST 2025 Schedule

Day 1 – Tuesday, 26 August
• Short Response Test: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Multiple Choice Test: 1:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Day 2 – Wednesday, 27 August
• Writing Task: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Students must attend all three sessions and make a serious attempt at each test to be eligible for an ATAR.

What to Bring

Students must bring their own equipment:
• Pens, pencils (2B), erasers, ruler
• ID card
• Dictionary (book form only, no thesaurus)
• Clear, unlabelled water bottle

Prohibited items include:
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, electronic devices
• Bags, food (unless approved), electronic dictionaries
• Dictionaries with diagrams or annotations

All equipment is subject to inspection. Spot checks will occur during the test.

What If You’re Sick?

If a student is sick before or during the AST:
• Do not attempt the test if unwell.
• Notify the school’s AST Coordinator, Miss Martin, immediately. If you become unwell during the AST, notify the supervisor immediately.
• Obtain a medical certificate within 24 hours.

Note: Students who begin a test but do not complete it due to illness may not be eligible to re-sit that component unless specific conditions are met.

Rules and Expectations

To ensure fairness and integrity:
• Follow all supervisor instructions.
• No communication is allowed during the test.
• Leaving the test centre early or temporarily requires supervision.
• Cheating, bringing unauthorised items, or disruptive behaviour may result in penalties, including cancellation of AST results or impact on the ATAR.

Students must bring a serious attitude and respect the conditions of the test to support both their own success and that of their peers.

For more details or questions, students should speak with the AST Coordinator, Miss Martin.

Jenna Martin
Acting Senior Studies Coordinator

We are proud to celebrate Year 7 student Lucas Tapply Orozco, who was selected earlier this year to represent the ACT in the Under-12 ACT School Sports hockey team.

The squad, made up of talented players from a range of ACT primary and high schools, trained and competed together in several regional tournaments throughout the year — including events in Goulburn, Parkes, Moorebank and Tamworth. These opportunities have helped the team develop strong individual skills and excellent teamwork.

This week the team travelled to Bendigo, Victoria to compete at the National Championships. The competition has been intense, with the ACT facing South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales. So far the team has recorded one win, two draws and one loss — an outstanding effort against very strong opposition. Coaches and parents have praised the squad for their high spirits, commitment and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Congratulations to Lucas for this significant sporting achievement. We wish him and the ACT team continued success for the remainder of the championships.

Kym Darmody
Head of HPE & Sport

Parent–Teacher Interviews will be held in person on:

• Tuesday 23 September — 4:00–6:30 pm
• Monday 13 October — 2:00–6:00 pm

The bookings portal (Compass) will open on Wednesday of Week 9. Interim reports will be sent home before the portal opens.
Please keep an eye on Compass for the booking link and further instructions.

Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning 

St John Paul II College uses Compass as our primary communication and administration platform. Please make sure you’re set up so you don’t miss anything important.

Check these now

• Activate your account
• Enable notifications

Need help?
If you have trouble accessing Compass, please contact the JPC IT team via the Front Office for assistance.

Keeping Compass active and up to date ensures you receive school information promptly.

If your child is interested in learning a musical instrument and improving their theoretical and practical skills, individual tuition is available through the JPC Music Program. Our experienced tutors and professional performers cover a wide range of styles and instruments, including:

• Violin, cello
• Saxophone, clarinet
• Guitar, bass
• Drums
• Vocals
• Piano – and more

Band opportunities and instrument hire are also available to support students in their musical journey.  If interested, please fill out the form via the link below and visit the JPC Music Tuition page for more information.

Music Tuition Form

Matthew Dennett
Music Teacher

50th Reunion - Class of 1975. Tickets are now available for the reunion of students from Catholic Girls High School Braddon and Daramalan College, who finished Year 12 in 1975 (including those from that group who finished before Year 12): https://events.humanitix.com/daramalan-college-class-of-1975-reunion

The main ticketed event is on Saturday evening, 18th October, with several activities planned over the weekend. For further information, please use one of the event channels:

Facebook: Daramalan College Alumni group; Merici College Alumni group; or Dara - Braddon 1975 group

email: CGHS.Dara1975@gmail.com

Ticket sales close on 6 October.