Secondary

Dear Families

Congratulations to our ACC Swim Team who on Wednesday came second overall in the A-Division Interschool Swimming Carnival. All are to be commended for their commitment in preparation for the carnival and their excellent representation of the College on the day. Thank you to Jessica Pillera – Head of Sport, Darren Kowal – Assistant Head of Sport, Campbell Tirant – Head Coach, Assistant Coaches - Charlie Hodge and Asha Huggins (Class 2023) and all supporting staff who have worked tirelessly with the team to prepare them for the carnival and develop a culture based on encouragement, commitment and teamwork. 

We wish all Years 11 and 12 students the very best for their NAS Summer Carnival on Monday. A reminder that Monday is a compulsory day for all Years 11 and 12 students, with those not representing the College participating in a wellbeing program for the day. Monday’s carnival wraps up a busy term for Secondary sport with representation of teams in ACC A-Division and NAS swimming, ACC Senior Boys Basketball, First XI Cricket competition, Herbert Edwards Tennis competition, Mursell Tennis Shield, Years 7 and 8 NAS Summer Carnival and Years 9 and 10 NAS Summer Carnival. In addition to their community sport, students are provided with opportunities to engage in a broad range of sports at the College.

All the best to our Year 12 students and accompanying staff for their Manresa Retreat next week. An integral part of their Year 12 experience, Manresa provides students time to pause, reflect and deepen their relationships with self, others and God. It is a valuable opportunity to strengthen community, practice gratitude, and enter the final stage of Year 12 with renewed purpose.

Health Centre

Please note that the Health Centre has had a change of email address. Please direct all queries to health.centre@johnxxiii.edu.au.

Winter Uniform 

With the commencement of Term 2, students will be required to transition to the winter uniform. As the weather can still be warm at the beginning of the term, students will have the option of wearing the correct summer or winter uniform until Monday, 11 May. The Uniform Code can be found here. Staff are guided by the Positive Behaviour Framework to address instances when students do not wear the uniform correctly. Please use the holiday break to ensure that your child’s uniform fits correctly and that they are ready to transition into the winter uniform by Monday, 11 May with the correct items. 

Keeping Safe Message

The upcoming holiday break provides a timely reminder to reinforce with students the importance of staying safe when travelling by themselves or with friends. Students using public transport should remain alert, keep personal items secure, and position themselves near other passengers and, where practicable, the driver. When walking, protective behaviours include the use of well-lit routes, crossing at designated crossings, and avoiding walking alone at night. 

Term 1 Key Dates 

Term 2 Key Dates

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Year 11 ATAR Geography Fieldwork – Monday 23  March

The Year 11 ATAR Geography students headed out into the field on Monday to take part in a hands-on practical learning experience at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre. The students have been learning about how bushfires impact our society and what we can do to manage the risk. The fieldwork provided students with an opportunity to gather data that supported their in-class learning. The day started with an overview of the Wooroloo 2021 bushfire, then moved outdoors to gather observations of the vegetation and terrain to assess bushfire risk in the local area. The students also utilised their topographic mapping skills to map potential fire hazards. The day was enjoyed by all who attended, and everyone walked away with new skills to bring back to the classroom!

Sarah Williams

HASS teacher 

Year 11 General Geography – the Jarrah Forest

Year 11 Geography General students recently visited the Perth Hills Discovery Centre in Mundaring as part of their Unit 1 – Geography of Environments at Risk studies. During the excursion, students explored the unique Jarrah Forest ecosystem, examining its key elements including native flora and fauna, climate and soil characteristics. They investigated ecosystem structure, dynamics and interrelationships, and considered the impact of human activity and land use on the forest environment.

Students also applied practical fieldwork skills by completing a flora transect, identifying plant species, calculating a biodiversity index, recording weather observations and spotting evidence of animal activity. The day provided valuable hands‑on learning and strengthened students’ understanding of ecological processes in a local natural environment.

Kalo Bell

Head of Pathways and Transition

Community Garden Care and Maintenance Day

Thank you to all the parents, students, and alumni who joined us on Saturday for our Community Garden Care and Maintenance Day. It was wonderful to see so many willing hands come together to care for our gardens and support our native Carnaby’s Black‑Cockatoos.

Despite the hot, humid weather, everyone worked incredibly hard, demonstrating great teamwork and community spirit. The College is very grateful for the time and energy given to help nurture our shared environment. Thanks to your efforts, our gardens are looking refreshed and thriving, a true reflection of the John XXIII College community in action.

Adrian Sims

Sustainability Coordinator

LEGO and DUPLO Donations Wanted

Our Library is seeking donations of LEGO and DUPLO bricks for use in a range of student activities. These resources will support:

• Primary and Secondary Library activities
• Secondary Wellbeing activities

• Creative play and hands‑on learning projects

   

If you have any spare LEGO or DUPLO at home that is no longer being used, we would be very grateful to give it a new life at school.

Donations can be dropped off at the Library at any time.

Thank you for supporting our students’ creativity and wellbeing.

Jean Redfern

Library and Learning Services Educator

SPORT

ACC Swimming

On Wednesday John XXIII College took on the best of the best at the A-Division Carnival, one of the most anticipated events on the College's sporting calendar. Once again, it was another unforgettable day filled with pride and passion. The standard of competition was exceptional throughout the day, with several students recording personal bests, a testament to all their hard work and preparation. John XXIII College finished in second place to be the Runner Up Champions for 2026. A great effort from Sacred Heart College, who took out the win this year. This is the 10th consecutive year the College has finished in the Top 2, a fantastic achievement we are extremely proud of. We look forward to contesting the title again next year

Results in the minor shields: 

• Junior Girls - 2nd
• Senior Girls - 2nd
• Overall Girls -2nd
• Junior Boys - 3rd
• Senior Boys - 3rd
• Overall Boys - 3rd

Well done to College Sport Captains Molly Pekin, Dominic Jeffery and 2026 Swimming Captains Tighe O'Toole and Angelina Smythe, who led the team brilliantly throughout the day. The team are lucky to have such wonderful student role models. 

Congratulations to the following students who placed in the Top 5 for their age group, an achievement to be extremely proud of, coming up against the best swimmers in A-Division. 

U/19 Girls' Relay team broke the 4x50m Freestyle relay record in an impressive time of 1.54.59, massive congratulations to Sasha Pallis, Poppy Finucane, Kayla Browne and Angelina Smythe.

Finally, a BIG thank you to our coaches, who have prepared the team every Tuesday and Thursday morning since the start of the term. Head Coach: Mr Campbell Tirant, and assistant coaches Alumni 2023, Charlie Hodge and Asha Huggins. 

Senior Summer NAS

Carnival Day - Monday, 30 March

All students involved in Senior NAS Teams, please see the information below: 

• Arrival time: NAS Teams - 7:30am-7:45am in St Louis Sports Centre
• Bus departure: Buses will depart at various times, and a briefing will be conducted at 8:00am
• Dress: College Sport Uniform. If your team requires a uniform, you will be given shirts in the morning. These MUST be returned to your team teacher at the end of the day 
• Behaviour: Always remember 'sport in the right spirit' and respectful behaviour to all teams and other staff members. Phones are to be kept in bags for the duration of the day.
• What to pack: Students must pack their own recess and lunch for the day, sunscreen and hat for outdoor venues and any first aid requirements (Asthma puffer, EpiPen etc)

Venues and staff

Year 7 Winter NAS

Our first half of Year 7 NAS Trials got underway, and they were a huge success! So much energy and so many students trialling for all NAS Sports. As mentioned in last week's newsletter. All students have the opportunity to trial for teams at two trial weeks. Students have been encouraged to attend all trial opportunities for the sports that they wish to be considered for. 

Following the second week of trials in Week 1 of Term 2, teams will be posted on SEQTA. Students will then have two final weeks of training in their teams before the big Carnival day on 12 May. Please see the full schedule attached. 

Students who do not make it into a NAS Team have nominated for a Lightning Carnival Team, all students will be involved in the day:

• Boys - AFL, Soccer
• Girls - Netball, Soccer

Cross-Country 

We are off and running with our Tuesday and Thursday sessions, meeting in the Pavilion at 6:50am sharp for training to commence at 7:00am. Sessions have had great numbers, let’s keep this up. The Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival is on Friday, 1 May. Get down to training and get prepared for the big day. 

All students will run a 4km loop for this year's carnival. This is in line with the ACC Interschool Carnival, where all students from Years 7 to 12 will be required to run 4km. 

Attached is the program for the Cross-Country season. Please note that some sessions will be at various off-site venues that are close to the College; these sessions will commence at 6:50am, and students will leave the College. 

Rugby

If you are interested in taking part in the Rugby 10's competitions this year, please complete the expression of interest form. Training is likely to commence early next term on a Thursday afternoon from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.

Teams will be combined:

• Years 7/8
• Years 9/10
• Years 11/12

Rugby 10's Expression of Interest – Fill out form

Interschool Team Jumpers 

Interschool Team Embroidery

The Uniform Shop is facilitating embroidery on the interschool rugby jumpers. Please drop your rugby jumper off at the Uniform Shop by 12pm on Wednesday, 1 April, so it can be embroidered with your name and ACC Swimming Team allocation. If you have missed an embroidery from the 2024 teams, you are welcome to drop your jumper in for embroidery.

Interhouse Surfing: Wednesday, 13 May 

Please complete the nominations form for this carnival (surfing and bodyboarding) by Wednesday, 1 April (Week 9).

Inter House Surfing Nominations 7-12

Eagles Senior Schoolboys Cup: AFL Years 10 to 12 

A meeting to gauge interest for Term 2 Eagles Senior Schoolboys Cup (AFL Years 10-12) for 2026 was conducted last Monday, 23 March. 

Years 11 & 12 students from this team will also participate in the NAS One Day Carnival scheduled for 24 June (Week 10 of Term 2). Year 10s,  you are invited to train and be eligible to play for the Senior Eagles Cup team. Their Winter NAS commitments will lie with the Year 10 AFL team.

Players have been asked to complete the following form to assist coaches and managers.

Eagles Senior Schoolboys Cup: AFL Year 10-12 Nominations – Fill out form

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport

Congratulations

Congratulations to Isla Strong on her selection in the State U15 Netball Squad! This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to her skill and dedication on the court. Isla was absolutely delighted with the news.

Share your child’s achievements

We love celebrating the wonderful achievements of our students in this section of the newsletter. If your child has recently represented at a regional, state, or national level, or been part of a team that has achieved a significant result (such as a premiership or championship), we’d love to hear about it!

Families are invited to share details and a photo by emailing newsletter@johnxxiii.edu.au. Please include your child’s name, year group, event or activity, and a brief description of the achievement.

To ensure fairness and consistency, we can only feature information received directly from families that meets the above criteria. If no image or details are provided, we may not be able to include your child’s achievement in the newsletter.