Secondary

Dear Families

Associated and Catholic Colleges of WA (ACC) A-Division Swimming Victory!

Congratulations to our ACC Swim Team, who on Wednesday won the A-Division Interschool Swimming Carnival. As a collective, their incredible efforts and team spirit placed the College strongly in all categories, resulting in the most points for the day. All are to be commended for their commitment to preparing for the carnival and for their excellent representation of the College on the day. Thank you to Ms Jessica Pillera – Head of Sport, Mr Darren Kowal – Assistant Head of Sport, Mr Campbell Tirant – Head Coach, Assistant Coaches - Charlie Hodge and Asha Huggins (Class 2023) and all supporting staff who have worked tirelessly with the team to prepare them for the carnival and develop the culture that results in success.

Overall Team Scores

Student Leaders’ Forum

Student voice is a powerful way of empowering 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 with issues that are relevant to their immediate experience. This week we held our first Student Leaders’ Forum for the year, where leaders from across Years 7 to 11 worked alongside the Year 12 Student Representative Council to brainstorm on how they can be servant leaders in action in line with the Student Representative Council Vision: to foster an inclusive community where diversity is celebrated, and each person is treated with respect to feel a sense of belonging. Led by facilitator, Paris McNeil, there was great energy and robust discussion throughout the forum, and we look forward to continuing working with students to problem solve issues that matter to them and improve their Secondary experience.

2025 Lester Prize Youth Awards Finalist: Congratulations, Bianca!

The Lester Prize Youth Awards encourages the creative talents of young, aspiring and emerging artists. It is open to all high school students across Australia from Years 7 to 12. The Youth Awards allow entrants to showcase their works and present their unique artistic perspectives, helps build their confidence to further their art practice and allows them to share their stories with the wider community. Congratulations to Year 12 ATAR Visual Arts Student Bianca Petsos, whose artwork 9 578545 200531 has been selected as a finalist in the Lester Prize Youth Awards 2025. Bianca’s oil painting addresses themes of consumerism and individualism in contemporary society, utilising bright colours and a hyperrealist painting style to convey meaning and intrigue the viewer.

The Lester Prize 2025 Youth Awards will be held at WA Museum Boola Bardip in the Old Gaol Exhibition Space and is open to the public from Friday, 2 May to Sunday, 20 July 2025.

Men of John XXIII Breakfast Event: From Playground to Prom, Wednesday 7 May

All are invited to attend the next Men of John XXIII Fathering Project event on Wednesday, 7 May at the University Club of Western Australia. Facilitated by Glenn Mitchell, there will be a guest panel discussion to explore the changes and challenges of fatherhood, from early childhood to adolescence. Tickets can be purchased here.

Music Students Mercy Village Concert

Thank you to our Year 11 and 12 Music students who performed on Monday to entertain the residents of Mercy Village, Wembley. This wonderful initiative commenced during COVID with staff performing on the clubhouse balcony to the residents sitting outside below. Its evolution to include students has strengthened the experience for all, with the concert now a much-anticipated event in the Village’s calendar. 

Parking Reminder

To ensure the safety of our students, particularly during busy times at the beginning and end of the school day, please use the designated drop-off and pick-up zones marked around the campus. When parking, we request that drivers use allocated parking spaces in College car parks only. Double parking or stopping in unauthorised zones – particularly around Montgomery House – poses safety risks to both our students and neighbouring residents. When using the Secondary drop-off/pick-up carpark off John XXIII Avenue, access bays should be used in the first instance for parents and carers picking up students in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges, and ACROD stickers should be clearly displayed when parking in these bays. To reduce traffic congestion, 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.

eRideable Safety Reminder

More Western Australians are using eScooters and other electric rideable devices for travel and recreation. It is important that riders are familiar with the current legislation regarding eRideables to keep them and other road users safe. 

For the safety of everyone, the College expects the following from students using eRideables as their method of transportation to and from school:

• Pedestrians take precedence over the rider.
• All students are to dismount from any eRideable device once they reach the perimeter of the College grounds.
• Riders wear helmets correctly.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this important safety issue.

Term 1 Key Dates

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Year 10 River Cruise

The Year 10 cohort recently celebrated their annual social with a River Cruise on the Swan River. There was a high level of excitement leading up the event and students embraced the opportunity to socialise away from the College campus. The dancefloor on board was full from start to finish. Students also enjoyed taking in the views of the city lights and sharing dinner with friends. Thank you to the Year 12 SRC students and to the College staff who attended for their support in making the event a wonderful experience for Year 10 students. I commend the cohort on their excellent behaviour and engagement in the evening. 

Tim Chaney

Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 10 

Year 12 Geography General 

On Tuesday 18 March, Year 12 Geography General students embarked on their first excursion of the course aimed at enhancing their understanding of bushfires as a natural hazard. Taking place within Kings Park and led by the Education Centre staff, students explored key aspects of bushfire history, fire-prone environments and the influence of fuel, climate, and weather—using Perth as a case study. Throughout the day, students engaged in hands-on learning, collecting field data to assess bushfire risk and investigating various hazard management strategies, along with experiments such as determining the moisture content in leaf litter and assessing the fire risk of the day. Students also applied their practical geography skills, through landscape sketching of Perth’s stunning skyline and utilising remote sensing techniques. A special thank you goes to Ms Nitasha Horner for accompanying the group and her valuable contributions throughout the excursion.

Kalo Bell

Head of Learning Area - HASS

College Musical 2025 - High School Musical

Get ready for a spectacular performance as John XXIII College proudly presents High School Musical at Roncalli Hall!

Dates and times:

Tuesday 29 April, 7pm

Wednesday 30 April, 7pm

Thursday 1 May, 7pm

Friday 2 May, 7pm

Saturday 3 May, 2pm and 7pm

Location: Roncalli Hall, John XXIII College, John XXIII Avenue, Mount Claremont 

SPORT

ACC Swimming 

It doesn’t get much better than this!!! John XXIII College are ACC A-Division Swimming Champions. 

On Wednesday, John XXIII College took on the best of the best at the A-Division Carnival. From the very first race our swimmers demonstrated unparalleled determination and skill, setting the tone for what would become a day of remarkable achievements. The atmosphere was electric, with cheers and encouragement roaring from the stands, fuelling our athletes to push their limits and perform at their very best for Team JTC. 

In the morning before we left for the pool, and at our team dinner on Monday this week we have had a strong empahsis on family. Family, 'JTC' written on the right hand of each student and staff member for the day. When things got close or tough, referring back to JTC on our hands kept everyone in check and focused on the task at hand. The spirit, connection and support for one another throughout the day was priceless and something that I believe is unmatched by any other school. 

We knew it wouldn't be an easy task against our healthy rivals in Sacred Heart College, who did an outstanding job the whole day. It came down to the wire, every race, every relay, every second. The margin varied from 12 points to 30 points all day, too close to call until the last race. It is with immense pride and joy that I announce that John XXIII College were again, for the first time since 2021, the Overall Aggregate Winners of the ACC A-Division Swimming Carnival. As well as taking out the main shield, we were equal first with Sacred Heart College for the Overall Girls Shield. 

Well done to College Sport Captains Ruby Verleg, Ciaran Doyle and 2025 Swimming Captains Josh Engelbrecht and Bianca Petsos who led the team brilliantly throughout the day. Special acknowledgement must go to all students who stepped up to fill in events when others could not. This result was a true team effort that could not have achieved without the motivation, sportsmanship and cheering from all our team on the day. 

Congratulations to the following students who placed in the Top 5 for their age group, an achievement to be extremely proud of, coming up against the best swimmers in A-Division. 

Girls 

• U/13 Girls - Elle McGuren - Equal 4th
• U/14 Girls - Juliet Cooney - 4th 
• U/15 Girls - Grace Czajko - 2nd 
• U/17 Girl - Angelina Smythe - 2nd
• U/19 Girls - Bianca Petsos - 5th 

Boys 

• U/16 Boys Champion - George Galvin
• U/17 Boys - Taj Dorrington - 5th 
• U/17 Boys - Tighe O’Toole - 2nd

Finally a BIG thank you our coaches who have prepared the team since the start of the term every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Head Coach, Mr Campbell Tirant and assistant coaches College alumni from the Class of 2023 Charlie Hodge and Asha Huggins. 

Year 7 Winter NAS

Our first week of Year 7 NAS Trials got underway and were a huge success! There is so much energy, and so many students are trialing for all NAS Sports. As mentioned in last week's newsletter, all students have the opportunity to trial for teams at two trial weeks. Students have been encouraged to attend all trial opportunities for the sports that they wish to be considered for. 

Following the second week of trials in Week 10, teams will be posted on SEQTA. Students will then have two final weeks of training in their teams before the big Carnival day on 12 May. Please see the full schedule attached. 

Students who do not make it into a NAS Team have nominated for a Lightning Carnival Team. 

• Boys - AFL, Soccer
• Girls - Netball, Soccer

Cross-Country 

We are off and running with our Tuesday and Thursday sessions, meeting in the Pavilion at 6:50am sharp for training to commence at 7:00am. Sessions have had great numbers, let’s keep this up. The Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival is on Friday, 9 May. Get down to training and get prepared for the big day. 

Attached is the program for the Cross-Country season. Please note that some sessions will be at various off-site venues that are close to the College; these sessions will commence at 6:50am. If a student can't make the off-site session there will always be a session on site at the College.

Interhouse Cross-Country Course Information

Interschool Team Jumper Embroidery

The Uniform Shop is facilitating embroidery on the Interschool Rugby Jumpers. Please drop your jumper off at the Uniform Shop by 12pm on Wednesday 9 April, so it can be embroidered with your name and ACC Swimming Team allocation. If you have missed an embroidery from 2024 teams, you are welcome to drop your jumper in for embroidery

Congratulations

Congratulations to Vivienne Barley for her recent success at the National School Sport Triathlon. This was her second triathlon and she placed 11th in the country and second in the state. Vivienne was one of the youngest in her age group. What a fantastic achievement.

Congratulations to Lily Lucas, Year 11  currently participating in the Australian Rowing Championships happening now at Lake Barrington International Rowing Course in Tasmania. She is showcasing her incredible skills in multiple events: U17 single, U17 double, U17 quad and  U21 eights. The championships run until 30 March, so stay tuned for updates on Lily's performance. We are all cheering for you, Lily!

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport