E-News 2 December

 

Term 4

Welcome to Week 8

 

  • At Corpus Christi we believe that every individual in our community has the ability to make a meaningful contribution and help shape the unique story of our College. By fostering a sense of personal agency, we encourage all to speak up, share ideas, and engage in ways that are constructive and life-giving.

    The Gospels present Jesus as the ultimate model of leadership - one who is prayerful, humble, merciful, relational, compassionate and courageous. Jesus led by serving. He placed others first, recognised their gifts, and nurtured their growth with attentiveness and care. Inspired by Jesus’ example, we strive as a community to lead through service, empowering and supporting those around us.

    At Corpus we aim to form leaders who place the needs of others ahead of their own. Our students, whether holding formal roles or leading by example, strive to develop their own gifts while empowering others. In doing so, they seek to create positive change that is ethical, inclusive, and socially just, both within our College and in the broader community.

    We look to Pope Francis for inspiration in building this leadership culture. His leadership was grounded in humility, service and authenticity. Author Chris Downey said that Pope Francis’ leadership was “other-centred” and that he led with self-awareness, understanding his own strengths and limitations, and consistently placed the needs of others before his own. He fostered inclusion and empowered others.

    We had the opportunity to explore Pope Francis’ leadership, along with other key leaders, during our recent Prefect Camp in defining what it means to be a servant leader like Jesus. Our Prefects were all present yesterday as we announced our incoming leaders in Years 8 to 11 for next year. Congratulations to our new Senior School leadership group, we wish them all of the best for 2026. We look forward to announcing the Junior School leadership positions next week.

    We acknowledge and celebrate every student who stepped forward to apply for a leadership role. While not all were appointed to formal positions, we firmly believe that leadership is not defined by a title. Each of these students has demonstrated courage, initiative, and a willingness to serve - qualities that make them leaders in their own right. Their contributions will continue to shape the life of our College, and we encourage them to keep using their gifts to inspire and support others.

  • We celebrate the outstanding leadership and service of Head of Sport, Mr James Howard, who was recently announced as the recipient of the St Sebastian Fellowship Award at the Annual Associated and Catholic College’s (ACC) Awards breakfast.

    This prestigious award honours individuals whose long-standing and exceptional service to the ACC reflects the true spirit of St Sebastian; strength, endurance, perseverance, courage, and justice.

    For more than two decades, Mr Howard has shaped sport, community, and culture with dedication and a genuine sense of service. He has contributed strongly to the ACC and to our Corpus community to support the growth of sporting opportunities for students. Mr Howard has championed participation and pride in oneself and the College, ensuring that sport is not just about winning, but about belonging, teamwork and the celebration of gifts and talents,

    Congratulations to Mr Howard on this outstanding and very well-deserved achievement.

  • We were delighted to welcome many students, families, staff and friends to our annual Corpus Christi College Carols on the Junior School oval on Tuesday last week. The event was a wonderful way to prepare for Christmas and celebrate another fulfilling school year, bringing together our community in a spirit of joy, connection, and belonging.

    The evening was filled with festive music thanks to our talented singers and musicians who made the event such a memorable one. Adding to the excitement, we were delighted to welcome a very special guest, Santa himself, who brought smiles and laughter to all of those present.

    We are very grateful to our students for their enthusiasm in preparing for the event, along with our staff for their dedicated efforts. Of course, we thank our families for their excellent support of the evening.

  • We were delighted to welcome the Graduating Class of 2031 to the College for their Orientation Day on Tuesday last week. These students will be joining us next year as Year 7 students in 2026 and we know that they will continue to positively contribute to our Corpus legacy.

    We congratulate the students for the ways that they participated fully in the planned events and activities across the day. We challenged students right at the start of the day to live out our Values of Courage, Commitment and Compassion throughout the day to ensure that everyone felt a genuine sense of belonging and connection. We acknowledge the students for stepping out of their comfort zone to discover new friendships and to experience many of the different growth opportunities the school has to offer.  We thank our senior student leaders for their support of the day and also our staff who, as always, give of their time and talents so generously.

    On Wednesday evening last week, we then welcomed parents and caregivers of our incoming Year 7 students to hear from renowned author and presenter, Claire Eaton, who provided advice and information on the transition journey of students from primary to high school.

  • We farewelled a very excited group of students last Saturday, departing Perth for the Australian Catholic Youth Festival and Canberra Tour. Staff and students have been busy preparing over the past months for this very special event. We wish them all well and hope that they enjoy this wonderful experience. Thank you to our dedicated staff for their support of this excellent initiative.

  • Thank you to the members of the community who recently attended the College’s Annual Community Meeting. The meeting provided us with the opportunity to reflect on another very successful year at the College and to acknowledge the wonderful contribution from so many different groups who ensure the continued growth of our special community.  We thank our Catholic School Advisory Council Chair, Mrs Stephenie Vahala, who chaired the evening.

  • With the Season of Advent upon us, we look forward to celebrating the birth of Jesus at Christmas. During the special time in the life of the Church, we are invited to deepen our spiritual lives through prayer, reflection, and acts of charity.

    In preparation for the arrival of Christ, Pope Leo XIV encourages us to live faithfully, promote reconciliation, and work toward unity in our communities and beyond. His message is a call to ‘active hope’ – not one of passive waiting, but an active time of preparation.

    As the term rapidly draws to a close during the Season of Advent, we wish all of our families every blessing for a joy-filled Christmas. We acknowledge the wonderful engagement of parents and caregivers, the courage of our students to learn and grow, the support of the St Thomas More Parish and the outstanding dedication of our amazing staff working in partnership to shape our wonderful Corpus Christi College community.

 

Best wishes and every blessing

Jeff Allen

Principal

 
 

  • The Junior School Colour Run will be held on Friday 5 December 2025. We remind families, no canteen orders to be placed on this day. More iInformation about the event can be found on the College calendar here.

  • On Wednesday, 10 December, students from Kindy to Year 5 will undertake a transition session, which is designed to provide students with a smooth move into their 2026 class.

    Students will be informed of their 2026 classroom allocation and will then spend an afternoon session with their 2026 classroom teacher and classmates. This session will be focused on familiarising students with their new learning space and undertaking some fun activities.

    Class lists will be distributed to families that afternoon, and parents are encouraged to support their child’s placement and successful transition by engaging in positive discussion about the process and excitement about the future possibilities for their child. No changes to class allocations will be possible once class lists have been distributed. More information available on the calendar here.

 

  • We are delighted to share that the 2025 Yearbooks have arrived and will be distributed to families in Week 9. This publication is a celebration of the Courage, Commitment and Compassion that define our College community, capturing the many events, achievements and milestones that have shaped this year.

    A special mention goes to our College Marketing and Communications Team, who not only designed and produced the Yearbook but also captured many of the stunning photographs featured throughout its pages. Their incredible effort ensured the Yearbook was completed on time so families can enjoy this keepsake before heading off on holidays.

    Please note that any events occurring after the Yearbook deadline will feature as a flashback in the next edition, so every moment will be celebrated. We hope you enjoy looking through this Yearbook and reflecting on the many experiences that have made 2025 such a memorable year for our Corpus Christi College community.

    To ensure every family receives one copy of the Yearbook, it will be given to the youngest student in the family in Week 9.

    Year 11 Students: The youngest in the family who are Year 11 students will receive their Yearbook on Friday, 5 December in Homeroom.

    Year 12 Students: You are welcome to collect your Yearbook during College opening hours from Week 9 up until 19 December 2025. Alternatively, you can collect from Senior School Main Reception when we return in January. Our graduating Class of 2025 will also be invited back to the College for a special opportunity to collect their Yearbook and share their plans and activities for the future.

  • If you would like your child to learn an instrument through the College in 2026, please complete the enrolment form by the dates below.

    Junior School students from Year 3 onwards are welcome to apply, with a limited selection of instrument options available.

    Weekly lessons take place during College hours, with limited availability for out-of-school times. Priority for requested times is given to Year 11 and 12 students to support their academic commitments.

    To commence lessons in:

    • Term 1, 2026 – Submit by Friday, 12 December 2025
      Enrolments received after this date but before Term 1 begins may start during Term 1.

    • Term 2, 2026 – Submit by Friday, 27 March 2026

    • Term 3, 2026 – Submit by Friday, 12 June 2026

    • Term 4, 2026 – Submit by Friday 11 September 2026

    Instrumental lessons are available to all students at Corpus Christi College.
    Don't miss the opportunity to nurture your child’s musical talents!

    Sign Up Here

  • Uniform Shop

    A reminder that all students, apart from current Year 11s, must be in the new school uniform as of Day 1 of Term 1, 2026. This will mean that there will be significantly more students than usual needing uniform fittings before the start of the new school year. Please keep this in mind and start considering any new uniform requirements now to avoid the January queues.

    The final day of trade for 2025 will be Monday 8 December. From Tuesday 9 December, the Uniform Shop will be closed for our annual stocktake. We will reopen in January for fitting appointments and walk-in days, as advertised. Any online orders placed from Monday 8 December will be available for collection on our first fitting day: Wednesday 21 January 2026.

    Summer Uniforms 2026 Bookings

    From Term 1, 2026, all students are required to wear the new College uniform. To support families with this transition, we’ve opened Uniform Shop bookings for full uniform fittings. While priority will be given to incoming new students, current students are also welcome to book an appointment if a full fitting is required.

    January Fitting Appointments (9.00 am–3.30 pm):

    • Wednesday 21, Thursday 22, Friday 23 January 2026

    • Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 January 2026

    BOOK HERE

    If you only need a few items, please visit us during our walk-in days or regular shop hours. Orders can also be placed online via Flexischools.

    Walk-in Days (9.00am–3.30pm unless stated):

    • Thursday 29 January 2026

    • Friday 30 January 2026

    • Monday 2 February 2026 (8.00 am–4.00 pm)

    Usual Uniform Shop hours will resume from the 4 February 2026.

  • As part of our commitment to environmental stewardship and in partnership with the Friends of Corpus, we encourage families to participate in our Uniform Recycling Program. Gently used uniforms can be donated to support sustainability and help other families in our community. Information is detailed below.

    Let’s work together to reduce waste and support one another—thank you for being part of this initiative.

  • Enrolments - Families with Siblings 

    Families who would like their other children to join their siblings at the College are kindly reminded to submit an enrolment application for their intended year of entry. 

    Year 7 2028 Entry 

    We anticipate that the processing of the Year 7, 2028 cohort will commence later this year.  Families who have siblings at other schools and are interested in a place for Year 7 2028,  are encouraged to lodge an enrolment application at your earliest convenience.  

    We welcome all enrolment enquiries here: enrolments@corpus.wa.edu.au or 08 6332 2566

  • We wish to inform you that the 2026 Fees and Charges Schedule is now available. This schedule outlines tuition fees, levies, and other associated costs for the upcoming school year. Please take the time to review the document carefully to assist with your planning. The full schedule can be accessed via [insert link details]. Should you have any questions or require clarification, please contact the College Accounts Team on 08 6332 2500. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

 

  • Dear Parents and Guardians,

    The Australian Government has introduced new legislation that will raise the minimum age for social media use to 16 years old, beginning 10 December 2025. We are sharing this information to help you understand what is changing, how it may affect your child, and how you can support them through this transition.

    What Is Changing?

    • Children under 16 will no longer be able to access social media.

    • Parents and guardians cannot give permission for under-16s to have social media accounts.

    • All major social media platforms - including Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Facebook, YouTube (logged-in use), Threads, Reddit, and Kick - are included in the ban.

    • Existing accounts for under-16s will be locked once the ban begins.

    How Will Platforms Enforce the Ban?

    Social media companies will be responsible for verifying users’ ages. They may use:

    • ID checks

    • Facial recognition

    • Other age-verification technologies

    Strict privacy rules apply: age-verification data cannot be used for any other purpose.

    What Apps Can Children Under 16 Still Use?

    The ban does not apply to:

    • Messaging apps (Messenger, Messenger Kids, Discord, Signal, Telegram)

    • Online gaming platforms (Roblox, Minecraft, Steam, Fortnite)

    • Health and education apps

    • Viewing YouTube without logging in (guest mode)

    There are no penalties or fines for children, parents, or schools if children access banned platforms.

    Preparing Your Child for the Change

    This shift may feel significant for young people who rely on social media for connection, entertainment, and communication. The most supportive things parents can do include:

    1. Acknowledge Their Feelings

    The ban may feel unfair or upsetting. Avoid dismissive phrases such as “It’s for your own good.” Keep conversations open and understanding.

    2. Model Healthy Behaviour

    Many adults also find themselves glued to their phones. Demonstrating balanced tech use helps children adjust more easily.

    3. Help Them Build Offline Connections

    Young people won’t automatically replace social media time with healthier activities. Encourage:

    • Face-to-face social time

    • Sports, hobbies, and creative outlets

    • Family activities

    • Regular tech-free times

    4. Practical Steps Before 10 December

    Help your child to:

    • Save Snapchat memories to their camera roll

    • Collect their friends’ phone numbers

    • Download posts or photos they want to keep

    • Cancel any subscriptions linked to social media

    • Stay alert for scams offering “workarounds” or “reactivation”

    Ideas for Offline Activities

    To support the transition away from social media, here are some enjoyable screen-free options:

    • Cooking, baking, gardening

    • Drawing, painting, crafting

    • Sports, walking, the gym, swimming

    • Reading, audiobooks, podcasts

    • Going to the markets, beach, skate park, Kings Park

    • Board games, card games, escape rooms, mini golf

    • Photography, journaling, making a vision board

    • Spending time with friends and family

    (You may like to sit with your child and make your own list of personalised ideas.)

    Conversation Starters About Technology

    Use simple, curious questions to help your child reflect on their phone use:

    • What will you miss most about social media?

    • What won’t you miss?

    • How does social media affect your mood?

    • How do you recharge without your phone?

    • What hobbies or friendships do you want to grow offline?

    • How will you stay connected with friends?

    Helpful Resources for Parents

    Websites

    Books

    • The Anxious Generation — Jonathan Haidt

    • Indistractable — Nir Eyal

    • Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? — Julie Smith

    Phone Support

    • WA ParentLine: 1800 654 432

    • Ngala Parenting Line: 08 9368 9368

    Videos

    • Family Tech (YouTube)

    • Parental Guidance TV Series (9Now)

    • “What is [X platform]?” guides for parents

    We Are Here to Support You

    The transition away from social media may feel challenging for some young people, but with planning, empathy, and strong partnerships between home and school, we can help them adapt confidently.

    If you have any questions or would like further guidance, please reach out.

    Warm regards,

    Patrick Woolley

    Deputy Principal Community

 
 

  • We are pleased to advise that the 2026 booklists are now live and can be accessed via the College website at www.corpus.wa.edu.au/booklists.

    To ensure all physical items arrive in time for the start of Term 1, families are encouraged to place their orders by Sunday, 7 December 2025. Orders placed after this date may experience delays, and delivery before the commencement of the school year cannot be guaranteed.

    Important Information

    • Purchasing stationery items: Families are welcome to reuse stationery items from previous years or purchase them independently. However, specialist items such as handwriting books, novels, and subject levies must be arranged through the booklist. Further details can be found in the Junior School booklist memo for purchasing instructions for Years 1-6.

    • Years 8–11: Booklists for these year groups are available on both the College website and the Box of Books shop. Digital textbooks purchased through Box of Books include access to interactive features and enhanced learning resources.

    • Inclusive Learning Centre: A customised booklist is available for students engaged in this program which can be accessed here.

    For full details and access to all year-level booklists, please visit www.corpus.wa.edu.au/booklists.

  • Students entering Year 11 in 2026 have now received their subject selection confirmations via email, sent directly to their student accounts.

    We kindly ask parents and caregivers to check this information with their child to support booklist purchases.

    If you have any concerns after reviewing the email together, our team is here to assist. Please contact eso@corpus.wa.edu.au

  • As we prepare for an exciting year of learning in 2026, we are pleased to share that our school will be introducing the Explicit Mathematics Program in Pre-Primary to Year 2. This comprehensive, research-informed program provides a high-quality and rigorous approach to early mathematics, building strong foundations in number, measurement, statistics and probability, and problem-solving. Concepts are taught sequentially and revisited regularly to strengthen understanding, and hands-on materials such as Bonds Blocks will continue to support students’ learning. This program will be embedded alongside our play-based learning approach, helping to develop confidence and a deep understanding that will prepare students for Powerful Problem Solving opportunities and the Oxford Owls resource in later years.

    A gentle reminder that booklist purchases for 2026 are now open, with orders due by 7 December to ensure materials arrive in time for the new school year. If you choose not to purchase the general stationery items, please ensure that the textbook levies are still paid so your child can receive their required texts at the beginning of the year. These resources play an important role in supporting our teaching and learning programs. Booklists can be accessed via the following link: https://www.corpus.wa.edu.au/booklists?rq=booklists. Thank you for your ongoing support as we prepare for another positive and successful year of learning.

 

Term Dates

For a quick glance of the College Term Dates for 2026 with student-free days and more, visit the link here.

Calendar highlights are below:

Week 8

Week 9

Did you know our College Calendar offers dual access? It’s publicly available online for general viewing, but signing in reveals a richer, more detailed schedule. Follow our easy step-by-step instructions to make the most of the calendar: Parent Calendar Overview - IT Helpdesk.

Please refer to the College Calendar for the most up-to-date event dates and information, as it serves as the definitive source.

 
 

Learn to Swim at Corpus

Corpus Christi College offers a Learn to Swim Program onsite at the Jennifer Reilly Aquatic Centre. The aquatic centre features a covered and heated 25 metre, eight-lane indoor lap and water polo pool, a separate 12 metre learn-to-swim pool and terrace seating for 180 people. Our Learn to Swim Program is facilitated by Speed With Style, a company who provide a unique approach to swim teaching called Individualised Custom Teaching, which was developed by Dr Nigel Williams in collaboration with head coach and Speed with Style Founder - John Williams.

The Learn to Swim program is available to both Corpus Christi College students and those external to the College.

You can register and find more information about Speed with Style here.

 
 
 

Student Success Spotlight: Sofia Carcione Shines on Stage!

On Saturday night, Year 3 student Sofia Carcione took to the stage for her much-anticipated dance concert. After dedicating herself to both Acro and Ballet throughout the year, Sofia’s hard work and passion were recognised in a very special way.

Sofia proudly received the Glitterati Outstanding Effort Award, one of only three trophies awarded across the entire dance school on the evening. Her teacher shared these wonderful words: “This student is always kind and helpful to others... she always comes to class with a positive, enthusiastic attitude ready to learn.”

Congratulations, Sofia! Your effort and enthusiasm is impressive!

Student Success Spotlight: Zander Leavy Leads WA Thunder!

Congratulations to Zander Leavy (Year 7 Xavier) for representing Western Australia in the Under 15s State Lacrosse Tournament, held in Perth this October. Zander played a key role as captain of the WA Thunder team, leading with confidence and skill in the attack position.

His outstanding performance during the team’s night game against Victoria earned him the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award — a fantastic achievement that highlights his dedication and talent. This marks Zander’s second time representing WA in the Thunder team, showcasing his commitment to the sport and his leadership on the field.

Well done, Zander! Your hard work and sportsmanship are an inspiration to our College community.

If you wish to share a student success story, email: marketing@corpus.wa.edu.au

Corpus Communications