From the Principal...

Our good friends at Wikipedia define ‘Consumerism’ as, “a social and economic order and ideology [that] encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts.”

The Miriam Webster online dictionary defines it as follows: “the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable; also...  a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods.”

Wherever we look the message of consume, consume, consume is there for us to see. Upgrade your phone, upgrade your car, upgrade your house. Oh, look! Version 10.1.1 comes with a slightly bigger camera or more voice-activated commands!

I know that I sound like my grandparents now, but I remember a time when items were indeed built to last. How is it with the ancient technologies of a few decades ago, engineers knew the ancient mysteries of making a refrigerator, washing machine or kettle last 20 years or more and today, stores will offer to sell us a warranty upgrade from one to two or three years? Yes, we all know well the strategy of planned obsolescence.

Consumerism has reached new heights in recent decades and sadly you and I are victims of and often willing participants in the charade. Now I admit I am not an economist and I will not presume to have those particular answers. However there is nothing about the world economy that leads me to think we have indeed found the Utopian economic dream.

More importantly to me are the dangers of a consumerist attitude as it pertains to our children and their futures and to the danger of us ignoring the costs of consumerism. The wonderful thing about life the universe and everything is that inevitably it all relies on balance. We cannot continue to fool ourselves that our developed world consumerism does not come at a hefty price. We are only able to consume in the vast amounts we do because it is financially accessible. I was blown away when my wife pointed out that our new cordless camping kettle only cost $7 at one of our well known chain stores. What a bargain. However great that may be for my bank balance, how is it possible that such a thing could be possible?

Well truth be told, the only logical conclusion I could draw was that for me to enjoy the low priced goods, a poor family in a third world country must be receiving a wage that by Australian standards must be considered below the poverty line. We cannot convince ourselves that this is a win-win deal. We only need to look closer to home at the cheap milk saga for another example.

Too easily can our young people fall into the trap of measuring their worth by the brand of phone or designer clothing. Too easily can we set them up to revolve in a cycle of never-ending dissatisfaction as the spell of material happiness wears off and they continually look to the next best and latest item of consumerist products to bring a sense of well being and meaning. All the while, the impact on our earth and third world communities is neatly put out of our minds.

We owe it to our children to raise them to see the world through the eyes of a contributor instead of a consumer. Not what can I get, but what can I give and do. The importance of service learning and the charitable and philanthropic endeavours that we expose our children to are more than just Christian niceties, they are essential to teaching and reinforcing the message that there is a world out there that is in need. It is essential in helping them realise that their sense of worth and hope comes not from how much they have and own but from the knowledge that we are all children of God and that he loves us and values us in spite of our short comings. Let us try to more often direct the conversation to what we can contribute instead of what we can consume.

I wish all students and their families a restful break and we look forward to welcoming you back in Term 3.

​Justin Krause
Principal

Primary School News

From the Head of Primary...

Quiet Achievers
The end of semester is always a good time to reflect upon the positive achievement of our staff and students to date. One teacher I would like draw your attention to is Mrs Sylvia Richardson. In addition to being our Primary French teacher, Sylvia drives much of our academic enrichment. She quietly works behind the scenes with staff and students to create excellent outcomes.

'Make Your Own Story Book' Competition
Recently Sylvia and a number of our Year 3 to 6 students entered into a ‘Make Your Own Story Book’ competition. Gifted illustrators and writers teamed up to create their own illustrated children’s stories. The published stories are excellent and will be on display in our Library throughout Book Week next term.

Congratulations to the following students that participated in the competition.

Year 3 Students
Elizabeth, Mambwe, Shannon and Tadiwa.

Year 4 Students
Eliana and Serayah.

Year 5 Students
Oore, Rachel, Ashton, Dalitso, Liam, Brianna, Ayanna and Tanatswa.

Year 6 Students
Namasvi, Poppy, Rosa and Ella.

IPSHA Speakers Challenge
Last Wednesday Mrs Richardson and two of our Year 5 students, Tanika and Zoe, traveled to Scotch College to compete in the Independent Primary Schools Heads of Australia (IPSHA) Speakers’ Challenge. Tanika and Zoe competed against contestants from a range of Perth schools and performed very strongly. Tanika spoke on the question, ‘Do you treat others the way you would like to be treated?’ and Zoe, ‘Boost your brain’.

Mrs Richardson is also currently working with the Year 4 students and their Oracy examination and Year 5 students to present at the Night of the Notables.

​Stuart Harris
Head of Primary School

WACSSA Netball Carnival

Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 netball teams who played in the WACSSA Netball Carnival. The girls have been busy training on Monday after school and at lunch times and were very confident going into the day. There were 17 teams entered, split into various divisions.

Our Year 6 team finished second in their group, battling hard in a very close final, and the Year 5 team finished third, winning their last match 18 to 1!

Special thanks goes to two fantastic Year 10 girls, Caitlin Tipping and Tahlia Kabelka, who umpired and helped coach the younger students.

Year 1 Excursion | King's Park

On Tuesday 14 June, Year 1 students went on an excursion to King’s Park to learn about Aboriginal Culture. After a long bus journey, with an exciting trip through the Graham Farmer Freeway tunnel, we arrived at King’s Park where we had lots of fun in nature.

We listened to a story about Chunyart, an Aboriginal boy who was named after the 28 parrot. We learnt about bush medicine, built a Mia-Mia and told a story using Aboriginal symbols. We also spent some time exploring the bush and challenging ourselves by climbing ropes and tree hides in the Rio Tinto Naturescape.

“I liked it when we got to climb the big tree hide.” | Carla

“I liked going into the water park.” | Ethan

Year 3 Excursion | SciTech

On June 20, we went to SciTech for our excursion. We experienced learning about animation and dinosaurs. We learned that T-Rex’s had tiny arms that could not even reach their mouth! We saw a Stegosaurus and Triceratops. Then, we could explore SciTech. We found a man, who was making paper aeroplanes, but they were not any old aeroplanes, they could fly in a circle! We also saw a ball that when you put your hand on it some lightning followed it. 

After that, we had lunch and recess together, our lunch and recess were in a big box. We also went to the CSIRO lab and made animations that showed the life cycle of animals. We took lots of pictures to make it. The pictures played quickly so it looked like the pictures were moving. 

Lastly, we went to the Planetarium and learned about the weather and the Solar System. We also watched a movie called Tilt that told us about weather. We also learned that there was a lot of planets around the sun like Mars and Jupiter.

Finally, we departed from SciTech and got on the bus and went back to school. 
It was fun!

Shannen | Year 3 Student

Year 6 | Maths Groups

Last week, students from Year 6 were introduced to the concept of prisms and pyramids in Mathematics. As a springboard to this, both Year 6 classes engaged in a series of hands on activities to enhance student interest and learning.

The first two activities required students to work with a partner to create a 3D model of a prism and a pyramid using marshmallows and pop sticks. Once the students had completed their 3D model, they had to identify the number of faces, edges and vertices.

The next rotation encouraged students to create a 3D object using geometric shapes. During this activity, students needed to use translations and rotations (flip and turn) to click pieces together to form their shape. Using this knowledge, they were then asked to create a net of a 3D shape using blank paper, a ruler, and scissors.

This was a great opportunity to introduce our next Mathematic concept to the students, and provided them with an opportunity to work cooperatively with their peers, and use hands on materials to enhance their learning.

Year 6 | Christian Living

Year 6 has launched a brand new series called THE HUNGRY GAMES! To introduce this topic, six students from class 6.2 were chosen to participate in the WeetBix Challenge, where they had to race each other by eating a whole dry WeetBix.

This led to a discussion about being ‘hungry’ for, and ‘tasting’ God. When we say taste, it means to trial or to experience for yourself how good He is. Students discussed times when they had been hungry, and how they felt after they had eaten; were they satisfied?

The key theme of this lesson was to allow students to know that God’s word ALWAYS delivers on the promise. God will never leave us dissatisfied. His satisfaction is always better than anything else the world can offer. At times, we may start off feeling impatient, tired and grumpy but we will ALWAYS leave feeling satisfied, full, good and happy when you spend time with God.

It was pleasing to see how engaged the students were in this lesson, and how in depth our discussions went. Well done to Brodie, Bailey, Jamie, Blaine, Summer and Ella for volunteering!

Secondary School News

From the Head of Secondary...

As we conclude this term, I would like to refer parents and students back to the expectation outlined in “The Guide” relating in particular to uniform and appearance expectation of our students. I spoke to students about these expectations at our most recently assembly and provided reasons why we need to take pride in how we present ourselves in our uniform. My hope for all of our students is that they take pride in being members of Ellenbrook Christian College. The best way to show pride is for each student to present themselves to the highest possible standard, in line with the expectations of the College. Many of our students already do this exceptionally well, while a number will have to make some changes to the way they wear their uniform and how they present themselves at school.

In addition to the uniform and appearance expectations you will soon receive a communication from the College regarding a redefinition of our mobile phone policy. This is to ensure our students are not distracted and can focus on their learning. There is significant research that demonstrates the use of mobile phones, limits a persons ability to focus on the task at hand. The task at hand in our classroom is, of course learning, and while a distraction such as a mobile phone and the access it provides is present, students cannot be fully focused. I see this as a vital step to improve engagement and application in the classroom.

You will also receive via email your end of semester reports shortly. College Golf, Peripatetic Music and Learning Support program's will receive an additional printed report reflecting their progress. This will be posted to parents. The semester reports are designed as a summary of what your child as produced across the first semester of 2016. I would encourage you to read these through with your child and discuss both the impressive and not so impressive results. If you require further information we will be holding a parent teacher interview night early in Term 3 and of course our teachers are only a phone call or email away if required. It is only through our communication and by partnering together that children are provided with the opportunity to be able to attain their personal best.

I wish our whole secondary community an enjoyable and safe school holiday period and I look forward to improving our academic and presentation standards in Semester 2.

Jordan Smith
Head of Secondary School

2016 Performing Arts Showcase | Skool Daze

WOW what an amazing show - absolutely fabulous!!

What a lovely evening we all had, so thank you. From the moment we walked into the foyer and were greeted by welcoming students, to enjoying a wonderful performance and then to be treated to supper.

The performers should be very proud that they conquered fear, performed, and demonstrated how talented they all are. So a big well done to all of the performers for a sensational effort, and demonstration of talent.

This was just some of the feedback that was received from audience members after they had watched the production of the 2016 Performing Arts Showcase, Skool Daze, on 22 June 2016.

After intently rehearsing, the Semester 1 Performing Arts students from Year 7 to Year 12 were at their best where their talent and hard work shone! Approximately 90 ECC students dazzled and entertained the audience with their creative expressions in Dance, Drama and Music. Luminous personalities were bright and smiles aplenty after humorous interludes. 

ATAR Revision Courses

Click here to access the information regarding the ATAR revision courses offered at Guildford Grammar. 

Years 10, 11 and 12 | University Information Sessions

University is just one pathway that students can take following their Secondary schooling. We encourage parents and students to explore the many opportunities available by visiting the different university websites and/or Facebook pages. Many of the Universities have Open Days or information sessions over the next few months and these may assist your child in finding their pathway following Secondary School. 

Edith Cowan University Information

Click on the links below to visit ECU's future students page and other information pages on their website.

• Future Students
• Events

Curtin University Information

Click on the links below to visit Curtin Universities future students page and other information pages on their website.

• Future Students
• Non-School Leavers
• School Leavers
• Parents

University of Western Australia Information

Click on the link below to visit UWA's future students page on their website.

• Future Students

Student Services

From the Dean of Students...

Uniform
It is a condition of enrolment that students adhere to the uniform policy set by the College. I have been encouraged to see the majority of students wearing their uniform with pride this term.

Students have been reminded that the expectations will remain high from day one in Term 3. As we head toward the role out of a new uniform, we are aware that some items of the current uniform are no longer available. If this is the case for your child, please notify Student Services so that it is taken into consideration when staff are addressing uniform standards with students.
 

The Fathering Project
It was fantastic to see so many fathers, and fathering figures, in attendance at last nights presentation from ‘The Fathering Project’. This was a great social and interactive presentation to officially launch The Fathering Project at Ellenbrook Christian College.

Throughout the year, a team of Ellenbrook Christian College Dads will be organising social events for the fathers, and fathering figures, along with their children. Please watch out for these events, advertised in newsletters and emails.

For more information, please contact Student Services.

Michael Bolan
Dean of Students K-12

Student Services Team
Mrs Lorraine Wheeler, Mrs Suzel Nolte and Mrs Joanna de Grauw (Student Services team) can be contacted on:

• Email: ellenbrookss@scea.wa.edu.au 
• Phone: 08 9297 9230

Absent or Late
If your child is unwell or arriving late, please contact us through our:

• voicemail service on (08) 9297 9292; or
• the absentee email, eccabsentees@scea.wa.edu.au; or
• our new text service number, 0416 905 250. 

Late Arrivals/Early Departures
Please remember that students who arrive late to school must be signed in by a parent (Primary) or sign themselves in (Secondary) at Student Services.

An early departure slip must be obtained from Student Services prior to you collecting your child early from school. If your child is being picked up for an appointment 
during school hours, to avoid delays, we ask that you notify us in advance by email, text or a phone call. If someone else is collecting your child, for any reason, their details must be text, or emailed through to Student Services, by a parent listed on the enrolment.

Excursion Permission
Permission for excursions must be completed by following the link that has been sent out to parents in an email, prior to the day of the excursion. Any student who does not have a completed form will not be able to attend the excursion. If you have any problems accessing a permission link that has been sent, please contact Student Services.

Reminder
If you need to visit the College during the day, to drop off lunch, or forgotten equipment for your child, please do so via Student Services. For the safety of all students, we do not allow visitors to wander through the College during the day.

Bike Helmets
There are an increasing number of students riding to the College who are not wearing a bike helmet. It is compulsory in Western Australia that all cyclists wear an approved helmet while riding. For more information on this, and other cycling road rules, please visit the Road Safety Commission website at: https://rsc.wa.gov.au/Topics/Cycling

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