Issue 08, 2026 (August)

Join us on Saturday 12 September, 9.00am to 12.00pm at our Early Years Open Morning!

With Classroom walkthroughs of our Early Learning Rooms and the Enrolment Registration $100 Fee Waived (get a code on the day), come down for Spring Celebrations with a petting zoo, face painting, nature play, ice-cream, coffee and music! Follow the link for more information. 

Family Fun Open Morning at our Halls Head Campus Early Learning Centre - Frederick Irwin Anglican School

Dear Parents and Carers

As we move through the term, I would like to remind families of the importance of maintaining our uniform expectations, particularly the wearing of the school blazer. The blazer is a key component of our Secondary School uniform and helps present a consistent, professional image both on campus and in the wider community. It demonstrates pride in our school and reflects the high standards we seek in all aspects of student life.

At Frederick Irwin Anglican School, our uniform is much more than a set of clothes. It is a visible representation of our community, our shared identity and the values we strive to uphold each day. When students wear their uniform with pride they contribute to a culture of belonging, respect and excellence.

Uniform standards, however, are only one way our students represent the School. Equally important are the relationships they build with one another. We continue to encourage all students to demonstrate kindness, empathy and respect in their interactions with peers. Positive relationships are at the heart of a safe and supportive learning environment. Every student has the opportunity to make a positive difference through the way they speak to others, include those around them and respond to challenges with understanding and maturity.

For students travelling to and from school by bus, we also remind them to use their SmartRider appropriately each day. Tapping on and off not only ensures compliance with Transperth requirements but also supports accurate travel records and helps students develop responsibility and independence. Students who do not have a SmartRider with them as they board the bus, will be asked to speak to the driver as a matter of courtesy.  If you have lost your SmartRider, please go to the library to order a new one. If your balance is low, please have some additional funds added to the balance please use this link for the directions to add money using BPay.

These expectations are all connected to our School values of Faith, Inclusion, Respect and Excellence.

• Faith calls us to act with integrity and compassion.
• Inclusion encourages us to ensure everyone feels welcomed, valued and connected.
• Respect is demonstrated through our interactions, our behaviour and the pride we take in wearing our uniform correctly.
• Excellence is reflected in the standards we set for ourselves and the effort we apply to every aspect of school life.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting these expectations. Together, we can ensure that Frederick Irwin Anglican School remains a community where students are proud to belong, committed to personal growth and focused on making a positive contribution to those around them.

Congratulations to all of the students who are being awarded Advanced Standing this week at assembly. Another 80 students whose contribution to school life sets a positive example for others to follow.

I wish all students the very best for the Athletics carnival scheduled for this week. We are praying for clear skies and for the carnival to run on Thursday. 

The Year 11 Outdoor Education students will be away next week at their hiking camp and we wish them all the best as they undertake their extensive hike.

Our School drop off and collection area is working very well in the afternoons. To help keep traffic moving smoothly and minimise delays for all families, we ask that you support the following procedures.

• Students should be ready to enter or exit the vehicle as soon as it reaches the designated drop-off zone.
• Please ensure school bags, sports bags, musical instruments and other belongings are placed on the back seat or beside your child rather than in the boot of the car. Accessing the boot significantly slows the flow of traffic, particularly when multiple vehicles are waiting behind.
• Drivers should remain in their vehicles at all times unless there is an emergency.
• Move forward to the furthest available point in the designated area before stopping.
• After your child has exited the vehicle safely, please indicate and move on promptly to allow other families access.

These small actions make a significant difference to traffic flow and help ensure the safety of all students, staff and families during our busiest times of the day.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our Kiss and Drop area safe, efficient and respectful for everyone.

Kind regards

Ms Jannine Webb
Head of Secondary

Teaching and Learning

Our newsletter provides an opportunity to give our community an insight into some of the evidence-based practices that support student learning at Frederick Irwin Anglican School. Our reading approach is grounded in the Science of Reading and incorporates a comprehensive approach to reading acquisition. From Kindergarten to Year 3, students participate in a structured synthetic phonics programme that explicitly teaches the relationship between sounds and letters, enabling students to develop strong decoding skills. To support the application of these skills, students engage with decodable readers that align with their developing phonics knowledge. We also use DIBELS assessments to closely monitor reading progress and provide targeted support where needed. Parents are always encouraged to contact their child's teacher if they have questions about their child's reading progress. We believe that student success is best supported when schools and families work together in partnership.

I recently had the privilege of attending the Year 6 Expo and will also be visiting the Year 5 Expo. I have been incredibly impressed by the effort, initiative and enthusiasm our students have demonstrated. The Year 6 students explored factors influencing immigration, and I even had the pleasure of being interviewed by Adam Bartlett in Mrs Jones' class. These inquiry projects provide students with meaningful opportunities to take ownership of their learning and make real-world connections. Thank you to the many parents who attend these events and support our students' learning journey.

I have also been very impressed by the fantastic work our Year 2 students have been doing in Science, as they learn about forces. Not only have they developed impressive knowledge and understanding, but they are clearly enjoying the learning process. Student engagement is such an important part of successful learning, and our Year 2 students are showing tremendous enthusiasm for Science.

Community

Last week I had some grandparents share how much they appreciate the positive atmosphere in the mornings and the music that helps create an exciting start to the school day. I have also hosted several Open Mornings for prospective families, and many commented on the welcoming, positive environment within our classrooms and across the Primary School.

These comments are a wonderful reminder that a great school community is built through the collective efforts of students, staff and families. I would like to sincerely thank all our parent volunteers for the many ways they support our school. Whether assisting at the Mother's Day and Father's Day stalls, coaching interschool basketball teams, volunteering in classrooms, or helping at our Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals, your contribution is greatly valued and appreciated. As a quick reminder, Mrs Champ and Mrs Randall are still seeking volunteers to assist at the upcoming Athletics Carnivals. If you are available, your support would be warmly welcomed.

Upcoming Events

Students are always excited when Book Week arrives, and we are looking forward to another wonderful celebration next week. As part of our Book Week celebrations, we will be holding our annual Dress-Up Parade at 8:30am on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, in the Kwobadiny Sports Centre. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are invited to participate, and we look forward to seeing the creativity and enthusiasm on display.

Parking

As a final reminder, I encourage families to make use of the rugby field parking on Oakmont Avenue and enjoy the short walk to campus. Arriving between 8:10am and 8:30am can also help alleviate congestion before the 8:35am start to the school day. Please avoid parking on footpaths or sandy verges. In the afternoon, we ask families to only use the front Kiss and Drop bays when their child is ready for collection. If your child has not yet arrived at the collection point, please continue through the loop and re-enter when appropriate. This helps keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely for everyone. While traffic congestion can sometimes be frustrating, I kindly ask all members of our community to continue showing patience, courtesy and kindness towards one another. By working together, we can help ensure a safe and positive experience for all families.

Kind regards,

Noah Clark
Head of Primary – Meadow Springs Campus

Dear Families,

Term 3 continues to be an exciting and rewarding time for our Primary School community. Alongside celebrating many student achievements, we are delighted to see the continued progress of Stage 2 of the Halls Head Master Plan. Our new Year 1 and Year 2 classroom block is progressing well and remains on track for completion later this year, ready to welcome students in 2027. This significant development reflects the ongoing growth of our school and our commitment to providing outstanding learning environments for our students.

We are incredibly proud of Sophia Castle (Year 4), who recently represented Frederick Irwin Anglican School at the IPSHA Speakers Challenge held at Wesley College. Sophia delivered her speech, What Teachers Do After the School Day Finishes, with confidence and skill, earning a Bronze Medallion for her outstanding performance.

Congratulations also to Aiden Gomez (Year 5) and Mia Kneipp (Year 6), who have progressed to the IPSHA Speakers Challenge Grand Final at St Mary's Anglican School later this month. We wish them every success as they represent our school. A special thank you to Mrs Baker for her dedication and encouragement in preparing our students for this prestigious competition.

Our Upper Primary students have also enjoyed remarkable success in sport. At the PSSA Winter Sports Division B Lightning Carnival, our students demonstrated exceptional teamwork, sportsmanship and skill, finishing first in every sport they contested. This outstanding achievement reflects the commitment of our students and the support provided by staff. We extend our sincere thanks to the Year 5 and Year 6 teaching team for their leadership and encouragement throughout the winter sports season.

At the PSSA Division B Inter-School Cross-Country Carnival, held at Meadow Springs Reserve against eleven local schools, our students again excelled. Individual highlights included Harry Lenehan (Year 3) placing 1st, Tobi Abuhagiar (Year 5) placing 2nd, Danica Sayer (Year 6) placing 2nd, and Xavier Lunt (Year 6) achieving equal 1st place. Our students were also crowned Champion Year 3 Girls Team and Champion Year 6 Girls Team, contributing to an outstanding overall Second Place finish, our best result to date. We are incredibly proud of every student who participated and represented our school so positively.

A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Fazzolari for her leadership, organisation and support of our Cross-Country program. Her efforts, alongside those of our dedicated staff, have helped students grow in confidence while striving for personal excellence.

These achievements in learning, public speaking and sport are a wonderful reflection of our FIRE values and the strong partnership between students, staff and families. We look forward to celebrating many more successes throughout the remainder of the term.

Kind regards,

Mr Rob Gratton
Head of Primary - Halls Head Campus

At the end of Term 2, our school came alive with the excitement and creativity of Arts Week, a spectacular celebration that brought together the talents of Visual Arts, Drama, Dance, Music and Media. Across two unforgettable evenings, students wowed audiences with outstanding performances, while lunchtime concerts and a walk-through Art Exhibition showcased the incredible depth of artistic talent throughout the school community.

Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our Arts staff, combined with the commitment and enthusiasm of our students, Arts Week was an overwhelming success. The week also marked a special occasion as we farewelled our long-serving Music Teacher, Mr Gary Williams, who retired at the end of Term 2. Mr Williams has made a huge contribution to the school's music program over many years, inspiring generations of students through his passion, expertise and dedication. 

Frederick Irwin Anglican School students took part in the Anglican Schools Australia Conference Eucharist on Friday 31 July, as part of the Cathedral Choir. The students sung beautifully, and many comments from attendees highlighted how the choir enhanced the wonderful atmosphere in St George’s Cathedral. 

The theme for the Conference was ‘Grace-full Hospitality’ examining hospitality informed by the Grace of God in Christ. It was wonderful to have our students and staff take part in this important element of hospitality.

On Friday 7 August, our Year 10 STEM students proudly presented their innovative projects at the STEM Mini Expo, showcasing their vision for the "Classroom of the Future."

As part of the project, students were challenged to design and construct scale models of learning spaces they believe could become a reality within the next five years or as part of a future school redevelopment. Their designs considered a range of important factors, including sustainability, environmental impacts, flexible learning spaces, and the integration of emerging technologies.

The expo provided students with the opportunity to share their ideas and explain the thinking behind their designs to visitors. Students from other classes, along with members of the Executive Team, attended the event, asking insightful questions and providing valuable feedback on the models.

In addition to their classroom designs, students also showcased progress on their current STEM project: designing sustainable coffee carriers for the Year 10 Barista Course. These prototypes combine environmentally conscious design principles with practical manufacturing techniques, incorporating timber construction and custom-designed 3D printed handles.

The Mini Expo highlighted the creativity, problem-solving skills, and engineering capabilities of our Year 10 students, while giving them valuable experience in presenting and defending their ideas to a wider audience. It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm and innovation on display and to celebrate the outstanding work being undertaken in STEM.

On 29 July, we welcomed 34 students from Hong Kong for a memorable visit to our school. It was a fantastic opportunity for our aspiring student leaders to showcase their leadership skills and school values while connecting with students from a different culture.

Our visitors were impressed by our beautiful open spaces and trees, and particularly amazed by the KSC and Performing Arts Centre. They thoroughly enjoyed spending time with their buddies, and our students did an outstanding job making them feel welcome and supported throughout the day.

It was wonderful to see genuine friendships and connections form in such a short time, creating an experience that was meaningful for everyone involved. A big thank you to the staff who helped make the day such a success.

On Friday 24 July, our Primary students at the Halls Head Campus participated in Schools Tree Day. With the support of Year 3 Teacher Mr James Johns, each student planted a tree in our Yarning Gathering Place, helping to create a greener and more vibrant space for our School. The students were also delighted to have Rev. Mrs Tracey Gray involved in the tree planting, sharing in this meaningful activity that celebrates environmental stewardship and community connection.

Schools Tree Day is a special annual event that encourages students to connect with nature through hands-on learning. It provides a wonderful opportunity for children to develop a love for the outdoors while gaining a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship. By planting trees and caring for the natural environment, our students are learning the importance of protecting the planet and making a positive contribution to a more sustainable future.

Winter Weather at its finest, set the scene for our Year 5 and 6 students, as well as selected Year 4 students, to compete in the annual PSSA Lightning Carnival. We had four teams represent our school, two teams for Netball, one Soccer and one Volleyball team. Our students trained hard throughout the term and couldn’t wait to compete against other schools in the Peel Region.

We had some fantastic results, as follows:

• Volleyball- All PSSA schools combined, Champion School
• Netball- Champion B1 and B2 School
• Soccer- Equal Champion School Div B
• Each competing team won their division!

Our team’s effort, sportsmanship and camaraderie were on display all day, but our team spirit is what truly shone. To say we are proud of their collective efforts is an understatement. Family support also enhanced our day, the cheering was awesome and we even had one of our amazing mums, Poppy Heilbroon, Coach our B1 Netball team. A special shout out to Mrs Cadwell for coaching our Volleyball team, Mrs Baker for coaching our B2 netball team and Mr O for coaching our Soccer team.

It was an amazing day!

Under beautiful weather conditions, our team of 40 students from Years 3-6, competed in B division of the PSSA Interschool Cross Country, held at the Meadow Springs Sports Facility. It was the first year that Year 3 have been invited to compete and our students certainly showed that they were more than ready to be a part of the Inter-School Competition.

We competed against 11 schools, with everyone working hard, showing resilience and courage, to achieve some outstanding results. We had a number of students finish in top 10 places, who received ribbons and the following notable results:

Individual Trophies:

• Year 3 - Harry Lenehan 1st Place
• Year 4 - Paul Hatfield 3rd Place
• Year 5 - Tobi Abuhagiar 2nd Place
• Year 6 - Danica Sayer 2nd Place
• Year 6 - Xavier Lunt Equal 1st Place

Group Awards:

• Champion Year 3 Girls Team
• Champion Year 6 Girls Team

Overall Result:

• Second Place- Awesome!

Our overall placing was our best to date and a huge credit to the full team effort, we could not be prouder.

The FIAS Year 7/8 Netball team progressed through to Round 2 of the WA School Sport Netball competition this year, placing them among the top 32 schools from more than 150 schools that competed in the opening round.

The team played three games in a challenging round-robin format and, despite not securing a win, remained highly competitive against strong opposition throughout the morning. They then advanced to the first crossover match, where they produced their best performance of the tournament, narrowly going down by just three goals.

As always, the girls represented FIAS with pride, determination, and outstanding sportsmanship. Congratulations to all players for their enthusiasm, commitment, and resilience across the competition.

A special thank you to Lilly Payne for volunteering her time as our umpire, and to all the parents who helped transport the team and supported the girls throughout the day. Your encouragement and assistance were greatly appreciated.

Claire Booker
Sports Coordinator

Six students from Frederick Irwin Anglican School recently travelled to Tranby College to participate in the Evatt Model United Nations Competition, representing France, Bahrain and Somalia as they stepped into the roles of delegates on the United Nations Security Council and debated current issues affecting our world. The six students selected were: 

• Sage Abiodun
• Kirkland Lowens
• Kai Chester
• Mia Lund
• Stephanie Hunt 
• Henry Millar

The event challenged students to research their assigned countries, consider perspectives different from their own, negotiate with other delegates, propose amendments and use public speaking and persuasive argument to build support for their positions. 

Sage particularly enjoyed the collaborative nature of the event, saying, “It was quite fun to debate others and try and win them over… Overall, there was deep respect and kindness in the room, and the people at Tranby were very friendly.” 

Representing Bahrain, Kirkland Lowens reflected on the challenge of balancing diplomacy with national interests: “The competition promoted speaking and political thinking… trying to appease everyone while also keeping true to your own country's beliefs and needs.” Henry, representing France, valued the opportunity to approach global issues from a different perspective, saying, “It challenged me to research and argue from a different national perspective. 

I really enjoyed engaging in debate with other delegates and learning more about international relations through the process.” The Evatt competition was a valuable and thought-provoking experience that encouraged our students to step outside their comfort zones, engage with complex global issues and develop greater confidence as speakers and critical thinkers. Congratulations to all six students who represented our school so positively.

Emma Stachowicz 
Acting Head of Humanities and Social Sciences 

As part of their Sports Scholarship, students receive expert coaching in nutrition, strength and conditioning, and mindset development. They learn effective stretching techniques, resistance training principles, and strategies to support their overall athletic performance. M Theory are a team from Greenfields, Mandurah who help non-gym goers by mentoring them through their health & fitness journey.

Students also have the opportunity to set personal goals and develop a clear pathway towards achieving them. It is a valuable program that supports our athletes, builds their confidence, and equips them with the skills and knowledge to reach their full potential.

We started strong with a 2–0 win against Emmanuel Catholic College, with goals from Halle Carter and Maisie Bucknell. We then faced Carey Baptist College, narrowly losing 3–1, with Saskia Bartusch getting on the scoresheet.

Finishing 2nd in our group, we progressed through to the semi-final against Seton College. Although we went down 4–0, the girls showed plenty of fight and determination.

We finished the day with a close 2–1 loss to St Brigid’s in the 3rd/4th playoff. Megan Maley gave us the perfect start with a brilliant strike to put us 1–0 up, but unfortunately, we couldn’t hold on. 

Despite the results, the girls showed great teamwork, resilience and determination throughout the day. So proud of everyone’s effort and how we fought until the final whistle! 

Inaya Aziz (Year 11)
FIAS Soccer Captain

On Friday, many of our Year 7 boys and girls participated in the Year 7 AFL Carnival at Lakelands Park. The carnival was coordinated by the WA Football Commission and was specifically designed for Year 7 students.

The boys' team demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, teamwork, and skill throughout the day, finishing the carnival in 3rd place overall. They narrowly lost to Kolbe by less than a goal, with Kolbe then progressing to the Grand Final against Comet Bay, who ultimately won the match.

There was a fantastic turnout from our parents, and it was great to see their support throughout the day. As a team, we took the opportunity to thank them for their encouragement and support.

Overall, it was a terrific day, and the FIAS students represented the school exceptionally well, showcasing both their skills and positive attitude.

On Tuesday 28 July we celebrated the blessing and naming of our Bush School, now known as Koolangka Djarlma.

Principal, Rev Tracey Gray, and Head of Primary, Mr Noah Clark, proudly unveiled the new signs, which were named by respected Elder George Walley, in consultation with the School. Reverend Jacqui then blessed the beautiful signs, marking this significant moment.

Following the ceremony, the students sung Wanjoo, and our Kindy and Year 6 students shared a special walk, taking time to explore and connect with this wonderful learning environment.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this occasion so memorable.

At the end of Term 2, we called for donations of underwear through Thread Together, an Anglicare charity that collects end-of-line, brand-new clothing and stock from retailers. This enables them to provide clothing to individuals, families, and communities in need, restoring dignity and offering hope to those facing hardship.

Last Week, our Assistant Chaplain, Alicia Tearle, handed over our donations to the team, who were very grateful for the support from Frederick Irwin Anglican School.

On Wednesday 5 August, students in Primary and Secondary were invited to help support homeless youth in WA by bringing a gold coin donation and wearing ‘Comfy Clothes’ for the day.

The number of young people experiencing homelessness is growing with more than 700 unaccompanied children and young people in WA on any given day. Anglicare provide many services to help, including the Street Connect Bus, a mobile youth outreach service.

The Anglicare Ambassadors at FIAS are raising money for the Street Connect Bus and we were so happy to see everyone in their favourite comfy clothes on the day. We are thrilled to announce that we fundraised $2,370. 

Thank you to everyone at FIAS who got involved.

A huge congratulations to Year 7 Student Lizzie, who has been cast in the Stan original Mermaid movie 'Scales' which began production in June.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of coastal Queensland, Scales is an uplifting sun-drenched modern mermaid fable exploring self-acceptance, friendship, and the courage it takes to stand out. 

This is such an amazing achievement, we look forward to cheering you on when Scales premieres!

Perth Horror Film Festival

Two films created by our senior Media students have been officially selected to screen at the 2026 Perth Horror Film Festival, being held at The Backlot Perth from 2–6 September:

• Found You — created by our 2025 graduating Media cohort and directed by Samantha Hart and Alisa Grace Wilson.
• The Forgotten — created by our 2026 graduating Media cohort and directed by Zak Robson and Maitland Drake-Brockman.

Both films were produced through our annual Media Arts Camp, which is designed to give students experience working within a genuine film-set culture and environment.

Rather than operating as separate classroom groups, students work together as a single production cohort, taking on specialised roles across directing, cinematography, sound, production design, acting and other areas of production.

The resulting films are not only major creative projects but substantial portfolio pieces students can use when applying for tertiary courses and pursuing future opportunities within the screen and creative industries.

Having films from two consecutive graduating cohorts selected for the Perth Horror Film Festival is something I’m incredibly proud of. It gives our students the opportunity to see work they created at school move beyond assessment and into a genuine public festival environment.

Rock the Boat Film Festival

We’ve also received some more great news, with two productions from our Year 12 Media program selected for the 2026 Rock the Boat Film Festival:

• The Body — created by Jace Osborne, Cohen Grbavac, Fynn Beacham-Bruce and Wil Scholfield as part of their Year 12 Media coursework.
• The Forgotten — created by our 2026 graduating Media cohort and directed by Zak Robson and Maitland Drake-Brockman.

This means The Forgotten has now been selected for two external film festivals, which is a fantastic achievement for Zak, Maitland and the wider production cohort who contributed to the film.

Across these productions, I served as Executive Producer and Media teacher, guiding the students through the production process while allowing them to take ownership of their individual creative and technical roles.

It’s incredibly rewarding to see the work being produced through our Media program recognised outside the school environment. More importantly, it gives our students tangible evidence that the skills and work they are developing in the classroom can translate into genuine opportunities within the wider screen industry.

Mr Zeke Morgan-Hind
Media and Digital Technologies Teacher

Year 10 student Halle Carter has been selected to represent both Australia and the Australian Navy Cadets in an international exchange programme in South Korea.

This opportunity was highly competitive, with only ten Australian Navy Cadets chosen from across the country. Candidates were required to undergo a rigorous application process, and selections were based on the quality of their written application, exemplary conduct, and active participation within the cadet programme.

During the exchange, Halle will engage with fellow sea cadets from Hong Kong, Japan, China, and South Korea, participating in a variety of cultural, educational, and leadership activities. As part of her involvement in the programme, she will maintain a daily journal documenting her experiences and, upon her return, deliver a presentation about the exchange and represent the Mandurah Cadet Unit by sharing her experiences with others.

Below is a write up from Halle about her trip.

The trip to South Korea was filled with cultural, educational, and team-building experiences. After travelling through Hong Kong, we explored the Korean Independence Hall, took part in water activities and teamwork challenges at SYMEC, and learned about plastic pollution through an upcycling workshop. We also visited Pyeongtaek Port and Naval Base, learning about South Korea’s naval history and seeing the damaged ROKS Chamsuri and ROKS Cheonan. The trip continued in Seoul with fried chicken, a visit to a traditional folk village, fun activities, shopping, and an impressive music and dance performance with a light show.

Congratulations to Abigail, who competed in the WA State Rising Star Championships on Sunday and delivered an outstanding performance, taking home three gold medals in Junior New Vogue and three gold medals in Junior Ballroom.

As one of our FIAS Sporting Scholarship Recipients, Abigail continues to demonstrate incredible dedication, discipline and passion for her sport. We are extremely proud of your commitment to training and the hard work you consistently put into achieving your goals.

Congratulations on this fantastic achievement, Abigail. Your success is well deserved, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish next!

Year 8 student, Henry James, is currently representing Western Australia at the 2026 School Sport Australia (SSA) Australian Football Championships.

The WA team has performed exceptionally well and currently sits on top of its pool, with the final round-robin matches to be completed over the next couple of days. The semi-finals are scheduled to feature Western Australia against New South Wales, while Victoria will take on South Australia.

A particular highlight came in Western Australia’s opening match against South Australia, where Henry was awarded Player of the Match, as voted by both his teammates and the coaching staff. It was a wonderful recognition of his contribution and leadership on the field.

Year 8 student Timothy Wang, recently represented Western Australia at the 2026 Kurt De Fris Shield (U15) National Ice Hockey Championships, held at Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, Newcastle, NSW, from 10–15 July 2026.

Timothy and his teammates demonstrated great teamwork, determination and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, proudly finishing with the Bronze Medal. It was a fantastic opportunity for him to compete against the best U15 players from across Australia and continue developing both his skills and confidence.

Congratulations to Ayla Ballantyne on her outstanding achievement at the IPSHA Speakers Challenge, where she proudly represented Frederick Irwin Anglican School. Ayla placed in the top two competitors in her presentation room before going on to achieve a joint bronze placing in the finals. We are incredibly proud of her dedication, hard work, and the confidence she demonstrated while presenting to both her peers and a large audience. Ayla's success is a wonderful reflection of her commitment, courage, and excellent public speaking skills. Well done, Ayla!

Youth Parliament has been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever been a part of. The program brings together 59 young people who are tasked with writing bills. These bills are debated in Parliament House and, if passed by the Youth Parliament, presented to the relevant government minister and perhaps translated into actual law, as has been the case in previous years. 

I applied for the program because I wanted to project my voice on a larger platform, challenge the status quo, and make a tangible impact beyond my local circles. I am so glad Youth Parliament gave me the opportunity to do just that. Appointed as the Youth Minister for Culture and the Arts, my role – aside from writing a bill with my committee – was to counter the Opposition’s arguments in Parliament through question time, ministerial statements, and leading the government debate, all to ensure our bill passed. 

Fortunately, my bill, the First Nations Culture and Economic Empowerment Bill 2026, passed. This was a testament not only to the strength of our debate in Parliament, but also to the bill's contents, which were grounded in testimony from First Nations Elders following community consultations I conducted beforehand. Beyond this, Youth Parliament provided me with the opportunity to speak about what I am truly passionate about. 

I am so grateful to have had a platform to shed light on some incredibly important issues which demand our attention. The program concluded with an awards ceremony where I was thrilled and surprised to receive the Lord Mayor’s Leadership Award 2026 in recognition of the impactful leadership qualities I demonstrated throughout the experience. To anyone considering applying for Youth Parliament, I could not recommend it enough!

Tommaso Sewell

Congratulations to Class of 2019 Alumni Oliver Bleddyn!

"Australia’s Oliver Bleddyn delivered a record-breaking ride in the Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit, setting a new Commonwealth Games record with a commanding performance on the track". 

Read more about the new record below.

Australia's Oliver Bleddyn breaks Commonwealth Games record in Men's 4000m Ind. Pursuit