Around The Primary

Dear Parents

Today our whole school community commenced our celebrations for John XXIII Day with a beautiful Mass and this was followed by the blessing of the new Founders’ Playground in Pre Primary. Our visiting priest, Fr Tom Renshaw SJ was very impressed with the way our children conducted themselves so reverently throughout the liturgy and blessing ceremony.

We were blessed with perfect winter weather to be outside and to be involved in the range of activities on offer. The students had lots of fun with friends and teachers at the 'mini-fete', superbly organised by our Year 5 and 6 students and their teachers. We finished the day with a hip-hop dance workshop or team games at Revolution Sports.

It is always wonderful to watch children having a lot of fun and experiences like John XXIII Day are a terrific opportunity for them to be with friends in a different environment, dancing with gusto, singing at the top of their lungs and laughing and zooming around the College or on the sports courts! 

The proceeds raised through the mini-fete will go to the Mary Ward International and Jesuit Missions. Special thanks to all the staff and parents for their hard work behind the scenes to ensure we celebrated John XXIII Day in style!

We now look forward to the weekend to rest and relax in readiness for another busy week in the Primary School.

 Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

FOUNDERS’ PLAYGROUND

Nature provided the playgrounds of our three founders - Ignatius Loyola, Mary Ward and Angelo Roncalli (Pope John XXIII). The rocks, running water, caves, and hills of Basque Spain. Yorkshire England and Northern Italy provided the freedom and created the learning environment that was at the core of their early childhood formation. In naming our playground in honour of our three founders we also celebrate all who nurtured and educated these three remarkable individuals who have been such a gift to the world and especially the Church. Those early childhood experiences helped our founders develop into courageous, determined, resilient and adventurous people who were always aware of the presence of God in all things. It is our hope that the Founders’ Playground will provide a similar environment for the Pre Primary children of John XXIII College.

Hidden in the playground are spaces and places that were important to each of our founders. We hope the children love finding them and through their play that they come to know something of the story of each of these three wisdom figures.

St Ignatius loved the rocks of Monserrat and spent time in a cave at Manresa.

Mary Ward walked the pathways of Europe as a pilgrim and valued her circle of friends.

Angelo Roncalli spent time in the fields as a shepherd and treasured the Roncalli family home.

As the children use their imagination to explore and discover in this playground they will come to learn more about themselves and others. This is the beginning of their awareness of their uniqueness and giftedness and their joy will be our way of expressing gratitude to the three founding patrons of this College.

The College gratefully acknowledges the funding of the playground through the generosity of the Parents’ Association, and all families who contribute to the Capital Levy.

CODING CREW

This term we have started the 'JTC Coding Crew' for Year 3 – 6 students who wish continue their coding journey in a small group environment. 

Our 'coding crews' are held twice a week for Year 3 students (Wednesday before school and Friday at lunch time) with Miss Dernie and myself in the library and the Year 4 – 6 students meet on Tuesday and Thursday before school in the Primary Lab. 

We have also Year 9 mentors to support the students and we are very excited to see where this coding adventure will take us! 

Tara Purcell 

ICT Teacher

INTERSCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL

Congratulations to our Interschool Cross Country team for the spirited participation at the carnival on Thursday. Stay tuned for more details from Mr Alderman.

ATHLETICS COACHING

After school athletics training sessions will begin next week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

All Years 3 to 6 students are invited to attend these sessions.

Correct training gear and appropriate sports is to be worn. All children attending the afternoon sessions are asked to meet on the grassed area near the gymnasium.

Please remind your child that whilst they are at the training they, are expected to fully participate in all the activities.

Parents are required to pick up their children promptly at 4.30pm from the oval.

Please Note:

The Interschool Athletics Carnival is scheduled for Thursday 15 September at All Saints College.

Mr John Alderman

PE Specialist

Dates to Remember:

Monday 14 August                          Pre Kindy G Class Photo

                                                                Parent Association Meeting 7pm (TMEC)

Tuesday 15 August                         Feast of the Assumption

                                                                5B Mass

Wednesday 16 August                   6B Hyogo Cultural Centre Excursion