ASA NEWS July 2016 President’s Message As we read this edition of ASA NEWS, the federal election will have been decided. Regardless of the outcome, hopefully, the party leading our country will be concerned for our physical future through its initiatives in relation to sustainable power, climate change, the Great Barrier Reef and sustainable farming. The manner in which it plans for our emotional and spiritual future, particularly in relation to refugees, class divisions, volunteers, marriage, and religious freedoms will be as important, if not more so. FEATURE ARTICLES Healing Through Music ...............................................10 Leading the Way in Sustainability ............................ 20 St Aidan’s Earth Angels .............................................. 24 Nurturing Tomorrow’s Environmentalists................... 28 A ResourceSmart School ........................................... 40 Over The Fence Ministry Grabs Teens’ Attention .....72 FORWARD ASA NEWS - July 2016 - 1 In this edition of ASA NEWS you will read many articles One of the key outcomes of the Annual General about the wonderful initiatives being carried out in our Meeting in Perth in 2014 was that ASA would aim to schools in relation to sustainable programs and service be self-sufficient in terms of funding by 2020. At that learning – ‘food’ for our physical and spiritual bodies. meeting the membership agreed that the annual budget for 2015 and each year to 2020 would include a Executive Officer Honoured 20 per cent increase in subscriptions. We are now one- Many of you will have read that The Reverend Peter third of the way to becoming financially independent Laurence was awarded the Medal of the Order of of the ASC (WA) which is a significant achievement. Australia in the most recent Queen’s Birthday Honours. We are most appreciative of the generosity the ASC Peter was recognised for his service to education. has afforded and continues to afford ASA and hope that the excellent relationship we have developed will Peter has been the Chief Executive Officer of The continue to our mutual advantage and that of the Anglican Schools Commission (Inc.) (ASC) (WA) since schools we serve. 2003 as well as being the Executive Officer of Anglican Schools Australia (ASA) since 2011. He served as The addition of a second Chaplain to the Management President of ASA from 2008 to 2011. Prior to this Peter Committee has been most welcome and I am pleased was Principal of two Anglican K-12 schools; Trinity to advise that The Reverend Matthew Shorten from the Anglican School in Cairns, Far North Queensland and Diocese of Newcastle, currently Chaplain at Lake’s All Saints’ College in Perth, Western Australia. Grammar and The Reverend Natasha Darke from the Diocese of Adelaide, currently Chaplain at St Peter’s Those of you who have experienced Peter’s passionate Girls will join the committee in August. At that time we and selfless commitment over many, many years to will farewell The Reverend Andrew Mintern who will advancing the work of Anglican schools in support of stepping down from his position on the Management the learning and development of its many students will Committee to focus on his work as a parish priest. Jim Laussen with Overnewton’s Prep B Class, 2016. know how well deserved this accolade is. I am certain ABOVE: We are extremely grateful to the 130 people who that all members of ASA join me in congratulating • Undertaking collegial research and development Thanks responded to our most recent survey. This is 40 more Peter on this award. projects, which build the capacity of Anglican respondents than for the previous survey in 2013. Of the In closing, let me thank Wendy Hillman whose tenacity schools as contemporary Christian communities; Welcome respondents, 81 were regular conference attendees and tireless energy ensure that we are all able to enjoy • Strengthening advocacy for Anglican schools with At its most recent meeting in May, ASA’s Management and 49 had never attended a conference. The this publication each term; a publication that keeps a particular focus on government and the Church; Committee welcomed Mrs Debbie Dunwoody, Principal feedback from both groups has been invaluable in our us informed about the activities of fellow Anglican discussions as we plan the next strategic plan. I must say • Building alliances to expand our horizons including of Victoria’s Camberwell Girls Grammar and Mrs Judith schools from across Australia, that inspires us about the social justice partnerships with Anglican agencies; Tudball, Principal of St Michael’s Collegiate School in it was pleasing to note the increase in satisfaction with work being achieved by our students and our school Hobart to their first Management Committee meeting. the work of ASA as expressed in the survey responses. • Extending our network to embrace New Zealand communities and that strengthens the connections In addition to our day of discussion and planning for We look forward to building on this level of positivity. Anglican schools. that we all share as members of Anglican Schools the work of ASA, we spent a full day reviewing the Our strategic purpose - Inspired by Christ, our core The Strategic Plan will be delivered through three Australia. Without Wendy’s drive and enthusiasm we current strategic plan and preparing the next. purpose is to support and serve Anglican Schools in Core Activities, all contributing to the Christian life of would not have the publication we enjoy now. ASA’s Achievements fulfilling their Christian Mission - was strongly endorsed Anglican schools: by the Management Committee at its meeting in June I look forward to seeing all of you in Adelaide as we • Collegiality and Collaboration The current Strategic Plan 2013-16 established a strong and we trust that the membership will endorse it in direction for ASA, particularly in terms of strengthening celebrate being together and explore our conference Adelaide too. • Research and Development connections, networks and support between member theme of Rivers in the Desert. Future Priorities • Advocacy and Alliances schools through the annual conference, Chaplains’ Jim Laussen networks and new media strategies. Aligning the Building on the achievements of our current Strategic We look forward to presenting the strategic plan to you President, Anglican Schools Australia annual conference more closely to the Strategic Plan Plan, the key priorities for the next four years include: at the annual conference in August in Adelaide. Principal, Overnewton Anglican Community College has given a greater focus to the conference and this • Creating opportunities for collaboration and mutual has been well received. support, including connecting members between The new ASA Facebook Page, ‘Anglican Schools ASA conferences; Australia’, has been a terrific initiative with a large number • Enhancing support for School Chaplains, recognising Editor’s Note of followers already and regular postings about Anglican that ASA is one of their major collegiate networks; schools from across Australia. Additionally, the new • Stimulating discussion and sharing of knowledge Anglican Schools Australia invites principals, chaplains, teachers as well as chairs, governors and friends of closed Facebook Page specifically for Chaplains, ‘ASA on key issues and opportunities impacting Anglican Anglican schools to submit articles for publication in ASA NEWS. We are particularly interested in publishing Chaplains’, has given a fillip to their networking ability. schools; articles about school Religious Studies, Service Learning and Indigenous programs. Articles of approximately 1000 words in length, together with a selection of high quality digital images, are to be emailed to whillman@ FRONT COVER: St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School (VIC). Submissions are published at the discretion of the editor. FRONT COVER BANNER (L-R): St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School (QLD), Launceston Grammar (TAS), Investigator College (SA), Georgiana Molloy Anglican School (WA). asc.wa.edu.au BACK COVER: Western Australian Anglican Schools Association’s Student Leaders’ Reunion with the Archbishop, May 2016. Photographer: Bronwyn Claughton. 2 - ASA NEWS - July 2016 BACK CONTENTS PAGE CONTENTS PAGE FORWARD ASA NEWS - July 2016 - 3 Anglican Schools Australia ASA Schools Fly for Less Executive Officer’s Column Virgin Australia is not only the AFL’s airline of choice. world’s best airlines, Etihad is offering great discounts Members will be aware that last July we signed a major for individual and group travel across the world. travel partnership agreement with Virgin Australia, Five world-class airlines now offer generous giving ASA member schools access to beneficial discounted travel for our schools - Virgin Australia, pricing for individual and group travel in Australia and Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand overseas, as well as a number of other partner benefits. and Delta. Members can access the respective From 1 July this year, Etihad Airways has become airline travel benefits when booking through Campus our newest travel partner. Recognised as one of the Travel, ASA’s selected Travel Management Company. Peter Laurence The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, Executive Officer of Anglican Schools Australia (ASA) (and CEO of the Anglican Schools Commission in WA), provides an update on the development of ASA’s new strategic plan - Strategic Plan 2020, offerings for Chaplains and travel partnerships. In addition, he encourages individuals from member schools