Mission and Values

1.1 Statement of Commitment to the Protection of Children and Young People 1.2 Purpose 1.3 What We Do 1.4 Ethos 1.5 Values 1.6 Christian Ecumenism 1.7 College crest, Symbol and Motto 1.8 Houses 1.9 The Primary Years (PYP) International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme 1.10 Acknowledgement of Country

1.1 STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

John Paul College (JPC) supports children's rights and is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and wellbeing of students. John Paul College is therefore committed to responding to allegations of student harm resulting from the conduct or actions of any person, including that of employees.

This commitment includes the provision of safe and supportive living and learning environments for all students and requires all employees, volunteers and visitors to model and encourage behaviour that upholds the dignity and protection of students from harm.

In support of this commitment, John Paul College is dedicated to the Child and Youth Risk Management strategy, which includes having relevant policies, procedures, and training to effectively address students' safety and wellbeing of students in our care.

1.2 Purpose

To Educate, To Inspire, To Make a Difference.

1.3 What We Do

JPC delivers a contemporary co-education grounded in traditional values. We create opportunities and pathways for all students to excel, develop character and become world ready within our culturally diverse and inclusive community.

1.4 Ethos

JPC is a community comprising students, parents and staff who share the vision and responsibility of delivering a holistic education in a supportive and cooperative Christian Ecumenical environment. Our ethos fosters the development of the whole person in spirit, mind, body and character. All members of our community are expected to treat others with dignity, graciousness, and mutual respect, understanding the importance of co-operating in a Christian Ecumenical community with diverse interests and traditions, a common concern for all its members' wellbeing and the promotion of Christian Ecumenical values.

Every student will take personal responsibility for their development by diligent and careful preparation for and participation in all the classes and activities they are members of. Mutual respect requires us all to be conscious of the learning needs of others and how our actions may affect them.

Our College Values and Expectations

1.5 Values

1.6 Christian Ecumenism

JPC is a Christian Ecumenical College. This means, firstly, that Christ and the Christian message is at the centre of the teachings, values and principles we espouse and, secondly, that we promote Christian Unity - that is, a united witness to the Good News of Jesus.

Our Christian Ecumenical College is one where our Christian Living program highlights what we have in common and celebrates that we each have distinct ways of practising our faith.

Christian Ecumenism recognises that people from different Christian faiths and traditions can work together towards greater unity while preserving their own traditional faith and practice.

It does not seek to ignore these differences, but we aim to live in harmony and respect our differing beliefs through understanding and mutual respect.

We do not seek any change in practice that would be ahead of that recognised by the authority of the individual churches but promote adherence by every church member to the laws, traditions, and authority of his/her church while seeking that unity, Christ's prayer.

Our Christian Ecumenical philosophical approach to fellow Christians (of respect, understanding, tolerance and love) is easily and appropriately applied to those from other religious backgrounds and so they are welcome here also (with the knowledge that their children will be taught the Christian faith).

By being involved in Christian Ecumenism, we can celebrate our diversity whilst embracing our unity.

Consequently, we gain a new pride in ourselves within our own Christian beliefs and traditions whilst we all hold true to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

College Prayer

Heavenly Father, we give You thanks for our John Paul College Family.

May we strive to become more like Jesus Christ, who is 'our way, truth and life'.

Help us through Your Holy Spirit to be compassionate, kind and forgiving to each other.

Enable us to serve one another with humility and patience, and over these virtues let us strive to live in peace and love.

Guide us all safely through each day. May this College be a light to the nations.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen

1.7 College crest, Symbol and Motto

The College crest portrays, in visual terms, the values and ideals which the College upholds and which all students are encouraged to follow. The crest is the shape of a shield, reminding us of St. Paul's words, "So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. At all times, carry faith as a shield." (Ephesians 6:14-16) At the centre of the shield is the cross, the central symbol of Christianity. It reminds us that Christ died and rose from the dead for the love of us and that this love must remain at the centre of our lives.

The openings at all ends of the cross indicate that, through Christ, we must reach out to others with the same love Christ shows his followers.

On one side of the cross is a bundle of sticks which have been tied together. As it is much more challenging to break a bundle of sticks compared to one single stick, this symbol reflects the values of Christian Ecumenism which promotes Unity among all Christian denominations. Christianity, therefore, would receive added strength from a united witness. As a consequence of this Christian Ecumenical practice, we are all challenged to foster peace, harmony and unity among all humankind. On the other side of the cross is an open book. This is a symbol of Learning which is the 'raison d'etre' of the College. This book has emblazoned on it the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet (the Alpha and the Omega) which remind us that Christ is the beginning and end of all learning.

It provides and carries the profound obligation that we prepare students to lead a life of compassion in service to others. It offers a model of education, professionalism, leadership, and living that is not merely about the enrichment of the self but about commitment to our shared humanity's welfare.

The Eagle is a symbol of spirit, vision, strength, and courage. It is considered to be the king of the air and the messenger of the highest Gods. As a Christian symbol, the eagle represents salvation, redemption and resurrection. The eagle seems to easily ascend the skies and is held to represent a noble nature from its strength and aristocratic appearance. 'But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.' (Isaiah 40:31)

A lesson to be learned from the eagle is not to depend exclusively on intellectual solutions. Through its connection to the air element, the eagle is connected to intelligence, but also to the Spirit, the knowledge that goes far beyond intellect. When you look at an image of the eagle, the wings signify protection, and the gripping talons symbolize ruin to evildoers. Despite its enormous size, the eagle still takes flight seemingly effortlessly. This symbolic cue is the epitome of John Paul College aiming to provide the 'wind beneath the wings' of its students so that they can 'soar like eagles'. Not all students can be leaders and not all leaders will succeed, but we must not allow the illusion of limitation to ground us in our flight.

The eagle teaches us to courageously face our fear of the unknown, so we are then able to fly as high as our heart's joy can take us; to soar. As members of the John Paul College family, we must give up our limited perspectives and release ourselves from comfortable, familiar thought patterns, as to fly into a larger world requires that we are brave enough to enter unknown realms.

The College crest reflects symbolically the philosophy and religious values that underpin the John Paul College Mission Statement and which are reflected in the College motto: Unity, Christ, Learning. College colours are burgundy and blue.

1.8 Houses

The Admissions Manager allocates students to one of four Houses: Gilmour (Blue), Burke (Red), Doulin (Green) and Enright (White). They remain in the same House throughout their schooling and all children in the one family will belong to the same House. Parents are invited to attend the various interhouse competitions throughout the year. These are detailed in the College calendar. Houses are organised by nominated staff as House Patrons.

1.9 The Primary Years (PYP) International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme

The PYP IB programme aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

All IB programmes aim to develop internationally minded people who, in recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help create a better and more peaceful world.

1.10 Acknowledgement of Country

Our College recognises the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the country we live, work, learn and grow. All staff and students have the opportunity to show respect to Traditional Owners and Custodians by regularly conducting an Acknowledgement of Country at meetings and events throughout the year.