Around The Primary

Dear Parents

It has been a great week with much to celebrate and be proud of!

The Year 4 students have been busy rehearsing for the Primary Musical; The Tale of Despereaux. Based on the book by Kate DiCamillo and adapted into a musical script by our Primary Drama Specialist Ms Cattapan.  The show tells the tale of a mouse called Despereaux Tilling who goes on a quest to save a human princess from a rat-filled dungeon. Today’s dress rehearsal to Grandparents was a huge success. The Matinee performance to the Primary school students and the evening show for families takes place on Monday 15 August. 

Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 students who represented our College at the SSWA (School Sports WA) Cross Country Carnival today. Our team travelled to UWA Sports Park and Mr Williams and Mrs Taylor we were so impressed with their efforts. This was another opportunity for our students to shine on the sporting field.

Our Music Eisteddfod is a wonderful experience for our primary musicians. It was great to see so many students from various year levels participating in this event. It was such a valuable experience for our students to perform in front of an audience, to enjoy the performances of other students and to receive feedback from an adjudicator. Special thanks to all involved, especially Mrs Haydon, Mr Kros and all the music tutors. 

From Tuesday 23 August we will engage the students in the excitement of Book Week and remind them about how important and inspiring books can be in our lives. The theme of this year's Book Week throughout Australia is ‘Dreaming with eyes open …..’ We welcome everyone to visit our new Library to view the latest in children's literature.  

We hope many families will come along to the Book Week Parade on Friday 26 August.  Please refer to attached communication.

0n Friday 2 September we are celebrating a Mass to thank God for the gift of our fathers and father-figures. This Mass will begin at 7.30am in the St Louis Sports Centre. It is hoped all dads will be able to come along to celebrate Mass with their children. This year all Mums are invited to join us too.  Please book tickets for adults attending (not students) here: https://www.trybooking.com/937739

It is that time of the year winter colds and flus that spread easily and filter through the school community. It is important to keep your child at home when they are unwell to ensure that they recuperate and get over their illness before returning to school.  We thank you for your cooperation.

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 http://www.johnxxiii.edu.au/view/for-parents/calendars and subscribe to the Primary Calendar.

Chess Mania

After two introductory lunchtime sessions on the basics of playing Chess, the Primary school has begun their first tournament on Wednesday at lunchtime in the Library. There are three divisions: Junior (Years 2 &3), Intermediate (Year 4) and Senior (Years 5 & 6). 

The Library was a hive of activity as more than 20 games of chess were underway. The students were very excited and enjoyed their experience. Two Year 10 students, Max Watt and Tom Hudson, were on hand to help the students with their queries and provide helpful tips on gameplay. 

Special thanks goes out to Miss De Pinto for her outstanding ability to organise the students and chess boards!

Damien Connellan

Secondary Teacher – Science

Journey through Japan   

This week in Pre-Primary, students made onigiri (rice balls) in class.  The students got to take the origiri home to enjoy for afternoon tea!

The Year 3 students have been learning hiragana- Japanese writing. Students chose a word to write in hiragana and design a poster!

Primary Music

Choir Rehearsals

Due to the Year 4 Musical and Community Mass for the Feast of the Assumption this Monday, the rehearsal date for Wanju Voices has been changed. Please note the information below:

With upcoming performances, it is essential that students are punctual and attend all rehearsals.

Catholic Performing Arts Festival

Congratulations to the students who represented John XXIII College in the Catholic Performing Arts Festival this week. Best wishes to all students performing in upcoming sessions. Information regarding the Primary Choirs’ Performance has been emailed to parents. 

Music Eisteddfod

Congratulations to all students who performed in the Music Eisteddfod last Sunday and Monday. The adjudicators commended all the Primary students on their high standard of preparation, and the confidence and skill they demonstrated. A special thank you to the staff in the Music Department for their work in organising and running the event, and to the instrumental tutors for preparing the students so well. Special thanks also to the parents and other visitors who supported the students in the audience.

Please refer to the Music page of the Newsletter for the list of ‘Special Mentions’ and ‘Outstanding Performers’ for each session.

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

Mrs Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Sports Update

John XXIII Day

It was fantastic to see our Year 3 & 4 students taking part in our first Interhouse Soccer Tournament.  The ovals were full of House colours and the sportsmanship on display was exemplary.  A big thank you to coach Adi and his team from J and J soccer for helping out with the games.

Athletics 

Athletics season is now in full swing.  Training takes place every Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30pm to 4:30pm on the Secondary oval.  In the event of wet weather, training will take place in the gymnasium, and we will practice the events we can do safely indoors. 

We will have some WAIS athletes coming along to help us with our skills next week!  Please bring a snack and  sneakers (if students are in school shoes).

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

Mr Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

Sacramental Certificates

Parents are requested to email a copy of their child’s Sacramental Certificate (Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation) to Mrs Petsos in Main Administration nancy.petsos@cewa.edu.au for our College records.

Updating Medical and Contact information

Medical Information 

Please inform the College Nurse if there are any changes to your child’s medical information via email: jenny.hill@cewa.edu.au 

Contact Information

Please inform Primary Administration if there are any changes to your contact/emergency information via email: nancy.petsos@cewa.edu.au 

COVID Reporting

It is important that the College continues to be notified of student positive COVID cases.  Please inform us via this LINK. The information will go directly to the College. If there are any queries related to this process, please email compliance@johnxxiii.edu.au