The Lumen Bulletin - Week Nine Term One

Welcome to the final Lumen Bulletin for Term One, 2024. We are pleased to share with you the news, events, and updates from the past two weeks.

Last week we held what is always one of the highlights of the college calendar, Harmony Week. We came together as a community to celebrate the cultural diversity of our students, staff and families through a range of events throughout the week. As I mentioned in our last Bulletin, the community at Lumen is wonderfully rich and diverse, with students born in 50 different countries, and collectively speaking 58 languages. Harmony Week is a beautiful celebration of our unique cultural backgrounds. We enjoyed traditional dancing at break times and the chance to sample cuisines from around the world. On Harmony Day, we also enjoyed a beautiful Harmony Day Community Mass, celebrated by the Auxiliary Bishop of Perth, Donald Sproxton, and concelebrated by Fr Phillip Perreau. You can read more about Harmony Week in the articles that follow.

On Tuesday of this week, we enjoyed our Annual Interhouse Cross Country Carnival. All Houses demonstrated a commendable effort; however, it was Tangney House who came away victorious. As they also achieved first place in the Swimming Carnival earlier this term, Tangney will be looking to further cement their lead in next term’s Athletics Carnival, with the other Houses doing their very best to stop them!

Yesterday our Year 12 students took on the staff team in the Principal’s Cup Cricket, the first in a series of competitions to be played between the two teams this year. I am pleased to report that the staff won this event! I look forward to the competition continuing between the two sides throughout the rest of the year, and to seeing whether the Class of 2024 can break the staff team’s winning streak over recent years.

Daisy Davies, Director of Pedagogy, begins her Parental Leave at the beginning of next term and will be away from the College for the remainder of the year. To cover Daisy’s absence, the following staffing changes have been made to the leadership structure:

• Margarita Tranquille: Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning
• Sheldon McIntyre: Deputy Principal Pastoral Care (Yrs 10-12)
• John Bulich: Director of Middle School (Yrs 7-9)
• Louise Di Giacomo: Head of Year 10

Two additional teachers have also been appointed and will start at the beginning of Term 2:

• Abby Barndon: Teacher of Maths and Science
• Michael Poppen:Teacher of Religious Education

I would like to wish Daisy, and her husband Owen, all very best with the impending birth of their first child.

As we come to the end of term, I would like to wish you all a Blessed and Holy Easter and an enjoyable holiday spent with family and friends.

God Bless.

Mrs Karen Prendergast
College Principal

It is without a doubt that Harmony Week at Lumen is, every year, a celebration that is always beyond magnificent. This year was certainly no exception to that. Our activities ran seamlessly throughout the week as we celebrated not only our own unique cultures, but also the diverse heritage within our College. Our students and staff were proud to pinpoint their birth places on the world map attached to the outdoor classroom, we completed cultural homeroom quizzes daily, not to mention the delicious international lunches and sweets that were enjoyed by many. The performers were bedazzling as always, including Middle Eastern belly dancing and the Vietnamese lion dance. It was most wonderful to see our staff and students dress up and parade so proudly in their traditional cultural wear; and of course, the highlight of the entire week was the joyous mass celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Donald Sproxton. Our readings and prayers were read in our different languages as our attendees participated in their cultural wear. It was most certainly a mass and a week to remember by all, and we remain proud of our diverse and festive community.

Mai McShane
Head of English

On Tuesday, 26 March in very hot and trying conditions, the Interhouse Cross Country Carnival was conducted within the College property. Year 7 and 8 students ran a 3km course, while Year 9-12 students competed over a 4km course.

The weather took its toll on several runners, but students prevailed to earn points for their House.

The final placings were:
1st Tangney – 2498 points
2nd Yagan - 2340
3rd Campbell - 2103
4th MacKillop - 2102
5th Salvado – 2006

Congratulations to all students who competed.

Craig Preshaw
Sports Coordinator

Our VET students have been extremely busy this term. They have hit the ground running with their theory and practical tasks both in school and externally. The best part of my job is conducting visits and seeing the students in action, enjoying their courses.

Our students are currently studying a wide variety of courses, including Certificate II in Engineering, Certificate III in Makeup, Certificate III in Visual Arts, Certificate IV in Business and Certificate IV in Screen & Media.

Congratulations to Carly Darnborough and Angelina Gregoire for securing a school-based Traineeship with Reece Plumbing. This is an outstanding achievement and a fabulous opportunity to kick-start their careers with paid employment.

Please enjoy these snapshots of our VET students in action.

Rosa Nicholls
Head of VET and Transition Services

On Friday, 8 March Mr Stewarts' Year 11 Outdoor Education class embarked on an excursion to the John Forest National Park Heritage Trail. The journey commenced with an exciting ride through the Swan View Tunnel, which runs for 340 metres and is almost pitch-black inside. Following this initial challenge, the group tackled a 15-kilometer uphill stretch, conquering an elevation gain of 210 meters. After our efforts we were rewarded with a swift downhill ride that was far more enjoyable than the climb. At the end of the day, the class reflected on their favourite moments, including the breathtaking views, exhilarating downhill rides, lively singing on the bus trips, and even the occasional tumble. Overall, the day was challenging yet highly enjoyable. Thank you to Mr Stewart for organising such a memorable excursion.

Savannah Ashworth
Health & Physical Education Assistant

On Thursday 24th August the Year 11 students had a special night at their annual River Cruise. It was an amazing night and chance for everyone to come together and celebrate the year.
Students boarded the Crystal Swan from Barrack Street Jetty in what was a night to remember, using this event as an opportunity to connect with their peers in their final years at the college. The students represented themselves and college amazingly. They dressed to impress and danced the entire night.
Photos from the night can be viewed here

Cameron Douglas
Head of Year 11

Hold onto your paintbrushes. On Friday, 15 March, our Year 12 Art students embarked on an epic journey into the heart of creativity in Perth! Picture this: a busload of budding Picassos, Van Goghs, and Da Vincis descending upon the bustling city for a day filled to the brim with inspiration and discovery.

Our first stop was the industry-ready studios at North Metro TAFE, where the air was thick with creativity and innovation. As we wandered through a world of possibilities, we found ourselves immersed in a kaleidoscope of artistic prospects. In the guiding hands of TAFE staff, we were lead through their remarkable facilities. We were so fortunate to tour at a time when the studios were fully of activities. The disciplines included: drawing, painting, printmaking, jewellery, ceramics, sculpture, digital visual effects, gaming, fashion design, photography, film and television. Our Lumen students were overwhelmed with the amount of diversity that is available to them.

In the afternoon, we walked 200 metres down the road to discover a gleaming gem of Perth. We found ourselves at the Boola Bardip WA Museum. Our intrepid explorers weren't just passive observers. Armed with cameras and curiosity, they delved deeply into the heart of the treasured stories preserved in our museum.

The day flew by in the blink of an eye, but the memories of this adventure will linger on to inspire masterpieces yet to come. I can’t wait to see how their experiences will manifest in our College Art Exhibition September. See you there!

Lance Taylor
Head of Visual Arts

In Term 2, students will continue to wear the formal uniform each day, except Wednesday when they wear their House uniform. Please note that students are not permitted to arrive or leave school in their House or Sports uniform on any other day, with the exception of those participating in an extra-curricular program run by the College.

Students are permitted to continue to wear either their shorts or trousers and either, tights or socks with their skirts or dresses.

The College blazer and tie that were previously compulsory in the winter terms are no longer compulsory. Students may wear the black jacket in place of the blazer. The College V-neck jumper is optional with the formal uniform and the College sports jumper should not be worn with the formal uniform at any time.

All other uniform and presentation requirements are outlined in the College’s Uniform and Presentation Guideline which can be found here.  

Caroline Watson
Deputy Principal Mission

School holidays are the perfect time to build communication with your child and discuss the impacts of social media on their physical health, mental health and brain development. Social media has a number of benefits, however it can also get in the way of other important experiences and opportunities for growth and development, such as being outdoors, exercising, and spending time with friends or family. High use of social media has also been associated with increased bullying, negative self-image and reduced sleep. Not getting enough exercise and sleep has been linked with higher rates of depression and anxiety in teens, as well as impacting relationships with friends and family, often leading to increased arguments and weakened relationships.

There are documentaries available on social media usage, which I encourage you to watch with your teen these holidays to inform and increase awareness for you both of the negative impacts of social media, such as cyberbullying, online predators and depression. Also helping to empower your child to create their own values and make positive choices for themselves with their social media use and time. A documentary available on Netflix is called The Social Dilemma. Please see the following link to gain more information on what it’s about and how it can help to boost your knowledge on social media and reduce social media use. The Social Dilemma: The Social Dilemma

Vanessa Mirco
Psychologist

Tickets to our Year 11 and 12 Drama Production of Dags are now on sale! 

DAGS is a touching coming of age story full of awkward moments we can all relate to, and speaks to the heart of teenage insecurity in an uplifting, sometimes quirky, way.

In this funny and compassionate look at adolescence, we meet Gillian. A sixteen year old ‘dag’ with a crush on the most popular boy at school and no hope of gaining his interest. Follow Gillian’s (often melodramatic) tale of overbearing sisters, school yard politics, first crushes, first kisses, friendship, and finding out who you are isn’t so bad after all- even if you are still a ‘dag’.

The Production will take place on Thursday, 18 April at 6:30pm in the College's Performing Arts Centre.

Tickets are $5 each. Click here to purchase.

Natalie Cox
Head of Performing Arts

Defence Work Experience Program provides young Australians interested in Defence as a future career, the opportunity to sample life in Defence and learn more about the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Public Service (APS).

The Defence Work Experience Program is pleased to advise that they are offering opportunities for work experience activities:

• The day in life of a soldier: Irwin Barracks on 16 May or 27 June
• An aerial view: Air force careers day: Pearce Air Base on 21 May
• Naval Gazing: Navy careers on 1-3 July

Requirements:

• Aged 15-24
• Australian citizen or Permanent resident
• Arrange own transport
• Complete online application

Click on the following link for more information:
Jobs List - Defence Work Experience (nga.net.au)

Peta Handley
Careers Coordinator

If you are a user of Lewis Road / Station Street as part of your route to the drop off/pick up areas located at Gates 2 and 3 on Mills Road West, you may be aware that The City of Gosnells Council has recently installed two Speed Advisory Systems on Station Street just past Gate 1 and the small roundabout on Mills Road West. This is part of an ongoing trial into driver behaviours and will continue over the next 12 months.

These SAS signs use built-in radar technology and dynamic messaging to reduce speeding, draw attention to local speed limits and encourage positive driving behaviour.

Alistair Dawson
Business Manager

Our students' sporting achievements often extend beyond the College, with hundreds of our students participating in local club and state level individual and team sports.

Over the last fortnight, two of our students have had notable achievements:

• Rio Foster (Year 8) competed in the Junior State Athletic Championships, achieving a bronze medal in the U13 400m with a time of 1:03.22. She also competed in the 800m with a 6th place finish.
• Taiya Hendrickse-Paardekooper (Year 10) has made it into the U/15 State netball squad. This group will be cut down to the final team soon.
  
  Congratulations to both students.
  
  Craig Preshaw
  Sports Coordinator

A reminder to all families with a child who they wish to enrol for Year 7, 2025 that enrolment interviews are underway. If you are yet to submit your enrolment application, please do so at here.

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