End of Year Reflections on
Swan Valley Anglican
Community School
The Revd Peter Laurence OAM, CEO, AngliSchools
As we move into Advent, and the conclusion of the school year and 40th year of AngliSchools, I reflect on the extraordinary work across our schools in 2025. There are many highlights of our 40th anniversary.
One story that stands out this year is Swan Valley Anglican Community School, which has just been recognised nationally with two significant honours: The Educator Australia 5-Star Innovative Schools Award and the National ACEL Leadership Award.
Awards are always welcome recognition, but they tell a deeper story. These two awards show a school community committed to innovation, guided by leadership that is courageous and collaborative. They remind us that when communities of faith and learning are aligned, great things happen.
From Vision to Reality
This story began in 2002 when AngliSchools saw the Upper Swan Valley as the perfect location for a new Anglican school. By 2004, plans were underway. I walked the empty field a number of times, envisioning a school full of children and teachers one day filling the space. We acquired the land from Multiplex and after some years of planning, Swanleigh Anglican Community School, as it was known in its first year, opened on 1 February 2006 with 127 students, growing to 200 by the end of the year.
The first week saw the Archbishop of Perth speak at an opening Chapel service for the school community, bringing his running shoes as a visual aid to illustrate how the students might ‘Walk in the Truth’, in accordance with the School’s motto.
The second year of the school (2007) opening with a new name - Swan Valley Anglican Community School - reflecting its deep connection to the local community.
As time went on, thoughtful ideas became the sort of traditions that really turn a school into a place of belonging. One of my favourites is the annual Year 12 farewell gift of the Dr Seuss book: ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go!’, accompanied by a video featuring students from every year level and the School Principal reading it out.
Building for the Future
As the Swan Valley Community and enrolments continue to grow, the School is investing in spaces that bring people together. The current major capital project, soon to be completed, will see the construction of ‘The Collaboration and Creativity Centre’. The Centre will include a new resource centre (library), specialist art classrooms and IT laboratories, a pastoral care hub for secondary students, and a Year 12 study area; all complemented by a stunning outdoor amphitheatre by the lake. These spaces are designed with one purpose: to help students and staff thrive.
Drawing to a Close
Advent invites us to pause amid the busyness, to open our hearts to God’s quiet work of renewal, and to ready ourselves for Christ’s coming light in the birth of Jesus. May these weeks leading to Christmas draw us into deeper prayer, stir in us a renewed trust in God’s promises, and awaken within each of us a hopeful anticipation for the One who is always drawing near.
I wish you a peaceful Advent, a joyous Christmas, and a New Year filled with hope, purpose and renewed inspiration for the year ahead.
Here’s to a new year of possibility, and to our AngliSchools… learning communities built on Faith, Inclusion, Respect and Excellence.
