Secondary

Dear Families 

The House system is an integral part of our College community, providing students with a sense of our founders, an opportunity to develop relationships with students other than their year group, and the development of House spirit and pride. Yesterday we celebrated Koolyangarra House Day. The white dove of Koolyangarra House represents the peace that the Christian message offers the world. The motto of Koolyangarra House is ‘Strength, Spirit and Justice’. The name Koolyangarra comes from the former Loreto Primary School campus on Bindaring Parade, Claremont. Sr Peg Flynn, the Principal of the primary school, was the driving force behind building the primary school campus and suggested the name Koolyangarra, an Aboriginal word meaning ‘meeting place of happy children.’  

Koolyangarra students joined together for lunch on Thursday and were presented with a history of the Koolyangarra name by Sr Theresa Elliot, who was a teacher at the Koolyangarra campus. Sr Tess is one of two lasting legacies seen on the John XXIII College campus today, the other being the Koolyangarra dove sitting proudly near the A block classrooms.  

To end the day, a number of students showcased the Koolyangarra spirit and justice by cooking meals for Shopfront. These meals are donated to Shopfront, to give to those in need and are the first of the College’s One Thousand Meals Program for 2024.  

Koolyangarra House Prayer 

Koolyangarra, the meeting place of happy children, is not just a house, but a family.  

Let us give thanks for the friendships Koolyangarra gives us,  

As our green shirts unite us to triumph and reach for greater things.  

Let us remember the symbol of the dove, which represents peace and life,  

As we strive to serve others, guided to lead lives of strength, spirit and justice.  

NAPLAN 

Commencing next week for Years 7 and 9 students, NAPLAN might be a topic of conversation in some households but shouldn’t be an experience that causes excessive angst for students or parents. NAPLAN is just one aspect of the College’s assessment and reporting processes. It doesn’t replace ongoing assessments and judgements made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide teachers with additional information about students’ educational progress. We know that for some students, assessments such as NAPLAN generate genuine worry and fear that they won’t do well. Reassuring them that NAPLAN is part of their broader school program and is an opportunity to demonstrate their learning strengths can be helpful in normalising the experience of the next couple of weeks. Other strategies to help reduce the ‘NAPLAN nerves’ include:  

• Ensure that students get a good night’s sleep and have a wholesome breakfast, so that they have the energy to perform at their best.   
• Eliminate external stressors on the day, so that students can focus on feeling organised, calm and ready. Avoid rushing in the morning, help them get to school on time, and remain calm and centred yourself, to minimise any nervous energy they might pick up on.  
• Encourage them to read the questions carefully, to avoid silly or rushed errors.  
• Focus on the important things: students’ long-term learning is more important overall than any isolated test, NAPLAN or otherwise. Remind them that whatever the outcome, their personal best and continuous improvement over time is the most important thing.  

Much work has been done to familiarise students with NAPLAN procedures and the testing environment, with practice runs taking place prior to each assessment, and communication provided to parents regarding assessment timetables. Please work with your child to ensure they are organised for each test by bringing their charged device, headphones and pencil to each assessment.  

Interim Reports 

To assist with preparing for Parent Teacher Student Interviews on Monday, 18 March, Interim Reports will be released on Friday, 15 March via SEQTA. Now that Term 1 is well underway, the Interim Report provides an interim gauge on students’ work habits and progress in their courses.  

Parent Teacher Student Interviews: Monday, 18 March 

On Monday, 18 March Parent Teacher Student interviews will be held online and face-to-face. These interviews are an important event that can assist you and your child to speak with their teachers about their academic progress and work habits. To facilitate meaningful feedback and discussion with teachers, the following suggestions may be useful: 

• Read the Interim Report before you attend. Interim Reports will be available Friday, 15 March via SEQTA.  
• Identify and discuss areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, for each subject. 
• Seek clarity regarding one strategy suggested by the teacher your child could practice, to improve their learning. This should provide helpful information to implement a plan that, over time, results in learning growth.  

Uniform Shop 

To coincide with the upcoming Parent Teacher Student interview meetings on Monday, 18 March the Uniform Shop will be open from 8am to 6pm. With Term 2 approaching and the need for blazers as part of the winter uniform, this will be an opportunity for parents to visit the Uniform Shop for fittings and purchases. Appointments are not necessary.  

Term 1 Key Dates 

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Design and Technology 

Year 12 Design and Technology students have been recently involved in hands-on research of surface finishes. The surface finishes include beeswax, orange oil, linseed oil, Danish oil, tung oil, polyurethane, varnish, lacquer, and a Japanese burning technique called Shou Sugi Ban. By testing and trialing all the different surface finish techniques, students can make an informed decision on the best surface finish for their major design project.

Jeremy Hill

Technologies Technician

Student Café - Recess Tuesday 12 March

Support our student cafe taking place on Tuesday 12 March at recess. 

Continental Focaccia 

Option:

Normal OR GF Bread

Half $4 OR Full $7

Grilled Vegetable Focaccia

Option:

Normal OR GF Bread

Half $4 OR Full $7

Iced Chocolate $3

Option: Normal milk OR Oat Milk

Order now here. Last order Monday, 11 March 2024.

SPORT

NORTHERN ASSOCIATED SCHOOLS (NAS)

Years 9/10 NAS One-day Carnival 

Congratulations to all students who trialed for a team. All team lists have been posted in the College SEQTA notices. All students have been accounted for, so please look closely for what you will be taking part in on the day. If a student's name is coloured red at the bottom of a team list, this means they have been selected as helpers for that team. This will involve assistance with scoring, equipment, and support on the day. 

• One Day Carnival Date: Wednesday, 27 March.
• All students will be involved in the day as either a team member, a student helper for a team or participating in the social grass court Volleyball Tournament on campus.
• Training afternoons will commence next week: Monday 11, Wednesday 13, Wednesday 20 and Monday 25 March from 3:30pm-4:30pm. Students unable to make all training days must communicate with the team coach.
• Students are to meet in the Pavilion in their PE uniform before their trial.

Senior NAS One Day Carnival

Congratulations to all Years 11/12 students who have made a Senior NAS Team this term. All teams have started training once a week in the lead-up to the big day on Friday, 22 March.

Please note that there are still a few places available on the Years 11/12 AFLW team. Students are encouraged to contact the appropriate Senior NAS Coach to join a team or volunteer as a helper on the day.

ACC Swimming

Congratulations to all students selected to represent John XXIII College in the 2024 ACC A-Division Swimming Carnival on Wednesday, 20 March. 

Important Information

• All team members must attend one swimming training per week.
• On Wednesday, 13 March, there will be a compulsory training at HBF Stadium at 7:00am to 8:00am there will be a bus to take students back to the College.
• On Tuesday, 19 March there will be a compulsory team Sundowner at the College from 3:30pm-4:45pm. Please register using the link below.

• Team members are encouraged and eligible to purchase an Interschool Jumper which may only be worn on the week of the carnival. 
• Team members are welcome to purchase our new race bathers from the uniform shop. 
• Team members MUST have a white JTC cap to compete in. 

NAS Swim Meet

A look back at our NAS Swim meet last week. Well done to all swimmers!

Cross-Country training

Cross-country training sessions are underway every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00am to 8:00am. Every Tuesday for the rest of the term students will have the opportunity to run the College course in the lead-up to the Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival. These sessions will continue into Term 2 up until the ACC Cross-Country Carnival.  All students are welcome to join our morning training sessions.

Congratulations

Congratulations to all John XXIII College students who competed in the recent WA Athletics State Championships 

Ciaran Doyle 

• U/17 100m Gold
• U/17 200m Gold 

Lyla Stewart 

• U/17 800m Silver 
• U/17 1500m Gold

Ciana Rio Torto 

• U14 Shot Put Gold
• U14 Discus Gold

Angelina Smythe

Congratulations to Angelina who was awarded Seychelles’ Best Junior Swimmer and Youth Female Athlete of the Year for 2023. Angelia is thrilled and honoured to be recognised for these awards, and looks forward to representing Seychelles again internationally this year.

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport