Secondary

Dear Families

As an integral part of College life, our sports program provides students with a wide range of competitive and participatory opportunities to represent the College. Building on last term’s Associated and Catholic Colleges (ACC) victory at the Division A Interschool Swimming Carnival, congratulations to our Cross-Country team for yesterday’s success at the ACC Interschool Cross-Country Carnival. With over 400 competitors from 79 schools, John XXIII College dominated the field as Overall Girls Champion School, Overall Boys Runner Up Champion School and Overall Combined Champion School. A testament to the months of preparation and training for the squad, we are extremely proud of their achievement. Thank you to the leadership and commitment of coaching staff Mr Cameron Tremayne, Ms Jessica Pillera and Mr Darren Kowal. Thank you also to the staff who attended the carnival as support crew, who were an important source of energy and encouragement for our runners.

We are also incredibly proud of our Mary Ward students, who represented the College last Friday and enjoyed a day with students from other schools at the ACC Fun Run. The Inclusive Fun Run is designed to promote physical activity, social inclusion, and confidence-building for students of all abilities. The event also features activities and entertainment specifically designed for students with disabilities, including sensory-friendly music and adapted games. It was wonderful to hear how much the students enjoyed the day with each other and those from other schools.

Years 11 and 12 students have now completed their exams and should be proud of their approach towards what can be a challenging time in their learning journey. It has been fantastic to hear from many students that they have felt prepared because of the support from their teachers, good time management and effective study strategies. Feedback from students who have engaged in work placements over the two weeks have been how much they have enjoyed the opportunity to grow their experience and confidence in the workplace. We look forward to celebrating with Year 11 students this evening at their Dinner Dance. Year 10 students embark on their exams next week, and we wish them every success as they strive towards their personal learning best.

Today, Year 8 students gathered for a special Reflection Day focused on the theme of Respectful Relationships. The day began with the celebration of the Eucharist, during which students came together and reflected on the importance of respect and kindness in their daily lives. Following Mass, students participated in a workshop centred around the Catholic teaching of human dignity. They explored how every person is valued and worthy of respect, grounding their understanding in faith-based principles. This theme was further enriched by a powerful session with Scott Darlow, an Aboriginal songwriter, who shared his personal story and insights, highlighting lessons on empathy

and understanding. The day concluded with a presentation from YSafe, which focused on maintaining respectful relationships in the digital world. This session offered practical guidance on how to conduct online interactions with integrity and respect. Overall, the Year 8 Reflection Day was an insightful experience, equipping students with valuable insights and skills to foster respectful relationships both offline and online.

Important reminder: Respectful use of the surrounding roads and parking

We have recently been contacted by our neighbours at Graylands Hospital regarding concerns about the use of their campus roads and parking areas by some members of our College community. We value our relationship with our Graylands Hospital and are committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of everyone in our local area.

We kindly remind all families, students, and staff to:

• Use only the designated John XXIII College parking facilities for drop-off, pick-up, and parking. Please avoid parking on the Graylands Hospital campus.
• Refrain from using the hospital grounds as a thoroughfare to access Camelia Avenue or Brockway Road.
• Always adhere to posted speed limits (10km/h on hospital roads) and follow all road signage and directions.
• Be courteous and respectful to hospital staff, patients, and visitors at all times.
• Ensure clear access for emergency vehicles at all times—even a brief obstruction can have serious consequences for patient care.

Graylands Hospital is an active healthcare environment, with patients, families, carers, and staff moving throughout the campus. It is vital that we all contribute to a safe, calm, and respectful environment for everyone.

Term 2 Key Dates

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Celebrating HASS Week 2025

Last week was a vibrant and engaging celebration of the Humanities and Social Sciences (HASS) Learning Area, featuring a full program of activities that showcased Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business, Geography, and History. The week also aligned with National Reconciliation Week, highlighting this year’s theme: 'Bridging Now to Next'. As part of this, Years 7 and 9 students created a Reconciliation Bridge, making personal commitments to reconciliation and supporting the values of respect, rights, and community. This symbolic bridge reflects our College’s ongoing dedication to building stronger connections and understanding across cultures. 

Lunchtimes throughout the week were packed with various activities, including:

• A screening of the thought-provoking documentary You Can’t Ask That – First Nations People
• Presidents and Prime Ministers Challenge – Congratulations to Oliver French for taking the top spot for both challenges!
• The fast-paced Amazing Race, won by Alby Haines
• The fun and challenging HASS Escape Room
• HASS Week Homeroom Quiz, won by Year 8 Ward 
• National Reconciliation Week Homeroom Colouring Competition, won by Year 9 St Louis.

The week concluded with the annual HASS Week BBQ, where students enjoyed a sausage sizzle while listening to a live didgeridoo performance by Andrew Beck, with BBQ proceeds supporting Redfern Jarjum College, a Jesuit primary school for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. 

A special thank you to all students who actively participated in the events and to the dedicated HASS staff for organising such a meaningful and memorable week of learning, reflection, and fun!

Kalo Bell

Head of Learning Area – Humanities and Social Sciences

Refugee Week Appeal

In the lead up to Refugee Week, we will be supporting CARAD with their Foodbank Appeal. CARAD is the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees.

Every student is asked to bring in at least one item to support the appeal. The post below shows the most needed items. If students could please donate the item to Homeroom by Wednesday, 18 June.

Year 10 Medical Cabinets

Our Year 10 students have demonstrated impressive craftsmanship and dedication in completing their Medical Cabinets to an exceptional standard. Each cabinet features hand-cut dovetail joints, custom shelving and dividers, and a unique laser-etched graphic. It has been fantastic to witness their creative problem-solving skills in action, resulting in functional and beautifully finished pieces of furniture.

Jeremy Hill

Technologies Technician 

2025 Wildlife Photography Competition

The WA Gould League is hosting their annual Wildlife Photography Competition, with the finalists having their photos displayed in a public exhibition at Herdsman Lake Discovery Centre from Saturday 7 June to Saturday 14 June 2025. Excitingly, the organisers have agreed to display some of our Year 8 Media photographic work alongside the finalists’ photos! This year, we gave our students the competition brief and asked them to submit a portfolio of wildlife images taken at Herdsman Lake and its surrounds – the best of which have been selected for this special exhibition.

We encourage everyone to head along to the exhibition to see the amazing work on display from the photographers in our local community and beyond, young and old. Check the website for opening hours and further details: https://www.wagouldleague.com.au/

Rob Di Giallonardo

Media Teacher

SPORT

ACC Cross-Country Carnival

Yesterday, John XXIII took a team of over 86 athletes to the Associated Catholic Colleges Cross-Country Carnival. Each race had up to 400 students competing from 79 schools, the biggest event on the ACC calendar. 

It is always difficult to find the words to sum up these carnival days, there is always magic in the air. The stage was set for an awesome day, the rain had subsided as we arrived, and before we knew it, the U/19 Boys and Girls were off and racing in their 4km race. Despite being in the middle of their exams, they brought their A-game, with the Senior girls scoring 18 points and the boys scoring 67. Cross-Country scoring is calculated on the lowest score wins (1st = 1point, 10th = 10 points etc.) so this was an amazing start. 

As always, the friendly competition between Sacred Heart, JTC and the other schools always brings out the best in the JTC Team. After the Seniors' inspiring efforts, every age division team absolutely blew us away with their performances. It once again came down to the final race. JTC were in the lead by 18 points. Our U/13 boys took off at lightning pace and unleashed on the rest of the pack to post a team score of 32!

Well done to College Sport Captains Ruby Verleg and Ciaran Doyle, who also doubled over in the role of Cross-Country Captains for 2025. They did a superb job in leading the team and supporting all the athletes throughout the day. 

Another remarkable sporting moment this year for team JTC and our incredible students. The outstanding talent was on full display throughout the day.  The heart, spirit, determination and strong bonds were evident and shone through. This is what makes team JTC such a beautiful family. We are filled with immense pride for the team, and it has been a privilege to witness their accomplishments. A priceless memory that we hope the students will remember for years to come.  

Finally, a very big thank you to all the PE staff who supported our students on the day and a special mention to  Mr Cameron Tremayne, Head of Health and PE, who has meticulously led the team through training since the middle of Term 1. He has a great wealth of experience behind him and has covered all bases in the lead up. Thank you to alumni Will Everett, who came back to support Mr Tremayne in the sessions. 

The shields brought home at the end of the day included:

• Overall Aggregate 
• Aggregate Girls
• U19 Girls
• U16 Girls
• U13 Boys 

Students who finished in the Top 25: 

SSWA Cross-Country 

Good luck to students from the SSWA Cross-Country team who are attending the second round of trials to make the State School team that will compete in the All Schools Nationals later in the year. Attached are the wonderful photos captured of the day by JTC Alumni Caelan Morris. It is so wonderful to look back on all the photos and see the determination and fight in all of our students as they represent JTC in the iconic gold singlet. 

Senior NAS 

Senior NAS Trainings will continue in the lead up to the carnival on 25 June. 

Please keep eye on the notices and emails for training days and times for next week.

Year 8 Winter NAS 

All Year 8 NAS teams and Lightning Carnival teams have now been posted in the College notices. Well done to all the students who have trialled and brought great enthusiasm to Year 8 NAS. The training schedule is attached below. All students in a NAS Team must attend both training sessions in the lead up to the carnival on Wednesday 18 June. If students are unable to attend, they must email their team teacher via email. Students who are listed in the Lightning Carnival teams can train if they wish on the listed training afternoons. 

NAS Training Schedule 

Carnival Information 

Ross Meadows Hockey

Years 7 to 9 Hockey training will continue for the next two weeks on Thursday 12 and Tuesday 17 June from 7:00am to 8.00am. The team lists can be found on the College notices.  

If there are any queries, please email Miss Marquardt, Miss Gattuso or Miss Pillera.

Jessica Pillera

Head of Sport