Term 1 Letter from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians

Welcome back to the 2021 school year at Sevenoaks Senior College. It was certainly an unusual start to a year as Perth was put into lockdown and the return of our students to the College was delayed.

We were pleased that the students could return in week 2 and, even though they were required to wear masks, they arrived ready and raring to get started! I would like to thank the students and staff on a fantastic first week. It was such a pleasure to see.

I would like to welcome some new staff members who have joined us this year including Ms Chellew (Manager of Corporate Services), Ms Howes (History), Ms Christie (English), Ms Collins (Business), Ms Dodson (Marketing and Media), Mr Jones (Clontarf) and Mr Murace (Clontarf). We welcome you all to the Sevenoaks team.

Despite the challenges and uncertainty of the 2020 school year, our results were very pleasing. Three students were awarded a Certificate of Merit from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA); congratulations to Mara Busoy, Saif Kaimkhani and John Sarana. Two students achieved an ATAR above 90 with Mara Busoy achieving the highest score of 93.6. Six students achieved an ATAR of between 80 to 89.

57 students were offered places at University (38 ATAR and 19 General students). In addition, Mara Busoy received a $15,000 scholarship at Curtin and Saif Kainkhani, Lorna Ngige, Rimjhim Baghel and Mariam Motawea, as UWA Fairway students, received $1500 for 3 years.

Our large Vocational Education and Training (VET) student population also had an extremely successful year with 92 per cent of Year 12 VET students completing their Certificate II and III qualifications. 72 students have secured a place in TAFE to continue their studies. The successful Trade Training program has enabled 8 students to gain apprenticeships or full time work. Our 25 second year Canning Skills students achieved 20 full certificates, with 75% securing work and/or apprenticeships, continuing studying at TAFE, or entering the police force or defence force.

I am very proud of the achievements of our students, especially the resilience and determination they showed throughout 2020 with the challenges of the COVID pandemic. Now, more than ever, attributes such as these, and others like flexibility and perseverance are going to be critical to the success of our students. I am sure our students will continue to rise to the challenge and seize every opportunity to be the best they can be.

I would like to recognise and thank all the teachers, advocates, College staff and Board who work tirelessly to ensure our students have the best opportunities to reach their potential. Our staff’s relentless commitment to the students ensures no student is disadvantaged.

If you have had a chance to look at the term one school planner on our College website (www.sevenoaks.wa.edu.au) you will see that every week is busy with something for students to get involved in as part of our ‘Stay on Campus’ initiative. Lunchtime events have been organised and are being advertised around the campus.

I encourage all parents and carers to continue supporting their son or daughter as they settle into a new after school study routine.  Most courses at Sevenoaks (especially ATAR and General) will provide homework on a regular basis.  Every student at Sevenoaks has an Advocate teacher whose role is to support, care for and help the Year 11 and 12 students in their Advocacy group. Your child’s Advocate teacher will be making contact with you within the first four weeks to touch base and introduce themselves.  They may contact you throughout the year if they have concerns or they are following up an absence or just wanting to let you know how your child is progressing here at Sevenoaks.  You may also need to contact them if you need to pass on any information about your son or daughter or if you have any questions about their studies.

Please ensure that we have your email contact on our system as much of our communication, including reports, are sent via email. Can I request that if you change your mobile phone number please ensure you notify the College Reception so that we can keep accurate contact details in case we need to phone you.

I look forward to meeting students and parents again this year. I am always available, so if you need to speak with me, please make an appointment at the College Reception

Yours sincerely

Katie Edwards

Principal