John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School
John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (commonly abbreviated as JSRACS or JSR) is an independent Anglican co-educational primary and secondary day school, located in Perth, Western Australia.
The school is named after the notable West Australian and first Surveyor-General of Western Australia, John Septimus Roe. It is the largest school of the Anglican Schools Commission.[2]
History
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The first campus, originally named Thomas Scott Anglican Community School, was established in Beechboro in 1990 when it took over the old Northside Christian School at the request of the State Government. The second campus, located in Mirrabooka, was opened in 1992 and exists as a combined primary and secondary school campus.
While in the beginning the two schools shared the same administration and school council, there existed a separate cultural identity. There was a rivalry between the primary schools' students, particularly in sporting events and the move to the upper school campus. As such in 1996, Thomas Scott Anglican Community School was renamed John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School to mark the new concept of "two campuses, one school".
Principal Matthew Hughes placed great emphasis on the modernisation of the school's facilities throughout his term. For example, 2005 saw the completion of the updated Ken Evans Science Building,[3] while saw 2007 the opening of the newly created Catherine O'Neill library, named in honour of the Foundation Principal of the school.[4] Following this in 2008, the modernised ICT Centre completed its renovation,[5] having formerly served as an administration building. This was followed by the new Middle School Learning Community in 2009[6] and a raft of new classrooms including the new 'Senior Learning Centre' for Year 11 and 12 students which was completed in 2014.
In early 2012 the internal road system was finished, which was followed by the completion of the Chapel of St Paul's renovation, adding new facilities, a vestry and organ. In 2015, the Mathematics and Year 10 facility, 'D Block,' completed its redevelopment, and the central cafeteria was reopened after renovations.
In February 2021, the school council announced plans detailing the merging of both campuses, with Beechboro set to cease operations at the conclusion of the 2022 school year. The partial redevelopment of the Mirrabooka Campus' facilities will accompany this, which will be seen in the form of a new early learning space, a secondary school block and heavily expanded, modernised primary school facilities.[7] The original Beechboro campus was closed as planned after the 2022 school year, with its students, staff and resources all being amalgamated into the Mirrabooka campus.
The previous Year 9 Learning Community was repurposed for Year 5 and Year 6 classes for the beginning of 2023. The new Michelle Bolt Early Learning Centre was opened for Semester 2, 2023, catering for Pre-Kindy and Kindy students. The previous building for those year levels was repurposed for Pre-Primary classes.[8]
The beginning of the 2024 school year saw the completion of the double-storey Bromilow Learning Centre, the replacement for D-Block. Now referred to as B-Block, it is the new home for Year 9 and Year 10 students as well as mathematics and languages classes. The adjoining amphitheatre, a new entrance to the Performing Arts Centre and the revamped Chapel court were also completed as part of the project.
The names of both the Bromilow Learning Centre and the Michelle Bolt Early Learning Centre pay tribute to the names of facilities that once stood at the Beechboro Campus, the Michael Bromilow Centre (gymnasium) and the Michelle Bolt Library.
School Houses
The school is divided into six houses with different colours and mascots. Once students enter secondary school and are allocated a Pastoral Care Group (PCG), they will remain with this group of students and PCG Tutor for their whole time at the school.[9][better source needed]
Campus
The school is now located at the one site in Mirrabooka, but for most of the school's history was a dual-campus school. The original campus at Beechboro catered for primary school students while the newer, larger campus in Mirrabooka ranges from kindergarten to Year 12. Each location had a school chapel: at Beechboro this was St Bede's Chapel, and at Mirrabooka, St Paul's. Both sites include canteens, libraries, oval spaces and gymnasiums.
Mirrabooka Campus
The Mirrabooka campus was the primary campus during the school's dual-campus era and is now the sole campus. Buildings include:
- The Catherine O'Neill Library, including an ICT centre
- The Matthew Hughes Performing Arts Centre
- The Gymnasium
- The Ken Evans Science Building
- The Middle School Learning Community, for Year 7s and 8s, with classrooms and a common area with lounges and a kitchenette
- The Bromilow Learning Centre, for Year 9s and 10s, with classrooms, study spaces and a kitchenette
- The Senior Learning Centre, for Years 11 and 12, with classrooms, study spaces and kitchenettes
Beechboro Campus
The Beechboro campus formerly catered to students from pre-kindergarten to year 6. The campus was home to the Michael Bromilow Centre, which had a full-size basketball court, offices, change rooms, storage, and a kitchen. Permits for the construction of the Centre were first filed in 2007, with construction beginning soon after.
The original Beechboro campus was closed at the conclusion of the 2022 school year, and the site was vacated in Term 1, 2023, with all students and staff relocating to Mirrabooka.
The land was rezoned for residential use in 2023, and all facilities were demolished in the later half of 2023. Due to some public outcry, a few of the trees which were part of the campus were retained. This included a patch of Marri trees which were located behind the former gymnasium.
Curriculum
The primary school curriculum follows that imposed by the State Government, focusing on numeracy and literacy.
Students in Years 7-10 must study Mathematics, English, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Health Education, Physical Education and Religious Education. During Years 7 and 8, students must study Trailblazer and either Indonesian or Chinese: Mandarin for one period a-week. A student also chooses four different electives which they study twice-a-week for one semester. These elective subjects are:
- One of Dance, Drama or Music
- One of Visual Arts or Media Arts
- One of Design and Technology (Woodwork) or Food Technology (Cooking)
- Digital Technologies
In Year 9, students pick any two elective subjects that they study, twice-a-week for the whole year, alongside an into adult-hood program called The Rite Journey. These electives are the same as those above with the addition of Outdoor Education, Chinese: Mandarin, Indonesian and the school's Basketball Program.
Study in the senior secondary years is reflective of the guidelines set down by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA). Year 10 students can pick 3 elective subjects to study out of:
Accounting and Finance, Applied Information Technology, Basketball, Children and Family Studies, Chinese, Computer Science, Dance, Drama, Engineering, Food Technology, Indonesian, Materials Design and Technology: Metal, Materials Design and Technology: Wood, Media, Outdoor Education, Physical Education Studies, Science Project and Visual Arts.
In Year 11 and 12, students study six courses, with four 55-minute periods of each course each week. JSR offers multiple different pathways including:
- ATAR: The ATAR pathway is for students who are aiming to enrol in university via the Direct ATAR University Entry Pathway. At the end of their studies, students are given a rank derived from combining their school based mark and their external WACE exam mark for their top ATAR subjects.
- Flexible: The Flexible Pathway provides a clear pathway to university, TAFE or an Apprenticeship/Traineeship. The Flexible Pathway allows students to enrol in a selection of ATAR, General and Certificate Courses or the School Based Traineeship in Hospitality.
- CareerLink: The CareerLink program affords students the opportunity tocomplete a VET Certificate course in conjunction with a Workplace Learning Endorsed Program. Endorsed programs provide students with learning areas that are not covered in either the ATAR or General Courses. Students enrolled in a CareerLink Pathway will achieve credit for both a Certificate II (minimum) and an Endorded Program towards their WACE.
- Hospitality: The Hospitality School-Based Traineeship is an onsite School-based traineeship. The training is delivered by both JSRACS teachers and an industry-trained onsite Chef in conjunction with a Registered Training Organisation. Contracts for this pathway are approved by the Apprenticeship Office then students are paid for the work they do (minimum 8 hours per week) in the program.
- Trade Prep: The Trade Preparation pathway is a CareerLink Pathway designed to prepare students for a trade or employment in a related occupation. The courses included in this pathway are: General Materials Design and Technology: Wood, General Materials Design and Technology: Metal, General Engineering, General English and General Trade Maths, one other General course and one CareerLink course of a students' choosing.
All of the available courses are listed in the table below.
ATAR + General List A | ATAR + General List B | VET Courses | CareerLink Courses | Other Endorsed Programs |
---|---|---|---|---|
Business Management and Enterprise ATAR and General | Accounting and Finance ATAR only | Business Yr 11: Certificate II in Workplace Skills Yr 12: Certificate III in Business | Automotive Vocational Preparation Certificate II | Anglican Religious Studies Endorsed Program Yr 11: 1 period a week Yr 12: 1 period a week |
Children, Family and the Community General only | Applied Information Technology ATAR and General | Hospitality Yr 11: Certificate II in Hospitality Yr 12: Certificate III in Hospitality | Building and Construction Certificate II | Basketball Program Acts as a 6th course, selected with 5 other General courses |
Chinese: Second Language ATAR only | Biology ATAR only | Music Yr 11: Certificate II in Music Yr 12: Certificate III in Music | Business Certificate III Certificate IV for invited Year 12s | |
Dance ATAR and General | Chemistry ATAR only | Sport and Recreation Yr 11: Certificate II in Sport & Rec Yr 12: Certificate III in Sport & Rec | Community Services Certificate IV for Year 12s | |
Drama ATAR and General | Computer Science ATAR and General | Early Childhood Education and Care Certificate III | ||
English ATAR and General | Engineering Studies ATAR only | Electronics Certificate II | ||
English - Foundation General only | Food Science and Technology General only | Electrotechnology Certificate II | ||
Geography ATAR only | Human Biology ATAR and General | Events Certificate III | ||
History - Modern ATAR only | Materials Design and Technology: Metal General only | Fitness Certificate III Certificate IV for invited Year 12s | ||
Indonesian: Second Language ATAR only | Materials Design and Technology: Wood General only | Health Services Assistance Certificate III | ||
Literature ATAR only | Mathematics: Applications ATAR only | Horticulture Certificate II | ||
Media Production & Analysis ATAR and General | Mathematics: Essentials General only | Information Technology (Cybersecurity) Certificate III | ||
Music ATAR only | Mathematics: Foundation General only | Plumbing Certificate II | ||
Religion and Life ATAR and General | Mathematics: Methods ATAR only | Preparation for Health and Nursing Studies Certificate IV for invited Year 12s | ||
Visual Arts ATAR and General | Mathematics: Specialist ATAR only | Retail Cosmetics Certificate II | ||
Outdoor Education General only | Salon Assistant Certificate II | |||
Physical Education Studies ATAR and General | School Based Education Support Certificate III Certificate IV for invited Year 12s | |||
Physics ATAR only | Screen and Media Certificate IV | |||
Science in Practice General only |
All year groups undertake compulsory religious education up to and including Year 12 of their schooling at JSRACS. Year 11 and 12 students can choose to study Religion and Life as an ATAR course or a General course, allowing them to have a study period whilst their year group has their 1 period a-week of Anglican Religious Studies Endorsed Program.
Co-curricular activities
There are multiple clubs that run throughout the year that encompass academics, sports and technology. Some of these include the 100 Club (Primary) and 300 Club (Secondary), Swimming Club for Years 4-12 in Terms 1 and 4, revision sessions and homework help in multiple subjects, Media Club, Drone Club, ESports Club, Dungeons and Dragons Club, Biology Club, 3D Design Club, Dance Club, Chess Club, Multicultural Club and AV Club. The school also takes part in multiple academic competitions including the Tournament of Minds for Year 7-10 students, the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO) for Year 5-8 students and the Australian Mathematics Competition for select Year 3-12 students. The school has an extensive Basketball Program for secondary school students. The program runs during the school day, and acts as a class for students in the program. Many students, from JSR and other schools, trial for selection into the program.[10]
Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 are eligible to participate in ACC sport in terms 1 and 2, where students face students from other ACC schools in the NWAS division. These schools include: Aranmore Catholic College, Carmel School, Emmanuel Christian Community School, Kingsway Christian College, Mercy College and St. George's Anglican Grammar School. The schools compete in multiple sports including:
Summer: Girls and Boys Basketball (7/8, 9/10), Mixed Volleyball (7/8, 9/10), Mixed Ultimate Frisbee (7/8, 9/10) and Cricket (7/8, 9/10)
Winter: Girls and Mixed Netball (7/8, 9/10), Girls and Boys Soccer (7/8, 9/10), Girls and Boys Badminton (7/8, 9/10) and Mixed Touch Rugby (7/8, 9/10)
Furthermore, students who excel in inter-house swimming, cross-country and athletics carnivals are selected into the JSRACS team for that sport and represent the school in ACC Inter-school Carnivals. As of the 2024 school year, JSRACS are in D Division for Swimming[11] and B Division for Athletics.[12]
The JSR Cadets program has been running for over 25 years, and it currently offers 3 different programs. The River Rangers Cadets for Years 5 and 6 aims to empower children to protect local waterways. The Bush Ranger Cadets run for Years 7-12 and it allows students to work safely in and around nature. Finally, the Emergency Services Cadets run for Year 7-12 with students participating in drills and learning the use of fire fighting equipment.[13]
There is an annual Bali trip for Indonesian language students and an annual Japanese Ski Trip for Year 12 students. There are also one-off school trips, such as to China, Vietnam, New Zealand, Dubai, Germany, Austria and Singapore as well as Melbourne, Avalon and Adelaide.
Students are able to have individual or small group music lessons with a tutor. These take place during the school day and can last either 30 minutes or 60 minutes. There are also many bands, choirs, ensembles and orchestras to join.[14] These include:
- Bands
- Concert Band (Years 7-12)
- JSR Big Band (Years 6-12)
- Junior Band (Years 6 and 7)
- Choirs
- Primary Choir (Years 4-6)
- Secondary Choir (Years 7-12)
- St Paul’s Chapel Choir (Years 4-12)
- Ensembles
- Secondary Guitar Ensemble (Year 7)
- Cello Ensemble (Years 7-12)
- Contemporary Ensemble (Years 7-12)
- Flute Ensemble (Years 7-12)
- Orchestras
- JSR Jazz Orchestra (Years 9-12)
- Chamber Orchestra (Years 7-12)
- Sinfonia (Years 7-12)
- Sinfonietta (Years 4-6)
Since 2008, music ensembles have begun touring, with the Senior Concert Band to New Zealand in 2008, the Secondary Choir to Germany and Austria in 2009, the Wind Band and Septissimo Strings to Singapore in 2010 and the Chapel Choir to the United Kingdom in 2011. 2012 saw the Jazz Band visit Mount Gambier, South Australia to compete in the Generations in Jazz Festival. A combined JSRACS and other ASC schools orchestra planned to go to Eastern Europe in 2013, visiting Russia, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.[15]
In 2000, the school entered the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge for the first time, winning first place in the Perth Grand Final the following year. Many students are involved in all aspects of the preparation, dancing and backstage tasks involved in the performance. The school only participated every second year until 2007.
Drama and Dance are the other major co-curricular activities. The Drama and Dance department puts on a number of shows over the year including:
- Choreography Night
- Primary School Musical
- Middle School Play
- Senior School Musical - previous shows listed below.
2000 – Lockie Leonard: Human Torpedo
2000 – Away
2001 – Wolfstock
2002 – Two Weeks with the Queen
2002 – Hating Alison Ashley
2003 – Looking for Alibrandi
2003 – Boss of the Pool
2004 – Così
2004 – The Hunchback of Nostradamus
2005 – Gumshoe
2005 – Picnic at Hanging Rock
2006 – The Man of Steel
2007 – Oliver!
2008 – The Servant of Two Masters
2008 – The Sound of Music
2009 – Pride and Prejudice
2009 – How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
2010 – Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
2011 – A Midsummer Night's Dream
2011 – The Pajama Game
2012 – The Mikado
2012 – Stories from Suburban Road
2013 – The Comedy of Errors
2013 – Bugsy Malone
2014 – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
2015 – Guys and Dolls
2016 – Grease
2017 – The Wedding Singer
2018 – Grimm's Tales
2019 – Legally Blonde
2020 – A Midsummer Night's Dream
2021 – We Will Rock You
2022 – Bye Bye Birdie
2023 – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2024 – Fame
The productions involve over 100 students in acting, orchestra or backstage crew. Senior School musicals run for four full houses, whilst the Primary School musical and Middle School play run for three nights. Choreography Night also runs over three nights, with the last two nights featuring a teacher's dance.[16][17]
Statue and portraits
In 2009, as part of the annual Founders' Day celebrations to commemorate the school's 20th year, the school's then-principal Matthew Hughes JP commissioned the creation of a statue of John Septimus Roe in his youth. The sculpture was later changed to be of Roe during the early years of his work as the Surveyor General. In 2010, the school commissioned a portrait of principal Matthew Hughes, which will set the precedent for all future principals to have a portrait painted of them to be hung in the school's library.
Notable alumni
Sport
- Joel Corey, AFL, Geelong Football Club[18]
- Liam O'Connor, Cricket, Adelaide Strikers, Western Warriors
- Dana Hooker, AFLW, Fremantle Football Club, West Coast Eagles
- Courtney Guard, AFLW, Fremantle Football Club, West Coast Eagles
- Charlie Thomas, AFLW, West Coast Eagles
References
- ^ "School profile". My School. n.d. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "More Than Just Centres for Learning | Anglican Schools Commission". www.ascschools.edu.au. 21 May 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
- ^ The Surveyor. Perth, Western Australia: John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. 2005.
- ^ The Surveyor. Perth, Western Australia: John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. 2007.
- ^ The Surveyor. Perth, Western Australia: John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. 2008.
- ^ The Surveyor. Perth, Western Australia: John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. 2009.
- ^ "Why Choose JSRACS?". JSRACS. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "ASC NEWS | ISSUE 82 | DECEMBER 2023 by Anglican Schools - Issuu". issuu.com. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Pastoral Care". JSRACS. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Basketball Program". JSRACS. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Divisions & Dates Swimming | Associated & Catholic Colleges of WA". www.accsport.asn.au. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Divisions & Dates Athletics - confirmed | Associated & Catholic Colleges of WA". www.accsport.asn.au. 12 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Cadets". JSRACS. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Music". JSRACS. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ Music Archived 26 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Performing Arts And Drama". JSRACS. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ "Dance Program". JSRACS. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
- ^ Associated & Catholic Colleges of WA 1999 Yearbook Archived 1 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine (accessed:13-08-2007)
External links
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