Around The Primary

Dear Parents

This week, the Year 6 students departed the College very early on Monday morning and headed to Kerem Adventure Camp in Bullsbrook. We were elated to be able to provide the students with this invaluable experience which, due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were unsure could go ahead! 

In the space of a few short days, an itinerary jam packed with exhilarating activities was designed and buses were booked. While at Kerem, the Year 6s and staff participated in a high ropes course, zipped down a flying fox and scaled a rock-climbing wall. In addition to these thrilling activities, the students and staff played numerous games designed to strengthen friendships and encourage positive communication when working as a team. 

A huge thank you to Mrs Standing for coordinating this camp and to Miss Eisenmann, Miss Hubbard, Mrs Gardner, Mrs Goss, Miss Pillera, Mr Williams, Ms Brown, Mrs Lane and Mrs Reading who enhanced this experience for the students with their organisation, support and great sense of adventure. 

We wish all our John XXIII Mothers, Grandmothers, and mother-figures a very happy, relaxing, and stress-free day on Sunday! 

We thank you for doing your very best to raise children who are being taught the enduring values of kindness, forgiveness, respect, compassion, and service. In the end, it is the values that we teach and model for children that will sustain them well into the years ahead.

Our Mother’s Day Liturgy has been recorded.   We hope families can gather in their households and share some special time in prayer and reflection on Mother’s Day.  A heartfelt thank you to the three generations of the Michalka family - Grace, Meneesha and Patricia; and the Davila family – Lydia and Anna; for sharing their reflections on parenthood and the Gospel.  

May your special day be filled with all that makes you smile and feel grateful.

Kind regards

Antoinette De Pinto

Head of Primary 

COVID Reporting

It is important that the College continues to be notified of student positive COVID cases.  Please inform us via this LINK. The information will go directly to the College. If there are any queries related to this process, please advise Emilee Rippon at compliance@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

NAPLAN

Next week the students in Year 3, 5, 7 and 9 will take part in The National Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy. The four areas being assessed include Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. 

Students have been spending time learning how to navigate the screen when using the Online assessment platform and have been exposed to a variety of different questioning styles that they may come across during the assessments. 

Students and staff are well prepared for the week ahead. We encourage the students to approach the assessments with a positive mindset and to try their best.

Sports Update

Cross Country

With the mornings becoming cooler it means we are getting closer to cross country training!  It is a fantastic way to begin the day and build some healthy habits.  Win the morning, win the day!

Training begins on Tuesday 31 May (Week 6) and takes place every Tuesday and Thursday morning, 7:30am outside the St Louis Sports Centre (no training on Thursday 23 June).  The training is for Year 3 to Year 6 students, and everyone is welcome!  The focus will be on improving running technique and building stamina in preparation for the Year 3 to Year 6 Interhouse Carnival which takes place in Term 3 on Friday 29 July.   

Parents are welcome to come and run with the group, younger siblings can also run but must be accompanied by a parent.  The session will finish at 8:00am and the changerooms will be open for students to change into their school uniform.  The canteen will also be open, but any food and drinks must be finished in the pavilion before going to classrooms.  

There is no need to sign up, come along when you can.  Any Music commitments must take priority, just come for a run on the other day!

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

Mr Steve Williams

Primary Sport Coordinator

Primary Music

Primary Choir Rehearsals

With the easing of restrictions, choirs have returned to full rehearsals. Please see below for rehearsal details:

Wanju Voices (Year 4-6 students) – Mondays 7:30am, Osborne Room.

Primary Singers (Year 2-3 students) – Thursdays 8:00am, Osborne Room.

Chapel Choir

Chapel Choir is open to all students from Year 1 to Year 12. Rehearsals take place from 7:30am in the Chapel on Fridays, with the choir then leading the singing at the weekly 8am Community Mass. 

Parents and siblings are welcome to attend these liturgies. Community Mass resumes next week on Friday 13 May 2022. 

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

Mrs Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher

Counsellor’s Corner

Wishing all our mothers and significant persons a wonderful Mother’s Day.  I hope you have a wonderful day and celebrate the challenging but vital role you play in your children’s growth and development. For anyone who finds the day difficult because of loss, conflict or family change, I hope you experience something positive during the day.

Next week is  NAPLAN for our Year 3 and 5 classes. I have included this article from Parenting expert Michael Grose who offers some excellent insights and strategies .

If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  I am available at school Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday mornings.  My direct number is 9383 0469 and I can be contacted anytime by email:  anne.murphy@cewa.edu.au 

Mrs Anne Murphy

Primary Counsellor