Issue 9 - 2025

This fun video captures the incredible imagination and enthusiasm of our students and staff — a true celebration of storytelling and community spirit.

Congratulations to Irwin, the winning house of this year’s Carnival! A special mention also goes to Stirling, who took home the House Spirit Trophy for their outstanding support and enthusiasm. Well done to all the Champion competitors who were awarded medals for their achievements, and to every student who took part.

The Carnival was a celebration of school spirit and community, and we hope you enjoy this video of highlights!

SVACS Katabainos (Secondary Team) - Jason Pan (Mathematics), Jacob Seinemeier (English), Kelly Dowel (Technologies), Cheryl Crisp (Learning Enrichment): https://anglicare-wa.grassrootz.com/central-park-plunge-2025-anglicare-wa/svacs-katabainos

SVACS Swan Dive Squad (Primary Team) - Alli Brown (Primary EA), Danielle Palmer (PP Teacher), Cristin Mallon (Year 1 Teacher), Kate Murray (Learning Enrichment): https://anglicare-wa.grassrootz.com/central-park-plunge-2025-anglicare-wa/svacs-swan-dive-squad

ACC AFL TEAM SELECTIONS

Congratulations to Roxy Adams (Year 12) on her selection for the ACC Girls AFL team. Roxy competed in a tri-tournament last Friday against IGSSA and SSWA representative teams — and the team emerged victorious!

Congratulations also to Connor Standish (Year 12), who was selected for the ACC Boys AFL team. Connor played in a tri-tournament against PSA and SSWA representative teams, with his team also claiming victory!

Well done to both Roxy and Connor on their outstanding achievements — we’re incredibly proud of your efforts and representation at this level!

STATE SPORT REPRESENTATION – CONGRATULATIONS COOPER AND HARSEERAT!

We’re proud to celebrate two outstanding students who have earned state selection in cricket:

Cooper Chilman (Year 7) has been selected to represent Western Australia in the 2025 Cricket 12s Boys Championship. Cooper will compete at the School Sport Australia National Championships in Ballarat, Victoria, this October.

Harseerat Chahal (Year 9) has been selected to represent Western Australia in the 2025 Cricket 15s Girls Championship, with the team heading to the National Championships in Tuggerah, NSW, this September.

State representation is a remarkable achievement and often marks a key milestone on the pathway to senior and national selection. We’re incredibly proud of Cooper and Harseerat and wish them every success as they compete on the national stage!

STATE SPORTING ACHIEVEMENT – CONGRATULATIONS AARAV!

Congratulations to Aarav Nagaraju (Year 3) on winning a gold medal in the individual poomsae event at the Australian Taekwondo WA State Championships. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to Aarav’s dedication and skill. Well done, Aarav!

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Melissa Powell
Principal

Crossing the Line

Some boundaries promote mental health, wellbeing and safety. Other boundaries can be divisive and cause harm and exclusion. In the Gospels we see Jesus crossing this second type of boundary to heal, include and forgive.

In Chapel recently we saw Jesus crossing the line between men and women, the sick and healthy and the sacred and secular when he healed a sick woman on the Sabbath. We reflected on other stories such as the Good Samaritan where cultural and religious lines were crossed to show compassion to someone in need.

Crossing the line to do what is right is at the heart of Jesus’ ministry. Secondary students also considered the reflection of Martin Niemöller, a German pastor, who at first said nothing when various groups of Germans were being taken away by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1937. When he courageously changed his mind, and crossed the line, he too was arrested and imprisoned until 1945. He said:

“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out

—because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out

—because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out

—because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me

—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Jesus refused to recognize the boundaries humans had put in place, that prevented life in all its fullness for all humanity.Early Years students enjoyed a fantastic performance of the healing at the centre of the story, of a woman bent over double and in pain for 18 years. Being freed from these boundaries by Jesus, who crossed the line to help, made her leap for joy.

Students of all ages were asked to think about the lines drawn between them and others, the need for bystanders and people with prejudices to cross these lines, and taking opportunities to show compassion, even if it means going outside traditional boundaries.

Fr Toby
School Chaplain

Prayer

Dear Lord, while we hold biases, prejudices, and judgments

toward those who are different from us,

you command us to love our neighbours as ourselves,

regardless of race, ethnicity, or culture.

Break down the walls of division and unite us in your love.

Help us to see others through your eyes, with love and compassion.

May we embrace diversity

and celebrate the unique beauty of every individual created in your image.

Through Christ our Lord

Amen

Enwongo Edem

The Power of Reading in Primary School: Book an Adventure!

Reading books opens the door to imagination, empathy, and lifelong learning. It strengthens literacy skills, builds vocabulary, nurtures curiosity, and helps children explore both real and imaginary worlds. This year’s Children’s Book Week theme was ‘Book an Adventure!’ and celebrated 80 years of inspiring young minds through storytelling. With whimsical maps and magical characters, the theme reminded us that every book is a passport to discovery. Whether diving into fantasy or exploring history, reading empowers students to dream big and think deeply. We celebrated all the wonders of books at our recent Book Week assembly and parade.

To further encourage a love of reading and literature, the Ellenbrook Lions Club attended a Junior Years assembly to present a batch of new books for our library. How lucky are we? Let’s continue to promote reading as the most extraordinary adventure, both at home and at school!

Semester 2 Class Representatives

Being chosen as the ‘student voice’ of the class is a true honour in our Primary School.  Through our Class Representatives program, students are selected each semester to take on this important leadership role.

At our recent Leadership Chapel, we proudly announced the Semester 2 Class Representatives. Each student was presented with a candle and certificate to symbolise their commitment to shining brightly as leaders within our school community. We look forward to the positive contributions these students will make throughout the semester as they represent their peers and help shape the Primary School experience.

Kindergarten - The students in Kindergarten Blue have been engaging with lots of different books as part of their unit on ‘Storytelling’. After reading the story “If I had a dinosaur” by Gabby Dawnay, the students were shocked to discover some dinosaur eggs in one of their investigation areas along with a mysterious note, asking the children to aid in the ‘hatching’ of the eggs. The children were thrilled to see what was inside, and after discussing what they might need to care for a pet dinosaur, they even got to take one home with them. Let’s hope they don’t grow too big!

Pre-Primary – Our Pre-Primary students recently enjoyed a wonderful excursion to SciTech, and what an exciting day it was! The children were filled with curiosity and enthusiasm as they explored the many hands-on exhibits designed to spark creativity, problem-solving, and a love of science. 

From experimenting with light and sound to building with blocks and exploring patterns, every moment was filled with discovery. The interactive displays encouraged our young learners to ask questions, work together, and try new things, all while having lots of fun.

Excursions like this are a valuable part of our learning program, as they provide opportunities for children to connect classroom ideas with the wider world. The trip to SciTech was a joyful and memorable experience, and we are so proud of the way our students participated with curiosity, respect, and excitement.

Year 1 - Year 1 mathematicians have been learning about ordinal numbers and their applications. Students began by learning what ordinal numbers are and what they look like. They practised writing ordinal numbers in words and using the special letters, called Ordinal Indicators, with numerals. To put their theory into practice, the students participated in running races and worked together to award each place correctly. They then took some photos and reflected in class. The students then enjoyed watching some Olympic races and noting what position each participant placed. What a fun experience!

Year 2 – In Science, the Year 2 students explored how living things grow and change by planting and observing mung beans in shared classroom pots. With great excitement, students checked on the beans each day, often recording their observations and noting changes in colour, shape, and size.

They quickly discovered that growing plants isn’t always predictable. Some beans sprouted quickly and reached for the sunlight, while others took longer or didn’t grow as expected. This sparked fantastic discussions about what plants need to grow and why they might grow differently, even in similar environments.

Through this hands-on investigation, students developed their observation and recording skills while deepening their understanding of plant life cycles. It was a wonderful reminder that science often involves surprises, patience, and careful watching!

Year 3 students planned and wrote information reports about a hybrid animal of their choice. They then transformed their research into PowerPoint presentations to share with the class as a part of a Speaking and Listening task. Each report included details about the animal’s classification, appearance, diet, habitat, and behaviours. The students thoroughly enjoyed this project, especially the creative process of designing their slides and experimenting with transitions.

Year 4 – Over the last two weeks, our Year 4 students have been busy writing product reviews. Each student chose a product and shared what they liked and didn’t like about it. They also gave it a star rating out of five. Using persuasive language and thoughtful opinions. They’ve done a great job convincing readers why a product is worth trying, or why it might not be! Do you think they can convince you? 

Year 5 - Our Year 5 students recently enjoyed an excursion to the Perth Hills Discovery Centre in Mundaring, where they learned about fire management and the importance of caring for our environment.

During the day, students went on a guided bush walk to observe their surroundings. They looked for signs of past fires and discussed the factors that could increase the risk of fire in bushland areas. This hands-on experience provided students with a deeper understanding of how fire shapes the environment and the strategies employed to manage it safely.

One of the highlights of the excursion was a fun and engaging relay, where students worked together to dress in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) just like real firefighters. It was a valuable day of learning, exploration, and teamwork that our Year 5 students will remember.

Year 6 - Our Year 6 students enjoyed an excursion to Parliament House as part of the Levels of Government unit. Some classes were lucky enough to see Roger Cook in action in the Legislative Assembly, while 6Av students were able to meet and chat with Michelle Maynard MLA, the Member for Swan Hills. Students spent the day between the Constitutional Centre of WA and a tour of Parliament House, as well as a treasure hunt around the Parliamentary gardens. All had a great day!

Students of 6A also farewelled Miss Abbonizio, who is beginning her maternity leave. We wish her all the very best as she welcomes her little bundle of joy and enjoys becoming a mum. 6A students have also had time this past week with their new teacher, Ms Sharon Holder. We welcome Mrs Holder into the school community and the Year 6 team. 

Digital Technologies

Year 2 Digital Technologies – Coding with Ozobots

This term, our Year 2 students have been exploring the exciting world of coding. We have been learning about the importance of coding in our daily lives and how it enables us to create and control technology. Using hands-on Ozobots, students have been experimenting with writing their own codes through colour patterns and sequences, watching their robots follow instructions and complete challenges. This has helped develop their problem-solving skills, creativity, and logical thinking while making learning fun and interactive.

Year 5 Digital Technologies – Decoding ASCII

Year 5 have been learning about binary and how all computer data is stored in 1s and 0s. This week they learnt the encoding system ASCII for letters. Students used a decoder card to translate a message from binary code into letters.

Visual Art – Year 2 students have been abuzz with creating scenes to tell a story using Lego, backdrops, and props. The students then learned how to use a camera to capture their scene in a photo by applying digital art skills, including zooming in close to the focal point, holding the camera steady, and keeping it level. All Year 2s enthusiastically enjoyed this, and it looks like there will be a few budding photographers in the cohort! 

Physical Education – Our Year 5/6 Netball team competed in the School Sport WA Netball Champions Cup Carnival, facing off against the best public and private schools in the state. Our boys had a great day, winning 5 games, drawing 1 game, and losing 2, and finished 4th in their pool —an outstanding result, considering many of the boys only learned the sport this year!

Music - Flamingo Strings Ensemble Enchants Early Years Students

As part of the SVACS Arts Week, students from Pre-Primary to Year 3 were treated to a magical musical experience during the recent Flamingo Strings incursion. Four talented musicians brought the theatre to life with a captivating performance that had students wide-eyed and thoroughly engaged from start to finish.

The ensemble introduced students to the world of orchestral string instruments in a fun and interactive way. Through enchanting melodies and playful demonstrations, students learned about different playing techniques and explored Italian musical terms—all while enjoying a rich, live musical experience.

The performance wasn’t just educational—it was also emotionally engaging. Students danced, stamped and tapped along, responding with joy and curiosity, and shared how the music made them feel. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect learning with imagination and to experience the arts in a meaningful and memorable way.

If your child would like to begin learning a string instrument or any other instrument, please contact music@SVACS.wa.edu.au for further information.

Italian - This term, the Year 1 students were delighted to host Pinocchio in their classrooms. The funny and cheeky puppet helped the children to learn the names of the body parts and how to express their ailments in Italian. The students then created their own puppets and proudly showed them to Pinocchio.

Term 3 Key Dates

Here are some key dates for you to mark in your calendars, as follows:

Tournament of the Minds (selected students): Saturday 6 September

RU OK Day: Thursday 11 September

Primary School Open Classrooms: 8.45am to 9.45am on Thursday 11 September

Junior Years Athletics Carnival: Friday 12 September

Write a Book in a Day (selected students): Monday 15 September

Junior Years Assembly and Worship by 5O: 8.50am Tuesday 16 September

Early Years Assembly and Worship by PPL: 8.50am Thursday 18 September

Year 1 and Year 2 Concerts: After School on Thursday 18 September

Last Day of Term 3: Friday 26 September

Thank you to everyone for supporting our Primary School.

Mrs Shirley Steel

Head of Primary School

Term 3 Holidays - Opening Hours

• Monday 13 October: 8:00am – 12:00pm

Please note: pre-booked appointments will take precedence over walk ins. 

Uniform Shop Trading Hours - Term Time

• Monday: 8:00am – 11:00am
• Wednesday: 8:00am – 11:00am
• Thursday: 12:30pm – 4:00pm

Please note that the Uniform Shop has different opening hours during the School Holidays. The Uniform Shop is located adjacent to Student Services in the Administration Building. During shop opening hours, the Uniform Shop can be contacted on (08) 9297 9509 or 0423 391 770.

Please see our school website for more information and for online ordering:
https://www.svacs.wa.edu.au/essentials/uniforms