Around The Primary

Dear Families 

It is hard to believe that we are already half-way through Term 1.

Students are now well settled into routines. Our Year 6 leaders have embraced their new responsibilities and are working alongside staff to take on various duties within the school environment, including the set up and pack away of play-equipment in Pre-Primary, umpiring games on the Junior Primary oval, designing and creating House banners, setting up and pack away of flags.

However, it is in the little moments, when no one is watching, that make a big difference. Helping to keep the school clean and tidy, sitting calmly in the loop after school, helping younger students in the playground and library and consistently choosing kindness in every interaction. I thank the Year 6 leaders for their contribution, positive attitude, and for sharing their gifts and talents to help make our school a calm and enjoyable environment for all. 

Preparations are well under way for Year 5 Adventure Camp and our Year 6 Canberra Camp. Both experiences are wonderful opportunities for us to challenge every student to grow and flourish academically, socially, and spiritually.  Time away from home also encourages responsibility and independence and most importantly leaves students with some great memories.

Thank you to all those who came along to the Parents' Association Meeting on Tuesday evening. Your contribution in building community is so valuable. We are also grateful to receive funds to provide for some flexible seating options for our students and to refurbish Angelo’s Play Village.

A quote to end the week, Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland reminds us -

‘Learning is the greatest adventure -

sometimes curious, sometimes challenging, but always magical.’

Thank you for partnering with us as we guide your child/ren through this magical chapter of their Primary educational journey.

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

From little things big things grow

Last week each Kindy child was given an olive tree sapling. We look forward to seeing the children (and their olive trees) grow and flourish throughout their Primary years. It would be wonderful to receive some photos of the trees planted this year (and in previous years) in their home gardens. Please email the photos to nancy.petsos@johnxxiii.edu.au  

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. 

Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum

Primary teachers are trained in the delivery of the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum. The program will be taught across the Primary school in Years K-6 throughout the year.

The KS:CPC is based on two main themes which are presented through topics and activities of increasing complexity. The two KS:CPC themes are:

• Theme 1 - We all have the right to be safe
• Theme 2 - We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust.

The two KS:CPC themes are explored through four focus areas, which are examined in growing complexity in accordance with the age of the students. The four KS:CPC focus areas are:

• Focus Area 1 - The right to be safe
• Focus Area 2 - Relationships
• Focus Area 3 - Recognising and reporting abuse
• Focus Area 4 - Protective strategies

This term across the Primary school we are exploring the first focus area of the Keeping Safe Program: The Right to be Safe

Topics covered are - Feelings; Being safe; Warning signs; Risk-taking and emergencies

• Students develop skills to identify their own feelings and the feelings of others and develop awareness of body language. 
• Students explore the concept of safe and unsafe and the characteristics of safe places and unsafe places, including online safety. In upper primary students explore their own safety and situations that might be scary, fun, unsafe or a combination of these. Students consider strategies to identify and assess risks and what to do to minimise risk.
• Students learn the concept of early warning signs and the three components: physical indicators (body messages); emotional indicators (feelings); and external signs (clues). Warning signs are discussed in familiar and safe environments to help students recognise a situation where there may be a risk of harm.
• Students develop understandings about emergencies and risk-taking by exploring and examining consequences and making decisions. The concept of personal emergencies is introduced, whereby students may need to break the normal rules in order to remain safe.

NAPLAN timeline

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.

Primary Sport

Tennis

Our students enjoyed a fantastic tournament of tennis, with both our boys’ and girls’ teams competing in the SSWA Academy Plate competitions on Thursday and Friday. It was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic young players out on the courts, embracing the opportunity to play and develop their skills.

These events also provide an excellent chance for students to demonstrate leadership and sportsmanship, as they are responsible for officiating their own matches. Well done to all players involved for representing the College so positively.

Cross Country

Cross country training begins next week on Tuesday, 10 March, and will run every Tuesday and Thursday for the remainder of the term. Runners are asked to meet outside the St Louis Sports Centre (Gymnasium) at 7:30am.

The early sessions will focus on building fitness and are designed to cater for all ability levels. All students are welcome; however, students in Kindy to Year 2 and below must be accompanied by an adult who will run with them.

The canteen will also be open on training mornings, offering a range of breakfast options. Please remember that no cash is accepted.

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:

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Inspire Parent Education | The Fathering Project Breakfast

Join us on Tuesday 24 March for The Fathering Project Breakfast, part of our Inspire Parent Education series. Guest speaker Ashlee Harrison, founder of WA charity zero2hero, will share powerful insights into connection, resilience and the wellbeing of young people — including what kids wish their parents knew.

The morning kicks off at 6:45am with casual networking over bacon-and-egg rolls and barista coffee, followed by a 45-minute presentation. It's a great opportunity to connect with other families in our community while gaining practical tools to better support your child.

Tuesday 24 March 

6:45am – 8:45am

Neil Donaldson Pavilion, 10 McGillivray Road, Mount Claremont

$39 per person

Bookings are essential — secure your spot

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.