ASC NEWS | ISSUE 57 | SEPTEMBER 2017

News Issue 57 September 2017

Featuring from the ceo • GEORGIANA MOLLOY ANGLICAN SCHOOL • PETER CARNLEY ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL • SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS • ASC INTERNATIONAL • COUNCIL CHAIRS • ASC MUSIC EVENTS • CALENDAR • SCHOOL CHAPLAINS

From the Chief Executive Officer THE REVEREND PETER LAURENCE OAM

... the ASC Board has welcomed Gonski 2.0. It brings fairness, certainty and transparency to school-based funding for years to come.

A New Archbishop We were thrilled to hear that The Right Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO, Bishop of Gippsland (and former Assistant Bishop of Perth) has been elected as the eighth Archbishop of Perth. Bishop Kay has served the Anglican Church faithfully in ordained ministry for over thirty years . She was made a Deacon in Melbourne Diocese in 1986. Then, in 1992, Bishop Kay was one of the first women in Australia to be ordained as priest, at a service in Perth’s St George’s Cathedral. In 2008, Bishop Kay was the first woman to be consecrated a Bishop in The Anglican Church of Australia.

Now, Bishop Kay is ‘coming home’ to be our spiritual and pastoral leader as Archbishop of Perth and Metropolitan of Western Australia.

Bishop Kay is well known to us in schools. She was Chaplain at Perth College from 1988 to 1995, where she had a remarkable ministry among the girls, their families, old girls and staff.

Contents From the CEO

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Feature Schools

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Feature Theme

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Curriculum 14 Who’s Who

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Biography 17 Calendar 18 Anglican Identity Cover image: St George’s Anglican Grammar School 2017 school production, The Addams Family.

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From 1995 until 2007, Bishop Kay served as Rector of the Parish of Applecross, south of the river in Perth. It was there that I first met Bishop Kay, as Applecross was my home parish for many years and where I had the privilege of serving alongside her as an Honorary Assistant Priest for seven years.

Bishop Kay is well known to the ASC family, and we to her.

She served as a member of the ASC Board for a number of years and has visited all our WA schools. Indeed, Esperance Anglican Community School has named a House in Bishop Kay’s honour. In May this year, Bishop Kay conducted the Retreat for the Principals and Senior Staff of the three ASC schools in the Diocese of Wangaratta.

The ASC Board, School Councils and staff warmly congratulate Bishop Kay on her election as our next Archbishop. We look forward to welcoming back Bishop Kay and her husband, Jeri James, to Western Australia and our schools early next year. Her installation as the eighth Archbishop of Perth and Metropolitan of Western Australia will take place in St George’s Cathedral, Perth on Saturday, 10 February.

Seventy students from Anglican schools across Perth slept out on a cold winter night for the 2017 Anglicare WA Sleep Out.

Gonski 2.0 You will recall the slogan, ‘I give a Gonski’. It became one of the slogans thrown around in the lead-up to a Federal election … or two. Now the party that we thought didn’t ‘give a Gonski’ when version one was around, has played its trump card. What was once Labor’s great education reform has become the Coalition Government’s new School Education policy for the next decade … or until a future government manages changes to the legislation through the Senate!

Gonski 1.0, the Gillard Government’s schooling reform, was welcomed by most educators. Businessman, David Gonski led a team which developed the Review of Funding for Schooling (or, Gonski 1.0). It was to be truly revolutionary, with significant additional funding being available for students and schools which were deemed to have some disadvantage – including disability, geographical isolation, indigeneity or being of nonEnglish speaking background. It was to be a measure that was ‘sector-blind’, meaning that the benefits applied consistently and fairly no matter in which school sector (government, Catholic or independent) a child was educated.

Unfortunately, impending Federal elections led to many ‘special deals’ to get Gonski 1.0 signed off by various state governments and Catholic Education Commissions. Also, parts of Gonski 1.0 were not adopted and certainly not fully funded.

In the end, it was only Anglican schools and the remaining independent schools of Australia who were ‘on’ Gonski 1.0. In other words, the majority of Australian students were subject to side agreements with the Commonwealth Government, which included special funding arrangements.

Just when people thought the current Commonwealth Government would make changes, moving further from the intentions of Gonski 1.0, it surprised the nation. The architect of the Labor Government’s reforms was re-engaged to deliver what is being touted as Australia’s most transparent and certain school funding legislation ever.

‘Gonski 2.0’, as the 2017 piece of legislation has become known, does give certainty beyond anything schools have seen since government funding of non-government schools was introduced. For decades, we have worked on quadrennial funding periods … new agreements having to be renegotiated with the Commonwealth every four years. Gonski 2.0 has secured school funding for the next decade.

The transparency claim is so often made today but, as we know, there are degrees of transparency! To be fair, Gonski 2.0 does appear to be truly ‘sector-blind’, although additional

‘transitional funding’ is available to assist some, presumedly to move from their ‘special agreements’ to the new arrangements.

The recognition of need in Gonski 1.0 is preserved and, in some ways, enhanced in Gonski 2.0. The new funding model continues what are called ‘loadings’ which provide extra funding for various forms of disadvantage.

Some educators have been vocal in their disapproval of Gonski 2.0. The media has given much airtime to these players. So, how is it for ASC schools and our system as a whole? Well, the system receives Commonwealth Recurrent Funding for all students in ASC schools. Our system as a whole is receiving guaranteed funding increases for the next decade. Through these guarantees, the ASC is able to support (in part or whole) any of our schools which might otherwise lose funding under Gonski 2.0.

In short, most ASC schools will receive funding increases equal to or greater than what was received in the past. The decadelong legislation means that schools can plan beyond the next few years, knowing their recurrent Commonwealth Funding per student will continue to grow.

Is any legislation perfect? Of course not, but is the new funding legislation fair for all students and schools? I believe it is. That is why the ASC Board has welcomed Gonski 2.0. It brings fairness, certainty and transparency to school-based funding for years to come. So that’s why ‘I give a Gonski’ too!

ASC Students Sleep Out Peter Moyes Anglican Community School student, Hannah Kelly, recently joined 70 other students from Anglican schools across Perth for the 2017 Anglicare WA Sleep Out. The profound impact of sleeping is best retold by Hannah …

We were lucky enough to be a part of the 2017 Anglicare Sleep Out at NIB Stadium, where we would spend the night experiencing some of the challenges homeless youth experience on a daily basis. We joined groups with the other schools and completed a number of activities such as applying for Centrelink, getting identification, finding shelter, a place to eat such as getting food stamps for the soup kitchen and even going to the job centre. It was near to impossible to get enough stamps to fill the sheet. The activity was very defeating as there was always something wrong with our application, there was either something missing or there was a huge

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Hannah’s story reminds me that an ASC education is so much more than NAPLAN tests, end of semester reports and ATARs, as important as all three are in a young person’s schooling today. The ‘value-add’ of what today we call Service Learning cannot be quantified, but it can certainly be ‘measured’ through the stories like Hannah’s.

Supporting the Anglican Church’s primary welfare agency, Anglicare, is something every ASC school does. But of equal or greater significance is how Anglicare partners with us in the shaping of the lives of the young women and men in our schools. I am deeply grateful for the true partnership in mission shared between the ASC and Anglicare. Lives are truly touched through it. form to fill out. When the workers denied our application you wanted to give up rather than go back. We found that there was a backlog of people waiting for an application and the resources were constantly running out so we couldn’t receive a food stamp, something that happens far too often in real life.

Enterprise Agreements The ASC family now covers three states, some 1,500 staff and over 14,000 students. The complexity of our Commission is such that there are four enterprise agreements under which our staff are employed.

This year, we have entered into two new and significant industrial agreements. Firstly, all our WA support staff are now covered by an enterprise agreement. Secondly, in recent weeks, an ASC Victorian agreement was ‘signed-off’, covering both Cathedral College and Cobram Anglican Grammar School.

The ASC is now party to a large ‘Multi-Employer Agreement’ in NSW, covering staff at Trinity Anglican College.

Shelter was especially hard to find; it’s hard to find a place where you can sleep and have access to toilets unless you are lucky enough to receive crisis accommodation where you have access to food and social workers. In a reallife scenario, there are over 10,000 homeless people in Western Australia with only just over 1,000 beds to cater for them so many people have to turn to the streets where they have an isolated and cold night’s sleep.

Later in the evening we set up our campsite for the night and lined up for a soup kitchen; we were lucky enough for it to be warm and delicious. Afterwards we stayed up chatting and making friends with the security guards. Although we might not have been such good friends as they decided to move our group on for breaching private property laws or displaying ‘antisocial behaviour’ which was definitely a lie as we were the loudest group there. This order meant we had to pack up all our belongings and move to a completely different spot, away from a place we had grown accustomed to. There were also times throughout the night where gates were slammed, lights were shone in our faces and sirens blared throughout the stadium.

My eyes were opened by this experience and I know that the money we raised went to such an amazing cause and will be well used.

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Finally, we have recently commenced discussion with the Independent Education Union of WA on a new enterprise agreement to cover our WA teaching staff. We aim to finalise this agreement early next year.

The ASC values the opportunity to work with respective unions in shaping enterprise agreements which benefit our staff and strengthen our system of schools.

ASC International

This edition of ASC News features a story on ASC International.

Under the leadership of Amanda Fritz, our Director of International Programs, the entity which is only one year old is going from strength to strength. You can read about the exciting developments in that article but I do wish to highlight two matters.

A year ago, we had one school registered to enrol international students under our CRICOS: St George’s Anglican Grammar School. Today, nine of our 14 schools are approved to educate

international students. Whilst St George’s is our main educator of international students, it is my hope that very soon all 14 ASC schools will be registered campuses under the ASC CRICOS.

Thank You

Secondly, by the end of the year, there will have been nine Study Tours hosted by our schools. These visits comprise students and teachers from an overseas school spending time on an ASC school campus as well as in and around the local area. Such experiences are culturally and linguistically enriching for our students as well as for those who visit. Friendships are forged and barriers are broken down. They are indeed wonderful opportunities for the young people involved. Next year, our Study Tour program will expand, to cover a majority of ASC schools.

Peter Carnley ACS Jason Bartell, Principal of SVACS, receiving a cheque from Eugene O’Sullivan on 16 August 2017.

The ASC is once again very pleased to acknowledge the generous sponsorship from People’s Choice Credit Union.

This year their sponsorship of $1,000 has been presented to Swan Valley Anglican Community School.

A decade or so ago, the WA Government granted approval for the ASC to open three schools. This meant that, in a short period of time, all three were opened and now, a decade later, all three turn 10!

Last year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of Swan Valley Anglican Community School – 2006-2016.

Next year, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Esperance Anglican Community School – 2008-2018.

But, this year, it is Peter Carnley Anglican Community School’s turn to turn 10 – 2007-2017!

A few months’ ago, Mrs Barbara Godwin OAM (ASC Board Chair) and I joined many other guests at PCACS to celebrate this significant milestone. Amongst the guests was the School Patron, The Most Reverend Dr Peter Carnley AC, former Archbishop of Perth and Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia.

And Finally ...

It is worth noting that the Anglican Church has two significant events at this time. Recently, the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia was held in Queensland, where important matters affecting our national church were decided.

In a few days, Peter Moyes Anglican Community School will again host the annual Synod of the Diocese of Perth. Synod is in effect the Church’s parliament or decision-making body.

We give thanks to God for the decisions taken and pray for wisdom as together we determine the path ahead.

The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER A Eucharistic celebration was held in the new Keith Lindbeck Centre, named in honour of the foundation Chair of School Council (and now Chair of St George’s Anglican Grammar School). On that occasion, Dr Carnley launched the book The Journey, detailing the story of the School’s first decade.

Authored by PCACS staff member Marion Caunt, it is a great read!

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Feature School

Georgiana Molloy Anglican School Whether artistic, musically talented, sports oriented or academically gifted, we ensure students go through life with the abilities and education necessary for excellence.

Best in Class Award for Hannah

Jasmine Represents Australia

Here, at Georgiana Molloy Anglican School (GMAS), students are encouraged to strive to reach their full potential and we endeavour to provide opportunities now that will benefit them for life. Already, Semester 2 has been filled with great opportunities, programs and achievements for our school.

Hannah Bowden (Year 10) has outdone herself, returning from Oxford University with the ‘Best in Class’ student award for her major, International Relations. Hannah has done extremely well and represented herself with distinction and professionalism.

We look forward to seeing where Hannah goes in her future.

Jasmine Hopkins (Year 11) is on her way to Indianapolis, USA, representing Australia in the World Junior Swimming Championships. Jasmine has recently been selected in the 2017 NextGEN Australia Commonwealth Games Squad Program.

Jasmine’s selection will give her exposure at international competitions and assist in her goal of being selected in future Australian Commonwealth Games teams. We wish her all the very best and look forward to hearing all about it on her return.

Award for Mr Hamish Gibson GMAS Head of Science, Mr Hamish Gibson, was announced Winner of the 2017 BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards, a nationally recognised honour for teachers in Australia.

As part of his prize, Mr Gibson represented Australia at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair which took place in Los Angeles in May. When Mr Gibson reflected on his teaching, he said that, “The emphasis is to foster positive relationships with my students built on integrity, trust, respect and a genuine passion for the pursuit of knowledge”.

Neve is a CinefestOz Finalist

Mr Gibson said he helped connect students to real-world problem solving and students often came up with big ideas out of necessity and life experience.

CinefestOz, the acclaimed movie festival from the South West provides local students with the opportunity to submit their short films as part of the Cinesnaps Program. Out of 23 submissions, GMAS student Neve Johnson (Year 10) has been announced as a finalist. Participating in CinefestOZ for a number of years as a photographer, Neve was excited about being on the other side of the camera and playing a part in her very own film.

GMAS continues to provide a safe and caring community, offering exceptional opportunities in sports, academics and the arts to our students. Our welcoming campus filled with dedicated staff and talented, respectful students, our high standards and supportive environment, create the ideal educational facility for positive academic growth.

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MUMMY MIA! What an amazing, funny and professional performance ...

Not only do our students excel academically, culturally and in their chosen sports, but each and every year the school comes together to create a remarkable Secondary School musical production.

Director Mrs Sue Thompson paired the delightful tunes of ABBA with a mysterious tale of treasure buried in the depths of a mummy-filled crypt. Behold, Mummy Mia! Our production provided an opportunity for more than 70 students to polish their acting and participate in all technical aspects of putting on a show. Makeup, costuming and set design, lighting and music: the entire school body contributed expertise in some form and together created a memorable performance.

Mrs Thompson believes she was blessed to have such talented students who could handle the impressive ABBA songs that were included this year.

“We went and watched Mummy Mia the Musical last night.

WOW! It was FANTASTIC. Congratulations and well done to every single student and staff member who contributed to the performance. You should all be very proud of what you have achieved. What an amazing, funny and professional performance by all - thoroughly enjoyed the music, costumes and tongue in cheek humour. Broadway worthy! Five-star performance by all.” GMAS parent.

Experiencing Cultural Diversity Here, at GMAS, our cultural relationships play a major role in developing students to become respectful members of our society. This term, we officially welcomed five exchange students from Italy, Japan, France and Germany to the South West and to our school. Mrs Justine Richmond, Exchange Program Coordinator, has said that, “Through our exchange program, GMAS students benefit from the understanding and interactions they have with students of different cultures. In our corner of the world, cultural diversity is not something students experience every day, so I believe our exchange program plays an important role in developing a broader world view and understanding of culture”.

Left: Exchange Students with Principal, Mr Ted Kosicki and Mrs Justine Richmond

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Feature School

Peter Carnley

Anglican Community School A Time of Celebration

The Keith Lindbeck Centre

Ten years ago this year, the small yet vibrant educational community we call ‘our school’ was given life, a beautiful new facility nestled in the lush bushland of Wellard.

From the trailblazers who were determined to establish an ASC School ‘South of the River’ and the visionaries who valued ‘partnerships’ and ‘community’ as key ingredients for the School’s foundation, PCACS has flourished into a school based on ‘diversity’ and ‘educational opportunity’.

The thoughtful and progressive building program at PCACS ensures all students have wonderful facilities enabling them to perform to their very best.

The last decade has been recently celebrated in The Journey, a retrospective book designed by one of our long-serving staff members, commemorating the journey of our school, and its growth from 127 students to 1038, across two campuses, from Kindergarten to Year 12. This publication pays tribute to all the families who have shaped the culture of the school and the staff and students who paved the way for the next generation of young people to thrive in a supportive and dynamic school environment. This publication was launched as part of our Founders’ Day celebrations.

The official opening of the Gymnasium (named The Keith Lindbeck Centre after the Foundation Chair of Council) in 2017 broadens the students’ educational journey, allowing a wider range of sports and activities to be offered in physical and health education lessons as well as the co-curricular program.

The facility inspires and encourages students to further develop their skills in a more authentic environment and promote a healthy and active lifestyle for the entire school community.

It has also created a space where the whole school gathers together to celebrate and worship as a community.

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Creating a Community of Readers Like all schools across the state, Book Week is one of the most anticipated events at PCACS. Commencing with ‘The Book Fair’ and ‘The Great Book Swap’, families and eager students across both campuses previewed and purchased new and used books from a range of genres across all age groups.

The School welcomed a variety of visiting authors, including the very popular Wendy Binks, an award-winning, Fremantle-based author and illustrator. Wendy conducted drawing workshops with Junior School students, describing her design process in character creation and publishing. Wendy’s Where’s Stripey? won the Western Australian Premier Award for Children’s Books and has sold over 120,000 copies world wide.

Meg McKinlay, writer and poet, directed her creative workshops to our Senior School students. She shared her creative journey with the many eager listeners, focusing on her chapter/young adult novels through to poetry for adults.

Talking with authors motivates and inspires our students, particularly by sharing quality literature with them. These opportunities focus on student-centred learning and a hands-on approach, and foster a community of learners where students are motivated by the authors’ passion for literacy.

Early Childhood Learning The development and opening of the new Calista Early Learning Campus in the 10th Anniversary year allows all students to benefit from a beautifully refurbished facility. The purchase of the new campus has created opportunities to access facilities such as Darius Wells Community Library, the Kwinana Adventure Playground and the Koorliny Arts Centre.

The upgraded campus features a central indoor auditorium with a wet area (specifically for creative pursuits such as Art, Science and Cooking), a wide multi-level stage, vibrant coloured walls and striking wood panelling, together with an interactive Library.

The Calista auditorium is ideal for assemblies, performances and parent evenings in fully air-conditioned comfort; overall, a unique and comfortable space for all ELC classes to enjoy.

Learning beyond the confines of the classroom is conducive to more engaged and focused students. Both campuses at PCACS have areas of nature play areas, allowing students a natural freedom to explore and play. A sensory garden has been constructed at the Wellard Junior School designed with the purpose of stimulating the senses. This stimulation occurs courtesy of plants and the use of materials that engage one’s senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound. Tree stumps, sloping running boards and a giant outdoor chess set additionally assist with coordination and problem-solving skills.

... allowing students a natural freedom to explore and play.

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Feature Theme

School Productions

Esperance Anglican Community School To step onto the stage before an audience can be a daunting task: there are lines to deliver with conviction, a character to sustain, movements to execute and props to juggle. But, to step onto the stage without a bottom takes true courage!

For a start, without a bottom, it is very difficult to balance. If you haven’t got a bum, you can’t sit down, or make sound, ride a bike or fly a kite. Not to mention the world of trouble you have holding your pants up. That any Esperance Anglican Community School (EACS) students put their hands up for the crazy challenge of staging Tim Winton’s classic children’s book, The Bugalugs Bum Thief is testament to their bravado, skill and sense of humour.

The 15-member cast wowed the sell-out crowd with their energy, professionalism and sheer joy during the three-night season at the Bijou Theatre in June. The cast and crew, aged 12-18, learned to sing, dance, act, move scenery, develop

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characters, run lights and deal with a multitude of props … all without a bottom! The show provided a unique opportunity for students to hone their confidence, teamwork and theatre skills and excel outside the classroom. It was also a wonderful community-building exercise as students, staff, EACS alumni, parents and local theatre volunteers worked together to support the production. The wonderfully silly nature of the show, which was adapted for stage by Monkey Baa Theatre, ensured lots of laughs and the entire team whole-heartedly embraced the task of bringing Bugalugs and its characters alive on stage.

John Wollaston Anglican Community School “This year, we had a rollicking good time preparing for the musical. It was great to see many boys involved, learning to be swashbuckling pirates. Everyone worked very hard learning the songs, the dance steps and memorising their lines.”

A sold-out, three-night season of Pirates! The Musical performed by John Wollaston Anglican Community School Primary students wowed audiences during July. Written by John Jacobson and Roger Emerson, the musical has a lively script perfect for primary school children. Musical Director Jenny Coles said the cast probably didn’t realise how much work would be involved when they began this journey. “The cast has shown a great sense of commitment and dedication. They have been great risk-takers experiencing a new area of learning, as performing in front of an audience is very daunting.”

The 63 cast members worked incredibly hard over two terms to perform excerpts of the production at the IPSHA Performing Arts Festival held at the Perth Convention Centre and then the full production at the Victoria Morgan Arts Centre.

The success of the musical and excitement for the Arts in the Primary School reflects some other great initiatives occurring this year. Primary choirs have expanded to include a Year 4 choir, a combined Senior choir now incorporates secondary students as well, and a Year 2/3 choir has recently formed.

Music is alive at John Wollaston.

Frederick Irwin Anglican School (FIAS) once again closed the curtains at the Oakmont Theatre to tumultuous applause, as the 2017 School Musical, “Mary Poppins”, came to an end.

Frederick Irwin Anglican School A cast and crew of 150 student actors, musicians, stage hands, and audio and lighting technicians performed fantastically over six shows to over 1,250 audience members, which included family, friends and the wider school community. As with past musicals, Mary Poppins brought together students from across the school and, for the first time since 2006’s The Love Boat, there were a number of Primary School students taking part. A wonderful aspect of our musicals is witnessing students of all ages working together. Additionally, a new group of students was able to showcase their talents and work alongside our

lighting and sound team which handled more complicated and expansive technical sound requirements than in any previous production at FIAS. Whole school productions do not occur without assistance from our school community, and our Friends of Performing Arts, a parent and ex-student group, helped with costuming, catering, set painting, construction and so much more. The number of helpers we had this year is testament to our commitment to growing a strong sense of community within our school.

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Feature Theme

St George’s Anglican Grammar School In the kooky world of The Addams Family, to be sad is to be happy, to feel pain is to feel joy, and death and suffering are the stuff of dreams.

The Addams have lived by their unique values for hundreds of years and parents, Gomez and Morticia, would be only too happy for things to stay that way. However, now at the age of 18, their beloved daughter, Wednesday, is in love with a ‘normal’ boy, and ready for a life of her own. In one fateful, hilarious night, secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, and the Addams family must face up to the horrible thing they have managed to avoid for generations - change. The cast of 43 included the key Addams family members – Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Lurch and the highly inappropriate Grandma, as well as Wednesday’s boyfriend, Lucas, and his parents, along with 25 gory ancestors. And we cannot forget the stage crew behind the scenes who held it all together.

Production Director, Mr Scott Robertson, said he had been deluged with praise following three incredibly successful shows and that “it is certainly the best production we’ve done here… or indeed, I’ve directed in my 20-year teaching career. I could not be prouder of everyone involved for their dedication and talent. It was such a lift for the whole spirit of the School.”

The School’s location at the heart of Perth City allows easy access to magnificent facilities such as the State Theatre Centre of WA, also known as the Heath Ledger Theatre. The beautiful space allowed our students the opportunity to perform on a professional stage of which some high school students only dream.

“Three generations of our family thoroughly enjoyed the show and we saw it twice. Some seriously talented students there. I hope we will see them at WAAPA in the coming years. Bravo!” said one highly satisfied guest.

Trinity Anglican College The smash hit movie musical High School Musical On Stage allowed Trinity students to transport their audience to an American High School where love and friendship mingled with jealousy and ambition.

It was the first time the College had staged three performances in Albury’s premier professional venue, the Entertainment Centre, but in doing so, the production became the school’s highest selling show in history. A cast of 70, along with another 20 in the band and support roles, told the story of the high school jock and basketball star, Troy,meeting Gabriella, the brainiest new kid at school. They discovered their love of singing – and an interest in each other – but were foiled by jealous rivals at every turn in

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St Mark’s Anglican Community School Leading thinker on education, creativity and innovation, Sir Ken Robinson references the theatre experience as “…one in which your senses are operating at their peak; when you’re present in the current moment; when you’re resonating with the excitement of this thing that you’re experiencing; when you are fully alive.”

Increased enrolment in the arts is a strategic priority for St Mark’s.

This includes involvement in co-curricular activities such as productions, choirs, clubs, exhibitions, on-location filming and other arts activities as much as uptake in timetabled academic arts courses. When students are being creative and expressive, connections can be made to the content that were not possible through traditional learning experiences. They become more active and increase their participation and engagement. The arts free the mind from rigid certainty and empower students to seek, find, and develop multiple solutions to the problems facing society today.

St Mark’s has staged three productions this year, including a whole-school musical Jesus Christ Superstar, the Middle School production of GAZ and the Senior School production of Antigone.

The production of Antigone (left), a re-imagining of the Sophocles play, was set in Outback Australia in 2047. Performed by Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 students, this epic tragedy had a bold, futuristic twist that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

GAZ (far left) brought to life the novel by the popular Western Australian writer Warren Flynn.

Set in country Australia, this lively production brought an entertaining slice of Australian family life to the stage, which any Aussie worth their Vegemite can identify.

Jesus Christ Superstar (left) was re-imagined at St Mark’s by setting it in a contemporary war torn wasteland, with hip hop and ‘boho’ design features and bold multi-media elements.

their bid to win the star roles in their school production. Eventually, the school rallied around their new heroes, the villains softened and the whole school came together as a winner. Year 12 student Jesse Challis (Troy) and Year 11 student Grace Draper (Gabrielle) led an outstanding cast of singers and dancers in High School Musical just three weeks before both starred in Albury Theatre Company’s weeklong production of Wicked, also at the Entertainment Centre. In all, 10 students and three teachers juggled rehearsals and performances for High School Musical alongside their commitment to Wicked in key roles such as musical director, co-director and vocal director, as well as lead and supporting acting roles.

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Curriculum

ASC Music Music, in all its wonderful and varied forms, is a highly valued component of the curriculum in all ASC schools.

Of course, music is best shared with others, so ASC Heads of Music meet regularly to create opportunities for students from different schools to play together. The performance at the end of every camp or workshop just supports the truth of the observation that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’.

Rock Show On 17 May, Peter Moyes Anglican Community School hosted the annual Rock Show featuring various bands from St James’ Anglican Community School, Swan Valley Anglican Community School and St George’s Anglican Grammar School.

The evening concert was a true family occasion as the front rows of seats were removed, allowing space for the students and younger children to dance and play. The music brought many smiles and much applause from an enthusiastic crowd of over 300.

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ASC Primary Strings Day John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School was proud to host the ASC String Day on 25 July 2017 (far left). It was a day of shared musical experience involving JSRACS strings students from Years 3 to 6 working with students from St Mark’s ACS, John Wollaston ACS and Swan Valley ACS. The day began with students forming two groups of 40 students. Each group separately participated in warm-up sessions and then rehearsed a carefully chosen repertoire of pieces that were new to all students.

After the morning rehearsals, both groups joined to make an orchestra comprising 80 players led by guest conductor, Ms Jeanette Teh. To complete the day, students presented a short concert for parents, achieving some truly amazing results.

ASC Piano Competition

On 21 June, Peter Moyes Anglican Community School hosted the Anglican Schools Commission annual Piano Competition for the fifth time. A record ten WA schools were involved: Peter Moyes ACS, St James AS, Swan Valley ACS, John Septimus Roe ACS, Peter Carnley ACS, St Mark’s ACS, Frederick Irwin AS, John Wollaston ACS, Georgiana Molloy AS, and St George’s AGS. Over 150 student pianists, also a record, participated. The event comprised 13 heats in six different categories to select the finalists, and then winners, in each category (above). The standard of playing was truly impressive. Congratulations to all involved!

Performing Arts Camp Approximately 270 students from the Frederick Irwin Anglican School Performing Arts Department travelled to Fairbridge Farm in Pinjarra for their annual Performing Arts Camp (above).

This year’s camp focused on preparing students for the School’s production of Mary Poppins and, in a new initiative, musicians from St James’ Anglican School combined with FIAS’ Junior Band in a collaborative effort that proved to be a highlight of the 2017 camp. As usual, there was a fantastic concert for family and friends at the conclusion of the camp and it is hoped that this year’s successful collaborative effort will form the foundation for more exciting projects in 2018 and beyond.

And there’s still more to come ...

ASC Beginner Band Day

Wangaratta Jazz Festival

On Monday, 4 September 2017, Beginner Band students from St Mark’s, St James’ and St George’s will come together at St Mark’s ACS to promote new bonds of friendship and share the joy of music making through playing together. The students will meet new friends, engage in a variety of music games and rehearsals, share lunch together and finish the day performing in a concert to celebrate their time together. We look forward to this special event as students share their developing instrumental skills with one another and their families.

In November 2017 musicians from four other ASCschools plan to join the jazz students of Cathedral College Wangaratta for the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues! Here, they will experience the joy of the Jazz Mass; collaborate in schoolbased workshops; and have the honour of headlining the Oxley Market entertainment. Students will be hosted for the five days and part of the celebration is providing access to a Weekend Pass to the Festival, which will allow them to experience the thrill of the best jazz in the country, up close and personal.

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Who’s Who

ASC International

ASC International and St George’s Anglican Grammar School student commended in the CISWA International Student of the Year Awards

Clotilde Ding, Year 11, John Wollaston Anglican Community School

A Commendation for Winnie

Expansion of ASC International Programs

ASC International was recognised at the recent Council for International Students of Western Australia (CISWA) conference, where St George’s Anglican Grammar School Year 11 student, Ms Ziwei Zheng (Winnie), received a Commendation for her nomination in the CISWA International Student of the Year Awards.

With the Government recognition of John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School and St James’ Anglican School as additional campuses for international programs, the ASC now has a total of 10 Schools (including the ASC Language School) welcoming overseas students. This expansion of our offerings for international students strengthens our growing presence locally and abroad as a network of non-Government schools offering quality pathways to tertiary education in Australia.

These awards recognise the international students who have made significant contributions to the Western Australian community. As the youngest and only secondary student nominated, Winnie impressed the judges with her infectious enthusiasm and exemplary diligence in School, at work and in her Church community. This is the first time in the history of the awards that a secondary school student has been recognised and whilst competition for these awards is largely between tertiary students, Winnie (and ASC International / St George’s) have now opened the way for other secondary students to be considered for this prestigious award in the future.

Besides her academic achievements, Winnie is known for her participation and leadership at sports events, drama productions and the concerts she comperes as St George’s Music Captain.

As an active member of her church, her pastor has noted the very positive impact of her volunteer work and mentorship during Sunday Services and the Youth Group. In light of these achievements, the CISWA judges – comprising leaders from different education institutions, including the higher education sector – applauded Winnie’s efforts and successes at such a young age and look forward to her progress in the coming years.

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First European Students Arrive It was with great delight that ASC International welcomed its first European students at the commencement of third term.

Clotilde Ding from Switzerland commenced Year 11 at John Wollaston Anglican Community School and Elena Catalano from Rome, Italy joined Year 11 at St George’s Anglican Grammar School. Both students have settled into their respective schools extremely well and we look forward to having them included as part of the school community and sharing their home cultures with all our local students.

I came to Perth because I have family here and it is a really good opportunity to experience a new culture and lifestyle.

I’ve found that Perth is a really nice city and I enjoy my new school very much. My teachers and friends make me feel very welcome! ... My teachers have been very helpful and I am enjoying myself very much. So far, my favourite subject is Home Economics which has more hands-on and interesting activities. I have also had great fun during special occasions such as the recent Founders’ Day and look forward to more adventures in the coming months.

Clotilde Ding

Biography

Council Chairs Mr Trevor Noonan Cobram Anglican Grammar School “It looks like a chook pen.” “It will never last.” These were two of the many derisive comments made when our school commenced in the year 2000 with 23 students in Years 5, 6 and 7, housed in two hastily erected, portable classrooms sitting in the middle of a bare paddock. What a contrast to the thriving, vibrant, developing campus we have today with over 330 students.

The journey for Christ the King College (now Cobram Anglican Grammar School) from its foundation, until becoming part of the Anglican Schools Commission in January 2015, was at times extremely challenging. The Board (Council) always had a very clear vision to provide a school that offered all students the best possible opportunity to develop their full potential in a caring Christian environment, rich in an Anglican tradition. To be able to fully achieve this vision, capital and financial backing was required which the Wangaratta Diocese was unable to provide.

The outstanding leadership of Stephen Gale since his appointment as Principal in November 2012, and the financial security and guidance the ASC has provided since acquiring the school in 2015, have been vital in enabling the school to develop and grow into the outstanding centre of learning it is today. As Chair of Council for the past 14 years, I give thanks for the past and confidently look forward to a rich and exciting future.

Mr Doug Swingler swan valley anglican community School It seems as though Doug Swingler was destined for a life of involvement in education in one role or another. He has taught and administered at a number of top WA Independent Schools since 1968, including Scotch College (three years), St Hilda’s (three years) and Methodist Ladies College (27 years). Roles have included Head of Subject, Head of Department, Head of House and Dean of Studies (Deputy Principal).

Doug’s introduction to the Anglican Schools Commission began in 2001 when he was appointed inaugural Head of Senior School at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School. In 2006, he was appointed Principal of the school and continued in that role until he retired in December, 2009.

Doug Swingler (left) at the opening of the new Senior building in 2017

Retirement, however, was short lived. Barbara Godwin enticed him to be Interim Principal of The International School of Western Australia until July 2010. He found this to be a different, interesting and enjoyable experience.

With a little encouragement in 2011, Doug was persuaded by The Revd Peter Laurence to join the Council of Esperance Anglican Community School along with the late Peter Mead. They worked with the Council and seconded Principal, Jason Bartell, to secure the School’s future. Doug is still making the monthly flights to Esperance meetings.

In 2011/12, Doug served several months as Interim Principal at Swan Valley Anglican Community School during a somewhat turbulent period in its history. He was asked to assume the role as Chair of Council in July 2012 and continues in that role today.

Doug is grateful to the ASC for affording him their trust, confidence and support over the years and has enjoyed contributing to the ASC system in his retirement.

ASC NEWS September 2017

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Calendar

Calendar Highlights of Fourth Term October, November, December 2017

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Date

School

Event

OCTOBER HOLS

SJAS

Canberra Trip

OCTOBER HOLS

SMACS

Service Trip to Tanzania

9 OCTOBER

TAC

Leaders’ Induction Day

18 OCTOBER

SGAGS

Art Exhibition

20 OCTOBER

PMACS

Year 12 Valedictory

22 OCTOBER

EACS

Cape to Cape Walk

24 OCTOBER

GMACS

Art Exhibition

24 OCTOBER

JWACS

Cape to Cape Walk

27 OCTOBER

JSRACS

Year 12 Valedictory

27 OCTOBER

CCW

PP to Yr 2 Musical

31 OCTOBER

CAGS

Shire Youth Council

1 NOVEMBER

PCACS

Grandparents Morning Tea

3 NOVEMBER

SJAS

Yr 3 Camp at School

9 NOVEMBER

SVACS

On the Roof Concert

10 NOVEMBER

PMACS

Visual Arts Exhibition

11 NOVEMBER

JWACS

Rowing Regatta

23 NOVEMBER

EACS

Surfing Competition

23 NOVEMBER

FIAS

Chamber Concert

27 NOVEMBER

SMACS

Year 11 Study Retreat

28 NOVEMBER

PCACS

Carols on the Green

29 NOVEMBER

TAC

Carol Service

1 DECEMBER

GMAS

Christmas Carols

2 DECEMBER

SVACS

Summer Concert

6 DECEMBER

SGAGS

Outdoor Music Festival

11 DECEMBER

CAGS

Carol Service

Anglican Identity

Reflections from Cathedral College Wangaratta This year, Chapel, held in the Stadium and at Holy Trinity Cathedral, has been the time for many wonderful worship services, with video clips, music and singing, story-telling, book readings and talks on many topics. Music has been an integral part of our time spent at the Cathedral with instrumental concerts, school choirs, soloists and whole school singing, creating beautiful sounds. Some of the special occasions like the Easter Services, ANZAC Day, Confirmation, Family Services, end of term Eucharists and, more recently, the Anglican Schools Service in Melbourne, have all offered opportunities for worship among our broader school community.

Whilst there may have been a consolidation of our Prep to Year 12 students at our Murdoch Road Campus, Cathedral College Wangaratta has maintained a close connection with Holy Trinity Cathedral in the centre of Wangaratta. Previously, the Cathedral Close housed our Senior School students and a vibrant culture of learning and education was mixed in with a kick of the footy on the lawns at lunchtime in front of the Cathedral. Although our learning environment is now established at Murdoch Road, it is encouraging to see that the Cathedral is still central to the spiritual life of our young people.

Recently, a number of students came forward wishing to be confirmed, an important point in the Christian journey at which a person affirms for themselves the faith into which they have been baptised. One parent spoke about his daughter’s decision to be confirmed as one not just made on a desire to commit to the Christian faith, but as one firmly steeped in the values that are associated with Confirmation. This important association between spirituality (a sense of being connected to something bigger than ourselves) and morality (the values and ethics that underpin the way we choose to live) is a significant one and encouraging to see in our youth.

Our special thanks go to the Dean of the Cathedral, The Very Reverend Ken Goodger, and the Bishop, The Right Reverend John Parkes AM, for their support and assistance not only with Chapel this year but also in supporting our school community and the young people in our care.

ASC NEWS September 2017

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Anglican Identity

Reflections from Chaplains

Where will my help come from?

I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 121 This would be my favourite verse from the Psalms. This deep question is particularly relevant to me personally, in my role as a Chaplain and Outdoor Education teacher; and for our schools. Looking out to the mountains and reflecting on life; its struggles and joys, or perhaps more importantly, just being in the mountains. The big question is; Where does our help come from?

On one level, it may be from our own ability, or the help offered by others. But in a spiritual sense there is much deep meaning.

Does help come from within? Or is there a larger presence, that of God enabling us as we struggle and toil in the mountains: the peaks or the valleys of life.

The answer to this question comes home to me in the words of the hymn Father, hear the prayer we offer.

Be our strength in hours of weakness, In our wanderings be our guide; Through endeavour, failure, danger,

To teach and live the faith To fulfil the Gospel imperative to teach and live the faith Since arriving in Australia in 2011 to be a Chaplain in the Anglican Schools Commission, I have often asked myself, what is my role as Chaplain in an ASC School? My answer to this question could fill this whole edition!

The Bible, which Christians recognise as fundamental to life and which contains “all things necessary for salvation”is the foundation of my mission.

The “Christian Purpose” and “Mission and Values” statements of the ASC are also important in shaping the Anglican identity and work of our Schools.

The statement in bold type above is part of the vision statement of the ASC and the Diocese. The ASC’s core values are faith, excellence, justice, respect, integrity and diversity.

The Bible provides staff, students and their families with the inspiration to live God’s promise and demonstrate these values.

Guided by Holy Scripture and the Vision and Values of the ASC, our hope is that all in our communities, …may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10).

Father, be there at our side.

The Rev’d David Jones

The Rev’d Dave Deeney

School Chaplain

School Chaplain

Cathedral College Wangaratta

Peter Moyes Anglican Community School

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The Anglican Schools Commission Inc 5 Wollaston Road, Mt Claremont, WA Postal Address: Po Box 2520 Mt Claremont Wa 6010 P (08) 9286 0290 F (08) 9384 5023 | info@asc.wa.edu.au | www.asc.wa.edu.au