Secondary

Dear Families

As the culmination of the year, last night’s Presentation Evening was a celebration of students’ accomplishment, love of learning, creative talent and service to others. Congratulations to all involved, in particular, students in the liturgy, our musicians for their beautiful performances, the student AV crew and all award recipients. A special acknowledgement to the following students who were awarded scholarships and Magis awards for their commitment and contribution to College life this year and through their time at the College.  

We also awarded the following students with the Outstanding Student Award for achieving excellence across all learning areas: 

As part of their 9PLUS program, Year 9 students this week participated in a range of career education activities in support of their course counselling program next year. Having completed the Morrisby Careers Profile last Friday, students spent a day at Curtin University this week and engaged with Alumni on Wednesday morning for an Alumni careers conversation event. Thank you to Mr Tim Chaney, Mrs Jane Hedley, Year 9 Homeroom Teachers and our Events Team for organising an information program for students to commence their pathways journey.  

We farewelled our Year 10 students today following a week of alternative activities designed to support their transition into the senior years, including the Rotary Driver Education training day on Wednesday and the Micah Cup today. Thank you to Mr Luke Bostelman, Year 10 Homeroom Teachers and House Coordinators for organising an engaging program through the week, and we wish Year 10 students a safe and enjoyable holiday break. 

Students in Years 7 to 9 will continue classes and normal timetable for Monday to Wednesday next week with a focus on some cross-curricular learning, culminating for Year 7 students with an excursion to Perth Zoo and for Year 8s an excursion to Herdsman Lake Environmental Centre. Term 4 will conclude on Thursday, when students will participate in Mass to commence the day, followed by House activities, year group assemblies, Homeroom farewells and a general clean-up.  

2025 Secondary Parent Information Evening 

Save the date for Tuesday, 18 February from 5:30pm to 8:00pm for our annual parent information evening. This will be a great opportunity for parents to access a variety of presentations regarding their child’s year ahead and other relevant topics. More information will be provided in the new year.  

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

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. 

Thank you - Shopfront Christmas Appeal

Thank you to our incredible College community for your outstanding generosity during our annual Christmas appeal for Shopfront! Your donations of essential food and household items will make a real difference to local families in need. Special thanks to our Mary Ward Secondary students who helped sort and pack all the donations for distribution. 

Year 9 Outdoor Education Camp 

Below are two reflections from the Year 9 Outdoor Education Camp that happened in Week 7. The first reflection is from staff member Mr Joseph Shaw, and the second reflection is from Year 9 student Xy Parker. 

On Wednesday, 20 November, Mr Bowen’s and Miss Brindley's Year 9 Outdoor Ed classes headed over to Rottnest Island for a two-day camp. After a rough crossing, the students hit the ground running and were straight into activities. While setting up their tents, some students learned the hard way that quokkas are pretty resourceful at getting food out of unattended bags. Conditions for surfing were perfect, with blue skies, offshore winds, and a pod of dolphins joining the session at Salmon Bay. Surfing WA instructors oversaw the session and were impressed with everyone having a go and some of the more experienced surfers getting some fun rides.

At the Basin, Miss Brindley ran snorkelling sessions for all the groups. The visibility was excellent and there was a great variety of fish around the reef. There was even a section of the reef where students could dive through a hole and pop up on the other side.

 

Students cycled around the island in changing conditions and overall did a great job taking in the beautiful ocean views and having a chat with mates while racing up and down the hills.

 

At dinnertime, students split into groups and prepared food that they had brought. While the quality varied somewhat, all the campers enjoyed the opportunity to chip in and spend some time cooking with their friends. By the end of the camp, the students had improved their initiative and resourcefulness, made lasting memories, and broadened their social circle, all while making the most of their time in nature.

Joseph Shaw, John XXIII Staff Member  

I found the camp really enjoyable and fun as it helped me strengthen connections with those around me and form friendships with people I didn’t know. The surfing was awesome as we encountered glassy water and some really fun waves and the cooking was a highlight because we got to cook our own food and converse as a small group. The snorkeling was also a very fun activity finding several swim throughs and lots of fish. Overall Year 9 OED camp was a great experience.

Xy Parker, John XXIII Year 9 student 

Years 7 to 11 Semester Two Reporting Information

Year 11 Semester Two Reports and Predicted ATAR’s will become available to access via SEQTA Engage on Monday, 2 December 2024 at 3:30pm.

Years 7 to Year 10 Semester Two Reports will become available to access via SEQTA Engage on Thursday, 5 December 2024 at 3:30pm.

2025 Booklists

2025 booklists can be accessed here.

Second-Hand Book Sale at Chisholm Pavilion

Date: Saturday, 30 November

Time: 7:30am to 11am

Location: Chisholm Pavilion

Join us for a second-hand book sale at the Chisholm Pavilion, where you can buy, sell, or exchange books. Here are the key details:

• No set prices: Prices are typically agreed upon by the buyer and seller, often at about half of the new replacement price, depending on the condition of the book.
• Bring your book list: Ensure you have your copy of the relevant book list to facilitate smooth transactions.
• No commission: The College does not set prices or charge any commission on sales, making it a straightforward and cost-effective way to acquire or dispose of books.

Sustainable School Shop

If you can't make it to the second-hand book sale, no worries, as we have partnered with Sustainable School Shop to provide families access to second-hand textbooks.

See all the second-hand textbooks for sale here: 

Chris Morris

Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning

Teen mental health matters: For parents and carers

Organisation: Black Dog Institute

Location: Online

Date: Tuesday,12 December 2024

Join us for an insightful and empowering webinar focused on providing strategies and resources to help you in supporting your teen.

Co-hosted by a Clinical Psychologist facilitator and Black Dog Institute lived experience presenter, we will explore:

1. How to make sense of adolescence.
2. Identify signs of mental health struggles.
3. Understand how to support your teen.
4. Know where you and your teen can get support.

This webinar is free and open to all parents, caregivers, and anyone interested in supporting the mental health of teens in their care. Reserve your spot today and embark on a journey towards greater wellbeing for you and your family!

Find out more and registe

SPORT

Years 7/8 Boys and Girls SSWA Water Polo 

Congratulations to all the Year 7/8 students who participated in the School Sport WA Water polo Tournament. All teams put in their best efforts and did JTC proud in the final sporting carnivals of the year! 

We are thrilled to announce a fantastic achievement from today's Year 7 and Year 8 Girls Water Polo SSWA Carnival! Our team topped their pool without any losses and faced Shenton College in a nail-biting grand final. After a strong performance that saw them draw with Shenton in the pool game, they triumphed in the grand final with a score of 5-4. Thank you to coach Ms Power for her guidance and support throughout the competition.

Volleyball Club 

The final volleyball session is this Monday, 2 December; it has been great to witness the skill development over the course of the term. Thank you to Mr Kowal and Mr Mann who have assisted throughout the term.

Swimming Club 

The final swimming session is this Wednesday, 3 December; thank you to Coach Mr Tirant for his efforts this term.

Join the John XXIII College Netball Coaching Team for 2025!

Are you passionate about netball and eager to make a positive impact on young athletes? John XXIII College is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to join our coaching team for the 2025 season. As a netball coach, you will play a crucial role in shaping our players' skills, confidence, and love for the game. Register your interest here.

Join the John XXIII College Netball Umpiring Team for 2025!

Do you want to play a vital role in upholding fairness and integrity in netball games? John XXIII College is looking for committed and passionate individuals to join our umpiring team for the 2025 season. As a netball umpire, you will ensure our matches are conducted according to the rules and the spirit of fair play. Click here to register your interesting.

We are also looking for a dedicated Netball Umpiring Coordinator

This essential role involves managing and supporting umpires to ensure smooth operations during Saturday competition games. Key responsibilities include scheduling and coordinating umpires for weekend matches, organising additional umpires when others are unavailable, and managing the accreditation and payment of umpires. If you are interested please email: netball@johnxxiii.edu.au. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to Eli Zuvela (Year 10) who is the goalkeeper for the State U16 team that competed against teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and the eastern states in the International Youth Gryphon Cup. His team progressed through the tournament undefeated and took out the gold medal 5 v 2 against the Malaysian team MSN Sabah.  The Stars are the first WA team to win this tournament which sees local, interstate and international teams competing over four days.  Across the seven games played, the Stars scored an impressive 37 goals and conceded only three. 

In the same competition, Josh McGlew (Year 10) was also playing in another WA team called the Highlanders. They had an excellent tournament, taking out the bronze medal 3 v 1 against one of the interstate teams, Bobby’s Coaching Academy. Over the course of the tournament, the Highlanders scored 20 goals and conceded five.

Congratulations to talented sailor Orlando Ligovich, who excelled at the International Laser Class Association State Championships in Busselton. Orlando secured impressive podium finishes in two categories:  Third Place - Under 16s Division and Third Place - ILCA 4 Division. Overall, an outstanding achievement showcasing dedication and skill at the state level. 

We are delighted to announce the fantastic achievements of our talented students who have successfully made the Perth Netball Association Metro Cup teams! After eight weeks of intensive training and competition, these young athletes showcased their skills in the grand finals.

U14 Age Group Highlights

In a highly competitive environment, with over 130 girls trialling for two teams, we proudly recognise Isla Strong for her selection in U14 Team 1. Additionally, Bronte Edwards and Bakhita Majok excelled as members of U14 Team 2, which triumphed in the Division 2 grand final.

U16 Age Group Achievement

Bella Logan has also made her mark by securing a spot on U16 Team 1, demonstrating exceptional talent and dedication. Congratulations to all these remarkable athletes for their hard work and commitment to the sport!

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport