Swan Valley Anglican Community School

SWAN VALLEY ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

SHARING SCHOOL SPIRIT ON VIDEO

When Principal Melissa Powell first joined Swan Valley Anglican Community School (SVACS) in 2018, she was immediately impressed by the warm and friendly welcome that she received. She soon noticed that every new student, staff member, family or visitor also commented on that same wonderful school spirit.

Ms Powell wanted to share that same feeling with others outside the immediate school community. What better way to capture that amazing school spirit than on video! That way, the whole school community could also share in the joy.

In 2019, Ms Powell decided to choose a whole school theme every year, starting with ‘Today is a Gift!’. Introducing the theme at an assembly, she talked about the importance of making the most of every opportunity that comes your way. Students and staff were encouraged to strive to be resilient, grateful and always give of their best.

At the end of the year, all students and staff got together to make a video showcasing that warm and welcoming school spirit via the theme ‘Today is a Gift!’. The video took many months to plan and make, with most of the work being done by SVACS staff.

Due to the fabulous community response and the great fun that the students and staff had putting the video together, it was decided to make a new one every year, based on that year’s theme.

In 2020, Ms Powell introduced the new theme for the year: ‘Optimism, Positivity and Hope!’. She encouraged everyone to help make the world a better place and to be a positive force, always looking on the bright side of life. When COVID-19 arrived soon after, the message of ‘Optimism, Positivity and Hope!’ seemed particularly relevant. At the end of 2020, another joyous whole school video was made and shared with the community.

Further celebrations of the theme included all classes from Pre-Kindy to Year 12 making a poster that encouraged the school community to embrace ‘Optimism, Positivity and Hope!’. The posters were showcased in a parade during a whole school assembly and then gathered together in another video to share with the whole community.

In 2021, the whole school SVACS theme has been ‘We are Strong and Courageous!’. Students and staff have been encouraged to be brave, persevere and never give up. They have also been urged to face, rather than avoid, their challenges and fears.

As in previous years, activities have taken place each term focusing on the theme. In addition, ‘Strong and Courageous’ certificates have been awarded to students and staff at the end of each term at a whole school assembly.

Filming for this year’s video has just finished and the finishing touches are being made. As 2021 has also been the school’s 15th birthday, this has also been included in the video. A highlight was all students and staff gathering on the school oval to form a giant number 15.

Everyone is excitedly looking forward to seeing the final video at the end of year Presentation Ceremonies. It will also be uploaded to the school website and facebook. An added bonus is sharing the videos with prospective families and students at School Tours and Open Mornings. Given the success of sharing through video, this year, Ms Powell came up with another new idea that would also involve students and staff from across the whole school. When Year 12 students leave SVACS at the end of each year, they are each presented with a copy of the book Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr Seuss.

For the past three years, Ms Powell has read this book to the school herself. However, this year, she thought it would be fun to ask over 100 students and staff from right across the whole school to help her.

The resulting video was presented as a gift to the graduating Year 12 students at their Valedictory Assembly and Dinner. It was a very proud moment in the school’s history and an emotional moment for many students, families and staff.