Chaplain WendyWelcome

SEPTEMBER 2008, EDITION 18SEPTEMBER 2008, EDITION 18

The Charter

A school of the Anglican Schools Commission Inc.

Working, learning, growing - Together

Inside Pages

2 The Principal Reflects

3 Welcome Chaplain Wendy

From the Foundation Principal

4 The Early Years1988 - 1992

5 Development1993 - 1997

6 Consolidation1998 - 2002

7 Maturity2003 - 2008

8 A Day to Celebrate

FOUNDERS' DAY 20 YEAR CELEBRATIONOF WORKING, LEARNING, GROWING - TOGETHER

Anniversary

of Working, learning, growing - Together

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AnniversaryAAAAnniversaryAAAAAA

Founders' Day Celebrations

John Wollaston Anglican Community School officially celebrated its 20th birthday at Founders’ Day on Wednesday 13 August.

A tradition on the John Wollaston calendar, the Founders’ Day celebrations were a mix of pomp, ceremony, fun and most of all, a heart-felt sense of community.

The celebrations began with a Whole School Service, led by The Right Reverend Tom Wilmot, Assistant Bishop of Perth, and were followed by a morning tea for Veteran students and long serving staff, staff/student games, a talent show and releasing of balloons.

Principal, Anne Ford, spoke at the Service of how this celebration was reminiscent of the first thanksgiving service on the school site.

“In 1988, 150 members of the local community proudly gathered with Bishop Challen to celebrate the turning of the first sod and the blessing of the site,” Ms Ford said.

“Much has happened since then, of course, as the School has developed and matured to accommodate enrolment growth and community expectations – much like the local region which continues to undergo significant transformation.

“It is fitting that we give thanks for the work of our forebears including those who had a vision for the establishment of our school, the Anglican Church, the Anglican Schools Commission, community leaders and the foundation School Council, Principal and staff who contributed in a host of ways to the growth of John Wollaston Anglican Community School.”

Ms Ford also thanked all current members of the School community.

“Thank you for the positive spirit, enthusiasm and care that you show towards one another in both good and challenging times,” she said.

“Together we are building on tradition and developing a special school which has a strong set of Core Values, a clear identity and a bright future.”

The Service also saw the Commissioning of the School’s new Chaplain, The Reverend Wendy Gilbert. In receiving her commission, Chaplain Wendy encouraged all in the School community to be awake to life and to always be ready to be surprised.

Singing was a highlight of the Service, featuring the melodic voices of the Primary Choir as well as a number of solo and duo student performances. This talent was recognised by Anglican Schools Commission Director of Professional Support, Mrs Gillian Jenkins, when she congratulated the School on its 20th birthday.

“There’s a lot that is special about John Wollaston Anglican Community School,” Mrs Jenkins said. “Your values are in the foreground of everything your School does. Your Principal is very special. Your new Chaplain is very special. Today has reflected in every way how special this School is.”

Principal ReflectsThe

Principal Anne Ford, became John Wollaston’s second Principal at the start of the 2001 school year. Now in the School’s 20th year, she reflects on how the School has developed over the past eight years under her leadership and what the future may hold.

My predecessor, Victoria Morgan, had done a tremendous job of establishing the School and setting up the frameworks under which we operate. As the School’s second Principal it was my job to build on this solid foundation and take the School to a new level of maturity.

Enrolments were historically a challenge so very early on I made it one of my goals to reach 1,000 students. I thought that if we developed some new programmes for our students and provided more choice and resources, that the School would move to a more solid footing and enrolment growth would occur. Linked with this was my priority to employ the best possible teaching and non-teaching staff with the common goal of working together to achieve positive student outcomes.

We set about providing this choice with programmes such as Pegasus to extend our academically gifted and the Challenge Centre to provide the support for those students with special or specific learning needs. Other academic programmes such as CURTINtrack and now the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, as well as pastoral initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and our House system, added to the range on offer.

Together with these programmes, it was vitally important to embed an atmosphere of respect throughout our School. Today we see our Core Values - respect, responsibility, honesty and commitment - clearly articulated and demonstrated by our staff and students.

We see the students celebrating each other’s achievements. They have become accustomed to conducting themselves appropriately in a variety of formal and informal settings.

The spiritual life of the School is meaningful and strong. Now with a new Chaplain it will continue to grow. We are known for our pastoral strength and our capacity to develop well-rounded young people with sound principles and values.

These are all signs of the new level of maturity that our School has reached.

I’m pleased to say that we achieved my original goal of 1,000 students in February this year. But the challenge doesn’t stop there. The School will continue to grow but not to get too large that we risk losing the strong sense of community that we have developed.

Rather we seek to continue to grow the standing of the School in the community. We will continue to develop our traditions and to ensure that our teaching and learning programmes meet the diverse needs of our community. We will seek to embed quality programmes, such as the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, that give our School real credibility.

It is my hope that in so doing, John Wollaston, which already has many long serving staff, will be seen by more in the profession as a school of choice where lengthy, meaningful careers are provided.

It’s vitally important that we continue to be proactive with the physical development of our School. There’s been a tremendous amount of capital development throughout the 20 years of John Wollaston Anglican Community School. This is continuing with the current Administration and Staffroom development and Challenge Centre build.

For the first time, in this new age of maturity, the School has a Master Plan to guide this physical development into the future. The Master Plan should give us all the confidence that the School has a firm direction.

Five years ago we underwent a rigorous strategic planning process and now we are embarking on a second round. Importantly this strategic planning involves input from across the School - students, parents and staff. The next strategic plan will guide our direction for the next four years of working, learning, growing - together. It is a privilege to lead the School and be part of a special community.

Even more exciting times await. We look forward to sharing them with you.

ANNE FORD

PRINCIPAL

A DAY TO CELEBRATE

The Whole School Service to commemorate Founders’ Day was an important occasion, not only to celebrate 20 years, but to welcome the School’s new Chaplain, The Reverend Wendy Gilbert.

Formerly commissioned by the Right Reverend Tom Wilmot, Assistant Bishop of Perth, Chaplain Wendy committed herself to the pastoral care of the school community.

“I want to encourage our students to be awake to life,” she said. “Many people go through life not paying attention to what they love or know about themselves. I’m keen to awaken our students so they can feel that within themselves.”

Chaplain Wendy is also looking forward to reinvigorating Religious and Values Education.

“I’ll be very much directed by what staff and students need or want,” she said. “For example, we’ve got the ELC students decorating God Boxes at the moment with their thoughts on what God might be like. Once they are ready they, and their teachers and parents, will use the boxes to submit their questions, worries and delights. Each week I plan to collect these and use them in our Chapel Services. I’ll also be instigating a Good Samaritan Award for acts of pure kindness.”

Chaplain Wendy originally hailed from WA but had been working in Newcastle, New South Wales as an Associate Parish Priest since 2000. She returned at the start of the year for a three month secondment to the Pearce Airforce Base as Chaplain.

“Being back here with my family, I felt it was the right time to come back to Perth permanently,” Chaplain Wendy said. “I went to see the Bishop and when he realised I had been a teacher he recommended me to John Wollaston.”

But it was no fait accompli. Such was the importance of the role in the life of the School, that Principal, Anne Ford had Chaplain Wendy interviewed not only by herself and the School Executive but Primary and Secondary Student Leaders as well.

“I think it is really important that I was such a whole school appointment,” Chaplain Wendy said. “I’ve been hugely welcomed. I get the feeling the School has had enough of being without a Chaplain and I’m looking forward to placing God in the centre of life here at John Wollaston.”

FROM THE FOUNDATION PRINCIPALFoundation Principal Victoria Morgan reflects on her 12 years establishing John Wollaston Anglican Community School.

When I first came down the little road to Melody Farm, I encountered a man on a tractor sinking into the ooze and I knew we had a lot of work to do!

It was my job to found the School. I am a visionary with big ideas and this task required many of them.

Our vision was to create the opportunity for people in the Eastern corridor to access a school of faith that had previously been denied them because of where they lived. It was a very inclusive ethos. An ethos of “you can do it and we will support you.”

The challenges were many but we employed a gutsy foundation staff. They did it tough but they were exceptional.

We, of course, began with no school at all. The School commenced at Murdoch University which you can imagine was quite traumatic for Pre-Primary students who had never even left their families before.

When we did move in, it was a dust bowl. All Saint’s College dug up its lawn to build a new chapel so we bought it. With a busy bee we planted it all, but strong Easterly winds picked it all up and dumped it into the International Rowing Complex over the other side of Lake Road!

I really wanted the School to be technologically based so we were strong on graphics, electronics, visual arts and computing. Peter Moyes (then Chairman of the Anglican Schools Commission) kept

asking but where is the woodwork? That of course came along too.

The uniform was a major consideration. This was something I relished and love what we put together. It is highly visible and remains such a strong selling point for the School.

We tried right from the beginning to have high expectations and lead by example. We needed to create a culture of giving and a reputation that the School was worthy for parents to send their children. The Annual Gala Ball started this concept of giving which has just been an outstanding fundraising event for the School.

By 2000, I felt that I had done my job. I had founded the School, set up the systems and the foundation stones from which the School could then flourish. It had been tough, tougher than I ever imagined, but the rewards were there in the students.

I returned for the 20 year dinner hosted by the Old Scholars and to see the accomplishments and the exceptional people who had come out of John Wollaston was so rewarding. When I stood up to say Grace, they all stood and cheered and it was then that it hit me that I had made some impact on their lives. That’s a reward no money can buy.

Victoria Morgan

Working, learning, growing - Together

Founders’ Day saw celebrations of the Veterans, the talented and all that’s special about John Wollaston Anglican Community School.

In a first for Founders’ Day, the School hosted a Veterans’ Morning Tea for parents, long serving staff and Year 12 students who have studied at John Wollaston all their schooling lives.

The School’s youngest and oldest students were also among the special guests.

Foundation parents, Carol Lander and David Tyrrell-Clark, now turned School Archivist and Chairman of Council respectively, were there to celebrate.

Mrs Lander said she was particularly emotional following the Founders’ Day Service.

“I’m so proud and honoured to be here today,” she said. “David and myself were here 20 years ago when they turned the first sod.”

Mr Tyrrell-Clark echoed Mrs Lander’s sentiments.

“Seeing the School go from a farm to what it is today is most impressive,” he said. “I was part of the first Council meeting in January 1989 and I’ve always been involved to keep the Parish and the School working together.”

Principal, Anne Ford, recognised the School’s Veterans at the morning tea, reserving special acknowledgement for the longest serving staff member, her Personal Assistant, Susan Philson, who will leave John Wollaston by the end of the year. In recognising Veteran students, Ms Ford said these children were part of the living history of the School and invited Jonathan Scadding and Rebecca Collier to cut the 20 year birthday cake with her and the Chairman of Council, Mr David Tyrrell-Clark.

After lunch it was time for the School to let its hair down. The whole school Talent Show was also a first for Founders’ Day and judging by the looks, cheers, high hand claps and enthusiastic applause of the crowd, it was a huge success.

Whether it was a Secondary rock band belting out well known songs or Early Learning Centre students on xylophones and triangles, the reactions from the student body heartily demonstrated their appreciation of the talent.

The Talent Show was expertly compered by Year 12 students, Arts Prefect Angela Marks and Sam Appelbee and coordinated by Head of The Arts, Pippa Travaglione.

Sam also performed his own solo skit that bought the house down!

It wasn’t only the students who got into the act. The Talent Show concluded with a staff pantomime.

With all in a state of shock over the foolishness of the King “Nick Tanner”, everyone descended on the oval for the final celebration of the day.

Staff and students joined as one to sing Happy Birthday to the School as 20 balloons in each of the House colours were released. A rousing and fitting ending to a day of School and community spirit.

Chaplain WendyWelcome

SEPTEMBER 2008, EDITION 18SEPTEMBER 2008, EDITION 18

The Charter

A school of the Anglican Schools Commission Inc.

Working, learning, growing - Together

Inside Pages

2 The Principal Reflects

3 Welcome Chaplain Wendy

From the Foundation Principal

4 The Early Years1988 - 1992

5 Development1993 - 1997

6 Consolidation1998 - 2002

7 Maturity2003 - 2008

8 A Day to Celebrate

FOUNDERS' DAY 20 YEAR CELEBRATIONOF WORKING, LEARNING, GROWING - TOGETHER

Anniversary

of Working, learning, growing - Together

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23 JOHN WOLLASTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLJOHN WOLLASTON ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL JL

AnniversaryAAAAnniversaryAAAAAA

Founders' Day Celebrations

John Wollaston Anglican Community School officially celebrated its 20th birthday at Founders’ Day on Wednesday 13 August.

A tradition on the John Wollaston calendar, the Founders’ Day celebrations were a mix of pomp, ceremony, fun and most of all, a heart-felt sense of community.

The celebrations began with a Whole School Service, led by The Right Reverend Tom Wilmot, Assistant Bishop of Perth, and were followed by a morning tea for Veteran students and long serving staff, staff/student games, a talent show and releasing of balloons.

Principal, Anne Ford, spoke at the Service of how this celebration was reminiscent of the first thanksgiving service on the school site.

“In 1988, 150 members of the local community proudly gathered with Bishop Challen to celebrate the turning of the first sod and the blessing of the site,” Ms Ford said.

“Much has happened since then, of course, as the School has developed and matured to accommodate enrolment growth and community expectations – much like the local region which continues to undergo significant transformation.

“It is fitting that we give thanks for the work of our forebears including those who had a vision for the establishment of our school, the Anglican Church, the Anglican Schools Commission, community leaders and the foundation School Council, Principal and staff who contributed in a host of ways to the growth of John Wollaston Anglican Community School.”

Ms Ford also thanked all current members of the School community.

“Thank you for the positive spirit, enthusiasm and care that you show towards one another in both good and challenging times,” she said.

“Together we are building on tradition and developing a special school which has a strong set of Core Values, a clear identity and a bright future.”

The Service also saw the Commissioning of the School’s new Chaplain, The Reverend Wendy Gilbert. In receiving her commission, Chaplain Wendy encouraged all in the School community to be awake to life and to always be ready to be surprised.

Singing was a highlight of the Service, featuring the melodic voices of the Primary Choir as well as a number of solo and duo student performances. This talent was recognised by Anglican Schools Commission Director of Professional Support, Mrs Gillian Jenkins, when she congratulated the School on its 20th birthday.

“There’s a lot that is special about John Wollaston Anglican Community School,” Mrs Jenkins said. “Your values are in the foreground of everything your School does. Your Principal is very special. Your new Chaplain is very special. Today has reflected in every way how special this School is.”

Principal ReflectsThe

Principal Anne Ford, became John Wollaston’s second Principal at the start of the 2001 school year. Now in the School’s 20th year, she reflects on how the School has developed over the past eight years under her leadership and what the future may hold.

My predecessor, Victoria Morgan, had done a tremendous job of establishing the School and setting up the frameworks under which we operate. As the School’s second Principal it was my job to build on this solid foundation and take the School to a new level of maturity.

Enrolments were historically a challenge so very early on I made it one of my goals to reach 1,000 students. I thought that if we developed some new programmes for our students and provided more choice and resources, that the School would move to a more solid footing and enrolment growth would occur. Linked with this was my priority to employ the best possible teaching and non-teaching staff with the common goal of working together to achieve positive student outcomes.

We set about providing this choice with programmes such as Pegasus to extend our academically gifted and the Challenge Centre to provide the support for those students with special or specific learning needs. Other academic programmes such as CURTINtrack and now the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, as well as pastoral initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and our House system, added to the range on offer.

Together with these programmes, it was vitally important to embed an atmosphere of respect throughout our School. Today we see our Core Values - respect, responsibility, honesty and commitment - clearly articulated and demonstrated by our staff and students.

We see the students celebrating each other’s achievements. They have become accustomed to conducting themselves appropriately in a variety of formal and informal settings.

The spiritual life of the School is meaningful and strong. Now with a new Chaplain it will continue to grow. We are known for our pastoral strength and our capacity to develop well-rounded young people with sound principles and values.

These are all signs of the new level of maturity that our School has reached.

I’m pleased to say that we achieved my original goal of 1,000 students in February this year. But the challenge doesn’t stop there. The School will continue to grow but not to get too large that we risk losing the strong sense of community that we have developed.

Rather we seek to continue to grow the standing of the School in the community. We will continue to develop our traditions and to ensure that our teaching and learning programmes meet the diverse needs of our community. We will seek to embed quality programmes, such as the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, that give our School real credibility.

It is my hope that in so doing, John Wollaston, which already has many long serving staff, will be seen by more in the profession as a school of choice where lengthy, meaningful careers are provided.

It’s vitally important that we continue to be proactive with the physical development of our School. There’s been a tremendous amount of capital development throughout the 20 years of John Wollaston Anglican Community School. This is continuing with the current Administration and Staffroom development and Challenge Centre build.

For the first time, in this new age of maturity, the School has a Master Plan to guide this physical development into the future. The Master Plan should give us all the confidence that the School has a firm direction.

Five years ago we underwent a rigorous strategic planning process and now we are embarking on a second round. Importantly this strategic planning involves input from across the School - students, parents and staff. The next strategic plan will guide our direction for the next four years of working, learning, growing - together. It is a privilege to lead the School and be part of a special community.

Even more exciting times await. We look forward to sharing them with you.

ANNE FORD

PRINCIPAL

A DAY TO CELEBRATE

The Whole School Service to commemorate Founders’ Day was an important occasion, not only to celebrate 20 years, but to welcome the School’s new Chaplain, The Reverend Wendy Gilbert.

Formerly commissioned by the Right Reverend Tom Wilmot, Assistant Bishop of Perth, Chaplain Wendy committed herself to the pastoral care of the school community.

“I want to encourage our students to be awake to life,” she said. “Many people go through life not paying attention to what they love or know about themselves. I’m keen to awaken our students so they can feel that within themselves.”

Chaplain Wendy is also looking forward to reinvigorating Religious and Values Education.

“I’ll be very much directed by what staff and students need or want,” she said. “For example, we’ve got the ELC students decorating God Boxes at the moment with their thoughts on what God might be like. Once they are ready they, and their teachers and parents, will use the boxes to submit their questions, worries and delights. Each week I plan to collect these and use them in our Chapel Services. I’ll also be instigating a Good Samaritan Award for acts of pure kindness.”

Chaplain Wendy originally hailed from WA but had been working in Newcastle, New South Wales as an Associate Parish Priest since 2000. She returned at the start of the year for a three month secondment to the Pearce Airforce Base as Chaplain.

“Being back here with my family, I felt it was the right time to come back to Perth permanently,” Chaplain Wendy said. “I went to see the Bishop and when he realised I had been a teacher he recommended me to John Wollaston.”

But it was no fait accompli. Such was the importance of the role in the life of the School, that Principal, Anne Ford had Chaplain Wendy interviewed not only by herself and the School Executive but Primary and Secondary Student Leaders as well.

“I think it is really important that I was such a whole school appointment,” Chaplain Wendy said. “I’ve been hugely welcomed. I get the feeling the School has had enough of being without a Chaplain and I’m looking forward to placing God in the centre of life here at John Wollaston.”

FROM THE FOUNDATION PRINCIPALFoundation Principal Victoria Morgan reflects on her 12 years establishing John Wollaston Anglican Community School.

When I first came down the little road to Melody Farm, I encountered a man on a tractor sinking into the ooze and I knew we had a lot of work to do!

It was my job to found the School. I am a visionary with big ideas and this task required many of them.

Our vision was to create the opportunity for people in the Eastern corridor to access a school of faith that had previously been denied them because of where they lived. It was a very inclusive ethos. An ethos of “you can do it and we will support you.”

The challenges were many but we employed a gutsy foundation staff. They did it tough but they were exceptional.

We, of course, began with no school at all. The School commenced at Murdoch University which you can imagine was quite traumatic for Pre-Primary students who had never even left their families before.

When we did move in, it was a dust bowl. All Saint’s College dug up its lawn to build a new chapel so we bought it. With a busy bee we planted it all, but strong Easterly winds picked it all up and dumped it into the International Rowing Complex over the other side of Lake Road!

I really wanted the School to be technologically based so we were strong on graphics, electronics, visual arts and computing. Peter Moyes (then Chairman of the Anglican Schools Commission) kept

asking but where is the woodwork? That of course came along too.

The uniform was a major consideration. This was something I relished and love what we put together. It is highly visible and remains such a strong selling point for the School.

We tried right from the beginning to have high expectations and lead by example. We needed to create a culture of giving and a reputation that the School was worthy for parents to send their children. The Annual Gala Ball started this concept of giving which has just been an outstanding fundraising event for the School.

By 2000, I felt that I had done my job. I had founded the School, set up the systems and the foundation stones from which the School could then flourish. It had been tough, tougher than I ever imagined, but the rewards were there in the students.

I returned for the 20 year dinner hosted by the Old Scholars and to see the accomplishments and the exceptional people who had come out of John Wollaston was so rewarding. When I stood up to say Grace, they all stood and cheered and it was then that it hit me that I had made some impact on their lives. That’s a reward no money can buy.

Victoria Morgan

Working, learning, growing - Together

Founders’ Day saw celebrations of the Veterans, the talented and all that’s special about John Wollaston Anglican Community School.

In a first for Founders’ Day, the School hosted a Veterans’ Morning Tea for parents, long serving staff and Year 12 students who have studied at John Wollaston all their schooling lives.

The School’s youngest and oldest students were also among the special guests.

Foundation parents, Carol Lander and David Tyrrell-Clark, now turned School Archivist and Chairman of Council respectively, were there to celebrate.

Mrs Lander said she was particularly emotional following the Founders’ Day Service.

“I’m so proud and honoured to be here today,” she said. “David and myself were here 20 years ago when they turned the first sod.”

Mr Tyrrell-Clark echoed Mrs Lander’s sentiments.

“Seeing the School go from a farm to what it is today is most impressive,” he said. “I was part of the first Council meeting in January 1989 and I’ve always been involved to keep the Parish and the School working together.”

Principal, Anne Ford, recognised the School’s Veterans at the morning tea, reserving special acknowledgement for the longest serving staff member, her Personal Assistant, Susan Philson, who will leave John Wollaston by the end of the year. In recognising Veteran students, Ms Ford said these children were part of the living history of the School and invited Jonathan Scadding and Rebecca Collier to cut the 20 year birthday cake with her and the Chairman of Council, Mr David Tyrrell-Clark.

After lunch it was time for the School to let its hair down. The whole school Talent Show was also a first for Founders’ Day and judging by the looks, cheers, high hand claps and enthusiastic applause of the crowd, it was a huge success.

Whether it was a Secondary rock band belting out well known songs or Early Learning Centre students on xylophones and triangles, the reactions from the student body heartily demonstrated their appreciation of the talent.

The Talent Show was expertly compered by Year 12 students, Arts Prefect Angela Marks and Sam Appelbee and coordinated by Head of The Arts, Pippa Travaglione.

Sam also performed his own solo skit that bought the house down!

It wasn’t only the students who got into the act. The Talent Show concluded with a staff pantomime.

With all in a state of shock over the foolishness of the King “Nick Tanner”, everyone descended on the oval for the final celebration of the day.

Staff and students joined as one to sing Happy Birthday to the School as 20 balloons in each of the House colours were released. A rousing and fitting ending to a day of School and community spirit.

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AnniversaryAAA AnniversaryAAAAAAWorking, learning, growing - Together Working, learning, growing - Together Working, learning, growing - Together

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20 Years of John Wollaston Anglican Community SchoolAnniversary

4 5 6 7

THE EARLY YEARS

It was an historic day on 13 August 1988, when 150 founders of the John Wollaston Community School came together with the Anglican Schools Commission to start the process of transforming a farm into a school.

Bishop Challen turned the first sod at the Melody Farm to signal the start of construction for the new school.

When it came to the start of the 1989 school year, 225 foundation students were enrolled from Pre-Primary to Year 8, but there was one problem – no buildings were ready!

For some time Primary students travelled to the Uniting Church in Armadale to take classes. For the Year 8s it was off to university before they even went to high school, commencing their Secondary schooling at Murdoch University.

It wasn’t long, however, before they moved into their new school. Back then John Wollaston was simply the top row of the Primary School and H block. Those looking back fondly remembered it as resembling the Sahara Desert - a far cry from the sprawling green ovals and established gardens of today.

With the buildings complete, John Wollaston was officially opened at a ceremony on 2 April 1989. The VIP list was impressive including Dr Carmen Lawrence (then Minister for Education), The Most Reverend Peter Carnley, (then Anglican Archbishop of Perth) Mr Peter Moyes (then Chairman of the Anglican Schools Commission) and Mr Pat Ryan (then Chair of the inaugural School Council).

By Term 3 an Administration Building, Applied Consumer Studies, Art and Design block and initial Science block were also ready for students.

Numbers grew quickly. 1990 saw 585 students enrolled with a second Primary block brought online to cater for the expansion. Basketball courts were also completed and the oval seeded. The School also had a name change to John Wollaston Anglican Community School to reflect the Anglican ethos that underpins the School.

Then it was time to start forming traditions for this fledgling school. 1991 saw the first year book, Wollaston’s Way, produced. The name Wollaston’s Way came from Year 10 student Kylie Boatwright with fellow Year 10 student Andrea Bunce’s lino print of the School adorning the first cover.

Founding Principal Victoria Hansen noted in it:

“Much of our education is about planning for the future, developing spiritual values and nurturing personal growth. Out of a swamp has been created a fine school. Without exception, our buildings and site draw admiration from everyone who visits us.”

The new House symbols were also launched that remain a key feature of the School today. Charter’s dragon was created to represent Tradition, Hale’s Pegasus to represent Challenge, Ramsden’s Gryphon standing for Excellence and Scott’s Phoenix for Honesty. The spirit of these symbols was first celebrated in Inter-House Swimming and Athletics carnivals.

1988-1992

DEVELOPMENT

1993 was a year of firsts as the School reached its full complement of year groups, with Year 12 students for the first time. The student body was led by the School’s first Head Prefects, Ashley Manning and Burnella Yagmich.

This group also became our first graduates, celebrating the School’s first Valedictory Service to conclude the 1993 school year.

The School’s first Chaplain was also appointed in 1993 – The Reverend Cassandra Nixon. Reverend Nixon played a key role in this first Valedictory Service and in commencing an end of year Communion Service for Year 12 students.

The School continued its ambitious building plan embarking on what would become a focal point for the School – the Library Resource Centre.

The $660,000 facility was given an additional boost by the generosity of parents, staff, students and community supporters, with more than $75,000 raised from the “Book into the Library” project.

With the building of the Library in 1993, began a historically significant chapter in the School which is still to come to fruition. Initiated by Mr Mowday in the Social Science Department, a time capsule was placed under a plaque in the Library foyer to be opened after 50 years. We are still not even half way there!

The building programme saw the culmination of a joint project between the School and the Parish of The Holy Spirit, Westfield with the official opening of the John Ramsden Wollaston Chapel in June 1995. The then Archbishop of Perth, The Most Reverend Dr Peter Carnley returned to the School to consecrate the Chapel. The landscaped gardens between the Chapel and Administration building were named in the memory of John Wollaston’s wife and chief supporter, Mary.

David Tyrrell-Clark described the Chapel at the opening as “a visible symbol of the Christian base of John Wollaston”, just as it remains today.

It was also time to look beyond the School, in fact beyond Australia. In 1993, 24 staff and students undertook the first cultural exchange from John Wollaston, touring Malaysia. Then, in 1995 the School offered Japanese for the first time.

The School began to make a mark throughout the community. During the period, Friends of Music was established to offer support for the development of music at John Wollaston. It gave rise to the Senior and Junior Concert Bands. The School also started to compete in Equestrian competitions and take part in Inter-School mock trials.

Padre, The Reverend Howard Eaton was Commissioned as the new Chaplain, a post he was to retain and develop for the next 12 years.

As this era concluded, fundraising for a hall and indoor sports centre was underway in earnest, giving rise to the commencement of construction in August 1997.

CONSOLIDATION 1998-2002

Time flies. The School was now celebrating its 10th year of operation.

The opening of the Berry Durston Indoor Sports Centre (BDISC) was a highlight of the 10th year celebrations. Officially opened by the then Minister for Education The Hon. Colin Barnett MLA and dedicated by The Most Reverend Dr Peter Carnley, Archbishop of Perth on 9 April 1998. The opening of the BDISC was celebrated with a Gala Dinner and Auction, the funds from which were used to fit-out and equip the new facility.

No sooner was the BDISC completed than planning began in earnest for a specialist facility for Music and Drama. Constructed during 1999, the building was originally planned for another area of the School but

ended up abutting the indoor sports centre to share common facilities including the servery, toilets and change rooms.

Named after the Foundation Principal, the new Victoria Morgan Arts Centre (VMAC) was opened on 19 March 2000 by Professor Lesley Parker AM and Dedicated by The Right Reverend David Murray, Assistant Bishop of Perth - Southern Region providing specialist music rooms and a theatre to boost the Performing Arts within the School. The first School

production in the new VMAC was Four Weddings and a Barmitzvah. The screenplay was rewritten for an Australian context and attracted record crowds for its four night run.

Creation of the VMAC also paved the way for the inaugural John Wollaston Talent Show attracting 156 entrants.

As School Council Chairman Berry Durston commented in the 1999 Wollaston’s Way, “in a short span of time, the school site has been

transformed from grazing paddocks to a vibrant school serving the needs of the surrounding community.”

While the buildings were the most obvious sign of investment, the School was also investing heavily in technology, setting the platform for what remains a top priority for the School.

The Worklink programme also commenced during this era and has been followed through successfully for many years with the School highly regarded for the Vocational Education and Training it offers its students.

The end of 2000 was the end of an era. Foundation Principal Victoria Morgan resigned after 12 years of establishing a solid basis for John Wollaston. Current Principal Anne Ford stepped into the role in January 2001 and continues to lead our School.

In her last Wollaston’s Way report, departing Principal Victoria Morgan said “I have felt sadness, exasperation, challenges, joy and frustration along the way. I have also learned about humankind, miracles, forgiveness, working with people and building working relationships. My heart has ached and bled, but mostly it has sung with jubilation at the love I have seen the staff give to their children every day.”

2001 saw the achievement of a significant milestone as we celebrated the graduation of foundation students who had begun with the School as five year olds back in 1989. Whole School Services also commenced in 2001 and have since become a highlight of the school calendar.

In 2002, some significant academic programmes and opportunities were added to the curriculum. CURTINtrack began, an initiative with Curtin University of Technology to give students the opportunity to establish university links while still at school. Pegasus also commenced to cater for talented and gifted students through to Year 8 – expanding to include Year 10 by 2004.

MATURITY 2003-2008

The School continued to expand physically while building on its already impressive range of curriculum and pastoral programmes.

In 2003 Vocational Education and Training expanded to offer Certificate I Hospitality Operations and Certificate II in Multimedia through the Fremantle Television Institute.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was introduced in 2004, with students embarking on learning new skills, providing service in the community and taking on physical challenges and expeditions that built self confidence and leadership.

Our teachers were being recognised for their skills and dedication, with many nominations throughout this latest era in the National Excellence in Teaching Awards. As a sign of the School’s new maturity, three former students returned to the School to take up teaching and non-teaching roles.

It was also time to focus on the specific needs of our youngest students. The Early Learning Centre opened in June 2004, purpose-built so that Kindergarten to Year 2 students could explore, investigate and make sense of their world in bright, comfortable surroundings.

2004 saw a new tradition begin at John Wollaston with the Year 12 Valedictory Service moved to Perth’s St George’s Cathedral creating a sense of occasion that students, teachers, parents and Council members described as truly memorable.

The Early Learning Centre held its first Grandparents’ Day in 2005. Such was the success of the event that it has become a highlight on the John Wollaston calendar.

The Peer Mediation Programme also began in 2005, providing leadership opportunities to Primary students in Years 6 and 7. Then, the following

year, John Wollaston reshaped the House System to allow for vertical integration of students - House Groups that contain students from all Secondary year groups. The House System remains the centrepiece of our Pastoral Care System, allowing for strong relationships to form between teachers and their students and between students.

The School continued to grow and in 2008 passed the magical 1,000 student enrolments. With more students came the need for more space.

The Primary School was expanded and given a face lift in 2007. Featuring a new and extended Art Room, Languages Room and four new shared spaces between classrooms, the upgrade also had the technological edge with electronic whiteboards included in all classrooms.

Simultaneously, John Wollaston began the process of becoming an accredited International Baccalaureate Organization School in the Primary Years Programme. Working through the process as a Candidate School, the Primary School continues to adopt the principles of Inquiry based learning.

With the introduction of a dedicated Year 7 transition programme this year, this Inquiry approach has continued. In addition to the benefits of Inquiry based learning, our Year 7 students are now enjoying the best of both worlds with dedicated classroom teachers but also access to Primary and Secondary specialists.

A dedicated Year 7 centre will be built in the future. Next year the new Challenge Centre will be completed providing the support needed for students with specific learning needs. In addition, the Administration is currently being refurbished and a new staffroom is under construction.

This era ends with the next 20 years beginning. The School has celebrated its first 20 years in style and looks forward to future growth and success in the years ahead.

1993-1997

Working, learning, growing - Together