Secondary

Dear Families

Welcome to the 2026 new year! It has been wonderful to welcome students as they have returned this week from what I hope has been a safe and enjoyable summer break. A particular warm welcome to our new Year 7 students, new Years 8 to 11 students, and their families; we hope that you have enjoyed the first week and feel settled within the community very soon.  

Year 7 Transition Week  

A significant milestone in a student’s educational journey is the transition to Secondary School. Our Year 7 students have made a fantastic start this week, engaging in their transition program with enthusiasm. Thank you to Jack Butterworth, Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 7, Year 7 Homeroom Teachers, staff, and parent volunteers who have supported the transition program throughout the week, helping students settle first-day nerves and start to feel comfortable in their new community.   

The transition to Secondary School is as much a journey for the parents as it is for the students, and we welcome all Year 7 parents to a Welcome Sundowner on Friday 6 March from 6:30pm to 8:30pm to meet each other in a relaxed and social setting. Please RSVP via this link.  

Sr Mary Murray Interhouse Swimming Carnival 

A highlight of the College calendar next Friday is the annual Interhouse Swimming Carnival at HPC Stadium. This is a compulsory school day, with students participating in a range of competitive and novelty events. Parents are welcome as spectators. More information is provided in the sports section below.  

Parent Information Evening: Thursday 19 February, 5:30pm-8:00pm 

All Secondary parents, guardians and caregivers are welcome to attend this year’s Parent Information Evening. The event will start at 5:30pm with a welcome and presentation from College Principal, Daniel Mahon. Following this, there will be a diverse selection of information sessions and guest speakers that parents can book individually based on their interests and their child's age. Assistant Deputy Principals from Years 7 to 12 will be presenting information relevant to their year group. Sessions can be booked here.  

Homework Club and Extended Library Hours 

Our Homework Club is back this year due to popular demand. Homework Club is available for Secondary students every Monday to Thursday, from 3:30pm to 6:00pm in the Ignatius Centre Library. Please see below for more information and when specialist support is available. Alumni tutors will commence shortly to assist students with their homework and study. 

When: Every Monday to Thursday

Where: Ignatius Centre Library

Time: The library will close at 6pm, but students may leave at any time before then. Years 7 to 10 students who remain past 5pm will need to be collected by a parent/guardian from the library. 

Signing in and out: Students must sign in and out at the kiosk. Students will need a phone or laptop to scan the QR code. 

Canteen Update

We are pleased to inform that the new canteen has been very well received by students this week. Given the demand for the new offerings, and to ensure efficiency of service, as of Monday 9 February, Secondary students will have the option of online ordering for lunch. Over the counter service will continue before school, at recess and at lunch for Secondary students, providing them with a wide selection of fresh food and snacks to choose from each day. 

A reminder that the canteen is now cashless. Secondary students can purchase food using their SmartRider (linked to their Flexischools account – see below to set up) or via debit card. Mobile phones will not be permitted to be used for payment. 

Traffic Management 

To ensure the safety of our students and our good relations with neighbouring residents, please utilise the designated drop-off and pick-up zones marked around the campus. When parking, we request that drivers use allocated parking spaces in visitors’ car parking bays only. Double parking or stopping in unauthorised zones – particularly around Graylands campus and Montgomery House – poses safety risks to both our students and others in the local community. 

For pedestrian safety and to reduce traffic congestion, drivers picking up students should only use visitors’ parking bays or the Primary and Secondary drive through facilities, and we encourage families to stagger their arrival and departure times where possible. When we exercise patience, follow the instructions of staff and signage, and are considerate of others during these busy times, we can maintain a safe and smooth experience for everyone. 

Parent Resources and updates

Find out about our new canteen offerings and how to order, explore details of the College charter bus service, and read the latest from our Parents’ Association, including their objectives, funding proposals and upcoming PAL social events for families. Click the links below to learn more:

• Canteen Information
• Charter Bus Service
• Parents’ Association Updates

Term 1 Key Dates 

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide – Book Launch at John XXIII College

John XXIII College is delighted to be hosting an upcoming book launch with Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO, and we would be very grateful for your assistance in promoting this event through your networks. The event will launch his new book, Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide, and will be officiated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth, together with Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO.​

Fr Brennan’s publication explores Pope Francis’s impact as a ‘disruptive pilgrim,’ blending Jesuit insight with themes of mercy, justice and inclusion, and inviting readers to reflect on the Pope’s call to renewal, compassion and social engagement within the global Church. 

Staff and attendees from Catholic Education WA schools may also use their attendance towards accreditation hours, which we hope will make this a particularly valuable opportunity for colleagues across the system.​

Event details are as follows:​

• Title: Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide – Book Launch​
• Date: Tuesday 24 February 2026​
• Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm 
• Venue: Thomas More Exhibition Centre, John XXIII College, John XXIII Avenue, Mount Claremont 
• Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/1514428​

The book will be available for purchase on the evening at a special launch price of $25 (soft cover).​

SPORT

Interhouse Swimming Carnival 

Our 2026 Sister Mary Murray Cup Swimming Carnival will take place on Friday 13 February in the indoor pool at the newly named HPC Stadium. All family members welcome, so please come along and cheer on the day.

• As a compulsory school day, all students should be in attendance.
• Students are to make their own way to and from the carnival; all charter buses have been redirected to the stadium in the morning.
• Students may arrive as early as 8:00am. All must be in attendance by 8:20am. Students must make their way to House areas and be seated ready for roll call with their Homeroom teacher at 8:30am.
• Students should wear House shirt with PE uniform. Students must wear only College bathers and House swimming caps during competitive swimming events. Students in incorrect bathers will not be allowed to race. 
• Dressing up is not appropriate at this event. No streamers, face paint anything that might run in the pool.
• Students will need to provide their own food/drinks for the day. The kiosk will not be available for students.
• Students unable to participate should bring a note and inform their House Coordinator and Assistant Deputy Principal. Assistance with catering and marshalling will be required during the day, two students per House.
• There will be one bus for any students who may not be able to make their way to and from the venue. Students in this position MUST register and complete the form attached by Thursday 12 February. Mr Williams will meet students at the JTC bus stop 7:55am.
• The bus will be departing the College 8:00am SHARP and 3:00pm at the conclusion of the carnival.
• Swimming Carnival Bus Form (Students must complete this form) -  Bus Registration Form  

Livestreaming

For the first time this year, our Interhouse Swimming Carnival will be livestreamed so that family and friends can tune in if they are unable to attend. You can also go back to the footage to watch the events. A link will be available for you to share closer to the day.  

Event Schedule

8:00am - 8:20am Students arrive

8:30am - 8.50am Opening Ceremony

8:50am  Marshall 100m Freestyle events (Year 7-12) 

2:00pm - 2.45pm  4x50m relays, champions relay

2:45pm  Closing ceremony

3:00pm Dismissal

Swimming Training 

Our swimming training sessions have commenced at the College pool. Training will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00am to 8:00am in the lead-up to the NAS and ACC A-Division Swimming Carnival. All students are welcome at our morning training sessions, whether the aim is fitness or making our interschool team.

Years 9/10 NAS

Years 9/10 Trials will commence in Week 3. Below is important information to note:

• One Day Carnival Date – Tuesday 10 March, 
• Weeks 3 and 4 will be trials, and final teams will be posted after the second trial. 
• If students trial for two sports in Week 3 then decide to focus on one sport in their second trial this is acceptable.
• All students will be involved in the day as either a team member, a team helper, or participating in the social sport tournament at the College.
• A trial and training schedule has been posted in the College notices and sent out to all students.
• If you are unable to make all training days, this must be communicated to the team coach.
• All students are asked to meet in the pavilion before their trial in their PE uniform.

All Years 9/10 Students are required to complete the nomination form for the teams they wish to trial for before Wednesday 11 February. 

NAS Nomination Form - Year 9/10 Summer NAS – Fill out form 

First XI Cricket

All Years 11 and 12 students interested in being a part of the First XI Cricket team, please attend the trial on Monday morning, 7:00am to 8:00am at the College. Games will be on Wednesday afternoons with games commencing after lunch and finishing between 4:40pm to 5:00pm. It is a fantastic team to be a part of, and we look forward to seeing you there.

SSWA Tennis

Thank you to those students who attended the first trial sessions for the SSWA Tennis Tournaments. if you are interested in competing in the competitions this year please see important information for second trials.  

If you would like to participate but are unable to attend the trials, for boys, please email Mr O'Hara, and for girls, please email Miss Power before the trial date.

Trial dates for boys

• Boys Years 7- 9: Monday 9 February,  (7:00am - 8:00am) 
• Boys Years 10 - 12: Thursday 12 February,  (7:00am - 8:00am)

Trial dates girls 

Girls Years 7 - 12: Wednesday 11 February (7:00am - 8:00am)

Trials will be at the outdoor tennis courts (near E block). Students are to provide their own racquets and bring a water bottle. Please be on time to assist with the net set-up.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students who competed in the Hancock Prospecting State Championships in December.

George Galvin:

• 15 years 100m Fly – Gold
• 15 years 200m Individual Medley – Gold
• 15 years 400m Individual Medley – Gold
• He was also the winner of the Jennifer Reilly Trophy for scoring the most points in the 14/15 age group.

 Grace Czajko:

• 14 years 50m Breaststroke – Gold
• 14yrs 100m Breaststroke – Gold
• 14 years 200m Breaststroke – Gold
•  Tighe O’Toole:
• 16 years 400m Free – 5th
• 16 years 200m Free – 7th

Angelina Smythe:

• 16 years 200m Backstroke – 4th

Elle McGuren competed in the 13 years 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle heats.

Juliet Cooney competed in the 13 years 50m, 100m, 200m Breaststroke and the 400m Freestyle events.

George and Grace have now qualified for the Australian Age Nationals to be held on the Gold Coast in April.

Conor Bradley

Has been selected in the under-18s State Basketball Team and is heading over to Queensland for the National Championships in April. We wish Conor all the best.

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport