Around The Primary

Dear Families

The Primary school is starting to radiate the festive spirit of Christmas! This week, our students in Kindy, Pre-Primary, and Year 1 showcased the heart-warming Christmas story in various delightful ways to their family and friends in our community. Through their reflections and performances, they not only reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas but also emphasised the values of kindness, patience, love, and generosity towards one another. 

As we prepare for the next school year, it is important not to focus too much on which classmates will and will not be in your child's class. Our dedicated staff carefully determined class placements, considering a variety of factors. However, it is important that every child learns to adapt to different classmates and different teaching styles.

Presentation Night

Congratulations to the Year 6 students who received an award at Presentation Night.  We are very proud of their wonderful achievements.

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

Christmas Newsflash

Next Thursday 5 December, the students can come to school dressed in Christmas colours or wear a Christmas t-shirt, hat etc… (No coloured hair spray or face paint please) If preferred, students wear their House shirt and sports shorts. 

On this day we also hope to raise the students’ awareness of how fortunate we are to have access to everyday privileges at Christmas. All students are asked to bring along a gold coin donation for St Vinnies. Thank you in anticipation of your generous support.

Semester Two Reports 

Semester Two reports for Pre-Primary to Year 6 students will be available through the College’s online communication platform ‘SEQTA ENGAGE’ on Thursday 5 December at 3:30pm. 

Instructions 

i. Please login to your SEQTA Engage account at:  https://parent.johnxxiii.edu.au

ii. Click on the REPORTS link located on the menu at the left side of screen

iii. Select Student

iv. Select 2024P, 2024S2

Important reminder - Parking and safety around our school

We would like to remind our school community to be respectful of our neighbours and prioritise safety when parking and driving in and around the school. We have received ongoing complaints from members of the community and Graylands employees regarding parents parking on private property and in unsafe locations during pick-up times. To ensure the safety of all, please park in designated parking areas provided, avoid double parking, and do not block driveways. Your cooperation is essential in maintaining a safe environment for our children and fostering good relations with our neighbours.

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. 

2025 Term Dates

The term dates for 2025 have now been published on the College Website and can be accessed using this link Parent Information | Term Dates | John XXIII College

2024 Companions Yearbook

These Yearbooks will be distributed to students on Thursday 5 December. 

The youngest child in the family at the College receives the copy of the Yearbook (except for Pre-Kindy).  Pre-Kindy students (without siblings at the College) will have their copy mailed to them.

PAL 2025 Coordinators

A very warm welcome to our Primary PALs for 2025:

Music News

Congratulations to Wanju Voices for their outstanding performance at Presentation Night and to Primary Singers at the Year 1 Advent Liturgy. For most ensembles, rehearsals have now concluded for 2024. 

Primary Choir Rehearsals

Please note the final rehearsal for next week:

Primary Instrumental Recitals

Congratulations to all students who performed in the Primary Instrumental Recitals on Monday. Parents and grandparents were treated to performances on piano, guitar, strings and wind instruments. A big thank you to all the tutors and accompanists involved in preparing students for these performances. We are very proud of the work students have put in throughout the year.

Mary Poppins

On Wednesday, the Year 3 students attended the musical production of ‘Mary Poppins Jnr’ at Harrisdale Senior High School. The students thoroughly enjoyed the performance with colourful costumes, energetic dancing and fabulous music. After the show, the students had the opportunity to ask the cast questions about their experience of performing and rehearsing for a musical. The students also took part in a dance workshop, learning choreography to the chorus of ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’. The cast were amazed at how well our young students learnt the moves in such a short time! After such a great experience, our Year 3 students are very much looking forward to experiencing their own musical next year! 

2025 Music Lesson Enrolments

Enrolments for music lessons in 2025 are now open. Please see below for options. Enrolment forms are available online Music Lesson Enrolment Form 

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Sports News       

T20 Cricket Carnival

Last Friday four teams of Year 6 students travelled to Guildford Grammar to take part in the IPSHA Cricket Carnival.  There was some tough competition, and each team played incredibly well, two teams even finished the day undefeated!  It was great to see wonderful sportsmanship on display.  Well done to all students involved. 

Redball Tennis 

Today we held our annual Year 4 Interhouse Redball Tennis Tournament where all the students put the skills they have been developing through the term to the test!  It was a fantastic afternoon where students played mixed doubles in a King of the Court format.  Congratulations to all students for the level of tennis and their conduct throughout the afternoon.  

School Holiday Tennis

Nick Kirkbride and his team at City Beach Tennis Club are running two weeks of holiday tennis:

9 to 13 December and 16 to 20 December.  For options and bookings visit www.coastaltennis.com.au/kids-coaching  

2025 Term 1 Extra Curricular Sports

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

Enrolment Interviews Kindy 2027

Enrolment interviews for our Kindy 2027 cohort will take place early next year.

If you have a child entering this year group and would like them to be considered for a place at John XXIII College, please ensure you have completed an Expression of Interest at https://enrol.johnxxiii.edu.au/student/expression-of-interest

If you are unsure if you have submitted an application, or if you have any questions about the enrolment process, please contact our College Registrar, Allison Falconer, at enrolments@johnxxiii.edu.au