Around The Primary
Dear Families
Welcome back! I hope the school holidays were a great opportunity for you and your family to spend some quality time together. A special welcome to all our new families.
The staff are all feeling refreshed and ready for the year ahead! The start of a new school year is always a time of excitement, anticipation, and possibilities. Our dedicated team of staff have worked hard to ensure everything is ready for the students’ smooth return to school routines.
We are confident that 2025 will be another positive, productive and happy year of learning and teaching! We are very much looking forward to once again partnering with families and working together to make this another memorable and successful year for all our students.
We are committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment where every student can thrive, explore their interests, develop their gifts, and reach their personal best.
It is hoped that many families will join us at the ‘Primary Picnic’ next Saturday, 15 February. This event is always a lovely way to start the year and welcome new families to our community.
Kind regards
Antoinette De Pinto
Head of Primary
Tickets can be purchased using the link - 2025 Primary Family Picnic Tickets, Junior Primary Oval, Mount Claremont | TryBooking Australia Ticket sales, including pre-ordering for Delisio Pizza, closes on Sunday, 9 February. Please note there will be no ticket sales at the gate.
Important Information
Staff Update
This year we welcome back Lauren Pillera (Year 2 Blue Teacher) and new staff, Sian Cruse (Year 2 Gold Teacher), Fiona Murray (Year 5 Gold Teacher) and Zoe Prout (Education Assistant in Mary Ward)
Please log in to SEQTA Engage under the General Primary TAB to view the email addresses for Class and Specialist Teachers.
All staff have a new email address. This email address generally follows a pattern – the first name followed by the surname and then @johnxxiii.edu.au e.g. firstname.surname@johnxxiii.edu.au
Staff will respond to emails within a 48-hour period. For urgent matters families will need to phone the College on 9383 0401.
Student Absences
Absentee Notification
The College is to be advised of absentees by 8:30am via email to primary.absentees@johnxxiii.edu.au or via the College Website Online Absentee Form under the ‘For Parents’ Tab or SEQTA Engage or via the SEQTA Engage Parent Portal. Please include date, student’s name, student’s class, parent’s name, and reason for absence from school.
SEQTA SMS Notification
Where the College has not been notified by 9:00am of a student absence, a SMS will be sent requesting an explanation for the absence.
Planned Absences
Where students are absent from school for a planned period (exceeding 2 days), written notification must be given to Head of Primary via email antoinette.depinto@johnxxiii.edu.au and primary.absentees@johnxxiii.edu.au.
Online Calendar
Please check the College Website for all important Primary school events. Calendars | John XXIII College By subscribing to the College calendar, you are automatically alerted when details of an existing event are changed.
Parking
All Primary parents are welcome to park in the following areas:
- Loop carpark located off Mooro Drive
- Early Years Carpark located off John XXIII Avenue
- Carpark located off John XXIII Avenue (near the new Administration building)
Please note: The Early Years Carpark is only for families of children in Pre-Kindy, Kindy and Pre-Primary.
It is hoped that all students in Years 1 to 6 will use the ‘loop drive thru’ as soon as they have settled into new school routines. Please have your ‘drive thru car label’ ready on display. Please email nancy.petsos@johnxxiii.edu.au if you require a new 'drive thru' label or extra labels.
Parent Information Sessions
Please save the date for these important information sessions:
Monday 17 February
| Year 4 – Year 4 Classrooms | 6:30pm |
| Year 5 – Lecture Theatre (GBLT) | ||
| Year 6 – Year 6 Classrooms | ||
| Wednesday 19 February | Year 1 – Year 1 Classrooms | 6:30pm |
| Year 2 – Year 2 Classrooms | ||
| Year 3 – Year 3 Classrooms |
Before these meetings start, College Principal Daniel Mahon will host a session to share the College’s strategic goals. This session will commence in the Lecture Theatre at 6:00pm and conclude by 6:25pm. This will allow plenty of time for parents/caregivers to return to classrooms. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Smart Watches
Primary students are not permitted to bring or wear any sort of Smart watch, Apple watch, Garmin, Fitbit or similar personal device to school. Our priority is for the students to maintain focus on learning throughout the day and not be distracted by these items.
Students who do wear these items to school will have them collected by their class teacher to be stored safely until the end of the school day.
Badges
Please wear your parent name badge when visiting the College.
Sport Uniform Days
Please refer to the schedule below for sports uniform days for students in Years 1 to 6. Please note for next week, all students in Years 4 to 6 are to wear the sports uniform each day due to swimming lessons.
| Mondays | 2B, 2G; 5G |
| Tuesdays | 1B, 1G; 6B and 6G |
| Wednesdays | 3B; 3G; 4B; 4G; 5B and 5W |
| Thursdays | 5B; 5G; 5W, 6B and 6G |
| Fridays | 1B; 1G; 2B; 2G; 3B; 3G; 4B and 4G |
Dates to Remember
| Monday 10 February | 7:30am Wanju Voices sign-up (Osborne Room) |
| Years 4-6 Swimming Lessons commence (Cottesloe Beach) | |
| Thursday 13 February | Years 4-6 Swimming Lessons conclude (Cottesloe Beach) |
| Friday 14 February | Years 4-6 Swimming Trials (College Pool) |
| 8:00am Primary Singers begins (Osborne Room) | |
| Saturday 15 February | 5pm to 8pm Primary Picnic (Junior Primary Oval) |
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.
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
Music News
Primary Choirs
Choirs for primary students commence in Week 2.
| Wanju Voices | Monday 10 February | 7:30am Osborne Room |
| Primary Singers | Friday 14 February | 8:00am Osborne Room |
| Chapel Choir | Thursday 13 February | 7:30am Chapel |
Wanju Voices
Wanju Voices is open to all Years 4 to 6 students who delight in singing. Sign-ups are at 7:30am on Monday, 10 February, in the Osborne Room with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. All Years 4, 5 and 6 students are welcome!
Primary Singers
Primary Singers is open to all Years 2 to 3 students who love singing. Rehearsals are normally on Thursday mornings at 8:00am. Due to the Community Mass date change next week, the first rehearsal for 2025 is at 8:00am on Friday, 14 February in the Osborne Room with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. All Years 2 and 3 students are welcome!
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). Due to the Secondary Swimming Carnival next week, the next Chapel Choir rehearsal and Community Mass in Week 2 is on Thursday, 13 February.
Primary Instrumental Lessons and Ensembles
Students involved in instrumental lessons and ensembles will be contacted individually by their ensemble director or tutor regarding the commencement of lessons and rehearsals. String Orchestra and Year 6 Band rehearsals commence in Week 3.
Enrolments are open for Instrumental Lessons in 2025. Please follow this link to Enrol: New Submission
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
Swimming
The Years 4, 5, and 6 students were straight into swimming lessons in the College Pool this week in preparation for next week's lessons at Cottesloe Beach. They will be further developing their swimming ability whilst learning about beach safety.
Weeks 1 - 2
Thursday 6 February to Thursday 13 February Years 4 to 6 Swimming Lessons. The first two lessons will be held at the College Pool, and the remaining lessons will be held at Cottesloe Beach.
| Year Group | Lesson Time | Bus Departs |
|---|---|---|
| Year 4 | 9:15am to 10:10am | 8:55am |
| Year 5 | 10:10am to 11:05am | 9:50am |
| Year 6 | 11:05am to 12:00pm | 10:45am |
On Friday, 14 February, Years 4-6 students will take part in their swimming time trials in the College Pool. This will help prepare them for the upcoming Interhouse Carnival on Wednesday, 5 March at Bold Park Aquatic. Swim training will commence on Tuesday 18 February for students in Years 3-6, no booking required.
| Year Level | Trial Times |
|---|---|
| 4B | 9:00am to 9:40am |
| 4G | 9:40am to 10:20am |
| 5W | 10:20am to 11:00am |
| 5G | 11:00am to 11:40pm |
| 5B | 11:40pm to 12:20pm |
| 6B | 1:30pm to 2:10pm |
| 6G | 2:10pm to 2:50pm |
Extra-curricular sport starts in Week 2 and there is still time to book in, see details below.
| Year Group | Sport | Day (commencing Week 2) | Booking Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Tennis | Mondays 7:45am – 8:30am | Nick Kirkbride (City Beach Tennis Club) |
| Years 1 – 6 | Soccer | Tuesdays 3:30pm to 4:20pm | J & J Football Training with Coach Adi |
| Years 1- 6 | Soccer Girls only | Tuesdays 3:30pm to 4:20pm | J & J Football Training with Coach Adi |
| Years 2 – 6 | Basketball | Thursdays 3:20pm to 4:20pm | Redhage Basketball registration opens Sunday 1 December |
| Years 3 – 6 | Swimming | Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 – 4:30 | No booking is required. Commences Tuesday 18 February |
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
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.
Enrolment Interviews Kindy 2027
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.
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.
Address Collection Notice
The Australian Government Department of Education would like to notify parents that we have requested for your child’s school to provide residential address and other information.
Under the Australian Education Regulations 2023, the College is required to provide the department with the following information about each student at the College:
- names and residential addresses of the student’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s)
- student residential address (excluding student names)
- whether the student is a Primary or Secondary student (education level)
- whether the student is boarding or a day student (boarding status).
The school collects the above information by generating a unique and unidentifiable student reference number (SRN) for each student record. The school only uses the SRN for this collection. The SRN cannot be used for any other purpose. The number only indicates to the department that each record provided is for one student.