From the Principal’s Desk
As promised, Term 2 was always going to be an action packed term for students and staff. I would like to congratulate all of our staff and students who were involved in the NAPLAN testing in Week 3. The students did a great job of putting their best effort into the assessments. I wish all of the students all the best and look forward to receiving the results later this year.
This week we had our first examinations for Years 11 and 12 students, with many of our Vocational Education and Training (VET) students taking advantage of the week to ensure they are up to date and ready to achieve their Western Australian Certificate of Education. I have been very impressed with the maturity and enthusiasm that the students have taken the challenge on with.
You can see from the following articles many of our Specialist and Academy programs have been enjoying much success as they further engage in their year’s work. Whilst winning is not everything, it is nice to see the students in our sporting programs and debating teams rewarded for their efforts and hard work. Our coordinators have been working very hard on creating high quality programs for all of our students and they are also to be congratulated.
As winter is now with us it is important to make sure that all students have the correct uniform. The college jumper is very warm, especially when worn underneath our college jacket. Only the college jumper and jacket are allowed to be worn at school and you can help support the college staff by ensuring that your child is in the correct uniform each and every day.
I wish all of our families a safe and happy long weekend and hope you enjoy our College Connect.
Mr Draper
Lower School Report
Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have had a busy and very productive start to Term 2.
Our Years 7 and 9 students recently completed the NAPLAN, undertaking assessments in literacy and numeracy throughout Week 3. The college’s C block was the ideal venue to host over 400 students at the same time, with all Year 7 students upstairs and Year 9 students downstairs. The behaviour of students throughout the week of NAPLAN was commendable, not just from those students completing the assessments, but also from those across other year groups who had classroom or teacher changes. All staff contributed to the success of the week and special mention must go to the English and Math Learning Area teams for the smooth facilitation of the tests. We now look forward to receiving the results later this year.
Year assemblies have provided opportunities to recognise the fantastic work of some of our students and have their successes acknowledged by their peers. Year groups celebrated those students who have contributed to college events such as the ANZAC Service and Marine Taster Day, those who have demonstrated a commitment to our anti-bullying program and been Hero Bystanders, and the students who have maintained exemplary attendance, behaviour and sportsmanship. The assemblies were one of the first opportunities for our Student Voice leaders to represent their classmates and we look forward to their increased involvement as the year progresses.
Although it is only Term 2, we are excited about welcoming new students into our college next year, including those who aspire to join our Specialist and Academy programs. A Scitech Activity Afternoon was held recently for Year 6 students who have applied to be part of our Gifted and Talented Selective Academic Program in 2019 and this week auditions and interviews will begin for our other programs. Student feedback from those currently involved in the programs is incredibly positive and I know they are looking forward to showcasing their achievements throughout the year.
With more to come in Term 2, including WiTWA Techtrails, UWA Aspire sessions and a project involving our Year 7 Gifted and Talented class, there is still a lot to look forward to.
Mrs Janelle Mittonette, Associate Principal – Years 7-9
Specialist Contemporary Music
The Specialist Contemporary Music Program presented an Autumn Concert on Wednesday 23 May, featuring soloist, duets and the debut performance of our Vocal Group. All of the performances were of a very high standard and held the audience spellbound throughout.
We have lots more on this term with a workshop and performance from visiting artists The International Brass Quintet, the Years 7 and 8 Specialist Music Intensive Rehearsal Camp and our Term 2 Showcases.
Mr Gowland – Program Coordinator
Specialist Marine Studies
Specialist Marine Studies students in Years 9 and 10 have been braving the cold weather with surf lessons at Leighton beach this term. The students have performed and participated admirably, with instructors often commenting on how well the students are going. The Years 7 and 8 students have also been down at Leighton completing a bodyboarding unit. The students are really enjoying this, while also learning about rips, wind, swell and ‘reading the beach’. The Year 10 students are nearing their Coral Bay expedition at the end of term which will provide many challenges that they are certainly looking forward to. Please contact Mr Smith for any queries regarding the camp.
Mr Smith – Program Coordinator
Specialist Baseball
Term 2 has provided us with some excellent weather, so we have made the most of the beautiful conditions by spending plenty of time out on the field for both skills and strength conditioning.
We continue to be extremely grateful for the support provided by Josh Kennelly, past South Fremantle SHS student and High Performance Baseball Athlete/Coach. Josh represents Diamond Fitness to create and implement our strength and conditioning program and also keeps the boys on their toes out in the field with skill work.
The focus from our program has placed a bigger emphasis on endurance, speed and agility, with the boys taking part in many different exercises and drills both inside the Rec Centre and out on the field.
Finally, we have been lucky enough to have our own Stephen Norman (Year 9), selected to take part in the Australian Junior League Championships which is being held at Adelaide Shores Baseball Complex in South Australia from the 27 May to 1 June. Stephen is playing for the Central Firebirds and can be followed on this link. Good luck to Stephen and we know he will represent his state well!
Mr Fitzgerald – Program Coordinator
Performing Arts Academy
The Year 7 Performing Arts Academy students have been working very hard in Term 2 and are excitedly rehearsing for their upcoming Performing Arts Evening on Monday 18 June. The evening will be presented in the Fremantle College Performing Arts Centre from 7.00- 8.00pm and admission is free. The evening will showcase a range of scenes and songs from the specialised classes in Drama and Music. The students have been eagerly developing their acting skills with Mr Kim Delury and singing skills with Ms Hannah Smart. In their role as backstage crew, they are also learning about theatre etiquette and essential stage-craft such as effective set changes, and the proper handling of costumes, props and set pieces. During Term 3 these talented students will benefit from a highly educational and enjoyable drama incursion focusing on developing their skills in improvisation and creativity through a masterclass with a visiting professional performer. For now, we are looking forward to their inaugural public performance in Week 8.
Mr Delury – Program Coordinator
AFL Academy
As the year moves forward our AFL Academy at Fremantle College is thriving! We have had our senior girls and boys football team competitions come to an end last week, with both teams securing a win in their last game. The Years 10, 11 and 12 students who participated represented the college with pride, taking the field in our new uniforms and giving it their best.
Our lower school boys’ competition continues on Monday afternoons until the end of term, and this week’s game was at Emmanuel College. The AFL Academy students have been working hard to implement what they have learnt in class and apply it on the football field.
As you may know we are partnered with the Stephen Michael Foundation. Through the Foundation we have been running before school sessions about leadership and creating a positive culture amongst our football students. The Stephen Michael Foundation also run this program in Meekatharra and have organised a cultural exchange where some of their students will be visiting us here in Perth to see our facilities and interact with our AFL Academy students before the AFL games over the weekend. This partnership will give us the opportunity to visit them in the future as our program grows and develops.
This Friday 1 June, a group of Meekatharra students will be visiting the school to take part in a football clinic with our Year 7 AFL Academy class. We look forward to welcoming them to the college!
Ms Traynor – Program Coordinator
Autism Extension Program
Welcome to our awesome homeroom – this is where we gather to learn more about our own personal and social capabilities, develop skills to assist us to grow into even more amazing and independent people … and of course have a few laughs!
Most recently we have been exploring how we can demonstrate the college’s Five Agreements. In this photo we are showing the results of our brainstorming session. We are all consistently working towards choosing actions that reflect these Agreements in class, around our college and out in the community.
Ms Nicola De Lacy – Program Coordinator
Follow the Dream
Earlier this term seven Year 11 Follow the Dream students attended the Indigenous Careers Expo hosted by the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Western Australia in Crawley. Students met with a large group of people who work in a wide range of career pathways in the public and private corporate sectors, as well as the educational and mining sectors. Our students were able to hear from Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal professionals about how they had reached that point in their careers and how their respective organisations could help our students achieve success after they finish high school.
Following on from the Careers Expo our students were lucky enough to have a personal tour of St Catherine’s College, a residential college for TAFE and university students that runs a unique program for Aboriginal students called Dandjoo Darbalung. This is based on the Follow the Dream model and works to support students with their studies, help strengthen their identity and prepare them for the workforce.
Overall, our Follow the Dream students were excited to see the possibilities that university and college life could offer them. They left with a deeper understanding of the potential training and employment opportunities that exist and how their strong high school education will help make those possibilities a reality.
Mr Dines – Program Coordinator
Year 10 Course Counselling Parent Information Night
Choosing courses for your child to study as part of their two year WACE pathway over Years 11 and 12 can be daunting and confusing as a parent. It is important to gather as much information as possible about the options, as course changes at the beginning of Year 11 can be disruptive and unsettling for some, and may not even be possible in some cases. We aim for the time of course selection for Year 11 to be a supported, positive and exciting time as your child ventures into a new world of specialised learning, and the opportunity to select according to the interest areas and post school destinations. As part of your child’s 2019 Course Selection process, Year 10 parents are cordially invited to attend a Course Selection Forum on Tuesday 12 June 2018 at 4.00pm – 6.10pm. This forum will provide a unique opportunity for parents to attend up to 5 x 20 minute talks given by Heads of Learning Areas or Teachers in Charge of courses. Specific information regarding course content, pre-requisites and general requirements will be provided. Students are encouraged to attend. A letter has been sent home to all Year 10 parents with a timetable of the session times.
Year 7 AFL Lightning Carnival
On Thursday 10 May a group of Year 7 students attended the A division AFL Lightning Carnival at Santich Park. Playing for the first time as Fremantle College at this event, the team performed fantastically, displaying their incredible talent and exceptional teamwork. The team finished second overall on the day, narrowly missing out on top spot by just two points! It was the way that the students went about playing as a team that was most pleasing to see and it is clear that all those that were involved in the team have bright futures in AFL.
Congratulations to all the Year 7 students that represented Fremantle College in the team; you certainly wore those colours proudly. Well done!
Mr Basile
Dad and Daughter Dinner Date
Five of our dads and their daughters enjoyed Fremantle College’s first Dad and Daughter Dinner Date on Wednesday 23 May at Quinlans Challenger TAFE. Dads and daughters were given the opportunity to enjoy a three course meal together, and for dads to reconnect with their daughters without social media and other outside distractions. It was a fantastic night filled with great conversation and special company, and amazing food was had by all. A big thank you to sponsors Quinlans Restaurant, MLB (Making Life Better) and Shayne Weller.
A second Date and Daughter Dinner Date for Year 7 students will be held on 25 June 2018 at Cafe Royal. For more information please contact Monica Mendes, Chaplain.
Health news
Cold and flu season is upon us and some of our wonderful staff are taking a proactive approach by getting vaccinated to keep our school community safe. Please click on this link for more tips on how to stay healthy this winter.
Some of our Fremantle College students want to raise awareness for people living with Epilepsy and have been looking at seizure management and emergency management procedures. Click here for more information.
Nurse Janine