Newsletters
14 February 2025 (Week 2 Term 1)
2025 Term Dates LINK
14 February – College Twilight Tours – 6pm-8pm
21 February – Junior School Inter-house Swimming Carnival
27 February – Senior School Inter-house Swimming Carnival
28 February – Student Free Day (Staff Day Office Open)
3 March – Labour Day
31 March/1 April – Whole School College Photo Days
3 April – Parent Strategic Planning Workshop – 9am and 6pm
Important Dates
From the Principal
Mrs Emily Goforth
A warm welcome back to all our families as we embrace the exciting opportunities that 2025 brings. The start of our school year has already been marked by wonderful community spirit, particularly evident at our Twilight Picnic held last Friday. It was fantastic to see so many families come together at the end of the first week of term. These moments of connection remind us of the strong foundation we have built as a school community.
I want to express my gratitude for the incredible support our parent community continues to provide. Your engagement in your children’s educational journey creates a powerful partnership that enriches our entire school experience. The volunteer hours, attendance at school events, and your consistent communication with our teachers demonstrate your commitment to your children’s growth and learning.
As we move forward this year, I’d like to address an important aspect of our children’s development, being the journey toward independence. In our rapidly evolving world, the ability to navigate challenges, make decisions, and develop resilience has never been more crucial. Research consistently shows that children who gradually develop independence in a supportive environment are better equipped to handle future challenges and opportunities.
I understand that watching our children tackle new challenges independently can be confronting for many parents. Our natural instinct is to protect and solve problems for them. However, allowing our children to experience small setbacks in a safe, supported environment is vital for their growth.
The key lies in finding the balance between stepping back and remaining a constant, supportive presence at a developmentally appropriate level. This might mean:
- Allowing your child to pack their own school bag, even if it means occasionally forgetting something.
- Encouraging them to approach their teachers directly with questions about assignments.
- Supporting them in finding their own solutions to friendship challenges.
- Celebrating their efforts and resilience, rather than just the outcomes.
Research reinforces that this approach significantly contributes to developing essential life skills, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving abilities. When children learn to navigate age-appropriate challenges with supportive guidance, they build confidence and capabilities that extends far beyond the classroom.
I am committed to creating an environment where your children can safely practice these skills. Our teachers actively seek to provide the right balance of challenge and support, ensuring that each child can grow at their own pace while feeling secure in their learning journey.
Remember, we are partners in this journey. If you find yourself uncertain about how to support your child’s growing independence, make sure you make contact with your child’s classroom teacher or mentor.
We have lots of exciting things to share with you in 2025, and I look forward to revealing these over the coming months. I wish you all a very successful year ahead.
Deputy Principal
Mr Anthony Britza
Starting 2025 with Healthy study habits for success
As we begin the 2025 academic year, it is important to start with healthy study habits that set students up for success. These habits begin in Childcare and are just as important in the Junior School as they are for our Year 12 students. Developing good learning routines early helps students manage their workload, reduce stress, and perform at their best throughout their schooling.
Establishing a Healthy Study Routine
One of the most effective ways to support learning is through consistent routines. Setting aside regular time for reading, revision, and homework creates structure and prevents last-minute stress. Parents can help by encouraging their children to develop organisational skills, such as using a planner or a study timetable to break tasks into manageable steps.
The Importance of Breaks
Research shows that short, regular breaks improve focus and retention. The Pomodoro Technique—which involves 25 minutes of study followed by a five-minute break—has been proven to increase concentration. For more details on how this technique works, parents can visit this guide. Encouraging children to take active breaks, such as stretching or going outside, helps refresh the mind and prevent burnout.
Minimising Distractions
In today’s digital world, screens and social media can be major distractions. The article from The Conversation—Take Breaks, Research Your Options, and Ditch Your Phone: How to Take Care of Yourself During Year 12—emphasises the importance of limiting distractions to improve learning. Parents can assist by creating a quiet study space at home and encouraging device-free study time.
Engagement Beyond the Classroom
A well-rounded education is about more than just academics. Co-curricular activities, such as sports, music, drama, and clubs, help students develop teamwork, resilience, and time management skills. Balancing study with personal interests ensures students remain engaged and motivated. Make sure your children sign up for one of the many co-curricular activities on offer at Tranby College this year.
Pathways Beyond ATAR
At Tranby College, we recognise that success looks different for every student. While many students work towards an ATAR, others find their strengths in alternative pathways. Our Curtin UniReady in Schools program provides an alternative entry into university, and students can also complete VET Delivered to Secondary Students (VETDSS) courses at TAFE in Years 11 and 12 to gain industry-recognised qualifications. Parents can help by exploring these options with their children and reassuring them that there is no single ‘right’ pathway.
Building Study Skills for Life
To support students in developing effective learning strategies, Tranby College delivers the Study Hacks Study Skills Program to students from Years 7 to 12. Created by Dr Jane Genovese, a Perth-based psychologist and education expert, this program equips students with evidence-based study techniques, memory strategies, and time management skills that they can apply throughout their schooling and beyond.
A Balanced Approach to Learning
Success in school is not just about studying harder—it’s about studying smarter. By building strong study habits, taking regular breaks, engaging in extracurricular activities, and exploring various learning pathways, students from childcare through to Year 12 can develop the skills and mindset needed for lifelong learning. With the support of teachers and parents, 2025 can be a year of growth, achievement, and wellbeing for all students at Tranby College.
Mr Anthony Britza
Deputy Principal, Tranby College
Head of Senior School
Ms michelle ribeiro
Deputy Head of Senior School
Mrs Sally Case
Recognising Achievements
As Term 4 continues, many students have already been recognised for their achievements in areas such as curriculum, leadership and community.
Recognising achievement can take many forms including a College Values acknowledgement from a member of staff, a competition certificate or improved score, or an award to recognise longer term effort and dedication.
It is wonderful to see the number of students in Years 7 to 11 gaining College Values notes in the areas of Respect, Integrity, Service, Commitment and Collaboration.
Maintaining these values led to Year 12 students being recognised at their Year 12 Valediction and Presentation Assembly. Congratulations to all the worthy recipients.
Please open the ATTACHED to view the list of our 2024 Year 12 Award Recipients.
Other notable recent achievements have included Year 10 student Edward Linsley successfully completing the KIC Engineering project and gaining a place in his chosen pre-apprenticeship course next year and Year 12 student Matthew Gaskell being the recipient of the Murdoch TLC Learning for Tomorrow Achievement Award.
Head of Junior School
Mrs Cheryl Taylor
Presentation Assemblies
Welcome to the 2025 school year!
The buzz around the Junior School when students return is always exciting, and this year has been no exception.
We welcome many new families this year and it is wonderful to have you join the Tranby College community.
This week, to commence our Junior School assembly program for the year, we have acknowledged our Semester 1 student leadership group for 2025. Students were presented with their badges, and the oath of office was read on behalf of all our newly appointed student leaders confirming their commitment to the role. The assembly was followed by a celebration morning tea with families.
Congratulations and well done to our Semester 1 student leadership group.
Junior School Leadership Group
Semester 1, 2025
House Captains (BILU): Eithan McKechnie 6G
Yr 5 Official: Stella McRae (5WN)
House Captains (BUDJAR): Alliya Chandler 6D
Yr 5 Official: Gabriella Osuji (5BH)
House Captains (KARLA): Indiana Mathers 6G
Yr 5 Official: Kapish Sharma (5EV)
House Captains (MARRA): Lenieke Badenhorst 6H
Yr 5 Official: Hollie Hall (5BH)
Arts Captains:
Performing Arts
Indi Pearce and Samantha Downes
Visual Art
Seth Gabriel and Stella Mckenzie
Music
Alicia Jefferies and Issac Vincent
Indonesian
Darcy Bowman and Alexandra Grant
Chapel Captains
Amelia Williams and Sienna Johnson
Library Captains
Carys Hewitson and Joel Utano
Deputy Head of Junior School
Mr Ben Viviers
As we near the end of 2024, it’s hard to believe how quickly the time has flown by. Our little ones are growing up so fast but I’m sure we can all agree that watching them explore, experience and learn each day is truly a blessing. The College is always a bustling place and even more so during these final weeks as we wrap up assessments, complete reports and prepare for our end-of-year assemblies. However, despite the busy schedule, we remain committed to providing our students with every opportunity to learn and have fun.
Year 1 Zoo Excursion
On Thursday, our Year 1 students had a wonderful day at Perth Zoo, taking advantage of the summer weather. The excursion was an excellent chance to deepen their understanding of animal classifications and habitats, reinforcing what they’ve been learning in class. Thank you to all staff for arranging this educative experience and our parent helpers for assisting our students and staff.
Junior School Choir Performance
Our Junior School Choir students had an excursion to the Affinity Retirement Village in Baldivis. They sang beautifully, and the residents were overwhelmingly appreciative of their compassion to give back to the community by showcasing their talents and asking them to return soon. Thank you to Mrs Morrison and staff who attended, and to the Junior School Choir for your willingness to give back and serve the community.
Kindergarten Athletics Day
We had several fantastic days dedicated to Athletics for each class; KGW, KGC and KGM. While the students were eagerly looking forward to the event, I suspect the parents were even more excited! Despite needing to reschedule one of the days due to inclement weather, the enthusiasm remained high. The students had a great time showcasing their skills in sprints, hurdles, egg and spoon races, sack races, and of course, the much-anticipated parents’ race! A big thank you to everyone who helped make these events so special.
Campus safety
I would like to take this opportunity to kindly remind everyone of our shared commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful environment on campus. Unfortunately, over the past few weeks, several incidents have been reported involving students riding scooters and bikes, as well as bouncing basketballs before and after school. Please note that these activities are not permitted on campus for safety reasons. Our staff will be reinforcing this message in their classes, and I would be very grateful if you could also discuss this with your children at home over the weekend.
Thank you for your ongoing support and I wish you a wonderful weekend.
Twilight Picnic 2025
On a warm summer evening, our school community came together for a truly special event – the Twilight Picnic. Families, students, and staff gathered on the school grounds, bringing picnic blankets and a wonderful spirit of togetherness. The turnout was beyond our expectations, filling the space with warmth and a strong sense of community.
This event wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our vendors, organisers, and attendees. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
The twilight picnic was a true celebration of what makes our school community so special – connections, unity, and shared moments of joy. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
Junior School Assembly - Leadership Induction
This morning, junior school gathered as a community to celebrate a significant moment – the induction of our Junior School leaders. This special assembly marked the beginning of their leadership journey, as they take on the responsibility of guiding and inspiring their peers.
With proud families and friends in attendance, each student leader received their badge, symbolising their commitment to teamwork, kindness, and service.
We are incredibly proud of our young leaders and look forward to seeing them grow, support their peers, and make a positive impact on our school. Congratulations to all!
ATAR Results
Class of 2024 ATAR Results
As ATAR results were released across the state last year, we got to acknowledge the amazing achievements of our students.
We recognise Chloe who achieved an ATAR of 96.9 and Lauren who achieved an ATAR of 96.25. We are so proud of their achievements! These results reflect their hard work and commitment to excellence.
Cadet Leadership
It is a great honour to formally announce the new Emergency Services Cadet Corps Leader, for 2025, Makaidee Leach. She takes over the role from Matthew Gaskell and is supported by her Second-in-Command, Alex Welsh. We wish Makaidee every success as she leads our Cadets through an exciting and eventful 2025. Congratulations, Makaidee!
Furthermore, Mrs Alexander and Miss Tayla Wilson would like to congratulate and celebrate the following students for their positive contributions to their squads.
These awards recognise both contribution and leadership potential displayed by the Cadets throughout the year.
Congratulations, Best in Squad
Lila Palmer, Year 8 Alpha
Sarah Schewtschenko, Year 8 Bravo
Micheal Alexander, Year 8 Charlie
Elliot Hopgood, Year 8 Charlie
Benjamin Berkey, Year 8 Delta
Jax Brown, Year 8 Echo
Jolie Nguyen, Year 11 Senior Leader
Congratulations, Best Up and Coming
Talay Caruana, Year 8 Alpha
Tyler Rhoades, Year 9 Bravo
Charlie Edwards, Year 8 Charlie
Farra Queen, Year 8 Delta
Rory Diamond, Year 7 Echo
Imogen Barker, Year 11 Senior Leader
Jimmy Palmer, Year 11 Senior Leader
Student Achievements
Taylor Wadeson - Year 9
Taylor Wadeson, Year 9 has spent a lot of extracurricular time this year including before and after school, early Saturday mornings as well as school holidays intensely training with her Ice Synchro Western Australian team to compete in the Australian Figure Skating Championship Nationals (AFSC) 2024 in Melbourne. This competition ran from 27 November to 2 December. Her team the Bees performed well in their section against strong competition from other States and they hope to build on their skills for next year.
Languages Article
Indonesian and French Language Classes
Our Indonesian and French language classes are buzzing with excitement as students dive into new vocabulary and practice using it in real-life conversations. From asking questions to sharing personal details, students are gaining confidence in speaking and understanding both languages. It is wonderful to see their enthusiasm as they connect with different cultures and expand their language skills through interactive and engaging lessons.
Whole School Reminders
Carpark Access
We would like to address important safety matters regarding our recently installed boom gates at the kiss and drop zone.
This new system was implemented after careful consideration and following several unsuccessful attempts to improve traffic safety on campus through other measures. Despite various initiatives, we continued to observe concerning traffic patterns that put our students, parents, and staff at risk. The boom gates represent a necessary step to ensure the safety of our entire College community, particularly during peak pick-up times.
However, we’ve noticed some continuing safety concerns that require your immediate attention:
If you arrive before the gates are operational, please do not:
- Form a queue behind the boom gates
- Park directly in front of them
- Block the entrance area
Instead, we ask that you park in the designated carpark area until the gates are open. This is crucial because vehicles lining up or parking at the gates:
- Block emergency vehicle and parent access to the College campus
- Prevent fire department vehicles from entering and leaving their hub when needed
- Create unnecessary congestion and safety risks around the College campus
We understand that adapting to new systems takes time, but the safety of our College community must remain our highest priority. Your cooperation in using the carpark appropriately and keeping access ways clear is essential for this system to work effectively.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support in maintaining a safe environment for all.
Visting the campus throughout the day
We kindly remind you that during College hours (excluding drop-off and pick-up times), all parents and visitors must report to the College reception located at the top of the MPH. For everyone’s safety and smooth operations, parents should not access student lockers or bag areas during the school day.
If you need to deliver any items or messages to your child, our wonderful reception staff will be happy to assist and ensure these reach your child. They are there to help make this process as convenient as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a secure learning environment.
Drop off time
Please note that duties on campus start at 8:20am, meaning children should not be on campus prior to this time. Please see the College Handbook for more information.
Medical Checking from Community Health Nurse - Wendy Darcy
Undescended testes
Screening for undescended testes is recommended for boys at school entry (~4-5 years of age). Around 2-4% of boys have an undescended testes at birth. But sometimes the testes (also known as testicle) is in the scrotum at birth but is pulled up into the groin or abdomen at around 4-10 years of age. This happens because the cord that attaches the testicle to the abdomen doesn’t grow at the same rate as the child.
Undescended testes don’t fully sit within the scrotum. The condition isn’t painful but can increase the risk of several other health issues such as decreased fertility and testicular cancer. For those boys who develop an undescended testicle later in childhood, the ‘ascending’ testicle often needs surgery between 5 years and 10 years.
Please read through the information about undescended testicles provided by Raising Children Network and encourage your child to check themselves as described there.
If you have any concerns, please contact your General Practitioner or Community Health Nurse, Wendy Darcy on 94192266.
Colour Blindness
Children who are colour blind can see as clearly as other people but can’t tell the difference between some colours or see colours differently from other people. Very few people who are colour blind are ‘blind’ to all colours – most often they see red and green as very similar.
It’s good to know if a child is colour blind because they may have difficulty at school with activities that use colours, such as drawing and sorting blocks, and with computers. Please read through information on colour blindness provided by Raising Children Network.
If you have any concerns, colour vision testing can be performed by some General Practitioners (GP), eye specialists or optometrist. You can also contact your local Community Health Nurse, Wendy Darcy on 94192266.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine which can develop during a child’s growing period about 9 -14 years.
It can be detected by a simple examination of the back.
The normal spine has three curves – one in the neck, on in the upper back and one in the lower back. These curves can be seen from the side, but when you look from behind the spine should appear straight. If the spine has a sideways curve, this is scoliosis.
Please read through the scoliosis information provided by Raising Children Network and check your child for scoliosis as described.
If you have any concerns, please contact your General Practitioner or Community Health Nurse, Wendy Darcy on 94192266.
Resources
Also please find below a link for Child and School Health resources which provide a great range of information for families on parenting, child health and development.
Child and Adolescent Health Service | CAHS – Resources this includes the Kids Health Matters podcasts.
Child and Adolescent Health Service | CAHS – School Entry Health Assessment
2025 Secondary Assistance Scheme
The Western Australian Government through the Department of Education provides an allowance to assist eligible families with secondary schooling costs. Parents/guardians must apply for the Secondary Assistance Scheme (SAS) each school year (annually) –
applications do not carry forward to future years.
To see all conditions and how to apply click here.
Murdoch University After School Programs
The Murdoch University After School Program in Mathematics and Physical Sciences provides classes in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. For 2023 Term 1 we also have a Study Skills class running.
Each subject runs for 2 hours each week from 4:30pm to 6:30pm starting the second week of school term. Students are welcome to attend 1 to 3 times a week depending on their interests.
Please see the attached flyer for:
- Mathematics | Physical Sciences | Study Skills
- OR
- e-mail AfterSchoolProgram@murdoch.edu.au for more information.
