Secondary

Dear Families

As the end of the term draws to a close, I would like to inform our community of some staff changes for Semester Two. Ms Pippa Pickering (Religious Education) and Ms Catherine Roberts (Mathematics and Loyola House Coordinator) will return from leave, and we look forward to welcoming them back. We thank Mr Eric Brukwinski (Religious Education and Year 12 Ward) for his care and support of students over the past year, and we wish him every success in his new school. Mr Xavier Mitchell (acting Loyola House Coordinator) returns to his Year 8 Ward Homeroom for Semester Two, and we thank him for his leadership of Loyola this semester. We also farewell Ms Ella Brindley (Health and Physical Education and Year 9 Koolyangarra), and we thank her for her service to the College over the past few years and wish her well for her future endeavours.

NAIDOC Week

We extend our gratitude to Noongar traditional owner Matthew McGuire for performing a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on Tuesday, in the lead-up to NAIDOC Week (6 to 13 July). This year’s NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,' celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities, and the legacy of ancestors. Through the reflective ceremony, Matthew and his brother Walter reminded us of our connection to the land and our responsibility to care for it as its stewards into the future.

God of all creation, 

We thank You for the First Nations peoples of this land — 

For their deep connection to Country, 

Their languages, cultures, and spiritual wisdom.

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, 

We honour the stories, struggles, and strength 

Of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

We acknowledge the pain of the past, 

And commit ourselves to justice, healing, and truth.

May this week be a time of learning and listening, 

Of celebrating the oldest living cultures in the world, 

And of walking together in respect and unity.

Help us to be people of peace and reconciliation, 

Guided by love, understanding, and hope 

For a future where all people are respected and heard.

We pray this with open hearts and open minds.

Amen.

John XXIII Day - Friday, 8 August

One of the most significant days on the College calendar, John XXIII Day is a community day where students celebrate our founders and heritage, and raise funds to support our College partners, Jesuit Mission Australia and Mary Ward International. This year we are excited to announce that over 20 staff and Year 12 Student Representative Councillors are prepared to take the plunge into an ice bath to raise money for Jesuit Mission Australia. Jesuit Mission works in more than 10 countries across Asia and Africa to uphold the innate dignity of people living with the effects of poverty, especially the most marginalised and vulnerable. Every $200 raised will see a staff member and Year 12 SRC take the plunge. As an additional challenge to promote much-needed funds for Jesuit Mission’s work, I will take the plunge if $5,000 is raised, and Mr Mahon will do so for $10,000.

Donations are tax-deductible and can be made directly to Jesuit Mission Australia using the link below. Let’s come together to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews - Wednesday, 23 July

Semester One reports are now available to parents and students and our next Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 23 July (8:30am to 6:00pm) as a valuable opportunity to discuss academic progress for students in Years 7 to 12. Secondary Teachers will be available for a combination of online via Microsoft Teams (8:30am – 12:30pm) and face-to-face (2:00pm – 6:00pm) interviews. Bookings via ‘Booked’ will be available to parents from Monday, 7 July, until Friday, 11 July. 

Term 3 Key Dates

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews – Wednesday 23 July 

Our next Parent-Student-Teacher Interviews will be held on Wednesday, 23 July, as a valuable opportunity to discuss academic progress for students in Years 7 to 12. 

Secondary teachers will be available for a combination of online and face-to-face interviews at the following times:

• 8:30am – 1:00pm: face-to-face interviews in the St Louis Sports Centre
• 1:30pm – 6:00pm: online interviews via Microsoft Teams

Students are to attend the interview with their parent(s) and be dressed in their winter uniform.

The Parent-Teacher Online Bookings (BOOKED – formerly PTO) system enables parents to schedule their own interviews with teachers. 

Parents will have access to BOOKED to book interview times from 9:00am, Monday, 7 July to 8:30am Friday, 11 July. An email will be sent with a web code and instructions on how to log in and create bookings. 

Please contact the Collegei f you do not receive this email or are unable to log in.

Once logged into BOOKED, you will find the classes that are available to book for your child.  If you have multiple children across Primary and Secondary, you will be able to view their classes together, providing a clear overview of the available interviews. Some classes, such as Homeroom and Year 7 electives, have not been made available for an interview. Please email your child’s teacher to arrange an alternative time to discuss your child’s progress with them, should you wish to do so. 

If you are unable to schedule an interview with a particular teacher, please email them directly to request that they make contact to discuss your child’s progress.

To assist parents in engaging in an effective discussion with their child’s teacher, the following questions are worth asking:

• What are my child's strengths?
• In what areas of the subject is my child achieving success?
• How well does my child focus and engage in their learning?
• In which areas do they need to improve?
• What is one strategy that my child could implement to improve?
• What should my child start doing, stop doing, or keep doing in your subject?

Chris Morris

Deputy Principal - Teaching & Learning

Sacrament of Reconciliation

During the term, students in Years 8 and 10 have celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation in the form of the Second Rite. In House groups, students have the opportunity to reflect on their lives, on forgiveness and on God’s love and kindness. A short liturgy of the Word is followed by individual Confession and Absolution.  The College is supported by priests in the archdiocese in helping us offer this to students.

On Tuesday, 17 June, Year 10s underwent the rite of Reconciliation in groups throughout the day. We treated the occasion with reverence, and overall, it was a relaxing and enlightening experience. The ceremony opened with some prayers and words of reflection spoken by our student Homeroom leaders, and then we took turns speaking to the many priests who so graciously took the time to help us get some things off our chests. We all went back to class afterwards feeling refreshed and grateful for the opportunity that was given to us through the efforts of so many different people and we are looking forward to it again next year. 

Hannah Engelbrecht, Year 10

Reconciliation was a wonderful experience. We were able to learn about the power of forgiveness through the teachings of the priest and were given some helpful advice on how to not repeat the same mistakes. 

Alma Knox, Year 10

I really enjoyed Reconciliation at my school because it was a special time to pause, reflect, and connect with God. Each Homeroom was given the chance to speak with one of the priests privately and say sorry for our sins. It felt meaningful to be able to honestly reflect on my actions, ask for forgiveness, and feel a sense of peace afterward. I loved the calm and respectful atmosphere, and it reminded me of how important it is to take time to look inward and grow in my faith. Reconciliation helped me feel lighter, more hopeful, and closer to God. 

Natasha Escaff Esper, Year 8

Year 10 Religious Education

Earlier in the term, Year 10 students wrote an essay, as a capstone assessment, after their learning about restoring God’s justice through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. The essay task asked students to discuss how the Church (through one of its agencies) is guided by Catholic Social Teaching to respond to a specific social justice issue. The students rose to the task, and teachers had the pleasure of marking several excellent essays. Two essays are available here – thank you to Sophie Clearly and Jonah Liew for sharing their work with a wider audience. 

Year 10 Outdoor Education Expedition

The Year 10 Outdoor Education expedition is the highlight of the students’ Outdoor Education elective, offering an opportunity to further develop the skills and knowledge gained during the course. They are presented with challenging experiences which require resilience, fear management and group collaboration skills. All activities are group-oriented, yet they provide opportunities for individuals to meet their own challenges. The success of the camp is dependent on each individual’s effort and consideration. 

This camp experience brought exactly that, and our students excelled with the help of our expert providers, Outdoor Education Group (OEG), who led the adventure learning activities which included vertical challenges such as abseiling and a High Ropes challenge, hiking and general camp craft like tent construction, the use of minimal impact techniques, fire building and camp cooking. A big thank you to Kris and his crew for their efforts in providing a wonderful program for our students to thrive in. Of course, our outstanding College staff assisted in the same regard. Students were very fortunate to have the support and expertise of Miss Lisa Gattuso, Mr Conor O’Hara and Miss Rebecca Marquardt as leaders of each of the three student groups. Their time and effort are very much appreciated indeed. 

It is a great pleasure to see our Outdoor Education students exhibiting such high-quality actions and behaviours in this setting, enabling both themselves and others to thoroughly enjoy this wonderful experience and grow in confidence, self-belief, and support for others as a result.

Darren Kowal

Outdoor Education Coordinator

SPORT

Year 7 Pre-Carnival Events

Our Year 7 Athletics events proceeded smoothly today. The Year 7s came in their best ‘comfy’ outfits (Comfy Day) and put their best efforts on the track and field. The day was about introducing the carnival events to the students before the Interhouse Carnival. It is a great way for the House Coordinators to get to know the Homerooms better and build up the House spirit before the big day. Results from today and the House Carnival results next term will assist in selecting the ACC Athletics team. Well done again to all involved, including the PE staff, House Coordinators, Homeroom Teachers and Relief staff.

A BIG thank you to Dr Fortini and the parent helpers for cooking a delicious sausage sizzle for the staff and students to enjoy. 

Interhouse Surfing

We were absolutely blessed with the weather for our Interhouse Surfing/Bodyboarding Carnival. Magically, there was a little rain with very little wind, and it was fine for the rest of the day. Conditions were great, especially for the heats, with some big swell allowing for the students to really show their wares. It was so pleasing to see all the students running out into the surf together with their peers, giving it their best efforts. All the students should be extremely proud of their efforts and for putting on a great show for the spectators. 

Congratulations to the following students who made the finals in their respective categories. The Interschool Team will be posted early next term, with the top two place getters representing and third as a substitute.

Interhouse Athletics Carnival 2025

Our Interhouse Athletics Carnival will take place on Friday, 1 August. Results from the track and field events, along with formal training sessions following the carnival, will be used to assist in selecting the College 2025 ACC Athletics team.

Please take note of the following details:

• The carnival will be held at HPC State Athletics Stadium (enter off Underwood Avenue). 
• Students are to make their own way to and from the venue, arriving between 8:00am - 8:15am.
• Parents and spectators are most welcome and are asked to remain in the stands. A coffee van will be available for staff and parents only.
• The carnival is a compulsory school day. Non-participation on medical grounds must be provided by a parent's note to the Homeroom Teacher. These students may be asked to fulfil other roles throughout the day. They should report to House Coordinators for further directions.
• Students are to wear full College Sports uniform (including a hat) together with their House Shirt. The College tracksuit and wet weather clothing are also recommended to keep warm between events.
• Students should bring sustenance for the duration of the day, as they will not be permitted to access canteen facilities.
• If weather conditions are not conducive to the safe running of the carnival, students will be notified as early as possible. Normal classes will operate in this instance.
• The carnival is scheduled to conclude at approximately 3:00pm. Students are to make their own way home. 

Should you have further questions or concerns, please contact me at the College on 

(08) 9383 0490 or alternatively by email. 

Athletics Training

Well done to all students who have attended Athletics Training thus far. We have had terrific numbers and look forward to getting back out on the track next Term.

• Hurdles
• Long Jump
• High Jump
• Javelin
• Shot Put
• Discus
• Sprints
• Distance

Athletics Spike Hire

Students interested in renting spikes from the College for the athletics season, please head to Student Services to pay the deposit. Once this has been paid, visit the PE office between 8:00am and 8:20am, or during recess, to collect them from Miss Kuyler. Any queries, please email Miss Kuyler. 

• We require a $50 deposit to hire the spikes. This is then returned to you once the spikes are returned. 
• Money must be in a sealed envelope with your name and homeroom written on the front. 

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport