In Focus No 3 - 2019 - March

The start of the year has been filled with a palpable sense of endeavour and accomplishment. It is hard to comprehend the number of events and activities we have already enjoyed. Thank you to all the parents who joined our Parent Information Evenings both at Calista and Wellard. A strong partnership between staff, students and families is the essential recipe for success at school.  Thank you also to the P&F for hosting the Welcome Morning Tea. We are ever indebted to our hard working P&F who have planned many meaningful activities for the year ahead.

Swimming lessons for our Years 4, 5 and 6 students has proven to be an excellent addition to our busy timetable, with lessons for the Year 2s and 3s being scheduled for Term 4, allowing them time to settle into the routines of the year, whilst preparing for the summer holidays. 

PCACS School Council

Our School Council is made up of a diverse and dedicated group of volunteers from all walks of life who meet regularly to ensure the good governance of our School. In our first School Council Meeting of the year, Mr Jeremy Ludlow was endorsed as Chair of Council, with Mr Philip Goldsworthy endorsed as Deputy Chair of Council. Mr Goldsworthy has also taken on the role of Chair of Buildings and Grounds Committee.  Sadly, we farewelled Mr Ranjith Weddikkara from Council. As one of the founding members of the PCACS Council, Mr Weddikkara has been instrumental in driving many projects around our School and he was been a significant driving force in the development of our beautiful grounds and buildings. His dedication, enthusiasm and passion to assist our community has been greatly appreciated.

Year 5 Camp

It was a real treat joining the Year 5s on Tuesday at Forest Edge camp in Waroona. The students enjoyed lots of activities including building rafts, kayaking, the climbing wall, and they even let me have a ride on the Big Fox. The camp is designed to challenge the students to step outside their comfort zone and I know many are very pleased with themselves for taking on this challenge. Thank you to the Year 5 staff and the parent volunteers who made this camp such a success. 

Swimming Carnival

Today we held our Senior School Swimming Carnival at Aqua Jetty in Warnbro.  Our 2019 House Captains were inspiring and the level of competition was impressive.  It was great see such high levels of participation as well as a strong spirit of competition.  Thank you to all the parents who joined us for the day.  Well done to 'Laurence'  for bringing home the House shield.  All individual Champions and Runners-Up will be announced next week.

Scholarships

PCACS have advertised a number of scholarships for 2020.  Please visit our website to see the opportunities available for Senior School students. We are also now interviewing for enrolments for 2020 and 2021. If you know of any families who may be interested in joining our community, please encourage them to visit our website, join a Welcome Tour or just come by and see us.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Ms Felicity House
PRINCIPAL

This Term is in Full Swing!

As Week 4 draws to a close, it is evident that this term is well underway and the Junior School at both campuses is a flourishing hive of activity.

The swimming lessons for Year 4, 5 and 6 have been a huge success and provided our students a wonderful opportunity to develop their swimming skills in readiness for the Year 3 – 6 Swimming Carnival next Friday.

Year 5 students, teachers and parent volunteers had an awesome time at Forest Edge Recreation Camp, where they participated in exciting outdoor pursuits such as raft building, kayaking, low ropes, ski-biscuiting, climbing walls and the big flying fox.  A huge thank you goes to our volunteers: Merceline Amalraj, Anna Ulupov, Shaun Guppy, John Tuitupou, Darren Walters, Amie Leaf, Linda Hunt and Matthew Rowse.  The Year 5 teachers, Danielle Butler,  Carly Morphew and Alysha McDonald, along with the staff at Forest Edge are congratulated on an exciting and well organised experience for our Year 5 children.

Some of our Year 4, 5 and 6 students have been fortunate in being selected to work with environmental artist Calvin Chee to create an artwork using soft plastics, aiming to raise awareness about plastic waste and its impact on our local environment.  The finished artwork will be exhibited at the Darius Wells Library and Resource Centre in Kwinana as part of a series of activities during March and April 2019.

Our Kindergarten children are setting in well to PCACS and enjoy their fortnightly singing sessions with our Music specialist Ms Walter.

The Bush Play at Calista provides a wonderful springboard for learning about nature and caring for the environment.

Initial testing and assessments have been completed across the Junior School and teachers are using the assessment data to ensure students are taught according to their needs.

Our teaching staff welcome family input and are available for you to make appointments if you would like to discuss your child and set goals for the term. 

As always, I thank families for their support and look forward to continually developing our partnership in educating your child.

Mrs Shirley Steel
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Parents,

A reminder that Term 1 fees are now overdue and need to be paid promptly.  Please contact the Finance Office on 9439 3499 or finance@pcacs.wa.edu.au to make payment or to arrange a Direct Debit.  All outstanding fees have now incurred a late fee.

Music and VET fees are due on 8 March 2019.

Thank you to all the Families that have already paid.

2019 Student Residential address and other information collection notice

Please be advised that the Department of Education and Training is conducting a collection of Student Residential Address information.   Families are not required to do anything, and are advised that personal information relating to the collection is protected by the Privacy Act 1988.  For a copy of the 2019 Collection notice please visit the SEQTA portal (parent letters section) which outlines the information that is being requested.  

Student Enrolment Interviews

Enrolment interviews for KG and Year 7 2020/2021 are now underway.   If have not yet submitted your Enrolment applications for a sibling you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

Lost Property

We already have a number of items in our Lost property at Student Services ranging from uniform items to lunchboxes and drink bottles.  If your child is missing an item please ask them to check in with Student Services. 

International Service Learning Tours

Thank you to everyone who attended the recent information evenings for the Service Learning Tours to Cambodia and Samoa.

If you would like more information on either trip, please contact Mrs Rebecca Weddikkara, Service Learning Coordinator. 

Service Learning Tour:  Samoa
Travel Dates:   July 2019
Year Levels:  9 and 10
Applications Close:  Friday 29 March

Brief Overview:   This tour is open to Year 9 and 10 students from all ASC schools.  The focus of this trip is for students to spend time with the students and teachers at All Saints Anglican School in Apia.  They will also have time to discover the beauty of Samoa – the people, the culture, the landscape, the beaches, the traditions.

Service Learning Tour:  Cambodia
Travel Dates:  April 2020
Year Levels:  10 and 11 (2019)
Applications Close:  Friday 1 March

Brief Overview:  This tour is organised by Frederick Irwin Anglican School and students from PCACS and John Wollaston Anglican Community School are invited to be a part of it.  The focus of this trip is for students to work one-on-one with ex-street children teaching them and building relationships.  The students will also learn about the rich history and immerse themselves in the culture.  

Anglicare Ambassadors

Last week six students, chosen as this year’s PCACS Anglicare WA School Ambassadors, attended the launch event at Wollaston Conference Centre along with 120 other students from 17 Anglican schools.  The students learnt about the main areas of focus of Anglicare WA including the Street Connect Bus, and were inspired with ideas on ways to raise awareness and funds for much needed causes.  They participated in an activity that highlighted the significant gap between Australians in regards to household income, education levels and lifestyle.  The ambassadors are passionate about learning more about social justice in Western Australia, in particular youth homelessness, and sharing this knowledge with our school community.  Watch this space for upcoming events and fundraising opportunities. 

YMAD – Monday Lunchtimes

YMAD (Youth Making a Difference) is a lunchtime Service Learning group that is led by the Service Captain, Aiden Galbraith, with the assistance of the Anglicare Ambassadors.  Students are encouraged to come with their ideas, skills and passions, and as a group they discuss how we can help our community and work towards actioning these ideas.  All students from Years 5 to 12 are invited to attend this group.  We meet Monday lunchtimes in the Junior Music Room.

Fix It With 5 – by giving small, we can make a big difference

Fix It With 5 jars are back in classrooms.  Week 5 is our main focus week for giving to Fix It With 5.  The Anglicare Ambassadors will be visiting classes to collect funds this coming week.

Bring in your spare change… 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, whatever it may be… and contribute to Anglicare WA.  An organisation who help people to rise above the tough times in areas including indigenous communities, homelessness, disadvantaged youth, mental health, parenting support, family and domestic violence, financial assistance and disability services.

Our school community can work together to:

• create something big
• make changes in people’s lives that are significant
• bless those who are being challenged

Mrs Rebecca Weddikkara
SERVICE LEARNING COORDINATOR

Camp Mornington is the perfect place for the Year 7 camp, with the backdrop of a beautiful tranquil environment of the blue gum plantation, surrounded by bush and native animals.  The outdoors is good for the mind, body and soul and students welcomed the opportunity to push the ‘reset button’ taking advantage of being away from modern day distractions and all the stresses of teenage life. The exhilarating, fun and exciting range of activities on offer were designed to promote communication and teambuilding skills. I witnessed students overcome fears, gain confidence, challenge themselves and develop leadership skills. The camp spirit was well and truly alive with students supporting and encouraging each other, from jumping off the flying fox to raft building or just being kind to each other especially when homesickness set in. What an awesome sight, watching students enjoy the company of others, forging bonds and mateships that could last a lifetime.

Each day began with a 6.45am alarm call, but most students were up and about already. Sleeping was not a priority! A rota ensured that students took it in turns to set the tables and wash the dishes. Thank you to Ms Rameka and Mrs Rupke for providing the lovely words of thanks before we ate our meals. Activities started at 9am and students were keen to commence with the challenges ahead. Mid ropes and low ropes facilitated communication and collaboration. Crate climbing challenged the students who were afraid of heights. The swimming pool provided a welcome cooling off period and the bush craft brought out their creative side including Mr Dukic’s artistic talents. Night time activities included: building an egg drop catcher with a limited budget and resources; Bingo night and movie night.

Thank you to all the staff: Ms Rameka, Mrs Rupke, Mr Carman, Mr Proctor and Mr Dukic, who gave up their time and time away from their families to support the students on camp. I honestly can say that this was the most rewarding and pleasurable experience of my whole teaching career. The students were amazing, and I am very humbled to be trusted with the care of your child whilst away on camp. Click HERE to view the Year 7 Camp Video.

Mrs Vicki Musson-Brown
YEAR 7 COORDINATOR

The PCACS Facebook page is where you can find daily image galleries and information pertaining to events and activities happening at the school.  

Go to the page if you haven't already and give us a LIKE.  Our online presence is the quickest and most accessible spot for finding out what is happening at PCACS.

https://www.facebook.com/PeterCarnleyACS/

100 Club is a running club open to all Year 2 to 6 students, running all year round. The aim is for students to complete 100kms of running before the end of the school year.

There are many student benefits that can be gained by joining 100 Club including:

 Improvement in personal fitness.

• Training for improved performance in school cross country, athletics and weekend sporting commitments.
• Making friends with students in a range of year levels across the Junior School.  

If your child is only able to attend the club for part of the year they are still more than welcome to participate in Term 1.

Any parent who like to assist in sponsoring this Co Curricular group, we are looking to fund Achievement badges/Medals and eventually a running T-shirt as part of their involvement.  If you can assist in any capacity, it is an initiative we feel will grow every year!

Contact:  smaddy@pcaca.wa.edu.au

Miss Samantha Maddy
JUNIOR SCHOOL CO CURRICULAR  COORDINATOR

In Week 3 our Guys and Dolls cast were lucky enough to participate in a workshop led by renowned WA playwright and performer, Dr Michelle Aslett.  Dr Aslett led the students through a number of activities exploring gesture, character and accent as they developed “stage business” for next term’s production at Koorliny Arts Centre.  

Lona Lokosang, who plays Lt Brannigan, described the workshop as "motivating" and enjoyed working with such an experienced performer.  Faith Clowry, who plays Miss Adelaide, also enjoyed the workshop and felt it gave her a new confidence to further develop her character before presenting her to an audience. 

Guys and Dolls Jr opens on Wednesday 8 May at the Koorliny Arts Centre.  Stay tuned for ticket details.  For any more information, please contact Ms Alicia Walter.

Hello parents & friends,

It’s been a busy start to the year with the creation of our annual calendar, two parent information nights and of course our welcome morning tea at Calista Campus.

Our morning tea was a wonderful start to the year with around 40 parents gathering at Calista to welcome in the new school year. It was a lovely opportunity for parents to meet one another and share stories and ideas about school activities. We look forward to providing another opportunity for parents to interact in Term 2 at our Wellard Campus.

For those who were unable to attend the parent information sessions, we did hand out our annual calendar which outlines all of our P&F events currently scheduled for this year. If you would like a copy these are available from reception at both campuses or online HERE

The P&F is also currently working to create a student costume box that will be made available on those special celebration days to any student who is unable to provide their own costume but would still like to participate in the festivities. So if you have a costume that your children no longer wear or have grown out of, we ask that you consider donating it to our costume box. Donations can be left at reception at either campus. We hope that this initiative will assist those students who might otherwise feel excluded when these activities take place. It would be useful if the costumes are placed in a clear plastic bag with a label with description and size eg. Batman 6yr old.

Disco preparations are now in full swing. Details of ticket sale dates etc. will be coming home at the start of week six with ticket sales at both campuses in Week 7. The disco is being held on Friday 22 March in the undercover area at Wellard Campus. This year the disco will be open to students from Kindy to Year 6 with the senior students having their own roller disco later in the term. We will release full details of that event in the coming weeks.

Finally some information in relation to school banking. We have had some challenges to overcome this year in relation to increased compliance requirements from CBA. I am happy to advise that we have now resolved all the issues and school banking will commence shortly. An announcement of the start date will be made via social media in the coming days. We look forward to providing the opportunity for students to learn about saving through this wonderful program throughout the school year.

We hope everyone is enjoying the year so far and we look forward to seeing you all at an event soon.

Ms Clarissa Thomson
PRESIDENT

This term 23 Junior School students are participating in Jump Rope for Heart. Students have been working hard to raise money for the Heart Foundation and have already raised $532.40! Thank you to all the parents and friends who have made donations already to these amazing students!

George Britton – I like doing Jump Rope because it makes my heart healthier. I’m doing lots of exercise for my heart and my body!

Good luck jumping!

Miss Samantha Maddy
JUNIOR SCHOOL CO CURRICULAR COORDINATOR

The Welcome Back to School Sausage Sizzle was another success to start Term 1 2019.

Thank you to Canteen staff member Kerrie Hague and her son Alex for their assistance on the day as well as P&F parent, Matthew Rowse and Nick de Casto, a grandparent at the school.  Our volunteers at PCACS are very valued within our community and their dedicated time ensure such events can take place throughout the year.

Mrs Sabrina Guppy
CANTEEN MANAGER

The  Pi Day Competition will be taking place on Thursday 14 March 2019 at 12.45pm. It is a challenge to recite as many digits of pi as you can. (See details below)