Around The Primary

Dear Families

Our Year 6 leaders are now proudly wearing their leadership badges after being commissioned at today's Assembly. They will now serve as leaders in the primary school, collaborating with staff and other students. We're excited to watch them demonstrate their leadership skills. 

The Year 6 students will take part in a Leadership Day at Ern Halliday later this term. Students will have a wonderful opportunity to learn more about what leadership is, and the values, qualities, principles and traits that make a good leader.  They will then have time to practise using their leadership skills through hands-on games and activities.

Next week, on Tuesday 4 March and Thursday 6 March, please make sure your children are dressed in their school uniforms, not their sports uniform, for our Primary photos. The schedule is provided below. Students can either bring their sneakers to school or change into their sports uniform if they have sports on Tuesday or Thursday. 

Everyone is welcome to attend Mass on Ash Wednesday at 9:15am, as we begin the season of Lent next week. Our focus will be on strengthening our relationship with God through prayer, almsgiving, and repentance. During Lent, the students frequently discuss ‘giving up’ something. We will be encouraging them to consider ‘taking something on’ or ‘doing something extra.’ They could be urged, for instance, to treat people with kindness. There will also be the opportunity for almsgiving as students collect coins to raise money for Project Compassion.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary 

Dates to Remember 

Please check the College website to note all the important Primary school events for your family calendar. 

By subscribing to the College calendar, you are automatically alerted when details of an existing event are changed. 

Super Stars

Well done to all the students who received a certificate at today’s Assembly:

Project Compassion

Next Wednesday, 5 March is Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Lenten season. During this special time, we aim to raise funds for Project Compassion to support communities in need.

In this Jubilee Year, the focus themes are reconciliation and renewal, pilgrimage and hope. Pope Francis has also designated the 2025 Holy Year as a time to renew ourselves as ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’

Our goal is to build the students’ understanding of hope and how they can impact the world and bring good news and hope to others.  Through our Project Compassion fundraising initiative, students will journey through stations in the Chapel where they will learn about people and places and spend time in prayer. During their visits to the Chapel, students will write a prayer of hope for the people they learn about at the stations and place the prayers into the wishing well.  We will discuss the power of giving and the impact that their contribution, however big or small, can have in the lives of others. 

Students will be encouraged to collect coins and bring them to school. At the end of each week during Lent, class donations will be tallied, and coins deposited into the wishing well. We are looking forward to filling our wishing well with messages of hope and donations. 

To achieve our goal, we need families help to collect any loose change. It is hoped everyone will get involved and support our fund-raising project.

Let’s all work together to support communities with the resources they need to create lasting change. 

Kylie Allen

Assistant Principal, Primary

Traffic Safety

Dear Parents/Guardians,

John XXIII College strives to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our students and wider community. We would like to address some important concerns that have been raised with us regarding the school pick-up process and potential associated traffic hazards.

For the safety of our community, we respectfully ask that you:

• Please use the designated pick-up zones only. These areas are monitored by school staff to ensure the safe and orderly collection of students and the continuous flow of traffic.
• Please observe the City of Nedlands parking regulations. Avoid parking in no parking zones, including on the footpath or kerb on Mooro Drive/John XXIII Avenue. This helps maintain a smooth flow of traffic and ensures emergency vehicles can access the school if needed.
• Encourage your children to use crosswalks and follow the instructions of the crosswalk attendant. It is imperative for their safety that they do not run across the street or between parked cars.
• Please remain patient and courteous to other drivers and pedestrians. A little patience goes a long way in ensuring everyone's safety.  We understand that pick-up times can be busy and sometimes stressful.  

In the intervening time, the College will request the that the City of Nedlands erects a sign prohibiting cars from turning right when exiting the loop on school days between 3:00pm and 3:45pm. The City of Nedlands are aware of the traffic management issues around the College and will likely be monitoring the situation going forward. 

We appreciate your consideration of these important matters and your continued support in keeping our school community safe.

School Photography 

3P Photography will be taking individual and class photos on Tuesday and Thursday next week in the Thomas More Exhibition Centre. 

Students must wear their school uniform on their allocated photo day.  If your child has Sport on this day, they can bring pack their sneakers to school for their lesson with Mr Williams.

Please refer to the timetable below:

Before Photo Day

• Photos can be ordered online www.3p.net.au with the Shoot Key A5T3P
• No paper forms will be distributed, all orders are to be placed online

After Photo Day

• All photo orders will be delivered to John XXIII College approximately 6 weeks after Photo Day
• Digital Downloads available at www.3p.net.au after delivery
• After photo delivery to John XXIII College, all orders will incur a $20 Archive Fee

Please refer to the 3P Photography ‘How To Order Your School Photos’ information sheet. 

NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy in Weeks 6 and 7 this term. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be assessed in the areas of Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. 

We endeavour to make the assessment experience one that simply becomes part of the student’s day where the environment is calm, and well managed. We encourage the students to approach the assessments with a positive mindset and to try their best.

Weeks 6 and 7:  Wednesday 12 March – Monday 24 March

NAPLAN online testing window

2025 Primary NAPLAN Testing Schedule

Sports Update       

Interhouse Swimming Carnival 

We are looking forward to seeing lots of parents and friends at Bold Park Aquatic on Wednesday 5 March to cheer on our students at the Years 4-6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival.  Please remember to pack your House caps and racing bathers (no board shorts or bikinis permitted).  Students are not required to race in the College rashie, but are welcome to. 

The final swimming training session is on Tuesday 4 March, 3:30pm to 4:30 in the College pool.

IPSHA Swimming Carnival 

The IPSHA Interschool Swimming Carnival is on Friday 7 March at Newman College.  The top 2 swimmers in each event will represent the College at the Carnival at Newman College.  Information about this event will be sent out to relevant families on Thursday 6 March.  

Swimming Certificates

Certificates for our Years 4-6 Swimming program have been handed out this week.  If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. 

Cross-Country

Training will begin on Tuesday 11 March and takes place every Tuesday and Thursday morning commencing at 7:30am outside the St Louis Sports Centre.  It is a great way to start the day and build fitness.  The sessions involve a fun warm up game followed by a 15-20 minute run where students aim to run at a steady pace and gradually build fitness. The sessions are open to all and there is no need to book.  Please note, any students in Year 2 or below needs an adult to stay with them during the training session.   

If you have any queries regarding Primary Sport, please contact me via email: steve.williams@johnxxiii.edu.au

Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

Primary Music 

Please see below for rehearsal times for ensembles in Week 5:

Save the Date - Choir Assembly

The first performances for Wanju Voices and Primary Singers is on Friday 21 March at the Choir Assembly. The assembly commences at 9:00am in Roncalli Hall. Parents and grandparents of choir members are invited to attend.

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

College Musical 2025 - High School Musical

Get ready for a spectacular performance as John XXIII College proudly presents High School Musical at Roncalli Hall!

Join us on a thrilling journey as they navigate the ups and downs of high school life. This beloved classic tells the story of friendship, ambition, and the courage to be true to oneself. With catchy songs, vibrant dance numbers, and a heartwarming message about embracing individuality, this production promises to be a hit for audiences of all ages.

Dates and times:

Tuesday 29 April, 7:00pm

Wednesday 30 April, 7:00pm

Thursday 1 May, 7:00pm

Friday 2 May, 7:00pm

Saturday 3 May, 2:00pm and 7:00pm

Location: Roncalli Hall, John XXIII College, John XXIII Avenue, Mount Claremont