Secondary

Academic Review 

This term has provided many opportunities for students to learn knowledge as well as develop their skills within a variety of academic courses. Congratulations to all of our students for their endeavours this term, particularly in light of the interrupted start to the term. 

I would encourage all students to reflect on their academic progress as well as their work ethic demonstrated this term and identify the positives and also the areas for growth in Term Two. This activity can be completed with a parent or individually and encourages students take ownership of their learning. It is equally important for students to celebrate their successes, to articulate their areas of strength and recognise their achievements – this assists students to gain confidence in courses and can be motivating to begin the new term. All students have the capacity to grow and develop their knowledge and skills – this is a fundamental belief of a Catholic school and as such should be encouraged to identify a couple of areas they want to focus on into the future. It is important these area are accompanied by specific actions. For example students who identify the need to increase the amount of time they commit to study outside of school may create a study plan and display it on the fridge at home, they may show their parents the notes/mind maps they have created in their study time for a particular course or may ask their parents to quiz them from their notes, etc. For some students they may choose to focus on maxmising their class time and as such their actions may include asking two questions every lesson, ensuring they speak with their teacher to clarify their understanding, move seats to avoid distractions, etc. 

Jessica Bouwman

Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning

The 2021 Year 12 Ball in an Enchanted Garden

The Year 12 students finally enjoyed their 2021 College Ball on Friday 26 March having had to postpone the event due to COVID Lockdown. The students and guests arrived looking absolutely fantastic; the sea of colours and variety of dresses and suits added to the vibrancy of the night. At 7:30pm the doors to the Grand Ballroom opened, revealing a true Enchanted Garden. Students entered ready for a great night of fun and dancing, which began immediately! The dancing was only interrupted by grace before meals, dinner, dessert and some photographic opportunities.

The Ball is one of those special landmarks which highlights the students' growth and reminds us that the journey within the school context is coming to a close. The experience of 'having a ball' together is something that we hope students and teachers remember forever.

Rita de Faria

Assistant Deputy Principal - Year 12

2021 National Schools Constitutional Convention

Last week, three very talented Year 12 Politics and Law students, Caitlin Green, Oscar Hegge and Benjamin Negus, were among a select group of students from around Australia attending the 26th National Schools Constitutional Convention (NSCC). Previous years, the National Convention has been held at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra – but due to COVID restrictions, national delegates zoom called from their various state capitals. The Convention is supported by all state and territory Ministers and funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

As national delegates, representing Western Australia, Caitlin, Oscar and Ben were selected from over 800 students from government, independent and Catholic schools, most of whom took part in conventions in their home state or territory. 

The topic of the 2021 Convention was ‘Should the Constitution have a new preamble that would recognise our history, our aspirations and the many peoples and groups that make up our nation?’ This topic provided students with the opportunity to explore the present Constitution and contemporary issues. Other elements of the program included a zoom call with the Governor General, David Hurley, and presentations from leading constitutional experts.

Decisions made at the Convention will be incorporated into a Communiqué for tabling in Parliament and recorded in Hansard. It is an outstanding achievement – and a wonderful opportunity for these students to hear from expert speakers and learn about constitutional reform. We congratulate Caitlin, Oscar, and Ben on an outstanding achievement.

Daisy Farley

Politics and Law Teacher

Science Nanotechnology Incursion

On 10 March, Doctor Cameron Evans from the School of Molecular Sciences at UWA, along with a number of PhD students, visited the Year 11 Chemistry classes to demonstrate an array of exciting nanomaterials. These included nano-memory wire, fluorescent quantum dots and hydrophobic sand. The students were able to gain an understanding of how nanomaterials have different properties from their bulk materials when they observed gold nanoparticles that were purple instead of the assumed gold colour. By far the favourite amongst students (and staff) was the ferrofluid – a liquid composed of magnetic iron nanoparticles that when pipetted out onto a magnet, formed regular shapes and patterns that was mesmerising to watch. The students had fun whilst learning about the broader application of nanomaterials and were given the opportunity to talk to post-graduate students about their research.

Greg Moran

Head of Learning Area - Science

Your Move Hands-Up Survey - Department of Transport

Your Move: Hands-Up Survey was completed on the 22 March.

Total number of students who took part in the survey: 947

The question asked: How did you get to school today? 

The results:

• 70.96% came in a car
• 20% came by bus
• 6.68% walked
• 1.8% cycled

It is true John XXIII  College’s location is relatively isolated, but we have also an excellent chartered bus service. Could more students be encouraged to use this service? Could more students be encouraged to walk or cycle to school. It is good for their health and good for the environment.

Margaret Yoon

Sustainability Coordinator

SPORT

Northern Associated Sports (NAS)

On behalf of the College thank you to all students and staff that represented their school with distinction in the NAS Sport competition throughout Term 1. I’d also like to thank parents for their support with early morning drop-offs and late afternoon pick-up. Without the support of staff, students, and parents the program would not be able to continue in its current form.

Cross-Country Training Years 7 – 12

Cross-Country training will recommence after the holiday break. Training runs every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00-8:00am meeting in the College pavilion. Training is open to students of all ability levels. Training will continue through Term 2 up until the ACC Interschool Cross-Country Carnival on Thursday 27 May. 

Thank you to all students who have made every effort to participate in a 3km time trial to challenge for a position on our School Sport WA Cross Country team. The date of this carnival is Thursday 29 April at UWA Sports Park in Mt Claremont.

Congratulations

Congratulations to the following students have qualified for the 2021 Australian Age Championships for Swimming Australia.

• Jacob Bell
• Neve Fyneman
• Charlie Hodge
• Sylvia Czajko
• Bianca Petsos

Unfortunately, with the border closure to Queensland announced today, the Championships are unlikely to go ahead as planned in the Gold Coast however Swimming Australia are working towards an alternative arrangement. 

Congratulations to Ryan Peachey who competed in the Gymnastics WA Trampoline Under 17’s competition. Ryan represented his club Peak Trampoline & was awarded second place in WA (by 0.6 points) & qualified for the Nationals Competition to be held on the Gold Coast in May. 

Also congratulations to Ally Taylor (Year 11) on being selected for the Western Australian U16 State Schools girls hockey team.

Sara Kononen

Head of Sport