Around The Primary

Dear Families 

It has been wonderful see the students’ smiling faces throughout the last three weeks. Now that Years 4-6 swimming lessons are finished; we have been able to get into more of a routine! We are particularly impressed with the Years 1 and 2 students for becoming so independent using the loop ‘drive through’ in the mornings and afternoons.

This week the students participated in a Lenten liturgy for Ash Wednesday. This marked the beginning of the season of Lent, a time for repentance, fasting, prayer and generosity in preparation for the feast of Easter. The significant words, 'Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel’ were shared as students and staff received ashes on their foreheads. The ashes were a visual reminder that we should try to become more like Jesus. The younger students were intrigued to learn that the ashes they received on their foreheads were made from the burning of palm leaves which were saved from last year's Palm Sunday. 

Thank you to all those families who joined us last Saturday evening for our annual Picnic – it was a perfect warm evening and a great opportunity for us all to come together as a community. My thanks are extended to Ric Del Pizzo, Ken Sclater, Jeff Janssen, Lisa Martella and their teams for their generous service in our community. We would also like to applaud the wonderful group of secondary students for volunteering to assist on a Saturday night! I’m sure you will also agree that the ‘foam frenzy’ activity and the DJ did a fantastic job of keeping the children entertained throughout the evening. 

It was great to see people reaching out in friendship to new families – it really helped to make everyone feel welcome. Thank you for the positive emails and comments shared on the night. Here are some lovely examples:

Another wonderful success as a special event for the primary families. John XXIII is such a special school for all children and families.

 

We had such a wonderful time at the Primary Summer Party last Saturday night, it was such a special and happy afternoon for both the children and us parents. It really highlighted what a nurturing and joyful environment the school provides, and we are so grateful for everything the teachers and staff have done to support our children’s growth and happiness.

 

Great picnic as always!

 

I just wanted to pop a note through to say thank you for such a fabulous evening on Saturday at the Primary Picnic. This is the first year we have attended and I was so impressed by the execution of the event and the general feeling of the evening. We look forward to joining again next year!

We are excited for the upcoming Interhouse Swimming Carnival and look forward to welcoming families to Bold Park Aquatic as we cheer on and celebrate our Years 4–6 students!  Please note that the carnival will commence at 9:30am, with the first race beginning at 9:40am, and will conclude by 1:30pm.  Please remember to wear your parent badge.

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

2026 Term Dates

The 2026 Term Dates have now been published and are available to view on the College Website - Parent Information | Term Dates | John XXIII College 

Dates to Remember

Please check the College Website to note all the important Primary school events for your family calendar.  By subscribing to the College calendar, you are automatically alerted when details of an existing event are changed. 

Project Compassion

During the Lenten season, we will be raising funds for Project Compassion to support communities in need.

Students will learn about Sisilia from Tanzania, Monoranjon from Bangladesh, Manaini from Fiji and also find out the various ways Caritas Australia is supporting communities, including Emergency Response work in Gaza.

Over the next 40 days, students will be encouraged to ask God to help people to unite against poverty, work for fairness and care for the world. They will be reminded to be kind and to build a world where everyone belongs and can live in peace.  During special visits to the Chapel, they will spend time reflecting on good things they can do for others and will write their ‘kindness reflections’.   

It is hoped all students will collect coins and bring them to school for Project Compassion. At the end of each week this term, class donations will be tallied, and coins deposited into a wishing well. We are hoping to fill our wishing well with donations. 

To achieve our goal, we need families to collect any loose change. All families are encouraged to get involved and support our fund raising project.

Let’s all work together to support communities and to fund life-changing programs to create lasting and sustainable change. 

NAPLAN 

Preparations have begun for the National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN), taking place in Weeks 6 and 7 this term. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be assessed in the areas of Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. 

In the coming weeks, Years 3 and 5 classroom teachers will be spending time with students teaching them how to navigate the screen for the online assessment platform. 

We endeavour to make the assessment experience one that simply becomes part of the students’ day at school.  We will encourage the students to approach the assessments with a positive mindset and to try their best.

NAPLAN Timeline

Practice Tests, Thursday 26 February – provide an opportunity for students to become familiar with using the test platform.

Wellbeing Weekly

URSTRONG

Have you heard your children mention Friendology? If not, you soon will! As a proud URSTRONG School, John XXIII College teaches this whole‑school friendship skills curriculum to empower students with the knowledge and confidence to build healthy, positive relationships.

We are delighted to invite all John XXIII families to the upcoming Language of Friendship online parent–child workshop on Wednesday, 25 February at 6pm AWST.

This interactive session will give children, parents, and teachers a shared “language” for talking about friendships. Through fun parent‑child activities, families will learn practical strategies to help children strengthen their friendships, resolve conflict respectfully, and develop skills for lifelong social wellbeing.

We encourage all families to join us for this valuable opportunity to support your child’s social and emotional learning.

When it’s time: CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Meeting ID: 701 171 8603

Password: URSTRONG

This workshop will take place online via Zoom. If this is a first for you, you might want to try a test by clicking here.

You are also invited to keep the conversation going at home with a FREE membership for URSTRONG Families. Take advantage of activities, videos, & articles to continue empowering your child with friendship skills. 

If you have any queries, please contact me via email: natalie.alach@johnxiii.edu.au 

Natalie Alach

Primary School Counsellor

Primary Sport

Swimming

A reminder that our final swim training session will be held on Tuesday, 24 February.

Tennis

Our tennis trials were a fantastic success this week. It was wonderful to see so many students eager to test their skills and take part in some competitive tennis!  Further information to follow with team lists.

After School Sports Programs

We still have places available in our afterschool sports programs. Please see the registration details below if your child would like to be involved.

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 

Primary Music 

Ensemble Rehearsals

Rehearsal times are provided below for next week – 

Please note the following music performance dates for this term:

Wanju Voices – Final Sign-up Invitation

Wanju Voices is open to all Years 4 to 6 students who love singing. Rehearsals are at 7:30am on Mondays in the MacKillop Room with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. This coming Monday, 23 February is the final opportunity for students to sign up for Wanju Voices as we prepare for our upcoming assembly performance.

Primary Singers – Final Sign-up Invitation

Primary Singers is open to all Years 2 to 3 students who love singing. Rehearsals are on Thursday mornings at 8:00am in the MacKillop Room with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. This coming Thursday, 26 February is the final opportunity for students to sign up for Primary Singers as we prepare for our upcoming assembly performance.

Chapel Choir

Chapel Choir is open to all Years 1 to 12 students who love singing, with a focus on liturgical music. Rehearsals commence at 7:30am in the Chapel with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. Chapel Choir then sings at Community Mass (commencing at 8:00am). All are welcome to join the school community for Community Mass. 

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

2026 Student residential address and other information collection

Under the Australian Education Regulations 2023, John XXIII College is required to provide the Australian Government Department of Education with information about each student at the school. For more information, see the PDF below.

Extend After School Care 

Please click on the following link to find out about After School Care offered by Extend, including hours of operation, fees and how to book - John XXIII College - Extend

The team at Extend can be contacted via email: support@extend.com.au or call 1300 366 437.

The Term 1 Extend Newsletter is provided below.