Year 7 Retreat Day - A Spiritual Workout

On Monday 18 June the Year 7 students took part in a Retreat program. The term ‘retreat’ refers to time away from the normal College program where participants have the opportunity to reflect on their relationship with God. The emphasis was on students’ awareness of the presence of God in their lives. The title for the Year 7 Retreat was: 'A Spiritual Workout'.

A high standard of conduct and participation of all students was demonstrated. Students wore their sports uniform, with House shirt, for the duration of the day. A sausage sizzle lunch was enjoyed by all.

Tony Yates

Assistant Deputy Principal Year 7

Outdoor Education Camps

The Year 9 and 10 Outdoor Education students recently spent time away on camp as a culmination to their elective units.

The Year 9 students travelled to Manjedal Activity Centre in Byford for their overnight camp in Week 6. Despite the heavy rain, students actively participated in an obstacle course in small teams, navigated a blind trail, flew above the trees on the 240 metre flying fox, lit fires and cooked bush damper and orienteered around the beautiful bush setting.

The Year 10 Outdoor Education students travelled to Margaret River in Week 7 and spent three days hiking through the Boranup forest with staff from Explorus Adventure Learning. All participants were challenged, with each student required to carry a pack with their clothes, a tent, cooking equipment, food and other group gear. Students also completed a high ropes course set in the Karri trees and abseiled into Bride Cave.

Outdoor experiences like these are beneficial on so many levels. They provide students with an opportunity to develop important life skills and learn more about themselves. Students are often placed outside of their comfort zones and also gain a deeper appreciation for the natural environment.

Thank you to the John XXIII College staff who volunteered their time to support the students on these camps;

Year 9 – Cameron Haines, Darren Kowal, Danny Platts, Ylenia Casadio, Marnie Barrett, Cameron Tremayne.
Year 10 – Danny Platts, Carla Tripi, Simon Carrello, Cameron Tremayne.

Cameron Tremayne

Outdoor Education Teacher

Year 10 Important Events

This is a critical time for Year 10 students as they deliberate over course and pathway selections for 2019. The Year 10 Parent Information Night, focussing on course section, WACE and ATAR, will be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday 26 June in the Gonzaga Barry Lecture Theatre. I strongly encourage all parents to attend the event, as it will enable you to assist your son or daughter with their decisions about pathways and courses. I look forward to meeting you and assisting with any queries or concerns you may have.

Students will take part in the Pathways and Transitions Day on Wednesday 27 June. The day will feature presentations and workshops that will inform and enthuse the students about the possibilities that lie ahead. It is imperative that all students are present on the day, punctual and in full school uniform.

Damian Owen

Assistant Deputy Principal – Year 10

Refugee Week

During Refugee Week, John XXIII College along with other Jesuit and Loreto schools are supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. #RoofOverMyHead brings to light the Australian government intention to cut income support, torture and trauma counselling, and casework services for up to 13,000 children, women, and men seeking safety in our cities and towns, denying them their basic human rights and dignity.

God who welcomes the stranger,

help us to uphold the dignity and rights of all people searching for a home that is safe and secure.

Dispel our fear of ‘the other’, shatter our prejudices and unlock our biases.

Soften the hearts of our political leaders so that the abundant resources of our land may be shared by all.

Across this Refugee Week, may all members of the Loreto family commit to act with and for our sisters and brothers seeking refuge in our land.

We make this prayer in the name of Jesus,

who sought refuge in a strange land,

through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Janeen Murphy

Director of Faith and Mission

Year 12 Politics and Law Excursion

Last Thursday was the Year 12 Politics and Law Excursion. In the morning, students attended a lecture on landmark High Court cases at the Constitutional Centre of Western Australia. Students then travelled to the Supreme Court and sat in on two high profile criminal trials – both cases headlined the news the same evening.

In the afternoon, students visited Parliament House and met with the new Member for Cottesloe, Dr David Honey, to discuss the importance of being informed and the defining principles of Australian democracy. This was followed by Question Time in the Legislative Assembly, which never fails to disappoint and is always a spirited occasion - such is the joy of parliamentary privilege! A memorable excursion – one for the books!

Daisy Farley & Morgan Ball

Politics & Law

St Louis Day 21 June

Yesterday St Louis students celebrated their House Day at John XXIII College. Over the past week we have been reflecting on the life of our patron St Aloysius Gonzaga. This included a quiz on St Louis during homeroom, with Year 10 proving the most knowledgeable, closely followed by Year 12. It was a particularly special celebration this year as St Louis Day fell on the feast Day of Aloysius Gonzaga and this year marks the 450th year since his birth and Pope Francis has declared this his jubilee year.

On St Louis Day we shared a lunch in the Hall and a para liturgy in the Chapel. We also celebrated some of the outstanding contributions from St Louis students so far this year. Homeroom teachers and other House staff were asked to put forward the names of students who had made an extra effort in regards to Homeroom time or House spirit.

The following students were awarded a St Louis award:

Year 7

Teresa Majok

Laura Rutherford

Ben Mignacca

Year 8

Thea Whitby

Xavier Smith

Year 9

Gabrielle Lloyd

Lucas Limnios

Year 10

Ruby Parker

Oscar Rafiq

Year 11

Cleo Meinck

Alex Kirwan

Danny McGurgan

Year 12

Maddy Brown

Hugh Chapman

Twenty-five students and four staff were also involved in cooking meals for Shopfront after school. Lots of fun was had and hopefully the meals prove to be delicious. The celebration culminated today with a special focus at the Community Mass on Saint Aloysius Gonzaga and St Louis students were involved in the Mass.

It was a pleasure to see all students involved and enthusiastic in our House day celebration. A special mention must be made of the House staff and our various student leaders for their help in organising the day.

Jodi Power

St Louis House Coordinator

International Music Day - 21 June

Thursday 21 June was International Music Day. Ruth Burke, Adele Cole and Peter Luckas joined our Year 9 Roncalli Service group to perform for the residents at Mont Clare Aged Care Facility.

Our Year 9 students provided hospitality and fellowship whilst our Year 12 students performed a selection from their Opera and Jazz repatoire.

The residents were impressed and very eager to have our students return for a repeat performance.

Janeen Murphy

Director of Faith and Mission

Comfy Day - 29 June

On the last day of term, Friday 29 June, we will be holding our 'Comfy day' to raise funds for LifeLink, the Archbishop’s charity that supports those in need in our Perth Diocese.

Students are encouraged to wear a minimum of one item of their sports uniform (tracksuit pants, tracksuit top) with some comfortable clothing, jeans, hoodie, ugg boots. If students do not wish to participate in the event, they are required to wear their full winter uniform.

Janeen Murphy

Director of Faith and Mission

Next Thursday Noongar Elder, Rose Walley, and family members will conduct a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony for the College community.

Date: Thursday 28 June
Where: SLSC and oval
Start: 11:45am
Finish: Lunch time

WHAT IS A WELCOME TO COUNTRY?

The Welcome to Country is a right of the local traditional custodians and owners. The land, waterways and cultural significance sites are of great importance to Noongar people. The Welcome to Country recognises and acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land and demonstrates respect for Australia's first people.

WHAT IS A SMOKING CEREMONY?

The Smoking Ceremony is a blessing while on Noongar Country. It is a traditional Noongar ritual that is used to cleanse and purify a specific area and also cleanses the spirit, body and soul of a person on Noongar Country. The leaves and shavings from the balga and other local trees are allowed to smoulder and the smoke purifies the area. This ritual of purification and unity signifies the beginning of something new.

Source: http://www.noongarculture.org.au/spirituality/

WHAT IS NAIDOC WEEK?

NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. NAIDOC week officially falls in the holidays: 8-15 July.

Further information

ASTHMA ALERT - SMOKING CEREMONY

All students who have Asthma must be careful at the smoking ceremony, must take any additional precautions and must have their preventer medication with them.

Students whose asthma is triggered by smoke, or who are unwell with Asthma on the day, should not attend the Smoking Ceremony and will be supervised in the Library. Students are advised to ensure they have their Asthma medication and use as needed.

Mary-Anne Lumley

Liturgist

Founders' Parents Party

To book tickets visit: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=388070&

Year 12 Parent Catch-up

The Year 12 Parent Catch-up is this Saturday night 23 June from 7:00pm.

53 Mayfair Street, Claremont
Be there before 7.30pm for pizza order - $5 each
BYO

Hope to see you there!

Founders' Parent Party - All welcome