Secondary School News

Book Week

What an exciting 2024 Book Week it was in the Secondary School, culminating in a Book Week Parade that showed students’ efforts in planning, designing and collaborating to present their individual or team costume characters.

There were several opportunities during the week for students to engage with the theme Reading is Magic from Scavenger Hunts in the Library Resource Centre, to guest authors presenting writing workshops to our students to extend and enrich their use of language in a range of contexts.

Amber Moffat worked with the Year 10 Emerging Writers at the start of the week delving into her collection of memoirs, inspired by a childhood painting and a photograph of a loved pet. Students created their own memoirs, helping them connect to ideas about their own past.

Tuesday’s Scavenger Hunt in the Library was a highly competitive activity where students worked in teams of three to find a set of items within the pages of the books on the shelves to win a prize. Well done to the winning team of Kyle Harrison (12), Isabella Jonker (8) and Samantha Weber (7) who managed to find all 10 items on the list.

On Thursday, the Year 9 Emerging Writers group had their turn to tap into the creative writing talents of author Deb Fitzpatrick as she focused on the importance of setting and how focusing on a place that is familiar to us makes it easier to create believable characters. Students enjoyed the freedom of working on creating a place that reflected their world and their experiences.

Finally, on Friday, the Secondary Students participated in the inaugural Secondary Book Character Parade. The variety and creativity in the costumes were outstanding and students and students really delved into the spirit of the parade, presenting themselves ‘in character’ during the procession. Prize Winner names can be found in Notices in SEQTA. Please collect your prizes from Miss Terpon before the end of Week 7.

Thank you to the English Learning Area for their Wizard of Oz themed costumes and for their support during all the events of Book Week 2024. Thank you to all staff and students for your involvement in Book Week too; you have all proven reading is truly magic!!

Best Costume: Mad Hatter – Dana Jannessaran

Runner up Best Costume: Super Mario Girls - Kaetlyn Finn, Taylor Hammond

Best Effort: Jessamy Forsyth

Best Team: The Day the Crayons Quit - Meg Kwe, Amelia Gachie, Alison Gangwar

Honourable Mentions: My Little Ponies, Lego Man, Zog and the Flying Doctors, Chipmunks and Chipettes.

Irene Terpon

Head of English

'Earth and Space Science Breaking News' Year 8 New Metrics Project 

The Year 8 Science classes are working on a New Metrics project where students are working in groups of three to research, plan and produce a three-minute video about a natural disaster, such as an earthquake, volcanic eruption or tsunami. The students have written scripts for a news report covering the disaster and the science behind the geological event that caused it. In addition, they are interviewing survivors and producing short stop-motion clips to illustrate how the geological event occurred. Their creativity shines as they use Play-Doh and Lego to construct geological models for their stop-motion projects. This task also provides an opportunity to develop their collaboration skills, aligning with the complex competency we are currently focusing on.

The students are having a lot of fun and producing some really nice work!

Dr Teagan Kavanagh

Secondary Science Teacher

Sport Science Excursion

On Monday 19 August, the Year 10 Sport Science class travelled to Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre to participate in 2 sessions with Personal Trainers. The purpose of this excursion was to culminate learning about Anatomy and Exercise Physiology undertaken in Semester 1.  The first session was called OMNIA, and  students used various equipment such as treadmills and exercise bikes. The OMNIA session targeted the cardiovascular system and comprised of periods of work and rest (Fartlek Training). Session two focused on the Anerobic Energy System whereby students completed a double circuit.  Despite being sweaty and tired, they all said that they had a fantastic time!

Lonneke Evans

Secondary Health and Physical Education Teacher

Youth On Health Festival

Our Year 10 Drama and Years 7-12 Dance students competed at the Youth On Health Festival (YOH Fest) on Wednesday. 

YOH Fest is a performing and visual arts event for West Australian school students which combines the fun of the arts with health education to create a unique, exciting and valuable experience for young people.

Team JWACS was announced as the winner of the Karen Lyons Award for Excellence in YOH Fest Etiquette. Awarded for demonstrating exemplary backstage etiquette, showing courtesy to others, following instructions, and showing respect and support to other schools and fellow competitors.  

Plus... Four Merit Awards and the ACT Belong Commit Student Ambassador Award!

Huge congratulations to our Years 7-12 Dance Company and Year 10 Drama class - we are so proud of you all.

Rhiannon Thomas

Secondary Drama and Dance Teacher

Year 12 ATAR Biology and Human Biology Zoo Excursion

As part of the ATAR Year 12 Human Biology and Biology courses, students went to the Perth Zoo on Friday 23 August.

During the first talk of the day, Human Biology students examined why humans are classified as ‘Primates’ and investigated evolutionary trends within this order. Students used comparative anatomy, physiology and behaviour to identify the similarities and differences between the Hominidae (Great Ape) family. They further explored traits of early hominins.

The Biology students attended a presentation by Perth Zoo educators, where they investigated the structural features, behavioural responses and physiological mechanisms that help animals maintain a relatively constant internal environment. They looked at special adaptations of animals at the Zoo, for example how the little penguins stay warm in very cold temperatures. In comparison, the nocturnal spinifex-hopping mouse that stay hidden during the heat of the day. These little desert creatures have very effective kidneys that absorbs every drop of water from their waste, causing their urine to be solid!

Students further had some time to go to specific animals in the Zoo to record observations and find out more about them.

Student comments:

“I enjoyed watching the bolivian spider monkeys. The penguins were all in their den trying to keep warm on such a cold day. The presentation was very informative to the topics we covered in class.” 

Ella Pallot 

 “I liked seeing all the different types of apes relating to Homonid.” 

Nethula Hitihamu

Chrisna LeVaillant

Acting Head of Science and Technologies

Year 7 for 2025 Orientation

The Year 7 2025 cohort completed a successful Orientation today in the Secondary School. It was wonderful to see many eager faces, some familiar and some new. 

The day commenced with a welcome to John Wollaston by Year 7 Staff, Executive Staff, Prefects and Chaplain Justine. After some questions and 'icebreaker' games, students were guided to the Victoria Morgan Arts Centre and were entertained by Mr Marchant and Mr Devellerez as they explained the Music and Arts programs. 

After recess, students were met by the Year 10 mentors and commenced the 'Campus Caper' in Session 3, which allowed them to explore various parts of the School and uncover a hidden message. In Session 4, students engaged in the Secondary Experience included a combination of Science, Food & Hospitality, Japanese, Textiles or Art.

A scrumptious sausage sizzle ensued at lunchtime and students sat and played around the Year 7 Centre, contemplating what break times would be like next year. 

After an exhausting day, the students gathered in the Year 7 Centre for a final question and answer session, before being dismissed for a well-deserved rest. 

Thank you to the many staff members and students who offered to help out on this busy day. We couldn't have done it without you and I guarantee the students appreciated all the effort you put into making Orientation Day possible. 

Luke Basson

Acting Head of Year 7

ASC 12th Annual Piano Competition 

18 students from Years 2 to 8 attended the 12th Annual ASC Piano Competition, held at Peter Moyes Anglican School Wednesday 28 August. 

It was a fun filled day full of a variety of piano performances which culminated in a final concert. All students performed brilliantly, and they should be very proud of their hard work and preparation for the event. 

Well done to everyone who performed! 

Rory Marchant

Music Coordinator

Art Masterclass Club

The Art Masterclass has finished their botanical printing and wool felted pictures with artist Jude Tupman. 

The work will be on display at our Art Exhibition 12-18 September (open to parents and guardians 3:00pm - 4:00pm daily).

WA Melbourne Assessment Network Meeting

This week JWACS had the pleasure of hosting representatives from schools involved in the WA Melbourne Assessment Network.

Melbourne Metrics is a collaborative research partnership between the University of Melbourne and innovative schools across Australia and New Zealand. This partnership focuses on developing what learners can achieve beyond traditional domain-based knowledge, guiding students to enhance their skills in areas such as collaboration, communication, and agency in learning.

During a spotlight session, our visitors had the opportunity to experience Melbourne Metrics in action, as JWACS teachers and students shared valuable insights and examples of their specialised learning design and assessments. Following this session, visitors attended presentations by Swan Valley Anglican Community School and Methodist Ladies’ College. Our Year 10 Café Culture class provided all guests with made-to-order coffee and delicious food.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this valuable, collaborative event! 

Rebecca Piccolo

Dean of Teaching and Learning

Gifted Awareness Week

The aim of Gifted Awareness Week, established in 2015 by the Australian Association for the Education of the Gifted and Talented (AAEGT), is to increase awareness about the unique needs of gifted children. This gives us a chance to acknowledge the efforts of individuals and educational institutions that contribute positively to the lives of gifted children and their families.

At John Wollaston, Gifted Awareness Week is an opportunity for us to celebrate the multiple types of giftedness through competitions and challenges. It has been wonderful to see so many students from Years 4-12 getting involved in events this week. We have seen students demonstrate logic and puzzle solving skills in the Chess and Rubik's Cube Competitions, creativity and innovation in the Art and Photography Competitions, and put their thinking and visuo-spatial abilities to the test in House Group quizzes and Find the Key challenges.

Michael Leaning

Assistant to the Dean of Teaching and Learning/ Secondary Science Teacher