ASC NEWS | ISSUE 67 | APRIL 2020 by Anglican Schools

ASC NEWS ISSUE 67 | APRIL 2020

FEATURE SCHOOL

St Markâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anglican Community School | Pathways to Success

FEATURE SCHOOL

Georgiana Molloy Anglican School | Little Ninja Warriors

From the Chief Executive Officer THE REVEREND PETER LAURENCE OAM

Contents From the CEO 2 Thank You from the ASC

Chair of the Board

Cathedral College Wangaratta

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

St Mark’s Anglican Community School

St George’s Anglican Grammar School

Swan Valley Anglican Community School

Georgiana Molloy Anglican School

John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School 14 Staff Spotlight 15 Peter Moyes Anglican Community School

John Wollaston Anglican Community School

Esperance Anglican Community School

Frederick Irwin Anglican School

Peter Carnley Anglican Community School

Anglican Identity 21

ASC 2020 SNAPSHOT

Dear Friends and Colleagues COVID-19 What an unprecedented start to the new school year. With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down society as we know it, we have quickly adapted to a fast-changing situation. From handwashing and hand sanitiser to the introduction of previously foreign terms such as ‘social distancing’, and finally, the move of all our schools to online learning, it has been an overwhelming challenge. Yet it is a challenge that all our schools have risen to meet. A huge thank you to all our staff in each school (teaching, nonteaching and Executive) for going above and beyond for students, families and colleagues. As schools have been deemed by government to be essential services, we remain open, even when we are delivering education online. 2020 will look unlike any other year on record and our schools are no exception. With the cancellation of everyday events including sporting matches, music lessons and even a visit to the local playground, we look at new ways to interact with each other and celebrate the things for which we are thankful. There are certainly many disappointments - this year overseas and interstate trips have been cancelled, milestones and events placed on the backburner and students are learning how to socialise from afar. It is not an easy road, but it is one we will navigate together. In whatever way we can, we will continue to support students, families and staff in our schools. This year opened with devastating bushfire season, which directly affected many families from our eastern states’ schools. In December, Perth’s north was bushfire-affected, with St James’ Anglican School opening as an emergency centre for local families. On the upside, 2020 marks the 20th anniversary of Peter Moyes Anglican Community School and we look forward to celebrating this milestone along with the entire PMACS community in appropriate ways later in the year.

Total Enrolment WA Enrolment Victoria/NSW Enrolment

14,396 11,827 2,569

Total Staff WA Staff Victoria/NSW staff

1,750 1,465 285

Record enrolments achieved Cathedral College Wangaratta Cobram Anglican Grammar School Frederick Irwin Anglican School St James’ Anglican School Swan Valley Anglican Community School Trinity Anglican College 2

ASC NEWS You will notice that ASC News is now an electronic publication. It was first published in 2003 as a black and white four-page glossy but will now be produced in-house under the editorial oversight of Communications and Community Relations Manager Aila Dann and the graphic design of Marketing and Communications Officer Sandra Herd. You will notice most of the stories in this publication reflect the world prior to COVID-19 – perhaps a welcome reminder of what awaits us at the end of this period in our history. BOARD CHAIR The ASC has a new Chair of the Board. Following the retirement of Mrs Barbara Godwin OAM, Mrs Lynne Thomson was appointed by the Archbishop of Perth as our new Board Chair. You can read about Mrs Thomson in this edition of ASC News. WELCOME TO NEW STAFF We welcomed around 100 new teaching staff to ASC schools this year. In meeting with them at Induction Days in January, I am

greatly encouraged by the commitment each of them has to the students in their care. Whether you are a new graduate beginning your teaching career, or an experienced teacher bringing your knowledge with you, it is good to have you within the ASC family and I urge you to give your very best each day to your students and colleagues. The quality of an ASC education rests on nothing less. A special welcome to Mr Nick Jones as the Principal of Cathedral College Wangaratta. Mr Jones is well known in the ASC family, having served in senior roles at ASC schools. You can read about Nick in this edition of ASC News.

In February we gathered at Peter Carnley Anglican Community School where the Archbishop of Perth The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO (together with Dr Peter Carnley AC) blessed the site for the new PCACS Chapel. Further soil was dug up! Once the dust settles from the current COVID-19 disruption, we look forward to following the construction of these two wonderful sacred spaces set aside for worship and all things that will bring glory to God and be for the enjoyment of students, staff, families and the wider community. HOLY WEEK AND EASTER The challenging opening months of this new decade remind us that Anglican schools are so much more than just schools. Our schools are communities of caring people. For some fifty thousand people, at any one time an ASC school is their only real connection with our church; for many, it is the only real community to which they belong. The parish church, Rotary or Lions Club was once central to the connected life of the average Australian adult. Today, we are more likely to connect through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and not belong to any parish community or service organisation. This is a harsh reality of the new world order.

NEW BISHOP OF WANGARATTA The ASC congratulates The Right Reverend Clarence Bester on his consecration and installation as the 11th Bishop of Wangaratta in February. Bishop Clarence becomes ‘Visitor’ to our three Eastern States schools. He is well known to many in Wangaratta, Albury and Cobram, as the former Archdeacon of Wangaratta. We look forward to getting to know Bishop Clarence better and wish him God’s blessing in ministry. THE ASC 2020 SNAPSHOT We opened the year with record numbers of both students and staff across the system. Statistics don’t tell the human story but they do give an indication of just how many people are connected to the ASC family. Despite the challenges of a flat economy and the COVID-19 impact on international student arrivals, many of our schools have grown in student numbers this year. Six schools have achieved record enrolments, while St Mark’s Anglican Community School and St George’s Anglican Grammar School expect their highest enrolments to date during the year. TWO NEW SCHOOL CHAPELS ON THEIR WAY At the end of last year, I was pleased to be present for the blessing of the site and turning of the first sod for a new Chapel at Cathedral College Wangaratta. The ceremony was conducted by ASC Board Member The Right Reverend John Parkes AM prior to his retirement as Bishop of Wangaratta and overseen by outgoing Principal Mr Adrian Farrer.

As schools, we don’t resile from the challenge of ‘being community’, even when we operate remotely or online. It’s easy to complain of crowded curricula and not enough time to ‘teach the basics’, but really schools have always been places where students and teachers, parents and carers belong ’24-7-365’, not just from Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 3.30pm, forty weeks a year. Our new modus operandi of online learning reminds us of this reality. This year as Holy Week is upon us and the season of Easter follows, our journey will be like no other… nonetheless in many ways it will be more pertinent than ever, albeit it as we walk the week through a mixture of solitary prayer and reflection together with online church services, beamed into our homes through social media from the local parishes and cathedrals. Please take time to read the Easter Messages from Archbishop Kay, Bishop Ian and Bishop Clarence at the end of this edition. Easter takes on a different perspective for many Australians as they take time out to reflect. The Easter story is one of death followed by resurrection. Good Friday is upon us…death, destruction, seeming hopelessness. But wait…Sunday’s coming. A new day dawns. Hope in the risen Christ. New life springs from the ashes. A great message of hope at this time of COVID-19 uncertainty. Every blessing.

ASC News

“Remem safe an

Mitc P

Thank you The ASC would like to thank all our school staff for your hard work and dedication during the change to online learning.

“GMAS you have gone above and beyond during this crisis. Supportive of those who wish to keep their children home and there for the people who need to have their kids at school.” Parent Georgiana Molloy Anglican School

We acknowledge and thank all our teaching, non-teaching and Executive staff as we redefine how we deliver education during this time of unprecedented change.

“We inclusive togeth

S Cobram

“Wonderful, supportive communication as always. Fantastic Principal, amazing teachers and support staff. Thank you for looking after our kids, even with distance leaning I still love this school.” Parent St George’s Anglican Grammar School

“In th dedic with th milesto the te

mber to stay in touch, stay nd we will see each other again very soon.”

chell Mullineux | Head Boy Peter Carnley Anglican Community School

#weareallinthistogether

are blessed to have an e and caring community... her, we cn overcome any obstacle.”

Steve Gale | Principal m Anglican Grammar School

he virtual classroom, our cated teachers are there he students, celebrating ones daily and customising aching and feedback to suit each learner.”

ASC Language School

#dontstopbelieving

CHAIR OF THE BOARD The ASC has a new Chair of the Board. Mrs Lynne Thomson was appointed by the Archbishop of Perth following the retirement of Mrs Barbara Godwin OAM.

Mrs Thomson is well known in the education community, most recently serving as Principal of St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School from 1997 to 2018. She has a long-term commitment to Anglican education, sitting on the Management Committee of Anglican Schools Australia for 10 years and serving a term as President. She is one of only four people recognised with the ASA Life Membership Award. Mrs Thomson, who joined the ASC Board in 2008, said that she felt privileged and excited to lead the Board, following in the footsteps of the remarkable Barbara Godwin. “It certainly has been a challenging start to 2020, with all schools moving to online learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “I think our ability to adapt, our care for our staff, students and families, and commitment to education in the Anglican tradition continue whether our students are at school or learning from home. How schools and families come through these times are our greatest concerns. “I am proud to be a part of such a dynamic and peoplefocused organisation and I look forward to doing my part as we face the challenges ahead. As Eleanor Roosevelt insightfully said: ‘With new strength comes a new tomorrow’.”

CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA

NEW PRINCIPAL Arriving in January during the national bushfire emergency, the ASC’s newest Principal Nick Jones found many members of the Cathedral College community under direct threat of fire activity for most of the summer break.

Despite the unusual introduction, Nick and his family have now settled into their new home in NorthEast Victoria. Nick is well known to many in the ASC community, with his most recent role as the Deputy Principal of John Wollaston Anglican Community School in Camillo. Nick said he was enjoying the challenges of his new position and had been warmly welcomed by the Cathedral College community and members of the Diocese of Wangaratta. With the college recently passing the milestone of 1000 students for the first time, it is now thriving and heading into its next phase of refining and improving what makes a Cathedral College education. “Cathedral College Wangaratta is a school that inspires a passion for learning and a commitment to excellence,” Nick said. “Our college is a safe and nurturing place where every individual is valued for their God-given talents. Our students are inspired to be resilient, compassionate and proactive people who go on to contribute to a just, fair and loving world.” Nick is Cathedral College Wangaratta’s fourth Principal.

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS

COBRAM ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL

2020 is a milestone year for Cobram Anglican Grammar School, celebrating 20 years of service to the local community.

Formerly known as Christ the King Anglican College (CKC), the school opened in 2000 with a total of 26 students spread throughout Years 5, 6 and 7.

2000

CKC’s first building erected in August 2000 that housed the very first students and staff, now known as the Gearing Wing.

At the time of its opening, the college consisted of one building incorporating the Principal’s office, library, staffroom and two classrooms. The first Anglican college in the diocese, CKC was built through the generosity and vision of many in the local community. In 2005 the first CKC students completed Year 12 and attained their Victorian Certificate of Education and in 2006 the first group of Prep students joined the school. The college has become well known for addressing the academic and pastoral needs of its students through its developing primary and middle years programmes as well as engaging its senior students in a wide variety of VCE subjects. In the latter half of 2012, the college took a big step forward with the appointment of Mr Steve Gale as the new principal. Under Mr Gale’s leadership, the school has added new classrooms, more staff and additional VCE subjects in response to the steadily increasing student numbers.

2019

The school’s Performing Arts Centre opened in October 2019.

In 2015, the school became a part of the Anglican Schools Commission, and is now known as Cobram Anglican Grammar School (CAGS). The school continues to grow. A new Performing Arts Centre opened last year has quickly become the prominent place for many of the school’s events and celebrations. With a celebration weekend planned for later in the year, the school community is proud of their achievements serving the community as the only PrepYear 12 grammar school in the Murray Valley region of Victoria.

2020

A drone shot of Cobram Anglican Grammar School showing just how much the school has grown in 20 years.

The school is an exciting place to be, as they continue to implement the School Improvement Plan and the Building Master Plan and celebrate their growth with almost 400 enrolments. ASC News

ST MARK’S ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

JESSE & JOSH | PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS Jesse and Josh Morris-Parmer know there’s more than one pathway to success.

The 17-year-old brothers graduated from St Mark’s Anglican Community School last year, choosing different pathways to best suit their career ambitions and smashing their goals as they went. Jesse was the winner of WA’s Beazley Medal: VET, the award for the State’s top individual performer in Vocational Education and Training, while Josh chose the ATAR pathway, reaching his aim of scoring above 90 to secure entry to university to become a teacher. The brothers insist that both pathways had provided excellent opportunities and allowed them to transition to life after school. Jesse combined studying at TAFE, along with his school studies which included an Engineering Certificate II, and four other General subjects. “I chose the VET pathway because I wanted a hands-on approach and to gain skill sets in unique areas rather than the traditional trades,” Jesse said. “As well as studying at school, I studied Conservation 8

Land Management at TAFE one day a week in Year 11 and two days a week in Year 12. Since Year 10, I’ve seen the value in the VET pathway.” Moving straight from school to work as a bush firefighter for the Department of Fire, Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Jesse said completing the courses at TAFE had improved his learning at school. “In Year 12 we had adults in the class at TAFE and I had to apply myself more and lift my effort. It’s different because you have to have communication skills and also time management skills because I also had my five General subjects and I had to make up what I had missed during the two days at TAFE each week,” he said. Josh says their approach was more about dedication and effort and using the opportunities available. “We knew if we put in the time and dedication into our pathway, we would be ok,” Josh said. Josh studied five ATAR subjects and one General course, topping his Business Management and Enterprise class at school and earning a School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) Certificate of Merit.

“I loved Business because I had a great teacher and I loved the interactive learning,” he said. Now studying a Secondary Physical Education teaching degree at Notre Dame, Josh said he chose an ATAR pathway to follow his love of sport. “I always wanted to be a PE teacher. My teachers were passionate about our learning and I want to be one of those teachers. My goal is to go back to St Mark’s and teach – I’d love to do that,” he said. The twins came to St Mark’s in Year 8 and say they instantly felt at home in the school. 3

“It felt like a different vibe as soon as we walked into St Mark’s. We felt comfortable, at home. The adaptability of our school is really good and they help you to do your best,” Josh said. “We enjoyed the community feel of St Mark’s, especially the teachers with the bonds and connections you make, especially in Year 12, it feels like a family,” Jesse said. Jesse says his teachers supported his application for the Beazley Medal and while he went to both a selection interview and then an interview for the Beazley Medal, he was surprised to win. “It’s pretty cool but I was just focussing on working hard,” he said

But Josh says he wasn’t at all surprised to find his brother as the 2019 VET Beazley Medallist. “The amount he’s achieved, with his Certificates, his work experience and everything he committed to his work, I couldn’t see anyone else getting the Beazley over him.” Both Jesse and Josh agree that there is a simple recipe for success.

Images 1. Jesse with St Mark’s Principal, Steven Davies and Head of Senior School, Jennifer Bailey Smith 2. Receiving the Beazley Medal award from The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia 3. Jesse and Josh always cross the finish line together in the cross country event 4. Josh and Jesse at the Beazley Medal award ceremony

“It’s good to know where you want to go. Work experience helped me a lot once I made the connection and made links with the career path. Once I tried the job, I could see my future,” Jesse said. “Anyone can get anywhere if they put in the time and dedication. If you don’t know what you want to do, choose a range of subjects to give you options,” Josh said. ASC News

ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL

ST GEORGE’S EXPANSION Level four in the school’s main building was redesigned to reflect the latest in 21st century learning environments, transforming the space from a cafeteria to a multipurpose area that is now utilised across the day for both teaching and study. The multipurpose area now includes specialised teaching spaces, independent study spaces and a modern and contemporary urban café with a corporate university feel. St George’s Principal Gary Racey said there had been an overwhelming reaction from the students remarking on the modern, sophisticated look and appreciating having the new facilities. “Our school aims to showcase all the best elements of a 21st century learning environment,” Mr Racey said. An increase in demand for places and a growing waitlist has prompted a host of changes at St George’s Anglican Grammar School.

To make the most of the space and create more flexible and engaging learning areas across the school’s seven floors, one level was redesigned and two additional leases were taken to create the school’s new ground floor reception, including extra classrooms, and a Senior School Learning Centre. 10

“As a vertical school in the city, our learning spaces must reflect the corporate world and our break out spaces are just as important as our teaching and learning spaces. We must be adaptive and clever in a finite space to maximise our opportunities and utilise every part of the building.” In addition to the refurbishment of level four, the school has recently introduced a dedicated Senior Learning Centre.

SWAN VALLEY ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

TODAY IS A GIFT! Students at Swan Valley Anglican Community School became the stars in the production of a whole-school video that celebrated their annual theme for 2019 - Today is a gift!

Principal Melissa Powell said each year she chose a theme for the whole school. The 2019 theme was introduced at an assembly where Ms Powell talked about the importance of making the most of every opportunity that comes our way. “We encourage students to strive to be resilient, grateful and always give of our best: ‘Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but Today is a Gift and that’s why it is called The Present!’,” she said. Throughout the year, students undertook several whole school activities, with all classes from Pre-Kindy to Year 12 making a poster on the theme, which was shared in a parade during a whole-school assembly. At the end of the year, all staff and students got together to make a video showcasing their warm and welcoming school spirit and celebrating the theme. Ms Powell said the video took almost six months to

plan and make and was shown at the end of year presentation assemblies. “We are very proud of the result, especially as we produced it all ourselves,” she said. “Due to the fabulous community response we received and the great fun that the students and staff had putting it together, we aim to make a new video every year based on the annual theme.” The theme for 2020 is Optimism, Positivity and Hope! Students are encouraged to help make the world a better place and to be a positive force, always looking on the bright side of life. Ms Powell said: “At times you may have down days but remember that everything is going to be OK! Stay strong, be positive. We all struggle sometimes and that’s OK!” With the current issues that the world is facing in 2020, this year’s message seems particularly relevant. Click on the video link to watch Swan Valley Anglican Community School students show their school spirit and demonstrate that today is a gift. ASC News 11

GEORGIANA MOLLOY ANGLICAN SCHOOL

GEORGIANA’S NINJA WARRIORS When Georgiana Molloy Anglican School (GMAS) decided to open their campus to Busselton’s early learners, they held their own Little Ninja Warriors Obstacle Course and Open Day.

Held during the Term 3 2019 school holidays, more than 320 families registered for the event for children aged two to seven and their caregivers. Almost 70 per cent of attendees were families new to GMAS and Principal Ted Kosicki said it was wonderful to see so many new families on campus. “The grounds, administration and Primary School staff worked very hard in the lead up to the event, volunteering their time to set up obstacle courses for two different age groups as well as coming in on the school holidays to assist on the day,” he said. “The event was about engaging families who might not have been to GMAS so we could showcase our facilities, our people and our community.” 12

The Primary School Oval featured an obstacle course with various ‘ninja’ themed obstacles, roving karate demonstrations, face painting, pony rides and a ninja selfie photo booth. Families were also able to explore the Early Learning Centre at their leisure and see the amazing facilities the school offers. Each child received a competitor’s pack containing school promotional material and invitations to join future events at the school. Attendees registered with an email and now make up a database to contact with relevant information such as school tours and future events for early learners. After the Open Day, families were invited to return to the school to join in Playgroup, a ‘stay and play’ trial day, and follow up events such as a Teddy Bear’s Picnic. Twenty-five children attended the Teddy Bear’s Picnic, where they joined the GMAS Kindergarten cohort and

Playgroup attendees for a two-hour long teddy bear themed morning tea, allowing parents to tour the Early Learning Centre. Mr Kosicki said the purpose of the events was to drive engagement by establishing and growing relationships with young families in the community at a time where they were considering schooling options for their children. “We hope that whether they are looking for schooling now or in the future, we hope they can form a positive impression of our school and our vibrant community,” he said. “Some families return for school tours and we maintain contact with the new families via email and continue to invite them to future school events.”

#GMAS ASC News 13

JOHN SEPTIMUS ROE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

CADETS, COMMUNITY & COLLABORATION When the Emergency Service Cadets program was founded in Western Australia 24 years ago, John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (JSRACS) was proud to be one of three schools chosen to pilot the program.

The Community-Based Cadets program superceded the previously known Military-Based Cadets program and, due to the success of the JSRACS program, Cadets WA asked JSRACS to be one of five schools to pilot the Bush Ranger Cadet Program. And to continue the winning formula, the school became a pilot school for Cadets WA when a program aimed at Year five and six students was trialled. JSRACS Cadets Coordinator Carleen Edwards said the programs were aimed at developing each Cadet’s wellbeing, sense of belonging and leadership skills. “It is a great way for the students to learn about their environment, the local community and the State,” she said. “Cadets at JSRACS have had the opportunity to travel all over the country, from Broome to Esperance and as far east as Uluru and Alice Springs.” 14

The Cadets program also supports students as they transition from school into the wider community. One JSRACS Old Scholar received a scholarship with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and now works in the Aboriginal liaison unit because of her involvement in the Cadets program. Mrs Edwards said Cadets programs were a great way for teenagers to also give back to the community. The Cadets program at JSRACS has been involved with the Friends of Bennett Springs, and fundraising activities for Telethon, Yanchep National Park, and fundraising within the school community. The Bush Ranger Cadets and Emergency Service Cadets are both SCSA endorsed programs and are acknowledged on each Cadet’s WACE Certificate at the completion of their Year 12 studies. The Cadets program at JSRACS is open to all students at the school from Year 5, as well as other students from neighbouring schools.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

introducing. .

Kate Simeon

Ryan Marlow

Kathy Offner

Academic Coordinator

Mathematics Teacher

PA to the Principal

ASC Language School

St James’ Anglican School

Trinity Anglican College

I’m new to the Anglican system this year, after spending the last 12 years at Aranmore Catholic College heading up the English as an Additional Language/ Dialect, and more recently the Intensive English Centre.

Western Australian born and bred, I only came into teaching quite late in my career having spent the last 20-something years (too many) in Engineering, Mining and Construction in the WA resources sector.

Coming to the Language School has been a great new experience! Going from a school which has been around for more than 100 years to a young school with a new campus still under construction was a big change. It has been fantastic getting to be part of a school from its start, getting to do all the exciting teacher nerdy things like working out where you want your whiteboard to be and what to name the classroom.

With both of my children educated through the ASC system at St Mark’s Anglican Community School, I knew the ASC was where I wanted to end up teaching. I was very fortunate to land my very first teaching job at St James’ and I am now in my third year.

As all teachers know, access to coffee is a constant thought. Luckily for me being based in the city means I spent my first three weeks sampling all the new coffee shops in the surrounding area. I’m really looking forward to being part of growing the school and all the new challenges that will come with it. Outside of school I enjoy boxing and pilates. I regularly get the ferry across to South Perth after school finishes. My other favourite things are dining out in the Vic Park strip and travelling overseas to explore new places and try new food.

It has been exciting watching our school grow and mature, with this year including our first cohort of Year 11 students, who are now becoming young adults and taking on more responsibility for their own learning. My favourite part of teaching is seeing the look on students’ faces when the penny drops on a topic we have been learning. Those ‘A-ha’ moments are what makes teaching worthwhile. Outside of school I enjoy playing hockey (43 years in the game – creaky knees nowadays), occasional golfing, and spending time with my family and my golden retriever, Digby. I am also particularly fond of musical theatre – you will often hear me walking the halls (and classrooms) belting out a tune from one of my many favourite shows.

It came as a surprise to me, after being an itinerant for most of my life, to realise that I have been working at Trinity Anglican College for over six years. We moved to Albury Wodonga in 2012, attracted by the region’s sense of community and natural beauty, with the Murray River and the Alpine area at our door. A chance encounter brought me to Trinity on their Enviro Day. I was struck by the openness of the Trinity campus, the exuberance of the children and the dedication of the staff and teachers. We enrolled our daughter, who is now in Year 12, and I soon followed when I was employed as a member of the Administration team. There is never a dull moment in the Principal’s Office, no two days are the same. I feel blessed to work with a great team of colleagues who care deeply about our students, our people and our community. In my spare time, I enjoy all that the natural environment has to offer with walks in the hills and paddle-boarding on the Murray River – even spotting a platypus every now and then!

ASC News 15

PETER MOYES ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

CREATING AN ONLINE OPEN DAY Peter Moyes Anglican Community School (PMACS) has taken a leap into the virtual world, creating a virtual tour to showcase the school in a new and exciting online environment.

PMACS Principal Ben Lomas said virtual tours allowed schools to essentially create a ‘online open day’ for prospective families. “Virtual tours provide time poor parents with an opportunity to explore the school at their leisure, as well as engaging with potential students from interstate and overseas,” he said. The first step of planning the tour was to choose which areas of the school to showcase. The school was broken up into three areas; Primary School, Secondary School and Campus Facilities. Each area had six to eight unique points to showcase, including science labs, the Auditorium, lecture theatre,arts building, adventure playground, libraries and the gymnasium. The school worked with a team from YouTour, coordinating a four day schedule to film around the usual busy life of the school. A combination of drones and 360 degree cameras was used to virtually build the tour. With the opening of the new Saint Gregory’s Chapel, the tour was later expanded to include the new addition. “Students were excited to be involved and were fascinated by the team visiting classrooms and running through the hallways with their ‘robot like’ equipment,” Mr Lomas said. “Overall the tour has been well received and with an increase in enrolment enquiries from parents who are unable to visit the school in person.” 16

Images 1.Students dancing in The Allan Shaw Centre. Combined with the VR headset, the virtual touris fully immersive, giving the feeling of actually being in the room with the students. 2.Tour menu screen for the Campus Facilities. 3.Sharing the art room with the students.

JOHN WOLLASTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

Glen Gerryn with the Year 11 students

SEWING THE SEEDS OF LEARNING Since July 2017 John Wollaston Anglican Community School students, parents, staff and the wider community have benefited from attending SEEDS Project Speaker Series events. These events are helping to build community and strengthen connections by increasing parent and community involvement in the school.

SEEDS stands for Strength, Empowerment, Engagement, Development and Success. These traits underpin the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aim to deliver a series of local and national presenters discussing current and thought-provoking topics including cyber safety, mental health, mindfulness, parenting and developing resilience in children. Past guest speakers have included Maggie Dent, Paul Dillon, Paul Litherland and Glen Gerreyn. In 2019, students, staff and parents had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Australian of the Year, Dr Craig Challen SC OAM, who delivered a personal account of the miraculous rescue of the Thai soccer team trapped in the Tham Luang Cave. Dr Challen shared the importance of risk-taking and resilience to achieve what many believed impossible.

Over the years The SEEDS Project has grown to include enhanced educational opportunities for students via unique partnerships integrated into the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Encounter Program. Students in Years 8, 9 and 10 participate in the Into Adulthood Encounter program led by staff from AdventureWorks. The pathway to adulthood is increasingly challenging to navigate and AdventureWorks deliver deeper learning experiences that help students build connection, self-awareness and critical life skills as they undertake this rite of passage. The focus shifts in Year 11 to help students discover their passion and work towards their bright futures. Inspirational speaker, Glen Gerreyn, Director of The HopeFull Institute, works with the Year 11s on their Day of Hope Encounter which provides students with the tools and the mindset to dream big, set goals and work towards achievement. Glen has also hosted several parent and community sessions to give parents strategies to nurture positive relationships with adolescents. The school is looking forward to new opportunities to grow and nurture The SEEDS Project, strengthening links between the school and the community in the years ahead. ASC News 17

ESPERANCE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

GAP STUDENTS TAKE A BREAK AT SCHOOL Since 2015 students at Esperance Anglican Community School have been able to live on campus, accommodated in built-for-purpose buildings settled in among the native bushland that surrounds the school.

Most of the students are from the farming areas surrounding Esperance, with current residents from places including Salmon Gums, Grass Patch, Cascade, Condingup, Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun. Some come from further afield, with overseas students adding to the diverse mix that makes up the EACS boarding family. This year two gap-year students have joined the locally based boarding house staff to help keep the students happy and settled in their home away from home. Blake Hurly and Zoe Meyer both come from South Africa and are working at EACS as part of the Letz Live scheme, which enables gap-year students from around the globe to work away from home during their academic break.

a boarder after attending Kingswood College at Mhakanda, in South Africa, and is able to empathise with the experience of EACS boarders. Blake’s interests include the outdoors, sport and motor racing, and surfing. He enjoys living in Esperance, making the most of the coffee shops, beaches and the scenery…things locals might take for granted. He takes his job at EACS seriously, describing his role as “getting the students through the day with as few problems as possible”, he also helps the physical education staff at the school with sporting activities, including tennis and cricket. Zoe (19) is from Cape Town in South Africa, so her experience is slightly different from Blake’s. She attended the Rhenish Girls High and lived in a suburban area of the city. Like Blake, she grew up near beaches, so Esperance reminds her a tiny bit of home.

The irony of working at a school during a break from academia is not lost on either Blake or Zoe, but the scheme has provided them with a chance to experience life in another country, not just as a tourist but as a part of the host country’s society.

“Where I lived, there was a city near the beach, and a mall nearby: Perth is very similar,” she said. Zoe said she was using her gap-year away from home to take a break from schoolwork and gain different experiences during that time. When her year in Esperance is over, Zoe intends to pursue studies in marketing.

Blake (19) is from the town of Kidds Beach. While his hometown is smaller than Esperance, it is also a beachside community. He is familiar with life as

Although she is missing her family, she is enjoying her time in Esperance, working with the students who have become her second family.

FREDERICK IRWIN ANGLICAN SCHOOL

Drone shot of the school and construction site.

NEW SPORTS CENTRE ON TARGET Site preparation for the construction of Frederick Irwin Anglican Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s planned Sports Centre began over the summer holidays.

The future Sports Centre will include a double gymnasium floor, specialised gymnasium equipment room, expanded office for the Secondary Health and Physical Education teachers overlooking the ovals, two teaching rooms and modern audio-visual capabilities. Works to prepare the site for the Secondary Double Court Gymnasium Sports Centre included the demolition of the main Oakmont Avenue car park and bus bay area, while temporary ablution blocks were installed on the crosswalk area adjacent to the Mezzanine floor of the Gymnasium. Within the following weeks, more progress had been made to the secondary staff parking and bus bay area, with the main bitumen and kerbing laid, lines marked, and solar lighting installed. The bus bay areas, now clearly marked, will also allow

for better flow of buses through school grounds at pick up and drop off times. The preparation for the construction of the Sports Centre was completed before the commencement of Term 1, 2020. While the timeline for the project has been altered in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the groundwork is now complete and ready for the next stage. ASC News 19

PETER CARNLEY ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

REVEREND ROLLS INTO SCHOOL The career path of The Reverend Kimberley Thomas has taken many twists and turns before arriving at Peter Carnley Anglican Community School (PCACS) this year as the new School Chaplain.

Growing up in the United Kingdom, Reverend Kim started her career as a police officer in Kent. During this time she became a Christian, an event that was to change the course of her life. After an injury in the workplace while a police officer, she changed career paths, working in a variety of roles including administration, retail, emergency response and the funeral industry. In 2002 Reverend Kim enrolled in Theological College at Durham University. This led to positions as Assistant Curate and Vicar before immigrating to Australia in 2016 to commence as the Rector at Mundaring Anglican Parish. Reverend Kim is proud to say WA is very much her home now. She has a son and daughter-in-law and three beautiful grandchildren in the UK aged 17, six 20

and four, and enjoys spending time with them on visits to the UK. Reverend Kim brings a wealth of parish knowledge and diverse career experiences, along with a passion for providing care and nurturing young people. She believes young people are â&#x20AC;&#x153;awesomeâ&#x20AC;? and can teach us so much, but also acknowledges they have a lot to contend with in modern life. She hopes to help students negotiate their path through life in a generous and kind way, considering this contribution as a life well spent. Reverend Kim has been warmly welcomed by the entire PCACS community. Her official commissioning by the Archbishop of Perth, The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO was held on 20 February at the Keith Lindbeck Centre at the school. Photo courtesy of Mrs Emily Bowser (Mundaring Parish)

#pcacslife

ANGLICAN IDENTITY

In February I was fortunate to visit Kerala, India, attending a special gathering of Mar Thoma Christians, who have roots in the Syrian Orthodox Church and are in communion with the Anglican Church. Unlike our comparatively smaller gatherings here, there were approximately 100,000 attendees over there! Despite simple surroundings, the oppressively humid heat, and the full program and long days, people came and stayed, and celebrated – not the memory or teachings of a distant figure in history – but rather, the living and present risen Lord Jesus Christ. Though we may not be always aware of it our Anglican schools exist, and do what they do, because Jesus lives. The unique identity and driving force of our Anglican schools is the good news that God raised Jesus from the dead and promises to do the same for us who live by faith, hope and love. I pray that, in this coming Easter season, we will all arrive at a greater awareness of this reason for our Anglican schools; and I wish you and your family a holy and joyous Easter. The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO Archbishop of Perth

easter message

Holy Week reminds Christians of the week from Palm Sunday, Jesus’ unusual and triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, until Good Friday, when Jesus Christ was crucified. Crucifixion was a particularly awful and shameful way to die. Even Pontius Pilate, the Roman Governor, did not believe Jesus had done anything to merit such a punishment. St Paul later described it as Christ dying on behalf of the ungodly in order to reconcile all people to God. Easter Day is special because Jesus’ followers found an empty tomb. That day and over the next few weeks they encountered the risen Jesus Christ on a number of occasions. Such an extraordinary story is scarcely believable. A number of people have tried to disprove that Christ either died or rose again but as Sir Edward Clarke, KC, once wrote: ‘To me the evidence is conclusive, and over and over again in the High Court, I have secured the verdict on evidence not nearly so compelling.’ Holy Week and Easter are therefore not just commemoration of past extraordinary events, but a vivid and present reminder of the extent of God’s love for us.

Easter, celebrating resurrection and life, comes after a period of pain and death. Easter joy is a result of the pain of Good Friday. This serves as a reminder that we are always in a process of transformation and change and that things will not always remain the same. Easter therefore brings about hope and opportunity, change and challenge, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity. It reminds us that newness and renewal can arise from existing hardships which, through God’s grace, become opportunities. As a Good Friday people, we are people of the cross and, as Easter people, we are people of the empty tomb, signifying the resurrection. Though the tomb may be empty, our lives are filled with the glory of God who calls us from sorrow to joy; from darkness to light; from confusion to certainty. May we all experience the joy of the resurrection as we continue to share the story of hope, opportunity, change and challenge. The Right Reverend Clarence Bester Bishop of Wangaratta

Wishing you a Happy and Holy Easter. The Right Reverend Dr Ian Coutts Bishop of Bunbury

ASC News 21

E M P L OY E E A S S I S TA N C E PROGRAM

The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.) offers an Employee Assistance Program to all staff in ASC schools and also to members of their immediate family. The program enables staff or their families to access a professional and confidential counselling service, provided by experienced counsellors to help resolve issues that may impact on staff / family members’ lives. Counselling can be for any issue that is impacting on their lives and may include: • Relationships • Separation • Work stress • Grief & loss • Depression • Personality conflicts • Parenting • Anger management Staff / family members can access up to six free sessions per calendar year whilst employed in an ASC school. In Western Australia this service is provided through Anglicare WA or through a verified Anglicare sub-contractor. Perth (Metro) AnglicareWA | 1800 812 511 Busselton WA Richardson Partners | 9721 2774 Esperance WA Dr Lavinia Vaz | 0490 826 185 In the Diocese of Wangaratta, the ASC has engaged Anglicare WA to sub-contract through one of the following approved agencies: Cathedral College Wangaratta Purple Turtle Counselling Wangaratta | 0438 213 414 Gwen Lavis | 0428 440 677 Cobram Anglican Grammar School Good News Counselling | 5831 5119 Trinity Anglican College Gwen Lavis Counselling | 0428 440 677 Peter Allen Counselling | 0448 721 174 Purple Turtle Counselling Wangaratta | 0438 213 414 It is possible to call AnglicareWA for a Video Counselling appointment using the 1800 812 511 number should you prefer.

CLICK HERE to access the Anglicare EAP Factsheet. More information can be found on the Anglicare website Anglicare.org.au At all times the EAP counselling remains voluntary and confidential.

The Anglican Schools Commission Inc. Po Box 2520 Mt Claremont WA 6010 P (08) 9286 0290 F (08) 9384 5023 E info@asc.wa.edu.au W www.asc.wa.edu.au