eNews - Term 1, Week 9
Principals Report
Thank you staff, students, parents and carers in making the start to the year at Kiara College very successful indeed. The staff collective wish to thank all stakeholders and acknowledging the challenge of a week lockdown and mask wearing. The shining light from this was student and family resilience as well as a keenness to get on with learning. Our enrolments continue to follow the trend of the past few years, seeing growth this year of over 10%. There were a number of new initiatives commenced in 2020, which continue and expand in 2021. In particular, our building program which is progressing very well and scheduled to be completed late September this year.
The building, renovation and construction program includes: a new performing arts centre, a purpose built student services facility, six seasons’ garden, student seating areas and an upgrade and resurfacing of basketball courts, including 2 full sized undercover courts and the upgrade of several buildings and classrooms.
We also look forward to the pending launch of the new Girls Academy, operated by a local Noongar Wadjuk group, KOYA Corporation. This will be known as the Koordoormitj Intitute: Girl’s Academy and we look forward to the support that this program will provide.
Welcome to new staff who have won new positions at Kiara College for 2021.
Mr O’Kane – HoD Mathematics, Miss Knowles – Phys Ed, Dance and Student Services, Miss Simmonds – teaching English, Mr Farina – teaching IT, Drama and D&T and Science, Ms Kiwi – teacher in HASS, and Miss Davey – ATO.
We continue to improve and expand courses available for our students and the diversity of which are designed to challenge, engage and support students along their learning journey. We encourage all students to take full advantage of the rich resources at Kiara College, being our staff, our facilities and programs as well as the numerous extra-curricular activities on offer.
Activities and events this year, so far, include: Work Place Learning Induction, KiaraSurf, 2020 Semester 2 Awards assemblies, Wagin Woolarama, Online Literacy and Numeracy testing (OLNA), the College Ball and Harmony Week. Thank you to parents and carers for your support, for your students by attending events and activities as well as supporting us to improve student attendance and engagement.
At Kiara College, our focus is: Every student, every day, every classroom
Our new College Business Plan 2021-2023 defines for us, successful students and informs our strategic planning in that:
Students will be or are:
- confident and engaged learners who aim to achieve their best in all areas
- literate, numerate and skilled in the use of digital technologies
- aware of and demonstrate respect for the cultural and linguistic diversity of our community
- maintain their physical and mental health and wellbeing
- respect themselves, others and the environment
- able to work collaboratively and independently
- resilient and able to self-regulate
- feel a sense of connection and belonging to our community
- creative and innovative
- regular attenders
- embrace the Kiara, Act Belong Commit philosophy and make a positive contribution to their community
Thank you once again for your ongoing support and commitment.
Warm regards
Grant Brown
Principal
KiaraSurf 2021
The HPE Department at Kiara College provides students with a number of opportunities to represent their house faction (through our whole school beach and athletics carnivals) and their school (Champion Schools Sports, Lightning Carnivals, and Interschool Athletics).
On Friday 26 February 2021, our school beach carnival, KiaraSurf, was held at Mullaloo Beach. KiaraSurf involves each year group rotating around six stations with each station having a mixture of novelty and competitive events.
KiaraSurf is a ‘House Carnival’. It provides an excellent way for students to team build, and strengthen their association with their ‘House’, other students and the teaching staff.
Results at the completion of the day’s events were:
Overall House Placings
1st: Phoenix
2nd: Centaurus
3rd: Orion
Year Champions
Year 7
Male: Marley Sam
Female: Nikilah Carson
Year 8
Male: Leslie Woods
Female: Bianca Boots-Musari
Year 9
Male: Dylan Greenhill
Female: Ariana Pihema
Year 10
Male: Zach Morrell
Female: Jessica Carson
Year 11/12
Male: Jordan Greenhill
Female: Ellie Skinner
KiaraSurf 2021
College Ball 2021
The 2021 Kiara College Enchanted Ball was held on Friday 12 March at the Duxton Hotel in the city. A total of 79 students all “looking a million in dollars” in gowns and suits, created an amazing inclusive atmosphere as they dined, danced, and posed for endless photos. Congratulations to the Belle of the Ball Cheyenne Monaghan and Beau of the Ball Evan Mendoza who exhibited all the great qualities that teachers were looking for when voting. Many Kiara College staff attended and assisted with the ball, demonstrating a strong connection with our upper school students. Staff and students that had been to previous balls, made the comment that this year’s ball was one of the best which is a credit to Lisa Semmens, Student Services for her passion and hard work in putting together the Ball. The 2021 Ball was definitely a highlight of the year and will be a great memory for this year’s graduating students.
College Ball Photos
Altone Comes Alive
On Saturday March 20, Kiara College staff and students braved the heat to promote our school to the community at the Altone Comes Alive Event.
We were proud to watch students taking lead roles in helping Altone Youth Services run their event from greeting guests, cooking and serving food, to sitting down with local City of Swan councillors to discuss what local community projects that they see as important. Staff also had the opportunity to see the services provided by Altone Youth services to our students, watch the Kiara College band perform, and catchup for a chat and photo op with a great supporter of Kiara the newly re-elected Dave Kelly, MP.
Wagin Woolarama
Kiara College had a very successful day at the 2021 Wagin Woolorama show. Twenty-five of the Agricultural Year 10, 11 & 12 students were involved in preparing and presenting our Kiara White Suffolk stud sheep. The student’s enthusiasm, initiative and showing skills were exceptional. There were also numerous positive comments from other breeders and the general public on the behaviour and attitude of all our students.
This excursion would not have been possible without the dedicated & professional contribution of all participating Kiara College staff. A huge thank you to Rob Liebeck, Daryl Clark, Tim Grubba, Lisa Winchester & Colleen Steineck (former Teacher).
The placings of our Kiara White Suffolk stud sheep included:
- 1st place ewe over 1 year led by Henry Koval
- 1st place group of 3 ewes led by Zoe Rutkowski, Ethan McConnell and Zach Morell.
- Reserve Champion Group of Three Ewes
- 2nd place ram under 1 year, born before 31st May led by Janissa Martin
- 3rd place ewe under 1 year, born before 31st May led by Madison Wheelock
- 3rd place ewe over 1 year led by Cody Hancock
- 3rd place group of 1 ram and 2 ewes led by Chloe Davies, Tameeka Morris and Janissa Martin
- 3rd place group 2 rams and 2 ewes led by Clay Merriman, Cody Hancock, Henry Koval & Madison Wheelock
Wagin Woolarama Photos
Harmony Week
Harmony Week is a time to celebrate Australian multiculturalism, and the successful integration of migrants into our community. Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
All people who migrate to Australia bring with them some of their own cultural and religious traditions, as well as taking on many new traditions.
Kiara College celebrated Harmony Week with a range of fun activities including giant games during breaks, wrist band making, free dress day where staff and students were encouraged to dress in orange colour or their national dress and our canteen selling orange cupcakes and a range of cuisines from around the world.
Harmony Week Photos
International Womens Day
The theme of International Women’s Day this year was #ChoosetoChallenge. Kiara College College Captains led the way in promoting the message that from challenge comes change.
They presented at the school assembly, and shared information via the Public Address System. Girls Academy students with support from Bec Garlett and Lisa Semmens made 100s of rosettes in the colours worn by the suffragettes – purple, green and white.
A special morning tea saw many staff supporting #ChoosetoChallenge.
Senior students had lunch with Guest Speaker Professor Cheryl Kickett-Tucker who shared some of her own story, and encouraged the students to aim high.
Professor Kickett-Tucker and staff from the Koya Corporation also spent time with Girls Academy students talking about their individual dreams and aspiration.
Work Place Learning
Try-a-Trade
Skillhire in Forrestfield offered a two day trade tester in building & construction (bricklaying) where a group of Year 10 boys gained 'hands on' industry experience and used the skills they learnt to construct their own brick pillars and walls.
Try-A-Trade programs are important to assist students to decide if they are interested in trade career pathways.
White Card Training
Students gained this unit of competency in OH&S and will receive their White Card and Certificate. This will be a fantastic addition to their resume as safety training is highly regarded by employers.
Induction Day
Workplace Learning Program held our annual induction day on Wednesday 17 February at Swan Active for upper school students enrolled in WPL. Career & Enterprise and Big Picture Program were also invited to attend. A fabulous day was had by all with awards and prizes awarded for "Best Dressed" & "Best Impression"
Award winners:
- Shaziah Eades
- Eruera Isaacs-Harding
- Benjamin Kennedy (Best Impression)
Our community supporters Rotary Club of Crawley were our special guest interviewers, and even though some students were struggling with nerves, I am proud to say all students participated and overcome their fears.
Award winners for "Best Interview" were:
- Mia Mayes
- Noah Warrener
- Patricia Lomutopa
- Serenity O'Connell
- Janissa Martin
- Declan Beardall
Well done to all our students!
Maxine Merchant
Work Place Learning Support Officer
Work Place Learning Photos
Australian Business Community Network
On Friday 19 March, a number of students participated in a program called the ABCN Digital Empower Program. This program is a digital based program that connects students with mentors within the workforce and is designed to equip students with the confidence, behaviours and mindsets needed for the rapidly changing world of work.
Some of the key messages and aims of this program was to build confidence, skills and mindsets such as resilience and adaptability.
Approximately 30 students across Years 9 to 12 connected with mentors in the workplace to focus on resilience and practical strategies for building this into their day-to-day lives. The Year 11 and 12s connected with six mentors from Chevron, across different departments to build connections with positive role models outside of their local communities and share some challenges that they’ve faced through their career journeys. The program was innovative, very well facilitated and presented. Special thanks to Judd and Sam for the tech support throughout the day.
Bush Tucker Garden
Kiara College was very fortunate to have Mark Tucek from Tucker Bush and Julianne Wade from Bindi-bindi Dreaming to help create a bush tucker garden around our yarning circle. Mark shared his knowledge regarding native plants, whilst Julianne shared her knowledge of the Noongar 6 seasons and sustainability. We are appreciative of Mark and Julianne's knowledge, thank you so much for sharing with us. A very special thank you to the 40 students that were selected to participate in the planting of our Bush Tucker Garden. We look forward to harvesting some of our native foods to share at school events as well as incorporating Indigenous perspectives in cross curricular activities.
A special thanks for Julie Wilson for inviting our special guess, Ed, our school gardener who made himself available for the afternoon and has since made it a priority to look after our garden while it establishes and to our A.I.E.O's. who helped bring the day together.
Looking forward to 'Moorditj marlak mereny!' ( good bush food)