Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome to the new School year! It was lovely to welcome back students looking bright and bubbly after the long summer break. A special welcome to new school families. I look forward to meeting you during the course of the year.

This year marks the School's 35th anniversary which is a significant milestone that will be commemorated on Founders' Day in August. We have come a long way since 1989 which has been remarked upon by our new Registrar, Noella Hextall (Class of 1993), who was a foundation Year 8 student. She recalls the buildings weren't ready for occupancy for the first month of Term 1, so students and staff spent the first three weeks at Murdoch University followed by four days in a local hall and an excursion to Adventure World. Week 5 of the term saw John Wollaston staff and students finally move into the campus which comprised a few buildings and undeveloped sandy grounds. It was a modest start but Mrs Hextall's fond memories of her time as a student enable her to speak to new parents with credibility and a genuine affection for the School.

This year's theme is Opportunity. I have addressed staff and students about making the most of the opportunities that come our way. Indeed we are so fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of the John Wollaston community with our positive, inclusive culture; variety of academic, pastoral and co- curricular programs; excellent facilities and spacious, attractive grounds.

New staff and students

We have commenced 2024 with our highest ever enrolment, which at the time of writing is 1189 students K-12 plus 32 Little Wollies and seven international students. Our new students come from far and wide and it is a delight to welcome them.

We welcome 19 new staff to our school, several of whom have come from overseas, including; South Africa, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, China and Thailand.

Ms Alicia Anderson A/Head of Health and Physical Education
Mrs Kaoru Cooper Secondary Japanese
Mrs Claire D'Vaz Health and Physical Education
Mr Christian Devellerez Head of The Arts
Mrs Kylie Duckworth Education Assistant
Miss Amy Falconer Education Assistant
Mrs Stephanie Gowland Community Engagement and Marketing Assistant
Mrs Barbara Hender Food and Textiles Technician
Ms Caroline Heughan Year 4
Mrs Meagan Hewitt Education Assistant
Mrs Noella Hextall Registrar
Dr Teagan Kavanagh Science
Miss Bronte Norton Year 1
Mrs Shaye Pett Relief Coordinator
Miss Courtnay Smit Pre Primary
Mrs Stacey Summers Mathematics and Science
Miss Brooke Thornton Year 3
Mr Heyneke Viljoen Year 4
Ms Bronwyn Vorster Mathematics (from Week 6)

We welcomed back Lisa Bissell, Stephen Fox, Lauren Heron, Tracey Rogers, Bianca Rossi and Irene Terpon from leave.

2023 Year 12 Academic Results

The School's 2023 academic results were very pleasing and I would like to acknowledge the students, staff and parents for their achievements and support of each other during a demanding final year at school. It was particularly pleasing to achieve our second best ever median ATAR of 85.02 and 100% Secondary Graduation. Our Dux of the School, Cohan Wilcox, achieved an outstanding ATAR of 99.45 placing him in the Top 5% of the State. In addition, Cohen was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for Physics and a Certificate of Distinction by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA).

We all know that academic results are but one measure of a school’s performance, there are many other factors that are of equal or greater importance, the quality of pastoral care being one. Nonetheless, maintaining a good academic record is important. Parents need to feel confident that their children will receive quality teaching in a learning environment that is conducive to achieving excellent educational outcomes. At John Wollaston maintaining a strong academic culture from the Early Years to Year 12 has been and will continue to be, a priority.

The School Executive

2024 commences with two new members of the Executive team. Rebecca Piccolo, a longstanding member of the Science and Technology Department and Assistant to Kathryn Paul, our previous Dean of Teaching and Learning, has been appointed to the position of Dean of Teaching and Learning. Glyn Teape has been appointed to the position of Deputy Head of Primary, a position he held for nearly five years at Frederick Irwin Anglican School. Mrs Piccolo and Mr Teape know the School well which I am confident will enable a smooth transition to their new roles.

Kylie Virgo has been promoted to Head of Senior School with continued responsibility for pastoral care and will deputise for me as required.

The Executive look forward to working with you and the staff to ensure your children have an enjoyable and productive educational experience this year. Please don't hesitate to make contact with us should the need arise.

My Executive colleagues:

Ms Kylie Virgo Head of Senior School

Mr David Crawford Dean of Operations

Mrs Rebecca Piccolo Dean of Teaching and Learning

Mrs Tracey Rogers Head of Primary

Mr Glyn Teape Deputy Head of Primary

Mr Derek Heatherly Business Manager

Little Wollies and Talkabout 4

It has been exciting to see the Little Wollies accommodated in their own classroom for the first time since the program's inception several years ago. The new purpose- built classroom, located in the heart of the Early Learning Centre (ELC), is full of natural light, light coloured décor and new resources. Classes in the adjoining classroom for Telethon Speech and Hearing's Talkabout 4 progam are also underway. Plans have been approved to construct a nature play area and bike track within the grounds of the two classrooms which are fenced off from the ELC's other facilities.

Term 1 lays the foundation for what is always a busy academic year. I look forward to meeting you at one of our many events. Should you wish to speak with me at any time, please do not hesitate to contact my Personal Assistant Susan Kirby who will be happy to arrange an appointment.

With best wishes

Anne Ford

Wollaston's Wrap

Above: Summertime fun in Kindergarten

Issue 1 · 09 Feb 2024

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