The Dragon | Edition Three | 10 March 2023

THE DRAGON

From the Principal

Tina Campbell

Last week saw an excited group of Year 8 students head out after school to go bowling with the Head of Year 7 and 8, Ms Sephton. Tonight, we have the eagerly awaited Year 10 and 11 River Cruise with our Head of Year 9 and 10, Miss Wilkinson. These two wonderful social opportunities are a fabulous way to unwind together as a St George’s School Community and the positive relationships built through both of these shared experiences are an important part of ‘school connectedness’.

Whilst events like these have nothing to do with academics, they are equally as important in a student’s overall learning experience throughout their life at school. Social gatherings such as these benefit students in ways that no book, classroom activity or study session can ever fully replicate.

School connectedness is an important factor linked to one’s overall success. The interactions and conversations occurring at such events help students to build better relationships, to understand different perspectives, to broaden their friendship circles and to socialise as a whole group outside of the confines of the school

day. They enhance their sense of self, build confidence within a social setting, and confirm their relations with the people and groups around them – both other St George’s students and, equally and just as important, with St George’s staff. These social events provide a chance to connect on a different level for students and bring with them a sense of belonging, which in turn leads to heightened engagement and then hopefully greater enjoyment at school.

At St George’s such positive experiences pepper our students’ school calendars throughout the year. School camps, excursions, carnivals, concerts, school productions, co-curricular experiences and other such celebrations provide an ever-increasing range of opportunities for St George’s students to build cohesion and create that important sense of belonging and connectedness to the School far beyond the classroom.

A focus solely on academics has been shown to clearly diminish ultimate productivity and whilst we will always continue to promote strong academic performance for all our students, this sits

alongside the many opportunities that we provide for students to take their mind off their various assessments, tests, exams, and constant discussions about grades. School is so much more than this. It is a chance to participate in a range of activities that help make school life one that is surrounded by fun and friendships.

As we edge closer to the end of Term One, I warmly encourage your child to become involved in the myriad of opportunities for them to have a life outside of the classroom here at St George’s.

I wish all attending the Year 10/11 River Cruise tonight a wonderful evening and I hope it brings with it new friendships and connections.

Warmest Wishes

Mrs Tina Campbell Principal

Chaplain’s Corner

The God Squad at SGAGS!

The only time we read about a Jesus boyhood story in the Bible is his visit to the temple in Jerusalem at age 12 with his parents for the Feast of Passover. Ironically, the other recorded visit in the synoptic Gospels was during the same festival when he was in his early 30s when he was arrested and crucified in Jerusalem.

At 12 years old, Jesus could join the adults in observing the Passover in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, on this occasion when the parents made the return trip to Nazareth, they left Jesus behind, perhaps assuming that he was with the other boys - how responsible parents journeyed that long without checking on their child’s safety! However, when they made a swift return to Jerusalem searching, they found him right in the temple, sitting among teachers, listening, and asking questions.

Luke says, all who heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers! Jesus was amazed that his parents were in the panic mode frantically looking for him, and he assured them that he was okay in his “Father’s house” doing “the Father’s business.” What a remarkable boy!

The story concludes by saying, “and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men.” This is what I am trying to offer to our students as School Chaplain and my door is always

Pastoral Focus Hilton Hardman

World’s Greatest Shave

We are excited to announce that the World’s Greatest Shave event is taking place again here at St George’s on Friday 17 March. We encourage all members of our School community to get involved in supporting this important cause. The World’s Greatest Shave is a fundraising event that raises money for the Leukaemia Foundation, which provides support and assistance to those affected annually by blood cancer.

Every year, thousands of Australians shave or colour their hair to raise money for this worthy cause. The event is a powerful symbol of solidarity with those who are battling blood cancer, and it serves as a reminder that we can all make a difference in the lives of others.

By getting involved in the World’s Greatest Shave, we have the opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of those affected by blood cancer. The funds raised through the event go towards supporting families who are dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial challenges of cancer treatment. They also go towards funding vital research that is helping to find better treatments and, ultimately, seeking to find a cure for blood cancer.

We encourage all students and families to get involved in the event. This can be done by registering to shave or colour your hair, making a donation, or simply spreading the word about the event to your friends and family.

open for them to pop in for a chat at any time. They will find me next door to Mr Hardman, adjacent to the Pastoral Lounge.

If you as parents, guardians, or carers are willing to allow your child to be “lost in the right place,” which is ‘the Chaplain’s Office’ on Wednesdays 3.30 to 4.30pm, we are studying Mark’s Gospel, discussing how it relates and can empower our young people to grow both “in wisdom and stature.”

Currently there are six of us, but more are welcome.

Please email me if you would like your child to join us on gmakwasha@stgeorges.wa.edu.au

God Bless Father Gift

As a School community, we have always been committed to supporting important causes and making a positive difference in the world. The World’s Greatest Shave is just one example of how we can come together to make a difference in the lives of others. We want to thank all members of our School community for their ongoing support and generosity, and we look forward to seeing the amazing impact that we can make together through this event.

Thank you for your support and involvement in the World’s Greatest Shave.

Please use the link below to support Team St George’s Anglican Grammar School’s quest to raise $8,000 for this cause.

http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/STG2023

Curriculum Update

Anthony Bochrinis

NAPLAN

NAPLAN will begin next week from Wednesday for all Year 7 and Year 9 students.

All NAPLAN tests will run straight after PCG in the morning and during Period 1 and Period 2 on the following days:

NAPLAN Writing Wednesday 15 March

NAPLAN Writing Catch-Up Thursday 16 March

NAPLAN Reading

NAPLAN Language Conventions

NAPLAN Numeracy

NAPLAN Catch-Up

Friday 17 March

Monday 20 March

Tuesday 21 March

Wednesday 22 March

NAPLAN Catch-Up Thursday 23 March

To assist with the smooth running of NAPLAN, all students are required to bring along for each test:

• Pen or pencil/eraser.

• Device that is fully charged.

• Charger for their device.

• Headphones that can be plugged into their device.

Please assist us with ensuring these things are laid out the night before. All Year 7 and 9 students will need headphones to manage the NAPLAN assessments and hence these will be crucial to be in your child’s bags for the day.

Interim Reports

This year, we will be introducing a new structure to our Interim Reports. They will be sent home to families at the conclusion of Term 1 and are a snapshot of your child’s performance during Term One.

The Interim Report is designed to provide constructive feedback on key areas of student progress for each academic course.

What’s New?

New Learner Attributes

The St George’s Anglican Grammar School Learner Attributes are life-long skills and behaviours that we believe are critical to your child’s ongoing development. In your child’s Interim Report and Semester Academic Reports, you will receive feedback from classroom teachers in the following five areas:

• Demonstrates organisational skills.

• Uses class time effectively.

• Works collaboratively when required.

• Works independently when required.

• Works to the best of their ability.

New Grading Scale

The growth in your child’s Learner Attributes will be measured using a four-point scale of achievement.

The new Learner Attributes will be measured using the following scale:

Our hope is that your child will progress along this scale as they work on the various Learner Attributes throughout each year of their St George’s School journey.

There will also be an opportunity for teachers to request parental contact if they have any concerns regarding your child’s progress.

Year 10-12 Examination Revision Opportunities

A significant number of Year 10-12 students have completed their first round of assessments for the year. This marks the start of exam preparation for Semester One examinations.

These exams will commence in Week 5 of Term 2 for Year 11/12 students and in Week 8 of Term 2 for Year 10 students. Establishing a consistent study routine early on is crucial to achieving success in these exams.

To further support their preparation efforts, some students may wish to consolidate their learning by attending externally managed revision seminars that will be held during the upcoming April school holidays.

These seminars provide an additional way to revise important concepts and topics, clarify misunderstandings, receive guidance and support from qualified teachers or tutors and potentially revise with friends from both St George’s and other schools.

In addition to attending these external revision seminars, we highly recommend that students utilize other study resources such as past papers, revision guides, and online learning platforms. Taking care of their physical and mental well-being is also important during this stressful period. By managing stress effectively, getting enough sleep, taking daily exercise, and eating healthy foods, students will be better equipped to handle the demands of exam preparation and perform to the best of their abilities.

As Head of Curriculum my door is also always open to both students and their families if there are any concerns regarding the forthcoming examination period.

Heads of Year Reports

Year 7 and 8

Ms Taryn Sephton

Head of Year 7 and 8

The much-anticipated Year 8 social event was held after School on Thursday 2 March at Strike Bowling, Forrest Chase.

With many new students joining our School this year the purpose of the event was to continue to support both new and returning students in building connections and friendships.

Upon arrival at the venue, the cohort split into two groups. One group donned fluorescent bowling shoes and took to the lanes with enthusiasm. The second group challenged their friends on the arcade games with virtual reality headsets, basketball throw and the strength test sparking a healthy competition amongst the year group.

We took a short break midway through the evening and the students were able to enjoy pizza and hot chips, washed down with soft drinks, before the groups swapped activities.

Year 9 and 10

Miss Katie Wilkinson

Head of Year 9 and 10

Somehow, we are at the halfway point of Term 1!

Year 9 and 10 students are fully in the groove of being back at school, and with assessments coming in thick and fast, it seems to be a busy time for everyone. Whilst our students are working hard, revising, and completing homework, I wanted to say thank you for all of your support in helping them with preparation for tests. If we can ever do anything to help, please do reach out.

A great moment in particular was seeing our Year 10 students going to the Holocaust Institute of WA. They were able to get out of

Year 11 and 12

Mrs Ingrid May

Head of Year 11 and 12

We are already halfway through Term 1 and our Year 11 and 12 students have completed their first assessments. It is an essential milestone for their academic journey, and I am delighted with their progress so far.

I encourage all students to take the time to review their scores, reflect on the feedback provided by their teachers, and adjust their learning goals accordingly. These assessments provide an opportunity for our students to take ownership of their learning, identify areas of strength and weakness and make necessary

Our Year 8 students enjoyed this fun-filled event, and it was wonderful to witness the respectful and inclusive nature with which they conducted themselves.

the classroom and be amongst experts in field, an important moment for our students. I hope this encouraged some time to reflect, listen and learn.

adjustments to ensure academic success. Making effective use of their study periods here at school is crucial in Year 11 and 12 and I encourage all of the students to focus their energies in the next few weeks to ensuring they use these precious periods to their advantage.

As a school community, we are committed to providing our students with the necessary support and resources to excel in their studies. We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing them achieve their full potential.

G ANDHI HOUSE LINCOLN HOUSE MANDELA HOUSE

Gandhi House has been abuzz with excitement as we gear up for a range of exciting events in the upcoming term.

The Gandhi Dance Squad has been working hard on their choreography for the InterHouse Performing Arts Festival. Their dedication and hard work are sure to make them a force to be reckoned with. The squad is committed to showcasing their best moves and representing their House with pride.

In addition to the Dance Squad, Gandhi House is also forming their Inter-House Drama Team. Students who are interested in competing in Improvisation Drama are encouraged to sign up on the House Board located on Level 1. With their creativity and quick thinking, the Drama Team is sure to bring their A-game to this Festival. We need students from each year group within the team so I encourage everyone to have a go.

A quick reminder that Gandhi House will be holding its Charity Day Colour Run at the end of the term. This event is a fun way for students to come together and support a worthy cause. More information about the event will be shared in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

Whether you love dance, drama, or charity work, Gandhi House has something for everyone to get involved in.

Mr Peter Quan Head of Gandhi House

While on the surface it may look like things have started to calm down in Lincoln, we are busy gearing up for our next big event, the Inter-House Performing Arts Festival. This event will be held early next term and will feature an improv comedy competition as well as a dance battle between the Houses. We aim to WIN!

It has been fantastic to see so many students sign up for the event and while it is still relatively early days, I am excited for what our students are going to come up with for their routines. There may even be a cameo from yours truly on the night!

Sign-ups are also on the House Boards now for the newly created House Week competitions that will occur each term in Week 7 and contribute to the House Cup. This term there is Volleyball, Chess, and Super Smash Bros for students to compete in. Each competition will have a Senior and Junior team, with the winning teams earning 50 House Points towards the House Cup!

I encourage as many Lincoln students to sign up as possible. Get together with your friends and participate in one of these exciting upcoming events. This is our chance to shine and I look forward to seeing the competition begin next week.

Mr Vincent Lim Head of Lincoln House

Last week marked our first Mandela House Breakfast. Pancakes were cooked by students of PCG M7 and M8 for the whole House. Students could grab some pancakes on the roof to start their day, and hopefully they were able to talk and get to know others members of Mandela House that bit better. Overall, it was a great morning, but we learned a lot on how to make the next one in Term 2 even better, for example, not running out of time!

GLEE or the newly named Inter-House Performing Arts Festival is now in full swing. We have started well, and congratulations to all students who were selected for the team and to those who auditioned and had a go. We have a lot of work to do to win back the title that we have only lost once, but I am confident we will get there. Team Green is indeed a fighting force!

Every Thursday during PCG, some friendly competition is happening between the PCG’s of Mandela. This week, PCG’s were tasked with making the highest Marshmallow Tower. Well done to Mr Sloan’s PCG for taking the win this week!

Mr Tom Dempers Head of Mandela House

St. George's Anglican Grammar School – THE DRAGON

Learning to GROW at St George’s Growth Mindset to help you achieve your best

High school can be a challenging and stressful time for many students. It’s a point when we’re asking them to balance multiple priorities, from academic and co-curricular activities, all while navigating social dynamics and trying to find their place in the world. However, by adopting a growth mindset, high school can also be a time of great opportunity for personal growth and development.

Most students have completed their first assessment or are getting close to it. By having a growth mindset, they can use these thoughts to turn any feedback from teachers into an opportunity for future success. A growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.

It’s the opposite of a fixed mindset, which assumes that our abilities and intelligence are predetermined and unchangeable. A growth mindset allows us to embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and development, rather than as evidence of our limitations.

Our Year 12 students, enrolled in FlexiTrack High, have just completed and successfully passed their first university-level assignment. Whether they achieved a standard pass or a distinction, the focus is on responding to and actioning feedback so that they can continue to grow and develop as learners. Our students are learning to embrace the challenges of a new style of learning and focus on effort over natural ability and be open to feedback and constructive criticism. Finally, by being supportive of the growth of our students and encouraging them to seek out positive influences, we can help them to achieve their personal goals.

Our Year 10s have also started to discuss work experience which will take place for all students in Term Two this year. This is a wonderful chance for all of our students to have a taste of the world of work and I look forward to see the diverse range of work placements being undertaken by the Year 10 students this year. Further details regarding work experience was sent out to all families this week.

Mrs Sharan Tagore APEx and Careers Coordinator

Staff Book Review

Robert Muchamore is a popular author of young adult fiction, with many of his books featuring teenage protagonists who find themselves in thrilling and often dangerous situations. Many of his books deal with themes such as espionage, crime, and adventure, and they are often action-packed and fast-paced, making them appealing to many young readers.

Robert Muchamore’s Robin Hood series is a reimagining of the classic legend of Robin Hood, with a focus on the character’s early years. The series follows Robin and his band of outlaws as they fight against the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham and other enemies, using their skills and wits to outsmart their foes.

As a mum of a 12 year old boy myself, it has been a pleasure to watch my son, captivated by this series of books. He is not an avid reader, but when he finds something he enjoys, he finds it hard to put down (I often have to tell him close his book, turn off the light

and go to sleep). He has enjoyed reading all the Robin Hood series and is now up to book five of Robert Muchamore’s Cherub Series. These books are fast-paced and exciting, with relatable characters. They also provide an opportunity to introduce children to historical fiction, which can be a valuable learning experience.

Mrs Michelle Hort Marketing Specialist

Around the School

News from Science

Science has been very busy this first half of term!

The Year 11 Biology students went to Perth Zoo, where they had a lesson from Perth Zoo educators on Classification, and then enjoyed a picture-perfect day observing and classifying animals.

Year 11 Marine and Maritime students have started their sailing course with a wonderful morning session on the beautiful Swan River. The sailing course makes up the practical component of the unit, and it allows opportunities for students to show their strengths with real world application.

Now that mid-term has passed us, students will all be receiving initial marks and feedback from their teachers. Homework help is offered to all students if they need extra support in their Science studies on a Tuesday and a Wednesday after School in the Library. I encourage all those students seeking to improve their science marks to attend.

Happy Science!

Ms Charlotte Donovan Head of Science

Sculptures by the Sea

Excursions and incursions form an integral component of the Science curriculum. They allow our students to learn from experts in the field, and to gain hands on experience which can assist their learning in the classroom. Keep an eye on the School calendar for the upcoming excursions for Year 12 ATAR Psychology, Year 9 Science, and the Year 9 Nobel class.

On Tuesday, the Year 10 Visual Arts class visited Sculptures by the Sea in Cottesloe. The students were fortunate to participate in two Artists’ talks, where they gained a deeper insight into the many different facets of the Artists’ techniques, skills, processes, and lifestyles. The students learnt that the Artist, Jina Lee, sourced her marble for her sculpture Universe In The Dust 2023, from the same quarry where Michelangelo sourced his marble for his famous sculpture David in 1504!

The students wandered around and enjoyed engaging with the many different sculptures, sketching, writing about the artworks, eating ice cream, and laying in the shade. Many of the students loved the artwork Whisper Tree 2023, by Anton Lord, and expressed how they felt relaxed and joy whilst interacting with the artwork. We were treated with perfect warm and sunny weather, with a lovely ocean breeze to keep us cool, it was a fantastic day.

Carnival. This is an exciting year for St George’s as we have been elevated into the indoor pool for the first time!

We wish all our competitors the very best of luck at the event and look forward to following all the action back here at School on the ACC Live Stream. The live stream link has been sent to all competitors and their families. It is an ACC requirement that the team are all wearing the School bathers. These are available from the Uniform Shop.

The ACC Basketball Championship has continued this week. Our Year 7-9 Girls Team has been competitive and had a tough game against JSR. “The team worked hard but JSR was just too strong” said coach, Mr Peter Quan. Junior Boys played Mercy College and the Senior Boys had a competitive game against Kingsway Christian College with the score 37-57.

The NWAS One-Day Carnivals are coming up with the Year 7 & 8 Carnivals being held on 28 March and 9 & 10 Carnivals on 29 March. Students will be selected to play in either Ultimate Frisbee, Girls Basketball, Boys Basketball, Indoor Beach Volleyball or Cricket. Selected students will be out for the day and bused to the various venues to play the sport for the day. I encourage lots of students to take part in what is an exciting event to represent the school and have fun with friends across different year groups.

I would like to congratulate students on their organisation and level of involvement in the PE Swimming Program, that is coming to an end this week. Students have done so well with their swimming at UWA. Morning swimming training is also coming to an end with the final session on Wednesday 15 March.

PE classes will now be rotating through:

Year 7 Ultimate Frisbee and Volleyball

Year 8 Beyond Skate, Volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee

Sculptures by the Sea is a public exhibition open until the 20th of March, I encourage all students and their families to check it out if possible. Even if Art is not something you are particularly fond of, I believe there is always space to become curious, inspired, and participate in healthy discussion! It also provides a great opportunity to enjoy a swim at the beach, an ice cream, a sunset, and expose the youth of today to some wonderful Art in the world.

Ms Mia Kelly Visual Arts and Design Teacher

Sports Report

On Monday 20 March, our Swim Team will be competing at HBF Stadium’s Indoor Pool in the 2023 ACC E-Division Swimming

Year 9 European Handball, Futsal and Touch Rugby

Year 10 Badminton, Basketball and Gaelic Football.

Ms Jodie Scheele Head of HPE

Year 8 Film Excursion

This week, the Year 8 students braved the hot weather to attend a private screening of Blueback, the Tim Winton story, at the Luna Cinema in Leederville.

This excursion provided the students with an opportunity to view the film adaptation of the novel, ahead of next term’s novel study.

Blueback is a Western Australian novel that touches on some of the key issues of our times.

Special thanks to Wilma Ong, Mel Thorpe, Anna Ives, and Sasha McArthur for their generous support on the day. The excursion was a hit, with the students enjoying the overall experience as well as the movie itself.

All students behaved admirably, and they have certainly gained a strong understanding of the novel that they will now go on to study next term with their teachers.

Mr Damien Kerrigan Head of English and Languages

Stained

Glass

Milla Howard

Year 12

“No one is homeless because of one single event ”

One of our fantastic Year 12 students, Milla Howard, competed in and successfully completed the Rottnest channel swim last Saturday in a time of 4 hours 46 minutes in a team of four.

Congratulations on this outstanding achievement Milla.

A unique collection of stories from five young Western Australians about their experiences of navigating homelessness. Authentic and uplifting, this film event will challenge perceptions.

Lia Watters

Year 8

Lia Watters took part in State Athletics Championships last weekend. Lia came 2nd in both the 800m and 1500m races and has achieved National Qualifying times.

Lia will now represent WA at the National Athletics Championships in Brisbane during the April school holidays.

We wish you all the best in the upcoming championships Lia.