21st CENTURY SKILLS AT FOUNTAIN COLLEGE

Our vision at Fountain College is to provide learning experiences that enable students to develop the skills and knowledge to be actively involved, confident global citizens. We want them to think creatively, reason critically, communicate effectively and work collaboratively. We want to instill in our students the value of working to the best of their ability and we want to inspire them to achieve success. PSD items (Personal and Social Development) have been part of our semester reports since 2012. The goal of these PSDs was to report on students’ effort, behaviour and homework. With the above mentioned 21st century skills and focusing on student engagement, one of our school goals, the need emerged to report on new PSD items. Our staff have worked together throughout the year to develop our new PSDs. The following items will be reported by each subject teacher each semester.

Organisation Displays punctuality and organisational skills

Behaviour Behaves appropriately and make good choices

Engagement Engages with his/her tasks independently

Work Habits Works to the best of his/her ability

Respect Shows respect and courtesy

Teamwork Works well as a team member

Assessing and reporting are part of the teaching/learning cycle, so teaching and assessing our students, then reporting against these standards will help our students gain these important 21st century skills. Mr Alper Ciftci Curriculum Coordinator

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

21st Century Skills

Events Calendar

From Administration

Kindergarten

Pre-Primary

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

STEM Fest

WACE and Changes to Senior Secondary

The Retirement of Philipa Eisentrager

Debating

Camp

Year 6 2019 Orientation

Athletics Carnival

Fountain College Newsletter 12 Karri Way, Ferndale WA 6148

40 Edgeware St, Lynwood WA 6147 www.fountain.wa.edu.au (08) 9458 3555 admin@fountain.wa.edu.au

ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2018

EVENTS CALENDAR

Fri 23 Nov - Wed 28 Nov Year 6-10 Exams Thur 6 Dec Year 6-12 Grad Mon 10 Dec - Thurs 13 Dec Year 6-10 Camp Tues 11 Dec Primary End of Year

Ceremony and Year 5 Graduation

Thurs 13 Dec Last day of Term 4

FROM ADMINISTRATION

Reenrollment forms for 2019 have been posted to parents. Thank you to everyone who has returned their forms. If you have not yet done so, please return it as soon as possible. If you did not receive a form, then please contact the Office.

-

We are now accepting uniforms to be placed in our second hand shop. Any items that are unworn or no longer needed are welcome to be donated to the office.

-

Please update us with any change of contact details by emailing admin@fountain.wa.edu.au. This includes any phone numbers, addresses or email addresses that you would like to be contacted through.

-

Please note that students are not permitted to have any medication in their bags or lockers. ALL medication must be kept at the office, with a medication form, to be administered by Office staff.

-

Parents are not permitted to drive into the staff car park at any time. They must use the car park on Galena way or remain outside the front gates on Karri Way during pick up and drop off times. Please note that the maximum speed limits are as follows:

40 km/ph on school days

between 7:30–9am and 2:30–4pm

CONTACT US Phone: (08) 9458 3555

Email: admin@fountain.wa.edu.au

Website: www.fountain.wa.edu.au

FOLLOW US Facebook: facebook.com/FountainCollege

Instagram: Instagram.com/fountaincollege

Twitter: twitter.com/Fountain_Perth

Kindy

We started Term 4 by learning about the 4 seasons. Typical features of each season were discussed and in particular, what each season is like in Australia. The children thoroughly enjoyed the topic and created their own pictures depicting each season. The pictures were so beautiful that we displayed them in our front window.

A very exciting topic this term has been ‘The Gingerbread Man’. We read the story and used it to study story features such as: story prediction, characters, setting, and story sequencing. After

reading the story many times, the children were given the task of creating an alternate ending to the story. Some of the responses were very creative. To finish the topic,

the Kindys loved making their own sparkly gingerbread man.

Science lessons have been of great interest this term. The children have been using ‘Bee Bots’, which are robotic bees that can be programmed to move in any direction. We will continue to use the Bee Bots for the rest of the term.

Finally, I’d like to thank the parents and children for making Kindergarten 2018 a fantastic year. I have really enjoyed teaching the children this year and wish them every success for the next year.

Mrs Carina Rychlak Kindergarten Teacher

3

Pre-Primary

Term 4 is fast approaching its end, where has the

time gone? In Week 2, we said farewell to Miss

Atiqah, who was a student teacher from Curtin

University. She was a fun-loving person who learnt

from her experiences in the Pre-Primary classroom

and who will leave a lasting impression on our class.

We wish her well with her future endeavours.

This term we have been learning about Chemical

Sciences and we have also been experimenting with

mixtures. Miss Tee and her Year 9 students came to

visit us in Week 4 to help us understand one of their

STEM projects they presented at the STEM fest

earlier in the term. The project was about how they

got their rockets to launch – which both thrilled and

excited our Pre-Primaries! The Year 9s told us they

had put a mixture of both vinegar and bicarbonate

soda into the “rockets” and as they mixed the

reaction made the rockets shoot up into the air,

much to the delight of the Pre-Primaries! They loved

it so much, the Year 9s promised to return later in the

term so that they could help our students make their

own rockets. We can’t wait!

We are busy practicing for our End of Year

performance, which is only weeks away. The students

are all very excited and enthusiastic about it and they

are very much looking forward to presenting it to

their families on the night.

This has been a wonderful year, and the Pre-Primary

students have all grown so very much. I would like to

take this opportunity to thank you all for your

support this year and wish all the Pre – Primary

students a wonderful start to Year 1 in 2019.

Miss Natasha Labrooy Pre-Primary Teacher

Year 1 We have had an exciting and busy start to our final

term of Year One.

This term in science we have been researching an

animal of our choice to find out information about

their diet, habitats and ways they keep themselves

safe from predators. We are going to be designing

and creating a habitat for our chosen animal to live in

as a design technology project. We recently visited

the Perth Zoo to support us in our animal research

and to provide us with some inspiration for habitat

design. We were especially lucky to have a zoo guide

answer lots of our questions about kangaroos. We

even got to sit very close to the kangaroo if we were

careful not to get too close!

In Literacy this term we are

consolidating our narrative

writing skills and are working

hard to improve our reading in

preparation for Year Two.

In Mathematics we are learning

probability. We are discussing

the likelihood of different events

occurring. Later in the term we

will be collecting data to record

in graphs.

In HASS we are continuing our

investigation into how life in the present is different

from life in the past. We have been in contact with

older relatives to interview them about what their

lives were like growing up a few decades ago.

Miss Michelle Urquhart

Year 1 Teacher

4

Year 2 Hi, and welcome back to Term 4 with Year 2. We have been very busy preparing for the last few weeks of learning and our End of Year Performance. We have already had our Wearable Arts Parade and Paper Plane competition which went well.

Science in Term 4

As part of Science this term students are learning about mixtures and what happens when we mix certain substances together. We investigated mixing cocoa, icing sugar and rice puffs and made chocolate crackle. Students also investigated mixing corn flour and water to make oobleck. They investigated the amounts of water added and what it would make. Little did they know they were making slime!

Technology in Term 4

As part of our Digital Technology curriculum, students have been learning about coding. Coding involves making and following algorithms. Last week the Year 2 students completed an unplugged coding lesson where they had to complete an algorithm to plant a seed.

During the week, the students go to the IT Lab to practice what they have been learning. They love going into the IT Lab to learn coding and have been working hard to complete their course using code.org.

Wearable Arts Competition We have already had some important and fun events this term including the Wearable Arts and the Paper Plane competitions. Congratulations to the winners for their Wearable Arts Costume: Zayed Alotaibi, Juri Khalifah and Sultan Althumairi. Miss Cecily Stainton Year 2 Teacher

Year 3 We have nearly reached the end of an exciting year

and students are looking forward to the end of year

activities. For the past few weeks, students have

been learning about different forms of poetry and

how poetic devices make their writing more

expressive and entertaining. They have also enjoyed

a weekly poetry challenge where students have a

week to practice saying a tongue twister as best they

can, and the best recitation wins a prize.

In Science, students have been

exploring different sources of

heat and introduced to

convection, conduction and

radiation using popcorn. The

Year 3s enjoyed Miss Tee’s

demonstration how the

temperature of the room

affects dry ice.

For HASS they have also looked at various forms of

decision making and researched how the local

community has changed. In Art students have been

tirelessly practising for the End of Year Performance

and looking forward to the presentation night.

The class have also participated in the annual Paper

Plane challenge and STEM fest where they paraded

their wearable art costume. Congratulations to

Abdullah for winning both longest time aloft and

furthest distance, and Bashra, Sarah, Nahide and

Wania for winning the best outfit.

Miss Zayaan Albertyn Year 3 Teacher

5

Year 4 The Year 4s have been working really hard this term. We had a challenge day where all students had to work in groups and use their problem-solving skills to build the tallest tower out of marshmallows and pasta. This was a very sticky and tricky time for all students, but they all developed great towers. As a primary school we celebrated the Indigenous culture with a day out in King’s Park. We had a great

time painting boomerangs and then getting to throw the boomerangs. Students also got to taste different bush food, which was really yummy, and watch some great Aboriginal dancing. We have been learning about forces and motion this term. We are completing a range of different experiments which look at

momentum and friction and how these play an important part of our everyday life. We are also developing our narrative writing and are looking into creating descriptive stories that keep us hooked the whole time. In HASS, we are learning about sustainability and how our actions can create a bigger impact on the environment. We have been looking at our use of water and overfishing and the impacts it has on our ecosystems. We have also been brainstorming the different ways we can do our little bit to help become more sustainable at home and at school. In Health, we are observing how a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial for us. We have been looking at the different types of food we have in our lunchboxes and will be creating a range of healthier snacks we can eat for recess and lunch, while keeping our fitness levels up by playing basketball in our PE lessons. Miss Alisha Overton Year 4 Teacher

Year 5 It is unbelievable that Term 4 is already here! This term is busy as always. Year 5 students are eagerly in preparation for their end of year graduation ceremony. We began the term frantically preparing for our graduation photo day, ensuring our gowns, sashes and mortar boards are fitting. Here are some happy Year 5 students waiting eagerly for the official photo session.

This term our focus for writing is Poetry, we will explore free and fixed verse poetry and various structure types. In HASS, we will cover Bushfires and focus on causes, how it affects lives and ways to prevent bushfires. Furthermore, we will look at the significance of the Eureka Stockade and touch on distinguishing between the difference of needs and wants with a particular focus on sustainability. As for Science students will learn about Chemical Sciences and focus on States of Matter. Further into the term, we will revisit Earth Sciences and wrap up the term with an excursion to the Perth Observatory. Meanwhile, we are working hard to get our dance moves right. Students can’t wait to show their dancing skills at the end of year performance. Here are photos of us dancing to the beat! Finally, I wish to end this year’s newsletter message with a thank you note to all parents who have been in contact with me showing their support and interest in their child’s learning. Although you will be missed, I hope you all have a blast of a year in middle school. Mrs Berrak Keser-Layic Year 5 Teacher

6

STEM Fest

On Friday October 19 and Saturday October 20 our school, hosted its annual STEM Fest, showcasing student work in science and technology. Many students, parents, teachers and visitors attended. Our students spent the previous two weeks preparing for this event and all of their hard work lead to another very successful STEM Fest.

Students who had projects from classes such as Design Technology, Science and Coding were able to choose to update and prepare those projects for the STEM Fest. It was amazing how much work and effort students put in to make their projects engaging and perfect for this occasion. Over the two weeks students had to make sure their projects functioned and looked presentable as well as preparing everything they needed to present for the two days. After those two weeks passed, the students put the final touches on their projects and made sure that everything was working, for the actual event.

The STEM Fest was awesome. On Friday the students set up their projects in their assigned areas, and were judged throughout the day by teachers, a few parents and also students from Parkwood Primary, for awards that would only be given to outstanding students in specific categories. However, most importantly, the students were enjoying their time. Each group took turns taking breaks and looking after their projects. Our students went around looking at other pupils’ creative experiments and just having fun with their friends inside and outside the school. This also was the same for the next day, even though it was the weekend, loads of parents and students arrived to school for this event. These two days were on fire, literally, from projects that used hot flames like the Fire Snake that grabbed everyone's attention as well as the Projector Hologram which left everyone confused as to how it worked. There were too many great projects to count.

The STEM Fest was a massive accomplishment, bringing a closer bond between students, families and the school in general. We at Fountain College just hope that upcoming festivals be this great or even better.

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with their STEM Fest awards at our recent assembly.

Encouragement Award: Glowing Water

Mya Lily Hourani, Rafah Aldehri, Eman Abdirahman, Fatima Al Modaffer

Best Display: Fire Snake

Leala Alrahabi, Jenan Altamimi, Sara Elkenawy, Nada Al Timimi

People’s Choice: Bath Bombs

Nada Abu Obeida, Shams Masoud, Saliha Yidiz, Dania Al Khatib

Best Presenter:

Noor Al Ani and Alia Hourani

Volunteer Support Award:

Omar Syed, Ali Alriteemi, Hasan Al Jarabaa

Mustafa Al-Abboodi Year 8 Student

WACE and Changes to Senior Secondary

As you may know, there have been a number of important changes and sequence of events taking place in Senior Secondary (Years 10-12) in the past few weeks.

To start it off, the Year 12 cohort of 2018 have prepared for and begun to take their final WACE exams. Congratulations to our 2018 Year 12 cohort for their hard work and consistency throughout the year.

7 Secondly, our Year 11 cohort of 2018 have transitioned into and begun their Year 12 education. For the first time this year, Year 12 has begun in Term 4. As a result, the Year 12 cohort of 2019 will have more time to prepare for their WACE exams which will result higher grades and ATARs achieved by students. Academic success is a result of hard work and by starting earlier (Term 4), students will have the necessary time and tools to achieve success.

Last and foremost, our Year 10 students have chosen their subjects for next year. I am happy to say that for the first time, Fountain College has been able to offer ATAR Visual Arts, General Business Management and Enterprise, and Vocational Education and Training. The students have had the widest range of subjects to choose from and the aforementioned subjects have been added to our already wide range of subjects to provide our students with a selection of subjects ideal for their learning and interests.

For more information, feel free to contact the Senior Secondary Team Leader and WACE Coordinator Omer Demirbas via odemirbas@fountain.wa.edu.au.

Omer Demirbas Senior Secondary Team Leader

The Retirement of Philipa Eisentrager

2018 marks 11 years of service for Mrs Philippa Eisentrager. She has served the school community as an Education Assistant in both the Kindergarten and Pre-Primary classes since 2007.

Mrs Eisentrager is the longest serving member of staff at the College, who has seen the school change campuses 3 times, has seen the school grow and change from Damla College into Fountain College in 2016 and has cared for and loved hundreds of Kindergarten and Pre-Primary students in the process.

She has lovingly cared for our students and our families and they loved her back in return. As she is retiring at the end of the school year to spend more time with her family, we hope that you will join us in congratulating her for all her hard work over her many years, and wish her luck as she moves on into another exciting phase in her life.

Debating

In the third week of the last term of school, myself, Noor Al-Ani, along with Sara Elkenawy and Saliha Yildiz boarded a flight to Melbourne. This was the first step of many our way to the interschool You Debate Competition.

This competition consisted of us debating in several rounds against a total of fifteen teams. These teams were from all around Australia; from our various sister schools. The competition comprised of us versing team after team on numerous topics that are regularly discussed in day to day activities.

Our team of three spent three nights in Melbourne, and each of those nights consisted of us staying up late, rehearsing and creating speeches as well as strengthening bonds with other contestants from various schools. Though we were sleep deprived, terrified and jetlagged, we debated with our heads held high; the very epitome of confidence.

Thankfully, everything paid off- we had made it to the Grand Finals! Standing in front of a large crowd, confidence masking our fear, we debated over our final topic. And our team of three, from Fountain College, all the way from Perth, won the title for first place in the You Debate Competition. We took home the medals and the trophy, as well as the immense pride we had for making it out on top.

Our trip to Melbourne wasn’t focused solely on debating and competition as well; we had many instances of collaboration and friendship-making. Sirius College, our hosts, were kind enough to treat us to tours around Melbourne, full of sight-seeing, foreign experiences and exotic food.

Another competition held during this time was the Public Speaking Competition. I was proud to be awarded second place with my speech about children being the future of our world.

So now back home, Sara, Saliha and I are gratified to be the 2018 champions for the You Debate Competition. This experience has taught us so much in terms of competition and collaboration, and we couldn’t be happier.

Noor Al-Ani Year 9 Student

8

Camp

As you know, our students have been working hard throughout the year. The students have gone through learning, multiple tests for each subject and to top it all off, semester exams in weeks 7 and 8. What better way to finish the year than to participate and enjoy the school camp!

In week 10 students from Years 6-10 will have the opportunity to participate in the school camp. The female staff and students will attend Bickley Camp while the male staff and students go to Ern Halliday in Hillarys.

The aim of the camps is to allow students to learn in a new environment while focusing on ‘soft skills’ that are considered important by modern employers. The staff have worked hard to create a program that will cover school curriculum as well as team work, leadership, social and emotional skills. Our students will participate in a range of physical activities, including bush walking, cycling, sport and team-based competitions. As well as intellectual activities including, reading challenges, problem solving activities and leadership challenges.

All students are strongly urged to participate for this opportunity to grow as a student. Letters have been sent out and parents who would like their child to attend are kindly asked to have the letters returned as soon as possible to allow time for the school to prepare.

Students will be fundraising to lower the individual cost of camp throughout Term 4.

Year 6 2019 Orientation

Recently the current Year 5 students, and new students enrolling into Middle School, attended an orientation session. The aim of this session was to introduce the students to Middle School and give them mini lessons in Science, English and Maths. The students looked at colour changes using dry ice in the Science Lab, investigated problem solving in Maths and used their persuasive language in English.

Athletics Carnival

At the end of Term 3 we held the Fountain College Athletics Carnival. It was a great day with students having a lot of fun while competing in the different events including; running, throwing, jumping and team games. Well done to all students for their sportsmanship, dressing in their sporting colours and efforts. Special congratulations to the following students who were the champion students for their Year group.

Year 1: Aleesya Johan and Kerem Cevik

Year 2: Duha Al Jarabaa and Mucaad Abdirahman

Year 3: Khadeeja Arosi and Ibrahim Yildiz

Year 4: Riham Al Jarabaa and Abdelahi Abdirahman

Year 5: Sawsan Al Hariri and Omar Alriteemi

Year 6: Rema Al Saleh and Abd Al Rahman Abo El Atta

Year 7: Nada Abu Obeida and Hatem Burhan

Year 8: Ayse Topcu and Mousa Abo El Atta

Year 9: Alia Hourani and Dhia'a Al Safadi

Year 10: Ayah Hourani and Bugrahan Yagli