The JSR Connect - Term 3 2026

Welcome to Term 3

I trust that you and your family enjoyed a restful mid-year break.  It was wonderful to have all students return on Monday 20 July, and to see them return to school refreshed, engaged and ready for the opportunities that Term 3 will bring.

The term has commenced exceptionally well, with students returning to classrooms with enthusiasm, purpose and a clear commitment to their learning. Across the School, there has been a strong sense of energy and optimism, with students, staff and families contributing positively to the vibrant learning environment that makes John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (JSR) such a special community.

As we begin the second half of the academic year, our focus remains firmly on providing outstanding educational opportunities while continuing to invest in the future of our School.

Staff Professional Development Day

During the recent Staff Professional Development Day, held on Friday 17 July, all staff were provided with updates on several significant initiatives that will shape the next chapter of JSR’s development. I would like to take this opportunity to share an overview of these projects with our parent community. These initiatives reflect careful planning, extensive consultation and a commitment to ensuring that JSR continues to provide exceptional learning environments and experiences for current and future students.

JSR to Become the Pilot Site for an Early Learning Childcare Centre

As many families will be aware, the AngliSchools Board recently resolved to expand its educational offering into Early Childhood Education and Care. As part of this initiative, JSR has been selected as the pilot site for the first AngliSchools Early Learning Childcare Centre, with a planned opening in 2028. The centre will provide high-quality care and learning opportunities for children aged two to four years and strengthen the educational journey available within our school community.

The proposed facility will be integrated into the School campus and represents an exciting opportunity to support families from the earliest stages of their child's educational journey. Preparatory work will continue throughout 2026, with capital development expected to commence later this year and throughout 2027 until the centre's opening.

If you missed AngliSchool’s announcement of this exciting development, please refer to the following link AngliSchools Media Release | Early Childhood Education and Care

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2027 Sub-School Restructure

It has been decided that JSR will move to a three sub-school structure in 2027. This new model will see:

• Primary School: Pre-Kindergarten to Year 4
• Middle School: Year 5 to Year 8
• Senior School: Year 9 to Year 12

This structure is designed to strengthen continuity of learning across developmental stages, align our organisational structure with the School's facilities and create additional leadership opportunities that will further support teaching, learning and student wellbeing.

Importantly, student wellbeing,age-appropriate learning experiences and educational outcomes remain central to this decision. The practical transition will occur in 2027, with ongoing communication and consultation ensuring that families remain well informed as implementation progresses.

Looking to the Future – JSR Masterplan2027–2042

Staff were also introduced to the School's newly developed Masterplan, a comprehensive 15-year vision that will guide future campus development and investment. The Masterplan has been informed by the 2025 School Community Survey, extensive consultation, research, site analysis and specialist advice and outlines a staged approach to enhancing the School's facilities and learning environments.

The Masterplan identifies more than twenty building and landscape projects that will be delivered across three phases over the next fifteen years. These projects are designed to strengthen the educational experience of students while preserving the character and unique identity of our campus.

Key projects include:

• A new Design and Technology Centre.
• A dedicated Year 5 and Year 6 learning precinct.
• The Early Learning Childcare Centre.
• Expanded Performing Arts, Music and Dance facilities.
• New student wellbeing and support spaces.
• Additional nature play and outdoor learning areas.
• Improvements to sporting facilities and campus amenities.

The Masterplan also reinforces one of JSR's greatest strengths: the visible learning journey from the early years through to Year 12. Future development will continue to support this distinctive pathway while creating learning environments that meet the needs of future generations of students.

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Planning for Sustainable Growth

The Masterplan has been developed with future enrolment growth in mind. Current projections indicate steady growth across the coming decade, driven largely by increased capacity in the Primary years and the introduction of new facilities and opportunities for students and families. This careful planning ensures that the School can continue to meet demand while maintaining the quality of education, care and community experience for which JSR is known.

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Parent Information Forum – LookingAhead

Given the significance of these developments for our School community, I will be hosting a Parent Information Forum on Tuesday 18 August in the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) Theatre. During this forum, I will provide a more detailed overview of the proposed Early Learning Childcare Centre, the 2027 Sub-School Restructure and the JSR Masterplan 2027–2042, as well as outline the opportunities and benefits these initiatives present for current and future students. The forum will also provide families with an opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the School's future direction.

To assist with planning and venue arrangements, we ask that families complete the RSVP process prior to the event. We encourage all interested parents and caregivers to attend what promises to be an informative and exciting opportunity to explore the future vision for John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. As we enter an exciting period of planning for the future of our School, the strength of our community partnerships will be more important than ever. A Trybooking registration link will be distributed via the JSR School App and is also available here.

A Fresh New Look for JSR

We are also delighted to announce the launch of our newly refreshed school website, which is now live and available to our community.

The new website has been thoughtfully redesigned to provide families, prospective parents and the broader community with an engaging, contemporary and user-friendly experience. Featuring updated content, improved navigation, enhanced visuals and streamlined access to key information, the website better reflects the vibrant learning environment, strong community culture and educational excellence that define JSR.

I would like to acknowledge and thank Mrs Bobbi Rentell, Communications & Community Relations Manager, for her outstanding leadership, vision and dedication throughout this project. Bobbi has overseen the planning, development and implementation of the new website, working closely with a range of contributors to ensure the final product authentically captures the spirit, values and aspirations of our School. The end result is a professional and engaging digital presence of which our entire community can be proud.

I encourage all families to take the opportunity to explore the new website and discover the many stories, programmes, opportunities and resources that showcase life at JSR.

Working Together as a Community

One of the great strengths of JSR is the strong partnership that exists between parents and staff. We are proud of the positive and supportive relationships that underpin our School and contribute so significantly to the educational experience of our students.

As we engage in conversations about the future of the School, and continue to work together throughout the year, I would like to take this opportunity to remind all members of our community that respectful and civil communication is expected at all times, particularly when interacting with our Administrative, Reception and Support staff.

While concerns and questions are a normal and important part of school life, they should always be communicated courteously and constructively. Our staff are committed to assisting families and fostering positive outcomes for students, and they deserve to be treated with the same respect and professionalism they extend to others.

Unfortunately, schools across Australia are reporting increasing levels of inappropriate behaviour directed towards school staff, and more recently, unfortunately, this behaviour has been reflected in our school community also. National research has identified growing instances of verbal abuse, threats and unreasonable conduct towards teachers, school leaders and support staff, prompting the development of a National Strategy to Address the Abuse of Teachers, School Leaders and other School Staff. Recent surveys have also highlighted record levels of threats and abuse experienced by school leaders and educators.

This is not a trend that reflects the values of the JSR community. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, respectful and Christ-centred community where staff, parents and students work together in partnership. I therefore ask all members of our community to continue to model the civility, kindness and respect that we seek to cultivate in our students each day.

Focused on Our Students

While these exciting developments provide a glimpse into the future, our immediate focus remains on the learning, wellbeing and growth of every student currently entrusted to our care. It has been wonderful to see classrooms bustling with activity, students reconnecting with friends and staff, and the School community returning with such positivity and enthusiasm.

Thank you for your continued support of John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School. We look forward to a productive and rewarding term and to sharing many more student achievements and school milestones with you throughout the semester.