Blog Archives

This year, John Wollaston Anglican Community School (JWACS) introduced Cook and Care, a new P&F initiative giving students and families the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their local community.

The Cook and Care program invites parents and carers to cook alongside their children, preparing nutritious meals for local families and individuals experiencing times of need.

The inaugural Cook and Care event was held on Saturday 6 June in the JWACS Technology Building, with families participating in one of two cooking sessions. Places were limited, with both sessions selling out within a few days. Parent, carer and student teams worked together to prepare meals for people in need within the local community.

Open to students in Year 5 and above, accompanied by a parent or carer, the program provides families with an opportunity to contribute together in a practical and meaningful way. Beyond preparing meals, Cook and Care encourages students to consider the needs of others and experience first-hand the positive impact acts of service can have within their local community.

P&F President Marie Richards said the initiative reflected the strong community spirit at John Wollaston Anglican Community School.

‘Cook and Care is about bringing our families together to do something meaningful for others. There is something very special about parents, carers and children working side by side, knowing that the meals they prepare will make a difference to someone in our community. Special thanks to JWACS staff member, Mrs Brinner, for the time and support she has given this initiative.’

Principal, The Reverend Tim Russell, said Cook and Care reflected the importance of encouraging young people to recognise the contribution they can make to the lives of others.

‘Cook and Care is a wonderful example of our School community putting care into action. By working alongside their families to support others, our students experience the value of service and contributing to the community around them.’

The program also highlights the important role the P&F plays in enriching life at John Wollaston Anglican Community School. Alongside its support of School activities and community events, the P&F continues to create opportunities that strengthen connections between families and the wider community.

Cook and Care provides students and families with a practical opportunity to put the School’s commitment to service and community into action.

Frederick Irwin Anglican School’s Halls Head Campus has transformed its Southern Bush Space, creating a native garden for students and the wider School community to explore and enjoy.

As part of the 2026 winter planting season, extensive weed and grass removal has opened up the previously overgrown area, revealing native seedlings, flowers, fungi and a range of native wildlife.

The project was led by Year 3 teacher Mr James Johns, whose commitment to developing the space has helped create an inviting environment for students and staff. Teachers are now incorporating the area into learning experiences, providing students with opportunities to explore the natural environment.

Over the past two months, 400 native trees, shrubs, groundcovers and grasses have been planted as part of the Native Tree Project, with support from local organisation Men of the Trees. The School’s Grounds team has also established pathways through the space, providing students with safe areas to explore while protecting the newly planted vegetation.

The Reverend Tracey Gray, Principal, said the project reflected Mr Johns’ dedication to creating a valuable space for students and the wider community.

‘James approached me with his desire to make this space something special for our students and community. His passion has created a space that can be utilised for years,’ she said.

The School looks forward to seeing the Frederick Irwin Anglican community continue to explore and enjoy the space as it develops. The care and respect shown by the students is a testament to how much they value this wonderful space.

Peter Carnley Anglican Community School students have raised approximately $11,000 for Anglicare WA through two initiatives supporting young people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness across Perth.

Operation Op Shop Day, held on Friday 14 August, raised approximately $1,900 for Anglicare WA and its Street Connect Bus, which provides outreach and support to young people aged 15 to 25. The service provides essentials including food and first aid, as well as informal counselling and connections to other support services.

In the weeks leading up to the event, members of Youth Making A Difference (YMAD), led by the School’s Year 10, 11 and 12 Anglicare Ambassadors, collected second-hand clothing from staff and families. Students then sorted and prepared the donations for sale.

Students arrived at school dressed in op shop outfits and made gold coin donations, with additional contributions collected across the Junior School. At recess, the Moortang Mia Auditorium was transformed into an op shop, where students and staff could browse the donated clothing.

The lunchtime program included the Op Shop and a Soup Kitchen, with clothing sold for $2 per item or three items for $5. Chicken noodle and tomato soup, served with fresh bread rolls, was also available for a small donation.

A lunchtime fashion parade added to the event, with prizes awarded across five categories. The HASS Department won the staff category with its cowboy-themed outfits, while Junior School teachers and Education Assistants also participated in support of the fundraiser.

Remaining clothing from the Op Shop will be donated to the Textiles and Drama Departments for future use.

Students also participated in the Anglicare Sleepout at the WACA, with 37 students and two staff members spending the night sleeping on cardboard and taking part in activities designed to increase their understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness.

The Sleepout raised just over $9,000, bringing the School’s combined fundraising total from the two events to approximately $11,000 for Anglicare WA and the Street Connect Bus.

The fundraising was supported by students, staff and families who donated clothing, participated in the events and helped organise and run the activities.

Anglicare representative Kelly Keall also visited the School to thank students for their fundraising efforts.

Together, Operation Op Shop and the Anglicare Sleepout provided students with an opportunity to learn more about homelessness and contribute to practical support for young people experiencing disadvantage.

The initiatives demonstrated the impact of collective community action, with the Peter Carnley Anglican Community School community raising approximately $11,000 to support Anglicare’s work and the Street Connect Bus.

John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (JSRACS) has welcomed experienced hospitality professional Mr Dave Anderson to its Hospitality Team, bringing more than 30 years of industry experience and a passion for authentic, skills-based education.

Originally from New Zealand, Mr Anderson began his career as an apprentice chef and was recognised as Wellington Polytechnic’s Third-Year Chef Apprentice of the Year. His career has since included catering, business ownership, leadership and vocational education, providing extensive industry experience that now informs his teaching.

Mr Anderson has worked across a range of hospitality environments, including leading a team that catered a formal luncheon for William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in 2014. In 2019, he served as Head Chef for the West Coast Eagles. These experiences reflect both his technical expertise and ability to perform at industry-leading standards.

Since joining JSRACS last year, Mr Anderson has contributed to the development of the School’s Hospitality program and helped enhance the quality of food produced in the Hospitality Centre for staff and students.

Some of Mr Anderson’s students shared how he has impacted their learning:

What’s it been like working with Chef Dave?

‘Chef Dave has a real eagerness to teach. He also explains things really well. Chef Dave says ‘There’s always a solution.’ ‘

What’s the most’ impactful thing you’ve learned from Chef Dave?

‘Learning to forgive yourself. Breathe. Calm down. Chef Dave says, ‘Learn to navigate it, go with it.’

How has working with Chef Dave affected your future pathway?

‘Working here with Chef Dave means I am now able to pursue a career in Cooking, Cert III – Cert IV.’

Mr Anderson’s approach focuses on immersive, real-world learning that prepares students for apprenticeships, further study and employment. His appointment supports John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School’s commitment to providing students with access to experienced educators who model professionalism, high standards and industry practice.

After 47 years of teaching and countless theatrical and musical productions, performances and events, Mrs Susan Thompson, affectionately known to generations of students as ‘Mrs T’, will retire from teaching at the end of the year.

For the past 15 years, Mrs T has been a much-loved member of the Georgiana Molloy Anglican School (GMAS) community, bringing creativity, music and theatrical flair to the School’s Arts programs. Director of Music, Mrs Kate Telchadder, describes Mrs T as a ‘tornado of inspiration and fun’ within the Arts Department, highlighting the lasting impact she has had on students and colleagues.

Mrs T began her time at GMAS as a Primary Music teacher before moving into Secondary Drama, where she found her passion for inspiring young performers. Her driving motto was to ‘get the kids performing on stage’, an approach that has remained central throughout her career.

For Mrs T, Drama has never simply been about putting on a show. It has been about recognising potential in young people, giving them the confidence to take risks, find their voice and discover what they are capable of. Her productions have encouraged students to embrace creativity, explore new ideas and bring their own perspectives to the stage.

Her ability to recognise and nurture talent has extended beyond her students. Mrs Telchadder says she has also ‘brought out many talents and strengths in our staff’, encouraging colleagues to contribute to School productions and step outside their comfort zones.

Over the years, former students have returned to GMAS to share how their experiences under Mrs T’s guidance have influenced their own creative pursuits, with some now writing, creating and performing theatrical works of their own.

Her contribution to the Arts at GMAS has also extended to music. For many years, she has directed the GMAS Showstoppers Primary Choir, sharing her passion for music with some of the School’s youngest performers and growing the choir to record enrolments of more than 70 students.

She has also shared her lesser-known talent as an upright double bass player, participating in GMAS string ensembles and weekly rehearsals. A composer and writer of music and plays, Mrs T has brought her own creativity to many aspects of school life.

Her enthusiasm and willingness to embrace every aspect of school productions have become a familiar part of the GMAS community. Whether performing, directing or encouraging others behind the scenes, Mrs T has helped make the Arts an engaging and memorable part of the student experience.

That influence was evident during her final GMAS production, BATS. Following two sold-out Saturday performances, former students returned to surprise Mrs T with a flash mob rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.

As the familiar notes filled the theatre, past students joined together to celebrate a teacher who had played an important role in their lives. The surprise prompted hugs, laughter and tears, providing a fitting tribute to Mrs T’s contribution to generations of students.

The Arts provide young people with opportunities to experiment, collaborate, take risks and express themselves. Throughout her 47-year teaching career, Mrs T has helped create those opportunities, encouraging students to step onto the stage, develop their confidence and discover their creative potential.

Her retirement will mark the end of a significant chapter for GMAS, but her influence will continue through the students she has inspired, the performers she has encouraged and the colleagues whose talents she has helped develop.

‘We wish Sue (Mrs T) the very best in retirement but know that she will be playing music and sharing drama for a long, long time,’ Mrs Telchadder said.

After 47 years of teaching, including 15 years at Georgiana Molloy Anglican School, Mrs T is preparing to take her final bow. Her career has left a lasting legacy across the School’s Arts community, with generations of students and colleagues able to look back on the confidence, creativity and opportunities she helped foster.

As the final curtain falls at the end of the year, it will mark the conclusion of a remarkable teaching career and the beginning of her next chapter in music and the Arts.

Peter Carnley Anglican Community School welcomed a group of high-achieving Year 6 students for its annual Voyager Day, offering participants an opportunity to experience the School’s signature Voyager Program firsthand.

The selective Voyager Program is offered in two streams, Academics and Music, with students able to be selected for either stream individually or both. The Academics stream is an integrated specialist programme combining English, Mathematics and Science, while the Music stream is designed for students with exceptional musical aptitude. Both streams aim to engage, extend, challenge and inspire students with outstanding ability and potential.

Following a competitive application process, invited students spent the day immersed in a series of engaging learning experiences designed to challenge their thinking, encourage collaboration and showcase the qualities at the heart of the Voyager Programme.

Working alongside Academic and Music specialist teachers, students participated in activities that reflected the program’s focus on inquiry, innovation and purposeful learning and reflected the values of Peter Carnley Anglican Community School.

The Mathematics and Science challenge saw students collaborate on an experimental task that required effective communication, creative problem solving and perseverance. Working in teams, they tested ideas, refined their thinking and discovered that success often comes through exploring multiple solutions rather than searching for a single correct answer.

In English and Humanities, students considered thought-provoking scenarios that encouraged them to think about different perspectives and justify their decisions with clear, evidence-based reasoning. The session fostered respectful discussion, critical thinking and the confidence to explain and defend their ideas while recognising the complexity of real world problems.

Students auditioning for the Music Specialist Program also took part in practical workshops that highlighted their musical talent, creativity and enthusiasm for performance.

The day concluded with the Voyager Day Wild Card Challenge, where students were asked not to solve a problem, but to create one. Participants developed their own meaningful question, constructed a well-reasoned response and presented their ideas to the group. The challenge provided an opportunity to demonstrate curiosity, confidence, communication skills and the ability to think deeply and creatively.

Voyager Day provides prospective students with an authentic insight into the learning experiences and expectations of the Voyager Program. The event reflects Peter Carnley Anglican Community School’s commitment to nurturing academic excellence, creativity and a love of learning, while encouraging students to explore their potential in an environment that values curiosity, collaboration and innovation.

Frederick Irwin Anglican School recently came together in a vibrant display of community spirit to farewell the Bishop of Bunbury, The Right Reverend Dr Ian Coutts, at a special Colour Run event.

More than 300 students, staff and family members gathered for the occasion, which began with a formal farewell recognising Bishop Ian’s years of dedicated service. The Reverend Tracey Gray, Principal, acknowledged his significant contribution and ongoing connection to the School before presenting him with a gift in appreciation of his support. A highlight of the tribute was a beautifully crafted cake, made and decorated by a parent, featuring a detailed replica of the Bishop’s mitre, cross and Bible.

Following the ceremonial cake-cutting, Bishop Ian officially started the Colour Run, which brought together students, staff and families in a vibrant community celebration. Participants of all ages took part, creating a joyful and inclusive atmosphere across the School grounds.

The event, organised by the newly established ‘Friends of FIAS’ group and coordinated by a parent who is also a member of the School’s Class of 2005, with the support of dedicated parent volunteers, was a successful community initiative.

The event highlighted the importance of relationships, shared values and community connection in supporting student wellbeing and engagement.