News and Events
Tracey ~ National Excellence by a Teacher!
Congratulations to our English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) teacher, Mrs Tracey Anthony who was awarded the Best National Achievement in the Excellence by a Teacher category in the Australian Awards for Teaching Excellence.
The Australian Awards for Teaching Excellence is the most prestigious education awards presented by the Federal Government. In fact, it is the only Federal Government Award for the teaching profession. Nominations for the awards can come from across the teaching profession, from Early Childhood to Secondary and from both Government and Independent schools.
To reach the final group of nominees, those nominated must go through a rigorous examination panel consisting of five judges from another state. No judge can judge a nomination from his or her home state. To rise to the top through this process is an outstanding achievement.
To emphasise the importance of these awards, there is a monetary prize of $30,000 and the College also receives $15,000 to assist with teacher professional development.
The Deputy Prime Minister presented the awards in Parliament House on Thursday 29 Oct. WA was well represented in these awards with two other WA schools receiving the top recognition.
Considering that last year, we also had a winner in these awards, Margaret Papertalk, the College is very proud of the recognition of the work we do at Aranmore and the excellence shown by individuals.
Congratulations to Mrs Tracey Anthony on receiving such a prestigious award.
Service to RE Recognised
On Thursday 29 October, the Australian Association of Religious Education held an Awards Dinner in Perth. Two staff members, Fra Oscar and Mr Frank Egan received Meritorious Service Awards: Fra Oscar for his outstanding work as a Chaplain and for his support of other chaplains and colleges; Frank Egan for his outstanding Curriculum Work in the new Course of Study: Religion and Life. Congratulations to Fra Oscar and Mr Frank Egan.
Doodle for Google Award Winners
Two of our talented year 10 students have won certificates for their art work. At the beginning of this term, our class entered a competition run by Google, to redesign the Google logo. The theme for the design was “My wish for Australia”. Students spent 5 weeks designing and painting their finished logos, and 8 of the finished designs were chosen for entry into the competition, which is a national initiative.
Over 2, 500 schools from around Australia entered the competition. Year 10 students, Navah Horomona and Gen Lucas were chosen by the judges as State and Territory Finalists from the many entries submitted from Western Australia, which is a tremendous accomplishment. Both students have received a certificate and letter of recognition from the Google team to acknowledge of this achievement.
Golden opportunity for Steven & Chance
Congratulations to Steven Komene and Chance Peni who are one of three WA rugby players to be selected to attend the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) Junior Gold Camp in November. The camp will be held at the Australian Institute of Sport. During the camp, the students will have the opportunity to train and play against the best players around the country. Steven and Chance’s selection was based on their performance throughout 2009 and the potential to further develop their skills and talent.
Aranmore Principal ~ Outstanding Educator in Aboriginal Education Award
In September at the Awards of Excellence in Catholic Aboriginal Education, Aranmore Principal, Jim Elliott, received the Outstanding Educator in Aboriginal Education Award!
The Awards of Excellence in Catholic Aboriginal Education are a biennial initiative that recognizes the achievements in Aboriginal education and highlight excellent education practices.
Jim was nominated for the award by Aranmore’s Aboriginal Student Support Coordinator, Ms Margaret Papertalk. Margaret cited Jim’s ‘open door policy’ and trust in her recommendations for student welfare as key reasons for his nomination. Prior to Jim’s appointment as Principal in 2002, Aranmore had 5 Indigenous students. Today, Aranmore has 40 Indigenous students from regional Western Australia. Last year, Aranmore received a national award for our successful graduation rate of Indigenous students.
Brenton named 'Player of the Year'
Well done to Brenton Cowen (Year 10) who was named the winner of the U15’s Representative Player of the Year in the recent ‘Smarter than Smoking’ Rugby League Awards.
Next Stop NRL
Congratulation to Year 10 student, Brenton Cowen, who has been offered a 5 year contract with the Canterbury Bulldogs.
Brenton, who plays Rugby Union for South Perth Lions, was one of a handful of talented players chosen by NRL representatives to join the Bulldogs.
Now the proud recipient of two Aussie Jerseys, Brenton is looking forward to the opportunities training at a high level will bring, including meeting Jonathan Thurston, who is managed by the same person assigned to manage Brenton’s career.
Brenton will be attending the Canterbury Bulldogs Camp in Sydney later in the year.
Well done Brenton and we look forward to seeing you play in the NRL!
 
Natasha's Perspective
Congratulations to Natasha who was awarded a $5,000 International Foundation for Arts and Culture (IFAC) grant for her glass artwork ‘Moment of Introspection’ which was on show as part of the 2009 Year 12 Perspectives Exhibition at the Art Gallery of WA . This is a significant achievement as her work was only one of two awarded the grant.
Natasha's breath-taking piece, titled Moment of Introspection, is currently featured in the latest edition of the Art Gallery magazine and is also in the current issue of the Perth lifestyle magazine SCOOP.
National Gymnatics
Congratulations to Year 11 student Bronte Turpin who represented WA in the National Gymnastics Championships that were held at Challenge Stadium recently.
Bronte is currently preparing for the National Clubs Championships, which is scheduled to take place at the end of this year. Well done and all the best!
Opens Rugby Team - GrandFinal Winners!
Aranmore Globe-trotters
On Monday night we had the presentation dinner for the girls going on ACC Netball and Touch Rugby Tours over the holidays. I am Coaching the Touch Rugby Tour to New Zealand, while Paige, Mikahla, and Felice are going to Hawaii with the Netball. Felice was named Captain and presented a speech to a crowd of over 100 including ACC Staff, players, friends, and family.
It is an honour to represent the College, State and Country all in one tour, and we are looking forward to some challenging matches as well as seeing these beautiful countries.
Mr Craig Phillis (Year 10 Coordinator)
Rebecca & Amy Invited to RYPEN
Congratulations to Rebecca and Amy who have been invited to attend the RYPEN camp run through Rotary WA. The camp will run from 22 -24 May at the Point Walter Conference Centre.
It will be a fun filled few days with an emphasis on leadership skills, teamwork and youth issues. The camp culminates with a disco being planned and organized by the students. Congratulations to the girls on representing Aranmore, and we hope that they enjoy the experience.
Mr Craig Phillis (Year 10 Coordinator)
Aranmore Students Taken Under the Wings by Force Players
Congratulations also to Kane Koteka, Steven Komene and Chance Peni for their selction into the MBF Forward Pack Program.
The boys were one of ten young Pacific Islander students selected into the program which gives students a chance to spend four days, under the guidance of Force players, and experience professional organisation and teamwork.
The first ‘professional’ experience for Kane, Steven and Chance was a photoshoot for The West Australian with Western Force’s Pek Cowen.
Mitchell Heads off to Asia
Congratulations to Mitchell Shier who is currently in Manilla particpating in the South East Asia Youth Baseball Tournament in the under 19’s division. All the best!
Sweet Success...
Congratulations to Director of Music, Mr Russell Holmes who has just released a new Jazz CD with his band The Russell Holmes Trio. The CD titled: Fire & Rain: The James Taylor Project is described “as an extraordinarily inventive album of jazz improvisations based on classic Taylor tunes like Carolina In My Mind, How Sweet It Is, and of course the title track Fire and Rain”.
Copies available from ABC Shops or on-line at http://www.buywell.com.
Students Take Charge of the 'NO BULLYING' Message
Last Thursday afternoon at our General Staff Meeting, three Year 10 students addressed the staff on the topic of Cyber Bullying. The presentation was an abbreviated version of the workshop these students have been presenting to students in Years 8, 9 and 10.
The workshops have been a result of the students volunteering to attend the “Cyber Friendly Student Summit” on 22 October at the Perth Sheraton Hotel. Conducted by the Child Health Promotion Research Unit at Edith Cowan University, under the direction of Professor Donna Cross and Doctor Deborah Brown, it was attended by two hundred Year 10 students from Western Australia.
The aim of the day was to explore ways in which young people, parents, teachers, industry and Government can support young people to take responsibility to reduce cyber bullying. Prior to the summit our students spent a great deal of time working with Mr Luke Halden preparing a multimedia presentation as part of the criteria to attend the Summit.
The day culminated in the Cyber Friendly Communities Declaration Against Cyber Bullying Among Children and Young People in which students stated what they believe needs to be done by young people, families, schools, industry, communities and the Government to increase cyber safety and to reduce cyber bullying.
At the end of our Staff Meeting we were very proud of our students and the work they have done and will continue to do. We also have received a wonderful letter of appreciation from Edith Cowan University commending our students on their outstanding work. Congratulations to Bronte Turpin, Jennifer Tran, Jacob Taylor, Taylah Conway, Kuol Garant, Kate Helsby, and Rebecca Sandell-Hay.
Parents are encouraged to discuss this issue with our young people.
Natasha in the Top 5% for Design
On Wesnesday evening I attended the Curriculum Council Awards ceremony held at Notre Dame University in Fremantle. At the ceremony, Natasha Adamson received a Certificate of Excellence for Design from the Vice Chancellor of Edith Cowan University, Professor Kerry Cox. This certificate is presented to students who are in the top 5% of students in the state in each subject area. Congratulations Natasha.
Jim Elliott (Principal)
2008 Academic Results -- WELL DONE!
I would like to congratulate and acknowledge the highest performers in the 2008 Tertiary Entrance Examinations. Five students were in the top 10% of the State and three of these were in the top 5% of the State.
They were: Madeleine Gordon 98.95
Vanessa Tran 98.40
Jieqiao Wang 95.40
 
Our Dux of the College, Madeleine Gordon did extremely well just missing out on being in the top 1% of the State. Vanessa Tran was the 2008 Proxime Accessit winner and Jieqiao Wang received a special Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence in 2008. Congratulations to the three of them on their outstanding achievements.
Congratulations to Natasha Adamson who received a Certificate of Distinction for SWL Design. This means Natasha was in the top 5% of students in the State in this course.
Jim Elliott (Principal)
Families Welcome Mass and Breakfast 2009
What a wonderful response we had to our Families’ Mass & Welcome Breakfast on Sunday. About 250 parents, grandparents and students attended Mass and enjoyed a casual breakfast and each other’s company. It was terrific to see many families meeting each other because their sons or daughters had already made friends in the early weeks of College life. Although many staff had an early start to Sunday morning, we all believe that it was an event to be repeated next year.
  
Another Teaching Award for Ian!
On the 21 September 2008 at the Catholic Educational Leadership Conference, held at the Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Mr Ian Wilson was presented with an Award for Excellence in Catholic Education before a crowd of some 600 people. Together with an impressive trophy there was a monetary award of $5,000. Congratulations to Ian on receiving this prestigious award for his excellence in Science teaching.
 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (19 – 20 September)
Alice in Wonderland was a wonderful achievement for our students under the direction of Miss Thea O’Keeffe. Their many hours of rehearsing came to fruition in three entertaining shows on Friday and Saturday. As you would expect, a show such as this would not
happen without a wonderful team of helpers from parents and a large number of staff. It was great to have parents involved providing
tasty treats and serving them at interval.
In the programme, with artwork designed by Megan Halton, there was a long list of acknowledgements: set design, original music, refreshments, wardrobe and costumes, maintenance staff, Promotions Captains, Community Relations,
office staff, Parents & Friends, and many individual staff and parents.
May I add my sincere congratulations and thanks to all involved in such a marvellous undertaking. Congratulations to all
the students involved for their dedication and teamwork. The end result was something of which you can all be proud.
Such an undertaking also does much to build community at Aranmore and this was very evident in the atmosphere surrounding
the two nights. Thank you one and all.
Jim Elliott (Principal)
  
Arts on Oxford Festival (10 – 12 September 2008)
What a wonderful experience we had last week during our Arts on Oxford days. What began as a small idea to give our students t he
opportunity to display their artistic talents in the wider community came to fruition last week after many hours of preparation
and planning. Early in the year Mr Mat Tchan, Mrs Annette Preshaw, Mrs Christine McDonald and Ms Catherine Kolomyjec hatched
this marvellous idea and then set about making sure it happened.
Such an ambitious project required a large team of workers and many staff, students and parents have contributed along the way.
Apart from the student artworks that went on display, our students contributed by being guides, hosts and hostesses,
and publicity agents. Congratulations and thank you to all the students involved in any way.
In addition to our artists, our musicians provided entertainment over lunch time, “busking” in Oxford Street on Thursday and Friday,
and at our closingfunction at Luna Theatre on Friday evening. Congratulations to Mr Russell Holmes and Mr Evan Eble
on preparing and supporting the studentsso well.
Students in Years 11 and 12 studying Independent Living under the direction of Mrs Jaime Marshall, prepared and served
finger food on Opening Night. Their involvement was part of their final assessment and provided “real-life” experience for the
students. The food was absolutely delicious and the students were very professional in the way they conducted themselves.
Congratulations to Simon Du (Year 12) and Megan Halton (Year 11) who designed the outstanding posters for Arts on
Oxford and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland respectively. Well done also to Matthew Chaplin (Year 12) for designing the
Arts on Oxford Program booklet.
I believe this has been a unique opportunity for our students to engage with the wider community and we are very grateful to the local businesses who
have contributed to and supported this venture and who have given us space to display the artworks. With so many people involved, it has been a real
opportunity to build community at Aranmore and to show our neighbours what a vibrant community we are at Aranmore.
Jim Elliott (Principal)
  
Aranmore wins national Dare to Lead award
(14 March 2008)
Last Friday was a great day of celebration for Aranmore Catholic College. Margaret Papertalk, Denise Conway and I were invited to Parliament House in Canberra to attend the Dare To Lead Excellence in Indigenous Education Awards.
Aranmore Catholic College was one of four schools and one cluster of schools from all over Australia to be presented with a High Achievement Award for Leadership in Indigenous Education.
The Honourable Julia Gillard, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education, presented us with a plaque, a certificate and a cash prize of $6,000. The Award recognises the work of Margaret and Denise particularly but also the work of the College in improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal students. We are very proud of the successes our Aboriginal students have achieved over the past eight years and hope to see more successful graduations in the future.
The pastoral care afforded all students at the College has been particularly relevant to our Indigenous students who have travelled from the North West to continue their schooling.
Being so far away from home is always a challenge for these students. It is great to see them take up the challenge and settle into schooling in the city and ultimately achieve success.
Congratulations to Margaret who began our program in 2000, and to Denise who has been working with us since January 2005. We are all very proud of our achievements, the recognition we have received and the staff who have made it possible.
Jim Elliott
Principal
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