It has been an absolute delight to witness the energy and enthusiasm of our students and staff as we have all returned from the mid-year break and ‘swung back into action’ at the start of this term. Thank you also to our wider College community for the level of communication, feedback and support as we continue to improve the learning environment and opportunities at LJBC. The areas of interest and engagement has included the ongoing improvements to College access, parking and traffic flow, the Year 6 Expedition to Sydney and Canberra, subject selection and career events, individual circumstances and considerations where the College has been able to help such as accommodating the student free day, school fee clarification and developing programs.

The level of parent engagement and interaction has been most encouraging and heart-warming, reminding us that one of the key elements to maintaining a relevant and vibrant educational community, is to maintain open and free communication, embrace ideas, ‘think tank’ opportunities and maintain a collaborative mindset, as we plan, evaluate and implement improvements and change. Thank you to all members of our College community who have become actively involved in this area, and I look forward to continuing to share opportunities for parents, students and staff to actively shape the ‘College improvement’ discussion. More to come.

The College also continues to observe and receive direct feedback regarding the high-quality culture of the College, learning in classrooms, student growth and care. Outstanding examples are very evident, with the majority of our College community flourishing in the LJBC context. We do indeed have amazing staff who work tirelessly in the best interest of each and every student, aided so appreciatively by supportive parents and motivated students. LJBC is indeed a healthy and supportive learning environment, and it is an absolute pleasure to be involved on a daily basis.

I spoke at the Secondary Assembly this week and honoured our staff and students for the part each individual plays in making LJBC what it is today and adding their own individual and unique ‘twist’ on what we do and the outcomes we achieve.

If I had left the conversation there, it would have been misleading, as we acknowledge that for some individuals, College life poses challenges, problems and anxiety because for them LJBC isn’t a place where they feel respected, valued and appreciated. Regardless of how many students and/or staff who fall into this category, we can agree, even one is one too many and not acceptable.

So, what do we desire for every student and staff member at LJBC? I shared with the students one way of expressing this is through the Bible passage found in Ephesians 3:17-19. Our desire for everyone at LJBC is this;

^“… May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvellous love; and may you be able to feel and understand, as all God’s children should, how long, how wide, how deep, and how high his love really is; and to experience this love for yourselves, though it is so great that you will never see the end of it or fully know or understand it.”

I suggested to the students that we still have some work to do to make this a reality for all and challenged us as a community to take-action, stand up, speak up, get up, stick up for yourself (when able) and stick up for others. Taking action means we are determined to make a difference.

‘Blessed (honoured, admirable, worthy, respected) are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice’. Putting it into practice or Action.

What does this look like today if we are to have an immediate impact, to make a difference or to say ‘enough’?

Here’s one way to think about it.

LOVE … choosing words carefully and apologising when they come out wrong - Displaying integrity.

JOY … smile, laugh and stay positive. Choose to be happy - Determination to breakthrough.

PEACE … walk away, ‘smile and wave’ - Sometimes known as wisdom.

LONG SUFFERING … decide to stop ‘whinging’ and ‘complaining’ - Deciding to grow up.

GENTLENESS … avoiding aggression, not accepting aggression from others - Setting boundaries.

KINDNESS … helping someone out, being friendly, doing something for others - Compassion

SELF CONTROL … being proud of your behaviour and how you have handled things - Developing character.

Only by taking action can we make a difference. I assured the students that they are making LJBC a better place. I assured them I am backing them. Together, our students and staff are determined and totally committed to making a difference. This includes zero tolerance to bullying, put-downs and negativity, one student, one situation at a time. Just one person being helped today, just one person having a good day when they weren’t expecting it. ‘Just one’ is worth standing up for... speaking up... getting up… sticking up… just one person. Why? Because that person may well be your child and they are definitely worth it. By someone taking action, for you and for them, it will make a difference and it is happening today. I’ve seen it first-hand.

The student response to this message has been most receptive and positive. Once again, it is an example of students leading the way and setting an example for those of us who are older. I knew they would, as I confidently stated in my Assembly address and backed it up by putting my money where my mouth is, backing them to make a difference. In fact, I bet $20 on it. There is more to that part of the story and I encourage you to talk with your child/children and take the opportunity to hear their perspective regarding my message and presentation, providing an opportunity to check how they are doing in this space and suggest ways their voice can be heard; empowered to make a difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article and respectfully consider the views expressed, which is very much appreciated.  I hope you have a great day and an enjoyable weekend, and may it turn out better than you expected.

Daryl Pollard

College Principal

Secondary Music Eisteddfod 2019

Wednesday 14 August

9am – 3.30pm in the Auditorium

On Wednesday 14 August we will be holding our annual Secondary Music Eisteddfod. Students from Year 7 to Year 12 are invited to perform on stage in front of a live audience. Family, friends and peers of the performers are invited; admission is free. Students will showcase their talent that has come as a result of many hours of dedicated practice. The Eisteddfod is a formal performance setting and students will be given constructive and encouraging feedback by our adjudicator.

If you are interested in performing and earning house points, collect an entry form from the Music Office.

I am looking forward to a very rewarding musical day!

All applications are due in to the Music Office by Friday 2 August.

Tammy van der Nest

Director of Music PK-12

Socks for Sleep is an initiative thought up by one of our Primary students, Levi. Last term Levi explained that his idea came about one day when he was in the city and saw a van giving hot soup to the homeless. It made him think that it must get cold during the winter months. "There must be something we could do!" Levi came up with the idea to collect bed socks that could be given out with the soup to help keep the homeless warm.

This initiative is a College wide event. There are collection boxes at the Uniform Shop, the Primary Reception and the Secondary Chaplaincy Department. The boxes will be available until Friday 16 August. We encourage the College community to support the initiative and look forward to hearing about the difference it will make to the lives of many.

College Counsellor 

Did you know? Over the last 12 months, more than 4 million Australians have experienced food insecurity. In WA alone, an additional 28% of food is required to meet the current demands.

This year, James House and Cumberland House decided to support Foodbank WA, driving a Secondary school can-drive and hosting various food stalls and activities at break times during the last three weeks of Term 2.

Every contribution makes a difference and in total students donated over 900 cans! A special shout-out to 7C2, 9C and 9W who raised over 100 cans each. James and Cumberland students also raised $2253 which will provide 4,506 meals to the vulnerable and voiceless people in need.

Thank you to every student who supported this very worthy and important cause!

Anmar van der Westhuizen & Nola Hebiton

Head of James and Cumberland House

Online safety is a very topical issue not just for students but for everyone. It can be difficult keeping up with the current games and apps, identifying what is useful and not helpful is something that requires our time and attention. Living in a busy society, it is hard finding the time to review these for our own use.

I have posted a link below that provides guides to apps and games as well as other issues around online safety. You can sign up and receive a new guide every Wednesday to keep you informed.

Have a great term!

Catherine da Silva

Secondary Chaplain

Sports I have previously participated in:

• Outdoor netball Div A (Kinross Netball Club)
• Indoor netball Div A (Bouncers)
• Dance (John Cleary Dance Company)

Sports I now take part in:

• Dance (Impact Dance Factory)
• Athletics (Joondalup Little Athletics Club)
• Athletics (Tracksters Athletics Club)

Achievements:

Dance:

• 2x 1^st place open tap solo at state competition, Mandurah Festival of Dance (2013, 2017)
• 2x 1^st place open tap solo at state competition, West Coast Dance Competition (2016, 2019)
• 1x 1^st place tap duo at state competition, Mandurah Festival of Dance (2017)
• 1x 1^st place tap trio at state competition, West Coast Dance Competition (2016)
• 1x 3^rd place modern solo novice at state competition, Mandurah Festival of Dance
• 1x 1^st place modern solo novice at state competition, West Coast Dance Competition (2019)
• 1x 3^rd place open tap solo at state competition, On Stage Dance Competition (2014)
• 1x 3^rd place tap trio at state competition, C.S.T.D Born to Perform Dance Competition (2016)
• 1x 3^rd place tap trio at state competition, Mandurah Festival of Dance (2017)
• 1x 1^st place modern trio at state competition, Mandurah Festival of Dance (2018)
• Highest scoring modern duo/trio of the festival at state competition, Mandurah Festival of Dance (2018)
• 1x 3^rd place lyrical trio at state competition, West Coast Dance Competition (2019)
• Competed in tap, modern, lyrical, contemporary, song and dance and production troupes at state competitions (2010-2019) countless amount of placings with both John Cleary Dance Company and Impact Dance Factory

Athletics:

• 2^nd place U/13 girls 4x400m State Relay at HBF athletics stadium (2017)
• 10^th overall in State Combined Pentathlon Event at HBF athletics stadium (2018)
• 2^nd place U/13 girls 400m Joondalup Little Athletics Club championships (2018)
• 7^th U/13 girls 400m at State Track and Field Championships at HBF athletics stadium (2018)
• 2^nd place U/15 girls 4x400m State Relay at HBF athletics stadium (2018)
• 2^nd place U/15 girls 4x100m State Relay at HBF athletics stadium (2018)
• ACC All Stars U/14 girls 400m (2018)
• 5^th place U/15 girls 200m State Track and Field Championships at HBF athletics stadium (2019)
• 7^th place U/15 girls 100m State Track and Field Championships at HBF athletics stadium (2019)
• 8^th place U/15 girls 400m State Track and Field Championships at HBF athletics stadium (2019)
• 1^st place U/15 girls 1500m Joondalup Little Athletics Club Championships (2019)
• 2^nd place U/15 girls 800m, 400m, 200m, 100m, long jump, triple jump Joondalup Little Athletics Club Championships (2019)
• 3^rd place U/15 girls shot put Joondalup Little Athletics Club Championships (2019)

What sport means to me and what it does in my life:

To me sport means having fun, seeing my friends, meeting new people and experiencing new things. Sport allows me to set goals for myself to achieve. These goals create motivation and determination in which helps me practice and improve in my chosen sport. Sport also means something to look forward to everyday. I look forward to both dancing and athletics all the time and by looking forward to these sports it helps me get through my day. Sport also takes my mind off of things and makes me stress free which is great. When I am dancing and doing athletics whether I am on stage, on the track or just rehearsing and training I feel happy, proud and myself. This is the feeling that I love, and it draws me to these two sports the most. I enjoy working hard, receiving feedback and growing into a stronger and better sports person each day. Sport has made a massive impact on my life and I do not know what I would do without it.   

Teacher Librarian Literature Services

Group/Team photo day will be taking place in the Auditorium on Thursday 8 August 2019. If your child is required to have their photo taken, staff will let them know prior to the day.

In addition to the selected Groups/Teams, we wish to advise that a formal photograph will be taken of the whole Year 6 cohort and the whole Year 12 cohort. Primary and Secondary Student Councillors will also be photographed.

All students will be required to wear formal uniform, including blazers for the Year 12 students.

If you have any questions regarding the Group/Team photo day, you are most welcome to contact me, via College Reception, on 9300 9466, or by email Brooke.Howard@ljbc.wa.edu.au.

Brooke Howard

Enrolment Events Coordinator

Join our Principal for a tour of the College each month during term time.