Dear valued parents and students,

Here we are in week 3 of the second term for 2019 and it is quite timely for me to give you an update on significant projects within the LJBC Community.

1. New Carpark and Access Road Project

It has been very exciting to see our Sports Centre Access Road Project progressing well to near completion. The Basketball Courts upgrade is completed, providing a fantastic addition to the recreational opportunities for Primary and Secondary students at the College, creating much interest with students due in part to the excellent upgraded surface and markings. The Access Road, Sports Centre Carpark and ‘Drop Off’ facility is nearing official hand-over stage, with final road marking and safety measures due to be completed within the next week.

We have been in consultation with Traffic Engineers and the City of Joondalup regarding the efficient use of this new commodity, to ensure the most effective use of the access now available while ensuring maximum safety for drivers and pedestrians. Also, during this process, we have been fully briefed regarding Council compliance and procedural requirements regarding public parking on private land within the City of Joondalup. I want to take this opportunity to thank Mayor Albert Jacob and the City of Joondalup staff for their assistance, being most accommodating and extremely helpful in assisting us in fully understanding our obligations and responsibilities in regard to public safety and equitable access for all, including members of our College Community with mobility challenges.

We ask the College Community to be patient in these final stages of preparation as we finalise the usage procedures, so we can ensure we meet our obligations and maximise efficient, safe traffic flow around our College for all. Details of usage will be provided to every member of our College Community in a number of formats, including our website and direct mail, over the coming weeks. It is envisaged that the new access road will be in full use before the end of term, with appropriate staff presence provided in the area each morning and afternoon to ensure an effective education process as we all get use to the traffic flow system. During the first month of operation we will be recording observations of challenges, bottlenecks and possible adjustments to the traffic flow plan, and in light of this data consider adjustments to the plan, with appropriate communication to the College Community.

We thank you in advance for your patience, cooperation and understanding as we implement this new traffic flow system and look forward to assisting you in any way we can in providing an efficient, safe, clear and effective student drop off and pick up process.

2. Safety for Students Using Kennedya Drive

Our focus now is on the development of a more effective use of access points to the College along Kennedya Drive and towards the western side of the College. A plan has been developed for a staged upgrade of this area, including working with the City of Joondalup Traffic Engineer on major upgrades for the pedestrian crossing, round-about and bus drop off bays. This project is to be staged with the first minor adjustments being rolled out within the next couple of weeks. In due course the total plan for the area will be made available for the College Community to view once the final consultation and approval process has been completed. The completion of the Traffic Flow Masterplan for Kennedya Drive will significantly improve traffic flow, College access and safety in this area.

We are also aware that there have been some safety concerns regarding students and adult pedestrians crossing Kennedya Drive from the Arena carpark. We have observed unnecessary risk being taken and have increased our teacher supervision presence in the area. Our recommendation is for all pedestrians to use the designated pedestrian crossing and avoid crossing Kennedya Drive at other points. We are aware that the crossing is currently situated in an inconvenient location and part of the plan to upgrade the crossing includes relocation of this crossing to a newly identified location closer to the roundabout.

In the meantime, however, I urge you to instruct your children to have patience and take the safe pedestrian crossing option, knowing that it is only for a short period of time as improved crossing options are developed. The message needs to be ‘safety first’. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding regarding this important issue.

3. LJBC Strategic Partnerships Initiatives- Kings Baptist Grammar School (Adelaide) and South Coast Baptist College (Perth)

Another exciting development has been the forging of strategic partnerships with Kings Baptist Grammar School (Wynn Vale, Adelaide) and South Coast Baptist College (Waikiki, Western Australia) providing significant opportunities for our College Community and students in particular. I will be addressing this in more detail in the next edition of the newsletter, outlining significant strategic advantages in partnering with these two specific Baptist Colleges.

4. LJBC has become a member of Christian Schools Australia (CSA)

In 2019, LJBC has become a full member of CSA. This gives LJBC a significant voice in the development of Christian Education in Perth, as well as access to a wealth of resources to assist us in the delivery of the highest quality Christian Education and student outcomes. CSA has a significant voice in the development of educational and organisational National policy as well as supporting Christian Schools in remaining true to their foundations of faith and remaining authentically Christian.

With the upcoming Election, it is timely to be aware of the effect of Political Party Policy regarding religious freedom in Australia and the impact such policies will have on Christian Schools’ ability to continue to pursue and maintain a truly Christian culture and character. I encourage you to explore this issue prior to voting on Saturday, to the degree of your interest, to enable you to be informed on party policy and where each group stands.

The CSA website https://csa.edu.au/ may be a useful resource for you, providing an outline of the various parties’ position on this matter.  Of course, I understand and respect that this is only one issue and there are many varied, confusing and complicated messages from political parties, to consider and untangle as you choose who to place your vote with. I wish you all the best with all that and ‘happy voting’.

Looking forward to seeing you out and about and chatting with you as the opportunity arises.

God’s Richest Blessing

Daryl Pollard

College Principal