St John Paul II Catholic College Newsletter

Dear Parents/Carers and Students,

As we come towards the end of Term 2, we should take the time to reflect upon several events that have occurred at St John Paul II Catholic College. We were not able to have these events in 2020. Just some of the events include the Year 7 and 9 NAPLAN Tests, Year 8 Mass, Subject Excursions, Nirimba Education Precinct’s ATSI Reconciliation Day, Project Compassion Collection, Year 8 Wellbeing Day, Inter-school Public Speaking and Debating, Cross Country, MCS and MCCS winter sport and our Year 11-2022 Subject Selection Evening.

National Mass for the Bicentenary of Catholic Education in Australia on the Solemnity of Our Lady Help of Christians. Parramatta is known as the ‘cradle of Catholic Education’ in Australia, as the first Catholic school was founded on Hunter Street in 1820. On Monday 24th May I had the great privilege of attending a mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral, to celebrate not only this bicentenary but also all those past religious and lay men and women who set the strong foundations for Catholic schooling, through their determination, spirit and faith. 

This is a story that should not be underestimated in our history because from the small beginnings of 31 students, two hundred years ago, Catholic schooling now spans 1,755 schools, 100,000 staff and 777,000 students.

During 2021 we continue to acknowledge and celebrate within the COVID-19 event restrictions the 25th Anniversary of Terra Sancta / St John Paul II catholic College (1996-2021)

2022 Enrolment Update

We have many applications for Year 7 next year and enrolment acceptances have been posted/emailed to the families. If you know of any family wishing to enrol for 2022, please ask them to contact Mrs Fay Lovett on 9208 7200 to avoid the disappointment of missing out on a place next year. There are also some current vacancies in Years 9-11. We may be increasing our Year 7 Enrolment from 210 to 240 students in 2022 as we have had an increase in many families wishing to attend St JPIICC.

Parent/Carer/Student/Teacher Semester 1 Online Interviews

Currently I am reviewing the Semester 1 Student Learning Reports and would like to congratulate the many students who achieved ‘personal bests’, and/or their own learning goals. Year 11 and 12 Semester 1 reports were issued earlier this term and Year 7 – 10 Reports will be issued before the end of this term via compass. 

Due to the unknown future COVID-19 NSW Health guidelines we will continue with the Year 7-12 Parent/Carer/Teacher/Student Interviews being held via zoom on Thursday 15 July from 3.00pm to 7pm and Friday 16 July from 8.00am to 2.15pm. Hopefully, at the end of this year we will be able to have face to face interviews on site.

There will not be any formal classes held on Friday 16 July. If your child requires supervision at school on this day, they can attend the Schofields campus for supervision in the library. All families are encouraged to take this opportunity to discuss online with their son/daughter’s teachers their learning progress. Information about how to book an interview has been sent to all families via Compass and is also available on the Website/In The Loop/School Notes.

Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Surveys

Thank you to the students and parents/carers who completed the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) survey about our school effectiveness. The survey provided us with valuable feedback on what our students and parents/carers think about school life, how engaged they are with school and the different ways that teachers interact with them. Information from the survey will be shared with the students and parents/caregivers at different meetings in Terms 3 and 4 this year.

Student Attendance

We have continued the focus on improving school attendance this year. In recent years across all school sectors attendance has been an issue and we will be maintaining our focus on attendance this year and in the future. We know that students who attend school regularly find it easier to keep up with work and they also find it easier to form strong friendships with others. Unless there are significant reasons for your child not to be at school on any given day (they may be ill etc.), then we urge parents and carers to continue to ensure their children attend regularly. Regular attendance at school not only helps students understand and complete their classwork it also provides valuable social and cultural experiences.

Staff Update

We welcomed the following staff to St John Paul II Catholic College in Term 2. Mr Sean Turner who has replaced Mr Brad Horder. In Term 3 we also have staff returning from leave. Mrs Nicole Debono and Mrs Jennifer Pavic who will be working Part Time for the remainder of 2021. 

Staff Learning – Pupil Free Days in 2021

To assist with your planning, our next Staff Learning - Pupil Free Day is Friday 25 June. The other Staff Learning-Pupil Free Days for this year are Friday 13 August, Thursday 16 December and Friday 17 December. Please contact the college by the end of Thursday 24 June before the Staff Learning-Pupil Free Day if you require supervision for your children on Friday 25 June. 

Finally, a reminder that Term 3 commences for all students on Monday 12 July – Week A Timetable. 

God of the oppressed, Protector of the poor, Your light guides all who search for peace and justice. Give new hope to those who have lost everything in their bid for freedom and peace.

Melt our hearts with compassion for their plight. Give us a generosity of spirit, that with open arms and willing hearts, we may welcome the stranger in your name. We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord and in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Amen.

Refugee Week offers a platform where positive images of refugees can be promoted in order to create a culture of welcome throughout the country. The ultimate aim of the celebration is to create better understanding between different communities and to encourage successful integration enabling refugees to live in safety and to continue making a valuable contribution to Australia.

Over the past 20 years, Refugee Week celebrations have developed in a number of other countries. While there are minor differences in the dates for Refugee Week, all include World Refugee Day (June 20). In Australia, Refugee Week is scheduled to ensure that it does not clash with public holidays in any Australian state or territory.

The aims of Refugee Week are:

• to educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come here.
• to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia.
• to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community.
• to focus on how the community can provide a safe, welcoming environment for refugees.
• for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people, within Australia but also around the world.
• for service providers to reflect on whether they are providing the best possible services to refugees.

Refugee Week is a unique opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich diversity of refugee communities through theatre, music, dance, film and other events which take place all over Australia and highlight the aims of the Week, as outlined above. Refugee Week is an umbrella participatory festival which allows a wide range of refugee community organisations, voluntary and statutory organisations, local councils, schools, student groups and faith-based organisations to host events during the week.

Past events have included football tournaments, public talks, exhibitions, music and dance festivals, theatre projects and film screenings. Everyone is welcome to participate in promoting the aims of Refugee Week – the more the merrier.

Through Refugee Week, we aim to provide an important opportunity for asylum seekers and refugees to be seen, listened to and valued.

Question: What travels faster: heat or cold?

Answer: Heat travels faster because you can catch a cold!

Do you need some help with your Maths work and homework?

Do you just need some time or quiet space to complete your Maths work?

Well ...

‘Just Do +h3 Ma+h$!’ is what you need!

Mondays and Wednesdays, Break 1

in the Year 8 Block, between Rooms 31 & 36!

Come and see one of our lovely Ma+h-angels who will come and assist you with all of your Math-needs!

A huge update in the CAPA world at StJPII!

View the following to read about our Nirimba Twilight Concert, Instrumental Program, High School Musical Rehearsals, Western Sydney & Blue Mountains Training Awards Performance, Year 12 Visual Arts Bodies of Work 2021, Updates, important dates and a variety of photos to follow:  CAPA News

The Nirimba campus held their ANZAC Day service on the 22nd of April. The SRC led service reflected on the service of all who have served in the Australian Defence Force. The service featured the poem “100 years from now” by Rupert McCall as well as a personal story from Mr Fanning about his family’s service during the Second World War. A big thank you to the SRC who ran the ceremony and the special guests who spoke.

Written by Clara Naseim

During Year 12 Retreat, we were fortunate enough to hear the stories of Zaki and Malek seeking asylum in Australia; sharing their stories of hardships but also their hope for the future. We heard about the detrimental effects of COVID-19 on people seeking asylum and how both Zaki and Malek have been told they will never call Australia home but they will be permanently 'temporary' as long as they live here. After hearing their moving stories, Year 12 collectively decided we wanted to take action. With the help of Miss Muscat, we were able to write handwritten, heartfelt letters to the Members of the Parliament. By reaching out to the Jesuit Refugee Service Australia we were given the opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless, to take action and to stand in solidarity as a cohort to bring about change and create a better future. 

Written by Isabella Marks

This term, the SRC team has coordinated events for the Ignite food drive, which is occuring 23 of June, next week. The year 8 SRC, has also participated in Wednesday morning prayer where there has been a focus on living out God's truth and the importance for Reconciliation. The year 12’s from the Nirimba campus, will also be doing the winter sleep out, planned by the Year 12 SRC. Stay tuned to hear more about this event.

See key events here...

This Friday, all students will have a PUPIL FREE DAY.

To those needing supervision for their child, please contact the college on 9208 7200 by the end of Thursday 24 June.

We have been requested by Travel NSW to remind families about the use of Opal Cards. We will simply point out the following: 

• Students catching public transport to and from school must have an Opal Card, and must tap on and off each time they travel. 

• Students who do not have an Opal Card are not entitled to free public transport and can be refused entry to a bus or train. 

• If lost, Opal Cards can be replaced by ordering one online. 

• Failure of students to tap on and off will provide inaccurate data to the Government about public transport usage and may lead to a reduction in services. 

• The College has been asked to monitor Opal Card ownership and its use more closely, and we will be doing so.

Due to patronage, Transport NSW will modify a bus route if there are insufficient numbers of registered passengers. Could you please remind your child to TAP ON and TAP OFF.

All  Assessment Handbooks are available online from the website OR  via the parent portal at COMPASS Community School Documentation.