principaL's addreSS
Dear students, parents & guardians, As we approach the end of the school year, the amazing achievements of our students continue to impress us. On Friday, 17 October, we held the Final Assembly and Luncheon for our Year 12s. It was a wonderful occasion to wish the Class of 2025 all the best for their future, followed by a farewell Luncheon at the Fremantle Sailing Club. Our Year 12s will be celebrated once more at their Valedictory Ceremony, to be held in the Cyril Tyler Auditorium at Perth Modern School on Thursday, 4 December. There, we will formally farewell them from their high school journey at Leeming Senior High School and announce this year’s subject award winners. This term is also filled with many other farewells and end-of-year celebrations. From the French farewell dinners to the river cruises and dinner dances (with a few still to come) we hope everyone enjoys the remaining five weeks of Term 4. I want to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our Debating Team this year, with our Year 7s remaining undefeated throughout the Fremantle Interschool Debate Championship. I look forward to seeing what 2026 brings for our debaters! Congratulations also to Millie in Year 8, who was named Most Valuable Leeming Debater for the tournament, a fantastic achievement! Our Junior Music students performed wonderfully at their final Junior Music Recital of the year, showcasing great confidence and talent. I must also mention the brave and gifted students who performed in Leeming’s Got Talent. It was inspiring to see their performances and the support from our school community. With only five weeks left in the term, please remember to purchase any new uniforms you may need for 2026 before the Uniform Shop closes for the year. The final day of trading for 2025 is Thursday, 11 December. The shop will be open from 10:15 am to 1:45 pm. Visit our website for more information and updates. Over the coming weeks, our Year 10, 11 and 12 students will be completing their exams. We wish them all the very best. Remember to stay active, eat well, and get plenty of rest during this busy period. Wishing everyone all the best for the final weeks of Term 4.
Mr M. Paton, Principal
COMPASS PUSH NOTIFICATIONS
It is important that you have Compass downloaded on your phone to receive all school notifications.
If you haven't updated your Compass app to receive push notifications on your phone for upcoming events such as excursions, please follow the guide on our website or follow the steps below:
Leeming Senior High School Board Community Member – Expressions of Interest
Are you a retired community member with a passion for education? Leeming Senior High School Board is seeking your valuable experience to help guide our school’s future.
We are looking for:
- Retired community member.
- Commitment to students’ success.
- Strategic thinking and collaborative approach.
- Available for monthly evening board meetings.
- Willing to act in the schools’ best interest.
What’s Involved:
- 6-8 School Board meetings a year (approx. 2 hours per meeting).
- Contributing to school policy and planning.
- Commitment for a one-year term.
- Full training and support provided.
Interested? Please contact our Principal Mr. Matthew Paton directly at matthew.paton@education.wa.edu.au – no formal application needed at this point.
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Secondary Schooling Scholarships
Give your child the opportunity to succeed.
The Department of Education are committed to helping children succeed in school. As part of this commitment, they coordinate a number of financial scholarships, grants and prizes for young people in secondary school so they can focus on achieving their education goals.
Applications for most of the scholarships open in mid-October each year and will close in the third week of December. The selection process starts in February of the following year and finishes in April. Families are informed of the outcome of their application soon after this.
For more information on how to apply, please visit the following link. Further enquiries can be made through contacting:
- Email: SecondarySchoolingScholarships@education.wa.edu.au
- Phone: (08) 9402 6422
Student Success – Deci’s Taekwondo Championship
We're proud to share an update on Year 9 student, Deci B., and her impressive Taekwondo achievements. On 4 October, Deci competed in the National Taekwondo Championships in Adelaide, taking part in the under 49kg junior black belt division.
Despite some very tough competition, Deci earned a well-deserved bronze medal, finishing behind two athletes who are both members of the Australian team.
As a result of her outstanding performance, Deci has been selected by TKDWA to join a small group of WA athletes attending a prestigious training event at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra from 21–24 November.
Congratulations Deci on your incredible achievements, we wish you every success in your future competitions!
Mrs E. Brooks, Year 9 & 10 Coordinator
Sofia Shines in City of Joondalup Young Musician of the Year Awards
After a record-breaking number of entries this year, Sofia P. achieved an outstanding milestone by reaching the semi-finals in the percussion section of the City of Joondalup Young Musician of the Year 2025 awards, presented by the Perth Symphony Orchestra. The semi-finals were held on 11 October, 2025 at the Redmont Theatre, Prendiville Catholic College, and featured some of Perth’s most talented young musicians. It was both a privilege and an honour for Sofia to compete alongside experienced percussion students from UWA and WAAPA, and to perform before esteemed judges Dr Paul Tanner and Matt Styles.
For her performance, Sofia presented two contrasting pieces: “Caravan” from the movie Whiplash (performed entirely by memory) and “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars, accompanied by electric guitar. Sofia embodied the Perth Symphony Orchestra’s motto 'fun, fresh and fearless' through her dynamic and expressive performances. Her achievement in reaching the semi-finals of such a competitive event is a testament to her talent, dedication, and passion for percussion. Congratulations, Sofia, on this remarkable accomplishment and for representing our school with excellence and enthusiasm!
Mr G. Ryder, Music Teacher
Certificate II Music Guest Visits
Each year we invite guests to our Certificate II Music classes to talk about their careers in the Arts Industry. They tell us about how they began in the industry, along with their successes, and what keeps them going.
This year, we had Christian Alexander (who has toured with Justin Timberlake), and Mike De Velta (local music legend and guitarist). Mike showed us some of his beautiful guitars and demonstrated by playing for the class. He talked about the importance of working on your own skill as a musician, how to improvise, how to play slide-guitar (lap-guitar), and using a loop pedal. Some other interesting topics included musical scales from other cultures, and the dangers of having too much focus on social media (as opposed to practicing your instrument).
Mike’s visit left us uplifted, and finished with a student “jam session”.
Mr G. Ryder, Music Teacher
Leeming Debate Teams Finish the Year on a High!
It has been an outstanding year for the Leeming Debate Team, who wrapped up 2025 with some remarkable achievements. Our talented Year 7 team remained undefeated throughout the Fremantle Interschool Debate Championship, taking out joint first place with Harrisdale Senior High School. Their success came after a series of impressive victories against Willetton, Rossmoyne, and Lynwood, where they demonstrated exceptional confidence, teamwork, and critical thinking skills.
It has been inspiring to see all of our debate teams grow stronger with each round, honing their ability to construct persuasive arguments while forming lasting friendships along the way. With plans already underway for two weekly practice sessions, a Debate Camp on 14 February, and another exciting year ahead in both WADL and Fremantle Interschool Debating, 2026 is shaping up to be another big year for debating at Leeming!
Ms R. Williams, Debate Coordinator and English Teacher
Congratulations to our 2026 Debate Captains!
We’re thrilled to announce our new Fremantle Interschool Debating League (FIDL) and Western Australian Debating League (WADL) Captains for 2026: - Mackenzie L. – Captain for Lower School (Years 7–9) FIDL - Zoe C. – Captain for Lower School (Years 7–9) WADL - Georgia L.R. – Captain for Upper School (Years 9–10) FIDL - Akal K. – Captain for Upper School (Years 10–12) FIDL Due to the nature of WADL debating, Akal and Zoe will jointly lead the Year 9–10 WADL team next year.
We’d also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our P&C for their generous support. Their funding means we can continue competing in WADL without any cost to students which is a fantastic opportunity for our debaters.
Finally, please save the date – 14 February 2026 – for our annual Debate Workshop, featuring a guest coach from WADL. More details to come early next year.
Ms R. Williams, Debate Coordinator and English Teacher
Australian Maths Competition
Students at Leeming Senior High School had the chance to showcase their mathematical prowess in Australia’s longest-running, largest and most well-known maths competition for school students - the Australian Maths Competition. This year, approximately 165 students from Year 7 to 12 engaged in this prestigious event. The competition presented unique problems designed by leading educators pushing our students to extend and refine their problem-solving skills.
We are proud to announce the following results: • 2 students achieved High Distinctions, showcasing exceptional mathematical prowess. • 37 students earned Distinctions, placing them among top-performing students. • 71 students received Credits, reflecting their solid understanding and competence in Mathematics. • 51 students were awarded Proficiencies, acknowledging their commendable effort and skills. • 4 students received Participation Certificates, demonstrating their commitment and courage to take on challenge.
Award Winners
High Distinctions
Distinctions
Have Sum Fun Online Competition
In Term 4, STA students from Years 7, 8 and 9 had the opportunity to test their skills against some of the top mathematical minds in the state by participating in the Have Sum Fun Online competition, organised by Mathematics Association of WA. Our students tackled a variety of challenging mathematical puzzles and problems, showcasing their problem-solving abilities and teamwork. We are thrilled to recognise the outstanding efforts of our students who participated in these competitions. While our students did not score a top three position this time, their participation and perseverance were commendable. One of our Year 7 teams made an impressive showing, achieving 4th place in the league tables. This is a fantastic accomplishment, considering the high level of competition from schools across the region.
Mrs S. Kalra, Mathematics HoLA
Japanese Film Festival 2025
On Monday, 27 October, 125 students from Years 7–10 Japanese Specialist classes attended the annual Japanese Film Festival in the Performing Arts Theatre. Organised by Ms Sgro, this exciting event immersed students in authentic Japanese language and culture through the world of anime cinema.
This year’s feature film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (風の谷のナウシカ), captivated audiences with its breathtaking animation and thought-provoking environmental themes. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story follows Princess Nausicaä, who strives to restore harmony between humanity and nature.
The film festival offered students a valuable opportunity to enhance their listening skills, cultural understanding, and appreciation of Japanese storytelling. Experiences like this enrich the Japanese Specialist Program by bringing learning to life beyond the classroom and fostering a deeper passion for language and culture.
Ms J. Sgro, Japanese Specialist Teacher
Term 3 Japanese Specialist Challenge Results
We're happy to announce the results for last term's specialist challenge. Congratulations to Zachary B (Year 10) for taking first place, Keehan G. (Year 7) who scored second place and to Harrison B. (Year 7) who won third place.
Ms J. Sgro, Japanese Specialist Teacher
Year 12 Alliance Française Examinations
This term, Year 12 French students Lizzie, Genevieve and Sienna sat their Alliance Française examinations for the final time.
This marks their fourth consecutive year participating in the exams, an impressive achievement as they are assessed at a state level alongside students from other WA schools studying French.
Congratulations to Lizzie, Genevieve and Sienna for this outstanding accomplishment and for showcasing the culmination of their language studies at Leeming Senior High School.
Mme Spears, French Teacher
Year 10 French Dinner
In Week 3, our Year 10 French students enjoyed a magnifique dinner at Chez Pierre to celebrate the end of the year.
It was a fantastic evening filled with laughter, good food, and a chance to practise speaking French outside of the classroom. Félicitations to all our students for their hard work and dedication in French this year!
Mme McLaughlin, French Teacher
Year 11 French Dinner
In Week 2, it was our Year 11 French students' turn to enjoy a wonderful evening at La Lune to celebrate the end of year.
The students shared laughter over some delicious dishes and had lots of great conversations in French with native speakers. This was in addition to the fantastic French food, a perfect taste of what's to come in Year 12!
Mme Spears, French Teacher
Year 12 French Farewell Dinner
In Week 1 of Term 4, our Year 12 French students marked the end of their language-learning journey with a memorable evening at La Lune, a delightful French bistro.
The dinner provided the perfect opportunity for students to put their language skills into practice, as they conversed with native speakers and confidently ordered their meals en français. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, conversation, and a genuine appreciation for French culture.
To end the evening on a heartfelt note, students were surprised with a photo collage showcasing highlights from their French classes over the years, a touching reminder of how far they’ve come. It was a truly magnifique way to celebrate their achievements and bid adieu to high school French. Félicitations to our Year 12s for their dedication and enthusiasm throughout their studies!
Mme Spears, French Teacher
What’s Happening in the Library?
OH! THE HORROR - HALLOWEEN DISPLAY IN THE LIBRARY
We had lots of ghouls, skeletons and goblins invading the Library for our annual Oh! The Horror Halloween display. Murder mysteries, ghost, ghouls and horror stories were all promoted in the displays and available to be read. Novels, graphic novels and manga were all monitored carefully by the friendly skeleton enjoying reading a book while soaking in the bathtub!
HASS DISPLAY OF STUDENT WORK
Year 7 HASS students created amazing museum exhibitions in the Library. Students enjoyed looking at the range of exhibits created.
WHEELERS E-BOOKS
Students are starting to take full advantage of the fiction eBook collection, which they can access from home on their devices. Don’t forget about this collection when you are at home on the weekend or when you are on your Christmas break. You can access via the school portal or the website here with the following details: Username - school.username Password - 1library
STUDY SKILLS HANDBOOK AND STUDY SAMURAI LIBRARY JOIN FORCES AT LEEMING
Just a reminder that our school subscribes to the combined study skills and well-being website Study Skills Handbook and the Study Samurai Library. This is a website with three online resources that helps students develop essential skills for academic success and positive mindset. There are units of work on topics such as improving time management skills, how to study, research skills, summarising, technology use, brain and memory functions. There are also topics about managing stress, growth mindset, goal setting, motivation and positive thought habits. To access the online library, go to studysamurailibrary.com and login with these details: Leeming’s username: leemingshs Leeming’s password: 77success The more of this website you can work through - the more you will set yourself up with positive habits and strategies for academic success.
Relax and read,
Ms C. Steel, Teacher Librarian
Career Inspiration for our Year 8's!
Our Year 8 students recently had the incredible opportunity to hear from four inspiring guest speakers, each sharing their unique career journey and passion for their chosen field. The panel featured a geologist, a hairdresser, a judge's associate lawyer and a nurse.
Each presenter spoke about their pathway from high school to their current profession, providing students with valuable, real-world insights into what it takes to succeed. They discussed the skills and qualities employers are looking for, the challenges and rewards of their industries, and how the world of work in Australia continues to evolve. This engaging session offered students a glimpse into a diverse range of careers and encouraged them to think about their own future possibilities.
Thank you to our wonderful guest speakers for taking the time to share their knowledge and stories with the next generation, this was a valuable experience for our students.
Mr M. Mortera, HASS Teacher
Year 7 Students Discover Ancient China at the Terracotta Warriors Exhibit
Over Weeks 2 and 3 this term, our Year 7 HASS students had the exciting opportunity to travel to the city to visit the Terracotta Warriors Exhibition. This remarkable showcase, on loan from China for a limited time, allowed students to experience first-hand the extraordinary artefacts from the Han and Qin dynasties, including the world-famous Terracotta Warriors from the Qin Emperor’s mausoleum complex.
As part of the excursion, students also participated in an engaging museum workshop, where they stepped into the role of archaeologists—examining artefacts, making observations, and asking insightful questions about ancient Chinese history and culture.
The excursion provided a unique, hands-on learning experience that brought their classroom studies to life and deepened their understanding of one of the world’s most fascinating ancient civilizations. Thank you to Mr Gerrard for accompanying the students and helping make this memorable learning experience possible.
Miss G. Day, HASS Teacher
Hi to all parents and students, welcome back to school for Term 4, I wish you all a great term.
Best Wishes for Students Undertaking Exams
Our Year 12 students have just over a week remaining in their WACE exams, the finish line is in sight! We wish you all the very best as you complete this important stage of your schooling. This week, our Year 11 students began their exams, which will continue until the end of next week. Best of luck to you all as you demonstrate the hard work and preparation you’ve put in. In Week 7, Year 10 students will begin their exams, for many, this will be their first experience sitting formal exams. We wish you every success and have included some key tips to help you along the way.
Healthy Habits for Exam Success
Skills such as effective time management, maintaining fitness, eating a balanced diet, creating a positive study environment, and managing stress all contribute to achieving your best. Healthy bodies make healthy minds. Staying physically active is an important part of study success. Students who are fit and take part in regular exercise often perform better in the classroom as they tend to be more focused, disciplined, and goal-oriented. A healthy, balanced diet also supports concentration, learning, and memory. If you don't have any allergies, some great snack ideas for study success include: - Fruit smoothies. - Wholemeal crackers with peanut butter. - Pikelets made with mashed banana. - Rice cakes with tomato and cheese. - Fruit muffins.
Unwell/Injured/Hospitalised Students
Parents and guardians, can I please request that you inform me and keep me updated if your child is unwell, has an injury and/or has been seen by a doctor/hospital and needs ongoing follow up and treatment. Also, if your child is in hospital for an ongoing medical condition please keep me in the loop so that I am aware and can offer support, especially on your child’s return to school. Reminder, when your child returns to school after an injury please provide your child with one dose of Panadol to bring to school in case they are in pain and need pain relief, as I am not allowed to give medications to students. Thanks for your support in this.
Medication at School
Spring time is here and with this great weather comes allergies. I have seen a few students this week with allergic symptoms: watery, itchy eyes, nose and throat, sneezing, etc. A reminder to students and parents/guardians, that I do not give medication e.g. antihistamines, eye drops, paracetamol etc. Children who suffer allergies/hay fever should be seen by their doctor for the correct medication. If a child needs to take antihistamines for allergies, I strongly recommend that these be given to your child before school and also that they are provided with a tablet to bring to school in case they need it.
Unwell Students
Parents and guardians, I strongly advise you to please keep your child home if they are unwell with flu like symptoms and students please stay at home, rest and drink plenty of water.
Vision and Eyes
Good vision is important for learning and quality of life. Watch for any of the following in your child; • Covering/closing one eye when reading; • Holding books very close; • Complaining of eyestrain or headaches; • Complaining of double vision or blurred vision with reading or board viewing; • Complaining of words moving on a page; • Losing place when reading, or skipping words and lines; • Inattention or short attention span when reading, or; • Rubbing the eyes. Please note: Medicare covers the cost of an eye examination. If you have a concern about your child’s vision please contact a doctor or optometrist.
How to Keep Your Child Safe Online
Protecting your children from harm is just as important online as it is in the real world. As a parent or carer, you can play an important role in helping children have safe and positive experiences online. The internet offers an exciting world of experiences for children and the whole family. It can be entertaining, educational and rewarding. However, using the internet also involves risks and challenges. Children might be exposed to content that is sexually explicit, violent, prohibited or even illegal. They may also experience cyber bullying or be at risk from contact by strangers. Children may - unknowingly or deliberately - share personal information without realising they may be subject to identity theft, or that they are leaving behind content that might not reflect well on them in the future. Talk with your kids about the risks, and answer their questions or concerns about things they find on the Internet.
Head Lice
These critters seem to be popping up even in high school! Parents and guardians, please check your child’s hair frequently and treat. Head lice are tiny insect parasites that live on your head and feed on your scalp. Head lice are spread by head-to-head contact with another person who has head lice. This kind of contact includes doing group work, playing, and hugging.
Key Points
• Head lice are insects that live in hair. • The main symptom of head lice is an itchy head. You might also see white or black-brown eggs near the scalp. • You can treat head lice at home with anti-lice products or wet-combing. • Head lice are very common in children and spread easily. • If your child had head lice, check your whole family.
Tips for Preventing Head Lice
• Check your child’s hair regularly for head lice and eggs (‘nits’). Use a metal fine tooth ‘nit’ comb and plenty of hair conditioner applied to the dry hair, to make the task easier and more effective. • Tie long hair back. Braid long hair and put it up if possible. • Consider applying hair gel or mousse. These do not prevent or repel lice but may help to keep stray hair strands from contact with other heads. • Avoid sharing combs or brushes. • Remind your child to avoid head-to-head contact with other children, e.g. when working at the computer with others, or when playing, or hugging.
For more information: • Visit: Head Lice (Healthy WA) • Visit: Head lice & nits: children & teens (Raising Children Network)
Mrs D. Kitak, School Nurse
Substance use and addiction are complex issues that can affect young people in many different ways. While some may experiment out of curiosity or due to peer influence, others might turn to substances as a way to manage stress, anxiety, or emotional pain. What may start as occasional use can sometimes develop into a pattern that impacts mood, motivation, and overall wellbeing. The developing teenage brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, vaping, and drugs, meaning that early use can lead to more significant harm over time. For many families, understanding substance use involves looking beyond the behaviour itself to consider what might be driving it. Risk-taking is a normal part of adolescence, but it can also be a sign that a young person is struggling to cope. Substances may offer temporary relief, yet they often mask underlying issues such as loneliness, low self-esteem, or poor mental health. Without recognition or support, substance use can interfere with learning, relationships, and emotional development, potentially leading to more serious challenges later in life. This edition of SchoolTV explores ways families can support young people to build resilience, self-awareness, and the skills to make healthy, informed choices that protect their wellbeing into adulthood. 👉 Watch the full video here: Substance Use & Addiction – SchoolTV Edition
Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge the past and present traditional custodians of this land on which Leeming Senior High School stands, the Whadjak/Noongar people.
It is a privilege to be standing on Noongar country. We acknowledge the contributions of Aboriginal Australians to the education of all children and people in this country we all live in and share together – Australia.
Disclaimer
Leeming Senior High School does not endorse any of the products or services on our community board.