From the Principal...

At the end of another busy term, I reflect on the busyness of schools and all that goes on within them. We have enjoyed carnivals, Drama performances, Night of the Notables, SCEA Choral Fest and Year 9 Camp. We have hosted the Open Day and Father’s Day Celebrations to mention only a few.

I read a brief article in a newsletter, ‘Parents Make a Difference’. It was nothing new but highlighted some facts that are worth revisiting. They referred to a study that looked at the factors at home and at school that had the most impact on student academic achievement. One of the findings suggested that what happened at home could lead to the greatest difference for children than what happened at school. Do not misunderstand me, in all instances what happened at school was very important but what was suggested was that the factor that stood out in the difference in achievement was in fact the input at home.

This is not referring to extra tuition or how well Mum and Dad can complete a class project but more on the habits taught, attitudes modelled and emphasis placed on academic effort. Imagine the impact when these important influences in a child’s life are in sync. When schools use terms like the three way partnership between student, teacher and parent this is essentially what we are talking about. The better the relationship we develop, the greater the potential for success. The article suggested the following simple steps to help facilitate this success and to develop the positive attitudes in our students that will help them achieve:

• Talk about school and why it’s important. Show your child how what he or she is learning now will help them later in life.
• Visit the school. Continue to attend as many school activities and meetings as you can.
• Check homework. Be sure your child does the work and then gets the homework back to school by the due dates.
• We value the input of parents in their children’s learning and look forward to continually building this important relationship.

We congratulate Courtney Vierra and Kate Covic who have been selected to play in a National Futsal Tournament in January 2017. They will be playing in Sydney.

Justin Krause
Principal

Primary School News

From the Head of Primary...

It is hard to believe we are at the end of Term 3 already with only nine weeks of school left for 2016!

Term 3 is typically a busy term for events and this one has been no exception.
I would like to thank you for partnering with us by accommodating out of school hours rehearsals and performances, as well as your strong support in attending and preparing your children for our events.

Just some of the events from this term were:

• The Year 6 Sydney/Canberra Trip
• The House and Inter-school Cross Country Carnivals
• The House Athletics Carnivals
• Father’s Day Celebrations
• Kindergarten Bunnings incursion and Dad’s Morning Tea
• Book Character Day
• SCEA Vision
• SCEA Choral Fest
• The College Open Afternoon
• The Primary Musical ‘Cinderella and Rockerfella’
• The Night of the Notables
• Year 4 Oracy Competition

Thank you again for your support this term and I hope you are able to spend some quality time with your children over the break.

​Stuart Harris
Head of Primary School

Pre-Primary Fun | Excursion to AQWA, Construction, Design and Gardening

We could not wait to see what would be discovered at AQWA as we boarded the 9:00am bus. On arrival our tour guide, Amanda, explained that we will explore the centre in small groups. At Shipwreck Coast, it was amazing to see giant sharks, stingrays and turtles through the underwater tunnel. We also saw hundreds of stunning fish! Next, we moved on to the Great Southern section. There we concluded that God’s sea creatures are wonderful and have lovely colours. From there, we visited the Far North area, where we could explore some of the rare marine animals living amongst the colourful coral. At Danger Zone, we met some of the world’s deadliest sea creatures. A great favourite was definitely when we saw 'Nemo' the clownfish living amongst the sea anemones. Carefully, we touched starfish and sea cucumbers at the Discovery Pool and visited Stingray Bay. Amanda read 'A Commotion in the Ocean' to us followed by lunch next to the Coastal Lagoon.  It was such a fun day! 

The principles, practices and learning outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework drive the design and pedagogical practice of the outdoor learning environment at our school. We promote play spaces where children can have fun and learn through play. This week, we introduced a 'design and construction' play space where students were given the opportunity to be creative whilst having fun. They became 'explorers' as they designed their ships, 'investigators' as they chatted to friends about going down a river on a canoe, 'problem solvers' as they tackled interesting designs, 'collaborators' as they worked together as a team, 'communicators' as they came up with some brilliant plans and ideas, 'negotiators' as they shared the resources and 'researchers' as they asked questions. How much fun we had 'learning through play.'

At the beginning of this year, we introduced our Pre-Primary group to our early learning garden space to help them foster a respect for the environment and to learn about natural materials, their own good health and wellbeing. Every Friday afternoon, the students have an opportunity to be actively involved as gardeners by observing their natural environment, investigating scientific concepts and be responsible for living things. They dig, water, weed, rake, sweep, become dirty and harvest crops. By growing their own food, they learn about sustaining life on earth, co-operation with others as they share, take turns, measure and count as they plant and scatter seeds. They are required to write and draw about what they've learnt in each lesson, as well as encouraged to try the fresh foods from their garden. Our world is pushing our students indoors more and more. We've had so much fun getting our students into the open air, connecting with nature and giving them this opportunity to be creative and learn in this fun way.

Mrs Rene Araque
Pre-Primary Teacher

SCEA Junior Choral Fest 2016

On Tuesday 13 September students from our College travelled to Swan Christian College for the annual SCEA Junior Choral Fest. Choirs from Beechboro Christian School, Mundaring Christian College, Kalamunda Christian School, Southern Hills Christian College and Kingsway Christian College also participated in the event.

“Choral Fest was really fun. We got to meet other people we don’t know and make friends with them and to see people we do know from other places” | Nicole

“I liked Choral Fest because it’s great to get up on stage and have amazing fun and sing and also make new friends. Fantastic!” | Kaiden

“Choral Fest 2016 was the best! Everyone did a great job and a big thanks to Mrs Durham. Best day ever!” | Aliyah

“The Choral Fest was probably the best experience of my singing career this year. We had so much fun joining in with the other choirs”. | Elizabeth

Mrs Diane Durham
Primary Music Teacher

Night of the Notables

On Wednesday 7 September, a group of students from Year 5 presented to staff and their families as a historical or present day hero who had contributed to society. The students were required to research a person of their choice over a period of months. As they came forward to present their two minute Notable in character, the audience became acutely aware that they had all become junior experts on their notables. Listed below are the Year 5 Notables:  

Below are some student reflections about their notable were: 

"I found out that Nadia Comaneci was the first woman to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics at the Olympics when she was only ten years old." | Rachel

"I learnt that while Ian Botham, was visiting a hospital with a broken toe, took a wrong turn and walked straight into ward where children were suffering from leukaemia." | Louis

"I discovered Oprah Winfrey was meant to be called a biblical name Orphah but her mother made a spelling mistake, that is why she is now called Oprah." | Taku

A big thank you needs to go to all the students and their families for supporting their children through this learning experience.

Mrs Sylvia Richardson
Primary French/Learning Enhancement Coordinator

Secondary School News

From the Head of Secondary...

Over the past three weeks, I have had the opportunity and privilege to speak to all of our Year 10 students and their parents regarding their courses of study for Year 11 and 12. I have been impressed by the general enthusiasm shown by the students towards their learning and in turn their future careers. We have over 50 students in Year 10 currently and there would be well over 50 different pathways and careers in which our students are striving towards. The certificate all Year 11 and 12 students are working towards is called the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE). The achievement of WACE is similar to what we may have previously termed “graduation.” There are criteria set by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority that outline what students must do to achieve the WACE. Once students have achieved the WACE it can be used in University, TAFE and job applications.

Our Year 12 students have been completing their final in school examinations during Week 10 of this term. The Year 12’s will spend just over the first week of Term 4 with us before celebrating the end of their time at ECC. Some students will continue on with ATAR examinations at locations outside of ECC. We will continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers during what is an exciting but also stressful time.

As the end of Term 3 has arrived, I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday period.

Jordan Smith
Head of Secondary School

Unfortunately, the weather proved to be difficult as it rained for most of the day; providing a challenge for the students to trek the zoo to complete their booklets regarding the animals. Despite the weather, the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves amongst the zoo grounds. The most favoured exhibits included the African Savannah, the Asian Rain forest and the little penguins in their plunge enclosure.

By Michelle Woodard 

Year 11 Production of Cloudstreet

The Year 11 Drama students of Ellenbrook Christian College present their production of the award-winning narrative, 'Cloudstreet', orginally written by renowned Australian author, Tim Winton. The play also features the amazing talents of the Year 8 Drama students as well as the Year 10 Dance and Drama students of ECC.

You will be able to follow the lives of two different families as they come together under the same roof; number one Cloudstreet. Spanning over 20 years, the Lambs and the Pickles will encounter hardships and circumstances dealing with family life, fate, faith, reconciliation and the Australian identity.

Date: Tuesday 11 October, 2016

Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Location: Ellenbrook Christian College's G Block Auditorium (there will be signs to direct you on the night).

Admission Fee: A gold coin donation at the door.

Intermission: There will be a 20 minute break where coffee, tea and biscuits will be provided free of charge.

"It's gunna sound like a counter lunch, Lamb and Pickles."

https://www.facebook.com/events/683863761763289/?ti=icl

Miss Caitlynne Stafford
Secondary Teacher

Ever Considered Becoming a Teacher?

Teaching is a true calling – a career dedicated to serving others. Teaching is mostly joyous and at times challenging, but it is always meaningful.

Applications are now open for our Bachelor of Education (Primary) and Master of Teaching (Primary) degrees.

Our small class sizes and low staff - student ratio ensure a nurturing learning environment where students are known by name, not lost in the crowd.

To secure your position visit www.scea.institute or call 9274 6411 for more information.

Student Services

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

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

​Lost property 
If your child has lost an item of uniform, please check the lost property box located in Student Services. Items left in the box at the end of term will be disposed of.

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 sent by text, or emailed through to Student Services, by a parent listed on the enrolment documents.

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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