Issue 9 - 2024

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.

We understand that this is also a time of year when some families may be considering moving out of the area as job opportunities arise, or other family circumstances change.

To assist with our planning for 2025, we would appreciate families advising us as soon as possible of any future student withdrawals. This will also enable us to offer any available places to families on our waitlist.

Please also take into consideration the school policy for student withdrawals:

One full term’s notice in writing is required of your intention to withdraw a student.

This means that you must give at least 10 school weeks’ notice of any withdrawals (a school week is defined as a week during school term time—not school holidays).

If you do not give sufficient notice, you are required to pay a term’s fees in lieu of notice.

We receive many requests from parents leaving the school to waive the late withdrawal fee, which is a standard charge and standard practice in independent schools in Western Australia. To be fair to all our parents, and to keep our fees as low as possible, we must adhere to the policy of enforcing the late withdrawal fee for all students.

Addressed to the Principal (Ms Melissa Powell), a withdrawal notice should be sent via email to enrolments@svacs.wa.edu.au .

If any of your children will not be returning to SVACS in 2025, the school must receive written notice of your intention before Wednesday 9 October 2024.

Thank you for your assistance in helping us with our planning for 2025.

Congratulations to Lauren Bassola (Year 11) who has been selected to represent Australia at the International Mounted Games Exchange as part of the Australian Pony Club team. She will be travelling to Canada and competing against riders from Canada, USA and the UK.  What an amazing achievement!

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Melissa Powell

Principal

Jesus uses concepts and images from everyday life to make it easier to talk about unseen, spiritual realities.

Jesus said he is the Bread of Life: just as bread, or food, is a necessity for earthly life, the Word of God is food for eternity. He says that if we eat of it (in other words, listen to and absorb his Word into ourselves), we will not be hungry again, for other beliefs and teachings when we have digested the truth.

On another occasion, Jesus has compassion (one of our school values) on a hungry crowd, and feeds them all with five loaves of bread and two fish. There is more left over at the end than there was at the start. This is a miracle story, expressing the power of God in his incarnation, Jesus. But it also uses food to tell us about God’s inexhaustible love and mercy – even when it has been shared and everyone has had their fill, there is still more.

It teaches us the importance of sharing, both food and other resources that are unevenly distributed among the people of the world, and the love that God has given us. The boy who shares his packed lunch with 5000 people exemplifies the Christian virtue of generosity and our school’s focus value, excellence. He gave everything he had so that others might have life. Jesus blessed his offering, and he will bless what we offer in service to others.

Just as we need food to live, so do we need the Bread of Life, the Word of God, to nourish and inspire us, and to give us life in all its fullness.

Fr Toby
School Chaplain

Living God,
whose Son Jesus fed the hungry
with the bread of his life
and the word of his kingdom:
renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us with your true and living bread,
Jesus Christ our Lord;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen                                    

A Prayer Book for Australia

Pre-Kindergarten students have been learning all about dinosaurs. The students’ favourite dinosaur is the Stegosaurus which has special plates on its back and spikes on its tail!

Kindergarten students have been exploring the theme of ‘Storytelling’ and have particularly enjoyed learning about characters and settings. They have been focusing on mythical creatures and fictional characters in stories. The students have loved playing dress-ups and even hatched some fizzing dragon eggs that had appeared in their classroom. They are very much enjoying all the fun that Book Week brings to this topic.

Pre-Primary students have been investigating all things connected to the Olympics and how it links with our Science and Humanities studies. The students were all asked to design their own Olympic uniform for a sport of their choice while considering the properties and practicalities of the material and the needs of their sport. They had a blast designing, cutting and creating with fabric!

Year 1 students have been learning all about our community.  As part of their inquiry, they went on a community walk to explore our local Aveley shops.  They put their learning about Australian money into action as they purchased treats from the local bakery, as well as went on a scavenger hunt to find many of the important services we have in our community.

Year 2 students have been very excited to welcome some new additions to the classroom, as they go on a journey to explore the life cycles of living things and investigate how living things grow and change over time. The wonderful caterpillars have touched the hearts of the Year 2 students, allowing them to observe so many changes already, like eggs hatching, caterpillars growing and forming into a chrysalis, and even a freshly emerging butterfly!

Year 3 – students have enjoyed learning about the 2024 Paris Olympics. Incorporated into their Inquiry unit they researched the events, countries, history and athletes. They are now beginning a research and construction project to create their own Olympic Torch.

Year 4 students been completing a topic on Forces. Students have looked at friction, magnetism, gravity, and air resistance. They completed an investigation on friction, looking at how different surfaces affect the level of friction, and another investigation looking at magnetism using toy cars and magnets. They thoroughly enjoyed this Science topic and have now moved into Design Technology where they will put their knowledge of forces to the test. Students will be asked to design a bridge to hold various weights and to also investigate and make a product to move a mini figure.

Year 5 students have been learning about measurement in Mathematics, focusing on length, area, perimeter, volume, capacity and mass. They particularly enjoyed using scales to measure the weights of different classroom items.

Year 6 - In Religious Education the students have been learning about refugees. To support their learning, students were visited by the Red Cross and participated in an ‘In Search of Safety’ incursion, which explored the services that Red Cross provides and allowed students the opportunity to participate in a challenging activity that reflected the experiences and decisions faced by refugees when leaving their home country. To consolidate their learning, the students also listened to a presentation from a person who had experienced life as a refugee when fleeing Myanmar.

Music - The Year 3 students have been continuing to learn the recorder this term and have also been introduced to the xylophone. First, we learn the words to a simple song, then we learn to sing it in two parts. Once we have mastered that, we can move on to playing the song on the instruments. We are working on the skill of listening to each other to improve our ensemble playing and are having great fun in the process.

Italian – Year 6 students have been busy creating a presentation for their upcoming speaking assessment Come Passiamo Il tempo Libero in Famiglia? In this task, they are showcasing their knowledge of commonly used verbs in the present tense and phrases detailing how their family spends their free time.  Photos show students diligently preparing!

Interschool Cross Country (selected students): Friday 30 August

Junior Years Assembly by 5H: 9am Tuesday 3 September

Early Years Assembly by 1B: 9am Thursday 5 September

Junior Years Athletics Carnival: Friday 6 September

Primary School Open Morning: 9am to 10am on Thursday 12 September

Last Day of Term Three and Casual Dress Day: Friday 20 September

Thank you to everyone for supporting our Primary School. I wish you a wonderful next few weeks.

Mrs Shirley Steel

Head of Primary School

SEMESTER TWO CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAM

The Semester Two Co-Curricular Program is now available on SEQTA Engage.

Student participation in our Co-Curricular Program contributes to nurturing a deep sense of belonging, in line with one of our School's key priorities. Engaging in such activities not only develops interpersonal connections, positive friendships and a sense of agency but also promotes inclusivity within the community, thereby substantiating its profound impact on students’ overall sense of wellbeing.

YEAR 7 IMMUNISATIONS

The Department of Health will be conducting a school-based immunisation programme for Year 7 students on Monday August 26th. The program offers a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (dTpa), the chickenpox vaccine, as well as a vaccine for protection against human papillomavirus (HPV).

Please note that students in Years 7 should wear PE uniform on the day of their immunisation.

All students require parent/carer consent before they receive any vaccinations at school. 

Please find attached the link for students to register, preferred method.

Login - VaccinateWA (health.wa.gov.au)

A paper consent form can be accessed through SEQTA Engage.

For further information on the vaccines please visit the following website:

School-based immunisation program healthywa.wa.gov.au

BULLYING NO WAY NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION

The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence has a new name: Bullying No Way: National Week of Action.

Bullying No Way Week is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative and was acknowledged from Monday 12 August to Friday 16 August.

This year the theme was ‘Everyone Belongs’. When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It's about embracing who we are, respecting everyone's differences and standing up together against unkindness.

Throughout the week, we organised a variety of events and activities to highlight the important message that 'Everyone Belongs’. Among these was our third buddy activity of the year, where Primary students shared their favourite activities with their Secondary School buddies. Claire Eaton from ROC Mindset (ROC Mindset Coach for Youth & Parents | Claire Eaton | Teen Support) gave an inspiring presentation to our Middle Years students on the importance of kindness, connection, and relationships. Additionally, we hosted two student forums focused on preventing bullying, and Senior Years students participated in lunchtime sporting competitions.

MATHS WEEK

During Week 4 we celebrated Maths Week, a fantastic event that brought out the best in our students’ mathematical talents.

Each day, students participated in daily quizzes, vying for the coveted $10 café vouchers. The quizzes were a hit, challenging students’ problem-solving skills and rewarding their quick thinking. 

One of the highlights of the week was the “Guess the Jellybean” competition. Students put their estimation skills to the test, trying to guess the number of jellybeans in a jar. It was wonderful to see so many students getting involved and having fun. 

Our pi-reciting contest was another standout event. We were amazed by the incredible memory and dedication of our students. Akshay Athreya managed to recite 199 digits of pi and take out our winning place. What an outstanding memory!

Maths Week was a resounding success, thanks to the enthusiasm and participation of our students and staff. It was a week filled with learning and an increased appreciation for mathematics and its applications. We can’t wait to see what next year’s Maths Week will bring!

YEAR 9 FOOD CLASSES

Students in the Year 9 Food classes have been diving into the world of Cafe Culture. This week, they had the opportunity to visit two popular local cafes, Miss Me Cafe and Mecca Gourmet. During this short excursion, students explored the diverse menus, the variety of foods and beverages offered and the layouts and aesthetics of café design.

In the classroom, students have been practising their food presentation skills and their importance to the dining experience.

Year 11 CHILDREN, FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY

Students in the Year 11 Children, Family, and the Community Course have put their creative skills to work by designing and sewing a range of modern and classic tote bags. These beautifully crafted bags will be donated to young mothers participating in The Nest Program, part of Youth Futures, providing them with practical and stylish support. Well done to our students for combining creativity with community care!

YEAR 9 HUMANITIES EXCURSION TO FREMANTLE PRISON

Year 9 students recently visited Fremantle Prison, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Western Australia's most significant historical landmarks. The visit provided an immersive experience, offering students a unique opportunity to delve into the rich and often grim history of the Australian penal system.

CAREERLINK TRAINING EXPO - COURSE OFFERINGS FOR 2025
Students were encouraged to meet the training course providers, to gather information on their chosen career course, pathways and opportunities.  Parents and students found the evening very useful.
 

Courses available include:

• Certificate II Automotive Vocational Preparation
• Certificate II Building / Construction
• Certificate III & IV Business
• Certificate III & IV Community Services
• Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care
• Certificate III & IV School Based Education Support
• Certificate III Events
• Certificate III & IV Fitness
• Certificate III Health Services Assistance
• Certificate II Plumbing
• Certificate IV Preparation for Health & Nursing Studies
• Certificate II Retail Cosmetics
• Certificate II Animal Care

SKILLSWEST EXPO

Year 11 students attended the SkillsWest Careers Expo at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre.

It was Western Australia’s largest Careers and Employment Event, and the Expo hosted over 160 organisations and employers with career opportunities for all ages.

The event catered for school students, parents, teachers, graduates, job seekers, people looking for courses and workers seeking new training options.

Students found this event an invaluable opportunity and strongly advised others to take part in 2025!