From the Principal's desk
It has been an exciting first term at Fremantle College. I would like to thank the large number of parents who took advantage of our Parent Teacher Interview Nights that were held over the past few weeks. It was a great opportunity for teachers, student services and administration staff to meet parents and work together to support our students.
The inaugural Fremantle College Board met on Monday 9 April for the first time since the finalisation of the elections this term. They have worked through the Business Plan, college finances and endorsed many of our college processes. Frank Mofflin has been elected as the College Board Chair and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Frank and say I look forward to working with the Board over the next two years.
The Board has requested that the National School Opinion Surveys for students, teachers and parents be completed by our college community in Term 2. This will allow us to establish good baseline data for the college and inform our future planning. We encourage all families to participate and will forward information regarding the surveys next term.
We will soon be establishing a parent volunteer group for those interested in supporting the activities of the college. Roles for volunteers include assisting in classrooms, attending excursions, supporting Specialist programs, fundraising activities and other opportunities arising from suggestions that parents may have for the college. If you have an interest in being involved in supporting the college in this way we are holding a meeting on Monday 6 August at 6:00pm in the Board Room at Fremantle College to discuss possibilities and opportunities for parent contributions. The Board Room is located in the administration building at the front of the college and is accessed from the Lefroy Road entrance. We will also be hosting a Positive Education information session for parents at 7:30pm in the Performing Arts Centre on the same evening. A reminder about both events will be sent out at the start of next term.
It is great to see the many successes of our Specialist and Academy programs as they establish themselves in our inaugural year. Our AFL Academy students have been doing very well in their first pre-season matches; our Specialist Contemporary Music students have completed their first showcases; the Performing Arts Academy is gearing up for their first performance night; Specialist Marine Studies students have spent most of their Term 1 sessions in the water; and the Specialist ICT students have been preparing for their robotics challenge. Additionally, our Gifted and Talented students have been successful in their debating competitions and have begun filming their television series. You will see many other stories below on the fantastic achievements of our students in their very first term.
This month Fremantle College led two community ANZAC marches and we conducted our own ANZAC Ceremony on Friday 13 April in the college hall. I would like to thank all of the students and staff who represented the college at these significant events.
This term also saw the introduction of our Fremantle College Academy Awards. Linked to our Academy system, students can receive these awards from their teachers for a number of endeavours, including academic achievement, participation and positive social interaction. Year group assemblies throughout the year will include prize draws to acknowledge the great work of these students.
I am very pleased with the work our teachers have been doing to ensure quality educational delivery and the maintenance of high expectations for student behaviour and work ethics in their classes. It is important that families work together with the college to support students in their academic studies, attendance at school and general conduct both in and out of the classroom. Our staff are working hard to build on the opportunities available to our students and we are appreciative of the assistance parents can provide to further us in this goal. The transition to Fremantle College has been a challenge for some of our students, and I appreciate it may take some time to adjust to ensure that every child is getting the most out of their education.
We start next term with the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) in Week 3 for our Years 7 and 9 students. The holidays are a great time to prepare your child for the NAPLAN. There are many practice tests available online that can help familiarise them with the NAPLAN test style questions. Completing these preparation activities under timed conditions can really help prepare your child for the NAPLAN testing, as well as further develop their literacy and numeracy skills. Year 9 students who achieve Band 8 or above in Reading, Writing and/or Numeracy will have met the recommended School Curriculum and Standards Authority standard and will not be required to complete the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment in Year 10. I wish all our students the best for the testing next term.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our students and their families a restful and safe holiday break, and I am looking forward to another productive and successful term when they return in May.
Mr Draper
Dates for your diary
- Mon 30 April - School Development Day
- Tue 1 May - First day of Term 2
- Thu 10 May - Year 7 Lightning Carnival
- Tue 15 - Thu 17 May - NAPLAN
- Mon 21 May - Fri 1 June - Year 11 & 12 Exams and ESTs
- Mon 4 June - WA Day public holiday (school closed)
Student Voice Team announced
We are delighted to announce the final selection of the first Fremantle College Student Voice Team. The Student Voice Team includes one representative from each English class across all year groups. The Team will represent their year group at fortnightly meetings where they will organise events and provide a means for 2 way communication with the general student body. The nominated students were elected by their peers and attended an inaugural meeting in Week 9, where their success was celebrated with a pizza lunch.
Congratulations to the student representatives. We look forward to working with the Student Voice Team.
Mr Banzic (Lower School Manager) & Ms Hopley (Upper School Manager)
Student Voice Team
Specialist Contemporary Music
During Week 11 our Approved Specialist Contemporary Music Program held their first Showcases, featuring 21 bands across three evenings. Students from all year groups demonstrated what they have achieved in their first term at Fremantle College with a huge range of music performed to packed audiences. “We are already extremely proud of our Specialist Music students and excited to see what they will achieve at Fremantle College!” Director of Music Mike Gowland commented.
Specialist Marine
On 23 March Fremantle College hosted the Year 5 Marine Taster Day which was attended by more than 70 students from local primary schools. Students were involved in 3 separate sessions with a fish dissection, a snorkel trail and making under water gliders. It was a very enjoyable day for all involved and a big thankyou to the Years 9 and 10 student helpers on the day, as well as all Fremantle College staff who contributed to such a successful day.
On behalf of the Year 5’s, I would like to thank Freo College and all the staff involved for hosting us. This was without a doubt one of the most enjoyable and insightful experiences this year! (Polly White, Beaconsfield Primary School)
AFL Academy
The first term of the inaugural AFL Academy year has been busy! All students through Years 7 to 8 have been exceptional in completing their fitness testing and skill analysis, as we move closer towards game play and the competitions that are due to begin in Term 2.
This term has seen the successful running of the Stephen Michael Foundation during period 0 for all of our AFL Academy students. CEO of South Fremantle Football Club and the Stephen Michael Foundation, Tom Bottrell and Paul Mugambwa, General Manager, together with educator Theresa Bates, have designed a program to educate our footballers about leadership, responsibility, nutrition and respect. The feedback after 10 weeks of the program has been positive, with students making healthier choices at home and making an effort to show respect and kindness towards teachers and others around the school.
In preparation for the competitions that start next term, the AFL Academy has been lucky enough to participate in some friendly scratch matches. The Year 8 Boys ventured out to Darling Range Sports College in Week 9 and played against their Year 8 boys team. We were up for most of the game but ended up going down by 5 points. Our skills were there but unfortunately our legs let us down in the end, a good lesson to learn before we enter our competitions. The Year 7 boys also played Darling Range Sports College here at Fremantle College, again matching them for skill, but their numbers and movement of the ball got us in the end. The Year 7 and 8 boys combined twice for two more scratch matches, one of these against Kennedy Baptist College at Fremantle College. We were switched on and executed all of our basics for this game and came away with a convincing win. The next combined game is in Week 11 when we venture out to Byford Secondary College after school - good luck to our boys for that game! Not to be outdone, our girls have combined into a Year 7/8 team and played Lakelands Senior High School in Week 9. The girls moved the ball well and executed their basic skills to come away with a convincing win in the end. The girls have another game in Week 11, also venturing out to Byford Secondary College, where they look forward to testing out the lessons they have learnt in class and from the game against Lakelands.
Next term is an exciting one for the Academy as our new uniforms are due to arrive, and our much anticipated competitions begin. It has been identified that the Year 7 boys are the only age group without a competition, but we will be remedying this, as we look to involve the development coordinators of the South Fremantle and East Fremantle districts and set up a Year 7 boys’ competition in Term 3 with surrounding schools that are interested. Fixtures for the lower school boys’ competition have been released but we are still waiting on the release of the other fixtures. Parents and community members are invited to attend matches to cheer on our players. We have been lucky enough that, with the development of our AFL facilities, we have been given the opportunity to host many games throughout the term. Fremantle College oval will be a hub of activity!
Ms Traynor
Performing Arts Academy
Drama and Performing Arts students have been involved in a range of exciting activities during Term 1 at Fremantle College. The Year 7 Performing Arts Academy students have recently performed their self-devised group scenes for assessment in the college’s new performing arts theatre. Similarly, Years 8, 9 and 10 Drama have presented a range of assessment performances to their peers drawn from both scripted and self-devised work.
A huge thank you to the collection of talented students who took part in the drama activities for the Fremantle College Welcome Day on Thursday 15 March. On display was a selection of improvisation activities and scene work which showcased the students’ vocal and physical skills, as well as the impressive facilities of our new teaching and performing space. A wonderful group of parents and friends were in the audience and the students were very thankful for their support.
Term 2 will see the start of the College Drama Club, which will allow students to access drama activities outside of the normal class time, mix with a range of students from the school and involve themselves in activities such as theatresports (improvisation) and general acting techniques.
Year 7 Performing Arts Academy students will end Term 2 with a performance of selected scene work and songs to an invited audience of parents and friends in the Performing Arts Centre to showcase their growing skills in drama and musical performance.
The new Performing Arts Department is steadily building up its collection of props and costumes for classroom activities and future performances. A big thank you to all parents and students who have contributed generously to the collection. A reminder to all parents that if there are any unwanted clothes or props at home, your donations would be gratefully accepted.
The Performing Arts Department congratulates Emily Henney (Year 11 Drama) who successfully auditioned and gained a role in the ensemble chorus for the upcoming production of Grease: The Arena Experience, at Perth Arena in January 2019. Likewise, Chilli Heyndijk (Year 7 Performing Arts) is to be commended on undertaking an audition for a role in the upcoming production of Skylab with Blackswan and Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company.
Mr Kim Delury - Teacher of Drama and Performing Arts
Follow the Dream
In the middle of this term Follow the Dream opened its doors for the first time at Fremantle College. With 30 students enrolled, Follow the Dream is a tutoring and mentoring program for high achieving students with Aboriginal heritage and runs Monday to Thursday after school for two hours. Students enjoy a tasty afternoon tea while catching up with friends and then have access to amazing tutors from all of the core learning areas for help with homework, studying for upcoming assessments (like NAPLAN and OLNA) and preparing for part time employment, entering university or gaining further training.
As well as tutoring and mentoring after school, students will have access to special excursions to universities, work places, reward activities and cultural enrichment experiences. Follow the Dream is a fantastic community for students to be a part of for those who are wanting to take school seriously and strive to achieve their very best. If you think you would like to be a part of the program, see Mr Dines in C9 (next to Student Services).
Mr Dines
Senior School Ball
On 9 March 2018, Years 11 and 12 students attended the first Fremantle College School Ball. It was most definitely a night to remember! The event took place at the Perth Convention Centre and many “WOW’s” were released while walking into the event. We were spoilt with the backdrop of the Swan River, fabulous food and all of our favourite tunes. All those who attended joined as one, under the banner of ‘Fremantle College’. Thank you to the Student Ball Committee and staff for their efforts and contributions, as the night was a huge success.
Jacinta Frederiksen, Year 12
Fremantle College ANZAC Ceremony
On Friday 13 April the college held its inaugural ANZAC Ceremony in the school hall. The national anthem was performed by Sophia Hourani (Year 9) and Isaac Smalley (Year 10) and Kerry Hayden (Year 9) performed the Acknowledgement of Country with Aboriginal Islander Education Officer Meryl Oltmans. Mr Draper addressed the assembly, touching on the themes of ANZAC sacrifice and spirit and included anecdotes of his own family’s contribution to war service to commemorate the occasion. A reading of In Flanders Field by Head Girl Jacinta-Ann Frederiksen preceded the wreath laying by Chaplain Monica Mendes and Hamilton Cadet Section Leader Alex Millenbach. Head Boy Corey Norlin then read The Ode before Lara Johnstone (Year 9) performed the Last Post and Rouse to close out the ceremony.
ANZAC Community Marches
On Wednesday 11 April Fremantle College students were privileged to lead the youth of Cockburn in the annual RSL ANZAC Youth Parade. The college was invited by Cockburn RSL to lead the parade of over 1 500 local primary school students from the City of Cockburn administration building to the formal service at the RSL Memorial Park in Spearwood. Our students were endorsed as the official flag bearers for the event and are to be commended on the exemplary way they represented the school.
Our students are also participating in the official Cockburn RSL ANZAC Day March to be held at 9.15am – 12.30pm on Wednesday 25 April at the Cockburn RSL on Frederic Street. We encourage our Fremantle College community to get along and support our students on this important occasion.
Chaplain Monica Mendes
Interschool Swimming success!
On Thursday 8 March, 60 selected students represented Fremantle College at the Interschool Swimming E Division Carnival held at HBF Stadium in Mt Claremont. Our students were excited to be competing against other schools to strive for their personal best and to put Fremantle College on the map.
Our students excelled, with many of our swimmers achieving personal best times and top three results for their races. Our students’ hard work reaped the rewards, with Fremantle College convincingly winning first place overall and progressing to D division in 2019!
There were many outstanding individual achievements and congratulations go to the following students for placing in the top three of their age groups:
Year 7 Girls Runner Up – Oceana Ly
Year 8 Boys Runner Up – Thomas Ferguson
Year 9 Champion Girl – Ilaria Valtolina
Year 9 Boys Third Place – Christopher Tibbels
Year 10 Champion Girl – Shayla Hodzic
Year 10 Boys Runner Up – Jay Tigchelaar
Well done to all students who represented Fremantle College - we are excited to see how far our champion swimmers can go. Thank you to the Physical Education department for your ongoing support and involvement, particularly Ms Langham, Mr Fitzgerald and Ms Moreschi.
Ms Langham
Beach Volleyball Schools Cup
On Sunday 25 March a group of dedicated Fremantle College beach volleyball students competed against over 20 other schools at the Beach Volleyball Schools Cup held at City Beach. All students are to be congratulated for their amazing efforts shown throughout the day, which lasted from 6am to 5pm! A big thank you to Ms Langham for her support on the day as well as Ms Traynor and Mr Fitzgerald for coming down to cheer on our teams. We had some fantastic results which included:
Year 7/8 Girls B Div: 3rd - Raven, Tanna, Sina and Haylee.
Year 7/8 Boys B Div: 5th - Jimmi, John, JJ, and Mark.
Year 9/10 Boys B Div: 2nd (undefeated until the grand final!) - Josh Ho, Mark R, Neil and Darryl.
Year 9/10 Girls A Div: 5th - Amber H, Grace H, Talia P (played all day with only three players!)
Year 11/12 Boys B Div: 5th - Johnelle, Rodney, Khem, Jiane and Neil
Year 11/12 Boys A Div: 3rd - Lara N, James L, Ryan F, Keirnan and Lester M.
Ms Wicks
Breakfast Club is here!
The Fremantle College Breakfast Club program is part of the college’s care and support plan to provide students with holistic care. The Breakfast Club is currently being implemented by the Student Services, serving free breakfast to students from the demountable in between K Block and the Trade Training Centre every day from 8.00am – 8.30am. Thank you to the amazing teams of students, staff, volunteers, Nations and AIME for their support of the program.
Chaplain Monica Mendes
Health news
Our school immunisation team has recently visited the school to carry out vaccinations for Year 8 students and will also be vaccinating against Meningococcal for our upper school students. Hilton Child Health Clinic can assist with any catch up vaccinations required.
Year 8 immunisation fact sheet
It is important for parents to support safe online behaviour. Appsolutelyapril.com has put together a list of ten common Apps teens are using to help parents in identifying and learning about the Apps their child is using.
Nurse Janine
Meerilinga workshops begin Wednesday 16 May
In line with our vision to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive learning community, Fremantle College is once again partnering with Meerilinga to bring a series of parenting workshops to parents in our college community. Tuning into Teens is a FREE, four-week evidence-informed parenting program for parents and carers of adolescents aged 12-17 years. The series of 2 hour workshops will show parents how to help their teen develop emotional intelligence.