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Feature news

  • Gold for JCCA National Recognition for VET Excellence

    • Awards + Achievements

    Dec 17th, 2024

  • JCCA Alum Shines Bright: Declan Daines Joins Queensland Ballet

    • Alumni

    Dec 17th, 2024

  • John Curtin College of the Arts Teacher Wins Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Teaching 

    • Awards + Achievements

    Oct 17th, 2023

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Welcome to JCCA!

This page is full of useful information to get you started on your journey with us.

First day for Year 7

When you arrive at John Curtin College of the Arts you should head straight to the Curtin Lawn, found in front of the Curtin Theatre. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to your peers, before receiving your timetable and beginning your journey at the College.

Over the next two periods you will:
1. Collect your timetable and sign into the school in the Curtin Lawn.
2. Be introduced to your peer support leaders and divided into your peer support groups.
3. Participate in getting to know you and your school activities.
4. Have a whole year group photo taken.
5. Participate in a welcome assembly in the quadrangle.

First day for Older Students (Years 8-12)

When you arrive at John Curtin College of the Arts you should head straight to the Curtin Lawn, found in front of the Curtin Theatre. This is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to your peers, before receiving your timetable and beginning your journey at the College.

1. Collect your timetable and sign into the school in the Curtin Lawn.
2. Meet and mingle with your peers.
3. Participate in a welcome assembly in the quadrangle.
4. After the assembly, head off with your year group.

What to bring to school everyday

  • Your device
  • Student planner/diary
  • Pencil case with stationary
  • Notebook

Student care

Student care is central to everything we do. Student care is all that a school and community does to meet the personal, social and academic needs of students. We value relationships, engagement, support and respect.

For further information see our College Engagement page.

Your College Engagement team

The Associate Principal leads the team that helps students with their wellbeing. Directors and Coordinators also work to support students.

College Engagement

Associate Principal of College Engagement Gavin Bradshaw

Director of College Engagement Year 10-12 Melissa Prince

Director of College Engagement Year 7-9 Claire Krawzow

College Engagement Coordinator Year 7 and 8 Kristi Bates

College Engagement Coordinator Year 7 and 8 Jordan Butler

College Engagement Coordinator Year 9 and 10 Rob Watt

College Engagement Coordinator Year 11 and 12 Daniel Njegich

PROPEL

PROPEL (Providing Real Opportunities + Participation, Empowerment, Learning) is overseen by Dr. Ivicevic, the Director of Learning Support – Propel, and Mrs. James, the Assistant Director. This program provides services for students in Years 7 through 12 who meet specific criteria. PROPEL offers both academic support and pastoral care.

Many students in PROPEL are high-achieving, often participating in the Academic Extension Program (AEP), with most intending to pursue university or TAFE. PROPEL support is offered as a matter of equity, not solely because of poor academic performance. The majority of PROPEL students perform within the average to excelling range.

Students in the program will have a regular weekly meeting for extra help and to learn strategies for managing their schoolwork. PROPEL students have gone on to achieve amazing careers or furthered their learning through university. Students who are invited to join the program are encouraged to accept.

EALD

The EALD (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) program, overseen by Mrs. Morrissey, is part of PROPEL and provides support for students who may need help with their language skills. This doesn’t necessarily mean a student’s language skills are lacking, but rather that they may require support to develop more sophisticated and advanced writing. Students are eligible if they come from a non-English speaking background or speak a language other than English at home, regardless of their birthplace. This also extends to students who identify as having Indigenous heritage.

As students progress through secondary school, acquiring the skills necessary to complete classwork and assignments can become increasingly challenging, as they are required to write using specialized vocabulary at a more academic level. Strong literacy skills are essential for university entrance.

College Nurses

Mrs. Muletta and Ms. Hebiton serve as the College nurses, promoting healthy development and wellbeing to help students reach their full potential and equipping them with the necessary skills to manage their own health. They are available for students who need extra help while at school.

School health services provide easy access to healthcare and health information. As College nurses, they can be a student’s first interaction with a health professional and can assist with access to medical care and other health services as needed.

They maintain confidentiality and can help with issues such as healthy eating and nutrition, healthy weight and body image, coping with illness, feelings of stress, unhappiness, or anxiousness, mental health and wellbeing, loss and grief, relationships, smoking, alcohol and drug use, and family and social issues.

Student health and safety are important, and going to College Engagement first will ensure that any problem is handled in the best way possible. The Health and Wellbeing Centre is available for student drop-ins before and after school, and during recess and lunchtime. At all other times, students need to book an appointment through College Engagement.

If a student has any health concerns between or during classes, they need to obtain an entry from their teacher in the School Planner or a red pass-out slip before visiting College Engagement.

College Psychologists

Ms. Alison Monsoon and Ms. Hannah Jennings are part of the John Curtin College of the Arts’ Engagement Team, which strives to be responsive to the needs of individual students. Psychological Services are part of this team, working together to provide a nurturing and safe environment to support all students.

The College Psychologists are registered psychologists who apply their expertise in mental health, learning, human development, behavior, and school systems to support individual students and the whole school, enhancing student wellbeing, engagement, and achievement.

The College Psychologists can provide individual counseling support for students on a short-term basis. They liaise with families, teaching staff, and external services, and may assist with referrals.

Year 7-9 students and their parents should meet with their Engagement Coordinator to discuss a referral to the College Psychologist. Year 10-12 students can initiate their own referrals by meeting with their Engagement Coordinator.

Careers

Careers Coordinator
Mrs Nielsen

Course Advisor
Ms Lynch

The Careers Coordinator, Mrs. Nielsen, and the Course Advisor, Ms. Lynch, work as part of the College Engagement team. They advise students and parents about course selections, including tertiary and vocational options. Their work includes planning, developing, and coordinating course advisory programs, with a particular focus on Years 10, 11, and 12.

Chaplain

Jeremy Wheaton is primarily there to be a caring helper who students can talk to whenever life gets messy, frustrating, or lonely. Most lunchtimes, he runs activities like the argument exchange and indoor sports tournaments. During recess, he’s out and about, so students shouldn’t be surprised if he stops to chat. He wants to know who they are and how life is treating them. Teachers often borrow him for things like social events and excursions. He also helps train the Peer Support team that supports new students settling into the College. He photographs all performances and major events at the College, so students might see him there. To connect with him, students can catch him outside of class time or book an appointment at College Engagement. He’d love to hear their stories.The Associate Principal of College Engagement is a member of the College Executive and leads the College Engagement team in providing wellbeing and pastoral care. They are supported by the Directors of College Engagement. The College Engagement Coordinators work with the Directors to provide dedicated support for students.

Contribution and Charges

Fees from contributions and charges are based on the expenses of executing the curriculum associated with that course, such as involving specialist tutors for certain instruments, and failure to pay contributions and charges may have an impact on a child’s ability to participate in their course.

Find out more here.

2025 Resource List

Find out information regarding the 2025 John Curtin College of the Arts Resources List here.

Learning Centre

Come to the Learning Centre and discover a world of information and imagination. We have thousands of books to tempt you as well as magazines, newspapers and access to desktop computers and photocopiers.

Find out more here.

IT Department

Located inside the Learning Centre, the IT Department is a great resource for staff and students.
One of our team members is always available at the IT desk to provide assistance and we are very friendly and approachable. We provide support for accessing the College network and internet, for converting files, and for recovering files. We also provide help with printing, software packages and activations.
If you have an IT question then the best place you can go to is the Learning Centre.

Find out more here.

Example Timetable

See an example of Timetabling here.

Bell times

Find out What time does school finish today?

College map

See the campus map here.

SmartRider

Parents/guardians should be aware that students will require a Student SmartRider to access concession travel on Transperth, bus, rail and ferry services, and TransWA country road and rail services.

For a card to be issued to students, parents/guardians must complete this form.

Positive Learning Environment

Our College provides a values rich culture that celebrates an supports personal integrity, positive behaviour and academic excellence.

Code of Agreement

All students sign a Code of Agreement on entering the College. The Code of Agreement is a commitment between you and the College on how you will conduct yourself while studying at John Curtin College of the Arts.
As per the Code of Agreement you will:

  • Strive for academic balance and high standards in all your learning programs.
  • Maintain a high level of punctuality and attendance (at least 90%).
  • Fulfil all workshop, rehearsal, training and performance commitments.

Your uniform

Our approach for uniform is not only to create a sense of connectedness and community but also to remove social stressors so students don’t have to worry about competing with their peers. This is becoming increasingly important with many studies highlighting the impact of social media and anxieties caused through image.

Wearing College uniform is compulsory, the wearing of which is monitored. Our Uniform Policy is very simple. All garments worn must be the current John Curtin College of the Arts branded uniform items. There is a wide selection of garments and styles you can choose from. Our Uniform Policy sets out all uniform requirements.

Care of personal property

Clothing, bags, books and other items should be clearly marked with your name. The College does not take responsibility for any valuable items lost or stolen so valuables such as skateboards, large sums of money and jewellery must be left at home.

Bags often need to be left outside the Learning Centre, in theatre foyers or on the oval during PE. In this case valuables should be removed. Money and other personal property are your responsibility. We advise you to keep purses and wallets on you at all times. Never carry valuables in the external pockets of your bag where they can be easily accessed by others or fall out.

Lost property

Lost property is handed in at College Engagement where it can be claimed by the owner. If it is clearly marked with your name we can let you know it’s been found. Lost property is kept for a period of three months after which time non-uniform items will be donated to charity and uniform items sold to raise funds for the Chaplaincy.

Rewards and Recognition System (RARS)

The Rewards and Recognition System (RARS) is a policy that rewards and recognises positive participation in College life including achievement, progress and good conduct. All students are given the opportunity to improve and this development should be rewarded.

RARS stamps/tokens
Student planners will be stamped by teaching staff to acknowledge your positive efforts. If you have five stamps you earn a blue token from your contact teacher, and can then enter the weekly prize draw by placing the tokens in the RARS bin in College Engagement.

Swan Awards

Swan Awards recognise students achievement in Years 8-12 across all learning areas. Based on grades earned each semester, you may be awarded either a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Diamond Swan Award at the end of semester awards assembly. If you maintain Gold or Diamond Swan Awards over two semesters in any one year, you earn a College pin.

 

Letters of Commendation

Your teachers, College Engagement or Executive staff can issue a Letter of Commendation to recognise excellence in academic, social, cultural and community contexts, and are cumulative across all years. Five Letters of Commendation earn a Certificate of Merit and three Certificates of Merit earn a Certificate of Excellence.

Behaviour Management

The College’s Behaviour Management Policy represents a whole school approach towards the achievement of a safe, supportive and respectful environment in which students and staff can strive for excellence in their educational, artistic and sporting pursuits.

Good Standing
All students receive Good Standing at the start of each year and it is important that it is valued and maintained. Students who lose their Good Standing cannot participate in extracurricular activities such as camps, excursions, work experience, social functions, football games or performances that are not an essential part of the education program. Students who have relinquished the right to be of Good Standing should work towards regaining the status.

Suspension Policy
Suspension is invoked in response to a serious anti-social or illegal action by a student and involves being excluded from any school activities, on and off the campus, for the duration of the suspension.

Letters of Concern
Letters of Concern are one of several ways teachers communicate concerns with parents with a view to supporting positive change and improvement.

ICT in the classroom

Quick advice for ICT in the classroom:

Responsibilities

  • Bring a College approved device to class every lesson.
  • Ensure your device has enough charge to last the day.
  • You must only connect to the College internet network at school.
  • Only use your device for the purposes instructed by your teacher.
  • Keep your device organised, the College has a student filing structure to help you make the most of your device.
  • Check your College notifications regularly.
  • Photography and videography are only permitted under the teacher’s instruction. You must also have consent from the person that you are recording.
  • Social media access is not permitted on College grounds.
  • Games are not permitted at school unless explicitly instructed by a teacher for educational purposes.
  • Having a screen with you doesn’t mean that it has to be on. Only use your device when instructed by the teacher.

Support

  • The College has a limited number of devices available for day loans. If you have had a problem with your device see IT before the school day begins to arrange a loan.
  • If you run out of charge IT has a limited number of chargers for loan. Go to IT at recess or lunch to borrow one, don’t wait until it is too late.
  • If your device regularly runs out of charge, consider bringing a power bank with you.
  • If you cannot connect to the internet or are having other problems, ask your teacher or IT for help straight away.
  • The College has tools to help with your organisation. If you are having difficulty ask IT or a trusted teacher for support.
  • If you are having difficulty with device distraction, there are ways that we can help remove temptation. Seek support through IT or a trusted teacher. We know that sometimes people need a little more help in this area.

Off and Away all day

  • Mobile phones should be “off and away all day” from the first bell of the day to the last. This includes recess and lunch.
  • During the school day, mobile devices should be turned to silent with no alarms or sound notifications, including vibration setting turned off.
  • Mobile devices may be used as an educational resource at the discretion and instruction of teachers.
  • Absolutely no mobile devices to be used or present in assessment conditions.
  • Phone calls are not to be made or received at any time throughout the College day. Parents can be assured that in an emergency situation, students can be contacted through College Engagement.

Forms of Communication

Connecting our community is one of our key values and there are a number of ways the College communicates with you to keep you informed and up-to-date.

Assemblies

Whole College assemblies are held in the hall approximately once a term as marked on the College calendar. Year assemblies are held more frequently, as arranged by College Engagement. Instructions for student movement and times are issued prior to each assembly.

 

Calendar

Our College calendars can be accessed on our website. We advise you to check in regularly as dates and times are subject to change.

Curtin Calls

Curtin Calls is our quarterly digital newsletter distributed to all families. We encourage you to come forward with story ideas. Please let your teachers know of your success stories for promotion in the newsletter and for external media.

 

Weekly Notices

This is an important communication tool for our school community. Weekly Notices are published on SEQTA on Fridays and students access them in their Contact Class. They are also updated daily if necessary and you will receive them to your email inbox.

Contact Class

Students meet in their Contact Class on Fridays during Period 3. You are given details on this class once you receive your timetable at the beginning of the year. This time is when you receive notes on overdues from the library, communication about events and important information for your parents, and go through the Weekly Notices and what is coming up on the calendar the following week.

 

Email

Your email address is [email protected] and you must use this email address to receive notifications from Connect, the school and your teachers. You cannot use your personal email address.

 

Student planner (diary)

Your student planner is also used as a means of communication between your parents and teachers. Concerns about academic progress and/or student behaviour may be flagged via the planner. PROPEL attendance is also noted. It is important that your parents check your student planners to help you with planning and managing competing demands of different subjects.

 

Website and social media

If you have an Instagram and Facebook account we invite you to follow us as we promote performances at the College, share good news stories, and let you know what happens on a daily basis at school.
Our website is also where you will find links to book tickets to events, to SEQTA and the calendar.

Getting IT Ready for 2025

The One-to-One Device Enrolment Program (formerly known as BYOD)

One-to-One Program device enrolment booking

One-to-One Program FAQ help page

Leadership

A rich suite of opportunities exists for you to be engaged in leadership activities with positions of responsibility ranging from Student Council representatives, to sporting group captains and peer support leaders. Find out more here: Student Council.

Clubs to join

There are many clubs at the College that you can join. Clubs meet either before school or at lunchtimes. Clubs also often participate in competitions. Find out more here: Clubs.

Frequently Asked Questions

For additional information, see our orientation FAQ page.