Secondary

Dear Families

There is always anticipation in the air at the beginning of a new school year, making it the ideal time to harness the promise of new beginnings and opportunities to chart a course for the year ahead. This has been particularly noticeable among our Year 7 students as they have settled into their first week of Secondary School. Thanks to the care and support of Dr Ellen Fortini, Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 7 and the team of Year 7 Homeroom Teachers, the first-day nerves are being replaced by a sense of calm and focus among the cohort as students are becoming more familiar with their new routine and environment and start to make new connections with others.

The transition to Secondary School is as much a journey for the parents as it is the students, and we welcome all Year 7 parents to next Friday evening’s Welcome Sundowner from 6:30pm to 8:30pm to meet other Year 7 parents in a relaxed and social setting. If you haven’t yet done so, please rsvp via this link.

Sr Mary Murray Interhouse Swimming Carnival

The House system is an integral part of Secondary life, providing students with a sense of identity and connection to our College founders. A highlight of the various House activities conducted throughout the year are the Interhouse sports carnivals, commencing today with the Sr Mary Murray Cup Interhouse Swimming Carnival at Perth High Performance Centre. House spirit and student participation were impressive throughout the day as each House vied for competitive points in the 50m pool and Spirit points for novelty events and general participation. Congratulations to Loreto for winning this year’s Spirit Award for their infectious chants and constant support of each other throughout the day. Also, to Loyola House who reigned victorious on the day as champion House. It was an incredibly close competition with the final points as follows:

Term 1 Key Dates

Parent Information Evening: Tuesday 18 February, 5:30pm-8:00pm

All Secondary parents, guardians and caregivers are welcome to attend this year’s Parent Information Evening. The event will start at 5:30pm with a welcome and presentation from College Principal Daniel Mahon. Following this, there will be a diverse selection of information sessions and guest speakers that parents can book individually based on their interests and their child's age. Assistant Deputy Principals from Years 7 to 12 will present information relevant to their year group. Sessions can be booked here. 

This year, parents can pre-order a sausage sizzle cooked by Pilgrimage students from 5:00pm in the Chisholm Pavilion. Proceeds will support the fundraising efforts for this year’s Pilgrimage in July. Orders can be made when registering your attendance for the evening. 

The evening’s program can be found here: 

Uniform

The uniform is a symbol of membership to the College community and assists students in developing a sense of unity and belonging as well as pride in their presentation. Students are expected to uphold a high standard of uniform and grooming at all times and adhere to the Secondary Uniform Code. Numerous students are wearing skirts that are too short (the hem should be at the top of the knee), and I ask that parents purchase a correct-fitting skirt if required. Please note that unauthorised jewellery items worn by a student will be confiscated by the teacher and handed to the Assistant Deputy Principal to be collected at the end of the term. We appreciate parents’ support in helping us to maintain a high standard of presentation when in uniform.

Mobile Phones 

Unless for extenuating circumstances, students do not need to use their mobiles through the school day and phones must be kept securely in locked lockers between 8:30am and 3:10pm. Students needing to contact parents through the day are welcome to use a phone in the Student Wellbeing Centre. Students using their phones without teacher permission between 8:30am and 3:10pm will have their mobile phones confiscated.

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.

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

New Homework Club for Years 7 to 12 is Starting Soon

We are excited to announce the launch of our Homework Club for students in Years 7 to 12, starting in Week 4. The Homework Club provides a calm and supportive space where students can work on their assignments, get help with their studies, and stay on top of their work. 

Details of the Homework Club:

• When: Every Monday to Thursday
• Where: Ignatius Centre Library
• Time: The library and academic tutors will be available until 6pm. Students are not required to stay until closing time.  
• Start Date: Monday 24 February (Week 4)

This initiative is designed to help students develop effective study habits, improve their academic performance, and manage their homework load. Academic tutors and some teachers will be available to assist students as needed. We encourage all students in Years 7 to 12 to take advantage of this great opportunity. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Jean Redfern, Library and Learning Services Educator, jean.redfern@johnxxiii.wa.edu.au.

More information about Homework Club will be in next week’s newsletter. 

Year 7 Starting 2028 Enrolments Now Open!

What you need to know:

Children born between July 2015 - June 2016

Applications close: Friday 7 March 2025

Apply online via Expression of Interest form 

Read our enrolment policy

SPORT

Swimming Training 

Our swimming training sessions are set to commence next week in the College pool. Training will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00am to 8:00am in the lead-up to the NAS and ACC A-Division Swimming Carnival. All students are welcome at our morning training sessions, whether the aim is for fitness or making our interschool team. 

Years 9/10 NAS Summer Carnival, Friday 14 March

Years 9/10 Trials will commence in Week 3; please see below for important information: 

• This is a compulsory school day for students. 
• Trials will take place during Weeks 3 and 4, and selected teams will be posted after the second trial. 
• Students may wish to trial for two sports in Week 3 and then decide to focus on one sport in their second trial.
• All students will be involved in the day as either a team member, a student helper for a team or participating in the social grass court Volleyball Tournament at the College.
• Training schedules will be posted in the College notices and sent out to all students next week.
• Students unable to make all training days must communicate their absence with the team coach.
• All students are to meet in the Pavilion in their PE uniform before their trial.

All Year 9 and 10 students are required to complete the nomination form for the teams they wish to trial for. 

• Year 9 Form 
• Year 10 Form 

Week 3

Week 4

SSWA Tennis Trials

Next trials will be held on 

• Girls: Wednesday 19 February 7:00am -8.00am
• Boys
  • Years 10-12: Thursday 20 February 7:00am -8.00am
  • Years 7-9: Friday 21 February 7:00am -8.00am

All must attend to be considered for the team. If you cannot make the session but would like to be a part of the team, email the teacher in charge before the trial (Miss Power for girls, Mr O'Hara for boys). Trials will be at the outdoor tennis courts (near E block).

Students are to provide their own racquets and bring a water bottle. Please be on time to assist with net set up.

2025 Rowing Club Registrations are open for Years 9 to 12 

It's never too late to register and the John XXIII Rowing Club welcomes existing and new members for our 2025 season.

Registrations are still open. Please complete the online Registration Form here: 

Those who have not rowed before or would like to be a coxswain and represent the College are also encouraged to join. 

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport