At the time of writing, Christmas is exactly seven weeks away. While it may seem as though the year is winding down, it remains a very busy time at School. WACE exams are well underway, the Year 11 cohort have commenced their Year 12 studies, Year 10 and 9 exams are not far away, Year 6 students are finishing their final tasks as Primary School students, Year 5’s are on camp in Toodyay, the list could go on! My challenge for all students is to remain focussed for the last few weeks, knowing that an extended period of rest and relaxation awaits, and of course all the joy of the festive season.

AFL Sports Ready Trainee

I am very pleased to announce that Harry Walker, currently in Year 12, will be returning to the School next year as a trainee in the Health and Physical Education Department, as part of the AFL Sports Ready program. This is a new initiative at the School and one we will look to build on in the years ahead. AFL Sports Ready provides an opportunity for past students to return as employees through an entry-level training and support program that combines practical work experience with vocational education

Harry will assist HPE Staff with a range of tasks, including Outdoor Education activities, CAS teams’ preparation and supervision, equipment maintenance and providing additional support for excursions and camps.  We very much look forward to welcoming Harry back to our School next year.

Staff News

In the annual calendar of events, Term 4 is a particularly busy time for the Executive Team as staff arrangements and timetables for the following year are finalised. This year we have had four long standing members of staff tender their resignations to take on new challenges.

Reverend Linda Pilton has been a valued staff member at PMACS for 13 years and in that time, has contributed significantly to the life of our community; combining her duties as Head of Department for Christian and Religious Education, with extensive Chaplaincy work.  Linda has accepted the position of School Chaplain at Perth College in Mount Lawley.

Mr Ian Todd has been a staff member at PMACS for 17 years and in that time, has had a significant impact at our school; combining his duties as a Mathematics Teacher with assorted promotional positions including Timetabling, Head of House, Head of Department and Acting Associate Principal Senior School. Ian has accepted a position as the Dean of Academic Studies, at Swan Valley Anglican Community School.

Ms Sharon Marwick, English Teacher and Durack Head of House, has been a hardworking and well-respected staff member at PMACS for over 14 years. Sharon has also accepted a position at Swan Valley Anglican Community School, where she will look to further establish their English Literature programme.

Mr Peter Byrne, Humanities and Social Sciences Teacher, has been with the School since 2009 and is a popular member of the teaching staff. Peter has been on extended leave for the past two years fulfilling a position at the SCSA. Peter has now accepted an ongoing position at the SCSA and will not be returning to PMACS.

A full list of staff changes will be provided in course, however I would like to especially acknowledge Linda, Ian, Sharon and Peter for their significant contributions to our school over a long period of time and I look forward to properly farewelling them at the end of the year.

In other staff news, Matthew Schlueter, Technologies Teacher, has recently received an Outstanding Professional Service Award from the Professional Teaching Council of Western Australia. Matthew was nominated by the Design and Technologies Teachers Association (DATTA) for his outstanding dedication and service to DATTA over many years. Matthew has fulfilled a number of roles at DATTA, including Committee Member, Treasurer and President, and he has been instrumental in coordinating their State Conference on multiple occasions. Matthew has gone above and beyond for DATTA and I am delighted that he has been recognised for his extensive service.

Strategic Plan

I am pleased to report that our new Strategic Plan is almost complete. Our plan has emerged from extensive consultation within the School community, including Council, Executive, staff, parents and students. All parents, teaching and non-teaching staff were provided with the opportunity to attend a two hour focus group session. A selection of students from Kindergarten to Year 12 also participated in focus group sessions. In addition, approximately 30 parents attended an evening focus group held at the School and over 180 parents provided input through an online survey. The focus group sessions and survey data highlighted our strengths and challenges, and provided many innovative and exciting ideas for the future evolution of our School. 

Through this process three Key Focus Areas for the Strategic Plan were identified:

• Passionate, Inspirational Teaching and Learning;

• Being Compassionate, Courageous and Contributing; and

• Innovative Collaboration - Local, National and Global

Each Focus Area has clearly defined strategies and projects that will be prioritised in the years ahead. At this stage we intend to publish the final version of the Strategic Plan by the end of the School year.

Every Blessing.

Benjamin Lomas
PRINCIPAL