Around The Primary
Dear Families
To mark the beginning of the season of Lent our Years 3-6 students gathered in the Chapel for the Ash Wednesday Mass, while the younger students engaged in a reflective class prayer. The message from Pope Francis for Lent 2025 is ‘Walking Together in Hope’. We are all invited to embrace this significant season as a journey, walking the path with hope and trust.
I would like to address the matter of families taking holidays during term time. As partners in the education of our children, it is crucial to emphasise that decreased attendance can significantly affect academic progress. Students are expected to be present at school during term time, and family vacations should ideally be scheduled during school holidays. Teachers are not obligated to provide assignments or modify class programs for families opting to take holidays during term time. However, activities such as reading, mapping, research, journaling, and currency conversion are appropriate tasks that can be undertaken while travelling.
Within the numerous demands of our busy family and work lives, let this Lent serve as an opportunity to implement positive changes where possible. This could be as straightforward as turning off the television or devices a few evenings each week to engage in conversation or play games as a family. It may also involve exercising greater patience with one another. Additionally, families might consider assisting or visiting those in need. Alternatively, setting aside time to attend a parish Mass over the weekend could be a meaningful way to connect.
Our Years 4-6 students participated wholeheartedly in our Interhouse Swimming Carnival at Bold Park Aquatic Centre this week. There were some amazing individual performances, and our teachers came back glowing about the comradery, sportsmanship and behaviour of our students. Each student represented their House with pride, tried their best and had fun too. This is what makes our school so great – congratulations to all the students.
This year we had a draw between St Louis and Loyola for the winning House – congratulations to both Houses!
Thanks to all the volunteers on the day – your efforts make such a difference, and we appreciate your generosity of time. Well done to Mr Williams for all your wonderful work.
Our Interschool Swimming team went to Newman College today to compete against other IPSHA schools. Our swimmers represented the College with pride and had some great success with ribbons galore!
Kind regards
Antoinette De Pinto
Head of Primary
Dates to Remember
| Tuesday 11 March | 7:30am Years 3-6 Cross Country training commences, outside SLSC |
| 7:00pm Parents’ Association Meeting, Thomas More Exhibition Centre | |
| Wednesday 12 March | Years 3 & 5 NAPLAN |
| Thursday 13 March | 7:30am Years 3-6 Cross Country training commences, outside SLSC |
| Years 3 & 5 NAPLAN | |
| Friday 14 March | Years 3 & 5 NAPLAN |
Student Code of Conduct
Our Year 6 Leaders for Semester One visited each class to share the Student Code of Conduct. The aim of the Student Code of Conduct is to establish a common understanding of the standards of behaviour expected by all students in the Primary School. Each student has the responsibility to follow the Code of Conduct to make sure our school is a safe and happy place for all who work and learn here. The Code of Conduct posters will be displayed in each classroom.
Emily Ferrier and Jacqui O’Connor
Year 6 Teachers
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy takes place over the next 2 weeks. 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.
2025 Primary NAPLAN Testing Schedule
| Testing to start at 9:00am | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday 12 March | Thursday 13 March | Friday 14 March |
Year 3 Writing (paper) 40 minutes
Year 5 Writing (online) 42 minutes | Year 3 Reading 45 minutes
Year 5 Reading 50 minutes | Year 3 Conventions of Language 45 minutes
Year 5 Conventions of Language 45 minutes
(Last day for Year 3 writing catch ups) |
| Testing to start at 9:00am | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 17 March | Tuesday 18 March | Wednesday 19 March | Thursday 20 March | Friday 21 March |
Year 3 Numeracy 45 minutes
Year 5 Numeracy 50 minutes | Opportunity for catch up assessments
| Opportunity for catch up assessments | Opportunity for catch up assessments | Opportunity for catch up assessments |
Sports Update
Tennis
On Tuesday our Year 5 and 6 boys tennis teams took part in the SSWA Academy Plate Tennis Tournament at Alexander Park Tennis Club. The standard of tennis was high, and our two teams did incredibly well with our first team making it into the semi-finals. Well done to all the boys.
Swimming
Wednesday was an incredible day at Bold Park Aquatic for our Years 4 to 6 Interhouse Swimming Carnival. The effort by all swimmers was outstanding and there were some amazing individual efforts. The biggest highlight of the day was the cheering and House spirit on display! Thanks to all the parents for supporting our swimmers and a special thanks to the parent volunteers who assisted with the timing.
Amazingly, we had a draw between St Louis and Loyola for the winning House – well done to both Houses! Loreto took out the House Spirit award.
| St Louis | 868 |
| Loyola | 868 |
| Koolyangarra | 862 |
| Campion | 829 |
| Loreto | 717 |
| Ward | 689 |
Cross Country
Training will begin next week and takes place every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 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 15-20min run where students aim to run at a steady pace and gradually build fitness. The sessions are open to all, and no booking is needed. Please note, any students in Year 2 or below need an adult to stay with them.
Netball
We are looking for a few more enthusiastic Years 2 and 3 players to join the John XXIII College Netball Club.
The NetSetGO competition is all about having a fun, learning awesome new skills, and making lifelong friends. The sole focus of the competition is around participation and giving netball a go. Boys are more than welcome to play in the competition too!
The competition takes place on Friday afternoons commencing 9 May 9, with games scheduled at either 4:10pm or 5:05pm. Each game lasts for 40 minutes and is divided into 10-minute quarters.
If you would like to register your child to play netball, the link will be open until Monday 10 March.
Pease come join the excitement and help us grow our primary school teams!
Year 2/3 NetSetGo registration link:https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/register/e3d65a
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 6:
| Ensemble | Date | Time | Venue |
| Wanju Voices | Monday 10 March | 7:30am | Osborne Room |
| String Orchestra | Tuesday 11 March | 7:45am to 8:30am | Osborne Room |
| Year 6 Band | Wednesday 12 March | 7:30am to 8:00am | Performing Arts Centre |
| Primary Singers | Thursday 13 March | 8:00am | Osborne Room |
| Chapel Choir | Friday 14 March | 7:30am | 7:30am Chapel |
Save the Dates
Choir Assembly
The first performances for Wanju Voices and Primary Singers is on Friday 21 March at the Choir Assembly commencing at 9:00am in Roncalli Hall. Parents and grandparents of choir members are invited to attend.
Palm Sunday – Wanju Voices at St Joseph’s Church, Subiaco
At the special request of Monsignor Kevin Long and St Joseph’s parish, Wanju Voices have been invited to sing at the 9:00am Mass at St Joseph’s Church, Subiaco on Palm Sunday, 13 April. We look forward to seeing many families join us for this special occasion.
Music Photo Day
Music Photo Day takes place on Friday 4 April. Further information regarding uniform requirements and timetables for the various ensembles will be communicated closer to the date.
Instrumental Lessons
It is wonderful to see so many students enrolled in instrumental lessons through the College. To maximise your child’s enjoyment and progress, regular practice at home is essential. Younger students often need assistance in working out when they can fit practice into their daily routine, and all students benefit from the encouragement of their families. While it is appreciated that many families have busy schedules, shorter, regular practice sessions throughout the week (rather than a long session on one day) will help your child to get the best out of their lessons, as well as learning the important skills of perseverance and discipline.
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