Secondary

Dear Families

As a significant milestone in their adolescent journey, the transition to high school is a time of mixed emotions: excitement, anticipation, hope, nervousness and sometimes a sense of overwhelm, which is why an effective orientation program is essential to set the foundation for a successful start to Year 7. Led by Dr Ellen Fortini and Year 7 Homeroom Teachers, the transition program has focused on supporting students to establish relationships with peers and teachers, develop a sense of place within the broader campus and adjust to the routine and rigour of the Secondary School. An integral part of the transition program, the St Omer camp experience this week created opportunities for challenge and connection with each other off campus. Students in their Homeroom groups worked alongside Homeroom Teachers and House Coordinators to engage in a variety of activities designed to foster teamwork, problem solving and resilience, and it was impressive to see all students engage enthusiastically throughout the camp. Thank you to Dr Ellen Fortini, Year 7 Homeroom Teachers, House Coordinators and other staff who attended the camp and ensured that all had a positive experience.

Assessing Wellbeing in Education (AWE) Survey

A strong correlation exists between one’s sense of wellbeing and their academic engagement, general performance and quality of their relationships with others. Just as we track students’ academic performance, we also track overall student wellbeing to identify school-based factors that enable a strong sense of wellbeing, and those where there are opportunities to strengthen wellbeing. Now, in its fourth year of data collection, the AWE survey results enable Assistant Deputy Principals to track wellbeing patterns over time and respond to the needs of each year group. The AWE survey is conducted twice a year online, and over the coming week Secondary students will complete the survey during time set aside in Homeroom and wellbeing programs.

Winter Uniform

With the commencement of Term 2, students will be required to transition to the winter uniform. As the weather can still be warm at the beginning of the term, students will have the option of wearing the correct summer or winter uniform until Monday, 19 May. The exception is Tuesday, 13 May, when students will be required to wear full winter uniform for Secondary Photo Day.

Whilst most students wear the uniform with pride and to the high standards expected of them, short skirt lengths are becoming problematic. The skirt is designed to sit on the hips with the hem touching the top of the knee. An increasing number of students are wearing their skirts too short, often because they are rolled at the waist or because the skirt is not the correct fit. Students will be given until the beginning of Term 2 to rectify this through the purchase of a new skirt if required.

The Uniform Code can be found here. Staff are guided by the Positive Behaviour Framework to address instances when students do not wear the uniform correctly.

Health Centre

The Health Centre provides valuable support to students when they are unwell or injured. When a student presents to the Health Centre, our experienced College Nurses, Jo Cook and Judy Buckley, assess their fitness to stay at school and may decide that the student is too unwell to return to the classroom.  In this case, parents will be called to collect their child. It is important that parents keep their contact details up to date with the College, including an alternative contact, so that in the event of a student being too unwell to remain at school, they or the alternative contact can be easily contactable. For the comfort of an unwell student and the safety of others, particularly in the case of an infectious illness, parent or alternative contacts are requested to collect the student within an hour of being contacted. 

Parking Reminder

To ensure the safety of our students, particularly during busy times at the beginning and end of the school day, please utilise the designated drop-off and pick-up zones marked around the campus. When parking, we request that drivers use allocated parking spaces in visitors’ car parking bays only. Double parking or stopping in unauthorised zones – particularly around Montgomery House – poses safety risks to both our students and neighbouring residents. When using the Secondary drop-off/pick-up carpark off John XXIII Avenue, access bays should be used in the first instance for parents and carers picking up students in wheelchairs or with mobility challenges, and ACROD stickers should be clearly displayed when parking in these bays. For pedestrian safety and to reduce traffic congestion, drivers picking up students should only use visitors’ parking bays or the drive-through facility, and we encourage families to stagger their arrival and departure times where possible. When we exercise patience, follow the instructions of staff and signage, and are considerate of others during these busy times, we can maintain a safe and smooth experience for everyone.

Term 2 Key Dates

We wish all Years 11 and 12 students the very best for their NAS Summer Carnival on Monday. A reminder that Monday is a compulsory day for all Years 11 and 12 students, with those not representing the College participating in a wellbeing program for the day. All the best to our Year 12 students and accompanying staff for their Manresa Retreat next week. Safe travels to Prof Polizzi, Prof Cinini, Mrs Davila and Italian Languages students for their study tour to Italy, which departs next Wednesday.

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Year 7 Religious Education

To begin their St Omer Experience, the Year 7 students gathered in the Chapel for their very own celebration of the Eucharist. Some students contributed in particular ways, including leading the singing, ministering at the altar, proclaiming the readings or leading prayers they had created in class. All Year 7 students participated through their presence and engagement. 

Throughout the term in their Religious Education classes, all Year 7 students have visited the Chapel. The purpose was to familiarise the students with key features of the Chapel, with some of the vessels used in the liturgy, and with the vestments worn by the priest. Students also learned about the seasonal colours.  Students were given a ‘hands-on’ learning opportunity and were challenged to learn the names and purpose of ten liturgical items. Two Year 7 students reflected on the experience:

Earlier this term, my RE class took a visit to the school Chapel to learn about the proceedings of a Mass. We learnt what objects are used, the job of a Priest and the food and drink consumed at Mass. Some of the objects included the chalice which holds the blood of Christ, Paten, a dish made of precious metals that holds the body of Christ, and the Ciborium the vessel that holds the consecrated hosts for distribution or reservation. This visit helped me to understand our Opening School Mass in a more meaningful way and I look forward to the rest of our liturgies this year. 

George (Year 7 Koolyangarra)

During RE this term, Mr Oorloff took our class to the college Chapel where we learnt about the items used during a Catholic Mass. In our session, Ms Lumley explained to us the importance of the stole that the Father wears during Mass and the different colours that are worn depending on the seasonal celebration. It was very insightful to learn more about the different aspects of the Mass ceremony and to be able to visit the Chapel. I’m glad I now understand the purpose of the different elements of a Mass. 

Jasmine (Year 7 Koolyangarra) 

Year 11 ATAR Geography Excursion 

On Monday Year 11 ATAR Geography students travelled to the Hills Discovery Centre in Mundaring to participate in a range of learning activities relating to bushfires. 

Victoria, a member of the Department of Parks and Wildlife, spoke to the students about how bushfires start, the impact of bushfires and proactive management strategies. The group then learnt about the devastating consequences of the 2021 Wooroloo Bushfire event in which 86 homes were lost. In the afternoon, students participated in a range of hands-on geography-based activities such as measuring and comparing the amount of leaf litter and tree coverage in a prescribed burn area and a non-prescribed burn area. They also enjoyed creating a FireSafe Emergency Plan for the Hills Discovery Centre. 

As fieldwork and practical skills are a fundamental part of the course, it was fantastic to see the students enjoying the range of activities on offer throughout the day. A special thank you to Mrs Kalo Bell (Head of Humanities and Social Sciences) for accompanying the students.

Chris Morris

Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning

Men of John XXIII Event

Parents often have a lot of fears when it comes to the transition into teenagerhood. Adolescence is a time of major changes, new risks, and increasing independence. But even before they get to high school, your child has often been exposed to anxiety, peer pressure, bullying, friendship fires, technology addiction, social media, lack of motivation and difficulty communicating their needs, to name just a few. As parents, we are sometimes not fully equipped to deal with these situations powerfully. The upcoming MOJTC breakfast is intended to provide valuable insights that will enable parents to be better equipped with the demands of growing primary-age kids as well as the transition to teenagerhood. Tickets are limited, so book your tickets today as we do expect this event to be in high demand. 

Date: Wednesday, 7 May 2025

Time: 6:45am for a 7:15am start

Location: The University Club of Western Australia, 1 Hackett Drive, Crawley

Cost: Includes plated breakfast PLUS a complimentary Men of John XXIII cap!

$65 per person | $500 Table of 8

Registration: www.trybooking.com/1364764 

College Musical 2025 - High School Musical

Get ready for a spectacular performance as John XXIII College proudly presents High School Musical at Roncalli Hall!

Dates and times:

Tuesday 29 April, 7pm

Wednesday 30 April, 7pm

Thursday 1 May, 7pm

Friday 2 May, 7pm

Saturday 3 May, 2pm and 7pm

Location: Roncalli Hall, John XXIII College, John XXIII Avenue, Mount Claremont 

SPORT

Senior NAS Carnival and Wellbeing Day

Congratulations to all Years 11 and 12 students who have made a Senior NAS Team this term. All NAS Teams will head out on their carnival this Monday, 7 April. All students not competing in a NAS team will be at school taking part in a Wellbeing Day with a range of different activities, including yoga, meditation, zumba, cooking for Shop Front, beading and an array of sporting activities. 

• Students involved in the Wellbeing Day and not NAS must arrive at school by 8:30am in the St Louis Sports Centre. 
• All teams must meet in the St Louis Sports Centre between 7:45am and 8.00am ready to travel by bus to the venues below. A bus will return all students back to the College at the conclusion of all games for 3:10pm.
• Students must wear their correct College sports uniform - Basketball and AFLW will be given shirts to wear for the day which must be handed back at the conclusion of the carnival. 
• Pack plenty of food and fluids for the day, sunscreen and any protective equipment needed (e.g. mouth guard, cricket gear as you will not be allowed to play without these.

Information for students competing in a NAS Team, as seen in the College notices. 

Year 7 Winter NAS

Please see below the Trial 2 schedule for Week 10 and the training session schedule for weeks 1 and 2 next Term.

Important information to remember:

• If you cannot attend your trial, please communicate with Miss Pillera or Mr Kowal before the trial.
• All students are asked to meet in the Pavilion before the trial.
• A reminder that you must be available to attend the One Day Carnival 12 May and commit to training sessions in the lead-up.
• All NAS Teams will be finalised and posted by the end of next week, so students will know where they need to go for the first two weeks of next term.
• Students who make it into a NAS Teams must attend the final two trainings next Term
• If students have been nominated for a Lightning Carnival team, there are two training sessions listed for those students. However, these are optional.

First XVIII Football

Calling Years 10 to 12 boys for First XVIII Football.

There was a meeting held today at recess time for all students interested in playing and being a part of the squad. If you would like to have the opportunity to play but missed the meeting, please email Mr Darren Kowal expressing your interest. 

Interhouse Cross-Country 

We are getting ready and excited for the second major House carnival of the year, and it will be here before we know it. The Fr Gaetan Pereira Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival is on Friday, 9 May; many students have already been training really hard in the lead-up. All students will attend Homeroom, Periods 1 and 2 as normal. Students have permission to wear their House shirts for the day and will be required to wear hats. 

Years 7 and 8 students will run 3km and Years 9 to 12 students will run 4km. 

The canteen will be available at recess for students to purchase food. There will be no canteen at lunchtime as lunch breaks will vary for each year group.  A coffee van will be onsite which staff and Year 12 students will be able to access (no food supplied). All students are encouraged to pack plenty of food and fluids for the day. Students will have time to collect their lunch and snacks at their rest station after their race. Students will also participate in House novelty events, with results contributing to the overall Fr Gaetan Pereira Shield. There will be first aid provided on the day, however, it is imperative that students who require asthma puffers, EpiPens or other medication are required to have this with them at all times throughout the day. 

Students will compete for their Houses on the day and for a chance to make the School Sport WA Cross-Country team (Years 7 to 10 on Thursday, 29 May) and the prestigious ACC Cross-Country team (carnival on Thursday, 5 June). 

Cross-Country Training

Cross-Country Training is in full swing, and it's been fantastic to see so many students coming down for a run. Please continue to check the notices for information about trainings. The schedule is attached below we encourage you to print it out and place on your fridge as a reminder.

Please meet at 6:50am in the Pavilion for each session. Training will start at 7.00am! See Mr Tremayne or Miss Pillera with any questions.

Interschool Team Jumper Embroidery

The Uniform Shop is facilitating embroidery on the Interschool Rugby Jumpers. Please drop your jumper off at the Uniform Shop by 12pm on Wednesday 9 April, so it can be embroidered with your name and ACC Swimming Team allocation. If you have missed an embroidery from 2024 teams, you are welcome to drop your jumper in for embroidery

Congratulations

Water Polo WA awarded Year 9 student, Elsa, Fairest and Best in the Junior State League 14U A grade competition. No rest for champions though - straight into training for Australian Youth Champs during April school holidays at Perth High Performance Centre, representing UWA in 14U Gold division alongside teammates and fellow College students Paige Abel and Gioia Haak. 

Claremont Colts

Congratulations to the following students who have made the 2025 Claremont Colts team. Well done, boys and good luck for the season. 

The 2025 Rotary Tour of the Blackwood hit a record with nearly 500 riders tackling the new course in 30+ degree heat. Congratulations to student Tommy, who completed his fourth tour and won the award for most individual funds raised. His efforts helped raise another $5K for Blackwood Youth Action, bringing Team Rookie's total to over $60K supporting vital youth mental health services in our region. Another meaningful way of seeking justice and being people for others. 

See photos below of Tommy conquering 30km of Bridgetown hills.

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport