Secondary

Dear Families

The beginning of each year brings valuable opportunities for community connection. Last Friday evening, Year 12 students celebrated a fantastic evening of food, photos, and dancing at the Westin Hotel for their Ball. This week, we celebrated the outstanding achievements of the Graduating Class of 2025 and welcomed our Year 7 students into the Secondary community at our High Achievers’ Assembly.

Also at yesterday’s assembly, College Captains Neve and Matt introduced the 2026 Student Representative Council Vision: to promote authenticity by embodying compassion, encouraging participation, and fostering an inclusive community where all can thrive. We look forward to seeing the SRC in action throughout the year as they bring this vision to life.

Sr Mary Murray Interhouse Swimming Carnival

The House system is an integral part of Secondary life, providing students with a sense of identity and connection to our College founders. A highlight of the various House activities conducted throughout the year are the Interhouse sports carnivals, commencing today with the Sr Mary Murray Cup Interhouse Swimming Carnival at Perth HPC. House spirit and student participation were impressive throughout the day as each House vied for competitive points in the 50m pool and Spirit points for novelty events and general participation. Congratulations to St Louis for winning this year’s Spirit Award for their infectious chants and constant support of each other throughout the day. Also, to Loyola who reigned victorious on the day as the champion House. It was an incredibly close competition with final points as follows:

Placing House points

Congratulations to the following students and teams who broke carnival records: 

Parent Information Evening: Thursday 19 February, 5:30pm-8:00pm 

All Secondary parents, guardians and caregivers are welcome to attend this year’s Parent Information Evening. The event will start at 5:30pm with a welcome and presentation from College Principal, Daniel Mahon. Following this, there will be a diverse selection of information sessions and guest speakers that parents can book individually based on their interests and their child's age. Assistant Deputy Principals from Years 7 to 12 will be presenting information relevant to their year group. Sessions can be booked here.  

Year 7 Parent Welcome Sundowner

The transition to Secondary School is as much of a journey for the parents as it is for Year 7 students, and we welcome all Year 7 parents to a Welcome Sundowner on Friday, 6 March from 6:30pm to 8:30pm to meet each other in a relaxed and social setting. Please RSVP via this link.

Homework Club and Extended Library Hours 

Our Homework Club is back this year due to popular demand. Homework Club is available for Secondary students every Monday to Thursday, from 3:30pm to 6:00pm in the Ignatius Centre Library. Please see below for more information and when specialist support is available. Alumni tutors will commence shortly to assist students with their homework and study. 

When: Every Monday to Thursday

Where: Ignatius Centre Library

Time: The library will close at 6pm, but students may leave at any time before then. Years 7 to 10 students who remain past 5pm will need to be collected by a parent/guardian from the library. 

Signing in and out: Students must sign in and out at the kiosk. Students will need a phone or laptop to scan the QR code. 

Uniform

The uniform is a symbol of membership to the College community and assists students to develop a sense of unity and belonging as well as pride in their presentation. Students are expected to uphold a high standard of uniform and grooming at all times and to adhere to the Secondary Uniform Code. 

Students in breach of the Uniform Code will receive infringements in the first instance, and escalated consequences should breaches continue. We appreciate parents’ support in helping us to maintain a high standard of presentation when in uniform.

Mobile Phones 

Unless for extenuating circumstances, students do not need to use their mobiles during the school day, and phones must be kept securely in locked lockers between 8:30am and 3:10pm. Students needing to contact parents during the day are welcome to use a phone in the Student Wellbeing Centre, and canteen purchases can be made using their SmartRider or debit card. Students using their phones without teacher permission between 8:30am and 3:10pm will have their phone confiscated.

Traffic Management 

To ensure the safety of our students and our good relations with neighbouring residents, please utilise the designated drop-off and pick-up zones marked around the campus. When parking, we request that drivers use allocated parking spaces in visitors’ car parking bays only. Double parking or stopping in unauthorised zones – particularly around Graylands campus and Montgomery House – poses safety risks to both our students and others in the local community. 

For pedestrian safety and to reduce traffic congestion, drivers picking up students should only use visitors’ parking bays or the Primary and Secondary drive through facilities, and we encourage families to stagger their arrival and departure times where possible. When we exercise patience, follow the instructions of staff and signage, and are considerate of others during these busy times, we can maintain a safe and smooth experience for everyone. 

Parent Resources and updates

Find out about our new canteen offerings and how to order, explore details of the College charter bus service, and read the latest from our Parents’ Association, including their objectives, funding proposals and upcoming PAL social events for families. Click the links below to learn more:

• Canteen Information
• Charter Bus Service
• Parents’ Association Updates

Term 1 Key Dates 

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide – Book Launch at John XXIII College

John XXIII College is delighted to be hosting an upcoming book launch with Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO, and we would be very grateful for your assistance in promoting this event through your networks. The event will launch his new book, Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide, and will be officiated by Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth, together with Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO.​

Fr Brennan’s publication explores Pope Francis’s impact as a ‘disruptive pilgrim,’ blending Jesuit insight with themes of mercy, justice and inclusion, and inviting readers to reflect on the Pope’s call to renewal, compassion and social engagement within the global Church. 

Staff and attendees from Catholic Education WA schools may also use their attendance towards accreditation hours, which we hope will make this a particularly valuable opportunity for colleagues across the system.​

Event details are as follows:​

• Title: Pope Francis: The Disruptive Pilgrim’s Guide – Book Launch​
• Date: Tuesday 24 February 2026​
• Time: 4:30pm – 6:30pm 
• Venue: Thomas More Exhibition Centre, John XXIII College, John XXIII Avenue, Mount Claremont 
• Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/1514428​

The book will be available for purchase on the evening at a special launch price of $25 (soft cover).​

SPORT

Swimming Training 

Our swimming training sessions have commenced at the College pool. Training will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 7:00am to 8:00am in the lead-up to the NAS and ACC A-Division Swimming Carnival. All students are welcome at our morning training sessions, whether the aim is fitness or making our interschool team.

Years 9/10 NAS

Years 9/10 Trials will commence next week. Important information to note: 

• One Day Carnival Date – Tuesday 10 March, 
• Weeks 3 and 4 will be trials, and final teams will be posted after the second trial. 
• If students trial for two sports in Week 3 then decide to focus on one sport in their second trial this is acceptable.
• All students will be involved in the day as either a team member, a team helper, or participating in the social sport tournament at the College.
• A trial and training schedule has been posted in the College notices and sent out to all students.
• If you are unable to make all training days, this must be communicated to the team coach.
• All students are asked to meet in the pavilion before their trial in their PE uniform.

Trial Schedule 

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport

Share your child’s achievements

We love celebrating the wonderful achievements of our students in this section of the newsletter. If your child has recently represented at a regional, state, or national level, or been part of a team that has achieved a significant result (such as a premiership or championship), we’d love to hear about it!

Families are invited to share details and a photo by emailing newsletter@johnxxiii.edu.au.  Please include your child’s name, year group, event or activity, and a brief description of the achievement.

To ensure fairness and consistency, we can only feature information received directly from families that meets the above criteria. If no image or details are provided, we may not be able to include your child’s achievement in the newsletter.