Issue 1 - 2026

We are delighted to extend a particular welcome to those students and families joining our community for the first time. The sense of excitement and joy across the campus at the start of Term 1 has been wonderful to see, with so many happy and enthusiastic faces returning to school.

• A COMMITMENT is a promise you make to yourself or to others.
• COMMITMENT is dedication to achieving a goal or target you set for yourself.
• Ambition is the desire to achieve something.
• Doing the work is COMMITMENT; everything else is ambition.
• When you are truly committed, you are willing to work hard to reach your goal.
• Commitment means not giving up when things become difficult or frustrating.

Throughout 2026, we will be asking all staff and students to demonstrate COMMITMENT by living out these principles:

• We set goals (make a plan)
• We work steadily towards achieving them (stick with it!)
• We are proud of our success

By embracing COMMITMENT in our learning, work, and relationships, we strengthen a culture of purpose, resilience, and shared responsibility across our School.

Students who achieved an ATAR over 90 were also awarded membership of SVACS 90+ Club. In addition, we were very excited to welcome Rehaan Makkar as the newest member of SVACS 99+ Club, achieving an exceptional 99.50 ATAR, placing him among the top 0.5% of Year 12 students in Western Australia. We also recognised Year 12 2025 VET students who were awarded the University of Melbourne Australian Learner Competency Credential. It was wonderful to hear from our Alumni as they shared their plans for their future and offered valuable advice to current students on how to achieve personal success at school.

The name Collaboration & Creativity Centre reflects the building’s diverse functions and aligns with two key attributes of our Learner Profile: Collaborative and Creative.

The Collaboration & Creativity Centre includes:

• Resource Centre (Library) PK–12
• Five specialist classrooms:
  • Textiles
  • Art (including kiln)
  • Media
  • Two Digital Technologies Laboratories (Primary and Secondary)
• One Language classroom
• Year 12 Private Study Room
• Secondary Student Wellbeing Wing (Psychologist, Heads and Deputy Heads of Secondary, Head of School Operations, Heads of Year)
• Secondary Student Services
• Student bathrooms (on both floors)
• Staffroom
• Meeting rooms
• Staff bathrooms
• Offices for the Principal and Deputy Principal
• Boardroom
• Undercover outdoor seating area for students
• Outdoor amphitheatre overlooking the lake

The Resource Centre will operate from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. Please note that before and after school access is restricted to Secondary students only.

To better support our students, the Student Services area located at the rear of the Administration 1 Building will be dedicated to Primary students and is now known as Primary Student Services.

• Rehaan Makkar                              99.50
• Premram Sohi                                 98.05
• James Choo                                     95.50
• Aurelius Honti                                 94.85
• Lauren Bassola                                94.80
• Pranay Khokhani                            94.55
• Thenaka Godawitharana           93.75
• Jayden Kock                                     93.10
• Madeleine Bennett                       92.40
• Hana Boukari                                   92.00

The new year sees the following staff joining us: 

The following staff have returned from leave:

I look forward to the valuable contributions our new, returning, and continuing staff will make to our growing school community in 2026.

It is expected that all students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 will wear it correctly and with pride, whilst on the school grounds and within the wider community. It is a requirement that all students wear the school uniform correctly, as per the season or event.

In 2026, we are returning to a term-based uniform schedule:

• Formal Summer Uniform – Terms 1 and 4
• Formal Winter Uniform – Terms 2 and 3

Additionally, due to safety concerns, Mary-Jane shoes are no longer be permitted for any year level from 2026 onwards. The open design of these shoes increases the risk of scrapes, cuts, and other injuries from external objects.

An updated Uniform Guide is available on our website: SVACS UNIFORM GUIDE 2026

We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to seeing our students wear their uniform with pride in 2026.

If you have any further queries, please contact:

Primary School (PK-6)               Shirley Steel             Shirley.Steel@svacs.wa.edu.au

Secondary School (7-12)          Keralee Radi             Keralee.Radi@svacs.wa.edu.au

We will shortly begin advertising for our Scholarships for 2027. Details will be available soon.

Pranay Khokhani, one of our high‑achieving 2025 graduates and ATAR Dance students, has been invited by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) to audition for the 2026 Performing Arts Perspectives. This invitation follows the outstanding quality of his WACE Dance examinations, with both his Set Solo and Original Solo Composition recognised as “Outstanding WACE Student Performances.” Being selected for both performances is a remarkable achievement and reflects Pranay’s exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment to excellence in dance. We congratulate Pranay on this significant accomplishment.

Designed to streamline communication between the School and Parents/Carers, the app includes features such as push notifications, so you’ll never miss important news or upcoming events. To get started, please refer to the User Guide Instructions for step-by-step details on how to download and set up the app on your phone. We look forward to keeping you informed and connected through this new platform.

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/swan-valley/id6738373306

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.edu.wa.svacs.schoolapp

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Melissa Powell

Principal

Interviews for future applications occur approximately 18 months prior to the year of entry. Some year groups are already full or very close to being full.

If you have not already done so, please submit application forms for future students by contacting our Registrar, Mrs Merri Corr on 9297 9506 or by email enrolments@svacs.wa.edu.au

I wish everyone in our community a wonderful 2026.

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Melissa Powell

Principal

On 2 February we remember Jesus being presented in the Temple, as required by Jewish law. He is immediately recognized, even as a baby, as the Messiah, the long-expected Saviour of the Jews. The prophets Simeon and Anna proclaim him as the one sent by God as a light for the nations; he will bring down those who exercise power against God’s will, and those currently last will be first. This will make him opposed by many, as he begins the process of healing, reconciliation and turning back to God.

2 February is the feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, also known as Candlemas (the mass at which candles are carried in procession, in honour of Jesus, the Light of the World) and the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also the day when our thoughts turn from Christmas, and the baby Jesus, to Easter, when the adult Jesus makes the ultimate sacrifice, then rises from death, offering new life for all.

At SVACS, the first and last activities in the school year are staff eucharists, when, as an Anglican community, all staff gather in Chapel to give thanks for and reflect on what is past and seek God’s blessing on what is ahead.

I am very excited about what lies ahead for the Primary School and know that the teachers are committed to providing excellent education and care for the students.

The Primary Student Leadership Team did a fantastic job assisting at this event. It has also been wonderful seeing how quickly our new students settled into their new school environment.

The Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten family interviews also took place on Wednesday, 4 February, to prepare the very young children for a strong start to their Early Years at SVACS!

On Thursday, 5 February, the Primary School was abuzz with excitement as all students returned to school, and Ms Powell and Bertle the Turtle helped welcome everyone through the gates.

Pre-Kindergarten children enjoyed their first time at school with activities including painting, collage, threading, building block towers, and water play.

I am confident we will have a wonderful year, working in partnership in the best interests of the children.

Mrs Shirley Steel

Head of Primary School

This aligns with Goal‑Setting Theory, which shows that clear, challenging, and personally meaningful goals increase motivation and performance. The early weeks of term often bring renewed energy after the holidays, and students are well positioned to set purposeful goals that inspire effort and persistence. We look forward to supporting students as they plan their actions and develop accountability through our SVACS goal‑setting process, which helps them break their goals into achievable steps—another key principle of effective motivation and sustained progress.

Our student leaders are eager to champion initiatives that support this focus, including creating more opportunities for House groups to come together and build stronger House spirit. These efforts will help create a more enjoyable, supportive, and connected school experience for all students. We look forward to seeing, feeling and hearing this at our Secondary Interhouse Swimming Carnival in Week 4!

As we continue to build school pride and strengthen our community identity, it is important to consider how we present ourselves both at school and in the wider community. We thank parents, carers, and students for ensuring uniforms are worn correctly and neatly each day. Wearing the school uniform reinforces a sense of belonging and helps create a shared, inclusive identity across our school community.

As a reminder, Summer Uniform is worn in Terms 1 and 4, and Winter Uniform in Terms 2 and 3.

Religious jewellery should be worn discreetly under the uniform where possible. If it needs to be visible, a supporting note from an appropriate religious leader is required.

For safety reasons, Mary‑Jane shoes must not be worn to school, as outlined in the Uniform Guide.

Students who have two practical classes in one day may apply for a PE Uniform Pass, allowing them to remain in their PE uniform between classes. For example, a student with PE in Session 2 and Dance in Session 5 should arrive in formal uniform, change for PE at the start of Session 2, and change again after Dance. Time is provided within classes for students to get changed. Students should see their respective Head of Year for the PE Uniform Pass application.

Head of Year 7: Mr Christian Devellerez

Head of Year 8: Mrs Clare Lowndes

Head of Year 9: Mrs Tash Hague

Head of Year 10: Mr Casey Willmore

Head of Year 11: Ms Emma Amson

Head of Year 12: Ms Jacqueline Orecic

This is an opportunity for all parents and carers to meet the Heads of Secondary, Keralee Radi and Celena Mecham, Deputy Heads of Secondary, Suzy Mettam and Josephine Finlay, and Head of School Operations, Dean Shadgett.

Year 10 is an important year for students. It is the time when students begin choosing subjects and pathways for Years 11 and 12. These choices help prepare students for further study, training or work, and the school will support students and families to make informed and flexible decisions together. This information evening will help Parents and Carers understand available pathways, school processes around course selection, how wellbeing is managed.

Our students have embraced this year’s whole school theme of Commitment with enthusiasm. Year 8s have been learning about Textiles safety and parts of the sewing machine as they sharpen their skills ready to design and make a creative stitch denim pencil case using the sewing machine. Year 9s have been exploring seam techniques, measuring and design mood boards and project management techniques in preparation for their boxer short design challenge. Our room is bright fresh and inspiring, and we are all looking forward to a great year in our new Collaboration and Creativity Centre.

Thank you to all parents who have who have assisted their children with fabric purchases for their students studying Textiles. It has been wonderful to see the creative and practical choices students have made for their design challenges.

Mrs Sue-Ellen Bull

Teacher: Technologies

The SVACS Café is open every day in term time from 8am - 1:10pm.

A wide selection of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks are available from the Café for recess and lunch. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options are available.

Over the counter meals are available for students in Years 3-12. Online lunch orders are available from Pre-Primary and all Primary lunches are delivered to classrooms.

The Café is cashless and accepts online orders or payment via SmartRider or EFTPOS only. We use Flexischools for online ordering and to add value to student SmartRider cards. For instructions on how to add a student card for the Café please contact us.

Each day our students have access to at least two homemade meals that are offered as daily specials. Created in our industrial kitchen on-site by our qualified staff, the Café menu is seasonal with different menu options offered each term.

Contact SVACS Café

Email: cafe@svacs.wa.edu.au

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