Every year, our students conduct an ANZAC service that acknowledges the 300 Perth Modern School students who fought in WW1, WW2 and Vietnam. It also acknowledges the sacrifice of the indigenous soldiers who fought for their country in the major world conflicts. This year we recognised one of our past students Hobart Douglas Firns. Douglas was a Perth Modern School student in 1911 and fought in Gallipoli in 1915 in the Battle of Hill 60. He was killed in action in August 1915 and is commemorated for his bravery and sacrifice. His name can be found on the school Cenotaph.

On Tuesday of Week 2, teachers across Western Australia stopped work to discuss their conditions and pay. Our teachers are passionate about quality education for children and the need to ensure that teaching is a profession that attracts and retains people who are intelligent and caring. Our teachers care about the students at Perth Modern School and have ensured that there was minimum disruption to student’s education. The school appreciates the tremendous support it has received from parents and the community. We are very fortunate that Perth Modern School is a school that attracts the very best teachers who are privileged to work with amazing students from families who value education for their children and support this wonderful school.

Earlier in the term, TISC announced that they would be removing the 10 per cent bonus applied to Mathematics and Language subjects in the calculation of the Year 12 ATAR. The school met with the CEO of TISC and expressed the concerns of the parents and students at Perth Modern School. Perth Modern School students Thanos Limnios and Erik Kao were also invited to meet with the Minister at Parliament House to discuss the changes to the WACE scaling. The Minister thanked them for their insightful conversation and for sharing their perspectives on the issue. TISC has reassessed their original decision and have extended the timeline to allow further consultation to occur.

Warm regards

Mitchell Mackay

Principal

Perth Modern School