Around The Primary

Dear Families 

The LifeLink Appeal supports several Catholic agencies across Western Australia that provide vital services to people in need. These include support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, financial hardship, mental health challenges, and crisis situations. 

As a Catholic school, supporting initiatives like LifeLink is an important way we live out our faith in action. It reminds us of our call to serve others, particularly those most in need, and helps our students develop a strong sense of social responsibility and empathy.

Next Friday, 3 July, we will be celebrating our annual Comfy Day. Students are invited to come to school dressed in their pyjamas or warm, cosy clothing. This special day encourages our students to reflect on how fortunate we are to enjoy comforts that many people go without every day.

We kindly ask each student to bring a monetary donation for LifeLink or a food item such as canned soup, Milo, tea, or coffee to help bring warmth to those in need.

Thank you in advance for your generous support.

A special mention to our Years 3 and 4 families for supporting ‘Muffin Monday’ this week. Many delicious muffins arrived at school on Monday ready to be delivered to the LifeLink agency, 'Shopfront’.  Thank you for playing an essential role in instilling in the children the importance of helping others through these acts of kindness and service.

Student reports will be released next Friday. These reports provide an overview of your child’s progress in relation to the achievement standards covered during Semester One. The report offers an opportunity to have a family conversation to celebrate your child’s successes, to encourage them to keep working hard on those aspects of their learning that are challenging and to identify areas of focus as we move into Semester Two.

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. 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. 

Religion in Action

On Thursday, our Year 3 students were fortunate to welcome a special visitor, Daniel Lynch, Sophia’s dad, who shared his knowledge about Archbishop Timothy Costelloe. Students learned about the important role of the Archbishop within the Catholic Church and some of his special responsibilities.  A highlight of the visit was seeing the Archbishop’s Mitre up close and having the opportunity to try it on themselves. 

Emily Ferrier, Stephanie Micale and Suzie Thomas

Primary Sport

SSWA Soccer

Many Years 4 to 6 students have taken part in the soccer trials over the last two weeks.  Whilst the SSWA competition is a highly competitive competition and our teams will be selected on merit, the focus at the trials has been on teamwork and positivity.  

It has been so pleasing to see all the players being supportive and encouraging each other.  This is what team sports is all about and with this approach our teams will do very well.  Teams are being finalised and will be published early next week. 

Term 3 extra-curricular sports

Athletics

Beginning in Week 4 (11 August) students from Years 3 to 6 will have the opportunity to practice track and field events in preparation for the Interhouse Athletics Carnival on Thursday 10 September and Friday 11 September.  Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30pm to 4:30pm - meeting outside the gymnasium.  

Fun Fitness Foundations

Dave from FFF returns with his fun and engaging program to keep our students moving.  Commencing in Week 2 (Wednesday 29 July) from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.  Sign up details to come.

Soccer

Commencing in Week 2 (Tuesday 28 July), soccer with J and J commences! Sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 3:30pm to 4:20pm on the Junior Primary oval. Please see the below flyer for further details.  

Basketball

Redhage Basketball is back from Week 2 (Thursday 30 July) on Thursdays from 3:30pm to 4:20pm in the St Louis Sport Centre. Registrations can be made via Redhage Basketball - Shawn Redhage Perth Wildcats NBL. 

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

Music Eisteddfod

Entries into the annual John XXIII College Music Eisteddfod are now open and will be held on Sunday 9 August and Monday 10 August. Entries for students learning through the College are managed by tutors, though all students taking weekly lessons are welcome to participate – entry forms are available through SEQTA Documents under the Primary Music category or the Music Office. Students requiring piano accompaniment, which is provided by the College, are asked to submit copies of their music at the time of entry.  Entries close on Friday 3 July.

Instrumental and Vocal Lessons – Semester 2 Enrolments

Applications for weekly instrument and vocal lessons through the College Music Program are currently open and, can be accessed via the following link: Music Lesson Enrolment.

Please note that applications to withdraw for Semester 2 have now closed.

Save the Date

Primary Ensembles (String Orchestra, Mini Minors, Years 5 and 6 Bands) will be performing at the Primary assembly on Friday 31 July at 9:00am in Roncalli Hall. All are welcome to attend this special performance.

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

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.   

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.

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.

Uniform Shop Update: Online Purchases Launching Term 3

We are pleased to announce that, from Term 3, John XXIII College will be launching an online Uniform Shop as an addition to our on-campus store.

This online store is designed to offer a more streamlined and user-friendly experience, making it easier than ever to manage your orders from the convenience of your phone or computer, while still providing the option to visit us in-store.

To support this transition, the Uniform Shop is now closed to allow for a full stock take and staff training in preparation for the launch of the new online store and point-of-sale system. The shop will reopen on Wednesday, 22 July.

Keep an eye on your inbox for further information, including how to access your account and start using the new system, which will be shared prior to the start of Term 3.

We look forward to this exciting new initiative and to continuing to serve our community both online and in-store.

Inspire Parent Education: Supporting emotional regulation at home

Thursday, 30 July 2026

The Inspire Parent Education arm of the Parents’ Association warmly invites all John XXIII College parents to an engaging session on emotional regulation. Join our Primary and Secondary wellbeing teams as they share insights into children’s and teens’ emotional development, and offer practical strategies to help you support your child’s emotional regulation at home.

What we’ll explore:

• recognising children’s emotions and how they present across different stages of development
• why co-regulation matters and how it helps children learn to manage their emotions
• the steps of emotion coaching
• core strategies for de-escalation
• using the RULER approach to support emotional regulation for children, adolescents and parents.
• changes in the adolescent brain and behaviour
• managing adolescent emotions and knowing when to step in

This session is designed to empower you with knowledge and tools to nurture your child’s wellbeing, strengthen family connections and foster resilience.

All John XXIII College parents and carers are welcome. Register here.