Secondary

Dear Families 

Participating in sport and physical activity contributes to the holistic development of children and adolescents. Sport participation in the school environment in terms of physical fitness, health benefits, cognitive development, personal wellbeing and social integration are extensively reported. As a curriculum offering, Physical Education nurtures collaboration, critical thinking and decision-making skills. In addition, school-based co-curricular sporting activities provides social networks for young people, supports physical health, provides leadership opportunities, and nurtures individuals’ sporting potential.  

Research is overwhelming that sport and exercise improves physical and mental health by reducing stress hormones and increasing feel good chemicals in the brain, yet evidence suggests that 80% of adolescents are not active enough and that sporting participation rates have plateaued in recent years, with a significant decline in sporting participation amongst young people over 15 years. With less participation in external sporting activities, schools play a significant role in the promotion of sport and physical activity amongst young people to support their health and wellbeing.  

Sport and physical activity are an integral part of College life. Whilst we encourage and recognise sporting ability, we also ensure that all students are given a chance to challenge themselves and participate in physical activity. The table below provides an overview of the various school based and co-curricular sporting and physical activity opportunities available to students. 

To provide a better understanding of the breadth and depth of sporting opportunities available to Secondary students in 2024, please see the summary below:  

Update to 2024 Northern Associated Schools (NAS) competition  

Northern Associated Schools has always been the elite sporting network in the Associated and Catholic Colleges Sporting Association (ACC). Represented by Sacred Heart, Newman, Chisholm, Servite and John XXIII colleges, NAS sport has provided students with competitive experiences in an after-school format for summer and winter fixtures, and John XXIII College has always performed successfully in this competition.  

In recent years, due to challenges some of the competing schools have faced with fielding teams and the associated increasing number of forfeited games, the NAS interschool competition has become an unsustainable model in its current form and no longer provides schools with the level of competition originally designed and intended. The need for competitor schools to forfeit games has detracted from our student experience and impacted staff resources and participating families who juggle commitments to enable their children to be available to compete.  

Considering the challenges of the current format, NAS participating schools have decided to move to an alternative model of delivery designed to strengthen and broaden the sporting offering more generally. Commencing in 2024, NAS participating schools will move to a one-day summer and winter carnival format.  

These changes will bring the following benefits: 

• Strengthen the Elite Competition: The one-day format will reinvigorate the elite competition, offering students a chance to showcase their skills and dedication on a larger stage through dedicated Division 1 and Division 2 competitions. We are excited that this will elevate the level of elite competition for our students.  
   
• Broaden Participation Levels: This new format will encourage more students to participate, fostering a sense of unity and sportsmanship within and between school communities through a multiple division competition.  

To ensure that John XXIII College commits to a high level of representation in the revised competition format, compulsory trials and training sessions for all competing athletes will take place as preparation for each one-day carnival. This will be a new addition to the pre-competition format, providing students with a thorough training program and greater engagement in the lead up to each carnival. 

Carnival days will remain a compulsory school day for all students, and it is anticipated that, even though competing in a NAS sport will remain optional, most students in each year group will be keen to represent the College. Students who are unable to compete or choose not to compete in NAS one-day carnivals will benefit from engaging in an alternative wellbeing and physical activity program at school.  

We are excited about this new initiative that will increase the level of participation of students in team sports, as well as allow for a top-tier competition for our elite athletes.  

All the best, Year 12s! 

Our Year 12 students are nearing the end of their Secondary journey and we wish them every success for their upcoming work placements, completion of courses and ATAR examinations over the coming weeks. Whilst the end is in sight, Year 12s, remember to believe in yourself, stay motivated, take care of your wellbeing, lean on family and friends for support, visualise success and let that drive you forward to finish strongly. Congratulations to our talented Music students who wowed the audience with their final performances at Wednesday’s Year 12 Recital Night as a special way to finish their association with the Music program.  

World Scholar’s Cup 

All the best to our World Scholars’ Cup team, Ms Daisy Farley and Mr Jordan Webber who travel tomorrow to the Gold Coast to compete in the Global Round Finals. They have been preparing for this competition for months and are hopeful of securing a place in the World Championships at Yale University in November. Go JTC! 

Wishing all students and families a happy, restful and safe holiday break. We look forward to students’ return on Tuesday 10 October. A reminder that with the commencement of Term 4, students will transition into summer uniform. Wellbeing Wednesdays will continue for the remainder of the year when students will be permitted to wear sport uniform with House shirt.  

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal - Head of Secondary

Visual Arts Exhibition

Join us at the 2023 John XXIII College Visual Arts Exhibition! Discover the incredible talents of our students as they showcase their outstanding artworks, including paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and ceramic works. The exhibition runs from Monday 16 October to Friday 20 October from 9am to 4pm and on Saturday 21 October from 11am to 2pm.

Don't miss the official opening night on Monday 16 October at 6:30pm – everyone is welcome to attend. Celebrate excellence in the Creative Arts and have your say by voting for the People's Choice Award. We look forward to seeing you there!

Kiri Moore

Visual Arts Coordinator

Campion LifeLink Fundraiser

It has been a busy term for Campion students as they worked hard to fundraise for LifeLink! The money raised will be greatly appreciated by the Church organisation, LifeLink which supports running professional services and caring support for people in need across Western Australia.

On Thursday 31 August, students took part in a ‘Lap-a-Thon’ event. Campion students were encouraged to run or walk as many laps of the school oval as possible in 30 minutes, There were six challenges on the route, representing different countries, in which students could raise extra money by competing; this included football, soccer and other activities. They were sponsored by family and friends for every lap they ran or challenge they completed.

Thank you so much to all Campion families for your generous support; it is very much appreciated. We have raised almost $2000, which has been a great achievement and effort as it's helping those less fortunate. This is a huge credit to those in Campion, so well done and a massive thank you to all Campion supporters and members! 

Morgan Ball

Campion House Coordinator

Year 11 Politics and Law Excursion

Last week, Year 11 Politics and Law ATAR classes attended the Magistrate’s Court, District Court and Parliament. The excursion provided students with an insight into the operation of our legal and political systems as well as an effective way of reinforcing some of the theoretical knowledge acquired this year.

In the morning, students attended the Old Court House Law Museum in the Supreme Court Gardens. Housed in the oldest building in Perth, the museum illustrates the evolution of law in the state, and students were able to try on a barrister’s robes and sit at the judge’s bench.

Both classes then moved on to the District Court of Western Australia, where they observed different stages of criminal trials. One class saw a defence barrister delivering her closing statement to the jury and the other a judge’s sentencing. After attending another criminal case, the students then crossed the road to the Magistrate’s Court. The busy nature of the Magistrate’s Court provided an interesting contrast to the District Court. 

In the afternoon, students visited Parliament House and met with Dr David Honey, Member for Cottesloe, who spoke at length about his motivation for becoming a member of parliament and the vital role our parliament plays. Dr Honey also provided students with a memento of their visit.

Students were fortunate to join the Legislative Assembly gallery, where they observed Question Time. One class saw the opposition question the Minister of Sport and Recreation’s response to Sport Integrity Australia’s inquiry into the conduct of the WA Institute of Sport. 

It was a valuable experience for all. Many thanks to Ms Catherine Roberts and Ms Daisy Farley for accompanying classes on the excursion.

Stephen Harris

Teacher - HASS 

Year 10 guest speaker 

On Thursday 21 September, David Castelanelli presented to Year 10 students with a session titled ‘Sweet Dreams – Improving your Sleep’ – a presentation that ties in with the Term 3 theme of ‘Wellbeing and Finding Balance’. Students learnt about their own sleep cycles and the sleep calculator. Filled with practical tips, the presentation focused on improving individuals' concentration and energy levels.

Kalo Bell

Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 10 

Buon Appetito 

 Yesterday, Year 10,11 and 12 Italian students enjoyed an authentic Italian meal at ‘The Secret Italian” in Scarborough. It was a good opportunity for the students to share 'una chiacchierata' (a chat) and 'mangiare dei piatti tipici italiani' (typical Italian dishes) with their peers of the different year groups. 

The meal consisted of shared antipasti plates, three different types of pasta; gnocchi, penne and tortellini with different sauces and a range of pizzas. The meal was finished with 'gelato'. 

The meal was thoroughly enjoyed by all. We had the opportunity to practice our Italian skills with the waitstaff and the pizzaiolo who are from Italy. Thank you to Prof Polizzi and the teachers for organising an enjoyable 'serata'.

Robert Brigg, Year 12 student

Melissa Polizzi

Head of Languages 

Lights, camera, action! Media Night

Join us for an enchanting evening as we unveil the incredible talents of our students at our highly-anticipated Media Night. Expect a captivating showcase featuring diverse films, from gripping genre pieces and thought-provoking documentaries to heart-pounding action trailers and mesmerising music videos. It's a cinematic journey you won't want to miss!

Thursday 12 October, 6:15pm to 8:30pm

Gonzaga Barry Lecture Theatre

Robert Di Giallonardo

Media Teacher

SPORTS

ACC A-Division Athletics 

On Monday, our athletics team took to the track and field at HBF Stadium to compete in the ACC A-Division Athletics Carnival. All year, in all ACC Carnivals, it has been a battle between two schools, Sacred Heart and John XXIII College, and this day was no different. 

We knew the competition would be fierce, but our team, in true John XXIII style, rose to the occasion to stay on the mighty school tail all day. Unfortunately, Sacred Heart’s relay teams were the stronger ones on the day, and they managed to increase their lead from a mere 10 points to an incredible 120. What our team did manage to secure was the overall runner-up school and more shields than we have ever had before:

• Boys Aggregate Shield
• Senior Boys Shield
• Junior Boys Shield

As a College, we are beyond proud of our team and their incredible efforts displayed on the day. We especially acknowledge every Year 12 team member for their role in nurturing our athletics team and our sporting culture over the past six years.

Thank you to our dedicated coaches for all their time and efforts in preparing our team:

• Jessica Pillera – Sprints
• Campbell Tirant – Distance
• Lyn Foreman – Hurdles
• Ella Adams – High jump
• Michael Reynolds – Javelin and hurdles
• Jamie Floyd – Discus and shot put
• Darren Whittaker – Long Jump

Champions School Water Polo 

This week our Years 9/10 girls and boys competed in the Champions School Water Polo Competition. 

Our boys finished fourth overall, and our girls were undefeated all day, making them the 2023 Champions. Thank you to Chris Morris and Jodi Power for all their time and efforts in coaching; these fabulous results are a credit to our wonderful coaches and committed and talented students. Congratulations to all team members for representing John XXIII College so well in and out of the pool with skills and sportsmanship.

Year 7 Learn to Row Program registrations now open

We are thrilled to announce that registrations for the Year 7 Learn to Row Program at John XXIII College are officially open! This year, we are excited to offer 45 places in the program, and we cannot wait to see our young athletes take to the water. Click here for further information.

Sara Kononen

Head of Sport