E-News 3 September
Term 3
Welcome to Week 8
School of Choice
As a school which prioritises the holistic development of students, we aim to provide a multitude of different growth pathways for them both in and outside of the classroom. It has been wonderful over recent weeks to see students across the K-12 College participate fully in the many and varied opportunities on offer. It gives me pleasure to provide you with a very small snapshot of the rich and broad array of learning happening within our community.
The Arts
I have written at length of the success of our Arts programs at the College and how they provide a wonderfully creative and expressive outlet for students to share their perspectives, thoughts and voice. Last week our students shone at the Catholic Arts Festival Dance concert held at the Perth Convention Centre. The student performances were simply outstanding, showcasing their prodigious dance talents and representing the College with pride. Students are to be commended for the amazing efforts and dedication they have commited to their craft.
This significant dance performance is on the back of a busy time for Performing Arts staff and students. They have fully invested in the multiple dance, drama and music opportunities provided by the Festival over the course of the term. I am extremely proud to announce that the College has been awarded the Servite Friar’s Award for our College Dance Collage again this year, along with the Dominican’s Sister’s Award for our Musical Production, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. These awards will be presented at the Spirit of the Arts Festival this coming Monday evening, where our Dance Ensemble has been invited to showcase their outstanding performance from last Friday’s concert. Congratulations to all staff, students and families involved.
In addition to the Festival events, last week Music students from across the years were involved in our own Ensemble evening, which showcased their musical talents to an authentic audience. We also held our special Year 11 Drama evening last Thursday in the Caroline Payne Theatre.
From a Visual Arts and Technology & Enterprise perspective, we are very excited to exhibit students works from across the K-12 College at our upcoming Av Christi College Exhibition which opens on Wednesday next week.
Sport
From a sporting perspective, we congratulate our amazing K-6 students who proudly represented their Houses at the Junior School Athletics Carnival held yesterday. Students are to be commended for the positive way that they participated fully, giving of their best and supporting others. It was outstanding to see so many engaged parents, caregivers, families and friends present to cheer on the students. Congratulations to Merici for taking out the Junior Shield on the day.
On the back of the recent Senior School Athletics Carnival, it has been terrific to see Associated and Catholic Colleges (ACC) athletics squad members training hard in a bid to make the Av team to compete in the upcoming ACC A Division Athletics Carnival. We encourage students to fully commit to the preparation scheduled and know that they will represent to College with great pride next Wednesday at WA Athletics Stadium.
We are also very excited to inform our community of the College’s involvement in the ACC Inclusive Sports Program (ISP) Athletics Carnival this Friday at UWA Sport Park. The ISP “is integral to the ACC mission and provides students with a disability equitable access to sporting and recreational opportunities”. Congratulations to all students involved in this significant event. We wish them all of the best for the carnival.
Spiritual Growth
Our Year 6 students meanwhile have been spending quality time preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this Saturday in the St Thomas More Parish Church. This is a very special time in the lives of our students as they choose to make a commitment to their own faith journey. We know they will enjoy their visit to St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth this Thursday as part of the Confirmation preparation process. We look forward to gathering together on Saturday as a community to celebrate this special event alongside the students.
Community Growth
This week we celebrate the Patrons of Salvado and Xavier Houses through a series of organised activities. These daily scheduled events have been meticulously planned by College staff to deepen understanding around the significance of the Patrons and also to build community and connections amongst the students. Happy Patron week to all Salvado and Xavier staff and students.
Learning
Congratulations to students involved in the auspicious Tournament of the Minds Competition held last Saturday at ECU Joondalup. The Tournament of the Minds is a problem-solving program for teams of students from both junior and senior years which aims to develop diverse skills, enterprise, time management, and the discipline to work collaboratively within a challenging and competitive environment. Our students rose to the challenges provided and worked together very well in their teams.
We are excited at the opening of our Year 9 student Personal Project Exhibition this evening. Students have been utilising their creativity and design skills and working collaboratively with mentors across many weeks to develop their individualised projects. We look forward to welcoming parents and caregivers into the school to see the outstanding projects delivered by the students.
We are also looking forward to our upcoming K-6 Open Night where Junior School students are invited to showcase their learnings and work to parents and caregivers. Students should be very proud of their achievements and excited at sharing their learning with their families.
College Staff
The above summary is but a brief snapshot of the many holistic growth opportunities available at our very busy school. Multiple pathways exist across the College to support individualised learning for students and to provide them with choice.
Our very dedicated staff are passionate about providing a flourishing learning environment for our students where they build confidence and support student growth both in and outside of the classroom. We acknowledge our staff for their wonderful efforts each day to support the holistic development of our students.
In encouraging students to fully involve themselves in the life of the College, we challenge them to step outside their comfort zone and become agents of their own learning as they strive toward the College Vision of being Outstanding for Others.
Best wishes and every blessing,
Jeff Allen
Principal
School Photo Ordering
Just a reminder that the last day to order sibling photos online is 6 September 2024.
As per the previous E-News information both online and cash payments are accepted.
If you have any queries regarding your order, please contact wecare@fotoworks.com.au
Enrolments Update
Attention All Current Year 6 Av Families
A gentle reminder for our Year 6 families to notify our Enrolments Team, if your child will not be continuing onto Year 7 in 2025.
Sibling Applications
If you have a child enrolled at another school and you would like for the child to join their siblings at the College, (regardless of the academic year), please lodge an enrolment application at your earliest convenience. The College continues to receive an unprecedented amount of enrolment applications so to avoid disappointment in missing out on a place, please ensure you have lodged an enrolment application for your child to join their siblings at Av Christi College! Enrolment applications may be lodged online:
Currently Accepting Kindergarten 2027 and Year 7 2027 – Apply now!
If you have a child born between 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023, please apply now for 4 Year Old Kindergarten commencing in 2027. To avoid missing out on a place, we encourage enrolment applications to be lodged in advance as places are limited.
Contact Us
The Enrolments Team welcomes you to contact us should you have any enrolment questions: Call: 6332 2566, Email: enrolments@corpus.wa.edu.au or Visit: Senior School Administration Office, off Murdoch Drive.
Wellbeing Blog: R U OK? Day
This week, our Wellbeing Blog is dedicated to R U OK? Day, which falls on Thursday, September 12. This National day of action reminds us of the importance of checking in with those around us and starting meaningful conversations. By asking, “Are you OK?” and really listening, we can make a significant difference in someone’s life. Stay tuned as we explore ways to support each other and foster a compassionate community. Let’s make every day an opportunity to connect and care.
Year 6 Confirmation
This Saturday at 3 pm, our Year 6 students will reach a significant milestone in their faith journey as they receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at Saint Thomas More Parish. This rite of passage marks an essential moment in the lives of our young people, as they deepen their commitment to the Catholic faith and take on greater responsibilities as members of the Church.
Confirmation is a profound step in the spiritual life of our students. It signifies the sealing of the Holy Spirit, empowering them with the gifts needed to live out their faith with courage, commitment, and compassion. This sacrament strengthens their bond with Christ and the Church, preparing them to be active participants in their faith communities and to witness to the Gospel in their everyday lives.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Saint Thomas More Parish for their unwavering support and guidance throughout this journey. We are also deeply thankful to the dedicated staff who have prepared our students, guiding them through the sacraments and nurturing their spiritual growth.
As our Year 6 students approach this sacred moment, we pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire and guide them, helping them to live out their faith with joy and commitment. Congratulations to our confirmands and their families on this special occasion!
Gratitude for a Year of Meaningful House Patron Liturgies
As we conclude this year’s House Patron Liturgies, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our entire community for their unwavering support and participation. These liturgies have been a special time for us to come together, celebrate our House patrons, and deepen our connection to our faith.
We are especially grateful to Saint Thomas More Parish for their ongoing support, which has strengthened our bond with the parish and brought us closer to the Eucharist. Their guidance has been invaluable in fostering a deeper sense of spirituality within our college community.
A huge thank you goes out to our College’s House Community Coordinators, whose dedication and leadership have ensured the success of these liturgies. We also want to acknowledge the families who have supported their children throughout the year, helping to create a vibrant and faith-filled community.
Finally, we wish to thank our students for their reverence and participation in these sacred gatherings. Your respect and devotion have truly made these liturgies a meaningful experience for all.
As we reflect on this year, we are filled with gratitude for the blessings of our community and the shared faith that unites us.
Warm regards
Damian Ramos-Nunez
Deputy Principal Catholic Identity and Mission
Dear Parents and Guardians
As we enter into Week 3 of Term 3, it's exciting to reflect on the successful and fun-filled events that have brought our College community together. We've recently celebrated two of our big-ticket items: the lively Book Week Parade and the energetic Athletics Carnival. Both events were met with enthusiasm and participation, showcasing the vibrant spirit and unity that define our College.
Book Week
The 2024 Book Week theme, "Reading is Magical," celebrates the enchanting power of books to transport readers to fantastical worlds and ignite their imaginations. This year's theme highlights how stories can captivate minds and open doors to endless adventures. Through the magic of reading, we can explore new realms, meet extraordinary characters, and experience the wonder that only a great book can offer.
This year’s Book Week parade was a vibrant celebration of literature, engaging students from Kindergarten to Year 6 in a delightful showcase of creativity and imagination. The school grounds were filled with excitement as students paraded in costumes representing their favourite book characters. From classic fairy tale figures to heroes from modern children's literature, the variety of costumes was truly impressive, reflecting the diverse reading interests of our students.
Adding to the excitement, the event featured a surprise play performed by our dedicated staff and executive leadership team. This unexpected treat delighted both students and parents alike. The staff brought characters from a beloved story to life with humour and enthusiasm, demonstrating their commitment to fostering a love of reading in fun and engaging way.
Overall, the Book Week parade was a resounding success, with the entire school community coming together to celebrate the joy of reading. The creativity on display and the participation from everyone involved made it a memorable event that will be cherished by students and staff alike.
Thank you to Mrs Munro for organising author visits during this term, which has sparked our students into becoming young writers. To see the full gallery click here.
Junior Athletics Carnival
Our Junior athletics carnival was an incredible day filled with excitement and enthusiasm. From the opening sprints to the final relays, our students displayed extraordinary courage, taking on new challenges and pushing their limits. The spirit of compassion was evident as participants cheered each other on, offering support and encouragement at every turn. Commitment shone through in the dedication and effort each student put into their events, making the carnival a true celebration of our college values. The day concluded with smiles all around, a testament to the strength and unity of our school community.
I would like to extend my thanks to Mr Trickett and Mr Howard for running a successful event. As well as all our staff, student and parent volunteers for lending their support and help during the day.
Congratulations to Pallotti house for winning the Spirit award for the day and Merci for taking out overall winners.
Our Champion boys and girls will be announced at a later date this Term, once all results have been reviewed and confirmed.
Thank you to all our parents who joined us at these events, it is always wonderful to connect with you all.
Warm regards
Katya Anderson
Head of Junior School
Maximise Your Engagement with the College Calendar!
Did you know our College Calendar offers dual access? It’s publicly available online for general viewing, but signing in reveals a richer, more detailed schedule.
We understand the importance of keeping up with your child’s school activities. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the College Calendar effectively. Follow our easy step-by-step instructions to make the most of the calendar and support your child every step of the way here:
Below are some downloadable graphics to help you remember what’s coming next, but please refer to the College calendar for more details.
Patron Week: 3 September - 6 September
An email was communicated on Monday 26 August with
While students from Salvado and Xavier Houses will be engaging in special activities, we are pleased to invite all of our Pre-Primary to Year 12 students from all Houses to participate in a few house fundraising activities. This gathering is an opportunity for all Houses to unite in the celebration, with all proceeds going towards House charities.
For those eager to have their children join in, please take note of the following details:
Junior School:
Thursday 5 September – Popcorn sales outside the JS Courts at lunchtime, $1.00 with proceeds going to House charities.
Senior School:
Friday 6 September – Soft drink cash sales $2.00. Free live music at Mater Christi, $1.00 spin the wheel - cash chocolate raffle, big games on the library lawn.
Graphics above are correct at time of publication.
Please refer to the College Calendar for the most up-to-date event dates and information, as it serves as the definitive source.
Non-Ticketed Events
The Personal Project Exhibition
The Personal Project is a challenge set at the start of the school year for the Year 9 students. The students have two terms to design and create a ‘Project’ based on their personal interests which involves innovation, creativity and critical thinking.
On Tuesday 3 September from 5.30pm the Year 9s will showcase their Personal Projects. The exhibition is a wonderful celebration of the diverse talents, creativity and hard work of our Year 9 students.
Please feel welcome to attend and support our students.
Parent Presentation: Getting Comfortable with Consent
Presenters: Mike Dyson and Lucy Peach
Tuesday 10 September
Many parents report finding having conversations around consent with their children awkward and difficult. This presentation aims to alleviate parents’ concerns and explains the gendered cultural drivers behind young people’s behaviour in relationships; frames age appropriate information about consent; and simplifies how to engage young people in open, honest and rewarding conversations. For more information about the presentation and the presenters, please watch this
K-6 Open Night
We invite all current families to explore and celebrate the learning journeys of your children at Av Christi College.
Join us for an evening of discovery, connection and inspiration on Thursday 12 September 3.15pm - 6.00pm.
Families are welcome to visit anytime during the advertised times to explore their child/s classroom and explore their learning.
Ticketed Events
Emerge - Year 12 ATAR Dance and Music Performance
Join us on September 5 at 6.30pm for Emerge, an assessed performance showcasing Year 12 ATAR dance and music students. Enjoy Original Solo Compositions by Dance students and exam pieces by Music students. Year 10 and 11 Dance students will also perform. Don’t miss this opportunity to support our talented students!
Visual Arts Exhibition
Join us for the K-12 Visual Arts and Technology and Enterprise Exhibition in the James Nestor and College Theatre.
Registrations essential for catering purposes.
Year 7 STEM
Last week, our Year 7 students participated in a STEM challenge, during their Science, Mathematics and Technologies classes for the week. The problem they faced was to design and construct the tallest beacon tower possible, from limited materials, in order to support a 2kg radio transmitter to assist rescue from a desert island.
Students were assigned to small groups to collaborate on the task, in which they investigated the problem and possible solutions, then designed and produced their unique solution, before evaluating and testing the product. The week gave students a terrific opportunity to challenge themselves with new thinking and commit to collaborate with others to develop the best solution in a fun environment. On Friday, the Year 7’s gathered to test the best beacons to determine winners based on their function (the beacon holding the most weight at the greatest height) and aesthetics and innovation. Prizes were on offer for the best solutions, as well as the groups that showed outstanding commitment to the week. Well done to all of the Year 7’s for engaging in the week and to teachers for supporting students through the journey. The winners were as follows:
1st Place: MacKillop - Ava Dahlstrom, Karteg Cheema, Anna Foo, Noah Connoley
2nd Place: MacKillop - Bryce Marszal, Hudson Cox, Livia Barnes, Kate Wong
3rd Place: Chisholm - Charlotte Mattock, Layla Rush, Josh Poole, Tai Kozak
4th Place: De Vialar - Sophie Bolton, Jarrad Dean, Aaron Webb, Etosha Nooyen Best Design: Merici - Aston Meldrum, Lennon Murphy, Julia Guida, Zoe Abey
Year 11 2024/ Year 12 2025 Booklist Reminder
We are pleased to announce our continued engagement with Box of Books for the provision of digital and physical education resources for Term 4 2024 and ongoing into 2025. Our Year 11 2024/Year 12 2025 school booklists are now open. To ensure you receive your physical items in time for the START OF TERM 4, please place your order by Friday, 6 September 2024. For orders placed after the due date, the availability of items for start of term delivery cannot be guaranteed. Visit the link here for more information.
The release of all other year level booklist will be communicated in due course.
ACC A Division Athletics
On Wednesday 11 September our talented Senior Athletics Students will be participating in the ACC A Division Athletics Carnival. Senior School families will receive a link on Monday 9 September with access to the ACC A Division Carnival live stream via email. We wish our competing students all the best!
Interhouse Play Results
Pathways Newsletter
If you want to keep informed about the latest career opportunities, upcoming events, and more within our College community, be sure to read the Pathways Newsletter. Each issue will feature insights into various career paths, highlight key events and more. We aim to provide valuable resources and information to help you navigate your educational and career journey. ng!
Head of Junior School Katya Anderson
For something a little different this week… we have a Staff Success story!
We are thrilled to congratulate our Head of Junior School, Katya Anderson, for her outstanding performance at the World Multi-Sport Championships held in Townsville this year. Katya was selected to represent Australia in the Aquathon (run, swim, run) and achieved an impressive 5th place in her age group, with only a 70-second difference between herself and first place.
This was Katya’s first-ever competition at the world championships and her first race back after recovering from a stress fracture earlier this year. Her dedication and resilience are truly inspiring.
Well done, Katya! We are incredibly proud of your achievements and look forward to celebrating more of your successes in the future.
Isla Emmerson
We are incredibly proud of Year 10 student Isla Emmerson, who recently represented Australia in the IIJL Women’s World Junior Lacrosse Championship in Buffalo, New York. This historic event marked the first time women competed in the tournament. Isla, the youngest member of the U21 team and the sole representative from Western Australia, showcased her exceptional talent. Australia began the tournament with a strong 10-5 victory against Canada. Despite narrowly losing their remaining three games, including a close 7-6 match where Isla scored, the team secured the silver medal.
Isla’s outstanding performance earned her the MVP title for Australia in Game Two, where she scored three of the team’s four goals. Her relentless hustle and dedication were truly inspiring. Isla is now turning her focus to the National Australian Lacrosse Championships, where she has been selected for the Western Australian U15 team for the third consecutive year. We look forward to seeing her continue to excel and represent our school with pride.
Kade De Luca
We are very proud of Year 12 student Kade De Luca. Earlier this year Kade was scouted by executive producers of The Voice Australia and from thousands of applications he proceeded through the extensive audition tour to be one of 80 artists Australia and NZ wide chosen for Blinds - with only a handful of those under 18.
In between studying ATAR he headed off to Sydney to perform on The Voice stage in front of celebrity coaches Adam Lambert, Kate Miller- Heidke, LeAnn Rimes and Guy Sebastian. What an incredible experience! After returning from Sydney he was invited to perform live on stage with Voice Coach Kate Miller-Heidke on her Catching Diamonds Tour, and also performed with Perth Symphony Orchestra and Joondalup Symphony Orchestra.
What an exceptional achievement Kade to be performing on the biggest stage in Australia at 17 years old.
We have enjoyed your musical journey and look forward to continuing to see your talent shine!
instagram @kadedelucamusic
⭐ Share Your Story ⭐
We love celebrating student success, so if you have a story to share please send details and a photo to: enews@corpus.wa.edu.au
Learn to Swim at Av
Av Christi College offers a Learn to Swim Program onsite at the Jennifer Reilly Aquatic Centre. The aquatic centre features a covered and heated 25 metre, eight-lane indoor lap and water polo pool, a separate 12 metre learn-to-swim pool and terrace seating for 180 people.
Our Learn to Swim Program is facilitated by Speed With Style, a company who provide a unique approach to swim teaching called Individualised Custom Teaching, which was developed by Dr Nigel Williams in collaboration with head coach and Speed with Style Founder - John Williams.
The Learn to Swim program is available to both Av Christi College students and those external to the College.
You can register and find more information about Speed with Style here:
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