Issue 16, 2025 (4 November)

Dear Parents and Carers

From 10 December 2025, new legislation passed by the Australian Government will require Social Media platforms to implement age restrictions to prevent Australians under 16 years old from creating or maintaining an account. 

The aim is to protect young people—especially in the 12-15 age-group—from design features in social media that encourage excessive screen time and exposure to content which can affect wellbeing, self-image, or mental health. 

This change will not involve penalties for under-16s or parents. The responsibility shifts to the platforms to implement age-checks and safeguards and they may be subject to fines and penalties if they do not implement such measures.

These upcoming restrictions may create anxiety and concern amongst parents and students.

What you can do at home

For parents/carers:

• Have a clear discussion with your child about whether and why they use social media, and what they post, share or follow.
• Consider doing a “digital check-in” together: review apps, privacy settings, screen-time habits and whether their usage supports positive relationships and wellbeing.
• Create a family tech-agreement or set shared expectations around use: e.g., no devices in bedrooms overnight, breaks from screens, and alternative offline activities.
• Explore the resources on the eSafety website https://www.esafety.gov.au/ . There is a “For families” section on the age-restrictions topic which offers conversation prompts and useful links. 

At Frederick Irwin Anglican School we will continue to promote digital literacy, respectful online behaviour and wellbeing strategies alongside the rollout of these regulations. We encourage all families to engage with these upcoming changes and use this as a catalyst for meaningful conversation.

Kind regards,

Mr Shane Parnell
Deputy Principal

Kaya Everyone!

Term 4 is frequently a time of mixed feelings. It’s a time of reflection as we look back on the year behind us and reflect on the learning and growth of the students, and it’s also a time of excitement and anticipation as we build towards Christmas and the year to come. The Noongar season of Kambarang is known as the season of birth, growth, and change – transition. As we move into warmer days, our Halls Head campus is springing to life with blooming banksias, chirping birds of all varieties, and garden beds abundant with stunning kangaroo paws. Nature is blossoming alongside our students.

The themes of birth, growth, and change are particularly significant as we move towards the end of 2025. Our current Year 6 students were our first Kindergarten students of the Halls Head campus when it opened in 2018. Throughout their time at school they have seen many changes and have grown up alongside the campus. It seems fitting that as they transition into Secondary, our current classes of Kindergarten students will transition into fulltime schooling in 2026 as they lead the wave of growth of the campus into a double-stream school and a new era for the Halls Head campus. The second phase of our building program will commence in 2026 to accommodate this growth and change. This strategic decision to grow over time alongside the students has meant we have the opportunity to maintain the ‘koort’ (Noongar word for heart) of the campus. A love of learning, caring for one another and the environment, and a heart for service.

Our Student Leaders of 2025 have exemplified service through leadership. They have worked together as a team to present assemblies and worship services, lead carnivals, welcome families into the school, run lunchtime clubs, promote service-learning initiatives, and support students and staff in many endeavours. An exciting event the leaders have planned is coming up soon. Our annual Years 3 to 6 disco is on Friday 14 November. This year the leaders have chosen the theme of ‘Space Disco’ so we look forward to seeing some out of this world costumes! I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank our leaders for their wonderful work. It has been a privilege to work with them; their enthusiasm is inspiring. Our Year 5 students are currently on the ‘campaign trail’ with elections for the 2026 leadership positions taking place. Once the decisions have been finalised, the 2025 leadership team will spend time sharing their insights in a time of transition for the leaders elect. 

As a part of environmental and sustainability education, in Week 2 of term the whole campus participated in the Aussie Bird Count with students contributing to recording birds seen during recess and lunchtimes. The excitement for noticing and identifying the different birds was palpable, and it was wonderful to see the spillover into classroom learning with tallying, graphing. and interpretating the results, including considering ways we can attract more birds to the site. Our Sustainability Committee, ably led by Mr Johns, have been working hard to plant and maintain plants in our bush spaces, as well as caring for a thriving vegetable garden, with all of us reaping the benefits. An environmentally conscious group of Year Twos have also been spending their lunchtimes searching the leaves of the vegetable plants to find and remove insects and their eggs in order to protect the plants in a  sustainable way and preserve the veggies for the human consumers. Our future is in safe hands with such committed students. 

As we move into Term 4 and towards Christmas, we look forward to welcoming families to many special events where we celebrate life, love, and learning together. I encourage you to keep an eye on the school calendar for the details. Success at school for children is dependent on everyone working together as a team and I sincerely thank all of our families for your ongoing support.

Kind regards 

Mrs Natalie Burbage
Deputy Head of Primary - Halls Head Campus

Dear Parents and Carers

As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what a privilege it has been to serve as Deputy Head of Primary at the Meadow Springs campus of our Primary School. It has been a truly rewarding experience.

Working alongside our Year 6 leaders and the inspiring Design 4 Change team has been a particular highlight. Watching these students step into their roles with increasing confidence and creativity has been nothing short of remarkable. Their dedication to making a positive impact within our school community has left a lasting impression on me, one that I am proud to have supported in my time as Deputy Head of Primary. I am now looking forward to working with the new leaders of 2026.

Equally pleasing has been playing my part in helping our Year 6 students prepare to transition into Year 7. Having formerly been a Year 7 teacher and knowing the wonderful experience that awaits them, it’s been exciting to witness their readiness and resilience as they take their first steps into this new and exciting chapter of their lives. Indeed, it has been just as heartening watching all our students across year levels grow and prepare to move forward.

Indeed, the excitement across the Primary school is very noticeable. From the much-anticipated end-of-year presentations that celebrate our students’ achievements, to the festive Christmas activities that bring joy and togetherness to our community, there’s a real sense of warmth and celebration in the air. These occasions not only mark important milestones but also offer a chance to reflect, connect, and share in the spirit of the season with students, families, and staff alike.

Thank you all for making this year so memorable. I look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of our students and school community.

Kind regards

Dr Marcello Pennacchio
Deputy Head of Primary - Meadow Springs Campus

Dear Parents and Carers

The departure of our Year 12 students is a bittersweet time for the whole School community. For many of the graduation class, it is the end of 13 years of School at Freddies. Nearly all the remainder have spent many years growing and developing into the fine young people they are.

I imagine many of them are surprised at how far they have come, and I have no doubt that parents and those trusted with their care are as surprised as they are.

Year 12 is often the year that students start to explore the interests and priorities that will sustain them in young adulthood. They consider all that they have experienced and learned, and this is synthesised into interests and values that they carry with them to University, to TAFE, to work or on their gap year.

That consideration and exploration includes lessons in Faith, Belief and Life, or any number of interactions with staff that lay the foundation for their spiritual life. This is as important as their mental and physical development (mind body and spirit) in enabling them to take their place in the world beyond Secondary School.

As part of this transition, the School gives each Year 12 leaver a Holy Bible. This is a tangible reminder of the centrality of Scripture in our society. It is also a reminder of the wholly positive love of God, which can be kept and valued and perhaps even opened! 

Our School community appreciates that our leavers are like ships sailing out of port, and they are as prepared for the world as we can make them. They will face challenges and delights aplenty, and we have given them all they need for the voyage.

Chief amongst that is a reassurance that they are loved by God, and our gift of a Bible is a reminder of that. May they go in the peace of Christ.

God bless

Canon James Tabor
School Chaplain

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!

Halls Head Families: Mr Rob Gratton is aware you might be a little late to school on this morning. When signing in past 8.35am, please let admin know you were at the breakfast!

During January 2026 School Holiday

• Tuesday 27/01/26 Meadow Springs,12.30 - 3.00
• Wednesday 28/01/26 Meadow Springs, 12.30 – 3.00
• Thursday 29/01/26 Meadow Springs, 8.00 – 12.00
• Friday 30/01/26 Meadow Springs, 8.00 - 3.00
• Monday 02/02/26 Meadow Springs, 8.00 – 10.00
• Monday 02/02/26 Meadow Springs, 12.30 - 4.00
   
• Monday 02/02/26 Halls Head, 8.00 – 9.00

Uniform Shop Hours (Term 4 and Term 1)

Meadow Springs

• Monday, 12.30 – 16.00
• Tuesday, 8.00 – 12.00
• Wednesday, 8.00 – 12.00 (Nov/Dec & Feb ONLY)
• Thursday, 8.00 – 12.00
• Friday, 12.30 – 15.30

Halls Head

• Monday, 8.00 – 9.00
• Thursday, 14.30 – 15.30

Dry Cleaning Your Blazer

The purpose of this article is to provide some guidance and advice relating to the safe laundering and dry cleaning of your Frederick Irwin School Blazer.

The first rule is that blazers should never be home-laundered. Treat your blazer like any suiting jacket – which is dry clean only. Just like a suit, blazers have high quality fabric (containing wool) together with fusing and lining which must be professionally cleaned. A quality dry cleaner should be used where possible. 

The above said, there are some dry cleaners that do not always dry clean in accordance with garment specifications. The primary complaint about dry cleaning is over-heating. When a blazer is over-heated, the fusing (used to make collars and the lapel maintain shape) will come away from the fabric and result in bubbles, a wave pattern or bulging. An experienced dry cleaner will know this and can prevent this from happening.

Frederick Irwin’s blazer manufacturer recommends using a larger-scale dry cleaner rather than small shopping centre-based dry cleaners. Larger volume dry cleaners tend to be more professional and have experience with special garments. If you are in any doubt, do not be afraid to ask questions about the dry cleaner’s practices and knowledge.

Sound dry-cleaning practices will ensure your blazer will last longer.

2026 Year 3 Students

From February 2026, your current Year 2 Student will need to purchase the full formal summer uniforms, to be worn for three days with two full days of sportswear (or 4/1 depending on the timetable). If you have not already booked an appointment please book through the school Uniform website ASAP to book a 15 minute fitting appointment.

Second hand Uniforms: Sustainable Shopping Credit Rewards - Shop Green, Save Green
Turn your second-hand uniform items into credit for future purchases!

Frederick Irwin Anglican School Uniform Shop developed a new system to allow our community who have sold second-hand uniform items through the Uniform Shop to receive a store credit, which can be utilised to purchase uniform items instore or via our existing online ordering process from mid 2024.

This customer-friendly system not only facilitates second-hand transactions but enhances engagement and loyalty with our community through utilising these credits for instore or online orders.

This is a school-based procedure in regard to Second-hand Uniform Payments – ‘Sustainable Shopping Credit Rewards’.

Customers can apply their credits during checkout when making purchases online, by clicking the box at ‘Payment’ to Apply Store Credit to reduce the online purchase amount or instore when paying.

A customer can view their store credit balance in their account details when they're logged into their Uniform customer account online via link below

 Click HERE  or  visit www.frederickirwin.wa.edu.au/school-community/uniform

Unfortunately, any item that has been taken in cannot be returned if either unsuitable or unsold.

Volunteer in Uniform Shop

Can you spare up to four hours each week? 

I would like to hear from any Parent willing to volunteer some time to the school by assisting in the Uniform Shop.

This would involve helping in all aspects of the operation of the shop during open hours, on one day a week, a max of four hours.

If any parent is interested in helping in the shop, please contact me at the shop or alternatively I am contactable via the School Office.

Dear students and families, 

Year 11 students from Ibaraki Christian High School will be visiting Frederick Irwin Anglican School this December for 5 nights. This visit will include two days at FIAS, where they will participate in our school program. 

Register now to host Japanese students from December 2-7.
Visit: https://goldil.com.au/schoolcommunity/

Host families receive: In addition to $275 to cover expenses, families who host in 2025 will go into the draw to win a Family Trip to Japan. This prize and remuneration are provided by Gold Educational Tours, who coordinate our inbound visit. 

Simply welcome these students into your routine while they experience Australian school life and share their culture with your family.

Register here: https://goldil.com.au/schoolcommunity/

For all questions regarding this hosting experience, please contact Gold Educational Tours at info@goldil.com.au / 08 6150 3759.

Thank you for your ongoing support of FIAS exchange programs.