Message from the Board Chair

In what has been a rollercoaster year, it continues to be my privilege to serve the JCCA school community as board chair. On behalf of the board, we say the sincerest thank you to principal, Travis Vladich and the entire school staff who has weathered this COVID storm to ensure all of our students continued to receive an education that although, interrupted at times, saw our Gifted and Talented and Football programs continue to flourish. It seems a world away when we were watching performances with students in masks and then, no performances at all for a while. The return of students to the stage, sometimes with cast members suddenly absent due to COVID, saw staff and students move with agility and grace so the immortal phrase, “the show must go on!” became a part of the JCCA vernacular. The support the College has received from families and the local community shows just what we are capable of when times need us to be at our best. As a board, we have witnessed this year and know we have a school that can rise to any challenge, which is something of which we can all be extremely proud.

The College business plan came to fruition and this has been coupled with the launch of the new College website, which provides information not only to our school community but also acts as a prospectus to families who are looking to the College as a destination for their child. We welcomed new board members after an election at the start of the year and we have an excellent representation from families across school year groups and specialties who bring different perspectives to each meeting, ensuring we fulfil our governance role.

As always, it was my honour to attend the Year 12 graduation. To our graduates; you are to be congratulated for conducting yourselves with maturity and good humour in these past few years. Your principal and teachers report that as a year group, you have always looked out for one another and been kind. It was a privilege to see you walk across the stage at graduation and know you are ready for the world beyond JCCA. Mr Vladich’s graduation address highlighted the importance of storytelling – of creating your story as you go forward, always remembering that part of your story is that you are a student of John Curtin College of the Arts. We look forward to hearing your stories as you make your way in the world, and we wish you well as your future unfolds.

Going into 2023, we look forward to the new build that will see more classrooms available to continue the provision of outstanding education. As a board, we wish you a safe and happy holiday and look forward to what the new year brings

Board President

Cavelle Monck

Parents and Citizens (P&C) Presidents Report

The P&C remained focussed on developing a strategic impact framework which highlighted the following focus areas:

• Creating Community

• Learning and Inspiration

• Reconciliation

• Environmental Leadership

• Supporting the School

• Governance

This strategy framework will provide direction for the P&C and its engagement with parents and carers in 2023 and beyond.

2022 saw the improvement of parental communication engagement with the creation of a Facebook Group and App, which now have over 475 parent members. This improved level of engagement has also been reflected in the recent increase in attendees to the P&C meetings. P&C engagement centres on the various events we host for the JCCA community which is facilitated by the dedicated Conversation Series subcommittee who hosted and online conversation series with talks focussing on ‘The Teenage Brain’, ‘A guide to SEQTA’ and ‘Study Hacks’, as well as and evening presentation with Lucy Peach – the Period Queen, a Perennial Health talk on Vaping and a relaxing Yoga session for parents at the end of the year.

The P&C were successful in securing a $5,000 Healthways Grant for the JCCA Bush Tucker Garden, provided a $100 prize voucher for both the Quantum Education Centre logo competition and Year 12 citizen graduation award, $1,500 for the graduation sashes and $7,000 student scholarships in 2022.

Once again, the JCCA P&C would like to thank the dedication of the parents who consistently give up their time to attend P&C meetings and run the various programs. We wouldn’t have a P&C without them. We also extend thanks to the ongoing and constant support of Principal Travis Vladich and Associate Principal Judy Hendrickse.

In 2023, we very much look forward to building on the successes of 2022 while improving the parent and carer engagement, and supporting the College with ongoing resources.

About Us

The College lies on the traditional country of the Whadjuk people. The land where Walyalup (Fremantle) sits has always been a place of ceremonies, significant cultural practices and trading. At John Curtin College of the Arts (JCCA), we provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. Our values driven and holistic approach to education engages students to be committed, dedicated and passionate in all aspects of their schooling. We recognise the personal journeys of our students and encourage individual growth and success. As Western Australia’s only Selective Arts College we cater for more than 1800 students from Years 7 to 12 and offer Gifted and Talented Secondary Selective Arts Programs in Ballet, Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Music Theatre, and Visual Arts, as well as a Specialist Football Program. These programs allow our students to thrive in a unique environment, where their learning and wellbeing is at the core of everything that we do. The diversity of students’ needs is met through inclusive learning practices and opportunities throughout the College. Students access expert teachers and creative links with industry in an environment that nurtures and values the arts.

Our dedicated teachers are committed to providing a comprehensive educational program that develops and supports excellence in all aspects of education. We are in the unique position of having two theatres on site and students are engaged in performances, exhibitions and industry theatre practices with more than 100 performances per year. This enables our students to contribute to the community and transfer their learning into diverse areas of interest and prepare them for future pathways. The arts is used as a vehicle to promote creativity, curiosity, innovation and empathy. Balanced with other academic pursuits, our students develop attributes and skills that impact positively on who they are, how they interact in the community and the world.