Heritage
Our Loreto and Jesuit heritage shapes a culture of respect, service, and principled innovation – honouring the past while responding to the present.
TWO TRADITIONS, ONE COMMUNITY
In 1977, Loreto Claremont and St Louis School united to form the co-educational John XXIII College, bringing together the Ignatian traditions of both the Loreto and Jesuit communities.
HONOURING THE VISION OF OUR FOUNDERS
Our heritage is grounded in the lives and legacies of our three founders:
St Ignatius Loyola: founder of the Society of Jesus, St Ignatius was a courageous leader whose spiritual exercises and commitment to education have inspired generations to seek excellence and serve others.
Mary Ward: Mary Ward was a courageous visionary who championed the education for girls and believed in the power of women to contribute meaningfully to society.
Pope St John XXIII (Angelo Roncalli): known for his warmth, openness, and commitment to renewal, convened the Second Vatican Council and inspired a spirit of inclusion and hope in the Catholic Church. Our College is named in his honour, reflecting his universal appeal and his example as a person of faith, service and unity.
Pope John XXIII
Pope John XXIII championed renewal, openness, and unity within the Catholic Church, inspiring generations through his pastoral leadership and commitment to service. His spirit of welcome and inclusion continues to guide our College community today.
Mary Ward
Mary Ward pioneered women's education, whose courageous commitment to justice continues to inspire our approach to learning and service.
St Ignatius
Founder of the Jesuits, St Ignatius taught us to seek God in all things and to strive for the magis – doing more for others with courage, wisdom, and love. This Ignatian spirituality remains the foundation of our educational philosophy.
A HERITAGE UNITED
The Loreto Sisters arrived in Perth in 1897, establishing their first school in Adelaide Terrace before opening Loreto Osborne in Claremont in 1901. The Jesuit Fathers opened St Louis School for boys in 1938. For decades, these schools served their communities with distinction, each fostering strong traditions of faith, learning, and service.
In 1971, St Louis School transferred its oversight to the Perth Archdiocese under a newly appointed school council. Recognising the opportunity for broader educational offerings, the possibility of amalgamating Loreto and St Louis was explored. The two schools united at the end of 1976, and John XXIII College opened in 1977.
Our College's name honours Pope St John XXIII, a leader known for his commitment to renewal and unity. Our heritage is shaped by three founders: St Ignatius Loyola, Mary Ward, and Pope John XXIII. Together, their legacies inspire our mission to seek justice, nurture faith, and serve others.
In 1986, John XXIII College moved to its current Mount Claremont home, bringing the entire community together onto one campus.
OUR IGNATIAN AND LORETO CONNECTIONS
John XXIII College maintains strong ties with Loreto and Jesuit schools across Australia. As a College shaped by the traditions of both Mary Ward and St Ignatius of Loyola, we are proud to be part of the Jesuit and Companion Schools Australasia (JACSA) network and the Loreto Network. These partnerships enable collaboration, deepen our Ignatian spirituality, and create opportunities for staff and students to engage in shared formation, leadership, and social justice initiatives. Through these networks, we honour our history while actively building relationships that enrich the educational experience and strengthen our commitment to faith, service, and community.
ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA (1491–1556)
Born into Spanish nobility, Ignatius began his life as a courtier and soldier. After being wounded in battle, he experienced a profound spiritual conversion and dedicated himself to serving God. Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), whose members became known as the ‘schoolmasters of Europe’ for their commitment to education and service. His spiritual exercises and educational philosophy continue to shape our approach, encouraging students to seek God in all things, strive for excellence, and become people for others.
MARY WARD (1585–1645)
Mary Ward was born in England during a time of religious persecution. She felt called to serve God and, after time with the Poor Clares, founded the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto Sisters). Mary Ward advocated for women to access the same educational and service opportunities as men, facing considerable institutional opposition while establishing schools for girls across Europe. Despite imprisonment and hardship, she remained steadfast in her mission. Her legacy is one of courage, resilience, and commitment to justice and empowerment.
POPE ST JOHN XXIII (1881–1963)
Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli in Italy, Pope John XXIII was known for his pastoral warmth, openness, and commitment to renewal in the Catholic Church. He served as a priest, diplomat, patriarch, and Pope, and is most celebrated for convening the Second Vatican Council, which sought to modernise (Aggiornamento) the Church and promote unity. His inclusive spirit, sense of humour, and commitment to social justice make him a fitting patron for our College, inspiring a community that values tradition, faith, and service.
THE CREST
TRADITION, FAITH AND JUSTICE
The John XXIII College crest was designed by the late Iris Rossen, an architect and parent of the College. The design draws inspiration from Byzantine tower architecture, where the dome – represented by a circle – symbolises eternity and sits atop a solid, earth-bound square. At the heart of the crest is a gold cross, signifying the centrality of faith and the flow of justice from this point. The royal blue and gold colours were chosen to honour the two founding institutions, Loreto College and St Louis School, which came together to form John XXIII College in 1977.
The gold cross in the centre is always presented lighter than the blue background, symbolising the emanation of God's light. The harmonious combination of the square, circle, and cross reflects our commitment to justice, right relationships, and spiritual unity. Our College motto Seek Justice reflects the principal virtue that defines our community.
SCULPTURES THAT TELL OUR STORY
POPE JOHN XXIII SCULPTURE
The statue of Pope John XXIII was crafted and gifted in 1989 by Vietnamese sculptor and refugee Khoat Van Nguyen as an act of gratitude to the John XXIII College community for educating his five younger children. Created in his North Perth garden, the work shows Pope John XXIII welcoming all people, with a child holding a cricket bat to symbolise fair play and the Australian spirit. The names of the Nguyen children are inscribed on the school case carried by one of the children, making the sculpture a deeply personal symbol of welcome, gratitude, and community.
ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA SCULPTURE
Unveiled in 2014, the sculpture of St Ignatius of Loyola was created by artists Meliesa Judge and Will Kuiper of Liquid Metal Studios in Adelaide. Positioned outside the Ignatius Centre and gazing towards our College chapel, Ignatius is depicted as a young man in a moment of spiritual discernment, having laid down his sword and shield to follow a path of peace and service. The artwork invites reflection on the ongoing journey of discernment and the courage to choose a life of compassion and justice, with one foot forward.
MARY WARD SCULPTURE
Our Mary Ward sculpture was unveiled and blessed in 2009 to mark the 400th anniversary of Loreto education. One of eight identical pieces by Meliesa Judge and Will Kuiper installed at Loreto schools across Australia, it offers students a tangible and inspirational image of Mary Ward and her pioneering commitment to women’s education. The sculpture stands as a daily reminder of courage, resilience, and the pursuit of justice, reflecting values that continue to shape the life of our College community.
Together, these three sculptures are not only works of art but enduring symbols of our College’s heritage, values, and ongoing inspiration for students, staff, and families.
BECOMING SCULPTURE
Renowned sculptors Nicole and Alex Mickle from Safehaven Studios installed our artwork, Becoming, near the formal entry of our College. The striking sculpture, placed to welcome visitors, symbolises our origins from St Louis and Loreto College, evolution, and community unity, with two ascending lines evoking an ebb and flow of togetherness. Collaborating with Visual Arts ATAR students and staff over 18 months, it pays homage to founders Pope St John XXIII, St Ignatius of Loyola, and Mary Ward through intertwining forms that blend aluminium and corten steel, casting dynamic shadows and inspiring openheartedness, freedom, and justice.
HERITAGE
Voices from our community
Heritage magazine is our bi-annual publication celebrating the enduring legacy and dynamic life of the John XXIII College community. Each edition captures the voices, achievements, and experiences that define our College identity and direction.
From alumni achievements and student successes to staff perspectives and community initiatives, Heritage magazine connects our rich history with contemporary College life. Whether a current family, prospective parent, alumnus, or friend of the College, each edition offers authentic insight into the relationships, values, and experiences that define our community.
Read our latest issue below.
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