All Saints Anglican School – 2024 new school opening

EQUIPPED TOSERVE

Photo: GV School Photography

From vision to reality

It has been a joy to open All Saints Anglican School this year and to welcome 230 students, their families and 31 staff into our foundation community.

After a lot of careful planning and preparation over the past four years, we are excited that the vision has become a reality.

We are particularly grateful to Hansen Yuncken, who ensured that our buildings were ready for day one of students.

They were able to turn the artistry of Shepparton’s Vincent Crisp Architects into the fine buildings we see proudly sitting on Verney Rd.

Our school is an inclusive and diverse community, where students

of all faiths and no faith are warmly welcomed.

Our students are at the beginning and centre of every decision we make.

Our teachers have already begun to create a positive learning environment by developing respectful and supportive relationships with students.

They will be committed to the wellbeing and pastoral needs of every student in their care.

Our teachers will provide an interesting and challenging curriculum and set

high expectations to help students grow academically, and to help them understand what excellence looks like.

At All Saints, the partnership between the home and the school is crucial to a successful education for our children. We like to think of ourselves as a private school with an open door for our families and look forward to building strong links with our parent community over time.

We are grateful for the warm welcome we have received by many in the Greater Shepparton community and look forward to continuing to strengthen the links that we have here and the additional educational offering we can provide.

– Jim Laussen

All Saints Anglican School principal

All Saints Anglican School principal Jim Laussen

Promoting inclusion at All Saints

Opening a new school provided an exciting opportunity to design a uniform that would be a reflection of modern rural Australian society but one that also set All Saints apart in the community as a 21st leader in gender inclusive education.

When students wear their uniform it fosters unity and demonstrates a sense of pride and attachment to the All Saints community.

Our uniform provides equity and allows students to be acknowledged for their individual qualities and personal character, rather than superficial aspects of their appearance.

Students enter All Saints as four or five-year-olds, and plan to graduate as confident, community minded, adults at 18; ready to move into the world of tertiary study or work.

Therefore, the uniform design addresses the students transitioning through their years of schooling that matches both their social and their physical maturation.

As a low fee school, it was important that the uniform was designed

with value for money, particularly with regards to the cost of the initial purchase, longevity and ease of care.

Our uniform has been designed to be as inclusive as possible.

Therefore, there is no boys’ and girls’ uniform. Instead, there is a suite of items from which children can choose: skirt, shorts, long pants or dress, short sleeve shirt or long sleeve shirt, cardigan or jumper.

Additionally, there is no summer or winter uniform. Should a student wish to wear shorts all year, they are certainly well able to do so.

The only compulsory items of uniform are our distinctive blazer and the school tie.

Working with Noone’s uniform designers and manufacturers, we have created a uniform with sustainable fabrics that breathe and are easy to clean and materials that are comfortable for our neurodiverse students too.

We are pleased already by how proudly our children are wearing their uniforms each day.

– Jim Laussen

All Saints Anglican School principal

PROUD BUILDER OF ALL SAINTS ANGLICAN SCHOOL, SHEPPARTON

From state of the art education facilities to landmark community spaces, we pride ourselves on the delivery of complex projects.

Savvy and innovative, our teams embrace the opportunity to push the boundaries of traditional construction and deliver iconic buildings.

Hansen Yuncken is proud to have partnered with the Anglican Schools Commission, Vincent Chrisp Architects, Tomahawk Property Management and our trade partners to bring this outstanding new campus to life for our local Shepparton community. Congratulations to all involved!

Year 4 student Mahrosh Fayyaz, Year 3 student Muhammad Fayyaz, Year 5 student Manseerat Sidhu and Year 5 student Zoha Kahn.

A new chapter begins

The first day at a new school is always a little nerve-racking. And that first day was bigger than most for the almost 240 All Saints Anglican School students.

On Tuesday, January 30 and Friday, February 2, the students finally got to set their sights on their newly built school.

There were plenty of excited faces on the days, with Years 3 to 7 starting on the Tuesday and Preps, Years 1 and 2 starting on the Friday.

Take a look at some of the photos we captured on their very first days.

Year 7 student Chloe Norton and Year 3 student Brooke Norton.

Year 5 students Alexis Cranmer and Maisie Kelly.

Prep student Louise Ambrosini.

Year 7 students Tarek Joseph and Joban Singh participate in a cooking class.

Prep student Viraj Phutane.

Prep student Izzah Binesh.

A milestone in regional education

The Anglican Schools Commission extends its warmest wishes to the All Saints Anglican School community for a first year of discovery, inspiration and growth.

ASC chief executive officer, the Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, said the ASC was thrilled to open the doors of Shepparton’s first Anglican school.

“The local community have championed the arrival of All Saints from the beginning,” he said.

“It was a joy to return that faith and support by opening on the first day of term and welcoming so many excited students to their beautiful new school.”

Throughout the construction of All Saints, the ASC engaged with many local suppliers and service providers who have become a part of the school’s story.

“From plumbing to signage, and painting to landscaping, many people from the local community and surrounds have played a vital role in getting the school up and running,” Mr Laurence said.

Mr Laurence said that foundation

exceptional job recruiting a faculty of dedicated teachers and support staff.

“The All Saints faculty comprises staff who were already local to the Greater Shepparton area and those who moved to the region to take up the opportunity to work at our brand new school,” he said.

“Once All Saints reaches capacity, the school will employ around 150 staff.”

All Saints is one of four ASC schools in the north-east, joining schools at Cobram, Wangaratta and over the border in Albury.

“All Saints is another important step towards our commitment to growing Anglican education in regional Victoria and beyond,” Mr Laurence said.

The ASC is a strong and growing system of Anglican schools comprising 16 low-fee, co-educational schools in three states — Victoria, NSW and Western

“As an ASC school, All Saints is an inclusive and diverse community, where students of all faiths or none are equally welcomed,” he said.

“We are privileged to have secured our highly experienced foundation principal Mr Laussen to lead All Saints. Under his leadership, the school will grow and embed a culture that promotes excellence, inclusion and respect.”

Spiire congratulates the Anglican Schools Commission on the opening of All Saints Anglican School in Shepparton!

Our local Shepparton team secured the planning approval for the entirety of the development and is proud to have played an important role in the College’s establishment. Collaborating closely with the Minister’s Department, our team ensured a smooth assessment process and received timely approval from the Minister for Planning. Spiire’s local engineers designed all external services to the site, working closing with relevant authorities to ensure all necessary services were available to the School.

We’re thrilled to have been involved in this significant project supporting local educational opportunities.

Anglican Schools Commission chief executive the Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, Bishop of Wangaratta

All Saints Anglican School Principal Jim Laussen. Photo: Megan Fisher

Meet the teachers

KERRYN JARVIS, YEAR 3

What attracted you to join All Saints Anglican School?

“There is always something interesting about coming to a new school. I think it’s the thrill of the challenge; it keeps you motivated and reignites the passion for teaching.”

What is your favourite subject to teach?

“I really like numeracy. I know a lot of teachers find that numeracy can be a bit of a struggle, but I really enjoy it, and I engage my students with a lot of hands-on learning and games-based learning so they can really enjoy it and expand their knowledge and skills.”

What are you looking forward to the most this year?

“Developing the relationship with my students and seeing them grow, and having that opportunity to watch them as they work their way through the school.”

PHIL CLOSE, MUSIC TEACHER

What attracted you to join All Saints Anglican School?

“I’m excited to be part of a new school. I want to have influence over a music program and be part of creating something. I want to be part of an environment with other teachers who are excited about learning and creating, and I think with a new school, that’s what attracts people who aren’t afraid of a new challenge. That’s what we’ve got here, and our team of staff are people who are energised and excited about what they can bring.”

What is your favourite subject to teach?

“Obviously, I love teaching music. I love teaching the students instruments and seeing the potential that unlocks in them.”

What are you looking forward to the most this year?

“This is the first time in a while I’ve had my own space as a music teacher. I think many primary schools don’t prioritise music and performing arts, and you have to float around from classroom to classroom, so it just enables me to be better at my job.”

EVAN COLLINS, YEAR 7

What attracted you to join All Saints Anglican School?

“I was just really excited to be part of a new school and build the culture from day one, and I was looking for a new challenge in my career, and I thought this would be a good place to continue.”

What is your favourite subject to teach?

“Physical education, I’m PE trained, and I’ve taught PE for 22 years, so it’s my favourite subject.”

What are you looking forward to the most this year?

“Seeing the development of the students and also seeing the school grow from where it is now to what it’s going to be like in 12 months’ time, it’s just a really exciting time.”

LEAH SANDERS, YEAR 5

What attracted you to join All Saints Anglican School?

“It’s an opportunity that doesn’t come along very often to be a founding staff member at a new school and I was excited to jump in and be part of it.”

What is your favourite subject to teach?

“Performing arts. I’ve taught as a specialist in performing arts and music before and just love music, dance, drama and theatre.”

What are you looking forward to the most this year?

“I’m looking forward to going on a learning journey with the students in my class. Finding out more about where they are at the moment and seeing how far I can take them before the end of the year. It’s going to be an exciting journey.”

What is your favourite subject to teach?

“Probably literacy with the phonics and sounding out words and sounding out letters so they will be able to read.”

What are you looking forward to the most this year?

“Watching the students evolve, and watching them learn, going from not being able to read and write to being confident with their reading and writing by the end.”

BRAD WILLATON, YEAR 6

What attracted you to join All Saints Anglican School?

“I guess its a mixture of being a part of something new and from the start rather than coming into it half way through, while also helping build new systems with the school. It’s also exciting to be a part of setting up a culture as a foundation staff member.“

What is your favourite subject to teach?

“Maths. Having a maths head myself I enjoy watching kids try to work out things and then getting those ‘ah ha’ moments. That’s really rewarding.”

What are you looking forward to the most this year?

“Working with my students and watching them grow throughout the year and seeing how the school grows and changes also.”

Nurturing potential while building communities

All Saints Anglican School is dedicated to pursuing excellence in education, guided by a set of core principles that shape its mission and vision.

BY KELLY CARMODY

The school’s commitment encompasses various aspects, ensuring a comprehensive and nurturing environment for its students.

Junior School leader Karen Kelly, who has two decades of teaching experience behind her, said the school’s staff were committed to working together to achieve significant outcomes.

“The staff here are committed to supporting each other while developing an environment where students and the staff thrive,” she said.

“Alongside that, one of our biggest goals is to ensure that our students have a happy curriculum where they feel emotionally, socially, and academically supported.

“We have teachers coming from many different schools, and together, we are building a new culture of kids and teachers — it’s really exciting.”

At the heart of the school’s mission is the individual care of students, ensuring a secure and nurturing campus environment.

Situated in the single-storey building at the property’s northern end, the Junior School houses students from Year 1 to Year 4 alongside two grade Prep classrooms.

Students’ individual potential is recognised and nurtured within this building, ensuring that each student can flourish alongside their unique abilities and talents.

“It’s great to see so many people have so much faith to be on this new and shared journey,” Mrs Kelly said.

“Our students are already forming little communities, which is lovely to witness.

“It’s such a happy place to walk into every day, and I am looking forward to the future, watching the

children grow and welcoming more students and staff on this educational journey, too.”

Junior School teachers and staff (from left) Jo Nicolaci, Gabby Uhlendorf, Annalei Moon, Jeanette Doyle, Bridget Tinning, Karen Kelly, Kristy Cranmer, Kerryn Jarvis, Victoria Kelly and Cassidy Ahmet.

Prep student Jeremiah Rohny. Year 3 student Zara Dalziel.

The bright and colourful Junior School building.

Language studies enrich minds

All Saints Anglican School has made learning a language a priority for its students.

BY GEORGIA TACEY

Jo Nicolaci is the school’s Italian teacher and is very excited to teach the students about Italy and the Italian language. While she grew up in Australia, Italian was still her native tongue.

“Italian is my first language,” Signora Nicolaci said.

“My parents are from Italy, and they spoke very little English when I was born, so I learned to speak Italian.”

She learnt to speak English at school but decided to continue her Italian language studies throughout high school before pursuing teaching Italian at university.

Signora Nicolaci has now been a teacher for 29 years and has been teaching Italian for 15 years.

She said she was very excited to work at the All Saints Anglican School.

“I’m a person of faith, and I feel that I can live my faith through my work as well,” she said.

“In a way, I’ve combined my personal life and my professional life together, and there’s no greater gift for me.

“It’s an amazing school, there’s amazing staff, and it’s exciting to be part of a new school.”

Italian is woven into the curriculum for all year levels, from Prep all the way through to Year 7.

“In Prep, we have 25-minute sessions, so they’re short and sharp, and they have their lessons four times a week,” Signora Nicolaci said.

“Each (Year 1 to 7) grade gets two lessons per week of 45 minutes, and that’s the longest that I have ever taught Italian in any school.”

So far, the response from students has been great, with Signora Nicolaci

“In all my years of teaching, I have never taught one and a half hours of Italian in a week, so it’s great,” she said.

She was also very thankful for the opportunity she has been given to teach Italian at the school.

“I feel very fortunate to be part of a brand new school with great values.”

Jo Nicolaci with Year 6 student Max Mitchell. Photo: Rechelle Zammit

Wellbeing team offers holistic support

The Wellbeing team at All Saints Anglican School is the student’s first point of call.

The team can assist students, staff and families with all kinds of issues, from inside the classroom and out.

The team consists of the coordinator of faith and mission Bill Boyer, learning support coordinator Marian Segrave and school counsellor Raylee Wild.

Mr Boyer said the team worked to support the school in various ways.

“It’s kind of a holistic look at supporting students, staff and families with all the different areas so that it might be with the learning plans, it might be with social skills or small groups dealing with grief and loss, or it might just be being a happy face in the yard to make sure that kids have got someone to play with,” he said.

“It’s a really holistic strong team, all coming together with great strengths

from past positions, so I’m really looking forward to (being a part of) it.”

His role as the coordinator of faith and mission means he supports staff and students with their faith and wellbeing, as well as teaching religion to the students.

“I work with families and looking after their wellbeing,” Mr Boyer said.

“If there’s any issues, or God forbid there’s any tragedies or anything like that, I’ll go and assist them with their wellbeing.”

Ms Segrave, as the learning support coordinator, helps support students and teachers in the classroom.

“My role here is to oversee our learning support officers who go into the classroom to help students who may need a bit of extra help and to help teachers with any adjustments,” she said.

Coordinator of faith and mission Bill Boyer, learning support coordinator Marian Segrave and school counsellor Raylee Wild.

What do you love most about your new school?

“Meeting all the new people.”

“I like making new friends with everybody.”

ELLIOT DETHRIDGE — PREPK “The playground.”

ANGELO MAOE — YEAR 4K

“I get to learn, make new friends and I just love this new school.”

ASHER PATEL — YEAR 1M “I like being with my friends.”

PENELOPE SOLE — YEAR 5S “The students and the teachers.”

LAYLA KELLY — YEAR 2UA “Art because I like Miss Uhlendorf and doing art.”

HARRY MCPHERSON — YEAR 6W

AVANI SINGH — YEAR 3J “My friends.”

ANDERSON EVANS — YEAR 7W

Art as a visual language

Growing up in an artistic family and cultivating a deep love for art from a young age, visual arts teacher Gabby Uhlendorf thrives in imparting her passion to her students.

With no specific favourite medium and diverse creative options, she believes art is a powerful form of self-expression for children of all ages.

“I think it’s really important to teach children how to become a great citizen of this world in this time,” she said.

“Children have powerful feelings about their place in the world, and as they navigate friendships, build confidence, and discover their identities, expressing themselves through art becomes a valuable and wonderful way to show self-expression.”

Settling into her new art room with graceful momentum, Mrs Uhlendorf is already making strides to foster a culture of creativity that she hopes will filter throughout the school.

She describes her classes as a unique blend of art, mathematics, and literacy, combining these subjects into a comprehensive learning experience.

“We have a supportive curriculum that offers engaging content, and I am eager to establish more connections with students and staff,” she said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to be a part of something truly amazing.”

Mrs Uhlendorf is deeply passionate about inspiring her students to explore the world of art.

She firmly believes that nurturing creativity not only enhances her students’ academic experience, but also holds the power to enrich their lives.

Congratulations to All Saints Anglican School on the opening of their new school.

I wish the School, sta , and students every success as they embark on a new chapter in Education in Greater Shepparton.

Visual arts teacher Gabby Uhlendorf. Photos: Rechelle Zammit

Teacher Gabby Uhlendorf with Year 4 student William Dethridge.

Construction exceeds expectations

Driven by challenge and built with pride, Hansen Yuncken is known for its innovative solutions and reputation that continues to exceed expectations.

Undertaking the complex construction of All Saints Anglican School, Hansen Yuncken delivered exceptional results.

With construction starting in March of 2023, the project had an

FOOTT warmly welcomes All Saints Anglican School into our community

Learning together to leave a positive ‘foottprint’ on our environment, for the benefit of future generations.

Learning together, growing together. Congratulations All Saints on a wonderful beginning.

foott.com.au

expeditious construction period of just 11 months.

During the build, resources on-site averaged around 80 people and peaked at 110, with just under 100,000 hours

All Saints Anglican School Principal Jim Laussen onsite.

worked to ensure the school was ready for day one of term one, 2024.

The greenfield site required all new infrastructure, five new buildings, landscaping, a multi-sports court, and a soccer pitch.

Hansen Yuncken project manager Jason Williamson said the build was fast-paced and one of the quickest he had ever been involved with.

“It required meticulous planning, as well as the use of unconventional building practices and careful sequencing, to enable the project to progress smoothly and overcome any challenges that might affect the timeline,” he said.

“It is a testament to the Hansen Yuncken team and our amazing group of dedicated subcontractors who pushed and worked with us to ensure the project was completed on time.

“Hansen Yuncken is grateful to have been a part of the construction of the new All Saints Anglican School, which provides another excellent education facility for the region.

“We wish Jim Laussen, the staff and students the best for the first year and the future.”

Empowering middle school students

The Middle School at All Saints Anglican School is specifically designed to cater to students from Year 5 to Year 7, providing them with a supportive and stimulating learning environment.

BY KELLY CARMODY

Situated on the top floor of the administration building, the Middle School classrooms offer a central and convenient location for students to engage in their studies.

In addition to core academic subjects, all students can participate in specialist lessons held in dedicated facilities. These include the art room, where creativity flourishes; a music room, where students can explore their musical abilities and develop their passion for music; and the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Centre, which houses state-of-the-art facilities for science experiments, culinary exploration in hospitality classes and innovative learning in digital technology.

By offering specialist lessons in these areas, the school aims to provide Middle School students with a well-rounded education that focuses on academic excellence and fosters creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills necessary for their future success.

Whether through painting a masterpiece, composing a symphony, conducting scientific experiments, crafting culinary delights, or exploring

digital innovation, students are empowered to discover and pursue their interests in a supportive and enriching learning environment.

Middle School representative and Year 7 science, maths and digital technology teacher Felicity Williams has been teaching in Anglican schools for most of her career and said the opportunity to be a part of a new one was something she couldn’t resist.

“Establishing something from the beginning is something really exciting, and I couldn’t resist the opportunity,” she said.

“The Middle School provides a wonderful transition stage for students while they become more independent and learn from several different teachers and specialists.

“They are no longer just the little junior kids. They’re taking greater responsibility for their timetables, movements, books, and equipment while striving towards their senior years.”

“We are a well-resourced school with amazing facilities and teachers from different backgrounds and experiences, and we are building an exciting, stimulating and engaging curriculum for our students.”

Middle School teachers and staff (back, from left) Felicity Williams, Evan Colins, Phil Close, and Brad Willaton. (Front) Natalie Tsirgianis, Leah Sanders, Giulia O’Keefe, and Gabriella Cirillo. Photos: Rechelle Zammit

Middle School representative and Year 7 science, maths and digital technology teacher Felicity Williams.

Middle School and administration building.

Year 7 student Ashton Battersby. Year 7 student Hamish Scott.

Crest symbolises region and faith

All Saints Anglican School’s crest is designed not only to be recognisable within the faith, but also to symbolise important aspects of the Greater Shepparton region.

The crest features two main colours, green and white, which both hold importance to the school.

Green is the liturgical colour of nature and growth, representing the Shepparton region.

The crest includes two shades of green: Murray Pine (dark green) to represent nurturing and harmony, and Pear (light green) to represent growth, new life and youth.

White was chosen as it is the liturgical colour for All Saints Day and represents light, innocence, purity and joy.

Sitting on top of the crest, the Bishop’s Mitre represents the partnership between the Anglican Schools Commission and the Anglican Church.

The Mitre on the All Saints crest was designed to represent a bud, with the two lappets (tails) being open leaves from which the bud has emerged to symbolise the agricultural status of the region.

The diamonds in the Mitre reflect those on the crest of the Anglican Diocese of Wangaratta, where the school is located.

The shield contains three important symbols: the Cross, the Crosier and the Vine.

The Cross is the central symbol of Christianity and is present in all ASC school crests.

The style of the Cross represents the Chi of the Chi-Rho, the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ.

Locally, the diagonal lines of the Cross also represent the irrigation and rail lines well known in and around Greater Shepparton.

The Crosier, also known as the shepherd’s crook or pastoral staff, represents how the school is there to guide and protect the students.

The Vine is there for multiple reasons, including representing the Greater Shepparton region and the vines that grew on the land of the school site. The three leaves represent the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The motto, ‘Equipped to Serve’, is derived from Ephesians 4: 11–12: Christ has gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still, others to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of service, so that the body of Christ may grow strong.

All Saints Anglican School crest

Harmonising excellence

Fearless in the face of new challenges and fuelled by a deep passion for sharing musical wisdom, Phil Close connects with his students as the school’s music teacher.

BY KELLY CARMODY

With two decades of teaching under his belt and an unwavering love for music and the performing arts, he embraces his role with a rhythmic enthusiasm.

“I wholeheartedly believe in the transformative power of knowledge and the importance of sharing it,” he said.

“Throughout my teaching career, I’ve also been actively involved as a musician. Being able to share my insights and guide students on a musical journey is truly exciting.”

The school’s music program is in full swing, featuring instruction in ukulele, guitar, rhythm and drumming within the newly outfitted music room.

“Having such a wonderful space that’s brand new and well-equipped positively impacts my ability to teach here,” he said.

Future plans established

STAGE ONE — COMPLETE

The initial phase of the school’s master plan has been successfully executed, encompassing the establishment of the Junior School, Middle School, art and music rooms, and a segment of the STEAM Centre. Additionally, both a soccer pitch and a versatile synthetic court have been completed.

STAGE THREE — 2026

During 2026, the school’s intentions include expanding the STEAM Centre to accommodate more science laboratories, art and music rooms, an extension to the hospitality area, and the inclusion of a trade centre.

STAGE TWO — 2025

Construction for stage two is scheduled to begin in 2025, aiming to add 12 classrooms — four for the Junior School and eight for the Middle School. The construction of the oval is also anticipated to start in the same year.

Additionally, plans are under way for the construction of a double court gymnasium. These structures are anticipated to be completed by the beginning of 2027, aligning with the

“And being part of a new school where I feel genuinely valued and where excellence is a top priority is truly amazing.”

Music education can help spark a child’s imagination or ignite a lifetime of passion.

At All Saints Anglican School, music is valued and noted to be beneficial to the development of today’s students.

requirements of the school’s students as they transition into Year 10 and prepare for a successful VCE journey.

Year 7 student Chloe Raleigh.

Photos: Rechelle Zammit

Year 7 student Grace Miksad.

Year 7 student Daya Singh.