Around The Primary

Dear Families

It is hard to believe that we only have one week left of term two. I am sure everyone is counting down to the holidays. Staff are busy finalising Semester One Reports and I would like to thank them for all the hard work and extra hours they are dedicating to report writing.

The weather was kind to us yesterday as we hosted the Year 6 IPSHA Winter Lightning Carnival. Eleven other schools came along to partake in netball, soccer, AFL, and hockey games on our beautiful grounds. The sportsmanship, enthusiasm and positive attitude of our students was inspirational. 

A big thank you to Mr Williams, for all his hard work that went into the organisation of this huge event. Additionally, to all the grounds staff for arriving early to help set up and to the teaching staff for their active involvement throughout the day. Special thanks to our secondary students for putting their umpiring skills into action across many games.

Finally, thank you to our Year 6 parent volunteers for serving tea, coffee, and soup to our visitors and also to everyone that came along to cheer on our students. These are examples of the great community that we are lucky to be part of!

Next Friday, 30 June is our annual ‘Comfy Day’ and the students are invited to come to school dressed in pyjamas or warm comfy clothes. On this day we hope to raise the students’ awareness of how fortunate we are to have access to everyday privileges. All students are asked to bring along a gold coin donation for LifeLink. 

We have also had a special request for coffee, tea bags, Milo, UHT milk, tinned fruit/tuna/soup, powdered milk, muesli bars, rice, honey, pasta, and pasta sauce. Please send donations to school any day next week. These items will be greatly appreciated by St Vinnies and CARAD during these winter months.

Enjoy the weekend, make sure your children have plenty of rest and are recharged for the final week of the term!

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary

Semester One Reports & PTO

Semester One Reports for Pre-Primary to Year 6 students will be available through the College’s online communication platform ‘SEQTA ENGAGE’ from 3:30pm on Friday 30 June.

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 2023P, 2023S1

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.

We encourage all parents to have a conversation with their child/children about their report. It is important to help your child celebrate the positives and encourage them to keep working hard on those aspects of their learning that are challenging.

If you have any questions or concerns related to your child’s progress, please book an appointment with your child’s teacher on the Wednesday 19 July (Pupil Free Day).  These meetings will be 10 minutes in duration.  Booking details are below.

In the later part of this term, many teachers have met with parents to discuss their child’s progress.  We kindly request that parents that have recently met with the class teacher, schedule a meeting for later in Term 3, if required.

Booking an Interview – Kindy to Year 6

• From Friday 30 June at 6:00pm, parents can book their meeting online using PTO which is on the College Website under the ‘Quicklinks’ tab and then ‘Events Online Bookings’.  Alternatively, you can click on the link below (which will open on Friday 30 June at 6:00pm) and it will take you straight to the PTO log in screen  PTO - Login (parentteacheronline.com.au)
• Once you get to the log in screen you must click on 'Obtain Pin or Password'. Your password will then be sent to your email.
• Once you have logged in, you can select a time that suits you to meet with your child's classroom teacher. All interviews will be a maximum of 10 minutes and will be held face-to-face in classrooms.
• The ability to add or change PTO bookings will close on Sunday 9 July at 6:00pm. If you are unable to secure an interview time and would like to do so, you will need to e-mail the classroom teacher directly.
• If you would like to book an appointment to see a specialist teacher, please contact them directly via email to set up a mutually convenient time.
• If you experience any technical difficulties, please email ithelpdesk@johnxxiii.edu.au 

Staffing News

We will soon be farewelling our Year 3G teacher, Mrs McHattie. We wish Emily and her husband every blessing as they await the arrival of their first baby.

We welcome Miss Grace Jones to our teaching team. Grace will be teaching Year 3G next Semester.

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.

CEWA Religious Literacy Assessment

Next term, students in Years 3 and 5 will participating in the CEWA Religious Education Assessment (REA), formally known as the Bishops’ Religious Literacy Assessment.

We have a scheduled Practice Assessment in Week 2 and the REA Assessment in Week 3 as follows for Years 3 and 5:

The REA measures students’ knowledge and understanding of the content in the Religious Education Curriculum. It provides a ‘point in time’ snapshot of student performance in Religious Education. As with all assessments, we encourage students to approach the online assessment with a calm and positive mindset. 

Kylie Allen

Assistant Principal, Primary

Oz Wildlife

There was great excitement in Pre-Primary on Monday when WestOz Wildlife came to visit. The children were able to have a close-up experience of some Australian animals and learnt how important it is to protect and care for these animals in the environment. 

The students asked some fantastic questions to the wildlife experts and had a turn of giving the koala, dingo and bobtail lizard a pat. They were even able to hold a python snake! It was a wonderful incursion!  

Claire Peirce and Hannah Kolbusz

Pre-Primary Teachers 

Leaning how to vote!

This term, the Year 5 students have been learning about the Government. On Tuesday, we had a visitor from the WA Electoral Commission come to our classroom to teach us about voting. We learnt how to fill out a ballot slip and were explained the different types of votes which were 'donkey votes' and informal votes. A 'donkey vote' is when you vote correctly but in the wrong order and an informal vote is when you fill out the slip incorrectly.  The voting system we use in Western Australia is preferential voting. 

Amelie and Elle 5G

Sport Update

Winter Lightning Carnival

Our students had a fantastic day of sport at our IPSHA Winter Carnival.  I am always so impressed with all the positive feedback I receive about the standard of play and general conduct our students display.  Well done to all the students involved for representing our College with pride. 

Term 3 Sports dates for the diary:

Extra-Curricular Sport

• Tuesdays: J&J soccer sessions for Year 1-6 students on the Junior Primary Oval from 3:30pm to 4:20pm.  Sessions start in week 2 and booking and payment are required. Email Coach Adi at juricadi@hotmail.com
• Thursdays: Basketball with Redhage Basketball for Years 2-6 students in the St Louis Sports Centre from 3:20pm to 4:20pm.  Commences in week 2 and bookings and payments are required, please refer to flyer below.  Enrol at www.redhagebasketball.com
• Years 3-6 Athletics training begins in week 4 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30pm to 4:30pm.
• Final Years 3-6 Athletic training session on Tuesday 5 September.

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

Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

Music Update

Australian Combined Schools Music Festival

The Australian Combined Schools Music Festival (ACSMF) brings together the finest student musicians from around Australia to perform together under the guidance of outstanding national and international conductors. ACSMF is a consortium of schools with highly developed music programs that have created an opportunity for music students to perform repertoire at the highest possible level. 

For the first time in its 50-year history, the ACSMF will be hosted in Western Australia. The three-day festival will culminate in a gala concert with performances featuring a combined Concert Band, Orchestra and Choir comprising of students from all over the country. 

Next week, the students will attend their final Monday after-school rehearsal at MLC with Perry Joyce, the composer of the commissioned work. The students have been working hard throughout the term and will showcase their work at the concert at 6:30pm on Saturday 1 July at Winthrop Hall. Tickets for this concert are almost sold out, and can be purchased via this link.

Music Eisteddfod

Applications to perform in the upcoming Music Eisteddfod are now open! This year’s Music Eisteddfod will be held on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 July, with categories including: 

• Voice
• Piano
• Strings
• Winds and Brass
• Guitar
• Percussion
• Small Ensembles
• Original Composition

Students who partake in Music lessons through the College will have their applications to perform managed by their tutor.  Students engaged in weekly lessons on an instrument or in voice outside the College can perform.  Applications can be made through the Music department by emailing 8550svc_music@cewa.edu.au with the student's name, year, instrument and copy of piano accompaniment if required.

All applications to perform in the Music Eisteddfod are due by Friday 30 June. Please contact the Music Office with any queries.

Primary Choir Rehearsals

Congratulations to the students on their hard work in rehearsals throughout the term. The final choir rehearsals for next week are as follows:

Please note that attendance at all rehearsals is compulsory as the students are preparing for various performances.

Chapel Choir

Chapel Choir is open to all Years 2 to 12 students who love singing, with a focus on liturgical music. Rehearsals commence at 7:30am in the Chapel with Mrs Haydon and Mr Johnston. Chapel Choir then sings at Community Mass at 8:00am. The next Community Mass is Friday 30 June. Please contact Mrs Haydon for more information.  

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

Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

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.

Kindy 2025 Interviews

Kindy interviews for 2025 are underway and these will continue through to Term 3.  Emails will be sent to families by Lizz Schollum, Enrolments Manager in due course.

Bricks 4 Kidz – Term 3 Registrations  

Please find attached Term 3 Bricks 4 Kidz communication and registration communication.   

Pricing and trybooking information is provided below: