Term 4 Newsletter 2021

Moort Nganahkup (‘family’ in Noongar and Kaiwalgal languages) represents the diversity of families and distinct cultural identities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Cecil Andrews College. 

Complaints Process

If you need to lodge a complaint at the College, please contact us on 9234 3400.

If the complaint is regarding a subject, your first point of call is your child’s teacher. 

If you need to escalate your complaint, you can then contact the Head of Learning Area, details are below:

Head of Learning Areas

Arts – Nathan Setzinger

English – Kerrie Mansell

Design & Technologies – Nathan Setzinger

HASS – James Charlesworth 

Home Econonomics – Nathan Setzinger

Maths – David Stivey

Physical Education & Health – Nathan Squires

Science – Amanda Lean

Vocational Education & Training – Steven Dimech

Follow The Dream – Kiarra Morrison 

For other general queries regarding attendance or behaviour, please contact Student Services, details are below:

Student Services

Year 7 Coordinator – Chidi

Year 8 Coordinator – Gemma Gorton

Year 9 Coordinator – Thomas Bowey

Year 10 Coordinator – Jessica Murray

Year 11 Coordinator –  Sarah Humphreys

Year 12 Coordinator – Kasie Franklin

Attendance Officer – Dana Whiteley

Student Services Manager  – Brian Kazakoff

If your complaint has not been resolved, please contact a member of our Executive Team, details are below:

Executive Team

Deputy Principal Middle School (Years 7-9) – Amy Palmieri

Deputy Principal Senior School (Years 10-12) – Nathan Morton

Principal – Stella Jinman

It is a priority at Cecil Andrews College that every member of our community feels safe and empowered to engage in a positive, stable learning environment. To ensure that we keep our school community safe we have aligned the school’s policies and expectations with the Department of Education policies and expectations. As such, abuse, harassment and intimidation of staff and students will not be tolerated. The Department of Education has developed a plan to support staff and students to create a safe learning environment that explained in the Minister’s Statement on School Violence – ‘Let’s Take a Stand Together’. This document can be found on the Department of Education website. The actions in the plan include students to be suspended who attack other students or start fights, Principals to automatically move to exclude students who physically attack school staff and ‘good standing’ requirements to be added to school behaviour policies.

Currently Cecil Andrews College is reviewing the behaviour policies of the school to align it with the Department of Education’s plan. Furthermore, a good standing policy is being created and will be available for review when the draft is finalised. Our current Bullying Policy and Positive Behaviour Support policies can be found on the Skoolbag App, Facebook and School website. Can you please take the time to discuss these policies and the new Department of Education plan with your child to ensure all members of our community have an understanding of behaviour expectations at Cecil Andrews College. Together we can ensure that our school community members feel safe and empowered to engage in a positive, safe learning environment.

The uniform shop will be open during the school holidays on Tuesday, 18 January Monday 24 January from 8:30am to 4:30pm.

The uniform of a Cecil Andrews College student is a symbol of membership of the School community.  It promotes a sense of pride and identification with the School. It assists students to develop a sense of unity and belonging.  Wearing a uniform encourages a sense of pride in appearance. This Uniform and Dress Code applies at all times when students are required to wear their school uniform before, during and after school - no exceptions. NO Denim NO Hoodies NO Leggings 

All students, parents and teachers have a role to play in uniform management.

·         STUDENTS—must be fully aware of the Uniform Code, Uniform Difficulties Procedure and sanctions which apply for a uniform digression.

·         PARENTS—must be fully aware of the Uniform Code, check students at home and respond to School communications.

·         STAFF—all School staff share co-responsibility to manage the Uniform and Dress Code.

 Thank you to all members of the school community who are assisting the school in upholding the dress code. 

The Year 9 Academic Extension students have been a part of the Scitech NXplorers program this year. The STEM program provided our students the opportunity to identify school based issues related to water, energy and food. Our students worked collaboratively in teams to come up with possible solutions and had sought advice from Mr Booth (our Facilities Manager) on their ideas. Throughout term 2, students engaged in workshops presented by Science Communicators from Scitech and students were put through inquiry processes through a range of different activities. Students worked on their projects throughout term 3 and presented their solutions and ideas at a NXplorers showcase at Scitech on 28th October. Our students were provided the opportunity to see a Planetarium show and engaged with a range of STEM exhibits within the center. They were also networking with other students from Willetton Senior High School and Fremantle College on their projects.

I would like to congratulate the Year 9 Academic Extension students on representing our college in a positive manner and for their amazing efforts in completing their projects to a high standard.

Mrs Amanda Lean

Head of Learning Area- Science

Cecil Andrews College came runner up in the Governor STEM award in 2020 and awarded an all expenses paid excursion to Scitech. On the 23rd of September the year seven cohort attended a reward excursion to Scitech. Students had a packed day of fun activities organised by Scitech including wind turbine challenge, top secret exhibition, planetarium and as well as free time to explore.

The wind turbine challenge had students creating different prototypes, trialling them, and modifying to improve energy output. Students learnt from each other in a fun and engaging way and had the opportunity to contribute their expertise in a teamwork activity.

Students explored some of the wonders of the solar system at the planetarium. The year 7’s observed patterns in the stars, flew through the rings of Saturn, visited the moons of Jupiter, and experienced a sunrise like no other.

Top secret exhibit was a year 7 favourite. They were given a scenario, stated as follows. ‘The world’s most powerful computer chip has been stolen from the Brainiac Corporation. This chip contains highly classified information that could cause an international cybersecurity disaster. Their mission was to work out who stole the chip and why. As a secret agent, the year 7’s collected clues, analysed evidence and drew conclusions, to deduce which of the six suspects is the culprit!

In summary the students had a great time exploring all the things Scitech had to offer and we hope to go back next year.

Miss Grierson

Throughout Term 4 our Year 9 and 10 Training, Fitness and Conditioning classes have taken part in the Rowing WA Making Waves program. Once a week, the classes headed to Champion Lakes Rowing Regatta, learning the skills of rowing as well as other valuable life skills such as resilience, teamwork, and communication. The students are guided through this program by the highly capable and qualified coaches provided by Rowing WA.

Select students representing Cecil Andrews competed in the SSWA Interschool Track & Field carnival in Week 3 of this term. In what was an outstanding day of competition for our students, Cecil Andrews finished second in the G Division, only losing out to a dominant Aveley Secondary College. Special mentions to Jordan Douglas, Aiden Warner and Emmanuel Wordu for winning Champion Boy for their respective year group.  

This term the year 9 Outdoor Education class travelled to Omeo Shipwreck and Mettam’s pool for their snorkel trips. The students saw crabs, chitons, sea urchins, sea anemones and different types of fish. Both days were spent swimming, beachcombing, jetty jumping and searching through rockpools to observe sea creatures in their natural habitats. Students also had the opportunity to have a good old fashioned sandcastle competition, with the theme being “beach life”. Overall, both the students and teachers had an excellent day, with students leaving ready to ask for snorkelling gear for Christmas! -Miss Bassett

Term 4 has been an extremely busy term for the Clontarf Academy with it being crunch time for our year 12 students. We had 8 boys in our program complete year 12 which is the highest cohort to do so since the Clontarf academy opened here at Cecil Andrews College. We have continued to work, develop, and build the capacity of all boys this term which has seen some positive outcomes for our fellas.

The program exists to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men and by doing so equips them to participate more meaningful in society. This term we did many activities which incorporated our 6 pillars, Leadership, Well-being, Sport, Employment, Partners, and Leadership.

Some of the highlights of our Term 4 Academy program are listed below:

·         Academy morning trainings Tues/Thurs saw an average of 30 boys attend each session throughout the term.

·       Average attendance of 80% for our program  

8 Year 12 boys completed their high schooling journey

·         Year 12 Major Excursion to Broome

·         Clontarf Academy Awards night 

·        Wadjemup Cup camp at Rottnest Island

·         City Beach Cricket Carnival

·         Primary School clinics and transitional activities with year 6 students

·         Hosting two staff morning teas in the Academy Room

·         Target and Bunzl Work site visits

·         reward activities to Adventure world, Bowling, and Pot Black

Lane, Joseph Kickett, Bryan and I look forward to continuing to work with the College staff, parents/guardians, and the broader school community to help improve the educational outcomes of the boys and provide them with a range of development, training, employment, sporting and broader life opportunities.

Moort Nganahkup (‘family’ in Noongar and Kaiwalgal languages) represents the diversity of families and distinct cultural identities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Cecil Andrews College. 

Why….…because school enables children to build on their knowledge and skills each day, each week and each year.

Why……because children can miss out on the basic skills and may experience difficulties later with their learning.

Why……because school helps children build confidence in areas such as communication, teamwork, organization and social skills.

Why……because going to school is a legal requirement and there are fines associated with this.

The law states all children from Pre Primary to Year 12 must attend school (or have an alternative educational or workplace arrangement).

Under the law, you are responsible for making sure your child goes to school on ALL school days.  You must not keep your child away from school for minor reasons.

Don’t be soft on school attendance… because we want all children to be their best.

 What the law says:

Under Western Australian law (School Education Act 1999), parents must send their children to school unless:

·         They are too unwell.

·         They have an infectious disease.

·         The principal is provided with a genuine and acceptable reason.

You must let the school know within three days why your child is not attending.

Under the law, schools must:

·         Monitor attendance of students.

·         Follow up with parents and caregivers on student absences.

What happens when your child misses school without a valid reason?

·         Your school will ask you for an explanation.

·         Your school will meet with you to discuss ongoing issues and plan a response.

·         A School Attendance Panel will be set up to review the steps taken and provide advice.

·         In some cases, you might be fined.

Support and help for families

If your child is reluctant or refuses to go to school, or is missing school without you knowing, there is support and help available.  Contact your school or South Metropolitan Education Regional Office for information/assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q:  What should I do if my child is unwell?

A:  Inform the school and provide a medical certificate if requested.

Q:  What should I do if my child refuses to go to school?

A:  Contact your school as soon as possible and the school will arrange advice/support.

Q:  What should I do if we are going on holiday during school time?

A:  Holidays during school time are detrimental to your child’s learning.  The Principal of your school will not consider this an approved absence.  Arrange your holidays during vacation periods.

Q:  Can I take my child out of school for social occasions?

A:  No.  This is not considered reasonable. You should arrange social occasions such as personal shopping trips and birthday celebrations out of school hours.

Q:  Will my child be marked absent from school if he/she is doing a VET, Registered Training Organization program?

A: No as long as this is part of the school program.  Attendance at these programs is also monitored.

Further Information & Support:

Talk with our Student Services Team about your child’s attendance or any support you may need.

Contact number: 9234 3401

Absentee SMS: 0408 099 112

Skoolbag APP

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.skoolbag.cashs&hl

http://cecil-andrews-senior-high-school-skoolbag.appstor.io

The Department of Education’s South Metropolitan Education Regional Office in Beaconsfield also has trained staff that will be able to provide relevant information and support.

Contact number: 9336 9563

A reminder that Cecil Andrews College has a zero tolerance policy to bullying, violence, and drugs.