Around The Primary

Dear Families 

Yesterday our Years 3 to 6 students participated in our Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival.  It was wonderful to see all the runners trying their personal best to complete the course.  Special thanks to Mr Williams for organising the training sessions in preparation for this event and for coordinating this successful Carnival. My thanks are also extended to all those who came along to cheer on the runners. 

It was great to see the number of families arriving this morning for our early morning Mass dedicated to mothers and mother figures. It was such a happy celebration led by Fr Ranmal and a wonderful experience for families to treasure.

The students participated fully in the liturgy and the choir complemented the celebration with their lovely singing. My appreciation is extended to Miss Allen, Mrs Lumley and Mrs Haydon for preparing the beautiful liturgy and music, and the wonderful team working behind the scenes in preparation for this event.  

Some lovely messages from students – 

I love my mum because she makes me feel safe. Noah

I love my mum because she brings sunshine to my morning.  Josephine

I love my mum because she cares for me. Bridie

I love my mum because she comforts me when I'm sick. Samuel

We wish all our mums a wonderful Mothers' Day and hope that they are surrounded by family and friends who show them how grateful they are for their unconditional love. We also keep a special prayer in our hearts for the families for whom Mothers’ Day may be challenging and difficult.

We now look forward to Primary House Day next Friday 15 May.

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary 

We hope you enjoy this Mothers’ Day slideshow!

Dates to Remember

Year 5 Adventure Camp

Year 5 Adventure Camp

Year 5 camp was the BEST CAMP EVER! We stayed from Tuesday 28 April to Wednesday 29 April at the Swan Valley Adventure Camp. 

In total we did 5 activities, but my absolute favourite was the slip ‘n’ slide.  We all went on our bellies and at the end, everyone was sliding on their knees, getting around 24 turns a minute! 

 

The trickiest activity for me was the Commando Course.  By the second time going through, I was completely exhausted.  The Commando Course was the one with the mud, so we had to bring old clothes.  We also went on the flying fox.  On my first turn with Ben, I was so scared that I might have fallen, and my legs felt like jelly!  It was so scary before I did it, but I’m proud to say that I pushed through and it turned out to be one of my favourite activities.

 

Although my absolute favourite part about the camp wasn’t the activities, instead it was spending time with my friends, having a good laugh from hilarious jokes they made and getting to know them all better.  Even the dorms which I had all my best friends in, we played a couple of super fun games.  Camp taught me that together, we can all get through tricky things. 

 

I already can’t wait for next year at Canberra! 

 

Joshua Haydon 5G

Wellbeing Weekly

In this busy world, children notice many things—playgrounds, friends, teachers and special events. Yet again and again, when I asked some students who makes them feel safe, loved and supported, many will proudly say, “My mum.”

For young children, parents often represent comfort and consistency. They are the ones who help start the day, prepare lunches, find missing shoes and offer encouragement before school. These everyday moments might seem small to adults, but to children they build a powerful sense of security.

My mum helps me when I can’t find my hat and tells me I’ll have a good day. Year 1 student.

Children also appreciate the way their parents listen. Whether it’s a long story about the playground, worries about friendships or excitement over learning something new, being heard matters deeply at this age. 

My mum listens even when my story is really long, she says my ideas are important. Year 3 student.

Another reason children value their parents is the care they show during challenging moments. Comfort after a tough day, support with homework, or a reassuring hug can make all the difference. These experiences help children develop resilience, confidence and kindness.

When I feel sad, my mum gives me a cuddle and then I feel better. Year 2 student. She helps me practise my spelling and says I can do hard things. Year 2 student.

Families come in many shapes and sizes. Some children are cared for by mums, grandmothers, step-mums or other loving caregivers who take on a motherly role. What matters most is the love, patience and encouragement children receive.

My mum always cheers the loudest at my sport, she makes me feel proud of myself. Year 4 student.

As a school community, we recognise how important these caring relationships are. They help children grow into confident learners and kind classmates. Primary-age children may not always have the perfect words, but their appreciation shines through in drawings, smiles and hugs. 

I hope all families enjoy a special day on Sunday.

Natalie Alach

Primary Counsellor 

Sport

We were fortunate to enjoy excellent conditions for our Interhouse Cross-Country on Thursday, and it made for some truly exciting races. It was fantastic to see students giving their best effort and pushing themselves throughout each event. Opportunities like this help students better understand how their bodies respond to sustained effort and challenge.

A standout feature of the day was the positive spirit and sportsmanship across all year levels. Students were enthusiastic in cheering on their peers, celebrating achievements, and supporting one another, which created a welcoming and encouraging environment for everyone involved.

Congratulations to all runners who participated in the Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival — a wonderful effort by all.

There were some minor adjustments to the overall scores seeing Loreto and Loyola tied for 4th!   Please see overall standings below:

With three interschool events coming up, training will continue Tuesday and Thursday mornings, beginning at 7:30am outside the gymnasium. The top eight runners from each race have qualified for the IPSHA interschool event, with the top six also qualifying for the SSWA and JACC competitions. Further information will be shared with qualifying students shortly. Training remains open to all students who are keen to be involved.

Extra-curricular sport

Fun Fitness Foundations (FFF) is a new sporting opportunity that has started on Wednesday afternoons.  Dave from FFF leads fun and engaging sports sessions with our students to help build skills, confidence and positive mindset.   Please see the flyer attached for more details and booking information. 

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 

Primary Music 

Ensemble Rehearsals

Rehearsal times are provided below for next week – 

Year One Composers

In Music this week, the Year One students created musical Mothers’ Day Cards, including composing their own verse of lyrics. The students created beautiful metaphors about their wonderful mothers!

Catholic Performing Arts Festival

Entries are now closed for the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. Further information regarding entries will be communicated via the Music Office.

If you have any queries regarding Primary Music, please contact me via email: catherine.haydon@johnxxiii.edu.au

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Sacrament Certificates

Parents are requested to email a copy of their child’s Sacramental Certificate (Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation) to the College Enrolment team – enrolments@johnxxiii.edu.au for our College records.

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.