As part of our Book Week activities, Dianella Secondary College has entered a team in the annual national "Write a Book in a Day" Competition, run by The Kids' Cancer Project.
Ten of our Year 7 students will write a book in one day for children’s cancer research. This morning, students were given a brief and now have six hours write, illustrate, bind and submit a storybook of up to 5000 words. Each book is then donated to children undergoing treatment in hospitals around Australia. The Kids’ Cancer Project is an independent national charity supporting childhood cancer research and since 1993, thanks to strong community support, has contributed tens of millions of dollars to scientific studies to help children with many types of cancer. “This is an event that inspires collaboration and community spirit while students have fun writing and illustrating a book,” said Karalee Blake, English Teacher. “Not only will our pupils develop leadership skills, engage in teamwork and creative problem solving, they’ll be covering key English curriculum requirements to set them up for life.” From 150 teams in the state wide competition, 10 WA schools were chosen to compete in the Just Start IT State Final. After pitching their idea of a school-based social app for students, aptly named “Buddi”, the team of six Year 12 Dianella Secondary College students were selected to represent WA and their school at the National 2019 iAwards to be held in Melbourne.
Based on personal experience, the girls recognized the anxieties that challenge immigrant students entering a new school or tertiary environment, in a new country. Introducing Buddi… an app focussed on helping immigrant students settle into Australia and their new school. The app assists immigrating students prior to landing in Australia by matching them with a buddy in their new school, based on same cultural backgrounds and language, hobbies and interests. The app also features chatrooms with you and your matching buddies. Users have the ability to rate how they feel after chat room communications using emoji’s, enabling the school to monitor interactions, while bad language will see users banned from the app. A virtual map of the school provides locations and directions to each facility and an event calendar will keep students up to date with both school and local area events. Dianella Secondary College is the only WA school to deliver the Just Start IT program as part of a Certificate II in Business. Promoting critical thinking, problem solving and the development of resilient 21st century skills, experienced mentors help teams of students to take an idea from concept to product, creating a viable technology start-up. The Dianella Secondary College team will compete in the national finals at the 2019 iAwards at Crown Melbourne on 29 August. The category winner will then represent Australia at the international awards to be held in Vietnam later in the year. The Lily Café was filled with special guests, cultural dancers, staff, parents and Follow the Dream students who enjoyed a delicious breakfast as Dianella Education Precinct officially launched our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This plan aims to acknowledge and respect the heritage and connection of the Noongar people to this Whadjuk boodjar (land). We actively seek to incorporate the cultures, perspectives and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our school community and actively promote reconciliation across the precinct. Aboriginal media personality Neil Coyne delivered the Welcome to Country before his dance troupe Middn Marr Dreaming, performed a series of cultural dances, accompanied by Noongar activist and local Elder, Herbert Bropho. Guests were encouraged to join the troupe to perform the Unity dance. Principal, Wayne Austin said that the RAP formalised the precinct’s commitment to reconciliation and building “a greater cultural awareness that leads to stronger relationships”. Mr Austin said he hoped our RAP would “assist in creating a greater awareness of our history, an appreciation of the present and an eye towards the future.” Mr Austin also mentioned other Dianella Secondary College initiatives such as the Aboriginal Families Forum, Yarning Circles along with the opening of the Mila Kaadajiny STEM Centre and a new focus on embedding the Aboriginal Cultural Standard Framework. “I think what is most exciting is that we have only just started this wonderful journey, I think there is so much more we can achieve.” Local member for Mirrabooka, Janine Freeman impressed the crowd by delivering her Acknowledgement to Country in Noongar language before sharing a story about the Southern Cross constellation and speaking about the importance of reconciliation. Our thanks go to our special guests and partners, Commissioner for Children and Young People - Colin Pettit, City of Stirling, Herbert Bropho, Neil Coyne, Middn Marr Dreaming dance troupe, Mark Cometti, Des Headland, Janine Freeman MLA, Jungle George, TADWA, Follow the Dream, Recreation Western Australia, Police Community Engagement Division. We appreciate their continued support! 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 persistence 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. Congratulations to ‘Class of 2011’ alumni Catherine Nguyen. After graduating Dux of Dianella Secondary College, Catherine went on to study medicine at UWA. Her fabulous work ethic and dedication to her studies has paid off as she recently graduated Dux of the School of Health and Medical Sciences at UWA, and with honours! Congratulations Catherine! We are so proud of your on-going 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. Last Wednesday we welcomed nine local primary schools from the northern Stirling area for the Swan West Network Showcase. In a very entertaining afternoon, these talented students performed together as a community, enjoying the opportunity to connect through performance, celebration of culture, music and dance. Each school contributed to the showcase: performing as individual groups or together in the massed choir, singing a range of traditional, popular or school songs. 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. 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. |
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