John XXIII College Newsletter

From the Principal

Last Friday, Secondary School students were fully invested in everything swimming during the House Swimming Carnival and I extend my thanks to all involved in what was an excellent example of House spirit culminating in Loyola House winning the Sr Mary Murray Cup and Loreto House the Spirit award. The following Saturday, Primary School students and parents joined us for our Primary School Picnic, which was also lots of fun. I extend my thanks to both Secondary School Head of Sport, Jess Pillera and her team for what was an excellent swimming carnival and Antoinette De Pinto and her team of enthusiastic staff who made the Primary School Picnic so enjoyable.

 

I also extend my thanks to all parents able to attend our series of parent information evenings during the week and to the staff who devoted so much time and energy into ensuring the various nights were supportive, informative and ran smoothly. For the benefit of new members of our College community, the College’s Strategic Plan can be accessed via our website.

 

For those who were unable to attend our information evenings, please find below our College strategic intent for 2025, which was unpacked as part of each parent information night. The College’s strategy to ‘smooth’ class numbers in upper Primary (Years 5 and 6) and throughout the Secondary School from 2026 was also explained. 

What Stays the Same?

Our Vision 

To be a leading Catholic, Independent, Co-educational College where academic and personal excellence, along with the commitment to serve others and seek justice, are the aspirations of every student. 

 

Our Strategic Goals 

As detailed in our Strategic Plan, the College’s strategic goals to 2027 are: 

  • Enriching our Catholic Community of Faith 
  • Inspiring Educational Excellence 
  • Cura Personalis (Care for the Whole Person) 
  • Nurturing an Inclusive Community 
  • Sustainability 

Our K-12 Learning Goal 

To respond to the needs of students through effective student identification, tracking of student data and differentiated learning strategies to ensure learning growth. 

What are our strategic priorities for 2025?

Enriching our Catholic Community of Faith 

In 2025 we will: 

  • Strengthen the Roncalli Service program by creating greater links between Primary and Secondary school service opportunities.

  • Conduct the Jesuit and Companions Schools Australasia (JACSA) Ignatian Review. 

  • Develop Ignatian resources for staff and parents.

Inspiring Educational Excellence 

In 2025 we will: 

  • Develop a K-6 student dashboard and refine the 7-12 student dashboard that monitors and evaluates educational excellence. 

  • Develop a process of monitoring K-12 student performance including intervention response points according to established tolerance variables.

  • Implement the Learning Enrichment Review recommendations.

  • Launch the ‘Academic in Residence’ Program – Fr Frank Brennan SJ.

  • Review the current Early Years curriculum offering.

Cura Personalis (Care for the whole person) 

In 2025 we will: 

  • Commence the development of a non-teaching staff Professional Growth Model. 

  • Engage teaching leadership teams in Growth Coaching International’s ‘Impact Cycle’.

  • Investigate additional supports for Years 11 and 12 students though the possibility of an online fitness, strength and conditioning program.

  • Embed the RULER approach across the College.

Nurturing an Inclusive Community 

In 2025 we will: 

  • Finalise the development of the new College Website.

  • Engage an ‘Artist in Residence’ as part of the College Reconciliation Action Plan.

  • Finalise the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

  • Commence planning the College’s 50-year anniversary celebrations in 2027.

  • Engage staff in a benchmarked feedback survey tool.

Sustainability 

In 2025 we will:

  • Implement the new Student Information System (SIS) to replace MAZE.

  • Install solar panels across the College.

  • Update the Building Master Plan, including a rationale for staged strategic projects.

  • Commence planning for the implementation of Stage 1 strategic projects.

  • Prepare for the Educational component of the 2026 CEWA School Compliance Review. 

We look forward to working together to realise these priorities and celebrate their implementation as the year progresses.

 

Daniel Mahon

Principal