Here we are at the end of the 2020 School Year and what a year it has been!
With the challenges thrown our way this year, I am so pleased that we finish 2020 well, knowing we have achieved much in a most peculiar year, with plans in place for an exciting 2021 and beyond. Thank you to all our staff for their superhuman efforts this year. Their care, innovation, agility and hard work are valued and greatly appreciated.
Thank you to all our parents and families for your patience, trust and support as we navigated the challenges of 2020. I know that many families faced their own personal challenges this year and I hope that 2021 brings hope and stability.
In the past few weeks we have celebrated all the events and rituals that mark the end of the year. Junior and Senior School Awards, the ELC Nativity Plays, Year 1 and 6 Transition Assemblies, Carols on the Green have all added to a rewarding end to the year.
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Mr Steve Wynhorst who completes his first year as Head of Senior School. I thank Mr Wynhorst for navigating the Senior School through the challenges thrown our way, whilst introducing a new vision for the future.
Congratulations to Rev Kim who finishing her first year as our School Chaplain. It’s hard to imagine our school without Rev Kim now. My thanks to Rev Kim for being a warm, enthusiastic, approachable and thoughtful School Chaplain and for caring for all of us.
Lyrik Awards
Well done to the following students who were awarded Lyrik Scholarships from the City of Kwinana. Caela Trent, Caitlyn Barkla and Anastasia Zekanovic, together with Kaytee Bogaers (who joins us in Year 7 next year) were chosen from a strong field to received Lyrik Scholarships to assist with their studies.
Carols on the Green
With a change of location and format for 2020, Carols on the Green provided a wonderful celebration of Christmas and the end of the year. The students took to the stage with gusto, sharing the Christmas story through readings and performances. An enormous amount of work goes on behind the scenes to make this event happen, so I extend my thanks to Rev Kim, Alicia Walter and the Music staff and everyone involved. The addition of the food trucks by the P&F was a delightful way to begin the evening. Thank you to everyone who supported this event including our fundraiser for the Anglicare Christmas Appeal through raffle tickets and donations.
Senior School Awards Presentation and Scholarships
We were fortunate to have many significant guests in attendance: The Right Reverend Kate Wilmot - Assistant Bishop of Perth, The Most Reverend Dr Peter Carnley AC, Mr Philip Goldsworthy - Director of Mission and Planning, Anglican Schools Commission and Chair of PCACS School Council, Her Worship The Mayor Carol Adams OAM, Mr Reece Whitby MLA, Petty Officer Ryan Wilson, Mr Tom Moody, Mr David Nelson – Kwinana Lions Club, Mr Ron Hiscock – Kwinana RSL, Mr and Mrs Ranjith Weddikkara, Mr Chris Oughton – Kwinana Industries Council, Ms Sue Shaw – PCACS Council and Mr Matt Rowse – P&F President.
Celebrating academic excellence, citizenship, endeavour, cultural and sporting achievements, and the representation of our School values, the Senior School Awards followed a different format this year, providing a fitting tribute to the academic year.
We were also delighted to announce our Scholarship recipients:
The Grace and Truth Scholarship – Ruby Willimott, Grace Bornhede and Amber Salathiel
The Bishop David Murray Scholarship for Leadership / Citizenship – Jeren Keziah Calingasan
Kaytee Bogaers, Tilly Haselhurst and Amtoj Randhawa received the prestigious John Moody Scholarship for Excellence in Sport, presented by Mr Tom Moody.
Congratulations to all the award recipients and to our Scholarship winners.
Looking toward 2021
2021 is going to be an exciting year for us. From the start of the year, you will watch the building of the Chapel and a second building ‘The Hub’ is in its final design stages with plans to begin mid-year. The Hub will be right in the heart of the school, where we will create an auditorium for drama, music and dance, a centre for research and innovation, places to study and read, a new tech support office and a café. Both these buildings will create places for us to gather, pray, perform, learn, inquire and enjoy each other’s company. These are both complex buildings that will take many months to build, so we look forward to enjoying these new spaces in 2022.
2021 Fee Schedule
The School Council are conscious of the financial stresses faced by families again this year. After a re-structuring of our fees in 2020 to bring greater affordability, the fee structure for 2021 reflects minor changes and the full details can be found HERE. We are moving to an Annual billing rather than a Termly billing cycle. As such, families will find a number of options including a one off payment through to fortnightly payment schedules.
PCACS going cashless
This year many businesses have moved to cashless payments. We will be asking families to use methods other than cash for payment of accounts, canteen and uniform shop sales from the start of 2021. Payment of Canteen orders will be through Quick Cliq or EFTPOS with the use of EFTPOS only in the Uniform Shop.
New Bus Services
Thank you to all the parents who completed our Bus survey. The information provided has been most useful in determining the bus routes and payment methods. We are very excited to announce that we have contracted Chart-A-Bus, a local Kwinana company, to provide our School with before and after School bus services starting in 2021. The bus services will be available to all students in Kindergarten to Year 12 and will service the following areas:
SOUTHERN BUS (Baldivis Estates)
Brightwood, Settlers Hill, Tuart Ridge, Rivergums, Baldivis Central, Spires, Baldivis Gardens
NORTHERN BUS
Harvest Lakes, Aubin Grove, Honeywood, Casuarina, Bertram, Providence, Emerald Park, Wellard
The bus services will commence next year at the start of Term 1 and continue as a trial for Semester 1. At the end of this trial period, parent feedback will be sought and adjustments may be made to the suburbs the routes service. The cost of the service will be $2.20 per trip and we will use the Transport Me app https://transportme.com.au/ which provides the convenience and security of a cashless system and live vehicle tracking.
This is another exciting addition to our School and one that will support our parents and students.
Further information will be provided in January.
Staff farewells
As the year draws to a close we say goodbye to Mrs Jude Russell, Mrs Vicki Musson-Brown, Mrs Nikki Chamberlain, Mrs Lisa Corbett, Mrs Monica Giora, Mrs Namrata Chettri and Mrs Wendy Simms.
We thank these staff for the contribution they have made to PCACS and wish them well in their future endeavours. We also wish Mrs Carlie Morphew the best as she takes some long service leave in Term 1 and Mrs Rhiannon Chapman as she commences Parental Leave.
Safe holidays
I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a joyous festive season, a blessed and wonderful Christmas, and a safe new year. I hope you take the time to enjoy the summer, catch up with family and friends, and recharge ready for 2021.
God Bless
Ms Felicity House
PRINCIPAL