Secondary

Dear Families

Student voice is a powerful way of empowering and inspiring young people to shape their educational experience. By actively involving students in decision-making processes and valuing their perspectives, we create learning environments that foster belonging, agency and engagement. Through their involvement to identify areas for improvement within their immediate experience, students gain valuable skills regarding active citizenship, collaboration and advocacy. This week we held our first Global Café, a student voice forum where leaders from across Years 7 to 9 worked alongside the Year 12 Student Representative Council to discuss issues that mattered to them. The following topics were on the agenda with robust discussion generating ideas to be explored further: 

• Secondary Uniform Code 
• Student wellbeing 
• Camp programs 
• Improving litter around the campus 
• School yard improvements 
• Vaping 
• Effective classroom practice  

We look forward to continuing these discussions and working with students, those directly impacted, to problem-solve issues that matter to them and improve their Secondary experience.  

Push-Up Challenge 

As we conclude our efforts to support the Push-Up Challenge to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity for mental health, congratulations to Koolyangarra as the winning House with a total of 17,867 push-ups and Year 7 Campion as the winning Homeroom who completed 9,110 push-ups through the month of June. A superb effort by Charley Laver, Wellbeing Captain, fellow Push-Up Student Ambassadors, Kaia and Anna, the Year 12 Student Representative Council and everyone involved to complete 55,468 push-ups! 

Staffing Update 

As the end of the term draws to a close, I want to take the opportunity to inform our community of some staff changes for Semester Two. Mr Danny Platts (Religious Education), Mr Ciaran Gallagher (Maths and Head of Loreto House) and Ms Josephine Daniele (English) will be on leave for the remainder of the year. Much loved staff members, they will be missed but we wish them every happiness as they enjoy their break. In their absence, we look forward to welcoming Ms Kaye Mason (Maths), Ms Sharon Boyd (Religious Education) and Ms Leila Chandler (English). Congratulations to Dr Ylenia Casadia (Science) for her appointment as Acting Head of Loreto for Semester Two. A passionate and dedicated Loreto staff member, Ylenia will lead the House admirably over the next two terms. College Psychologist, Samantha Hurley, is taking leave for 12 months and we look forward to her return in Semester Two next year.  

Wellbeing Framework  

Wellbeing at John XXIII College is based on the Ignatian virtue of Cura Personalis: the care of the whole person as a unique child of God. A strategic focus for the College this year is to develop a Framework that will deliver a contemporary wellbeing program for the community. Parents from Primary and Secondary are invited to attend a focus group on Monday 26 July, 6:30pm to 7:30pm to have input into the development of the Framework. Please complete the TryBooking link to register your attendance. Numbers will be limited to 75 participants.  

Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews - Wednesday, 19 July  

Our next Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 19 July (8:30am to 6:00pm) as a valuable opportunity to discuss academic progress for students in Years 7 to Year 12. Secondary Teachers will be available for a combination of online and face-to-face interviews. Bookings via PTO will be available to parents from Friday, 30 June, until Sunday, 9 July. More information regarding these interviews will be provided by Greg Moran, Deputy Principal of Teaching and Learning and we look forward to seeing parents on the day.  

Mobile Phone Expectations 

The College recognises that mobile technology is part of modern life and acknowledges parents may wish their child to carry a mobile device for personal safety reasons.  The right, however, of a student to have access to a device at school, particularly a mobile phone, must be balanced with the responsibility to use it appropriately. We also believe in the importance of face-to-face communication, which builds positive relationships and interactions between students and their friends while they are at school. Recently, there has been a rise in students having their phones on them in class and at break times. The result is that optimal engagement in learning is compromised by off-task behaviour and, at times, inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour towards others whilst using their phones. Recess and lunch should be invaluable opportunities for students to connect face-to-face or participate in alternative activities such as sports. In support of student wellbeing, greater engagement in class and positive peer relationships, the College is refocusing its efforts that students do not engage with their mobile phones during the school day.  

The current mobile phone expectations are that students keep their phones securely locked in their lockers for the school day (8:30am to 3:10pm).  Students should not have their phones on them (with the exception that they have been given permission to use their phones for educational or medical purposes) during class time, recess or lunch. Students purchasing items from the Canteen can use cash, their Smartrider or a debit card. Consequences for inappropriate use of mobile phones include confiscation of the phone in the first instance and further infringements for recurrent inappropriate use.  

Expectations and consequences will be reiterated to students over the coming weeks and staff will be making a concerted effort to facilitate these expectations in the new term. Students requiring a new Smartrider to make Canteen purchases can order this free of charge until the end of term at the Library. Further instructions regarding using the Smartrider for Canteen purchases can be found here.  

Beginning Term 3 Key Dates 

Wishing all students and families a happy, restful and safe holiday break. We look forward to welcoming students back on Thursday 20 July.  

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

CARAD Foodbank

Janna and two volunteers came this week to collect the donations for the CARAD Foodbank. She wanted to pass on their thanks for all the donations; they were very appreciative!

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal of Faith and Mission

Impariamo e divertiamoci

It has been a busy, fun-filled and culturally enriching few weeks in the Languages Department. Here is a brief snapshot of some of the activities that have taken place. 

Year 8 Italian 

This term, in Year 8 Italian, the students have learnt how to describe their families and friends. One of their activities included writing a postcard from an Italian city and learning about regional dishes. 

One of the regional dishes was the famous pizza from Napoli. Students were taught vocabulary and the method of how to make a traditional pizza from scratch. To conclude these tasks, they were fortunate enough to enjoy some Italian pizza and try chinotto with their classmates. 

Grazie mille to their teachers; Prof Baker, Prof Cinini and Prof Outtrim. 

Year 9 Italian

This Year 9 Italian students have been learning about the topic ‘mangiare all’italiana fa bene!’ and they have learnt how to express likes and dislikes of food and drink items as well as compare what is eaten for meals in Italy and Australia. On Friday, 23 June, in pairs or small groups, students each presented on a different region of Italy. Their PowerPoint included images and information on the capital and main cities, tourist attractions, monuments, regional produce, and typical dishes. 

Furthermore, we were taken on a culinary taste of the different regions as each group was asked to prepare a traditional sweet or food item at home to share with the class. Cannoli, chiacchiere, and canestrelli were a few of the fantastic sweets the Year 9s were fortunate to share. Well done to all Year 9 students for the effort and enthusiasm that they each put into their presentations and their food dishes. Bravissimi. 

Year 9 Japanese

Year 9 Japanese students have learnt about traditional Japanese houses during this term. Both classes had the opportunity to build and create their own miniature Zen Garden. A Zen Garden, also known as a Japanese rock garden or dry landscape garden, holds deep significance within Japanese culture. It is a carefully designed space that embodied simplicity, tranquillity and contemplation. A Zen Garden helps to reduce stress, improve your focus and develop a sense of wellbeing.

Well done, and congratulations to the Year 9 Japanese students and to their teacher; Sensei Aghdasi, for creating miniature masterpieces. 

Year 9 and 10 French 

Year 9 and 10 French students have been actively learning about clothing, fashion, pocket money and part-time jobs. This is all valuable information for one day if they are fortunate enough to travel to a French-speaking country and would like to buy clothing and exchange money. 

To end the term, they enjoyed delicious fresh croissants, which are part of a petit dejéuner, with their classmates and their teacher, Madame Outtrim.

Arigatoo, Merci beaucoup and grazie mille a tutti. 

Melissa Polizzi

Head of Languages 

Clubs in Term 3

The Drone Club congratulates Orlando Ligovich and Henry McGlue on passing Level 6 of the JTC Drone License and thus receiving their Drone Club badge. The license has 8 levels of increasing complexity focusing on complete drone control at levels 7 & 8. The Club relies upon all the students, like Aidan Keenan, for their help carrying the equipment from the Science Department to the St Louis Sports Centre every Monday after school, which is greatly appreciated.

The Drone Club would like to thank Tricia Ho-Hudson for her generosity in making another kind donation. With the funds we have purchased a DJI Avata First Person View drone, in which the students will fly the device as if they are seated in the cockpit. Without donations from the Parents' Association and specific individuals, the students would not have access to the latest technologies. In the near future, drones will be commonplace, and our students will be well-placed to take advantage of these opportunities.

The Chess Club will resume in Term 3, now that the Magis Chess Tournament has finished. The Chess Club is designed for social chess games, where the participating students learn from each other in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. We will organise a Round Robin tournament for any student who wants to participate. A meeting will be held in Week 2 to take the names of those interested in playing.

The Dungeons and Dragons Club will continue in Term 3 with the students involved in their various campaigns. D&D allows students to assume the character of a mythical race to work collaboratively and to problem-solve. This Club would not be able to function without the tireless work of the Dungeon Masters who run each game; Caleb Falkner-Hill, Nils Soderstrom and Alex Roberts. If any student wants to join a campaign, please email Mr Connellan.

Damien Connellan

Clubs Coordinator

SPORTS

Senior Winter NAS One-Day Carnival

Congratulations to all Years 11 and 12 students who participated in the Senior NAS One- Day Carnival on Monday 26 June. It was an incredible day that provided all students with an opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities after training this term. This day also provides an opportunity for all Year 11 and 12 students to get active and play some quality sports with their peers. 

Our teams all performed incredibly well with our Girl's Volleyball team, coached by Miss Jessica Pillera, coming home as the overall NAS champions! A special congratulations to our Netball A team, coached by Miss Jodi Power for finishing second. This team will now progress into the ACC Netball Championship next term. 

Senior Winter NAS Placings

This concludes the NAS Program for the year, I want to acknowledge all students and staff for their involvement. John XXIII College is becoming renowned for our commitment, enthusiasm and sportsmanship in all games, and this is something we should all be proud of.

Congratulations to everyone involved in our Summer and Winter NAS program.

Interhouse Surfing Competition

We had a terrific day down at Trigg Beach for the Interhouse Surfing/Bodyboarding competition. It was a cold start to the day but students showed great enthusiasm and energy all throughout and put on some wonderful performances. 

The Interschool Surf team will be announced early in Term 3. These students will go on to compete for the College in the SunSmart WA Surfing Schools Titles competition later in the term. A big thank you to all the parents who came down to support on the day and to the staff involved, Miss Pillera, Miss Tripi, Mr Tirant and a big thanks to Mr McLaughlin for all the behind the scenes work getting the day organised.  

Pre-Carnival Events

All pre-carnival events are now completed. Congratulations to all students for representing their Houses over the last two weeks. A progressive score will be announced early next term.

Athletics Training

Athletics training is now in full force. Training takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00am-8:00am with our specialist athletics coaches.

A detailed schedule of all sessions can be accessed below. 

State Sporting Representation

Any students who have represented their state this year are encouraged to complete the form below. This information will be used next term when we create our special State Sporting Representation video.

Rugby - UWA Western Force Cup 

Thank you to all the students who attended the meeting at recess time on Wednesday. For students who missed the meeting and are still interested, please complete the attached form to register your interest. Students must be Years 7-10 and available to play games next term on Wednesday afternoons 4:00pm-5:00pm at UWA Sports Park. 

Sara Kononen

Head of Sport