Secondary

Dear Families  

Our community has expanded temporarily this week as we welcome our Italian and Japanese friends for their cultural exchanges. Participating in cultural and language exchanges offers invaluable benefits to students. Beyond improving their language proficiency, these exchanges foster global understanding and empathy by exposing students to diverse perspectives and traditions firsthand. As has been proven through our long tradition of cultural exchanges with our Italian and Japanese partner schools, these experiences promote lifelong friendships and broaden cultural horizons, enriching students' personal and academic experiences in profound ways. Thank you to Sensei Glass, Prof Polizzi and all staff involved in facilitating an engaging program of activities for students to enjoy throughout their stay. Thank you, also, to the families who have opened their homes to welcome our Italian friends through their stay.  

The creative arts play a significant role in nurturing students’ creative expression, collaboration with others, cultural appreciation, confidence and self-discipline. We are blessed to have a strong music and drama culture at the College that provides many opportunities for students to explore and expand their artistic interests and passions.  The past week has seen a showcase of student talent on display as part of Music and Drama Week. Congratulations to all students involved in the Music Eisteddfod held last weekend; the calibre of performances was indeed impressive. So too, was the soulful and playful performances of our senior students at Monday’s Jazz Night at the Ellington, it was fantastic that students had the opportunity to perform in front of friends and family in an authentic live venue.  

Ward House Day 

This week also saw the celebration of Ward House Day, an occasion to mark the significance of one of our College Founders, Mary Ward. I encourage you to read the Faith and Mission section of the newsletter to discover more about Mary Ward.  Thank you to Dr Ylenia Casadio, Ward House Coordinator and Homeroom Teachers for leading students in a range of activities in celebration of the day.  

Ward House prayer 

Lord God,   

May we live like Mary Ward 

With Faith and Love in Christ our Lord. 

When the going is hard, and our spirits grow weak,  

We look to Mary and her faith we seek.  

Though dangers besieged her and sure, she knew fear,  

Mary never wavered from the faith she held dear.  

We, like Mary Ward, have this vocation in life; 

To be faithful to Christ in good times or strife,  

To bring the good news of God’s love to each other 

And welcome the stranger like a sister or brother.  

The message we have heard from the good women Ward 

Live every day as best you may as Jesus Christ the Lord.  

Helping others in our Community: Roncalli Care 

The Roncalli roster is a College community-operated pastoral care program that facilitates the delivery of home-cooked meals to members of the College community experiencing hardship and loss. The primary purpose of the roster is to provide meals while maintaining the privacy and anonymity of the recipients and volunteers alike, in a timely and consistent manner. If you or someone you know could benefit from the service provided by the Roncalli roster, please get in contact by emailing Roncalli@johnxxiii.edu.au. Please note, consent is required from the meal recipient before the roster can begin. 

Sayōnara e Arrivederci to our International Exchange groups 

Sayōnara to our Japanese exchange students from Osaka Kasugoaka, Japan.

On Wednesday, 7 August, the Year 10 Japanese students of John XXIII College, with the Japanese exchange students, spent the day at Caversham Wildlife and Supa Golf with Sensei Glass and Sensei Aghdasi. In the evening, the group came together for a farewell celebration in the Thomas Moore Exhibition Centre, prior to departing for their international flight.

The Italian exchange from Polo Liceale Mattioli Vasto Abruzzo is with us for another week and will participate in a variety of cultural Australian classes, immersion classes with our students studying Italian, and off-campus excursions. The Italian exchange group will depart on Saturday, August 17.

It has been an exciting two weeks of having international visitors on campus. 

Using Smartriders   

We have received reports that not all students catching Transperth buses are tagging on and off with their SmartRiders as they should be. Students are required to use their SmartRiders correctly. To help maintain the smooth operation of the service, please ensure that your card is ready when boarding.   

Carpark Etiquette 

Senior students and parents are reminded to be courteous and considerate and mindful of pedestrian safety when driving or parking in the carparks. The end of the school day is particularly busy with students departing the campus, and there have been a few narrow misses recently.  

School Photos/Photo Pack Distribution 

Photo order packs have arrived and will be ready for distribution to students via Homeroom next week.  

2024 Census Collection Notice

Every August, the Australian Government conducts the Non-Government School Census data collection. The information provided by schools during the Census is collected by the Department of Education to:  

• ensure the provision of Australian Government funding to schools is properly calculated and appropriately managed.  
• conduct research, statistical analysis and develop school education policy for the Australian Government.  
• meet national and international reporting obligations on school students in Australia.  
• publish and provide information about schools to the public.  

Further information regarding the Census can be accessed below and via SEQTA Documents.   

Term 3 Key Dates 

Warm regards

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Year 11 Pilgrimage student reflection - Group B

We were grateful to participate in the 2024 Pilgrimage Program, where our group flew to Cape York and spent nine days staying in various Indigenous communities. This enriching experience allowed us to immerse ourselves in the rich culture of these communities, gain insights into how each one connects with the land, and listen to their stories.

Throughout our nine-day journey, we developed close friendships with peers we might not usually interact with at school. As a group, we bonded deeply, sharing experiences and creating lasting memories. Some of our favourite moments included laughing together during group activities and enjoying our time in each other’s company. We also relished the opportunity to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, overcoming our fears and experiencing its beauty firsthand.

Our group stayed at Panamuunji and Wurrey, each location offering its own unique charm. We are especially thankful to the Traditional Owners of these lands for welcoming us and sharing their culture. From making damper and going on bush walks to wearing mud masks at the creek and journaling by the campfire, every moment was special and memorable.

The lessons and stories we gathered during this trip are ones we are eager to share, passing them from one generation to the next. Our hope is that these stories contribute to developing a better future, reflecting the wisdom and traditions we were honoured to experience.

Pilgrimage 2025

An online information evening for Year 10 students and parents will be held at 6pm on 21 August. A Teams invite and Red Earth proposal and sample itinerary will be sent to Year 10 parents via email.

Janeen Murphy

Deputy Principal Faith and Mission

Exciting News: 2024 'Speak for Faith' Catholic Public Speaking Competition

The much-anticipated 2024 'Speak for Faith' Catholic public speaking competition is here! This prestigious event is a collaborative effort between CEWA and the West Australian Catenian Association. Students from Catholic schools across the region will have the opportunity to speak on topics of their choice that highlight and promote Catholic ethics and values in today's society.

John XXIII College has a remarkable track record in this competition, securing first place for the past two years. In 2023, Yvie Rigg earned the top spot with her insightful presentation on 'The Role of Women in the Catholic Church.' Following this success, James Green clinched first place in 2024 with his compelling discussion on 'True Freedom in a Secular Society.'

This year's candidates, both from the Year 12 cohort and studying Religious Education ATAR, are ready to continue this tradition of excellence:

• Student: Massimo Torre
  Topic: The significant role of ecumenical and religious dialogue for a Catholic Church moving forward.
• Student: Maya Mintz
  Topic: The role of the Catholic Church in the modern world: Inclusion of those on the peripheries.

Both of our students showcased their oratory skills and profound understanding of Catholic values during the heats on Saturday, 3 August.  Maya Mintz has progressed to the finals which will take place this Saturday, 10 August. 

We congratulate both students on their outstanding speeches and wish Maya all the best for the upcoming final!

Lana Gregory-Turner

Head of Learning Area - Religious Education

Italian Exchange from Vasto, Abruzzo, Italy 

It is an exciting and busy time in the Languages department and in the evening of Saturday, 3 August, 16 John XXIII families, current and past, studying Italian, welcomed 16 high school Italian students from Polo Liceale, Mattioli, Vasto, Abruzzo at the College. They are accompanied by Carla Orsatti, English and Exchange Coordinator, and Stefano Calvano, Science teacher. They will be staying with families for two weeks and depart on Saturday, 17 August.

This International cultural exchange first visited our College in 2007, and this year marked the 35th anniversary between Perth City and Vasto City: sister cities. During their stay, the Italian Vasto Exchange group, accompanied by Year 11 Italian students of John XXIII College; Marco Zamutto and Isabella Counsel with Mrs Polizzi will have a courtesy call at Perth City Council with the Lord Mayor; Basil Zempalis and the Italian Consul; Mr Federico Nicolaci. They will recognise not only the impact and contribution that many Vasto families have made in Perth but also the importance of these exchange programs in promoting and nurturing the love and passion for languages. 

Their two-week program consists of a range of on-campus and off-campus activities. They were welcomed to the College by Mrs Andrews, Vice-Principal, Mr Nicolaci, Italian Consul, and the Year 10 Italian students of John XXIII College. They will be a part of Years 7- 12 Italian classes and work in small groups, conversing in Italian with the John XXIII students on topics and activities related to the curriculum. Teachers in the College have generously offered different lessons, and they will attend a Physical Education lesson playing Australian Rules Football and hockey, an art class, Science, English, History, Geography, and an ICT lesson, just to name a few. A big thank you to all staff in the College, and the teachers in the Languages department for their support in the implementation of this exchange program.

On Thursday, 8 August, the Year 10 Italian students from John XXIII College accompanied the exchange students and spent a day at Caversham and Swan Valley, where they fed native Australian animals. The day concluded with a game of mini golf at Swan Valley. 

The exchange will end with a farewell celebration on Thursday, 15 August at the College and families and the exchange students will battle it out in a quiz on Italy and Australia. They will depart on Saturday 17 August.

Our gratitude goes to everyone in the College for their support and enthusiasm in making this exchange a successful and engaging experience for our Italian students. Our students have enriched their cultural, emotional, and linguistic baggage and have hopefully made long-term friendships that perhaps one day they will re-meet again post-school. 

Melissa Polizzi

Head of Learning Area - Languages 

Library competition 

The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry invites you to participate in our magical Book Week Colouring Competition.

Channel your inner artist and bring the world of Harry Potter to life with your vibrant colours. Your creations could win you a magical prize and earn you a spot in the Hall of Fame. Don't miss this chance to show off your magical talents!

• The competition is for students in Years 7-12. 
• Entries are available in the Ignatius Centre Library.
• Entries are due Friday, 18 August to the library.
• You may enter as an individual or as a group!

Jean Redfern

Library and Learning Services Educator

SPORT

Northern Associated Schools (NAS) Athletics 

Our Years 7 to 10 NAS Athletics team was posted in the notices this week, and all students and families have been emailed. This team will attend period 1 on Tuesday, 20 August, and then travel by bus to the HBF stadium to compete in the NAS Athletics Carnival. This day will provide a competitive environment for our team and provide them with an opportunity to secure their position in our 2024 ACC A-Division Athletics team.

Important NAS Athletics Information

• Please note the NAS Athletics team is not eligible to purchase the interschool jumper, this is only for the final ACC team. 
• All students in the NAS Team are encouraged to attend at least two training sessions in the lead-up to the carnival.
• Students attending may wear their PE uniform to school on the day.
• Attend period 1 as normal.
• At the end of period 1, meet in the St Louis Sports Centre ready to depart at 10:00am.
• It is preferable that athletes run in the College Athletics singlet (this can be purchased from the Uniform Shop). The College navy sports shirt is also acceptable.
• If you are in field and track events that are on at the same time, make sure you are at your track events as they will run strictly to time. You can go to your field event after completing your track events.

Athletics Training and Challenge Mornings

Athletics training is still in full swing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on the College Ovals and is open to all students, not just the Interschool teams. There will be the opportunity for students to challenge their results for a spot in the final ACC team. Please see dates below:

To register for these challenge mornings, please complete the following form. 

Challenge Week

• Tuesday 20 August - NAS Athletics Carnival
  • Top 5 Athletes from each event will be selected for this day
• Wednesday 21 August - 7:00-8:00am at College Ovals 
  • 1500m and throwing events
• Friday 23 August - HBF Athletics Stadium 6:30-7:30am
  • 800m, 400m, 200m, 100m, hurdles
  • long jump, high jump 

Years 9/10 NAS

Well done to all students on a fantastic first week of training! Please see the training dates for your sports below. Each team will have another two weeks of training. We have placed trainings in the morning or afternoon depending on space available and to align with community sports. Read the table carefully. Morning training is in the first column and afternoon training in the second, with each sport colour-coded. 

All team members must train in the lead-up. If you cannot attend any of the sessions, you must let your teacher in charge know via email or in person. Training is compulsory, so please ensure you attend as many sessions as you can. 

Those students not competing in a team can email Mr Kowal to attend as a helper. All other Years 9/10 students will remain at John XXIII College and take part in a Wellbeing Day with various activities, including Zumba, dancing, a range of sports, self-defence, and mindfulness sessions.  

Year 10 Girls ACC Australian Rules Carnival

Well done to the team that represented John XXIII at the ACC Year 10 Girls Australian Rules Football Carnival. This year the girls moved up into Division 3 after winning Division 4 in 2023. The girls had close games all day and were unlucky in their losses. They came away with two victories and two losses. The energy and spirit were strong all day, and they are to be commended for this. Keep up the great work girls and we look forward to giving it another shot next year. Thank you to Coach Ella Brindley for her work in the lead-up to the day. 

WA Volleyball Schools Cup

Congratulations to all students selected to represent the College in the 2024 WA Volleyball Schools Cup. 

Training is underway, and we are hopeful for some excellent results at the tournaments. All Years 11/12 teams will play on Friday, 16 August, and our Years 9/10 teams will play on Wednesday, 21 August.

Thank you to our coaches below for all their time and efforts at our early morning training sessions to prepare all teams.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Sylvia Czajko, Year 11, who will soon embark on an exciting journey to represent our community on a national stage. On 13 August, she will depart for the Junior Pan Pacific staging camp on the Gold Coast, where she will train alongside top young swimmers. Following this, Sylvia will compete in a week of intense swimming competitions in Canberra. We wish her the best of luck!

Congratulations to Grace Czajko, Year 8, on her outstanding performance at the SC Swimming Age State Championships over the weekend! Competing in the 13-year-old girls category, Grace secured an impressive haul of four medals: Gold in the 50m Breaststroke, Silver in the 100m Breaststroke, and two Bronze medals in the 200m Breaststroke and 50m Freestyle. Her dedication and hard work truly shone through, and we are incredibly proud of her achievements. Check out the attached photo of Grace on the 50m Breaststroke podium!

Year 11 student Kai Cranfield recently showcased his incredible skills at the Underwater Hockey Junior World Championships. Competing in the U19 male category, Kai and his team put up a valiant effort, finishing 4th in a fiercely contested Bronze medal match. Despite a hard-fought game that went into overtime, they narrowly missed out on the podium, losing to Turkey by just one goal. Kai's dedication and sportsmanship throughout the competition are truly commendable, and we are proud of his remarkable achievement on the world stage.

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport