Issue 18, 2025 (1 December)

Dear Parents and Carers,

The end of the year is rapidly approaching, with only a few weeks to go. We have a number of wonderful opportunities to finish the year on a high and celebrate our staff, students, and families.

Over the coming weeks, we will hold our Year 6 Thanksgiving Services, celebrating the closing of their Primary chapter and welcoming them into Secondary. Our Year 3–6 and Year 7–11 Presentation Award events allow us to recognise the hard work and dedication of our students and acknowledge those who have achieved their very best. The Kindergarten–Year 2 Christmas Assembly will be a joyous occasion for us to reflect on the Christmas story and celebrate the end of the year together.

Speaking of Christmas, we have our wonderful Carols on the Green next Tuesday, 2 December—an amazing night of coming together as a community, singing carols, and enjoying a picnic or the delicious offerings from the food trucks. There may even be a visit from a special person in a red suit!

Finally, as we move into the season of Advent, we reflect on this important time of waiting and preparing ourselves in anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ and the hope that this brings—the hope for reconciliation in the world, the hope for compassion and generosity toward those in need, and the hope for connecting or reconnecting with those we love and care for. As we approach this time, we can all draw inspiration from our school values: it takes Courage to be Compassionate, we demonstrate Responsibility with Honesty, and we show Respect through Inclusion.

God Bless

Mr Shane Parnell
Deputy Principal

Dear Parents and Carers

As we reach the end of another busy and rewarding school year, it is wonderful to reflect on the many fantastic opportunities our students have enjoyed across all year levels.

Our formal events were once again highlights of the calendar, with the Year 12 School Ball, Year 11 River Cruise and the Year 10 Dinner Dance all proving to be memorable occasions. Staff and students alike had a wonderful time, and we acknowledge the hard work of the Heads of Year and their student councils in ensuring these events were engaging, inclusive and well organised.

Camps and retreats have also continued to play a vital role in fostering connection and personal growth. The Year 11 Retreat to Dwellingup, Year 7 Camp to the Swan Valley, and Year 8 Camp to Serpentine offered students opportunities to form new friendships, challenge themselves and create lasting memories with their peers.

Our Reward Days remain an important part of recognising students who consistently follow the School Code of Conduct and uphold our school values. Most recently, the Year 9 cohort enjoyed a fun-filled day at the Baldivis Aqua Park and Rockingham Laser Tag as recognition for their positive efforts throughout the term.

Our Inter-House program has continued to grow, thanks to the enthusiasm and leadership of our House Coordinators and House Councils. The strong sense of House spirit has been evident in lively Swimming and Athletics Carnivals, competitive House sport, and even spirited Kahoot competitions. Commendations continue to make a significant difference, with many Houses climbing the leaderboard due to students demonstrating outstanding citizenship. The House with the highest points at the end of Term 3 is awarded the Walker Shield and the House Cup. This year, at our Graduation evening, we were delighted to present these to Rose House, who consistently excelled across sport, academics, attendance and commendations. Congratulations to Rose House on an exceptional year!

Pastoral care remains central to our commitment to developing the whole student. Throughout the year, students engaged in the Friendly Schools and Kindness Curriculums, as well as the Keeping Safe Protective Behaviours program. Additionally, our partnership with Anglicare’s Standing Together program allowed students to explore important topics such as respect, friendships, coercive control, cultures of disrespect, financial literacy, homelessness and inequality. These sessions provide a safe and supportive environment where students can learn, reflect and develop the skills needed to treat others with kindness and integrity.

Our students have also worked hard towards gaining Advanced Standing, and it was wonderful to celebrate our first group of Year 12 students graduating with double Advanced Standing - achieved across both Years 11 and 12. This year we introduced FIAS Colours in the areas of Academics, The Arts, Sport and Service. Students can work towards Bronze, Silver or Gold levels by meeting the set criteria and submitting an application to the Colours Committee. All information is available on the Student Hub, and we encourage students to regularly check this valuable resource.

Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to our outgoing Prefects for their dedication and leadership throughout the year. We also acknowledge all students who have served as Student Councillors, Student Ambassadors, House Assistants or House Seniors. Their contributions have enriched our school community, and we look forward to working with the student leaders who will take on these roles in 2026.

Kind regards

Mrs Karen Watts
Deputy Head of Secondary Pastoral Care and Service

Dear Parents and Carers

The social media ban for under 16's is almost upon us. 

From December 10, many of our students at the School will be unable to access social media apps, and the companies concerned will be obliged to remove under age users.

Like me, you may remember when social media became a phenomenon that has changed the world in many unexpected ways; Facebook led the way twenty years ago, and our children have not known a time when the world cannot see you. 

Back then, I imagined that Facebook would smooth the way for us to connect and reconnect with our friends. I "friended" old School friends and professional colleagues, and was genuinely excited to catch up online with people I hadn't seen for years.

Of course over time I tended to interact with only a few of my online friends. This reflected my real world experience; I just don't have time to see everyone I would like to.

At the same time, I was beginning to change my online habits; not posting that I was away on holidays because my house would be empty. Posting amusing photos with funny captions to reinforce my good looks and wit. Making clever comments that reflected my amazing sense of humour.

In fact, I was beginning to feel that it is possible to overshare with all my friends, because it was apparent that some of my friends were content to overshare with me, and I began to see a different side to them.

I say this because I remember what life was like when you could order doubles of your photo developing to give to friends. Your social network was with kids you played with or hung out with after school or weekends.

Of course we still worried about what our friends thought about us, and what we wore, and who liked who. 

Somehow social media didn't change this, but I don't think it made it better either. Collecting friends like Pokémon characters doesn't make us a better person, or a better friend.

I hope the ban helps you as parents to encourage your children to recapture some of that time and simplicity. I also hope it enables our children to focus on the few friends who will make a difference, who will build them up and enhance their self esteem.

I hope the ban helps us all, so that we can recapture what is great about being young.

God Bless

Canon James Tabor
School Chaplain

We can't wait to see you at this year's Carols on the Green! 

Date: Tuesday 2 December 2025

Time:

• 4.30pm to 6.00pm:  Photograph with Santa Claus! Plus food trucks, face painting, silent disco, find a spot on the Oval, candles and programmes handed out
• 4.45pm to 6.00pm: student performances
• 6.00pm – 7.30pm: carols event

Location: Kwobadiny Sports Oval

Parking: Primary school and Primary Oval. Overflow parking is available in the Kwobadiny Sports Centre parking bays.

Food Trucks: Pizza, Milky Monster (Ice-cream), Danny's Moving Kitchen (Burgers), Mac and Cheese Truck

Activities for students:

1. Face painting run by students (gold coin donation - cash or EFTPOS)
2. Silent Disco for all students ($5 for 15mins)
3. Photo with Santa (gold coin donation - cash or EFTPOS)

Please remember to bring your picnic rugs, nibbles, insect repellent and Christmas cheer!

At Frederick Irwin Anglican School, we are intentional about how we integrate technology, ensuring that every digital experience aligns with our AngliSchools Vision for Learning and is grounded in strong digital safety guidelines. We want our students to not only be creative and confident users of technology, but also responsible digital citizens who understand how to use these tools safely and thoughtfully.

Mrs Tamryn Dearlove
Year 3 Teacher

These prompts encourage students to think about how they have shown kindness, included others in play, supported a friend, or witnessed these values demonstrated by someone else. Our Core Values also guide our restorative practices and daily conversations, helping students understand how their choices shape positive relationships and a caring community.

This Term, Year 3 Meadow Springs Campus students showcased this through a creative assembly item, using green screen technology, photos of our beautiful grounds, and animated lettering to bring the values to life.

We are proud to see our students not just learning our values, but living them with creativity and purpose.

Mrs Tamryn Dearlove and Mrs Lisa Holmsen
Year 3 Teachers

View the video here (post from 27 November); https://www.facebook.com/FrederickIrwinAnglicanSchool 

Thanks to NexStep.Solutions Mandurah, our students were invited to design and paint a sea container used for their Working at Heights and Confined Spaces training.

Over five weeks, students worked onsite during class time—sketching, refining, and completing a visually engaging artwork that reflects the institution.

A huge thank you to Michael Bau and the team at NexStep for partnering with our Arts Department and providing this amazing experience for our Visual Arts students. Opportunities like this help our students grow as artists and collaborators.

This elite program ran from August to October 2025, with the girls participating in the State Cup with their respective teams, Adison Boonaroo (Year 9) and Li-Anke Monkaroo (Year 8). 

Adison and Li-Anke were fortunate to compete against each other in the grand final, with Adison's team taking home the title.

This Development Squad is a significant achievement in the field of Netball. Its was an exciting opportunity for both this girls to grow throughout their netball pathway.

Congratulations to both!

At just nine (9) years old, Anabel is determined, hardworking, and truly committed to her gymnastics journey.

Anabel is a dedicated National Level 5 gymnast who, at the recent Junior State Championships, delivered an outstanding performance, placing 4th on Floor against strong competition from clubs across Western Australia (regional and metro).

In September, at the Judges Invitational held at the State Gymnastics Centre in Leederville, Anabel achieved fantastic results:

✨1st on Floor
✨3rd on Bars
✨1st Place All Around Champion for Junior National Level 5

Well done Anabel!

Dear Principal Gray, 

I am writing to acknowledge and commend to you the outstanding efforts and achievements of several year 7 FIAS pupils who have just completed the 2025 season as players for Mandurah City FC. 

These young athletes have demonstrated dedication, teamwork, and perseverance both on and off the field. Their commitment to improving their skills and supporting one another has been inspiring; and I am proud to be their coach. Their positive attitude and sportsmanship reflect the values your school promotes, and I am delighted to see such exemplary behavior from your students. 

The young men played for Mandurah City FC Under 13, in the Junior Community League Division 3. A wonderful campaign saw them not only finishing in third place (a single point away from promotion), but also reaching the final of the league cup. They followed that up with an excellent showing against some very tough teams at the Bunbury Carnival in October. 

The players are:

• Joshua Abuhagiar - our goalkeeper, and recipient of the ‘Coaches Player of the Season’ award
• Isaac Abuhagiar - a striker with 17 goals 
• Arthur Liras - our winger with 14 goals, including 6 in one game!
• James McKenzie - our vice-captain, a versatile player with 15 goals
• Mason Sleight - a stalwart defender, who captained us in the final of the league cup.

Special mention to Damian Williams who helped us greatly in the Cup Finals and Bunbury Cup when we had injuries. 

Thank you for supporting and nurturing these talented students. I look forward to seeing their continued success and contribution to your school’s vibrant community. 

Yours sincerely
Euan McKenzie, Coach