Front page photo showing Atwell College Year 12 Farewell Ceremony, photo taken by Maverick Photography
Principal's Pen
Dear Parents and Carers
Please join me in congratulating the Year 12 Class of 2017 on their completion of secondary school. The College provided the students with a series of events including, a Farewell Breakfast, a final whole of College assembly and an Farewell Evening held at the University of WA. These events were fun and gave the College the chance to say goodbye to the students and to reward students with prizes and awards. The College has had the pleasure of the enrolment of the students for the past six years and as could be expected some close relationships were formed between staff and students. We wish the Class of 2017 all the best for the future.
In keeping with the academic year coming to a close Year 11 students will leave us soon as their exams begin and courses come to a close. Formal exams are also in place for Year 10 students and Year 9 students. Year 7 and Year 8 students may have in class tests and similar but formal exams begin in Year 9.
The Arts Showcase is coming up, December 6 and 7. I very much look forward to this event with the students showcasing their performances in front of the wider Atwell Community. Performance is an important part of the Arts learning area and the students have been rehearsing and practicing their items in preparation. It should be a wonderful evening.
Repairs are underway on the Atwell College Library/Resource Centre. The builders are still aiming for a completion for the beginning of the year 2018. I appreciate the patience of the students and the staff in waiting for the job to be finished. There have been complications in regards to the amount of damage caused by the fire to structural steel in the roof and some walls. I will keep the community informed on progress.
Kind Regards Noel Woodley
Year 12 Awards 2017
Year 12 Special Award Recipients
Kim Beasley Learning Community Award: Daniel McCrorie, Josh Wilson Parliamentary Award Sports Achievement Award: Joseph Harrall, Sports Achievement Award: Daniel Tuimoala, City of Cockburn Community Service Award: Lachlan Donaldson, City of Cockburn Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Graduate Award: Shania Ridley, Australian Defence Long Tan Award: Andie Hensley Rubico, Caltex All Rounder Award: Ingrid Sherry, VET Pathway Dux: Premiers Best and Brightest Award: Belinda Scoote, Dux Award Premiers Best and Brightest Award: Pristina Goh
Honours Award Recipients
Atwell College recognises the achievements of students in a number of areas both in Academics and the value adding activities students engage within the community. Recognition is given for outstanding achievement in the form of honours in Academic, Sporting, Community and the Arts. Students can gain Full Honours if they achieve honours in two of these fields.
Congratulations to: Tamsyn Criddle, Pristina Goh, Madison Robinson, Shania Ridley, Pruthvi Patel, Joshua Skelton, Joshua Davey, Ingrid Sherry, Holly Judson and Belinda Scoote.
Atwell College phone numbers have changed
NOTE: There is a redirection on the Front desk administration phone number for a short period of time.
Please update your records with the following new phone numbers which can also be found on our website;
- Front desk administration: (08) 6174 2200
- Attendance enquiries (for all students): (08) 6174 2233
- Student Services general enquiries (for all students): (08) 6174 2232
- Account enquiries: (08) 6174 2209
- Kim Beazley Centre: (08) 6174 2200
Atwell College Maths Academy – Robotics Club
In our new STEM Maker Space, students from Years 7 and 8 have been developing their engineering and problem-solving skills as part of our Robotics Club. They have been working collaboratively in small groups to design, construct and program the LEGO EV3 ‘Mindstorms’ robots to perform a range of challenging tasks. Through critical thinking, effective communication, team work and resilience, these students are developing their STEM skills and, most importantly, they are having a great time in the process. Since Term 2, when the Robotics Club began, they have shown impressive progress and their skills in design, construction and coding have improved significantly. We are very excited to see what creative and innovative solutions they come up with by the end of the year. Twelve of these students are currently preparing to represent Atwell College in this year’s FIRST LEGO League competition. They will compete as our two inaugural teams at the Secret Harbour Regional round to be held at Comet Bay College next month.
The Robotics Club is always looking for more young minds to join in the fun. If you are a Year 7 or 8 student who is interested in participating, come and join us in B Block after period 5 on a Tuesday or Wednesday, and speak to Mr Hilton, Mr Burrows or Mr Hogan for more details on how to get involved.
ACZE Term 4
Students in Year 5 and 6 from our partner primary schools; Atwell Primary, Aubin Grove Primary, Hammond Park Primary, Harmony Primary, Jandakot Primary and Success Primary, have once again joined us this term for a fun- filled, jam-packed learning experience as part of our ACZE program. On Mondays, students are perfecting their fine art skills and have already shown their flair through their balloon images. On Tuesdays, students are creating parquetry boxes in woodwork and learning about everything Disney from Ms Robinson and Ms Williams, Atwell’s indisputable Disney experts. On Wednesdays, students are using Photoshop to develop their digital technologies know-how to create any future masterpiece.
We love welcoming the primary students to the College and are excited to see the work they produce this term. Visit the Atwell College website or contact Mrs Jessica Millar for more information regarding the ACZE program. Email: Jessica.Millar@education.wa.edu.au
"Suessical" - a performance by Harmony Primary School at Atwell College
Atwell College recently hosted a fabulous performance of “Suessical” by Harmony Primary School, which was performed on stage in the college Performing Arts Centre. Our Year 12 Certificate II in Visual Arts students supported Harmony primary School by painting the sets for this production. The Year 10 Staging and Events class took charge of the theatre set up, while the Media Club students filmed the production.
Year 10 Visual Arts - Inspirational Portraits
Our very talented Year 10 Visual Art students recently completed these amazing charcoal drawings of a person that they find inspirational, which area currently on display in the foyer next to the art rooms.
ES7 and ES8 Dinosaur Discovery Excursion
On Monday 23 October, the students from ES7 and ES8 attended the Dinosaur Discovery excursion at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. This excursion features more than 23 moving, life-size animatronic models of the Cretaceous period which was 145-166 million years ago, including two monstrous Tyrannosaurus rex models. The scale and authenticity of these magnificent beasts is incredible as they move, “breathe” and interact with each other with lifelike accuracy.
The exhibition focussed on Australian dinosaurs. Most of the information about these dinosaurs is known because of the discovery of fragmentary fossils. It shows that Australia had a unique and diverse range of dinosaurs. This excursion provided plenty of opportunities to learn about the dinosaurs through the many interactive activities, including craft activities, games and information centres with facts about the specific dinosaurs featured. It was an enjoyable and informative excursion.
Home Economics
The Home Economics Department has been a buzz of activity with students involved in a variety of school and community related activities. The Year 11 Hospitality students demonstrated their skills and professionalism by preparing and serving the Year 12 Graduation Breakfast for 200 students and staff, followed by the Parent Morning Tea. We are extremely proud of our students and would like to congratulate them on their commitment and effort.
The 2017 Artnet Fashion show was a great success thanks to the year 12 Materials, Design and Technology class. Students worked hard throughout the year to design, investigate and produce a garment to a theme of their choice drawing inspiration from the avant-garde art movement. Through collaborations with TrainSmart Australia, students we given the opportunity to gain industry experience working with professional Screen and Media (Specialist Make-up) artists. Students were then given an opportunity to present their pieces on a catwalk style runway where family, friends and the wider community could view their hard work and applaud their efforts.
The Year 12 Children, Family and Community class have been working on a project, involving the production of matinee jackets and beanies for Tiny Sparks, an organisation which provides these items for premature babies in care at King Edward Memorial Hospital. The students thoroughly enjoyed making these pieces as it was a wonderful way to end their course.
Mental Health Seminars
At the end of Term 3, Year 9 students participated in seminars run by Youth Focus. Youth focus is a Not for Profit government supported organisation that promotes education and understanding around youth and health issues. Students, teachers and parents all participated in the seminars and found the interactive presentations to be engaging and informative. Thank you to all who participated. Tom Cazaly – Year 9 Co-Ordinator
Year 9 History Excursion - Perth War Memorial
Late in Term 3, Year 9 students from Mr Cazaly and Ms Jones HASS classes attended The Perth War Memorial as part of their studies into World War One. We caught public transport into the city then walked to Kings Park. Once there the students participated in a self-directed learning program, working in pairs to gather key information from the memorial. At the conclusion of the program students returned to the city for lunch before catching the train back to Cockburn. As well as the fantastic weather the behaviour of the students was exemplary. Mr Cazaly and Ms Jones
Atwell College Faction Token System
Atwell College has begun trialling a Faction token system designed to reward students who are displaying positive behaviours during lessons. The system is aimed at Year 7 and 8 students throughout term 4. Students will receive tokens if they are Considerate, Self-motivated, Respectful and Responsible throughout Physical Education and Health lessons. Tokens will go toward their factions total and the winning faction at the end of the term will have a period off to enjoy an hour of various enjoyable activities. Individuals who acquire tokens will also go into a weekly draw to win a $20 Jim Kidd voucher. Congratulations to Year 7 students Ashley Hurst and Paris Kelly who won the voucher in week 1 and 2 respectively.
Interschools Equestrian Competition 2018
Many in the school community would be unaware that we have a small but passionate group of horse riders at Atwell College. For many years, the school flag has been flown at the annual Interschool Equestrian Competition by the Grov family, proudly representing their college in Dressage discipline and the best tradition of sportsmanship. This year, Kayla Smit joined the fraternity, representing the school in the discipline of Eventing. In March and April, Kjersti Grov took out the Dressage crown in the Advanced and International 1 level, and Kayla Smit qualified to represent WA and move up into the international grading for Eventing. Both Kjersti and Kayla qualified to represent WA at the National Interschools Championship, held this year at the magnificent Show Grounds in Toowoomba, QLD. However, as the distance was too great to take their own horses, Kjersti and Kayla needed to access pool horses. As Kayla is under age, she is prohibited from riding a pool horse in the Eventing discipline, so only Queensland based riders competed in that discipline this year.
Kjersti found some time out from her Yr 11 pre-university studies to put fingers to keyboard and type up a short piece to help you live her experience with her: WOW!! What an amazing couple of weeks we had!! Our journey started in Beaudesert QLD, having four lessons with Tor Van Den Berge on my amazing pool horse Zero Degrees (Sweeny) and getting to learn all of his buttons with just 7 rides in total before having to go and ride a Prix St George and Inter 1 test. Ended up Reserve Champion in the Inter 1 and 5th in the PSG. A huge shout out to the best mum Hayley Grov and dad Gunnar Grov, best sponsors ever, I could not have gotten there without your support. I started Interschool Nationals in Toowoomba 2012 and ended my Interschool Nationals in Toowoomba 2017 Best Nationals ever thank you QLD, Kjersti Grov
Year 10 Engagement class - Bush Tucker Garden and Nyoongar Seasons Sculpture
The Year 10 Engagement class recently completed Atwell College’s new bush tucker garden. They worked hard on digging, mulching and planting the seedling, which we hope will provide the Home Economic program with some real bush tucker foods for cookery in the future.
The six poles were also installed by the Year 10 Engagement class. Each pole represents one of the six traditional Nyoongar seasons. Each pole has a number of embossed aluminium panels attached which were designed by the Year 8 Visual Arts students. The panels depict Australian native animals that were important to traditional Aboriginal people throughout the year and uses Nyoongar words to describe the seasons and the animals as part of this year’s NAIDOC theme “Our Languages Matter”.
Atwell College Interschool Athletics 2017
At the beginning of Term 4, Atwell College competed in the 2017 B Division Interschool Athletics Carnival. All students represented the College with pride and consistently performed to the best of their abilities. With a final score of 1221, we finished in 5th position. This is an outstanding achievement for all involved as it ensures Atwell College remains in B grade for 2018.
Congratulations to Lochlan Bloomer (Year 8) and Shyanne Morris (Year 10) who were both awarded overall Individual Champions for their respective age groups. A big thank you to Mr Alexeeff and Ms Dawson for their fantastic efforts as Interschool Coaches. Thank you also to the staff who volunteered to assist with after school trainings and coordinating the day.
Rugby League update
- The Year 10 Rugby League team have made it into the 2017 Grand Final. After a strong performance in the semi-final against Thornlie Senior High School, the team has earned the opportunity to play Rockingham Senior High School in the Grand Final. The match is scheduled for Friday of week 5.
- The Year 9 Rugby League team has begun their term 4 weekly competition. The team had a tough first match against Thornlie Senior High School followed by a fantastic win against Butler College. They will be looking to continually improve throughout the term.
- The Year 8 Rugby League team is currently competing in the ‘Struddy’s Cup’ merit league competition. After an impressive recent performance against Rockingham Senior High school, we are currently on top of the ladder.
- The Year 7 Rugby League team have been training well and are looking forward to playing a couple of matches in term 4.
Australian Navy Cadets - TS Cockburn
If you are aged 13 years old and over and are interested in joining the Australian Navy Cadets, please contact Ilse Gosper, Commanding Training Officer Email: tscockburn@navycadets.gov.au or Phone: 08 9418 8329. You will learn about the Navy, marching, ceremonial drills, sailing, power boating, canoeing and many more skills.