eNews - Term 2, Week 6
Principal's Report
Kaya to all families, friends and communities.
I recognise the resilience and continuity of cultural, spiritual and education practices of Aboriginal people particularly on Noongar Whajuk land where we meet, teach and learn. I acknowledge their Elders: past, present and emerging, and commend our emerging young leaders at Kiara College.
In further recognition of Reconciliation Week, we have worked together to plan and conduct activities acknowledging this year’s theme “More Than a Word – Reconciliation Takes Action”. I firmly believe Kiara College is continuing this journey to take real action, working hand in hand with the collective College community to forge stronger relationships and value enduring cultures.
Events this term inclusive of Reconciliation week include: Anzac Service, Senior Champion Schools Basketball Competition, Sorry Day, Careers week, IDAHOBIT Day, Year 6 Parent Information session and NAPLAN, which once again ran smoothly with exceptional student engagement.
The building, renovation and construction program, which no doubt you would have observed from the carparks or Benara Road, continues to progress on schedule with a view for completion early in Term 4. Our students and staff are becoming excited and keen to have the opportunity to access these new resources – particularly the big ticket items of The Performing Arts Centre and comprehensive Student Services facilities. Judging by the skills and involvement in basketball at break times and physical education classes, the undercover basketball courts will be a popular addition!
Girls Academy, operated by a local Noongar Wadjuk group, KOYA Corporation will be up and running in the next two weeks, so thank you to our Student Support Officer Ms Lisa Semmens and one of our AIEOs, Ms Bec Garlett for their good work in supporting our girls to this point. We have also welcomed support, and a significant input from the Pioneer Aboriginal Corporation, who have worked with many of our boys in building learning and life skills. We have had a number of events runs by this group, most recently, all Year 7 classes created 3-on-3 basketball teams and a competition was run with all students being encouraged to participate in some way.
Welcome to new Kiara College staff: Ms Naomi Quilligan, HR Officer and Mr Michael Weggelaar who joins our Mathematics Department commencing week 8.
Across the College we strive to build the best possible teaching and learning environment for all our students and as such, to seek continuous improvement. I invite you all to participate in a National Opinions Survey which will open on Parent’s Night, with computers available should you wish. A hyperlink will also be distributed for your convenience to complete at home.
Thank you again for your continued commitment to our College as well as the strong support and guidance you provide to our students on their learning journey.
Warm regards
Grant Brown
Principal
UNDER THE SAME SKY
Kiara College has landed an 8 session residency called, UNDER THE SAME SKY for our Year 11 General Dance class. The program provides a unique opportunity that connects WA students and teachers with the State’s flagship professional contemporary dance company, Co3 Contemporary Dance Australia.
Within the UNDER THE SAME SKY program, students will have the opportunity to reflect on, discuss and share stories and experiences in their own lives that have presented challenges and triumphs, big or small. These stories, as well as creative tasks included throughout the Archives of Humanity development, will be used as stimulus for students to explore and develop their own movement within the dance workshop sessions. The workshops will start from Week 1 in Term 3, and they will then showcase their work at K-Fest which is on Thursday September 9.
In addition, students will receive an UNDER THE SAME SKY t-shirt and creative process journal. Watch this space!
Specialist Basketball Program
On Tuesday 11 May 2021 our Senior Boys Basketball team travelled to Warwick Stadium to compete in the School Sport WA (Railway League) Basketball Competition. This competition is open to schools in the North East Metropolitan Region. Our boys were undefeated on the day, finishing in first place. As a result, Kiara College will progress to the “North of the River” Championship, to held later this term. This competition will involve the first placed teams from the other education districts. Kiara College was represented by Fabian Bennell, Kaleb Collard, Jhett Ugle, David Simelolo, Darcy Criddle and Ben Kennedy.
In order to increase awareness of Kiara College’s Specialist Basketball Program, and to further build relationships with primary schools in the Swan District, our Year 11 and 12 students conducted clinics at Caversham Valley Primary School during Term 1. The sessions gave our upper school students the opportunity to practise their coaching skills, and enable them to complete Units of Competence toward the Certificate II in Sport Coaching they are currently completing as part of the upper school program.
Agricultural Program
Guest Speaker – Livestock Traceability
Anita James from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DIPRD) provided Certificate II in Agriculture students with a comprehensive & engaging presentation on meeting Kiara Colleges National Livestock Identification Systems (NLIS) legal requirements. This included an insight to industry best practice in livestock identification methods, electronic identification devices, livestock traceability and NLIS data base specifics.
Shearing
This year a focus was placed on increasing student participation in the Kiara College Farms annual shearing of its Stud White Suffolk sheep. This included:
- Certificate II in Agriculture students assisting with vaccination, roustabout duties – penning, wool skirting, maintaining a clean shearing board/floor & wool pressing.
- Kiara College students from both agricultural & other Learning area classes (Years 7 -10) attended throughout the day. This provided an ideal opportunity to provide an awareness of the wool industry whilst also promote the Kiara College Agricultural Program
Around the Farm
ANZAC Day Service 2021
On Friday 23 April Kiara College held an ANZAC Day Service to pay tribute to all those who have served to defend Australia.
This year the service was held outdoors, which allowed the students to witness the raising of the flags. An array of student work was put on display which added to the atmosphere.
The Honourable Dave Kelly was in attendance, and spoke to the students on the ANZAC spirit.
The students marked the occasion with great respect and were a credit to the school and the wider community, receiving praise from the special guests in attendance.
ANZAC Day Service Photos
IDAHOBIT Day
LIDAHOBIT is The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex phobia and Transphobia. It is celebrated on May 17 each year as it was this day in 1990 that homosexuality was declassified as a mental disorder.
The 2021 theme is Together: Resisting, Supporting, Healing”.
At Kiara College students were encouraged to wear colourful accessories to show their support.
Sorry Day 2021
National Sorry Day is a day to pause, to reflect, on the hardship and mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that were forcibly removed from their families.
May 26 1998 was the first Sorry Day and occurred on the anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report being tabled in parliament. The report revealed stories of hardship, trauma, neglect and sadness.
The stories were shared by members of the Stolen Generation in the hope that by telling their stories it would never happen again to others. Kiara College staff and students acknowledged National Sorry Day by making, and wearing native hibiscus badges as the flower symbolises the survival of the Stolen Generation. Student Councillor Joyce Marquez read the poem “Not Forgotten” to the whole school.
Staff and students also enjoyed a BBQ breakfast, with some of our partner organisations such as Koya Aboriginal Corporation and the Pioneers Aboriginal Corporation. Staff watched the video “Bringing Them Home” and discussed how we can contribute to, and promote reconciliation within our community.