Around The Primary

Dear Families 

This week the College was privileged to host Dr Justin Coulson, whose presentation provided invaluable information to families on raising resilient, emotionally healthy children. This was a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together, be inspired, and connect with other families. Dr Coulson brought warmth, humour, and genuine insight to support parents as they navigate the challenges of raising children in a rapidly changing world. Special thanks to the Inspire Parent Education Committee for coordinating this insightful presentation.

Today our Year 3 students participated in a Sacramental Reflection Day facilitated by the 24:7 Ministry Team. This special day is an important part of their faith journey as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We ask our school community to keep our Year 3 students in your prayers as they continue their preparation for this sacrament.

As we progress through this 11-week term, our teachers are engaged in preparing student reports, which will be sent home at the end of term. This is a significant process, requiring thoughtful reflection on each student’s growth, progress and achievements across all areas of learning.

Although report writing is a major focus at this stage of the term, it also provides a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the unique development we see in our students every day. Alongside academic progress, we continue to observe important growth in social skills, confidence, resilience and independence.

Student learning is a journey that takes time, encouragement and partnership. We sincerely thank our families for the support you provide at home and for working alongside us to help every child thrive, both in and out of the classroom. 

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

ACROD Parking

A friendly reminder that these parking bays are only available to families that hold a valid and approved ACROD Parking Permit which must be displayed.   

Notification of Absences – Important Reminder

A reminder of the change in process for notification of absences. 

If your child is absent or has an appointment (one offs and recurring), it is essential that you notify the College using the SEQTA Engage App/Portal before 8:30am, giving the reason for the absence. 

Families are still required to sign their child on SEQTA Kiosk for late arrivals, early departures and appointments.

Please note the ‘primary absentees’ mailbox is no longer in use.

Additionally, for absences extending more than 2 days during term time, parents are also required to email Antoinette De Pinto, Head of Primary and Nancy Petsos, Administration Officer, Primary.

Dates to Remember

Please check the College Website to note all the important Primary school events for your family calendar. https://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/for-families/calendars. By subscribing to the College calendar you are automatically alerted when details of an existing event are changed. 

LifeLink Launch

On Tuesday, three of our Year 6 Leaders, Matteo D’Orsogna, Alby Thompson and Addison Wright represented the College at the LifeLink launch at Corpus Christi College. 

During the event, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe presented the message of St Francis, highlighting the importance of caring for creation, and showing kindness and compassion to others, especially those in need. Our students listened attentively, learning that even small acts—such as including others or offering help—can make a big difference in bringing peace to our community.

A special moment of the day was the introduction of our new Auxiliary Bishop, Bishop Nelson Po who took part in a student Q&A alongside Archbishop Costelloe and Bishop Donald Sproxton. We concluded the launch with a shared morning tea with students and staff from various Catholic Primary Schools in the Archdiocese.

Reconciliation Retreat

The Year 3 students had a wonderful day of reflection and learning during their Reconciliation Day. They explored what Reconciliation means and why it is important, focusing on making good choices guided by the Ten Commandments. 

Through hands-on activities the students practised asking for forgiveness and considered how their actions impact others. They also discussed ways to show kindness and repair relationships when mistakes happen. 

After lunch, the students took part in a meaningful liturgy reflection, giving them time to pray and think deeply. It was a special day of learning, reflection, and growing together as a Year 3 community.

Stephanie Micale and Suzie Thomas

Year 3 Teachers

Oz Wildlife

Our Pre-Primary students enjoyed an exciting wildlife incursion with WestOz this week, where they had the opportunity to learn about some amazing Australian animals. The children met a koala, a carpet snake, a Stimson’s python, a sugar glider and a bobtail lizard, and discovered interesting facts about their habitats, diets and unique features.

A highlight of the experience was the opportunity to gently pat and interact with the animals, providing the children with a memorable hands-on learning experience. The incursion sparked curiosity and encouraged an appreciation for Australia’s unique wildlife, with many students enthusiastically sharing their new knowledge and favourite animal encounters.

Lucy Ricciardi and Hannah Kolbusz

Pre-Primary Teachers

Life Cycles in Action

Last week, the Year 2 students took part in an exciting Life Cycles Incursion that brought their science learning to life. They explored how different animals grow and change through their life cycles and discovered many fascinating facts along the way. 

One highlight was getting to see lots of poisonous creatures and creepy crawlies in real life, which sparked lots of curiosity and discussions. The students were incredibly brave and enthusiastic as they had the opportunity to carefully hold and observe a snake, stick insects, giant burrowing cockroaches and a lizard up close. The students had a wonderful time and have been buzzing with excitement, continuing to chat about which animals they would love to learn about next!

I felt amazed because of the super interesting facts.  Harry McLean-Tooke 

We got to touch some animals like the pygmy python and lizard and even the praying mantis. Lola Grose 

I felt so excited because I could not wait to hold all the animals! Luke Balkau 

 The stick insect felt sticky because he had special feet that could stick on anything which meant it could go upside down and all over my face! Ettie Casey-Sinclair 

Sian Cruse and Vicki Murphy

Year 2 Teachers

Primary Sport

SSWA Soccer Championships

We will be entering teams into the SSWA Soccer Championships again this year.  Trials will take place on Tuesday 16 June and Wednesday 24 June, from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, on the Secondary ovals and are open to Years 4, 5 and 6 students.  

This is a competitive tournament so teams will be selected on ability, teamwork and sportsmanship.  Students attending trials are required to bring boots, shinpads and socks and a healthy snack.  

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

Primary String Breakfast Concert

String Orchestra and Mini Minors are looking forward to their first performance for the year on Tuesday 16 June at 8:00am in the Osborne Room. Students in these ensembles need to arrive at 7:45am in order to unpack and tune their instruments. There will be a tea and coffee station for adults and performing students will be provided with a juice box and muffin at the conclusion of the concert. The performance will finish at approximately 8:20am. 

Chapel Choir

Chapel Choir is open to all students in Years 1 to 12 who love singing, with a focus on liturgical music. Rehearsals commence at 7:30am in the Chapel with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. Chapel Choir then sings at Community Mass commencing at 8:00am. All are welcome to join the school community for Community Mass. The next Mass is on 12 June.

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Wellbeing Weekly

Justin Coulson’s presentation at the College on Tuesday evening was well received by parents.  We now invite you to register to hear his latest research on how best to support your sons in the modern world. As a Happy Families school John XXIII families can attend this online event for free.

Boys: Building Strong Young Men From the Inside Out Wednesday 17 June, 7pm AEST

He’s disappearing. Behind the closed door, lost in screens, making choices that keep you up at night. He’s navigating a world designed to confuse him – algorithms designed to addict him – a world parents don’t understand and can’t break into. The headlines scream crisis. They warn us that boys are in deep trouble… and it’s getting worse.

But it doesn’t have to be like this.

Dr Justin Coulson has a different story to tell. In Boys, Coulson reveals what decades of research suggests: when boys get what they actually need, they thrive. Not through force or fixing, but through connection, meaningful challenge, and someone who refuses to give up on them. 

This presentation hands you the ‘Playbook’. It cuts through the noise with practical, research-backed strategies for the battles you’re fighting right now.

Gaming. Pornography. Self-control. Friendships. School motivation. How to discipline without destroying trust. How to stay close when he’s pushing away.

But beneath the tactics lies something more powerful: a vision of masculinity worth fighting for. Boys who help others feel safer and stronger. Who create surplus value. Who become not just good men, but the best version of themselves. Your son already has everything he needs to get there.

Register here:

https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/awj-boys-register-hfs

Natalie Alach

Primary Counsellor 

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.

Uniform Shop Update: Online Purchases Launching Term 3

We are pleased to announce that, from Term 3, John XXIII College will be launching an online Uniform Shop as an addition to our on-campus store.

This online store is designed to offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, making it easier than ever to manage your orders from the convenience of your phone or computer, while still providing the option to visit us in-store.

To support this transition, the Uniform Shop will close at the end of business on Friday, 26 June, to allow for a full stocktake and staff training in preparation for the launch of the new online store and point-of-sale system. The shop will reopen on Wednesday, 22 July.

Keep an eye on your inbox for further information, including how to access your account and start using the new system, which will be shared prior to the start of Term 3.

We look forward to this exciting new initiative and to continuing to serve our community both online and in-store.