PCACS News - No 3 - 2023

Our School Mission is to challenge and inspire every member of our School community and to raise awareness of those who live in need beyond our gates. These past two weeks have been filled with opportunities for our students to be challenged and inspired. Swimming carnivals, camps, International Women’s Day and cocurricular activities just to name a few. We hosted Cyber Expert Paul Litherland in the Senior School, followed by a Parent Session to provide expert and practical advice on staying safe online. This week the Year 9 students will embark on The Rite Journey with the Calling and Departure ceremony being held on the Shoalwater foreshore in the company of parents and loved ones. NAPLAN also commences this week for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN is earlier than in past years due to the new scheduling by ACARA. 

Camps

Thank you to all the staff involved in the Year 5 and 7 Camps in Week 5, with a special mention to the parent volunteers who joined the Year 5 camp. Camps are an important part of the PCACS Journey. The experiences and interactions outside of the classroom help to develop new relationships and deepen existing bonds. Fun activities, teamwork challenges and team sports help build confidence, promote independence and assists with problem solving skills. I enjoyed spending time at both camps, Kerem Adventure Camp with the Year 7s and Forest Edge with the Year 5s. I was very impressed by the students and their willingness to give everything a go and grateful to the staff and volunteers for giving up their time for our students to enjoy these rich learning experiences. 

Junior School Swimming Carnival

There was a wonderful carnival atmosphere at the Rockingham Aquatic Centre last week for the Junior School Swimming Carnival. What a contrast from 2022 when Covid restrictions heavily impacted the event. The new venue provided an opportunity for the students to cycle through a range of activities, with the Year 2 students joining the fun. It was heartening to see so many family members able to join us. Congratulations to Mrs Rhiannon Chapman and the Junior School Staff for a superb day.

God bless.

Ms Felicity House
PRINCIPAL

In week 5 of Term, I enjoyed spending time with the Year 7s as they went on camp and participated in team and House identity building activities at School and various venues. The camp week is a vital aspect of the transition into Senior School and builds relationships and vital skills such as collaboration and resilience. The Year 7s were magnificent in their full engagement with the programme – they are a very impressive group of young people and have a fantastic future ahead of them at PCACS.

Last week we hosted Paul Litherland who is an expert in surfing the web safely. Further information is provided for all families in this newsletter, and I strongly encourage all parents to access the resources provided.

An area for special focus in 2023 is student agency. At the Senior School Assembly last Thursday, the Student Council badges were presented for Years 8-12. The Year 7 Student Council representatives will be announced soon. This week, Mrs Rebecca Weddikkara, Director of Pastoral Care will host a Council Leadership Training afternoon for the whole Council. This will be followed in the coming weeks by the Leadership Student Conference (GRIP) for our Year 12 Leaders and the Aspire Leaders Conference for Year 9s and 10s.

We also celebrated International Women’s Day last week with the unveiling of a student created banner at the Assembly. The other important events in the School calendar that we prioritise are NAIDOC Week and Harmony Week. These three events demonstrate our commitment to gender equality, reconciliation with Australia’s first nations and multiculturalism. I look forward to seeing all the great costumes representing our diverse nation next Wednesday 22 March.

This week we have the first major event for our signature pastoral care programme – The Rite Journey. I look forward to sharing this important moment in the lives of our Year 9s with all their families tonight. Later in the week our swimmers will be competing in the ACC Inter School Swimming Carnival. Best wishes to the team. On Wednesday I will attend the opening of the Kwinana Industries Council Youth Art Awards. The art exhibition is being held at the Gary Holland Community Centre and highlights the talented artists in schools within the Rockingham-Kwinana area. Good luck also to the PCACS Maths teams entered into the Have Sum Fun Mathematics Competitions taking place Friday evening.

NAPLAN

NAPLAN testing for Year 7 and 9 students start this Wednesday and continues into next week. Where possible, we have scheduled the tests into the English and Maths periods of the students, and they will be administered by these teachers. NAPLAN is a one-off snapshot of student literacy and numeracy skills and the results provide one more piece of data for the School to ensure we are providing the right amount and type of support to each student.

Most courses will have or soon be completing their first assessments and when these are marked the results will be available on SEQTA. Course outlines and assessment programmes are also available. I strongly encourage all parents to monitor the assessment schedule and engage their child in discussions about their learning progress. Three questions can frame these conversations: What went well? What needs further development? What do you need to do next to improve? These questions are the focus of feedback provided by teachers.

God bless.

Mr Steve Wynhorst
HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL

Kindness at the Heart of Junior School 

The chapel message at Calista Campus last week was shared by Miss Angela Chan and her Pre Primary class. They told the story of The Good Samaritan and shared a message about being kind to everyone, even to those not in their friendship circle. A highlight of the chapel service was Pre Primary singing Give a Little Smile. They were adorable!

Kindness is one of the attributes of Strength of Heart. Alongside kindness sits empathy, compassion, respect, and service to others. Strength of Heart, together with the other PCACS Learner Strengths, is an integral component of school life, making our Junior School a happy, vibrant learning community. These attributes are often remarked on by members of the community when our students are out and about, such as the recent Year 5 Camp and the Year 2 – 6 Swimming Carnival. 

Year 5 Camp

The Year 5 students recently attended Forest Edge Adventure Centre. I was fortunate to spend a day on camp with the students and witnessed their tenacity for life and joy in learning new and challenging skills. They are a cheerful, open-minded group! This was noticed by the team at Forest Edge who commented on their kindness and enthusiasm.

Swimming Carnival - Years 2 to 6

The swimming carnival at Rockingham Aquatic Centre for the Year 2 to 6 students on Wednesday 8 March was a heart-warming event. The students were kind, enthusiastic, helpful, and joyful participants! At the carnival, I received feedback that our school is a ‘happy’ school. Hearing this pleased me because I know that happy students and happy staff contribute to happy, healthy and confident learners.

The carnival was jam-packed and full of a variety of events so that every student could participate at their skill level. Team spirit was strong and everyone tried their hardest to win points for their House. The results will be announced at the Assembly in Week 9. 

Interim Reports

Interim Reports for Pre Primary to Year 6 will be issued at the end of Week 10. These reports provide a snapshot of how your child is progressing this year, particularly in regard to attitude, work ethic and social skills. Meanwhile, I encourage parents to make contact with class teachers if they have any questions or concerns. In addition, the uploads on Seesaw provide a good indication of the ongoing learning that is happening in your child’s classroom.

Have a lovely fortnight.

God bless!

Mrs Shirley Steel
HEAD OF JUNIOR SCHOOL

A friendly reminder that fees for Term 1 2023 were due by Friday 10 February 2023 unless you are on an Approved Direct Debit. If you have not made payment, please ensure that payment is received promptly. When making payment, please use your family code and surname as shown on your latest statement.

In addition to this, Music fees for Term 1 are due by Friday 24 March 2023.

If you have any queries please contact finance@pcacs.wa.edu.au

Thank you

Mrs Karen Redman
ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER

We are excited to announce that PCACS will be hosting a Crazy Hair and Funky Sock Day on Friday 24 March, featuring The World's Greatest Shave taking place out the front of Moortang Mia at lunctime. This event is a fun and unique way to support a very important cause that impacts millions of people around the world.

The World's Greatest Shave is a fundraising campaign that raises money for the Leukaemia Foundation. The money raised goes towards vital research, patient support services and education programs for people with blood cancer. Blood cancer is a disease that affects many people, and the impact it has on individuals and their families is significant.

We are proud that our school has 12 registered staff and students who have bravely volunteered to donate their hair to this worthy cause. Their selflessness is a testament to the caring and compassionate nature of our school community. We applaud them for their courage and are grateful for their support.

If you would like to support this amazing cause, please donate to one of the PCACS Team members who will be collecting donations. Each team member is required to raise $500 before they are eligible to donate their hair. Every dollar counts and will make a real difference in the lives of those who are affected by blood cancer. 

Additionally, we are still looking for volunteer hairdressers for the event. If you are a qualified hairdresser and would like to donate your time, we would love to hear from you. Your skills and expertise will be greatly appreciated. Please email info@pcacs.wa.edu.au to register your interest.

We encourage everyone to get involved in this important cause and make a difference in the lives of those who are affected by blood cancer. Let's come together as a community and make a positive impact. If you wish to donate online please visit the Trybooking event page.

Thank you for your support.

Mrs Katie Frampton
SERVICE LEARNING COORDINATOR

Throughout Harmony Week our students from Pre Kindergarten to Year 12 will celebrate our cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity at PCACS in a variety of ways.

Calista Campus Cultural Dress Up Day (Kindergarten to Year 1) – Tuesday 21 March
Wellard Campus Cultural Dress Up Day (Year 2 to Year 12) – Wednesday 22 March

NOTE: Pre Kindergarten Children can dress up on their attendance days. Refer to information from the Pre Kindergarten teachers.

We encourage all students and staff to wear cultural dress, or if they prefer they can wear orange clothing or embellishments. Orange is the official Harmony Week colour.

When choosing a cultural costume, students may wear any clothing that resonates culturally with them and their family, providing the costume is respectful and safe for wearing to school. For example: national dress (eg. kimono), lifestyle (eg. farmer) or sporting (eg. Eagles shirt).

The Prefects and Student Council have arranged a variety of activities during lunchtime on this day including a live concert by Senior Students, a fashion show and lawn games. 

PCACS Café – Harmony Week Menu (Wellard Campus only)

The Café will be serving international dishes throughout the week as per the menu below. Food must be pre-ordered by Thursday 16 March via QuickCliq. Limited amounts of food will be available over the counter and payable via EFTPOS or SmartRider. 

The standard menu will be available at recess.

We look forward to a wonderful Harmony Week and seeing a diverse range of fabulous Harmony Week costumes.

Mrs Rebecca Weddikkara
DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE AND WELLBEING

Rehearsals are underway!

The Anglican Schools Commission Inc has a vibrant and varied musical community spread across 14 schools and three States. The ASC Combined Schools Concert brings together our musical community every two years to perform at one of Australia’s best venues, the Perth Concert Hall, directed by leading Australian conductors. 2023 will see the WA welcoming back our Eastern State schools for the first time since 2018. It also brings a date change, with the concert shifting from September to Friday 31 March 2023. 

People make music because they are passionate about music and because playing music just makes life better. This year, 43 passionate and dedicated musicians from Peter Carnley ACS are currently enjoying the benefits of music making as they prepare to perform in a variety of ensembles, exploring a diverse range of music from the early Baroque period through to music composed in 2022.

Parents of performers should have received information regarding the performance week rehearsal schedule and ticketing information. If you require any further information, please contact Ms Alicia Walter.

Mrs Alicia Walter
TEACHER

Service Learning in Samoa returns for 2023

An incredible Service Learning opportunity awaits all Year 9 and Year 10 students this September. Peter Carnley Anglican Community School has been invited to join the Anglican School Commission Service Learning trip to Samoa where a select group of students will have the opportunity to experience the beautiful island paradise and immerse themselves in the daily life of All Saints Anglican School, Apia.

During this trip, students will have the opportunity to explore the stunning views of the Pacific Ocean while engaging in community service activities that will allow them to make a meaningful impact on the lives of local residents. You will also have the chance to interact with students and staff at All Saints Anglican School, participating in daily school life and learning about the rich Samoan culture.

As part of this experience, you will have the chance to snorkel over coral reefs, walk along pristine beaches, and witness the unique flora and fauna of Samoa. This Service Learning opportunity is not only a chance to give back to the community but also a fantastic way to develop your own personal and interpersonal skills.

Please register your interest by emailing info@pcacs.wa.edu.au. We encourage all interested Year 9 and Year 10 students to apply, as this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you will not want to miss.

Mrs Katie Frampton
SERVICE LEARNING COORDINATOR

ACC Junior Basketball Championships 2023

The ACC Junior Basketball Championships took place on Tuesday 28 February at Bendat Stadium in Floreat. PCACS sent two teams to participate in this highly competitive event. Each team played 6 games throughout the day in their pool. All students involved represented our school with pride and displayed excellent behaviour and class. The girl's basketball team placed 4th (out of 7) in their pool, whilst the boys finished in 3rd place (out of 7). We are still waiting for confirmation from ACC whether the boy's team will progress to the finals brackets. A big thank you to the students and staff involved.

ACC Interschool Swimming Carnival

Our 2023 school representative squad has now been finalised, with a total of 55 students selected to compete in the upcoming ACC Interschool Swimming Carnival which will be held on 17 March at HBF Stadium in Floreat. Please note that all competitors must wear PCACS race bathers for the event which can be purchased at the uniform shop. The carnival will be live streamed on the day so make sure you keep the link handy so you can check out all the action.

Link to live streaming of carnival: Swimming Carnival Live Stream Link

We wish our squad all the best!

Interhouse Swimming Carnival Awards

Mr Simon Bell
LEARNING AREA COORDINATOR - HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The biggest cohort that PCACS has ever had meant that the Year 7 Camp in Week 5 needed to be split into two groups. The week included overnight stays at Kerem Adventure Camp, as well as activity days where students engaged in project-based learning, a guest presentation by Armed for Life, and completion of the XLR8 Obstacle Course. Throughout a sweltering hot week, students showed tremendous dedication, perseverance, and respect.

Students fully embraced all activities that were offered, and it was wonderful to see them challenge themselves, take on new experiences, and work together as a team. From treasure hunts to ropes courses, there was a willingness to push themselves out of their comfort zone and achieve their goals. 

It was incredibly impressive to see their positive attitudes, eagerness to learn, and kindness towards others. There was a clear and genuine interest in building relationships and fostering a sense of community, which was heart-warming to see. Thank you to all Year 7 students for their outstanding performance, as it made camp a truly memorable experience. 

View the Year 7 Camp photos on Facebook.

Mr Adam Lakey
YEAR 7 COORDINATOR

Our very busy Year 12 Meridian students started the year with preparation for our ball followed by Valentine’s Day Chocolate activities. The fast paced chocolate eating game with a knife and fork was a favourite.

This was followed by a chocolate tasting, where students tasted, rated and discussed the different qualities in different brands and types of chocolates. The lesson continued with making an origami box for putting specialised chocolates into. Small pompoms were made and then formed into hearts, as a decoration on the box. This was then given to a special person, a friend or partner, a parent or teacher with a special message attached. It was such a fun double lesson.

Meridian Garden

It was time to get back into the Meridian Garden! It was a mess after the long hot summer, so we weeded and made it look much better. We changed our plan this year to assist the staff in the food rooms by planting a variety of herbs for their use. Oregano, Sage, Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, Basil are among the many useful herbs we have planted. These will hopefully be of much use for the cooking classes. 

A new compost bin has been installed so we have started to make use of this and will see if we can eventually turn our garden waste into good soil. 

Painting is a very mindful thing to do, it’s great on a hot afternoon, so we painted up some signposts for our herbs and labelled them. Thanks to the Woodwork department for all their assistance. 

Students decided to continue with the theme of gardening and we painted pots and planted either portulaca flowers or succulents in them. Some of these can be seen on the windowsill of S6 and others have gone home with their owners. The pots look lovely.

Zucchini competition

I was delighted to find a zucchini of massive proportions in our garden. A few weeks later, the students found a second enormous zucchini. I am sure we are growing monsters in our garden. I’ve certainly never seen such big zucchini in the shops! Both zucchinis were donated to Mrs Kylie Trent to use in the food rooms. 

We will continue with our garden theme in March. We will be getting our Principal, Ms Felicity House to come and share her love of macrame with the students and teach us how to make macrame hanging baskets. The intention after that is to actually learn how to make hanging baskets that can go into the macrame cases that we will make.

In the interim, the painting will continue as we make clack-a-jacks, an old fashioned toy that can keep you entertained for hours.

Students are also working on their RSA (Responsible Sale of Alcohol) licenses, they can complete the course online now at age 17 and as soon as they are 18 they will be able to use this qualification to assist them with bar work. Always handy when you are a university student needing part time work to fund you while doing your studies.

Mrs Melaine Hunt
DUKE OF EDINBURGH COORDINATOR

Last Tuesday Paul Litherland, internet awareness expert, ex-Police Officer and 2022 WA Australian of the Year, spoke to all of the Senior School students and a group of parents. Paul spoke about being mindful of your digital footprint, setting up social media and technology contracts in homes, resources available to support people against sextortion and cyberbullying, and shared current information about popular apps in Australia. We are living in an age where we need to become informed users of technology to be able to uitilise it to its best capacity. We should embrace technology for the positive impact it can have on connections with people all over the world and educational possibilities. An educated, informed, responsible approach is the way forward.

Paul has kindly shared his notes and resources from the parent session and they are available at the links below:

SOS Phone Contract

Social Media Contract

Social Media Contract2

Phone Guidelines

Reporting

Parent Tips

Parent Session Nudes And Reporting

Mrs Rebecca Weddikkara
DIRECTOR OF PASTORAL CARE AND WELLBEING

Over the weekend, Kaytee Bogaers Year 9 competed in the Athletics West State Championships. She competed over 3 days in the 1500m Racewalk, 3000m Racewalk and 5000m Racewalk, she won gold medals in all three events and two personal bests. Due to her results in the 3000m walk and the 5000m walk she will compete in the Australian Track and Field Championships in the April school holidays in Brisbane. Also, due to her results in the 1500m walk she has been invited to compete in the Athletics West International Team in Singapore in July. 

Congratulations to Kaytee!