Around The Primary

Dear Families

For our Year 3 students, the preparation to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation took another step forward this week as the students participated in a reflection day run by 24:7 Ministry.

The students did a wonderful job of responding to questions and completing a range of prayerful activities. This special time is important for these students, as it begins a time where they can turn to God and say sorry for the times they have forgotten to act the way Jesus taught. 

With the help and support of their families and teachers, these students have been encouraged to continue to open their hearts to God's grace. 

Please keep these students in your prayers as they strengthen their relationship with God. 

Special thanks to Mrs Thomas and Miss Micale for their work in preparing these students for this next step in their faith journey and to Ms Allen and for coordinating this day.

The weather has changed and there is a definite chill in the air.  Throughout the cold mornings this week, I have noticed several students coming to school without their jumpers. I would encourage all families to ensure that your children wear their school jumper each day and full tracksuit on sports days. 

With winter in full swing, there are the coughs and colds that come with it. Learning takes energy and effort, and this is hard when students are feeling unwell. When they are unwell, the best place is to be at home and rest. 

Our Years 4-6 Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program, is designed to broaden students’ knowledge, understanding, skills and interests. It provides opportunities that enable and encourage students to develop to their full potential.

As selection into the GATE program is competitive, identification of students takes place upon the completion of assessments, analysis of data and consultation with the classroom teacher and families. 

This semester, the Years 4-6 GATE students have been working on various tasks to extend their creative and critical thinking skills, and communication skills. 

For example, the Year 5 GATE students have been collaboratively working on a STEM challenge, following the Engineering Design Process that involves:

• Identifying a problem
• Brainstorming possible solutions
• Designing a plan
• Building a prototype
• Testing and evaluating
• Improving based on feedback

This hands-on learning not only encourages innovation but also gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in meaningful and engaging ways.  Under the direction of Mrs Purcell, our GATE program offers a range of opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and deeper learning.  We are excited to see what amazing concepts and solutions the students come up with, as well as, where their curiosity will take them in the future!  

Kind regards,

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary 

Dates to Remember

Please check the College Website to note all the important Primary school events for your family calendar. http://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/for-parents/calendars.  By subscribing to the College calendar, you are automatically alerted when details of an existing event are changed. 

Sacramental Certificates

Parents are requested to email a copy of their child’s Sacramental Certificate (Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation) to Mrs Petsos in Primary Administration nancy.petsos@johnxxiii.edu.au for our College records.

Sports Update

It has been a fantastic cross-country season culminating in the SSWA and IPSHA Interschool Carnivals.  The official results from these carnivals can be found via the links below.

IPSHA results

IPSHA WA - Results Hub

SSWA results

School Sport WA Primary XC Championships

Our Years 5 and 6 students have been practicing their chosen Winter Sport in preparation for the Year 6 IPSHA Winter Carnival on Thursday, 26 June.  

The College will host 10 other IPSHA schools and friendly competition will take place in Netball, AFL, Hockey and Soccer.  There will be some Year 5 students involved, team lists will be displayed next week, and families will be notified via email.  

If you have any queries about anything sport-related, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email: steve.williams@johnxxiii.edu.au  

Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator 

Music Update

Primary Ensembles 

Please see below for rehearsal times for ensembles next week: 

Primary Strings Breakfast Concert

Congratulations to the Years 3-6 students who performed in the Primary Strings Concert on Tuesday morning. Parents and grandparents were treated to a range of pieces demonstrating the skills the students have focused on this semester. A special congratulations to the Mini Minors on their very first performance as an ensemble.

Withdrawal from Instrumental/Vocal Lessons – End of Semester

Music Withdrawals for Semester 2 have now closed. 

Please contact the music office if you have any questions.

Copies of the 2025 Music Handbook, online application, and withdrawal forms are available via the College website and SEQTA Documents.

AGMS Virtual Festival

The Australian Guild of Music and Speech Virtual Festival is open to students all over the world. Entrants are encouraged to perform in a variety of areas, including piano, vocal, instrumental, speech & drama, and dance. The aim of the festival is to foster a sense of encouragement and enthusiasm, emphasising that the achievement is in the effort of the performer. All performers receive an adjudication report/certificate, and each item is awarded as either Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze.  Please see the link for more information. https://www.agms.edu.au/virtual-festival.

If you have any queries regarding Primary Music, please contact me via email: catherine.haydon@johnxxiii.edu.au.

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Important reminder: Respectful use of the surrounding roads and parking

We have recently been contacted by our neighbours at Graylands Hospital regarding concerns about the use of their campus roads and parking areas by some members of our College community. We value our relationship with our Graylands Hospital and are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our local area.

We kindly remind all families, students, and staff to:

• Use only the designated John XXIII College parking facilities for drop-off, pick-up, and parking. Please avoid parking on the Graylands Hospital campus.
• Refrain from using the hospital grounds as a thoroughfare to access Camelia Avenue or Brockway Road.
• Always adhere to posted speed limits (10km/h on hospital roads) and follow all road signage and directions.
• Be courteous and respectful to hospital staff, patients, and visitors at all times.
• Ensure clear access for emergency vehicles at all times—even a brief obstruction can have serious consequences for patient care.

Graylands Hospital is an active healthcare environment, with patients, families, carers, and staff moving throughout the campus. It is vital that we all contribute to a safe, calm, and respectful environment for everyone.