From the Principal

Secondary Easter Eucharist

Dear Parents and Carers

As we come to the end of an exciting Term 1, I am deeply appreciative of our community, staff students and parents, for all that they have contributed to such a positive first term in 2025.

I wish each and every member of our community a safe, happy and relaxing Easter break and look forward to us coming together again for the beginning of Term 2.

The Reverend Canon Justine Coverdale

As I mentioned in my beginning of year letter, it is with both joy, and some sorrow, that I extend my congratulations to The Reverend Canon Justine Coverdale on being offered the role of Archdeacon of Perth. This is worthy recognition of her wonderful work at JWACS and her significant contribution to both AngliSchools and the wider Diocese. Reverend Justine leaves John Wollaston at the end of this week with our love and thanks.

Justine writes:

I am truly thankful for the relationships shared with staff, students and parents over the past four years. Of course, I am honoured to be invited to take up this leadership role in the Church and excited by the new challenges to come, but I will miss the daily interaction with JWACS students and the absolute joy of children’s chapel services.

We thank Justine for all she has given in ministry, counsel and care in her time with us. We are delighted for her and recognise the wisdom of her appointment to this significant position.

Enrolments

This year has seen the John Wollaston Community reach near 1,300 students, a number we expect to exceed as our Little Wollies classes continue to grow with more of those wonderful little people who turn three years old across the first half of the year.

We have reached capacity in most of our year groups this year, and with those numbers continuing to be strong into next year and beyond, we are now making offers of places in some year groups for both 2026 and 2027.

For families with a current student at John Wollaston, hoping to have brothers and sisters join JWACS across the next few years, I strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible, so that we can ensure that a place is held for you.

Uniform

Mindful that we often continue to experience warmer weather through the end of April and into May, we will monitor the weather and be in contact regarding the appropriate uniform for the start of Term 2. If the weather is too warm for students to be in full winter uniform, we will advise families nearer to the beginning of the new term if we are to continue with the summer uniform.

Further to this, in the Secondary School, our female students will now have the choice to wear either the black School tights with their winter formal uniform (as currently is the case), or to swap the tights for the white socks which are worn with the formal summer uniform. This option is in place from the beginning of Term 2.

Purple Day

Each year in the Church season of Lent, that precedes Easter, the School seeks to raise both awareness and some much-needed funds around the issue of domestic violence. This year, our community was able to raise $1357.65 for Anglicare through Purple Day, to support those suffering in abusive relationships.

FIRST Lego League

The Narwals are set to fly out of Perth tonight as representatives of our school and the whole of Australia at the world’s largest STEM Competition in Houston, Texas. Led by Mrs Chrisna LeVaillant, Mr Stephen Fox and Mrs Elsofie Dowd, we are incredibly proud of everything that they have already achieved and wish our National Champions all the very best on their adventure.

We are deeply grateful to the many sponsors that have lent such great financial support to our team, including our wonderful P&F whose recent contribution made a significant difference to the accessibility of this exciting opportunity.

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported the team in their preparations – they go with our very best wishes and full support.

I hope you enjoy the final Wollaston’s Wrap of Term 1.

With best wishes

Tim Russell

Principal