Time and time again in the Gospels we see Jesus sharing a meal with others. Table fellowship is frequently the setting either for the message itself, or the vehicle for the message. Of course, we know the culmination of all these meal settings is the great banquet itself – that of the Last Supper, where the Eucharist is instituted. We memorialise this in the Mass at our sacred meal, each time we participate in the liturgy.

Yesterday’s Gospel reading from Luke (14:1, 7-14) again seats many at the table to share a meal. As often is the case, Jesus provides us with a neat reversal or contradiction in the story. Jesus notices that people often like to take the place of honour at a dinner table, that is, unless or until someone more important comes along! Rather, he suggests, one should take the lowest place at the table and be humble about this fact. The kicker of course is that he who is humbled shall be exalted, and he who is exalted will be humbled. This rings out regularly through the Gospels, in the beatitudes, and with the similar echo of he who is first shall be last…

Even more importantly, and consistently so, is Jesus’ instruction to not just invite the “in-crowd” or the “people like us” to your home or party for dinner. Instead, invite the poor, the lame, the outcast. We are encouraged to invite all of those who have no possible chance of repaying the favour.

It is interesting that often, when we invite someone to our place for dinner, the unspoken expectation is that they will in turn reciprocate. When they do not return the favour, we might ask what we have done wrong! Naturally, we invite our friends and family to the table. Rarely do we invite those who are not our kin, or friends. It is a much bigger ask, to put at your table, in your home, those who others might think undeserving. The living of our Christian vocation is doing for others, with the absolute expectation of receiving nothing in return. There is no repayment, except perhaps in heaven!

At our College we try and invite our students into this space, where they consciously and generously take the initiative in doing for others, especially the poor, and those at the margins, with nothing but a good feeling inside for having done so. It is easily said, yet often much more difficult to do. I am always impressed by the readiness of our students to invite others to the table, and to offer fellowship. This is the preferential option for the poor enacted.  

Arriving at school on time

I draw your attention to punctuality to school. Of late, more than 80 students are signing in after the bell for pastoral care has rung. The first bell goes at 8.45am, and PC class commences at 8.50. It is not acceptable that we have this many students regularly arriving late to school. These late arrivals will be marked as a partial absence. Please organise morning routines to ensure that students arrive to school on time. Punctuality is an expectation in life – especially in the workplace. We are setting our students up well for life beyond school when punctuality is observed.

Dr Craig Wattam
Principal

Our Technologies students have had a busy start to Term 3, with many opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom in a series of incursions and excursions. These opportunities allow students to see first-hand how the knowledge and skills they develop in Design Technologies, Hospitality, Construction, Networking and Security, Designed Environments, and Graphic Design connect with real-world industries. Each experience has been carefully chosen to inspire creativity, highlight future career pathways, and deepen students’ understanding of how innovation and problem-solving are applied in real-life contexts. The following excursions showcase the variety of ways our learners are connecting classroom concepts with practical, hands-on experiences in the wider community.

Construction incursion – Mr Abram Wilcox

In Week 3, the Construction Pathways students participated in a hands-on incursion, applying industry-standard tools, equipment and teamwork skills to construct three timber raised garden beds for the College’s new Indigenous Garden. Working from a client brief provided by JPC’s First Nations Facilitator, students designed, measured, cut, assembled and finished the beds, demonstrating a high level of independence and practical skill. Once installed, these garden beds will support the cultivation of native bush foods and plants of cultural significance. Some of these plants will even be used in future Food Technology and Hospitality classes, providing meaningful cross-curricular connections across the school.

Hospitality – Mr Charter

In celebration of this year’s school production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, our talented Senior Hospitality students brought the magic of the stage into the kitchen. Tasked with designing a culinary experience that mirrored the whimsy and wonder of the musical, students curated a selection of cooked goods for cast, crew, and guests.
The show-stopping item was a themed Cake Box, with each mini dessert representing one of the five iconic child characters from the musical; each flavour was thoughtfully matched to reflect personality, theme and flair. The box not only delighted taste buds but also showcased the students’ creativity, food styling and production planning skills. Beyond the sweets, students worked collaboratively on food preparation, safe handling, and event coordination, demonstrating the real-world application of their hospitality competencies.

Networking and Security excursion – Mr Harley Bartlett

This week, Mr Wilcox, the Year 11/12 Networking and Security students and I took part in the Mobile Cyber Escape Challenge at UNSW Canberra City. The event provided an immersive, hands-on experience in cybersecurity, allowing students to collaboratively solve puzzles and work together to “escape” the room. Our Year 12 group achieved the second-highest score, completing the challenge in just 20 minutes.
While waiting for their turn in the Cyber Escape Room, students practised a range of cybersecurity skills, including cracking Caesar ciphers, picking locks, exploring their digital footprint, and using tools like Have I Been Pwned. They also engaged in STEM-focused, hands-on practice tasks and attended a lecture on different types of cyber-attacks, which highlighted the growing importance of cybersecurity. A big thank you to UNSW Canberra and Dr Masood Mansoori for delivering such an engaging and educational experience.

  

Senior Design students – Miss Chloe McCallum and Miss Kathryn Allan

Our students recently visited Taglietti: Life in Design at the Canberra Museum and Gallery, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of architect Enrico Taglietti. Born in Italy and later based in Canberra, Taglietti is remembered for his bold, sculptural buildings that combine light, space and material in striking ways.

The exhibition showcased drawings, models, furniture, photographs and personal objects that told the story of his career and the impact of his designs. Students also experienced interactive installations that highlighted Taglietti’s core principles, such as framing the landscape, deceiving gravity, dissolving the façade and creating spaces that challenge expectation.

A practical workshop allowed students to connect what they saw with their own creative practice. Beginning with a paper-folding exercise to represent Taglietti’s principles visually, students then moved on to construct cardboard structures inspired by the shapes and forms in his work. The tasks encouraged creativity, risk-taking and hands-on problem solving.

The excursion was an inspiring opportunity to see how design ideas move from imagination to real-world structures, and to understand how architecture shapes the way we live.

A big thank you to Jodie from the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery for working with our students and sharing her in-depth knowledge of Taglietti’s work.

We look forward to seeing how students apply their learning to their assessment work in the coming weeks. I would like to extend my gratitude to the teachers who have worked countless hours to ensure that these events are a success for the students in Technologies.

Chloe McCallum
Technologies Coordinator

At our August Community Council meeting, we covered a range of important topics that reflect our commitment to strengthening the connection between the College and our wider community. The Community Council is a representative body offering guidance and support to Dr Wattam and the Leadership Team on behalf of the broader school community. Ours is the only known council in the region that includes student members, ensuring student voice is heard in key decision-making.

A major focus of this meeting was an update on potential changes to the school uniform. The uniform display has now concluded, and we appreciate the thoughtful feedback received from families, staff, and students. We also explored new fundraising initiatives and began preparations for a Community Council Open Forum to be held in November. More information on this event will be shared shortly.

Looking ahead, we are now seeking two Year 11 students to join next year’s Council, as Imogen and I move into our final year of school. This is a valuable opportunity for students to contribute to the life and growth of our College, while developing leadership and collaboration skills. We also continue to encourage parents and community members to express their interest in joining — a meaningful and rewarding way to get involved in our school.

With several projects underway and exciting initiatives to come, the Community Council remains committed to representing the diverse voices of our community and supporting the ongoing growth and success of St John Paul II College.

Paige Killiby
Year 11

This semester, students are engaging in regular formative assessments across Mathematics, Science, HASS, and English to support their learning progress. These tasks are visible on Canvas under the ‘Formative Assessment’ label and are designed to help students monitor their understanding before final assessments.

Many of the tasks are self-marking, providing instant feedback and helping students identify both their strengths and the areas they need to work on. This regular feedback loop supports academic growth and encourages a proactive approach to learning.

Parents and carers can also view these tasks, offering a clear window into their child’s progress throughout the term. Formative tasks are not graded but are essential in preparing students for summative assessments later in the semester.

We encourage families to check Canvas regularly and have ongoing conversations about learning goals and academic achievements.

Kathleen Garvie
Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning 

Cake decorating is one of the most enjoyable parts of catering because it blends creativity, skill and celebration. Unlike savoury cooking, which focuses on taste and technique, decorating lets students have their cake and design it too — expressing imagination through colour, texture and style. A simple sponge can become the icing on the cake for any event, whether it’s a birthday, wedding or special occasion.

Students loved experimenting with piping techniques and colour palettes, discovering how small touches can take a cake from good to exceptional. The process was hands-on and fun, encouraging problem-solving, patience and creativity. It also fostered teamwork and pride when the final masterpieces were revealed.

In catering, presentation is just as important as flavour, and decorated cakes highlight this perfectly. A beautifully finished cake is a true show-stopper that leaves guests with sweet memories.

Enjoy the images of their fantastic cakes.

Cheryl Jones
Religious Education, Philosophy and Food Technology

JPC has once again shown its strength in the snow, securing third place in the Alpine competition for the second year running! This year, the talented team of Andrew Dunn, Rhys Webster, and Liam Dingwall placed third in the Division 1 Male category, demonstrating impressive skill, teamwork, and determination on the slopes.

A special congratulations also goes to Jye Kitto, who has qualified for Nationals in Skier Cross. We wish Jye all the best as he prepares to represent JPC on the national stage!

Kym Darmody
Faculty Coordinator PDHPE/Sport

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