Around The Primary

Dear Families 

Our Year 6 students recently returned from an unforgettable camp to Canberra, with 73 enthusiastic students and 12 dedicated staff members taking part in this rich and rewarding experience.

Throughout the camp, students explored many of Australia’s most significant national places. Highlights included visits to Parliament House, where they deepened their understanding of Australia’s democratic system, and the Australian War Memorial, where they reflected thoughtfully on the service and sacrifice of those who have contributed to our nation. Students also visited Government House, gaining valuable insight into the role of the Governor-General.

Additional highlights included engaging visits to the Deep Space Communication Complex, Questacon, and the Dinosaur Museum, where students experienced hands-on, interactive learning that sparked curiosity and excitement. These experiences brought classroom learning to life in meaningful and memorable ways.

Students also enjoyed Canberra’s outdoor environment, with a memorable bike ride around Lake Burley Griffin. This opportunity encouraged teamwork, resilience, and a sense of adventure while taking in the city’s iconic surroundings.

In addition to the educational program, a range of informal activities added fun and balance to the camp. Bowling, orienteering, and laser tag were clear favourites, providing opportunities for students to relax, build friendships, and work collaboratively in new and engaging ways. These shared experiences created lasting memories and strengthened connections across the cohort.

The camp provided an important opportunity for students to grow in independence and responsibility. From managing their belongings to navigating a busy itinerary and supporting one another, our Year 6 students demonstrated maturity, resilience, and a positive attitude throughout the experience.

We are incredibly proud of how our students represented the College. Their respectful behaviour, enthusiasm, and willingness to embrace every opportunity were a credit to themselves and their families. We are also grateful for the many messages of thanks received from parents, acknowledging the value of this experience and the care provided throughout the camp.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of you for the incredible effort, exceptional care and dedication that went into the Year 6 Canberra camp. Sending a large group of students away from home is no small undertaking, and we are so grateful for the commitment showed in ensuring the children were safe, well cared for, and able to make the most of every opportunity.

When our daughter started at John XXIII in Pre-Kindy, the idea of her heading off to Canberra in Year 6 for a week without us seemed daunting, to say the least. However, thanks to the tremendous effort that went into preparing the students beforehand, she embraced the challenge with great enthusiasm and confidence. In truth, we think we were more nervous than she was!

It was such a wonderful opportunity for the students, and we are incredibly grateful that our son was able to be part of such a memorable and enriching experience. He returned home tired, full of exciting stories, a new sense of independence, knowledge, and clearly having gained a great deal from the trip.

We appreciate the time, effort, and care that went into planning the camp, as well as the dedication shown by the staff in ensuring the children were safe, supported, and well looked after throughout.

Sending children interstate is no small undertaking, and we are very thankful for the professionalism and commitment shown by everyone involved.

We want to thank the staff sincerely for the regular photo updates during the camp. It was so reassuring and enjoyable to see what the students were doing each day and to know they were happy and engaged. It meant we felt part of the trip from afar.

The amount of planning, organisation and effort that goes into taking a group of children from Perth to Canberra for a week is extraordinary, and it was clear throughout the trip how much care and thought had gone into every detail. The camp seemed to run so smoothly, while also being filled with fun, excitement and opportunities for the students to learn and grow.

We were thrilled to also receive this feedback from Paul Daly APM Superintendent, Officer in Charge, WA Police Air Wing - 

Today I was required to catch a flight to Canberra and on arrival at Perth airport, observed a large number of your students, excited, smiling and displaying excellent behaviour.  I watched them manage themselves through security and then patiently wait in their groups with their teachers/assistants as time passed for their flight.  Boarding was seamless and the only noise I heard was when the pilot announced our arrival at the terminal, and a cheer erupted as they received a special mention.  I’ve spent thirty years observing people and what a great bunch of students you are caring for and educating. Bravo to the teachers and assistants and I really do hope the excursion was a success.  You should be proud of them all - a wonderful example and an exciting opportunity for them.

The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their Civics and Citizenship education.  To assist families in meeting the cost of the excursion the Australian Government is contributing funding to our school in the amount of $510.00 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate program towards those costs.  The rebate is paid directly to the school upon completion of the excursion. 

A heartfelt thank you to Ms O’Connor, Mrs Coenen, Mr Klug, Miss Eisenmann, Miss Micale, Mrs Rowson, Mrs Taylor, Mrs Alach, Ms Joyce and Mrs Kidd, whose care, commitment, and generosity made this camp safe, enriching, and enjoyable for all. Special thanks to Mrs Purcell, Assistant Principal for coordinating this valuable experience for our Year 6 leaders. 

The Year 6 Canberra Camp will undoubtedly remain a highlight of the students’ final year of primary school, leaving them with cherished memories, strengthened friendships, and a deeper appreciation of our nation.

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

Year 5 Assembly 

Year 5 students turned the assembly stage into a storytelling space this week, sharing the highlights of their recent camp through performance, creativity and song.

Packed bags, shared meals, climbing challenges and adventure courses – each moment found its way into a lively and imaginative assembly item that had the whole community smiling.

A clever use of song snippets tied it all together beautifully. Special  thanks to Mrs Haydon, Ms Chapman, Ms Allen and Mrs Fontaine for  all their hard work in preparing the students so well.

ACROD Parking

A friendly reminder that these parking bays are only available to families that hold a valid and approved ACROD Parking Permit which must be displayed.   

Superstars

Well done to all the students who received a certificate at today’s Assembly:

Notification of Absences – Important Reminder

A reminder of the change in process for notification of absences. 

If your child is absent or has an appointment (one offs and recurring), it is essential that you notify the College using the SEQTA Engage App/Portal before 8:30am, giving the reason for the absence. 

Families are still required to sign their child on SEQTA Kiosk for late arrivals, early departures and appointments.

Please note the ‘primary absentees’ mailbox is no longer in use.

Additionally, for absences extending more than 2 days during term time, parents are also required to email Antoinette De Pinto, Head of Primary and Nancy Petsos, Administration Officer, Primary.

Dates to Remember

Please check the College Website to note all the important Primary school events for your family calendar. https://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/for-families/calendars. By subscribing to the College calendar you are automatically alerted when details of an existing event are changed. 

Primary Sport

IPSHA Cross-Country 

On Tuesday we participated in the IPSHA Interschool Cross-Country Carnival, the final event of what has been a long and successful season of running.  Our top 8 runners from Years 3 to 6 competed in an outstanding display of the strength and depth of our running squad.  Our spirit on and off the track was exceptional and in the first year that an overall champion school was awarded it was a proud moment to be announced in first place by over 100 points!   A fantastic effort by all the runners. 

Overall standings

1st John XXIII - 307 points

2nd Guildford Grammar - 195 points 

Top 10 finishes

Year 3 

Boys - Charlie Keirath 3rd; Miles Potter 5th 

Girls - Evelyn Cox 10th 

Year 4 

Boys - Harry Bahen 9th; Lucas Latorre 10th 

Girls - Primrose Creagh 1st; Willow Creighton 4th; Eva Kelly 9th 

Year 5

Boys - Zach Sibenaler 1st; Asten Miller 3rd; Michael Nicholas 4th; Lucas Biagi 10th 

Girls - Anais Bowditch 3rd; Eva Flynn 6th

Year 6

Boys - Samuel Hewer 1st; Harry Secrett 3rd; Sam Smith 4th 

Girls - Matilda Smith 3rd; Ivy Creagh 6th; Manuela Braga 9th 

WA State Gymnastics Championships

Congratulations to Elle Markov (Year 5) who recently competed in the 2026 WA State Gymnastics Championships.  Elle won Gold in Free Hand and Team, Silver in Hoop and Bronze in both Ball and All-Around!  

Elle has been selected to represent WA at the Australian Gymnastics Championship in Sydney in July.  Well done!

If you have any queries about anything sport-related, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email: steve.williams@johnxxiii.edu.au  

Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator 

Primary Music 

Ensemble Rehearsals

Primary String Breakfast Concert

String Orchestra and Mini Minors are looking forward to their first performance for the year on Tuesday 16 June at 8:00am in the Osborne Room. Students in these ensembles need to arrive at 7:45am in order to unpack and tune their instruments. There will be a tea and coffee station for adults and performing students will be provided with a juice box and muffin at the conclusion of the concert. The performance will finish at approximately 8:20am. 

Chapel Choir

Chapel Choir is open to all students in Years 1 to 12 who love singing, with a focus on liturgical music. Rehearsals commence at 7:30am in the Chapel with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. Chapel Choir then sings at Community Mass commencing at 8:00am. All are welcome to join the school community for Community Mass. The next Mass is on 12 June.

If you have any queries regarding Primary Music, please contact me via email: catherine.haydon@johnxxiii.edu.au

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Sacrament Certificates

Parents are requested to email a copy of their child’s Sacramental Certificate (Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation) to the College Enrolment team – enrolments@johnxxiii.edu.au for our College records.

Extend After School Care 

Please click on the following link to find out about After School Care offered by Extend, including hours of operation, fees and how to book - John XXIII College - Extend

The team at Extend can be contacted via email: support@extend.com.au or call 1300 366 437.