The Feast of the Ascension – Thursday 29 May

This Thursday, we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, a significant moment in the Church’s liturgical calendar. The Ascension marks the moment when the risen Jesus was taken up into heaven, forty days after His resurrection. It is a powerful reminder of Christ’s divine nature and His enduring promise to remain with us always, even as He entrusts His followers with the mission to spread the Gospel.

For Catholics, the Ascension is not just a farewell — it is a commissioning. It reminds us that we are called to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world, continuing His work with hope and courage, guided by the Holy Spirit.

O Lord Jesus, I adore you, Son of Mary, my Saviour and my Brother, for You are God. I follow You in my thoughts, O first-fruits of our race, as I hope one day by Your grace to follow You in my person into heavenly glory. Until then, do not let me neglect the earthly task which You have given me. Let me labour diligently all my life with a greater appreciation for the present. Let me realise that only by accomplishing true human fulfilment can I attain Divine fulfilment and ascend to You at the completion of my work. Amen. St John Paul II ~ Pray for Us

Senior College Expo – Tuesday 27 May

We are excited to welcome families and prospective students to our Senior College Expo this evening. This event is a wonderful opportunity to explore what St John Paul II College offers for students entering Years 11 and 12 in 2026.

Staff and current students will be available to share insights into academic programs, VET and career pathways, leadership opportunities, and the vibrant life of our senior school. We look forward to meeting many of you and sharing what makes JPC a place of growth, learning, and community.

Reconciliation Day Assembly – Thursday 29 May

This week, we will also gather as a community to mark Reconciliation Day. This is an important time to reflect on truth-telling, healing, and unity in our shared journey toward reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Through prayer, story, and reflection, we will reaffirm our commitment to justice and peace — values that sit at the heart of our College identity.

Uniform Reminder

As the mornings grow cooler, we remind students that non-school uniform hoodies, jumpers, and jackets are not permitted and will be confiscated if seen. Students must wear the correct school uniform, including the College jumper and softshell jacket, to uphold our standards and take pride in our community.

As always, we are grateful for the many contributions across our College and thank all staff and students who have been involved in the wide range of learning and enrichment opportunities taking place this term.

Jacob Knowles
Assistant Principal – Strategy and Staff

The Transformative Power of Live Theatre

As our high school students navigate the exciting and sometimes challenging journey of adolescence, one powerful way to enrich their intellectual and emotional lives is through exposure to live theatre and canonical literature. Over the coming weeks, our Year 9, 10 and 11 students will have the opportunity to attend professional productions of Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and 1984. We are proud to provide this important experience to deepen their understanding of classic texts and bring classroom learning to life.

Engaging with live theatre not only enhances students’ connection to literature but also fosters empathy, cultural awareness, and higher-order thinking — benefits that extend far beyond the English classroom.

Recent research from the University of Arkansas and Birkbeck University London highlights the measurable advantages of theatre experiences for adolescents. A 2018 study by Kaufman and Libby found that students who attended live performances demonstrated stronger comprehension of complex plots and vocabulary, improved social perspective-taking, and higher tolerance levels than those who only read the text or watched film adaptations. In short, seeing literature performed deepens engagement in a way that reading alone cannot replicate.

Similarly, a 2019 study by O’Toole and Dunn found that children and teenagers exposed to live theatre developed emotional and cognitive skills vital for navigating the modern world — including empathy, self-efficacy, and the ability to engage with difficult social issues.

Why it Matters

In an era dominated by digital media, live theatre offers a rare opportunity for students to slow down, reflect, and immerse themselves in rich language and human connection. These experiences build not only academic capability but personal depth — equipping students to become compassionate, critical thinkers.

How Families Can Support

• Encourage attendance at local theatre productions, especially those that align with school texts.

• Discuss performances at home to deepen interpretation and connection.

• Support and prioritise excursions to live performances when offered through school.

• Explore theatre together as a family to build shared cultural memories.

By encouraging our students to experience great literature on stage, we’re opening a door to deeper thinking, richer learning, and a lifelong appreciation of the arts.

Let’s inspire them to not only study great stories — but to feel them come alive in the theatre.

Ms Emma Post
English Faculty Coordinator

In Religious Education this term, our Year 8 students have been exploring the concept of covenants — sacred agreements that form a key part of the Catholic tradition.

As part of their learning, students were challenged to create original children’s books that retell key covenant stories in a way that is engaging and accessible for a younger audience. Their target readers? Year 6 students who will be joining JPC next year.

These creative works have been proudly displayed in our new JPC Library, adding a vibrant and thoughtful touch to the space while giving students a real-world opportunity to share their knowledge in a meaningful way.

Well done to our Year 8 students on their creativity, effort, and ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and care.

Heather Lloyd
Religious Education Coordinator

The Senior Drama class is preparing for participation in this year’s Canberra Theatre’s Act Up! Showcase. This showcase involves Canberra and coastal high school students devising unique performances based on the theme of “Culture and Identity”.

This term, students have been working tirelessly creating comedic and thought-provoking performances. There are two groups performing: ‘Evolution’ ‘and The Cancel Council’.

Imagine a world where artificial intelligence isn’t so artificial. Once created to assist, it now thinks for us. Real communication and independent thought have vanished. Its evolution is unstoppable, its origins unclear. We continue to rely on it, blind to the consequences. Who truly holds the power – us or it?

The Cancel Council

A perfectly average person is summoned by the mysterious Cancel Council – for reasons unknown. Online outrage erupts, a courtroom trial ensues, and guilt is declared. As the cancelled vanish from relevance, the Council coolly selects its next victim. A sharp, satirical look at cancel culture’s chaos, absurdity, and power. Students will perform their final pieces on Friday 6 June, 6.30pm at Canberra Theatre. Family and friends are encouraged to purchase tickets via Canberra Theatre ticketing website. Come along to feast on a night of ‘all-you-can-eat-performance’! Chookas!

Mrs Sarah Smith
Senior Drama Teacher

We are excited to invite all Year 9 parents and carers to attend the Urban Challenge 2025 Launch and Information Evening, being held on Thursday 29 May at 5:30pm at the College.

The Urban Challenge is a major milestone in the Year 9 calendar, providing students with a unique opportunity to build independence, strengthen teamwork, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills in a dynamic, real-world environment.

At this session, we’ll be sharing:

• An overview of the program and its aims

• Key dates and logistics

• What students can expect throughout the experience

• How parents can support and stay involved from home

There will also be time to ask questions and speak with staff who will be supporting students throughout the program.

We strongly encourage all Year 9 families to attend, as this is the key opportunity to receive important information ahead of the experience.

Event Details:
St John Paul II College
Thursday 29 May 2025
5:30pm

Please RSVP by contacting the College.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Sam McCombe

Maathai House Coodinator

The gates to Wonka’s world are officially open! Grab your golden ticket and step inside a world of pure imagination with our school’s spectacular production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Expect Oompa Loompas, chocolate rivers, and a whole lot of sweet surprises as the curtain rises for four magical performances – Thursday 31 July – Saturday 2 August

Tickets on sale now via trybooking!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this scrumdiddlyumptious adventure. Seats are selling faster than Everlasting Gobstoppers – get yours before they vanish!

We are incredibly proud to announce that three of our students have been named winners in the 2024 St Vincent de Paul Finding Freedom Creative Arts Competition — a national initiative that invites young people across the country to share their voices through visual art and creative writing.

Out of hundreds of entries from schools around Australia, Hannah Nguyen, Sophia Hindy Laozia, and Evelyn Buchanan have all been recognised for their creative excellence and individual expression.

• Hannah Nguyen – First Prize, Senior Visual Arts

• Sophia Hindy Laozia – First Prize, Junior Creative Writing

• Evelyn Buchanan – Second Prize, Junior Creative Writing

The Finding Freedom competition encourages students to reflect on the idea of freedom in its many forms — personal, social, emotional, and creative. It’s a powerful prompt, and our students embraced the challenge with maturity and imagination.

A special presentation was held at school earlier this week, where the students were acknowledged by Dr Wattam and Miss Dallas. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements and share in the joy of their success as a school community.

These wins are a credit not only to the students’ artistic and writing talents, but also to the courage they showed in sharing their perspectives with the world.

Congratulations to Hannah, Sophia, and Evelyn — your creativity, effort, and passion have made the JPC community incredibly proud.

Tori Dallas
Visual Arts & Photography Teacher

On Wednesday 14 May, students from St John Paul II College participated in the ACT Volleyball Gala Day — a full day of friendly competition, teamwork, and personal growth.

JPC entered two teams:

• Team One comprised entirely of Year 7 students and was coached by Mr Hanna.

• Team Two featured a combination of Year 7 and 8 students and was coached by Miss Burt.

Throughout the day, our students competed against teams from Belconnen High, Aunty Agnes Shea, Kingsford Smith, Canberra High, Kaleen, Daramalan, Merici, and Harrison School. Each match was a chance to practise skills, build confidence, and step outside of comfort zones.

In preparation for the day, students trained with Mr Macinnes, developing their skills and teamwork. We extend our sincere thanks to Mr Hanna, Miss Burt, and Mr Macinnes for their guidance and support.

While the day was competitive, the true highlight was the students’ attitude — embracing each match with enthusiasm, encouragement, and a commitment to improving.

Well done to all students who participated. You represented the College with pride, resilience, and great sportsmanship.

Written by Anna Argyrakis (Year 7) and Izabella Damiao (Year 7)
Coach: Mr Michael Hanna

Our Senior Outdoor Recreation students have achieved something truly remarkable — completing the entire Centenary Trail around Canberra by bike! That’s an incredible 145 km of cycling, exploring some of the most iconic and scenic parts of our city.

Over several days, students rode through a variety of landscapes and weather conditions — from sunshine to rain, and even thick mud. The trail took them past the Murrumbidgee River, Parliament House, the AIS, and through many of Canberra’s suburbs (excluding only the far west of Belconnen and deep south areas like Banks). It was an unforgettable way to experience our beautiful bush capital.

One of the standout moments was navigating the trail on a rainy day — riding through deep mud and even into a creek, with water halfway up the tyres! These moments served as a reminder of the value of play, the joy of being in nature, and the importance of switching off from technology to connect with the outdoors.

A huge thank you to all the students who gave their all to this experience, and to Ms Kyanah Goggin, whose positivity and support were felt throughout the entire ride.

Well done to everyone involved!

Mr Adam McDonnell

If your child is interested in learning a musical instrument and improving their theoretical and practical skills, individual tuition is available. Our industry professional tutors and performing artists cover a wide range of styles and instruments, including violin, cello, saxophone, clarinet, guitar, drums, vocals, piano, bass, and more.

Band opportunities and instrument hire are also available to support students in their musical journey.

If you are interested, please complete the form via the link below and visit the JPC Music Tuition page for more information.

https://forms.gle/XuVzaW5Tn1L9H7Fd6

On Sunday 1^st June, 11am-1pm, the Archdiocese is celebrating the World Jubilee of Families, Children, Grandparents and the Elderly at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Manuka It will be followed by light refreshments and an event in the Haydon Hall.

The Archbishop has offered to pray over families as part of the celebration and give a short input.  Children’s activities will be available.

Register for the FREE event here:  http://www.bit.ly/MFR2025