Around The Primary

Dear God,

We thank you for our wonderful grandparents.

They bring such joy and happiness into our lives.

Thank you for all the special times that we have with them.

Please watch over them, protect them and care for them.

May they know your goodness and love always.

Amen.

Dear Families, 

Our Grandparents' Picnic was a great success. We hosted over 500 grandparents, great-grandparents and family friends.  Our students were so excited to welcome their special guests to school for this annual event.  

Delicious picnic food and pretty blankets were on display amongst the chatter and laughter coming from all corners of the library courtyard and surrounding areas. It was delightful to see the children having fun with their loved ones.

The visitors enjoyed the entertainment involving our young musicians, Primary Singers and Wanju Voices. Thank you to all the music tutors and support staff who made this possible.

We recognise the valuable role grandparents play in our students’ lives, and it was lovely to see generations unite and enjoy their time together. This special event acknowledges the hard work, commitment, faith and love that grandparents sow into the lives of their grandchildren, often bringing and collecting from school, helping with homework, and attending special events.

The students were very proud to have their guests at school. The big smiles from students and their special visitors are proof of this strong connection.

The positive feedback from parents and grandparents has been gratefully received.

My parents couldn’t stop praising the day - from collecting their excited grandchildren from the classrooms to enjoying the beautiful bands and the lovely picnic atmosphere.

 

Thank you for creating such a special opportunity for the grandparents to be involved with the school - it made for many wonderful memories for everyone.

 

Special thanks to the students and staff for their hard work to make the day a success. We love Grandparents’ Day!

Thank you to all the Grandparents who joined us this year and to everyone involved for helping to make Grandparents Day a memorable one!

Kind regards,

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary 

Dates to Remember

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

Visual Art Exhibition

The College’s Visual Art Exhibition runs from Monday 20 October to Friday 24 October from 9:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday 25 October from 11:00am to 2:00pm.  Opening Night is Monday 20 October at 5:30pm.  The Exhibition features artwork from the Secondary and Primary students. 

Students participating in specialist Visual Art lessons from Years 3 to 6 will have a piece of artwork exhibited and a small selection from the Early Years will also be displayed. It is a great opportunity for families and the community to view artwork across all years and for students to showcase their artwork.

Everyone is invited to come and celebrate the students’ design and creativity with both 2D and 3D work from a range of forms being exhibited. 

I look forward to seeing many of you throughout the week.

Fiona Blaauw

Primary Visual Art Specialist Teacher

Volunteer Thank you Evening

As we near the end of the school year, we want to acknowledge the many ways you have supported John XXIII College. Your time, energy, generosity, and commitment have made a lasting difference in our College community. 

To our parents, alumni, and friends who have so generously given of their time and resources, we extend our sincere thanks. Whether you have volunteered at carnivals, assisted at special events, served on committees, supported our music and drama productions, helped at sporting events, or contributed via the Foundation, your support has been truly invaluable.

 We warmly invite you to join us for an evening of fellowship, gratitude, and refreshments as we come together to celebrate your contribution to the life of our College: 

•             Date: Thursday, 6 November 2025

•             Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

•             Venue: John XXIII College, 1st Floor Main Administration

•             RSVP by: Thursday, 30 October

•             RSVP Link: www.trybooking.com/1468077  

Volunteering is an essential part of our College community and reflects our shared values of service to others. If you know others who have also volunteered in any capacity, please feel free to pass along this invitation, every contribution is valued and worth celebrating.

 We look forward to sharing this special evening with you.

Wellbeing Weekly

Welcome back!

Want to build healthy family habits and further support your child’s academic performance? Jump into a FREE healthy lifestyle program today! 

The Active8 & Better Health Programs offer fun & interactive support from a health professional that is specific to your family’s needs! NO fuss, NO cost, & NO waitlists!

• Up to 8-10 x 30-minute coaching calls and FUN e-learning resources in online or group-based settings! 
• Learn about quality nutrition, balancing screen time & staying active. 
• For kids 2-5 (Active8) & 6-12 (Better Health Program) & their families. 
• Online program available year-round! Group programs available during school terms in select metro locations. 

The Better Health Program group dates and locations: https://betterhealthprogram.org/program-location-list/  

The Active8 Program group dates and locations:

 https://theactive8.org/program-location-list/ 

For more information on the programs, visit the following links: 

https://betterhealthprogram.org/ or call 1300 822 953 

https://theactive8.org/ or call 1300 822 953 

Still unsure? 

Hear how a BHP family “set in really good habits” to enhance their “healthy lifestyle”. "He now values the importance of keeping himself healthy" | Better Health Program

If you have any queries, please contact me via email: natalie.alach@johnxiii.edu.au 

Natalie Alach

Primary Counsellor 

Sports Update

Our Kindy to Year 2 students are busy preparing for the Junior Primary Athletics Carnival on Thursday 30 October.  It is always a fun day, and we look forward to seeing many family and friends there to support our young athletes.  Event information and schedule will be sent out soon. 

Term 4 Extra Curricular Sports 

There are still spaces in some of the Extra Curricular sports.  See booking information below:

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 

Music 

Rehearsal Times

Please see below for rehearsal times for Week 2 of Term 4:

Save The Date

Please note the following music performance dates for this term:

Communications regarding these performances will be issued closer to the dates of the events.

Primary Instrumental Recitals – Monday 1 December

The Primary Instrumental Recitals are an exciting opportunity for students to show off their hard work from throughout the year. This performance opportunity is open to students who learn an instrument at school or privately. Entry forms will be available via an online link in the Newsletter next week and further information will be communicated at this time also.

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Sacramental Certificates

Parents are requested to email a copy of their child’s Sacramental Certificate (Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation) to Mrs Petsos in Primary Administration, nancy.petsos@johnxxiii.edu.au, for our College records.