The Dragon | Edition Fifteen | 11 November 2022

THE DRAGON

FORTNIGHTLY NEWS AND EVENTS FOR ST GEORGE’S PARENTS

From the Principal Tina Campbell

This week has seen the Student Leadership Team lead the school in promoting kindness as part of World Kindness Week, 07 – 13 November 2022.

Their message through Ben Gardner as our Community Captain has been that ‘it’s cool to be kind’.

They have been encouraging random acts of kindness, setting kindness challenges, encouraging the watching of The Science of Kindness during PCG time, and awarding certificates to staff and students alike acknowledging random acts of kindness. It is indeed evident that sometimes the most powerful impact a person can have is simply choosing to be kind. At every opportunity as a School Community, we should all unequivocally choose to be kind.

When you are kind to others it not only changes you, but it also has the potential to change the world.

Kindness starts with the crucial decision to be kind to yourself. We need to ensure that we look after ourselves and be kind to ourselves before we can strive to support those around us. When we are compassionate and empathetic towards others, we begin to recognise our shared sense of humanity. Compassion can guide us to undertake simple and generous acts of kindness. Sometimes kindness is reaching out to a friend in need, sometimes it is opening a door or offering support, sometimes it is saying nothing and just listening and sometimes it is acting in service to others. There are

Knowledge Faith Service

St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

indeed many ways to be kind and this week the challenges saw many random acts of kindness undertaken throughout the School by students and staff alike.

Researchers have found that being kind to ourselves, or to anyone else for that matter – even a stranger – boosts our own innate happiness and wellbeing.

Whilst we cannot make anyone else be kind, this does not prevent us from aspiring to be kind no matter what. Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller, once said, “no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted” – I wholeheartedly agree with this philosophy.

If random acts of kindness are not really your thing, I encourage you to try this challenge – to do one small, kind thing each day for someone for a week. Pay attention to the impact that this has on you, I guarantee you that by being kind it will help your own wellbeing and happiness as well as making the world a brighter place for the person receiving your act of kindness.

Kindness can foster kindness in others and my sincere hope is that despite us coming to the end of Kindness Week and our myriad of Kindness Challenges that each student will continue to strive to be the kind person from whom others can take their cues as we edge ever closer to the end of Term Four and the close of the 2022 academic school year.

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile” - Mother Teresa

Tina Campbell Principal

St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

Thankfulness And Kindness Are Siamese twins!

Several teachers from different Anglican schools in WA recently attended the ASC Religious Educators’ training day, to discuss our Religious Studies curriculums.

The focus of this day was on what the purpose and goal of religious education is. But for me, even the bigger question should be what the purpose and goal of education, everything included, sciences, humanities, arts, english, maths, languages, music and so on, is.

As Caesar Chavez correctly says, “The end of all knowledge must be the building up of character.” Character building is one of the goals of our chapel services at St George’s. Your children might have shared with you that two weeks ago I talked to the School about ‘being thankful.’ I gave them a tip on how to get an extra scoop of ice cream or piece of cake by simply saying, “Thank you” when someone serves them. We must teach young people to be thankful not only because nothing in life must be taken for granted, but also it is true that people who are thankful about life in general, those who notice how others sacrifice for their sake, no matter how small, are likely to also sacrifice for others in return. Evidence shows that many people do kind acts as a way of expressing their thankfulness of what others have done for them.

This week in chapel, we began our celebrations for World Kindness Week. We encouraged our students to show acts of kindness to others in their own way, for kindness is doing what you can, where

School Operations

As the weather starts to warm, the standard of student presentation starts to decline. It is timely to remind students that personal presentation is always important.

In particular, students must remember to wear the correct unform – PE uniform is only for during PE lessons and students must get changed afterwards. All other times, students must be neatly presented in the School summer uniform; shirts are to be tucked in, correct (and polished) school shoes are to be worn, and hair must be neat and tidy.

For students who will require new or larger uniforms for 2023, please remember that our supplier Tara Uniforms conveniently offers an online ordering service.

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you are, with what you have. Was it not the 14th Dalai Lama who said, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible!”. And if we are thankful for what our veterans sacrificed for us, surely the best way to remember them is to be kind to others.

Father Gift

Shannon Allen

Curriculum Update

Anthony

Bochrinis

Murdoch FlexiTrack High

Applications for Year 12 2023 Murdoch FlexiTrack High are now open to our current Year 11 families for Year 12 2023.

This program enables a Year 12 student to substitute one of their courses of study with FlexiTrack. Upon successful completion of this program, a student is awarded the equivalent of an ATAR of 70.00 that can be used to apply to a University Undergraduate Degree at Murdoch University. To apply for this course, a student must have received atleast a D Grade in Year 11 Semester 1 ATAR English or at least a B Grade in Year 11 Semester 1 APEx English.

FlexiTrack High is designed to help students develop the skills needed to succeed at university.

Murdoch University works with St George’s to provide a structured and supportive learning experience for students seeking an alternative option to the ATAR pathways into university. FlexiTrack High utilises the most effective evidence-based teaching and learning approaches to support these students to succeed.

The program is delivered as a blended program utilising both online independent study and dedicated class time at each partner school. Murdoch tutors guide and assess the students learning experience and the St George’s support teacher works alongside these students . As such, students need to have the proven capacity to work independently and to consistently meet deadlines for assessment submissions.

Course Structure:

Throughout Term 1, 2 and 3 of Year 12, FlexiTrack High students complete four modules. These modules are summarised below:

Module 1 (compulsory): Introduction to University Culture Module 2 (compulsory): Knowledge in the Arts

Module 3 (compulsory): Knowledge in the Sciences

Module 4 (elective): Selection of either Introduction to Education,

Introduction to Health Sciences or Introduction to Criminology and Digital Media

Please note the deadline set by Murdoch University for applications is Wednesday November 30. Due to university timelines, no late applications will be accepted and thus it is crucial that families considering this option for 2023 apply by the due date.

To apply to participate in this exciting program, you will need to complete the following application form: https://www.murdoch.edu. au/course/enabling/n1101

Instructions on how to apply are provided in the this presentation Any assistance can be sought from myself or Mrs Tagore.

Year 10 and 11 Semester Two Examinations

Please find the links below to our published Year 10 and 11 Semester Two Examinations.

Year 10 Examinations

Year 11 Examinations

For students who are wishing to change courses or their pathway of study for 2023, bookings for a detailed discussion meeting with either myself or Mrs Sharan Tagore, our APEx and Careers Coordinator, will become available from Week 8 of this Term.

These discussions will be seeking to ensure that all St George’s students are on the correct pathway to success.

Year 9 and 10 Electives 2023

Timetable creation for 2023 is well underway and one of the final (and most exciting!) steps to undertake is to have our current Year 8 and 9 students select their subject electives for 2023!

On Monday 21 November, all students and families will receive our Elective Gridlines and 2023 Elective Handbook to choose their preferences for next year.

If you have any questions in the interim, please do let me know so that I can discuss these with me.

2023 is looming ever closer and it is exciting.

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St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

Pastoral Focus

Hilton Hardman

Attendance and Student Outcomes

Research confirms a strong link between attendance and student outcomes. While some student absences are unavoidable and understandable due to illness or enforced through school disciplinary absences, many are not. These could be unexplained or unauthorised absences. Poor school attendance can ultimately be linked to many interrelated short and long-term adverse outcomes for students, such as lower academic outcomes, early school leaving, substance use, unemployment, and negative health outcomes. However, these factors may be connected in complex ways, and factors that lead to low attendance levels may also independently lead to some of these adverse outcomes. A student’s regular absence from school may be a critical indicator of disengagement, leading directly to some of these adverse outcomes.

Regardless of the nature of the relationship, poor school attendance, particularly with a high number of unexplained or unauthorised absences, is a readily observable warning sign for potential longerterm adverse outcomes and is something that we are working hard to support families with.

In saying the above, parents can expect contact from their child’s PCG Tutors for all unexplained absences or from their respective Head of House for low attendance rates.

Below is an overview of the overall impact of the accumulation of days absent or days late during a student’s school life.

review Strategies for keeping safe, persistence and network review and community support. This is our fourth year running the Child protection curriculum, and it plays a crucial part in our overall Pastoral program.

In Week 4, each house participated in their termly whole house activity. This always seems to be a highlight of the term, with students interacting outside the classroom setting and across year groups to collectively come together as a House Group. This Term, Gandhi went to Kings Park for a sausage sizzle, Mandela competed in the amazing race around the city, and finally, Lincoln did team games across the School.

Pastoral Program Term 4

We are in the home stretch for our Pastoral program for 2022, which sees most students completing the Keeping Safe: Child protection curriculum. Their final topic is Protective strategies, where they

We had our final set of Guest speakers for the year during Extended PCG this week. Armed for life ran three distinct sessions:

Year 7 – Screen Addiction

Year 8 - Healthy Relationships

Year 10 -Drugs and their effect

We hope that the students gained much from these presentations and that they potentially may have talked about them at home.

Our Guest Speaker Program continues to add value to our Pastoral Care programs. They annually cover essential points from Community experts.

We are proud to have had over 20 guest speaker sessions this year across the School in what was an exceptionally testing time at the start of the year due to many varied COVID-19 restrictions .

The Pastoral Team look forward to supporting students through their final few weeks of Term 4 before holidays and then we will all be back again, supported by Heads of Year, to do it all again in 2023.

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It is getting to that time of year where you child might start looking for a part time job. With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to help your child learn new skills and encourage them to take their first step into the world of work. Here are some ways that you can help:

1. Ask them what type of job they are looking for. If they are unsure, ask them about their general likes and dislikes to help them figure out what would suit them best.

2. Know how employers recruit – spend some time looking online at job sites with them and talking through what certain

words and phrases mean. You might even want to go to your local shops and see how jobs are displayed

3. Be supportive - Be encouraging and let them know that you care. Offer your support to help them deal with rejection and encourage them to keep trying.

4. Once they are in work, make sure they understand their rights and responsibilities. Once they have found a job, your support still matters. It is important that they understand their workplace rights and responsibilities to ensure that they have a positive start to their working life.

A part time job, paid or unpaid, is an important first step into the world of work. It teaches young people about the labour markets, how to handle money and so much more.

Here is a quick guide to share with your child and help get them started on a finding a job.

Do not forget there are lots of useful tips and articles for you and your child at Study Work Grow.

Mrs Sharan Tagore APEx and Careers Coordinator

On 27 October the school hosted an official farewell to retiring Head of School Operations, Susan Lazenby. The event was MC’d by our Library Prefect, Katherine Mullaney, who also read a poem in Mrs Lazenby’s honour. As part of the event the library was officially opened by the Reverend Peter Laurence OAM. We held a morning tea party in the library for invited guests who enjoyed speeches, morning tea and singing provided by our wonderful music department alongside Sadie Tibbits and Isla Andrews. It was a lovely celebration.

On 28 October we held our first International Library meeting. I met with Kate Simeon, who applied for the funding, Danielle PalmerSmith, and Mariana De Freitas to discuss and plan how to set up a new branch of our library to accommodate an International Collection for the ASCI. This is a very exciting opportunity for us to provide resources for our international students scattered throughout the state.

The appointment of Katherine Mullaney as a Library Prefect has already resulted in some passionate discussions about future events and initiatives. We will begin serious planning after the Year 11 examinations. Katherine will also contribute to our regular library reports. So, watch this space.

Lego Club is still meeting weekly. The Titanic is slowly growing, and we do expect it will be finished by the end of the year. Discussion

has begun about our 2023 Lego project. Despite the departure of our Year 12 students, Homework Club is still running on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Staff are available for students needing help in specific subject areas at these times and all are warmly welcome to use The Laurence Library for additional study, assessment planning or just to sit and read.

As a part of my on-going commitment to read what is popular with our students, this week I read The Cruel Prince, by Holly Black. This is a novel full of the fantasy young adults find so entertaining; fairies, princes, good and evil, magic and misdirected love. I also read, for my own interest, local author Zoe Deleuil’s The Night Village. This contemporary thriller is set in London and maps the uncertain path of new motherhood for Perth expat, Simone. I am still reading The Ten Thousand Doors of January, by Alix Harrow. This is an enjoyable novel exploring the power of the imagination and stories to build other worlds, pathways, escapes and connections. All three books can be found on a shelf in our library. Together, let us read.

Dr Annette Pedersen Library Services Coordinator

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St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

Around the School

Japan Trip

The borders are open to Japan and three lucky St George’s students are getting the opportunity to experience this amazing country!

Year 11 students Parker Samuelson and Katelyn Barr, along with Year 10 student Alex Hassan, will be jetting off to Japan for 11 days on 9 December. They have been accepted into the Winter Camp Exchange Program offered by Kashima Gakuen High School in Ibaraki prefecture. During their stay they will stay with a Japanese host family, experience high school life in Japan, visit local sightseeing spots as well as spend a day exploring Tokyo. It will be an exciting adventure.

Parker, Katelyn and Alex have been studying Japanese since Year 7 and cannot wait to immerse themselves in the language and culture of their target language. This is what they are looking forward to:

With applications open to students throughout Australia, I did not think I had a chance of getting in. Now that I am going, I am excited to visit the Japanese national parks, eat all the food that I can stomach, and try my hardest to get by with the Japanese I have learnt over the past five years. It is exciting to go on this trip with two of my closest friends, Katelyn and Alex. – Parker Samuelson

I am looking forward to meeting new people, experiencing the culture and all the little things that come with travelling. This experience is going to be such an inspiration for me since I have never done something like this before. Hopefully this experience will give me a new perspective on aspects of life, career and culture. I am especially excited to meet my host family and get to know them as well as to improve my Japanese. – Katelyn Barr

I am looking forward to a lot of things in Japan. I cannot wait to see what winter in Japan is like and the atmosphere around it. I am looking forward to meeting lots of new people and trying new food and experiences. I cannot wait to explore Kashima. – Alex Hassan

Congratulations to these students who I am very confident will have an amazing experience and be great role models for the School during their time in Japan. I look forward to hearing of their adventures on their return to school in 2023.

Mrs Danielle de Witt Foreign Languages Coordinator

Welcome to Science

In Science, during the Year 7 Induction Days, students made their own “bath fizzers” using natural ingredients, either to use at home themselves or gift to someone special.

If you would like to use the same method, please find it below.

It is very straightforward to make and would be ideal for a homemade present, especially as we begin to enter the festive season! The ingredients are especially designed to suit those with sensitive skin.

Thanks to the Science teachers, our Lab Technician and older students who were busy helping the new Year 7 students feel at home in the Science labs!

Mr Michael Heath Head of

Science (Acting)

Outdoor Education

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In Term 3 Outdoor Education started with a new group of students, with the course running across both Term 3 and Term 4.

In Term 3 the Year 9s undertook Orienteering at Elizabeth Quay and Sustainability Studies. They planted a vegetable patch on Level 5 and visited ‘Perth City Farm’ to see what amazing initiatives are in place at this organisation in an urban setting.

St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

The Orienteering students were lucky enough to go on an excursion to Jorgensen Park, Kalamunda on Thursday 20 October to further practice the orienteering skills they learnt in class at Elizabeth Quay. This excursion was enjoyed by all and allowed students to extend their skills in a bush setting.

This term the Year 9 students will be on the water each week at Matilda Bay with our instructor Gordon from Stand Up Paddleboarding Central. The first session was held in Week 3 and all students displayed a good level of skill and really enjoyed being out and about on the water.

The Year 10 students participated in mountain biking and trangia cooking in Term 3. They enjoyed one session a week riding around the city, exploring a variety of routes.

These students attended an excursion to Dwellingup for a mountain biking excursion. The students met our guide Peter White from Dwellingup Adventures and then ventured out on the Mundi Biddi Trail, Marringup Trail and some of the newly created trails. For many students this was their first time riding on bush tracks, which they navigated well. 4 ½ hours and 25 kms later, they returned from their ride, stopping at the famous Pinjarra Bakery for a well-deserved and delicious food stop.

In trangia cooking students are asked to cook a variety of meals. All students must prepare and cook a ‘Gourmet Italian’ or ‘Gourmet Mexican’ meal. They put together some delicious meals and all students were very proud of their achievements.

On Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 November we welcomed 81 Year Six students to St George’s for their Transition Days.

Our wonderful 2023 Student Guild met the incoming students on ground floor and ushered them up to Level Two to commence the two days of activities and introductions.

A year group Bingo activity proved to be an effective ice breaker and then they moved directly into a team building session with their Heads of House, with the 2023 Student Guild ensuring any remaining nerves were settled.

This term the Year 10 Outdoor Education students will attend ‘Adrenaline Vault’ in Belmont each week for an indoor climbing session. Once a week they will also be involved in learning about a large number of knots and how to rig an abseil line, further enhancing their understanding about the hardware and software involved in rock climbing and abseiling.

Outdoor Education is most definitely growing at St George’s

Mrs Jackie Sullivan Outdoor Education Teacher

Over the two days the students participated in a variety of subject rotations which included creating bath bombs in Science, constructing their own interpretations of the seven wonders of the world in Humanities, playing instruments in Music and creating aliens in Art. They also enjoyed lunch in Central Park, House group activities and the opportunity to ask the Student Guild questions during a panel interview.

A highlight of the program was the game of pirate treasure at Wellington Square where the students were able to create connections across the cohort. Catching the CAT bus to Wellington Square and then back to school was a positive introduction for many to the Transperth bus system.

The students left on Friday afternoon having made valuable connections and new friendships and are very much looking forward to commencing their St George’s journey as a Year 7 student in 2023.

Mrs Taryn Sephton Head of Year

7 and 8

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St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day was celebrated at St George’s today with our attendance at two city based services to honour the many people who have given their lives during wars past and present. One service was attended by the Student Guild and members of the SRC at the State War Memorial precinct in Kings Park and the other at St George’s Cathedral saw all of our Year 7 students attend in their bright red blazers.

As the Service Learning Coordinator, my sincere thanks goes to all the many staff and students who were either involved in today’s services or who purchased a poppy in remembrance of those who have died in war to allow us to enjoy the many freedoms we have today.

Lest We Forget.

Mr Ryan McBride Service Learning Coordinator Sounds@Sunset

Every year around the globe countries fall silent for one minute at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month to remember those who have served their country during war,

It has been over a year since we have been able to hold a Sounds at Sunset concert. In that time we have been lucky to be able hold our Battle of the Bands, but with everything now open again it was great to bring Sounds at Sunset back for Term 4 in an amazing new venue: The Quarry Amphitheatre.

It was wonderful to have everyone back on stage playing music, and the hard work in rehearsals was definitely worth it! Despite 75% chance of no rain turning into 100% chance of rain, we managed to dodge the showers.

We have also been selling poppies throughout the week. These experiences support our students to understand and appreciate the significance of Remembrance Day.

A massive thank you to all the staff who helped behind the scenes to make the evening a success; those that helped in the weeks leading up to the event, who assisted on the night, and who helped out the next morning unloading the truck and packing away.

Thank you to Events Crew as well for their work and assistance throughout the day and during the evening and congratulations to all our performers.

Kelvin Ni 2023 Music Prefect

St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses row on row.

Muso Profile

Kelvin Ni, Year 11

What first got you interested in Music?

Music is a way for me to express myself. I can make up the music I want to play. I enjoy the moment when I play out the music with my own style and feel. It is a way for me to talk to myself and immerse myself in the music and my own world.

What’s the best thing about Music at St George’s? St George’s enables me to enjoy music and gives me a stage on which to perform. People share the joy of playing music together at St George’s. The teachers give me advice and guidance on a professional level based on my personal talents.

Why should other people do music?

Music is diverse, everyone plays music differently. Music is a fantastic way for people to express themselves no matter who they are. Music can convey both story and emotion. Just like literature, it has been used as a way of ‘communicating’ for hundreds of years.

What’s your advice for anyone learning Music?

Learning music is not easy but fun, so keep it up. My experience is telling me that it is “so worth it”. You will find how cool and how fun it is when you are able to play your own music.

St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

Instrument Piano (and violin)

ST GEORGE’S

Sam Crowford Year 12

Samuel is currently living in the Italian city of Viterbo, approximately 100km north of Rome. Samuel is playing and training with the professional football (soccer) club U.S Viterbese 1908.

The goal for him over the next three months is to be offered a full professional contract with the Club when the next transfer window opens in January 2023.

Outside of training up to twice a day, Samuel spends his downtime taking Italian lessons, checking out the best eateries and travelling to Rome on the weekend.

We wish Samuel all the very best over the coming months and hope to hear of his selection in 2023.

Coco Johnston Year 11

Congratulations to Coco on her selection in the U16 Red Star Football Club’s team taking part in the 2022 SingaCup, Asia’s Premier International Youth Football Tournament, in Singapore from 8-15 November.

Good luck to Coco and we hope she has an amazing experience in Singapore.

ST GEORGE’S

ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL

A school of the Anglican Schools Commission Inc.

Macy Chapman Year 8

Macy Chapman recently won all three of her National Figure Skating events. Macy has been roller blading for most of her life, and now competes in both lyrical and contemporary figure skating in the U20s Division.

Harry Joyner

Harry Joyner made history recently as the first person to complete a foiling tack in Windsurfing.

Harry was previously a student at St George’s before transferring to SIDE to focus on his sport and dream to go to an Olympic Games.

See Harry’s recent achievements here. Harry Joyner makes history as the first person to complete a foiling tack – WAIS

Congratulations to Harry and, on behalf of the St George’s community, we wish him all the success in reaching his goals.

Katelyn Barr Year 11

Katelyn has been selected as one of two WA Year 11 students to be offered a placement in the National Summer Art Scholarship 2023 at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

The National Summer Art Scholarship is an immersive and comprehensive arts program for young people interested in a career in visual arts. Now in its 25th year, the Scholarship has been instrumental in helping hundreds of alumni discover their career path in the arts.

Katelyn is one of 16 students selected from around the country to participate in the National Summer Art Scholarship, 15 – 21 January 2023.

Congratulations Katelyn. We look forward to hearing all about your experience when School returns in 2023.