Secondary

Dear Families

Year 9 students embarked on their annual camp to DARE Adventures campsite in Dwellingup this week, spending two nights camping in groups and engaging in nature-based activities. Away from the familiar environment of home and school, the camp promoted teamwork, problem solving, resilience and an appreciation for the natural environment. In alignment with our Wellbeing Framework, the camp delivered an invaluable experience beyond the classroom and 9PLUS curriculum to develop positive peer relations and self-leadership. Thank you to James McLaughlin, Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 9, for his organisation and leadership, and staff who attended the camp for supporting students and encouraging them throughout the experience: Fraser Brown, Brianna Gray, Harriet Kent, Darren Kowal, Sarah Larsen, Jack Marrell, Xavier Mitchell, Conor O’Hara, Sean Oorloff, Catherine Roberts, Julie Stirling, Elise Svanberg, Mindy Toleman, Cameron Tremayne and Janine Vivian.

Last Friday’s Spring Soiree was an impressive showcase of musical talent of students across the Secondary school. The evening marked our Year 12 students' last performance together, and at the end of the program, Head of Music, Mr James Kros, gave them a heartfelt acknowledgement of their contribution to the program over their years at the College. We thank them for their service and contributions to music at the College, and for the joy they have brought our community through their instruments and voices.

Congratulations to Years 11 and 12 Drama students for their performances at the Drama Night last night. In a creative twist, the Year 11s performed the psychological thriller 'Blue Moon' alongside the Year 12 monologues. The evening marked our Year 12 students' final drama performance at the College. We express our appreciation for their commitment to the performing arts during their Secondary years and wish them every success with their dramatic endeavours into the future. 

All the best to our athletes for Wednesday's ACC Interschool A-Division Athletics Carnival. They have been training diligently in preparation for the carnival, and we are hopeful that the team will continue John XXIII College's winning streak this year in the ACC competition. 

R U OK? Day

Congratulations to Wellbeing Captains, Janelle and Cameron, who, with our Psychologists, Eva-Maria Catina, Martin Emery and Counsellor, Elise Svanberg, promoted RUOK? Day with a variety of activities for students to engage in this week. Whilst our young people are not expected to be the primary support people for friends experiencing challenges, by following the RUOK? steps below, they can start a conversation that could make a significant difference to a friend or a peer:

• Ask R U OK?
• Listen
• Encourage action: seek help from an adult or use known strategies as healthy coping skills
• Check in 

More information on RUOK? Day can be found on the organisation’s website.

Teacher wellbeing and student wellbeing are interconnected. Like everyone, when well-rested and feeling emotionally balanced, teachers are better equipped to create a positive and nurturing classroom environment that promotes student engagement and overall wellbeing. This also results in the building of positive relationships, which are critical for students’ emotional and social development. In support of staff wellbeing this week, to complement RUOK? Day, we promoted Staff Wellbeing Week. Staff engaged in a range of daily activities to support and promote the importance of them taking care of themselves to be at their best for students.

Homework Club

Our popular Homework Club continues until the end of the term, with lots of students taking advantage of the teacher and tutor academic support available. Homework Club is available for Secondary students every Monday to Thursday, from 3:30pm to 6:00pm in the Ignatius Centre Library. Please see below for more information and when specialist support is available.

When: Every Monday to Thursday

Where: Ignatius Centre Library

Time: The library will close at 6pm but the students may leave at any time beforehand. Year 7 to 10 students who remain past 5pm will need to be collected by a parent/guardian from the library.

Signing in and out: Students are required to sign in and out using the kiosk. Students will need a phone or laptop to scan the QR code.

As an additional support for Year 12 students as they head into their trial ATAR exams, the St Ignatius Library will be open during the first week of the Term 3 holidays from 8am to 12pm and the second week of the holidays from 8am to 5pm. Alumni tutors have been rostered on during this time for students to access.

Smartrider Reminder

It has come to our attention that recently, there has been a rise in the number of students not using their Smartrider cards to tag on and off when using the Transperth bus service before and after school. Please be reminded that students are required to use their Smartrider when using public transport. Students who do not have a current Smartrider may order a replacement from the St Ignatius Library.

2026 Student Diaries

As a tool to support students’ organisation and time management with their learning program, in 2026 the student diary will be provided to all Years 7 and 8 students and will be offered to students in Years 9 to 12 who wish to continue using a hard copy organiser. Please complete the link below to order a College-provided diary for your child who will be in Years 9 to 12 in 2026. 

Term 3 Key Dates

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Year 7 Social

The Year 7s had a fantastic time at their social held at Rollerzone Malaga on Monday. The afternoon was filled with laughter, music, and plenty of wobbly moments as students took to the rink for an afternoon of wholesome fun. 

From the moment we arrived, the energy was infectious. Students laced up their skates and hit the rink with enthusiasm, ranging from confident gliders to determined beginners clutching the barriers. It didn't take long before everyone found their rhythm and was skating around with big smiles on their faces. 

One of the highlights of the event was having control of the music playlist. Students took turns requesting their favourite songs, creating the perfect soundtrack, and it was wonderful to see everyone skating along to music they had chosen themselves. 

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our amazing Year 12 SRC members who joined us for the evening: Poppy, Josh, Ruby, Ella, and Thomas. Their enthusiasm and support helped make the social even more special, and it was wonderful to see the positive interaction between our Year 7s and senior students. Their presence added an extra element of fun and showed great school spirit. 

We also want to thank all the Homeroom Teachers who attended to support our Year 7 students. Your supervision and encouragement helped ensure everyone felt safe and confident to enjoy themselves to the fullest. 

The Year 7 Social at Rollerzone Malaga was truly a highlight of the term, bringing our year group together for an evening of fun, friendship, and fantastic memories. We're already looking forward to the next social event! 

Ellen Fortini

Assistant Deputy Principal - Year 7

Australian History Competition

As part of HASS Week earlier in Term 2, all Year 8 students participated in the annual Australian History Competition, a nationwide event that challenges students to apply their historical knowledge and skills. We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students, with four students awarded National Distinctions and a further 28 students receiving Credits. Congratulations to the following students on their fantastic results!

Distinctions:

• Miguel De Freitas Rocha
• Connor Siegert
• Max Stephenson
• Sterling Winlo

Credits: 

• Eva Avila
• Ellie Baek
• Leila Barbetti 
• Leo Barker
• Vivienne Barley
• Harry Bostelman
• Isabel Cranfield
• Isaiah D’Souza
• Coco Divola
• Noah Donald
• Beatrice Erickson
• Adeline Fityan
• Will Fordham
• Johnny Franklyn
• Georgina Gleghorn
• Jamelia Greenwood
• Jack Harris
• Jamie Haydon
• Siena Hill
• Finn Kyngdon
• Henry Larkin
• Steven Mansour
• Florence Pedler
• Seth Ricciardo 
• Harriet Scanlan
• Calvin Schuler 
• Theodore Scott
• Alexis Tonkin

Kalo Bell

Head of Learning Area - HASS

Year 8 Japanese – Obento Picnic Fun!

This week, our Year 8 Japanese students took their learning beyond the classroom with a delicious obento picnic! As part of exploring Japanese cuisine and dining etiquette, students sampled a variety of traditional foods, including chicken katsu, sushi, edamame, and Japanese-style potato salad. The biggest challenge? Mastering the art of eating with chopsticks!

There were lots of smiles, laughter, and full bellies as we all agreed the food was absolutely oishii (delicious)! A big thank you to Aghdasi Sensei and Glass Sensei for organising the obento and helping make this cultural experience so memorable.

Melissa Polizzi

Head of Learning Area - Languages

Technologies Week

This week we celebrated the amazing work of the staff and students in the Technologies Department.  Projects in woodwork, engineering, digital technologies, foods, and textiles were showcased in the expo in the Ignatius Centre.  The Year 11 Food Science and Technologies students made sweet treats for the staff to welcome them to the showcase and provided soup for lunch in the staffroom.  During lunchtimes, the textiles teachers made Labubu keychains, and the engineering students ran a ‘Chat and Chew’ to inform younger students about engineering. In digital technologies, the students participated in a Minecraft activity.  

As the term is quickly coming to an end, we look forward to introducing some new projects for next year and seeing many more amazing student designs as the department continues to grow.  

Anna Davila

Head of Learning Area - Technologies

Years 8/9 Drama performance: Trackers

This year, our Years 8 and 9 students proudly present Trackers by Donna Hughes, published by Currency Press. Set against the backdrop of the Australian bush, this vivid drama explores what happens when a group of young people becomes lost and must rely on their instincts, resilience, and each other to find a way forward. With themes of survival, courage, and the bonds that hold us together, Trackers offers a thrilling and thought‑provoking theatrical experience brought to life by our talented cast and crew.

• Thursday 18 September, 7pm
• Friday 19 September, 7pm

Buy tickets here.

Year 9 PLUS Camp

The Year 9 cohort has recently completed their three-day PLUS Camp in Dwellingup, as part of the Year 9 PLUS Program. While canoeing, hiking, abseiling, flying foxing, climbing and other activities, the students were able to develop their interpersonal skills, resilience, leadership and appreciation of nature. It was very encouraging to see the students developing new friendships within the cohort as well. A special thank you to the amazing staff who came to camp and made this a positive experience for our Year 9 students.

James McLaughlin

Assistant Deputy Principal - Year 9

Save the date: Visual Arts Exhibition

Join us for the 2025 John XXIII College Visual Arts Exhibition in the Thomas More Exhibition Centre. 

This year’s exhibition showcases the creativity and skill of our Visual Arts students, with an inspiring display of paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and ceramic works.

Exhibition Dates

• Monday 20 – Friday 24 October: 900am – 4:00pm

• Saturday 25 October: 11:00am – 2:00pm

   

Opening Night

Monday 20 October, 5:30pm – all are welcome to attend, however registration is essential. 

Celebrate excellence in the Visual Arts and take part in the People’s Choice Award by voting for your favourite piece.

Kiri Moore

Coordinator - Visual Arts

SPORT

ACC Athletics 

Next Wednesday, our ACC Athletics team will compete in the 2025 ACC A-Division Carnival. Our team has the extraordinary task of taking on the rest of the A-Division schools for the sixth consecutive year. This is a fantastic achievement in itself, with divisional carnivals all the way down to J-Division.  

Our team will come together for one final training session on Monday, 15 September, from 6:45am to 7:45am at the College Ovals, followed by a team breakfast and briefing.

The ACC A-Division Athletics Carnival is set to be an exciting day with so many students bringing their A-game. Our team looks fantastic on paper, and we have no doubt that they will be able to perform to the best of their ability on the day. We cannot wait to watch!

Please refer to the parent letter for all information regarding the day. A reminder that ALL students competing in track and field MUST be in the gold College athletics singlet. This can be purchased from the Uniform Shop. All team members have permission to be in sports uniform for the week and are encouraged to wear their interschool jumper if they have one. 

A program is attached along with the link to ACC Athletics Live Stream. Please tune in and support our team:  Live Stream: ACCWA Event - ACC A Div Athletics Carnival 2025

Let’s go JTC!!!

Relay Training

Relay Training Monday, 15 September periods 5 and 6

All students below are required to attend a compulsory relay training session during periods 5 and 6 on Monday, 15 September. Students have permission to be in sports uniforms for the day. Students are to arrive promptly at the College ovals after lunch. 

Year 7 Summer NAS

Please find the link below for the Summer NAS Nominations. All students must complete the form by next Thursday, 18 September. You can only complete the form once, please take your time when completing. 

Nomination Form

• Trials - Week 10 & Term 4 Week 1
  • If you are unable to make a trial, please inform Miss Pillera or Mr Kowal

  • Teams will be posted at the end of Week 1 next term

     

• Trainings - Weeks 2, 3 and 4
  • Pay attention to all training dates and times, as it may not be the same each week
  • If you cannot make a training session, you must let your team teacher know

  • At the Week 4 training, there will be a sausage sizzle for all teams

     

• Carnival - Week 4, Thursday, 6 November, 7:45am - 3:00pm

Staff and Teams

Trial and Training Schedule

Years 7/8 NAS Football

Each year, the NAS Football team is a combined team of Years 7 and 8 students. Year 8 girls who would like to trial for the team, please complete the following nomination form.

The first trial will be on Thursday, 25 September, at 3:30pm to 4:30pm.

Year 7/8 AFLW Nomination

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport