Staff update

We start Term 2 welcoming back some staff who have been on leave. As a community we congratulate Mr and Mrs Butchart on the birth of their new daughter, Zoe, and Mr and Mrs Cooke who welcomed their second son, Lawson. We welcome back from leave Mrs Telma Keen, Ms Alicia Emslie, Mrs Leigh-Anne Hopkins, Mr Peter Herman, Mrs Anne Gilmore and Mrs Jane Zhang. We welcome Mr Steven Wayman as the Secondary Chaplain and Christian Education/Physical Education teacher with Mr Matthew Harris Acting Head of Christian Education while Mrs Butchart is on leave.  Heather Bishop recently married and is now Mrs Heather Borovina.

What has Covid-19 taught us?

Over the last few weeks I have heard quoted many times former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill who during World War II implored the British people to “not waste a crisis”. I am not sure in the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 that this is a particularly welcomed thought. Taking the time to note it is healthy for all of us. Many families who have communicated with College staff have had varied experiences. Much of this was obvious confusion with the paradoxes that this created. Only a few weeks ago you may have been concerned about the time our children were spending online, yet we are now in virtual classrooms all day, parents who may have been concerned that they had been so busy they were not spending time with kids are now spending 24 hours a day 7 days a week together as a family. The focus on the busyness has given way to a re-centering. It is no coincidence that we have seen on the news expressions of gratitude and kindness with generosity of strangers to those standing in Centrelink queues or donations of food from large organisations. Streets are adorned with teddy bears and rainbows are coloured in on driveways. We see our parks which were empty are now full of families playing together. All of this draws out of us what is really important. Some who have been able to work from home with the stability of employment have a chance to reconnect as a family, while others have been isolated from support structures and still facing uncertainty and difficulty. As we move back into a very different world, it remains important to allow ourselves the time and space to understand what ‘being’ now is. It is equally true for students and children as it is for adults. 

I have been on more MS Teams, Zoom and WebEx meetings than ever before. Some of these will remain embedded in our future practice, while others we will gladly discard in preference of meeting together. All of us have experienced this. There is heightened worry what we need to make up for lost time. Renowned educational researcher John Hattie wrote recently in an article that the educational improvement data from other recent disasters such as the Christchurch Earthquakes and the New Orleans Hurricane where schools where shut down for lengthy periods of time had unexpected results. Hattie makes some key observations about what becomes important in learning during these times. He comments that students made up perceived educational gaps very quickly when back at school. When moving our College to an online platform where learners are not physically in front of them, teachers made a significant adjustment, our learners, even more so. As families, you have first-hand witnessed the process and I imagine, it did not go smoothly all of the time. Reassuring is the research that we need not be alarmed. Teachers will quickly bring that back on track. The extraordinary staff at LJBC are well underway on this task.

Throughout the last few weeks, our community (parents, students, staff and the wider community) also see and recognise the need for social connectedness and wellbeing, being able to be in the social service of others, and experience learning beyond merely downloading content; ‘seeking wisdom’ perhaps. More than that, this crisis awakens in us a need for seeking a higher purpose, a sense of something bigger than us and in that we can develop a sense of who God is, even when asking the question.

Finally, where change occurs so rapidly and the world appears so different, school remains a constant and known place for the students in our College.  As families take the first tentative steps out of the safety of home and return to workplaces and students back to on-campus schooling, seeing friends after a long time apart and teachers face to face, let us remain focused on what matters and take the lessons that this global crisis has allowed us; valuing one another, learning, being, expressing our gratitude, kindness, worshipping and expressing new ways of serving each other, our community and our world.

Paul Sonneman-Smith
Acting College Principal

Wellbeing - Checklist for Secondary

The global pandemic is having a profound impact on our adolescents with many being forced to miss out on so many rites of passage. Some are becoming more anxious or depressed which is completely understandable given the current situation. However, should your teen display any unusual behaviour that lasts for more than 2-3 weeks, it may be a cause for concern.

Research shows there are specific risk factors that increase the likelihood of teenagers developing a mental health problem. Some are set in stone, whilst others are modifiable. Adolescents are considered to be more at risk of anxiety and depression disorders which may affect their mood, thinking and behaviour. It can impact their ability to function and perform normal activities.

It is therefore vitally important for adult carers to remain vigilant during this time for any signs of distress, even though your adolescent may not have any prior history of a mental health disorder. Early intervention, diagnosis and treatment is more important than ever. In the current climate, one useful thing you can do is help your teen focus on the things that they can control –– such as their learning, diet, exercise and sleep.

In this Special Report, adult carers will be provided with a checklist that can be used a guide in determining if there is any cause for concern. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report

Helen Del Frate 

Dean of Students 

As we wrap up week 2 for Term 2, it is great to see so many students back to the campus getting on with their academics. We welcome back Year 11 and Year 12 and as of Wednesday, Year 10 back on campus. We have had many other students back on campus from the beginning of Term 2 and they were happy to be back. As we continue taking advice from our government officials, we also understand each family have to follow what works best for them in the meantime to keep everyone safe.  We are here in Curriculum to support each student as we move forward and slowly regain school life back to some sense of normalcy but being safe as we do so. Helping teachers keep classroom environments safe and comfortable for everyone while getting on with the learning is a key aspect everyone can do.

From a Curriculum point of view, we now need to focus on closing any gaps in learning, if any, for any student, authenticate any assessments necessary and plan a move forward as we continue to revise and adjust assessment outlines designed for timing in regards to the rest of year.  Your teachers are very eager to have you back in class and get on with teaching and learning- they are your best resource! It is important that students do not stress about the days ahead as we readjust assessment timelines.  Your teachers are again, your best source of information. 

Year 12, Year 11 and Year 10 will have new information in regards to the timing of Semester 1 exams sent to all students and families in the coming weeks.  Please note we will give you all information and time tables at this time.  If there are any queries in regards to any assessment and/or exams, seek advice from your teacher, Head of Learning of that course and  Mrs Eyre and Mrs Kelly in Curriculum.

Kimberly Eyre

Dean of Studies

Dr Edward De Bono, one of the pioneers of Brain Training is quoted as saying "creativity makes life more fun and more interesting", so during this season of unexpected challenge and change, it has been a delight to see the imaginations of our little artists continue to develop their wondrous capacity for creativity, keeping interest alive, whether at school or through our @ Home Learning program.

Our Primary artists have engaged in an array of creative endeavours from home as they played, experimented and crafted a range of medium including clay, printing making and drawing. Many students have curated the art of our Artist of the Month, Pop Artist Andy Warhol and others have discovered the sculpting genius of Michelangelo! Needless to say, our bright young artisans continue to sparkle with curiosity and grow in their appreciation of visual culture as they explore and develop visual art techniques.

Thank you to the brave parents and caregivers who supported our primary students as they created through visual arts at home. I have enjoyed seeing the photographs of students artworks and am excited to have each one of our students back in our Primary Art studio very soon.

Claire Vermeulen

Primary Art Specialist

Here is a message of hope to our senior students and families. During Term 1 at the peak of the crisis here in WA I sent a message to our Year 11 and 12 students. The situation was a stressful one for us all but my heart particularly went out to our senior students who are at the end of their schooling journey. Below is my message to our senior students.

We’ve all heard of COVID-19, but have you heard of COVID-20…. No you say, well let me tell you about it… COVID-20 is all about Communicate Outside time Vitality Isolation awareness Diversify 2020. I know it’s me being a bit silly with it, but my message is still a really good one.

Communicate – with your friends, with your teachers, with your parents and with your extended family. Don’t shut yourself off, rather have conversations with people. Use all that wonderful technology we have to stay connected. Face-time, emails, group chats. Don’t forget your teachers are all still here, so ask for help if you need it. Communicate! If someone is at home with you then remember they are also in need of some human communication so go talk to them.

Outside time – go pat the dog, have a swim in your pool, go shoot some hoops in your driveway, go water the garden, go read a book on the patio. Get outside! Fresh air, birds to hear, sunshine on your skin. Blissful. The blue of our Australian sky is spectacular in autumn – go have a look, I promise it will be worth it.

Vitality – find that ‘thing’ that gives you your zest. I know our circumstances are different but you still need to feel that joy. If your thing was dance classes then try dancing in your living room. If your thing was the production then get on a group video chat with your fellow cast members and do a run-through of a scene. If your thing was seeing your friends over the weekend then now is the time to get together online. If you’ve lost the ability to do something you love then you need to find a new way of doing it, or replace it with a new thing to give you balance. Find a way to keep your vitality, your zest for life. Keep your joy!

Isolation awareness – obviously look after yourselves but also look after others. Yes, reach out to your friends, but also your parents or grandparents and brothers or sisters. Let’s really notice each other in our homes and consider how these times might be affecting us all differently. With families now living together possibly 24/7, or close to it, it is going take a concerted effort not to snap at each other. At times we need to ‘let it go’. Does it really matter if your sister left her toothbrush on the bathroom bench, or is it really that bad that dad forgot to turn the dishwasher on? It is important to remember that everyone is feeling the impact of these changes. Do something for someone else at home, like take mum a coffee, fold up your brother’s washing for him, tell your family you love and appreciate them. An extra dose of love and tolerance will go a long way these days.

Diversify – think outside the box, get creative with your solutions, try something new. Don’t sit at your desk all day every day. Sit at the kitchen table sometimes or why not go sit up at your pool under the shade umbrella. HAVE A BREAK, get some difference and diversity happening, try something new.

2020 – well, it will be a year to remember won’t it! Something to tell future generations about.

Let's COVID-20 together

Bronwyn McCue

Senior Academic Mentor

Parents & Collegians Auxiliary (PCA)

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going – Beverly Sills

In conversation with..

We spoke to past student Nick Nesbitt. Find out how Nick started out in the property market here - Interview - Nick Nesbitt

Virtual PCA Networking Event on 21 May at 6.30 pm

Do you need new business leads, a job, exposure for your business, work experience, or want to extend your network? Join us for the next PCA Virtual Networking Event. All attendees will receive exposure to our wider PCA network.

Our first networking event in March 2020 was well attended, with excellent outcomes for the attendees.

Make sure to book your free ticket, to access the virtual networking link.

Damian Martin, professional basketball player, will be attending the virtual networking event. Damian who also works at First National Real Estate Genesis in Perth, has generously offered to donate $500 to #LJBC from any sales originating from the wider LJBC community. Please contact Damian at https://www.facebook.com/fngenesis/  for all your residential real estate needs and remember to mention #LJBC.

WHO are our LJBC business owners? - #communitysupportingcommunity

Last month the PCA launched this new initiative. Find out here LJBC Business Owners which interesting businesses the PCA have unearthed within the wider LJBC community.

If you know of a service provider who is a current family, collegians (past students) or a past staff member, and they are not yet in our LJBC directory, then feel free to invite them to jump on board at:

To find out more about the PCA:

Watch our short video here PCA Networking - March 2020

Follow the PCA Facebook Page https://www.facebook/PCAatLJBC/

Join the conversation https://www.facebook/groups/PCAmembergroup/

#communitysupportcommunity initiative: Who are our LJBC business owners?

Chaleen Botha

President of the Parents & Collegians Auxiliary

Towards the end of term 1, students in Years 7 – 9 were challenged to create their own Sprout Head whilst engaging with @Home Learning for their Wellbeing class. This project was designed to improve focus, encourage creativity, foster nurture and flow and provide students with an opportunity to just have some fun amidst all the uncertainty of COVID 19.

Prizes were awarded for the 'Best Looking Sprout', as well as the 'Best Trim' after ‘hair’ had some time to grow over the holidays!

Winners were announced in Week 3 and were treated to a Krispy Kreme doughnut. Well done to the students for embracing this challenge!

Anmar van der Westhuizen, Santie Brink and Chris Carter

Heads of House & Wellbeing Teachers

Mr Lynton Smith is LJBC’s Secondary School’s Head of Career Education, Careers Counsellor and VET Coordinator and has been guiding Secondary students in their career journeys for over 34 Years.  As students are required to make subject choices Mr Smith is available to meet with you to discuss the best options.

University and Training Course Information

Although he systematically meets with most students from Year 10 to Year 12 throughout the year, students are encouraged and invited to make an appointment, as soon as they require. To see Mr Smith to discuss any enquiries regarding careers or career paths or to obtain more careers/course-related information, Please make an appointment by visiting Mrs Anel du Plooy (Careers Assistant) in the Curriculum Office (next to Student Reception) or via email at anel.duplooy@ljbc.wa.edu.au or Lynton Smith via Lynton.smith@ljbc.wa.edu.au

We look forward to meeting you!

Yours Sincerely

Lynton Smith

Head of Career Education/Careers Advisor

Family copies have been distributed to the child who was the eldest in each family in 2019.

If you have not received your copy, please ask your child to enquire at the Secondary or Primary Receptions.

Brooke Howard

Enrolment Events Coordinator

Dependent on government restrictions being eased, photographs for all LJBC students will take place in Week 9 and 10 of this term (Wednesday 24 June, Thursday 25 June, and Friday 26 June). An additional day allocated for ‘catch up’ photos has also been scheduled (Wednesday 1 July) for any students who are absent for the main photo days.

All students will have an individual photograph taken and class photographs will also be taken of every Primary Class and Secondary Connect Group. Photographs from these sessions will be available for purchase by families in the usual way – order envelopes will be distributed to students prior to Week 8 (each student will receive a personalised envelope).

The full schedule for photo days will be available in the eNewsletter published on 5 June.

Sibling photographs will once again be taken before school from 7.30am to 8.30am on both Thursday 25 and Friday 26 June in the Auditorium.

If you have any questions regarding the photo days, you are most welcome to email me at Brooke.Howard@ljbc.wa.edu.au

Brooke Howard

Enrolment Events Coordinator

For the first two Thursday nights of June (4th and 11th), LJBC is running a free online money course in partnership with CAP Money Australia. Over the two nights, we’ll be taking a look at topics like building a budget, debt reduction, saving strategies and using cash, while also having some fun in the process. Whether you’re struggling financially or you simply want an easier way to manage your money, the two nights will be dedicated to helping you save and spend well.

Please note: The sessions will be run on Zoom. Please let us know if data usage is a concern, as we can provide some practical tips on how to reduce this.

To join us, simply click through to the below link to register: