MEET BERTLE THE TURTLE, OUR NEW SCHOOL MASCOT!
The land on which our school sits today is very different from what it was in the past when a stream previously ran through it. Swamps and waterways dotted the local landscape and were a rich source of food for the Noongar people, providing gilgie, frogs, fish, long and short-necked turtles and tortoises, as well as plant food. Almost none remain untouched and most have now disappeared.
The South-western snake-necked turtle, also known as the long-necked or oblong turtle, is a native freshwater turtle found in the Swan Valley. It is considered "near threatened" and is a crucial part of the wetland ecosystem. The Western Swamp Tortoise is one of the most critically endangered tortoises in Australia. There are less than 50 adult tortoises living in the wild, in two sites in the Swan Valley: Twin Swamps and Ellen Brook Nature Reserves. As a school, we will be investigating what we can do to help the preservation of the South-western snake-necked turtle and the Western Swamp Tortoise.
When we were looking for a new School Mascot, it seemed very appropriate that we adopt a turtle, given its significance to our local environment. At our end of Semester One Whole School Assembly, we introduced “Bertle the Turtle” to our students and staff. Bertle will accompany our teams to interschool sport competitions and will also join in with some of our whole school events, such as Harmony Day, R U OK? Day, and Bullying: No Way Day. We are confident that our new School Mascot will further enhance our wonderful school spirit and sense of community.
Easter is a 50-day celebration, remembering not just the empty tomb of Easter Sunday morning, but the varied appearances Jesus makes to encourage and reassure the disciples. Rising from death to new life is a unique and miraculous event and, as for many people today, it would not have been easy to understand, believe or see its significance straight away. The first Easter was marked by joy and triumph, along with confusion, fear, amazement and doubt, all of which are experienced by a typical person of faith. It is good to have 50 days each year to reflect on, and be transformed by, the many aspects of the Resurrection.
