By now I am sure you are aware of the pending legislation, due to come into effect in December this year, precluding all children under the age of 16 from holding a social media account. The current plan by the government – though not without some contention – is to include YouTube in the mix. Perhaps you might have seen some media clips, TV articles, or heard radio discussions on this topic. Our college has featured in a number of these, and I have given interviews to many media outlets on the topic. More than one hundred of our students were engaged in the age-assurance technology trial various forms of identification were put to the test, including facial recognition software.

Regardless of one’s personal views on the subject, the fact remains that families will have a task ahead of them in navigating their child’s responses to this new legislation. For some students, it will mean very little. However, for many teens especially, it may come with some sense of loss, and even grief. My estimation is that some adolescents may feel that their connection, communication, and some forms of social outlet have been unfairly ripped from them. Perhaps for some students it may well be accompanied by a sense of anxiety.

I raise this now, months ahead of the December deadline, to gently suggest that the time to start planning for and discussing with your children what this will mean for them, is now. It might be instructive to have conversations about some of the following:

1. How we connect with (and feel connected to) our peers other than through social media.
2. What other forms of social outlet might be employed in real time, with real people.
3. If it is not part of your family routine, re-establishing a dinner time routine with all family members at the dinner table, which is a phone-free zone.
4. Encouragement of outdoor activities including sports, running, walking, a trip to the park, bike riding and so on.
5. Inviting children/adolescents to play board games, cards, play a musical instrument.
6. Becoming a “joiner” – join a group of some sort in the community, including volunteering. Vinnies is always looking for volunteers either in-store or in the warehouse.
7. Managing those times where we feel the “loss” of opportunity that social media presented. For a small number of young people, this could look like withdrawal from an addictive substance.
8. The ways in which some young people may attempt to subvert or circumvent the legislation. Adolescents are creative and industrious!

No doubt there will be teething issues with the legislation, and I accept that for many young people, they use social media as a form of communication and even as a pastime. If we can encourage and build alternatives now, it may smooth the way somewhat come December. Understanding our chidren’s online behaviour, including the number of hours they spend engaging with social media may go some way to getting an insight into the degree to which this will be an issue, or not, for your child.

Sustaining, life-giving relationships, are always best served through getting to know someone over time, in real time, and in real life. If we think of our own friendship groups as adults, these are mostly nourished by wasting time with each other, investing in the lives of the other, and holding a genuine concern and interest in what happens to them. Online encounters will never trump this.

Again, this year, we have invited Dr Justin Coulson to visit our school to work with our students and to provide a parent session on resilience. I have no doubt the issue of social media and technology use will form part of the discussion on the night. The date is Thursday 4 September at 5.00pm. A date claimer has already been sent out through our socials. I know that parents really appreciated the evening we provided with Dr Coulson last year.

Adventure Awaits: Celebrating Book Week 2025

Book Week 2025 is just around the corner, and this year’s theme “Adventure Awaits” is a brilliant opportunity to reconnect our teens with the magic of reading. While the primary years often get all the Book Week attention (and adorable costumes), there’s just as much to be gained by celebrating literature with our high school students.

Let’s be honest, encouraging teenagers to read can sometimes feel like asking them to clean their room without being told twice. But adventure stories offer a way in. They’re fast-paced, immersive, and more importantly, help build key life skills like empathy, resilience and critical thinking - all while keeping your teen engaged in something other than their screen.

Why Adventure Books Matter (Especially Now)

Australian research shows that reading adventure stories improves imagination and cultural understanding - essential tools in today’s complex, fast-paced world. Whether it’s surviving a shipwreck, exploring the outback, or standing up to injustice in dystopian futures, these stories give young people a way to explore ideas and perspectives far beyond their own. And let’s not forget the simple joy of getting lost in a good book. In a world of notifications and short attention spans, that’s a gift in itself.

Support Local (Authors, That Is)

We’re lucky to have a treasure trove of brilliant Australian adventure authors who speak directly to our students’ experiences - authors like Colin Thiele, Morris Gleitzman, Jackie French and Zana Fraillon. By encouraging your teen to explore these voices, you’re helping them see themselves (and their country) reflected in the stories they read.

Simple Ways to Support at Home

• Set aside quiet time for reading after dinner or before bed.
• Encourage your teen to try one new book each week (or month - we’re realistic!).
• Ask about what they’re reading, and show genuine interest - even if it’s a fantasy series with fifteen volumes. Better yet, let them see you reading, too.

A Dress-Up Challenge…

To help celebrate the “Adventure Awaits” theme, we’re inviting all students (and teachers!) to dress up as their favourite adventure-book character on Friday of Week 5. Whether it’s Indiana Jones, Phryne Fisher, or a humble explorer with a compass and map, we’d love to see you bring the spirit of storytelling to life. It’s a wonderful way to model enthusiasm, support your teen’s school community, and maybe even have a little fun yourself.

Let’s Lead the Way (or at Least Pack the Map)

Book Week is about more than costumes and reading lists - it’s about fostering a love of story, imagination and learning. By celebrating with our teens, we’re showing them that reading doesn’t stop at childhood, it evolves, expands and continues to shape who we become.

So dust off that old novel, think about a cool literary outfit, and join us in making Book Week 2025 one to remember. Adventure awaits, and so does dress-up Friday! We’ll see you there.

Ms Emma Post (Ramke)
Faculty Coordinator

This year’s musical production, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, invites our community to reflect on what it means to be transformed through trust, humility, and hope. Set in a world bursting with colour, chaos, and candy, the story reminds us that true sweetness lies not in what we consume, but in how we choose to live. In the spirit of our school motto, “Then come, follow me,” young Charlie’s journey mirrors that of a faithful pilgrim - choosing kindness over selfishness, integrity over overindulgence, promising that those who walk in love and truth may inherit something greater than they ever imagined. This production is not just a feast for the senses, but a parable for the soul - where golden tickets are won not by luck, but by love.

St John Paul II College’s 2025 musical production of Roald Dahl’s classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a huge success! With close to 90 students involved on and off the stage, these talented young artists stepped into a world of “pure imagination,” pouring heart, humour, and hard work into every moment to raise the standard of JPC musicals with a completely sold-out season.

Of course, a production of this scale could only come to life through the imagination, dedication, and heart of a creative team - and the unwavering support of the College community. Thank you to all who contributed, supported, or simply believed in the dream; your efforts helped bring the magic of the theatre to life. But the greatest credit goes to our extraordinary students. From performers and musicians to the backstage crew weaving their wonders, this team crafted a production that was nothing short of scrumdiddlyumptious. With open hearts and a shared vision, they embodied the spirit of Charlie’s world - where kindness, collaboration, and a touch of whimsy can change everything. Truly, they reminded us all that “there is no life I know to compare with pure imagination.”

Would you like a recording of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
Take the magic home with you! Printed-logo USBs featuring an edited recording of the show will soon be available to purchase via Compass for $15. Don’t miss your chance to relive the brain-boggling-snoz-tastic moments. Recordings will be distributed before the end of term—because some wonders are too sweet not to share.

Again, thank you to everyone who played a part in bringing this whimsical world to life. I am incredibly proud of the entire cast, orchestra, and crew—for their talent, teamwork, and the joy they shared with every audience member. May the memories of this magical journey stay with you always, like golden tickets tucked in your heart. After all, in Wonka’s world and ours, the best kind of magic is the kind we create together.

Mrs Sarah Smith
Director, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Last term, Ferré House students rallied behind MacKillop House, a refuge providing emergency accommodation for women experiencing homelessness. Students were invited to donate a “personal item” for Comfort Hampers, which are now placed in each townhouse to welcome new residents.

Earlier this week, some of our SRC representatives presented the hampers to Sr Noelene from MacKillop House. She expressed her gratitude:

“We are very proud and honoured and deeply grateful for the care and support of your students. I feel that we have become partners in mission! That gives me strength. I also believe this experience shows us we are all together living the gospel in the way St Mary MacKillop taught us.”

Inspired by this partnership, Ferré students have learned that the common‐area furniture at MacKillop House is in need of renewal. They are now planning fundraising activities to replace the lounge and dining tables by the end of the year.

Matthew Aquilina
Ferré House Coordinator

Congratulations to Year 9 student Riley Prior, who claimed victory in the Junior Heavy class at the 40th Anniversary Clyde Marshall Winter Cup in Lithgow last weekend. This prestigious event is highly regarded in the karting community across New South Wales—making Riley’s win even more impressive, especially as it was his first time racing at the Lithgow track.

Riley is already the reigning ACT State Champion in Junior Heavy karting, proudly carrying the coveted number 1 blue plate on his kart. His strong start to the season has him sitting at the top of the 2025 ACT Junior Heavy Championship leaderboard, with three rounds still to come.

Well done, Riley—we look forward to celebrating more of your achievements on the track!

Kym Darmody
Faculty Coordinator PDHPE/Sport

Congratulations to Year 8 student Henry McNamara, who was selected earlier this year to represent the ACT in the Under-14 Boys Indoor Cricket team. During the July holidays, Henry and his teammates travelled to Perth to compete at the national championships.

Although they faced strong opposition—many teams featured national representatives—the ACT side earned praise from coaches and competitors alike for their unwavering positivity and exceptional sportsmanship. Henry and his teammates never lost their enthusiasm, attracting support and cheers from rival teams throughout the tournament.

Well done, Henry, and well done to the entire ACT Under-14 Boys Indoor Cricket team!

Kym Darmody
Faculty Coordinator PDHPE/Sport

What’s on @ JPC?

At JPC, we have a number of special events planned over the week, including lunchtime activities for everyone in the science labs.

• Monday: Decoding Challenge
  Grab a partner, or form a team of four and have a go at solving the mystery code!

• Tuesday: Guest Presenter Laura McMahon (Therapeutic Goods Administration, Dept of Health)
  “Unlocking the Code of Creating Vaccines for Current and Emerging Pathogens Using mRNA and Protein-Based Technologies”

• Wednesday: Guest Presenter Rohan Holloway (on behalf of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources - Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group)
  “Unlocking the Secrets of Turtle Genetics and Ecology for Global Wellbeing”

• Friday: The JPC Science Team
  Join us for some chemistry fun!

See you in the labs!

Science Week Around Canberra

Questacon & Australian Federal Police
Sat 16 August
The AFP will team up with Questacon for a science-meets-crime-fighting extravaganza the whole family will love.  Step into the shoes of an AFP STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) expert and uncover the science behind solving crimes. Curious kids, teens, and adults can get hands-on with fingerprint matching, secret writing and decoding activities, AI demos, interactive forensic science exhibits and much more!

ANU Biology Society Lab Tours
Daily, 9 am–12 pm

The ANU Biology Society is excited to host a series of exclusive lab tours showcasing the incredible breadth of biological research happening across the Australian National University. These small-group tours (1 to 2.5 hours in length) will give visitors the unique opportunity to step behind the scenes of cutting-edge labs across a range of disciplines—from ecology and evolution, to molecular biology, neuroscience, plant science, and more.

Led by researchers and lab members, each tour is limited to 10 students to ensure an interactive, engaging experience. Participants will learn about current research projects, lab techniques, and potential pathways into Honours, internships, or future careers in science.

To wrap up the week, the Biology Society will host a thank-you coffee event on Friday morning with lab heads and tour leaders. This informal gathering will give students and researchers a chance to network, ask follow-up questions, and celebrate the collaborative spirit of National Science Week.

For the Grown-ups: Pint of Science Canberra

Tue & Wed, 6:30–8:30 pm
King O’Malley’s (131 City Walk, Canberra)

Pint of Science Australia brings research out of the lab and into venues around the country. This volunteer-run festival is all about making science accessible, engaging, and fun, with researchers sharing their work with the public in a relaxed and casual venue. This National Science Week, join us at King O'Malley's in Canberra Civic for two nights of science talks from local researchers. With three speakers each night covering everything from novel disease detection to marine megafauna and designer fungi, there's something for everyone!

• Tuesday 12 August:
  “Wildlife Tales: Marine Megafauna, Fairywrens & Conflict Resolution (Animal Style)”
  Dive into the secret lives of animals, from ocean-roaming giants to heat-beating fairywrens and the drama of group decisions in the wild. Discover how marine megafauna migrate across the globe, how tiny birds cope with the Aussie heat, and what happens when animal leaders try (and fail) to take charge.

• Wednesday 13 August:
  “Bioreactors & The Brain: Fungi, Parkinson’s & PTSD”
  Designing with fungi, early sparks of brain disease and stress that sticks - this night explores the cutting-edge science of health and resilience! Discover how engineered fungi could power the future, how Parkinson’s disease might be diagnosed before it starts, and why brains on the autism spectrum respond differently to trauma.

Don’t miss this chance to explore, experiment, and connect with science both at JPC and across Canberra!

Mrs Jennifer Tually
Science Coordinator

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