The Class of 2018

There comes a time when the Year 12s are ready to venture beyond our gates. That time has come for our Class of 2018.  To honour their time at PCACS, we held a moving Valedictory Assembly where the staff and students paid tribute to the Year 12s. The Year 6 students sang This Is Me from the movie “The Greatest Showman” and the Prefects spoke on behalf of the Year 12s. At the end, the younger students formed a guard of honour. This glorious PCACS tradition is truly uplifting to watch.   As the Year 12s pass, the younger students cheer and wave to the ‘big kids’, finally gathering at the cross at the front of the school.  We followed on that evening with our Valedictory Eucharist and Dinner.  Thank you to Reverend Linda Flewker-Barker from All Saints parish in Kwinana for leading our Eucharist Service.  I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the Class of 2018 all the best for the future.  I have no doubt they will leave PCACS with strong values and bright futures ahead of them.   They will be missed.  

Click HERE to watch the Valedictory Farewell Video.  Additionally, you can preview a few snapshots on our web gallery HERE

Prefect Selection Process 

As we say goodbye to the Class of 2018, we now have the task of selecting our 2019 School Prefects. The roles for 2019 will be Head Girl, Head Boy, House, Service and Arts. The selection process began with the students nominating themselves by writing to me describing what they bring to the role and to share their vision. The candidates then addressed the School or House, followed by voting. We are blessed with a talented field of applicants. The quality of the speeches and their clear love for PCACS is very heart-warming. We now move to the interview stage. I wish all the candidates well as they progress through the process and look forward to sharing the names of the 2019 Prefect body with you at the Senior School Awards Ceremony.

Bintang Timur Staff Visit PCACS

After a long association with Bintang Timur School, it has been most rewarding to host staff from the School here at PCACS. Mrs Susan Setiawan, Mr Pak Made and Mr Pak Putu have spent two weeks in the Junior School at both Calista and Wellard, working in our classrooms. They have learned a great deal about teaching and learning from our talented Junior School Staff. It has also been a wonderful experience for our students to learn more about Bali and the School from our visitors. I thank Miss Nicola Hoad and Miss Alexia Mallett for making arrangements for the visit and wish our friends from Bintang Timur School all the best as they travel home to Bali. 

Staffing

We farewell Mrs Hollie Dunn in early November as she commences leave before the birth of her baby. We wish Mrs Dunn all the very best and welcome Miss Lana Ceklic as the Year 6 teacher for the remainder of Term 4. 

Ms Felicity House
PRINCIPAL

The Joy of Learning!

This fortnight I have had the pleasure of witnessing a range of joyful learning across the Junior School.  Here are just a few snippets of what has been happening.

Poetry personified!  Year 3 students have been exploring the use of personification in poetry.  Izaac Bryan perfectly described personification as, ‘when human characteristics are given to non-human things.’  Year 3 created personification flowers.  Some of their amazing personification sentences included:

The flower reached out to hug me – Sienna Hohl

The tree’s leaves are waving at me in the breeze – Charlee Waite

Flowers are playing hide and seek in the grass – Liam Benson

The sunflower stared up at the sun – Elvis Kemboi

The flower was opening up for a hug – Anushka Pun

Fun with fractions!  Year 2 laughed as they learned about ‘fractions’ and marvelled how the word ‘fractures’ sounds similar.  The students decided that you probably could ‘fracture’ an orange into ‘fractions.’

Making a difference in the world!  Last term Year 1 investigated Endangered Animals, and they continue to be our PCACS animal experts by sharing their passion for the protection of animals.  Year 1 students are Eco-Warriors in the making!

Wow, musical talent!  On Monday 22 October the Junior Eisteddfod took place at Calista and Wellard campuses which showcased a variety of wonderful musical talent, as well as the opportunity to display respectful manners as an audience.

Cultural exchange!  Our Balinese visitors, Ibu Susan, Pak Made and Pak Putu showed pleasure in their learning about Australia and great pride in sharing information with us about Indonesia. Friendships and memories have been formed and will stay with us for years to come.

Commitment and perseverance!  Athletics training for the KSSA Interschool Carnival continues throughout recess and lunchtimes for those dedicated students who will be competing on Thursday 1 November and Friday 2 November.  Seeing their commitment to training reminds us that ‘practice makes perfect.’

Congratulations to 3B!  They presented a wonderful Chapel item called The Parable of Joy, and read beautiful prayers.

Community connections!  At the Upper Junior Assembly to be held in the Keith Lindbeck Centre on 31 October at 8am, Ms Taylor’s Year 2 class will be performing an item and Ms Madeleine King MP will be in attendance to present PCACS a new Australian flag.  Please feel welcome to join us for this occasion.

Christmas is coming!  Early Learning children have started rehearsing for their Nativity performance which will be held on Tuesday 20 November.  Their singing is sounding wonderful, so please mark your diaries so you don’t miss out on this wonderful event.

Junior School Awards Presentation!  Save the date for this celebration which is to be held on Thursday 22 November at 10am.

Reflecting on the wonderful learning that is occurring across the Junior School years, I do encourage families to ask their children periodically about the learning occurring at school.  It is important to celebrate new learning and reflect on progress being made.

I wish students and families a joyful fortnight ahead!

Mrs Shirley Steel
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

Farewell and Best Wishes from Our School Community

Congratulations to our 2018 Year 12 graduating class who celebrated the end of their school days with their Valedictory Assembly in the morning. The School Community thanked the students for their leadership and for their many contributions throughout their school years.  At the conclusion of the assembly the traditional guard of honour was formed by students from Junior and Senior School to ‘high five’ the graduation class as they made their way to the labyrinth garden and the Cross at the entrance of the School.

Their gift to the School Community, a healthy tree symbolises their future; the hope that their lives will grow strong and flourish in so many positive ways.  We thank them for this gift as it will remind future years of their generosity and goodwill as past students of the School.

The evening Valedictory dinner and Celebration of the Eucharist was a very special way for parents, the Year 12 graduates and PCACS staff to say goodbye and to extend our best wishes for their futures.

A special thanks to Reverend Linda Flewker-Barker who presided at the Celebration of the Eucharist and joined us to say farewell at the dinner.  My sincere thanks to the staff for their dedication and care for all Year 12 students throughout their time at PCACS and to those who contributed in any way to make their last day one to remember.

We wish Year 12 students the best of luck as they prepare for their final ATAR External Examinations commencing Monday 29 October and finishing Friday 16 November.

Senior School Parent Teacher and Student Interviews

Year 7 – 12 Parent, Teacher and Student interviews held over the past two weeks provided some valuable progressive course results to parents and their child.  The timing of these interviews just four weeks away from Semester 2 examinations will assist students to prepare a revision study programme based on the in depth advice from their respective teachers.

The Semester 2 Examination timetable is available on SEQTA.  Students are encouraged to seek assistance from their teachers and to attend Co Curricular support classes to help them achieve their personal best results.

Thank you to all parents and careers who attended the Parent, Teacher and Student interviews.  Parents are welcome to contact their child’s class teacher, Learning Area Coordinator, Director of Curriculum or Head of Senior School if you require any assistance with your child’s preparation for the examinations.

ONLINE Literacy and Numeracy (OLNA)

Year 10 and 11 students who sat OLNA in September have been issued a copy of their results.  A reminder that Category 3 is required in Writing, Reading and Numeracy to meet this Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) requirement at the end of Year 12.  Students who remain on Category 2 for any of the three assessments will be required to re sit in March 2019.  Please contact Mr Ross Dods if you require additional information.

Term 4

Students and their teachers began Term 4 in a very businesslike manner anticipating a very busy two months with assessments and preparation for examinations as the main focus.  Parents are encouraged to talk to their child about their learning to support them as they finish the 2018 school year.

Parents are welcome to contact me at the School for further information.

God Bless.

Ms Judith Stringer
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

On Wednesday 17 October the Year 12 class of 2018 were farewelled with a range of Valedictory celebrations.  Their final day at school begun with a Valedictory assembly which included a range of speeches from Ms House, Ms Stringer, and Mr Halliday to reflect on the student’s time at PCACS and also look to the future to wish them well.  Brock Molloy, Rebecca Carson-Holmes, and Ashleigh Watson shared some memories on behalf of the Year 12 cohort and expressed their gratitude towards the teachers who helped them on their journey through school.  Many of their memories and highlights were captured in a video, which takes them on a journey back through their many years of life at PCACS.  The Year 6 students performed the song ‘This is Me’ from the movie ‘The Greatest Showman’, and the Junior School did a magical job of forming the guard of honour for the Year 12’s, to continue what is a very fitting tradition in our school. 

In the evening, the Year 12 students returned to school with their families to celebrate their graduation with a Eucharist and dinner.  During the Eucharist celebrations, students were challenged to reflect on the lessons learned at school and think about how they will now enter the wider community as individuals who possess salt of the earth characteristics.  The dinner provided a lovely opportunity for students, families, and teachers to share in the many wonderful memories from their time at school and acknowledge the huge amount of effort and commitment put in over the years to reach their goals.  On the night there were more speeches from staff, and the students showed their kindness and gratitude with a range of gifts and thoughtful words being presented to their teachers. 

The Valedictory celebrations were a wonderful celebration of the journey of our class of 2018.  They will be missed by their teachers and peers, but will forever be valued members of the PCACS community.  

Mr Adam Halliday
DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE

Lost Property

There is a large amount of Lost property (including Winter uniforms) in our Student Services office, if your child has lost something please ask them to come in and check the box.

Family contact information

The School would like to remind families, if you have recently moved house or had a change in contact details such as a phone number or email address please let us know as soon as possible.

Absences

Completing an online absentee form or emailing the school is one of the easiest ways to ensure your child’s absence from school is noted.  To submit your notification you can go onto the website and click on the contact button or email directly to absences@pcacs.wa.edu.au

Guys and Dolls

Rehearsals for the 2019 PCACS Production, Guys and Dolls Jr, have begun and it is already sounding great!  The cast is busy rehearsing after school twice a week, practising songs and learning choreography in preparation for what looks to be a fantastic production.  This week we were visited by New Zealand Bass, Wade Kernot, a member of the current WA Opera Production “Don Giovanni” who taught us some new warm-ups, and helped our men develop their stage voices. He was very impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the cast.

Guys and Dolls Jr will be performed at the Koorliny Arts Centre at the beginning of Term 2 and is a show not to be missed.  Watch this space for more information.

2018 Interhouse Music Eisteddfod

This week our instrumental students took part in the 2018 Interhouse Music Eisteddfod.  The Music Eisteddfod is a wonderful performance opportunity for students to not only showcase their talent but also receive valuable feedback regarding their performance from an external adjudicator.  House Points are awarded to all participants with extra points awarded to Highly Commended Award winners and 1^st place winners.  All House Points will be counted and the House group with the most points will win the Music Eisteddfod Shield for 2018.

This year our adjudicators were Mr Daemon Clark (Junior School) and Ms Kath Alexander (Senior School).  Both adjudicators talked to the students about the value of regular practice to achieve fluidity in playing, as well as the importance of using the notated articulations to create light and shade in their performance.  They commended our students for their respectful behaviour both as performers and audience members.

The Eisteddfod highlighted the large amount of talent currently in the Peter Carnley music programme with all students showing enormous growth from last year’s Eisteddfod.  I look forward to seeing these students continue to grow and achieve in preparation for next year’s Eisteddfod.

A special thank you to all the parents, friends and teachers who attended the performances to support our students.

If you are interested in learning an instrument, please see Ms Alicia Walter, in the Music Department.

Please find a list of winners below.  Trophies will be presented at an upcoming assembly.

Alicia Walter
COORDINATOR OF MUSIC

JUNIOR EISTEDDFOD

K-1

Highly Commended: 

Cooper Collinson (KGT) piano
Lachlan Kirk (KGT) piano
Isabella Smith (1H) piano
Overall: Katherine Fang (1H) piano

Year 2

Highly Commended:

Amy Chapman (2T) piano
Maria Sawicki (2P) piano
Overall: Conor Sheen (2T) drums

Year 3

Highly Commended:

Kai Jordan (3M) drums
Anushka Pun (3M) violin
Overall: Sienna Hohl (3M) cello

Year 4

Highly Commended:

Imogen Guppy (4M)
Jade Hutton (4T)
Overall: Mandi Fang (4M) cello

Year 5

Highly Commended:

Olivia Walters (5Mc) violin
Overall: Leon Stones (5B) piano

Year 6

Highly Commended: 

Yeushabelle Caquilala (6D) piano
Pauline Reyes (6E) piano
Overall: Chudy Isidieunu (6B) piano

SENIOR EISTEDDFOD

Woodwind

Highly Commended:

Tahlia Kelly (7) clarinet
Emily-Oceiana Mills (7) clarinet
Overall: Mia Dorant (8) clarinet

Vocal & guitar

Highly Commended:

Audrey Sullivan (9) voice
Overall: Cassandra Palermo (11) voice

Strings

Highly Commended:

Luke Whitehead (7) violin
Overall: Vicky Jiang (9) violin

Piano

Highly Commended:

Caelen Browning (11) piano
Overall: Gerrick Cheok (11) piano

Library Busy Bee

Junior School has recently purchased a few hundred home readers that require contacting. Your help in contacting these books would be much appreciated.

Date: Wednesday 31 October

Time: 8:30am - 10:30am

Venue: Library at the Wellard Campus

Morning tea provided.

If you are able to assist please email the library on library@pcacs.wa.edu.au

Why should we do the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

The future of young people is changing. Employers are no longer only looking at good school and university results, but at well-rounded people who have also accomplished in other fields. One of the questions that employees have started asking young people is:  Have you done the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award?

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award encompasses the more human side of our nature. It is a prominent course that equips young people with the new skill sets needed for the future. Students have to learn a new skill, be physically active and volunteer their time in the community while also partaking in an adventurous journey.  All these different aspects of the Award set the young person apart from others because he/she is DOING at the same time as STUDY to complete good education results. 

Opportunities arise when you are doing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. You test your physical capabilities when you set off into the wilderness on a hiking trail, and you develop communication skills with other people who are hiking with you. The Bibblemun track is just waiting to be explored, while the Leewin in Fremantle is a sailing ship offering students loads of opportunities to become part of a team, develop communication skills and critical thinking skills. Combined with the service learning opportunities now available at PCACS, you could get to go overseas to spend time assisting those less fortunate than yourselves. This ties in well with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award where you are required to complete a residential project, which takes you away from home for a week or more to volunteer your services somewhere.

Employers are looking for resilience, communication skills, volunteering, good people skills, adaptability, ICT capability, Creative thinking and cross-cultural awareness. What better way to do this than to sign up to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Recently, at an awards ceremony held at the Vines Resort, three of our students, Rebecca Carson – Homes, Damian Tasovac and Millar Johnson, were awarded their GOLD Duke of Edinburgh’s Award by the Governor of WA, Mr Kim Beasley. They were among 20 other young people who received this award. Five more students at PCACS have signed up for their GOLD and a number of other students have signed up to complete their Silver and Bronze Awards. Why not become one of these students and make yourself stand out?                       

Please see Mrs Hunt for further information.

ACC Year 7 Super Series – West Coast Fever Shield 2018 – Tuesday 16 October

After tryouts, ten Year 7 girls were selected to join the team to play netball at the State Netball Centre in Jolimont. It was in contention for the West Coast Fever Shield. They played three games before lunch almost back-to-back with very little rest time. They won one of their games by a large margin but, unfortunately, due to some very skilful players in the other two games they lost.

It was a very tiring day but the girls had lots of fun and excitement. The highlight of the day was after presentations when they were able to meet two of the West Coast Fever players, Kaylia Stanton and Olivia Lewis.

Thank you to Kylie Trent for helping me manage the team and the three Year 8 girls who coached the team before and during the tournament, Caela Trent, Jennai Malaquin and Eloise Bowen.

The team consisted of:

Hello parents and friends,

Our grown ups only quiz night was held last weekend although you could be excused for thinking perhaps we weren’t really grown ups at all! While the P&F tested everyone’s knowledge in subjects like Maths, Science, English and RAVE, participants practiced their paper plane making skills. The night culminated in each team testing their planes to see who was in fact the paper plane making champion in an effort to grab three extra points. In the end it was our very own Ms House’s table, 'Mike’s Angels' who won the night. Prizes also went to the best team name, “Not smarter than a 5th grader” along with the worst (or at least most inappropriate name), “Quiz in my pants”.  Loads of fun was had by all and with so many prizes up for grabs, every table was able to take something home. We look forward to running more parents/friend only events in the future.

As we draw closer to the end of the year, it is time for our Annual General Meeting where we will share a full report on what’s been happening in 2018 and appoint the committee that will take us into 2019.   Our AGM is being held on Wednesday 14 November at 6.30pm. Full details will come home next week along with the nomination forms should you wish to join us next year. If you have any questions around what being involved with committee entails, please feel free to grab one of us at school or contact us at pcacspf@gmail.com. We would love to see some fresh faces for 2019!

We are also very excited to announce that we are upping the anti with our end of year Movie Night!  This year we will also be having a family event prior to the movie screening with food trucks and carnival events on the oval at Wellard Campus. With bouncy castles, obstacle courses and a high ropes course this will be a fun-packed afternoon for all PCACS families!  This will then be followed with our movie screening which will start once the sun goes down. So make sure to mark the dates on your calendar for the last day of school, Tuesday 4th December. It’s sure to be a fabulous way to round out what has been another great year for PCACS.

Look forward to seeing you all at the AGM.

Clarissa Thomson
P&F PRESIDENT

The Uniform Shop is having a clearance sale on a selected range of Summer Dresses.  These have been discounted from $80.00 to $60.00 each, don’t delay, first in best dressed.  This is a timely reminder that that length of the dresses are to be no higher than the middle of the knee.  Please check the Uniform Policy or contact myself if you have any queries.

Please also note, both styles of Winter Micro fibre Jackets, with or without PCACS embroidery on the back, are our approved Uniforms.

The last day of trade for 2018 is Tuesday, 4 December.  January Holidays booking times are now available.  Please see website for opening hours.

Welcome back to Term 4.

We recently held a sausage sizzle at the canteen and we would like to thank Mr Matthew Rouse for assisting in preparing the hundreds of snags for our hungry PCACS community.

Parent help is what makes us such a thriving community.