Term 2 Newsletter 2022

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 – Trevor Ghouse

English – Kerrie Mansell

Design & Technologies – Jason Evans

HASS – Kelly Mandin 

Home Econonomics – Kendall Read

Maths – Natasha Coen

Physical Education & Health – Nathan Squires

Science – Amanda Lean

Vocational Education & Training – Steven Dimech

Follow The Dream – Kiara 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 & 10 Coordinator – Thomas Bowey

Year 11 Coordinator –  Jess Murray

Year 12 Coordinator – Kasie Franklin

Behaviour and Engagement Coordinator – Dana Whiteley

Student Services Manager  – Carl Stott

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

Executive Team

Deputy Principal (Years 7-8) – Amy Palmieri

Deputy Principal (Years 9-10) – Austin Ward

Deputy Principal (Years 11-12) - Mel Kettle

Principal – Nathan Morton

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 10 academic extension class attended an excursion as a part of the CURTIN AHEAD program. This program takes place at Curtin University where students are exposed to university life and a campus tour. The students participated in workshops that helped them research their future studies and career paths. They had an opportunity to visit some of the faculties and see how different university life is compared to high school. They all had a great time and came away with some serious ideas about where they might take their studies next.

On Friday, the 24th of June, the Year 10 Academic Extension students participated in the Science and Engineering Challenge 2022. This is a national challenge that is run by local Rotary Clubs to engage students from all backgrounds in activities that have direct, real-world applications.

The students were pitted against six other schools from across Perth. Each activity was different, but all required innovation, creative, and critical thinking skills. One challenge required the students to build a robotic hand that would pick up a tennis ball, a set of straws and a single straw. Another required students to create their own code using three different coloured lights. A particularly fun challenge was where the students were required to build the tallest tower possible using straws, cardboard and tape. The tower had to hold a series of weights while being shaken is a simulated earthquake.

Overall, the students enjoyed working together in their groups to take these challenges head on to successfully complete the challenges

No technical skills are required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Come and join our Fist Lego League team as we learn engineering and coding in an engaging, inclusive, and creative learning environment where we solve an annual robotics challenge centred around a yearly theme. Thursdays after schools 3-4.30pm see Mrs Hardy in STEM.

Ethical Partners and Young Change Agents Pitch

On Wednesday May 2nd, Mackenzie Pilkington took part in a business pitch, presenting to the board of Ethical Partners and partners from Young Change Agents. As part of Work Studies this year the Year 8's participated in the $20 Boss Project, with Mackenzie starting up her Indigenous art business, making cheeseboards, coasters and other items.

She presented her idea very professionally and the board was very impressed with her proposal. Huge congratulations to Mackenzie for being awarded $250 to go towards the running of her business.

National Reconciliation Morning Tea

As part of Reconciliation Week, we hosted a morning tea in the Stars room. The girls were able to invite their favourite teacher to enjoy some food and games with us. There was a great turn out of staff and students and the girls appreciated the opportunity to able to hang out with their teachers in a relaxed setting.

We also had to pleasure of attending a Reconciliation morning tea at Downer, one of our Stars Foundation partners. It was amazing for the girls to be able network, while acknowledging their culture.

MECCA Excursion

On Monday June 20th, our two Year 12 Stars girls, Tiffany and Teija attended an excursion to MECCA in Carousel. MECCA is one of our Stars Foundation partners and invited the girls along to learn about skin care and make up. The girls were able to get their make-up done by a professional make-up artist and learn skills on how to apply make up themselves. This was a great opportunity for the girls to access job opportunities, be pampered and network with other Stars programs in WA.

Re-Engagement Excursions

During week 9 we ran several excursions for our girls with a focus of re-engagement with school and our Stars programs. The Year 7/8 girls went bowling, Year 9/10 girls went to the movies and Year 11/12 girls went Go-Karting. All the girls had a great time and really represented the school and Stars to a high standard. We thank all staff, parents and the community for your support to our program.

Key Dates for Term 3 Week 2 – SciTech Re-Engagement – Thursday July 28th Week 3 – Year 10, 11 and 12ECU Careers Day – Tuesday August 2nd Week 9 – Stars Awards Night – Thursday September 15th

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.