Feast of St Mary Magdalene & Apostles – 22 July

This week the Church celebrated the Feast of St Mary Magdalene, Disciple of the Lord and “Apostle to the Apostles”. Although often misunderstood in history, her true role reminds us of the importance of justice, especially in how we treat others. Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus, present at key moments in His life, including the Crucifixion and Resurrection. Teaching our students about her real story helps correct historical misconceptions and encourages fairness, truth and dignity for all.

Mary’s Lessons for Students

• Stand up for truth and fairness, even when it means challenging popular opinion.

• Seek peace in times of difficulty and be a calming presence for others, peace is not just the absence of conflict but the presence of compassion and understanding.

• Have the courage to stand by your beliefs, support others in times of need and speak up, even when it’s hard or unpopular.

Dr Justin Coulson Visit

Following our successful parent information evening, we’re delighted to welcome Dr Justin Coulson back on Thursday 4 September. During the day Justin will present to several student cohorts; in the evening he’ll deliver “Resilience: Developing Strength, Calm & Kindness in Our Kids”, empowering parents with practical strategies to help children navigate challenges and thrive in adversity.

Prior to his visit, our community can join his webinar “Anxious: Helping Your Child Navigate a World of Worry” on 20 August. To express interest in either event, please register here. We’ll be in touch with further details closer to each date.

Academic Planning & Goal Setting for Years 7–10

This week, Years 7–10 began mapping their Semester 2 study plans by logging upcoming assessments in their diaries (pages 16–17). Next week they’ll complete personal goal‑setting activities. We encourage parents and carers to review their child’s assessment schedule and goals (page 11 of the diary). Early planning supports academic success by helping students manage time effectively, reduce anxiety and maintain motivation—especially important given many juggle part‑time work, sports and family commitments.

Year 12 Retreat

Our Year 12 cohort have embarked on their three‑day “Spirit of Wisdom” retreat, a time for reflection, spiritual journaling, walking and drawing. They’ve explored the wisdom they’ve gained at JPC and considered the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Final dress rehearsals and set bump‑in are well under way for our 2025 musical, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! With only a few tickets remaining for the four performances, don’t miss this splendiferous adventure full of Snozzberries and Everlasting Gobstoppers. Purchase tickets here.

We wish our cast, musicians, crew and staff all the best for opening week! 

Tom van de Waterbeemd
Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Community

Welcome back to your maths learning for Term 3

University of Canberra Spatial Enrichment Research Project

Students in Year 7 and 8 have been involved in a research project in partnership with the University of Canberra, which will continue through Term 3. The aim of this project is to explore how students understand and engage with spatial information, and to improve students’ spatial reasoning skills. It will also examine the relationship between spatial reasoning and attitudes towards mathematics.

Spatial reasoning involves the process of recognising and using the spatial properties of objects and the relationships among those objects. Aspects of spatial reasoning include the capacity to locate, orientate, and visualise objects; navigate paths; decode information graphics; and use and draw diagrams — all of which are critical to success in mathematics and related fields. Given the important link between mathematical success and life outcomes, focusing on improving spatial reasoning may be an important step in supporting students.

The activities in the spatial reasoning training program consist of a web-based digital game. The training will take place in two blocks of five weeks — one completed in Term 2 and the second in Term 3. All students will participate in the training for 10 minutes per session, four times a week, within their regular mathematics class. At the beginning, middle, and end of the project, students will complete a short test to track how their understanding has changed throughout the program.

Maths Enrichment

This semester also begins our Enrichment Program. Initially, this program is by invitation to selected Year 7 and 8 students. However, moving forward, we hope to expand it to include those students who express interest and show the dedication required to succeed in maths.

The Maths Enrichment Program is an extension opportunity for talented students to widen their mathematical knowledge and skills. Delivered in conjunction with the Australian Maths Trust, the program exposes students to concepts that will extend their understanding and challenge their ability to think critically and solve problems. It will run during regular maths classes, but students will also be expected to work on problems in their own time to meet program deadlines.

Teacher Changes

Please be aware that, due to staffing changes, your child’s class teacher may have changed this semester. These updates can be viewed via your child’s Canvas page and Compass. We also welcomed Miss Sapphire Wyndham to the Maths faculty at the end of last term and will farewell Ms Candice Liu next week. We wish Ms Liu all the best for her future endeavours.

Maths Tutorials

A reminder to students seeking extra support with their maths learning — tutorials are held as follows:

• Senior Tutorials: Tuesday, 8:00 am – 8:45 am in JF9
• All Students: Thursday, 8:15 am – 8:45 am in JF9
• All Students: Thursday, 3:35 pm – 4:45 pm in the College Library

Please come along for extra help. Make sure you bring something to work on — ask your teacher if you need additional materials to bring with you. We look forward to seeing you there.

Equipment

As the term begins, we are noticing that many students are arriving without basic equipment. Please ensure your child brings the following items to every maths class:

• Pens (black/blue and red)
• Pencils
• Calculator
• Maths workbook
• Maths textbook
• Charged device
• Whiteboard (Diary)
• Whiteboard marker
• Ruler

If you have any concerns regarding your child’s maths learning, please contact their classroom teacher in the first instance.

Amanda Brown
Mathematics Coordinator

That’s a Wrap for Semester 1 English!

It may have been the end of term, but English learning was at its most creative in Week 20 when our inaugural Year 9 Documentary Film Fest kicked off the week.

On Tuesday, 1 July, students, parents and members of the JPC community came together to celebrate the academic achievements of our Year 9 documentary makers.

In the space of seven weeks, our Year 9 students planned, researched, scripted, directed, shot, produced and edited their documentaries. The films showcased students, teachers, family members and friends, highlighting how they live out the values of justice, peace, courage and truth. The winning documentaries were selected by the Year 9 cohort, their teachers, and Dr Wattam.

The English Faculty hopes this awards ceremony becomes an annual event where we can celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students.

Congratulations to all our Documentary Award Winners for 2025, and a special shout‑out to Ayra Ahmed and Luka Spoljaric for their incredible design work on the promotional posters for the evening.

  

• Alicia Campbell
• Michael Vitharana
• Xavier Labutte
• Calvin Phan
• Sebastian Wilson
• Sukmanhjot Singh Kahlon
• Kossia Kuol Deng
• Kayden Koncz
• Lachlan Finn
• Ethan George
• Jason Gamal

Most Entertaining Documentary

• Bowen Sharples
• Devdath Gemini
• Nate Ball
• Kayd Wheatley
• Joel Gahan

Most Wholesome Documentary

• Anabel Bein

Best Cinematography in a Documentary

• Samuel Fankhauser

Best Sound in a Documentary

• Kate Kim

Best Editing of a Documentary

• Baldeep Kaur
• Zoey Phan

Best Writing for a Documentary

• Nahla Siebert

Best Exploration of Values in a Documentary

• Mahitha Mathews
• Saba Rushton

Best Documentary

• Mila Ilievski

Dr Wattam Achievement Award

• Alice Butt

Meanwhile, our Year 8 students wrapped up their novel study of I Am Malala, culminating in a visual representation of a section of the text to showcase their understanding of its core themes. Year 8s then hosted a gallery walk for the Year 9/10 Graphic Design class, who lent their acute design eye to each visual piece. Check out their use of symbolism below!

God will send another earthquake to punish us all

A depiction of the 2005 Kashmir-Pakistan earthquake, as told in the autobiography I am Malala.

This piece depicts the earthquake that Malala had experienced when she was only 8 years old. The earthquake, a 7.6 magnitude, devasted many in the region. The Taliban saw this earthquake as an opportunity to manipulate the people into believing this was a punishment from God. This piece depicts the Taliban taking control of the radio and told that girls going to school was the reason for the earthquake. This experience gave Malala an insight into the Taliban’s true motivations and made her fight even harder for girls’ educational rights.

Thanking God

This is a depiction of Malala praying for all she had and thanking Allah for everything. We decided to depict this part of the book, as it reflects her relationship with Allah and how grateful she is for everything in her life. The quote we used reflects this picture because Malala told herself to thank Allah for everything in her life and be grateful for every last minute of education before she wasn’t allowed to go to school. We believe this picture shows the viewers that Malala is grateful for everything in her life, and will keep fighting for education because she loved education and wants everyone to have the opportunity to go to school, like she did.

Kat Allan
Assistant English Coordinator

Library

The Library has been brimming with skills-based learning this year, including reading and information literacy.

The Library Team has been visiting classrooms to teach and team-teach skills across year groups in information, digital, and transdisciplinary literacies. Identified within the key learning areas of each year group, the team has continued to utilise the Literacies Continuum framework developed this year to deliver a series of lessons that develop students’ skills.

A major focus in Term 3 and 4 will be the research process, summarising, paraphrasing, and note-taking. We feel that students are well on their way to developing the skills required to be 21st-century learners.

Sora by OverDrive

Students now have access to Sora by OverDrive. During Reading lessons, the Library Team will be showing students how to use this tool.

OverDrive is a digital library offering both eBooks and audiobooks for the community — anytime, anywhere! Sora is a user-friendly app that lets students access this collection through their laptop, phone, or tablet.

The Sora app was designed around the modern student reading experience. It empowers students to discover and enjoy eBooks and audiobooks from their school for both leisure and class-assigned reading.

Getting Started with Sora

Step 1
Install the Sora app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, or go to soraapp.com. A link can also be found on the Library Canvas page.

Step 2
Students and staff log in to Sora and Oliver with their school network login details. When asked to search for a library, click to search by ‘Name’, not location, and then search for ACEN.
Note: You will need your school sign-in information — the same one used for Canvas, GroupWise, etc.

Step 3
Browse the explore tab and borrow a book. Your book will open so you can start reading right away.

Step 4
Close the book and go to your Shelf to see all your books (including assignments). From there, you can:
• Select Open book or Open audiobook to read or listen
• Select Options to renew or return the book, see your notes and highlights, and more

Need help?
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to:

Jessica Stokman
✉️ jessica.stokman1@cg.catholic.edu.au

Student Book Returns and Overdues

It’s that time of year again — please encourage your son or daughter to return any books they may still have. If it is a textbook, their classroom teacher will arrange a time to return it to the Library.

Many thanks,
Library Team

Year 10 Work Experience

As Term 3 begins, we would like to celebrate the achievements of our Year 10 students who participated in Work Experience during Week 10 of last term. This valuable program provides students with the opportunity to explore potential career pathways, develop practical skills, and gain insights into the world of work.

Across a diverse range of industries, students embraced the challenges and rewards of professional environments. From early childhood education to hospitality, retail and various trade and professional settings, each placement offered unique learning opportunities that helped students grow in confidence, responsibility and direction.

Lara, who spent her week at Holy Spirit Early Learning Centre, shared:

“I learnt a lot about what it takes to be a preschool teacher. The educators don’t just supervise the kids—they help them learn and grow through play, storytelling and artworks. I also learned about the values of the centre, like showing kindness, respect and creating a safe learning environment for every child. This experience showed me that teaching young children is both a challenging and rewarding job.”

Bradley completed his placement at the Gold Creek Golf Course Pro Shop and reflected:

“It was a great opportunity to see what it’s like to work in a real job. I learned a lot about customer service and how to speak to people in a friendly and professional way. This experience helped me build my confidence and taught me useful skills I can use in the future.”

These reflections highlight just how impactful work experience can be in shaping students’ understanding of the workplace and their aspirations for the future. If any student is interested in undertaking Work Experience later this year, we encourage them to speak with the Careers Team to explore available options and begin the planning process.

UC Snow Scholarship

The Snow Scholarship is one of Australia’s most generous and transformative undergraduate programs, designed predominantly to support students in Canberra and regional or rural NSW who face barriers to higher education.

Scholars receive:

• Up to $30,000 per year to support living costs, travel and accommodation

• Wrap‑around academic, personal and leadership growth

• A welcoming, diverse community of peers and mentors

Snow Scholarships have been co‑created by the Snow Foundation and the University of Canberra. The Snow Foundation believes in the power of education to change lives and open doors—helping students realise their potential and grow into confident, purposeful leaders. In partnership with UC, they’ve committed $20 million to support students with big dreams who need assistance to get there.

Applications are currently open to Year 12 students. More information can be found here:
https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/study-at-uc/scholarships/snow-scholarships

Careers Team
careers.jpc@cg.catholic.edu.au