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From the Principal...

Easter
I have always found Easter to be one of the more difficult Christian seasons and also one of the most inspiring. The difficulty for me emanates from the fact that it is a story of great cruelty and injustice. It is made more poignant by the fact that many of the key players in the story are indeed not all wicked and cruel tyrants but people like you and I. Some of the greatest hurts inflicted would have been by closest to him.  The tragic and powerful events of that week have reverberated through time and had such impact on humanity that it has shaped our very history. No martyrdom or execution has previously or will have such a profound effect on the world.  For Christ’s challenges to the corrupt and self serving practices of the religious elite and misunderstood challenges to authority, saw him the victim of an unjust plot to silence him. How wrong they were.

In reference to the hurt of those close, the saddest part of the story is that he was betrayed by a man close to him, in his inner circle. One who would have moved with him, dined with him, been present at the very miracles performed. He was also abandoned by his close friends and followers, even the indomitable Peter, when the threat of reprisal and danger faced them.  The fear he must have faced, we can all imagine, the loneliness of the betrayal and abandonment must have been crushing. Yet, if we are honest we do not judge them too harshly and nor has history, perhaps because in them we see the human weakness and frailty that we all share. What might we have done in their circumstances?

Another truth that radiates from this dark part of the Easter Story is that Jesus and therefore God, more acutely knows what it is to feel hurt and pain.; the physical torment, the rejection and abandonment. It is this willingness of the God of Abraham to humble himself to a criminals shameful death that demonstrates the deep love for humanity and his deep understanding of our weaknesses and pain. But what has made this story so powerful that it has shaped cultures and nations and transcended through time and turmoil is that death, sadness and abandonment was not the conclusion. The resurrection brought with it the light of hope and of redemption. What ensued was not wrath and blame but forgiveness and empowerment. As the frail human beings that walked

 
 

the earth with Christ were recipients of his grace andmercy so we today, still embodying that same frailty, receive his grace. No event in history has carried so great a message of hope to so many over so great a period. Let us use this time of rest and reflection to consider how blessed we are and then how we might take it upon ourselves to share hope and blessing with others.

 

Open Parent Meeting
Last week we had our open parent meeting and were grateful for the positive turn out. We were able to achieve a quorum and a new Committee was elected. The members of the committee are:

  • Alex Follington
  • Wayne Kleyheeg
  • Suzanne Panton
  • Doreen Smith
  • Oscar van Wyck

I look forward to working with the new committee and we appreciate greatly their time sacrifice in support of the school. Finalisation of the Liaison Parent group and the Fundraising Team is imminent and they will be  an integral source of feedback and support to the Committee.

Harmony Day
Support of Harmony day was wonderful. The celebration of diversity is so key in our country and indeed across the world. In difficult times when fear exists, we need to ensure that we remain united in our stance of valuing difference and standing against injustice and prejudice.

It was our pleasure to have Mr Nigel Barker, Chief Executive Officer of Cystic Fybrosis Western Australia, at our Easter Assembly yesterday to accept a cheque for $800 raised by our community during Harmony Day. Mr Barker mentioned that extended his thanks to the College community for the support that we have given the organisation over the last couple of years. 

“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.” Mahatma Gandhi

Staffing News
I wish to inform you of the following staff news. Firstly it gives me great pleasure to announce that Mrs Louise Blooms, our Music Director, has announced that she is pregnant. I know that you all join me in wishing Louise and her husband David all the best at this special time of their lives. 

Secondly, Miss Elise Ashburner, an Educational Assistant in Primary, has informed me of her decision to leave at the end of this term. Elise has decided to follow her passions and new path in the South West. Elise has had 4 years of faithful service to the school. In speaking with her I know that she has received great satisfaction from her work and I know that she will be missed by the staff and students of Ellenbrook Christian College. We wish Elise well on her new journey.

Mrs Tammi Edwards has informed me that she and her husband have made the bold step to pursue a direction God placed on their hearts. They will be moving to London next term. We wish Tammi every success as she steps into this new adventure, her efforts and service to the school over almost 8 years are greatly appreciated. 

We have commenced our recruitment process and will notify our school community as soon as we have confirmed replacement staff.

Justin Krause
Principal

 
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Primary

Discover Your High School
It has become apparent to me that many of you have never had the chance to do a tour of our Secondary School while it is in operation. I regularly conduct school tours for new and prospective parents and a viewing of our Secondary School in operation is always a key component. We have delightful Secondary students and some excellent resources that I would love the chance to introduce you to.

Over the coming weeks and months Robyn Wiseman, our Enrolments Officer, will be making contact with you to extend an invitation to participate in a tour of our Secondary School. This will be arranged via year group beginning with our Year 6 parents. Please do take the opportunity to participate in a tour if possible. I look forward to meeting with you then.

Mr Stuart Harris 
Head of Primary

Family "Beach" Picnic
On Tuesday 15 March, the Pre-Primary families were invited to school for a lunchtime “beach” picnic. Our “Beach Season” theme was a wonderful topic to study and we’ve had many fun “learning moments” in class. With umbrellas in the sandpit, beach balls everywhere and sprinklers on the grass, it was definitely our “WOW” day for Term 1. We felt so blessed and excited to see so many parents arrive and join in with all the fun activities. Thank you for making this a special day for the Pre-Primaries!

 

Year 5 Assembly
As part of our preparation for the Night of the Notables, the students have been studying the life of Saint Patrick of Ireland. The procedure of researching and presenting about a notable person was simplified and the students were required to write a short synopsis and a biography in the first person, to select a quote, and to design a timeline. Their delightful play presentation was a representation of this collaborative class study. The informative assembly dovetailed well with the celebration of Saint Patrick's Day and Harmony Day.

Languages
During the recent SCEA competition two of our Year Three students Saskia and Taki scored extremely highly and as a result their class, 3.2, were the first primary class winners of French in the competition (with a student average of an amazing 148 points).

As a result of this the class will be enjoying a Subway lunch next week. Miam! Miam!

Harmony Day
This year our Primary languages classes have focused on a taste of harmony; the amazing multicultural mix of foods that now makes up our Australian diet.

Harmony Day truly reflected our amazing melange of cultures here Ellenbrook Christian College; as we celebrated in our assembly, surveyed and tallied the myriad of cultures and foods within our College, wore colourful free dress and amazing national costumes, and raised funds for Cystic Fibrosis.

Year 6 Avid Learners
Each Wednesday afternoon, the Year 6 students are offered the opportunity to participate in our new initiative, the ‘Avid Learners Club’. This club offers students a place to complete their homework and any in-class projects in a supportive environment, outside of school hours.

Over the 5 weeks that the Avid Learners club has been running, we have seen an increase in the amount of students attending and are encouraged by the persistence, positive attitude, and responsibility towards learning, displayed by our students.

The benefits of our Avid Learners club is that students are offered a time where they are able to focus on their education in a relaxed, familiar setting, where they can receive one to one support from both Year 6 teachers, often tailored to their specific needs. If your child is interested in participating, please read the information and dates below. It is not too late to join!

Avid Learners Club
When: Wednesday afternoon 3:15pm-4:15pm
Where: Mr Rolt’s classroom (6.1)
Who: Year 6 students only

Year 5 and 6 WACSSA Cricket
Congratulations to the Year 5 and 6 cricket teams who competed in the WACSSA cricket carnival in Week 7. The girls finished champions and the boys just missed out coming second. It was a fantastic and exhausting day with the teams playing 5 games back to back. As well and the obvious high level of sporting skills displayed he attitude and sportsmanship of the students was outstanding. To see Year 5 and 6 students congratulating others for good play and encouraging each other is so fantastic to see. Well done to all the students involved.

Primary Assemblies
Primary assemblies commenced in Week 3 this term. Assemblies are a time to find out what’s going on in the College and celebrate the success of students. We invite you to join us. 

 
 

Secondary

Year 8 Designer Fish
In preparation for designing their clay plaques our Year 8 Art students have been drawing a fantastic array of God’s amazing creatures that live below the waves. 

From the crazy looking Mandarin fish to the dramatic black and white striped fish found under the Busselton jetty.

Thank you
Sharon and I would like to say thank you for your lovely gifts and card you gave us, and for the prayer and support you have shown us. We feel blessed to have such a thoughtful and caring community here at Ellenbrook Christian College.

God Bless
Sharon Hird and Julie de Bomford

RAC bstreetsmart
As a part of our health program this term, the Year 10 students got the privilege of attending the RAC bstreetsmart program, along with 85 other schools. It helped us to be aware of the dangers and distractions that happens to many people whilst on the road. This was demonstrated by a re-enactment  of a tragic crash. A handful of actors and actresses portrayed the emotion of the crash. Ambulances, police vehicles and fire trucks added to the overall performance by showing how horrific crashes can be. Narration was overlapping the performance at certain points explaining how to possibly save a life if you are put in a similar situation.

We were then shown a video of a young man named Konnah who explained his story. Unfortunately he was involved in a crash a few years ago and it affected him majorly. He came out and answered a few questions. He explained about how it completely changed his life. He needed constant assistance and struggled to do daily activities. Konnah's story helped us realise the impact a car crash can have if you get distracted for even just a second. Later in the day, Jason, an aircraft paramedic gave a speech. He stated, "giving into one little distraction can completely change your life."

Jason told us about how he saved a women named Jo. A car had swerved and collided into Jo's car as she was driving to her first day of university. It occurred to me that even innocent people can get hurt from a reckless driver.

Louise came up next to give a speech. She had lost her daughter in a crash a few years ago. Bronwyn, her daughter, had asked a drunk friend to give her a lift home on a motorcycle. She thought she was bulletproof and that a crash would never happen to her. Louise got emotional as she explained the impact it had on herself and her family.

It was an eye opener to see the impact crashes have on the people around you. To close the day, St John's Hospital showed us how to help someone if they are in need. A demonstration was given on how to give CPR and how to prevent wounds from being infected. Overall the day was truly an eye opener. the messages the program gave helped the Year 10 students to realise how careful they have to be on the road.

Tiah Lanciano | Year 10

After School Tuition Support
The Secondary Staff offer our students extra tuition support during the week and at particular times during the year. This support is offered at no additional cost.

This term we have the following support available:

Mathematics Tuition
Monday and Wednesday from 3:20pm until 4:00pm

English Tuition
Monday and Wednesday from 3:20pm until 4:00pm

Course teachers may offer additional support time during recess, lunch or after school on a one-off or periodic basis. Extra support is also often offered to Year 11 and 12 students during study breaks and examination periods.

If your child requires extra individual support, external tutors and agencies are available. Often each Head of Learning Area will know of some external tutors. Please contact them if the need arises.

Swan Valley Art Camp
The 2016 ECC Art camp for our Year 11 and 12 students was held in Week 5.

It was a truly Swan Valley centered event in local places that not many of our students had ever been to. We first visited the All Saints Chapel in Henley Brook not ten minutes from the College. This is the first and oldest church in Western Australia. There a magnificent cross made out of an old yew tree with its roots still in the ground overlooks the old graves. The winding river is fifty metres below with an outlook over bush and vineyards towards the hills. This spot is the furthest that Captain James Stirling reached in his original exploratory voyage up the Swan River. 

Up stream not far lies Yagan’s bridge named after the famous aboriginal warrior who provided resistance to the sometimes brutal treatment handed out by early white settlers.

 
 

At lunchtime the bus arrived and took us to Houghton’s Winery where we enjoyed our lunch on the lush green lawns under the jacaranda trees. After lunch we spent time in the underground art gallery where water colourist Dez White’s bright and humourous images were displayed. Students chose a work to draw and then describe why they liked that particular work more than others, explaining their opinion using art language. 

The following day we visited the same places but had more time to complete the pantings and drawings that had been started the day before. The intensive arts practice in excursions like this really gives student art skills a boost. It was a great blessing to be able to have Mr Pitman along because although he is a Science teacher he is also a very talented artist and our students were able to see him at work and get advice from him. My wife Ayolani who loves to paint also came along and did some artwork and chatted to the students about their artwork.

 
 
 

I am really looking forward to the major works that will come from this excursion to be exhibited at the 2016 ECC Art exhibition to be held in the Ellenbrook Arts Centre during the first three weeks of Term 4.

Mr Stephen Hill | Acting Head of Arts

 

Secondary Assistance Scheme
The Department of Education's Secondary Assistance Scheme is intended to provide assistance to Secondary students in meeting the costs of books and uniforms and includes eligible home-educated students. To be eligible for the allowance the parent/guardian must hold a Centrelink Family Health Care Card, a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or a Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession card that represents a statement of income for the family.

The allowance consists of two components:

  • $115 Clothing Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian.
  • $235 Educational Program Allowance paid directly to the parent/guardian.

Application is made by the parent or guardian for student/s registered for study in the Secondary years (Years 7 to 12). 

Application forms are available from Student Services and close on Friday 8 April 2016.

Events

Significant events that occur throughout the year at the College can be found on the events page on our website. Currently a list of term dates, public holidays, student free days, College Committee open parent meetings and end of year events are listed on the page.

Calendar

The College calendar is updated regularly with new events.  You are encouraged to use this resource to keep yourself up-to-date with school functions, excursions, incursions, after school programs and anything else that your child may be involved in.
 

Absent or Late?
If your child is unwell or arriving late, please contact us though 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. 

If your child is being picked up for appointments during school hours. To avoid delays we ask that you notify us in advance by email or a phone call.

Student Services Team
The 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

Hours 
Pre-Kindergarten
8:35am to 2:40pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays

Kindergarten
8:35am to 2:50pm
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Pre-Primary
8:35am to 3:00pm


Years 1 to 6
8:40am to 3:05pm

Years 7 to 12
8:40am to 3:15pm

Administration
8:00am to 4:00pm
8:00am to 3:30pm Wednesdays

Road Safety
Please be minful of the road safety rules especially when parking on Santona Boulevard and Valinco Avenue. Parking on the road causes vehicles to overtake parked vehicles when students may be crossing the road, which could be hazardous to our students. Our students’ safety is a priority.

 

Community

Arbor Grove Dental Therapy Centre
Brookmount Drive Ellenbrook | 9297 7388

The centre will be open Tuesday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm. For emergencies outside these hours or during public holidays please contact The Emergency Service on (08) 9325 3452, The Oral Health Centre on (08) 9346 4400 (Eligibility Applies) or your Private Dentist.

High School Students are eligible to attend the Dental Therapy Centre from Year 7 to Year 11 or until they turn 17, whichever occurs first. If your child is not already enrolled, it's not too late to enrol now! If you have not received an appointment in the past few years, we may not have your current address. Please contact us and advise of any address changes.