Around The Primary

Dear Families

As we move into the final two weeks of the term, the energy and pace across the Primary School continues to build. This is a busy time for staff as Semester One reports are being finalised. These reports are an important opportunity to reflect on the growth, progress, and achievements of each student over the first half of the year. It is wonderful to see the many ways our students continue to flourish both academically and personally.

Over the past few weeks, the students have had the opportunity to attend various incursions and excursions and special events that highlight the spirit and learning taking place across our classes. These include:

• Pre-Primary Australian Animal Incursion
• Year 1 Assembly
• Year 2 Eco-Action WA Incursion 
• Year 3 Reconciliation Retreat and Liturgy
• Year 3 Claremont Museum Excursion
• Year 5 WA Shipwreck Museum Excursion
• Year 6 Human Library Incursion
• SSWA and IPSHA Cross Country Carnivals 
• String Orchestra and Mini Minors Concert
• Primary House Day Mass and Monster Cake Stall

At today’s Assembly our Year 1 students entertained and informed a huge audience with their fun and engaging assembly item about a dreaming story. They reminded us that traditional stories and songs have been used for thousands of years to tell stories, share knowledge across generations and to celebrate the land upon which we live and life. They concluded their performance with a beautiful Aboriginal lullaby, ‘Inany Capuana’.

It was a wonderful showcase of their learning and a delightful reflection of their confidence and skills.  Special thanks to Mrs Peirce, Miss Rowbottam and Ms Exten for their hard work in preparing the Assembly. 

During this gathering, the Primary community was shown new artwork titled People for Others. Bianca Petsos, College Captain, explained how this was created by Noongar artist Mel Spillman in collaboration with Year 12 Visual Art ATAR students. This artwork is a fitting symbol of our commitment to respectful relationships and inclusive community. 

The title People for Others is drawn from the Ignatian tradition and expresses the ideal that we are called not to live for ourselves alone, but in service of others. This spirit is woven throughout the artwork, which portrays the right relationships we are invited to nurture: with God, with one another, and with the land we share.

The artwork is also a visual invitation to Katiji—to reflect. It challenges us to consider how our thoughts, decisions and actions uphold the dignity of others and contribute to a culture of inclusion, fairness, and compassion. From recognising diversity and celebrating culture, to showing stewardship and learning from Elders, this piece reminds us that to be People for Others is to build relationships that honour the sacredness of each person and the world we share. 

Families are welcome to come and have a closer look at this amazing artwork displayed in the Administration Building.

Kind regards,

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary 

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.  By subscribing to the College calendar, you are automatically alerted when details of an existing event are changed. 

Super Stars

Well done to all the students who received a certificate at today’s Assembly:

The Olden Days

On Monday, Year 3 Blue students stepped back in time on their excursion to the Claremont Museum. As part of the History unit, students took part in hands-on experiences such as baking scones, using old-fashioned washing equipment, and experiencing what school life was like in the past. 

These immersive activities helped students deepen their understanding of how daily life has changed. A big thank you to our wonderful parent volunteers for supporting this valuable learning opportunity!

Stephanie Micale

Year 3B Teacher

Wildlife Adventure

There was great excitement in Pre-Primary on Wednesday when WestOz Wildlife came to visit. The students were able to have a close-up experience with some amazing Australian animals and learnt how important it is to protect and care for these animals in the environment. 

The students all had a turn of giving a pat to a koala, a bobtail lizard, and a pair of sugar gliders. They even held a python! It was a very special and memorable incursion.

Hannah Kolbusz and Lucy Ricciardi

Pre-Primary Teachers

Shipwreck Museum

On Tuesday, the Year 5 students enjoyed a wonderful experience at the Shipwreck Museum in Fremantle learning about ships from the past. In groups, we headed towards Whalers Tunnel and The Round House which we had learnt had held many convicts. We learnt about the settlers and some students dressed up as someone who came on board this ship, including Captain James Stirling. We then went inside of the museum and looked at ancient objects and replicas of animals and plants.   We learnt so much amazing historical information.  Niko Cha 5G

Sports Update

IPSHA Winter Carnival

Excitement is building amongst the Year 6 students as the IPSHA Winter Carnival approaches.  Our Secondary ovals will be filled with sport activities on Thursday with 24 netball teams, 6 hockey teams, 24 soccer teams and 3 AFL teams from nine IPSHA schools taking part in this fun carnival. 

Soccer Trials

Next term we will be entering a soccer team into the SSWA Soccer competition for the first time.  This will be a mixed team and is open for Years 4, 5 and 6 students to try out.  Trials will take place on Wednesday 2 July, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm on the Secondary ovals. The team will be selected based on skill and conduct displayed during the trials and PE lessons.   Students will need to bring boots, shinpads (long socks to cover them) along with PE uniform or alternate sports clothing, no school uniform please.  

If you have any queries about anything sport-related, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email: steve.williams@johnxxiii.edu.au  

Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator 

Music Update

Primary Ensembles 

Please see below for rehearsal times for ensembles next week: 

Music Enrolments Semester 2

Music Enrolments for Semester 2 are now open. Please click here if you wish to enrol.

New Submission

Please contact the Music Office with any questions. 

AGMS Virtual Festival

The Australian Guild of Music and Speech Virtual Festival is open to students all over the world. Entrants are encouraged to perform in a variety of areas, including piano, vocal, instrumental, speech & drama, and dance. The aim of the festival is to foster a sense of encouragement and enthusiasm, emphasising that the achievement is in the effort of the performer. All performers receive an adjudication report/certificate, and each item is awarded as either Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze.  Please see the link for more information. https://www.agms.edu.au/virtual-festival.

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Sacramental Certificates

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

Important reminder: Respectful use of the surrounding roads and parking

We have recently been contacted by our neighbours at Graylands Hospital regarding concerns about the use of their campus roads and parking areas by some members of our College community. We value our relationship with our Graylands Hospital and are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our local area.

We kindly remind all families, students, and staff to:

• Use only the designated John XXIII College parking facilities for drop-off, pick-up, and parking. Please avoid parking on the Graylands Hospital campus.
• Refrain from using the hospital grounds as a thoroughfare to access Camelia Avenue or Brockway Road.
• Always adhere to posted speed limits (10km/h on hospital roads) and follow all road signage and directions.
• Be courteous and respectful to hospital staff, patients, and visitors at all times.
• Ensure clear access for emergency vehicles at all times—even a brief obstruction can have serious consequences for patient care.

Graylands Hospital is an active healthcare environment, with patients, families, carers, and staff moving throughout the campus. It is vital that we all contribute to a safe, calm, and respectful environment for everyone.