Secondary

Dear Families 

Harmony Day 

Yesterday was 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 1970s and 1980s, the College welcomed a number of students whose families were refugees from Vietnam and had come to Australia 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 homes. In gratitude, one of the fathers and talented sculptor, 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. 

A strategic pillar, ‘nurturing an inclusive community’ is at the heart of John XXIII College. Our values of justice, love and service for others and care and respect for the individual, capture the essence of Harmony Day. To promote Harmony Day, staff and students were encouraged to wear a splash of orange. At the Secondary Assembly, insights from last year’s Languages cultural tours to Japan and Italy were shared, and Wellbeing Captain, Esther addressed students on the importance of inclusion for people’s wellbeing and a reminder for us to be open to cultural differences. The following is an excerpt from her speech that provided a powerful message for student reflection:  

It is important to recognise that everyone’s spiritual and cultural journey is different and to celebrate and appreciate these differences.  

 

Since we are all made in God’s image and likeness, we are all created as equal and should be treated with dignity. Being people for others and showing love and respect for all people no matter their race, culture, religion, abilities, gender and more, we are provided with a greater sense of meaning and purpose. We all have a duty to be kind and seek justice in all that we do, and this leads us to fulfilling our vocation, or our God-given purpose, all the while enhancing our own wellbeing.   

 

It is important to note that this message of belonging, acceptance and respect of culture should be lived out by all people every day, not just on Harmony Day... recognising ways to appreciate and celebrate difference and promote diversity are stepping stones to making our College community and beyond a more inclusive place. 

Further exploration of this messaging to promote cultural inclusion and make our College a place where everyone feels that they belong has occurred through Years 7 to 9 Life Skills and PLUS classes over the past week and into next term. Cultural diversity brings strength to a community; it helps people to appreciate difference, develop empathy and learn about other cultures. As ‘people for others’ who ‘seek justice’, let us always be mindful of the importance of acceptance and inclusion of each other, regardless of their cultural background, colour of their skin or religion. 

Secondary Sports Program 

We proudly consider sports an integral aspect of College life, fostering an environment where determination, physical skills, and teamwork flourish. The Secondary sports program provides significant breadth of offerings available to students regardless of their talent or ability. 

The diagram below showcases the depth of sporting opportunities available.

This week's Rowing results, ACC Division A Swimming Carnival and Years 11/12 Summer Carnival are examples of the vibrant and strong Secondary sports program at John XXIII College. 

Well done to our rowers who competed at last weekend's South West Head of the River and won the the Charles Hastie Cup for amassing the highest overall points; a testament to their hard work and dedication to kick off the rowing season. 

Congratulations to our ACC Swim Team for Wednesday's stellar performance, placing second overall and first place in both the Senior Girls Shield and Overall Girls Shield at the ACC A Division Swimming Carnival. We are all very proud of the team’s effort and determination in their preparation, competitiveness and support of each other on the day. Special mention to our record breakers on the day: 

• Sylvia Czajko (Year 11) broke a 29 year old record in the 50m Free swimming 26.21s; and 
• the Under 16 Girls Freestyle Relay, Sasha Pallis, Chloe Bell, Poppy Finucane and Angelina Smythe (Year 10) equalled the 2017 record of 1.58.99. 

The day would not have been possible without the support of our incredible staff: Miss Jessica Pillera: Head of Sport, Mr Darren Kowal: Assistant Head of Sport, Mr Campbell Tirant: Head Coach and Mr Josh Bowen. Thank you also to Assistant Coaches, Charlie Hodge and Asha Huggins (2023 Alumni) for their amazing work in preparing and supporting the team.

The Years 11/12 NAS Summer Carnival was held today at various locations around Perth. Congratulations to all students and staff involved in what turned out to be a highly successful day for John XXIII College across all sports: AFLW, basketball, ultimate frisbee, indoor beach volleyball and indoor cricket. Students not competing today participated in an inaugural Wellbeing Day organised by Mr Liam Smith, Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 11. An enjoyable day for all involved, students engaged in a variety of wellbeing activities including yoga, self-defence, volleyball, netball, Zumba, gardening, soccer, basketball, water aerobics, boxing and beading. Thank you to Mr Smith and all staff involved in making this a day of renewal and connection for students.  

With the swimming season now complete, we turn our focus to Interhouse and Interschool Cross Country. Students have already begun training, with sessions open to anyone wanting to join for fitness, familiarity with the Interhouse course or to fasten their pace in preparation for selection to the Interschool team. 

All the best to Years 9 and 10 students who compete in their Summer NAS Carnival next Wednesday, 27 March. 

Year 12 Manresa

All the best to our Year 12 students for Manresa next week. We hope that you find the experience one of the highlights of your year and perhaps even your Secondary journey.  

Term 2 Uniform 

Term 2 brings the transition of summer to winter uniform, and students are required to wear the correct winter uniform, including a tie, from the beginning of the new term. With the weather still warm in the first weeks of term, the blazer will be optional for the first three weeks of term (Tuesday, 16 April to Friday, 3 May). Full winter uniform will be required as of Monday, 6 May. A reminder that Secondary Photo Day is on Tuesday, 7 May and students will be required to wear full winter uniform, including stockings if wearing a skirt.  

The Uniform Shop will be open on Monday, 15 April, from 8am to 4pm for blazer and trouser fittings. No appointment is required.  

A Block Car Park  

A reminder that the A Block car park off Mooro Drive is available for staff and Primary parent parking only. Secondary parents are required to drop and pick up from the Secondary car park off John XXIII Avenue. Your cooperation is appreciated.  

Horizons West Bus Charter Service – reminder for students to pay for each ride 

We have received reports that not all students are paying for their fare when travelling on the Horizons West charter bus to and from school. Students must swipe their card and pay their fare when embarking for each ride. Students found not to be paying their fare may not be permitted to board the bus.  

Term 1 Key Dates 

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Lester Prize Youth Awards

Congratulations to Year 12 Student Jacinta Sturley, whose artwork was selected to be exhibited in the Lester Prize Youth Awards 2024. Jacinta’s soft pastel portrait “Heart of the Nation” depicts Miriam Rose. Jacinta met Miriam Rose on a Pilgrimage and asked her to sit for the portrait. The Lester Prize for Portraiture's Youth Awards exhibition runs from Friday, 12 April, to Sunday, 14 July at WA Museum Boola Bardip.

Kiri Moore

Visual Arts Coordinator  

Visual Arts Incursion

Year 11 General Visual Art students participated in a workshop with renowned local artist, Anya Brock. They were challenged to free up their drawing and painting style using a limited colour palette and large, gestural brushstrokes to paint a bird from a reference image. The emphasis was on capturing one’s individual style rather than being hung up on realism and what we perceive as “good art”. We are so lucky to have had the wisdom and knowledge from Anya’s wealth of experience imparted to our students.

Angie Bollam

Teacher

French film excursion

On Wednesday, 13 March our Years 10 and 11 French classes enjoyed an excursion to Windsor Cinema to participate in the Alliance Française Film Festival. This year's choice of films was incredible. We selected Divertimento. It was about a young girl musician who struggled to be taken seriously as an orchestra conductor. She battled the establishment as both an immigrant and a female. 

We learned in the film that only 4% of conductors in France are women. The music was wonderful and contained many popular classics such as Bolero.  The ending was really uplifting, and we discovered that the film was based on a true story. 

Students will be able to link this cultural experience to the curriculum topics of leisure, lifestyle and cinema in their French classes.

Merci beaucoup to Madame Griffin-Appadoo and Ms Baker for accompanying the students on this excursion.

Melissa Polizzi

Head of Languages 

SPORT

ACC Swimming 

The A Division Swimming Carnival is the day when the best of the best from the Top 10 ACC Swimming schools battle it out in the pool. The stage is always set for an enormous day filled with plenty of action and energy. 

As has been the case for the last few years, the day was filled with a wonderful battle between Sacred Heart and John XXIII College. These healthy rivalries push us to the next level and bring out so much determination, passion, and grit among the students. We are so proud to once again finish as Overall Runners-Ups. Our girls managed to defend their titles and bring home the Senior Girls and Overall Girls Aggregate shields, a testament to our students’ unwavering dedication. 

Beyond the accolades and victories, these days are priceless. The memories and bonds created last a lifetime. We are so proud of each and every member and we can’t wait to bring the competition again next year!! 

Lastly, the day would not have been possible without the support of our incredible staff: Mr Kowal, Mr Tirant and Mr Bowen. A very special thank you to our Head Coach, Mr Tirant and our Assistant Coaches, Charlie Hodge and Asha Huggins for their amazing work in preparing our team.

Northern Associated Schools (NAS)

Years 9/10 NAS One-Day Carnival 

Congratulations to all the students who tried for a team. All team lists have been posted in the College SEQTA notices. Students have now had two training sessions, and it has been wonderful to see teams come together and develop cohesion before the day! 

All students have been accounted for, so please look closely for what you will be taking part in on the day. If a student's name is coloured red at the bottom of a team list, this means they have been selected as helpers for that team. This will involve assistance with scoring, equipment, and support on the day. 

• One Day Carnival Date: Wednesday, 27 March.
• Students to arrive at the St Louis Sports Centre 7:45am for attendance and briefings. The busses will be departing at 8:15am SHARP
• All students will be involved in the day as either a team member, a student helper for a team or participating in the social grasscourt Volleyball Tournament on campus against the other NAS schools.
• The final training afternoon is next week, Monday 25 March, from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Students unable to make all training days must communicate with their team coach.
• Students are to meet in the Pavilion in their PE uniform before their training.

Year 7 Winter NAS Trials Term 2 

Term 2 NAS will be upon us very shortly. We will hit the ground running again with Year 7 Trials being conducted in Week 1 of next term. All students have completed the nomination link for the upcoming trials. The NAS day will run alongside the ACC Lightning Carnival. This means that students who don’t make it into a NAS Team will participate in the ACC lightning carnival round robin. Girls will have the option of Netball or Soccer and Boys will have the option of AFL or Soccer. Similar to Term 1, there will be training days in the lead-up to the Carnival, which lands on Monday, May 6. Training dates and times will be confirmed in next week's newsletter. Please see the trial schedule below to pencil in your diaries. 

If you have any queries, please contact Miss Pillera. 

Tennis 

Last week, our John XXIII Students competed in the Slazenger Schools Tennis Cup, coached by Miss Power and Mr O’Hara. It was the first time in several years that the College has competed in this event and the students did not disappoint. All teams had success on the day with wins on the court for their pool group. We look forward to continuing this tournament next year and expanding our Tennis repertoire even further. Well done once again to the students below and the staff involved for all your efforts with training in the lead-up and your performance on the day. 

Cross-Country training

Cross-country training sessions are underway every Tuesday and Thursday from 7am to 8am. There will be a final course run-through of the term at Tuesday training. The course map can be found in the College notices. All students are welcome to join our morning training sessions.

Congratulations

This week, the following John XXIII College students were presented with their jumpers for the Claremont Colts. Congratulations to Wim Parker, Paddy McAuliffe, Baxter Robertson, Joseph Hopkyns, Aidan Kavanagh, and Will Thomas.

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport