Term 2 has started well with students and staff enjoying this magnificent weather. The term began for staff on Monday 24 April with Anglican Identity Day. Staff from across the Anglican Schools Commission Schools in WA gathered at HBF Stadium to mark the occasion. We heard from Professor Donna Cross about the vital element of wellbeing in schools. She provided research data on the link between staff wellbeing and student learning, and encouraged all of us to invest in prosocial behaviours to improve our quality of life. We know well at PCACS that strong relationships within our school and amongst our families are a strong protective factor for our students. Professor Cross challenged us to consider what we are doing to maintain or improve our own wellbeing in order to live our best life and do our best work. As parents and teachers, our wellbeing has a significant impact on those around us. Let’s look after each other so that we can look after those in our care.
Professor Cross also spoke about the joy that comes from making a difference. We see examples all across our school community. A number of our students joined the Wellard 7 Day Makeover on the holidays. Thank you to Mrs Katie Frampton, our Service Learning Coordinator who encouraged our students to get involved. This week our students have made soup and meals for YShac in Rockingham, specifically for young people in need within our local community. Our Meridian students enjoyed the fruits of their labour as they harvested vegetables from their kitchen garden.
ANZAC Day
We started the term with a solemn ANZAC Day Service in the Keith Lindbeck Centre. It is our honour to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women of our armed forces and to acknowledge those who continue to serve our country, risking their lives to keep Australia safe and to secure peace and freedom around the world. During the service, Mr Morris Danks from the Kwinana RSL, a Vietnam veteran, addressed the students. He spoke of the significance of remembering the sacrifices made in all wars. Thank you to Mayor Carol Adams for attending our service.
Pulse Exhibition
It was delightful to join Daniella Mukwada, Head Girl 2022, her parents and Art Teacher, Mrs Janine Lee at the Opening of the Pulse Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Western Australia last week. A select group of works are chosen from submissions by 2022 Year 12 Visual Art graduates from across the state. Daniella’s work “Love Bombing; Our Sweet Utopia” was featured in our PCACS Art exhibition last year and will be on display in the AGWA until August 20, representing the ‘pulse’ of Year 12 artists.
Senior School Cross Country
The Senior School Interhouse Cross Country was held last Friday. Thank you to all the students who competed for places on the day, as well as a delightful show of House spirit. As is tradition on the day, the Year 12s enjoyed the opportunity to dress in theme to celebrate the occasion.
Planning for the Future
We are currently designing a new Strategic Plan and Master Plan to map out the future for PCACS. This week's workshops were conducted by EIW Architects to gain important feedback from the students to inform the process. The next stage will be staff feedback. I look forward to sharing information as the process unfolds.
Students who are unwell
As we come into the winter season it is a timely reminder to families that if your child is unwell or showing symptoms of cold or flu, please keep them at home until they are symptom free. With COVID-19 still playing a part in our community, and predictions of an imminent flu season, we encourage all families to protect others by staying home and not spreading viruses to staff and members of the class. Please follow government guidelines for positive COVID-19 results.
Staff News
It is with great sadness that we farewell Mrs Karen Redman after 10 years at PCACS. We congratulate Mrs Redman for her appointment to the role of Business Manager at another school and thank her for her years of dedication to the Finance team in her role as Assistant Business Manager, and in support of the canteen and uniform shop. I know many families know Karen and will join me in saying she will be missed, as we wish her well for her new promotional role.
This term we welcome some new members to our PCACS family. We welcome to the role of Counsellor, Miss Holly Gordon who was a Foundation student in 2007! We welcome Mrs Jessica Wilks to the role of Canteen Assistant; Mrs Melissa Key – Finance Debtors; Mrs Carlie Philp – Enrolments. In Junior School Mrs Liana Jedras (replacing Mrs Kate Eyres); Education Assistants – Mrs Alana Lawry, Mrs Kalyana Paramazivam, Mrs Chamila De Silva and Miss Shane Tapnio. In Senior School we welcome Miss Eleshia Monk to Science and Mr Chris Harry as Sports Coordinator. We welcome back Mrs Kelly Morgan-Bryant from Parental Leave, Mrs Linda Hunt and Mrs Lyndsey Jordan from Long Service Leave and Mr Ben Kossenburg (Music). Congratulations to Mrs Kate Eyres and Mrs Kelly Read on the birth of their sons, and we wish Mrs Emma Goldie well as she takes parental leave.
God bless.
Ms Felicity House
PRINCIPAL