Secondary

The Lester Prize Youth Awards

We are delighted to announce that three of our students have been selected as Finalists (from a record breaking 200 entries) for the Lester Prize Youth Awards.

The Lester Prize Youth Awards encourages the creative talents of young, aspiring and emerging artists. It is open to all High School students across Australia from school years 7 to 12.

The Youth Award allows entrants to showcase their works and present their unique artistic perspectives; helps build their confidence to further their art practice; and allows them to share their stories with the wider community.

Congratulations to the following students:

• Bailey Arundell – Year 11 – Generation Z – Prisma colour pencils on card
• Violet Seah – Year 10 – Isolated – Oil on canvas
• Jasmine Slatter – Year 9 – Nonno Joe – Charcoal on card

The Youth Exhibition will be on display at Brookfield Place Tower 2, 123-125 St Georges Terrace, Perth from 2 November – 27 November. Alternatively, the artworks may be viewed online at https://www.lesterprize.com/index.php/gallery/youth-prize/.

Louise Hoy

Visual Arts Coordinator 

Wellbeing Forum

An invitation was made to our students to attend a Student Wellbeing Forum organised by Christ Church Grammar School.

On Sunday 16 August a group of our Year 11s attended and came away feeling empowered as student leaders in the space of student wellbeing and mental health and are keen to share their thoughts and dialogue. They also felt that they made connections with other student leaders. We look forward to working with the students to further develop this area.

Here is what they had to say:

I found the Wellbeing leadership day at Christ Church Grammar School to be a wonderful opportunity to hear about the initiatives of other schools on the topic of student wellbeing and mental health. It was a truly eye-opening experience and I met many passionate people who have widened my personal understanding on the subject, and it has generated some ideas and initiatives that I would like to see happen at the college over the next year and half and beyond.  

Grace Barbour

The wellbeing forum at Christchurch was informative, inspirational, and provided great insight on how John XXIII can move forward as a community in regards to student wellbeing and mental-health. It has left myself and my fellow student leaders very excited to implement new initiatives in the college in an effort to create a comfortable, productive, and happy environment for students. Tomas Clifford

Our day spent as a leadership team at the mental health forum was extremely beneficial in laying the foundations that will create the changes that need to be made within our college community to ensure the mental health and wellbeing of the student body. We heard from numerous Christ Church alumni and listened to an inspiring talk by young Australian of the year 2013, Akram Azimi, who shared his personal journey with mental health in the face of extreme adversity. By forming connections with student leaders from local schools we were informed as to the detrimental effects that poor mental health can have on individuals and became equipped with the tools necessary to combat this issue at John XXIII College. This forum allowed us to network and begin meaningful conversations while informing our personal leadership style. 

 Caitlin Green

At the student well being conference held at Christ Church, 2013 Australian of the year Akram Azimi inspired us with his life story. Akram shared the challenges he faced as a young refugee coming to Australia, speaking no english and a victim of bullying and how these adversities helped to form him into an inspirational student who eventually became head boy of his school. He showed us how a sense of belonging does not come from a physical place like a school, more so from the people and community who bond together to create that school. Following this we were equipped with various tools on how to develop a successful student wellbeing committee. The day was very encouraging and we were able to take away many insightful action points to help others in our school community to strive for good student welfare and mental health. 

Madison Gunasekera

Rita de Faria, Assistant Deputy Principal Year 11

Year 11 Geography Excursion

On Wednesday 19 August Year 11 Geography students set off to the Swan Valley for their Unit 2 fieldwork. Fieldwork is an important component of the ATAR course and a valuable learning tool, allowing students to consolidate concepts taught in class and observe real-life examples.  The purpose of the fieldwork was to complement students’ study of the production and consumption of an Australian good (wine). Students were taken on a guided educational tour of Upper Reach Winery and completed a range of exercises related to their practical mapping skills including landscape sketching and land use change over time. 

A special thank you to Mrs Beech for joining the Geography class for the day and speaking to the group about the environmental impacts of intensive agricultural activities on the Swan River. The fieldwork has provided students with a wealth of examples to be used in their geographical studies (and it came with the added bonus of enjoying some chocolate tastings from the Margaret River Chocolate Company along the way)! 

Kalo Bell 

Year 11 Geography Teacher

Year 9 Retreat and Social

Last week the Year 9 cohort had an eventful week starting off with the Retreat. Facilitated by the Youth Mission Team, the theme for the Retreat was ‘Self-Image’, giving students an opportunity to appreciate the gift of their own uniqueness. At a time in their life where they may feel pressured to change their attitudes and behaviours to gain the acceptance of others, the day focused on recognising the positive impact they can have on those around them. Empowering their own self-identity by recognising the profound dignity and value they have, as being created in God’s image and being loved by Him unconditionally.     

‘This year’s retreat was fun and interactive, It was a great way to reflect on ourselves in a deeper way. The youth mission team were enthusiastic and got everyone to participate, making the whole day entertaining whilst still getting the message of the activities and role play to the students.’ Jasmine Slatter (Year 9 Loyola Student Leader)

We then finished the week with the Year 9 Social. A different format from previous years,  Humphries Dance Studio directed the students in a variety of dances during the evening. The outcome was maximum participation from the students as they learnt a few new moves and had a memorable night with their peers. 

‘The social was so much fun and it was a great opportunity to step out of your comfort zone.’ Georgie Bantock (Year 9 Campion Student Leader) 

James McLaughlin

Assistant Deputy Principal - Year 9 

Science Week

During Science Week we hosted a Kahoot (online quiz). Students had to answer 50 questions from all disciplines of science including biology, chemistry and physics.

Congratulations to Stephi Imhoff for winning the Years 7-9 Kahoot, second place was awarded to Sanna Twite and Matthew Gardner coming in third place. First place winner received a telescope.

Congratulations to James Langton for winning first place in the Years 10-12 Kahoot. James took home a Sea Monkey Castle.

Damien Connellan

Science Teacher

Champions League Soccer and Netball

On Wednesday 19 August our Champions League Soccer and Netball teams competed in a one day carnival against a pool of other catholic schools. Our netball girls played at the Gold Netball Centre and our soccer boys had the home advantage, as John XXIII College was the host school for one of the pools. It was incredible to see our senior students back out on the court and field playing together given the uncertainty of sport this year. Both teams played extremely well and just missed out on progressing onto the next round of competition. 

NAS Athletics Team (Year 7-10)

On Tuesday 25 August, the top five performing students in each athletics event from Years 7-10 will attend the ACC NAS Athletics Carnival. This day will give students the opportunity to help secure their position in the 2020 ACC team. The students selected have been posted in the notices.

It has been pleasing to see so many students attending our athletics training sessions. This training is vital for our goal in making history and maintaining our position in the ACC A Division Carnival. All students are welcome to attend training and will receive breakfast vouchers at the end of each session they attend.

Athletics Training Schedule

Winter NAS

This week all of our teams competed against Newman College in Round 2 of this Terms NAS Competition. Our teams were tested with trying conditions however all represented John XXIII College proudly. Next week, our teams will take on Servite College, we wish them all the best of luck. 

Please see the fixtures below:

YEAR 8 & 9 NAS TERM 3 2020 

TUESDAYS

Year 7&10 NAS TERM 3 2020 

WEDNESDAY

Sara Kononen

Head of Sport

Book Drive

We are pleased to advise of a book drive project between our school, Dalkeith Rotary Club and a PNG based education foundation called Buk Bilong Pikinini.

Buk bilong Pikinini roughly translates as “Books for Children”.

Buk bilong Pikinini was established in 2007 with a mission to try to help increase literacy rates in Papua New Guinea by setting up children's libraries in community based localities.

Buk bilong Pikinini seeks to provide learning opportunities for the most vulnerable children in society who miss out on formal education, and also support those who are fortunate enough to go to school but who lack the most essential tools for literacy; books. 

If you have good quality unwanted children’s books to donate, then please place them in the collection boxes in the main Administration building or Student Services.

We look forward to supporting this great community collaboration.

Ward House Fundraising – Entertainment Books

Are you ready to get out and about to enjoy the best things in life? Buy an Entertainment Membership to support our fundraising and your next adventure could be around the corner. Find out more: https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/830q59