In Focus - Vol 6 - Edition 2 - 17 May 2018

Week 3

We continue this term with many events and activities happening throughout the School. Parent Teacher interviews have been held in the Senior School. Students have competed in Lightning Carnivals, RKAS and KSSA sporting events along with KIC Bright Sparx and iMen projects commencing.

I was privileged to attend the P&F Mother's Day breakfast last week. It was wonderful to see so many mothers, grandmothers, aunties and supporters attending. The Mother’s Day stall was also provided a wonderful opportunity for gifts to be purchased at very reasonable prices. Thank you to Clarissa Thomson and her hard working team for hosting the breakfast to thank those special people in our lives. 

We have concluded our School Photo Days at both Calista and Wellard Campuses. This year we have a new photo company and I look forward to the photo packages arriving in a few weeks’ time.

NAPLAN was held for our Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students. There has been much commentary in the press regarding the value of NAPLAN. Part of our administrative responsibility is to participate in processes to collect data, such as NAPLAN, National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD) and the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). Data is used to make informed decisions about education, but it only forms a small part of the overall picture. Here at PCACS, we place our emphasis on the quality of teaching and learning, consideration for the whole child and building strong relationships with our students and the families. We focus on preparing our students for life.   

The ASC held a Senior School staff retreat last weekend at St John’s Retreat Centre in Shoalwater. Principals, Business Managers, Heads of School and Chaplains from across the ASC met to explore what it means to be an Anglican School. In the end, we distilled this down to these concepts: We Gather, Learn, Love and Serve. Anglican schools provide freedom; freedom to come together as a community to learn within a tradition that is older and larger than ourselves.

Ms Felicity House
PRINCIPAL

What a whirlwind start to Term 2 packing in so much in the first few weeks.   Senior School Examination timetables have been published and all students must commit to a preparation study plan to maximise results.  Examination timetables can be accessed on SEQTA.   

Our first Senior School Assembly highlighted so many student achievements.  Mr Weddikkara announced the Interhouse Cross Country champions and those who were Runner up champions.  Our thanks to Mr Weddikkara and his staff for their efforts to plan and to organise this successful and very enjoyable event.  Well done to all students who completed the course as strong contenders for a place in the ACC Cross Country squad and those who simply soaked up the beautiful day and enjoyed the brisk walk.

Eve Pattiselanno and Millar Johnson presented a snapshot of their Leeuwin voyage experiences.  Both Eve and Millar described the demands expected of them to work as a member of a sailing team on this amazing vessel.  Eve and Millar were able to discover personal strengths while constantly under pressure.  They recommended the Leeuwin Voyage experience to all students and to challenge themselves to seek out personal tough and resilient untapped skills.  Eve and Millar are keen to continue their involvement by sailing on this stately sailing ship.

Kalahni Best promoted and encouraged nominations for the Lyrik Awards.  Nominations for Round 23, 2018 are now open.  The Kwinana LyriK Awards offer an opportunity for young people in Kwinana to be publicly recognised for the positive contributions they are making to community.

Young people between the ages of 10-18 years old can be nominated for a LyriK Award by any member of the community.  This includes teachers, coaches, family and friends.  There are six categories that a young person can be nominated in for a LyriK Award with the winners of each category receiving a $250 incentive prize.  Nominations can be completed on the Kwinana Lyrik Award website.

Mrs Hunt presented the benefits of signing up for the Duke of Edinburgh for an amazing adventure.  This 13 to 24 year old programme offers challenges for young people to be the very best that can be.  It is adventurous, challenging and is focused on building strong and meaningful relationships.  This international programme is respected by employers and the community and will contribute to a student’s WACE as an endorsed programme.

Thank you to parents for attending the recent Years 7 to 12 interviews.  We trust that the interview conversations about your child’s learning were informative and meaningful.

Parents are welcome to contact the School for further information.

God Bless.

Ms Judith Stringer
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Students at Calista have commenced Term 2 full of enthusiasm. It is such a joy to see all the classes engaged in learning activities and sharing their journey with one another. One place that I get to see the students especially engaged in their activity is the School library. They take immense pleasure in their weekly visit to the library and the chance to look through a number of books, taking their time to select the book that they would like to take home for the week.

Reading is such a valuable asset for students as it is vital for developing literacy, a good vocabulary and a vivid imagination. At school, students are actively reading on a daily basis; notes from the board, informational texts, stories and books. The library is a time for the students to read for their own personal pleasure; they get to choose a book that appeals to them and to spend time looking through different books to make their choice. This is also a time when they get to share books with a friend and to take the time to discuss the pictures as well as the story. They then get to take their chosen book home to share with their family. Watching each class look forward to their library visit and then to take such pleasure in the visit brings such delight to all the staff.

May is Scholastic National Family Reading Month and to help celebrate this next week, Calista Campus will be hosting The Scholastic Book Fair. This will run from Wednesday 23 May to Friday 25 May and is available for students to visit with their family before and after school. Please take the time to visit the Book Fair in the Calista Auditorium on one of those days if you are able. Let us all work together to continue to foster a love of reading in our School.

Mrs Donna Farmer
DIRECTOR OF EARLY LEARNING

Girl’s stockings

The School is currently phasing out navy stockings for girls and replacing them with black opaque stockings.  The phase out period will be for the remainder of 2018 with the girls being able to wear either navy or black stockings to School on a daily basis.  For our Founders’ Day service on Friday 15 June, we would prefer all girls to wear black stockings.

Calista campus parking

I would like to ask all Calista parents to not park on the verge area near the Moulton St and Summerton Rd junction at the Calista campus. Vehicles parked in this area obstruct a driver’s view of oncoming vehicles along Summerton Rd, which creates a potentially dangerous situation. As a School community I hope everyone can take this advice on board and only park in appropriate areas.

Wellard campus parking

Parents are reminded not to park in the staff carpark at the Wellard campus or to use this carpark as a student pickup / drop – off zone.  Also, there are still a number of parents stopping in the middle of the road or blocking resident driveways and the School gate on Abingdon Crescent.  Please be considerate of all community members including those who live near the School, and park appropriately.

Mr Shane Parnell
HEAD OF IT AND OPERATIONS

Senior School Cyber Safety Incursion and Parent Information Sessions

We will be holding cyber safety sessions for our Senior School students on Monday 11 June to help them make informed decisions and protect themselves online. The sessions will be run by Paul Litherland who was a WA Police Officer for over 20 years working in a wide range of areas including the Technology Crime Investigation Unit, a section internationally recognised as one of the leading technology crime divisions in the world.  Paul is an engaging presenter who will help our students tackle the risks of using technology in an unsafe way.

The School will also be offering an information session for parents to learn more about managing children’s technology use, including an introduction into the most popular social media platforms and practical tips for keeping kids safe online.  We will also cover information on setting boundaries around technology, online behaviour management, and tools for managing technology both in and outside of the home. 

 The parent information session will be held in the Administration Seminar Room on Tuesday 12 June between 6.00pm – 7.30pm.  This session is open to all parents of students in the Senior School and parents who have children in Years 5 and 6. 

Student Wellbeing Hub

The hallmark of a safe school is whole-school wellbeing. This means that all members feel a sense of belonging, are valued, respected and free from discrimination and harassment. The Student Wellbeing Hub has been created to help develop learning communities that promote student wellbeing and the fostering of respectful relationships. The Hub is guided by the principles of the National Safe Schools Framework, which highlight the importance of educators, parents and students working together.

The active participation of parents and caregivers in their child’s education is crucial for student wellbeing and leads to outcomes such as:

• Better social skills
• Improved behaviour
• A greater engagement in school work
• A greater sense of personal competence and learning ability
• A stronger belief in the importance of education.

The Student Wellbeing Hub can be accessed online at www.studentwellbeinghub.edu.au and here you will find information and resources about important topics to help your child have a safe and positive experience at school.  Some of these important topics include Healthy Minds and Bodies, Protecting Against Bullying, Respecting Diversity, Building Positive Relationships, Safe and Responsible Choices, and Being Safe Online.  Take advantage of the resources on offer to help support your children through the challenges they face during adolescence.  

Mr Adam Halliday
DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE

The PCACS Annual Giving Appeal provides our community with an opportunity to offer additional assistance to enhance our facilities, above and beyond the other traditional funding mechanisms available to us as a School.

Philanthropy in general is a ‘feel good’ mechanism, which makes us feel that we have gone beyond what is generally required to provide support to a cause which is close to our own hearts.  It also offers us a palpable link to future developments - we know that your additional donation will be earmarked for one or more special projects, and we can monitor their progress with a sense of ownership.

All donations make a difference, whether large or small, and we would encourage everyone associated with the School to consider the Peter Carnley Anglican Community School’s Annual Giving Appeal as a real and viable way to commit to positive change and development within our local community.

Please click the link below for more information and options:

2018 ANNUAL GIVING APPEAL

Term 2 fees are now overdue and need to be paid promptly.

Thank you to all the families that have paid or organised payment arrangements.

Please contact the Finance Office on 9439 3499 or finance@pcacs.wa.edu.au if you have any queries.

Interhouse Cross Country Carnival

On the Friday of Week 1 this term, our Senior School students participated in the Interhouse Cross Country Carnival.  This took place on Wellard Oval as well as the surrounds of the School.  Students competed in year groups and ran the 3km track to the best of their abilities.  Due to burn offs in the surrounding areas, a cloud of smoke descended upon us forcing us to delay the race until the afternoon.  The students to their credit, adapted to the situation and came out in the afternoon ready to race, and give it their all.  Only 15 points separated the top 2 and it was Murray House who took the honours and won the carnival.  Congratulations to all students who took part, teachers for their help and parents for their support.  

ACC Interschool Cross Country

A squad of 72 Senior School students has been announced for the ACC Interschool Cross Country. The event will be held at Perry Lakes Reserve on Thursday 31 May.  A training schedule and note has also gone out for those students involved.

RKAS Sport

This term’s  Rockingham and Kwinana Associated Schools (RKAS) Interschool Sports Competition is for Years 7 and 8 students. The sports on offer are boys’ soccer and girls’ netball.  All games are held on Wednesdays after school at either PCACS or the other RKAS schools.  The first round starts in Week 3 against Living Waters Lutheran College. We wish all students the best for the upcoming season.

PCACS Sport

This season we have 7 Netball and 6 Basketball teams representing the School in the local Rockingham Districts Competition. PCACS Sport has gone from strength to strength and would only be possible thanks to the hard work and dedication from the PCACS Sports Committee which includes Kylie Trent, Fiona Sullivan and Bec Clarke and not to mention the hard working parent, teacher and student coaches and managers of the teams.  I wish all teams good luck for the season ahead and look forward to watching some great sport.  I encourage the PCACS community to get behind these teams and come and support them at Mike Barnett Stadium. 

Lightning Carnival

Last week (Week 2), All Year 7, 8 and 9 students participated in the ACC Lightning Carnival.  This is a fun sports day where students had to choose a sport to play for the day in a modified and relaxed environment (sports included AFL, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, Rugby and Netball).  There were no scores kept or points awarded or trophies won, it was simply an opportunity for students of similar age to participate and be active and play sport in the right spirit.   Our students had a wonderful day; they displayed all the qualities we come to expect from PCACS students.  They showed sportsmanship, teamwork, empathy and were extremely well behaved.  Thanks to all the tutor teachers, Year Coordinators and Year 10 and 11 students for helping managing, coaching and umpiring the teams.

Mr Roh Weddikkara
COORDINATOR – HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

In 2W we have started completing our weekly STEM activities during Mathematics rotations. This week we had a Mother's Day themed task of building Brick Hearts. The students were engaged and eager to follow the heart prompting cards, before creating their own different sized and patterned hearts!

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. An education platform built around STEM is vital to our future because these topics shape our everyday experiences. STEM Education is important to our children’s future as we are living in a technological age that relies heavily on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. By promoting STEM in our everyday lives AND making it fun, we are cultivating the creative minds of future generations for years to come.

We are looking forward to next week's STEM challenge called the "Floating Dinosaur Rescue".

Regards

Mrs Larissa Warner
TEACHER

Term 2 Junior School Co Curricular

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

The Junior School Cross Country Carnival will be held on Friday 25 May (Week 4) for all Year 2 - 6 students. All years have been practising the course during Term 2 Physical Education lessons. Races will be run between 9.00am and 10.30am commencing with Year 2 girls and finishing with Year 6 boys. 
Years 3 – 6 students are expected to attend wearing full sport uniform with House polo shirt. Year 2 students may attend wearing the PCACS maroon polo shirt if they do not own a coloured House polo shirt. All students are encouraged to accessorise with a coloured ribbon or sweatband that matches their House colour.

Last year the carnival was decided by only 5 points so everyone who finishes will make a difference to their House’s overall finishing position. Cheering loudly will be very important as everyone knows the louder you cheer the faster they will run. Presentations to the winning House and Champion medals will be awarded at the conclusion of the final race

Many thanks,

Mrs Rhiannon Chapman
TEACHER

Hello parents and friends,

Well...Our massive Mother's Day week is now behind us. The return of the stall was very well received, we had hundreds of students coming to buy a gift for mum and in the end we sold out of almost all of our stock. We definitely hope to bring this back again next year.

The breakfast last Friday was also enjoyed by many students and their families. A big thank you to Tam Bakes Cakes for providing most of the delicious foods and we hope that everyone enjoyed the yummy start to Mother’s Day weekend.

Looking forward this term, we are holding a friendraiser morning tea on Friday 1 June starting at 8.30am in the Year 2 Hub at the Wellard Campus. These morning teas are a great opportunity for parents to come along, have a chat and get to know each other. A flyer with all the information will be heading home early next week. All parents and friends are welcome so we hope to see you there.

The School is also hosting Grandparents' Day on Wednesday 6 June. This is a great opportunity to showcase the school and the student’s activities to their grandparents and let them be involved in our community so make sure Grandma, Grandad, Granny or Pop head down and enjoy a lovely morning with us all.

We also have our next P&F meeting scheduled for Wednesday 23 May at 6pm. Meetings are held in the admin room at the Wellard Campus. All parents and friends are welcome to attend so please feel free to come along and hear more about what’s happening. If you have an issue you would like raised at the meeting but are unable to attend, please email us at pcacspf@gmail.com.   

That’s it from the P&F for this week.  We hope to see you all at one of the many events planned for this term.

Ms Clarissa Thomson
PRESIDENT
PCACS P&F

A huge thank you has been extended to our P&F President, Ms Clarissa Thomson for donating and delivering, on behalf of the P&F, the leftover food from the recent PCACS Mother's Day breakfast to the non-for-profit  Rockingham based organisation, SOUL Soup Patrol.

These small acts of kindness really help in creating a healthy community spirit.

As part of the Humanities and Social Sciences Civics and Citizenship curriculum, students in Year 8 learn about active participation in Australia’s democratic system. And one of the main ways to participate is through voting.

In order to learn more about this process and the unique way in which Australia conducts its elections, representatives from the Electoral Education Centre visited PCACS on Friday 11 May 2018 to conduct an interactive election workshop.

Mary, Nigel and Louis walked the students through the current governmental system and what happens when there is a Federal election. They explained how ballot slips work, how to record your preferences, then worked as counters to work out which candidate won. Students learned that having preferential voting for the House of Representatives means the process for deciding a winner is a more exciting affair than a simple first past the post system. They even learned how Australia has solved the problem of a draw in allocating preferences using blue balls.

The students engaged with the EEC presenters respectfully and willingly, making the workshop a rewarding experience. Thanks go to the EEC for the service they provide and for the knowledge and enthusiasm of their presenters.  

Peter Carnley Anglican Community School Book Fair -
Calista Campus

DATES:   23 – 25 May 2018

Volunteer at our Paws for Books Book Fair — an exciting celebration of reading with hundreds of fun, engaging, and affordable books for kids to discover.

For our first Calista Book Fair to run smoothly and become a regular event at the Calista Campus we still require volunteers to assist with sales after school Wednesday to Friday and before school on the Thursday and Friday.  Your assistance would be much appreciated.

If you are able to help please contact:

Mrs Melanie Hill
LIBRARY OFFICER

Ph: 08 9411 4819
Email: library@pcacs.wa.edu.au

Please join us and contact some of our new library resources for the Wellard and Calista Campus

Date:  Wednesday 30 May 2018

Time:  8.30am – 11.00am

Venue:  Wellard Library

Morning tea provided.

The Junior School Cross Country is taking place on Friday 25 May. Years 3-6 students will need to wear their House polo which can be purchased at the Uniform Shop.

Additionally,  in July there will be a small price increase to some items in the Uniform Shop.

Good afternoon parents,

The canteen is needing a volunteer to help out Tuesdays. Preferably from 10.30am to 1.30pm or if it’s convenient, straight after dropping kids off at school till at least 1.30pm. If anyone is interested can you please come to the canteen and speak to Sabrina for more details or email her directly sguppy@pcacs.wa.edu.au

Thank you.

Senior School Exam Weeks 5 and 6

Parents, do you know your child’s exam timetable?

Is your child organised with correct equipment including pencil case items and extras?

Have you considered some questioning or verbal testing for helping them study facts and figures?

Good luck everyone,

From the Inclusive Education team.  

The touring show JOSEPHINE WANTS TO DANCE is coming to Koorliny Arts Centre on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 2.00pm. 

DATE: JULY 21, 2018
TIME: 2PM
COST: ALL TICKETS $15

SUITABLE FOR: Children aged 4-9 years and their grown-ups

WHERE: Koorliny Arts Centre, Theatre 1

Josephine Wants to Dance is a story about dreams, believing in yourself … and a dancing kangaroo. From the award-winning duo of Diary of a Wombat comes another hilarious tale of a bush animal you’ll never forget. Josephine is a kangaroo – who loves to dance. Her little brother, Joey, tells her that kangaroos don’t dance, they hop – but Josephine continues to point her toes and leap through the air.

When a ballet troupe comes to the sleepy town of Shaggy Gully Josephine learns that there is another way to dance – ballet. As the Ballet company prepared to perform, Josephine snuck into town and peered through the window as the dancers rehearsed. She watched the dancers for hours and hours, then she went home and practiced at night… all alone. She spun, she swirled and pirouetted dreams… and at the end she always curtsied. She desperately wanted to dance like the ballerinas in pink tutus and silk ballet shoes. On the day of the first performance the Ballet Company was in trouble. The prima ballerina twisted her ankle. The understudy had a splinter in her toe.

Who could dance the lead role? Who else could leap that high?

Josephine’s talents are called upon to help save the day. Can she do it, and more importantly, does it matter that she’s a kangaroo?

A very funny tale that looks at the importance of believing in yourself and realising your dreams. Josephine loves to dance, but she’s told she cannot.

Based on the book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley

Adapted by Eva Di Cesare, Sandi Eldridge and Tim McGarry; Composer: Phillip Scott

RUNNING TIME: 45 minutes (approx.)

For more info, please contact Koorliny Arts Centre:  

http://koorliny.com.au/book-tickets

Linelle Hunt in Year 9 has just come back from America (Orlando/Florida) where she and her team 'Nukes' from Booragoon were competing in the Cheerleading World Championships.

They ended up placing 9th in the world in the finals. There were 32 teams fighting for the title. They also scored 5th Nation in the world. 

Congratulations Linelle!

STATE Junior Swimming Championship medals of all colours are on their way to Kwinana with four junior members of the Kwinana Swimming Club (KSC) collecting a swag of gold, silver and bronze.

Competing in the Hancock Prospecting State Junior Long Course Swimming Championships at HBF Stadium recently , the KSC members collected 11 medals and dozens of personal bests over three days of competition up against 600 of the best junior swimmers from 50 clubs around the state.

PCACS Year 4 student Alexey Ulupov (9) completed a clean sweep of his three events, claiming gold in each.

KSC head coach Kareena Preston was delighted with the results, attributing the success to the massive amount of work the kids put in at training.

“KSC kids are beginning to stamp their name on the Swimming WA scene,” she said.

“They have done our club proud by pulling out dozens of (personal bests) and a swag of medals to go with them.”

Alexey has also been selected to represent Western Australia at the Australian School Sports competition held in Tasmania in Term 3.

Good luck Alexey!