Wollaston's Wrap

Primary School News

From the Head of Primary, Wayne Revitt

Ministerial Delegation – Gonski 2.0

It was an honour for our Principal Anne Ford  to be invited to represent the WA Independent School Sector at recent meetings with David Gonski AC, Professor Geoff Masters,  CEO Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER) and Rob Randall, CEO Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting

Authority (ACARA). This forum was based on the recent Gonski report: Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools – Through Growth to Achievement.

 

I was invited by Ms Ford to join the delegation. I am pleased to report that our School is significantly ‘ahead of the game’ with reference to many of the recommendations of Gonski 2.0. Underpinning the report is the need to equip our children with 21st Century skills required to flourish in a rapidly changing world. Through the International Baccalaureate, Positive Psychology and our Anglican ethos, our students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 learn with a sense of wonder, curiosity and exhibit what we are beginning to identify as the ‘Wollaston Character’.

 

We congratulate Ms Ford for her high level leadership not only of our school but at a state and national level. Our voice was heard directly by the key educational leaders in Australia. It is significant recognition of John Wollaston as a great school and our growing reputation as a centre of excellence.

 

Open Week in the Library Resource Centre

Please make sure you take up the opportunity to be part of your child’s class in the Library Open Week in Week 7. A SEQTA message regarding this has been sent home on behalf of Library Teacher Haylee Godfrey. Mrs Godfrey has had a very busy term; I congratulate her on the excellent and timely Digital Technology Workshop for families and thank Mrs Godfrey for her wonderful assistance in Canberra. We are all looking forward to Library Open Week, and our staff will benefit from the Professional Learning Mrs Godfrey is providing on the Seesaw App next Tuesday afternoon!

 

Canberra 2018

Canberra was awesome! The weather was fantastic and we enjoyed a special visit from the Principal, on Monday at Parliament House. We watched the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition spar in Question Time and our local Member of Parliament, Matt Keogh, made time to chat with us and show us up to the roof of Parliament House for a selfie or two! Everyone has their own special highlight; mine is always the great pride I have in our students as we participate in the daily Closing Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial. Our students always look resplendent in their John Wollaston uniforms. This year Head Girl, Mia Wall, and Head Boy, Rusty Wisewould, laid a wreath on behalf of the School.

 

Our Year 6 students are fortunate to participate in a variety of educational programs with a focus on Australia’s history, culture, heritage and democracy. The Australian Government recognises the importance of all young Australians being able to visit the national capital as part of their civics and citizenship program. To assist families in meeting the cost of this tour, the Australian Government contributes funding of $240 per student under the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate (PACER) program. This rebate is paid directly to the School after the tour.

 

I thank our dedicated staff who made the tour possible; Darcy Gebbitis, Brady Morris, Haylee Godfrey, Katherine Stevens and Fiona Shand. Mrs Stevens facilitated a brilliant Quiz Night (making up all the questions herself) and Mrs Godfrey loved her first Year 6 Canberra Tour. We look forward to Canberra 2019!

Calling all Rockers!

We are continuing the expansion of our music program across the School. Our next goal is the formation of two or three Rock Bands. We are asking for expressions of interest from any potential Years 4 to 6 rockers with some ability with the instruments listed below. Students can audition for multiple places by playing more than one instrument:

  • Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Vocals
  • Keyboard/Piano
  • Drums

A SEQTA message will be sent home with details of audition times shortly. We would love to have a Rock Band performing at key school events! Rory Marchant will tutor the Rock Bands and Grace Barbé will work with the Year 5 cohort, as they progress from the ukulele to some very cool vocals!

 

Junior Dale Fest

I look forward to my role as MC for the Junior Dale Fest on  Monday 11 June. This is a wonderful event with school choirs in the Armadale area coming together to perform items based on the 2018 theme of ‘Science Rocks’. This is a wonderful opportunity for a transdisciplinary approach to learning, merging knowledge about science and musicality in one great celebration. I can’t wait to see the many talented students from so many local schools come together as one!

 

Wayne Revitt

Head of Primary

Year 6 Captains Ecumenical Service

On Tuesday 29 May the Year 6 Captains went to Kingsway College with 20 other schools for an IPSHA Ecumenical Service. They played games to get to know students from other schools. The service provided dancing, singing, videos, a play and prayers. Each of the Captains had a wonderful time at this service. 

By Amelia Jacobson and Ebony Nagel