From the Principal...

“The whole child”, is a phrase bandied about in education and schools to describe the fact that our responsibility transcends academic pursuits. Even the various curricula that we use in schools today have moved well beyond the mere lists of concepts and content including far broader skills than we would often have associated with these documents. The reason schools endeavor to focus on the whole child is not because they in any way devalue the importance and centrality of academic endeavor, quite the opposite. Schools recognise that if we educate the whole person, with attention to their cognitive, physical, emotional and spiritual growth, the result is far more powerful. To send students out into the world well educated, positive and strong with social conscience and an ethical outlook on life, ready to make a contribution to society is what every teacher and parent aspires to. It is a beautiful thing.

In a world that appears to be dominated by consumerism and the gratification and service of the individual, it can be quite challenging to impart a sense of broader communal civic responsibility. The message of individual happiness and the pursuit of a ‘good life’ as defined by popular media - at the expense of the development of compassion, character and the value of hard earned reward - is a far greater challenge to our children than we imagine. The pendulum has swung to the height of its arc again. Ironically society, whilst revering the selfless sacrifice as exemplified by our service men and women, appears oblivious to the messages of narcissism and self-interest fed to our children daily. One only has to look at the less edifying examples of vacuous snippets of communications shared by some of our famous popular personalities through social media, to realise that we have reached a point where our inward focus has peaked.

If you speak to parents and look at what all schools are doing, you realise that we desire the same thing. We want our children to contribute instead of just consuming. We provide many and varied opportunities for them to involve themselves in experiences that either raises their awareness, stimulates their empathy and compassion or offers them an opportunity to serve. In Christian schools particularly, we need to be strongly focused on the message of social justice and responsibility. As parents we need to be discerning about the influences and messages that our children are exposed to. We need to actively promote the awareness and consideration of our broader responsibility and what we can hope to contribute to the world as opposed to what we want to get out of it. What a noble achievement it would be to see young men and young women passionately striving for personal excellence not only that they may indeed one day get a great job and financial security but also that they would be in a strong position to use their success and achievements to better society and the lives of others.

“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment.” Tony Robbins

​Justin Krause
Principal

Primary School News

From the Head of Primary...

We currently have the privilege of hosting four professional practice teachers. Each of them are university graduates now completing a Graduate Diploma in Education at Edith Cowan University. Mr Jesse Thyer is working in Year 2, Mr Andrew Ward in Year 4, Ms Alix Pattinson in Year 6 and Ms Kristy Sonneman-Smith in Year 3.

Having student teachers in the College benefits our school community in a number of ways. Student teachers bring the latest pedagogical methodology being considered by universities, the leaders in educational best practice. As they deliver lessons and work alongside our teachers, learning best practice in a real world setting, our teachers benefit from being exposed to current educational methodology. All teachers are life-long learners and we routinely ‘borrow’ from each other's best practice.

Another significant benefit occurs when our teachers provide feedback to the student teachers. It is a requirement of being a supervising teacher that time is taken to provide detailed, diagnostic and constructive feedback. When this occurs the supervising teacher by extension is also reflecting upon their own teaching practice. Regular professional reflection (in all its forms) ensures that our teaching staff are always seeking to better their already excellent teaching practice.

Our professional practice teachers will be with us for the next two weeks and we wish them all the best for the next part of their journey into what we believe is the most rewarding career that anyone can engage with.

Stuart Harris
Head of Primary School

Scholastic Book Fair

Week 4 saw the Eearly Learning Centre foyer transformed with eye catching displays and decorations, ready to host the Scholastic Book Fair. Parents and students were invited to view books, make wish lists and then purchase books throughout the week.  A colouring competition and book cover competition was also run where students could win a voucher to spend at the Fair. Congratulations to Eli, Obie and Rejoice our colouring competition winners and Cara, Aleisha and Rosa our book cover winners.

Ably lead by Mrs Thiona Dicks with support from Mrs Gaby Shere, Mrs Yolande Thiart and an enthusiastic team of parent volunteers consisting of Mrs Jo Butler, Mrs Bernedene Vaughan, Mrs Rita Olney, Mrs Emma Griffiths, Mrs Larissa Blackburn and Mrs Maxine White the fair raised almost $2000. This money will go directly towards purchasing new books for the College library.

What a fantastic effort from the Ellenbrook Christian College community! Special thanks to Mrs Thiona Dicks, parent volunteers and other staff members who made this event possible.

Helen Dunjey
Coordinator of Early Learning

Year 4 Excursion | Shipwreck Galleries and Duyfken Replica

On Friday 27 May, Year 4 students went to Fremantle to visit the Shipwreck Galleries and see the replica of the Duyfken, which is the earliest Dutch ship to visit our West Australian coast. We are studying the 'Age of Exploration' and the 'Discovery of Australia' in History this term, so this was a fantastic way to introduce the topic. It was a beautiful, clear day and the children enjoyed being outside in the sunshine and playing on the wonderful playground during lunchtime. There were a few sleepy children catching forty winks as we travelled back to school.

Secondary School News

From the Head of Secondary...

With Year 11 and 12 ATAR examinations well underway, I have been impressed by the way in which our students have applied themselves over the first two days of the examination period. The hours of study put into preparing for these exams can sometimes seem like a large amount of work, but I feel that this work ethic readies students not only for their exams but also other pressures that they may face in the future.

Secondary is a time of self-discovery for students, they face many challenges such as exams and each go through many changes personally, socially, physically and emotionally. As such, the College and it’s staff are here to support and develop each student holistically. We use the term pastoral care throughout the College to describe the many ways in which students are supported through their teenage years. Each student has a Pastoral Care teacher, where each day they have an opportunity to “check in” with this teacher. This connection and development of a strong relationship between the Pastoral Care teacher, student and their family is an important one, when we consider the challenges facing young adolescences today. Pastoral care classes serve as a “home base” for secondary students each day and are also used as a time to share and collaborate with other students as they work through some of the challenges facing them in today’s world.

As a Christian College we take great pride in the care and support we provide for our students, through the power of prayer and acting with grace and respect, our College community grows stronger every day. I feel privileged to be a part of this and I hope our children feel the same sense of privilege and pride in their College. I hope they make the most of this opportunity, support and advice that is on offer every single day.

Jordan Smith
Head of Secondary School

Cadet and River Ranger Hike

After starting the trek late in the afternoon and walking through a particularly hilly section of the Bibbulmun track, we did not have much light left when we arrived at the shelter. Aside from having to help students carry their packs on the steep sections of the track and a tumble or two near the start, we all finally arrived safely at the camp. So putting up the tents was hurried and may have contributed to the fly of one of the girls’ tent being not pegged down properly leading to it being flooded later that night. Cooking dinner was well coordinated. We set up a fire in the fire pit and enjoyed some warmth both from the fire and the company.

The year groups mixed and mingled, resulting in the Year 7’ students feeling very welcome in the group. After some fun toasting marshmallows and chatting around the fire, students settled in for the night going to their tents by 9:30pm, about 15 minutes before the rain started. The fun began at around 10:30pm when one Year 7 tent was flooded and we had to organise new accommodation for the night. The Student Cadet leaders moved into action quickly and we organised for the affected girls to bring their sleeping gear to the shelter.

After Mr Phipps kindly gave up his sleeping bag and mat to one of the girl's whose bag and bedding had been soaked, the group finally settled down and slept in spite of the noise of the rain on the tin roof. 

Saturday started fine but cold. Breakfast cooked and the site cleaned, we eventually broke camp and began the walk to our final destination, the Mundaring Weir Hotel. The older cadets really stepped up and were often seen helping and encouraging the River Ranger Cadets at different times and in different ways during the two days. In fact, the way all the cadets looked out for each other was amazing. After another morning testing the strength of our backs and legs we all arrived safely at our destination, where we were able to buy drinks (good coffee) and refreshments. The cadet standard of behavior during the trek and our time at the hotel was a credit to them. They might have been tired, sore and a bit dirty but it was still a genuine pleasure to be leading quality young men and women from the Bush Ranger and River Ranger groups. The parents arrived on time (enjoying some refreshments themselves) and we all left just as the weather turned to rain.

The experiences gained and memories built on excursions such as this are irreplaceable! Thank you Mr Phipps for arranging this opportunity.

Ellenbrook Christian College Golf Academy | Golf Championships

On Monday 30 June 2016, six students from Ellenbrook Christian College competed in the Western Australian Secondary Schools Golf Championships. There were over 110 competitors from various schools across WA. Our students competed as a senior team (Years 10-12) and junior team (Years 7-9) as well as individuals. It was a long, cold day with a very early start but the students, as always, did us and themselves proud. Trafford Wilcox was the runner up for his age group and Angus Roxburgh also runner up for his. The junior team also finished 3rd (Trafford, Luke, Adam) For these students golf is a big part of their lives and they work very hard at it. They are all part of the Golf Academy at ECC and are members at The Vines. They also announced the State team for 2016 (six boys from WA) and Adam Brady was selected as a reserve.

Congratulations to all the students involved.

Junior team – Adam Brady, Luke Hoskin, Trafford Wilcox 
Senior team – Declan Hoskin, Seth Oliver, Angus Roxburgh

Inter-School High Tea

Ellenbrook Christian College hosted their annual Inter-School Leadership High Tea on Wednesday 4 May 2016. The aim of the event is to inspire and encourage students to network and grow into community leaders.

Schools in attendance included Ellenbrook Secondary College, Swan Christian College, Swan Valley Anglican Community School, Holy Cross College, La Salle College and Guildford Grammar School.

Our guest speaker Ashlee Harrison, founder and CEO of ‘Zero2Hero’ Foundation, gave an inspirational address. A member from each Student Leadership Team discussed the theme “Courage and Commitment to Lead” in their respective schools and what it meant to them.

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
• Year 10 Students
• Parents

Murdoch University Information Sessions

Click on the links below to download information on upcoming information sessions at Murdoch University.

• A Morning of Science
• Engineering IT Careers Evening
• Law Business Politics Careers Evening

University of Western Australia Information

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

• Future Students

Upcoming Events

Student Services

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
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

Community