Secondary

Dear Families 

Just as we said farewell to the graduating Class of 2023 last week in a heartfelt and joyful series of Valete events, we welcomed the Class of 2029 on Tuesday for the Year 7 Orientation Day. Starting high school brings with it a mix of emotions: excitement, anticipation, hope, nervousness and sometimes a sense of overwhelm, which is why an effective orientation program is essential to set the foundation for a successful transition. Establishing relationships with peers and teachers is a key focus of the transition program. Tuesday provided our new Year 7 students the opportunity to meet peers from other schools as well as a variety of teaching staff as they engaged in a series of activities throughout the day. Following the role modelling of Mary Ward, students were, and will continue to be encouraged to keep their ‘circle of friends’ open to always allow room for others. The transition program continues throughout Year 7 to support students find a sense of place and belonging in their new environment, build positive relationships with peers and teachers and settle into the different pace and rigour of secondary school. We look forward to welcoming our new Year 7s to the Secondary School at the first assembly next term.

As we continue to evolve our wellbeing program in the Secondary School, we have focused not only on the review of existing initiatives, but the structures that underpin these. One such structure is the allocation of Assistant Deputy Principals for each year group. Continuity of care for students is of utmost priority for us, and therefore moving forward, Assistant Deputy Principals will accompany their year groups throughout all years of their secondary journey. This will provide strengthened relationships with students and families and enable the Assistant Deputy Principal to lead Homeroom Teachers in delivering a proactive yet responsive wellbeing program that meets the unique needs of the year group. Ms Rita de Faria will be on leave for 2024 and the first term of 2025 and we wish her a well-deserved and enjoyable break. Congratulations to Ms Morgan Ball, who has been appointed as the Assistant Deputy Principal to lead Year 7 students through their transition year and into Year 8 during this time. A passionate and experienced teacher, Morgan was Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 8 in 2022 and is looking forward to welcoming new students and families to the College next year. Ms Kalo Bell, Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 10, has made the decision to step aside from the role and will continue at the College teaching in the HASS Learning Area. We thank Ms Bell for her dedication, warmth and care of students in her role over previous years. The College is currently recruiting for an Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 11, to lead the current Year 10s next year.

• Assistant Deputy Principal allocations for 2024 are:
• Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 7: Ms Morgan Ball
• Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 8: Mr James McLaughlin
• Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 9: Mr Cameron Haines
• Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 10: Mr Luke Bostelman
• Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 11: to be announced once appointed
• Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 12: Mr Andrew Osnain

We are incredibly fortunate to have an experienced, committed and passionate pastoral leadership team that is dedicated to providing the utmost care for students and their wellbeing. Assistant Deputy Principals are currently reviewing the wellbeing programs for 2024 and will communicate these programs in the new year.

As we celebrate World Teachers’ Day today, a huge thank you to the parents who provided staff with a delicious morning tea this morning. It was greatly appreciated!

Action for Happiness: New Ways November

Action for Happiness is a not-for-profit organisation inspired to help people create a happier world, with a culture that prioritises happiness and kindness. The Dalai Lama has been the Patron of Action for Happiness since its inception, and in 2011, he shared this view:

"As human beings, we all want to live a happy life and be part of a happy society. But in the modern world, we do not give this high enough priority. Action for Happiness encourages each of us to live more compassionately and put the happiness of others at the centre of our lives. This is the path to lasting peace and happiness. I am very happy to have been invited to be the patron of this movement and I encourage everyone, whatever their background, to join us and make a personal commitment to helping create a happier world".

Each month we will share the Action for Happiness Calendar, which outlines strategies that we can all embrace on a daily basis to contribute towards a kinder, more tolerant and empathetic world for ourselves and others. Below is New Ways November’s calendar, encouraging us to step outside the daily routine to try something different.

Student Achievements

Last weekend, Sarah Stewart (Year 8) was recognised by the Governor of Western Australia for her outstanding dedication of 158 hours of volunteering with the Girls’ Brigade Western Australia. What an incredible example of being a ‘person for others’. Well done, Sarah!

So that we can shine the light on student achievements, please share the good news by emailing me at Shani.Andrews@cewa.edu.au.

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Shopfront Christmas Appeal

Please donate generously to the John XXIII College Christmas appeal.

Please bring in money or items from the list below to support the Shopfront Christmas Appeal. Items need to be brought to Homeroom by Wednesday, 22 November. Any cash donations will support the Shopfront Christmas Lunch.

The following items are needed for Gift Bags (please note, smaller sizes are most useful):

SPORTS

NAS Golf

The NAS Golf Tournament has been rescheduled for Tuesday 7 November (Week 5). 

Thank you to Darren Kowal for all his time and efforts in coaching and preparing our team.

ACC Inclusive Carnival 

John XXIII College was thrilled to host the ACC Athletics Carnival today. The Sports day allows students of all abilities from ACC schools, between the ages of 12 and 18, to try a range of sports conducted by WA State sporting bodies. Qualified coaches introduce the fundamentals of each sport and lead into a series of fun and interactive games designed to encourage participation and develop a sense of achievement.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Braden Fyneman, Year 11, for earning a UWA Club Letter; this is awarded to non-UWA students of an affiliated club in recognition of competing internationally in sport. Braden recently represented Australia in swimming at the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games. 

Sara Kononen

Head of Sport