To the community of St John Paul II College,

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St Mary Magdalene, one of the most prominent women in the New Testament and a faithful follower of Jesus. Often referred to as the “Apostle to the Apostles,” Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the risen Christ and proclaim the Good News of the Resurrection. Her life is a powerful testament to transformation, forgiveness, and unwavering devotion.

In Mary Magdalene, we see the beauty of redemption and the courage to follow Christ even in the face of uncertainty and sorrow. Her story reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s love and that we are all called to be witnesses of hope and healing in our world.

Loving God, Through the witness of St Mary Magdalene, You show us the power of faith, forgiveness, and transformation. Help us to follow her example of devotion and courage, To seek You with open hearts and proclaim Your love with joy. May we, like Mary, be bearers of hope and light in our community. Amen.

A warm welcome back to all families and students as we begin Semester 2. We hope you enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating break and are now ready to refocus and re-engage with your learning. This new semester brings fresh opportunities to grow, achieve, and contribute to our vibrant College community. Let’s begin with energy, purpose, and a commitment to doing our personal best.

Towards the end of last term, I spoke with students at assembly about the importance of our school uniform, not just as a requirement, but as a symbol of who we are. Our uniform is more than a set of clothes. It represents our unity, pride, and shared identity as members of the St John Paul II College community.

When the uniform is worn correctly, it is not just about following the rules, it is about showing that students belong, that they respect themselves and others, and that they are proud to be part of something bigger.

I want to challenge every student to be a leader in this space. Leadership doesn’t always mean standing in front of a crowd — it can be as simple as tucking in their shirt, wearing their tie properly, and choosing the school jumper over a non-uniform hoodie. These small choices speak volumes about an individual’s character and commitment to our shared values.

I would also ask parents for greater support in this. Our uniform expectations are clearly outlined in student diaries and on the College website. I encourage you to review them and speak with your child to ensure they are meeting them each day.

Year 12 Retreat – “The Spirit of Wisdom”

This week, our Year 12 students will embark on their Retreat, a significant milestone in their final year at JPC. The Retreat, titled “The Spirit of Wisdom,” offers students a space for reflection, meditation, spiritual journaling, walking, and drawing. With a strong spiritual focus, the program encourages students to contemplate their journey, share insights, and build deeper relationships.

Students will explore the wisdom they’ve gained during their time at JPC and reflect on the transformation that can arise from life’s challenges. Through theological reflection, journaling, and guided discussions, they will consider the questions: Who am I? Where have I come from? Where am I called to? An evening campfire (weather permitting) will provide a special moment of connection and reflection.

We wish our Year 12s a safe, enriching, and prayerful retreat experience.

JPC Musical – Opening Night Approaches!

We are now just over a week away from the opening night of the 2025 JPC Musical: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! The excitement is building, and we acknowledge the incredible hard work and dedication of all involved — students, staff, and volunteers. A special thank you to Mrs Sarah Smith for her outstanding leadership and creative direction of this terrific show. We can’t wait to see the magic come to life on stage!

Get your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/DAXAT 

Semester 1 Report Feedback Interviews

Thank you to all parents and carers who took the opportunity to meet with their child’s teachers during the Semester 1 Report Feedback Interviews. These conversations are vital in supporting each student to achieve their personal best and in strengthening the partnership between school and home. We appreciate your engagement and commitment to your child’s learning journey.

Winter Uniform Reminder

As we settle back into Term 3, we remind all students of our winter uniform expectations. It is important that the correct uniform is worn each day, reflecting pride in our College and respect for our shared standards. Details of the required uniform are available in student diaries and on the College website. Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining our uniform standards.

Jacob Knowles
Principal (Acting)

Last semester, students in Religious Education engaged in rich and meaningful learning experiences across all year levels. From exploring deep theological questions to leading peer retreats, our students reflected thoughtfully on faith, justice, history, and the human experience — grounded always in the message of God’s love.

Year 7 explored Common Beginnings, Common Stories: Promoting Peace and Love, learning about the shared heritage of the Abrahamic faiths — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They examined how these traditions, while unique, are united in their reverence for one God and their call to peace.

Year 8 journeyed through Church history in their unit Change and Continuity in the Church from c. 650 CE – c. 1750 CE, discovering how the Church has responded to times of great transformation.

Year 9 tackled life’s deeper questions in Justice and Compassion: The Question of Good and Evil and Forgiveness. Using scripture, theology, and real-world examples, students considered what it means to forgive, to be forgiven, and to act justly.

Year 10 focused on Liberation and Empowerment: God’s Unending Love and Mercy for Humanity, reflecting on how God’s mercy calls us to respond with courage and compassion to the suffering we see in the world.

Year 11 continued their ethical inquiry in The Good Life, engaging with moral philosophy and Catholic ethical traditions to explore what it means to live with purpose, integrity, and faith.

Year 12 took a broader view in their study of Continuity, Change and Diversity, examining how faith communities remain rooted in truth while adapting to a changing world.

Our Youth Ministry classes brought faith to life through service and leadership.

• Year 9 participated in the Catch the Wave course and offered a creative and moving contribution to our Easter liturgy using shadow puppets to depict the journey from the Passion to the Resurrection.
• Year 10 completed the Alpha Youth course and began The Leader in You, a program designed to help students lead with purpose. They also facilitated a retreat for Year 8, creating space for prayer, reflection, and connection.

We are proud of the thoughtfulness, compassion, and dedication shown by all our students. Through their learning, service, and leadership, they continue to grow in faith, hope, and love.

Heather Lloyd
Religious Education Coordinator

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new Defence Leadership Program at St John Paul II College!

This initiative has been developed specifically to recognise and empower our Defence students, young people who often relocate due to family postings and may miss out on traditional leadership roles within schools. At JPC, we believe these students bring incredible resilience, adaptability, and unique life experiences to our community, and they deserve the chance to lead, be heard, and make a difference.

The Defence Leadership Program provides meaningful opportunities for students to represent their peers, welcome new Defence families, help run events, and build strong connections within the school. It’s a space where they can grow in confidence, take initiative, and develop leadership skills that will travel with them wherever life takes them next.

We’re incredibly proud to support our Defence students in leading with purpose, and we can’t wait to see what they achieve!

Zonika Smith
Defence School Mentor

On Friday, 27 June, our band students performed for families, staff and friends at the the Mid-year Music Showcase: Momentum. The evening was a celebration of musical talent, with each ensemble displaying professionalism, community spirit, and a deep commitment to their craft.

We are incredibly proud of all students involved and congratulate them on their successful and inspiring performances.

Mr Dennett and Mr Goodwin
Music Teachers

On Friday, 6 June, students and staff from JPC had the exciting opportunity to attend a performance of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four at the Canberra Theatre.

Year 11 English T students have been studying this powerful text throughout Term 2, exploring the context in which it was written and drawing parallels with current world events. This excursion allowed them to further consider the enduring relevance of classic literature in today’s society.

In class, students examined Orwell’s use of literary devices to create a dystopian setting. The performance brought these techniques to life, offering a new lens through which to understand and analyse the text. The production was a gripping interpretation that captured the essence of the novel and provided valuable insight into how meaning can be communicated through live performance.

A big thank you to all involved in organising this enriching experience.

Pictured (left to right):
Eugene Rebeiro, Luca Froelich-Chapman, Harry Backwell, Image Ghimere, Jack Leigh

Kathy Kinnane
English Teacher

We are proud to share that Georgia Rhall recently competed in the Australian Classical Challenge held on 26–27 June. After completing two classes and delivering two outstanding performances, she was selected to compete in the finals and awarded Winner of the Intermediate Contemporary U15 Section.

This is an incredible achievement and a reflection of Georgia’s dedication, talent, and perseverance. Congratulations, Georgia! We’re so proud of your success!