ASC NEWS | ISSUE 73 | SEPTEMBER 2021

ASC NEWS ISSUE 73 | SEPTEMBER 2021

FEATURE SCHOOL

FEATURE SCHOOL

Cathedral College Wangaratta Creating Connections

St Mark’s Anglican Community School Peta Sinclair

From the Chief Executive Officer THE REVEREND PETER LAURENCE OAM

Contents From the CEO 2 ASC Schools Week 2021

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Cathedral College Wangaratta

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St Mark’s Anglican Community School

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Swan Valley Anglican Community School

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Georgiana Molloy Anglican School

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St James’ Anglican School

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St George’s Anglican Grammar School

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Peter Moyes Anglican Community School

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Peter Carnley Anglican Community School

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John Wollaston Anglican Community School

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Staff Spotlight 19 John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School 20 Esperance Anglican Community School

There have been some exciting developments over the past term as the ASC seeks to support our current schools and look for areas in which new schools can be developed.

A NEW SCHOOL FOR SHEPPARTON The ASC has purchased land in Shepparton in Victoria with the aim of building a new Preparatory-Year 12 school in the region. Shepparton was identified as a priority location for a new school given its standing as a major regional centre with high projected growth.

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ASC Connect 22 Anglican Identity 23 Cover Image: ASC Schools Concert 2021 at the Perth Concert Hall.

The ASC has purchased a 16-hectare site in Shepparton North and project planning is now underway.

Subject to Government approvals, the School will be constructed to open as a Prep to Year 7 in 2024, growing to a Prep to Year 12 school by 2029.

The new Shepparton school will join our three established schools in the Diocese of Wangaratta Cathedral College Wangaratta, Cobram Anglican Grammar School and Trinity Anglican College AlburyWodonga.

A NEW HOME FOR ST GEORGE’S Our city school, St George’s Anglican Grammar School is set to have a new and permanent home, with the school moving in stages to a new city building at 441 Murray Street over the next nine years.

Parts of St George’s will be accommodated in the new building from 2023 to cater for the growing student population. This will enable the School to increase its offerings with significantly greater floorspace available for teaching and learning. The school will continue to fully occupy the current leased building at 50 William Street until the end of the decade.

The nine-storey building will also be a new permanent home for the Anglican Schools Commission head office, ASC International and the ASC Language School.

With an inability to expand on our current site at Mt Claremont, the ASC was keen to ensure a new home for our head office and ASC International.

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NEW PRINCIPAL After a rigorous selection process, I am delighted to announce that Mrs Tracey Gray will be the new Principal of Frederick Irwin Anglican School from January 2022. Mrs Gray has recently completed her term as Principal of Sapphire Coast Anglican College, a Pre-K to Year 12 school in Bega, NSW where she has held the position for the past three years. She has previously worked in Western Australia at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School, St Stephen’s School in Duncraig, and the Association of Independent Schools of WA. Mrs Gray will take on the role as our current Principal, Ms Kerry Robertson, retires at the end of 2021 after 10 years of outstanding service to the school.

FAREWELL Trinity Anglican College Principal Justin Beckett has announced that he will leave his position at the end of 2021 to take up a new position as Principal of Arden Anglican School in Sydney. Justin has been a wonderful contributor to Trinity and the ASC over his five years as Principal and we wish him and his family well on their new adventure. The search for a new Principal will take place over the coming months.

Images 1. The new school site location in Shepparton, Victoria 2. A new home for the ASC and St George’s Anglican Grammar School

ASC SCHOOLS WEEK I was delighted to attend the ASC Schools Week Eucharist and Concert. The Eucharist at St George’s Cathedral was an opportunity to thank God for our schools. We were delighted that Archbishiop Kay Goldsworthy presided and preached on this occasion.

The concert celebrated the talents and hard work of our wonderful music students and staff. ASC Schools Week is a special occasion where our schools come together to perform in a wide variety of traditional and modern music groups, bands and orchestras. With visiting conductors and the ongoing expertise of our Heads of Music and their staff, our students produced a wonderful night of music. The event was attended by more than 1200 concert goers as well as special guests including the WA Minister for Education and Training, The Honourable Sue Ellery MLC. We were fortunate that all our WA schools were able to take part but missed the opportunity to gather with our three Eastern schools in Victoria and NSW due to border restrictions. We look forward to all our schools being part of the next ASC Schools Week in 2023.

Every blessing.

ASC News

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ASC SCHOOLS WEEK 2021 29 AUGUST - 4 SEPTEMBER 2021

ASC Schools Week was first held in September 2012. It was our custom to hold Schools Week as a biennial event, but as for most things in 2020, a global pandemic got in the way. Our fifth Schools Week was rescheduled for 2021 and was held from 29th August to 4th September.

Schools Week allows our music students to come together, rehearse and learn from professional conductors and musicians and perform at the ASC Schools Week concert at the Perth Concert Hall in front of family, friends and special guests. This follows a special Schools Week Eucharist held at St George’s Cathedral where we celebrate God’s goodness to us. It is clear that God’s goodness and greatness comes to us through our talented students.

The theme for this year’s Schools Week was based on the natural elements, with music conveying the beauty of water, earth, stars and more. For the first time, our concert also featured our Indigenous Students Ensemble who presented the Boss Arts Kooloonga at the start of the program, celebrating our First Nations people and their connection to country.

I wish to thank our very talented Guest Conductors, Perry Joyce, Jonathan Tooby, Paul De Cinque, Jessica Herbert and Jasper Miller, composer Lydia Gardiner, and Artists in Residence Della Rae Morrison, Charley Caruso and Olman Walley; the Heads of Music from across our schools who have worked tirelessly for months leading to tonight’s concert; Michael Newton, Director of Music at St George’s Anglican Grammar School and the ASC’s Schools Week Concert Director; and the many ASC staff who have offered their skills to ensure Schools Week has been a success.

Our 5th ASC Schools Week Concert was a great success. After the challenges of the past eighteen months, we appreciated the opportunity to gather with grateful hearts, as our talented young musicians shone on stage of the Perth Concert Hall. What a wonderful display of the talent and hard work of the students and staff in ASC schools.

The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM Chief Executive Officer

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EUCHARIST 1 SEPTEMBER 2021

Water, earth, wind and fire were woven into the ASC Schools Week Eucharist held at St George’s Cathedral on 1st September.

The theme of this year’s Schools Week was based on the four natural elements. The elements were celebrated throughout the Eucharist presided by The Most Reverend Kay Goldsworthy AO, Archbishop of Perth.

Archbishop Kay wove the elements into her homily, each of which reminds us of God our creator, while the hymns and the reading from the first book of Kings by students from Frederick Irwin Anglican School reinforced her words.

Students from all WA-based ASC schools contributed to the Eucharist, including a beautiful performance by the St Paul’s Chapel Choir of John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School, directed by Mr Ry Charleson, and a dramatic interpretation of a portion of the Gospel according to John by students from St Mark’s Anglican Community School.

A highlight was the procession of students and school banners into the Cathedral led by Peter Carnley Anglican Community School Year 9 student Jeremy Clowry playing the didgeridoo.

While the organ was played, the procession of banners and school representatives were led out of the Cathedral by the Crucifer and Acolytes from St George’s Anglican Grammar School.

ASC News

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ASC SCHOOLS CONCERT More than 300 students took part in the ASC Schools Week biennial concert held at the Perth Concert Hall on 3rd September 2021.

The talented student musicians were led by guest conductors Perry Joyce, Jonathan Tooby, Paul De Cinque, Jessica Herbert and Jasper Miller.

The audience was treated to a special performance, Boss Arts Kooloonga, by the Indigenous Student Ensemble following the Welcome to Country.

A variety of traditional and modern music groups performed on the night including auditioned and open ensembles. The auditioned groups consisted of the electronic ensemble, orchestra, rock band, stage band and select choir, while the open ensembles included the concert band, massed choir, percussion ensemble and string orchestra.

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ASC News

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CATHEDRAL COLLEGE WANGARATTA

CREATING CONNECTIONS This year Middle School students at Cathedral College Wangaratta are creating connections and enhancing relationships in a new program called Community Time.

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This semester the students also participated in a series of choice workshops, which included sporting, design, wellbeing and performing arts activities.

Introduced by the Head of Middle School Mrs Brigid Perkins, students in Year 6 to 8 participate in the program which is designed to create a sense of belonging and connectedness.

Principal Nick Jones said it was vital students formed meaningful connections when they were at schools, particularly as Victoria continued to face statewide lockdowns and intermittent periods of remote learning.

“In a time when our students are seeking consistency and constancy in an uncertain world, it is about creating and enhancing relationships across the Middle School year levels and providing an additional opportunity to consolidate a sense of belonging,” Mrs Perkins said.

“We still find ourselves faced with constant change, as evidenced by continued shifting from learning on-site to remote learning. In response, we continually strive to enhance our students’ school experience and focus on ways to help them thrive in the face of continued adversity,” Mr Jones said.

“The introduction of Community Time into the Middle School has allowed for students to create new relationships across year levels and consider their role within the School community and the wider community.

“It is joyful to watch our Middle School participate in Community Time. These experiences reinforce our strong sense of community and build on the notion that we are part of smaller communities within our whole school community.”

“They have heard stories of resilience and growth, as well as explored skills and knowledge they are wanting to develop to assist them in the modern world.”

Students have responded positively to Community Time, providing positive feedback on their experiences.

“I like that we get the opportunity to learn important life skills. We get to learn different things that we might use day to day when we are older. It is nice to end the week doing something fun and different to the usual subjects,” Year 6 student Lilly Noble said.

Year 8 student Alex Cairncross said: “I look forward to Community Time because it is always fun, and we do different things that we get to choose. I also get to know students in Year 6 and 7 who I normally wouldn’t talk to. I have enjoyed some of the guest speakers and loved playing footy with new people.”

Mrs Perkins said research demonstrated that a sense of belonging and connectedness relates to higher levels of student emotional wellbeing and better academic performance and achievement.

“While we continue to focus on our core business of teaching and learning, we understand that underpinning academic success and a growth mindset is creating occasions in the school day that give our students opportunities to connect meaningfully with others and in turn develop an authentic sense of belonging,” she said.

STUDENT QUOTES “Mountain bike riding and bike maintenance was really fun, and I got to learn lots of bike repair information and even repaired a bike tube. We got to do so much and learn so many new things and the people from Rock and Road Cycles even came in to show us some repair tricks.” Eva Siperki – Year 7

“I have loved doing our choice workshop. It has been great getting to know other people in the Middle School community. In Yoga we had Mrs Crosse take a lesson where she went through different kinds of poses and relaxation methods.

It has been a great way to finish off the week and hanging out with my friends has been fun.”

Flynn Carson – Year 8

ASC News

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ST MARK’S ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

PETA SINCLAIR | 36 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE When Peta Sinclair put her name down to volunteer at the new Anglican school opening in Hillarys, it was the start of a 36-year commitment to St Mark’s Anglican Community School.

After working as a volunteer during the School’s opening year in 1986, Mrs Sinclair’s initial role as Principal’s Secretary and Registrar transitioned into a permanent position. Watching the School grow from 240 students in 1986 to 1800 students today, Mrs Sinclair has worked with all four Principals of St Mark’s, first as a Personal Assistant and Registrar, and then as Executive Assistant.

As she prepares to go on long service leave in Term 4, followed by a well-deserved retirement, Mrs Sinclair reflects on her long association with St Mark’s.

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“St Mark’s was built in, by and for the community, and over the years Mrs Sinclair has arguably contributed more than any other member of the School’s community. Her selfless service will always be remembered, and she leaves St Mark’s with the huge thanks of all who have ever been members of the St Mark’s community and with our very best wishes for her future and that of her family.” - Steven Davies | Principal

Reflections of St Mark’s Early Days

By Peta Sinclair On 12 June 1985, the Interim St Mark’s School Council held a public meeting at Craigie Senior High School to explain the pioneering concept of a low-fee, lowresource, co-educational Anglican Church school to be built on 10 hectares of sandy bushland in Hillarys.

The meeting to determine community interest was attended by 400 people, with Mr Glynn Watkins, Chairman of the Interim School Council, and Mr Peter Moyes, Chairman of the Anglican Schools Commission addressing the crowd.

From the outset it was made clear to parents that volunteers would be essential to fulfil the vision for the new low-fee Anglican school. I put my name down as a volunteer. In July 1985 the Foundation Bursar, Ken Fairfield, phoned to ask me if I could type…That phone call started a 36-year commitment to St Mark’s.

St Mark’s opened in 1986 with 240 students from Pre-Primary to Year 3 and Year 8, 15 teaching staff, the Bursar, the bookkeeper, and a groundsman. My

position as Principal’s Secretary/Registrar was voluntary and unpaid until 1987.

In 1986, state-of-the-art technology was my own personal IBM electric golf-ball typewriter with the miracle of a correction tape! The Principal’s letters, School proforma, and the first of many staff handbooks came from this amazing machine – and I was the only one who could type.

Hale School donated an old photocopier and St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School donated a 1984 Apple Macintosh - the type with a huge floppy disc that required DOS programming skills to write even a simple letter.

Bookkeeping and family accounts were all done manually by the bookkeeper, Margaret Jervis.

In those early days, funds were very tight. Every expenditure decision required careful consideration, and resources were often hand-me-downs. However, time and talents were freely given by staff and parents.

Regular working bees saw windows cleaned, grass and trees planted, a playground built for primary students and conversation centres built for secondary students.

In our first year, the late Robyn Sheehan coordinated the P&F Art Show, which was a tremendous success, and which continues to this day.

Diocesan Council’s pioneering vision, presented to parents by Mr Glynn Watkins and Mr Peter Moyes in 1985, and which was strongly supported by Archbishop Peter Carnley, and Bishop Brian Challen (after whom the School’s Houses are named) was, to a very large extent, brought to fruition by the appointment of Mrs Barbara Godwin, as Foundation Principal.

A forever memory of those early years will be the staff and parent morale, the generosity of heart of everyone involved, and the camaraderie of a common goal for the young St Mark’s community. Those strong foundations helped to break down traditional barriers between Primary and Secondary, teaching and nonteaching, parents, and students. It was a joyful place to work and St Mark’s flourished.

During the past thirty-five years, St Mark’s has been progressively built, demolished, and rebuilt. It is hard to find a trace of the original buildings. Growing from 240 students to around 1,800 students, and around 300 staff, is only one measure of success. Yet, in an everchanging world where building good young people to take their place in an every-changing world is a complex task, we look for the vital markers of success where: “St Mark’s students are typified by their compassion, acceptance and care of others, resilience, pursuit of being their best selves, and their sense of community and global responsibility.”

1986 is now more than half my lifetime ago and, as the School nears the end of its 36th year, staff and students all have laptops, Wi-Fi and internet access are everyday tools for teaching and learning, and young people have access to an awesome array of technology.

As a Foundation member of St Mark’s, I count it a privilege to have served all four St Mark’s Principals as PA/Registrar until July 2012, and then as Executive Assistant. As I begin my long overdue six months’ LSL in September, and transition to retirement, I have no doubt it will be another interesting step in my life-long learning journey.

It seems most fitting to end my reflection with words I have known well for 36 years in the School’s prayer: Almighty God, we thank you for the gospel of your son Jesus Christ committed to us by the hand of your evangelist St Mark: grant that we may not be carried away with every changing wind of teaching but may be firmly established in the truth of your word; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Images 1. Peta Sinclair standing with the lone pine tree that she planted in her early years at St Mark’s.

2. Peta and Stephen Sinclair standing next to their lone pine.

3. Peta with fellow Foundation staff and students - 1995

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SWAN VALLEY ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

HARMONY DAY BUDDIES

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Ms Powell said Buddy Programs weren’t just beneficial for younger students but helped older students understand how important they were, as an individual and within their school context.

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Students from Kindy to Year 12 joined together on Harmony Day for a fun shared activity as part of the Buddy Program. Primary students are paired with their Secondary student buddies with the goal of developing relationships between the younger and older students, enhancing the sense of a friendly, warm and supportive school community.

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“This year, with the central message of ‘Everyone Belongs’, students and staff wore orange, the official colour of Harmony Day, traditional dress, or something that represented their cultural heritage,” she said.

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“Harmony Day is a celebration of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone,” Ms Powell said.

Swan Valley Anglican Community School families are from all around the world.

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Principal Melissa Powell said Swan Valley was fortunate to have such a diverse and inclusive school community, with families coming a wide variety of countries from India to Tanzania to Peru.

On Harmony Day, SVACS buddy pairs coloured cutouts of individual people which were then collected and joined together to create a chain of united people.

Buddy pairs then made multi-coloured friendship braids to be worn as Harmony Bracelets.

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With more than 40 nationalities represented at Swan Valley Anglican Community School, Harmony Day is always a special day in the calendar.

WHAT A VOICE It’s a long way from Dunsborough to The Voice but Georgiana Molloy Anglican School student Sofia Watts takes it all in her stride.

The 15-year-old had a recent stint on singing show, The Voice, managing to break into the top five in UK singersongwriter Rita Ora’s group. Heavily involved in music at School as well as singing with her band, Sonatay, Sofia said she had always wanted to audition for The Voice.

“I have grown up watching the show and it has always been one of my favourite shows,” she said.

“I auditioned because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I also wanted to show that you can do it, if you have the passion and the drive, you can make it work.

“The show gives me a platform to be a role model, and the ability to perform on one of the biggest stages in the country.”

Sofia said music classes at School gave her the extra practice and confidence about performing and auditioning for The Voice.

“My music class allows me to perform in front of a crowd, which is my favourite thing to do,” she said.

“I have always performed at school on the performance nights. My biggest and most memorable

GEORGIANA MOLLOY ANGLICAN SCHOOL performance was the 2018 presentation night, I was just in Year 8, where I performed Warrior by Demi Lovato, and got my first ever standing ovation! It was such a great experience.”

Sofia said there had been so many teachers that had supported her, including Principal Ted Kosicki.

“I also have my everyday teachers being there for me and celebrating my little achievements. I am so lucky to have lots of other teachers that support my dreams as well,” she said.

Sofia said balancing schoolwork and music could be challenging, as she studies subjects such as ATAR Music, English and Media Production & Analysis.

“The last year has been a struggle with the time and the workload, but I am managing to balance my schoolwork and music better and better each week,” she said.

“The Voice made studying hard, but I managed to find time in my schedule to get the work done, and I was able to get back on track with my studies, I am now loving what I am studying.”

Sofia also likes to contribute to the community. With her band, Sofia helped to raise funds for the Bushfire Appeal in 2019 by rallying local bands and organised a charity concert to raise much-needed funds.

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ST JAMES’ ANGLICAN SCHOOL ST JAMES’ ANGLICAN SCHOOL

INQUIRY IS KEY IN KINDY The Kindergarten students at St James’ Anglican School are paving the way to success, with the School’s Kindy teachers at the forefront of learning and development in the Early Learning Centre.

Mrs Carrick said students were supported to ask questions, develop theories and enhance their scientific inquiry skills by using a variety of documentation methods.

Kindy teachers Renae Vuleta and Carol Carrick encourage all students to participate in child-initiated, inquiry-based learning, harnessing each student’s innate curiosity to discover and learn about their world.

“Flexibility in Kindy is the key,” she said.

The teachers say experiencing a rich foundation for building complex thinking skills is a vital element of learning that students take with them throughout their school years and beyond.

“Using open-ended provocations including loose parts exploration and small world play the Kindy students are continually adding value and fostering the act of wondering in the classroom,” Mrs Vuleta said.

“Students are encouraged to openly ask questions and stretch their imaginations in a way that allows them to deepen their understanding and connections to their world.”

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“Devoting time to investigate and develop the outdoor classroom, placing genuine value on the student’s ideas has been pivotal in beginning the inquiry journey for the St James’ Kindy classes.

“This type of learning provides the students with the best opportunity to discover their passion or discover new ones without fear or hesitation.”

STUDENT QUOTES “I like playing with the dinosaurs. The big flying one is my favourite. I play dinosaurs with Lucas and it’s fun.” Adele, Kindy “The construction is my favourite space because there’s trains and trucks in there and pipes. I use them to build marble runs in there.” Kiarn, Kindy

ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL

DEVELOPING FUTURE LEADERS A new student leadership structure at St George’s Anglican Grammar School is set to provide students with more opportunities to experience different kinds of leadership.

After a review of the School’s student leadership structure, Principal Tina Campbell said the School would now place a greater focus on new and varied leadership experiences.

“At our recent Academic Awards Assembly, we introduced the newly formed Student Representative Council (SRC),” Mrs Campbell said.

“The SRC is comprised of two students, as voted by their peers, from each year group. The aim of the SRC is to increase student involvement and participation by supporting students to work democratically to bring about change and deal with issues which they deem important for their School and wider community.”

Additional positions were also announced for new Student Mentors. Open to Year 10 to Year 12 students, the mentoring program provides personal, social, and emotional support enabling students to move positively into the future, armed with the skills they need to thrive.

“By establishing these traits in our young people, we hope to ensure they move into the world asking not,

‘What can I get?’ but ‘What can I give?’,” Mrs Campbell said.

“Our graduates will be empowered to stand up for what they believe and work in the service of others. In doing something for others, our graduates will develop a greater understanding of their own beliefs and values.

These new Student Mentors will work closely with our Anglican Ambassadors in their focus on giving back to others and supporting our community, fulfilling our School motto: Wisdom Grace and Service.”

The new leadership program includes the Year 11 cohort, where students are provided the opportunity to take on greater responsibilities as Subject Captains.

Subject Captains for Art, Drama and Music will be role models carrying out the important task of raising the profile of their respective subjects, representing the school, and helping with events.

Mrs Campbell said as St George’s grows, the number of senior leaders would also increase.

In 2022 there will be three new leadership positions introduced, while the Head Boy and Head Girl position will be renamed to become School Captains.

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PETER MOYES ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

CELEBRATING PETER MOYES WEEK Peter Moyes Anglican Community School has celebrated its 21st Anniversary in style, with weeklong celebrations involving the entire School community.

After postponing the 20th Anniversary celebrations last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the celebrations were finally able to go ahead in 2021.

For the first time in the School’s history, Peter Moyes Week was held to mark the occasion. In addition to the annual Peter Moyes Day, this year the School also celebrated a different focus area each day of the week, reflecting one or more of the School Values.

First Nations Day, Diversity Day, Cultural Celebration Day, and Inclusivity Day were all celebrated with activities and classes related to each respective focus area. Throughout the week students and staff participated in Indigenous workshops, circus games, art projects, music, cultural cuisine, craft, sports, video games and much more.

Peter Moyes Day was celebrated with a Service honouring the School’s Patron, Mr Peter Moyes, whose family and other VIPs were in attendance to mark the special occasion.

Following a full week of celebrations at School, past 16

and present staff and special guests enjoyed a Gala Dinner on 31 July at Rendezvous Scarborough to reminisce and reflect upon the 21 years since the School was founded. Several foundation staff were in attendance, and though unfortunately COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented his attendance in person, Foundation Principal Mr Allan Shaw gave a heartfelt, humorous and engaging speech via video. Peter Moyes Anglican Community School has certainly come a long way since the day Mr Shaw first welcomed students and parents through the school gates 21 years ago!

Principal Mr Benjamin Lomas reflected on the week of celebrations.

“To look back on the photos from 1999, when the school was barely more than just a giant sandpit, and compare them to our campus now with state-of-theart facilities and more than 1300 students, is quite amazing,” he said.

“It’s a proud moment to share with our School community, past and present. On our 21st anniversary, we thank everyone who has been involved with the School since its inception and look forward to the future of this wonderful School.”

PETER CARNLEY ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

A SYMBOL FOR CHANGE AND ACCEPTANCE A challenge to unite and strengthen Indigenous culture and community spirit at Peter Carnley Anglican Community School through art was one that Year 9 student Jeremy Clowry was happy to answer.

Jeremy, a young and proud Indigenous man from Durumbal Murray mob in Queensland, is becoming an inspiring voice for Indigenous youth, sharing his love of Aboriginal culture by playing the didgeridoo at School and ASC events, and through conversations about reconciliation and cultural acceptance.

When issued a challenge by Principal Felicity House to create an original piece of artwork in the lead up to NAIDOC Week, Jeremy got to work. When he returned with an eye-catching design and shared his vision and inspiration behind his painting with Ms House, an idea was born to design a shirt for school staff with Jeremy’s design as the focus.

Jeremy’s design combines a rendition of knowledge, journey and togetherness. Jeremy describes the symbolism behind the design: “There are 15 white dots in the design representing, not only purity, peace and new beginnings, but each year group within our School from Pre Kindy through to Year 12,” he said.

“The design stretches up like branches on a family tree to meet the circle of staff members or ‘heart’ of the school, where we become one together in our community.

Representing all students and staff as one we branch out into our House Groups with all the colours and continue to stay connected together.”

Jeremy said he found the painting process quite challenging at times but managed to relax his way into it.

“At first I was being very precise with each dot distribution but then realised that I didn’t have to be absolutely perfect with every mark.,” he said.

“It’s like us as human beings, we are not at all perfect, our imperfections make us so unique and special”, he said.

Ms House said the shirt was one that all staff wore with pride, so its design could be shared and celebrated every day within the PCACS community.

“Aboriginal people have for thousands of years used artistic designs and symbols to convey stories and messages which are incredibly important in their culture,” Ms House said.

“Through meaningful conversations and inspiration from family, Jeremy decided to adopt a story telling approach to his design, carefully mapping out each element of the design but ensuring there was meaningful connection between all the elements.”

When the entire School community gathered to acknowledge NAIDOC Week, Ms House invited every staff member to the stage, wearing their shirt with Jeremy’s design, to celebrate the inclusive community at the School.

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JOHN WOLLASTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

SERVING THE COMMUNITY With a proud tradition of giving back to the community, students and staff at John Wollaston Anglican Community School are going all out for Anglicare.

“As a school community we hope the donated items will help provide young people with the basics they need to get started in their new homes,” Ms Ford said.

In order to teach students the importance of fostering a kind heart towards others, staff and students donate their time, goods and money to help support Anglican agencies across Western Australia.

During the recent Anglicare WA School Sleep Out, 17 students exchanged their school bags for sleeping bags to spend the night sleeping under the stars at Optus Stadium, helping shine a light on youth homelessness in Western Australia.

Traditionally Founders’ Day is a time of giving, with families contributing to a specific cause in commemoration of the day. This year, students exchanged donations for tokens which were redeemable at the Founders’ Day Marketplace Stalls, raising $3,000 for St Bart’s, the Anglican organisation offering accommodation and support to people experiencing homelessness.

Students had the opportunity to experience the challenges that homeless youth face every day, seeking ways in which they can become hope-sharing advocates for social justice. Students raised more than $5,000 for Anglicare WA’s Street Connect program.

In June, Hale House joined forces with Anglicare WA to support the Youth Externally Supported (YES!) Housing program in the lead up to Hale House Day. Anglicare WA’s YES! Housing is a not-for profit helping young people aged 15 to 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, access and maintain stable, longerterm housing.

“Students develop an understanding of the variety of circumstances that can lead to a person becoming homeless and also learn how difficult it can be to pick yourself up and move forward when every day is a challenge,” she said.

Hundreds of items including toasters and pillows, tinned food and cleaning products were donated and delivered to the YES! Housing program to provide some of the necessities to people living in emergency or transitional housing. Principal Anne Ford said the School had had an overwhelming response from staff, students and their families for the Hale Day Appeal.

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Ms Ford said the experience helped students gain an understanding of what it meant to be homeless.

“It’s important for students to see how hard Anglicare works to help the plight of the homeless and what a valuable role they play in supporting those in need in our community.”

Year 12 Service Prefect, Lucy Butterfield-Cole said: “We can all do our part to make a difference. Our privilege at John Wollaston can be used to ignite a path that creates positive change for the homeless.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

introducing. .

Kade Stevens

Jenny Crutchett

Jon O’Dwyer

Teacher, Year 6

Head of Performing Arts

Head of Sport

Trinity Anglican College

Frederick Irwin Anglican School

Cobram Anglican Grammar School

I come from a family of four children where life was a bit out of the ordinary.

My father was an actor who established Actor’s Equity in WA, and fought hard for performers’ rights. I grew up going to rehearsals and performances; going to the theatre was an everyday experience for me.

I’m the Head of Sport at Cobram which keeps me very busy, especially when organising the school’s carnivals. This is my 15th year at the school after starting in 2006.

I began my journey at Trinity Anglican College in 2011 as a Year 1 teacher and have taught across many year levels. I’m currently enjoying the challenges and rewards that come from teaching a Year 6 class.

I love getting the students outside whenever possible and I try to make great use of the outdoor learning spaces we have here at Trinity. I enjoy working within the Year 6 team who are always willing to collaborate and teach across a range of subjects. I am so lucky to be a part of such a fun and enthusiastic teaching community at Trinity.

I previously led the IT and PDHPE departments, supporting staff and students in these roles, but in the past five years, it’s been my role as Sports Coordinator that has been truly exciting. I am passionate about providing students with ample sporting opportunities at gala days and carnivals and relish any chance to get the students active and breaking a sweat.

Outside of work, I am a busy dad of five children and heavily involved in community sport, especially football. I played for local Ovens & Murray League club Lavington, before turning to coaching the Brock-Burrum Saints.

We recently finished our production of Matilda, which is our sixth musical at Frederick Irwin. The first musical was in 2009 when our Performing Arts Centre opened, and each musical has had its highlights. I have either directed or codirected all of these. It’s hard to believe I am in my 17th year at the School!

My teaching career started by teaching Taekwondo when I was 18 years old. I always thought I’d move onto a different martial art once I knew everything and got bored with it, but as I got older and more into the training, I quickly realised that you never actually know everything. The same can be said for teaching.

I was a Taekwondo competitor for many years, and then my instructor encouraged me to referee to give back to the sport.

In 2002, I went to Korea and became an International Referee. I have since refereed at two World Championships, been in the Top 50 referees from across the world for two Olympic Games, and recently refereed at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

When I’m not teaching, I love having fun with my two boys and husband, including kicking the football and playing softball.

I have seen Cobram Anglican Grammar School grow so much over my time and I have been part of this unbelievable journey of development, which has been amazing, especially over the last four years with our association with the ASC. I love giving my all, so the students and their families know they are getting quality education, leaving no stone unturned to making it enjoyable and fun, yet challenging and rewarding.

I love all the people involved with our great school; the fantastic staff, the wonderful parents and families and, most importantly, the marvellous students, who all combine to make up what our school is about: Integrity, Endeavour and Community.

Outside of work I enjoy taking our dog for morning walks and then doing something fitness-wise in the afternoon, and spending quality time with family.

I’ve been married to Carmen for 18 years, and we have four children: Chloe, Keeley, Mackenzie and Taylah, who all attended Cobram AGS. Chloe actually teaches with us, and is in her first year teaching this year.

My favourite quote used to be: “Do you know the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad”. But I found a quote the other day which I think I will take up as my new favourite: “If you are going to fight, fight like you are the 3rd monkey on the ramp of Noah’s ark and it’s starting to rain.”

Fantastic!

ASC News 19

JOHN SEPTIMUS ROE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

EVOLVE 2021 A full week of professional development was on offer for staff at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School as they returned for Term 3.

staff a refreshing technology detox.”

A full week of professional development was on offer for staff at John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School as they returned to school for Term 3.

“It was so nice to have a week of meaningful PD when we were fresh after a break and I really felt it provided an opportunity to connect and network with our staff as a whole,” one staff member said.

Evolve 2021 was the inaugural staff professional development conference week held at the School.

The development opportunity was focused on the School strategic direction and improvement plans, coupled with providing opportunity for staff to meet a range of the AITSAL professional teaching standards.

The week-long conference stemmed from discussion with the Schools’ Executive staff, as they examined ways to better utilise the limited professional development days usually scheduled at the beginning and end of each term.

Principal Jason Bartell said Executive staff aimed to set a tone which allowed all staff to engage in a deep and meaningful way and further their own professional journey.

“Connections between primary and secondary highlighted our community focus with some sessions including all staff together, while others focused on a particular phase of learning,” he said.

“Administration and other non-teaching staff were also involved in the conference week; with their own professional development, and being invited to wellbeing sessions as well as the morning teas and lunches with teaching staff.

“A large focus of the week was also running the conference in a device-free environment, allowing our 20

Staff responded positively to the opportunity.

Sessions held throughout the week included; Restorative Practice with Gabrielle Lawlor, a data focused session with our Directors of Teaching and Learning, Gifted and Talented education with Kylie Bice, Anglican Identity with The Reverend Patrick King and a range of other hour-long sessions run by members of our middle management group.

Morning well-being sessions were also an option for staff, including Pilates, meditation, walking and running to set a positive tone each day.

“I finished the week feeling like I had learned meaningful new skills and ideas that I could apply to my teaching and feeling more connected to my colleagues,” one staff member said.

The conference week was fully catered, in the most part by the School Hospitality program, providing our students further opportunity in learning how to cater for a large event.

The highlight for many was the final day which involved a staff well-being day in the City; staff attended the WA Museum, had lunch with a Whale in Hackett Hall, attempted to free themselves from Escape rooms, visited the Nostalgia Box Museum and concluded the day at The Aviary.

FOUNDATION DAY Esperance Anglican Community School students and staff returned to where they started to celebrate their 13th Founders’ Day. The school community celebrated at the Esperance Civic Centre, which was where the Foundation students commenced their first classes back in 2008, after a delay in the completion of the School’s Stage 1 development.

Founders’ Day is set aside to provide the opportunity for the school community to come together to acknowledge its Founders’, to reflect on its past and to look towards the future.

Principal Jason Bartell said it was a day of celebration and a wonderful time for the school community to celebrate its diversity and inclusion while reflecting on the positive nature of the school’s impact within the wider Esperance community.

ESPERANCE ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

students today; a far cry from the eight students who commenced at the Civic Centre back in 2008.

In his Founders’ Day address, Mr Bartell asked students and staff if the school community measured up to what the Founders envisaged for the EACS community 13 years ago.

“I believe we do. We have students who care for others, who raise funds for others, who advocate for those less fortunate, who wrap their arms around their friends when they require support, who do not judge harshly, who are committed to this community, who love, who care and who respect each other,” he said.

“We have students who honour our Founders’ vision, through their practical deeds, through their words and endeavours. I am proud of all of our students, as I know that our Founders’ would be.

The day commenced with a Service held at the Esperance Civic Centre, with special guests including The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, Chief Executive Officer of the Anglican Schools Commission, as well as past School Council Members, which included two Foundation Council members Mrs Ruth McIntyre and Mrs Mary Hawkey.

“We have staff here at EACS who are committed to their calling, who sacrifice many hours to provide creative learning opportunities for their students, who care personally for each of you, your wellbeing, your education, your growth, your attainment and who encourage each of you to strive for personal excellence.

Our Founders’ would be proud of our staff, of the selflessness that all staff show for our students.”

Mr Bartell said the School had progressed and matured since the early days, with more than 200

Founders’ Day was celebrated with a BBQ sausage sizzle lunch and a slice (or two) of cake to celebrate.

ASC News 21

For more information about ASC Connect, please contact the teacher in charge of subject selection in your school.

INTRODUCING ASC CONNECT From 2021, Year 11 students across ASC schools in Western Australia can choose to study certain ATAR subjects via a new remote learning program called ASC Connect.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and Australian border closures, ASC International, in partnership with Peter Moyes Anglican Community School, has been delivering remote education programs for international students in Year 7 to 12 who are unable to enter Australia.

English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EaL/D) courses have been on offer to students, both onshore and offshore, since July 2020. Most recently, these programs have been able to also support local Australian students with health concerns who are unable to attend their usual on-campus classes.

Inspired by the success of these and other ASC schools’ remote learning programs throughout the COVID lockdown periods, ASC Connect will enable schools to offer certain courses that, due to lower numbers, have previously been unable to be delivered.

The pilot program for ASC Connect will be launched in Term 1 2022 and will offer Year 11 ATAR subjects including Economics, Business Management and Enterprise, Mathematics Methods, Mathematics Specialist, Physics, Religion and Life, and English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EaL/D). If successful, more courses will be added each year.

ASC Connect will bring together specialist teachers and students, both domestic and international, across all ASC Schools. Courses will be delivered via innovative Learning Management Systems within a virtual 22

classroom environment. Students will log into their virtual classroom from a quiet area on campus, or from home, at various times throughout the week with lessons being delivered either live or via a pre-recorded lecture style mode.

ASC Director International Programs Amanda Fritz and the development and launch of ASC Connect into our schools paved the way for connection and engagement with students irrelevant of culture, location and background.

“The education landscape had changed profoundly due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to a greater acceptance, and adoption, of remote education as well as EduTech tools which can exponentially increase our connectivity and collaboration,” Mrs Fritz said.

“ASC Connect will continue to build more bridges across the ASC school communities for learning and professional development. More importantly, students will now have access to more subjects and more opportunities to engage and collaborate with their peers and teachers outside of their school.”

Over the past few months, schools have hand-picked expert teachers to become a part of the ASC Connect pilot program, conducting professional development days to expand understanding of remote education and introduce different EduTech tools. Steven Payne from Microsoft, was in attendance to deliver information on the latest innovations for remote learning, coming out of the Microsoft portfolio. The next teacher Professional Development Day will focus on creating culture in the remote classroom.

ANGLICAN IDENTITY

Religious Studies

NEW RESOURCES LAUNCHED “Religious Studies forms people to explore the questions of life that lead to human flourishing.”

The curriculum uses a spiral curriculum embedded with seven strands. The strands include the Bible and Christian Belief, Story of the Church, Philosophy of Religion, Christian Ethics and Ethical Theory, World Religions, Meditation, Prayer and Worship, and Faith in Action and Actions Leading to Faith.

The units comprise of a program, student resources and videos. The student resources have been developed with the help of a graphic designer and include illustrations from Yarra Valley Grammar Chaplain and illustrator, The Reverend Paul Joy. Peter Carnley Anglican Community School Director of Early Learning, Donna Farmer, said the Religious Studies resources provided direction, clarification and ideas on what to teach across the year levels.

“With these resources, any teacher can confidently teach Religious Studies. They have both the lessons and resources provided and know that they are addressing the Religious Studies Curriculum strands for Anglican schools,” Mrs Farmer said.

Director of Teaching and Learning, Penelope Russell, whose role includes building and developing religious studies in schools.

She said the positive reaction extended to the students as well.

Anglican schools now have access to a suite of customised classroom resources for Religious Studies. The resources were developed by the Anglican Schools Commission under the direction of Director of Teaching and Learning, Penelope Russell, whose role includes building and developing religious studies in schools.

Mrs Russell said additional training and support was available for Religious Studies teaching staff in WA through the WA Anglican Schools Association (WAASA).

Mrs Russell said the curriculum would enable teachers to better assist students to explore questions of purpose and meaning.

“Christian philosopher, James K.A. Smith said, education is not primarily about the giving of information but about the formation of people,” Mrs Russell said.

“And surely some of the most valuable questions a young person can consider in this formation process are questions of meaning, purpose, truth, God and faith.

“We have explored together topics such as Faith & Science, How to answer Big Questions, Biblical Literacy, Assessment & Reporting and will soon explore Aboriginal Spirituality,” she said.

“The professional learning opportunities allows teachers the chance to network, share ideas, support each other and develop their own skills.”

The Religious Studies curriculum can be accessed by ASC and ASA member schools and is even available for Episcopal schools in the USA. The curriculum and resources can be accessed via the ASC website. The resources are password protected.

Teachers can request access to the resources here: www.ascschools.edu.au/religious-studies ASC News 23

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