The Noongar season of Birak has made its entrance into our lives with a ramping up of heat as we approach the end of the school year. Birak is the season of the young. We notice fledgling birds emerging from nests and this is the time that reptiles shed their old skin for a new one.

It seems apt that within the past fortnight we have witnessed many transitions of life for our students and members of our School community. Our Year 6 students experienced a transition day into Year 7. Our newest students for Kindergarten 2024 had a taste of Kindy life with their orientation session. That same day, our Junior Councillors made us proud as they graduated from the Mandurah City Council and Year 7 students for 2024 participated in an open evening for an extra glimpse of Secondary school life.

On Friday 24 November, we were honoured to host the Baptism and Confirmation ceremony for Mrs Judy Sparkes, Chair of Council. This was a special learning experience for our students and we are grateful to Mrs Sparkes for sharing this beautiful commitment to God and the Church with us. The ceremony included the blessing and use of a beautiful new Challis and Paten, made from significant woods from our bush space and the old Mandurah Bridge, and concluded with one of our favourite hymns, By Our Love.

Excitement for new life continued. On Friday 1 December, our 2H1 children represented the story of The Nativity, heralded by a choir of combined Primary campus students as they celebrated the Advent of Christmas by singing and waving their way through the City of Mandurah Christmas Pageant. It was a wonderful evening and we were delighted to spot so many of our School community members in the crowds cheering along.

Over the next week, we look forward to celebrating the efforts of all our students through special events, including choir performances, Carols on the Green, end of year Nativity plays, concerts, Thanksgiving Services and assemblies. We are grateful for the ongoing support of our amazing Frederick Irwin community and wish you all a blessed festive season. It has been a privilege to share this journey of the 2023 school year with you and your beautiful children.

Kind regards

Nat Burbage