It is easy to find problems. They are magnetic. Problems draw our eye and demand our attention – whether it be the sarcastic comment in an otherwise lovely conversation, the one towel on the floor of a tidy room, or the D grade amongst the As and Bs. What is wrong blinks at us like hazard lights and yells "fix this".

There is nothing wrong with identifying problems, as finding and eliminating them helps us to live more successful lives. The issue comes when problems are our only focus and we forget what is good. We are only looking for what is missing, the flaws, and the broken. When you do this to yourself you undermine your own self-worth. You will never be good enough because of your faults. When you do this to your friends, partner, or children, you undermine your relationships because they are built on criticism and conditions.

We all have problems and yes, they need to be addressed, but we all have good too. At times, it is helpful to consciously reset your focus and intentionally look for the good again. You can try this by:

1. Be a treasure hunter. Dig around a bit – not all good sits on the surface. Ask questions, listen, and search for good.
2. Choose your moment. Try not to address problems in the midst of good. For example, your child got an A in Science and is excited. That is not the time to talk about the D in English. There is a time, but let the good exist without the bad for just a moment.

1. Don’t let bad delete good. This can look like:

• Not acknowledging your child/partner’s kindness because they didn’t clean up after themselves
• Complaining about one forgotten thing when fifty things were remembered
• Noting the chores that haven’t been done rather than being thankful for the ones that have
• Assuming you need to micromanage every part of their life because they dropped the ball on one part

3. Clean slate. Start each day new. Ensure daily problems are worked through and then left behind. It is hard to ask ‘what is good?’ when you have kept the burden of yesterday.

I had an interesting revelation when I was teaching. When I look for good in people, I find it. Not only do I find it, I also feel more positively about that person and builds the relationship. I am not saying there aren’t things that need to be fixed, I am just not defining the person by what is not working. I hope they do the same for me.

So…what is good?

Dr Mandie Shean
LJBC College Psychologist

A Year of Growth, Service & Adventure

The LJBC Emergency Services Cadet Program continues to be a space where students step outside the classroom and develop the skills, confidence, and resilience that will serve them throughout life. Through hands-on training, teamwork challenges, and real-world experiences, our cadets are learning to lead, to serve, and to thrive in environments that stretch them beyond their comfort zones. This term has been no exception – filled with energy, learning, and preparation for the incredible Ningaloo Adventure Camp ahead.

Term 2 Wrap-Up – Laser Tag Legends

We ended Term 2 on a high with an adrenaline-fuelled Laser Tag challenge. While it looked like pure fun, the experience pushed our cadets to:

• Think strategically under pressure

• Work as a team to achieve shared goals

• Show leadership in a fast-paced environment

These activities aren’t just games — they’re designed to build confidence, communication, and resilience, all of which transfer directly into everyday life and school learning.

First Aid & CPR Training

This term, cadets have been diving into essential First Aid and CPR training, proudly delivered in partnership with Royal Life Saving WA. Our thanks go to Isabel Franzoni, as our cadets now have practical emergency skills they could call upon in real life.

• They are learning the importance of staying calm and taking responsibility under pressure.

• CPR training helps develop focus, discipline, and empathy, as cadets see the value of helping others.

Alongside this, cadets continue their physical training, skill development, and problem-solving challenges, ensuring they are physically prepared and mentally resilient.

Ningaloo Reef Adventure Camp – The Experience of a Lifetime

At the end of this term, our cadets will embark on an unforgettable Adventure Camp to the Ningaloo Reef and Coral Bay. More than just a camp, this is a leadership and life-development experience.

Here’s what our Cadets will enjoy:

• Marine Exploration – snorkelling with turtles, rays, and vibrant coral builds not just awe and wonder, but also environmental awareness and responsibility for conservation.
• Adventure Training – learning survival skills, outdoor cooking, navigation, and resilience. These challenges encourage independence and self-reliance.
• Leadership & Teamwork – real-world problem-solving, decision-making, and supporting peers in new environments foster strong leadership qualities and emotional maturity.
• Community & Reflection – evenings spent under the stars create space for connection, gratitude, and personal growth, building friendships and bonds that extend well beyond the program.

This camp is deliberately designed to combine adventure, education, and character development, ensuring cadets come home not only with incredible memories, but with new skills and confidence to apply in their everyday lives.

Stay Tuned!

We’re looking forward to sharing stories and highlights from our Ningaloo camp in next term’s newsletter. It promises to be the highlight of the year for our Cadet unit – and an experience that will stay with our students for life.

Phil Webster
LJBC ES Cadets
Unit Leader

Recently, our Year 1 classes went on a bus to Joondalup Library, where we met Rina Fu, a talented local scientist and children’s author and LJBC alumni. The students were introduced to the wonders of the microscopic world through fun and creativity. Following the library visit, we got back onto the bus and enjoyed some outdoor activities at Neil Hawkins Park, including observing the natural, constructed and managed environments and discovering the connection the local Noongar people have to the land. We were blessed to have some of our parents join us for a Year 1 family picnic lunch before we returned to the college.

Sophie’s Passion for Animals Shines Bright

We’re excited to celebrate Sophie, a dedicated Year 10 student at Lake Joondalup Baptist College, who has been named VET Student of the Month for August!

Sophie’s love for animals is at the heart of everything she does. She recently completed a Certificate II in Animal Care through CareerLink, with hands-on training at Landsdale Animal Farm, where she gained valuable experience working directly with animals. Her dream is to become a vet, and she’s already taking impressive steps toward that goal.

She has secured a work placement at VETWEST, where she’s learning on the job and building real-world skills. Sophie has also enrolled in a Certificate III in Animal Care through a private ATO, and we’re proud to support her as she continues to grow and learn.

Outside of her studies, Sophie runs her own animal care business, showing initiative, responsibility, and a genuine passion for animal welfare. Her proactive attitude and clear career vision make her a standout student, and we can’t wait to see where her journey takes her. Congratulations, Sophie! We’re incredibly proud of you and excited to follow your career path.

Robyn Mentzel
VET Coordinator

It has been a particularly busy time of year, with many students taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. Some of the opportunities our students have pursued include:

• The Construction Training Fund scholarships have opened, and a number of our Year 10 and 11 LJBC students have applied for funding to support their 2026 VET studies. We wish them all the best and hope their applications are successful.

• Applications for VETDSS (Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Students) have also opened, with several Year 10 and 11 students taking the opportunity to apply to TAFE, the College of Electrical Training, and Taylorweir Hairdressing and Barbering.

• Careerlink applications are now open as well, offering many courses for students. Interviews will be taking place soon.

• Some of our Year 10, 11 and 12 students have gained positions at the Defence Force’s A Day in the Life of… program. They spent the day with personnel from the infantry or air force and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

• We have also had students participate in work placements organised through the school in industries such as engineering, carpentry, vet, and physiotherapy. They represented both themselves and LJBC exceptionally well.

• Career Tasters continue to run throughout the term and remain very popular.

• In addition, students have applied for a place in the Mining Club of WA’s Mining Camp, a three-day program held in the upcoming school holidays. We wish them all the best with their applications.

• Many of our students continue their studies at TAFE or University after leaving school, and our Year 12s are already well underway with their applications.

We are delighted to serve the LJBC community. If you have any questions or need guidance and direction, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Bronwyn McCue and Robyn Mentzel
Careers Coordinators

Our Auditorium has been alive with sweet melodies, dulcet tones and hard-hitting bass drums this week as the whole-college Eisteddfod unfolded over three exciting days. This year brought something special, with the addition of a Family Performance category and a memorable finale from an Alumni band. The standard of performance across every category and age group was outstanding. Well done everyone!

If you are interested in the LJBC Performing Arts Program or would like to learn more about enrolling your child at Lake Joondalup Baptist College, click on the link below.

Recently, 5 of our students attended a Career Taster Day at NW Metro TAFE. The students were taught how to make their own pinhole camera. They used their cameras to take a variety of shots, all the while having to consider weather, exposure time and any movement. Morgan’s photo was exceptional. After a morning of pinhole photography, the students learned all about portraiture and the importance of lighting to create that perfect shot. Our students were pros at the painting, glam and gangster shots but found the freeze frame a little harder to time. Acting as both model and photographer they all displayed newfound talents. It was a worthwhile day, opening the students’ eyes to potential career paths.

The Grad Slam Cup is underway! Over six weeks, our Year 12s take on the staff in Table Tennis, Netball, Volleyball, Basketball, Touch Rugby and Futsal.
It’s always a tight contest with plenty of laughs, dodgy ref calls and a bit of friendly rivalry. Beyond the scoreboard, it’s about time shared with our Year 12s and celebrating the LJBC community spirit.

Our Primary School was full of colour and excitement as we celebrated Book Week. All of our students loved dressing up and bringing their favourite characters to life with incredible costumes inspired by well-loved books. It was great to see the joy and creativity that reading brings. Our teachers got into the spirit with fantastic costumes of their own, making the day memorable for the young students. Book Week is always a highlight as it encourages a love of stories and shows just how much fun reading can be!

Future Problem Solving (FPS)
This term, 58 Aspire students from Years 6 to 11 participated in the 2-hour team or individual FPS competitions. Their focus was agriculture, and after a term of diving deep into food production and security (including hands-on learning in our Aspire garden), students applied their knowledge to identify problems and propose solutions for the future. Their display of the 21^st Century skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and compassion) was outstanding! Congratulations FPS students!

West Australian Debating League

Our wonderful Year 9 debating team had incredible success in their first ever season of debating. They finished the season on top of the ladder in their division and were invited to compete in the State Finals. The team came in 9th place overall out of hundreds of teams in the Year 9-10 division.

In their last debate, they argued that we should increase the representation of niche sports in the Olympics. It was so impressive to witness how much the team had grown from the first debate of the season in terms of speaking skills, teamwork, and confidence to go toe-to-toe with their opponents. Well done, Harry, Stefan, Lily, and Katie!

Junior Space Design Competition (JSDC)

Earlier this term, 14 of our Year 7 Aspire students competed in the Junior Space Design Competition, an exciting challenge that blends STEM knowledge, creativity, and teamwork.

Their task was to form an Engineering Firm and design a new human settlement on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. Students had to consider the extreme conditions of Europa, including its icy surface, subterranean ocean, and exposure to Jupiter’s intense radiation, while still finding innovative ways for people to live, work, and thrive there.

Each team assigned a CEO, Human Relations Officer, Structural Engineer, and Media and Marketing Expert, with each team member having specific duties to contribute to their Engineering Firm. Their work culminated in a 90 second video advertisement which shared all their hard work. Below, you can see the video for Martha, Makayla, and Elle’s space settlement, Euromissioner.

Congratulations on all your hard work, Year 7s!

Evatt Trophy
Six students with a passion for international relations competed in the WA Evatt Trophy last weekend. Dylan and Kyle represented the United Kingdom of Northern Ireland and Great Britain, Elijah and Lauren represented the Republic of Korea, and Micah and Matt represented the Russian Federation. Together they debated two complex resolutions: The Question of a Peacekeeper Rapid Reaction Force and an impromptu round on The Question of a Comprehensive Plan for South America. They debated on behalf of their countries with pride and displayed strong public speaking and diplomacy skills. We are so proud of their efforts!

A special congratulations to Elijah and Lauren who have advanced to the semi-finals this weekend at Fremantle Council Chambers, where they will represent the Russian Federation in The Question of European Energy Independence. Good luck Elijah and Lauren!

Community Problem Solving (CmPS)
Our Year 4–6 Community Problem Solvers have been busy this term, identifying ways to improve our College. They are embarking on the six-step problem-solving process: identifying areas of improvement, selecting a focus area, brainstorming solutions, ranking their ideas, implementing the best solution, and measuring their success.

Our Year 4-5 team have chosen to research healthy eating habits in students at our school and are currently looking for an expert (with a Working with Children Check and Police Clearance) to interview. Please see their call out for community involvement below.

Hello Guardians/Parents/LJBC Community,

We are Anouk, Abigail, Leon, James, and Zachary G from Years 4 and 5, and we have been competing in the Community Problem Solving competition. We have chosen to research healthy choices. The first step in understanding the different food groups and how the body works, we will be looking for experts in certain areas, so we are hoping to do an interview with experts who can help us understand our topics better. If you are a dietician/nutritionist, paediatrician or a dentist and would be willing to give up your time to help our project, please contact our coach, Ashleigh Cartledge. Her email is: ashleigh.cartledge@ljbc.wa.edu.au

Kind regards from Anouk, Abigail, Leon, James and Zachary G

Ashleigh Cartledge
Aspire Academic Enrichment Coordinator

We are excited to announce the Borussia Dortmund Complete Football Course, starting in 2026. The video below provides an overview of the program and the opportunities it offers our students.

An Information Evening will be held on Wednesday 10 September at 6.30pm, where further details will be provided, followed by a Q&A.

To register for this event, complete the form below.

Recently, our Year 11s enjoyed a memorable night at AQWA in Hillarys, surrounded by sharks, fish and the wonders of the ocean. After exploring the aquarium, students shared a buffet dinner and dessert, then spent the rest of the night on the dance floor. Events like this provide students with the opportunity to build friendships and develop crucial social awareness, while creating lasting memories with their school friends and teachers. A big thank you to our staff and everyone involved in organising such a special evening!

The Lake Joondalup Baptist College Orientation Evening is an excellent opportunity for our future Year 7s to connect with our Secondary College Head teachers and hear directly from our student leaders, including the Head Girl and Boy and our Captains of Music, Sport, Chaplaincy and The Arts. Our student speakers impressed the audience with their confidence, clarity and warmth as they addressed a packed Auditorium, giving our incoming students and families a great glimpse into the culture and community of life at LJBC.

If you would like to learn more about enrolling your child at Lake Joondalup Baptist College, click on the link below.

Recently our secondary school celebrated Science Week.

Our theme this year was Decoding the Universe – Exploring the Unknown with Nature’s Hidden Language. This theme invited students and teachers across Australia to uncover the secrets of the cosmos by diving into the science that shapes everything around us. Here in Australia, decoding the world is nothing new. First Nations peoples have been doing it for tens of thousands of years, holding deep cultural knowledge of the land, water, and sky.

Students competed in an online Science competition,  investigated some weird and wonderful Australian native creatures, learnt more about scientists and science communicators, and explored the difference between science fiction and science facts in movies.

The recent International Youth Day was an opportunity to celebrate the significant role young people play in shaping a better future. At LJBC, we see them not only as tomorrow’s leaders but as today’s changemakers, driving progress, inspiring others, and making a real difference in our communities and beyond.

LJBC values the trust and support of our families, and we are committed to serving our community well. We would like to inform you that there will be an increase in prices across select items starting from Term 4, 14 October 2025.

Any price increases have been kept to a minimum, allowing us to continue providing the best value for our families.

A full breakdown of the updated prices will be available on our website and displayed in the Uniform Shop from 15 September 2025.

We appreciate your continued support and understanding.

We understand that situations change, so if there is a possibility that you may withdraw your child(ren) from the College during 2025, please contact us as soon as possible, as our policy requires that we receive written notification of ten school weeks’ notice, addressed to the College Registrar. Registrar@ljbc.wa.edu.au.