Secondary School News

Valedictory Week

As is tradition at John Wollaston, Valedictory Week is a time to reflect and be grateful for our wonderful school community. As our Year 12 Valedictorians left us for the final time on Friday morning, I was privileged to be with them as they watched their Leavers’ Video and said their final goodbyes. There were no tears this morning, all cried out after the emotional Gift of a Candle Service during the day on Thursday and the Valedictory & Prize Giving Ceremony on Thursday evening. Instead, a resounding cheer and the sound of tooting horns as they quietly left us for their new adventure.

Valedictory Week is a time of mixed emotions. On Monday at the Principal’s Lunch, over Subway and juice, students received their Year 12 Photograph and Pennant. Sitting in the beautiful surrounds of the Mary Wollaston Courtyard, simply enjoying their time together.

On Tuesday the seeds of a new tradition were sewn, with a Year 12 soccer game followed by a shared picnic lunch. A roar of approval was heard as the 2024 Leavers Book arrived. There were many a smiling faces to be seen as they poured over the pages, reading quotes, reminiscing about the various events from their Secondary School lives. Pens emerged quickly as the autograph pages were filled.

Wednesday was time for the Houses to say farewell, with each of our Houses establishing their own unique way of congratulating the graduates. Biscuit faces, photo frames, shared breakfasts and Little Miss and Mr Men Certificates. This is a special time to hang out with friends made over the years.

The Valedictory Mug was hotly contested, as it is every year. The staff hit the ground running, with some handy new recruits, but the students closed the gap after the first break. Ultimately, the staff retained the Cup with the Year 11 spectators vowing to win next year.

Thursday’s The Gift of a Candle Farewell Service with the entire JWACS community was an opportunity to see our youngest Kindergarten students offer a candle, symbolising both warmth and light, to our Year 12 students. Representing each year of the School journey, the flickering candles stand as a symbol of peace, hope and the promise of a bright future. Mrs Chrisna LeVaillant farewelled the students on behalf of the staff while our Primary Captains wished them well.

Thursday evening’s Valedictory and Prize Giving Ceremony was attended by families, friends and Old Wollastonians. This ceremony was a time for celebrating each of our graduates and recognising their amazing academic achievements. It was a pleasure to welcome back Ms Anne Ford to be a part of the Prize Giving Ceremony.

Finally, Friday’s Fancy Dress Breakfast brought the opportunity to share a final breakfast with each other. The costumes always entertain our Years 5-11 students as they form a Guard of Honour, applauding the Year 12s to the Williamson Theatre to watch the Leavers’ Video.

It was a pleasure to welcome this cohort into Secondary School as Year 7s and an even greater honour to farewell them on their final day.

Jaquie Fisher

Acting Dean of Pastoral Care

WACE Examinations 28 October – 15 November

As our Year 12 ATAR students prepare to begin their WACE examinations, we want to extend our warmest wishes for success during this important time. This milestone is the culmination of years of hard work, and we are proud of your efforts so far.

To help you perform at your best, here are a few strategies for effective preparation and stress management:

• Create a study plan: Organise your time effectively by setting small, achievable goals each day. Focus on areas where you feel less confident to build strength.
• Practice past papers: Familiarise yourself with the exam format and time constraints by working through past papers under timed conditions. Use the marking key to refine your study notes.
• Take breaks and stay active: Include short breaks and physical activity in your routine to keep your mind refreshed and reduce fatigue.
• Get plenty of rest: Sleep is essential for memory and concentration. Aim for 7–9 hours each night, especially the night before each exam.
• Eat a healthy breakfast with adequate protein: This will help you concentrate for the duration of the examination.
• Stay positive and reach out: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your teachers, friends, or family. You are not alone – support is always available.

To families, thank you for the encouragement and support you continue to provide. Your presence is invaluable, especially during stressful moments.

Good luck, Year 12s! Stay calm, believe in yourself, and know that your school community is behind you every step of the way. We have no doubt that your efforts will pay off!

Best wishes

Mrs Rebecca Piccolo

Dean of Teaching and Learning

Samoa Student Immersion

On Friday 20 September, six of our Year 10 students departed for Samoa. Ashton, Dusty, Imogen, Mason, Mitchell and Nicole were joined by other students from ASC Schools in Australia, spending their two-week school break on a service trip to All Saints Anglican School in Apia, Samoa.

Service Learning trips to Samoa offer a unique opportunity for students to engage with local communities, learn about Samoan culture, and contribute to meaningful projects. Our students found this immersion enlightening and transformative, gaining a new perspective on life and the importance of community service. The experience was described as an amazing opportunity that provided the students with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of global citizenship. Expressions of interest for ASC Samoa trips in 2025 will be communicated to eligible students in Term 4.

There have been two Samoa Immersions this year, where John Wollaston students have served the Samoan community. Thank you to Alexis, Ashton, Aurora, Eva, Dusty, Imogen, Mason, Mitchell and Nicole for your contribution to the All Saints Anglican School community in 2024. Students from our recent immersion, have shared some of their experiences, including images, below.

David Crawford

Dean of Operations

Samoa was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. It was enjoyable immersing myself into Samoan culture, tradition and lifestyle. Meeting the people from different schools in Perth and Melbourne, formed long-lasting friendships which I will cherish forever. Joining the All Saints Samoa kids was one of my highlights of the trip. Seeing their faces light up to welcome us inside and wave us goodbye each day was so encouraging for the new day ahead. I am forever grateful to the people who organised and made this happen, such as Reverend Jones and Tanu, our cultural advisor. Exploring Samoa's most popular sceneries such as the Tu Sua Trench and Lalomanu was breathtaking. The cultural villages added an element of discovery to the experience. Overall, Samoa is an amazing destination that offers a perfect blend of tradition, nature and friendships which is an experience I would highly recommend.

Nicole

After going to Samoa and visiting the school, I realised how lucky I am to be able to have the right educational equipment and help as when we were in Samoa there were just happy to get books and other resources.

Mitchell

At the start I didn't get why people called it Beautiful Samoa but once I finally got there I understood what they meant. Samoa isn't just beautiful because of the land and oceans, its' people are what make it shine. The people there are so nice and make you feel like family. The kids in the school are so well mannered and polite, it just makes you want to stay forever. The land makes you feel like your in a fairytale book. The environment there is just beautiful and stunning! One of my highlights was To Sua Ocean Trench. The water was crystal clear, where you could find crabs, baby fish and huge sea cucumbers! Overall Samoa was an amazing place to go and a once in a life time opportunity that can changed my perspective on things. I would encourage students to go on this trip. You meet so many people and create lots of friends. You will have a great time no matter what.

Imogen

Samoa was a fun learning experience for us all, spending time with the less fortunate kids across the road, as well as getting to know each other better and creating new friendships that will last a lifetime.

Ashton

It was a trip of a lifetime and an experience I will never forget.

Dusty