Over the past five years, the College has conducted an annual Family Experience Survey, allowing parents to give direct feedback to the school leadership about their experiences with the school. This feedback played a crucial role in shaping the College’s 2021-23 Strategic Plan and continues to be essential for identifying our strengths and areas for improvements for this year and beyond.

In recent times, feedback from parents has led to several improvements across the College. These include: changes to our Language program, including the introduction of Auslan in the Junior School, the introduction of new courses to our Year 11 and 12 offerings, increased information for parents about their child’s experience at school, including the introduction of Meet the Teacher evenings for K-10, additional parent-teacher-student conferences for students in Years 11 and 12, the introduction of online continuous reporting, the addition of second school psychologist and additional resources for learning support across the College.

In October last year 215 parents completed the Family Experience Survey. The survey comprises various statements about parents’ experiences which they rate on a 5-point scale:

• Strongly Disagree (1)
• Disagree (2)
• Neither Agree nor Disagree (3)
• Agree (4)
• Strongly Agree (5)

Using a 5 point scale, a mean score above 3.5 is considered positive and a mean score below 2.75 is considered negative.

The ten highest-scoring statements from the Family Experience Survey were:

• My child feels safe at Helena College - 4.18
• Helena College has a positive and welcoming atmosphere - 4.13
• My child feels a sense of belonging at Helena College - 4.06
• My child enjoys being a student at Helena College - 4.06
• Teacher care about their students at Helena College - 4.05
• Helena College’s facilities are clean and well maintained - 4.03
• Child Safe policies at Helena College are clear and easy to understand - 4.01
• My child feels they can be themselves at Helena College - 3.98
• Helena College provides students with the resources they need to learn - 3.98
• Helena College upholds high standards of child safety - 3.92

The ten lowest-scoring statements from the Family Experience Survey were:

• Teachers at Helena College keep me informed about the social and emotional development of my child - 2.94
• Students at Helena College are provided with adequate career guidance - 2.95
• Helena College offers a variety of educational pathways to ensure that children are able to follow their desired pathway - 3.00
• Helena College considers making changes based on the feedback of families - 3.00
• Students receive guidance in setting goals for the future - 3.08
• My child’s teachers explain how I can assist with my child’s learning - 3.10
• The College includes parents in decision-making which affects students - 3.15
• The management of behaviour is consistently enforced across the College - 3.25
• My child has access to formal academic extension if the need it - 3.33
• The College provides students with adequate information regarding their pathway options - 3.33

Additionally, parents also had the opportunity to provide open-ended comments on what the College does well and where we could improve. The Executive team has reviewed all comments and identified any key trends which are able to respond to.

This survey process is an important way for parents to share their views directly with College leadership. Feedback from parents is vital for our ongoing commitment to school improvement and to the development of the next College Strategic Plan for 2025 and beyond. 

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the survey. 

Of course, surveys are only one way of communicating with the school. Parents are always welcome to contact me, any member of the Executive team or other staff members directly to share their thoughts.

Peter Coombs | Principal

Social Media Restrictions

You may have seen in the media recently there have been increased calls to introduce radical new measures that would implement age restrictions on social media use in Australia. Recently our own WA government has released a trial of age verification technology to help prevent younger children from setting up social media accounts. This scheme would aim to reduce children's exposure to age-inappropriate material.

In South Australia recently a new proposed law has been presented to parliament requiring children under 16 to have parental consent before accessing social media. There is a growing concern around exposure to harmful content online and how social media impacts the developing brain.

Many parents in our own Helena College community are worried about what their children may have access to online and while there may be some changes to laws in the future to support parents it is also very important that young people and parents have access to good information when making decisions around social media and how to respond if something doesn't feel safe online.

Some of the hot topics on the Helena College CyberSafety Hub right now are around social media. Articles on Tiktok, Snap Chat, Be Real, Roblox, Omegle and the Life of an Influencer are all available in the parent advice section of the hub. I encourage all parents to have a look by following this link.

Justin Pitt | Head of Senior Campus | Child Safety

What defines Junior Schooling?

Junior schooling primarily aims to nurture the holistic development of each child. During these formative years, students cultivate a stronger sense of self and build new and more independent relationships. They develop resilience and refine their sense of right and wrong - recognising themselves as valuable contributors to both local and broader communities, while fostering a lasting passion for learning.

At the Darlington Campus, every classroom and learning space exudes enthusiasm - fostering collaboration, curiosity and discovery. Our staff have a rich set of skills and capacities and balance the need for explicit teaching with innovative ways of encouraging cooperative work, inquiry-based learning, problem-solving and self-directed learning.

While our curriculum at the Junior School is comprehensive and holistic (emphasising literacy, numeracy and positive work habits as the foundation stones of learning), we also ensure a well-rounded educational experience by covering diverse subjects. Our teaching approach aligns with the Australian Curriculum, including the other five general capabilities of critical and creative thinking, personal and social development, ethical understanding, intercultural understanding, and proficiency in information and communication technology.

It is important to note that schools, including Helena College, complement rather than substitute the role of families and other stakeholders in supporting each child's growth and development through various programs and services.

As we navigate through this slightly longer term, there are still many exciting learning experiences awaiting our students as part of Term Two.

Wishing each of you a rejuvenating weekend ahead.

Kind regards

Greg Miller | Head of Junior School, Kindergarten to Year 5

A Report from the Ball Committee

As you all know, our Year 12 Ball Committee has been working very hard and is finalising decisions on a DJ, food options, the evening’s theme and decorations. Tickets will cost $160 this year (including GST) and include a mocktail on arrival, a three-course meal, free-flowing soft drinks throughout the night, a DJ, a professional photographer, table decorations, and a photo booth.

Tickets are $160 and will be on sale via the Paperly Permission Form from Week Seven.

Just a reminder that Year 12 students are required to stay at school on the day of the Ball, Thursday 27 June, until 12.15 pm.

Please make sure all appointments for hairdressers, etc., are in the afternoon on that day. Be organised in advance with everything you need to do for the Ball so you can focus on your study programme. There is no school for Year 12s on Friday 28 June.

Regarding pre- and post-school parties - please remember that there are specific laws on consuming alcohol and underage drinking and on providing alcohol to underage drinkers. Please take heed of these laws and remember that the school does not sanction any pre- or post-ball parties.

If a student or their partner arrives at the Ball under the influence of alcohol or any illegal substances or attempts to consume them at the Ball, they will be IMMEDIATELY sent home in a taxi - at their expense.

This is a serious issue for the school in our duty of care responsibility, so please, parents and students, be responsible.

We are all looking forward to a wonderful evening and the social event of the year for our Year 12 students.

End of Year 10 Celebration Day

Save the date: Friday, 29 November 2024

This date marks the last day of Year 10 for 2024 and will incorporate some House-based challenges at school, morning tea, bus transfers to and from Barrack Street Jetty, a 3-hour River Cruise and lunch.

Watch this space for the theme of the day and ticket details.

Upcoming Year 10 Family Information Evening

Subject Selections (Year 11 2025)

Our current Year 10 students will soon make choices related to their 2025 Year 11 and 12 courses. Year 10 students and their parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to attend this presentation. Information regarding the subject selection process and its implications for Years 11 and 12 and post-school pathways will be shared on the evening.

The evening will be in the Gym on Tuesday 16 July, from 6.30 pm to about 8.00 pm. Please bring your Year 10 child with you.

For further information, please contact Craig Hillman, Director of Upper School

Curtin’s Year 10 Subject Selection Guide is out for 2027 University Entrance

This Guide provides career advice, information about going to uni, a link to the Find U quiz and potential pathways to uni. Each faculty identifies its courses with Prerequisites and Desirable subjects for senior school. Many courses have no Prerequisites (essential subjects to get into the course), but many have Desirable recommendations which will help students to cope with their university studies. Download your copy HERE.

Years 11 and 12 Parent-Student-Teacher Conferences

Save the date: Monday 22 July

We have historically held a ‘Making Sense of the Results Night’ for Year 11 Families following the Semester One Exams. The messages shared that evening were generic and had a narrow Year 11 ATAR focus.

In response to parent feedback from the last survey, we have improved College communications with families about their child’s achievement. To further improve our communications with families about their child’s achievement, we will hold a second Parent-Student-Teacher Conference Evening. While the event is slightly shorter than the one held in March, it will follow a similar format.

Parent-teacher interviews will be conducted for Year 11 and 12 students from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm on the above date in the College Gymnasium.

We will send detailed booking information closer to the date. We look forward to seeing you there.

Student drivers

Year 12 Students may drive to school as a matter of privilege, not of right. Students must register their vehicles by completing a Student Vehicle Permission Form (available in the Administration Office and on SEQTA) to be registered to park. If any passengers are to be in the vehicle, their names must also appear on the form, along with an accompanying parent signature indicating permission.

Any changes to previously registered details (e.g., new passengers, new make/model etc.) must be re-registered on a new Student Vehicle Permission Form.

Please note that only Year 12 Students may park on campus. While our current Year 11s will soon be Probationary Drivers, unfortunately, there is no parking available on the campus for Year 11 student drivers.

Year 12 - Things to do In June

Go to the ‘First in Family to Go to Uni’ site.

If you want to go to university after school, check out the:

• First in Family Online Tools to learn about uni lingo.
• Study hints
• What I wish I’d Known before starting
• Discover your learning style
• Survival hints

Enrol in Holiday ATAR Revision Programs

• Give yourself every chance to succeed _ ATAR Revision Programs for Senior Students. There are lots of ATAR revision programs to choose from. I have captured many of them HERE.

Sort What you are Doing in 2025

Burnout may be a factor for Year 12 students in Semester Two.

• Check Year 12 Burnout Busters. It has strategies to help you plan Semester 2 and reach the finish line strongly.

University and Apprenticeships

Early Offers

Early Offers for 2025 Undergraduate places will not be made until 2 September 2024. This is a significant change that brings our procedures into line with other States and Territories.

All WA universities opened applications for 2025 on 1 May. More information can be found via TISC HERE.

You can also contact the universities directly:

• Curtin Early Offers. Key Contact How to Apply to Curtin or 1300 222 888
• UWA Early Offers Key Contact Phone 131 UWA (131 892)
• Notre Dame Early Offers Key Contact Phone: (08) 9433 0555
• ECU Early Offers Key Contact Ask us, Enquiries, or 134 328
• Murdoch University Key Contacts Make an enquiry , 1300 687 3624, or Book an appointment

Don’t Rush. If you know what university you want to go to and what course you want to do, you can apply now via TISC. Only your first preference is considered when you put in an early application. You can change your mind, but it takes a bit of fiddling around. You have until Monday, 2 September to apply.

If you want to be more clear about what to do next year, you can:

• Speak to Mr Hillman or Miss Lewis
• Go to one or more universities and speak to their career advisors.
• There are a range of options that you can check out HERE
• You have probably already done the MyFuture Aptitude Tests. There are lots of different tests for you to play with HERE.

Career Conversations Information for Families (Morley)

When: 13 June from 6.30 pm– 8.00 pm

Where: John Forrest Secondary College - Auditorium, 180 Drake Street, Morley. WA 6062

How: Places are limited, so Register now

Final Day for Booking UCAT: 13 May

If you plan to apply for Medicine, you will need to demonstrate your abilities via a University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). The last day to book your test is 31 May. A Late booking deadline of 5 June will incur an additional fee of $185.  Register here

2025 Apprenticeships will be out soon

Apprenticeships for 2025 will start to be advertised soon. Make sure you are ready. There is a bit to know.Check out the Apprenticeship Support Blog for information. You can submit an application for upcoming positions HERE.

Holiday Exam Revision Opportunities

Boost Your ATAR Results with Exam Experts

Nailing the ATAR and getting the results students are hoping for is not necessarily about being the smartest kid in the class. It’s about being well-prepared, knowing what to focus on and to understand what questions are most likely to come up in exams and how to answer them.

To supplement the work our teachers do to prepare our students, The Exam Experts are offering their Intensive Exam Revision Program at UWA these July School Holidays.

Enrolments for their July Holiday Intensive Exam Revision Program are closing soon! Choose to attend classes at UWA or Online. Each ATAR subject is 2 hours per day over the 5 days for a total of 10 hours. For more information on dates, times, pricing, and to enrol, click HERE

For a full roundup of all ATAR Revision Programs go to Give yourself every chance to succeed.

Cycling Success

Recently Year 9 student, Maddie P, returned from a successful track cycling event in Malaysia. Maddie was part of the Australian development squad to race in the YSD Australasean Track Cycling Series hosted by Malaysia Track Cycling in Kuala Lumpur.

With riders from New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Australia involved it was a wonderful opportunity to race against the best junior riders in our region.

Maddie performed very well winning silver with the Australian Sprint team and an individual gold in the Sprint elimination competition.

Congratulations Maddie!

Wildlife Warriors

When Junior School students Ezekiel and Eve found an injured Laughing Dove, they did everything they could to help the bird, who they nicknamed Oliver. Unfortunately, Oliver's injuries were not survivable, leaving our two wildlife warriors feeling quite sad. However, they decided that in honour of Oliver, they would donate some of their own savings, along with a handmade card, to Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre to help other injured wildlife.  We are so pleased to hear of Ezekiel and Eve's kindness and thoughtfulness - congratulations on being such wonderful wildlife warriors.

For further details click here.

Disco Dress Up Day

In the lead up to this year’s end of Semester One student disco, for a gold coin donation, students in Kindy to Year 5 are invited to wear something dazzling with their uniform on Friday 31 May 2024. The goal is fun and fundraising, and the only restriction is that closed in shoes must be worn. Please refer to the email sent on Friday 17 May 2024 for further details.

Our focus for Auslan this term has been learning the signs for food and we had a great time in our Auslan Cafe last week. Students were required to place orders for a meal and drink, while others worked as waiters to take their orders. It gave the students the opportunity to use their Auslan skills, as well as showing their knowledge of Deaf etiquette and cultural practice. Activities like this help students to build their confidence to use Auslan in the “real world” and it has been wonderful to hear stories about how our students have been able to approach Auslan users in the community and practice their skills.

Lauren Bates | Auslan Teacher

The Pre-primary children worked really hard in preparing for the recent Mothers' Day celebration. The excited mums and children started their celebrations by looking for their special badge outside – there were lots of 'Best Huggers' and 'Best Cookers'!  The mums and children loved spending time completing some activities together before they enjoyed the two songs our Pre-primary students had prepared.

After some delicious morning tea and an explore of the playground, the mums were presented with their gift that the children, designed and made. Students chose the colours carefully to complement their mums - with beautiful results. It was a lovely morning and we all really enjoyed having the mums share the morning with us.  We hope that all of our Helena mums enjoyed their special day too!

The Preprimary students were so excited to visit at the Kalamunda History Village last week. They explored each area ,finding out about what the shops, houses, schools and transportation looked like in the olden days. They loved the fruit grading machine where they saw how it sorted the fruit. 

When we got back to school, we used charcoal to go over the sketch we did at the village. The children loved exploring this medium in their art activity. They are now starting to bring in items to our 'Olden Days Museum' at school and beginning to prepare for Grandparents' Day, which is coming up in June.

As part of our exploration of Forces in Science this week, both Year 4 classes were treated to an expert information session on the skills, equipment and science involved in skydiving.

The students (and teachers) were excited to hear the recounts of amazing jumps and view the videos from Mr Mark Tilly. A very proud daughter was in the group listening to Mr Tilly’s explanation of how parachutes work and the forces involved. His expert knowledge, coming from years of skydiving experience and instruction, was much appreciated as he answered the many questions from students.

As a final treat, we all relocated to the oval to see the actual process of how the packed chute deploys from the special backpack. It was then that some students ran with the opened chute and it filled with air to float for a few metres. An impressive display of forces in action – great science with fun! Thank you Mark.

Mr Cumming and Mr Cook | Year 4 Teachers

NSS is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.

This years book is Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker, and was read simultaneously at 10am WST. 

Our Junior School classes joined in the fun, following the book reading online, or in print. We were delighted to also have access to an Auslan telling of the story!

Book Fair Success

We welcomed the Scholastic Book Fair to the Junior School Library this month and received a huge response from both students, staff and parents visiting the library both before and after school, and during library sessions to browse the fantastic array of books and items that were available. 

Many purchases were made, and we (with the help of our Year 5 Library Ministers) were able to use the money raised to purchase some great new resources for our Library, as well as funds for future purchases. A BIG thank you to all the members of our school community who came and supported our 2024 Pirate-themed 'Bookeneer' Book Fair. 

We really appreciate all your support, and we hope all the Helena College community enjoys the new purchases we have made over the coming months.

The Premier’s Reading Challenge 

This great initiative is up and running and aims to encourage children (Kindergarten to Year 10) to read. The challenge runs until September and entry information can be found here.

In Week Five, the Year 6s spent the morning with local author Norman Jorgensen. He shared his inspiration for becoming an author, with many anecdotal tales of his early writing days. It was great to hear how experiences can shape inspiration, and that’s how Norman still spends his time experiencing places first hand to inform his children’s fiction, historian narratives. Norman has drawn upon vikings, pirates and the ANZACs to name a few. 

In Term Three, the 6s will be studying Norman Jorgensen's novels Jack’s Island and The Smuggler’s Curse which both recreate Western Australia’s not so distant history. Norman gave the cohort some very useful tips to assist on writing as they embark on designing their books for the Year 2s. We look forward to reading with them in Week Eleven.

Anne-Marie Lee | Head of Year 6

The Year 8 Humanities students are currently learning about the making of different types of law. On Monday of Week Six, to help us solidify our understanding of the making of statute law, we took our learning outside the classroom to the oval to engage in some fun re-enactments.

Using bibs we borrowed from the sports department to indicate political parties and sitting in the parliamentary U-shape, we crafted a proposed Bill and went through the process of introducing it, debating it and voting on it. In our House of Representatives, the Bill passed with a majority, with some amendments being made following some great discussion points about economic and social impacts. However, our Senate, which was comprised of more independents had a shift in power and the Bill was knocked back.

Being able to move around and walk through the process brought enthusiasm and fun to our learning but also lead to many teaching points about more complex issues of parliamentary law making. Our visual and sensory learners really benefited from seeing the process rather than just reading about it. The students thoroughly enjoyed it!

We even extended out activity into running a mock trial to learn about the making of common law. With costumes and dramatic flair we discussed the nuances of tort law and whether our facts (taken from the famous case of Donoghue v Stevenson) satisfied the rules of tort.

I was so impressed with the quality of argument and thought-provoking discussions produced by the Year 8 students. The Year 8s are I are looking forward to using fun re-enactments in other areas of our learning as the year progresses.

Teliah Turrill | Teacher ‑ English and Humanities

This year, Years 9 and 10 were offered a new opportunity to practise their Language skills. Twenty students across both cohorts participated in the two-hour Round One competition where they had to solve a range of Language-analysis problems.

The five teams did really well for a first participation. Although we did not get to attempt Round 2 or go to Brazil to represent Australia this year, all students should be very proud of their achievement.

Team 1: Phillip M, Cade Y, Rivalee Mc and Stella Y ~ GOLD

Team 2: Beatrice S, Veronique L, Anna vR and Anya S ~ GOLD

Team 3: Patrick A, Flynn T, William S and Dane B ~ SILVER

Team 4: Nicole C, Bianca B, Evie D and Charlotte ~ BRONZE

Team 5: Sasha R, Ileana G, Fife T and Jemma J ~ BRONZE

We will offer this competition again in 2025 and will start training in February. We hope to see many Languages students challenge themselves next year.

For the Years 11 and 12 passionate about French culture and language, an immersive day offers an unparalleled experience. From educational workshops to leisurely games, the day was packed with activities that transported participants straight to France.

Morning: Unmasking Fake News
The day began with an engaging workshop at the Alliance Française focusing on the timely topic of fake news. The session explored the history, impact, and techniques of misinformation. Participants learnt how to critically evaluate sources, spot fake news, and discuss the media landscape in France. The interactive format, replete with real-life examples and group discussions, ensured a deep understanding of the subject while practising French in a meaningful context.

Noon: A Taste of France
After a morning of intellectual stimulation, participants head to a charming French café for lunch. The menu features classic dishes such as ham and cheese croissants and pains au chocolat. Savoring these delicacies amidst the café's Parisian ambiance, attendees conversed in French, enhancing their language skills in a relaxed and convivial setting.

Afternoon: Pétanque on the grass
Next, it was time for some leisurely fun with a game of pétanque, a popular French pastime. The game involves teams tossing metal balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball, called a cochonnet. Mme A explained the rules and strategies, and soon, friendly competition ensues. This activity not only offers a taste of French leisure but also encourages teamwork and conversation among participants.

Late Afternoon: Impressionism Workshop
Post-pétanque, the group returned to the rench classsroom for an art workshop dedicated to Impressionism. Guided by an art historian, participants delved into the lives and works of Monet. They explored the techniques that define this iconic art movement and try their hand at creating their own Impressionist-inspired piece. This creative session allowed participants to express themselves artistically while deepening their appreciation of French cultural heritage.

Evening: French Dinner and Cinema
As the day transitioned to evening, the group gathered for a traditional French dinner. The meal is a multi-course affair, featuring appetizers like escargots, mains such as boeuf bourguignon or ratatouille, and desserts like tarte Tatin. Over dinner, participants continue their French conversations, sharing experiences from the day and deepening friendships.

The day culminated with a French movie screening. Carefully selected to complement the day's themes, the film offered a final, immersive experience in the French language and culture. The movie provided a perfect end to an enriching day.

A few students shared their thoughts on the experience:

• I just wanted to say that I had a really good time out at the Alliance Française, being able to speak in French with people at both the Alliance Français and during the art tutorial without judgement has given me a lot of confidence with speaking French in the classroom. Thank you so much to the French Department for organising it and I hope it goes through again next year! Ben P-M
• We completely immersed ourselves in French culture the entire day, from the delicious French pastries and baguettes, to the games of pétanque, to the impressionist art lesson. We were able to learn about French media, lifestyle and politics which related to what we are learning in Year 12 which will be very helpful in our future work. Overall, it was a really fun time and I'm looking forward to the French dinner later this year. Amelia M
• I found this experience very enjoyable, and in my opinion, the best part was when we had free time to look around the library in Alliance Francaise. They had a range of books, all in French, and I was able to borrow a couple with content on my personal interests to aid my understanding. That being said, the delicious food from the Chez Jean-Claude Patisserie we visited was quite legendary as well, and the hot chocolate was to die for. All in all, a lovely day out. Carmen S

Béatrice Archambaud | Head of Languages

The seven days of the Language Perfect World Championships were rather competitive for the Year 6 to Year 12 students who entered and the results below prove that community spirit and support, commitment and the willingness to broaden one’s mind to a variety of foreign languages are qualities which can lead to a well-deserved success.

The beauty of this competition is the fact that students were able to make connections between different languages. Despite focusing mainly on competing in French and Indonesian, many students attempted vocabulary lists in Maori, Latin, Russian, Spanish, German, Italian, Chinese, Japanese and Arabic, developing vocabulary building skills and enhancing their knowledge of English along the way.

We would like to thank all the students studying either French or Indonesian at Helena, as well as the enthusiasm and competitive spirit they displayed during the duration of the competition. The Language Acquisition team feels really humbled by the results.

All prizes and certificates will be distributed soon at assembly.

Congratulations again everyone: you certainly did an amazing job and made the school proud!

Final results for the Language Perfect World Championships 2024

• Total questions answered: 774,158
• Competing students: 507
• Points earned: 299,923
• Hours spent: 885
• Awards: 133

School achievements

• 9th overall globally (out of 2,032 schools)
• 5th overall in Australia (out of 1,315 schools)
• 2nd for French globally (out of 1,234 schools)
• 1st for French in WA (out of 176 schools)
• 4th for Indonesian globally (out of 651 schools)
• 1st for Indonesian in WA (out of 105 schools)
• 1st for Malay in WA (out of 64 schools)
• 2nd for Maori in WA (out of 61 schools)
• 2nd for Thai in WA (out of 41 schools)
• 2nd for Latin in WA (out of 74 schools)
• 3rd for Spanish in WA (out of 94 schools)
• 6th for Greek in WA (out of 54 schools)

Student Achievements

• Elite Awards: 2 (10000+ points) – Baeden S and Alicia S-M
• Emerald Awards: 12 (5000+ points)
• Gold Awards: 17 (3000+ points)
• Silver Awards: 17 (2000+ points)
• Bronze Awards: 36 (1000+ points)
• Credit Awards: 49 (500+ points)

On Friday May 17, the Year 6 students hosted a morning tea for the Peer Support leaders of 2024. This event was a great way for students to say thank you and farewell to each other.

The Year 10 leaders have been involved in helping the new students adjust to the Glen Forrest Campus. From organising fun team-building activities to offering advice and building relationships, these older students have had a significant impact on their younger peers. To show their appreciation, the Year 6 students, with the help of their teachers and parents, organised a wonderful spread. There were tables full of amazing food and juice box towers. Before everyone helped themselves, the Peer Support leaders received gifts from Classroom Representatives and certificates to acknowledge their dedication to the program.

Year 6 students shared their thoughts on the event/program:

It was fun getting to see all the Year 10s again after Term 1. ~ Noel

It was nice that the Year 10s used up their time for us.  ~ Sophie

I enjoyed how we got to play some games with the Peer Support Leaders.~ Kayden

Some of the Year 10 Peer Support Leaders summarised their experience saying: 

It was a way to become more empathetic for younger year groups. I enjoyed learning about each of the kids and the friendly games we played during peer support times. 

I now have seven new friends in the Class of 2030 who I can look out for in the 'big kids' school. 

Doing the Peer Support program was very beneficial, not just for the Year 6s, but also for us. We connected with different people and I looked forward to every Friday.

I think that the peer support program was an amazing opportunity to grow not only myself but also create a safe and happy place for the Year 6’s to grow as well as help the Year 6s to feel more comfortable in their new environment. 

I was able to lead the group though many fun yet educational lessons and it was an amazing way for me to learn new skills and strategies for helping younger people while they learnt new skills and strategies to cope with their new environment, work load and overall school experience.

Congratulations to all the Year 6 students for hosting such a successful event, and a big thank you again to the Year 10 Peer Support Leaders for their dedication and hard work throughout the program!

Maddi Lewis | Peer Support Leader

As part of the Year 9 Digital Photography course, students have been taking teenage issue themed photos in a variety of different styles. Some of them tried using motion blur to make their photos look more dynamic. 

Rose H took the following awesome photo of Paige M and some other students. It took her a while to set up and snap at the perfect moment, and her models were patient and attentive.

Daniel Hortense | Digital Photography Teacher

Year 9 Project interviews

The Year 9 Project interviews have now been completed and all students have been advised of their project supervisor. Students should be walking into their first meeting with their supervisor with process journal entry number two completed. During the meeting supervisors will be checking on the current status of their project and will record discussions and suggestions for future activities on meeting sheet one.

Process Journals

As we are now a number of weeks into the Year 9 Project students should have organised their process journals and started recording their initial reflections. There are many prompts throughout the student booklet to assist students with ideas for these important reflections. It is important that students remember to keep evidence of the work they are completing for the final assessment in week 4, term 4..

The Product

During each of the interviews with myself the timeline was discussed, outlining for each student or group how to record the step-by-step plan to complete their product. Students should be working on this with the idea to start their product soon with the recommendation to have it completed no later than Week 10, Term 3 or earlier if possible. As students begin working on the product, I advise that they collect evidence of the progress which can include photos and videos.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Rebecca Murray | Year 9 Project Coordinator

Introducing the New LearnPath Pages

The Library has recently started creating new pages attached to the library catalogue. The pages provide links to various information sources for topics and assignments for our students in Years 6 to 12. Whilst we are in the early stages of creating the pages, the number of pages will increase over the coming weeks. The completed pages are already available through a link on the library catalogue. These LearnPath pages will replace the exisiting LibGuides and will be updated to cover current curriculum and assessments at the Senior Campus.

Premier’s Reading Challenge

Just a reminder to login and register your child for the 2024 Premiers Reading Challenge (PRC) which runs from Monday 6 May to Friday 6 September this year. Any student is welcome to join the challenge (up to Year 10) and log their reading on the PRC website. Students need to read and log 12 books over the 18 weeks of the challenge. They can choose to read books, short stories, graphic novels, eBooks or anything that sparks their interest!

Any student who reads 12 books and logs them during the challenge period will receive a certificate from the Premier of Western Australia and the Minister of Education. There are also weekly chances to win one of over 110 amazing prizes drawn at random when they log online at least one piece of reading material.

Click here for further details.

Happy reading!

Rebecca Murray | Teacher Librarian

Year 7 Visual Arts students have been working on acrylic self-portrait paintings, inspired by a well-known Modernist painter of their choice. After studying portraiture skills and producing a series of self-portrait drawings, students embarked on their canvases, mixing colours and recreating the style and technique of their chosen artist. They began the process by painting an orange wash of acrylic paint over a canvas. For centuries, artists have often painted on a coloured background to enhance depth and dimension, harmonise the colour palette, and set their artwork's emotional tone. This technique allows the background colour to interact with the overlying colours, creating richness and complexity while ensuring that the overall colour scheme is cohesive. In the images below, the orange background is evident in the warmth and vibrancy of their artworks. While most of these paintings are complete, some are still works in progress.

Kingsley Gray | Visual Arts Teacher

It has been a few weeks, but I wanted to share some of the highlights of our recent Year 7 trip tp Camp Kerem in Bullsbrook. Aside from the fun and excitement of camp, students worked hard to develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving, and resilience, while developing relationships with their peers and getting to know their teachers.

Laser Tag was a particularly popular activity, immersing students in team challenges and strategic ambushes. The excitement and adrenaline of the game were evident as students worked together to outsmart their opponents, with some memorable moments including students teaming up against their teachers. The High Ropes course offered a unique experience of the native Australian bush. Students climbed, weaved, and soared through the treetops on tightropes, cargo nets, bridges, and rope ladders. This activity not only challenged their physical abilities but also boosted their confidence and self-esteem, with many students exceeding their own expectations and challenging themselves to achieve something they never thought they could.

Another favourite was the Zorb Balls, where students experienced the thrill of being bounced around in a massive inflatable ball. They navigated a course, raced their friends, and rolled around with endless enthusiasm, creating unforgettable memories.

I asked students to give me a one-line highlight from camp. Some of the responses included:

One of my favourite highlights from Camp was the Zorb Balls because they were super fun and I made some new friends there. Another highlight from camp was the high ropes because it was fun trying to get across obstacles.

The highlight for Camp was having fun with our friends during the activities!

High Ropes because I was with a lot of my friends and it was very entertaining to have to try and get through all the exercises.

My highlight for Year 7 Camp was going in Zorb balls because it was a lot of fun rolling around in a giant inflatable ball and racing people.

I would say my highlight was the Gravity Centre and free time, because in free time we could mess around and do what we want. And the Gravity Centre was just yes.

Despite the cold weather and travel, the Gravity Discovery Centre was a great way to end camp. Heading home after the GDC and everyone was eager to return to school and the comfort of their own beds, enjoying a well-deserved rest.

Overall, Camp was a huge success, providing each of our Year 7 students with valuable opportunities to build and strengthen relationships, while engaging in a range of enjoyable and challenging activities.

I would like to extend my thanks to the staff on Camp and behind the scenes whose dedication, enthusiasm, and care made this camp a tremendous success. Their hard work was greatly appreciated by all the students and without that commitment to our camping program, activities such as this would not happen.

Thank you for entrusting us with your students and we hope they had an amazing experience at camp this year and memories to last a lifetime.

Kind regards,

Mr Matt Zarb | Head of Year 7

The Year 12 Media Production ATAR class left for media camp on Anzac Day, heading down to the beautiful Southport Beach in Fremantle. Students Francis, Ben M, Seb, Arjuin, Ben C, Darby, Lexi and Amber, were accompanied by Ms Heather Owen, Mr Craig Hillman and Mr Bryce Gomes.

They stayed the night in Fremantle, and spent Thursday evening at the beach filming the sun going down. They got to have a go with a drone, and set a fake fire up using the media departments lights and some sticks, thoughtfully brought along for the shot by Amber. They learned to use the magic cameras on gimbals and with some amazing shots being taken by the group who were lucky enough to have not only a beautiful sunset, but a full moon to take advantage of.

After returning from the beach to the chalets, the students spend a few hours working on different camera lighting, with Mr Gomes providing them with lots of ideas.

Waking up bright and early, the students filmed some beautiful shots in the morning light, had breakfast on the beach, lunch at the bustling Fremantle markets, before returning again to the beach to get the final shots of the camp.

Overall, the students got some great shots for their final ATAR films (worth 50% of the year's mark) and said the camp was an exciting experience and a chance to actually knuckle down and get some good quality shots, with the whole class working together as a crew and actors.

On Media Camp I could have fun, learn and improve my media techniques, and be around my friends ~ Darby

The camp gave me the opportunity to learn how to use the drone and the gimble and improve and develop my media skills ~ Ben M

I enjoyed learning how to use our new black magic cameras and i enjoyed eating yochi ~ Seb

I learnt to properly use the drone and gimbal ~Arjuin

The sunsets were pretty, and we enjoyed doing our own thing ~ Ben C

Heather Owen | Media Teacher

Year 9 Outdoor Education Expedition

With warm weather and blue sunny skies expected it was a surprise to be hit by a quick storm on the way down at the rest point. This had a lot of people thinking have I packed enough warm clothes. Luckily though that was all the bad weather that was seen over the 3 days.

Throughout the camp students traveled around 25km by foot, hiking along some of the trails of the area while each group had half a day mountain biking some of many mountain bike trails. Each night the groups stayed at beautiful campsites either next to Wellington Dam or along the Collie River and had the opportunity to refresh with a quick swim.

Overall it was a great experience and everyone performed really well!

Year 11 Outdoor Education Expedition

If 80km’s riding along the Munda Biddi trail doesn’t sound daunting enough for you then how about we throw in some giant climbs, treacherous descents and a lightning storm that involved two inches of rain that nearly flooded out the camp site. This is the challenge that faced the Year 11 Outdoor Education class recently on their first expedition together.

Three days, two nights mountain biking between Jarrahdale and Dwellingup was the task set for the class. With a gloomy first couple of days forecast the positive was that it wouldn’t be too hot while riding for much of each day.

Day One went fairly well apart from a couple of scrapes and bruises for some students who decided they would ride like they were apart of a Tour de France peloton, instead of safely giving each other the necessary space. Some snoring in the hut made sleeping difficult before a long Day Two of riding.

After an early start to Day Two, a 37km ride to Marrinup confronted the group. A fast early pace meant we arrived at the lunch point of Turner Hill at around 12:30pm, just as a storm hit the area. While much of the class huddled in the drop toilet with thunder and lightning all around, the teachers worked out a plan to ensure student safety as riding bikes through the forest in the middle of a thunderstorm was considered too dangerous. Instead, students got shuttled up to Marrinup on the bus. Between storms, everyone managed to set up camp and have dinner before a second lightning storm hit the area, this one bringing a lot more rain than predicted and turning the driveway into a waterfall. Eventually the stormy weather subsided, the damage was assessed and everyone’s gear seemed to have managed to have held up to the downpour.

Day Three was a pleasant change from the previous two days with blues skies and sunshine. A nice ride around the Marrinup loop was completed before the arduous task of packing up the soggy campsite. A long drive back to school, some fast food for lunch, then the pack away of the gear and that was it, the first expedition was over!

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