Issue 13, 2025 (10 September)
From the Executive
To all of our FIAS Fathers!
A Father's Day Message from Mrs Gray
We celebrate the everyday heroes—dads, grandads, and father figures—who inspire, encourage, and uplift our students with love and strength. Your impact is powerful, and your presence is deeply valued.
Thank you for being amazing!
God bless,
Tracey Gray
Principal
Deputy Principal Message (Issue 13)
Mr Shane Parnell is excited about experiencing all things FIAS.
Dear Parents and Carers
Last week I was fortunate to attend the opening of AngliSchools House, the new location in the Perth CBD for the Head Office of AngliSchools, our governing organisation, and St George’s Anglican Grammar School. It was a wonderful occasion to witness the joy and excitement on students’ faces as they proudly showed off their new classrooms, breakout spaces, and cafeteria. It reminded me of the wonder that “new things” can bring, and the sense of excitement we feel when we experience something for the first time.
I have felt that same sense of excitement many times this year as I have experienced “new things” here at Frederick Irwin Anglican School. Over the last few weeks, I attended my first Athletics Carnivals. It was inspiring to witness the highly competitive events across our Secondary, Meadow Springs Primary, and Halls Head Primary campuses. The level of House Spirit on display was fantastic, especially seeing the entire Meadow Springs Primary parading onto the oval in their House colours, proudly singing their chants.
It was also heartening to see so many parents and carers supporting their children from the sidelines, adding to the community spirit that makes FIAS so special. The competitiveness of some parents even extended to the traditional Staff vs Parents vs Students race! I am grateful to all the staff who took part in this race and graciously allowed the parents to claim victory.
As we look ahead to this week, I am excited for my first House Day. Halls Head Primary students will join Meadow Springs Primary for a day of House celebrations, while our Secondary students will take part in a competitive afternoon of House events. House pride will certainly be on the line and on full display as students compete in the name of fun, camaraderie, and pride. I look forward to sharing in the joy of the day with our community.
God bless,
Mr Shane Parnell
Deputy Principal
Deputy Head of Secondary Teaching and Learning (Issue 13)
Mrs Anne Crock shares some key examination dates and information.
Dear Year 12 Students, Parents and Carers
As we enter this very significant stage of the school year, I want to pause and acknowledge just how far our Year 12 students have come. The upcoming ATAR Mock Examinations are not only an academic milestone, but also a moment to reflect on the years of commitment, persistence, and personal growth that have brought you here.
These exams provide an excellent opportunity to practise under exam conditions, build confidence, and refine strategies ahead of the final ATAR examinations. While they are important, they are also a stepping stone - a chance to learn about yourself as a learner, to experiment with revision strategies, and to discover how best to manage your time, energy, and focus. Remember, success is not measured only by a final score, but also by the resilience you develop, the challenges you overcome, and the character you continue to build.
Personalised examination timetables for the practical and written ATAR course examinations can be accessed through SCSA’s Student Portal: https://studentportal.scsa.wa.edu.au.
Key Dates to Note:
- Friday 26 September – ATAR English and Literature Examinations
- Monday 29 September – Saturday 4 October – ATAR Course Practical Examinations (Drama and Music)
- Saturday 11 October – Sunday 26 October – Japanese ATAR Practical (Oral) Examinations
- Monday 6 October – Friday 10 October – Semester 2 Mock Examinations
- Tuesday 21 October – Final Day of School for Year 12 Students & Presentation Evening
- Wednesday 29 October – Thursday 20 November – ATAR Written Examinations
The Semester 2 Mock Examination schedule has already been shared with students. While this can be a stressful time, staying organised and keeping to regular routines can make the experience much more manageable.
Five Simple Tips for Success:
- Stay organised – Use a clear study timetable to balance subjects, breaks, and rest. Remember to review what you’ve learned regularly, not just cram at the last minute.
- Practise past papers – These are one of the best ways to become familiar with the structure of exams and to learn from your mistakes before the real thing.
- Look after yourself – Rest, nutrition, and movement are not luxuries; they are essential to performing at your best. A clear mind and healthy body support clear thinking.
- Reach out – No one expects you to do this alone. Your teachers, friends, and families are here to support you. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Stay positive – Believe in yourself. Every small step forward is progress, and a confident mindset can often make the difference in how you approach each challenge.
I encourage each of you to take time to reflect on what you have already achieved this year. Think about the subjects where you have grown in confidence, the times you’ve pushed through when things felt difficult, and the personal skills - like resilience, independence, and perseverance - that you now carry with you. These qualities will remain long after the exams have finished.
A reminder that personalised timetables must be signed and brought to each examination. Students who have an approved Equitable Access Adjustment also need to bring their acknowledgement to both the Mock and ATAR examinations.
Finally, I am very much looking forward to celebrating the Year 12 cohort at the Presentation Evening on Tuesday 21 October. This is always a highlight of the year, a time to come together as a community to acknowledge the achievements, friendships, and journeys of our graduating class. Further details will be provided in a letter closer to the date.
Year 12s - keep going, stay focused, and know that every one of your teachers, your families, and your peers are cheering you on. Believe in the work you have done and the person you are becoming. These final weeks are a time to finish well and to step forward with confidence into what lies ahead.
With best wishes
Mrs Anne Crock
Deputy Head of Secondary Teaching and Learning
Head of Primary - Meadow Springs Campus (Issue 13)
Mr Noah Clark congratulates Dr Marcello Pennacchio
Dear Parents and Carers
I am delighted to share the wonderful news that Dr Marcello Pennacchio has been appointed as the ongoing Deputy Head of Primary.
Dr Pennacchio has done an outstanding job in his acting role, and throughout this time, he has built strong and meaningful connections with our students, staff, and families. His warmth, professionalism, and commitment to our school values have already made a lasting and positive impact on our community.
We are thrilled that Dr Pennacchio will continue in this role, and I know you will join me in congratulating him on this well-deserved appointment.
I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to our community for the encouraging and thoughtful feedback you’ve shared regarding Dr Pennacchio’s care and leadership. Your support is deeply appreciated.
Warm regards,
Noah Clark
Head of Primary - Meadow Springs Campus
From the Chaplain (Issue 13)
Canon James Tabor reflects on the unleashing of potential and growth.
Dear Parents and Carers
The end of Term 3 is a wonderful reminder of the potential that our School contains. The arrival of spring brings promise of warmth, of growth and of stirring of new life all around us.
In our School calendar, it is also a time of great change, and of the imminent realisation of potential. Each year group looks forward to filling the shoes of the year above. Year 11 students look forward to assuming the Prefect positions soon to be vacated by our Year 12s, who soon begin to taste life beyond Freddies. Year 6 students look excitedly forward to making the transition to Year 7 and Secondary, with Year 5 also taking on the mantle of Primary School leadership in the student cohort.
Each student, each member of staff is coming to terms with the change around us, and the unleashing of potential. Growth, opportunity and challenge lie just out of reach.
This excitement can be felt all around us, and there is some trepidation too; students are growing up, and discovering who they will become. Teachers and parents watch with interest as each new milestone is reached, and their young people grow into the future adults they will become.
I am reminded at this time of year too of the vision that our School Founders had; that they acted in 1990 in a different time, in a different Mandurah to establish a School that would become Freddies. Some of those who shared that vision, that potential are still with us (and are thriving!) and all of us benefit from the potential they saw.
We are still in regular contact with the Parish Church at the heart of our foundation, and on September 13th Christ Church is hosting a Variety Concert at 6.30pm. Our music Scholarship recipients will be demonstrating their potential, as well as our Chapel Choir. This will be an amazing concert and our whole School community are welcome to come along and support our students.
I pray that you too will realise your potential and like our wonderful country, you will embrace the warmth and opportunity of Spring.
God bless
Canon James Tabor
School Chaplain
General News
School Calendar and Events
Calendar Categories and some Term 3 events!
Select your relevant campus category in the green button at the top of the calendar for easier viewing. Week 10 of Term 3 below.
Term 3 Events Spotlight:
- Final day of Term 3 for students: Friday 26 September
- First day of Term 4 for students: Tuesday 14 October
Message from the Head of Library (Issue 13 and 14)
Library Early Close: 25 September
Dear Parents and Carers
Please note that the Library at the Meadow Springs Campus will be closed from 3:15pm on Thursday 25 September. This is the Thursday of Week 10.
Thank you
Mrs Anne Johannesen
Head of Library
Volunteers Thank You Breakfast
Have you volunteered at Frederick Irwin Anglican School this year? All are welcome!
Principal Mrs Tracey Gray is inviting all 2025 Volunteers (and their family members) to join her, and the Executive Staff, to a Thank you Event for all of our wonderful volunteers across the year.
Date: Friday 14 November 2025
Time: Arrive from 7.00am, Breakfast 7.30am - 8.30am
Location: Kwobadiny Sports Centre
Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided for all family members, as well as some lawn games. We will also have a coffee van on site!
Our Friends of FIAS Representatives will also be attending the event, so make sure you have a chat with them on the day to let them know what sort of community events you would like to see run at FIAS.
Year 11 students will be in attendance as well to play lawn games with students, so you can relax and have a chat with other parents before the start of school!
2026 School Bus Transport Assistance - Save your Seat
Please be advised that applications for Transport Assistance in 2026 must be submitted via the School Bus Services Website by 14 November 2025.
Containers for Change ID Numbers

When donating your containers, make sure you use your relevant campus ID numbers!
Our school uses the money back from donations to purchase items for students, on each campus. The more you donate, the more we can buy!
- Halls Head Primary: C11620310
- Meadow Springs Primary: C11004072
- Meadow Springs Secondary: C10597687
School Events and Activities
Whole School (Issue 13)
Highlighting some cross campus achievements!
Secondary School (Issue 13)
Find out more about what's been happening at our Secondary campus.
Meadow Springs and Halls Head Primary (Issue 13)
Find out more about our events so far this Term!
Congratulations
Student Spotlight (Issue 13)
Well done to our hard-working, high achieving students!
Community News and Events
Community News Flyers
Find information regarding community sports, workshops, training and more.
Stay Connected Online
Visit our Socials!
Keep up to date with events and activities occurring at our three campuses!