Around The Primary
Dear Families
Our Pre-Primary to Year 3 students have thoroughly enjoyed their swimming sessions this week. They have been enhancing their water confidence, swimming skills, and stamina, and are now well-prepared for a summer filled with aquatic enjoyment.
The annual Christmas Concert, featuring students from both Primary and Secondary Ensembles, is scheduled for today. Families are encouraged to bring along a picnic, blankets, and chairs for this festive outdoor event, and to come ready to sing along while dressing in seasonal attire. Everyone is invited to participate in this occasion, with pre-show entertainment beginning at 4:30pm and the concert officially commencing at 5:00pm in the Library Courtyard.
We express our sincere appreciation to the families of John XXIII for their generous donations of non-perishable food items and gift vouchers for the St Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers. To facilitate timely preparation and distribution for Christmas, all final contributions should be delivered to the school by Friday, 29 November.
Kind regards
Antoinette De Pinto
Head of Primary
We hope you enjoy this clip from the recent IPSHA Touch Rugby Carnival.
Staff News
As we approach the final weeks of the school year, I would like to inform the primary community that Mr Edwards will be returning to Aquinas College next year in a new capacity as Assistant Principal. Congratulations Mr Edwards! Additionally, Mrs Burke (Literacy Support Teacher) and Mrs Kounis (Pre-Kindy Teacher) have resigned from their roles. We express our gratitude for their exceptional contributions over many years and look forward to their involvement in relief work next year. Miss Jones (Year 3 Teacher) is getting married in December and will then be heading overseas for a new exciting adventure. Miss Smith (Year 4 Teacher) will be concluding her short-term teaching contract, and we wish her all the best in her teaching journey.
Additionally, we bid farewell to Mrs Anne Murphy, our devoted Primary Counsellor and cherished colleague. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs Murphy for her dedication, hard work, and significant contributions to the Primary school over the past ten years. We wish Anne all the best in her future endeavours.
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
Every year the Society of St Vincent de Paul organises hampers for families in need of assistance.
Families are invited to select from the following list and bring items to school by next Friday, 29 November. There will be collection baskets in all the classrooms.
Suggestions for donation items:
| Christmas items | Pantry Items | Toiletery Items |
| Christmas cake | Breakfast cereal | Shampoo |
| Cookies & shortbread | Coffee/tea/milo | Conditioner |
| Snack foods | Tinned fruit | Deodorant |
| Christmas crackers | Custard | Toothpaste |
| Christmas napkins | Long life milk | Toothbrushes |
| Tinned ham | Biscuits | Soaps |
| Fruit mince pies | Pasta and pasta sauce | Personal hygiene items |
Thank you for your support.
Dates to Remember
| Monday 25 November | Kindy 2025 Orientation for Pre-Kindy Students |
| Primary Instrumental Recitals, Osborne Room | |
| Wednesday 27 November | 9:00am Pre-Primary Blue Christmas Liturgy, Chapel |
| Year 3 Excursion, Mary Poppins Junior Musical, Harrisdale SHS | |
| Thursday 28 November | 9:00am Pre-Primary Gold Christmas Liturgy, Chapel |
| 11:00am Kindy Christmas Concert, GBLT | |
| 7:00pm Years 6 to 11 Presentation Evening, St Louis Sports Centre | |
| Friday 29 November | 9:00am Year 1 Christmas Liturgy, Amphitheatre |
| 1:00pm to 3:00pm 2025 PALs Welcome Lunch, TMEC |
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.
2025 Term Dates
The term dates for 2025 have now been published on the College Website and can be accessed using this link Parent Information | Term Dates | John XXIII College
Sports News
Junior Primary Swimming Lessons
Students in Pre-Primary and Years 1 to 3 have had a great week of swimming and even though the weather hasn’t been as warm as usual, the enthusiasm for their lessons has been excellent. Across the board students have made good progress with their water confidence, stroke development and safety skills around water.
School Holiday Tennis
Nick Kirkbride and his team at City Beach Tennis Club are running two weeks of holiday tennis:
9 to 13 December and 16 to 20 December. For options and bookings, visit www.coastaltennis.com.au/kids-coaching
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 News
Primary Choir and Instrumental Ensemble Rehearsals
Wanju Voices (Combined rehearsal with Chamber Choir and Treble Choir) | Monday 25 November 3:15pm to 4:00pm PAC Please note this compulsory rehearsal is after school |
Wanju Voices (Presentation Night Placement and Sound Check) | Thursday 28 November 8:00am St Louis Sports Centre |
| Chapel Choir | Friday 29 November 7:30am Chapel |
Primary Instrumental Recitals
We are looking forward to hearing our primary students perform at the Primary Instrumental Recitals on Monday, 25 November, in the Osborne Room. Please note the schedule below. Parents and grandparents are welcome to attend.
| Time | Session |
| 8:30am | Year 2 Piano |
| 9:00am | Year 1 Piano |
| 9:30am | Year 3 Piano |
| 10:20am | Year 4 Piano |
| 11:20am | Years 3-4 Strings |
| 12 noon | Years 5-6 Strings (and Years 4-6 Primary Guitar Ensemble) |
| 1:30pm | Years 5-6 Winds/Percussion |
| 2:20pm | Years 5-6 Piano |
2025 Music Lesson Enrolments
Enrolments for music lessons in 2025 are now open. Please see below for options. Enrolment forms are available online Music Lesson Enrolment Form
| Instrument | Minimum 2025 Student Year Level |
| Piano | Year 1 |
| Acoustic Guitar | Year 3 |
| Strings | Year 3 |
| Winds (flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone) | Year 5 |
| Voice | Year 6 |
Students in Year 2 and Year 4 were treated to instrument demonstrations by our talented tutors this week. Information has now been emailed to families. Please note that applications for these programs are due by Friday, 29 November.
If you have any queries regarding Primary Music, please contact me via email: catherine.haydon@johnxxiii.edu.au
Catherine Haydon
Primary Music Teacher