These past weeks have been filled with wonderful learning and celebratory experiences for our students. We explored the wonders of Science in Science Week, competed in World Peace Games, held Operation Op Shop, celebrated Book Week with activities including visiting authors, assemblies and a parade. The Hub project also took a huge leap forward with the appointment of McCorkell Constructions to commence work in the coming weeks.
The Hub Building begins!
I am very excited today to announce that the much anticipated Hub project is about to begin. The Hub is a transformative build, right in the heart of the Wellard Campus where the original canteen, undercover area, staff room and library are currently located. A dramatic new building will be created with a blend of new construction together with refurbishment and repurposing of the existing spaces. The two current buildings will in effect be joined together with a large upstairs extension and the creation of new spaces downstairs. The Hub will host an auditorium for performing arts, a dance/drama studio, a collaborative classroom, a new tech support office and refurbished bathrooms linked to the foyer. The focal point at the front of the building will be the new canteen designed as a café with an outdoor seating area. Upstairs will feature a centre for research and innovation with places to study, collaborate and read. The Hub is designed for Junior School and Senior School students to enjoy. The auditorium will be a place for performances, guest speakers, parent evenings, music recitals, in fact, all sorts of gatherings. The long awaited new canteen will be café style self-service canteen with enhanced offerings and a creative new menu.
In conjunction with the Chapel, these buildings will transform how we gather, learn, collaborate and perform.
The Hub building will commence in the coming weeks. The building has been designed by architect Steven Mueller (SMA) and will be built by McCorkell Constructions WA.
Within days the fencing for the project will be placed to enclose the current undercover area and library buildings and will continue along the back of Science, Technology and Trade Training, through to the Abingdon Crescent gate. Student and staff access to the area will be restricted. A comprehensive management plan is being enacted including the relocation of lockers from the area, changed access to the canteen, management of pedestrian and vehicle access from Abingdon Crescent. The buses will continue to use the bus bays and access for students will be through the pedestrian only gate on Abingdon Crescent. More details will be sent directly to families with updates during the construction phase, you can also keep up to date via our website.
The Hub is due for completion in Term 2 2022
World Peace Games
Thank you to Mrs Sam Lucic for facilitating an engaging and challenging World Peace Games. In these times of climate change, the events occurring in Afghanistan, a world pandemic, these Year 5 and 6 students managed difficult and complex scenarios with creativity and a keen sense of diplomacy. Very impressive!
Science Week
Thank you to Mr Robert Carman and the Science Department staff for their displays of all things Science. An intriguing and stimulating time. The array of activities and interests shown by the students was fabulous. Bottle Rocket launches, explosions and crickets to name a few.
Congratulations to our Year 10 Hackathon Team who placed in the top 4 schools across Australia in the Senior Division of the ANSTO’s National Science Week Hackathon. Thank you to Mr Kim Flintoff for providing this remarkable opportunity.
Bookweek
Thank you to all the staff and students who displayed their Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds costumes at our Book Week Assembly. The week was rich with literacy activities including visiting authors and our ELC went on excursion to Darius Wells Library for an Author Talk. The hotly contended student v staff debate ended the week.
Operation Op Shop and Anglicare Sleepout
Through the generosity and support of our PCACS Community, Mrs Rebecca Weddikkara and her team created another impressive Operation Op Shop. Students wore items from Op Shops for a gold coin donation, bought or donated items for our own pop up Op Shop and we had our own soup kitchen set up for lunch. Brave staff and students headed off to Optus Stadium for the Anglicare Sleep out, experiencing scenario based activities to simulate the issues faced by our homeless. Thank you to the generosity of our community, PCACS raised $12,547 making us the fourth highest fundraising school in WA. The Anglicare Sleepout is the largest youth sleep out in Australia, raising $152 068 to directly support Street Connect who assist young people on the streets get their lives back on track. PCACS also had the largest contingent of staff at the Sleepout, thank you to Mrs Weddikkara, Mrs Frampton, Mrs Ward, Mrs Lee, Mrs Barrett and Rev Kim. Operation Op Shop is a true testament to the heart of our school.
Staff News
With Ms Alicia Walter heading off on parental leave, we welcome Mrs Donna Cianciosi into the Performing Arts. Mrs Sam Lucic is also taking parental leave with Mrs Maria Loreto commencing in Mrs Lucic’s class for the remainder of the year. We wish Ms Walter and Mrs Lucic all the very best as they step into their new role as parents in the coming weeks and a warm PCACS welcome to Mrs Cianciosi and Mrs Loreto.
God bless
Ms Felicity House
PRINCIPAL