Secondary

Parent Information Evening, Thursday 23 February

The College welcomes all Secondary families to join us at the 2023 Parent Information Evening next Thursday 23 February. Introducing a new format, the evening will start at 5:15pm with a Meet & Greet with Years 8 to 12 Homeroom Teachers. Following this, there will be a selection of information sessions and guest speakers that parents will be able to book individually based on their interests and age of their child. This event is bound to be both useful and interesting for all Secondary parents. Whilst Assistant Deputy Principals (ADPs) from Years 8 to 12 will be presenting information relevant to their year group, Year 7 parents are welcome and will find the variety of other sessions relevant.  

Please book your sessions as soon as possible at www.trybooking.com/1002358.  

Shani Andrews

Vice Principal

NAPLAN 2023

This year the National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) will be conducted from 15-20 March. There are four different tests that students in Years 7 and 9 will complete – Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. The tests reflect the content of the national Statements of Learning for English and Mathematics.

The NAPLAN Online - information brochure for parent and carers can be accessed via this link HERE. This document will also be placed on SEQTA documents for your convenience, just search for the category - NAPLAN.

All students in Years 7 and 9 are expected to participate in NAPLAN testing. These tests are considered a regular part of a school’s life, though they are only one aspect of the assessment and reporting process.

The main benefit of Online NAPLAN is that it is tailored so that the test automatically adapts to a student’s test performance. Further information can be found at nap.edu.au where a sample assessment is also available to view. Your child will receive some NAPLAN practice in the lead up to the test during their English and Mathematics classes. However, excessive preparation is not recommended. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is simply to remind them to try their best and that they are already familiar with completing assessments including previous exposure to NAPLAN in Years 3 and 5.

Your child will use their own device for the assessment, and this requires the installation of a ‘locked-down browser’. Later in the term your child will be asked to download and install the locked down browser in Homeroom, in preparation for the practice test. 

Earphones are also required for all students as there is an audio component to the tests. Please ensure that your child brings their earphones or earbuds to school during the NAPLAN testing time.

Further information, such as procedures and timetables, will be provided in due course. In the meantime, if you have any queries regarding NAPLAN Online, please feel free to contact your ADP for Year 7, Mr James McLaughlin, or your ADP for Year 9, Mr Luke Bostelman.

A report indicating your child's progress will be available later in the year.

Finally, your child should go into these assessments with a positive frame of mind knowing that they have been well prepared and be willing to give of their best.

Greg Moran

Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning

High Achievers' Breakfast

Congratulations to 120 students from Years 8-12 who were recognised for their Semester Two academic performance in 2022 by attending the High Achievers Breakfast on Thursday 16 February. The celebration included sharing a delicious breakfast with students and members of the Academic and Secondary Leadership Teams.

The Alumni keynote Speaker was Sashi Tandon (Class 2019). Sashi excelled in all subjects, received the equal Dux award in that year and finished with an ATAR of 99.5. Sashi has a particular passion for the arts is now studying a double degree in Writing and Screen Production at Edith Cowan University. Sashi’s message coincided with the College values of striving for a higher purpose, using your gifts and talents for the service of others and finding joy.

Cameron Haines

Assistant Deputy Principal -  Year 8

Year 12 - Road safety

As part of the Wellbeing Program and because so many of our students are now driving a car, the Year 12 students listened to the story of Konnah Ruru from the Paraplegic Benefit Fund (PBF Australia) who shared how a car crash left him a quadriplegic. It is hoped that Konnah was able to impart some road safety messages so that our young people will be safer drivers and passengers.

Rita de Faria

Assistant Deputy Principal, Year 12

Year 10 - Managing social media

On Thursday 16 February, the Year 10 cohort welcomed a guest speaker to the College, Mr David Castelanelli from Levitate Learning, who presented to them on the topic titled ‘Managing Social Media’.  As the social media landscape continues to evolve and have influence on young people’s lives, the presentation focused on supporting students to manage their social media use effectively. Updated with relevant 2023 statistics, including the Australian averages for screen time, the session educated students on the pros and cons of social media, exploring the impact of relevant apps such as Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube on teenagers’ level of focus, concentration and mindset. It highlighted ten strategies to help students reduce their screen time and improve their overall mindset and wellbeing. 

Kalo Bell

Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 10   

Year 9 Media

Our Year 9 Media class attended North Metropolitan TAFE in Northbridge on Monday to take part in a career taster experience called ‘The Reel Thing’, where they took part in producing a ‘live’ television music quiz show! It was a wonderful chance for students to have a go both in front of the camera and behind the scenes in a professional environment. One of the segments was called ‘Stump the Teacher’ – I’m ashamed to say that I got confused between Beyonce and Destiny’s Child! 

Robert Di Giallonardo

Media Teacher   

SPORT

Interhouse Swimming Carnival

Our Sr Mary Murray Cup Swimming Carnival was an incredible day. All students who competed in both our official swimming events and novelties are to be commended for their efforts. 

One of the highlights of the day was the cheering displayed by all Houses. Our Year 12 House Captains, well supported by the other Year 12 students, lead the cheering and support which was described by numerous HBF staff as the strongest they had ever heard. The spirit for sport amongst our students is always strong and it helped to make the day even more special. Given the strong House spirit, the scoring for the coveted Spirit Award was extremely competitive, with all Houses receiving points for their novelty races, stand decorations, cheering, substitutions and how efficiently they were marshalling for events. Congratulations to Campion House who were the recipients of the 2023 Spirit Award.

The competitive races were close and the quality of performances very high with eight records broken on the day. Mrs Veronica Brennan-Poland and Mr Glenn Mitchell did an exceptional job as the poolside announcers which added to the overall atmosphere. Congratulations to Campion House who also took home the Sr Mary Murray Cup.

Year group Champions and Runner-Up Champions will be announced at the next Secondary Assembly.

Sr Mary Murray Cup Results

On the day we also had an impressive seven records broken. Congratulations to the following students.

Northern Associated Schools (NAS)

Our NAS program kicks off next week. Our teams are looking incredibly strong and we wish them all the best in their first games against Sacred Heart College.

Please note the important NAS information below:

• The number one priority for all NAS games is that you have fun!
• All NAS Coaches award an MVP at the end of the term, so make sure you are displaying sportsmanship, assistance and playing to your best as much as possible.
• A reminder that all students travelling off site are to change during lunchtime.
• Teams travelling to Sacred Heart, Chisholm, Servite and Ozzie Indoor will leave at 2:50pm.
• All Indoor Cricket teams will leave at 2:50pm.
• All remaining teams will leave straight after school at 3:15pm.
• Correct John XXIII College PE uniform must be worn, uniform points will be deducted.
• All games are played from 4:00pm-5:00pm. Students playing away games will arrive back at the College between 5:30pm and 5:45pm.

NAS Swimming 

NAS Swimming Meet information

• Thursday 2 March (Period 3 - Period 6) 
• Students will attend classes Periods 1 and 2
• All team members will meet in the St Louis Sports Centre at recess and then travel as a team to Newman College
• The NAS Swimming Meet will provide an opportunity for all Years 7-10 students selected to race again and help secure their place in our ACC A-Division Swimming Team
• All NAS Schools will be present to allow for a competition environment (Sacred Heart, Newman, Chisholm and Servite College)

NAS Swimming Team

Congratulations to all the students below for making our 2023 NAS Swimming team. 

Swimming Training

Our swimming training sessions have started in the school pool. Training will take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00am-8:00am in the lead up to the ACC A-Division Swimming Carnival. 

All students are welcome at our morning training sessions, whether the aim is for fitness or making our interschool team.

Cross-Country Training

Attention all Cross-Country runners please refer to the schedule below for session start time changes and venue changes. Sessions will be posted two weeks in advance.

• Tuesdays
  • Girls offsite
  • Boys onsite
• Thursdays
  • Boys offsite
  • Girls onsite 

Offsite sessions

Students to meet at the College at 6:45am for a 6:55am departure. Students who miss the departure time will join in the session running at JTC ovals

Interschool Team Jumpers

After many years of impressive interschool sport results in all three of our major carnivals, we are excited to announce the introduction of a John XXIII Interschool jumper. Once a student makes the interschool team, this will be acknowledged through embroidery on the jumper with the team name (swimming, cross-country or athletics).

Please note:

• MUST make an interschool team (reserves included)
• Embroidery will take place after each ACC Carnival
• Team lists will be sent to the Uniform Shop, ID will be requested prior to purchase
• Permission to wear the jumper all week of the Interschool carnivals

Congratulations

Congratulations to Angelina Smythe, Year 9, who recently took part in the Busselton Jetty Swim. This is an annual 3.6km ocean swim around the Busselton Jetty attracts over 4000 swimmers each year. 

Angelina competed in a duo team, named Team A&A, which was the fastest female team on the day, and the 2nd fastest team overall, crossing the finish line in a time of 53min 22s.

Sara Kononen

Head of Sport