Secondary

Dear Families

The House system is an integral part of our College community, providing students with an understanding of our founders, an opportunity to develop relationships with students other than their year group and the development of House spirit and pride. Yesterday we celebrated Campion House Day. Named after the English Martyr and Saint, Edmund Campion (1540 – 1581), Campion’s House motto is 'Faith and Courage'. Born in London of Catholic parents who later became Protestant, Edmund Campion converted to Catholicism and became a Jesuit priest in 1573. Soon after his ordination in Prague, Campion was assigned to his homeland of England in support of a newly founded Jesuit mission. This was a dangerous time for Catholics in England who were persecuted for their faith. In his mission, Campion would stay at a Catholic house for one or two nights or visit households where Catholics were employed. His pattern was to arrive during the day, preach and hear confessions during the evening, and then celebrate Mass in the morning before moving onto the next location. In July 1581, Campion’s freedom to minister to Catholics ended when he was arrested, imprisoned and tortured before being found guilty at trial for high treason and condemned to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

In celebrating Campion House Day yesterday, students shared lunch together and after school cooked meals for Shopfront. This was an opportunity for them to think about those who are less fortunate, helping to reinforce that Campion students are ‘men and women for others’. Thank you to Tom Hooker, Campion House Coordinator, Homeroom Teachers, Campion student leaders and Campion staff for their help on the day.

Campion House Prayer

God of all people

Throughout the ages you inspire heroic individuals like Edmund Campion.

You called him to use his education and his influence to speak out boldly.

We pray that his example inspires us to listen to our conscience, stand up for what is right, and have courage to speak the truth.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, and with the intercession of our founders:

Pope John XXIII Pray for us

Ignatius of Loyola Pray for us

Mary Ward Pray for us

Harmony Day, Saturday 21 March

Tomorrow is Harmony Day, a national day of recognition and celebration of our cultural diversity in Australia. The theme of Harmony Day each year is ‘Everyone Belongs’. Australia is one of the world’s most successful multicultural countries. Our College has a rich history of welcoming students from diverse cultural backgrounds – the statue of Pope John XXIII along Mooro Drive is a testament to this. In the 1980s, the College welcomed students whose families had migrated from Vietnam in search of peace and stability. The College community welcomed them with open arms, providing education, uniforms and social connection as they settled into Perth. Through the community’s support, these students and their families learned English and established themselves in their new home. In gratitude, one of the fathers and talented artist, Khoat van Nguyen, created the statue of Pope John XXIII that we drive past every day as a thank you to the College for its generous support and inclusion.

‘Nurturing an inclusive community,’ is at the heart of John XXIII College. Our values of justice, love, and service for others, as well as care and respect for the individual, capture the essence of Harmony Day. To promote Harmony Day, today the Year 12 Student Representative Council ran activities to raise awareness and ran a bake sale promoting sweet treats from around the world.

Student Leaders’ Forum – the RULER Approach

On Tuesday afternoon, the Year 12 Student Representative Council and Years 8 to 11 Homeroom Leaders spent time in their first Student Leaders’ Forum being trained in the Yale University RULER Approach. RULER supports students to recognise, understand, label, express and regulate emotions in themselves and others. Through practical activities and discussion, our student leaders explored strategies they can use to strengthen relationships and lead with empathy across the College. Thank you to the Secondary Leadership Team for their mentoring of students during the workshop.

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All the very best to our ACC Swim Team for Wednesday’s A Division Interschool Carnival! The team has been training hard since the Interhouse carnival, and we have high hopes to remain victorious for the second year in a row.

Interim Reports

To assist with preparing for Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews on Thursday, 26 March (3:45pm – 6:00pm) and Friday, 27 March (9:00 – 3:15pm), Interim Reports have been released via SEQTA. Now that Term 1 is well underway, the Interim Report provides a useful gauge of students’ work habits and progress in their courses. Parents will be able to book interview times for the Parent-Teacher-Student Interview once Interim Reports are published on Friday, 20 March.

Parent Teacher Student Interviews: Thursday, 26 March (3:45pm – 6:00pm) and Friday, 27 March (9:00am – 3:15pm)

Over these two days, Parent-Teacher-Student interviews will be held both online and face-to-face. These interviews are an important opportunity to help you and your child speak with their teachers about their academic progress and work habits. To facilitate meaningful feedback and discussion with teachers, the following suggestions may be useful:

• Read the Interim Report before you attend. Interim Reports will be available on Friday, 20 March via SEQTA.
• Identify and discuss areas of strength and opportunities for improvement for each subject.
• Seek clarity regarding one strategy suggested by the teacher for your child to practice to strengthen their approach to their learning. This should provide helpful information to implement a plan that, over time, results in learning growth.

Uniform Shop

To coincide with the upcoming Parent-Teacher-Student interview meetings, the Uniform Shop will be open on Friday, 27 March from 7:45am to 12pm. With Term 2 approaching and the need for blazers as part of the winter uniform, this will be an opportunity for parents to visit the Uniform Shop for fittings and purchases. Appointments are not necessary.

Consent2Go

Thank you to all families who have been engaging with our new excursion management platform, Consent2Go. With excursions and camps now underway, parents will receive notifications of upcoming activities, some of which require parental consent and review of the medical information provided at registration. Parents will be able to easily update information via Consent2Go as required.

Parent Communication Flow Chart

To assist parents contact the most relevant staff member regarding a query, we have developed a communication flow chart. We welcome parent contact via email or phone call, and when a meeting on campus with a staff member has been agreed, a time convenient for the parent and the staff member will be arranged. View the Parent Communication Flow Chart below.

Inspire presents The Fathering Project Breakfast – Tuesday, 24 March

Join the John XXIII community for an inspiring presentation by Ashlee Harrison, founder of WA charity Zero2Hero. Following breakfast and time to network, Ashlee will present on how parents can strengthen connection, resilience and wellbeing in their children, helping them to flourish in our College community.

• Tuesday, 24 March 
• 6:45am – 8:45am
• Neil Donaldson Pavilion, 10 McGillivray Road, Mount Claremont
• $39 per person

• Bookings are essential — secure your spot

   

Term 1 Key Dates 

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Year 12 General Geography Fieldwork – Monday 16 March

The Year 12 General Geography students headed out into the field on Monday to take part in a hands-on practical learning experience at the Kings Park Education Centre. The students have been learning about the causes and impacts of bushfires in class, and the fieldwork provides a valuable opportunity to take their learning beyond the classroom. The day involved collecting data on the weather, vegetation and terrain from the field and assessing the bushfire risk to the local environment in Kings Park as well as surrounding areas. The day also included the students exploring bushfire responses, which included a unique experience handling and using the fire hoses. The students were enthusiastic and active participants throughout the whole day and are already counting down to their next fieldwork experience!

Sarah Williams

Geography/HASS teacher 

The Alliance Francaise French Film Festival Excursion

On Wednesday, the Year 12 ATAR French class enjoyed participating in the Alliance Francaise Film Festival. They watched a film called 'The Rookie Guide' in English and 'Le Routard' in French. The film is described as an 'offbeat,' fast-paced adventure. A young man, Yann, longs to be a travel writer to get free holidays. He lies to secure a job at the travel guide Le Routard, but he is forced into a chaotic, comedic adventure in Marrakech to validate forty locations. It was highly entertaining whilst providing a lot of food for thought.  There was a brilliant overview of the attractions that Marrakech has to offer. Travel is a large part of the ATAR course, and it was enlightening to see the many things we had discussed come to life. 

Shane Glass and Nicola Griffin-Appadoo

Languages teachers

Congratulations

Congratulations toMiriam Sekendy in Year 9, who has been selected as a finalist in the 2026 Lester Prize for Portraiture Youth Awards. Her artwork, INTERRUPTED THOUGHTS, will be exhibited at the Old Gaol building, WA Museum Boola Bardip, from Friday, 24 April to Sunday 19 July. This is an outstanding artistic achievement, and we wish Miriam every success as her work is showcased to the wider community.

Community Garden Care and Maintenance Day

When: Saturday, 21 March Time: 8:00am - 9:30am   

Meeting Point: Meeting behind the Science Garden at B8

We invite all interested parents, students, and alumni from the John XXIII College community to join us for a Community Garden Care and Maintenance Day to help our native Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos thrive.

This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to our environment through planting, weeding and caring for our existing garden beds. All tools will be provided—just bring yourself, comfortable clothing, closed footwear, a hat, and sunscreen.

Participating students can count this time towards their Christian Service-Learning (Roncalli Service) hours.

Together, we can nurture our shared environment, strengthen our campus surroundings, and set a positive example for future generations.

LEGO and 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

SPORT

ACC Swimming 

Next Wednesday our Swimming Team will compete in the 2026 ACC A-Division Swimming Carnival. Our team have a huge day ahead of them, taking on the rest of the A-Division schools. Building on our past successes with top two finishes and our win in 2025, our team has its sights set on going back-to-back! The College will be proud no matter what the outcome. Our team has had two very successful relay sessions over the past two weeks, and this will hold them in good stead for the all-important double point relays.  

We can’t wait for the first of the big three ACC Carnivals next week; we are anticipating a highly competitive event. The team's spirit is high, and we're fully prepared to give it our all. With such determination and camaraderie, we're excited to see what heights we can reach together on the day of the competition. 

The full program of events is attached and for all the action on the day, please tune into the Live Stream: ACCWA Event - ACC A Div Swimming 2026.

Please take note of the following: 

• Monday, 23 March there will be a compulsory team session after school 3:30pm to 4:30pm followed by our team dinner in the TMEC from 5:00pm to 6:15pm 
  • Dinner RSVP

• If you cannot attend please email Miss Pillera or Mr Kowal

   

Wednesday, 25 March - ACC A-Division Carnival 

• All team members are encouraged and eligible to purchase an interschool jumper and swimming cap from the Uniform Shop. 
• All team members must compete in COLLEGE BATHERS. Girls on the team are welcome to purchase the race bathers. 
• We can't wait to show everyone what John XXIII can do. Let's train hard and stay healthy!

On the week of the ACC Carnival team members will be allowed to wear their College Sport uniform and Interschool Jumper for the week. 

Years 11/12 Summer NAS

Our Years 11/12 Students will commence their final week of training next week in preparation for their Summer NAS Carnival, Monday 30 March.

Please see the final training week attached, as well as the parent information letter. 

Year 7 NAS Trials

Our Year 7 Students will commence their NAS journey next week, trials will begin for their Winter Carnival which will occur on Monday, 11 May. 

All students will be taking part on the day:

• Competing in a NAS Team  
• Competing in a Lightning Carnival Team 
• Attending as a student helper for a team

All students completed a form in Homeroom this week to sign up for their trials and record their preferences for the Lightning Carnival if they aren't selected for a main NAS Team. 

The first trials will run over Weeks 8 and 9 of this term. The second round of trials will run in Week 1 of Term 2. Teams will be selected by the end of Week 1. Students will then be required to attend two training sessions with their teams in the lead-up to the carnival. The trial/training schedules are attached below. If a student is unable to make a trial, they are required to email or speak with Mr Kowal or Miss Pillera before the date. 

All students are asked to meet in the pavilion before their trial in their PE uniform.

Cross-Country 

Want to boost your fitness and prepare for the Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival? Join our Cross-Country training sessions!

 When?

• Starts Week 8

• Every Tuesday and Thursday morning

   

 Where?

• Meet Mr Tremayne in the Pavilion area at 6:50am

• Training starts promptly at 7:00am

   

 Who can join?

• Open to all students in Years 7 to 12

   

 Why join?

• Build your fitness base
• Start your day with an energising workout
• Train with friends and challenge yourself!

Don’t miss out - lace up your running shoes and get involved!

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. There will always be a session on site at the College. 

First XVIII Australian Rules Football 

Eagles Senior Schoolboys Cup: AFL Years 10 to 12 (First XVIII)

If you are interested in being involved with our Senior AFL team for 2026, please attend a meeting to register your interest:

• When: Monday, 23 March at 1:00pm SHARP
• Where: Gymnasium (no food in the gym please)

Years 11 and 12 students from this team will also participate in the NAS One Day Carnival scheduled for 24 June (Week 10 of Term 2).

Year 10s are invited to train and be eligible to play for the Senior Eagles Cup team. Your NAS commitments will lie with the Year 10 AFL team.

Interhouse Surfing Carnival 2026

Interhouse Surfing will be held early in Term 2 on 13 May

Thank you to the students who attended the meeting this week. If there are students who missed the meeting and are still interested. Please email Mr Kowal. 

Pre-requisite for entering: 

• Students must have had experience in bodyboarding or surfing
• Must have a wetsuit
• Leg ropes 
• Fins and fin savers

Nominations Form - Please complete by clicking on the link below. This must be completed prior to Wednesday of Week 9: Inter House Surfing Nominations 7-12

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport

Congratulations

Congratulations to Year 12 student Lily, who will be competing at the Australian National Rowing Championships in Tasmania next week. Lily will race in several events and has also been selected for the WA Women’s Under 19 Youth Eight—a remarkable achievement for a 17‑year‑old. We wish Lily every success in her races and look forward to celebrating her efforts.

Ashton recently competed in the 2026 Summer State Novice Boxing Titles, taking out the championship in the 65 kg weight category. The two-day competition showcased Ashton’s dedication, skill and determination, a fantastic achievement 

Share your child’s achievements

We love celebrating the wonderful achievements of our students in this section of the newsletter. If your child has recently represented at a regional, state, or national level, or been part of a team that has achieved a significant result (such as a premiership or championship), we’d love to hear about it!

Families are invited to share details and a photo by emailing newsletter@johnxxiii.edu.au. Please include your child’s name, year group, event or activity, and a brief description of the achievement.

To ensure fairness and consistency, we can only feature information received directly from families that meets the above criteria. If no image or details are provided, we may not be able to include your child’s achievement in the newsletter.