In Focus - Vol 6 - Edition 1 - 4 May 2018

Welcome to Term 2

We started the term with a solemn ANZAC Day Service in the Keith Lindbeck Centre. It is our honour to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed force and to acknowledge those who continue to serve our country, risking their lives to keep Australia safe and to secure peace and freedom around the world. During the service, Warrant Officer Class One Matt Fuery from the Army addressed the students. He spoke of the significance of trust and mateship both in his personal life as well as in his life in the Army.  Matt challenged the students to live their lives centred around their core values, striving for their personal best. Linking PCACS positive behaviour expectations of Excellence, Pride and Kindness to the Army values of Courage, Initiative, Teamwork and Respect, Matt asked the students to reflect on these values at the end of each week.

What have you done this week that was excellent, displayed pride or showed respect? 

At the start of the week, our staff joined our fellow ASC Schools at the Christian Purposes Day. The keynote speaker was Major Matina Jewell, a graduate from Duntroon who went on to earn eight war medals. Her postings included tracking militia leaders in the Solomons, serving with the American Navy Seals and Australian Special Services, and United Nations Peacekeeping missions. Matina was deployed on five overseas operational missions. It was whilst Peacekeeping on the border of Lebanon, Israel and Syria that she sustained life threatening injuries, including internal injuries and five broken vertebrae. Her story was of leading herself and others, fighting for what is right and the considerable strength and determination it takes to rehabilitate after injury and depression. Matina’s story has been told on Australian Story and her book Caught in the Crossfire is being made into a movie. Matina is a shining example of the ANZAC spirit.




Term 2 brings a strong academic focus with NAPLAN, Senior School exams and semester assessments across the school, leading to reporting later in the term. I encourage all families to settle quickly into study and homework routines in this short, nine-week term. Raising children is a constantly changing landscape as they grow and mature, their needs change. The Sunday Times featured an article on Steve Biddulph’s new edition of his most successful book Raising Boys. He has also co-authored a book called Raising Girls. Both books are excellent sources of parenting advice. He contends that children need more guidance than ever in this digital age. A recipe of love, cuddles and time is his suggestion for parenting across the ages and to know your child and their particular needs.   

Staff News

After 8 years of dedicated service to PCACS, Mrs Maggie Dunnill, Head of Junior School will be leaving us at the end of Term 2, 2018.  Mrs Dunnill has decided that the time is right to give more time to her family and we wish her well in her future endeavours. We will farewell Mrs Dunnill in a suitable manner as the term draws to a close.  Mrs Dunnill is currently on Long Service Leave.   

Miss Kierin Janes is Acting Head of Junior School whilst Mrs Dunnill is on leave. Mrs Fleur Gwerder will be covering Miss Jane’s classes during this time. We welcome back Mrs Kendall Roberts from her long service leave. Mrs Donna Bowdler has moved into Year 6 and we welcome Mrs Michelle Pokroy to our Year 2 teaching team.

Ms Felicity House

PRINCIPAL

Family Contact Details

As we move more into having correspondence sent home to families through electronic means families are reminded that it is essential that the School has up to date contact details including email addresses.  Please ensure that the School is informed in writing of any changes to your child’s circumstances, including “going home” arrangements, medical information or general family circumstances either by emailing info@pcacs.wa.edu.au or coming into the office and filling out a change of details form.

Student Medical Conditions

Parents are reminded if they have a child with a medical condition or there has been any changes to their child’s previously recorded medical condition over the holidays, they need to inform the School in writing either by emailing info@pcacs.wa.edu.au or coming into the office to see Celia in Student Services.  This is especially important if a student is to have a new Medical Action Plan put in place.   Parents are also reminded of the School Policy which states that students with ongoing medical conditions are required to provide the School with correct and in-date medication as necessary.

A copy of the 2017 School Performance Report is now now available in the Compliance section of the website and also at the link below.

This week the Wellard Campus has commemorated our war fallen with our ANZAC service. We were privileged to have as our guest speaker Warrant Office Class One, Matt Fuery, Regimental Sergeant Major of 13 Combat Service Support Battalion, who had the rather daunting task of speaking with all of our Year 2 to Year 12 students, on the first day of Term 2. 

Our Bible reading was from Romans 12: 9-18, which ends, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone”. 

Officer Fuery spoke of the Army values of courage, teamwork, initiative and respect and how they tie in very nicely with our School values.

Officer Fuery sent me his talk several weeks ago, and so I chose the Bible reading knowing what he was going to say. You might think that a Bible reading urging us all to live in peace with everyone might be an odd reading to have at an ANZAC service, but I would like to remind you that we remember those who gave their lives for others who do not or did not have the same rights and privileges that we have here in Australia. I see these two topics dovetailing nicely together.

Social justice in action.
 
Our Year 9s have been thinking of social justice issues in their RAVE classes this week, so this is all rather timely. Treating each other as we would each like to be treated is the foundation not only of Western society, but also of several Eastern societies. Our Year 9s learned that the Christian golden rule of “treat others as you would like to be treated” is in fact, the primary teaching of 9 of the world’s major religions.
 
It is only by treating each other well and with respect that we can advance as a society, and this is something that God longs for, and has done through the ages.
 
Services at All Saints, Kwinana  
9am Sundays - usual Sunday Communion service. 
All are welcome.

Note:  Rev Linda Flewker-Barker is away until early May, so we will have a selection of priests who have agreed to take services for her. You will still be very welcome in her absence. 

The Reverend Melanie Simms
CHAPLAIN

Parents, who are in a position to volunteer their time to assist in the Library, we are holding our Term 3 Busy Bees:

DATES:

Wednesday 25 July
Wednesday 29 August 

TIMES:
8.30am - 10.30am

Morning tea included.

The Library Team

In Week 4 of Term 2, Wednesday 23 May to Friday 25 May, the Calista Campus will be hosting The Scholastic Book Fair.  This event is a great way to promote literacy in the Early Learning campus.  For this event to be a success and being an annual event, it requires volunteer help. 

If you would like to assist with the writing of Wish lists or sales please contact Mrs Melanie Hill at info@pcacs.wa.edu.au

Thank you.

There are a number of new activities being run on the Calista and Wellard Campuses this term.

At Calista, students enrolled in new activities such as, Just Dance and Drawing Club.

At Wellard, students had the opportunity to enrol in new activities including Golf Club, Lunch Time Meditation, Team Building Skills and Sports Club, Drama Club, Running Club and Colouring Club.

Activities will commence the week beginning Monday 7 May 2018 - Week 2

The final sessions will be conducted the week ending Friday 22 June 2018 - Week 8

Parents are reminded to collect students from the relevant pick up area at Calista, and from the Junior School courtyard at Wellard, no later than 4.30pm.

Ms Samantha Maddy
Junior School Co Curricular Coordinator

On Thursday 12 April, the Year 6 classes converged at the Calista Campus for the first ever Year 6 Sleepover. For many of our Year 6 families, this also provided their first chance to visit the impressive Calista Campus. The aim of the sleepover was to provide an opportunity to learn about leadership and put that learning into practice. The day was split into three key areas: Role models, Leading Like a Strawberry not a Watermelon (Leading with Integrity) and Leadership for Service.

Role Models

In this session students were asked to reflect on what a role model was and to begin to identify role models within their own community. Discussions around being a role model with their actions, being a role model with their values and being a role model with their words were facilitated so that students could identify practical ways to demonstrate role model behaviours. Students talked about the values that they were already strong role models for within the school community and identified areas that they could further develop. Perhaps the favourite team game included in this session was when students used string and washers to transport a tennis ball through an obstacle course.

Leading Like a Strawberry not a Watermelon (Leading with Integrity)

A strawberry leader is the same on the inside as they are on the outside. They have integrity and will do what they say they will do. A watermelon leader is one thing on the outside and another on the inside. A watermelon leader will say one thing and then do something completely different. Students discussed the importance of leading with integrity and completed role plays demonstrating integrity. In the team games that followed, student enjoyed blindfolded activities, and leading others with honesty and care.

Leadership for Service   

Students looked at the qualities of a leader who provides service to others. They brainstormed ways that they could undertake service at school and the wider community. Students were involved in rejuvenating the Early Learning Gardens including weeding, turning over soil and planting winter vegetables that will like to the Pre Primary and Kindergarten Term 2 programmes. Students were also involved in food preparation and service of afternoon tea for their peers.

At the conclusion of their leadership activities, the Year 6 cohort enjoyed time at the Kwinana Adventure Playground and playing various games on the Calista Campus. The evening concluded with a movie and with various amounts of sleep. After breakfast and a chance to burn off some energy, students were collected and went home to enjoy their holidays.

I would like to extend a warm thank you to the Year 6 teachers, Mrs Claire Trainor, Miss Jane England and Mrs Hollie Dunn who coordinated, organised and ran the leadership activities. Thank you also to Mr James Morris, Miss Alexia Mallett, Miss Samantha Maddy, Mrs Donna Bowdler and Mrs Alysha McDonald who generously volunteered their time to assist in supervising this event.

With so many competent Year 6 leaders within our school, Term 2 is off to a great start.

Miss Kierin Janes
ACTING HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

As we begin our Learning Journey into Term 2, we can take a quick look back at how far we have come.  As Year 7 students, you have navigated transitioning between many different classrooms, adjusted to the teaching styles of many different teachers and many of you have succeeded in organisation and the use of lockers.  Many friendships have been made and the positivity of you all is shaping a happy and positive Year 7 group.

This term is busy time for Year 7.  To assist all parents and students, I have now placed an information page specifically for Year 7 onto SEQTA Engage and SEQTA Learn to assist you all with upcoming events that apply to our year group.  I hope you will find this page useful. 

I will be running Year 7 Tutorials this term and targeting specific goals for improvement for all students.  These will run before and after school.  Students will be given one week notice of their tutorial time and I hope that parents will support this initiative and engage with their child what areas need focus and how we can work as a team to achieve these goals. 

I look forward to meeting many of you at Parent/Teacher interviews.   

Mrs Natascha Clark
YEAR 7 COORDINATOR

This year, the Grandparents Morning Tea will be held this term (Term 2) on 6 June 2018.

In previous years, this annual event has been held in Term 4.  More details will be distributed to parents in the coming weeks.

Literacy Support tips

Reading daily – Encourage your child to find a comfy spot (it could be anywhere, under the table, on the trampoline or in bed!) and read quietly to themselves. Afterwards, ask questions about their favourite page or favourite part they read. Be part of their reading.

Writing daily – Your child can write the shopping lists for you, send messages or emails to friends or family members – all part of using literacy!

Organisation – Display a term planner of Term 2 on the fridge, to show what is happening at PCACS, including tests, events and projects due.  A good reminder for all the family.

Don’t forget to establish routines in the evening before school; pack bag, check diary (sign diary) and talk about the timetable for the next day. 

Inclusive Education Team

Last Saturday saw the start of the Winter Netball Season. Our seven PCACS teams, except one who had a bye went out on the court and played their best, some girls for the very first time. Out of the seven teams, three teams came away with fantastic wins, with Lil Divas winning by an impressive 63 goals.

If you would like to come down and watch the girls play at Mike Barnett Centre in Rockingham, fixtures can be found on the RDNA website.

Jennai Malaquin

Year 8 student Jennai Malaquin has been training since February in the RDNA Talent Development Squad program and was recently selected to continue in the RDNA representative team for U13's. She will playing against other clubs in the Smarter than Smoking Association Championships over the June long weekend.

Congratulations Jennai.

Mrs Kylie Trent

Hello parents and friends and welcome to Term 2! I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays and are all ready for another exciting term.

The P&F are kicking off term two with some exciting festivities planned for Mother’s Day next week.

The Mother’s Day stall makes a return with children able to purchase a gift for Mum or Grandma from a lovely selection, with gifts starting at just $1.  The stall will be open from 8.00am to 8.30am in the Junior School courtyard at the Wellard Campus on Monday 7 May and at the Y02 Hub (which is the old Kindy kitchen area) on Friday 11 May.

Calista campus will not miss out with the stall being open from 8.00am to 8.30am on both Tuesday 8 May and Thursday 10 May outside the auditorium.

We will have both cash and card facilities available at both campuses so make sure to encourage the kids to come along and buy something lovely for mum or grandma.

We are also still holding our traditional Mother’s Day breakfast where families can indulge in a lovely breakfast of croissants, danishes, cupcakes and other treats. The breakfast is being held on Friday 11 May from 7.15am to 8.15am in the Y02 Hub. Tickets are only available via try booking and due to catering requirements ticket sales close TODAY so make sure to book your tickets now before you miss out. Tickets can be booked online at www.trybooking.com/VDFP.

Our first meeting this term will be held on Wednesday 23 May from 6.00pm at the Wellard Campus. We encourage all parents and friends to attend and see what’s going on with your P&F.

This term it is Wellard’s turn to host a friendraiser which is being held on Thursday 24 May.  Be sure to keep an eye out for more information on that one.

And of course we have the very popular winter movie night on the last day of this term. Details will be released in the coming weeks but be sure to mark your calendars as you are sure to not want to miss the exciting movie we have planned!

That’s it from us for this week. Hope to see you all during our Mother’s Day celebrations next week!

Clarissa Thomson
President
PCACS P&F

Do you know a young person making a positive contribution to the community? Nominations are now open for Round 23 of the Leadership Youth Respect in Kwinana (LyriK) Awards. The LyriK awards celebrate the achievements and positive contributions of young people in the Kwinana community.

The LyriK Awards are designed to celebrate the positive contributions young people in Kwinana have made to the community, and each young person can be nominated for the following categories: Achievement, Inspiration, Leadership/Role Model, Mateship, Respect, and Teamwork.

If you know someone that deserves to be acknowledged for going above and beyond, please nominate them now at lyrik.com.au. Winners will each receive $250 plus a $50 donation to a charity of their choice.

All Saints' Parish - Mother's Day Fete

Where:  Anglican Church (Corner of Bickner and Chisham Ave, Parmelia)
When:  Saturday  5 May, 9.00am

• STALLS - Cakes, Crafts, Books, Jumble, Cards, Plants, Jewellery and lots more.
• Open op-shop 
• Raffle
• Sausage Sizzle  and yummy Devonshire teas

 Come and enjoy a fun day!