John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School

Faith, Hope, Love—and a Future-Ready Education

Guided by Timeless Anglican Values and an Unshakable Commitment to Community, This Community-Based School is Shaping Well-Rounded Young People Who are as Grounded as They are Ambitious.

In Perth’s dynamic northern suburbs, John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School (JSR) stands as a testament to how faith, tradition, and innovation can coexist beautifully in modern education. Established in 1989, the school has grown from humble beginnings into one of Western Australia’s largest Anglican day schools, now home to nearly 1,800 students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

What sets JSR apart is not just its size but its soul. The school’s values—Faith, Hope, and Love—are more than words on a crest. They’re the foundation of every classroom, every program, and every conversation that takes place across its grounds.

“We’re a faith-based, values-driven school with a strong commitment to academic excellence and community service,” says Principal Brendan Bartell. “But above all, we’re a school that meets every child where they are, preparing them not just for the world of today, but for the world they will help create.”

A Holistic Approach to Learning

JSR’s educational philosophy is rooted in inclusivity and opportunity. Whether a student is a high academic achiever, a creative problem-solver, or a hands-on learner, the school’s programs are designed to unlock potential at every level.

In the upper years, this commitment takes shape through the JSR Pathways Program—a comprehensive suite of options that prepare students for tertiary study, trade qualifications, or direct workforce entry.

“We have a significant Pathways Program in Years 10 to 12,” explains Bartell. “Students can follow an ATAR pathway to university, a General or Certificate pathway leading to vocational outcomes, or a Trade and Hospitality pathway that builds practical, real-world skills. It means no matter what their aspirations are, there’s a pathway that fits.”

This holistic model ensures every graduate leaves with both academic credibility and employability—a dual focus increasingly critical in a rapidly evolving economy.

Tracking Progress, Supporting the Whole Child

At JSR, data is not an end in itself—it’s a tool for care. The school takes a dual-lens approach to monitoring student progress: academic growth and pastoral wellbeing.

A team of Directors of Teaching and Learning and Directors of Pastoral Care use detailed data analysis to identify trends and needs early. From attendance patterns and counselling referrals to literacy and numeracy benchmarks, every datapoint helps build a clearer picture of the child’s journey.

“We look closely at the connection between learning and wellbeing,” Bartell says. “A happy child learns better—it’s that simple. So we monitor both in tandem. If we see patterns of absenteeism in the later primary years, for instance, we can provide intervention and pastoral support before those issues become barriers in middle or senior school.”

JSR also employs targeted literacy and numeracy programs like MacqLit and MiniLit, ensuring students build strong foundations early. Academic extension and enrichment initiatives complement these supports, allowing every learner—from struggling student to gifted academic—to thrive.

Guiding Students Through the Digital Era

Few challenges in education today rival the impact of technology and social media on young people’s lives. For Bartell, the next five years will require schools to balance innovation with caution.

“Technology and wellbeing are intertwined,” he reflects. “Social media has had a profound effect on student wellbeing, and the upcoming changes in government policy—restricting social media use for children under 16—will significantly reshape how schools and parents work together.”

Rather than resisting the change, JSR is embracing it as a catalyst to refocus on human connection and soft skills—those essential, timeless attributes that technology can’t replicate.

“Collaboration, teamwork, communication, critical thinking—these are the skills that industry wants and society needs,” says Bartell. “We’re investing in ways to develop them not just in senior years but from the earliest age. It’s about preparing our students for jobs that might not even exist yet.”

Inside classrooms, technology remains a vital tool—but it’s framed as a means, not an end. “I tell our staff that a laptop is like a pen,” Bartell says. “It’s a tool for learning, not the learning itself.”

A Community of Purpose and Passion

JSR’s success is deeply rooted in the passion of its people. With around 240 staff, the school attracts educators who are aligned with its mission of Christian service and opportunity for all. Many families at JSR come from diverse cultural backgrounds, and parents often work multiple jobs to provide their children with a faith-based education. That sacrifice fuels a shared sense of purpose.

“Our parents are incredibly aspirational,” says Bartell. “They want their children to have every opportunity—and our staff buy into that wholeheartedly. We often say we deliver an ‘Emirates experience at a Jetstar price.’ Every dollar counts, and every member of staff understands how their work directly changes lives.”

This culture of dedication isn’t theoretical—it’s tangible. When a long-serving teacher recently retired after more than 25 years, he described the school this way: “JSR may not be the best school, but you could waste a lifetime trying to find a better one.”

“That’s the essence of who we are,” Bartell smiles. “People don’t just work here—they belong here.”

Infrastructure that Builds Identity

In 2023, JSR completed a major chapter of its master plan, consolidating its operations into a single, cohesive campus and delivering two new landmark facilities which include The Michelle Bolt Early Learning Centre, designed for three- and four-year-olds beginning their educational journey and The Bromolo Learning Centre, catering to Years 9 and 10.

Together, these spaces complete a deliberate design vision: that every age group—from early learning through Year 12—has a distinct home on campus.

“It gives each group a sense of belonging,” Bartell explains. “Students have a place that’s theirs for a few years, and then they move forward to the next stage. It creates rhythm and identity across their 15-year journey with us.”

Looking ahead, the school is finalizing its next phase of capital development, which could include a modern cafeteria and on-site restaurant—allowing Hospitality students to serve meals to the public as part of their training—or an upgrade to the Design and Technology Centre to enhance STEM and trades-based learning.

“These are exciting projects,” Bartell says. “They’re not just about buildings—they’re about opportunities for students to experience learning that’s authentic and applied.”

Partnerships That Strengthen the Mission

Partnerships sit at the heart of JSR’s community ethos. The school is part of the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC)—a network of 16 schools across three states—that collaborates on shared values, leadership development, and service initiatives.

JSR students participate in mission and service trips, including work with Esperance Anglican Community School in Western Australia’s Great Southern region and All Saints Anglican School in Samoa, which received several shipping containers of repurposed furniture and learning materials from JSR when it closed a former campus.

“I’ll be visiting All Saints soon to see firsthand how those resources are being used,” Bartell shares. “It’s a wonderful example of how faith, service, and sustainability intersect.”

Locally, JSR’s strongest partnerships are with parents and trusted suppliers. Families are seen as co-educators, deeply engaged in their children’s progress, while the school builds long-term relationships with operational partners—from grounds and maintenance to technology—based on mutual trust.

“Education is about relationships,” says Bartell. “That includes the people who help us make this place run.”

Culture, Strategy, and the Road Ahead

The coming two years will see JSR consolidate what Bartell calls its “reculturing” phase—a process of unifying teams, refining leadership capacity, and reinforcing positive, collaborative norms following the school’s campus consolidation.

An on-site leadership coach works directly with middle and senior leaders, helping them navigate the balance between vision, accountability, and care. “Middle management in schools is one of the toughest jobs there is,” Bartell notes. “They lead people while being led themselves, and we’re investing in their growth.”

From a student lens, the focus is on academic stretch and extension—enhancing gifted and talented programs—while continuing to develop a balanced, values-based technology policy aligned with national changes.

A refreshed strategic plan will be launched within the next 12 months to chart the next evolution of the school’s mission, capital investment, and community engagement priorities.

A Legacy of Faith and a Future of Possibility

For Bartell, who began his career as a Physical and Health Education teacher, leadership was never about hierarchy—it was about service. “My parents always taught me that we’re given gifts to serve others,” he reflects. “That’s what this role is about—empowering others to do their best work in the service of young people.”

After more than 30 years in education—including roles in the public system and at three Anglican schools—Bartell’s leadership philosophy mirrors JSR’s own: steady, compassionate, and forward-looking.

As the school looks to its future—with new facilities, new programs, and a renewed strategic vision—it remains deeply anchored in its faith foundation.

“Everything we do,” Bartell says, “flows from those three words—Faith, Hope, and Love. They’re not just our values. They’re our purpose.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School

What: A faith based and community connected school that puts its students first for future success

Where: Perth, Australia

Website: www.jsracs.wa.edu.au

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