As the College year draws to a close, it’s remarkable how quickly time seems to pass. Term 4 is a season of milestones and celebrations, highlighted by events such as the Year 12 Graduation, Year 6 Primary Graduation, Christmas concerts, and end-of-year Awards Services for both the Primary and Secondary schools. It is also a time for farewells and reflections.

Over the years, I have been privileged to witness many groups of students progress through the College, who now serve our community here in Joondalup and communities across the world. We are blessed to see our alumni, now over 3,000 strong, take up roles as professionals, skilled tradespeople, caregivers, business owners, innovators, global volunteers, service personnel, teachers, medical researchers, doctors, and nurses — the list goes on. The vision for LJBC to prepare young people to be a bright light in our community, reflecting the glory of God, remains steadfast and continues to grow.

Highlights of 2024

This year has been filled with outstanding achievements and memorable moments, too numerous to list them all.

• Our overseas tours returned, with visits to Singapore, the battlefields of Europe, and Japan.
• Our Year 6 students enjoyed their trip to Sydney and Canberra.
• Aspire teams represented the College at the National Finals of Future Problem Solving in Geelong, Victoria. Three teams earned the title of State Champions, with our Year 10 team achieving National Champion status, outperforming over 260 teams from across Australia.

After two years, the College concluded its formal association with the Perth Glory Football Club. We are grateful for the opportunities this partnership provided our students. Looking ahead, we are thrilled to announce a new partnership with Borussia Dortmund, commencing in 2025. This marks the first collaboration of its kind in Australia. Borussia Dortmund’s emphasis on discipline, hard work, perseverance, and service aligns with our College values. Their humanitarian work in the Asia-Pacific region deeply resonates with our vision of walking humbly.

In 2024, with support from the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia, the College evaluated its Arts facilities, including the Performing Arts. While these facilities have served students well, it was concluded that it is now time for renewal. The College will embark on an exciting building development program in 2025, including a multi-stage redevelopment and extension of the College Auditorium. This project will cater to specialist arts programs in Dance, Drama, Music, Visual Arts, and Media/Photography, honouring LJBC’s tradition of excellence in the Arts since the College’s earliest years.

Strategic Commitment

In 2024, our focus was guided by three priorities:

1. Ensuring that all students and staff are increasingly known and loved.
2. Growing and safeguarding the ecosystem of trusted relationships in our community.
3. Prioritising outcomes that promote student growth and flourishing.

These priorities have driven innovations this year and laid the groundwork for future expansion in 2025.

Senior secondary schooling has undergone significant change across the state. With the decreasing transparency of ATAR due to lower representation across schools, we are committed to engaging students earlier. By helping them discover their unique gifts and talents, we guide them towards pathways that suit their aspirations and provide challenges for growth. Our approach, encapsulated in the phrase “Free to Be, Motivated to Become,” challenges students to be courageous learners, supported to achieve success. This will continue to guide our efforts in the coming years.

We look forward to involving families in strategic projects and focus groups early in 2025 and encourage all to contribute to shaping the College’s future ambitions.

Secondary Structural Changes

To support our priorities and deliver a seamless PK-12 schooling experience, the College restructured the senior leadership team in the Secondary School in 2024.

Rachel Allsop was appointed Head of Secondary and Associate Principal, supported by: Mark Downsborough, Director of Lower Secondary and Simon Moffatt, Director of Senior Secondary

A Director of Teaching and Learning will join the team in Term 1, 2025.

An induction assembly will be held early in Term 1, 2025, where families can meet this new leadership team. Minor Secondary School campus changes are also underway to support this structure. Both Primary and Secondary sub-schools will collaborate in new and supportive ways as one College.

Farewells and Staff Updates

This year, we bid farewell to several valued staff members and have other changing roles.

• Madeline Jones, Director of Drama, has been an exceptional leader in Drama and will be greatly missed.
• Jenny Pontarelli, Emergency Cadets leader and Mathematics teacher, will retire at the end of the year and move to rural Italy.
• Nola Hebiton, Mathematics teacher and former Head of Cumberland House, is retiring after many years of dedicated service at the end of the year.
• Alison Jamison, Primary teacher, is moving to a new role as Head of Learning Support at Kingsway Christian College next year. Thank you and all the best, Alison.
• Helen Del Frate has concluded her role as Dean of Students. Her contributions to student safety, positive education, year group camps, and wellbeing initiatives are just a few highlights of the wonderful work Helen has accomplished during her time at the College.
• Matthew Lynch has been appointed Head of Cumberland House, succeeding Matthew Potts, whom we thank for his significant impact on Cumberland students during his time in the role. Mr Potts will now focus full-time on teaching ATAR Physics and Chemistry.
• Tracy Pender, Head of Arts, will step down at the end of Term 1, 2025. An author and professional writer, Ms Pender will take some time off to focus on this pursuit.
• Mason Nguyen will take time to pursue his music career but will remain connected to the College as a relief teacher.
• Ryan Brownlie, an alumni, will be teaching at Kingsway Christian College next year. We wish Mr Brownlie all the best.
• Hennielie Enslin is retiring from full-time teaching next year but will continue supporting students through tutoring. We wish Mrs Enslin God’s rich blessings and thank her for a wonderful teaching career.
• Michelle Qaqish finishes her role formally as Family Accounts Officer after many years of dedicated service.
• Claire Killian, Primary Head of PK-3, finishes at the end of the year to work full-time in Early Learning commercially.
• Abigail Scott is moving south of the river.
• Gary Ward, from our Grounds team, is relocating to Albany.
• Catherine da Silva will be on leave next year with her family in the South West.
• Jonathan Grullis, an alumni, and Roisin Dornan, who have both been on leave this year, will not return in 2025. We wish them all the best.

I also want to thank the following staff members who have fulfilled short-term roles for the College and will finish at the end of the year:

• David Stokoe, Secondary Health & PE
• Katie Miller, Primary School Nurse
• Zachary Inglis, Secondary Arts
• Phil Webster, Secondary Arts
• Ashleigh Milne, Secondary English
• Kate Westcott, Primary teacher
• Glen Downing, Primary teacher

Additionally, Bellise Ame, Arts intern and alumni, will depart the College as she enters her final year of a Primary teaching degree. Go Bellise!

We are excited to welcome new staff members in 2025, having successfully recruited an excellent group of educators who will bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the College community.

I want to sincerely thank all departing staff for their contributions and wish them God’s richest blessings.

Looking Ahead

As we prepare for 2025, I am excited about the growth, opportunities, and new traditions awaiting us. For 35 years, LJBC students have been the heartbeat of our College, inspiring our purpose as the true leaders of our school community.

On behalf of all staff, I wish our families a joyful and safe Christmas. May the light and hope found in Christ fill your homes this season, and may you return safely in the new year.

With gratitude,

Paul Sonneman-Smith
College Principal