From the Principal

End Of Term Celebrations

In the last few weeks of the semester very important year level Retreats have been scheduled. The talents of our students have been showcased with Drama Nights, a Music Eisteddfod, Head of the River Rowing, Primary Lightning Carnival and other sporting events. In addition, we have conducted an important Year 10 Day of Competence and Parent Night as students prepare for the next phase of their schooling.

Our Calendar attempts to schedule events at appropriate times so that our students and teachers can balance priorities and commitments. However, such a busy calendar does place pressure on our community and I am very grateful for the enthusiastic and spirited cooperation of our students, staff and families.

Next week is also NAIDOC week. Given it is scheduled for the school holiday period we have conducted commemoration celebrations this week. A smoking ceremony was led by aboriginal elders and a special assembly was conducted to mark the importance, richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We also farewell staff members leaving the College at the end of this semester. We thank them for their contribution to John XXIII College and wish them well for the future:

Dr Annette Pedersen (Corpus Christi)

Mrs Maddy Guggisberg (Mater Dei)

Mrs Caroline Cibesku (Parental leave),

We also acknowledge Ms Debra Needham, Ms Anita Skelton, Mrs Monica Smokrovic and Mrs Sanja Hogarth as their contractual periods conclude.

Visit By Fr Chris Gleeson SJ 

At the beginning of Semester Two Fr Chris Gleeson SJ will be working with staff as part of our Professional Learning Program. Fr Chris is an outstanding Jesuit educator and excellent presenter. I often refer to his writings when I am looking for ideas, guidance and inspiration. Whilst in Perth Fr Chris will also give a presentation to parents and the wider community. Please refer to the link for details – I highly recommend parent attendance

Federal Funding 

Following the announcement of the Federal education funding reform policy last week, the Executive Director of Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) has written to provide assurance to schools with respect to future funding.

CEWA’s current federal funding arrangements will remain in place for 2018.  The next 12 months will also provide CEWA as a system with the time to consider how the additional funding provided by the Federal Government will be distributed across the system, meeting the needs of our students.

Please refer to the following link for specific details…

Autumn Mornings Video

If you haven’t already noticed, we have recently posted a new video on the John XXIII Facebook page.  The Autumn Mornings video is another lovely way to celebrate our 40th Anniversary and to reflect, with some nostalgia, upon the memories that have been created here.  We also look forward to a bright future upon this wonderful campus that we share. Please watch, enjoy, like and share.

Together, let us seek justice.

Yours sincerely

Robert Henderson

Principal