This morning was the first Whole School Assembly for the year. We were very lucky to have Channel 10 Eyewitness News and The Project presenter, Narelda Jacobs as special guest. Narelda gave a very inspirational talk about her journey to achieve her dream job and the importance of persistance and never giving up.

Certificates of Academic Excellence for 2018 were presented to the Top 3 students in each year group. The new Head Boy and Head Girl for 2019 were named and took their Oath of Office and Year 12 Student Councillors were also announced. Congratulations to all of our award winners and Student Council on your wonderful achievements.

Students and staff from 67 different nationalities stood together and took the pledge “I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women.” during an assembly designed to create awareness for White Ribbon Australia.  White Ribbon Ambassador Max Lewington along with cultural speaker Champo, spoke passionately about the importance of creating respectful relationships.  Student performances from the Dianella A Capella as well as the Year 9/10 dance troupe helped to reinforce the message. In a show of support, students were also invited to sign the pledge and receive a white cupcake.
 
Principal Wayne Austin shared his personal journey and reasons for becoming a White Ribbon Ambassador and State committee member.
 
“This program supports school leaders in helping to create a culture of respect and equality; to help students understand the damage of gender put-downs and to have the courage to help change our community for the better.”
 
“All of you here know me as Mr. Austin, Principal of Dianella Secondary College but for the duration of this assembly I want you to know that I am more than that.  I am a parent, I am a grandfather, I am a brother, a son and a mate”
 
Mr. Austin finished by saying “I encourage you all to play an active role in helping create a world where violence against women isn’t ok; that you will be brave and speak up.  If I can change the view of only one male today, then it is all worthwhile”
 
Arguably the highlight of the assembly was a media presentation compiled by teacher Chris Ellis, featuring staff and students who had been filmed against the backdrop of the schools White Ribbon mural, making various White Ribbon statements in their native language.
 
White Ribbon Australia is a part of a global movement of men and boys working to end men’s violence against women. It aims to create an Australian society where all women can live in safety, free from violence and abuse. At Dianella Secondary College, the school focus is encouraging respectful relationships with no gender put downs.

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​Last Friday our Year 7’s participated in their first Lightning Carnival for Dianella Secondary College. The students travel to different venues to compete in Soccer, Basketball and Netball against other schools in our region. Our Year 7 Boys Soccer Team were unbeatable, topping the group against Aveley Secondary College, Ballajura Community College, Morley Senior High School and Mt Lawley Senior High School. In the final the boys were up against Morley but three goals in three minutes set the tone for the game, with the final result a resounding 4-0 win. The boys are looking forward to continuing with the Soccer Specialist Program at Dianella to further enhance their soccer skills.

On Monday 22 October 2018, Dianella Secondary College Year 10 student, Jimalyn Waiya, won the District Final of the Rotary Four Way Speaking Competition.

The event took place at the WA Golf Club in Yokine.

She was sponsored by the Matilda Bay Rotary Club and was up against six other schools. She will go on to compete at the State Final in April 2019.

Jimalyn gave a six minute speech on the topic of body image in front of an audience of District Rotarian Clubs and representatives from their link schools.

She was up against some great competition from Perth Modern School, Mount Lawley Senior High School, Butler College, Churchlands Senior High School, Mercedes College and Hale School.

 The Fred Marsh perpetual trophy will be housed at the school and Jimalyn took home a medal and a $250 gift voucher. The Fred Marsh Club trophy goes to Matilda Bay Rotary Club.
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 The Rotary Four Way speaking competition aims to engage students in public speaking, confidence building and ethics consideration.
“This is a wonderful result, not only for Jimalyn and Dianella Secondary College, but to Aoife Macaodhain and our English department for supporting Jimalyn throughout the process. Well done to everyone who played a part in this special win!!” – Wayne Austin, Principal, Dianella Secondary College 

​Follow the Dream is a program to assist and support Indigenous students to reach their potential. Aiding them in continuing to excel and complete Year 12 in order to achieve a successful transition into university, training or meaningful post-school employment.

The program provides personalised after-school tuition, support and case management to assist these students to continue achieving positive outcomes at school. The program assists students to constantly strive for excellence, set challenging goals and take the necessary steps to achieve them.

Dianella Secondary College’s Follow the Dream program and TADWA (Technology for Ageing and Disability WA) join forces to help these students reach their potential and achieve their dreams, by providing technology to some of the families. We would like to thank TADWA for their support and look forward to working together in the future.

​The Year 12 Outdoor Ed. class had their last camp together as a group, a 4 day adventure in the Margaret River region. After arriving at school on the Sunday, it was time to make the long journey down to the camp site. The first night was a quiet night around the campfire, playing some brain teaser games, before calling it a night ready for a day’s paddling the next day.
 
Day 2 saw a paddle along a beautiful stretch of river between Punch Road and Rocky Island. It was a relatively easy day, heading downstream with plenty of flowing water to push us on. The day 2 fire was a massive improvement on the first night and we had dinner before rain called a halt to our planned games and we headed to our tents and beds early that night.
 
Day 3 was where the adventure really got tough, with the challenge of some grade 1 and 2 rapids thrown into the days paddling. An early capsize by the staff canoe was a good laugh for the students and luckily lifesavers James Luc and Moustafa Ali were on hand to rescue the staff in the river. After a shorter day of paddling it was off to Contos campground for our last night on camp together. Everyone was exhausted so it was a relatively quiet last night with rain again preventing games being played around the campfire.
 
The last morning saw us pack up and head toward Jewel cave where we had a tour of the cave, followed by lunch in Margaret River. Then it was time for the long bus ride back to school which would have to go down as the funniest bus ride ever due to the students taking control of the microphone (mainly Rauf Khan and Joel Jamieson) and annoying everyone for the drive back to school.
 
A great last camp, well done!!!

Today is RUOK? Day and dance students are embodying positive mental health through African Fusion dance! The class had guest teacher Rita Nita ,from Elan Dance Est., who is passionate about multicultural dance and mental health through creating a safe space for young people to express themselves. Don’t forget to ask RUOK? today! ​