2014-T3I1 - Clontarf Aboriginal College

2014 Newsletter Term 3 Issue 1
295 Manning Road, Waterford | Locked Bag 5 Bentley DC 6983
www.clontarf.wa.edu.au | T: (08) 9251 0666 | F: (08) 9451 4988
Principal’s News
Strength & Wisdom Prayer
Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Friends,
Welcome to Term Three.
This term the students are focusing on completing set tasks and assessments.
This is particularly important for our senior students leading up to Graduation.
Thank you for the support with the College Uniform. If at any stage a student
does not have the correct uniform, including footwear on, a note should be
provided. We are currently reviewing the uniform style and the need for more
formal uniforms.
Recently we gathered together at Mass for the Assumption of Mary. Assumption
Day is a chance for Christians to celebrate the heavenly birthday of the Virgin
Mary. It is a Holy Day of Obligation and a day when we attend Mass. Assumption
Day is recognition of the Christian belief that the Virgin Mary was “assumed”
into heaven.
Recently we were officially identified as an Associate of Edmund Rice Education.
There are approximately thirty Associate schools. This ensures the teachings,
ethos and history of the Christian Brothers will continue to be recognised and
communicated.
O Great Spirit whose voice I hear in
the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the
world, hear me.
I am a man before you, one of your
many children. I am small and weak; I
need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty,
And let my eyes ever behold the red
and purple sunsets.
Make my hands respect the many
things you have made,
My ears sharp to hear your voice.
Make me wise so that I may know the
things you have taught my people,
The lessons you have hidden under
every leaf and rock.
I seek strength, O my Creator,
Not to be superior to my brothers,
But to be able to fight my greatest
enemy - myself.
Make me ready to return to you with
clean hand and a straight eye,
So that when life fades as the setting
sun sets
My spirit may come to you without
shame.
One of our staff members, Gina Harcourt, was successful in being selected to go
to Christmas Island as a teacher. The Catholic Education Office of WA has taken
on the contract to develop the school to ensure children on the island receive an education. For many children, it is
their first experience of school.
Our senior students are looking forward to the College Ball which has always been a great success.
Please feel welcome to come to the College at any time. Due to the increasing number of students, we are currently
looking for volunteers for the College Canteen, so if you can spare two or three hours, please let me know and we
can develop a roster.
During the last two days of each term the Boarding Students begin to travel home. All of our ‘Metro or Day’
students need to still be attending school on those two days.
TERM TIMES
Thank you
Julie Hornby
End of Term Three: Friday 26 September
(Boarders begin leaving Thursday 25 September)
Term Four commences on Wednesday 15
October (for all students)
Clontarf State Representatives
Christal Quartermaine
Christal was a member of the State Athletics Squad that recently travelled to Broome. She competed in
Track and Field meets and participated in clinics at Beagle Bay, One Arm Point and Lombadina. At one
track meet Christal ran a very credible 12.30 seconds for the 100 metres. We wish Christal all the very
best in the All Schools Championship to be held in October.
Felisha Swan
Felisha represented the Northern Territory, in the State Basketball Championships held in July in
Geelong Victoria. Considering that her team couldn’t train regularly they did themselves proud with 3
big wins. Felisha enjoyed the experience and has already set her sights on being selected in the U18’s
team in 2015.
Lee-Anne Kennedy
Lee-Anne was selected in the National 12 years and under School girls’ netball team. The carnival will
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be held on the Gold Coast from the 30 August to 5 September. Lee-Anne will represent the Budgies
an Australian Indigenous team. Lee-Anne and is the only indigenous girl from WA to be selected.
Sam Petrevski-Seton
Talented colts footballer Sam Petrevski-Seton was an outstanding contributor in the recent
AFL championships. He was awarded the Kevin Sheehan medal as the best player on field.
Talent scouts have identified Sam as having the potential to be selected as one of the top
ten in the 2016 AFL draft.
Curtin Stadium joins Clontarf Students for first Rowing Regatta
Curtin Stadium was proud to partner with Clontarf Aboriginal College and the Curtin AHEAD program for the
nd
Clontarf to Curtin Rowing Regatta which was held at the Curtin University Boat Club, Salter Point on Friday 22
August.
The Clontarf students represented the school’s first rowing squad and competed in the event with members of
other local rowing squads in celebration of their achievements and connection with the Perth rowing community.
Stadium staff worked with the students over the past three months to help them prepare for the event with weekly
exercise sessions focusing on rowing techniques and strength and endurance training.
Clontarf and Curtin staff recently met at the Stadium to present the official Clontarf to Curtin singlets to the
students.
Congratulations to all those who participated.
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Year Ten Collaborative Art Project – Semester One
This year the City of South Perth invited Clontarf to be involved in
the 2014 WLAGA Banners in the Terrace Competition, which
involves approximately 70 banners from schools all over the state
being displayed along St Georges Terrace in July and August as part
of Local Government Week. It is widely acknowledged that the Local
Government Week banners are the most colourful and vibrant
banners flown in the Terrace each year.
After a class discussion about the commitment required for this
project (and considering they only have one double art lesson a
week), the Year Ten art students elected to accept the invitation.
They began their project by researching all the images, places and
events associated with the City of South Perth. Students then
downloaded, copied, redesigned, discussed and reflected on a
variety of ideas and designs. They also explored some dyes to get
the effect of fireworks. By the end of Term One a final design was
decided on, which then had to be submitted to the City of South
Perth for approval.
Term Two involved transferring the design onto the huge banner
and starting the painting process. The project was finished just in
time and the students were all very proud of the finished product.
I’m sure there will be lots of trips down St George’s Terrace in July
and August to view their handiwork.
Well done Year Tens.
Gina Harcourt
Art teacher
English Learning Area: Year 12 Theatre Excursion
In Week 3, the Stage 2B EALD English students attended a matinee performance of the play Jasper
Jones, written by Craig Silvey at the Studio Underground Theatre in Northbridge. Jasper Jones is a
fictional story about the friendship which grows between a white boy and an Aboriginal boy in a
small country town in Perth’s South West during the 1960’s.
The students read the novel as part of their course work in Semester One and were very interested
to see how the playwright, Kate Mulvany, adapted the story for the stage. In particular, it was
interesting to see how the characters interpreted the role of each main character, and how the
stage was set to symbolise the fictional town of Corrigon using simple props and lighting
techniques.
After the performance, the students got the opportunity to have a small group Question and Answer session with the
actors. The creative director of the play, John Sheedy, was particularly interested to hear how the Clontarf students
had adapted the novel in one of their school assessments to speak from the point of view of Jasper, played by Shaka
Cook, who several students from Clontarf are related to.
The excursion was a great experience for all students, and we would like to thank Clontarf and the Studio
Underground Theatre for giving us this opportunity.
Tremayne Briggs, Shayne Chambers, Wilfred Hart, Elijah Howard, Landon Punch, Tyrone Tolputt, Jasmine Walsh & Terazita Turner-Young.
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NAIDOC Day
By Kavilyn Fisher, GECKOS Coordinator
Clontarf Aboriginal College would like to thank all the staff from Urban Indigenous, involved
in the organisation and running of our NAIDOC day this year. We look forward to continuing
a relationship with your business in the future.
“It was a very successful day because our staff and students got to experience all of the activities
that were available.” - Jill Hill (Aboriginal Liaison Officer)
Below is some more feedback received about the day:
Year 7/8 Students
“I enjoyed the story telling and bush tucker tasting.”
“I enjoyed the BBQ and the band.”
“I enjoyed Art and eating bush tucker.”
“I enjoyed the old lady telling stories about the school she used to go to and how she went in her life. I also like the food
tasting and seeing my cousin who came to Clontarf last year.”
“I enjoyed lunch, spending more time with my school mates; relaxing in the sun and watching the band perform.”
“Next time maybe we could cook damper and other bush food.”
Year 9 Students
“NAIDOC Day at Clontarf was very fun and interesting because we did four different activities. The
first activity my group went to was story telling. There was an Aboriginal elder that came in and she
told us about her childhood and how she was a part of the stolen generation and all the things that
happened to her and her sisters.”
“Then we went down to the undercover area and we did some dot paintings. The lady who was showing us told us about
the ochre rocks and how they are used to paint. After the art, we went into the hall where
we were did some Traditional Indigenous Dancing. We were dancing like a
kangaroo. There were three fulla’s who are part of a famous dance group and they were
telling us about how they have been all over the world with their dancing and how they met
one of the Jackson Brothers.” “After that we had some lunch which was hamburgers and
we sat around and watched and listened to the school band, they were good and very
entertaining.” – Anonymous
“To start the day we waited in the hall to see some Noongar Indigenous dancers who showed us their kangaroo
dreamings. After that we went in the library to see and eat some bush food, it tasted rather nice. Next we went to the
undercover area to do painting and our painting was the best. We then went to an old lady which
she told us some old generation stories that she went through. We saw some of her old pictures that
she had, her paintings and they were really neat. We had lunch then the school band played for
us. The band was great!”
“My favourite part was the art painting and watching the band play for all of us. That day was the
best day, it was really, really awesome!” – Loviesha Wongawol
“It was very sad to hear what she had to say and what she went through that old lady. I couldn’t imagine all the pain
and suffering she took.” – Drew Blurton
“I liked everything. It was good. The storytelling was sad. The bush tucker tasting was good and interesting.” – Kenton
Smiler
Year 10 & 11 Students
We enjoyed the following activities:
 Stolen Generation story
 School Band
 Then hamburgers for lunch
 Painting
 Dancing
 Some future ideas for the day could include sporting activities like a football or basketball game, wood carving and
possibly invite other schools
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NAIDOC Day Continued….
Year 12 Students
“I reckon the story telling is good because it is important to tell us young ones stories.” – Mykia Curley
“Being able to watch the school band play was a good part of the day. It’s great to see young
Aboriginal kids get up and sing in front of a lot of people.” - Aaron Shandley
Traditional Aboriginal Dancing – “We learnt how to dance the different animal dancing rhythms
of the songs, listen to the tunes and changes of the didgeridoo sounds.”
Dot Painting – “Learnt different techniques of the Aboriginal painting and the use of colour.”
Aboriginal History and Bush Tucker Tasting – “Food tasting, history of bush plants, medicine plants.
Received knowledge of the different plants and what they do and the various Aboriginal names for them.”
Storytelling – “An Aboriginal Elder came to the school for storytelling. She told us about her life at a young age, when she
was on the missions without her mum or dad and only left with her sisters and other Aboriginal children in the mission.”
“I personally liked them all because it still gives me information about Aboriginal culture and its strong history. Informs
and reminds us of what happened during the early days of settlement and how we continue to move forward together.”
“It was also good because we got to celebrate as a community with family and friends, but I think we could consider for
the future to share this celebration as a gathering with other schools.” – Aaron Donaldson
GECKOS Tales - Staff Profile
By Besse-Mae Renehan (Year 9 Student)
“What is your name?” “Dustin Pickett.”
“Where are you from?” “Port Lincoln, South Australia but have been living in Perth for five years now.”
“Who’s your mob/family?” “My father’s side, Pickett’s are Noongar Balladong mob and my mother’s side are Shay/Mongoo from
Mt Magnet – Ngyumutji mob.”
“How long have you been working at Clontarf?” “Five to six weeks.”
“Have you travelled out of Australia?”
“No.”
“Is there somewhere you’d like to go in the world?” “Yes, Hawaii, Tongan Island, Mediterranean Island.”
“What does culture and family mean to you?” “Culture means tradition and knowledge to pass on to my family.”
“How many siblings do you have?” “Three older sisters.”
“Do you have any children of your own?” “Yes, one little boy who is one years old.”
“What footy team to do you support?” “Fremantle Dockers.”
Sion Yelka Term Three Report
By Simon Purcell, Sion House Coordinator
The Sion Yelka (Hawks) House have had a good start to
Term Three and have settled in well for another term at
Clontarf Aboriginal College.
This term I was honoured to step into the Sion House
Coordinator role while Kellee Kemp is away on maternity
leave. Kellee will be greatly missed while she is away
and I thank Kellee for all of her hard work this year.
Thank you also to the students and staff who have
supported me during this transition period.
The highlight of Term Three thus far has been the
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Clontarf Athletics Carnival on the 4 of August. The
Yelka’s wore their black face paint with pride and many
students entered into every single event on the day.
Congratulations to the senior boys and girls tug of war
teams who dominated their opponents with their high
spirits and teamwork.
At the end of this term there will be a House Points
Reward for the students who keep all of their house
points until Week 10 so remember to keep up the good
work!
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Westcourt Yonga Term Three Report
By Justine Cole, Westcourt House Coordinator
It has been a fantastic start to Term 3 with about 90% of all of Westcourt
students keeping their house points so far. Keep up the good work! I have
am impressed with students who consistently wear the correct uniform, are
on time and who work hard in all of their classes.
It has been a very busy term with the highlight being our Athletics carnival.
Congratulations to all those students who participated and tried super hard
on the day. I would like to make a special mention to Felisha Swan who
participated with excellent results for her team. Well done on an amazing
effort!
I have nominated two students for the Outstanding Aboriginal Award 2014.
They are Chelsea Whitehurst (Year 10) and Margaret Davey (Year 11). This
award is for students who work hard in their subjects and are excellent role
models. I wish the both of you good luck.
Two senior boys Russell and Quinton having a
great time at NAIDOC Day
Thank you to both Chelsea Whitehurst and Besse-Mae Renehan who have been assisting with distributing Westcourt
lunches. Your efforts are appreciated by all the boarders who get their lunch.
Waterford Maali Term Three Report
By Chris Reddy, Waterford House Coordinator
Term Two was an exciting and busy time for all Waterford students, culminating in the final weeks in a host of activities
and celebrations. The Waterford 1 Homeroom was the proud hosts of the final assembly in Week 9. Ashley Johnson
was Master of Ceremonies, supported by Peter Masuda who led the reflection.
In Week 9 the College also celebrated NAIDOC Day. Waterford participated in a variety of workshops, including dot
painting, bush tucker tasting, learning traditional Aboriginal dance moves and hearing stories from elders who lived
through the Stolen Generations time. A highlight of these activities was seeing Neil Slater working with the dance
troupe to perform an ‘emu’ routine, and the spontaneous and heartfelt thanks offered by Daniel Taylor to the guest
speaker from the Stolen Generation.
Finally, in Week 10 we have all enjoyed our first College Open Day. Many Waterford students have taken leading roles
in this event, including acting as tour guides, performing in the College band, assisting in the setup and organisation
of displays and classroom and assisting at the BBQ. Particular thanks to our own House Leader Shayn Chambers, from
Waterford 1 for his excellent ambassadorship on the day.
Term 3 is a very busy time, particularly as for our Senior Students in Year 12 this is possibly the busiest and most
important term of the school year as they prepare to graduate. We look forward to providing a fresh update on
Waterford House community news in the next edition of the College newsletter as we move closer to graduation.
Congratulations to the following students, whose exemplary behaviour ensured that they did not lose a house point
for the entire first semester:
Razuan Haji-Noor, Martina Karadada, Landon Punch, Tiahara Puruntatameri, Cherise Quartermaine, Aaron Shandley,
Kizzam Skeen, Lehon Sutton, Jeremy Tierney, Terazita Turner-Young, Sheleah Wareham and Loviesha Wongawol.
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Ngulla Mia Boarding
By David Moore, Head of Boarding
What a fantastic start to the third term; we now have 100 students currently in boarding which has certainly kept our
staff busy.
In July two of our junior students Kenton Smiler & Cayllum Johnston were invited to the WAFL Red Arm Band Launch
at Paterson Stadium. Both boys were able to have a photo with Bachar Rouli who plays for Richmond Football Club.
The aim of the launch was to help raise awareness of, and remove racial vilification in football.
This term the students have the College ball to look forward to which is held on the 1st September, they are busy
shopping for suits & gowns to look their best.
Staff ran an Etiquette night in preparation for the ball being held in a few weeks’ time, the night was a huge success.
Whilst the seniors were learning about etiquette, the juniors went on a mystery drive, which included Pizza along the
way.
Other activities for the term will be; Herbert Smith Freehills – Saturday volleyball, ice-skating and community football
finals and windups.
Clontarf Girls Academy Sports Report
By Desiree Delcoure
The girls have been off to a busy start to the term, competing in a variety of sports for both the College and the Girls
Academy. From rowing to footy to basketball, the girls have been showing off their sporting skills!
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On the 25 of June, we had 15 girls play in the Kirby-Bentley Cup, which was the 9 v
9 Indigenous Girls AFL competition that took place in Thornlie. Our girls joined
Northam Storm, East Freo Sharks, and Chelsea Whitehurst competed with her
hometown team, Kalgoorlie. It was a round-robin tournament, so every team had
the opportunity to play each other. The East Freo Sharks made it to the Grand Final,
and lost by only one goal with just seconds left on the clock. Tissy Bedford won the
“Best on Ground” for the Sharks, but all the girls who played were awesome.
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On the 26 July, several of the girls represented the College in the All-Schools Rowing Championships at Champion
Lakes, which was the first weekend back from Term Two holidays. Although they did not have time to train before the
event, and it was raining with gusting winds, they still competed in the event and did a fantastic job! They have been
training with Curtin Rowing Club every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for over 10 weeks, and we are so proud of
their commitment.
We also had two junior teams compete in the Junior Basketball Tournament at
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Willetton Stadium on the 1 August. Our two teams played extremely hard a
demonstrated tremendous hustle and skill on the court. Our “Clontarf 1” team
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beat Thornlie, but lost to Lumen Christi, so wound up 3 overall in the tournament.
Our “Clontarf 2” team went undefeated in the tournament and beat Lumen Christi
by over 30 point in the game to determine who will advance to the next round.
And most recently there was the CAC Athletics Carnival, where the nearly all of the
girls participated in the field, novelty, and running events. A big high five to the
junior girls for having incredible participation, and for eight of the girls running in
the 800 metre race.
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