From the Principal...

I trust that the school holidays have been restful and refreshing for the students and those families lucky enough to have taken leave. We look forward to welcoming all students back for another productive and exciting term.

At the end of last term and into the holidays Mrs Murray and a group of senior students went on the Fusion pilgrimage to Uluru. The pilgrimage is a journey to the very heart of Australia. High school students and youth workers from the edges of Australia congregate in the capital cities, and head inwards. They have a chance to see our country in a whole new way, and an opportunity to do something that many Australians will never experience.  I know the students gained a great deal from the experience and we look forward to them sharing the details of their journey with the their friends and teachers.

On Tuesday the 26 April we are having a special Year 4 to 12 assembly to welcome the students back and to also introduce the new Head of Senior School, Mr Jordan Smith. We will be formally commissioning him as well as Mr Michael Bolan and Mr Stuart Harris  into their roles before the student body. Parents are welcome to attend. The assembly is scheduled to commence at 8:50am.

It also gives me great pleasure to welcome Mrs Carien van Wyk, Education Assistant, who will be working alongside Mr Bradstreet in our Year 1 class. Mrs Nadine Whitehead, is taking some much earned long service leave. During her absence from the College we are privileged to have Mr Stuart Chisholm who will be covering Mrs Whiteheads position until her return.

This term, we welcome Mrs Helen Dunjey back from her long service leave. We trust that she enjoyed her break with her family and look forward to having her back in our school community. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Thiona Dicks for her willingness to step-up over the last term and cover some of Mrs Dunjey's responsibilities as Head of Early Learning. Her contributions over the last term have allowed for a continuity and consistency within the Early Learning Area and have been greatly apprectiated.

This will be a term at the school we will be looking closely at all operations, processes and directions of the school with an eye on the medium term strategic planning. We will continue to build on the solid foundations whilst pursuing an ongoing improvement agenda. Building the culture of excellence happens at every level; Leadership, Administration, Academic as well as the students and their attitudes and approaches to learning.

In preparation for the new term and the cooler months, we ask that parents support us in ensuring that all students have the correct uniform. Details of the winter uniform can be found on page 7 of the College Guide on the website by clicking here.

We also ask that students use the remainder of the break to ensure that their hair meets the College standards.

In keeping with the motto of our school, Leadership Through Service, a number of our senior students will be participating in the Manna Inc. Homeless for a Night sleep out in May. They will be raising awareness of homelessness in our community as well as raising funds for this amazing charity. We will be having a free dress day later this term, the proceeds of which will be donated to Manna Inc. There will also be an opportunity for parents who wish to make donations to do so via the website, details will be shared in the coming weeks.  Seeing the service of our students as they recognise need in the world, I am reminded of the words of Jesus.

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25: 34 - 40

Justin Krause
Principal

Cycling Safety
Ellenbrook Christian College would like to remind parents to encourage their child to wear a helmet while cycling and using small-wheel devices. There has been an increasing number of students riding to school without helmets. Not only is the wearing of helmets, when cycling, mandated by the state government, but they serve to prevent serious head injuries and can preserve a child's life in the event of an accident. 

The links below provide guidelines for accident prevention and road safety as mandated by the Department of Transport for Western Australia and Kidsafe WA.

• Cycling Rules
• Bicycles and other devices

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
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.