Secondary

Dear Families 

Achieving academic success and growth is effortful. It requires the setting of challenging yet attainable goals, focus, persistence and organisation - skills and mindset that can be learned and practiced. As we head into Term 2, Year 11 and 12 students turn their focus to upcoming examinations and work placements as part of their senior journey. Through their subject areas and wellbeing programs since the younger years, they have been guided through the skills required to achieve success regardless of their chosen pathway and courses. Of course, this doesn’t automatically translate into success – time and effort will be required over these coming weeks to prepare and achieve a state of readiness for the ‘checkpoint’ ahead, with examinations and work placements providing a marker to identify strengths and opportunities for focus over the remainder of the year. 

The effort of learning was acknowledged on Tuesday with the High Achievers’ Breakfast to celebrate the achievements of students in Years 8 to 12 from Semester 2 last year. Students enjoyed a morning of collegiality and hospitality as they listened to the experience and wisdom of Alumni, Ashleigh Smith (Class 2020). Ashleigh’s insights on the importance of goal setting, focus, resilience and balance to determine success provided students with a thought-provoking and encouraging message. Congratulations to the following students for their hard work and dedication to their learning:  

To assist Year 12 students with the transition beyond the College next year, this term we will implement a trial of some flexibility with their timetables. Throughout Terms 2 and 3, nominated lessons have been scheduled to allow students the choice of managing their own time for additional independent study, working with their teachers for consolidation of learning, engaging in a wellbeing activity, arriving late to school or departing early from school. This trial is the outcome of student feedback and engagement on how the College can better support their learning and wellbeing. We look forward to commencing this initiative next week and will monitor its impact as a review for 2025.  

Thank you to Evie Moody, College Captain and Angela Williams, Jacob Davila, Faith and Mission Captains, and other students who conducted Wednesday’s reflective and thoughtful Anzac service.  

We look forward to the annual Fr Gaetan Pereira Interhouse Cross Country carnival next Friday. All students will attend Homeroom and Periods 1 and 2 as normal. Students are required to wear their sports uniform with House shirt for the day. As this is an outside event, hats are also required. Please see the Sports section for more information.  

Term 2 Uniform 

A reminder that students are required to wear the correct winter uniform, including a tie and blazer, as of Monday 6 May. Due to the warmer weather experienced at the beginning of term, students may wear the summer uniform or optional tie, trousers and blazer from the winter uniform until then.  

Secondary Photo Day is on Tuesday 7 May and students will be required to wear full winter uniform, including stockings if wearing a skirt.  

Term 2 Dates 

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Year 11 Politics and Law Excursion

Last week, the Year 11 Politics and Law ATAR class attended the Magistrate’s Court, District Court, Supreme Court, Government House and Parliament. The excursion provided students with an insight into the operation of our legal and political systems as well as an effective way of reinforcing and introducing some of the theoretical knowledge covered this year.

In the morning, students were fortunate to visit the Supreme Court, where the principal registrar and John XXIII College parent, Kate McDonald, explained the function of the court and the role of key personnel. This was a valuable insight before students moved on to the District Court.

At the District Court, students attended a criminal law case where they saw courtroom personnel in action. The prosecution and defence barristers methodically questioned two witnesses providing students with an appreciation of trial proceedings. The students then briefly visited the Magistrate’s Court where the parties clarified evidence as part of a pre-trial procedure. 

Following lunch, students visited Government House and were given a private tour of the Governor’s home. They learned about the importance of his role in the executive council and representing the state’s interests when meeting international dignitaries. Students also learned about the Governor’s role in hosting investiture ceremonies and being a patron to many community organisation. 

Students then visited Parliament where they were fortunate to join the Legislative Assembly gallery for Question Time. They witnessed a robust discussion between the treasurer and the opposition before the speaker intervened to remind members of the expected conduct. 

It was a valuable experience for all. Many thanks to Ms Nitasha Horner for accompanying the class on the excursion.

Stephen Harris

HASS Teacher 

Year 11 ATAR Geography - Bushfires Excursion

Geography students in Year 11 attended their first excursion of the course on Friday, 19 April to complement their learning of a Natural Hazard – Bushfires. Located in Kings Park and at the Education Centre, students spent the day learning about bushfire history, fire-prone environments, the role of fuel, climate and weather, using Perth as the case study area. They were given the opportunity to collect data in the field to investigate bushfire risk and explore methods used as risk reduction and hazard management strategies. A highlight was conducting the leaf moisture experiment, where students collected sample leaves and burned each leaf to determine the fuel moisture content – many leaves were categorised as ‘very dry’! Students also completed exercises related to their practical mapping skills, including landscape sketching of Perth’s beautiful city skyline and remote sensing skills. A special thank you to Mr Chris Morris for accompanying the group and his contributions throughout the day.

Kalo Bell

HASS Teacher

Join us for our annual Community Autumn Planting: supporting native wildlife and sustainability

Join us for our annual community autumn planting session on Saturday 4 May, from 8am until 10am, as part of our sustainability initiatives at the College. Together, we'll be planting native trees and shrubs that offer vital food and habitat for our native bird species, focusing on supporting the endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoo. Parents, students, and teachers are all encouraged to attend this meaningful event. We will meet at the Year 12 car park on the eastern side of the College. We look forward to you joining us and helping to make a positive impact on our environment together.

Adrian Sims

Sustainability Coordinator

Calling all bakers! 

Can you help us make a splash with our upcoming Rowing Club Cake Fundraiser? We are asking the John XXIII College community to support us with this cause by baking a cake or two to contribute and support our team. Your delicious donations will help us raise funds for the John XXIII Rowing Club. For more details: 

Expressions of Interest for Exam Invigilators

We are currently searching for adept individuals to join our team as Exam Invigilators for upcoming examinations for Years 11 and 12. The exams take place from Monday 20 May until Friday 31 May. Please email emily.chudziak@johnxxiii.edu.au for further information and to express your interest.

SPORT

Northern Associated Schools (NAS)

In the first week of Year 7 NAS and Lightning Carnival training, students have eagerly embraced the early mornings and afternoons. The commitment to sessions has been wonderful to see. With only one more week until the carnival, they're focused on refining strategies and building camaraderie for the upcoming event. 

All NAS and Lightning Carnival teams have now been posted in SEQTA notices. We ask all students to have a look to ensure their name appears once, and if there are duplicates or errors, to email Miss Pillera or Mr Kowal. 

All students in NAS teams are required to attend four training sessions in the lead up to the carnival on Monday 6 May. For students selected for the ACC Lightning Carnival teams, training will not be compulsory; however, there will be sessions available (same schedule as NAS) that students are strongly encouraged to attend. 

Students are to meet in the Pavilion before training sessions, where attendance will be taken. We look forward to the next two weeks of training and can’t wait to see you working hard in the lead-up to the big day. 

Please find attached parent information with venues for each carnival.

Interhouse Cross-Country 

We are getting ready and excited for the second major House carnival of the year, the Fr Gaetan Pereira Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival on Friday 3 May.

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.  All students are encouraged to pack plenty of food and fluids for the day. Students will have time to collect their lunch and snacks in their rest station time after their race. Students will also participate in House novelty events, with results contributing to the overall Fr Gaetan Pereira Shield. There will be St John First Aid set up at the finish line 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 16 May) and the prestigious ACC Cross-Country team (carnival on Thursday 30 May). 

The program for the day is below: 

Cross-Country Training 

Cross-Country training takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00am-8:00am and will continue until the Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival on Friday 3 May, providing students with the opportunity to train on the course ready for the big day. All students are welcome to attend. Please see the updated schedule below.

Year 10 Rugby – UWA Western Force Cup 

Thank you to the students who attended the Rugby meeting this week. Communication will be sent out to confirm training mornings leading up to the carnival on Tuesday 21 May. All students who are interested in participating will need boots and a mouthguard. If you would like to be a part of the team please email Miss Pillera. 

Congratulations

Congratulations to Max Tonich (Year 9) who has been invited to trial for the state soccer team as a part of his current selection in the Glory Academy. A wonderful achievement and very well deserved. We wish him all the best in the selection process.

Congratulations to George Galvin (Year 10), who attended the recent 2024 Australian Age Swimming Championships in the Gold Coast. He was selected to participate in the 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, and 50m backstroke, where he swam PBs in all events. 

Congratulations to Sylvia Czajko (Year 11), for an outstanding performance at the recent Oceania Championships, achieving two individual gold medals (50m freestyle and 100m freestyle) and four relay gold medals. 

We are incredibly proud of Sylvia Czajko (Year 11) and Braden Fyneman (Year 12) for being one of nine selected to represent Australia in the Junior Pan Pacific championships. An outstanding achievement in a highly competitive sport!

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport