Legacy and Leadership:
John Wollaston Anglican
Community School
The Revd Peter Laurence OAM, CEO, AngliSchools
Each AngliSchool has its own story, a story grounded in faith, vision, service and connection to a community. At John Wollaston Anglican Community School (JWACS) in Camillo, that story is told not only through its people and traditions, but in the vibrant red, navy and white that proudly symbolise its identity.
JWACS was opened in 1989 by the fledgling Anglican Schools Commission (now AngliSchools) as our second school to be established. It was named in honour of The Revd John Ramsden Wollaston, a pioneer priest of the Anglican Church in Western Australia in the mid-1800s and the first Archdeacon of WA. The School has grown into a thriving, future-focused community where values and innovation go hand-in-hand.
Proudly Anglican, Proudly Inclusive
At the heart of the School’s character is its strong Anglican identity. A culture of care and inclusion create a community where all are welcome — regardless of background or belief— and diversity is not just celebrated, it is championed!
As a part of AngliSchools, the School continues to embody a faith that is active, compassionate and lived. Its commitment to service, justice and belonging ensures that students graduate not only with knowledge, but with the wisdom and agency to make a difference in their community and beyond.
A New Chapter with The Revd Tim Russell
In 2025, following the retirement of Ms Anne Ford after over 23 years of truly outstanding service, JWACS welcomed a new Principal, The Revd Tim Russell. He is a leader who brings a deep passion for Anglican education, student wellbeing and community building. With more than two decades of experience in Anglican schools in both the Perth and Bunbury Dioceses, Tim is well placed to lead John Wollaston into its next season.
Learning, Leading, Growing
The School motto — ‘Seek Wisdom to Know the Truth’ — captures John Wollaston’s commitment to nurturing both intellect and character. Students are encouraged to explore a wide range of learning pathways and co-curricular opportunities that support their growth as confident, capable individuals.
In the Senior School, the Graduate Tree Program remains a powerful symbol of student legacy. Each Year 12 graduate plants a native tree on campus as a visible, lasting reminder of growth and connection to community.
Looking Ahead
With its 40th anniversary on the horizon in 2029, the School is embracing a bold vision for the future. They are a first-mover school on the New Metrics for Success project with Melbourne Assessment at the University of Melbourne. The New Metrics for Success project is focused on ‘reimagining schooling’, by moving away from the traditional measures of success to embed 21st Century skills.
From just 117 students in 1989 to almost 1300 today, its colours — red for courage, navy for wisdom, and white for truth — are daily symbols of a community dedicated to nurturing compassionate and innovative leaders.
That’s the AngliSchools way.