Secondary School News

Founders’ Day

Term 3 is a very busy time in the School Calendar, but one of our favourite events is the celebration of the School’s birthday, Founders’ Day. This year John Wollaston Anglican Community School turns 34. Our day started with a fabulous Whole School Service, led by The Reverend Canon Justine Coverdale.

As is tradition now, the Wollaston’s Dash was held during our Founders’ Day celebrations. This allowed for our Years 2-12 students to participate in a House competition. The winner of the 2023 Wollaston Dash, for the third year running, was Scott House.

Later in the day, Primary classrooms and Secondary House Groups hosted Marketplace stalls. The money raised this year went to support the St Matthew's Anglican Church in Armadale. One standout stall was our Year One Portrait Artists. 

The Principal’s Cup was a hotly contested staff vs students volleyball game. The students were storming home but the staff team held on for victory. The afternoon of Founders’ Day has become an opportunity for students to gather as a whole House to participate in House Games. Students from PP to Year 1 participated in activities on the ELC campus, with Student Leaders. Students from Years 2 – 12 participated in House Games on the main campus, coordinated by the Heads of House and the Primary House Coordinators. 

Anglicare School Sleepout

This year Team JWACS consisted of four staff and 29 students from Years 10 and 11. A wonderful learning experience to develop understanding and empathy for the homeless youth in our city. In addition, we were able to raise over $7300 to support the Street Connect Bus. 

Inter-House Competitions

We have run our Chess and Uno Inter-House competitions and are looking forward to the results of our Inter-House Debating competition, to be held in Week 7. 

Ramsden took out the Chess competition, while Charter won the Uno. Round one of the Inter-House Debating will see students debate the topic, Zoos should be closed. Charter and Ramsden were successful in their Round One debates and will meet in the final later this term. 

Bullying NO WAY Day

On Friday 18 August students from the ELC, Primary and Secondary campuses participated in Bullying No Way Day activities. This year the theme was growing connections. Our youngest students created paper links with the names of people that keep them safe, to create a connected chain across the ELC. 

Students in Years 2-12 contributed to our growing Connection tree. With themes of Family, Friends, School and Community, students added leaves of connection to the tree on display in the LRC Foyer. 

Ms Jaqueline Fisher

Acting Dean of Pastoral Care

SCIENCE UPDATE

It has been an exciting start to Term 3 in the Science Department at JWACS. 

From  artistic rock art, and psychology explorations to the realms of robotics, our students have been showcasing their creativity and curiosity in remarkable ways. Let's dive into some exciting updates from the Science Department at our school.

Connecting with First Nations Culture through Rock Art

For NAIDOC week, our Year 8 Science students delved into the significance of rock art in Australia's First Nations cultures. They learned about the pigments used in creating these ancient artworks and deciphered the meanings behind the symbols. In a hands-on activity, students got to create their own rock art, connecting with the heritage of our land and gaining a deeper appreciation for the stories and history embedded in these artistic expressions.

Collaborative Learning in Action: Energy Transformations

The power of collaboration shines brightly in our Science Department. Students in 10.4 Science had the unique opportunity to work alongside Year 12 Physics students to produce educational videos on energy transformations. This mentorship not only enhanced the understanding of the topic but also fostered a sense of teamwork and shared learning amongst different age groups. Truly, learning is a journey we take together.

Exploring Minds and Personalities in Psychology

Our Psychology classes have been delving deep into the mysteries of the human mind. Year 11 students have been studying different regions of the brain, leading to the creation of their own brain hats – a fun and insightful project that encapsulates their knowledge. Meanwhile, Year 10 students have been tapping into their creative sides by interpreting ink blot images.  Our Year 12 students have ventured into the world of personality masks, each mask reflecting a facet of their own personalities based on OCEAN Personality Theory. These projects showcase how Psychology is not just a subject but a window into understanding ourselves and others.

Embracing Science Week with Murdoch University

In celebration of Science Week, our Years 9 and 10 students had an exciting opportunity to engage with an incursion organised by Murdoch University. The Scintillating Science Quiz challenged our students' knowledge and enthusiasm for science, and we are proud to announce that the School's winners excelled in the quiz. Our sincere thanks to Murdoch Outreach for making this event a success and inspiring the next generation of Scientists!

Unleashing Innovation in Year 9 Science Challenge 

Our Year 9 students enrolled in the Science Challenge option have been on a creative spree, working collaboratively on a range of Science Talent projects. From an automated hammer, to studying ice cream consistency, these projects demonstrate students’ innovative thinking and hands-on problem-solving skills. A special thanks to Mr David Longman for organising this exciting challenge that brings out the best in our young scientists.

Taking Flight with Drones and Robotics

Year 10 Drone Pilots are soaring to new heights as they master flying the latest DJI Mini 2 and 3 drones. Their next assessment involves creating a 4K video that will be shared with the entire school community. This challenge not only showcases students’ technical skills but also their storytelling abilities. Who knows, we might just discover the next Spielberg or Cameron among our talented students!

The new season of the First Lego League Robotics Challenge has begun, with this year’s theme being "Masterpiece." This artistic twist challenges our students to infuse art into their innovative creations. With inspiration from last year's success, our students are gearing up to tackle this exciting and demanding competition.

As we continue to nurture curiosity, innovation, and collaboration within our science community, we can't help but be excited about the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. Stay curious, stay inspired, and keep exploring the wonders of science!

Thank you to Mr Stephen Fox and the Science Department for providing such a broad range of initiatives to inspire and engage our students and future Scientists.

YEAR 7 - Author Visit

The Year 7s were very excited to have author Mark Greenwood come in and recount his real life experiences of his History Mysteries. They were completely spellbound by his believable narrative and his exciting souvenirs from the sites he travelled to.

Ms Kathryn Paul

Dean of Teaching and Learning