Principal’s Notes

Welcome to the latest edition of the School Newsletter! Despite the level of uncertainty in relation to all things Covid-19, the start of Term 3 has seen a return to a more normal mode of operation for our School. Weekly Chapel services are now occurring, assemblies are up and running, excursions and incursions are taking place and students will be heading off to various camps in the weeks ahead. This of course is happening with all necessary safety precautions in place, including additional cleaning and appropriate social distancing ratios. The easing of restrictions in Western Australia has also meant that we are able to have parents back on campus. I was delighted to see so many parents engaging with staff on Parent-Teacher night in Week 3 and equally pleased to see the number of parents attending the various athletics carnivals over the past fortnight. Our School is all about community and it is wonderful to be able to engage together once more, even with some remaining restrictions still in place.

Remote Learning Programme

I am pleased to announce that our Remote Learning Programme for overseas students has now commenced. Developed in partnership with Anglican Schools Commission International, there are currently four students enrolled in the course, from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Ethiopia. The students are being taught Humanities by Ms Nicol Davis and Mathematics and Science by Mr Richard Cackett. The students have three ‘live’ lessons per week, followed by a double tutorial period where they have access to their teacher for support as required. The programme is gaining momentum with more students set to join the programme in the coming weeks. It is hoped that following successful completion of the online course, the students will become full time students on campus.

Anglicare WA Sleepout

The annual Anglicare Sleepout occurred on Friday 7 August. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the event was unable to be hosted at Optus Stadium and was instead conducted as a virtual event. Nine students from PMACS participated in the event, spending the night in St Gregory’s Chapel, and supervised by Reverend David Deeny. This fundraising event aims to raise awareness of the significant homelessness issues in our state, with monies raised helping to keep the Street Connect Bus on the streets of Perth. Street Connect Staff work every day with young people across Perth who are experiencing homelessness. State-wide over $100,000 was raised in this most recent appeal and I congratulate our staff and students for their participation in this important event.

Student Leadership

The process for appointing the School’s next Head Boy and Head Girl has commenced with six applications from male students and four applications from female students. The candidates delivered their first speech to key staff including their Head of Year and members of the Executive Team, with constructive feedback given to each student. The candidates then refined their speeches before presenting to their Year 11 peers. Finally, the students presented their speech to all Year 10 to 12 students, with Year 9 students watching a recorded version. Votes were cast, with four male and four female students short-listed for a final interview with the Principal, Associate Principal Senior School and Dean of Students (Secondary). It promises to be a very difficult decision, with the quality of speeches from each candidate truly outstanding. The successful candidates will be announced in Week 7.

20th Anniversary Celebrations

2020 is a significant year in the history of Peter Moyes Anglican Community School, marking the 20th anniversary of the School’s foundation. Unfortunately, Covid-19 has disrupted many of our planned celebrations which have now been placed on hold until our 21st birthday next year. Nevertheless, some low-key events will be held across the remainder of 2020 to mark this important milestone. We recently launched the sale of 20th Anniversary Bricks to match the 10th Anniversary Bricks cemented in Fountain Courtyard. I am pleased to announce that the sale has been a big success with over 160 bricks sold. These personalised bricks will be cemented opposite the existing bricks in Fountain Courtyard in time for the start of Term 4. Other planned activities include all students and staff receiving a pin to mark our 20th Anniversary and the official launch of the Peter Moyes Historical Timeline, with further details to follow in due course.

In concluding, I trust you will enjoy reading the latest edition of the School Newsletter and I look forward to seeing you on campus once more, with plenty of exciting events in the coming weeks.

Every Blessing.

Benjamin Lomas
PRINCIPAL