From the Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians

Welcome to the new school year! It was lovely to welcome back students on Monday morning looking bright and bubbly after the long summer break. A special welcome to new school families. I look forward to meeting you at our many events throughout the year.

Having commenced in 1989, 2019 marks the 30th Anniversary of our school. We will celebrate this milestone in a number of ways throughout the year, the first event being the P&F Welcome Back Barbecue on Wednesday 27 February in the grounds of the Secondary School.

New staff and students

We have commenced 2019 with 909 students. Our new students, 75 in total, come from far and wide and it is a delight to welcome them.

Ten new staff have joined the School. We welcome to the Primary: Luke Basson (Year 5), Holly Burbage (Primary Music), Nicole Collis (Education Assistant), Simonne Moretta (Year 1),  James Tsironis (Year 4) and Michelle Underwood  (Education Assistant). The new Secondary staff are Kaoru Cooper (Japanese),  Rhiannon Thomas (Drama and English)) and Peter Kemp (Design & Technology). Gabriella Slattery  (Learning Support) will work across the School.

We welcomed back from leave Irene Terpon, Catherine Hudson, Fiona Shand, Stephen Fox and Nick Tanner.

2018 Year 12 Academic Results

The School's 2018 academic results were very pleasing. There were 59 students who completed Year 12 in 2018. Of these, 58 students were eligible to achieve their WACE. Of these eligible students, 57 achieved their WACE, representing a Graduation Rate of 98.27%.

The Median 2018 ATAR for John Wollaston Anglican Community School was 85.65, an increase of five from the previous year (80.65). Fifty percent of the students achieved a ranking in the 80s, with a further 18% achieving in the 90s.

The State Median was 81.80. Of the local schools, and WA Anglican Schools Commission schools, we achieved the highest median ATAR.

The top performing student was Martha Dodge (96.80).

These students also achieved a ranking greater than 90:

• James Chellew (94.60)
• Katelyn Clark (93.50)
• Hannah Landwehr (93.10)
• Stephanie Lurssen (96.60)
• Emma Winship (91.60)

Martha Dodge received a Certificate of Excellence for Geography.

Martha Dodge, Katelyn Clark and Stephanie Lurssen all achieved Certificates of Distinction. Ten additional students earned Certificates of Merit.

We are proud of all our 2018 Leavers and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

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

The School is fortunate to have an experienced and stable Executive team which comprises:

• The Principal
• Nick Tanner, Director of Administration
• Anne Harris, Deputy Principal Teaching & Learning
• Nick Jones, Deputy Principal Pastoral Care
• Wayne Revitt, Head of Primary
• Fiona Shand, Senior Deputy Head of Primary
• Derek Heatherly, Business Manager

Key events

There are several key events in the early weeks of the Term. Year 12s spent three days last week on their Encounter residential experience at the Swan Valley Adventure Centre in Middle Swan. Designed to provide a challenging and focused start to their final year, the students enjoyed the camaraderie and opportunity to address key issues to assist their studies for the year ahead.

On Wednesday Wayne Revitt, Head of Primary hosted the Primary Information Evening which provided valuable information, the opportunity to ask questions and meet Primary staff.  During the next fortnight, there will be Parent Information Evenings for Years 7, 10, 11 and 12. I urge you to attend if you have a child in these year groups.

I look forward to meeting you at one of our events in the coming weeks. Should you wish to speak with me at any time, please do not hesitate to contact my Personal Assistant, Sonja Morfitt who will be happy to arrange an appointment.

With best wishes for year ahead.

Anne Ford

Principal