Primary School News

It has been a fantastic fortnight here at JWACS. With our annual visit from Paul Litherland, cyber safety strategies received a refresher and an update. Always an engaging speaker, Paul shared relevant and important messages. I encourage parents and caregivers to talk with the students from Years 4-6 and get the conversation started (or continued) at home.

After rescheduling due to inclement weather, we were able to hold our Primary Inter-House Athletics Carnival on Monday in almost perfect conditions. With our Inter-School team participating in the IPSHA Carnival yesterday, there were some tired students (and staff around the grounds today). Congratulations to all competitors and thanks to staff and student leaders who supported this event. A big thank you also to all our parent helpers! Trophies, medals and the House Reveal will take place at our Week 10 Assembly. 

Violet Blanchard and Erlyn Dube represented the School at the Year 5/6 Speakers’ Challenge Final held at St Mary’s Anglican School. Congratulations to both students on terrific performances. 

Arts Week is always a highlight with the Art Exhibition and Performing Arts Assembly being some of the feature events. We have also celebrated Fathers' Day and a Year 1 Encounter which were both wonderful opportunities for students and the community to come together. I am always grateful to staff that work hard to organise and run such a range of great events, and parent helpers that support them. 

You can hear more about recent events with contributions from staff and students to follow in this edition of the Wrap. 

National Quality Standard In Action (Western Australian Schools) 

On Tuesday evening, Mrs Melissa Cuming and I had the great pleasure of attending the launch of the National Quality Standard In Action resource. A cross-sectoral initiative (Catholic Education, Department of Education and Association of Independent Schools) this resource helps to highlight best practice of the National Quality Standard in action by sharing stories from across the diversity of schools in Western Australia. I have no doubt that this publication will help illustrate the great work of Early Childhood Educators and promote reflection and understanding of what effective practices in the Early Years can look like. My thanks to Ms Kerri Boyland and Mrs Melissa Cuming for their collaboration and contribution to this project. What a wonderful resource! 

Tracey Rogers

Head of Primary

Inter-House Athletics Carnival

On Monday 9 September, the students enjoyed the Primary Inter-House Athletics Carnival. The students enjoyed a variety of fun sports and House Games, coming out with many ribbons. For me, and many others, the Athletics Carnival is one of the best days ever! Every student comes out with a huge grin after winning their first ribbon of the day. This year, Miss Williamson and Ms Fowler have put in tonnes of effort to make this day one to remember. Even though I didn’t get to participate in everything due to injury, I really enjoyed the hurdles. All the races and activities made everyone smile. A big congratulations also to the Inter-School Athletics Team for representing us so well at All Saints College yesterday. Overall, this year’s Inter-House Athletics Carnival was a pleasure for all, and we can’t wait for the House reveal at next Friday’s Assembly!

Ella Hewson

2024 Sports captain

Inter-School Athletics Carnival

Year 5 and 6 Speakers' Challenge Final

On Thursday 5 September at St Mary’s Anglican Girls School, we presented our speeches in 8 different classrooms. We competed against around 10 other students from different schools. We had 2 judges, judging us. I was feeling nervous for what awaited me, but once we had presented our speeches, I was relieved to have it over and done with. After the preliminary round, we went onto the Poulson room and had some refreshments. After this, we went into the theatre where everyone was awarded gold, silver or bronze. My speech on “Being Proactive”, earnt a bronze medal, while Violet’s speech on “What We Don't Know About Orcas” earnt her a gold medal, putting her in the final round. Violet had to present to the entire theatre with the 7 other finalists and for her efforts achieved a bronze medal. Thank you to Mrs Rogers, Mr Teape and Mrs Zecca for coming and supporting us and for Ms Hewson and Mrs Stevens for being part of the judging panel. 

Erlyn Dube, Year 6 Student

The IPSHA Speakers Challenge was a great night. Erlyn and I were anxious with anticipation, but once I sat down in the classroom my nerves had vanished and were replaced with enthusiasm and excitement to show the outcome of weeks of preparation.

Violet Blanchard, Year 6 Student

Primary Performing Arts Assembly

This afternoon we have had a fantastic Performing Arts Assembly. The Years 3-4 Choir sang all about popcorn and; the Years 5-6 Choir dramatically sang about the cold and fugue season. The String Ensemble performed so well, Miss Burbage put on an amazing performance and; the Musical Theatre Club put on a great show of singing and dancing. Thanks to Miss Burbage for organising and putting together an amazing Assembly for all the students to enjoy.

Gabrielle Forsyth

Arts Captain

Year 1 Perth Zoo Encounter

On Tuesday 3 September, the Year 1 classes had their Encounter to the Perth Zoo. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the children showed great resilience in walking over 20,000 steps! Highlights of the day were the sun bears, numbats, playing in the new playground and catching the ferry across to Elizabeth Quay. It proved to be an exhausting day with a few falling asleep on the bus home!

Tara McCabe

Year 1 Teacher

Years 4 to 6 Surf Safe Online Presentation

On Wednesday 4 September, Paul Litherland came and spoke to the Secondary students and the Year 4 to 6 students about Cyber safety and scams in online gaming. He started off with his usual joke, “Son, son come here I can’t get the laptop to stop beeping. Dad that’s the microwave you idiot!” He then showed us the statistics about how many people in each age category have social media many years ago to right now. We then talked about online scams and things that have happened because of scams. He talked about a huge scam that happened in London where they created a website where you could get free Vbucks and how they stole the credit card information and used it to get money. Everyone really enjoyed listening to his stories and all the information. We can’t wait to see him again next year and learn even more! 

Keira Dunn

Hale Captain

All of the Years 4-6 students learnt how to be safe online while having fun

Yashpreet Kaur, Year 5

It was really funny to watch. It was full of information and statistics that were very high. It was also very relatable. I loved it!

Chloe McDaviit, Year 6

EA Appreciation Week

EA Appreciation Week was so fun. After Paul Litherland’s presentation, Mrs Rogers gave each of our exceptional EAs a special certificate to show them how grateful we are for them and how much we appreciate what they do for us each and everyday. They do things like check our diaries or help us when we find something hard. They are always trying to cheer us up if we ever feel down. After the EAs were given their certificates, they all went for EA morning tea's all over the Primary School. And that was EA Appreciation Week!

Phoebe Harries

Service Captain

ELC Father’s Day Event

On Friday 30 August, we hosted our annual Father’s Day Afternoon for our Little Wollies to Year 1 students to show their appreciation for their Dad, Grandad, Uncle or other special person in their life. Our Monday/Tuesday Little Wollies group hosted their event on Tuesday 27 August. The scene was set with the firepits lit and the children’s excitement filling the air in anticipation of their guests arriving.

Once the children were united with their Dad (or other special guest), they spent time together participating in the array of activities on offer. The event was well-attended and there was a lovely atmosphere that filled the ELC grounds. The Dads could be seen happily kicking footballs and soccer balls, playing cricket and throwing frisbees with their children, making paper planes, building with blocks, getting a shave and having their photo taken in our photo booth area as a memento of the day. A highlight for many was toasting marshmallows on the fire to make delicious s’mores to share together and drinking hot chocolate. 

Thank you to all of the Dads, Grandads, Uncles and other special guests who came to spend the afternoon with us. We hope you had a lovely Father’s Day. The children had the most wonderful time spending s’more time with you!

Melissa Cuming

Early Years Coordinator

The successful Primary Clubs program concludes for the year