5 April 2023

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

Term 1 is flying by very quickly. Everyone has settled into senior schooling nicely. Students are looking fabulous in their uniforms and I commend everyone on their exemplary behaviour.

I have noticed that a few students are arriving late for school. Students need to be getting to school no later than 8.20am for an 8.25am start. An important aspect of moving into senior school is to take more responsibility for oneself and own actions. Let us band together to support our students in arriving early to school/work. I appreciate the support parents have shown in getting their teenagers to school; if you are having issues, can you please contact me.

By now teachers will have contacted you or held meetings to develop your child’s Individual Transition Plan (ITP) which will be mailed out to you next week. Most TAFE courses have commenced, and the students appear to be very motivated by these learning experiences in Horticulture, Hospitality, Retail, Beauty Therapy and Building & Construction. Quite a few students have been placed in a local business for Workplace Learning – please support this program by encouraging your child to attend all the required days as this presents them with a unique opportunity gain employability skills.

Thank you to parents who have already paid the school fees. School fees are essential in the provision of resources for all students, and I greatly appreciate those who have made the effort to meet with my Manager Corporate Services, Mrs Trish Magno to make or discuss payments. Please remember that payment plan options are available.

I look forward to working with all our parents and community members again this year. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or Mrs Lucas for pastoral care issues. Should you require my assistance, please phone me on 9583 0571.

Tash Wagstaff
Principal

Dates to Remember Term 2 2023

T2

Duncan Sanders

The students in T2 have settled well into their new classroom and are working hard to complete their curriculum coursework. They have recently demonstrated good essay writing skills by reviewing a Movie, Film or Video Game of teenage interest. Currently, they are working on Career Portfolios, including resumes, and improving their fundamental Maths skills, including telling the time and understanding money. Every Wednesday, the students cook different foods and improve their kitchen skills. They have investigated the dangers of bullying and, during Health, the effects of drugs, smoking and vaping on their overall well-being. Combined sports on a Friday have been a highlight, with the students given the opportunity to try new and familiar activities, including archery, bowling, soccer, basketball, and general fitness. The students can be very pleased with their efforts so far, and we look forward to helping them have a rewarding and successful year.

FG04

Julie Higham

FG04 have had a great start to the year. The staff have enjoyed getting to know their new students and we are looking forward to a fun-filled 2023. We have started our Workplace Learning on Fridays and some students are volunteering to do conservation work at Paganoni swamp on a Monday.

We are learning lots of new knife skills in our weekly cooking lessons, such as bridge hold, claw grip and fork secure, as well as cooking yummy lunches. Students are displaying a well-developed health and safety awareness in the kitchen, alongside excellent teamwork and communication skills.

Our reading program is well-established and students are enjoying reading Awful Auntie by David Walliams or Holes by Louis Sachar. The teachers are amazed by everyone’s willingness to read out loud and several students make regular visits to the office to read to the principal. Well done everyone.

T1

Tarryn Lambert

Welcome back to the new year! We hope that everyone is enjoying being back at school and getting back into their routines. It is wonderful to see the different personalities shine this year and I’m looking forward to another enjoyable year with all our students and staff.

This term, students have enjoyed exploring a variety of appliances and utensils in the kitchen. They have prepared different meals and snacks in Food Science every Tuesday, and Thursday for the Breakfast club. They have listened to an Audible book Red Dog and could not wait to watch the movie. In Literacy and Numeracy, students brainstormed a Sausage Sizzle fundraiser - With help, they planned which items were needed, then searched the Coles and Woolworths websites to find the prices for each item, before preparing a shopping list.

We celebrated Harmony Week by coming together and planting trees – T1 treated the school to delicious orange cupcakes. Students also discussed topics about different cultural groups around the world, we looked at the different foods and saw how it has become part of Australian culture today. In Enterprise our worker bees made heat bags for all the classes and hair scrunchies, that will be donated to a local charity organisation. I can’t believe how quickly we have already come to the end of Term 1 - It’s true what they say that time flies when you’re having fun. May the rest of the year be as fun as this term was.

Retail

Meagan Green

This year in Retail we would like to welcome several students from Rockingham Senior High School ESC!

All students have been busy learning about safety practices in the workplace and how to work effectively in a team through appropriate communication with sales of morning tea to staff and students. We have visited Bunnings to see what safety procedures and policies a warehouse requires and have a partnership with Foodbank Mandurah this year, packing various products for them to sell.

Visage

Trish Bradford

Term 1 has kicked off well, the students have been engaged and learning a variety of skills such as hair washing at the hair basin, sectioning for blow drying, waxing techniques and brow and lash tinting. They have commenced working on the theory component of the course, Work Effectively in a service environment. They have already displayed sound knowledge and confidence on this topic. Tess, Sheri and I are looking forward to seeing the growth and confidence of the students develop individually and as a group

Construction

Mark Barritt

Students have had a good start to the Construction Skills Set with an emphasis on Teamwork and an introduction to Workplace Health and Safety Requirements. Students have started to use basic materials and hand skills whilst practicing their Brick Laying skills in preparation for their basic construction project later in the course. They have been learning how to safely set up and use the Cement Mixer to mix mortar and to use hand tools such as a Brickies Trowel and Spirit Level.

Art

Laura Tolomei

This term in art we have been concentrating on drawing skills. Students have learned about making shapes look three-dimensional, how to use shades and tints when painting and how to draw ellipses. We then used these new skills to create artwork.

Workshop

Mark Barritt

Students are working on their major woodwork projects this term, which range from building a planter box, work mate or coffee table. Students chose their product based on personal preference, with many students choosing to make their product for a family member, carer, guardian or friend. In the workshop class, students learn how to use a range of tools and machines safely and appropriately including cordless drills, clamps, PVA glue and with assistance - the drop saw, band saw and sander. Students wear their personal protective equipment (PPE) when using tools and machines and are reminded of our workshop safety rules each week. Students get to showcase their talent in their workbooks, which includes students pasting in photos of themselves at different stages of the manufacture and design process and by answering a range of workshop questions. Students are enjoying workshop and look forward to finishing their products, later in the year. Miss Smith

Emergency Cadet Program

Duncan Sanders

In Cadets, this term, the students have been busy studying and improving their first aid skills, including their knowledge of DRSABCD, CPR and using a defibrillator. They have completed several online first aid assessments and enjoyed a training incursion with St John’s Ambulance. The students have learnt about early Australian history, including the role of indigenous Australians in shaping our country. The students are studying the causes and effects of Natural Disasters, including Earthquakes, tsunamis and especially Bushfires. Next week they will receive hands-on fire extinguisher training. It’s been a busy and rewarding start to the year.

WorkPlace Learning

Marg Bowman

The first group of students started their work experience in Term 1. All students have been receiving favourable comments from their employers during workplace learning. It is great to see our students are representing our school so well in the community.

Workplace Learning is a very important program. It gives students the opportunity to work in a real workplace and to obtain and develop genuine skills, as well as to get a written work reference from the employer or the school.

Thank you to all parents/carers and students for being organised for the workday.

Transition

Aaron Spice

John Tonkin College Education Support Centre is very fortunate to have a full time Transition Officer to help students transition into post school life. The key objectives of the Transition Officer are:

• Facilitate information sessions with outside agencies
• Connect parents/carers and students with Centrelink and external agencies
• Network with various therapy organisations relevant to individual students
• Create information packs of community sporting and leisure activities in line with the students’ interests and future goals which support and encourage community engagement and relationship building enhancing students independence in social settings.

School Uniform

JTC ESC – Code of Conduct

All Students and Staff have the RIGHT to work in a clean and safe environment.

RESPECT

• Appropriate language and behaviour
• Treat equipment appropriately
• Zero tolerance of bullying
• Be aware of personal space
• Phones off and away (8.00am-2.40pm)
• No smoking on school grounds

RESPONSIBILITY

• Follow mobile phone rules
• Wear correct uniform
• Be punctual
• Be kind to all
• Be prepared for all classes
• Stay within set boundaries – students not to leave the premises during school hours.

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