What a very different start to the year we have had this year.  After our experiences in 2020 we have learned to take things in our stride, be flexible and just press on with what has to be done.

Following the delayed start to the year due to the lockdown we have now settled back into a routine.  I want to congratulate our staff and students on how quickly they have managed to get back on track. 

Congratulations to our Class of 2020

Our Year 12s last year performed very well with an attainment rate of 99% ((ATAR >=55 or Cert II) and a WACE achievement of 91% (both measures above state and like schools).  We set high standards for our students and we are very proud of their achievement.

Our school was also listed with the highest performing students in Year 12 ATAR courses in Mathematics Methods.

18 of our students received a SCSA Award of Distinction or Merit and many of these students received the Principal’s Award at the end of 2020.

Road and carpark safety

We are very appreciative of the City of Kalamunda’s response to school and parent concerns about road safety along Canning Road.  The newly installed fences outside the school along this busy road where the buses stop are very welcome. While we have a Department of Transport supplied crosswalk attendant, there have been occasions when they have not been in attendance.

We ask parents to remind students about safety when crossing roads.  We also ask all people accessing the carpark on Canning Road to be mindful of students and pedestrians crossing this area and to take particular note of the no stopping zones.  Parking at the school is limited and this area is allocated as a staff carpark and students are not permitted to park in this area.

Welcome to our new and returning staff

This year we have some new staff joining our school and we welcome Michelle Aslett, Claire Connor, Courtney Hanson (English), Matt Wilkerson (Arts), Jess Baradziej (HOPE), Tom Byrne O’Neill, Matt Schultz (Maths), Jason Lei, Katie Haler, Khojesta Taj, and Mitchell Winstanley (Science), and Jo D’Arcy (Humanities).   We also welcome back Sarah Adams and Ainsley Cusmano from leave.

With David Brady (Associate Principal) retiring at the end of last year and Phil Henderson (Manager of Operations) on leave, we are trialling a new administration structure this year.  For 2021 we have Tim Bennett acting as Deputy Principal of Curriculum Services (and Senior School), Mark Pettit as Deputy Principal of Student Services (and Middle School) and Jess Millar as Deputy Principal of Staff Development.

We would especially like to welcome Francesca Ardino, Mami Hibino, Julianty Sihombing and Astri Puspitasari who are joining us as Language assistants this year in Italian, Japanese and Indonesian respectively.  We are very fortunate to have them working with us to enrich the learning for our Language students.

First up for the year

Unfortunately, we have had some adjustments to our planned start to the year.  Our student leaders’ camp was postponed due to the lockdown and planning is underway to hold this later in the year.  Our Year 7 camp went ahead with modifications and we are looking forward to finding an opportunity to congratulate all our high performing students from Year 11 and welcome our Student Leadership team for the year, led by our Head Girl Charlotte McCullen and Head Boy Hayden Schwinkowski. 

We look forward to our House Swimming Carnival coming up on 5 March and our Year 12 Parent Evening 3 March.  OLNA is running from 2 March to 19 March.  With Term 1 being a 9 week term, we would like to give you advance notice about our Parent / Teacher evening which we will be holding in the last week of term on 31 March.  Details about booking in for appointments will be emailed directly to parents closer to the event.

School board parent positions

We have recently called for nominations and will be running a process to fill three parent positions becoming vacant on our school board in 2021.  Thank you to all those who have indicated an interest in being part of this important role in supporting the good governance of the school.

Containers for Change

Our school P&C have signed up for this program which allows community members to donate their recycling through this program to our school P&C.

Our school community thanks you in advance for your support for the P&C, whose main focus is to provide canteen services to the school.

Canteen manager

We welcome Tania Walton who has been appointed by the P&C as the new canteen manager.  We are very happy to have her on board and for the canteen services to again be in operation.

Third Party Software Applications

Recently you should have received information regarding third party software applications being used in the school.  As part of managing the risks around disclosure of student personal information to a third party, we are asking you to review these services and applications and to provide your consent where required.  Please contact the school if you have any questions regarding this process.

Contributions and Charges

Thank you to all our parents who have paid these already.  It is great to have such support for our student’s education, and encourage all those who have not done so already, to contact the school to finalise their payments as soon as possible.  The money collected is used in classrooms to provide resources, printing, equipment and other class materials.  If parents are unable to pay the amount up front, we encourage you to contact the Manager of Corporate Services, Jeni Jorritsma to discuss payment plan options.

Best wishes for all our students for a successful year ahead.

Helen Deacon
Principal