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Justice, Kindness, Humility – these are virtues that we see daily in our School Chaplain as he goes about his daily business in supporting staff and students and in progressing our faith and worship journey and programs within the School.
They are also the traits that Father Gift seeks to develop and encourage in each of us within our daily lives both inside and outside of School.
I see humility as a virtue that is essential for human flourishing. It is a quality that allows us to improve ourselves, but equally supports us in treating others with kindness and respect. Humility is the absence of pride and the ability to be down to earth and modest about our
From the Principal Tina Campbell
PARENTS Knowledge
What a wonderful week we have had with the many celebrations for Book Week occurring both inside and outside of the school, led by our amazing English Department and Library Staff. Some of the exciting events include today’s very special Book Week Dress Up Parade as well as the inaugural Laurence Library Book Drive which will see us add more books to the library. Through a specially curated list parents, family and friends of St George’s Anglican Grammar School can order online and donate a range of specially selected books to enrich our emerging library collection. If you would like to and are able to donate, please access the book drive website here. A book can be dedicated to your child, your family or a Mondayfriend. afternoon also saw us come together as a school for the very special and spiritual Commissioning Service for The Reverend Dr Gift Makwasha as our School Chaplain at St George’s Cathedral. Affectionately known by all of us here as ‘Father Gift’, the commissioning service allowed us all to gain a deeper insight into the joyous spirit and wonderful sense of fun and frivolity that is very much embodied here within the School by Father Gift. His favourite hymn was sung by members of the Shona Mothers Union Choir and the African drumming and dancing provided by Akwaaba and Father Gift’s family and friends was such a wonderful addition to the service and a way for us to truly honour Father Gift.
In the Book of the Prophet Micah 6 verse 8 are the beautiful and immortal lines ‘And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?’
THE DRAGON
– THE DRAGON Edition Twelve 02 SEPTEMBER 2022
NEWS AND
FORTNIGHTLY EVENTS FOR GEORGE’S Faith Service 1 St. George's Anglican Grammar School
St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON own accomplishments and achievements. Humility is exhibited in respectful behaviours towards others and requires us to be empathetic, caring, and compassionate in all our undertakings. To show justice, to be kind and to demonstrate humility rarely go unnoticed and should therefore be a focus for us all as we edge closer to the end of Term 3.
I look forward to working with our elected School Captains and announcing the 2023 Student Guild as well as our new Prefect Group to the School Community at our Handover Assembly on Monday 17 October in Term Four at St George’s Cathedral.
This week saw the conclusion of the first part of our 2023 Student Leadership process with the announcement of the Year 11 students who move into round two and are now hopeful of becoming our School Captains for 2023. Niamh Bingham, Greta Bushell, Ben Gardner, Milla Howard, Parker Samuelson and Tom Sweeney will each present their School Captain speeches at St George’s Cathedral on Monday 12 September. It has been delightful to see these young people demonstrate their leadership skills by showing justice, kindness and humility towards each other and their peers. I wish each of them the very best of luck and look forward to hearing their leadership speeches in Term 3, Week 8. Leadership in its simplest form is taking the responsibility for making a positive difference in our own and other people’s lives. For those selected for leadership at St George’s it is about striving to work together to make this School a better place for everyone within it. St George’s students are provided with a rich array of opportunities to develop the confidence and skills necessary for leadership. Apart from the more formal leadership roles, including the Student Representative Council, our Student Mentors, the Student Guild, and our Prefect Body, there are many other opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and all students are expected to lead their community to the very best of their ability in their own unique and special way.
Warmest wishes Tina Campbell Principal
As we approach the changeover of our student leaders, I encourage all Year 11s aspiring for leadership to remember the words of John Quincy Adams “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” Whether we hold a formal leadership title or not we are all leaders in our own way at St George’s.
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Father Gift
What I am Learning about School Chaplaincy at St George’s “Dad, can we have the service again?” said my little daughter the morning after my commissioning as School Chaplain of St. George’s Anglican Grammar School. “Which service?” I curiously asked. “The one at the cathedral…your comishen….” She tried to say commissioning, mind you a student called it the “Coronation”! Well, it indeed felt like a There‘coronation.’wasso much love and ‘fanfare’ if I may say. Even my daughter felt it, and it is this feeling of love and community that makes St George’s such a special place to pursue my calling as School Chaplain. I am deeply thankful to the Principal, Mrs Tina Campbell, and her Personal Assistant, Mrs Karen van Rooyen, and everyone involved in putting the event and program together. It is very much a team approach at St George’s. People from my former parish, and friends, kept telling me that I had found my ‘natural home.’ Indeed, I have! I love these students and I know they are now used to me, and truly love their Chaplain. Some of the students tell me that they love our ‘signature chapel ritual’ of starting my talk with them talking to their ‘mate’ next to them and even the Principal mentioned this in her address to the School at my Incommissioning.thefewmonths
I have been here I have learned that though most of these students may not be from a churchgoing background, they do not resent attending chapel at school. In fact, one student told me that though she was not religious, she loves attending chapel. When students are loved and respected, they give back the same. They appreciate what we do in chapel, and I know they enjoy our weekly chapel services. They equally get excited whenever I appear in their class as their relief teacher. The starting point for me with every student is to love, respect, and engage them from their point of view. I take time to encourage and affirm my students, and it sure works! For me, it is a delight to be here at St George’s.
St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON
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Chaplain’s Corner
Shannon Allen Spring is in the air. Well, until it rains over the weekend!
7 September Tour Morning
Pastoral Focus Hilton Hardman
The only students who are allowed to use the lifts are Year 12s (who are most certainly still welcome to take the stairs) and those students with lift passes. Being the friend of someone with a lift pass (or other rather desperate excuses) does not entitle students to be able to use the lift. I ask that students seek to be considerate of staff who are trying to move around the School in haste, and only use the lift if necessary.
Finally, this apathy is extending a little to the presentation of students as well. It is timely to remember that as students travel between the main building and CQU, their personal presentation is a reflection of us as a school. Many shirts are becoming untucked on the journey
In a similar vein, the etiquette around using the lift needs reminding.
8 September R U OK? Day
5-9 September Mental Health Week
9 September Mufti Day, Gold Coin Donation in aid of All Saints Anglican School, Samoa. between sites and the state of dishevelment of some cannot solely be blamed on the St George’s Terrace wind tunnel. I seek parents support in ensuring that your child leaves for school each day in a school uniform to be proud of. With a little bit of effort, we can all end the term as we started – with a sense of composure and a high standard of personal and school presentation.
In the spirit of ‘spring cleaning’, some timely reminders are in order to ensure all students are presenting their best self.
The 2023 Leadership process is well underway, and we are excited to share a few changes to the school’s leadership system and structure. 2023 will see us extend the range of Year 12 leadership opportunities given the growth of St George’s Anglican Grammar School since its inception in 2015. The Student Guild will continue as it has done this year; however, it will now have two House Captains to support the development of House Spirit and the many House Charity Days and events across each of the TheHouses.Student Guild will be supported by a team of Prefects who will not sit on the Student Guild but will be recognised as leaders within the School and support the Student Guild in their work. This will assist us in supporting the needs of the students in a growing and developing TheSchool.Student Guild consists of School Captains, House Captains, Academic Captain, Chapel Captain, Community Captain, International Student Captain, Performance Captain, and Service Captain.
The Prefect roles will include Art Prefect, Drama Prefect, Library Prefect, Music Prefect, School Prefect (s) and Sport Prefect. Round One of the Leadership application process saw students submit their application forms and write a one page summary on why they wanted to be a student leader. These were displayed in The Laurence Library and on Level Four for a week before voting took place in Week Round5. Two, sees the top six students run for the position of School Captain. Congratulations to Niamh Bingham, Greta Bushell, Ben Gardner, Milla Howard, Parker Samuelson and Tom Sweeny on being voted in as our top six students based on round one votes.
I look forward to hearing their speeches at Monday Chapel during Week 8 and seeing how they approach their School Captain interviews.
After Week 8, students in Years 10 – 12 will then vote again to select their School Captains for Once2023. our School Captains have been selected, all other Student Guild and Prefect positions will be appointed.
Recently there has also been a marked increase in the lazy disposal of rubbish around the School. In particular, the shoving of food and rubbish into furniture and walls, or behind couches in classrooms and our wonderful Laurence Library. I am disappointed with this behaviour as I have quickly become aware of how brilliant the majority of our students are. There are a significant number of bins on each level and I urge all students to make use them.
Coming up in the next fortnight
5 September ACC Athletics Carnival, State Athletics Stadium
School Operations
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It is often the case that, by mid-term, standards and efforts start to slip; and a little sloppiness is creeping in at St George’s. More and more mobile phones are making their way into the confiscation box. The mobile phone policy is clear, and students should not have access to their phone during the school day. If there is a situation in which it is necessary for the students to use their phones, they must first seek permission from a teacher.
7 September Year 8 Social, Ten Pin Bowling
A formal student leadership announcement and handover will occur in Term 4, Week One during our highly anticipated Handover Assembly which takes place at St George’s Cathedral.
• Many people have NOT received a wage during the lockdown.
On Wednesday 12 October at 6:00pm in the Laurence Library, we will be hosting an OLNA information evening for any Year 9 parents who would like to discuss the new changes to OLNA that come into effect as of Term 4 of this year. Details of these changes have also been provided to families via the letter that was sent out with accessing NAPLAN results.
Some background information which is making life that much harder for students and their families in Samoa;
Samoan
Thank you for your support of this worthy cause.
To help us support this, students at St George’s will participate in Free Dress Day on Friday 9 September for a gold coin donation and we are asking the wider St George’s Community to donate via our fundraising website. Both activities will raise much needed funds for All Saints Anglican School, Samoa.
•
www.mycause.com.au/page/286675
• The Government does not offer financial support to nongovernment schools
Anthony Bochrinis
for Drama Practical
Further provided and will Saints College in Samoa, part of the ASC Partnership at
St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON
Please see below an infographic that details these changes to the OLNA.
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Curriculum Update
Samoan Partnership Appeal Schools of the ASC have made a commitment to financially support our partner school, All Saints Anglican School in Samoa, so they can provide resources for their students and support staff as they work to recover from the demands of the COVID pandemic.
• Mondays (led by Mrs. Allen): 3:30pm - 7:00pm Tuesdays (led by Mr. Bochrinis): 3:30pm - 7:00pm Wednesdays (led by Mr. Hardman): 3:30pm - 7:00pm Thursdays (led by Mrs. Campbell): 3:30pm - 7:00pm
• The economy in Samoa has been hit hard given that their main source of income is tourism.
NAPLAN 2022 Results
past WACE Exam papers. The current version of the ATAR Curriculum is now six years old, meaning that an amazing six years’ worth of past papers are available for students to complete in their preparations. Here is the link to access past WACE Exam papers Students are encouraged to complete the 2016 - 2018 past papers in preparation for the Mock Exams and save the 2019 - 2021 past papers in preparation for WACE Exams later in Term 4. We highly encourage our Year 12 students to continue to make use of this space in the lead up to Mock Exams. The Laurence Library opening hours for the remainder of this term are as follows:
details will be
or donate online
OLNA 2022 Changes
Year 12 Mock Exam Timetable (Updated) Please find below our Year 12 Mock Exam Timetable, which will be held at the same location as our Semester One exams, at 441 Murray Street. Year 12 Mock Exam Timetable Semester Two 2022 Week Session Monday Sep 12 Tuesday Sep 13 Wednesday Sep 14 Thursday Sep 15 Friday Sep 16 8Week Morning Exam Arrive 8:00amat • Exam Starts at 8:30am Year 12 Study Leave (No Classes) DramaExamPractical* Year 12 Study Leave (No Classes) English Literature(30)(7) Applications (28) Methods (9) No Year 12 ScheduledExams Afternoon Exam • Arrive at12:30pmatExamStarts1:00pm Year 12 Study Leave (No Classes) DramaExamPractical Year 12 Study Leave (No Classes) No Year 12 ScheduledExams No Year 12 ScheduledExams Biology (7) Comp Sci (3) Japanese* (2) Politics & Law (8) Visual Art (4) Week Session Monday Sep 19 Tuesday Sep 20 Wednesday Sep 21 Thursday Sep 22 Friday Sep 23 Year 12 ScheduledExams Accounting (14) Design (9) Human Bio (12) Specialist (5) Catch Up Exam Day AIT PsychologyPhysicsDrama(8)(5)(7)(13) No Year 12 ScheduledExams Catch Up Exam Day
NAPLAN 2022 Results for our Year 7 and 9 families are now available via SEQTA Engage and a letter has been sent to all families detailing how you can access and interpret these reports.
support All
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Japanese. Exam Location (except Drama Practical, EALD and Japanese): 441 Murray Street, Perth FREE DRESS DAY F R I D A Y 9 S E P T E M B E R GOLD COIN DONATION All proceeds
ceremonially issued with a Year 12 Badge at the start of their Year 12 Therejourney.are
St George’s have given all Senior Students access to this outstanding careers platform where they can search for work experience opportunities, scholarships, brush up on study skills and even find a summer job. If you have not browsed through its pages yet, I encourage you to do so.
Together, let us read.
The Benefits of Being a School Leader
Many of these opportunities can be found on our one-stop-shop for all things careers: Study Work Grow. Knowing what career path to take can be daunting so a little extra help is always a good thing!
St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON
many ways to contribute to your community and demonstrate your capacity to lead others. Some of you may hold a leadership role out of school and the rich experiences you gain from such positions only strengthen applications and resumes.
As in every other week, the library was busy after school. Homework Club in the library is held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday until 4.30pm. Teachers are available to help students with their work across all subject areas. Year 12 students are able to study after school Monday to Thursday until 7pm, again with specialist teachers available to assist. I encourage all students to come and see what The Laurence Library has to offer them.
Lots of universities offer bonus points and other perks for school leaders, including scholarships, study support, access to exclusive opportunities, and more. Even if you are not in an official leadership role, this does not exclude you from being an ambassador for the school, a particular subject or your PCG. All of our Year 12 are recognised as leaders within the School and hence why they are
If you are interested in taking on a leadership role, why not start with community service?
The Laurence Library celebrated Book Week with many exciting activities for staff and students. A selection of new books was made available for avid readers. I managed to read “When Women Were Dragons” before it was borrowed. This novel has an interesting plot working around a theme of a mass turning of women into dragons in the fifties. It is such an interesting idea and a beautifully written exploration of women’s lives at that time.
A special Uber Reads edition was made available to staff who could select from the catalogue and have the book delivered to their desk. Staff were also treated to a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the Library, hosted by the English and Languages Department and the Library. It was good to see so many staff enjoying themselves in the library. While e-boards featured many students and their favourite reads, students were also treated to a Potions Lesson in the library organised by Professor Snape. The Lego Hogwarts Castle was on display, and everyone was relieved that Voldemort did not appear to disrupt the event. Lego Hogwarts Castle was available to students to work on at recess and lunchtime for the week.
Some of the most effective leaders list empathy and compassion as the cornerstone of success. There are many volunteering opportunities available in the City of Perth and other local councils as well as charities.
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Mrs Sharan Tagore APEx and Careers Coordinator
If you are a School Captain or Prefect, or have other leadership experience, you might be wondering if this can be a benefit to you when applying to university. The answer is yes.
Friday saw the entire school celebrate Book Week by dressing up as their favourite book character. See some of the amazing costumes on the back page! The Year 11 Literature class all came as fairies from their favourite childhood novel series. Blind Date with a Book also premièred in the library. Staff and students are invited to explore an unknown read wrapped in brown paper. This offers a chance to “fall in love” with something different.
Dr Annette Pedersen Library Services Coordinator
Miss Charlotte Donovan Head of AroundScience the School Dance Program
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Mr Alex Grant Humanities Teacher Learning about Primates
Last Saturday evening, Drama students from Years 7-12 presented the solo and group works they have been creating and rehearsing throughout the year. The Subiaco Arts Centre auditorium was packed with friends and family eager to be entertained and they were not disappointed. Audience members said, “they laughed, they cried and left completely blown away”.
This Term, Year 10 Dance students have been taking part in a residency program conducted by CO3, titled Connect 2022: The CO3Inside.is Western Australia’s state contemporary Dance Company who are known for their cutting-edge ideas and shows. The residency program is based on their show, The Inside which debuted in 2021. Lead by CO3 artist, Briannah Davis, she has guided our Dance Students through workshops and choreography. Each Wednesday, students are fortunate to have their class at the stunning King Street Arts Centre studio. This week, students integrated Virtual Reality (VR) into the session. It is exciting times for dance. Stay tuned for what’s to come!
St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON
Mrs Courtney Crisp Dance Teacher Drama Showcase
Year 12 Human Biology students visited Perth Zoo last week to continue their studies in the locomotion of great apes and humans. They experienced a classroom lecture from a Zoo educator, who was impressed with their knowledge and confidence on the subject. The students then enjoyed the beautiful day around the Zoo, watching the primates, gaining experience in identifying types of locomotion and recognising some of our closest relatives.
Our dedicated Year 12 ATAR Politics and Law students recently had the pleasure of meeting the author of their textbook, Mr Stephen King. Mr King visited St George’s for a revision seminar and stated that our students were an enthusiastic and thoughtful group who were a credit to the School. Our students were lucky enough to have their course books autographed by the man himself and much revision was undertaken in preparation for MOCK examinations just around the corner.
Steven King Pays Us a Visit
St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON
Write a Book in a Day
On a Musical Note
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Year 11 and 12 students presented their original and scripted monologues and two of the group performances were theatrical past two terms, students have been working with the Black Swan State Theatre Company and West Australian Youth Theatre Company (WAYTCo) and the works created in these cocurricular sessions were finally staged for a live audience.
Until then, stay tuned and a big thank you to everyone who came along and showed their support for the St George’s Drama students it was indeed a wonderful evening.
I am proud of their efforts and impressed by the wonderful teamwork they demonstrated throughout the entire day working together to ensure the success of each team of authors.
Thursday, 31 August was the annual ASC Piano Competition, with a record 236 entries from ASC schools around Australia, including St George’s.
For those who missed the performances, we hope to find an opportunity to present them again soon.
Overdebuts.the
Our students performed admirably, with a special mention to Kelvin Ni who was a finalist in the (top) ‘Excellence’ Category. We hope that Kelvin will play for us at our next assembly on Monday 12 MrSeptember.Michael Newton Head of Performing Arts
Mrs Courtney Crisp Dance Teacher
It has been a big fortnight in the Music Department, with Chapel Band and Singers performing the hymns for Father Gift’s Commissioning Service and the Vocal Ensemble performing John Rutter’s ‘Blessing’ as the anthem, accompanied by Ronan Dixon (class of 2019) on piano.
Well done to all the students who took part in the ‘Write a Book in a Day’ challenge. You all contributed an enormous effort and your completed books were sensational. Not only did the students produce five magnificent stories, but they also raised just under $2,500 for children suffering from cancer.
The books have been submitted to the Cancer Council and we will be back in touch once we receive feedback on our finished Mrproducts.Damien Kerrigan Head of Languages Science Week Wrap Open Day was an opportunity to wrap up Science Week with a bang! Our Year 8 students worked hard all day, learning new Forensic skills that were put to good use later in the afternoon, when they discovered a horrible incident had occurred in the lab just next door!
Using their newly acquired skills and a huge amount of teamwork, the group worked cohesively to determine who had committed the crime in Lab 2. All the Science staff were impressed with their level of attention to detail throughout the day. We also ran the Science Week Photo People Choice Competition. Students were challenged to take a photo that used Glass, either through glass, of glass, or encompassing reflection or refraction. The photos were displayed on Level 4 and students were encouraged to vote for their favourite. The final votes have now been counted, and the winner is Sadie Tibbitts. Congratulations Sadie, your photo had 43% of the students vote. Your prize will be delivered next week!
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The Year 10s headed to Woodman Point Recreation Camp last week and we were so lucky to get such fabulous weather. We were joined by some great teachers too. So, on behalf of all the Year 10s, thank you to Ms Hewitt, Mr Lim, Mr Dempers, Mrs Tagore, and Mr Sloan for making the Camp so memorable.
We took part in many activities but the favourites for most of us were the flying fox, abseiling and the coastal bike ride. On the bike ride, we got to see seals, dogs, dolphins, and we also went on a few walks along the beach and the jetty and watched the sunset.
Mr Damien Kerrigan Head of Languages Year 10 Camp
On Monday the 22 August, a class of Year 11 ATAR English Students visited the World Press Photo Exhibition which is being held at the State Library until 4 September. Each of the students selected one image from the collection to use as the basis for a visual analysis. Visiting the Exhibition gave them a chance to see how photography is used as a medium for drawing attention to world issues. The Exhibition covers a range of issues, such as land degradation in the Amazon, the impact of drug cartels in Mexico and Columbia, and uncovering untold stories from Canada’s Stolen Generation. It is well worth a visit if you and your family are out and about in the city. Find out more about the Exhibition here
World Press Photo Exhibition
St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON
And finally, thanks to all Year 10s for making this an experience and memory we will always hold on to. Sadie Tibbitts Year 10
On the first night, we did an ‘escape from the quarantine station’ activity where we had to find tools and objects in the dark. This was fun and stressful at times! On the second night we watched SpiderMan: No Way Home and played board games. We all had such an amazing time on camp! It gave us an opportunity to relax and bond as a year group. A big thanks to the staff at Woodman Point, for keeping everything under control and feeding us six times a day, and thanks to Mr Lim for organising everything!
Miss Charlotte Donovan Head of Science
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ST ANGLICANGEORGE’SGRAMMARSCHOOL A school of the Anglican Schools Commission Inc. Knowledge Faith ServiceWisdom Grace Service Book Week 2022
