Around The Primary

Dear Families 

As we continue to journey through this season of Lent, let’s use this time for reflection and renewal. For children, Lent can be a meaningful opportunity to pause and consider how we can follow Jesus’ example of kindness, generosity and courage.

Some practical, child friendly ways to understand and live out Lent with your families include:

• doing small acts of kindness such as helping a sibling, including someone new in a game in the playground or sharing encouraging words
• give up something such as watching TV and replacing it with something positive such as time outdoors, reading or prayer
• showing gratitude, naming one thing each day that reminds us of God’s love
• making time for prayer, even a short, simple prayer before school or bedtime

NAPLAN testing was successfully completed this week. Thank you to Ms Allen and our Years 3 and 5 staff for their organisation. We are proud of the calm and positive way our students approached the assessments.

These assessments provide a snapshot of students’ progress in Literacy and Numeracy and are one of several measures we use to inform teaching and learning.

While this information is valuable, it is only one small part of the broader picture of each student’s learning. We know our students deeply through their classroom learning, ongoing assessments, conversations, observations and the strong relationships formed within our school community. 

In March, the URStrong focus is ‘courage’. Our goal is to help our students build emotional strength, confidence, healthy friendships, and to show courage.

Using URStrong language, we support students to use simple, respectful phrases that give them the tools to navigate friendships with confidence, such as:

• “I need some space right now”
• “That didn’t feel kind”
• “Can we talk about what happened?”

These types of statements help children:

• Stand up for themselves using assertive words
• Be brave in friendship fires by communicating honestly and kindly
• Try new things even when they feel uncertain
• Bounce back when things don’t go as planned

Parents and caregivers play a powerful role in showing what courage looks like. This might include:

• Admitting mistakes and showing how we move forward
• Having calm, honest conversations when issues arise
• Trying something new as a family
• Encouraging children to step out of their comfort zone while reminding them they are safe and supported

Courage grows when children see it, hear it and practice it.

Congratulations to Wanju Voices and Primary Singers for their outstanding performance at the Primary Choir assembly. We are so proud of how you have worked during rehearsals this term.   Special thanks to Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston for sharing their musical expertise with our students.   

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

Holy Week Reflections

In the final week of term, students will be attending our Holy Week reflections for Holy Week. Our Year 5 students will be presenting the Easter Story on Wednesday, 1 April and will begin at 11:15am in the Amphitheatre with The Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday Liturgy. We request that all students bring a small palm or olive branch to school on the day to wave as they sing “Sing It Hosanna.”

The Easter Story will continue at 1:30pm, when we gather in prayer to reflect on Good Friday. During this time, students will follow the Stations of the Cross as they contemplate Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion.

We look forward to preparing for Easter and sharing these meaningful liturgies with our students.

Superstars

Well done to all the students who received a certificate at today’s Assembly:

Parent Teacher Interviews

As part of the Primary Assessment and Reporting process for Kindy to Year 6 students, Parent-Teacher interviews will be taking place next Thursday, 26 March, from 3:30pm and all day on Friday, 27 March.  This is a valuable time for parents/caregivers to spend with the class teacher to discuss your child’s progress.

Your child is not required to come to the interview as it will be a two-way process between teacher and parent/s. However, we encourage all families to discuss their child’s future goals with them at home after the interview.

All parents/caregivers are required to book their meeting online via the SEQTA Engage Parent portal under Booked (formerly Parent Teacher Online).  Bookings will be open to parents from Friday, 20 March, from 3:30pm. The booking process will close on Monday 24 March at 9:00am. 

Please refer to below instructions on how to log in and create bookings. 

After logging in, you can select a suitable time to meet with your child/children’s teacher/s. All interviews will run for 10 minutes.

If you would like to book an appointment to see a Specialist teacher, please contact them directly via email to set up a mutually convenient time.

Please note:  Parents/caregivers that have recently attended an IEP meeting are not required to book another interview with class teachers. 

If you experience any technical difficulties, please contact ithelpdesk@johnxxiii.edu.au 

Dates to Remember

Please check the College Website to note all the important Primary school events for your family calendar. https://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/for-families/calendars By subscribing to the College calendar you are automatically alerted when details of an existing event are changed. 

Sculptures by the Sea 

Students from Year 4 visited ‘Sculptures by Sea’ and participated in Focus Tours, where an expert tour guide helped them to view, discuss, think and learn about many of the sculptures in the exhibition. 

Some of the tour guides are sculptors themselves and all of them had a fountain of knowledge to share and spark the students’ interest in sculpture. All the tour guides and some members of the public had such positive feedback about the students’ engagement, participation and excellent behaviour. 

We are so lucky to experience art on an international level in our own environment, and from our follow-up activities back at school, I know the students have been enriched and inspired by this excursion. Many thanks to the parents and teachers who helped and supported the students on this excursion.

Fiona Blaauw

Teacher, Primary Art

Primary Sport

Cross-Country Training

The number of runners participating in Cross-Country training has been incredible, and it has been great to see so many young runners and parents running with the group.  Students in Kindy to Year 2 must be accompanied by an adult who will run with them.

Please note: No Cross Country training on Tuesday, 31 March due to IPSHA Swimming Carnival.

Interschool Swim Team

There will be two training sessions for the interschool swimming team to help prepare for the upcoming Interschool Swim Carnival on Tuesday, 31 March.  It would be great to see everyone attend at least one session as we will be focusing on starts, finishes and relay changeovers. 

College Bathers and College Caps are required for the Interschool Carnival and can be purchased from the Uniform Shop.   

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 

Primary Music 

Ensemble Rehearsals

Rehearsal times are provided below for next week: 

Rehearsals for Primary Singers recommence in Term Two.

Performances

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

SEQTA Update – Action Required

Families are asked to check their inboxes for an important email titled 'Important notice: SEQTA update'. This message outlines steps to re-register your SEQTA Engage account following the recent system upgrade. Please follow the instructions provided in the email at your earliest convenience. For assistance, contact ithelpdesk@johnxxiii.edu.au. 

LEGO & DUPLO Donations Wanted

Our Library is seeking donations of LEGO and DUPLO bricks for use in a range of student activities. These resources will support:

• Primary and Secondary Library activities
• Secondary Wellbeing activities

• Creative play and hands‑on learning projects

   

If you have any spare LEGO or DUPLO at home that is no longer being used, we would be very grateful to give it a new life at school.

Donations can be dropped off at the Library at any time.

Thank you for supporting our students’ creativity and wellbeing.

Jean Redfern

Library and Learning Services Educator

Inspire Parent Education | The Fathering Project Breakfast

Join us on Tuesday, 24 March for The Fathering Project Breakfast, part of our Inspire Parent Education series. Guest speaker Ashlee Harrison, founder of WA charity zero2hero, will share powerful insights into connection, resilience and the wellbeing of young people — including what kids wish their parents knew.

The morning kicks off at 6:45am with casual networking over bacon-and-egg rolls and barista coffee, followed by a 45-minute presentation. It's a great opportunity to connect with other families in our community while gaining practical tools to better support your child.

Tuesday 24 March 

6:45am – 8:45am

Neil Donaldson Pavilion, 10 McGillivray Road, Mount Claremont

$39 per person

Bookings are essential — secure your spot

Extend After School Care 

Please click on the following link to find out about After School Care offered by Extend, including hours of operation, fees and how to book - John XXIII College - Extend

The team at Extend can be contacted via email: support@extend.com.au or call 1300 366 437.