Each of us holds a bucket that we are ‘given’ at birth. The bucket starts empty, and as we grow and develop, our bucket gets filled by our parents, friends, teachers, and those in our social circle. You also fill the bucket yourself. Some things in our bucket are helpful (social skills, how to self-regulate, kindness), and others are less helpful (stuffing emotions, using avoidance as a coping strategy, intimidation). Here are some bucket principles for your children:

• Bucket awareness - Because life is complex and fast, children often do things automatically without much thought. In the moment, they reach into their bucket and grab the first skill they find. Encourage your child to come off automatic and identify the skills that they are using and potential replacements. For example, if they are only using avoidance when work is hard (not doing homework, misbehaving in class, etc.), talk to them about other skills they can use like breaking tasks down, asking for help, or practising. They need to be aware there are other options.
• Don’t penalise empty buckets - If your child does not have the skills to do something, giving them a negative consequence will not change that. For example, if they are late every morning because they are disorganised, a penalty (no electronics after school) will not add the skill of organisation. Instead, try giving them a morning checklist, sort their bag the night before, or do it with them to train them. Discipline is good, but add skills as you do it.
• Remove the unhelpful - Things can be removed from the bucket at any time. You might see that your child sulks when they don’t get their way. This isn’t a trait of theirs, rather it is a ‘skill’ they have learned that needs to be managed. Explain to your child why this behaviour isn’t helpful in relationships and talk with them about possible alternatives. Remember it takes time to learn something new and to stop using old unhelpful behaviours. Give them some time and encourage them as they try out their new skills.
• Add to the bucket - The bucket we hold (whether we are 5 years old or 80 years old) can be added to at any time. You can add to your child’s by talking them through tricky topics, debriefing moments that didn’t work, or eating dinner at the table to develop social skills. They can add to their own by reading, practising, or engaging in learning programs. Rather than think “they can’t do this”, think “they can’t do this yet.”

The bucket system removes the idea that people are fixed, but rather they are a work in progress. It helps you to see challenges as opportunities for growth and change. It is always possible to add to buckets by learning new things, stop doing things that aren’t working, and then grow into the person you want to be.

It was a delight to welcome the Class of 2024 back to Lake Joondalup Baptist College this week for a special breakfast and reunion.
There was a genuine buzz on campus as former students reconnected with friends and staff, sharing stories about life after school. Some are now studying at university, others have started work, and many are stepping into exciting new adventures. A highlight of the morning was the delicious breakfast prepared by the talented Mrs Jackson and her team.
We love seeing our graduates return and look forward to staying connected with the Class of 2024 in the years ahead.

At LJBC, we are deeply committed to ensuring that every student feels known and loved, empowered to discover and confidently express their unique, God-given gifts, and supported in serving their community with purpose. As part of this commitment, we are excited to announce that this year, we will be engaging the expertise of Joel Shinkfield—an experienced educational consultant, teacher, coach, and mentor—who will be working alongside our students and staff to foster deeper connection, confidence, and belonging within our College.

Over the past two years, Joel has played an active role behind the scenes, supporting our Music Mentor Program and presenting to staff on the power of mentoring during our professional development days. This year, he will be partnering with us through his framework, "Towards Belonging", providing workshops and presentations designed to strengthen our community and equip students with the skills they need to flourish both now and into the future.

Workshops & Presentations for 2025
⭐ Year 11 Buddy Program – Equipping our Year 11 students with the skills to mentor and guide our Year 7s, ensuring that our youngest students feel welcomed, supported, and part of the LJBC family from day one.
⭐ Year 12 Leadership & Transition – Supporting our senior students as they step into their final year at the College, developing leadership skills, self-confidence, and preparing for life beyond school.
⭐ Year 10 Transition to Senior School – Helping students grow in self-leadership, awareness, and confidence as they step into their new role as leaders within the school community in Years 11 and 12.

While these sessions are designed for our Year 10, 11, and 12 students, the principles, skills, and insights shared will benefit our entire community. Staff will also have the opportunity to hear from Joel throughout the year, as we continue working together towards a shared vision of LJBC being a place where students, staff, and families feel connected, valued, and equipped for success.

We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to seeing the impact of these sessions as we build a stronger, more connected College community—one where every student truly belongs.

Rachel Allsop
Associate Principal/Head of Secondary

Our Year 4s had an incursion that tied into our Science unit this term and will be referenced in our History unit next term. Students were placed into groups and tasked with building a shelter large enough for everyone in their group. They had access to large branches, wooden poles, rope, and fabric. The structures they created were amazing. The facilitator commented on how creative and engaged the teams were. As teachers, we were very impressed not only with their building skills but also with their persistence, teamwork, and encouragement of one another.

Sharon Oesterheld & Fiona Naylor
Primary Teachers

What beautiful Easter Assemblies we’ve had at our College this week. From the angelic voices of the choir to the powerful narration of Jesus’ journey to the cross and His glorious resurrection, each moment was deeply moving. Students even painted live, capturing the heart of the Easter story as it unfolded.
At the Secondary Assembly, we were treated to a vibrant student dance and live music performances from students and staff, a wonderful addition to the week’s celebrations.
A huge thank you to our talented students and dedicated staff. These assemblies were a powerful reminder that Easter is all about unconditional love and limitless grace.

Aquaponics Tanks get a Facelift.

After 11 years, the Year 11 Science in Practice students have revitalised the pipe and pump system of the Aquaponics garden, bringing new life to this sustainable
ecosystem.

Through this hands-on project, they explored the interconnected principles of maths, physics, chemistry, and biology, gaining a deeper understanding of the symbiotic relationship between biotic and abiotic factors.

Along the way, they developed practical skills, including the use of power tools, and strengthened their teamwork. With their hard work and collaboration, they are now well-prepared to apply their knowledge in their upcoming Investigation task.

Well done, Year 11s!

Santie Brink
Science Teacher

LJBC CAS students compete in Indoor Volleyball and Indoor Cricket games.

It was a great atmosphere with plenty of enthusiastic students (and staff) at the recent ACC Inter School Swimming Carnival. It was a strong LJBC team that attended the event.
The students showcased much of their hard work, training, and willingness to do their best.

LJBC 3rd Overall
1st Junior Girls Shield
2nd Overall Girls Shield
4th Senior Boys Shield

Carnival Age Group Champions: 
Year 7 Aiden K. Champion
Year 9 Amelia A. 2nd place
Year 8 Shaye V.L. 4th place
Year 10 Freya B. 2nd place
 
A fantastic effort from the LJBC team. It's amazing to see students competing with pride for the College.

Results from the WA team at the Australian Athletics Championships Nationals this week:

Women:
U15G - Izzy O'Donnell - Hammer (9th)

Men:
U14B - Jackson McAdam - High Jump (6th)
U14B - Haaris Rizvi - Shot Put (9th), Hammer (11th), Discus (11th)
U17B Jack Douglas - High Jump (=10th)
U18B Anttwon Nziramasanga - 100m

The following LJBC students won a medal at the WA State Track and Field Championships and also qualified to represent WA at National Level at the Australian Athletics Championships in April:

Gold Medalists:
Haaris - Under 14 Boys - Hammer Throw, Shotput.
Jack - Under 17 Boys - High Jump.
Anttwon - Under 18 Boys- 100m Sprint.

Silver Medalists:
Jackson - Under 14 Boys- High Jump.
Anttwon - Under 18 Boys- 200m Sprint.

Bronze Medalists:
Izzy - Under 15 Girls - Hammer Throw.
Haaris - Under 14 Boys - Shotput.

Some previous results from the WA All School Athletics Championships in November 2024, the following students represented LJBC & medalled:
U13G:
Izzy - Hammer Throw, Discus
(She represented WA at the Australian All School Championships in December 2024)

U16B:
Jack - High Jump

Congratulations to all our students for these achievements!

Our Cambodia Service & Adventure Tour is in full swing. From the moment we arrived, students jumped straight into teaching, serving meals, and helping with cleaning at the centre. Over the weekend, we visited sites like the Killing Fields, the Royal Palace, and the S21 Genocide Museum.
Despite the heat and long days, our students have been outstanding. They’ve worked hard, supported each other, and made a real impact. After just four days of teaching, we saw a 20% improvement in pronunciation and enunciation, a credit to their effort and care. Saying goodbye was emotional, with many parents stopping by to thank them personally.
Next, we head to Siem Reap to explore the temples of Angkor Wat and take in more of this beautiful country before returning home.

We warmly welcomed families to our recent Kindy Open Morning. It was an opportunity to step into the world of Early Learning at our College. Families explored our vibrant classrooms and dynamic play spaces, discovering how our environment nurtures curiosity, creativity, and a love of learning. It was a joy to share how our youngest students explore, belong, and connect with the world at the very beginning of the learning journey at Lake Joondalup Baptist College.

Ethan, who was selected to represent Western Australia in the Under-16 Gold Hockey Team has now returned from the Eastern States where they played in the Australian Junior Hockey Championships. His team finished with the Bronze medal, and he managed to score 3 goals over the competition.

Congratulations Ethan! What a fantastic result!

2017 Alumni, Janno Van Der Linde, a Sports Captain of Lancier House, is competing in the Men’s Open Javelin at the Australian Athletics Championship throughout this next week.

Good Luck for the rest of the competition Janno! 

Class of 2016 Alumni Amy Bowdrey

“Since graduating, I have worked as the Research Officer and Program Support Coordinator at DVassist, an organisation supporting those experiencing domestic and family violence in regional, rural and remote Western Australia. 

UWA equipped me with the skills and experiences that have shaped my chosen career path. While I was there, I was able to complete an exchange to the University of York where I was able to learn from an entirely different perspective.

I continue to work with UWA even after graduating. I am involved in the Career Mentor Link Program where I mentor a student in their career development.

My passion is to empower those to speak, not to speak for them. I hope that I can use my skills to empower people with lived experiences of injustice and inequality to develop their own organisations, causes or voices to empower others who are similarly impacted.”

Amy Bowdrey - Program Support Coordinator, DVassist
Bachelor of Arts 2019 (Political Science and International Relations, Law and Society)

The Pre Kindy children had a wonderful morning getting up close with a variety of farm animals during the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm incursion last week. They took turns bottle-feeding goats and lambs, watching as the animals eagerly drank. They gently petted sheep, goats, ducklings, rabbits and chickens, learning about their behaviours and needs from the experienced farmers at the Cuddly Animal Farm. Holding and feeding guinea pigs and rabbits was a special moment for many children. It was wonderful seeing the children's faces light up with smiles as they met, cuddled and cared for the farm animals.

Tayla Douglas & Natalie Wong
Pre Primary Teachers

Last week LJBC welcomed 14 students and 2 teachers from Kiddy Cat English schools, Japan. Japanese students joined their LJBC buddies in regular classes, experiencing life in an Australian classroom. They also gave LJBC upper school students the opportunity to improve their Japanese skills through interviews and cooking activities. On the last day students enjoyed a visit to Caversham Wildlife Park and the Margaret River Chocolate factory. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to gain an insight and understanding of another culture and practice their English and Japanese skills. Thank you to the host families that opened their homes and cared for the exchange students!

Meagan Maassen
Head of Languages

Laura Barker
Primary Teacher

This term the Year 2s had an exciting incursion from the Water Corp. They taught our Year 2 students about Perth’s drinking water sources, the need to protect our catchments and the journey and treatment process of our water sources as they travel through the water cycle. This engaging session aligned with our Science curriculum, providing a hands-on learning experience about the importance of water conservation and management.

Brooke Horrocks & Jodi Hicks
Primary Teachers

The Starlight Foundation aims to brighten the lives of seriously ill children and their families. Recently, Arcadia and Batavia Houses held our annual Starlight Day fundraising event to support the fantastic work that the foundation does. Funds were raised through donations for going uniform free and a sausage sizzle was held at lunchtime in the quadrangle.

There was a fantastic atmosphere with the Senior Music students performing some tunes and a huge crowd turning out to enjoy the food and witness a number of brave teachers getting drenched by wet sponges and buckets of water – all to support a good cause!

Later in the week, we had a bake sale, and there was a jellybean jar guessing competition. The event was a great success, and I am proud to say that we raised a grand total of $1844.70!

Thank you to the Student Councillors and members of Arcadia and Batavia Houses who assisted and to everyone who took part in the events.

Reuben Farr
Head of House Batavia

Our Year 12s conducted an Exercise Physiology Heat Laboratory experiment where the
the investigation sought to explore the body's physiological acute response to exercising in hot and humid environmental conditions.

First, they completed a controlled experiment in normal climatic conditions for a baseline of data to compare against. Under these conditions, the human body will use sweating and evaporation to cool internal body temperature rises caused by cellular respiration and muscle contraction. They measured heart rate, body temp, rating of perceived exertion and thermal sensation scale.

Then they conducted the same experiment with the same subjects but in a hot and humid environment. Under these conditions, the human body will experience a double heat load, heat from muscle contraction and heat absorption from the environment.
The body will not be able to cool itself as evaporation heat loss is negatively impacted and the body will experience cardiac drift. I.e Heart rate will continue to rise despite there being no rise in exercise intensity.

This will cause a mechanism of fatigue that will cause the body to drastically lose performance. The experiment highlights the need for heat acclimatisation and specific heat load reduction strategies to assist the athlete to perform in hot and humid conditions.

Kyle Barker
Physical Education Teacher

This Term, LJBC Year 9 students have had the opportunity to participate in the TAFE Career Taster experiences.

The Taster Experiences included Fashion and Letterpress, with students designing, creating, and screen printing an eye-catching take-home tote bag. In Beauty, students learned about the industry and completed a manicure. Barbering gave students the chance to learn various techniques and even practise them on a mannequin. In 'The Reel Thing – there's no business like show business,' students experienced working in a live TV studio. And in 'That's Getting Technical,' they explored a suite of integrated technologies, including robotics, coding, cybersecurity, and 3D printing.

A standout was during The Reel Thing Career Taster, where LJBC students shone bright while leading and directing group work during the production of a games show - Spicks and Specks style. Showing kindness, patience and including others as they all took turns in each role (while working with another school) - Director, teleprompter, floor manager, vision mixer, graphics, audio and tapes.

Bronwyn McCue and Robyn Mentzel
Career and VET Coordinators

During week 8, our Senior School Production students stepped into the spotlight—bringing months of hard work, creativity, and collaboration to life in this year’s unforgettable College production.

This year’s show, How To Get Away With A Murder Mystery, transported audiences into a 1920’s world, full of the murder mystery troupes we have come to love. With a talented cast of students from Years 10-12, supported by an equally dedicated backstage crew, the production showcased the depth of talent and teamwork thriving in our College community.

With some unforgettable one-liners ("She’s on a better place now…the floor!") to fantastic costumes (who could forget the Butler as a fish), and enough chocolate thrown into the audience.

We would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to every student involved, onstage and behind the scenes, as well as our dedicated teachers and parents who helped make the production such a resounding success.

It’s more than just a show. Productions like this build confidence, forge friendships, and leave lasting memories. We are proud of every one of our students for their commitment, courage, and creativity.

We are very excited to be revealing the 2026 College Musical at the end of Term 2 with auditions in Term 3. Stay tuned!

Eileen Devereux
Acting Director of Drama

Lake Joondalup Baptist College is delighted to offer a limited number of Scholarships and Bursaries available to new and currently enrolled students. Applications for Scholarships are open to students for Years 7-11. Applications for Bursaries are available for students from Kindy-Year 12. Visit our website for more information.

Students in Year 12, Year 11, and Year 10 are invited to apply for College Colours each term. College Colours are prestigious awards that recognise outstanding contributions and achievements in the following areas:

• Curriculum
• Cultural
• Service
• Sport

To be eligible, students must excel beyond expectations, demonstrating not only high levels of Achievement but also strong Service and Leadership within each category.

Important Information:

• Applications and criteria for each area can be accessed online from the College Website in the link below.

If you have questions or need guidance on preparing your application, please reach out to any member of the Colours Committee. They are available to assist you in getting started.

Start planning your application today and showcase your excellence!

2025 Committee Members: Mrs Eyre- Chairperson, Mr Moffatt, Ms Cartledge, Mrs Lhota, Mr Smith, Mr Tyrie, Mrs L Hopkins, Mrs Orlowsky

Due Dates for each Term are as follows:

Term 1- 11 April

Term 2- 4 July

Term 3- Year 12 only 14 August

Term 3- Year 10 and Year 11- 26 September

Kim Eyre
Head of Future Directions

We understand that circumstances change, and family plans can shift. If you think you may withdraw your child from Lake Joondalup Baptist College in 2025, please let us know as soon as possible. To assist with a smooth transition and in accordance with College policy, we ask that written notice be addressed to the College Registrar at least ten school weeks in advance.
Early notice helps us plan effectively and offer places to families on our waitlist. If you have any questions or need assistance, our Enrolments team is here to help.