Around The Primary

Dear Parents

On Monday the Year 4 students delighted a full audience with a joyful, creative, imaginative retelling of ‘The Tale of Despereaux’. It was childhood at its best – magical, exciting and fun! 

Congratulations to all the Year 4 cast for their hard work to put this amazing performance together. It will surely be that this Musical will be retained as a highlight of the students’ school life. This sort of experience is only possible because of our wonderful staff - we sincerely thank Ms Cattapan, our Drama Specialist, for her dedication and ability to inspire confidence and creativity in our students. Similarly, congratulations to Mrs Haydon, our Music Specialist, for preparing the students so well.

It was great to have so many staff and parents involved behind the scenes. The costumes and make-up were amazing! We extend our thanks to Mrs Caroline Di Costa and Dr Rachel Hurley who coordinated the parent costume team and organized all the costumes and to Mrs Rowena da Silva and Dr Sacha Free who designed and coordinated the face painting and make-up.  

We have received many lovely messages from parents, grandparents, and special guests – we are so glad you all enjoyed the Year 4 Musical.

On Monday night I had the privilege as a grandparent, of attending the Year 4 performance of ‘The Tale of Despereaux’.  I was blown away by the excellent rendition of this fairy tale.  All participants, costumes, music, production, and direction were amazing. My congratulations to all who must have worked so hard to bring this production to the stage, I loved it.

Last Friday our Year 5 and 6 Interschool Cross County team participated in the School Sports WA Cross Country Carnival. Well done to all our runners on their efforts. 

Congratulations to the team of Year 6 boys - Hudson Grabham, Kiran Finn, William Beach, Harry Azzopardi and Jack Turner won the team prize!  They had the highest average finishing place out of all the Year 6 boys in this competition!  

On Friday 2 September we are celebrating a Mass to thank God for the gift of our fathers and father-figures. This Mass will begin at 7.30am in the St Louis Sports Centre. It is hoped all dads will be able to come along to celebrate Mass with their children. This year all Mums are invited to join us too.  Please book tickets for adults attending (students do not require a ticket) here: https://www.trybooking.com/937739 

We look forward to seeing many parents next Friday 26 August at our Book Week Parade.  Please wear your parent badge.

Enjoy the long weekend!

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 and subscribe to the Primary Calendar.

Book Week 

Next week we will be celebrating Book Week and we are so excited for all the fun events planned. The theme for Book Week 2022 is ‘Dreaming with Eyes Open’. 

Here are a few of the exciting events to note in your family diary: 

Book Week Poster Competition 

Students may enter a poster based on the theme of “Dreaming with Eyes Open”.  Please write student name and class on the back of the poster and hand into the team at the Library front desk by Tuesday 23 August. 

Book Week Bake Off - Cake Decorating Competition 

Please bring cakes to the Library by 9am on Tuesday 23 August and label the cake with the student's name and class. Cakes need to be collected by 3.30pm on the same day.

Local Author Visit

Local author, Jonathan Macpherson will be visiting the Library before school on Wednesday 24 August between 8am and 8:35am. Come and meet Jonathan and purchase his amazing Rotto! books which are being offered at a special price for John XXIII College families. Order form is provided in PDF below.

Book Week Parade

Our Book Week Parade takes place on Friday 26 August.  Students may come dressed for the day in a costume inspired by a character from a book. Parents are welcome to come along to the Parade in the Library courtyard (weather permitting), or if it is raining, the Gym at 9am.

Please email sasha.cattapan@cewa.edu.au  with any questions. 

Sasha Cattapan

Primary Library Specialist

Primary Music

Choir Rehearsals

Due to the pupil free day on Monday, the rehearsal for Wanju Voices next week has been changed. It is essential students arrive promptly and on time for each rehearsal.  Please note the information below:

Wanju Voices

7:30am Tuesday 23 August - GBLT

Due to the upcoming performance next Thursday, students who normally have string orchestra rehearsals have been advised to attend the Wanju Voices choir rehearsal instead. 

7:30am Thursday 25 August - Osborne Room

As Primary Singers will join this final ‘pre-performance’ rehearsal at 8am, it is essential that all students arrive promptly at 7:30am.

Primary Singers

8am Thursday - Osborne Room 

Please note there are a number of items to address in this final preparation time.

Catholic Performing Arts Festival

Congratulations to the students who have represented John XXIII College in the Catholic Performing Arts Festival this week. Best wishes to all students performing in upcoming sessions, particularly Wanju Voices and Primary Singers who perform at the Vasto Club next Thursday, 25 August. 

Please note that audience tickets must be pre-purchased online. Try Booking ticket links for all sections of the Festival is located under ‘Performing Arts Festival’ at  www.spiritofthearts.com.au. Students who are performing do not require tickets.

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

Mrs Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Sports Update

School Sports WA (SSWA) Cross Country

Last week a team of our top cross-country runners from Year 5 and 6 participated in the SSWA Cross Country Carnival.  It was a real carnival atmosphere at the UWA playing fields with close to 3000 runners plus spectators!  With each race consisting of approximately 350 runners from schools across the State, this was ‘next level’ and a wonderful opportunity for our students.  Our runners represented the College in exemplary style, both in the races and around the grounds.  They all ran incredibly fast times should be extremely proud of their efforts.  

Congratulations to the team of Year 6 boys - Hudson Grabham, Kiran Finn, William Beach, Harry Azzopardi and Jack Turner won the team prize!  They had the highest average finishing place out of all the Year 6 boys in this competition!  

Well done to all the runners!  All the results can be found at: https://bluechipresults.com.au/results.aspx?CId=11&RId=1546

Athletics

Our Interhouse Athletics Carnival is fast approaching (Friday 9 September).  Tuesday and Thursday Athletics training (which takes place from 3:30pm to 4:30pm) is a great place for our Year 3 to 6 students to improve their skills.  If there is wet weather, training will take place in the gymnasium.

If you have any queries about anything sport related, please contact me via email steve.williams@cewa.edu.au 

Mr Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

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.

Updating Medical and Contact information

Medical Information 

Please inform the College Nurse if there are any changes to your child’s medical information via email: jenny.hill@cewa.edu.au 

Contact Information

Please inform Primary Administration if there are any changes to your contact/emergency information via email: nancy.petsos@cewa.edu.au 

COVID Reporting

It is important that the College continues to be notified of student positive COVID cases.  Please inform us via this LINK. The information will go directly to the College. If there are any queries related to this process, please email compliance@johnxxiii.edu.au