Tag: Schools

From the Archives: Thriving at School

Post author By revivewa
Post date September 18, 2017

This year the Uniting Church in Australia celebrates its 40th anniversary. Throughout 2017, Revive will feature significant events in the life of the church during that time. This edition, we focus on Uniting Church WA schools.

At the time of Union, five schools became part of the Uniting Church WA network. Methodist Ladies’ College, Penrhos College, Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Scotch College and Wesley College were all in operation many years before the Uniting Church formed. These schools have rich traditions and have celebrated many milestones and new initiatives.

Since Union, the Uniting Church WA has opened three schools.

Tags Schools

News & Announcements

Building ties through service learning

Post author By revivewa
Post date May 14, 2017

Through the service learning program at Wesley College, a relationship has formed between the Uniting Church WA school in South Perth and Cyril Jackson Senior Campus, in Bassendean.

Cyril Jackson Senior Campus is a school in Bassendean which caters to year 11 and 12. It offers alternative learning, enrolling some students who have been expelled from other schools, and refugees from around the world.

Five years ago, the Zonta Club of Perth was offering scholarships to female students at Cyril Jackson, giving Wesley College the idea to offer scholarships to the male students. With the aim of raising enough money to give two $500 scholarships, in the first two years, three were actually awarded. In 2014 and 2015, three scholarships of $600 were awarded. Last year, three scholarships of $750 were awarded. In addition, the recipients receive a Wesley Sports Bag including a hat, pen, shorts and water bottle.

Tags Schools, Youth

Stories & Feature Articles

Moving from tolerance to acceptance

Post author By revivewa
Post date October 4, 2016

Cultural barriers were demolished and stereotypes quashed when girls from the Australian Islamic College (AIC) spent a day at Methodist Ladies’ College in April, and MLC girls paid a return visit in August.

Eleven teenagers from the school in the northern Perth suburb of Dianella spent a day with their hosts discovering that they were more similar, than different.

MLC Principal, Rebecca Cody, also met with AIC’s Principal, Wahaj Tarin. She said the relationship between the two schools gives the students the opportunity to move beyond stereotypes.

“I think that all great schools learn from each other, so this is merely an example of a learning conversation between two schools. It’s also an opportunity for our girls, and Mr Tarin’s girls, to seek to understand each other,” Rebecca said.

The relationship between the schools was borne out of discussions between MLC Chaplain, Rev Hollis Wilson, and AIC Islamic Study teacher, Fazida Razak, at a series of interfaith meetings over a few years.

Tags Intercultural, interfaith, Schools, Youth

News & Announcements

Past PLC principal honoured in naming of new senior school

Post author By revivewa
Post date June 1, 2016

Presbyterian Ladies’ College’s (PLC) Beth Blackwood Senior School was officially opened on 25 May 2016 in honour of PLC’s immediate past Principal, who left the school last October after 18 years of service.

Blessed with a sunny day in the midst of the stormy weather, the opening took place outside on the Quad, facing the impressive new limestone and steel building. The five Vice-chancellors of WA’s universities attended the opening as well as Rev Steve Francis, moderator of the Uniting Church WA, representatives from other schools, PLC students, staff and members of the school community. For Beth, it was the culmination of years of planning.

First designed as part of a plan for the campus back in 1999 by architect Marcus Collins, construction began late in 2014 and was completed in February this year. Sadly, Marcus passed away last year before building was completed.

Beth paid homage to his vision and passion to create a space that is both functional and beautiful.

Tags Schools, Youth

News & Announcements

Tony George farewells St Stephen’s School

Post author By revivewa
Post date April 23, 2016

St Stephen’s School principal, Tony George, has been officially appointed as headmaster of The King’s School in Sydney.

As Principal of Western Australia’s largest independent school, he will continue with St Stephen’s School until the end of term 2, 2017, when he will take-up his new position.

The King’s School is Australia’s oldest independent school and one of only eight Australian schools in the G20 association of secondary schools – schools that have a commitment to excellence and innovation.

“I am both honoured and looking forward to joining an innovative school like The King’s School,” Tony said.

“Just like St Stephen’s School, The King’s School has an outstanding reputation for academic success, whilst focusing on the character development of each and every student. I am truly looking forward to the opportunity of working with the school and community, to inspire each and every student to reach their full potential.”

Tags Schools

Stories & Feature Articles

Spiritual pilgrimage growing students

Post author By revivewa
Post date December 24, 2015

Three brave Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC) students and a group of teachers embarked on a journey of strength, spirituality and community building in September, as they took part in the Camino alvado Pilgrimage. The pilgrimage begins at St Joseph’s Church in Subiaco and ends in New Norcia, and exists in the spirit of the Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrimage through Spain and France.

Rev Hollis Wilson, a Uniting Church chaplain at MLC, with the help of a few teachers, led the pilgrimage, which required participants to walk for 20kms a day before being picked up and taken back to camp at Swanleigh, in the Swan Valley. Each morning they would drive to the starting point of the next 20km section, walking from about 9.30am–3.30pm for five days, before arriving at New Norcia.

The surroundings provided a great space for the students to engage with each other, their teachers and their spirituality.

Tags International, Schools, Theology and Spiritual Reflections, Yputh

Stories & Feature Articles

St Stephen’s School students serve

Post author By revivewa
Post date December 24, 2015

St Stephen’s School Carramar students, Alexandria Reuben, India Graham and Martika Jary spent hours in the kitchen recently baking 120 muffins for the homeless, along with the rest of their homeroom. In total, students donated more than 200 muffins to UnitingCare West’s Tranby Day Centre. Tranby Day Centre provides meals and referrals to people experiencing and at risk of homelessness.

Brett Roberts, head of secondary at St Stephen’s School Carramar, said the School was devoted to help improve the lives of those in need.

Tags Poverty, Schools, Youth

Stories & Feature Articles

Taking time to stop, listen and learn

Post author By revivewa
Post date December 23, 2015

During the course of 2015, Belinda Oxenburgh, Dorothy White and Karen Honeybun, embarked on a journey of discovery.

As a student at St Stephen’s School, a Uniting Church school, Belinda took part in The Rite Journey Program and chose Karen, her youth group leader at Trinity North Uniting Church, as her mentor. Part of the program involves a yearlong project, which Belinda chose to share with Dorothy – a member of the congregation, now in her 90s.

Belinda and Karen met regularly with Dorothy and had the privilege of listening to, and getting to know, a dearly loved member of their congregation. Dorothy’s sweet temperament, attentiveness and kindness struck Belinda in their first conversation.

Tags Ageing and Community, Schools, Youth

News & Announcements

Farmer’s market hits the mark

Post author By revivewa
Post date September 24, 2015

From a petting zoo to baked goods, fresh produce, live entertainment and a bouncy castle, the St Stephen’s Community Farmers Market has something for everyone.

About 1600 people attended the official opening of the farmers, artisans and buskers market on Saturday 5 September, which was held at St Stephen’s School’s Carramar campus.

Kicking off at 8.00am, the grounds quickly transformed into a hive of activity with 45 stallholders involved.

The impressive turnout included Wanneroo MLA Paul Miles and City of Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts who officially opened the market.

St Stephen’s Community Farmers Market chairperson Rev Narelle Collas said she hoped the market would continue to become a community favourite.

“It was wonderful to see so many people attend the official opening and support local farmers, producers and artists,” she said.

“There was an abundance of different stalls to cater for all likes and tastes and we look forward to that growing in the future.”

Tags Connecting communities, Schools

News & Announcements

News farmers’ market builds community

Post author By revivewa
Post date August 26, 2015

After months of preparation, the St Stephen’s Community Farmer’s Market, an initiative of Carramar Uniting Church, will be up and running with its first market to be held on Saturday 5 September. The congregation meets weekly on Sunday mornings at St Stephen’s School Carramar, a Uniting Church in WA school.

Responding to a need for local people to gather in a relaxed and informal environment, the market will make use of many local market gardens which exist in the northern suburbs, providing shoppers with a direct link to local growers and producers. As well as fruit and vegetables, Rev Narelle Collas, minister at Carramar Uniting Church and chair of the St Stephen’s Community Farmer’s Market Board, said that the market will showcase the best produce in the local area, including meat, eggs, bread and local artisans.

Business students from St Stephen’s School are also in the process of developing stalls. Buskers and food vans providing meals and snacks will also be a highlight.

Narelle said that the Community Market hopes to promote a healthy lifestyle – physically, socially and spiritually – and that it will help to build a strong sense of community in the local area.

Tags Church and Community, Schools