Welcome

We have certainly had an uncomfortable commencement to our school year. However, the students have fallen into a routine very quickly and they certainly seem pleased to be back.

We have an increase in enrolments this year with perhaps an extra 40 students and so we are still getting timetables and the like organised, but I am sure that things will be in order, shortly.

Our book suppliers are running a little behind schedule and so adjustments will be made at the College to accommodate this difficulty.

At the first Assembly each year I ask the students three things:

1. To be kind to each other and to be good.
2. To make sure that you come to school each day and ensure that you are well prepared.
3. To have a go at your studies and meet all the requests of your teachers.

I would be grateful if you can discuss and emphasise these simple requests with your young people.

Newsletters

This year the College is adjusting the manner in which it communicates through the newsletter.

Currently, school communication to you is immediate, in that we use SEQTA and text, to inform parents of matters at the College.

The College also uses Instagram and Facebook to provide snapshots of events that are occurring at the College.

I would recommend subscribing if you have not already done so: Instagram and Facebook.

At the end of each term, we will produce a larger newsletter/review, of the term, highlighting student achievements, college events, sporting successes and other happenings at the College. Any urgent matters which require your attention, will be communicated through SEQTA. We will trial this model during 2024 and review the process, and seek feedback from parents.

New Staff

We welcome the following new teaching and support staff to the school:

Sophie Monisse           English                       
Patrick Tomasi             English
Benjamin Lewis           HASS                           
Julia Waller                   IEC/EaLD
Riley Culnane              Phys Ed                      
Colette Doherty        English
Sharatha Mizen          V/EaLD                     
Emily Vile                      Science
Aine Meally                 English                       
Emily Vile                     Science

Student Results

I am pleased to report that some of our students did very well in the ATAR examinations and I list some of our high performers below:

Ryan Price                   97.5                             Jacob MacGregor        97.2

Katie Nguyen              96                                Enrico Tham               95

Lang Tluangneh          92                                Neave Cunningham      91                               

We congratulate these students on their achievements and hard work.

It is interesting to note that we had a number of students who did not do a full ATAR program and yet they have been offered a place at university. We have received information that 93% of our students who applied for a position at university, have been offered a place.

Whilst there are many pathways to university these days, ATAR courses remain the best preparation for university studies. The economic climate is such at the moment, that many students have been offered apprenticeships and they have transitioned successfully to the world of work, and I congratulate them also.

I wish you and your families well for 2024.

Mr Declan Tanham
Principal

The College was delighted to receive the following feedback from members of the public about the behaviour and conduct of our students. Well done to all involved!

Monday 5 Feb 2024

I wish to complement five boys from Aranmore Catholic College that alighted from a train at the train station (Perth City) at around 8am on Friday 2 February.  These students possibly arrived into the City using the Mandurah line...

...At a peak time at the train station with people moving in large packs, these boys all stepped aside to let passengers go up the escalator and then apologised for holding passengers up, trying very hard to squeeze themselves to the left in any spot they could, as a number of passengers were trying to get through on the escalator. Given there were five together, it is sometimes easier to make alternative choices, but not for these boys.  In crowded surrounds, these boys chose respect and kindness over arrogance.

I also observed that these boys stood together at the top of the stairs and appeared to be inclusive and supportive of each other, waiting for each other. Given they came through on the same train, I figured it was a group that possibly came together because they rode the same transport. This sense of inclusivity and respect for each other I particularly value in our youth.

Their choice of behaviour was commendable and spoke of their personal characters.

I wanted to let you know that the care of the community in these tiny tiny ways (even if carried out by one of your students, not five) may seem irrelevant or go unnoticed but in fact can impact others in positive ways - the rest of my day was enveloped with this warm experience, which I spoke to others about in my office that day.  I was also out to dinner that night and explained this encounter to my family and friends. A smile arose on the faces of those at dinner, young and old in the group, followed by a healthy discussion about our youth of today, their challenges and opportunities.

Our future is in good hands with students such as these demonstrating these Aranmore, Catholic, and Christian values. 

Please pass on my gratitude to all your students that appear to be continually striving to make these small yet impactful choices in their everyday lives.

Thursday 8 February

I have just witnessed one of your students displaying some positive and caring behaviors towards complete strangers and wanted to commend this student. 

He was with a group of four or five students (all male) who witnessed a couple (in purple shirts) being verbally abused by another stranger. As the couple walked a distance away from the abuser, your student walked over to them to ask if they were ok. Whilst the rest of the bystanders stood and watched the commotion, this young man showed exemplary care for fellow humans and checked on their well being. 

A young man checking on grown adults. I was impressed to witness this. Usually I witness students generally misbehaving and showing complete disregard for others, so witnessing this young man was a welcome change. 

My commendations to this young man, his parents and to your school for raising such a fine young man. I just wish I had asked him his name.  

2024 is set to be a very busy and exciting year in the Arts and Technologies Department, with a plethora of enriching experiences for our students, not least of all this year’s Production of A Murder is Announced!

We begin Term 1 with several exciting incursions in Visual Arts by professional artists, Rachel Dusting and Will Huntly, who will be coming out to help our Year 11-12 and Year 10 students hone their observational and technical skills. Our Food Technologies students will also be attending the Local Foods of Leederville Excursion, which promises to be a gastronomical delight!

Our talented production cast will be gathering in Week 6 to begin rehearsals, and will spend two days immersing themselves in the script, getting to know their lines and honing their acting skills.

Keep an eye on this space for other exciting events coming up this year and check out the Aranmore social media feeds for photos of our incursions, excursions and progress throughout the year.

Mrs Kat Miller
Arts & Technologies Teacher

This year, Aranmore’s Drama department will be putting on a production of the play, A Murder is Announced. We are currently gathering props for the show and kindly ask you to take a moment to check your homes or reach out to family and friends to see if any of the following items are available for donation...

Table Lamp - Working (or lit up with LED lights), ornate, vintage,

Vase - Fancy, ornate (perhaps with floral pattern)

Crystal decanters

Assorted drinking glasses – can be Crystal or plastic

Telephone – Old fashioned, can be type with a dial and handset

Key – large, old, ornate

Violet flower Bouquets x 2 -  fake

Flashlight - Silver, doesn't need to work

Revolver -  fake, vintage style

Box of matches – large, vintage

Toy gun – needs to be obviously fake and toy-like rather than realistic

Tea Trolley - Vintage, needs to be on wheels

5 x Teaspoons - Vintage, can be mis-matched

Paper bag of apples - Fake apples, brown paper bag (or just the apples, we can source the bag!)

Bottle of aspirin - Medicinal glass bottle, old fashioned in appearance

Cake Knife - Silver, vintage

Photo album - Old fashioned, leather look or similar

Suitcase - Vintage

Scissors – large, Ornate

Please note, only donate items that you do not wish to have returned to you. Despite the care taken by teachers and students, some items may get damaged due to repeated use, etc… It is also useful for us to keep props for future use in some cases.

Thanks so much.

Mrs Kat Miller
Arts & Technologies

Check out Mr Simpson's YouTube Maths Channel for videos to assist Year 11 and 12 students studying Specialist, Methods or Applications:

https://www.youtube.com/@chrissimpson238 

It has been a great start to the year and the Science Department is going full steam ahead. We look forward to sharing with you the many and wonderful activities undertaken in Science in the Term News.

But for now, here's a picture gallery of our Year 7’s learning about equipment and safety so they too can participate in all the fun science has to offer.

Inter-House Swimming Carnival - 19 Feb

Our annual Inter-House Swimming Carnival on Monday 19 February will be held at HBF Indoor Stadium. Please read the information below and contact your child’s Dean should you have any questions.

More information:

2024_Inter_House_Swimming_Carnival_letter

House_Swimming_Carnival_Program_of_Events

State & National Representation Notification Form

From 2024 onwards, we will be collecting all state and national representatives through Microsoft Forms. If you have represented the state of Western Australia or Australia anytime from the 1/12/23, please fill out the attached form https://forms.office.com/r/VE1CSy6Dj5 to ensure you are acknowledged by the school community.

The link will also be available on the SEQTA splash page and the College website.

Mr Adam Miotti
Sports Coordinator

I am pleased to share some memorable moments from our recent ViSN Camp at UWA, St. Thomas More College, and St. George's College. Year 11 ViSN students had a valuable opportunity to connect with their ViSN teachers, classmates, and engage in in-person lessons during this event.

The camp spanned from Thursday afternoon to Saturday morning, serving as a pivotal platform for students to establish meaningful relationships and initiate their ViSN journey.

We encountered warm days and late nights with minimal sleep. The camp itinerary was rich with engaging activities, including lessons, escape rooms, recreational activities, and former student talks providing valuable tips for ViSN students.

A special mention goes to Mark, our reliable bus driver, for ensuring seamless transportation to camp. Gratitude to Ms Casey Deng, Mr Moshan Ranasooriya, and Mrs Melanie Tang, the Aranmore ViSN teachers, who dedicated their time to support our students while also managing their regular teaching responsibilities. 

Thank you also to class teachers for stepping in to cover classes during the camp and for your unwavering dedication and commitment to our ViSN students.

Mrs Lesley O'Connor
ViSN Mentor

QUIZ NIGHT

St Denis Parish Church in Joondanna is holding a Quiz Night on Friday, March 8 in the St Denis Primary School Hall. Doors open at 7.00 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. start.

Tables of up to eight people; BYO drinks and nibbles. Entry cost is $10 per person (cash only; no card facilities.) There will also be a continuous raffle during the evening with loads of prizes so please bring a few extra dollars with you.   

It promises to be a fun night out for family and friends, and we hope you can support our evening. Money raised will be used to make improvements to the parish function area.

To book a table, or to make any other enquiries please contact Geoff (gkissane52@gmail.com or 0475 273 246) 

If you haven't already done so, please RSVP to events@aranmore.wa.edu.au. 

From 2024 onwards, we will be collecting all state and national representatives through Microsoft Forms. If you have represented the state of Western Australia or Australia anytime from the 1/12/23, please fill out the attached form https://forms.office.com/r/VE1CSy6Dj5 to ensure you are acknowledged by the school community.

The link will also be available on the SEQTA splash page and the College website.

Mr Adam Miotti
Sports Coordinator

For the College Calendar, please see here.

www.aranmore.wa.edu.au