Around The Primary

Dear Parents

The sunshine has made a glorious appearance and seems to have given vitality to us all! Our students are arriving each day looking happy and enthusiastic for the learning adventure ahead. It is always astounding how much the teachers manage to work through in a week with their classes.

The College would like to thank all the parent volunteers who have assisted in so many ways around the school. The ‘Parents' Volunteer Thank You Evening’ is scheduled for next Thursday, 11 November. We hope to see many parents at this event. Please RSVP here. 

The Advent Season is nearly here and during this period we want to support those who will be finding it tough over the Christmas period. John XXIII College is once again supporting the St Vinnie's Christmas Appeal. Our aim is to donate food hampers to help individuals and families in need to experience the joys of Christmas. Donations can be left in the classroom or Main Administration.

As we are now heading towards the busy time of the year, I hope the following tips are useful in this important partnership, ensuring happy students at school and at home:

• Start each day smoothly and peacefully with kind words, smiles and a hug. A child leaving a happy home starts the day in a happy frame of mind, the best pre-condition for good learning.
• Set aside time every day after school to spend with your children, hearing about their day, listening to what they are saying and paying them your full attention with no interruptions.
• Ensure your children have a nutritious breakfast each morning. Also, pack healthy and tasty food in their lunchbox so that they eat it all.
• Make sure they get plenty of sleep every night so their brains and bodies can grow.
• Children learn by example how to deal effectively with others. Place a high value on good manners and respect for others and their property.
• Model and teach time management and organisational skills. Ensure children arrive at school on time each day.
• Show your love of learning by going with them to the local library and explore parks and nature together.
• Talk with respect about teachers. Deal with any issues in private, not in front of your child.
• Encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning.

Most importantly. let your children know every day how much you love and value them.

Enjoy the weekend with your delightful children!

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

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

Counsellor's Corner

Two invitations this week to get information and advice from outside experts. 

Firstly from the founder of the URSTRONG, the Friendship program used in Primary, an online workshop for parents and children to look at friendship issues. I strongly recommend joining this. Tickets are $10 each - register here 

Secondly, parenting expert Michael Grose also has a free webinar, ‘Using birth order knowledge to get a parenting edge’. Please see PDF below.

Sport Update

It certainly feels like summer is nearly here when tennis lessons begin! Students in Pre-Primary, Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 have professional tennis coach Nick Kirkbride teaching them the basic tennis strokes for the next two weeks. Thanks to Tennis West our Pre-Primary students have all received their own tennis racquet to keep!

Next week, three Year 6 Touch Rugby teams will take part in the IPSHA Touch Rugby Carnival.  It is the most number of students we have had involved in the Carnival and it is fantastic to see our students so enthusiastic and engaged in sport. 

Mr Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

Music 

Primary Instrumental Recitals

The Primary Instrumental Recitals will be held during Week 7 and are an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their hard work from throughout the year.

This performance opportunity is open to students who learn an instrument. Students are invited to play one piece in the appropriate recital category (ie either a solo or group piece). Students may perform in multiple categories (for example, piano and strings) if they learn more than one instrument. These recitals will be divided into groups based on student year groups and the number of entries. Family members are invited to watch the performances. The dates for these performances are as follows: 

Timetables will be emailed to participants at the start of Week 7. 

Entry forms must be returned to the Music Department by Tuesday 16 November. Students who learn an instrument at school will be given further information by their tutors who will also complete entry forms for their students.  For students who learn outside of school, parents should contact Mrs Bouhlas in the Music department via email music.secretary@johnxxiii.edu.au for an entry form or further information.  Students who require an accompanist will be provided a school accompanist. A copy of the accompaniment music with the performer’s full name, class and instrument must be handed in to the Music department by Tuesday 16 November so that rehearsals can be scheduled with the accompanist in the week leading up to the recital. 

We look forward to celebrating the dedication and talents of the primary students at these special recitals.

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

Mrs Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Specialist