Around The Primary

Dear Families

Our Year 6 tour guides were wonderful ambassadors for the College on Open Day. It was fantastic to see our students engaging so confidently with the many visitors. These events don’t come together without the efforts of many people working tirelessly behind the scenes to make it a success.  I am very thankful for the effort, time, and energy of our staff and to the parent volunteers who gave their time to serve morning tea.

I extend my thanks the parent volunteers for your assistance on the Photo Days too.  The unity of our school community, and the willingness of so many to put their hand up are greatly appreciated. 

As part of the Primary Assessment and Reporting process for Kindy to Year 6 students, Parent-Teacher interviews will be taking place from Monday 27 March to Friday 31 March. This is a valuable time for you to spend with the class teacher to discuss your child’s progress. Your child is not required to come along to the interview as it will be a two-way process between teacher and parent/s. However, all parents are encouraged to discuss their child’s future goals with them at home after the interview. Please refer to the attachment below:

Harmony Day is fast approaching and forms one part of Harmony Week, which runs from 15 to 21 March every year. Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background. It is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism.

Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversation. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. To mark Harmony Day at the College, students are welcome to wear a touch of orange on Tuesday, 21 March to show their support for cultural diversity. This could be a hair ribbon/scrunchie, bandana, wrist band or an orange piece of clothing like a hat or socks. There is no need to go out and buy an orange item (no orange hair spray or face paint please).

Everyone is welcome to join us at 9am in Roncalli Hall Assembly next Friday 24 March. The Primary Singers and Wanju Voices will be performing on the day.

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 and subscribe to the Primary Calendar.

Specialist Spotlight

Konnichiwa! 

Our Pre-Primary to Year 6 students participate in a weekly Japanese lesson.  They learn the language as well as all about the incredible culture and traditions of Japan. In Year 3, the students learn how to read and ‘write’ hiragana, the Japanese script. Learning another language has so many benefits including promoting respect and understanding of other cultures and developing cognitive skills and literacy skills. It is wonderful to see the students engaged in their learning of Japanese and the confidence that this brings. 

Sensei Rowson

Primary Japanese Teacher

Sculptures by the Sea

Year 4 students visited ‘Sculptures by Sea’ and participated in a Focus Tour, where a tour guide helped them to view, discuss, think and learn about many of the sculptures in the exhibition. Some of the tour guides are sculptors themselves and all of them had a fountain of knowledge to share and spark the students’ interest in sculpture. 

All the tour guides and some members of the public had such positive feedback about the students’ engagement, participation and excellent behaviour, which made me really proud. 

We are so fortunate to experience art on an international level so close to our school and from our follow up activities back at school, I know the students have been enriched and inspired by this excursion. Many thanks to the parents and staff who helped and supported the students on the day. 

Fiona Blaauw

Primary Art Teacher

Kindy 2025 Interviews

Kindy 2025 Interviews are commencing in Term 2.  If you have not submitted an Application Enrolment Form, please do so by the end of Term 1.  For your convenience, please use this link:  New Submission (johnxxiii.edu.au)

Counsellor's Corner 

Leading Child parenting expert Justin Coulson is promoting the Raising Resilient Kids Summit. This is an online-only event and is available in video or podcast format. Ticket holders will receive lifetime access. Happy Families Members receive an additional 20% off all ticket prices.

From Justin Coulson:

“As another school term winds up, many of you will be feeling challenged by children who do not want to be in the classroom. Or do their homework. Or practice their music. Or who might be facing challenges with a new teacher or friends.

It’s the perfect time to talk about resilience in our kids.

Resilience is vital. It helps us to deal with life when it throws big and little storms our way. It encourages us to adapt and look for new pathways. And it ensures we return to healthy functioning after a setback.

We know we want our kids to become resilient, but it’s not up to us, right?

Well it might just be.

Research shows there is actually a lot a parent can do to help build resilience in their child. The environment we raise them in and the psychological, social, and emotional habits we instil in them can all play a role.” 

Join the Raising Resilient Kids Summit dropping March 30 from 9am EST.

Three ways to join:

Retreat and watch live, listen on the go via podcast or on demand with lifetime access to resources.

More information about the event including how to register can be found via this link:

https://happyfamiliesfamilyeducation.ac-page.com/the-resilient-kids-summit

Mrs Anne Murphy

Primary Counsellor 

Sports Update

After a busy week in sport with students competing in Interschool tennis and swimming, the upper primary focus has now moved to basketball!  Lessons have been buzzing with the sweet tones of 28+ basketballs being dribbled, passed and shot!  Whilst honing their skills, students have been learning some offensive and defensive strategies and Year 6 students are preparing for the IPSHA Basketball Carnival next week.  

Bike Education 

This week Year 6 Blue put their biking skills to the test in preparation for a biking experience on their upcoming Canberra trip.  The students practiced manoeuvring through a range of obstacles, using their gears and brakes and how to ride in a group.  They also learnt a range of hand signals to help keep everyone safe on the roads.  It was fantastic to see so many students riding to school on the day.  Year 6 Gold will be participating in the same experience next Wednesday 22 March. 

Term 2 Sport

Cross Country 

Training begins in Week 6 of Term 2 every Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:30am.  If it is too wet to run, training will take place in the gym.  Students in Year 2 and below must be accompanied by an adult throughout the session. 

Extra-curricular opportunities

Tuesdays - J&J soccer sessions 

• Years 1 to 6 – begins Week 2, Tuesday 2 May in the Junior Primary Oval (3:30pm to 4:30pm).  Booking and payment required.  To enrol email juricadi@hotmail.com

Thursdays - Redhage Basketball 

• Years 2 to 6 – begins Week 2, Thursday 4 May in the St Louis Sports Centre (3:20pm to  4:20pm).  Bookings and payments required.  Registrations open Sunday 26 March, please enrol at www.redhagebasketball.com

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

Pre-Primary Music

The Pre-Primary students have been enjoying learning new songs and skills in music during the term. This week, the students had the chance to see, hear and touch a real harp!

Primary Singers and Wanju Voices

Primary Singers and Wanju Voices will be performing at next week’s Primary Assembly at 9am on Friday 24 March in Roncalli Hall. All parents are welcome to attend. As staging for the assembly performance will take place during rehearsals next week, it is essential that all students are present. Rehearsals are as follows:

Wanju Voices

Monday 20 March at 7:30am (Osborne Room). Please note that the rehearsal for the assembly will move to Roncalli Hall at 8am.

Primary Singers

Thursday 23 March 8am (Osborne Room). Please note that the rehearsal for the assembly will move to Roncalli Hall at 8:10am.

Primary Music Calendar

Sunday April – Palm Sunday Mass at St Joseph’s Church, Subiaco

Primary choristers will be invited to represent the College to sing at the 9am Palm Sunday Mass at St Joseph’s Church in Subiaco. More information regarding this special occasion will be sent out during the term.

Catholic Performing Arts Festival

Entries for the Catholic Performing Arts Festival are now available. With over 20,000 students involved from 163 Catholic schools across Western Australia, this festival is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain performance experience and feedback from professional adjudicators, as well as viewing performances by students from other schools. This festival takes place in Term Three. Primary students from Years 4 to  6 may wish to enter a solo performance item. Please contact your child’s instrumental tutor for more information. Students who learn an instrument outside of school may contact Mrs Georgia Bouhlas at the Music Office via email: georgia.bouhlas@cewa.edu.au for more information. 

Chapel Choir

Chapel Choir is open to all Year 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 commencing at 8am. The next Chapel Choir rehearsal and Community Mass is Friday 24 March. 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

Mrs Catherine Haydon

Primary Music Teacher