Celebrations are a time that remind us each, to recognise important days or events. They are often associated with social gatherings and enjoyable activities.
According to Professors Dr. Robert Q. Emmons (University of California) and Dr. Michael McCullough (University of Miami), one of the main reasons for celebrating is because it reflects an overall attitude of gratitude and helps remind us to enjoy what we have, instead of focusing on what we don’t have or only on what we want in the future.
Celebrations actually boost our well-being and finding ways to celebrate regularly is very important. As a school, we are intentional in taking the time to celebrate, both with a school focus e.g. St Stephen’s Day, Thanksgiving Service and Polar Bear Day, school productions and camps; but also celebrating significant state and national occasions that remind us on how blessed we are to live in our wonderful country. We have just celebrated Harmony Day, sharing foods from around the world and participating in a wonderful ‘Colour Run” organised by our Year 12s. This day reminds us of the importance of inclusiveness, celebrating diversity, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
As Easter approaches, I am reminded of the fact that Jesus came to earth to show us each how to live with one another. In John 15:12 Jesus says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” Jesus loves us each so much that he gave his life as a sacrifice for all mankind”. In John 3: 16 it goes on to say, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It is my prayer that during these Easter time celebrations, that we would each be reminded of and grateful for, His sacrifice for us all.
Russell Gilchrist (Dean of Parresia House)
ACC SWIMMING CARNIVAL
Congratulations to all students that represented the school at the ACC Swimming Carnival on Monday 22 March. The school is exceptionally proud of their efforts. To be as competitive as we were against much larger schools is a credit to the students attitudes and effort. All results can be found on the ACC website at: https://www.accsport.asn.au/carnivals/swimming/results/2021
We are currently in E grade (for now!). Bring on next year, I firmly believe we can bring home the shield in 2022!!!
The following students achieved exceptional individual results.
Aiden Isgar 3rd U/13 male
Talei Perry 2nd U/13 Female
Harry Blair 2nd U/14 Male
Eleanor Williams Champion U/14 Female
Jaxon Callcott 3rd U/15 Male
Caitlyn Lloyd-Watters 2nd U/15 Female
Ethan Isgar 2nd Open Male
Adam Dwyer
COLOUR RUN
On Friday 19 March as part of Harmony Day & St Stephen’s Day Yrs 4-12 enjoyed an afternoon of games incorporating a colour run. It was a huge effort for the students to pull this event together and whilst it was a group effort Tahlia Beckitt, Jiyona Jipson, Tegan Shirdon and Cameron Kiss took on significant organisational roles that required them to meet with school executives regularly as well as with their peers. It has been a big commitment from them juggling the project with their studies. Just to give some context this had been a project 6 months in the making. It initially started out as a much smaller event for the end of last year but is now a major component of the Harmony/St Stephen’s Day celebration with all of the Carramar campus involved.
SERVICE LEARNING
On Tuesday 16 March a group of Y11 and 12 students went to Balga Salvation Army as part of the school’s Service Learning program. The aim of the visit was for us to cook and serve a three course meal for 28 less privileged members of the Balga community. In the space of three hours the girls made from scratch a potato and bacon soup for entrée; lasagna, salad and garlic bread for mains; and meringue, whipped cream and fruit for dessert. The students were phenomenal and did a truly wonderful job. The meal was greatly appreciated, and many positive comments were made by both the people attending the lunch and the staff at the SALVOS.
Jonathan Langley
HORTICULTURAL CLUB
The Year 7 and 8 Horticultural Club have now had three afternoon sessions (as well as a fairly informal roster of regular watering). We have planted over 100 of the Woolworths seed packs and have already begun to transfer our first sprouts into pots. Our immediate goal is to get some appropriate edible flowers, herbs and vegies into the garden outside our commercial kitchen, for the hospitality class. We intend to grow in different directions (if you will pardon the pun).
Our group would like to thank all of the people in our community who have brought in their Woolworth Seed packs for us to plant we hope to bring some fresh vegies to the community in the future.
Rob Crewe
CAREER CHATS
On 26 February Carramar alumni, Chelsea Lee, now a Murdoch University graduate, gave a lunchtime talk as part of our ongoing Career Chats. The talk was attended by many Year 10, 11 and 12 students.
Chelsea graduated Murdoch University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Security, Terrorism and Counter-terrorism Studies. She was able to dispense some very clear advice to students about what her six pillars of success were and spoke around issues relating to resiliency, networking, accountability and authenticity to an enraptured audience.
We wish Chelsea well on her future endeavours.
Rob Crewe (Careers Advisor)
FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL EXCURSION
Year 10 and 11 ‘French’ students were invited to attend a school screening at Luna Cinemas in Leederville for the French Film Festival on Friday 12 March.
The French film ‘Of Love and Lies’ gave the students an opportunity to test their knowledge, to further train their ears to French language and gain exposure to French culture in an entertaining way.
The students thoroughly enjoyed the excursion.
The French film festival is in Perth until 7 April.
Laurence Kuntz
POLAR BEAR WEEK 8 – 12 MARCH
The week commencing 8 March was the start of our annual Parresia Week celebrations. All things Parresian, “Polar Bearish”, cold and blue were celebrated with all funds raised going towards helping support the work of our service learning trips to Bethany Home in Malaysia, South Africa and the Kimberly.
On Monday, students from Years 5 – 12 shared in a Sausage Sizzle
Tuesday was our annual Polar Bear Day morning tea
Wednesday provided free face painting
And finally, Thursday involved making Ice Cream Polar Bears
Thanks to the Parresian House Captains and Mrs Kerry Cross for all their preparation and hard work and thank you to all students and families for supporting our Parresian initiatives.
Go Bears!
Russell Gilchrist (Dean of Parresia House)
WINTER UNIFORM TERM 2
Please note winter uniform is required to be worn during Terms 2 & 3. If you require winter uniform items please ensure they are purchased from the uniform shop prior to the commencement of Term 2.
SCHOOL PHOTO ORDER DUE DATE
The due date for returning school photo envelopes is 3pm Monday 29 March. Orders placed after this date will need to be placed online directly with Photo Hendriks. The school will not accept photo envelopes after this date.
RHINOCEROS BY EUGENE IONESCO
CAMPUS DAY OUT – MURDOCH UNIVERSITY 7-9 APRIL 2021
ST GEORGE’S COLLEGE OPEN DAY 2021
In conjunction with the University of Western Australia (UWA), St George’s College’s OPEN DAY is SUNDAY 28 MARCH 9am – 2pm.
It will be an opportunity for interested students and families to discover and experience the St George’s College community. It doesn’t matter if you’re still undecided on which Uni you’re planning to attend, St George’s College welcomes students from UWA, Notre Dame Uni, Murdoch Uni, ECU, WAPAA & Curtin Uni.
ECU SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING STEM HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Following successful programs held in the school holidays in 2020 and January this year, we are pleased to announce the ECU School of Engineering STEM School Holiday Program – CREATE will be offered in April 2021 and the dates are 6 April, 7 April, 8 April 9 April and 14 April. This program is offered at no cost to participating students. CREATE is designed to support the teaching and learning of STEM subjects for students interested in STEM studies, and is suitable for students currently enrolled in Years 9 to 12.
