Newsletter Term 1 2022
Principal's Message
We started Term 1 of 2022 with the knowledge that we would be dealing with COVID and the uncertainty of what that would mean for us on a daily basis in schools. It has been a challenging term in certain aspects of this but it has certainly allowed the staff at West Coast SESC to demonstrate just exactly why I consider them to be awesome. There have been days when we have been 21 staff members down – out of 65 staff each day – and it has necessitated us moving staff around to cover certain areas of the school at very short notice. Staff have rallied around and done what was asked – with smiles and goodwill – and I thank them on your behalf as well as ours.
There have been increased demands for reporting to the DoE and the Health Department and this has increased the workload for staff allocated to these tasks – but the support we have been offered and have received from the DoE has been fabulous.
I have been sending out weekly updates to you all and I hope this has been useful and informative. I have put my contact details on the bottom of these updates and I welcome any questions or concerns you may have.
We have had many disappointments for staff and students during this term with almost all events being cancelled. Upper school camp was the first casualty and then Lower school camp followed suit. We are still awaiting direction from the DoE to say if and when camps can be rescheduled. Other events that would normally be held during Term 1 have also been cancelled or have taken place in classes rather than as whole school events. These include Harmony Day, Rangers’ Day, Bullying No Way Day, Basketball Carnival, lunch at Parliament House for selected staff and students, School Photo Day and the School Ball, which has been postponed until 16 September 2022.
Students also had to deal with the “bubbles” we set up – where only certain year groups were allowed to mix – to minimise the risk of an outbreak in the school. Obviously some students were disappointed with these rules but more importantly, they coped and demonstrated a remarkable amount of resiliency. We will be able to go back to normal in Term 2 with no bubbles as the restrictions ease and I am sure we will see some happy faces as a result!
Our School Board AGM was delayed and incorporated into a subsequent Board meeting where we socially distanced and had individually wrapped biscuits in deference to the COVID rules!
We have a robust School Board comprising of staff, parents and community members as follows:
School Board Chair – David Wilson (Parent)
Staff - Carol Clarke, Tamara Gill (Secretary), Claire Hayhoe, Deb Pember and Lisa Broxton.
Parents: Bronte McMahon, Kerry Hapgood– Strickland, Jury Raneses and Ashlee Holohan (new member).
Community members - Tim Rankin (Warwick Shopping Centre) and Cathryn Sonneman-Smith (ex parent member).
Warwick SHS Board Chair and regular invited guest: Christopher Chattering
We will have to wait to see what Term 2 will bring but I am confident that we will all manage to get through it and hopefully the situation will improve as the year progresses.
I hope you all have a relaxing and safe holiday break and I look forward to welcoming students and staff back in Term 2.
Regards
Carol Clarke
Principal
Graduation 2021
West Coast SESC End of Year Assembly took place on Tuesday 3th November, 2021.
The assembly was a wonderful opportunity for parents and guardians to celebrate the achievements of West Coast SESC students in 2021. They viewed a student performance, and were presented with displays of programs and work that the students had been involved in during the year. Student merit certificates, photography awards and a number of other special awards were presented on the night.
We also farewelled our Leavers. We had 11 students leaving in 2021, with each one of them being acknowledged for their participation in all aspects of school life. This culminated in their teachers speaking the most heartfelt words about each one of them, before the presentation of the Leaver's portfolios. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening and wonderful to share this special night with the parents, carers and families in attendance.
Many congratulations to all of our deserving award recipients. We wish each and every one of our leaving students all the very best for their future lives, safe in the knowledge that they have invested their time and effort to accomplish great success during their years at school and we will savour fond memories of them for years to come.
Mrs Rebecca Wenn
Photography Term 1
The Photography program continues to grow, with 2022 seeing student participation numbers at over 50 so far. This year we are continuing the two year program for ASDAN students, which was a terrific success when introduced last year by Mrs Clarke. The number of students participating in the two year ASDAN program has also increased this year.
ASDAN Photography/Multimedia links the program to the education curriculum, by providing a formal framework for the senior students. The younger students participate in a structured in-house format, which develops the skills they will need to commence the ASDAN program when they reach their senior years.
This term we have a number of younger students introduced to the wonderful world of photography and it is pleasing to say students have embraced the opportunity with gusto.
We have introduced an increased number of online video development tutorials and this will continue throughout the year. The tutorials provide students with a greater overview of photography and editing, as presented by renowned photographers from around the globe. The tutorials range in their scope from the basic advice on camera and editing use, to the use of more advanced techniques.
Term 1 has been challenging, with the increased number of students participating; however, Mrs Clarke has provided additional equipment in the way of cameras, computers, software and staff to ensure this valuable and highly successful program maintains the previous high standard of student participation, learning and remarkable output. This term has seen wonderful work completed by students, showcasing their photography skills and the development of their editing knowledge.
Below is a small representation of the students work.
Mr Steve Yanev
Harmony Day
On the 25th March 2022, students at West Coast SESC participated in a range of different class-based activities to celebrate Harmony Day . Most of the students wore orange outfits to signify their support of cultural diversity and a few staff members wore attire that was representative of their cultural background. Students and staff worked together to promote a feeling of unity and to further understand concepts around belonging, while also celebrating cultural identity and uniqueness.
Mrs Nimi Mammen
Area K
The students settled into their new class with ease and have made a new circle of friends.
Our class has been working on being respectful to one another whilst understanding the classroom and school expectations. The students have tried their best to follow these rules and in the process, they have each earned a lot of Dojo rewards. Fun and work goes hand-in-hand in Area K. When they are working on their goals they are fully focussed and will mindfully listen to and follow the instructions.
Social time is equally important for them; Hudson, Joshua, Leo and Jayden enjoy their chess rounds; Mitchell and Troy love playing Connect and Mitchell also takes pleasure in showing his mini-items that he brings from home to his classmates; John enjoys his card games and hide-n-seek is a favourite for Charlie; Aidan loves giving everything a go! A fantastic term for our nine boys, especially showing their resilience during a week where we all felt that COVID-19 got a bit too close!
Kudos to the bravehearted boys in Area K and to the lovely staff who support them!
Mrs Nimi Mammen
TEACCH and Work Skills
The TEACCH and Work Skills program aims at promoting student independence and providing them with the confidence and skills to pursue their chosen work/recreation activities.
The students complete work boxes which are targeted at specific tasks. The boxes are hands-on and provide an enjoyable way for them to learn. Students are generally very calm whilst working in Area E.
Kirsten Barton has joined the program for three days a week. This is very exciting, as it means we can also focus on further developing our Work Skills Program.
Our new students have settled well into the routine in Area E and we are excited to see how they progress.
We continue to get resources from REmida and they often send sorting tasks for our students to do for them.
Karen Woods
Art and Enterprise
We have had a great start to 2022 with all classes participating enthusiastically in projects.
Many beautiful cards and bookmarks were created using a marbling technique in the first few weeks of term. Lower school classes followed this up by using a hammer and a hole punch to make holes in a tin can, then painted and decorated these to make a beautiful hanging lantern to take home.
Upper school students have been busy making heat packs for our annual Easter Sale. Pastel colours is the theme for the heat packs this year.
Wishing all our families a happy and safe Easter.
Gaye Yanev & Sue Kelly
Funding for Pool Changerooms
We were delighted to welcome our local MP, Jessica Stojkovski MLA, who visited the school in November to discuss the funding that we have been allocated - just over $2 million - for a pool refurbishment, to make it accessible for students with disabilities. This work should commence in 2022 and be completed in 2023.
Carol Clarke, Principal
Better Together - Youth Mental Health Peer Support Program
WA All Abilities Footy
JETS No Limits Netball Program
2022 Circus Quirkus Free Live Show
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