Around The Primary

Dear Parents

Our Pre-Primary to Year 3 students have enjoyed their swimming lessons this week.   They have been developing their water confidence, swimming skills and stamina and are now ready for a summer full of water fun!

We are very excited about today’s Christmas Concert scheduled for this afternoon. This inaugural concert will feature showcase items and community carols to sing along together. It will include instrumental and vocal ensembles from Years 2 to 12, including Primary Singers, Wanju Voices, Treble Choir, Senior Voices, Mini Minors, String Orchestra, Year 5 Band and Chamber Orchestra.  Everyone is welcome to come along. The Christmas Concert will begin at 5.00pm in the Library Courtyard.

A timely reminder about the importance of ongoing vigilance towards Covid-19 as we are seeing some positive cases creep back into the community. If your child is unwell and is experiencing any flu-like symptoms, please do a RAT and keep them at home until they are well enough to come to school.

This weekend is the First Sunday of Advent and so we begin our period of anticipation and preparation for Christmas.

Kind regards,

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary 

Staff News

Mrs Chloe Williams will commence Parental Leave next year. We wish Chloe and her husband every blessing as they wait for their new arrival in January. 

We also say good-bye to Mrs Liz Gardner, our dedicated teacher and delightful colleague. We thank Mrs Gardner for all her hard work, commitment, and wonderful contributions in the Primary school for 16 years. We wish Liz every happiness in her retirement.

Christmas Newsflash

On Thursday 8 December, the students can come to school dressed in Christmas colours or wear a Christmas t-shirt, hat etc… If preferred, students can come in their House shirt and sports shorts.  (No coloured hair spray or face paint please).

Semester Two Reports 

Semester Two Reports for Pre-Primary to Year 6 students will be available through the College’s online communication platform ‘SEQTA ENGAGE’ from 3:30pm on Thursday 8 December.

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 and subscribe to the Primary Calendar.

Scitech

Last Friday, the Year One students experienced their very first school excursion to Scitech to discover more about the seasons and sound.

They visited the Planetarium and learnt about different constellations and how the seasons are different around the world. 

Whilst at Scitech, students had the opportunity to try different experiments including spinning on chairs and playing with magnets.  Then learnt about how astronauts live and train and discovered what they eat and how they travel – some students even tried on an astronaut uniform! 

The final activity was a watching a puppet show all about sound.

Special thanks to all the parent volunteers for their assistance on the day.  It was a fantastic experience!

Lauren Pillera & Sonia Thomas

Year 1 Teachers

Sports Update

On Thursday, a large group of Year 6 students took part in the IPSHA Cricket Carnival at Melvista Park.  The format was ‘pairs kwik cricket’ in which every player gets to bat, bowl and field. We had some students who play a lot of weekend cricket at a high level and some who are just beginning to learn the game and it was great to see everyone so enthusiastic and enjoying being active.  

If you have any queries about anything sport related, please contact me via email steve.williams@cewa.edu.au 

Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

Primary Music

Christmas Carols Concert

The combined primary and secondary Christmas Carols Concert is being held tonight at 5pm in the Library Courtyard. Primary students must arrive by 4:30pm in full College uniform and may wear a suitable Christmas themed accessory (e.g., Christmas hat). Everyone is welcome to attend the Christmas Concert. We look forward to sharing the talents of our students and the spirit of Christmas with the College community. 

Primary Instrumental Recitals

There has been great excitement among the primary students as they prepare for their performances next Tuesday, 29 November. The recitals will take place in the Osborne Room. Please note the arrival and session times below.

Family members are welcome to attend these recitals. Please wear your parent badge.  We look forward to celebrating the dedication and talents of the primary students at these special performances.

Presentation Night

Wanju Voices will be performing at Presentation Night next Thursday, 1 December with Secondary students as part of the combined choir. We look forward to this special opportunity for Secondary and Primary performers to join together in song.

Music Programs

Year 3 Strings Program – End of Year Information

Families of students in the Year 3 Strings Program are asked to refer to the communication sent regarding continuation of lessons in 2023. 

2023 Year 3 Strings Program

Year 2 families have been emailed with information regarding the 2023 Strings Program. Enrolment forms are due by Friday 2 December. 

2023 Year 5 Band Program

Year 4 families have been emailed with information regarding the 2023 Band Program. Enrolment forms are due by Friday 2 December. 

2023 Enrolments/Withdrawals

Enrolment in Music Lessons – 2023

Applications are invited for individual music lessons on instruments and voice for 2023. Please click here to apply. Please note that current enrolments automatically roll over into 2023.

Discontinuation of Lessons - 2023

For students who will not be continuing individual music lessons in 2023, please click here and complete the online form before the closure of the Music Office on Thursday 8 December at 4pm. Enrolments in lessons will automatically roll over into 2023, unless a withdrawal notice is received.

Please contact Georgia Bouhlas, Music Secretary on 9383 0440 or email music.secretry@johnxxiii.edu.au with any queries relating to Music Programs and Enrolments/Withdrawals of Music Lessons. 

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Bricks 4 Kidz

We are delighted to announce that Bricks 4 Kidz will be offering the after-school classes in Term 1, 2023.  Lessons will take place on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30pm to 4:50pm for 8 weeks commencing in Week 2 and concluding in Week 9.  Please refer to the attached flyer for further information. 

Please note that there will be a Junior Robotics session for Years 2 & 3 and an Advanced Robotics session for Years 4 to 6.  Year 1 students will be offered the opportunity to participate in Term 2. 

Please note Year 3-6 Swimming Training will also take place on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30pm to 4:30pm during Term 1, 2023.