E-News 1 November 2022
Welcome to Week 4
Graduating Class of 2022
We recently had the opportunity to formally farewell our 2022 graduating cohort from the College at our Graduation Assembly followed by the Graduation Mass and Ceremony held at St Maryās Cathedral.
Our departing Year 12 cohort is to be recognised for the contagious joy that they have brought to the school, particularly this year as leaders of the College. They celebrate life with terrific energy and enthusiasm. They support one another deeply and provide great care for those around them.
Our Year 12 cohort has also proven to be a very agile and dynamic group with a capacity to work through challenges with poise and purpose. Their graduating year started dramatically with the shift to online learning and the adjustment of key events due to the COVID pandemic ā they took this disruption in their stride and looked for creative solutions. The students self-regulated, innovated, problem solved and displayed great resilience and perseverance in the process. These are wonderful traits that will stand them in very good stead for their life ahead.
In farewelling our students, we encourage them to remember to celebrate who they are and the gifts that they bring to this world. We hope that they always strive to be their best selves and live life to the full. We continue to challenge them to have the courage to step outside their comfort zone to continue to learn, discover and grow and to remember to always be Godās hands, eyes and feet in this world.
We wish our Graduating Class of 2022 all of the very best and every success in their exciting future journey.
Year 12 2023
As one cohort graduates the College, the next group of senior leaders pick up the leadership mantle and model what it means to live out our AvŠŌ°® Christi values each day. We have great faith that our current Year 11 students will build on the momentum from this year and continue to stive toward an inclusive, caring and joyful College community with a core focus of developing the whole student.
We were thrilled to hold our Year 11 Commissioning Mass today to formally acknowledge our incoming student Extraordinary Minsters of Holy Communion and also to recognise the important role that all students in the Class of 2023 will play in the ongoing development of this excellent school.
We thank Father Anthony from the St Thomas More Parish for celebrating this very special Mass. We also acknowledge the many staff and students for their terrific contribution to the Mass.
Our K-12 Community
This year we have been working diligently to establish a variety of K-12 experiences for students to deepen learning and also to support improved transition between the primary and secondary years.
Last week saw some of our Year 6 students join our Secondary students to participate in our Term 4 Faith in Action service activities ā Fidget Blanket making and Cooking for St Pats. For more information on this and how to become involved please visit the Ministry section of this E-News.
On Friday we also had our Year 4s and 8s commence their collaboration on an Advent booklet together with the aim of making an Advent Calendar. Thank you to those staff for organising these cross-campus opportunities.
To date we have also connected students through a variety of the Arts, Science, English, Technology and Enterprise, sporting, spiritual and pastoral initiatives. We are very excited at the prospect of continuing to align and to scope our curriculum, care and faith development opportunities across the College next year. This will provide continuity for students, improved tracking and richer growth opportunities as they progress through the years.
In support of this philosophy, we are very pleased share the below very exciting whole school initiatives planned for the Arts for next year.
Peter Pan
In 2023 our Primary and Secondary students will be working together on our first cross-campus College production of Peter Pan.
Our Class of 2022 Arts Captain and Grease lead Declan Cooper shared why our students should put themselves forward for an audition, āI would recommend all students give it a go. You may just find the magic of being on stage, but also the magic behind the curtain which will give you memories and friendships that will always be with you.ā
We invite our current Year 5 ā 12 students to express their interest by Thursday 10 November 2022, ahead of our Week 6 auditions. For more information and to register, please visit:
Instrumental Music Program
In Music our key focus in 2023 is to integrate music for the Primary campus with our Secondary offerings. A larger array of instrumental and vocal lessons will be available to students in the Primary campus for which the Secondary campus facilities can be used.
From Year 3 upwards, students will be able to select from violin, viola, cello, flute, and piano.
From Year 5 upwards, in addition to those already offered, students may also select from acoustic and electric guitar, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, and voice.
All other instruments will be offered from Year 7 onwards.
As the program continues to grow, we will look at creating ensembles aimed at bridging the two campuses. This will allow students to be in an ensemble with students close to their own age and ability level and prepare them for the senior ensembles at the College.
We are all looking forward to a great year in 2023 where music can be the catalyst for K-12 initiatives and peer learning across campuses. Please register your interest for the Instrumental Music Program via:
We are also very grateful for the feedback received from families regarding the development of a K-12 College uniform. We will consider the thoughts and ideas from families as we continue to shape up our design philosophy into next year ready for a formal launch at the start of 2024.
We look forward to updating families as we continue to develop whole school initiatives into next year and beyond.
Staffing Update
As you are aware the College spent Semester 1 establishing our Vision, Mission and Values for the College. In Semester 2 our focus had been the development of structures and process to bring this important philosophy to life. To this end, we are pleased to announce the following senior leadership positions for next year:
Vice Principal
Mr Tim Shanassy
Deputy Principal Community
Mr Patrick Woolley
Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
Ms Jenny Miraudo
Head of Junior School
Ms Katya Anderson
Director of College Operations
Ms Sally Farrington
Head of Community (K-6)
Mrs Danielle Damjanovic
We congratulate the following staff who will fulfill K-12 middle leadership positions next year:
Head of Arts
Mrs Julie Pannell
Head of Music
Mr Charles Pinkham
I would also like to inform you that Mr James Ramsey and Mr Steve Kingwell have been appointed to ongoing Head of Year roles along with Ms Alice Potter who will join the College next year. In addition, we congratulate Ms Karis Hughes who will fulfill a Head of Year role in 2023.
We look forward to continuing to update you with 2023 staffing arrangements as the term progresses.
Friends of AvŠŌ°®
All parents and caregivers are invited to attend our next Friends of AvŠŌ°® meeting scheduled for Wednesday 9 November in the Sadler Centre. Please RSVP your attendance. We will be providing an update of latest initiatives, along with seeking input for key strategic decisions moving forward.
We have appreciated the excellent ideas presented by parents, caregivers and friends at our meetings this year, resulting in some very positive outcomes. One key initiative introduced through conversations at Friends of AvŠŌ°® was a review of our communication strategy which has resulted in the development of a College App. I am most grateful to parent volunteers Max Leech, Amanda Macfarlane, Sarra Meldrum, Cheryl Reutens, Craig Williums for their support in co-developing the App which we will invite consultant group parents to test and review over the remainder of the year ready for a formal launch next year.
I would also like to inform families of our upcoming College Annual Community Meeting. This is scheduled for Tuesday 29 November 2022 at 6.00pm in the Secondary Library and I would encourage all to attend.
We look forward to many more shared conversations with families to promote genuine engagement and to support the ongoing growth and development of the College.
Best wishes and every blessing.
Jeff Allen
Principal
News (all years)
Enrolments and Withdrawing Update
Kindergarten 2025 ā Apply now
If you have a child born between 1 July 2020 ā 30 June 2021, please apply now for 4 Year Old Kindergarten commencing in 2025.
While we will not be interviewing for this cohort until a few yearsā time, to avoid missing out on a place, applications are encouraged well in advance as places are limited. You can apply online, here:
Year 7 2025 ā Sibling Applications
If your child is currently in Year 4 and is not already attending AvŠŌ°® Christi College Primary and you have not submitted an application, we encourage you to apply for Year 7 2025 as soon as possible.
To be eligible for enrolment, all applicants must have submitted an application per child. If you are yet to do so, please apply online:
Withdrawing from the College Information
A reminder to parents, if you are withdrawing your child from the College you are required to give a Term's notice in writing. Failure to give adequate notice will result in a Term's fees being charged as per the terms and conditions of enrolment.
To notify of your intent to withdraw, please submit the online form available here: www.corpus.wa.edu.au/withdraw
Learn to Swim - new facilitators
AvŠŌ°® Christi College offers a Learn to Swim Program onsite at the Jennifer Reilly Aquatic Centre. The aquatic centre features a covered and heated 25 metre, eight-lane indoor lap and water polo pool, a separate 12 metre learn-to-swim pool and terrace seating for 180 people.
From Term 4, the Learn to Swim Program will be facilitated by Speed with Style, a company who provide a unique approach to swim teaching called Individualised Custom Teaching, which was developed by Dr Nigel Williams in collaboration with head coach and Speed with Style Founder - John Williams.
The Learn to Swim program is available to both AvŠŌ°® Christi College students and those external to the College.
You can register and find more information about Speed with Style on the College website:
Book Lists
In the E-News of 30 August 2022, the College communicated a change in book list provider for 2023. There was an accompanying welcome letter from the provider, Box of Books, with further information for parents.
Effective from 2023, digital textbook and interactive resources will be provided to students by the College and a separate levy will be charged through the school fees. Parents will notice certain digital resource items appearing in the online booklist which are not available for purchase. This is because the College is purchasing these for each student and will levy parents/caregivers for the cost of these mandatory resources through the school fee billing.
The benefits of this change for our parents and students include:
Enable continuous learning for students who will be provided uninterrupted access to digital learning resources.
Reduced troubleshooting and reported issues with subscriptions and access due to resources not being purchased.
Achieve cost savings for families as resources have been purchased in bulk, at heavily reduced rates.
Flexibility to pay off the booklist levy items with regular College fees, in instalments on a payment plan.
Book lists correspondence will be sent to our Secondary families in the coming weeks.
Events
The latest events can also be found by visiting: www.corpus.wa.edu.au/events
Primary Disco
We remind our Primary families that that the Primary Disco is this Friday 4 November 2022!
The disco will run over three separate sessions on the Primary AvŠŌ°®us, as outlined below:
4.30pm ā 5.30pm: Kindergarten ā Pre-Primary
5.45pm ā 7.15pm: Year 1 ā Year 3
7.30pm ā 9.00pm: Year 4 ā Year 6
We can't wait to see our Primary students celebrate with their peers at what we are certain will be a fun-filled event!
Secondary Music Recital
Tickets on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for our Term 4 Secondary Music Recital, to be held on Wednesday 9 November 2022.
To purchase, please visit:
This is also accessible via the College events page.
Primary Meet the Teacher Morning Tea
Following assembly on a Friday, from approximately 9.15am ā 10.00am, parents and guardians will be invited to a āMeet the Teacherā morning tea for their childās year group.
Term 4 year group dates are as follows:
Year 5: Friday 11 November 2022
Year 4: Friday 18 November 2022
RockFest
Tickets on Sale
Tickets are now on sale for our Secondary music event RockFest, to be held on Friday 18 November 2022.
To purchase, please visit:
This is also accessible via the College events page.
Year 10 River Cruise
Year 10 students are invited aboard for the Year 10 River Cruise!
The event takes place on Monday 5 December 2022 from 6.00pm - 9.00pm, with a 5.45pm boarding time.
Departing/returning to Barrack Street Jetty, Perth.
Tickets are $50 per person, which includes Cruise, DJ, Pizza, Unlimited Soft Drink and Photo Booth.
RSVP no later than 30 November 2022 via the below link:
This is also accessible via the College events page.
Year 6 Celebration Evening
We warmly invite our Year 6 families to join us for the Year 6 Celebration Evening on Wednesday 7 December 2022.
The event will be hosted in the AvŠŌ°® Christi College Caroline Payne Theatre at 6.00pm, with doors opening at 5.30pm.
Following the celebration, a light supper will be provided by Year 5 parents in the College Hall (next door to the theatre), with the event finishing by 8.15pm.
Tickets
Tickets are limited to 5 per family.
Please do not book a ticket for your Year 6 child.
Bookings will open at 6.00pm today (Tuesday 1 November 2022).
RSVP by Friday 18 November 2022 using the link below:
This is also accessible via the College events page.
Primary Uniform
A reminder to families of the Primary Uniform Standards, students are expected to take pride in their personal appearance, to be neatly attired and well groomed.
Hair
Hair must be clean and neatly combed. Hair that is collar length or longer must be tied back.
Conservative hairstyles are expected. Extreme hairstyles are not permitted, e.g. undercuts, top knots.
Hair is not to be styled in such a way that it is capable, at any time, of falling forwards towards the eyes or face.
Hair must be cut no shorter than the equivalent to a No. 2 clipper cut.
Overuse of hair products is not permitted.
Hair is to be the studentās natural colour.
Only simple, school-coloured hair accessories are permissible.
Jewellery & Accessories
Accessories are restricted to: a wristwatch, a simple ring, a Christian symbol on a neck chain (gold or silver), one bracelet (gold or silver), one small sleeper or small simple stud in the lower lobe of each ear (the non-decorative style in gold or silver, no embellishments).
Cosmetics
Make-up, including coloured nail polish, is not permitted. Students who do not meet these requirements will be required to remove make-up at school.
The purchase the interim Primary uniform, please visit: and follow the prompts.
Primary Library Update
Scholastic Book Club Volunteer
We are looking for a parent volunteer for 2023 to take over the role of Scholastic Book Club Co-Ordinator for our Primary AvŠŌ°®us.
Book Covers Volunteer
We are looking for helpers to assist with covering new home reading books. This can be done at home.
Please contact Library Technician Mrs Catherine Munro for further information.
Confirmation Photos
To purchase the professional photos taken during the Year 6 Confirmation, please visit the below website with the provided log in details:
Website:
Login ID: confirmation
Password: stm22confirm
2023 Secondary Music
Instrumental Music Program
Please register your interest for the Instrumental Music Program via:
Ensembles
To view and register for our ensemble opportunities for Secondary students in 2023 please visit the following link:
Middle School (Years 7-9)
Duke of Ed Award AvŠŌ°®
Our Year 9s & two Year 10 students completed their Adventurous Journey camp at the end of Term 3. 28 students, accompanied by four staff, spent two days and one night in the Jarrahdale State Forrest camping at the base of Mt Cooke.
The aim of this camp was to stimulate a spirit of adventure and self-discovery whilst undertaking a journey in a group.
Due to the Covid restrictions this year, students combined their Practice and Qualifying Journeys together. There was much preparation and planning beforehand, including meal planning and clothing selection, as well as practising cooking using a Trangia and sharing a tent. The students then needed to carry everything in their backpacks for the first part of the track.
On the first day students utilised their map reading skills to navigate their way to Mt Cooke campsite and then onto the summit of Mt Cooke (570m). Here they enjoyed the panoramic views of Jarrahdale Forrest.
The following day students used their mapping skills to guide their way around the base of Mt Cooke. This was a 14.5km circuit. Some groups found this skill a little challenging, but with a great team effort they found themselves back on the correct track to the campsite.
Students were assessed on their effort, perseverance, progress towards their journeyās purpose and teamwork. All students came away having learnt more from their experience and we are very proud of their efforts.
Senior School (Years 10-12)
Careers Updates
To view the latest updates please visit the link below:
Why is service important?
Some may ask why do we have to, what is the point? Well, our Year 9 students participated in a retreat experience run by Soul Gestures, Catherine Kolomyjec, who recently had completed her research into the area of compassion and how it affects your body and your health. Catherine explained that āwhen you're compassionate it affects seven separate areas of your brain just by doing acts of compassion. Basically, the oxytocin opens up your blood vessels, so it's actually good for your heart health, and serotonin has a calming effect which can actually help when you're anxious and dopamine is a rush of the feel good.ā This all relates that by doing a small act of kindness for someone, it can help you in your body and mind. It provides you with a sense of happiness. So next time instead of thinking of your service as a chore, think of all the benefits that you will receive when you complete your Faith in Action.
New Opportunity for Years 6 - 11 students and staff
Last week we offered two new opportunities for our Year 6 - 11 students and staff.
Fidget Blankets
On Tuesday afternoon we started a new service activity called Fidget Blankets. These are to help with people who have Dementia in our community. A Fidget Blanket is a small blanket/piece of fabric which has all textured items, zips, velcro etc sewn onto it. These blankets provide a sensory experience for the person who has it in their lap.
We are looking for donations of items that we could use for our craft sessions e.g. zippers, buttons, different textures of fabric, cord etc. If you do have any items, please drop off at Student Services or the Upper Room in the Mater Christi Centre with a label of Craft/Fidget Blankets.
Cooking for St Patricks
On Thursday afternoon we continued our Cooking for St Patricks. It was wonderful to see five Year 6 students joining in at the Secondary AvŠŌ°®us. They all seemed to have a fantastic time baking brownies. It was exciting to also have students ranging from Year 7 to 10 cooking. The kitchen was alive with students enjoying each otherās company and cooking up a storm for those in need.
Get involved
If these activities are something that you would like for your child to participate in, please email: katrina.morris@cewa.edu.au
Vinnies Christmas Appeal
The Vinnies Christmas appeal is in full swing!
A tub is located in each Secondary homeroom with a list to store items donated to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.
Each homeroom teacher has been emailed the list of items to be donated to this worthy cause and this has been communicated to the students.
We are already seeing tubs being filled and it is wonderful to see the giving spirit being so present here at AvŠŌ°® Christi College. Many thanks to those who have already donated.
We ask our Primary students and families stay tuned for more information from the Year 3s, who will be promoting the Vinnie Christmas Appeal.
All items are due on Friday 18 November 2022 (Friday of Week 6).
Please take the time to donate to the families in need this festive season. ššš§ø
Year 9 Retreat Donations
During our Year 9 Retreat, students were involved in creating items and exposed to a variety of opportunities to think about giving back to the community. Having created designs on pencil cases and mindfulness booklets for isolated communities Year 9s now have to bring in stationery items for those in need. On our Year 9 retreat students made a commitment to doing just that.
Coloured House Bins are at the bottom of the Mater Christi Centre, where students can drop off their donations. Thank you for your support.
Together we can change the world
During the extended homeroom last Wednesday, students from Years 7 to 10 discussed with their Homeroom teacher ways that they could change the world by doing one simple action. This stemmed from an idea shared with us from Soul Gestures. Check out the video for more information and get on board:
We have shared some of the ways the students want to change the world in the accompaning photos
Remember: āThe very nature of kindness is to spread. If you are kind to others, today they will be kind to you, and tomorrow to somebody else.ā Sri Chinmoy
Katrina Morris
Christian Service Learning Coordinator
Student Success
E-Sports Primary Superstars
Congratulations to both Primary teams that made it into the semi-finals of the recent Mario Kart FUSE Cup event, and to Team 2, Isaac and Luka, who progressed into the grand-final and finished 2nd overall!
The level of gameplay from all of the schools involved was some of the best we have seen over the last few years and our teams handled themselves, their nerves, their disappointments and excitement in a manner that the College can be extremely proud of.
A special mention goes to Lachlan and William (Team 1) who were semi-finalists.
Dakoda Leavy - Year 7
We are proud to share that Dakoda competed in the National Lacrosse Tournament in the under 15s women's Presidentās team, held in Perth 28 September ā 4 October 2022.
What a fantastic achievement Dakoda!
Keiter Marshall - Year 8
Keiter was selected in the Under 15s School Sports State Touch Football side that is currently competing in Wagga Wagga NSW, from 29 October 2022 ā 5 November 2022.
Keiter is one of the youngest and most exciting players in the side. With her recent selections in both the local Super Series Touch Tournament and Womenās Open Touch, this will hold her in good stead against what will be tough opposition.
Keiter is super excited to be selected in the under 15s and canāt wait to share her experience and knowledge when she returns to school touch. Well done Keiter!
Sienna Fillis - Year 10
Congratulations to the Sienna who has been awarded her ACC Letters in Athletics. To achieve letters a student must be selected in the ACC All Star team for Swimming, Cross Country, or Athletics for at least 4 years. For AFL, Basketball, Cricket, and Netball the qualification is 3 years.
Thank you for your contributions to athletics, Sienna and well done on this achievement!
Elizabeth Puthumana - Year 10
We are thrilled to share that Elizabeth has been selected to represent Western Australia at the Australian Taekwondo National competition from December 3 ā 4 2022.
Well done Elizabeth and all the best for the nationals!
ā Share Your Story ā
We love celebrating student success, so if you have a story to share please send details and a photo to:
Traffic Wardens
The Childrenās Crossings and Road Safety Committee is seeking Traffic Warden volunteers. Training is provided by and paid for by WA Police. We encourage those in our community to forward this on to any interested parties.
For more information please visit the links below:
The Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award
The Young Women in Public Affairs (YWPA) Award is an exciting opportunity that would be of interest to female students entering Years 11 or 12 in 2023.
The Award is pitched at young women who are aged 16 to 19 years on 1 April, 2023, who demonstrate superior leadership skills and a commitment to public service and civic causes. It is designed to encourage applicants to continue their participation in public and political life. The Award initially attracts a grant of $500 at our Club level.
For more information please contact Victoria (Vicky) Nazer Vice President, Zonta Club of Perth Inc (vickynazer12@gmail.com) or by telephone or text on 0400 501 118.
In case you missed it...
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