Around The Primary

Dear Families

This term the Years 3, 4 and 6 students have been preparing for the Sacraments of Initiation - Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. This is such as important step in the faith journey of our students. As part of these preparations each year level will also participate in a reflection day hosted by 24:7 Ministry. 

In addition to this,  the Year 2s participated in a beautiful liturgy this morning with Fr Tony and their families. The students were fully engaged, respectful and shared heartfelt thoughts and reflections.

People show love by giving gifts and donating to people who need it.  Abigail 2B

People show love by giving each other hugs when someone is sad. Lucy 2G

The Holy Spirit helps people to learn all about God. Giorgio 2B

The Holy Spirit helps people to get strength on hard days. Zara 2B

The Holy Spirit helps people to believe in God. Jack 2G

Winter is now upon us, and this sparks the start of our early morning cross-country training sessions. We thank Mr Williams for coordinating this training and all staff and parents who come along to support the students on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings. Congratulations to the students on your efforts and eagerness to build stamina and fitness.

On Monday morning, Mrs Standing, Ms O’Connor, Miss George, Mrs Rowson, Mrs Taylor, Miss Driscoll, Mrs Reading, and I are heading off with the Year 6s to our National Capital. There has been a lot of hard work and organisation behind the scenes to make this an enjoyable experience for everyone. We are very grateful for the willingness and enthusiasm of the staff to support this exciting educational camp and fun adventure. 

We greatly appreciate the trust that families place in our hands when they allow their children to accompany us on this Canberra Camp. Rest assured we will take excellent care of them and know they will return all the better for the experience! 

I hope you all have the opportunity to relax over the long weekend. I will be packing my suitcase full of warm clothes in preparation for the Canberra camp! Ms Allen (Assistant Principal) will be available to assist with any queries or concerns next week.

Kind regards,

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

Important Reminders

Keeping sick children home

A reminder to keep children at home if they are unwell and only send them back once they are fully recovered. We understand that it can be difficult at times to do this; however, if your child has a visibly runny nose, cough, or fever, it is important for everyone’s wellbeing that they do not attend school.  Please refer to this helpful ‘I need to stay at home if I …’ chart.

Carpark safety

Student safety in their transition to and from school is of utmost importance. Please take the small amount of extra time needed to stay on the footpaths and use the crosswalk, rather than cutting through the carpark. Please consistently model good choices in regards to road safety to your children.

Please do not use the disabled bays to park, even for a short time, if you do not have an ACROD permit. The cooperation of all members of our community is appreciated in regard to this.

Dates to Remember

Please check the College Website to note all the important Primary school events for your family calendar http://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/for-parents/calendars and subscribe to the Primary Calendar.

Building Update

We envisage occupying our renovated A Block, new Administration Building, our repurposed former Staff Room and Primary playground for the start of Term 3.  We are most appreciative of the support and patience of our College community during the longer than anticipated building program.

Eucharist Reflection

Last Friday the Year 4 students participated in a Sacrament of Eucharist reflection day. It was a very sacred time and we enjoyed learning more about the Eucharist.  The day began with team building games and learning about the symbols of Baptism. We then spent some time reflecting and making small prayer cards about what we are thankful for and wrote a prayer to Jesus. To end the session, we  participated in a role play of the Last Supper and sharing flat bread fruit juice to resemble the body and blood of Christ. After lunch in the Chapel, a reverent and reflective liturgy for the Eucharist was held to celebrate our Holy Communion. It was nice hearing the readings and singing songs together. At the end of the liturgy, we received our certificates to celebrate our hard work to prepare the Sacrament of Eucharist.

Axl 4G

I enjoyed the Eucharist Retreat because we got to learn more about Jesus. I really enjoyed the activities with team from 24.7 Ministry. I learned about how when we receive holy communion I will be closer to Jesus and God.

Giselle 4B

Sacramental Certificates 

Parents are requested to email a copy of their child’s Sacramental Certificate (Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation) to Mrs Petsos in Main Administration nancy.petsos@cewa.edu.au for our College records.

Congratulations to the Year 6 students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Joseph’s Church in Subiaco last weekend.

Primary Sport

We have had a great turnout at cross-country training this week with lots of children and parents starting their days with a jog.  We meet outside the gym at 7:30am every Tuesday and Thursday, if it is too wet, we will be in the gymnasium.  Students can dress in activewear, however, must be changed into their correct uniform before school commences.  Students cannot do the training in school shoes.

Our upper primary students are thoroughly enjoying their AFL units, in the event of rain, we will undertake some fitness testing!  As always, the enthusiasm for anything sporty is energising!

Congratulations to Jack Hodge (Year 6G) on his selection by School Sports WA to represent Western Australia in the 12s Championship at the Australian National Championships in Darwin this year.

Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

Music Update

Australian Combined Schools Music Festival

The Australian Combined Schools Music Festival (ACSMF) brings together the finest student musicians from around Australia to perform together under the guidance of outstanding national and international conductors.  ACSMF is a consortium of schools with highly developed music programs that have created an opportunity for music students to perform repertoire at the highest possible level. 

For the first time in its 50-year history, the ACSMF will be hosted in Western Australia. The three-day festival will culminate in a gala concert with performances featuring a combined Concert Band, Orchestra and Choir comprising students from all over the country. 

The concert will also feature an Australian premiere of a commissioned work composed for a combined Primary Choir. Students from Years 5 and 6 will be representing the College, along with primary students from Methodist Ladies College, Christ Church Grammar School and Scotch College. This week, the students attended their first rehearsal at MLC with Perry Joyce,  the composer of the commissioned work. The students were excellent representatives for the College and will continue to have weekly rehearsals after school until the concert at 6:30pm on Saturday 1 July at Winthrop Hall. Tickets for this concert can be purchased via this link.

Australian Combined Schools Music Festival – Billeting

We are seeking further expressions of interest for families to host interstate students as part of the Australian Combined Schools Music Festival. Billeting involves hosting an upper school student/s for four nights at the end of Term 2, with some transport to and from Methodist Ladies College on Stirling Highway.

A complete schedule of festival events, transport and accommodation details for billet families is available from the Music department. Please contact Georgia Bouhlas, Music Secretary on 9383 0440 or email 8550svc_music@cewa.edu.au for further details.

Opera Incursion

Freeze Frame Opera are offering our students the opportunity to take their families to watch ‘Rapunzel’ which includes College alumnus Ruth Burke as Rapunzel. The show will take place in Liberty Theatre, with free tickets (while they last) using the code schooltour on the booking website: FreezeFrameRapunzel

Australian Girls Choir

The Australian Girls Choir will be holding an open day on Saturday the 17 June. This is a great opportunity for girls from Pre-Primary to Year 5 to experience a choir outside of school. For more information, please visit their website https://ausgirlschoir.com.au/joinagc/

Music Eisteddfod

Applications to perform in the upcoming Music Eisteddfod are now open! This year’s Music Eisteddfod will be held on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 July, with categories including: 

• Voice
• Piano
• Strings
• Winds and Brass
• Guitar
• Percussion
• Small Ensembles
• Original Composition

Students who partake in Music lessons through the College will have their applications to perform managed by their tutor.  Students engaged in weekly lessons on an instrument or in voice outside the College can perform.  Applications can be made through the Music department by email 8550svc_music@cewa.edu.au with the student name, year, instrument and copy of piano accompaniment if required.

All applications to perform in the Music Eisteddfod are due by Friday 30 June. Please contact the Music Office with any queries.

Primary Choir Rehearsals

Choir rehearsals for Week 7 are as follows:

• Primary Singers, Thursday 8:00am in the Osborne Room

Please note that attendance at all rehearsals is compulsory as the students are preparing for various performances.

Chapel Choir

Chapel Choir is open to all Years 2 to 12 students who love singing, with a focus on liturgical music. Rehearsals commence at 7:30am in the Chapel with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. Chapel Choir then sings at Community Mass at 8:00am. The next Community Mass is Friday 9 June. Please contact Mrs Haydon for more information. 

If you have any queries regarding Primary Music, please contact me via email: catherine.haydon@cewa.edu.au

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher