22 September 2022

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

From the Principal’s Desk

Kaya

The school holidays will bring out all the beautiful wildflowers we have here in WA- the time of Djilba. It will also be footy finals time and a chance to rest and recuperate from a fantastic term 3. After the year, we have all had it very important to recharge and deal with our fatigue. The final term 4 promises much – we are moving out of Covid according to the World Health Organisation but still need to take appropriate care. It feels like a new lease of life is upon us.

I had a fantastic night recently at the Western Australian Education Support Principals and Administrators Association (WAESPAA) Recognition awards evening. It was part of the conference called Katta Djinoong- See Us, Understand Us. The conference convenor was our very own Jess Bates. She did a brilliant job organising both events, which incorporated aboriginal artwork done by our very own students. Our award winners for the night were Mr Hussain, Mr Panizza, Miss Cook, Miss Egan and Mrs Gale. They were worthy recipients and enjoyed the dinner together. As you can see from the photo, it was fun!

At the Evening, we heard from a speaker called Amy Jacobson, who challenged everyone to find their superpowers. She is the author of Emotional Intelligence and employs people to accept responsibility, find their place and develop passion. All our award winners exemplify these traits, and all our staff are looking for ways to release every student’s superpowers!

Next week is Mental Health week, and the theme is “Where we live. How we live. What we’ve lived.” Understanding how the body, mind and environment intersect is essential to overall well-being. The nutrition we consume, the movement of our bodies, the health of the planet and the quality of our communities all play a part. Our student services team have a lot of activities planned. It will build upon our work as Mentally Health School and follows on nicely from R U OK day.

Best of luck to all our champion sports people at school. Jaxon Hay has been selected in the WA state AFL all abilities team to play in the Inclusion carnival in South Australia in November. Amihan Parker, Germano Masino and Turoa Rangiaho- Ransfield are in TEAM WA Athletics at the Special Olympics in Launceston in October. Our very own Lochlan Fennel is on the soccer team and will join 5 of our ex-students, Lynette, Ewan, and Elvis. Nicolas and Brendan are in this state team. Lochlan must be one of the youngest participants ever at such a high level. We are so proud of them and hope they enjoy lovely Launceston. Sport at our school is a vital curriculum area and driver, and I love the Special Olympics motto, “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

I hope all our community have got their ITP/IEP’s and if you need further information, please contact your class teacher. Stay tuned to our School webpage, Connect page and social media posts. Every class has their own Connect page, and we hope our families are enjoying the reduction in paper thanks to our Consent 2 Go program. Our school certainly provides a lot of opportunities for our students to learn in the community and I really enjoy going over the excursion planning, which is considerable, for all the activities. From visits to dog refuges, overnight camps, canoeing, aboriginal history tours, golf… the list never ends. That is only one week!

For many of our Year 12 students, this will be their last newsletter. They are wonderful young people who have matured and developed into capable citizens with much to offer. Remember, the world does not owe you a living- go out and make your mark. Come back and let us know how you are going. We love getting visits from alumni sharing their stories and success.

I look forward to sharing your day at Curtin Stadium for the presentation ceremony on October 22nd.

Lastly, the prime minister has announced a public holiday as a national day of mourning for the late Queen Elizabeth 11 on Thursday, 22 September. As such, all schools and worksites are closed. School will return for the last day of term on the 23rd. I personally am in awe of a person who provided service and duty for over 70 years and will use the time to reflect. Take care and have a great holiday break. You deserve it!

Andrew Wilson

Class Updates

7D

Term 3 is almost ending, but our students have worked extremely hard!

For the last couple of weeks, both year 7 groups have been coming together to practise team games and individual sports events for our school’s athletics carnival. Students have been participating in many events such as tunnel ball, pass ball, javelin and leader ball.

For our Ignite ‘adventure’ and ‘volunteering’ part of the program, our students have been learning about the purpose of volunteering and researching a non-profit organisation called Shenton Park Dog Refuge. Our students have been making dog toys and homemade dog biscuits to support this organisation. We will donate these to the refuge and learn about the visions and services they provide.

Making dog biscuits and toys for Shenton Park Dog Refuge

Next Term, Mr Luke Rossi will take the term off for parental leave. We wish him and his family the very best for the remainder of the year

Deearna Holmes

7M

During literacy, our students participated in Direct instruction, spelling, grammar, reading a short text, form filling and reviewing their chosen library book.

Working on Literacy

In numeracy, students continued building on their knowledge in handling money, telling & measuring various items around the classroom.

With the support of David McMahon from TransPerth WA, our students were given a short presentation on how to use a smart rider and how to access transport. Then our students caught a bus and a train from school to Oat street. We were delighted to see our students acting mature and willing to ask David questions to build on their understanding.

Transport presentation

In health, students have continued learning about protective behaviours. They identified what is a public and private part of a human body. They also commenced listing and comparing male and female body parts.

Learning about protective behaviours

As part of our Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) program, our students accumulated enough AIR (achievement, independence, and respect) tokens and received their rewards.

Levi PBS reward

During woodwork, students commenced making model planes as part of their next project.

Woodwork

During STEAM, students learnt about reversible and irreversible changes and made some cookies to show understanding.

Baking cookies

In cooking, our students made yummy pancakes, pizza, and apple turnovers.

In Ignite, students continued making their mosaic tasks.

Our students have decided to make Key Chains for our upcoming Market day. They have commenced beading various items and thoroughly enjoyed it.

In preparation for the athletics carnival, the year 7 classes have been practising various activities such as leader ball, tunnel ball, pass ball, over and under, vortex throwing, 50m sprints and relay.

Preparing for athletics carnival

During Interest Based Options (IBO), we were lucky enough to have a few fantastic coaches from WAFL who taught our kids some fundamentals in football.

As part of our enterprise program, our students have been sorting and collecting various containers to learn the importance of recycling and calculating profits. Pipper and Sam from Containers for Change heard about our exciting program and wanted to get up and close to see how it all works. They were thrilled with our student's eagerness to work, maturity and ability to work together to complete the task.

Introducing Pipper and Sam

Congratulations to Ken Tran, who came runners-up during the Term 2 ESSN art competition.

Ken’s award

Mustafa Hussein

8C

The sports edition

Our morning routine involves exploring the calendar, including Noongar seasons – we have just entered Djilba – (a mix of wet days, cold clear nights, and pleasant, warm days). We also look at the time, weather, UV Index predictions for the day, the daily timetable, “How Are We Feeling Today,” PBS daily token tallies and this term times tables. Our students are now so well acquainted with multiplying by 2, 5 and 10. The answers are returned with gusto and have led to improvements in time and counting money. Counting via fingers is encouraged as a counting tool always on hand – get it!!! For your information, dactylonomy is the act of counting using one's fingers.

Mathematics and English daily lessons are accessed via Teams – Assignments with one hundred questions daily consisting of times tables, money recognition, change given, map coordinates and data collection. Lessons accessed via user-friendly Teams encourage our students to become independent learners with help at hand if required. English sees us working on verbs, nouns, and adjectives (does mum know she is a noun)!!!; common versus proper nouns; collective nouns – are you aware of a dazzle of zebras, a flight of butterflies and a wisdom of wombats! Students are given a daily list of exercises to complete and take great delight in marking off each exercise with a tick once completed. Much whooping, “10/10“, and “legend” are to be heard on completing assigned work.

Key word sign with Ms Martlew is focussing on colours this term. Word association certainly assists – green works with green sleeves, red and red lips, white a bishop’s collar.

STEAM - In the past four weeks, students have participated in various hands-on experiments that capture the reversible and irreversible changes we have been exploring all term. Students have tried mixing oil and water together, only to find they do not mix! Over time they have also seen how sugar dissolving is a reversible change due to the water evaporating and leaving the sugar crystals behind. Students have also been fortunate to see how biscuit baking is an irreversible change. In contrast, chocolate and butter melting are reversible changes when they baked chocolate biscuits in class and devoured them.

STEAM activities

Practice for our athletics carnival has stepped up, with ball skills the focus. Leader ball and volleyball are amongst the activities played with great enthusiasm and improvement after each session.

Preparation for athletics carnival

A conclusion to our aquaponics and tomato growing experiment, and an experiment it was!! Upon close inspection of the fish tank, once again, our perch have disappeared – a reward for information on their whereabouts is being considered. The tomato plants were such a success the local wildlife took advantage of our chemical-free approach and devoured our highly prized fruit; yes, tomatoes are botanically defined as fruits as they are formed from a flower and contain seeds. Our Ignite experiment has highlighted there may be challenges beyond your control when commencing a small business. Thank you, Mr Arrantash, for your leadership and enthusiasm for our Ignite enterprise.

Term three break is rapidly approaching. Enjoy, everyone, and stay safe.

The Class of 8C

8P

In Literacy, we finally finished reading Charlotte’s Web and watched the movie. It was interesting for the students to be able to compare the book and the movie and see how close they resembled each other. After the movie, the class made a list of any significant differences between the book and the movie and discussed possible reasons why it was different. It was great to see the students very much engaged in the subject.

As part of Independent Living, the class has been learning about real-life situations to help prepare them for life beyond school. Some of our tasks include using the laundry, cleaning, recycling, correctly answering the telephone and cleaning the kitchen. We have also had some experience with developing food preparation skills. The students have a weekly task each Wednesday of taking fruit to other classes that Foodbank has donated.

As we regularly have a surplus of apples, we decided to make apple sauce to give to the Year 10’s who were going to Leeming SHS for a Market Day. The task required the students to peel and core the apples, remove the seeds and cut the apples into small pieces. After this was completed, the apples were placed in a blender and pureed. As you can see from the photos, the student's part in the process went perfectly. Unfortunately, the 8P staff got a bit excited and didn’t secure the blender correctly, resulting in the volcanic eruption of apple sauce. Fortunately, no one was injured, and the incident was taken in good humour.

We will be looking to extend our culinary expertise by making apple pies, apple tarts and fritters, and possibly apple crumble in the coming weeks. The students will be able to learn all aspects of the requirement to make each recipe and improve mathematical skills in measuring and addition. The class will also examine how much ingredients cost and determine which items are the best value for money.

One of the ASDAN modules required students to work in pairs and cost a weekly shop. One student only purchased the expensive brand name items, and the other purchased the same items but only the home brand (Coles). The students used Coles online shopping, and the items totalled at the week's end. The class was surprised at the difference between purchasing brand names and Coles home brands. This was a great exercise to develop skills in budgeting and to experience a real-life situation that people face each week.

Making apple sauce

Independent living apple sauce disaster

Warren Preece

9H

Students had an excursion at CREEC (Canning River Eco Education Centre) on Monday, 29 August. This excursion was organised by Nearer to Nature and focused on the Noongar way of life around the Canning River. We learnt how the traditional Noongar people lived along the banks of the Djarlgarra or Canning River. Belinda Cox from Djirrily Dreaming led us along the bank of the Djarlgarra as she discussed a day in the life of a Noongar family as they hunted and gathered their food. Students actively participated in identifying and collecting food and medicine from the bush. We also learnt about the collaborative fishing practices of the Noongar people. Everyone participated, and it was a great learning experience for all.

CREEC excursion

Students have been baking pizza for cooking. We have learnt to plan our cooking time, list ingredients, look up costs on Woolworths or Coles websites, and identify non-branded items as they are cheaper than branded items. Students were able to use the step-by-step cooking recipe as they made their pizzas.

Preparing pizza

On Friday, 2 September, students had a Father's Day plant sale and key ring sale. It was a success as students sold all the key rings and most of the plants. Students held this sale alongside the P&C team. It was a great learning experience through Enterprise, as students planned for this by getting plants ready and making key rings. Students made posters on Book Creator, printed them, and displayed them at strategic places around the school campus. We designated teams that helped with set up and packing up. Some students helped with transactions, and others helped with crowd control, reminding students to stand in line while waiting to purchase sale items.

Getting ready for Father’s Day plant sale

Princy Heald

9S

Term 3 has gone so quickly, and it has been hectic. We have been busy in the classroom, working hard to achieve our IEP goals in all subjects. Alongside our work within the classroom, we have had some fun-filled excursions and activities this term.

In week 4, we had the Transperth excursion. We caught the bus and train to travel from our school to Maddington station and back. Through this excursion, we gained some practical skills on road safety and safety on public transport. We used our smart riders to tag on and off when using the bus and train. We also got information on where to get help and what to do in case of an emergency when using public transport. It was a great excursion.

Transperth excursion

In week 7, as part of our Indigenous studies, we participated in the Djarlgarra Yarning excursion at the CREEC. In our weekly HASS lessons, we have been learning about Aboriginal history and culture, and this excursion was an extension of our classroom learning. We learned about the Noongar people’s strong connection with the wetlands and rivers that flow across the Swan Coastal Plain and how it forms the basis of much of their culture, spirituality, and identity. We walked around the region with the educator and picked some plants and bushes that were eaten and used as medicines in the past.

In our science lessons with Ms Laudehr, we are learning about reversible and irreversible changes. We have been doing a few hands-on activities in class to understand this process. Using resin, we made keyring attachments in class which looked beautiful when completed.

Making key chains in science

This term, in our Key Word Sign lessons with Mrs Martlew, we are learning to sign the colours. We have also been revising the signs we learned in the previous terms through fun-filled signing activities during our weekly lessons.

Jai using his communication device to read a book

We have also been celebrating important days at school in collaboration with the college, like Daffodil Day and R u Ok day, by dressing up in special colours, supporting each other and donating to the cause. Our class has also been participating in the ESSN Art Competition every term. We are proud that the winner of the Junior Secondary category for term 2 was Maddison Wheeler from our class. She won a certificate and a $20 gift card as the prize. Congratulations Maddison!

We are looking forward to many more eventful days this term. We are hosting the Assembly in week 10 and are preparing for the same. We also have an excursion to Kings Park and the Sports Carnival on the last day of school.

We are wishing everyone a safe, restful, and enjoyable term break!

Susan Solomon

10S

In week 5, our class welcomed a new student – Taky.

Here are some reflections and highlights of the term.

Amy reading her social story

Playing golf

Taky

Athletics carnival practice

Congratulations to Germano for coming 3rd in Cannington’s Got Talent.

Happy and safe holidays to you all.

Pat Spadanuda

10W

This term has been filled with some great learning opportunities. We are currently learning about etiquette and other social requirements often perceived as rules in English. This is great because it goes nicely with our preparation for our formal goodbye lunch at the end of term 4 (more details about this to follow in the new term). We have been learning about using cutlery appropriately, eating with our mouths closed, and not kicking the person opposite us under the table. During English, we have cooked vegetables and chicken and been able to put these social rules into practice. Learning to use the slow cooker to make tasty lunches has been fun.

In Maths, we have been having fun learning about directional language. This involved all sorts of activities, including getting Mrs Whelan to draw things on the board by just using our verbal instruction – that was hard – especially when we had to stop and think about how to describe what we wanted her to do. Next, we blindfolded our partners and gave them verbal instructions to a particular location around the school. We found that our steps suddenly became much shorter and that some of us have trust issues when working with our peers! Daelen became quite clever in giving his instructions to his partner. Rather than using directional instructions, he worked out that he could direct by saying ‘follow my voice’. Clever!

In Recreational Pursuits, we have had two sessions at two driving ranges – one at Whaleback Golf Course and the other at Collier Park. It has been fun learning to use the real clubs and balls – and having Justin VW with us to help us with our grip has been pretty cool – Justin always wows us with his demonstration and can hit the balls a really long way!

Workright Industry tasters are nearly complete – this term, we have had the pleasure of working at Access Office Furniture, City of South Perth Nursery and AYLA Inc Op Shop in Cockburn. Each student is demonstrating some excellent work readiness skills. Mrs Pears has been enjoying getting to know us and is preparing to get placements for us for term 4.

Working hard

In e-Safety, we have completed the compulsory modules. We are now learning about safer online buying and have been learning about delivery and payment options, as well as what to do if we order something and it doesn’t show up. We are very aware of fraudulent activities as well as scams. We are now learning how to protect ourselves to prevent being taken advantage of.

The class has begun the informal transition to the Senior Campus at Sevenoaks. We have been walking over to the senior campus every week and completing simple tasks such as locating the toilets, canteen and library. One week we even went over and made a Milo in the Business Centre, which was nice. Next term, the transition program will increase, and even more, activities will be designed to familiarise us with our new school campus for next year. Watch out for Consent2Go emails to come through as planning progresses towards these.

Have a wonderful and relaxing holiday. Term 4 for year 10’s is always busy.

Rhoda Whelan

11F

On Tuesday 6th September 11F were lucky enough to be invited to Leeming Education Support Centre for their Market Day. We had a great time and enjoyed buying some presents for our family.

Market Day at Leeming ESC

We have also been learning about the benefits of physical exercise, being outdoors, community participation and volunteering. After this, we made a short film that promotes the benefits of doing each activity, called ‘Positive impacts on mental health.’

Some of us decided that playing basketball was a great form of physical exercise; the rest thought walking was more fun because you can “walk and talk.” We all love being outdoors and spending time in the sun drawing, reading, listening to music or chatting with friends.

Cole enjoying the outdoors

It is also important to spend time in the community, using the local facilities, like Pot Black and Zone Bowling. Whilst in the community, we decided that volunteering and helping people is a kind thing. We helped the gardener with weeding, picked up litter from around the school, and cleaned the tables in the Sevenoaks café.

Ebony picking up litter

We have our Keys 4 Life driving theory test on Wednesday next week, so we have been practising the tests online. It would be good if we could also practise these at home on the website: Road rules theory test quiz (transport.wa.gov.au)

Here are some jokes from Stevie and Cole to make you giggle:

The class of 11F

11G

We have had a busy term, with most students completing their ITPS. Each session is vital as it allows all stakeholders to re-focus on important milestones in each young person’s life.

The students had an HPO excursion to Kent St Weir to demonstrate their kayaking and teamwork skills, and it was interesting to see how the student’s resilience developed during the day. We were lucky the weather was kind, and the students had a great paddling experience.

Having a great time kayaking

This term, the students had an opportunity to sit for their Keys For Life theory test. They have all been practising the tests online and working hard during lessons, and it was great to see Casey, Alando, Isaac, Turoa and Oliver pass their test. Nathan previously passed his learners test at the licensing centre and has begun driving lessons with this Dad. I know the students who haven’t passed yet won’t get too frustrated and will continue practising and eventually pass their test.

Seeing some of our students continue playing basketball and soccer outside of school is pleasing. Jaxon plays AFL for Kelmscott and won his grand final recently. We are all working hard to improve our social skills and continue working on our emotional well-being and engaging with the community.

Dwayne Griffin

12G

This term, we have had many different activities and events. Week 8 was particularly busy with RUOK day, Market Day, DFES camp and the Abilities Expo.

RUOK day was celebrated with a mountain of muffins and fun activities outside the Business Centre. Market Day was held at Leeming SHS ESC, where 12G made theraputty and popcorn to sell. Each student had a turn operating the stall, talking to customers, taking orders and handling money.

Making popcorn for Market Day

Wednesday saw the year 12 students head to Mundaring for the overnight DFES camp, where they made fires, cooked their meals and slept in tents in the freezing cold. There are a few students who came back and said they would never go camping again!

As we enter term 4, we will say goodbye to our year 12’s. They have been with us since year 7 and have shown maturity and a readiness to leave school and enter the big wide world. We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours.

We would like to make a special mention of one of our 12G students.

Next term Amihan Parker will be heading off to Tasmania for a week to compete in the Special Olympics Junior National Games.

Amihan will be competing in four events:

Shotput
Long Jump
100m race
4 x 100m relay.

All going well during the week, Amihan will be given the opportunity to attend the International Special Olympics in Germany next year.

We all wish her the best and will be thinking of her that week. GO AMIHAN!!!!

Amihan preparing for the Special Olympics Junior National Games

Cindi Griffin

12J

The Year 12J class has been jam-packed this term. On Monday, 5 September, we celebrated R U OK Day by serving nearly 400 muffins that our class and the Food Science class had made. It was an excellent opportunity to check in on our students and spread messages of support and kindness.

R U Ok Day

In Week 7, the HPO Foundation students participated in their Kayaking skills and assessment tasks. Jarrod, Charlotte and Brianna kayaked along the river leaving from Kent Street Weir. Mr Griffin explained the safety requirements, steering and paddling techniques needed when kayaking in pairs. The group were fortunate to enjoy beautiful weather for this excursion.

In Week 8, the Year 12 students went on an overnight DFES camp to the Hills Discovery Centre at Mundaring. It was an excellent opportunity for our students to showcase the skills they have acquired over the year in the DFES unit. Some of the activities on the camp included bushwalking, GPS and UHF Radio skills, bush cooking, fire safety, scavenger hunt and completing the blind trail at night. The students had a fantastic time but were looking forward to sleeping in their own beds!

Ready to go to DFES camp

Judi Janes

Pathways M

This term, the students have been entirely focused on completing their ASDAN modules and corresponding portfolios to submit to moderation at the end of Week 8. As the school's senior class, their moderation is set much earlier than other grades as the student will be allowed to leave school at the end of Week 1 in Term four.

With only a few weeks left until the students are done with school forever! We have been conducting workshops with them to reflect on their year and some of its highlights. While not forgetting some of the lessons they have learned from challenges they have faced, including: Surviving the pandemic and returning to the ‘new normal’. Which was a highlight that resonated with all of us. The face masks had become a part of our lives more than ever before, so when we could take them off, it was great to see each other’s smiling faces again.

School camp was another highlight as the student got away from the classroom and back to nature for some fun in the sun while testing their physical and mental limits.

The students in our class collectively logged over 200 hours of workplace learning over the year, with various jobs from restaurants, supermarkets, Active, gardening, retail shops and animal shelters, giving students a vast array of on-the-job training. Workplace learning has helped their confidence immensely and helped form a better understating of the jobs they enjoy and are good at doing in the future.

The students have been cooking each week all year and have turned themselves from novices to independent cooks who can independently take care of their nutritional and dietary needs.

Reuben, Jasmine and Jason cutting fruit for a salad. Angus and Jason making Chicken and Veg Skewers. Angus, Jason, and Jasmine after they made a Roast Chicken

Finally, I would like to thank the students of the class for all their hard work and wish them a joyful and prosperous future doing something they enjoy.

Ryan Michael

STEAM

During this past Term, students have been learning about reversible and irreversible changes. They have participated in a range of hands-on experiments that have explored how reversible changes might change how something looks and feels, but it hasn’t created something new. In contrast, an irreversible change is when they have made a new substance or object.

During the term so far, students have been given the opportunity to explore how condensation and evaporation work, how mixing milk and vinegar makes a kind of plastic, how potatoes once boiled become soft, and how no matter how hard they tried, oil and water don’t mix. They’ve also been given the opportunity to bake chocolate biscuits in class! This experiment allowed them to see how biscuits baking is an irreversible change and how butter and chocolate melting are reversible changes.

Students also participated in creating keyrings for Science Week. Science Week occurred during Week Five. The theme this year was Glass – More than meets the eye. Students learnt how resin can be reversible or irreversible depending on the type of resin used and how Indigenous people used and continue to use spinifex resin for multiple purposes. Students created keyrings using epoxy. They chose a shape they liked and different coloured glitter for their designs. They all turned out beautiful!

Completed keyrings

Miss Laudehr

Design and Technology

Year 7 students have had three terms of exploring a range of hobbies, a challenging area of the Ignite Award. They have tried leatherwork, plaster casting, jewellery making, mosaics and electronics. Students have been hands-on learning about series and parallel circuits this term and experimented with static electricity. Students learn how to strip copper wire, fit crimp lugs and troubleshoot for faults. Year 7’s have just completed a mock-up torch circuit that uses a paper clip as a homemade switch and small screw-in bulbs. Students find electricity fascinating because it is a moving thing travelling around a circuit that they can’t see!

Making electricity

Year 8’s have completed their Jewellery boxes. This project involves making a box and fitting hardware such as butt hinges and a hasp and staple. 8P students requested if they could use a wood stain and varnish combination to finish their jewellery boxes. They found the thin and runny product varies from the paint we usually use. The students completed two coats of varnish to get a good finish.

Students have also been exploring a range of hobbies as a part of their Ignite Award. Recently, students from 8C have been working on a mosaic project. Students were given a brief to create a mosaic that included an apple with a knife in the middle of it. This meant using templates and breaking or cutting tile fragments to form the required shapes. After the background was completed, the class applied grout and gave the finished surface a final polish.

Creating mosaics

Year 9’s have been working on their Apache Helicopter models for many weeks. It has taken quite a while to make and put all the different components together. To build this project, students used a wood lathe, a drill press, a cordless drill, many hand tools and two types of fixings. Most students were quite relieved to finish and are looking forward to starting a new project which will be a monster truck.

Completed helicopters

Students have used the school’s workshop to make copies of indigenous artefacts. They used a wood lathe to make clapping sticks and worked with a jigsaw and sanding equipment to make the aircraft wing-shaped woomeras. Mr Gardener, the school’s AEIO, told the students how woomeras were used to scare native animals out as a part of traditional hunting. Students studied Indigenous tracking and messaging symbols and used pyrography to burn symbols and stories onto their projects. This project has integrated indigenous culture in a hands-on way.

Interest based option students who chose Introduction to do Electronics have completed their electronic quiz project. This project has involved a lot of work stripping wires and soldering connections. This project is packed with life skills and has turned out to be a challenge that offered an incredible feeling of success during the testing phase.

Year 10 Enterprise students have made several wooden carry crates by repurposing timber from used transport pallets. The pallets had to be stripped and de-nailed. The salvaged boards were then cut to length and sanded to remove the splinters and bring out the character of each piece. Students then drilled and nailed the crates together to create a saleable product contributing to the Leeming Market day. The year 10s started this project with a short lead time. This meant that a lot of work was required for each enterprise session to complete the finished product on time.

Year 10 DFES cadets have been busy preparing for their overnight camp at school. They have used butane cookers and camp cooking equipment to boil water, cook toast, eggs, bacon and sausages so they can cook their own breakfast on camp. Students have also learnt how to pack an overnight bag, make a bedroll, and put up the tents they will use on the school oval. The overnight camp at school is a practice camping experience on the familiar school grounds. Senior DFES students are offered the opportunity to sample bush camping in year 12.

DFES cooking

The year 12 DFES cadets have completed their off-site overnight camping experience at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre near Mundaring. Students were shown how to light fires and competed in a billy boiling competition using an open fire before setting up tents and the camper's kitchen. A meal of sausages, peas, potato and corn was cooked on an open fire for the evening meal. Sweets followed, which were banana splits cooked on the coals. After tea, students used a GPS unit to navigate through the bush in the dark to the entry point of the blind trail near the campsite. It was great to see participants taking up the challenge and being prepared to be out in the bush at night without a torch to complete the blind trail. Students woke to warm milo before packing their gear to earn breakfast. Cadets used butane stoves to cook toast and pancakes before completing a walk from camp across the Mundaring Weir dam wall. The last activity was a lunchtime visit to the Sculpture Park in Mundaring. Students used 2-way radios and took advantage of the facilities like the flying fox and the concrete tunnel maze. It was a pleasure to be with this group of students. Staff commented on students' willingness to help with any task and each other. I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff who worked tirelessly as a team to make this a great event and experience for our students.

Blind trail

Tradestart students have been busy completing 2 metalwork projects and assisting the school in repurposing a shed space. The main metalwork project for this term has been the camping folding shovel. This model incorporates arc and oxy welding, Hydro bending and many hand tool skills. Students also tried their hand at spray painting, finishing their shovels with primer and colour. The second model this term was a Junior hacksaw. This model involves students using a dye to cut their thread and the oxy with a forming jig to shape the saw frame. Tradestart students were asked recently to demolish steel shelving in a shed so the shed could be repurposed. This involved students using cordless drills and rattle guns to disassemble large steel shelves. Students worked hard over four hours to strip the shelving down, stack the components onto a ute, and then into a scrap steel bin for recycling. This task incorporated many valuable life skills. It was great to see students working together as a team to achieve a common goal.

Completed Shovels

Pulling shelves apart and loading them onto the ute

Mark Arrantash

Interest Based Options (Photography)

This term has seen the beginning of a photography group for Interest Based Options (IBO). A small number of students each week learn how to use different models of cameras, take photographs framing the subject matter and further develop their editing skills. This exposure has helped students find their favourite photographic medium and topic of interest in photography. These photos are an exhibition of selfies, the student’s favourite photographs, and other students participating in their IBO groups.

Sandie Dutson and Glenda Reid

Devyn

Edmund

Jayden

Oliver

Wah Sa Lay Paw

Workplace Learning

Wow, how fast does time fly?? It seems we just started Term 3, and here we are, already at the end of the term.

Even when the time flies so quickly, our students have made fantastic progress in their Workplace Learning placements and future plans. We have had incredible feedback from some of our employers for how our students have presented themselves in the workplace.

Our students have helped the school to develop a good relationship with Greyhounds as Pets. Thank you to Brianna Excell, Jasmine Sunderland, Ashley Pabai, Cameron Banks and Jaydene Deyzel for making such a good impression. You have ensured the relationship with this employer will flourish.

Ashley and Brianna taking greyhounds for a walk

We want to congratulate Brianna Excell, who has worked with animals at different workplaces for the last two years. She never hesitated at the tasks she was asked to complete and was a fantastic representative at every placement. This placement has rewarded Brianna by being offered paid employment when she leaves school in the animal industry.

Congratulation Brianna

Congratulations to Aaliyah Bright, who has worked extremely hard to complete Certificate II in Hospitality – Kitchen Operations. Aaliyah has attended the workplace twice a week for the year, developing new skills and taking on new responsibilities. This certificate will put her in an excellent place to find employment in the future.

Another student who has learnt new skills in the hospitality industry is Sharnie Ransome. It is such a pleasure to visit her workplace, where Sharnie serves, takes payment and makes coffee. The employer contacted the school to make sure we were aware of what an excellent job she was doing.

Nabillah Maulana and Jarrod Hicks have been attending Bentley TAFE to complete a Hospitality Skills Set. They have both been very reliable and will successfully finish this course early next term.

Brianna Excell has been travelling to Mandurah one day a week this year to attend an Animal Studies Skills Set. She was recently awarded a certificate at TAFE for “Always showing compassion to the Birds and Dogs.”

Henry Mippy has been attending Perth Creative College to complete Certificate II in Leadership – Focus on Music. When Henry began this course, he was very unsure, and to his credit, he has become very independent and is now thoroughly enjoying the course. Hopefully, he will show us some of his new skills before he leaves school.

These are but a few of the students who have shone this year.

The Post School Options Expo is a little later than usual this year. You can see all the details of the Expo on your child’s classroom connect notices, the school's Facebook or Instagram page. This year it will be a joint effort for the Education Support Schools Network and will be held at Leeming SHS Education Support Centre on Wednesday, 21 September, from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm. This expo is a fantastic opportunity for students and families to discuss future plans with providers.

This is a bittersweet time of the year for us as we prepare for our leaving students to make their final farewell to school and begin their journey into the wider community. One day you will look back and think, “Those were the best days of my life”. May all your hopes and dreams come true.

We look forward to hearing about your achievements in the future.

Carollyn Pears and Vera Edwards

Student Services Update

R U Ok? Day

The work of health professionals is vital, and their value cannot be underestimated. However, we can all play a role in supporting the people in our world. You don’t need to be an expert to have an R U OK? conversation. Listening and giving someone your time might be just what they need to help them through.

This year, staff and students at Cannington Community ESC focussed on the message ‘R U Ok? No Qualifications Needed’ by participating in a healthy muffin morning tea at our senior campus and a pancake breakfast at our Middle school campus. Help seeking information and prizes were given out on the day, as well as many conversations and check-ins with those supporting us daily.

A big thank you to all the staff and students who helped make the events so successful and for highlighting the critical message of checking in with each other and offering and receiving support when needed.

We wish everyone a positive and safe break and look forward to a productive Term 4.

R U Ok Day Pancakes

A message from our PBS team on behaviour

The Student Services Team

Save the date!

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Cannington Community Education Support Centre will host a parent workshop in Week Six of Term 4. The workshop will run for 2 hours, beginning at 12.30 pm. We will be serving afternoon tea afterwards for parents who attend. More information will be sent out early next term where you will be asked to R.S.V.P. A creche service will be offered for those who have young children that might need looking after during this time. The workshop will focus on how teenagers are influenced by what happens at home, including parents’ hopes and dreams for their teenagers as they grow towards adulthood. We will also look at the realities of raising teenagers today and how to help teenagers become mature young adults.

Tracey Creighton (Provisional School Psychologist)

Office Information

Payments

Thank you to everyone who has paid their contributions—just a reminder, you can pay your contributions by EFTPOS, direct debit, on our website – parent payments or by payment plan. Please do not hesitate to contact the office to arrange a payment plan.

All charges for years 11 and 12 students are compulsory. The school cannot subside your child’s excursions if charges are not paid.

Middle School Parking

Please note that parking is not permitted in the driveway at the school’s entrance, as indicated by the ‘no stopping’ markers and yellow line, as this causes a traffic jam on Wharf Street and is dangerous for students. The disabled parking bays are for people displaying an ACROD sticker only. Your cooperation would be appreciated. Parents are welcome to park down the side of the school near the bus bays. Parents picking up children from the bus bays need to arrive early before the buses.

Visiting the School

All visitors must sign in at Reception/Business Centre and receive a yellow visitor label.

Tanya Buchan

Friendship