ASC NEWS ISSUE 75 | MARCH 2022
FEATURE SCHOOL
FEATURE SCHOOL
ASC International Welcome Back
Peter Moyes Anglican Community School Indigenous artworks bring new life to campus
From the Chief Executive Officer THE REVEREND PETER LAURENCE OAM
Contents
Dear Colleagues
From the CEO 2 ASC International
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Peter Moyes Anglican Community School
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St Mark’s Anglican Community School
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John Wollaston Anglican Community School
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Georgiana Molloy Anglican School
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St James’ Anglican School
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Cathedral College Wangaratta
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Staff Spotlight 13 St George’s Anglican Grammar School
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Frederick Irwin Anglican School
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John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School
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Trinity Anglican College
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Cobram Anglican Grammar School
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Anglican Identity 19 Cover Image: John Wollaston Anglican Community School.
We are more than two years into the global pandemic. Western Australia was impacted by Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021 in a very different way to those in our Victorian and New South Wales schools, and the rest of the world. The wave of Omicron cases we experienced earlier in the east, and are experiencing in such large numbers currently in the west, has tested our communities. Schools have done a remarkable job this past term managing the rising Covid caseloads. Our principals, teachers, chaplains and all other staff have worked tirelessly to support students, families and one another as positive case numbers rose daily in our schools. From the first reported Covid-positive cases in our schools at the start of the year, living with the virus as a highly vaccinated community has been the focus. Keeping schools safely open and ensuring the continuity of teaching and learning, pastoral care and support remains our priority. NEW ASC SCHOOL Last month we launched a new ASC school in Victoria. All Saints Anglican School in Shepparton joins our other three eastern sates schools in the Diocese of Wangaratta. It will open with all classes Preparatory to Year 7 in 2024 and grow through to Year 12 by 2029. All Saints will be the first new school opened by the ASC outside WA. Cathedral College Wangaratta (CCW), Cobram Anglican Grammar School and Trinity Anglican College Albury-Wodonga were existing schools acquired by the ASC; CCW from 2011 and the other two from 2015. All Saints is located on a 16-hectare site, six kilometres north of the city centre on the traditional lands of the Yorta Yorta people. For some months we have been working with Vincent Chrisp Architects to design a modern, attractive and functional campus. Stage One of the school will comprise classrooms for primary and early secondary years, specialist facilities for science, music, art, design and technology, food technology, an oval, hard courts, a canteen and covered area as well as passive recreational spaces. Site preparation will commence in a few months, with Stage One Construction underway by the end of 2022.
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Enrolments have opened for the school. A principal will be appointed by the first quarter of next year. Further details are available on the ASC website or at www.allsaints.vic.edu.au. Our new strategic plan commits to new schools’ growth in Western Australia, Victoria and surrounds, while expanding support to our existing schools. The opening of All Saints Anglican School is another step in achieving our mission and purpose. INCLUSION AND RESPECT Earlier this term, I wrote to our school communities about issues involving the treatment of students and staff in faith-based schools who identify as LGBTQIA+. It was a topic of much discussion and widespread public outcry after a Christian school in Queensland sought to insert controversial sexuality and gender identity clauses in its enrolment contract for school families. Shortly afterwards, the Commonwealth Government’s Religious Freedom Bill narrowly passed the House of Representatives after a marathon overnight sitting, then was withdrawn from debate in the Senate. While it has always been a controversial piece of legislation, the current concerns centre around protections (or the lack of such) for transgender school students. ‘Inclusion’ is one of the ASC’s six Core Values. For us, inclusion means our schools should be places where diversity is promoted and difference is respected and celebrated. The ASC’s current Strategic Plan 2025 has, as one of its objectives, ‘Respect for all people and cultures’. Our schools are inclusive and diverse communities which welcome all and where hospitality is given to every student, regardless of religion, ideology, ability, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation. All staff are expected to support the Anglican ethos and core values of our schools. Sexual orientation and gender are not considerations in the employment of teachers or support staff, nor the enrolment of students in ASC schools. Our schools must be safe places for children and young people as they grow as individuals and in community, as well as safe and happy workplaces for staff. One of our other Core Values is ‘Respect’. We desire that our schools are communities which promote respect of self, others and our world. It seems to me that ‘respect’ must be at the heart of our schools. Respect by all, for all. ASC schools are places where all who value such respect are welcome.
FAREWELL We say goodbye to our Director of International Programs, Ms Amanda Fritz, as she leaves the ASC to take up a position at the University of Western Australia (UWA). Amanda joined the ASC in May 2016 and since then has overseen our move into international student education, growing it into a key part of the ASC family. Whilst the global pandemic has decimated the onshore international student market over the past two years, Amanda has led our efforts to diversify ASC International, with the advent of the REAL Program (using online resources to teach international students English as well as other core subjects in Years 7 to 10), the new ASC Connect program (ATAR subjects online) and expansion into VET. I thank Amanda for her significant contribution to the ASC and wish her well at UWA. We remain committed to our ASC International arm, and diversification into these new programs which engage students onshore and offshore through online/virtual and other means. Our ‘core business’ with international student education remains welcoming students to Australia to study in Years 7 to 12 (and primary years) on our school campuses. This will continue to be our focus as the world ‘re-connects’. HOLY WEEK AND EASTER Finally, in this edition of ASC NEWS each year, we are blessed to have thoughtful reflections from the bishops of the three dioceses in which our schools are located – the Archbishop of Perth, the Bishop of Bunbury and the Bishop of Wangaratta. They remind us that, at the heart of our mission as Anglican schools, lies a fullness of life found in the grace and love of the crucified and risen Christ. Even though we are on school holidays for Holy Week this year, our schools are in a privileged position to share throughout the year the Easter story of hope for all people. The Gospel story is one of welcome and inclusion. We are all at our best when we live the generous Easter love story all year round... at school, at home, or wherever we may be. As we come to the end of the challenging first school term of 2022, I take this opportunity to wish you and all in your school community a very special Holy Week and Easter this April. For Christians, it is the most important and sacred time of the year. Enjoy the holy-days and may you be safe and well. Easter Blessings…
ASC News
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ASC INTERNATIONAL
A S C
INTERNATIONAL
Part of The Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.)
WELCOME BACK When WA’s borders opened to the world in March, there was much excitement for a group of international students who had been waiting to start their studies in Australia. ASC International recruits and supports students from all over the world to study in their choice of ASC school or the ASC Language School, but for many of their students it has been a long wait to start their educational journey. Newly arrived from Hong Kong, Year 11 students Chung Tai (Jasper) Chan and Ying Chit (Bruce) Chan said they were both very excited when they heard they could finally come to Perth Jasper, who loves nature and the outdoors, has spent the past two years studying remotely at home.
While she found the remote learning was more relaxed than formal classes, Nicole said she had missed the many friends she had made at St George’s in Year 8. “I have a lot of local friends and would chat with them online. I wondered if they would remember me but when I came into the classroom, they all screamed,” she said. The Year 11 student was looking forward to studying six ATAR subjects and enjoying the Perth lifestyle. Erkang (Frank) Fu, also from China, was both excited and anxious when he was able to travel to Australia to start his Year 11 studies. He said the experience at St George’s Anglican Grammar School had been a positive one so far. “The people here are nice and warm-hearted,” he said.
He was excited to start in Year 11 at St Mark’s Anglican Community School which he chose because of its natural environment and outdoor facilities.
ASC International Director Amanda Fritz said many international students had been waiting to return or start their schooling in Australia.
Bruce, who had come to stay with his aunt, was looking forward to studying a variety of subjects that were not available at home, including engineering.
“There was a lot of relief when students were able to book their flights and make plans to start school,” she said.
For St George’s Anglican Grammar School student Yan (Nicole) Ni, the return to Perth was a joyful one after completing Year 7 and 8 in Perth, before studying remotely from China for two years when the borders closed.
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“Some of our students have stayed with ASC International throughout 2020 and 2021, studying remotely and patiently waiting to come to Australia and we are so excited to welcome them here to study with us.” Mrs Fritz said more students were planning to start in ASC schools in Term 2 and Term 3, while there had also been strong interest from some countries interested in sending students for shorter study tours.
Homestay an Exciting Journey Homestay host Kristie Sampson is a great advocate for the homestay program. With a long history of hosting international students, she outlines the many advantages for both the students and their Australian families. Hosting students for over 15 years I have gained strong bonds with my students and have fond memories of the students we have supported. It is also a fantastic way for my children to gain new friendships, understand other cultures, and learn how to assist in English communication with many different nationalities. Homestay is an exciting journey that is rewarding in so many ways and a privilege to see my students succeed into amazing adults that achieved their life goals. I am proud to say my family played an integral part in assisting our students with their successes, learning new life skills, making new friends and fond memories whilst in our care. Inclusion and feeling part of the family is important in a safe, confident and loved environment is crucial to students’ success. I couldn’t imagine not having an international student in my life. It has also given me the opportunity to support young individuals and showcase how amazing Perth Australia is and how accepting and multicultural we are as a community.
Images 1. From left are international students Ying Chit (Bruce) Chan, and Chung Tai (Jasper) Chan from Hong Kong, Yan (Nicole) Ni and Erkang (Frank) Fu from China, Van Son (Sonny) Nguyen and Dang Khoa Nguyen from Vietnam, and Zhijie (Leo) Wen from China. ASC News
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PETER MOYES ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL 1
INDIGENOUS ARTWORKS BRING NEW LIFE TO CAMPUS The campus of Peter Moyes Anglican Community School (PMACS) has had a bright new facelift, thanks to three new Aboriginal artworks throughout the School. PMACS Deans of Students, Alison Grey and Nicole Brown, successfully applied to the Anglican Schools Commission’s Special Mission Fund in 2021 to commission a local Indigenous artist to create a series of vibrant murals. Local Noongar/Arrernte artist, Jade Dolman, spent time researching the cultural connection of the part of Whadjuk boodjar (land) the School resides on and designed the artwork to reflect these connections. Her designs reflect the colours of the boodjar and wardan (ocean), and native flora and fauna.
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The mural in the Kindy/Pre-Primary playground includes the School colours of yellow, blue and green, and also features the native plant Banksia Attenuata. Jade explains the location of the School is part of the Banksia Woodlands, which is why she chose to feature the native Banksia Attenuata on the mural. The plant is used by Noongar people to make a sweet tea, as a torch when lit, or as a hairbrush!
“I’ve never painted a round wall before, so this was a pretty exciting surface,” she said.
The mural in the Secondary School courtyard presented the first ever opportunity for Jade to work on a rounded wall.
The round wall mural also features native flora such as Geraldton Wax, Milk Maids and Pink Fairy Orchids.
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She also explains the use of the imagery: “The cockatoo is a very special animal to me, as well as my family, and to Noongars. It represents healing and it’s kind of like our connection to people, to our ancestors and people that have passed on.”
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The Bush Tucker Garden mural features the worl (sky) and djinda (stars). Stars are very much connected to children in Dreamtime stories. This mural also features waterways, which represents the underground water in our part of Noongar country, which connects the major lakes in the area. The painting also features ‘Yandjip’, the bulrush reeds that surround the wetlands, which are a very important food source for Noongar people. Jade said the circles and lines within the waterways were the seasonal journey lines.
“As the seasons change and we can see the changes in the environment, Noongars would travel to a different place to set up their camp, so this painting is kind of like a big journey, or a big map,” she said. Students, staff and parents have loved exploring the murals and learning about the cultural significance and symbolism behind each design. You can find more of Jade’s amazing work at www.jdpenangke.com or @jdpenangke on social media.
Images 1. Artist Jade Dolman with her finished artwork in the Secondary School courtyard. 2. Secondary School courtyard mural. 3. Kindy/Pre-Primary playground mural. 4. Mural in Bush Tucker Garden ASC News
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ST MARK’S ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
SOLAR FARM GENERATES INTEREST Across the summer holiday period, St Mark’s Anglican Community School installed a large array of solar panels across the roof of the Alan Cadby Senior Academic Centre in what has been described as a ‘Solar Farm’ given the extensive number of panels. The solar panels will generate approximately 20 per cent of the School’s electricity usage and at full capacity in summertime, will cover just under one third of the electrical energy capacity of the School. Over the school holidays, when the consumption of electricity at the School is minimal, St Mark’s will return electricity back to the grid.
The Senior Academic Centre was chosen as the most appropriate placement of the Solar Farm because there is enough electrical infrastructure to run the system without being forced to complete a major electrical upgrade and there is room for the system to be expanded. The roof of this building is facing north and is therefore ideal for maximum energy production. Teachers at St Mark’s are looking forward to being able to involve students in a cross-curricular capacity once the monitoring system is complete.
Principal Steven Davies said the St Mark’s Strategic Plan had established Stewardship and Sustainability as one of the core focus areas for 2022 and beyond.
The monitoring system will enable teachers to show students how to analyse the data comparing the production of energy from the solar panels with the electrical consumption of the School.
“We are keen to lead the way in environmental responsibility and sustainability so projects such as the Solar Farm have been a high priority,” he said.
It is a fantastic real-life example, educating students on how we can reduce our carbon footprint towards the greater global goal of sustainability.
The new Clean Energy Council accredited system is the best on the market. The St Mark’s Solar Farm has a 100kW capacity with a 150kW inverter for future expansion. While there are no batteries due to the current exorbitant cost, when the price reduces in the future, the system is ready to be connected to the battery system. 8
JOHN WOLLASTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
LITTLE WOLLIES GET A HEAD START Over the past 11 years the Little Wollies program at John Wollaston Anglican Community School has been nurturing and educating three-year-old children, providing them with the building blocks for a successful start to their schooling life. It was strong interest from parents and the wider community that spurred the School into starting the Little Wollies program in 2011. Commencing as a one-day program, Little Wollies has now grown to two classes with parents having the option to choose from one day or two days per week. The Little Wollies program is helping three-year-old children develop school ready skills. Led by an experienced Early Childhood teacher, the play-based program stimulates young minds, builds confidence and resilience, teaches friendship building skills and supports a child’s transition to formal schooling.
Year 9 student, Eden Geb was one of the first students to begin in Little Wollies in 2011. “Little Wollies helped me adjust to coming to school. It taught me how to socialise and play with other children and one of my earliest memories was riding the trikes around the track in the playground,” Eden said. More than 10 years later, the Little Wollies program is growing from strength to strength. A purpose-built facility will open in 2023, enabling the School to provide an expanded, more flexible offering to parents. “We are delighted to provide our youngest students with a strong foundation to develop friendships and a lifelong love of learning,” Ms Ford said.
Principal Anne Ford said through play-based activities students develop their cognitive, social and physical skills creating a strong foundation for them to learn and grow. “It’s heart-warming for me to see our Little Wollies making new discoveries in the classroom, displaying their creativity and innovative thinking through their arts and crafts projects, and hearing the sounds of laughter and chatter as they play and discover outdoors in the nature playground,” Ms Ford said. ASC News
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GEORGIANA MOLLOY ANGLICAN SCHOOL
FLYING THE FLAG FOR PROGRESS
“We wish to promote inclusion for all, regardless of religion, ideology, ability, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. We may not always get it right but it is the journey we are on,” he said.
A new progress flag is helping to promote the inclusive environment at Georgiana Molloy Anglican School (GMAS).
“There is widespread support throughout our campus as GMAS students are setting new traditions which includes celebrating ‘Wear it Purple’ day as GMAS strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for everyone.”
The School proudly displayed its new Progress Flag, with graphic designer Daniel Quasar adding a five-coloured chevron to the classic Rainbow Flag to place a greater emphasis on inclusion and progression. Mr Quasar’s Progress Pride Flag added five arrow-shaped lines to the six-coloured Rainbow Flag, which is widely recognized as the symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) community. The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalised LGBTQ+ communities of colour, along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride Flag. 2022 Senior Head Prefect Jacob said: “The idea to fly the flag came into my head as it helps to create a much more positive and inclusive environment inside of the GMAS community for our LGBTIQA+ students and faculty. “The flag could mean nothing to most of the students, but if it can make even one student feel welcomed and supported then it is definitely something that is important to have inside of our school.” School Chaplain, Father Earl Chamberlain, said GMAS is a place of inclusion, where diversity is promoted, and difference is respected. 10
GMAS parents have also praised the inclusivity the Progress Flag represents. It is a visible way of starting conversations and has brought an amazing positive community vibe. “I’m loving how the flag proudly shows students and staff, that they are loved, represented and included in the GMAS family.” Mr Stephenson, GMAS parent “World take a leaf out of this book! So proud to have a school that has an open heart no matter who you are” Mrs Bradley, GMAS parent Our School is proud to be part of the ASC where inclusion is a core value and where sexual orientation and gender are not considerations in the employment of teachers or support staff nor the enrolment of students.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ.” Galatians 3:28
ST JAMES’ ANGLICAN SCHOOL
PASSION PROJECTS An invitation to staff to identify ‘passion projects’ has provided broader opportunities for fun and learning at St James’ Anglican School. As the School enters its eight year in the Alkimos community, the development of the new 2022 – 2024 Strategic Plan is shining a spotlight on the passion and skills of the teaching staff. The development of the plan has been a labour of love for School Principal Adrian Pree, the School Executive and the teaching team, with teachers’ Passion Projects extending beyond the classroom, with the potential to become woven into the School’s fabric over the next three years. One example is the St James’ Design and Technology Department, who are spearheading an environmentally sustainable project focussed on learning about the development and production of Electric Vehicles (EV). Head of Design and Technology Nathaniel Watts said the project was a holistic learning experience, ultimately culminating in the students designing and building their own EV. “We are shaping the next generation of engineers; it all starts from here. This is a real-world application of the technology and design behind electric vehicles,” Mr Watts said. Image Top Right 1. Scarlett, Morgan and Mr Nate Watts
The Design team have already procured the School’s first EV, a small battery-powered buggy. The buggy will demonstrate to students how an EV works and how it differs from a combustion engine. The end goal for this vehicle is for students to upscale it to a larger kart that is both functional and relevant to the context. “If we can inspire just one person to look at transport in a unique, unconventional way and begin to help pioneer a sustainable future, then I believe we have been successful in our job as teachers,” Mr Watts said. The EV is to be powered from solar panels and eventually, a Tesla battery located on the school grounds. Going forward, this ‘passion project’ will demonstrate sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurial thinking to our students, while providing the School community with a relatable example in the delivery of a strategic outcome.
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CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA
GROW 2022 This year the shared theme for the Cathedral College Wangaratta school community is GROW. This stands for, Grit, Relationships, Opportunities and Wonder. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their understanding of GROW to think about how they can incorporate these qualities into all aspects of their learning and daily life at Cathedral College. Director of Studies Julie Findlay said likening the growth of a plant to the growth of our students was a perfect analogy. “Much like a plant, every individual has their own unique growing conditions,” Mrs Findlay said. “For example, plants may be moved around to find the perfect location for optimal growth. For our students, this may be an opportunity to try something new and to grow as a result of this new experience. “Sometimes there is drought, frost, or flooding and the plant needs to weather these conditions to survive. A plant always tries to grow towards the Sun. It is always striving to get the best light. It is hoped we can encourage our students to have this same thirst for wonder and learning.” 12
Principal Nick Jones said the start of a new school year was always a good time to think about how we can encourage and support our students to be the best they can be. “Having this shared theme across the College underpin our teaching and learning programs, we will be supporting and challenging our students to think about how they can GROW this year,” he said. “Wonder is such a crucial, yet sometimes underestimated quality for students to be successful learners. I hope that all our students develop a keen sense of curiosity and inquisitiveness which sees them seeking new knowledge and an understanding of the world around them”. College Captains Bella Bridgeman and Skip Pieper have challenged their fellow students to focus on grit and in a recent assembly said: “If you only take one thing away from this address, let it be a growth mindset with the grit achieve the goals you set for yourself. “Enabling a growth mindset is a way to look forward. To rise to the challenge and not to be overwhelmed or defined by the past. But rather, look forward to the future and potential that 2022 holds.”
STAFF SPOTLIGHT
introducing. .
Abbey Tobin
Cam Allen
Jo Finlay
Teacher
Marketing and Community Engagement Officer / Senior School Teacher
Head of Careers
Esperance Anglican Community School
I was fortunate enough to grow up here in Esperance, surrounded by my family and the close-knit community that makes up this town, and returning now as a teacher I want nothing more than to foster childhoods like the one I had with the students at EACS. Spending my childhood here means I have a strong respect and admiration for the ocean, a love for community and a desire to support others, all of which was something I carried with me when I left Esperance after finishing school. I studied Journalism and International Relations at university but after finishing I finally decided to honour a calling to the teaching profession that had been niggling at me for many years. I took a job in the Pilbara town of Port Hedland, where I fell comfortably into the familiarity of small-town life, one which I had missed while living in the city. The only difference being that I had to swap my love of Australia’s best beaches for the iconic red dirt and some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. I nurtured students in a Pastoral Care role from Year 8 to Year 12 and honed my skills in teaching upper school English. After ten years away I am grateful and excited to become a part of Esperance Anglican Community School and life back here in Esperance.
Peter Carnley Anglican Community School
After completing a Visual Art degree at Edith Cowan University and a Graduate Diploma of Education, I found myself teaching Art for 3 years at Corpus Christi College, followed by two years in a similar role at CBC Fremantle. During this time, I became interested in creative design and marketing in schools and started a visual design business focussing on education. Solace Design focussed on publications, photography and marketing strategies for WA schools. This led to producing SCRIBE Magazine, which focussed on inspiring, connecting and celebrating WA education. The magazine gave me the opportunity to explore education communities beyond Australia, and took me to Kenya in 2012, where I formed a fundraising team to support and develop a primary school in a remote village in Mukuro.
Swan Valley Anglican Community School
It’s hard to believe that I have been a teacher at Swan Valley Anglican Community School for 15 years. Initially, I started as a part time IT teacher in the school’s third year of operation. The school has grown, and I feel I have grown with it! When the VET Coordinator role became available, I seized the opportunity. The Vocational Education and Training landscape has rapidly changed over the years and continues to expand, which led to my current role as the Head of Careers. Over the years, it’s been wonderful to witness the personal development and success of our students when engaged in a VET pathway. It was especially rewarding to see SVACS student Jess Haydon, win the Beazley Medal: VET in 2018.
Fast forward five years and I have been lucky enough to fine-tune these experiences into an exciting Marketing and Communications role at PCACS. Being involved in this community and working with passionate educators has been inspiring and rewarding and has also encouraged me to return to the classroom in 2021.
Our School endeavours to support all children in their academic endeavours, irrespective of their chosen pathway. This approach mirrors my personal teaching philosophy, encouraging students to maximise their potential. My belief in VET has been evident when steering my son in his academic pursuits, as he navigated ATAR and then pursued VET in his suite of subjects.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful children, family and friends; I am a huge advocate and voice for mental health and am looking at expanding this passion in the coming years and; I have recently attempted my first solo swim to Rottnest.
To be an effective educator, I need balance in my life with family being in the foreground. Weekends are spent supporting my children’s sporting endeavours and capitalising on our beach location to provide the equilibrium required for a fruitful life. ASC News
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ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL
A GIFT FOR ST GEORGE’S Father Gift Makwasha has been welcomed as the first full time Chaplain at St George’s Anglican Grammar School. Father Gift is originally from Zimbabwe and is the father of four children. He was ordained a deacon in Harare in December 1995 and then a year later became a priest. He left Harare for the United States where he pursued further study and gained a Doctorate in Theology at Boston University. Fr Gift previously worked as a School Chaplain at Arundel School, an elite all girls’ school in Zimbabwe before migrating to Australia five years ago to take up the position of parish priest at Grace Anglican Church in Joondalup. Father Gift’s warm and inviting nature has meant that he has transitioned into his new position at St George’s seamlessly. He is also part of the Good Morning St George’s team who, supported by the Student Guild, welcome our students to school each day. “My calling is to inspire young people to realise their full potential. I firmly believe that their high school years should be the very best days of their lives and it is my hope to support all students to seize the many opportunities presented here and to thrive in their time within the St George’s School Community,” he said. 14
The School Chaplaincy Service complements our many existing pastoral care programs. Our Chaplain is responsible for supporting the social, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of all students, regardless of faith or beliefs. In joining St George’s, Fr Gift intends to share the importance of the three Ps with both students and staff – PRAYER, PLAY and PLAN. “Developing student Christian values and Anglican beliefs are but just one of my goals here at St George’s. I want the students to have fun at School and to find balance in pursing their academic goals alongside their positive social and emotional wellbeing,” he said. “My aim in my role is to equip them with the tools to plan their time at School to be a fulfilling one in all aspects of their school journey, both inside and outside of the classroom.”
FREDERICK IRWIN ANGLICAN SCHOOL
WARM WELCOME FOR NEW PRINCIPAL Frederick Irwin Anglican School is excited to welcome new principal Tracey Gray who comes with many years of experience at Perth and Eastern States schools. Tracey’s vision for Frederick Irwin has been shaped through many years of research in education and working with teachers, leaders, parents, and students and focusing on developing the whole child. Her business background adds an exciting dynamic to her management and focus, in relation to the School’s strategic planning and direction.
“My vision is for each child to flourish through purpose and belonging, achieve their potential, develop their gifts and have a heart for making a difference to others,” she said.
This vision is shown through four pillars: • Relationships: developing positive relationships through compassion, care and a sense of belonging, • Mastery: providing quality academic success for every student through a range of pathways, • Service: fostering a heart for others and looking at ways to make a difference across the community, and, • Community: participating and contributing to the life of the school, church, community and the world as a whole. These pillars complement the school values that are fostered throughout the school of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty, Compassion, and Courage. In the first few weeks of Term Mrs Gray has overseen the many changes to COVID restrictions, along with the exciting installation of the new Halls Head Campus buildings. Term 1 has been a relatively smooth start to the year despite COVID Restrictions affecting the School’s ability to hold certain events and allow parents on campus. However, Mrs Gray is excited to see what 2022 brings, including the opening of the new Sports Centre towards the end of the year and her own Principal’s Commissioning towards the end of the term.
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JOHN SEPTIMUS ROE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
SCHOOL BALL HITS THE ROAD
Some students took the word ‘farm’ literally and were disappointed there were no farm animals in sight. “The night was full of dancing, delicious food, photos and heaps of fun. Sadly, there were no animals,” one student said.
With a last-minute change in COVID-19 protocols, John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (JSRACS) staff had to think on their feet to change the location of the 2022 School Ball.
Students danced under the stars and fairy lights, with many opting to wear sneakers or slides with their chic ball gowns and suits.
Instead of the Ball being held at the Hyatt Regency, the School took the Ball to the Swan Valley to Chapel Farm Estate on Saturday, 19 February.
Despite the changes required, JSRACS is dedicated to having highlight events, such as the Ball, in a COVID-safe manner to ensure our students are still able to create their once in a lifetime memories.
All staff and students had to be at least double vaccinated to enter the event, showing their certificates upon arrival as well as staying masked except when eating or drinking.
Principal Jason Bartell said the JSRACS staff were dedicated to their students and giving them the best experiences possible no matter the circumstances or timeframes.
Many masks matched the students’ outfits, highlighting their quick-thinking and embracing the change in conditions.
The Ball is always a highly anticipated event that some students had been planning for a year in advance. Although it may not have been quite what they had expected, we are so thankful for the amazing effort of our staff, adapting and being flexible to create an unforgettable experience for the Year 12 students’ biggest highlight event of the year.
Rather than a formal sit-down dinner, it was an outdoor cocktail style event with mocktails and delicious food throughout the whole evening. Students felt “extremely lucky to have had our Ball” in a COVID-safe manner after many questioned whether the Ball would still be able to go ahead.
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TRINITY ANGLICAN COLLEGE
FIRST IN LINE FOR LUCY Trinity Anglican College student Lucy Hocking is happy to notch up a first for her school. The Year 6 student is the first Trinity Anglican College student to make it through to the NSW Combined Independent Schools (CIS) basketball team. An amazing achievement for her, and a very worthy selection based on her skills, training and dedication to basketball. This is also the first state representative side that Lucy has made. The NSW Combined Independent Schools Sports Council, known as CIS, aims to provide a pathway to state and national level competition in a wide variety of sports for students in the independent sector. The CIS is made up of 212 schools spread across the entire state of NSW, making this team an elite squad in which to be selected. Lucy travelled to the Hills Basketball Stadium in Castle Hills Sydney to trial for the position in the elite team.
She said the competition was fierce on the day, with players required to make it through the first cut in the morning, where the large group of players were cut to a list of 20. In the afternoon, the squad was further reduced to the final team of 10 players, with Lucy selected. Lucy has been a part of Albury Representative Basketball teams since she was 10 years old and plays locally with the Lavington Panthers Basketball Club. She has participated in the NSW Development Talented Athletes Program (a specialist junior talent development program conducted by Basketball NSW in conjunction with the NSW Office of Sport), and is also part of the Southern Sports Academy, based out of Wagga Wagga. In her spare time, Lucy is also a competitive netball and AFL player. Lucy will now travel to Tamworth for the NSW PSSA Championships, which will be held from Tuesday 31 May through to Friday 3 June. Here she will compete against 12 other teams across the state, made up of Public Schools and Catholic Schools.
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COBRAM ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL
MEDAL WINNING PERFORMANCE
2021 Year 12 student Liam Smith, who is now studying computer science and engineering mechatronics at the University of New South Wales, capped off his achievements with the Year 12 Mathematics Medal.
Students are at the top of their game at Cobram Anglican Grammar School (CAGS), with two individual ICAS medallists and the school being named as a 2021 Award Winning School in the ICAS competition series.
Liam said he recommended students participate in the ICAS academic competitions each year.
ICAS is a school-based competition that students from Australia and international schools sit annually across six subject areas – English, Mathematics, Science, Spelling Bee, Writing and Digital Technologies. An ICAS medal is awarded to students with the top score in each year level in each state and the results must be judged as sufficiently meritorious to be eligible.
“Ask your parents for help, ask your teachers for help – make sure you learn from your mistakes and try to improve the following year,” he said. “These competitions are more than medals – they give you the chance to take charge of your own academic growth.” More than 30 students from CAGS took part in the ICAS (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) series in 2021.
Year 11 student Cody Lincoln won both the 2021 Year 10 Mathematics Medal and the Year 10 Science Medal, taking out the top score in both subjects.
Head of Maths and Science Melonie Smith said it had been an absolute pleasure watching the students grow in academic confidence over the years.
“I love the 15-20 minutes after the test is finished when we all compare answers. We break down questions and try to decipher what they asked. That way you can do even better the following year,” Cody said.
The School offers a variety of STEM competitions and opportunities to its students to allow them to expand their skills.
Image 1. Photo courtesy of Cobram Courier 18
ANGLICAN IDENTITY
COVID . . . War . . . Floods . . . Lord, have mercy. The world is in desperate need of some good news. As Jesus’ ultimate triumph over death and evil which we celebrate at Easter is the greatest of good news. It’s good news that doesn’t make the headlines though, because God is waiting on us to spread and share it. If you read the gospels and their various accounts of the first Easter morning, you’ll notice that they are immediately followed by Jesus sending out or commissioning his disciples to be his continued presence and work in the world. Jesus’ resurrection was the birth of a new stage in the mission of God’s love for the world. As the New Testament scholar, N T Wright puts it: ‘Christ is risen, God’s new creation has begun, therefore, let’s get to work!’ Easter isn’t just a holiday we enjoy - it is our call to live the good news of Jesus by being agents of peace in a violent world, servants of the poor in a needy world, and glimpses of the divine in an unbelieving world. Christ is Risen . . . Alleluia! The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO Archbishop of Perth
Easter messages For the most senior political representative of the Roman occupying power to conclude Jesus was innocent, and for the senior military commander in charge of Jesus’ execution to declare emphatically he was a good man, is astonishing enough. Even more remarkable, however, was the discovery, only two days later, that Jesus was no longer dead, and in fact had been raised from the dead, just as he had predicted. Easter is the time when Christians celebrate these events, not simply as particular anniversaries on Good Friday and Easter Day, but because Christians believe they demonstrate the existence of God and what God is like. A God willing to live in the direst circumstances humans can face, a God who loves and cares for all people, and a God who cannot be defeated, even by the cruellest of circumstances and death. In all the uncertainty and dislocation of Covid and natural disasters, invasion and war, it is this God in whom Christians put their trust and who inspires us to do all we can to love and support those most affected. The Right Reverend Dr Ian Coutts Bishop of Bunbury
Many people welcome the Easter break and see it as an opportunity to get away for the first official break of the year, as it often coincides with the end of first term for schools. Having time off to recuperate and be energised for the next phase is important. It is, however, during the ‘holiday’ that we experience, commemorate and celebrate the most holy days within the Christian calendar, notably from Palm Sunday to Good Friday and Easter. These holy days tell the story of fear, suffering and death but also resurrection, new life and hope. It tells of people then, but also today, who are looking forward to a change in their situation, where sadness and pain can be transformed into joy and healing. It foreshadows what can be when we allow ourselves to be open to the endless possibilities that God provides for us, as we know that God only wants what is best for us. This is the Easter Joy that I wish for all of you, as well as for your loved ones and all those whom you might encounter on life’s journey. Enjoy the Easter eggs, the rest and the company of others, but spend time on Good Friday and Easter Day thankfully remembering this very special gift and the hope that God gives us through his son Jesus. Every blessing, The Right Reverend Clarence E Bester Bishop of Wangaratta
ASC News
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The Anglican Schools Commission Inc. PO Box 2520 Mt Claremont WA 6010 P (08) 9286 0290 F (08) 9384 5023 E info@ascschools.edu.au W www.ascschools.edu.au