Issue 13 - 2023

RESPECT has been our whole school theme for 2023. To help staff and students focus on the theme, the Technologies Department made some large red letters that spelled RESPECT. Throughout the year, staff and students took these letters to all kinds of school events – excursions, incursions, carnivals and important occasions. This was not only lots of fun and an opportunity for creative photography, but also a time to engage in conversations with students about the importance of respecting the opinions of others, even if they disagree with them, as well as the value of self-respect and looking after the environment.

We compiled all the photos taken throughout the year into a short video that is now up on facebook and YouTube for all to enjoy: Swan Valley Anglican Community School Respect Video

Our aim was to improve on our current model so that it results in better outcomes for our students.

One important change across the whole school is that we will be changing the Shape of the Day, with lessons finishing at different times to 2023. Importantly, please note:

• The start time will be the same as the 2023 school day.
• The finish time will be the same as the 2023 school day.
• There will be the same number of minutes for recess and lunch as 2023.
• There will be a change to the length of lessons as below:

The opening was hosted by the City of Swan and Main Roads. The students had the opportunity to share their student voice in the community by giving feedback on how the new path will be used when travelling to and from school.

The last few weeks have been filled with a myriad of fabulous learning experiences and highlights for our students, including:

• Early Years End of Year Celebration Assembly

• Junior Years Presentation Ceremony

• Secondary School Presentation Ceremony

• Whole School Christmas Buddy Activities

• Early Years Whiteman Park Family Picnic

• Kindergarten Nativity Plays

• Pre-Primary Christmas Concerts

• Pre-Kindy Christmas Craft Mornings

• Primary School Nativity and Carols

• Year 6 Celebration and Assembly

• Year 6 Outback Splash

• Year 7 2024 Transition Day

• Year 9 Camp

• Year 10 River Cruise

• Year 11 Forum

• Music Christmas Concert

For those students, staff and families who will be leaving us this year, I wish you all the very best for the future. For those returning in 2024, I look forward to seeing you again very soon.

I wish you all a very blessed and holy Christmas.

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Melissa Powell
Principal

Tristan Watt

Tristan Watt (Year 3) participated in the 2023 Education Minister’s Running Challenge. This fitness challenge was introduced to promote physical activities and wellbeing among young people. Well done Tristan.

Rita Saffioti Christmas Card Competition

Congratulations to Alivya Monga (Year 2) and Vivaan Patel (Year 4) who were winners in Rita Saffioti’s Christmas Card Competition this year. Alivya and Vivaan’s designs were selected from over 800 entries. The cards will be delivered to all residents who live in the West Swan Electorate of Ellenbrook, Aveley and Belhus.

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Melissa Powell
Principal

SVACS STARS

If your child has achieved something special and you would like the news included here, please don’t hesitate to contact Helen Brown, Publications & Marketing, on publications@svacs.wa.edu.au

Term 4 Group Tour Date

Friday 24 November 2023 at 9.00am

All Group Tours depart from the School Chapel.

To register for a Group Tour, please contact our Registrar on 9297 9506 or email enrolments@svacs.wa.edu.au

WITHDRAWALS

We understand that this is a time of year when some families may be considering moving out of the area as job opportunities arise, or other family circumstances change. Please take into consideration the school policy for student withdrawals:

One full term’s notice in writing is required of your intention to withdraw a student.

This means that you must give at least 10 school weeks’ notice of any withdrawals (a school week is defined as a week during school term time—not school holidays).

If you do not give sufficient notice, you are required to pay a term’s fees in lieu of notice.

We receive many requests from parents leaving the school to waive the late withdrawal fee, which is a standard charge and standard practice in independent schools in Western Australia. To be fair to all our parents, and to keep our fees as low as possible, we must adhere to the policy of enforcing the late withdrawal fee for all students.

Addressed to the Principal (Ms Melissa Powell), a withdrawal notice should be sent via email to enrolments@svacs.wa.edu.au

Earlier in the year, students had identified opportunities to serve others and after some intense planning and preparation, a large group of students hosted a Seniors Afternoon Tea and concert inviting residents of Willow Brook Retirement Village and members of the Parish of Ellenbrook and Swan, all of whom support our school in various ways throughout the year. Students prepared all the food, set up and served the guests and also performed during the afternoon.

Both residents and students alike very much enjoyed the interaction and look forward to repeat visit in 2024.

A second group of Year 11 students collected all of the donations from our recent Christmas Giving appeal and packed 28 ‘Back to School’ backpacks for Anglicare and over 40 Christmas food hampers and boxes of staples for distribution by the Ascension Church in Midland.