Secondary

Dear Families

Today is Harmony Day, a national day of recognition and celebration of our cultural diversity in Australia. The theme of Harmony Day each year is ‘Everyone Belongs’. Australia is one of the world’s most successful multicultural countries. Our College has a rich history of welcoming students from diverse cultural backgrounds – the statue of Pope John XXIII along Mooro Drive is a testament to this. In the 1980s, the College welcomed students whose families had migrated from Vietnam in search of peace and stability. The College community welcomed them with open arms, providing education, uniforms and social connection as they settled into Perth. Through the community’s support, these students and their families learned English and established themselves in their new homes. In gratitude, one of the fathers and talented artist, Khoat Van Nguyen created the statue of Pope John XXIII that we drive past daily as a thank you to the College for its generous support and inclusion.

A strategic pillar, ‘nurturing an inclusive community,’ is at the heart of John XXIII College. Our values of justice, love, and service for others, as well as care and respect for the individual, capture the essence of Harmony Day. To promote Harmony Day, students across Secondary completed a survey to identify the various countries of their family’s origin and today staff and students wore a splash of orange. The message of Harmony Day is very much aligned with the Student Representative Council's vision: to foster an inclusive community where diversity is celebrated, and each person is treated with respect to feel a sense of belonging.

At yesterday’s Secondary assembly, Wellbeing Captains Janelle and Cameron addressed students on the importance of inclusion for people’s wellbeing and a reminder for us to be open to cultural differences. The following is an excerpt from their speech that provided a powerful message for student reflection:

It is important to recognise that everyone’s spiritual and cultural journey is different and to celebrate and appreciate these differences. Since we are all made in God’s image and likeness, we are all created as equal and should be treated with dignity. Being people for others and showing love and respect for all people no matter their race, culture, religion, abilities, gender and more, we are provided with a greater sense of meaning and purpose. We all have a duty to be kind and seek justice in all that we do, and this leads us to fulfilling our vocation, or our God-given purpose, all the while enhancing our own wellbeing.

 

It is important to note that this message of belonging, acceptance and respect of culture should be lived out by all people every day, not just on Harmony Day... recognising ways to appreciate and celebrate difference and promote diversity are stepping stones to making our College community and beyond a more inclusive place.

All the very best to our ACC Swim Team for Wednesday’s A-Division Interschool Carnival. The team has been training hard since the Interhouse carnival, and we have high hopes to perform strongly and place among the top schools on the day.

Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

Thursday, 27 March: 3:45pm – 6:00pm

Friday, 28 March: 9:00am – 3:15pm

Parent-Teacher-Student interviews provide a valuable opportunity to assist you and your child to speak with their teachers about their academic progress and work habits. Over these two days, Parent-Teacher-Student interviews will be held both online and face-to-face. Now that Interim Reports have been published, parents can book meetings until Monday, 24 March. Information regarding Interim Reports and scheduling an interview was sent this week via SEQTA.

Please note that Friday, 28 March, will be a pupil-free day, and students are encouraged to attend scheduled meetings with their parents to discuss their progress.

To facilitate meaningful feedback and discussion with teachers, and support longer term learning growth, the following suggestions may be useful:

• Read the Interim Report before you attend.
• Identify and discuss areas of strength and opportunities for improvement for each subject.
• Seek clarity regarding one strategy suggested by the teacher that your child could practice to enhance their learning.

Uniform Shop

To coincide with the upcoming Parent-Teacher-Student interview meetings, the Uniform Shop will be open on Friday, 28 March, from 8am to 4pm. 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.

eRideable Safety Reminder

More Western Australians are using eScooters and other electric rideable devices for travel and recreation. It is important that riders are familiar with the current legislation regarding eRideables to keep them and other road users safe. 

For the safety of everyone, the College expects the following from students using eRideables as their method of transportation to and from school:

• Pedestrians take precedence over the rider.
• All students are to dismount from any eRideable device once they reach the perimeter of the College grounds.
• Riders wear helmets correctly.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this important safety issue.

Term 1 Key Dates

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Sustainability Club

On Wednesday afternoon in Week 6, a dozen students, as part of sustainability activities at the College, took part in a planting session after school. As part of our goal to help preserve the endangered Carnaby's Cockatoo, the students planted a number of Callistemon pheoniceus and Banksia attenuates, both of which are species that the Carnaby's use as a food source. This is part of an ongoing work of the Sustainability Club and one of many planting sessions we run throughout the year to help preserve this magnificent native bird species. 

Thank you to all the students who volunteered their time. 

Adrian Sims

Sustainability Coordinator

National Schools Constitutional Convention

Year 12 Politics and Law student and Magis Captain, Jennifer Ong, will represent Western Australia at the 30th National Schools Constitutional Convention in Canberra next week. This is an outstanding achievement and a wonderful opportunity for Jennifer to hear from expert speakers and learn about constitutional reform. The topic for this year’s convention is ‘Revisiting sections 51(ii) and 90 to reimagine Australia’s Fiscal Federalism’. Delegates from across Australia will consider whether the Constitution allows us to maintain national priorities while embracing new regional economic possibilities. We would like to wish Jennifer all the best and we look forward to hearing about her experience in Canberra, upon her return.

Daisy Farley

Head of Magis

Student Cafe

Join us at the Student Cafe on Wednesday, 26 March 2025, for a delicious meal during both recess and lunch.

• Recess: Sausage Roll $3.30 
• Lunch: Chicken Sub $6.30
• Order online: Orders close on Sunday, 23 March 2025.

Homework Club for Years 7 to 12

• When: Every Monday to Thursday
• Where: Ignatius Centre Library
• Time: The library will close at 6pm but the students may leave at any time beforehand. 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 are required to sign in and out using the kiosk. Students will need a phone or laptop to scan the QR code. 

Homework Club Focus

Support Available

• Academic tutors and selected staff will be available until 6pm to assist with any questions students have about their work or study techniques.
• Students can also work independently or collaborate with their peers in a quiet, focused environment.

We hope Homework Club will become a regular part of your child’s study routine. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jean Redfern.

Jean Redfern

Library and Learning Services Educator

Men of John XXIII Event

Please join us for a breakfast event tackling the changes and challenges of fatherhood, from early childhood to adolescence.

Our guest panel will explore this subject, facilitated by compere Glenn Mitchell. There will also be ample opportunity to network, discuss fathering, and come together as a community.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with other dads and guardians and gain valuable insights. While focused on fatherhood, the discussions are relevant to all parents and guardians, male and female, so all are welcome.

Date: Wednesday, 7 May 2025

Time: 6:45am for a 7:15am start

Location: The University Club of Western Australia, 1 Hackett Drive, Crawley

Cost: Includes plated breakfast PLUS a complimentary Men of John XXIII cap!

$65 per person | $500 Table of 8

Registration: www.trybooking.com/1364764 

Hosted by Men of John XXIII

Our special guests

•             Compere: Glenn Mitchell

•             Sarah Maconachie

•             Paul Jeffery

•             Dr Bruce Robinson

•             Alexandria Henderson

College Musical 2025 - High School Musical

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

Dates and times:

Tuesday 29 April, 7pm

Wednesday 30 April, 7pm

Thursday 1 May, 7pm

Friday 2 May, 7pm

Saturday 3 May, 2pm and 7pm

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

SPORT

ACC Swimming 

On Wednesday, 26 March, our Swimming Team will compete in the 2025 ACC A-Division Swimming Carnival. Our team have a huge day ahead of them, taking on the rest of the A-Division schools. Building on our past successes with top two finishes, our team will showcase their talents and make the College proud no matter what the outcome! Our team has had two very successful relay sessions, and this will hold them in good stead for the all-important double-point relays.

We can’t wait for the first of the big three ACC Carnivals next week; we anticipate a highly competitive event. The team's spirit is high, and we're fully prepared to give it our all. With such determination and camaraderie, we're excited to see what heights we can reach together on the day of the competition. 

The full program of events is attached, and for all the action on the day, please tune into the Live Stream: ACCWA Event - ACC A Div Swimming Carnival 2025

Please take note of the following:

• Monday, 24 March, there will be a compulsory team session after school 3:30pm to 4:30pm followed by our team dinner in the Thomas More Exhibition Centre 5:00pm to 6:15pm 
• If you cannot attend, please email Miss Pillera or Mr Kowal

Wednesday, 26 March - ACC A-Division Carnival 

• All team members are encouraged and eligible to purchase an interschool jumper and swimming cap from the Uniform Shop. 
• All team members must compete in COLLEGE BATHERS. Girls on the team are welcome to purchase our race bathers. 
• We can't wait to show everyone what JTC can do, lets train hard and stay healthy!

Year 9/10 Summer NAS 

A very big well done to all students in Years 9 and 10 who took part in the Summer NAS Carnival. All NAS Carnivals are a highlight on the sporting calendar as we can see so many students in action putting in their best efforts for the College. We pride ourselves on always following the ACC motto of 'Sport in the right spirit' these days, and there have been so many reports from staff about the sportsmanship that the JTC students demonstrated on the day. 

Premierships 

• Year 10 Boys Frisbee 
• Year 10 Boys Indoor Beach Volleyball 
• Year 9 Boys Indoor Cricket 
• Year 10B Girls Basketball

We had several teams finish in a close second, which will add to our total for the NAS tally of placings. Well done Years 9 and 10's, we look forward to seeing you back in action for the NAS Winter Carnival in Term 3. A final thank you to all staff and alumni coaches who assisted with the preparation in the lead-up to the carnival. 

Year 7 Winter NAS

Our Year 7 Students will commence their NAS journey next week, trials will begin for their Winter Carnival on Monday, 12 May. 

All students will be taking part on the day;

• Competing in a NAS Team 
• Competing in a Lightning Carnival Team 
• Attending as a student helper for a team

All students completed a form in Homeroom this week to sign up for their trials and record their preferences for the Lightning Carnival if they aren't selected for a main NAS Team. 

The trials will run over two weeks, with teams selected before the end of the Term. The trial schedules are attached below. If a student cannot make a trial, they are required to email or speak with Mr Kowal or Miss Pillera before the date. 

All students are asked to meet in the pavilion in their PE uniform before their trial.

SSWA Tennis 

Last week a team of nine students competed at the Mursell Shield, forming two teams and played on a mixture of grass and hard courts at Mount Lawley Tennis Club. The boys demonstrated excellent teamwork as they rose to the challenge of taking on competitive schools with tough opposition to secure several victories during the round-robin stage. Despite the boys’ best efforts, neither team progressed through to the finals. The JTC spirit and values stayed strong with the boys, as they kept their competitive edge while demonstrating excellent sportsmanship.

Cross-Country Training

Want to boost your fitness and prepare for the Interhouse Cross-Country Carnival? Join our Cross-Country Training sessions!

 When?

• Starts Week 8
• Every Tuesday & Thursday morning

 Where?

• Meet Mr Tremayne in the Pavilion area at 6:50am
• Training starts promptly at 7:00am

 Who Can Join?

• Open to all students in Years 7-12

 Why Join?

• Build your fitness base
• Start your day with an energising workout
• Train with friends and challenge yourself!

 Don’t miss out - lace up your running shoes and get involved!

Please note some sessions will be at various offsite venues that are close to the College, these sessions will commence at 6:50am. If a student is that there will always be a session on site at the College. 

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport