Newsletter
ST GEORGE’S ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Edition Six 08 May 2020
Contents From the Principal ......................................................................................................... 1 From the Head of Curriculum ................................................................................... 3 From the Head of Pastoral ......................................................................................... 5 From the Head of Music .............................................................................................. 7 From the Art Department .......................................................................................... 8 From the Chaplain ....................................................................................................... 9 From Health and Physical Education ......................................................................... 11 From Outdoor Education .......................................................................................... 13 School News ................................................................................................................. 14
St George’s Anglican Grammar School; an exciting, innovative co-educational secondary school based in a high-rise building in the Perth CBD. The School caters for local and international students in Years 7-12, and is a proud member of the Anglican Schools Commission network of schools in Western Australia. We are committed to child safety and protection, and expect all staff, volunteers, visitors to the School and contractors to respect and abide by all policies, procedures and practices developed and put in place by the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) and/or the School in this regard.
From the Principal Mr Gary Racey
It is with great delight that I welcome our school community whilst back onsite in our amazing inner-city building with our brand new ground floor reception area.
Whilst the online learning program for Years 7-10 has continued in earnest since the start of Term 2, we are seeing more and more students coming through our doors again to re-engage onsite, which is wonderful. Our Year 11 and 12 students returned to onsite face to face learning as of Wednesday 6 May and, as indicated in a communication earlier this week, the remaining year groups will do so from Monday 11 May. The staff are so excited to be back and keen to continue working productively, seeking a level of ‘normality’ once again. They should be absolutely acknowledged, credited and appreciated for adapting so swiftly to an online teaching platform and maintaining the ongoing quality and implementation of the education program. This was not achieved in all schools to this level and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for their efforts. Furthermore, I thank my Executive Team who have taken on additional workload to ensure the best outcomes possible have been achieved during an unprecedented time. We have minimised the negative impact this pandemic could have caused for our community and are indeed lucky to have such an amazing team!
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents and students.You too have displayed your support, acceptance and patience over the past couple of months. A more different start to a term I am sure we External pressure from community members have never experienced and probably one of can exacerbate the stress of managing such a the most challenging as parents attempt to crisis and I am thankful and appreciative that navigate the information presented to make families have trusted in the School’s an informed decision to send your child/ren directions and decisions. back to school.
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St George’s Anglican Grammar School Newsletter
Ongoing Vigilance Whilst we are anticipating nearly all students to be back from next week, can I please ask families for vigilance in helping to look after the ongoing health of our community. This includes keeping children home if they are unwell, have a cough, fever or display any of the symptoms of COVID-19, which are very similar to the common flu and cold. As we head into winter, we will see more cases of the common cold and flu arise and it is a non-negotiable requirement that families keep their children at home if this is the case. Pre-COVID-19 it was not uncommon for families to send unwell children to school, which is not appropriate and even more unacceptable now. If any child has such symptoms and is sent to school, parents/guardians will be asked to pick them up immediately. Our sick bay is not for supervision of unwell children for any extended period of time.
Financial support A brief reminder to families who may be experiencing financial difficulty as a direct result of COVID-19, including loss of employment/ business or reduction of work hours. The School is here for you and has made a commitment that we will support any family who requires support, whether this be waiving of Term 2 fees, postponing payment, or reducing the amount of monthly payments. Contact the Business office to get a COVID-19 bursary application form, if required.
ANZAC Day Service - Lest We Forget I have to say, standing out on my driveway at dawn on ANZAC Day with my family and neighbours was one of the most emotional ANZAC moments I have been part of over the years, and I hope that many of the St George’s community took the time to acknowledge this important day in this way as well. The School’s annual ANZAC Day Service was obviously also a very different one this year due to the inability of our school to acknowledge the moment as a connected community. The service was held on Monday May 4 and was a fitting and reverent tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and those who continue to make personal sacrifices to maintain our way of life. I look forward to getting back into St George’s Cathedral in 2021 to pay tribute as an entire community again. A thank you to our Chaplain, Sarah, and Ms Courtney Evans for their coordination. Blessings
Gary Racey Principal
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From the Head of Curriculum Ms Victoria Kelleher
Term One ended and Term Two began in the most unusual circumstances. As a community, we navigated these challenges with resilience and flexibility. Although confident in our transition to online learning, as a staff, we were naturally apprehensive about how our students would cope. We fretted about their ability to transition to online learning, we worried about whether they would maintain the same work ethic, and we agonised about their social and emotional needs. We were heartened to see that all our fussing was unnecessary. Our students adapted to this new way of learning effortlessly. They quickly established a new format to their school day, set new goals, and identified concrete steps to sustain their workload. As a staff, we witnessed many examples of resilience and positivity as our students just got on with their learning.
This image perfectly represents the way our students dealt with the changes. Although the microcosm of their school life was disrupted, they learned to adapt and find their way on a new path, and they did so with ease. As our students now start returning, we are so excited to have them back in the school and we are looking forward to getting back to face-to-face teaching and perhaps giving video calling a well needed break. Year 11 and 12 Examinations As a school, we are keen to return to normal and provide our students with a sense of continuity. One of the key events in Term Two are the Semester One Examinations. These exams are an integral part of Year 12 and Year 11. The practice of completing Semester One Examinations enables students to have a meaningful examination experience and received diagnostic feedback from their subject teacher which supports their learning. The experience gained by our students in these examinations is invaluable and one that cannot be replicated by any other assessment type. Following consultation with the Executive Team and Heads of Learning Areas regarding Semester One Examinations, a decision has been made to continue with these examinations in order to fully support our Year 12 and Year 11 students. Year 12 Examinations will now be delayed by two weeks and held during Week 6 and Week 7, Term 2, instead of Week 4 and 5, Term 2, as was originally planned to help compensate for a short-term change in the learning platform.
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Year 12 exams will now commence on Friday 5 June and run until Friday 12 June.
assessed by semester. Students completing programs in Semester One, who have lost face-to-face teaching hours, would be at a disadvantage from students completing the Year 11 Examinations will now be delayed by same program in Semester Two. For that one week and held during Week 7 and Week reason, all Year 10 Examinations have been 8, Term 2, instead of Week 6 and 7, Term 2, as cancelled and will be replaced by alternative was originally planned to help compensate rigorous assessments in each subject area. for a short-term change in learning platform. Year 11 exams will now commence on Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Friday 12 June and run until Friday 19 (OLNA) June. Results have been received from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) Timetables for Year 11 and 12 Semester regarding student performance in Round One Examinations will be sent to our Year One of the OLNA testing for 2020. Students 11 and 12 families in due course. and families will receive feedback through Direct Message by Friday 15 May. This In preparation for these exams, it is communication will inform our families and important to note that students must attend students of achievement, and if students are all exams wearing the full winter uniform. required to re-sit any element of the tests in Students who are absent from an exam must Round Two in September. provide the school with a medical certificate obtained on the date of the absence.Year 11 Students must achieve Category 3 in all and 12 students may stay at home to study if three components of OLNA in order to they do not have an exam. Year 10 students demonstrate the achievement standard. must attend school for the full day and will Students who have not achieved minimum have their usual scheduled timetable when requirements are highly recommended to they are not sitting an exam. attend relevant literacy and/or numeracy co-curricular activities at lunch and after Year 11 and 12 students who study General school. The relevant staff will contact and VET Certificate subjects must attend students in due course. school if they have unfinished work in any of their subjects and complete the work Year 12 Student Portal at school where they can obtain assistance Information was sent to all Year 12 students from their teachers if required. Any students on Monday 4 May directing them to School coming into school during this period must Curriculum and Standards Authority Year 12 be wearing the correct uniform. Student Portal. It is important for all Year 12 students to log on and keep track of Year 10 Examinations important information and announcements It is our belief, that students in Year 10 have for Year 12. The student portal can be also been impacted by the current health accessed at https://student.scsa.wa.edu.au/ concern. Several courses in Year 10 are student-portal
From the Head of Pastoral Mr Hilton Hardman
Welcome back to Term 2 It was a feeling of relief and excitement when the news came out that students were returning to schools. I can only imagine the feelings of stress and anxiety for students and parents during this period. This will be something we will address as a pastoral team and continue to support all students as we transition to all students being back at School. Please feel free to check in with your child’s PCG tutor if you have any pastoral or academic concerns regarding School. Pastoral sessions will continue to be done through an online platform and run by the Head of Pastoral. Our Guest speakers will be live streaming their talks to students, and we are currently in discussions with the guest speaker who will be addressing the parents to see what platform this session will be run on. This term sees the return of the popular Dr Jane Genovese, who had over 80 parents attend her session last year on ‘Study Hacks’. Update to Mobile Phone and Computer Use Policy It is the School’s position that the encouragement of responsible mobile phone and computer use provides a means for students to learn about safe and responsible cyber practices. It facilitates the personal organisation and innovative engagement with the school curriculum and prepares students
for an increasingly technologically dependent world. With the consultation of parents, students, and staff, an updated policy has been developed. This is in line with the Governments recommendations around the restriction of cellphone use in schools. During PAWS in week 1, PCG Tutors went through the new policy with students and informed them of the changes. Students and parents can view this policy on SEQTA. Guest Speakers Term 2 It Only Takes One, Anglicare WA’s community education initiative, raises awareness of critical social issues and empowers young people to see themselves as part of the solution. Through presentations and interactive exercises, young people are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need in order to make a positive difference in their community. In Term 2 2020, It Only Takes One will be providing information to schools on Poverty, Inequality and Homelessness. Each year group from Year 7 - 12 will focus on a different topic, such as Human Rights, Identity and Belonging, Poverty, Homelessness, Advocacy, and Newstart Allowance. Anglicare WA facilitators deliver the initial session to students to introduce the topic and concepts, with follow up materials provided to teachers. PCG Tutors will present this material in class to deepen student engagement with the subject and give the students the chance to undertake an advocacy project on a topic of interest.
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Towards the end of this term, we will also have guest speakers from Armed for Life covering the following topics:
Hilton Hardman Head of Pastoral
Year 7 – Bullying Year 8 - Self-Awareness and Managing Emotions Year 10 - Drugs and their Effect Year 12 - Alcohol Savvy For more information, please contact Mr Hardman on: hhardman@stgeorges.wa.edu.au Student Reflection A new element to the Pastoral newsletter. Each newsletter will be finished with a drawing or short write up on a topic that has been covered in a pastoral session. The attached sketch was done by Peter Richardson,Year 12. The inspiration came from our school’s promotion of The National Day for Action Against Bullying and Violence.
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St George’s Anglican Grammar School Newsletter
From the Music Department Mr Michael Newton
In The Music Department Instrumental lessons will be continuing online, subject to regular review. Students will receive a direct message on SEQTA each week from their tutor with the day and time of their lesson, and a link to the lesson. If students aren’t connected straight away, they should stay online as their tutor may be finishing up their previous lesson. It can also sometimes takes a while for the link to connect. We are gradually restarting some ensembles and groups, beginning with Electrocity Ensemble and Song Writing and Production. They will both be restarting online, using the web-based collaborative platform Soundtrap.
4. Why should other people do music? Reasons why people should pick up music is from it helping you to be relaxed and be yourself. It is a great stress relief and helps you get through the stresses of school and life. Music is a great social task where you have to use team management, social skills, and your thinking skills to strive and work well with your group and have a great time at school. 5. What’s your advice for anyone learning Music? Always ask someone for advice and/or help in anyway as that’s what the teachers are there to do and its what they love to do as well. So, from you asking questions about their instrument can help you in learning new skills in these aspects.
Michael Newton Head of Music
Muso Profile – Sam Johnson (Yr 12) 1. What instrument(s) do you play? Guitar and Bass 2. What first got you interested in Music? Through my parents playing their favourite music in the car on long road trips as a kid. The radio was the main piece of entertainment. 3. What’s the best thing about Music at St. G’s? It is an open pathway after school, during and outside of school. Almost everything has music in it some sort of beat or rhythm. The many teachers in music are outstanding in helping and teach the students at school. 7 Edition 6 2020
From the Art Department Ms Carol Wohlnick
Arts Tour NGV Melbourne During the holidays the Art Department took the Year 11 and 12 Visual Art students on a virtual trip to Melbourne for a viewing of the TOP ARTS 2020 Exhibition. Top Arts is the Victorian equivalent of Year 12 Pulse Perspectives here in Perth. The exhibition displays a diverse range of visual art approaches which have resulted in 49 exceptional artworks from 43 students studying Visual Art courses in Victoria during 2019.
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The curator David Mackenzie explained the processes involved in selecting and curating the exhibition, before sharing invaluable working practises used by the Victorian Year 12 Visual Art students. We listened to several young artists who shared their conceptual development and art making processes, as well as seeing a diverse range of different media being used in contemporary arts practice such as: video, performance, print and installation. Our students joined others from several schools across the country for an online meeting. They came away with some great ideas and are now ready to complete their own projects in art making for Term 2.
St George’s Anglican Grammar School Newsletter
From the Chaplain Ms Sarah Stapleton
Chaplain’s Message I am sitting in my office, listening to the happy sounds of students and staff greeting each other, sharing tales of quiet buses and welcoming a return to routine (who knew young people would miss routine?). It is very good to be back at school and I am comforted by our strict hygiene measures as well as the physical distancing requirements. We are getting used to our new normal, but of course with WA producing such good health numbers, I have the feeling our new normal might change at any minute! At times like these, when uncertainty is the order of the day, I seek stability and comfort in my daily routines of prayer, exercise and chocolate, ahem! I mean healthy eating… and chocolate. I wonder how many of us have kept up a daily practice of prayer in this time of social distancing and staying home. And what exactly is prayer, why do we do it? For me prayer always be linked to action. Pope Frances said: First you pray for the hungry, then you feed them. It might be argued that we could just forget the prayer, and feed the poor, but I would argue it is the prayer that opens us to the plight of those in need. It is prayer that calls us inward to heal and strengthen ourselves before we are turned outward to engage with the healing and strengthening of others. I wonder what prayer does for you…?
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Sometimes I think it is easier to define what prayer does by defining what it does not do. Prayer does not seek to change God, but rather it changes us. Prayer does not disconnect us from others, but rather it connects us. Prayer does not favour one person, or group of persons over another, but rather, prayer is anyone, anywhere, who chooses to turn their face to God, to the divine, to say ‘help!’ or ‘forgive me’ or ‘thank you!’ Prayer does not require pretty words or eloquent speech. Prayer is one heart talking to another, and sometimes, does not need words at all. Prayer does not feed a God hungry for worship and praise, but rather, prayer is the worship and praise of God that feeds and nurtures us. Prayer does not require kneeling, or standing, prostration or a building built specifically for worship, but rather it requires space where we can stop, and breathe, listen and contemplate. Prayer is not just for Christians, but rather it is for everyone. When we pray (for each other and ourselves) we acknowledge our reliance, not just upon a divine being or presence, but also our reliance upon each other. The best prayer I know is the one Jesus gave to his disciples in the Gospel of Matthew. We know it as the Lord’s prayer, and I love it because there is no ‘I’ in it, there is only ‘we’ and ‘us.’ I love it because in its St George’s Anglican Grammar School Newsletter
simplicity it encompasses the very nature of God and the foundational basics we need to live abundant lives: Connection, awareness of God, sustenance, generosity, freedom from evil and mutual forgiveness.
If you only pray one prayer today, make it this one.
Sarah Stapleton Chaplain
The Lord’s Prayer Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours Now and for ever. Amen. 10 Edition 6 2020
From the Health and Physical Education Department Ms Jodie Scheele
The ACC Exceed Run Club is now up and running and ready for students that are missing their XC training and racing. Exceed is a virtual running club for ACC students powered by the Strava platform.
To be part of the run club students need to be at least 13 years of age and must have parental permission to join the Strava club. Visit www.strava.com to create your free profile account, set your privacy settings to ACC safety recommendations, get the Strava app on your smart phone and start running. Students will follow and record their run on the Strava web applications or link their GPS fitness device (i.e. Garmin) to their Strava account.
Strava club site: Individual Training Runs https://www.strava.com/clubs/exceed-acc-run- Students that join the Exceed club will be club encouraged to record any runs they do on Strava and the ACC Exceed Club will display a ACC Web Site – Exceed: leader board with the weekly leaders in https://www.accsport.asn.au/carnivals/ distance run, average pace and vertical cross-country/exceed-run-club climbing. Distances here are irrelevant and students can run at their own fitness level. The purpose of the club is an alternative to This is a great way to motivate yourself to the usual school cross country training keep active and running on a regular basis.You programs and ACC carnival in term 2. The can follow your friends and competitors at club is an on line running community for ACC other schools to compare your performances students so that they can record their and challenge each other. training runs and complete ACC Cross Country course runs over 3 or 4km at Virtual Club Race Events community locations. Involvement in the As part of the Exceed club the ACC will also Exceed Club is optional and informal. The club set up club events with specific course routes is simply for fun and motivation. The ACC will marked out over a 3 or 4 km course to match not use the results for any “formal” the ACC Cross Country distances. Routes competition between schools and students. will be set up in a number of different The ACC will track the performances of the locations in Perth and also in major students on Strava and publicise student regional cities and towns. These virtual races performances on our web site and social will remain open at any time for a week and media. Students can follow their friends and students can complete the course as many competitors on Strava to check out their times as they like while the event is open, times, segment performances and challenge each time trying to improve their each other. performance. For the ACC virtual Exceed club races, the ACC is asking students where possible to complete the run with a buddy 11
St George’s Anglican Grammar School Newsletter
and run as a pair. Each pair should be supervised by a parent or guardian. Students may not run in groups larger than 10 and should not advise other people the time and date that they plan on completing a race run. There will be no cost to students and the ACC will manage this service in lieu of the regular cross country carnival. ACC will publish race results on our web site and social media and acknowledge the best individual performances in each race. The virtual event races are informal and simply for fun and the ACC will not use the results for any “formal� competition between schools and students. The results will not be used to select winners, award trophies or pick an all-star team.
ACC Teaching Staff accounts: To protect your own privacy on Strava and social media, the ACC is advising school staff that will be using the Exceed Run Club to create a generic school profile that they can use to join the Exceed Club and follow their students. Staff using personal accounts will not be permitted to join the Exceed Club. As an example the ACC account profile name is Directeur Sportif.
Jodie Scheele Head of Health and Physical Education
Privacy and Security: the ACC has provided a detailed guide as to how to safely set your privacy settings on Strava to protect your privacy, location, identity and security when running and recording via Strava. Schools should ensure that students are instructed to use the recommend ACC Strava settings when they set up their free Strava profile. https://www.accsport.asn.au/carnivals/ cross-country/exceed-run-club/strava-privacy-and-account-settings Anonymous Profile: as an added privacy and security measure, the ACC office is providing a service where we will assign an anonymous profile name for students that wish to remain unidentified on Strava and social media. Each school simply needs to contact the ACC with the name of the student and a unique 8 letter code will be provided for that student. Only the ACC office, school sports coordinator and the student will know who their anonymous profile code name is on Strava.
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From the Outdoor Education Department Ms Jackie Sullivan
Outdoor Education had a very positive start to 2020.
Assessment’ as well as complete a ‘Rock Climbing Assignment’.
This term I have had to modify the program slightly, but it will still allow students to Year 9 students had demonstrate both their practical and theory-based skills and knowledge. the opportunity to work alongside Week 1 – 5 Gordon from SUP Central and myself Year 9 – First Aid and Orienteering Year 10 – First Aid and Trangia Cooking while Stand Up Paddle boarding at I look forward to working with both Year Matilda Bay each week. Every lesson 9 and Year 10 Outdoor Education students provided new challenges to the students, during Term 2. using different style of boards and the weather provided different paddling If you do have any queries or questions conditions. Throughout the term, the about Outdoor Education at St Georges personal growth of individuals as well as Grammar School please feel free to contact group cohesion was evident, and it was a pleasure to take the group out on the water. me jsullivan@stgeorges.wa.edu.au Year 9 also had a Standup Paddle Boarding research assignment, allowing them to Jackie Sullivan understand the history and the technical Outdoor Education Teacher information behind SUP as well as exploring ‘Leave No Trace Principles’. Year 10 students had the opportunity to attend Indoor Rock climbing at ‘The Hangout’ each week. Students worked in pairs, one belayer and one climber, developing both sets of skills every session, practicing many different techniques required when undertaking this sport. Throughout the term it was evident that all students were very motivated and excited about this opportunity they had in Outdoor Education and it was pleasing to see how much they pushed themselves each week. Students were also required to do a ‘Knots 13
St George’s Anglican Grammar School Newsletter
School News Student Term Dates - 2020 Term 1 30 January - 9 April New Student Orientation 29 January Students Mid Term Break, Friday 28 February Term 2 30 April - 3 July Students Mid Term Break, Friday 29 May Term 3 27 July - 25 September New Student Orientation 24 July Students Mid Term Break, Friday 21 August Term 4 13 October - 9 December
If the account has been paid in full and a refund is due, payment will be processed for the full refund due within seven days of exit. SEQTA The St George’s Anglican Grammar School SEQTA account is not assigned to a staff member and, therefore, is not monitored. Please contact the staff member directly to ensure prompt action to your message. Science Department Request
The Science Department is still after any plastic icecream containers that they could use in the laboratory. Any donations greatly appreciated.
Enrolments The School Enrolment Policy requires one full term’s notice in writing prior to the withdrawal of a student from the School. Where such notice is not received, the School will charge an amount equal to the tuition fees for that current term. To avoid fees in lieu being charged, notice of a student’s withdrawal must be received by the School before the first day of the School Term preceding the Term of the student’s departure. If this does not occur, families will be charged the remainder of the current Term, plus an additional Terms fee in lieu. Upon withdrawal of a student from the School, all fees and charges incurred for that student are payable to the School in full within seven days of exit. 14
St George’s Anglican Grammar School Newsletter