Issue 10, 2025 (29 July)

Dear Parents and Carers

Welcome back to Term 3, the final Term for the Year 12 students as their secondary learning comes to a close early in Term 4. This Term, there are a lot of events here at school for students to involve themselves in to make the most of their school days. 

Students can reflect on their School Report and apply for Advanced Standing if they have met the criteria; attendance above 92%, show commitment to learning by having their effort reports being in the consistently column, have shown good conduct at school and completing community service. Students can download the application forms from the Student Hub, complete them and hand them in. We are very pleased with the number of students who are keen on applying for their Advanced Standing and benefitting by being able to board the bus first at the end of the day and be admitted to the Canteen quickly on arrival.

Some of our students need to purchase new items of uniform; shirts should be able to button to the collar without causing discomfort, and skirts should reach the knee when girls are standing straight. Staff will be checking uniform across the Term, please support us by checking the size of the uniform for your child and encouraging them to wear it well. All students are to wear their formal uniform to and from school and should be wearing their blazers at these times.

I wish all students a great start to the Term, and hope it continues for the remainder of the Term.

Kind regards

Ms Jannine Webb
Head of Secondary

Dear Parents and Carers

Community

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope everyone had a wonderful break and enjoyed some special time with loved ones - I certainly cherished the chance to spend quality time with my own family. As we return for Term 3, our dedicated teachers have been hard at work planning engaging lessons and exciting opportunities for our students. We have a fantastic time ahead, and we’re looking forward to a term full of learning, growth, and fun. We’re especially excited to welcome our families back on Wednesday 23rd July 2025 - we can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together!

As we begin the term, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge our amazing staff. Their commitment, energy, and care are the foundation of everything we do. Please help our staff continue to be amazing by keeping our communication positive and reasonable. Our team is available to assist you from 8:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays, and we aim to respond to all phone calls and emails within two working days whenever possible. Outside these hours—and on weekends—we encourage our staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance. We truly appreciate your understanding and patience. 

Staffing 

We welcome back Miss Kara McShane from her long service leave and thank Mrs Kerry-Ann Chestnutt-Berryman for her support of PM1 during Term 2. 

We are also farewelling Ms Dee Fee at the end of Week 3 this term, as she has achieved a wonderful opportunity at Guildford Grammar Preparatory School. Ms Fee has been part of our community for a number of years and we are so appreciative of the care and passion she has given our students. I thank Ms Fee for her amazing efforts at our wonderful school and wish her all the best in her next role. 

Mrs Tabitha Dresen has been appointed as the new Early Years coordinator and we are very excited to have her on our leadership team. Mrs Dresen is an enthusiastic and experienced educator, and is looking forward to supporting our Early Years staff and students. Mrs Chelsea Donaldson will be teaching in tandem with Mrs Dresen. She too is an experienced teacher and very passionate about Early Years Education. 

Curriculum Initiatives 

At Frederick Irwin, we are using a range of effective programs to support your child’s learning in reading and writing from Kindergarten to Year 6. These include Sounds-Write, Talk for Writing, DIBELS, and Word Origins. Sounds-Write is a proven phonics program that teaches children how to read and spell in a clear, step-by-step way. It’s ideal for young learners and also helps older students who may need extra support. Talk for Writing builds strong writing skills by starting with speaking and storytelling. Children learn to retell familiar stories, which helps them understand how language works, before creating their own writing. To keep track of how your child is progressing, we use DIBELS—quick assessments that check important reading skills like sounding out words, understanding text, and reading smoothly. For students in Years 4 to 6, we also use Word Origins, a program that takes spelling and vocabulary a step further by exploring how words are built and where they come from. This helps students better understand complex words, improve their reading, and become more confident writers. Together, these programs give all students the support they need to succeed at every stage of their literacy journey.

Upcoming Events

I’ve listed a few upcoming events below, but encourage all of our parents to use our live calendar on the School App and website to stay up to date with our events. 

• Wednesday 23 July to Friday 1st August (Week 1 and 2) - Swimming Lessons – Year 3 to 6
• Friday 1st August - NAIDOC Event
• Tuesday 5 August (Week 3) - Book Week Parade – 8:45am
• Tuesday 19 August (Week 5) - Bring Your Own Device Information Session – Year 4 parents
• Friday 29 August (Week 6) - Inter-House Athletics Carnival (Year 3 to 6)
• Thursday 25 September (Week 10) - Inter-House Athletics Carnival (Year K-2)

Mr Noah Clark
Head of Primary - Meadow Springs Campus

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your background:

Hello! My name is Rob Gratton, and I live in Mandurah with my wife, Tina. We have two wonderful adult children, Luke and Kasey.

I was born in Berri, a small town in South Australia along the Murray River. In the late 1960s, my family moved to a remote farm in Munglinup, near Esperance. Life on the farm was full of adventure, and I have fond memories of attending Munglinup Primary School.

Midway through Year 7, my family moved to Libya, North Africa, where my dad worked on an agricultural development project involving the Libyan government and the WA Department of Agriculture. Living there was an incredible experience. I still remember camping trips into the Sahara Desert, exploring untouched ancient Roman cities and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea. 

2. What are you most excited about in your role at FIAS?

I am genuinely looking forward to connecting with the students, families, and staff at the Halls Head campus. It is a privilege to build on the great work of Mrs Kirke and help guide the campus through its next chapter of growth and success.

3. What were you like at school?

To be honest, I was more interested in having fun and playing sport than I was in studying! Looking back, I probably should have paid a bit more attention to the academic side of things, but I certainly made the most of my school friendships and activities.

4. Is there something about you that most people wouldn’t know?

Something a bit unexpected, I ride a dual-sport motorcycle and love exploring new places, whether riding with friends or heading off solo. It is a great way to relax and enjoy the great outdoors of Western Australia. 

Welcome to FIAS, Mr Gratton!

Select your relevant campus category in the green button at the top of the calendar for easier viewing. 

Term 3 Carnivals, House Day and Father's Day Stalls:

• Secondary Athletics - Meadow Springs: Thursday 21 August 
• Primary Athletics - Halls Head (K - 6): Tuesday 26 August 
• Primary Athletics - Meadow Springs (3 - 6): Friday 29 August 
• Primary Halls Head Father's Day Stalls: Tuesday 02 September
• Primary Meadow Springs Father's Day Stalls: Tuesday 02 September and Wednesday 03 September
• Primary Athletics - Meadow Springs (PP-2): Thursday 25 September (Please check with Kindy staff for further information.)
• House Day: Friday 12 September 

Meadow Springs:

• Organiser: Mrs Livingstone
• Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Time: 8.00am - 8.15am

Halls Head:

• Organiser: Mrs Smith
• Days: Mondays and Thursdays
• Time: 8.10am - 8.25am

See you at our Primary Ovals!

The heartfelt service featured prayers and speeches from various members of the School community, many of whom reflected on Mrs Kirke’s meaningful connection. She first joined the School as a parent during its early years before becoming a valued member of staff.

There were many emotional moments throughout the Assembly, including a beautiful video message from the entire Campus, and concluded with a touching guard of honour.

We are incredibly grateful to Mrs Kirke for her years of dedicated service and the lasting impact she has made across both campuses. We wish her all the very best for a joyful and well-earned retirement.

Students and families had a wonderful time celebrating International Mud Day!

From splashing through puddles to sliding in the mud and creating muddy masterpieces, it was a playful afternoon full of sensory fun and big smiles.

On Tuesday 24 June, our wonderful Halls Head Campus Years 3–6 Choir visited @amana.living Wearne House to perform for the residents. It was a truly joyous occasion, filled with smiles, music and connection. The residents were delighted by the performance and deeply touched by the students’ beautiful singing.

Our students represented the School with charm, energy and enthusiasm. For our Year 3 students, this was their very first choir event outside the school – a milestone they approached with great courage and commitment. We are so proud of them all for sharing the gift of their voices to bring happiness to others.

Mrs Naomi Woods
Music Teacher

Soccer is the most participated team sport in Australia. With the success of the #Matildas, the 2024 National Participation report showed a 10 per cent increase in outdoor football participation. As a school we have seen this locally, with an increase in FIAS students playing soccer this season with #PeelJuniorSoccerAssociation.

As a club within the PJSA with a significant number of girls playing soccer, FIAS was invited to send players that have been representing FIAS in PJSA teams to play a half/time demo match at the Matildas vs Panama game at HBF Stadium on the 8th July. Next year Australia hosts the Women's Asian Cup 2026 so we look forward to more home games where our students can see what could be possible if they keep playing!

FIAS PLAYERS: Elizabeth Bell, Lily Baker, Jessica Mason, Georgina Barwick, Tallulah Gardner, Dylan Cooper, Thomas Larvin, Jesse Pearce, Kaleb Berrell and William Ross.

The players had a fantastic time and represented themselves, FIAS and PJSA so well. A big thanks to Mrs Gardner Bell for coordinating the team.

#Matildas #Miniroos #WAtheDreamState #ONEGlory @Matildas @Miniroos @FootballWest @ClubChanger

The Acknowledgement was presented by the Cultural Prefect, and then members of the Cultural Committee highlighted the history and importance of NAIDOC to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

The highlight of the Assembly was Wadumbah Dance Group, which included a combination of stories and dances.

During the day, students engaged with his insightful sessions, and in the evening, parents enjoyed an entertaining and informative presentation on 'Boys, Girls, Brains and Behaviour'. There were some entertaining moments including parent participation!

Thank you to Dr Coulson for an engaging and thought-provoking visit.

#JustinCoulson #ParentEngagement #Wellbeing

Congratulations to Year 7, Timothy Wang, who recently competed in the 2025 Phillip Ginsberg National Ice Hockey Championship held at Cockburn Ice Arena from 15 to 20 July. 

Representing Western Australia, Timothy and his teammates delivered a strong performance throughout the tournament, ultimately securing the Silver Medal in the National Championship.

Timothy played with great determination and sportsmanship, contributing to key plays on the ice and supporting his team both offensively and defensively. 

It was an invaluable experience for his development as a young athlete and a proud moment for the Wang family. 

Well done, Timothy!

Evelyn was able to:

• Create content for RugbyWA’s channels, interview fans, and share her unique perspective with one of their Marketing Team Buddies
• Get 4x tickets to Lions (2 kids + 2 adults)
• Be featured on RugbyWA’s social media channels
• Get hands-on content creation experience with RugbyWA team
• Interview fans on match day

Great interviewing techniques, Evelyn! We can see you have a bright future ahead of you!

The Cameron's raised awareness and much needed funds for mental health amongst their family and friends and participated in daily targeted amounts of push ups and by raising money individually, and registered as their own group/team. 

The total group amount raised was $520 - what a fun and rewarding, bonding experience!

The boys contacted family and friends via texts, FaceTime, phone calls and emails over the 23 days to raise money. 

The Cameron's are looking forward to doing it again next year with hopefully more family and friends joining their group and helping them achieve a higher fundraising goal!

They said, "It was educational, as the boys read the daily content delivered through their app around mental health, read and could try different challenges provided, read tips for their push up's or alternatives each day etc.

"It was an effective way to increase their fitness and physical and mental strength and a great way of them also giving back to the community and those around us that are suffering from various mental health challenges."