Newsletters
14 March 2025 (Week 6 Term 1)
2025 Term Dates LINK
20 March – Principal’s Coffee Morning 7.00am – 9.00am – Brother of Mine
24 March – ACC Swimming Carnival
27 March – IPSHA Basketball Carnival
31 March/1 April – Whole School College Photo Days
3 April – Parent Strategic Planning Workshop – 9am and 6pm – Staff Lounge
Important Dates
From the Principal
Mrs Emily Goforth
Last week, our Year 4 students delighted the Junior School with their creative assembly presentation of a fractured fairy tale the classic Little Red Riding Hood but cleverly reimagined from the wolf’s perspective. The performance wasn’t just entertaining, it offered our community a valuable reminder about the importance of considering multiple viewpoints before forming judgements and taking on views.
This concept of perspective-taking and reasoning resonates deeply as we make our way through the current NAPLAN testing period. While these assessments provide useful insights and data points, I’d like to remind our community that they represent just one facet of a student’s learning at just one moment in time forming a single snapshot in a child’s educational journey.
At Tranby, we champion the holistic development of each student, recognising that education extends far beyond standardised testing. We believe in nurturing the whole child – balancing academic achievement with wellbeing, creativity, spirituality, and social responsibility to develop the best version of every student. Every student brings unique strengths, interests, and perspectives that deserve to be celebrated and developed to fulfill their version of personal excellence.
Our approach to education acknowledges that each child’s journey is distinct. We strive to create learning environments that challenge students to exceed their own expectations while providing the support they need to discover and develop their potential across all areas of growth. This means employing varied assessment methods that provide a comprehensive view of student progress, celebrating achievements in multiple domains, and identifying opportunities for further growth.
We certainly encourage all students to apply themselves and do their best during NAPLAN testing. However, we remain exceptionally mindful that these results constitute just one facet of their capabilities on one day. A child’s ability to collaborate, think critically, show empathy, demonstrate resilience, express creativity, and countless other qualities aren’t captured within standardised testing frameworks.
Just as our Year 4s demonstrated with their wolf’s-eye view of Little Red Riding Hood, there are always multiple perspectives to consider when evaluating success and growth in education. By fostering this understanding, we aim to develop students who become compassionate, mindful citizens prepared to face future challenges with confidence, empathy, and integrity.
Deputy Principal
Mr Anthony Britza
Partnering to Support Generation Alpha at Tranby College
At Tranby College, we recognise that raising and educating Gen Alpha—children born from 2010 onwards—is a shared journey between families and the school. Currently, Gen Alpha students make up our entire Junior School (Childcare to Year 6) and the majority of our Senior School (Years 7–9). The eldest of this generation will enter Year 12 in just a few years, by 2026.
As McCrindle and Fell’s (2021) research highlights,
“In an environment where children feel safe, valued and have a sense of love and belonging, providing them with challenges and supportive encouragement are two simple ways to nurture their resilience and positively influence their mental health.”
At Tranby, we believe that the pursuit of personal excellence requires a careful balance between meaningful challenges and a safe, supportive environment.
Some challenges students face may not always be comfortable—whether it is sleeping in a tent during a camp or ELP, studying for an examination, performing in front of their peers, or even learning to read. It is easy to make excuses for children to avoid difficult experiences, but in the long run, stepping up to challenges builds resilience, confidence, and character. This is why we ask that parents and families support the school in fostering this mindset. It should be the expectation that your child attends the swimming carnival and has a go, volunteers for a service activity, gets involved in an after-school club, or represents the school in a sporting competition. These opportunities help students develop courage, perseverance, and a sense of belonging.
We also recognise that every student is unique, and we are committed to working with families to ensure that challenges are reasonably adjusted to support students with diverse learning needs. At Tranby, we provide an environment where all students can thrive, knowing they are supported in their journey toward personal excellence.
By working together, we can help every student develop the skills and mindset needed to embrace life’s challenges with confidence. I encourage you to explore McCrindle’s insights on parenting Gen Alpha here and continue partnering with us in shaping resilient, capable, and thriving young people.
[McCrindle, M., & Fell, A. (2021). Generation Alpha: Understanding our children and helping them thrive. Hachette Australia.]
Head of Senior School
Ms michelle ribeiro
- ACC Swimming Carnival: Our talented swimmers will compete at the ACC Swimming Carnival, showcasing their skills and representing our school with pride.
- Year 7 Camp to Dwellingup: Year 7 students are eagerly anticipating their camp to Dwellingup. This camp promises to be an adventure filled with learning, bonding, and fun.
Deputy Head of Senior School
Mrs Sally Case
At last week’s Senior School Assembly, our Year 12 students were individually presented with their leaver’s jackets and jumpers. Despite the warm weather, it’s heartwarming to see them proudly wearing these around the campus all day. It’s clear that these items are more than just clothing; they symbolise the culmination of their school journey and the memories they are making along the way.
Exciting times are ahead as co-curricular activities kick off in the Senior School! There is something for everyone, with a fantastic array of options to dive into. The Study Café welcomes all students from Years 7 to 12 every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. It’s the perfect spot to get help with homework, subject reviews, and revision, thanks to our dedicated teachers from various departments.
For those looking for adventure and teamwork, the Emergency Services Cadet Corps meets every Monday after school. It’s a great way for students in Years 7 to 12 to bond, have fun, and pick up new skills. Meanwhile, the Senior School Production of The 39 Steps is in full swing, offering roles both on stage and behind the scenes.
We also have clubs in Media, Art, e-sports, the Senior School Choir, and the Duke of Edinburgh program. Students are encouraged to get involved and make the most of these amazing activities!
Head of Junior School
Mrs Cheryl Taylor
Last week, we enjoyed our first-class assembly for 2025. The Year 4’s treated us to a great performance of the fractured fairytale of Little Red Riding Hood with wonderful costuming to match. The Year 4 teachers also donned costumes! The assembly gave our Semester One Student Leaders the first opportunity to assist and for some it was their first time talking into the microphone and addressing the audience. Well done to all involved!
This week, our students in Years 3 and 5 have been involved in NAPLAN testing. The students are to be congratulated for their approach to the testing. Staff work hard to ensure students understand that whilst we want them to try their best, we also understand that it is a snapshot in time and does not define a student or their potential in the future. The last NAPLAN test will be conducted on Monday. Thank you to our families for ensuring you have supported this process by ensuring your child has arrived on time and are settled prior to the tests commencing.
Our Year 6 students will be venturing off on the Year 6 Camp to Busselton next week. Camps are a great opportunity to engage in learning beyond the classroom, and we wish the students and staff a wonderful time away.
Deputy Head of Junior School
Mr Ben Viviers
I can hardly believe it is already Week 4, with the long weekend just around the corner! It has been a whirlwind of exciting events in such a short time, from the Twilight Picnic to the new student leadership appointments and induction assembly, to the variety of before and after school cocurricular activities now on offer. And, of course, the most recent highlight was the incredible Interhouse Swimming Carnival.
Years 3-6 Inter-house Swimming Carnival
Last Friday marked our first Inter-house Carnival of 2025, and what a fantastic day it was! Our students truly gave their best in the pool, and the weather co-operated, providing us with a day that was enjoyable rather than the usual scorching heat. A huge congratulations to Budjar for earning Spud, the Spirit Bear! We are now eagerly anticipating the Year 4 assembly on Friday, March 7, where the overall winners will be revealed.
A special thank you to our Year 11 and 12 student helpers, who were instrumental in supporting the event all day, even discovering new talents as announcers. And, of course, last bot not least, a massive thank you to Mrs. Barber for once again organising an incredible and well-planned carnival.
Wishing you all the best for the year ahead, and I look forward to seeing everyone around campus throughout the term.
God bless.
Senior School Swimming Carnival
The Tranby Senior School Swimming Carnival took place on Thursday 27 February at the Aqua Jetty. The day was overcast and humid, perfect for jumping in the water. It was great to see strong numbers from our Year 7 and 8s. The Year 12’s were the stars of the show. Our MC’s Piwa and Lucy were the party starters with tunes, commentary and even a dance break. We also saw some Year 12’s come out of swimming retirement for one last race. After lunch we began the hotly contested finals which saw our best racers go head-to-head. To conclude the day, the crowd eagerly gathered around the pool for the Staff v Year 12 race. Representing the staff was Mr Watzek, Mrs Bullock, Miss Holtham, Mrs Harstonge and Miss Wilson. The staff chose to show off their elegant swimming styles rather than to fight the water like the Year 12s. This may have resulted in touching the wall second but if this were a diving competition we would have won!
Our champions and winning house will be announced at next week’s assembly on Wednesday.
Congratulations to all those that competed and cheered for their house!
Building Indonesian Connections
This week, our Year 7, 8, and 9 Indonesian language learners had a fantastic opportunity to engage in a video conference with students from SMP Teologi Kristen Pelita Hati in Bali.
Through real-life conversations, our students applied their language skills beyond the classroom, improving their speaking and listening abilities while gaining confidence in using Indonesian. The exchange also allowed them to explore each other’s cultures, deepening their understanding of each other’s traditions and ways of life.
Hebat!
Arts Update
Exciting Arts News
We’ve got a lot of exciting things happening in the Arts department lately! Check out what’s been going on:
Night Night
Our Year 12 Drama students had the incredible opportunity to attend the Perth Festival’s “Night Night.” It was an immersive experience for all involved.
“Night Night was a terrific show and was fantastic to watch. We thought it was creative and something we’d never seen before, an unforgettable experience!!” – Tamsin Cameron Y12
Performing Arts Perspectives
On Monday night, our Dance and Drama students went on an excursion to the “Performing Arts Perspectives” showcase in His Majesty’s Theatre where some of the best 2024 Year 12 items were presented to our students as inspiration. It was also exciting to see Tranby College listed in the program as invited auditionees!
“Perspectives 2025 was a truly amazing celebration of dance, drama, and music with the top ATAR student performers from 2024 practical examinations. The performances were captivating from start to finish, with each act bringing its own unique energy and emotion. This event truly inspired us to strive and stretch our creative boundaries. Thank you for Miss Mangan and Ms Hutchinson for organising this event.” – Rachael Algie Y12
Production Rehearsals Have Begun
We’re thrilled to announce the beginning of production rehearsals for our Senior School performance of “The 39 Steps”. Our cast and crew have already started working hard finding and curating props for scenes, and practising their lines and accents. Trust me, this year’s play is going to be one you won’t want to miss.
KIC Youth Art Awards
Coming up on 27 March is the KIC Youth Art Awards at the Gary Holland Community Centre in Rockingham. Tranby has submitted 10 artworks across media and visual arts. The exhibition will be running for a short period after 27 March, so I recommend you all go have a look for yourself!!
Year 8 Interschool Equestrian
We are thrilled to share some fantastic news about our talented riders, Bella and Sophie, who both performed exceptionally well over the weekend of 22-23 February.
Bella’s Achievements:
- Qualified for Prelim Dressage 1.1
- Qualified for 70cm AM7 Show Jumping
- Qualified for Show Horse
- Qualified for Showman 65
Sophie’s Achievements:
- Qualified for 80cm AM7 Show Jumping
Both Bella and Sophie have shown incredible skill and dedication in their respective events. Their hard work and passion for riding have truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.
Please join us in congratulating Bella Pearce and Sophie Ikenushi on their impressive achievements. We look forward to seeing their continued success in future competitions.
Join Our Equestrian Team for Experienced Riders!
Are you an experienced rider looking to take your skills to the next level? Our equestrian program is perfect for you! Whether you’re passionate about dressage, show jumping, or eventing, we offer a supportive and challenging environment to help you achieve your goals.
For more information and to register, contact us at tranby@tranby.wa.edu.au
Year 8 Cricket Highlight, Asha Pipe
One of our Year 8 High-Performance Cricket students, Asha Pipe, recently won the WA U14 girls Youth League T20 premiership with her Melville team. Batting first, Asha’s team scored 70 before reducing Subiaco-Floreat to 49. Asha opened the bowling taking an impressive 2-3 off her two overs bowled.
Congratulations Asha on a fantastic achievement.
Issac Diamanti
Year 11 student, Isaac Diamanti, has been selected in the final ACC All Stars Cricket Team to play the Government Schools XI next Friday 21 March, at Roberts Oval, Guilford Grammar School. Congratulations on your selection and all the best for the match.
Elijah Ugle
Academic Extension - Year 7 and 8
We’re delighted to announce an enriching opportunity for Year 7 and 8 students to take part in the Academicus programs hosted by Brainways at Perth Academicus. These workshops are designed to inspire curiosity and enhance students’ understanding across various subjects.
Workshop Highlights*:
- The Mathematics of Creativity
Discover the intersection of math and artistic expression, helping students appreciate the creativity inherent in numbers. - Is Modern Art … Ancient?
Explore the connections between ancient art and modern artistic movements, broadening students’ cultural and historical perspectives. - The Science of How We Read
Understand the cognitive processes of reading, empowering students to become more confident and skilled readers. - Pivotal Moments in Medicine
Engage with key medical discoveries that have shaped our world and understand their lasting impact on our lives today.
Participation Process:
- Speak with Mrs. Clark to obtain a formal nomination for the workshops.
- Selected students will receive a Nomination Letter with enrolment information.
- Complete the enrolment through the BRAINways online system by following this link – https://registration.brainways.com.au/perth-academicus/.
- An email confirmation will be sent to confirm your child’s place in the program once enrolment is successful.
- On the day of the workshop, students must bring their Nomination Letter for registration.
We encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your child and support their participation in these enriching programs. Thank you for your commitment to fostering their academic growth! Please contact Mrs. Clark for further queries.
*Each workshop costs $57.
Junior School Swimming Carnival Results
Year 3-6 Inter-House Swimming Carnival Results 2025
The much-awaited Year 3-6 Inter-House Swimming Carnival took place on Friday 21 February, bringing together students, teachers, and parents for an exciting full of fun in the sun! The atmosphere was filled with energy and enthusiasm as swimmers took to the water, showcasing their skills and determination.
The friendly rivalry between the houses was in full swing. Budjar clinched victory over SPUD, with their cheering and incredible house spirit. After leading the entire day, Marra warded off Budjar to remain overall champions and took out the House shield for 2025.
A big thank you to all the teachers and Senior School helpers who made this event a success, and of course, to all the students who gave it their all in the pool.
Congratulations to all participants – and well done to the winners!
Individual Results:
Runner-Up GIRL
Year 3 – Evelyn Waugh (BIL)
Year 4 – Hermione Christian (BUD)
Year 5 – Hollie Hall (MAR)
Year 6 – Indi Mathers (KAR)
Champion GIRL
Year 3 – Layla Bennett (BIL)
Year 4 – Mia McLeod (MAR)
Year 5 – Elodie Gillam (BUD)
Year 6 – Alliya Chandler (BUD) & Stella Conrad (BUD)
Runner-Up BOY
Year 3 – Lachlan Martin (MAR) & Zavier Patterson (KAR)
Year 4 – Benjamin Grant (BIL)
Year 5 – Nate Roberts (MAR)
Year 6 – Seth Gabriel (BUD)
Champion BOY
Year 3 – Oscar Downham (MAR)
Year 4 – Austin Suckling (BUD)
Year 5 – Heath Roche (BUD) & Oliver Bennett (BIL)
Year 6 – Flynn Schmid (KAR)
House Shield:
1st place on 1,114 points is MARRA
2nd place on 1,022 points is BUDJAR
3rd place on 704 points is BILU
4th place on 620 points is KARLA
Bush Kindy
On Thursday 6 March, the Kindy students were involved in a Bush Tucker planting incursion. The children dug the holes for the plants with their bare hands, had the opportunity to smell and taste different plants and learn about their medicinal uses and benefits. Julianne, a Whadjuk Artist, provided an educational lesson in the classroom and taught the students about local Aboriginal culture, the six Noongar seasons and the traditional uses of the plants in our new bush tucker garden. Thank you to Duane for his gardening assistance this morning with our Kindy students.
Tuition Discount with Mastermind
Rockingham Churches' Open Air Passion Play
We are excited to announce that the combined Rockingham Churches will be presenting an open air Passion Play on Good Friday. This special event will take place on the Village Green in Rockingham, and we invite everyone to join us for this meaningful and moving portrayal of the Passion of Christ.
Event Details:
- Date: Good Friday
- Location: Village Green, Rockingham
Please see the attached flyer, and feel free to share it with your friends and family.
We look forward to seeing you at the Passion Play!
Tranby Basketball Club is Coming
This will be a parent run club, that the College is supporting to get off the ground. We are putting the teams into the G-League (Ricky Grace League) as we like the fit of the values, and at this stage, this league can only accommodate teams in Year 3 – Year 10. We will look to expand opportunities for Year 1-2 in the upcoming summer season.
Registrations close 16 March 2025. To Register please go to the TASS (Parent Orbit).
If you have any questions, please email tranbybasketballclub@gmail.com.
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16XAYeMiyT/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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 co-operation 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 Multi-purpose Hall. 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 co-operation 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.
