From the Principal

Being a firm believer in empowering students to have the courage to take risks with their learning, it is always encouraging to witness students experimenting with their learning to enhance their own growth and resilience. Both students and staff have heard commentary on numerous occasions about the importance of leaning into challenge in all we do, thereby benefiting from the deep understanding that eventuates from grappling with that same challenge. Nurturing a safe culture of learning and creativity is paramount in this endeavour of course. 

In the Secondary School, the Library has been filled with examples of real design thinking this week, be they related to digital technologies through re-designed Smart Appliances using coding fundamentals in Year 8 and Digital Reels created in Adobe Express in Year 7; or materials design involving wood through lamps, chess boards, medicine cabinets and elaborate tables; or engineering projects involving model planes, powered skateboards, robotic hands; or materials design involving textiles through 3D ‘soft succulents’, Zipper Pouches from upcycled materials, Tote Bags demonstrating sustainable fashion understandings, or costume designs inspired by historical, cultural and social factors.

In the Primary School, our Pre-Primary students created designs using boxes, transforming them into cafes, dance studios and shelters for injured Australian animals and our Year 1 students designed and made bridges and ramps to test the speed and distance of toy cars. In Year 2, students created stop-animations about the life cycle of a butterfly, and Year 3 students designed and made playgrounds out of recyclable materials, showcasing their creativity and environmental awareness. In Year 4, students researched different types of bridges; designed and made a bridge, then tested the bridge with the weight of a Bee Bot for 30 seconds. The Year 5 students practiced their coding skills, and the Year 6 students were coding dash robots to help students evacuate to the College muster point in case of a fire, followed by designing and making devices to help people and animals during natural disasters.

Extensive evidence of our students’ courage to prototype, test and refine ideas has been showcased throughout the College and all involved are to be rightfully commended. 

This week the College also hosted the Perth launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2024-2025, and how fitting it was that the launch took place at our College, named of course after Pope John XXlll.  As we know, Pope John XXIII’s emphasis on social justice, human rights and peace resonated globally, earning him admiration both within and beyond our Catholic community. 

This year’s Social Justice Statement, ‘Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World,’ resonates powerfully with the values of our College where we firmly believe that peace is anchored in the dignity of every person and the cries of human suffering, whether near or far, should not go unheard.

Our College’s motto, Seek Justice, also aligns perfectly with the message of this year's Social Justice Statement, challenging us to act, not only in recognition of the injustices that are so prevalent around us, but to act in the pursuit of peace and truth within our community and beyond.

At the time of writing, our Primary School’s annual House Athletics Carnival is well underway. Thanks are extended to all the Primary School staff and generous parent volunteers, ably led by Antoinette De Pinto and Steve Williams. Congratulations are also extended to our young athletes who so enthusiastically participated in the variety of events on offer throughout the day.

Finally, I extend my congratulations to our debaters who progressed to the WA Debating League Championship Grand Final after defeating MLC last week. Our debaters competed strongly against Perth Modern School in the Grand Final on Monday night at the Perth Town Hall and even though they may not have come away with the Grand Final win this time, their efforts proved to be another good example of students leaning into challenge, and for this they are to be commended.

Daniel Mahon

Principal