Secondary
Dear Families
Teacher wellbeing and student wellbeing is interconnected. A teacher who is physically and mentally well is more likely to be effective in their teaching and deliver lessons with enthusiasm and creativity to make learning enjoyable and effective for students. Like everyone, when well-rested and feeling emotionally balanced, they are better equipped to create a positive and nurturing classroom environment that promotes student engagement and overall wellbeing. This also results in the building of positive relationships, which are critical for students’ emotional and social development.
Staff wellbeing is important to us at the College and staff benefit from a range of wellbeing initiatives as part of a supportive and collegial workplace. This week, to complement RUOK? Day, we promoted Staff Wellbeing Week. Staff engaged in a range of daily activities to support and promote the importance of them taking care of themselves in order to be at their best for students.
An important element of one’s wellbeing is the practice of gratitude, and through the week staff contributed donations in support of the efforts of the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD) to support and advocate for people seeking asylum in Perth, who depend on the community to provide food and hygiene items through their foodbank program.
R U OK? Day
Congratulations to Wellbeing Captains, Esther and Maya, who, with our Psychologists, Eva-Maria Catina, Martin Emery and Counsellor, Elise Svanberg promoted R U OK? Day with a variety of activities for students to engage in this week. On Wellbeing Wednesday, the Let’s Gather group enjoyed some activities to check in on each other and yesterday, students formed a human R U OK? message on the Chapel Quad. Whilst our young people are not expected to be the primary support people for friends experiencing challenges, by following the R U OK? steps below, they can start a conversation that could make a significant difference to a friend or a peer:
- Ask R U OK?
- Listen
- Encourage action: seek help from an adult or use known strategies as healthy coping skills
- Check in
More information on RUOK? Day can be found on the organisation’s website.
Supporting Student Wellbeing
This week we conducted our second Assessing Wellbeing in Education (AWE) survey among students for the year. For the past three years, the AWE survey has provided the College a way to measure student wellbeing over time and inform the development of various wellbeing initiatives and responses. Pleasingly, the survey has identified an increase in students’ general happiness, resilience and wellbeing and a slight decrease in the experience of bullying behaviours in the past eighteen months.
To support Years 11 and 12 students as they head into their examinations, the College has developed a series of stress management resources for them to engage with. Developed by Guillaume Hauer, staff member and stress management consultant, the resources will guide students through a weekly routine of goal setting, mindfulness, yoga, sleep management and gratitude activities. Year 12 students were also treated to a surprise performance by Death by Denim on Monday at lunch. Thanks to Mr Andrew Osnain, Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 12 for organising this.
Year 8 students this week completed their Youth Mental Health First Aid training. Conducted over three lessons and facilitated by Assistant Deputy Principals and the College Psychology team as trained facilitators, the program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to recognise, understand and respond to a friend or classmate experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis.
Year 10 students this week commenced work with Your Choicez, a values-based respectful relationship education program for teens. Now more than ever, young people are struggling to navigate the complexities of modern relationships. Through Term 4, students will engage in a series of workshops to facilitate exploration and conversations about topics such as dignity of the human person, friendships, consent and protective behaviours.
Well done to all athletes who competed at Wednesday’s ACC A-Division Athletics Carnival where we came an impressive overall second and winner of the Senior Boys. Also, to performers at last night’s Years 8/9 Drama Night who wowed the audience with their engaging performance of Fantastic Mr Fox. All the best to our netballers for tomorrow’s finals.
Carpark and Driving Etiquette
Senior students and parents are reminded to be considerate of others’ safety and road rules when driving on and around the campus. The end of the school day is particularly busy with students departing the campus, and there have been a few near misses recently.
Warm regards
Shani Andrews
Vice Principal - Head of Secondary
Year 7 Social
On Monday, the Year 7 cohort headed to Rollerzone in Malaga for an unforgettable social event. The students had an absolute blast roller skating and rollerblading. It was fantastic to see everyone diving in, laughing, and making memories together. Even the occasional tumble couldn’t dampen the spirits, as students quickly bounced back with huge smiles and helping hands from their friends. A huge thank you to Clare Galati, Isabella Corompt, Damian Owen, Jack Butterworth, Serena Percudani, Kylie Mavromatis, Xavier Mitchell and some Year 12 students for helping make this afternoon such a success.
Morgan Ball
Assistant Deputy Principal - Year 7
Year 9 Camp
The Year 9 cohort travelled to Wellington National Park from 3 to 5 September to take part in the 9Plus camp. The intentions of the camp were to provide students with an opportunity to build connections with peers, challenge themselves in an outdoor environment and to reflect on some of the key themes of the Year 9 Plus course including gratitude, interpersonal relationships and the notion of ‘best-self’. Students took part in bushwalking, canoeing and camping skills such as setting up and sleeping in tents and cooking on trangia stoves.
Whilst the cold weather and rain were challenging, individuals went beyond their comfort zones by other aspects of the camp. It was a highlight of the school year for me to observe the fantastic way in which students embraced the challenges of camp and worked collaboratively with one another throughout the experience. Upon return, many students have conveyed a sense of pride and accomplishment along with a sense of gratitude for little things in their lives.
I was extremely impressed with the cohort’s attitude and efforts whilst on camp. I trust the experience will be one they look back on fondly in years to come.
I would also like to extend a special thanks to the College staff who volunteered to attend the camp as group leaders. Their support and guidance of the Year 9 students was invaluable.
Tim Chaney
Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 9
2024 Western Australian Constitutional Convention
Yesterday a select group of talented Year 11 Politics & Law ATAR students took part in the annual School’s Constitutional Convention. The Convention, which was held at the WA Constitutional Centre in West Perth, was attended by more than 17 schools across Western Australia. His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, Governor of Western Australia, delivered the Opening Address. The theme for this year’s Convention was ‘Does Australia need a Bill of Rights?’. Students heard from a panel of leading experts including Emily Roper, Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, and Sonja O’Leary, Assistant Director General, Professors Sarah Murray, Dr Murray Wesson and Dr Fiona McGaughey from the University of Western Australia, Dr Hannah McGlade from Curtin University, and Dr Mary Anne Kenny from Murdoch University. Students took part in a series of workshops including a session reviewing the United Nation’s International Bill of Rights, and an analysis and comparison session on rights protection in other countries. An informative and rewarding day, to be sure.
Students who attended the State Convention are invited to apply for the National Schools Constitutional Convention to be held early next year in Canberra. We commend these Year 11 students on their ongoing political engagement and strive for excellence.
Daisy Farley
Head of Learning Areas – HASS & Magis
Years 11 and 12 Textiles
In Semester One, students constructed a skirt for a teenager using natural or recycled fabrics. The skirt was based on a commercial pattern and could be altered to include different processes like pockets, fastenings, or a creative, decorative technique to reflect current trends. Current fashion trends frequently draw on inspiration from cultural, historical, and social factors. Throughout the semester a portfolio of work was also completed.
This semester, students researched a character from film, television, stage, music, or literature to be the basis of their design. They then focused on creating a corset that conceptualised costume designs, contemporary fashion and haute couture with their character as the focus. A portfolio of work that demonstrated the design process, including all aspects of investigating, devising and design development, was produced along with the corset that is the final design piece.
Catriona Woodall
Technologies Teacher
John XXIII College Sustainability Award - Year 12
Applications for the John XXIII College Sustainability Award are open to Year 12 students who intend to pursue an aspect of environmental or sustainability studies at tertiary level and who are committed to improving the world in which we live. Examples of courses include: Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Law, Architecture, Town Planning, Public Health & Urban Design etc.
This award was initiated by Dr Margaret Yoon in 2012 and is further supported by the John XXIII College Foundation as a way of inspiring and supporting students, as well as to act as an incentive for them to pursue tertiary studies in the areas of sustainability.
Submissions will close Friday 20 September at 3:30pm.
People's Choice Awards
The 2024 Quality Catholic Education (QCE) Awards recognise programs and initiatives in Catholic schools across WA that support the vision of providing Christ-centred, student-focused engaged learning environments.
The Awards celebrate the remarkable efforts and dedication of Catholic school communities, staff and students across our state, identifying, commending and showcasing the very best of Catholic education in Western Australia.
John XXIII College has an entry under the Stewardship category for The Carnaby's Black Cockatoo Conservation Project, initiated by our Sustainability Coordinator, Mr Adrian Sims.
The People’s Choice Award is now open for voting and gives CEWA school communities the opportunity to have their say in the awards.
Read more about our entry and cast your vote here:
Voting for the People’s Choice award will close on Sunday, 29 September.
SPORT
ACC A-Division Athletics
The ACC A-Division Athletics Carnival is one of the biggest days on the John XXIII College sporting calendar. It was a spectacular day of sunshine and a team of 175 athletes, taking on the best of the best in the A-Division Athletics Carnival. Our team arrived eager and excited for the day ahead, competitor numbers on their left hands and ‘JTC’ on their right to remind them that they are part of the wonderful John XXIII College family and that everyone is backing them.
The goal was to be competitive and remain in the top three schools. However, there was a lot of adversity early in the day with our team impacted by sickness and injury; our motto very quickly became 'next person up'. Students pushed beyond their comfort zones, determined to fill every event and do their part for the team, even if it meant competing in an event they had never competed in before. Their grit and resilience was on full display when we found ourselves in fifth place in the middle of the day, team JTC found another gear and kept on fighting. As always, the day came down to the all-important double point relays. Each and every relay team hit their changes and stormed home putting it all on the line.
Our incredible team did it!!! Finishing second in the overall aggregate shield by just 20 points over Chisholm Catholic College. We also clinched the Senior Boys Shield for the third year in a row! The heart and soul shown by our students were nothing short of amazing. How lucky we are to be a part of such an incredible day, surrounded by talented athletes from so many schools. Every John XXIII College athlete wore the navy and gold with pride and did the College proud.
The making of this day and team is not possible without the time and effort our amazing coaches and staff put into our team. We cannot thank you enough for the work and time you have invested.
- Sam Brennan – Distance
- Jessica Pillera and Zoe Bowen – Sprints
- Ella Adams – High Jump
- Zoe Bowen – Long Jump
- Lyn Foreman/Leila Barker – Hurdles
- Tim Lyons – Discus and Shot Put
- Leila Barker/Jonah Burns – Javelin
Congratulations to the following students who were placed in the top five champions for their age group:
- U/14 Girls - Ciana Rio Torto - 5th
- U/15 Boys – Ethan Soh – 3rd
- U/16 Girls – Sasha Pallis – 4th
- U/16 Boys – Dominic Jeffery - Champion
- U/16 Boys – Finn Wibrow - 4th
- U/19 Boys – Ciaran Doyle - Champion
For those who would like to look back on the amazing performances, the link is below, along with the individual results from the day.
Interschool Jumper Embroidery
All interschool jumpers can now be handed into the College Uniform Shop. They will be taken for embroidery at the end of the term; please hand them in by Friday 20 September.
NAS Golf
NAS Golf will run every Thursday morning from 7:00am to 8:00am, meeting at the northwest corner of the ovals. Students are welcome to bring their own clubs (7 Iron, Wedge and Fairway wood). There will be College clubs for those who don’t have their own. We are looking forward to seeing you all there.
Jessica Pillera
Head of Sport