News Archive

Due to weather conditions, we have postposed the Social and Science Midterms until Tuesday, April 21.

Due to winter road conditions, rural bus routes in Okotoks, High River, Strathmore, Drumheller, and Canmore will not run today, including routes serving St. Francis of Assisi Academy. In-town bus routes in these communities will still run as usual. In Brooks all in-town and rural bus routes are expected to run normally. Affected families will receive communication directly from their driver this morning. Please also check the bus route status page on our website for updates. If possible, parents may make alternate arrangements to transport their child(ren) to and from school. Please do not leave children unattended at bus stops. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our families.

Our students each chose a photo from the trip and paired it with a quote that was meaningful to them. The collection of images is beautiful to see. #france2026 #benotafraid

France 2026 Final Day: Maxime, our bus driver, was a wonderful driver, a music aficionado, and a man of many talents. We also bid our tour director, Moona, farewell at the airport. She was a wealth of knowledge, humour, advice on shops/restaurants, and patience. She made our tour exceptional, and we were fortunate to spend 8 days with her. We blessed them both with our end-of-the-day school blessing, and we wish them all the best. We loved them both, and were sad to say goodbye.💗🇫🇷💗 #france2026 #benotafraid #stjpiitravelclub #eftourscanada

France 2026 Day 8: We were back in Paris to visit the Louvre and Montmartre. We were beautifully surprised to discover a relic of our patron, St. John Paul II in Sacre Coeur Basilica. #stjpiitravelclub #benotaftraid #stjp2weloveu #france2026

Our students visited their soldiers and prayed for them. In a very touching moment, they joined Mrs. McGeachie at the grave of her great-uncle, and prayed for him. In addition, they picked small clover flowers and placed them on the grave of William John Pollock. It was a beautiful and thoughtful action. #benotafraid #stjpiifaith #prayforus #restinpeace

France 2026 Day 7: We started the day at Beaumont-Hamel, the national memorial recognizing the loses of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. That day, the regiment lost 86% of their men as casualties. From there, our students planted flags and said prayers at the graves of soldiers in the Bois-Carre cemetery. Many of the men buried there died in the battle for Vimy Ridge. We carried on to Vimy, and while we were not able to visit the monument proper, we walked around it and toured the trenches. To be here on the 109th anniversary was a special experience. We closed out the day with dinner in Lille. A full and amazing day. #stjp2travelclub #benotafraid #lestweforget #vimyridge

France 2026 Day 6: We started the day visiting Dieppe Canadian Cemetery, reading epitaphs and offering our thanks to the Canadian buried there. (Please zoom in on the headstone pics to read) We went in to the beautiful seaside town of Dieppe and saw one of the beaches where the failed raid came ashore before having some free time to explore the town. We carried on to Arras, where we explored the Wellington Quarry and learned about the quarries, tunnels, and the April 1917 attack on the German lines. We had more free time for a meal and shopping in the beautiful and peaceful city, before heading to Lille. #stjp2travelclub #france2026 #benotafraid

Can’t be in France without having…French fries?!? An evening walk and snack to round out the day. #stjp2travelclub #france2026

It was an honour to visit some very special places in Normandy today and remember the Canadians who sacrificed their lives in service to others. We started with a visit to Pointe du Hoc (on Omaha Beach where the US Rangers landed on D-Day), and continued on to Canada House. This was one of the first houses liberated in June 6, 1944, by the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. We walked the beach where Canadians came ashore that day, listened to the ocean, and found shells and rocks. We went to the Juno Beach Centre, had a tour of the bunkers, and visited the beach. We went through the museum and then we travelled to the Beny-sur-Mer cemetery. Over 2000 Canadians are buried there. Students visited the grave of a soldier they researched, placing a Canadian flag on the grave and saying a prayer as a Spiritual Work of Mercy. We finished our day at the Caen Memorial museum. We will remember them. #stjp2travelclub #benotafraid #france2026 #lestweforget

France 2026 Day 4: After a beautiful drive through the countryside, we spotted Mont St. Michel in the distance, and it was breathtaking. So were all the stairs to get to the top and look over the vast tidal plains! The layers of spaces, the stained glass, the cloisters, the ramparts…it was all stunning to experience. St. Malo was equally impressive and had a slower and quieter pace. Our visit to St. Vincent cathedral was a beautiful spot to stop and pay together, offering our personal intentions and saying a prayer. We also saw the tomb of Jacques Cartier, which was a special connection with our Social 7 program of studies. Thankful for a sunny day and the opportunity to travel and learn. #stjp2travelclub #france2026 #benotafraid #eftourscanada

2026-2027 JPII Travel Club will be going to Portugal over Easter break in 2027! If you will be in grade 9 next year at JPII, check out the website for more information to sign up. https://www.eftours.ca/tour-website/2929685SZ #JPIIRocks #Travelclub

France Day 3: so many highlights today! From the Arc de Triomphe, to the Eiffel Tower, on to Versailles, and back to Paris for a cruise down the Seine, today had it all. We learned so much from our guides today, walked lots, and survived a little bit of rain. C’est magnifique! #stjp2travelclub #france2026 #benotafraid #eftours

France 2026 Day 1: It was a long and busy day, but was a wonderful first day in the City of Light! We started with a walk through the city to Notre Dame Cathedral where we had a visit inside before getting lunch and walking/shopping along the Seine. We visited the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal to spend some time in silence and prayer while we marvelled at the incorrupt body of St. Catherine Labouré and the heart of St. Vincent de Paul. Dinner at a lovely restaurant enjoying the sunshine, and then to our hotel to close out the day. #stjp2travelclub #france2026 #benotafraid #eftours

Au revoir! The St. JPII Travel Club is on their way! Departing for Paris shortly. #travelclub #eftours #2026

Phys Ed. classes are getting a special visit from Rugby Alberta this week! #wearegryphons #StJPIIathletics

Phys Ed. classes are getting a special visit from Rugby Alberta this week! #wearegryphons #StJPIIathletics

In Brother Bear, each person receives a totem that represents a core value or virtue like love, wisdom, or courage. That animal isn’t random - it reflects something meaningful about who they are and how they should live. In many Indigenous cultures, animals and symbols can represent teachings, values, and relationships to the land. Students in Indigenous Studies 8 were tasked with turning their chosen virtue and animal into a physical clay totem that represents them. #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning

In Brother Bear, each person receives a totem that represents a core value or virtue like love, wisdom, or courage. That animal isn’t random - it reflects something meaningful about who they are and how they should live. In many Indigenous cultures, animals and symbols can represent teachings, values, and relationships to the land. Students in Indigenous Studies 8 were tasked with turning their chosen virtue and animal into a physical clay totem that represents them. #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning

Mrs. Kutzner’s Science 7 classes are in the midst of their plant unit. Dissecting a flower is a pretty cool way to learn about plant reproduction and see all the parts up close- especially under a microscope. Stay tuned for our peas, beans and corn plants! 🌱 #scienceisfun #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning

40 Cans for 40 Days - our Lenten initiative continues! Lent invites us to care for our neighbours in real ways. In Alberta today, over 406,000 people are experiencing severe food insecurity, meaning they sometimes skip meals or go entire days without eating. This week we are collecting canned fruits and vegetables to help provide healthy food for families who need it. Shout out to our awesome New Media 7 students who took the time to design these posters. 💛

What a day! Our French Immersion students had the exciting opportunity to join a Zoom session with rising French superstar Maheva from Manie Musicale. They asked thoughtful questions and ended things with a dance party! 🎶 #frenchimmersion #jpiilearning

March 20th is International Francophonie Day. Thank you to all our students, faculty, and staff who helped make the celebration so special. It was a week full of fun and francophone spirit! Congratulations to Ally and Matheus who won our sticker design contest. #StJPIILearning #frenchimmersion #poutine #francophone

Day 4 of the Quebec trip was a whirlwind! We travelled from Québec City to Montreal, did some sightseeing, drove around the Grand Prix track, explored the old port, visited the planetarium and finished off the day with bowling and laser tag. Bonne nuit from Montréal! #FrenchImmersion #québectrip

The students had a wonderful time at the sugar shack, learning how maple syrup is made and seeing the process up close. Between tasting fresh maple taffy on the snow and enjoying a traditional meal, the evening was filled with laughter and sweet memories. #frenchimmersion #québectrip

These travellers had another action-packed day in Québec. They visited the Huron Village and learned about Wendat history and culture. They went snowshoeing in the forest, had lunch in the Lower Town and explored the renowned Ice Hotel. Now it’s time for the Sugar Shack! #frenchimmersion #québectrip

Day 2 in Québec is off to a great start! We’re exploring beautiful, historic Québec City and will head back to Carnaval again this afternoon. Fingers crossed we meet Bonhomme! ❄️⛄️ #FrenchImmersion #québectrip

Mrs. Kutzner’s grade 7 science students built structures for their Structures and Forces Unit in first semester. Creativity at its finest!! #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning #sciencerules

Mrs. Kutzner’s grade 7 science students built structures for their Structures and Forces Unit in first semester. Creativity at its finest!! #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning #sciencerules

Grade 9 Art students wrapped up the semester with creative 3D sculpture projects 🌋 🍒 🪼 #StJPIILearning #StJPIIfinearts

Grade 9 Foods class wraps up with Foods of The World 🌎 Chef Buck was very impressed with this semesters creations! Peep the homemade, from scratch lemon meringue pie in the first photo! 🍋

Grade 8 and 9 students have been learning and perfecting their jive over the past month, the gym has been full of dedicated dancers everyday at lunch! We can’t wait to see them show off their moves and wow the judges tomorrow!

#JPIICommunity #SpreadTheLove #BackpackCampaign #MakeADifference #StJPIIrocks

Grade 8 FLA students got a surprise from the elves! 🎁 They dropped off the letters that these students wrote to them when they were in Grade 2!! These students got to reread what they had asked the elves for Christmas in French from six years ago! Such a sweet moment for these students and a few teary eyed teachers! #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning #stjpiifrenchimmersion

What a joyful day! ❤️ Today we were blessed to send off 635 backpacks and 200 dozen cookies to the Magic of Christmas. 🎄 Each backpack and every cookie was packed with love, kindness, and faith by our amazing students. We pray that everyone who receives them feels just how deeply they are cared for and reminded that God sees them, knows them, and loves them #MakeADifference #JPIICommunity #SpreadTheLove #StJPIIrocks #BackpackCampaign

Writing Christmas cards in French! ✍️ Perfect way to enjoy the festive Christmas spirit and practice our French Language Arts skills! 🎄❤️ #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning #StJPIIFrenchImmersion

We caught some Grade 7 reindeer performing their dance production! Only one more sleep until the JPII Dance Off! 💃 🪩 🕺

Great work to our Grade 7–9 concert bands on a fantastic Christmas concert last week! These band students filled the gym with holiday spirit, big sounds, and festive cheer, showing off all the hard work they’ve put in the past few months. A huge thank you to our supportive families and everyone who came out to cheer them on!🎄🎶 #StJPIIfinearts

Basketball season is off to a strong start for these gryphons! Come cheer on our Gr. 9 boys afterschool tomorrow as they take on Red Deer Lake 🏀 #wearegryphons #StJPIIathletics #GoGryphons

Sneak peek of a Grade 7 dance routine⚡️👯‍♀️ 💅 Phys. Ed class is December does not miss a beat! 🎶

👀 👀 #StJPIIFaith #catholiceducation #ibelieveincatholiced #CTRfaith #CTRCatholic

Face to Face Ministries visited JPII yesterday to engage our students in meaningful reflection, prayer, and faith all while having a bit of fun! #StJPIIFaith #ibelieveincatholiced #CTRfaith #CTRCatholic

Next week is Christmas Spirit Week leading up to the holidays! 🎄 Time to dig your Christmas sweaters out & get ready!

Kinesiology 9 students demonstrating their knowledge of the muscular and skeletal systems! 🦴💪

Grade 7’s are learning some new moves in Phys Ed this month as they prepare for the annual Dance Off! 💃 🪩 🕺 #stjpiilearning #stjpiiathletics #wearegryphons #stjpiidanceoff

Grade 8 printmaking 🫟 Quarter 2 edition! The energy in the art room during printing week is unmatched! 🎨 #stjpiilearning #stjpiifinearts

Thank you to these wonderful humans who led our schoolwide Advent Liturgy on Friday morning. 💜 Your voices brought us together in prayer, what a blessing to share as a community of almost 850. #StJPIIFaith #catholiceducation #CTRfaith #CTRCatholic

Our Christmas craft sale was organized by Art Club members with all proceeds going to the backpack campaign, we raised just over $100! 🎒 These lovely students volunteered their time two evenings in a row to run the sale and support JPII’s backpack campaign + the fine arts! Thank you Maren and Tiffany! ❤️ Special shout out to Grandma McGeachie who donated beautiful handmade ornaments. 🎄 #StJPIIfinearts #StJPIIService #StJPIIRocks #StJPIICitizenship

Last week was a busy one! With Elf Jr. the Musical, our Advent Liturgy, the dance unit kicking off in Phys Ed. and our Student vs. Teacher hockey game on Friday! Somehow Santa still found time for a visit! 🎅

JPII Band program proudly presents "As Seen on the Screen" concert tonight. 🎷🎺🥁 🍪Back Sale Available 🎒 Backpack Raffle Tickets on Sale #jpiiband # #JPIICommunity

9-4 random things 👶 🥬 🦷 🧇 🐱🐊

We are still accepting donations for the Backpack Campaign and every donation counts! 🎁 Drop off your items at the front office and help us fill backpacks with your support. ❤️ If you are unable to shop you can use this link to donate online: https://stjohnpaul2.redeemer.ab.ca/news/backpack-campaign-1698434505879 Donations of $20 or more qualify for a tax receipt. #BackpackCampaign #SpreadTheLove #GiveBack

Each backpack in our Backpack Campaign is more than just a bag – it’s a gift packed with care! 🎁 We fill each backpack with age and gender-specific items for adults, teens, and children, ensuring every recipient gets something special just for them. Every gift is chosen with love while keeping the anonymous recipient in mind. Donate today and help spread some holiday cheer! 🎒 If you are unable to shop you can use this link to donate online: https://stjohnpaul2.redeemer.ab.ca/news/backpack-campaign-1698434505879 Click on the link on the webpage and it will direct you to School Cash Online. Donations of $20 or more qualify for a tax receipt. #BackpackCampaign #SpreadTheLove #MakeADifference

Pre-show warm up ft. Ysa & Lana 🎥: Xellah #elfjrthemusical 🎄

Did you complete your Student Information Update form on School Engage? Keep the school updated with student information.

ANIMAL SHIRT FRIDAY

Last Friday our phys ed. teachers did a mini bucket dump during gym class - they raised almost $200 and students had a blast dumping ice water on their heads! 🧊 Fundraising can be fun 😎 Today is the LAST day to buy tickets for the REAL DEAL BUCKET DUMP happening tomorrow during period 3. Get ready! #terryfox #terryfoxliveshere

Our lovely librarian Mrs. Coen commissioned grade 9 students to make a banner reminding our teachers how much we love them 💛 Vivienne (not pictured), Maren, Brooklyn, Princess, and Lola collaborated on this thoughtful project.

Mrs. Dash’s Grade 9 LA class did a locked room exercise with figurative language - so much fun! #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning

Crepes & cowboy tuxedos? Chef style 👨‍🍳

Printmaking 🫟 Grade 8 art students learned the process of linocut printmaking this month. They carved into a soft linoleum block, applied ink using a brayer, and printed their designs creating their own✨limited edition series✨ Here is a peak at the process ➡️➡️➡️

Sneak peek of the incredible Halloween window mural Torin is working on in the art room! 🎃 👻

Wednesday art room vibes 🎨 🫟 👩🏻‍🍳

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. For the children who died in residential schools throughout Canada and for all those who continue on a journey through the darkness, that there may be healing founded on truth and that the Spirit will inspire our ongoing commitment to reconciliation. #truthandreconciliation #everychildmatters

In honour of National Truth and Reconciliation Day 🧡

Grade 8 girls volleyball team brought the gryphon energy to their first game last Thursday, fantastic start to the season! 🌟

Grade 9 travellers mark your calendars! ✈️

Shout out to our volunteer score keepers, volleyball season can’t happen without ‘em! 🫶

Staff and students are encouraged to wear orange tomorrow Monday, September, 29th Reminder: There is no school on Tuesday, September 30th May God bless Canada's Truth and Reconciliation process. 🧡

One step at a time, $1 at a time 💪 Help us reach our fundraising goal of $1000! Link to donate is in our bio. #TerryFox #TerryFoxLivesHere #BucketDumpChallenge

Join us in showing our commitment to reconciliation by wearing an orange shirt on Monday, September 28th 🧡 There will be no school on Tuesday, September 30th in honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 🧡 #EveryChildMatters #TruthAndReconciliation #OrangeShirtDay

ANIMAL SHIRT FRIDAY 🐯🦌🦫

Spoiler: our goal is to raise $1000. Plot twist: YOU can help. 😎 Tickets are on sale everyday at lunch outside the main gym. $1 for 1 or $3 for 5 #terryfox #terryfoxliveshere

🚨🚨 Do you have gym class with Mr. Fish tomorrow?!?! 🚨🚨 Have you ever wished gym class could be MORE FUN? For $1 you could win the chance to dump a GIANT bucket of ice water on his head DURING GYM CLASS 😲 Mock bucket dump anyone? Start collecting your quarters!

🚨🚨 Do you have gym class with Mr. Fleet tomorrow?!?! 🚨🚨 For the low, low price of $1 you could win the chance to dump a GIANT bucket of ice water on his head DURING GYM CLASS 😲 Mock bucket dump anyone? Start collecting your quarters!

Went for a quick trip to the photocopy room and ran into this charming chef in training! 👨‍🍳 ✨

Rehearsals for Elf Jr. The Musical are in full swing! 🎶🎄🎉 #StJPIIfinearts #ElfJrTheMusical

$1 can make a BIG difference. Let’s do this together and reach our goal of raising $1000! 💵➡️💯 Tickets are on sale everyday at lunch outside the main gym. $1 for 1 or $3 for 5 #terryfox #terryfoxliveshere

HUGE thank you to the Chef Buck, Mr. Leidl, Ms. Clark and the grade 9 team who catered our year end Staff BBQ today! These students (+ Andre who is not featured) spent their free time prepping, baking, marinating, and cooking an incredible meal for 50 staff members under the guidance of Chef Buck. Their foods class knowledge was certainly put to use! Thank you Lauren, Keely, Dabin, Ethan, and Andre for sharing your talents with us. ❤️ We appreciate you and sure will miss seeing your faces in the halls next year!

On June 21, citizens across Canada recognize and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day. This is a day to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of Indigenous Peoples of Canada. CTR teachers and students across the division will be recognizing this day in a variety of ways. As we continue to move forward, striving for the truth and reconciliation with one another, we invite all to seek out guidance, healing and peace through prayer and loving our neighbour as we love ourselves.

Mrs. Kutzner’s science class had a guest speaker, Mr. Rick Green, geophysicist, come in and present earlier this month. So awesome to have specialists come in to interact, engage and chat with our students. Thanks, Rick! #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning

Please return all library books as soon as possible! Mrs. Coen is working hard to reset our beautiful library before summer break ☀️ 📚

9-8 playing “heads up” in Mme Diakow’s class using their science vocab from this year! 🥇🩷💪 Pasen is JPII’s very own Bob Barker dressed like that!! #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning #frenchimmersion

Quarter 4 Period 4 Art was an all-star crew! Their effort and commitment to bringing their ideas to life made Ms. Clark proud. Check these awesome baseball inspired mixed media projects ⚾️

Mr. E making the dreams come true! Last day of school fishing expedition to the Sheep River 🎣 #letsgofishingboys #outdoored

These guys have got one thing on their mind and I’m sorry to say it’s not final exams!! Summer break can’t come any sooner.. let’s go fishing 🎣 #fishingwiththeboys

🌎 Grade 9 Foods of the World 🌎 These groups left Chef Buck impressed and full to the brim! Great work grade 9s! #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning

JPII’s wrestling club celebrated their hard work this season with custom crewnecks featuring a wrestler gryphon! Zoom in to check him out 💪

Final Exams are starting... #StudentSuccess #study

8-7 is the first class to beat every level of Submarine Squad in 3 years while studying for their final!!!! 🦈🩷

Wrapping up the semester with a flavorful showcase of their culinary skills! 🍽️ Grade 9 Foods students are serving up their Foods of the World projects this week. 🌍❤️ #StJPIIRocks #StJPIILearning

Year end awards ceremony ❤️ part 7 Special thank you to Grace, a grade 8 student who volunteered her time as our photographer for the evening! 📸 #wearegryphons #JPIlspirit

Year end awards ceremony ❤️ part 6 Special thank you to Grace, a grade 8 student who volunteered her time as our photographer for the evening! 📸 #wearegryphons #JPIlspirit