Secondary School News 

From the Dean of Pastoral Care, Kylie Virgo

This week was full of excitement, celebrations and a mix of emotions as we bid farewell to our Year 12 Class of 2021. Students enjoyed various events to commemorate and celebrate their time at John Wollaston including the Valedictory Supper, House Breakfasts, Veteran's Morning Tea, Chapel Service, Leavers' Fancy Dress Breakfast and the inaugural Guard of Honour. This year's Gift of a Candle Service and Valedictory and Prize Giving were special events for both students and families. 

Valedictory Supper

The Year 12s and their families shared in a special Valedictory Dinner under the stars in the lead up to Valedictory Week. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on their journey at John Wollaston and celebrate their achievements. 

Veteran's Morning Tea

For some students graduating this year, their journey at John Wollaston began in Kindergarten, Pre-Primary or Year 1. To recognise their contribution to the School community, Principal Anne Ford invited these students to share their treasured memories from their time at John Wollaston over morning tea.

House Breakfasts

Each House celebrates its graduating students in a different way by hosting House Breakfasts for all to enjoy. The Year 12s are celebrated by their peers, from personalised biscuit faces made by the Year 7s in Scott, to comical award presentations in Charter, it is always wonderful to see the House Spirit on display. Thank you to our Heads of House for the pastoral care and support you have shown the Year 12s and for organising these wonderful events to farewell them. 

Chapel

Chaplain Justine led a final celebratory Chapel Service for the Year 12s in their last week, sending them off with a final blessing. This was followed by the presentation of their pennants and Leavers' Year Book.

Gift of a Candle Service

The whole school gathered to farewell the graduating Class of 2021 at the Gift of a Candle Service. Kindergarten and Pre-Primary students presented a symbolic candle to each Year 12 student, representing a bright and hopeful future.

Year 12 Leavers' Breakfast

The Year 12s donned some brilliant costumes for their Leavers' Breakfast this morning, celebrating their final day at John Wollaston. 

Guard of Honour

The inaugural Guard of Honour was formed with students and staff from Years 4 to 11 farewelling our Year 12s. 

We would like to wish the Class of 2021 all the best in their future endeavours and thank them for the wonderful contribution they have made to the life of John Wollaston Anglican Community School.

2022 Prefect Commissioning

The Secondary Prefect Commissioning Assembly took place on Wednesday 13 October. 2021 Prefects presented their 2022 Prefect successors with a blazer, badge and tie to symbolise the handover of leadership. We look forward to watching the 2022 Prefecture grow in their roles and work collectively for the school community.

Kylie Virgo

Dean of Pastoral Care

Year 12 Special Award Recipients 2021

Congratulations to the following Year 12 students who received Special Awards as part of the 2021 Valedictory and Prize Giving Ceremony. 

• Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award: Katelyn Colley
  This award recognises a student who demonstrates leadership and teamwork within both the School and the broader community, and who display strong values, such as doing one’s best, respect for others and “mateship” - values considered integral to both the ADF and Australian society. The School acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government in funding the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award.
• Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award: Alisha Iqbal
  The Australian Defence Force (ADF) Future Innovators Award has been designed to recognise recipients’ science and mathematics abilities while highlighting the value the Navy, Army and Air Force place on STEM skills and STEM career opportunities within Defence. This award is a means to formally recognise a student who has demonstrated motivation and innovation in the areas of STEM within the School, and who displays strong personal ethical values, such as doing one’s best. The School acknowledges the assistance of the Australian Government in funding the ADF Future Innovators Award.
• Mary Wollaston Award: Caroline Richards
  Mary Amelia Gledstanes was born in 1791 at Reading, in Berkshire.  Whilst staying with an aunt in Kent in 1817, she met John Ramsden Wollaston. They married in 1819 and emigrated to Western Australia some 21 years later in 1840, when they were both nearly fifty years old. Mary supported her husband in his pilgrimage for faith until his death in 1856 and she continued to work for and with the Church until her death in 1874. She had shared her husband’s life and borne their family burdens under the harsh pioneer conditions of the south west in the 19th century. Her courage, faith and remarkable determination are honoured and remembered in the form of a special award, donated by her great, great granddaughter, Mrs Denise Vass.  The Mary Wollaston Award is presented to a student who has shown by his or her actions and deeds the same strength, endeavour and faith of Mary Amelia Wollaston.
• Diana Hull Award: Isabelle Pearce
  Diana Hull was the Foundation Deputy Chairperson of the John Wollaston School Council.  She was a committed and hard-working Councillor whose personal efforts helped our school grow and flourish.  Even whilst gravely ill, Diana continued to be very involved in the daily life of the School and the parish of St Matthews, Armadale. She always gave her maximum effort to everything she did.  All who knew and worked with her appreciated her collegial spirit and friendship. The Diana Hull Award is presented each year to a Secondary student who has shown the characteristics that were admired so much in Diana.  The recipient will have demonstrated personal excellence, challenge, courage, determination and honesty throughout the school year.
• The Len Wilcox Memorial Prize for Endeavour in Adversity: Yihong Wu
  Leonard John Wilcox, 1942-1988, was Chairman of the Willetton Senior High School Board.  He was very motivated by the establishment of John Wollaston Anglican Community School and dedicated to the educational development of children and young people.  Len Wilcox showed courage and inspiration when facing the adversity of his own death. The Len Wilcox Memorial Prize recognises the courageous qualities of an individual who has faced great challenge with dignity and determination.
• Ampol Best All Rounder Award: Cate Ayres
  The Ampol Best All Rounder Award recognises a student who has participated in a wide range of school and community activities while showing commitment, a willingness to participate and a desire to excel. The School acknowledges the assistance of the Ampol Foundation Australia in funding this award.
• John Wollaston Chapel Prize: Camellia S Shwe
  This award recognises a Year 12 student who, through his/her actions, reflects the Christian ethos and fellowship of the School.
• Old Wollastonians' Association Award: Leah Clark and Jack Wallace
  This award recognises a male and a female Year 12 student who have made a special contribution to the life of the School. The Old Wollastonians’ Association sponsor Life Membership of the Association for the recipients of this award.
• John Ramsden Wollaston Citizenship Award: Sydnee Hopkins
  This award recognises a student who has demonstrated outstanding citizenship qualities during his/her time at the School.
• Year 12 Personal Excellence Award: Chloe Cashman
  This award recognises a student who has demonstrated strong academic endeavour and by his/her attitude and conduct exemplifies the School’s Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Honesty and Commitment.
• School Art Acquisition Award: Kiarah Labuschagne
  This award acknowledges a Year 11 or 12 Visual Art Student whose artwork is selected by the Principal for the School’s art collection.
• Sports Star of the Year Award: Ashlyn Hayes
  This award recognises a student who has been a wonderful role model, participating in, supporting and promoting sporting events across the School.
• Excellence in Vocational Education and Training: Jayde Dewhurst
  The Excellence in Vocational Education and Training Award acknowledges the vocational achievements of a student at John Wollaston.
• Pegasus Society Honours
  Pegasus Society Honours recognises students who have maintained Pegasus Society membership throughout senior secondary school and a minimum of six semesters from the commencement of Year 7. Recipients have their names engraved onto the Pegasus Society Honour Board.
  • Timothy Armstrong
  • Cate Ayres
  • Jayshree Baidya
  • Lucy Butterfield
  • Sydnee Hopkins
  • Alisha Iqbal
  • Caitlin Kuchel
  • Isabelle Pearce
  • Emily Picciuto
  • Jack Wallace
• Dux of School - Wholly School Assessed Course and VET: Emily Myles
  Awarded to the Year 12 student who has achieved the highest results in Wholly School Assessed courses, General Courses, Certificate Qualifications and/or Vocational Education and Training Courses.
• Proxime Accessit: Mathumi Prathip
  Awarded to the Year 12 student who is Runner-Up to the Dux of the School.
• Duxes of School, Chairman of School Council's Award for Academic Excellence: Alisha Iqbal and Isabelle Pearce
  The Dux of the School is awarded to the Year 12 student who has achieved the highest results in External Examination courses.