Around The Primary

Dear Parents

It has been another busy and productive week around the Primary school. Despite the busyness and long 'to do' lists, we remain focused on maintaining a calm, happy, and engaging learning environment for all our students. 

Thank you also for doing your part at home. By maintaining routines, getting children to bed on time, responding to school emails and keeping home life as happy and as calm as you can amidst all the demands, will help set your child/ren for a great end to the school year.

As we now prepare to welcome the Season of Advent, let us all support the children to appreciate the little things we are ‘gifted’ with each day, and to find the real Christmas message in the small acts of kindness we do for others.  Special thanks to all families who have generously donated food items for our St Vincent de Paul Christmas hampers. 

May we all continue to reach out to others in a spirit of kindness – this makes a BIG difference at this busy end of the year.

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary 

Staff News

This year we farewell Mrs Vicki Murphy, Ms Maggie O’Shaughnessy and Miss Brianna Di Stefano and thank them for all their wonderful contributions to our school community.

We also say good-bye to Mrs Annette Carnemolla (fondly known as Mrs C), our dedicated Education Assistant.  We thank Mrs C for all her hard work and commitment in the Primary school for over 24 years. We wish Annette all the very best for her retirement and in her new role as a grandmother.

Christmas Newsflash

On Thursday 9 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).

On this day we hope to raise the students’ awareness of how fortunate we are to have access to everyday privileges at Christmas. All students are asked to bring along a gold coin donation for St Vinnies. Thank you in anticipation of your generous support.

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 9 December.

Instructions

1. Please log in to your SEQTA Engage account at: https://parent.johnxxiii.edu.au
2. Click on the REPORTS link located on the menu at the left side of screen
3. Select Student
4. Select 2021P, Semester Two

Mobile Devices

It is also possible to download the SEQTA Engage App from your provider (e.g. Google Play Store; Apple App Store) if you wish to do this.

If you experience any technical difficulties accessing your child’s report, please email ithelpdesk@johnxxiii.edu.au

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

Term dates for 2022 have also been updated on the College Website Parent Information | Dates | John XXIII College

Year 3 Excursion

Last Friday, the Year 3 students visited Paper Bird Book Store and Art Centre in Fremantle. The students were very excited to be making their own little  “Despereaux” felt mouse, the main character in the story they have been reading in Book Club. 

At the Paper Bird Gallery, students met Holly who demonstrated how to sew the mouse.  This included learning how to thread a needle, trace and cut out the shapes, sew simple stitches and join all the parts together to make a mouse. It was quite challenging, even for the parent helpers and teachers, however the students were determined, and all tried their best. We will be finishing sewing our mice in Book Club next week! 

Sasha Cattapan 

Primary Library Teacher 

Year 4 Mass

This week a lovely Mass was held in the Year 4 Classrooms with Father Rodrigo.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate receiving their First Communion this year.  

On Wednesday the Year 4 classes celebrated mass and reflected on celebrating the Sacrament of the Eucharist this year. We were lucky to celebrate Mass in our classroom.  We shared reflections about receiving our First Holy Communion and sang the songs beautifully and we all felt closer to God. We will hold this in our memories as a special part of our Year 4 journey.  

Madeleine Grainger, 4B

On Wednesday morning the Year Four classes came together to participate in a Mass to celebrate receiving our First Holy Communion. It was very special having a Mass in our classroom and it was just as special as a Mass in a church. It was also very nice having Father Rodrigo talk to us about Jesus and why we were gathered together. 

Vivienne Barley, 4G

Sushi Delights

Our Year 4 students have been busy making sushi during their Japanese lessons this week and by all accounts it was delicious.  They are looking forward to making some sushi at home during the upcoming holidays!

PAL 2022 Coordinators 

A very warm welcome to our Primary PALs for 2022:

Bricks 4 Kidz

We are delighted to announce that we have teamed up with Bricks 4 Kidz to offer the following after school classes in Term 1, 2022. Lessons will take place on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30pm to 5:00pm for 8 weeks commencing in Week 2 and concluding in Week 9.  Please refer to the attached flyer for further information.

Construction Craze WeDo 2.0 Junior Robotics (Years 2-3) – 16 places available

BRICKS 4 KIDZ® is thrilled to be offering Construction Craze combined with WEDO® 2.0 Software Programming. This program is an excellent introduction to basic concepts of robotics and computer programming. Trybooking will open tomorrow (Saturday) at 8am, click here for Years 2-3.

Contraption Concepts MINDSTORMS® EV3® Advanced Robotics (Years 4-6)- 16 places available 

GET INTO GEAR with Contraption Concepts.  Experience the cutting edge of technology with the introduction of LEGO® MINDSTORMS EV3 Robotics.  Trybooking will open tomorrow (Saturday) at 8am, click here for Years 4-6.

Please refer to attached flyer for further information. 

We anticipate these places will fill quickly and it is our intention to offer the program again in Term 2 for another group of students. 

Please note Year 3-6 Swimming Training will also take place on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30pm to 4:30pm during Term 1, 2022.

Sport Update

Swimming 

This week’s swimming lessons for Pre-Primary to Year 3 students have been a huge success. We conducted smaller class sizes and longer lessons over the five day program resulting in students making excellent progress with their technique, swimming survival skills and confidence in the water.  This is definitely a formula we are looking to engage in next year. 

Cricket

Yesterday, three teams of Year 6 students proudly represented the College at the IPSHA T20 Cricket Carnival.  Miss Graves, Miss Hubbard and I were extremely proud of the conduct of all the players, especially the team captains who organised their teams’ line-ups ensuring all players had a fair turn. Well done to all. 

Tennis

Year 4 students need to wear their House shirts on Friday 3 December for our first ‘Interhouse Tennis Tournament’!  

Mr Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

Music 

Primary Instrumental Recitals

Congratulations to the students who performed in the Primary Instrumental Recitals this week. With six different sessions over three days, students showcased their hard work and skills in piano, vocal, guitar, violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and percussion performances. 

Primary Soiree

The final Primary ensemble performances for 2021 will be showcased at the annual Primary Soiree on Monday 29 November in the St Louis Sports Centre. Students must arrive by 4:15pm in their allocated warm-up rooms, with the Soiree commencing at 5pm. Click here to book tickets via Trybooking.  The Soiree is a free event with tickets required for seating arrangements. 

Music Enrolments and Withdrawals

Applications for instrumental lessons in 2022 are now open. Please see the Music section of the Newsletter for further details. Students wishing to withdraw from lessons must complete the online withdrawal form by 4pm on Thursday 9 December. 

2022 Strings and Band Instrument Program

Students in Year 2 and Year 4 took part in instrument demonstrations this week in preparation for the 2022 Instrumental Programs. Students also had the opportunity to meet some of the instrumental tutors who will provide lessons. An email has been sent out to Year 2 and Year 4 parents with information and an enrolment form for students who wish to commence lessons through these Programs. 

Please contact the Music department for any information via email music.secretary@johnxxiii.edu.au

Mrs Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Specialist 

2024 Enrolments for Kindy

It’s hard to believe, but in the new year we will be interviewing for siblings entering Kindy in 2024! 

Please ensure your child/ren are enrolled to secure their sibling place. 

The Enrolment Application, along with the Parish Priest Reference and other key details, can be found via this link.  Please direct further questions to Lizz Schollum, Enrolments Manager lizz.schollum@cewa.edu.au or 9383 0449