16 December 2020

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s Report

As my first term at JTCESC comes to a close I actually have a minute to reflect. It has been a whirlwind coming to a new school at this time of the year as the new principal, traditionally the busiest time of the year. Getting back into the full swing, after the challenges the pandemic has thrown us, has proved a fantastic opportunity and testament to the great resilience of students and staff.

I have loved getting to know everyone and thankful to the students for the wonderful acceptance of my offer to join me for lunch when the opportunity presents. It gives me extra opportunities to build the relationships, getting to know them as people rather than just students (a great strength of school camps in particular). My office at times becomes a major thoroughfare, as busy as Piccadilly Circus. I thank Ms Magno and Ms Howard for their saintly tolerance, putting up with all the commotion.

Adapting to and overcoming these challenges has been a valuable lesson to all, particularly the graduating students. They can take this experience forward with the realisation they can overcome any challenge the world wishes to throw at them.

So many activities and hard work under the bridge for now: Christmas garden party (great fun- great food- great company- great thanks to Ms Christensen, Ms Higham, Ms Guest, Ms Willcocks and the students in T1), Expo (brilliantly organised by Ms Robertson with Aaron from APM), Soccer carnival (congratulations to Mr Wilton and our first division team finishing 3rd in a very competitive division), NAIDOC week (came and went in a flash catching us a little off guard, looking to do this better next year), Year 10 Transition from Halls Head (which ran like a well-oiled machine, thanks to Ms Robertson), Albany Camp (massive thanks to Mr McClay-camp organiser, Cadet staff-catering, and of course the teachers and EA’s working hard to keep everyone safe), kitchen administration upgrade and ultimately the Graduation Ceremony.

I am looking forward to maintaining close relationships with our neighbouring schools, Halls Head ESC, Riverside ESC, Meadow Springs ESC and Coastal Lakes College to maximise the resources and offer as many curriculum and career options to the students as possible. I am also looking to build some valuable links with the private schools in the area, broadening the profile of Education Support Centres and helping inform parents of the unique expertise we possess with maximising educational and career opportunities for their children.

I am truly thankful for this opportunity and wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous new year.

Cran Collis
Principal

Dates to Remember 2021

Classroom News

FG03

Kristin Lucas and Laura Tolomei

Term 4 flew by in a blur!

We worked hard to wrap up all of our work for our Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways and all enrolled students’ certificates were endorsed. Big congratulations to all of the hard work all the students put in.

We continued making Breakfast Club for the students each Monday and the students showed great progress in their proficiency in making zucchini slice, all manner of toasties, various brownies, Anzac biscuits and sausage rolls, not to mention how well they wash, dry and put away dishes and clean all the kitchen surfaces! We continued our practice with online banking and paying bills online.

This term we had the honour of hosting the school assembly. We used the DO IT process to help guide us in how and what we would present. The DO IT process involves Defining the ‘problem’; Opening your mind to ideas; Identifying the best idea and Transforming that idea into action that is meaningful to you.

Our assembly was based on the virtue Responsibility. As a class we used various activities, such as brainstorming and A-Z’s to help define Responsibility. We brainstormed all of the ways that people can present in an assembly and each student chose a way to present that worked with their interests, strengths and learning style (we worked on this earlier in the year). The result was a fantastic assembly that showcased each students’ strengths. Included were: a play written and performed by two students, posters, art works, PowerPoints that were personalised by displaying how the students are responsible and one that automatically read the text on the screen. We also had a student sing “The Responsibility Song”. The students were thoroughly engaged in the process and took ownership of the whole assembly.

The last week of school was our whole school camp which was busy with activities such as canoeing, bush walks, archery, visiting the Whaling Museum, the ANZAC Centre and the Brig Amity as well as making and eating great meals. We had an amazing Term 4 in FG03.

T1

Julie Higham

This term we have enjoyed the Cadet camp at Albany and making gingerbread houses with Rebecca. In class we have completed our Lifeskills – cooking program, and are impressed with students’ improved food preparation skills and also their ability to work cooperatively with everyone in the class. Top job T1!

In literacy we have been working on our resumes and improving our inference skills in reading. During numeracy sessions we have worked on practical skills involving time and money. The T1 staff have been blown-away by the increase in students’ confidence across the year, shown by their willingness to perform and present their work in assembly.

We would like to give an extra big shout out to Mason for presenting the T1 assemblies. We finished the year off by hosting the whole school Christmas party, with delicious food and Christmas decorations.

The T1 staff would like to wish all students and their families a safe and happy Christmas, and we look forward to seeing you in 2021.

Creative Manufacturing

Trish Bradford/Lorna Craggs/Tess Wyllie

And just like that, we are at the end of term 4

What a year it has been!

I am so proud of how the students stayed focused and motivated throughout these unsettling times and produced high quality products for their chosen charities.

They have broadened their knowledge and understanding of the manufacturing process and requirements through ASDAN and gained invaluable life skills through supporting our local charities by making specific items that benefit others, seeing the positive impact they have made, working as a team and time management.

Jai, Samantha, Taliah, Shellan, Sky and Dean have made this year a true success, they have laid the foundation for this amazing program to continue, for this I am truly proud and thankful.

The students also completed a 5 week course that was delivered through Good Sammy’s Industry “Ready for work, Ready for Life-Retail” that they all passed.

Wishing all students and families a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Be safe and we look forward to a fabulous 2021!

Retail

Kristin Lucas/Nat Harris/Jacquie Willcocks/Peter McClay

In Retail this term we were able to enjoy our Manufacturing Course presented by Good Samaritan Industries (GSI) which was postponed in Semester 1 due to COVID. Dani Congdon from GSI came to us each Wednesday and facilitated their “Ready for Work Ready for Life” program. It involved the students learning four modules: All about Retail; Education, training, the hidden job market; Communication and Problem Solving and Presentation Skills as well as a Work Experience day at the Mandurah store and an award presentation ceremony. We enjoyed working with Dani and the students were very engaged with the modules. Students worked hard to finish all of their written work and achieved either ASDAN certificates or Certificate I in Retail Services, with one student returning to Retail.

A very successful year given all the changes and flexibility that was required of the students.

Construction

Mark Barritt/Sharan Hegney/Jacqui Willcocks

The construction students finished off the year with the completion of their tiled wall and the safe demolition of their projects and clean-up of the construction area and storage shed.

Well done everyone for a great year in Construction.

Emergency Cadet Program

Peter McClay/Nat Harris/Sharan Hegney/Mark Barritt/Julie Higham

Term 4, although short was jam-packed and culminated in our all school Cadet Camp which was held for the first ever time in Albany.

Early in the term we finished a number of projects and revision from Term 3, then we began our camp preparation.

Cadets were given the opportunity to plan all their camp activities and meals, suffice to say we visited some great places and certainly ate well. Camp was 4 days in duration we travelled down on the school bus and stayed at the picturesque Camp Quaranup overlooking Princess Harbour in Albany. Activities included a tour of the historic Whaling Station, a visit and lunch at the skywalk at “The Gap” and Natural Bridge. After lunch we went to the National ANZAC Museum, which was a very moving and interactive experience, later in the day we visited the Brig Amity and the Albany Stocks.

Workshop

Mark Barritt/Charm Guest/Peter McClay/Sharan Hegney/Lorna Craggs

Students finished off the year in Workshop creating copper enamelled pendants using a vitreous enamelling process which fuses powdered glass to copper using heat. Students also had a go at using our new Emblaser 2 Laser Engraver and Cutter to engrave personalised wooden plaques.

Workplace Learning

Marg Bowman

We rounded off the year with some great work placements and our students gained valuable experience.

Lachlain had the opportunity to complete a work placement at Workpower and he has shown a great work ethic for the duration of the placement. Workpower has indicated that they would like to offer him work next year when he leaves school.

Feedback from our fantastic and supportive employers has been wonderful.

The fact that the students have represented not only themselves, but also the school in such a good light, allows us to contact those employers again in 2021 to ask for their support with WPL.

Our school is very privileged to have these local businesses support our workplace learning program and we would like to take the time to thank each business who helps our students experience meaningful work in a supportive environment.

Thank you to all parents/carers and students for being organised for the work day and representing our school so well within the community. We are so proud of our students who have completed their work placements for 2020.

Art

Laura Tolomei/Jacquie Willcocks/Charm Guest/Lorna Craggs

Our creative and talented art students have created some amazing art this year, I am so proud of their efforts and, I’m sure they are too. This term, students have:

• completed tile mosaics of the flora and fauna of the Peel region. The tiles will be used to decorate the seats in the amphitheatre.
• created self-selected artworks using skills and techniques learned over the year
• created self-portraits that are going to be displayed at an exhibition at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre.
• Excursion to the Art Gallery of Western Australia where we had a tour through some of the gallery and did a workshop in the gallery art studio

Health & Phys Ed

Chris Wilton

The highlight in Health and Physical Education for term 4 was undoubtedly the soccer carnival held at Hartfield Park in Forrestfield. John Tonkin College ESC fielded two teams in the event and every student that participated was exemplary in their conduct. It was fantastic to see the sportsmanship and resilience from our students on display. Each team played four games each and grew in confidence and performance as the day progressed. The students should be proud of their efforts not just on the day, but also for the way they practised and prepared in the weeks leading up to the carnival. For some, just getting out on the pitch was a huge achievement while for others their excitement on the day was plain for all to see, including a couple of atomic high fives from Griffen that Mr. Collis and myself are still feeling the effects from.

I hope every student can look back on what they have learnt and achieved this year in HPE through their effort and recognise the growth that I have seen.

Breakfast Club

Rebecca Christensen

METHOD

1. Make Gingerbread Dough: Place flour, sugar, bicarbonate of soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves and butter in a food processor. Rub together until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add syrup, egg and milk. Mix until dough just comes together. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until just smooth. Shape dough into 3 discs. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 180C/160C fan-forced. Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper. Roll out 1 dough disc between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick. Place 'Front and Back' template on dough (see notes). Cut around template to form front of house. Place on 1 prepared tray. Cut out rectangular door shape from front of house. Place on tray. Using the template as a guide and a 3cm round cutter, cut out a round from front of house to form a window. Re-roll trimmings. Place ‘Front and Back’ template on dough. Cut around template to form back of house. Place on remaining prepared tray. Using the template as a guide and a 3cm round cutter, cut out a round from back of house to form a window. Refrigerate dough on trays for 10 minutes or until dough is firm. Bake dough for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden and just firm to the touch. Stand gingerbread on trays for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Repeat step 2 with second dough disc and ‘Wall’ template. You will need to cut 2 wall pieces from dough. Using a 4.5cm heart-shaped cutter, cut 1 heart from the centre of each wall to form a window.
4. Repeat step 2 using remaining dough disc and ‘Roof’ template. You will need to cut 2 roof pieces from dough.
5. Make Royal Icing: Whisk egg whites in a small bowl until foamy. Add icing sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking until smooth and combined. Stir in lemon juice.
6. To assemble house, spoon Royal Icing into a snap-lock bag. Snip off 1 corner. Pipe icing along base and side edges of 1 wall. Stand upright on cake board, using a small glass for support. Pipe icing along the base and sides of front of house. Stand upright on cake board and attach to wall, using another glass for support. Repeat with remaining wall and back of house to form house. Stand for 1 hour or until icing has set. Remove glasses.
7. Pipe icing along top edges of walls. Place 1 roof panel on house so bottom slightly overlaps. Use a glass to support under eave. Hold to secure. Pipe icing along top edge of roof panel. Place remaining roof panel on house. Use a glass to support under eave. Hold to secure. Stand for 2 hours or until set.
   Decorate with lollies to how you like it.

Transition

Janine Robertson

This term we say goodbye to our fantastic Year 12 students we wish them all the best for the future. May they enjoy the next step in their journey with purpose, humour and self-belief and always be surrounded by a strong support system, as they negotiate the move into adulthood.

EXPO

This year we joined with APM Communities to run the JTCESC & APM Communities Disability Expo with 41 stall holders of Disability Service providers, Inclusive Sporting Groups and Community Based organisations. This was a wonderful opportunity for students, parents/carers, family and the Mandurah community to gain information on post school options and community engagements within the Mandurah Community. The Expo was held at the Mandurah Forum and was a huge success with shared information and many connections made to support and enhance our students’ lives.

WELCOMING SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS

Halls Head ESC year 10 students took part in a 4-day transition program where they experienced the school setting, classroom activities, art, workshop, cooking, manufacturing, cadets and PE programs, and getting to know JTCESC staff. There were many highlights during the 4 days and by the fourth day, it was great to see how comfortable and relaxed many of the students were in their new setting ready for 2021.

JTCESC staff have been getting ready for the 2021 students developing resources, programs and are excited to welcome all the students at the start of the new year.

GOODBYE AND THANK YOU

I would like to say thank you. I feel very privileged to have met all of the students and parents/carers in my role of the Transition Support Officer at JTCESC from term 2 to term 4 this year. I have enjoyed the role of this position and thank the JTCESC staff as well for all of the support and welcoming me into this role. I could not have done this without their support.

Other News

Graduation

Congratulations to the 2020 Year 12 graduating students who celebrated their graduation ceremony on Friday 4th December at the Mandurah Offshore Fishing & Sailing Club. All looked fabulous in their gowns and sashes ready to walk the “red carpet”. Well done to all students; your family, friends and JTCESC staff were all very proud of you.

Thank you to our sponsors; Mayday, Mandurah Freemasons, Interchange, Hon. David Templeman, MLA, Department of Fire & Emergency Services, Workpower and Caltex; your continued support is very much appreciated.

Award Winners:

Well done to the 2020 Year 12 Graduating students – Jack Jennings, Dean Lucas, Jai Magee, Zac Montaperto, Colby Scott, Lachlain Griffiths, Samantha Blackburn, Sherin Irvine, Sky Martin, Lily Rose, Daniela Jovicic, your family, friends and JTCESC staff were all very delighted for you.

Bushfire Season 2020/2021

Pre-emptive (planned) school closure during the bushfire season

John Tonkin College ESC has been placed on the Department of Education bushfire zone register as it is located in a designated bushfire risk area.

If a ‘Catastrophic’ fire danger rating has been declared for the City of Mandurah, the school may be required to invoke a pre-emptive (planned) closure. A ‘Catastrophic’ fire danger rating poses a significant threat to the school if a fire starts, it is likely to be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving.

Parents will receive a text message to inform them of a possible pre-emptive closure of the school.

The final decision to pre-emptively close the school will be confirmed with the principal no later than 4.30pm on the day before the pre-emptive closure. If the forecast changes after the 4.30pm deadline, the school remains closed to limit confusion within the school community.

Parents will receive a text message to either confirm or reverse a pre-emptive closure of the school.

Typically, schools will only be required to close for a day at a time. However, this will depend on changing weather conditions. Parents will receive a text message to advise if the school will reopen the day after the pre-emptive closure, or whether it will remain closed.

Parents are encouraged to monitor official bushfire information sources for current information about fire danger ratings:

Emergency WA website -

1. Department of Fire and Emergency Services
   Information line – 13 33 37
   Twitter - https://twitter.com/dfes_wa
2. Local radio
   - ABC Emergency WA
   - ABC local radio
   - 6PR

2020 School Board

Thank you to all the School Board Members who attended the meetings during 2020, we look forward to seeing you all in 2021.

Any parents or carers interested in joining the JTCESC School Board please contact administration, your support is very much appreciated.

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