Term 1 | The Way Newsletter | Friday 21 February 2025

Latest UpdatesBack to Top

From the Principal
Principal

We are continuing to settle into the College year, to enjoy the opportunities and to plan for great experiences for our students. We are also in our 25th anniversary year. This has prompted me to reflect on what this means for the College and how we are planning for the present and their future.

Our students are part of a rapidly changing world, one that will demand adaptability, resilience, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning. As we celebrate our 25th year, we are proud of how far we have come, yet we must remain focused on preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities ahead. This can be hard.

25 years ago there was a vision to create a school in Southwest Sydney that would cater to a wide range of students and offer accessible Christian education. 25 years ago Middleton Grange did not yet exist as a suburb and the area was rural.  The College began with 150 students and 8 staff distributed across K-7. Today we have over 1800 students from Prep – 12 and over 200 staff.

On 6 March we will officially open a specialist STEM building. This facility replaces old classrooms that were being used mainly for mathematics and brings together three faculty areas (Science, TAS and Mathematics) where collaboration and spaces for exploring new integrated programs can occur.

Whilst Thomas Hassall has emerged as one of the largest coeducational independent schools in NSW, the world around us has continued to shift rapidly challenging us to stay abreast of what influences our young people. We know that their future careers will require essential skills in technology-based areas. Current research also tells us that success in developing these essential skills is predominately connected to effort and perseverance. So, while we are enjoying the new spaces, preparing for technology-based experiences and other offerings within the College, we must also prioritise ways to encourage continued effort and persistence. Sustained effort is actually a strong predictor of academic achievement.

We live in an era where instant gratification and low accountability is expected, yet we know that young people need lessons around what success looks like -  it does not come from quick fixes or fleeting moments. Instead, success is the result of consistent effort and a willingness to grow through challenges. Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it is about developing the discipline and perseverance that will serve our students well beyond their school years.

As we celebrate our College history and look towards the next steps I am conscious that access to advanced resources alone is not enough. The most successful individuals are not simply those with access to the best tools but those who use them with purpose and determination.

This is why we are committed to fostering a culture of resilience. We want our students to understand that effort is the key to growth. Setbacks and challenges are not roadblocks; they are stepping stones to deep learning. In a world that increasingly values speed and efficiency, we must remind our young people that some of the most worthwhile achievements take time and dedication.

As we look forward to the next 25 years, our goal remains clear: to provide a holistic education that prepares students not only for the challenges of today but for the demands of tomorrow.

Let the future be made clear to us: give us news of the past things, so that we may give thought to them; or of the things to come, so that we may see if they are true.

Isaiah 41:22

Mrs Karen Easton
Principal
From the Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
Sandy Wheeler

Here we are at week 4 and our learning routines are now well established and it feels like we’ve all settled into the rhythm of the school year—both in the classroom and at home. I imagine your family is also finding its flow with school routines, activities and everything in between.

One of the best parts of College life is the way learning happens beyond the classroom walls. I hope your child has come home excited to share some of the moments that have made their week special.

Swimming Carnivals: Fostering Team Spirit and Resilience

The Junior School Swimming Carnival on Thursday had such a great atmosphere and was a valuable, hands-on learning experience for all. Whether it is an area of strength or a chance to get out of your comfort zone and dig deep to persist in something new. The annual swimming carnival is a wonderful day offsite where students live out a sense of teamwork, sportsmanship and personal achievement. For many students, it’s an opportunity to challenge themselves, overcome fears and build resilience. I was encouraged seeing students cheering on their peers in races and participating for House points.

Swimming is such an important life skill and it’s always great to see students of all abilities finding confidence in the water. Students who might not be the fastest swimmers can still find joy in improving their skills. Every year, I see students taking that extra step—whether it’s trying a new event or just feeling more comfortable swimming in front of a crowd. Thank you to all families who were able to come along and be a part of the day.

Incursions and Excursions: Learning comes to life in new ways

In addition to sporting events, incursions provide a wonderful opportunity to bring real-world learning experiences directly to our students. Year 3 and 4 heard from a police officer about the importance of safety. We are providing special moments for students to explore new concepts in a dynamic and engaging way. Coming up later this term we have JAM Camp and Year 6 Camp. We hope these rich experiences inspire children and help them make connections with their current learning and understanding.

Through events like swimming carnivals and incursions, we are creating a vibrant learning journey and a culture that builds confidence, resilience, and a positive mindset, all of which have a positive impact in their academic journey and into their future. As parents, you are vital partners in fostering this positive growth in your children and we do that together. Thank you for your ongoing support—we’re looking forward to everything the rest of the term holds!

Mrs Sandy Wheeler
Deputy Principal & Head of Junior School
From the Deputy Principal - Senior School Learning
David Butler

What a big couple of weeks it has been! Our whole school out on camps followed by a wonderful swimming carnival.

I was lucky enough to go on the Year 9 camp out to Wedderburn. The students were fantastic and learned some wonderful skills such as putting up a tent and not packing too much luggage so you and your tentmate could actually fit inside the tent!

This camp was a taster experience for the Duke of Edinburgh program available to Year 9 – 12 students at the College and this year’s cohort of Year 9s acquitted themselves beautifully. There was some tough weather conditions to navigate at times and an incredibly steep hill on the day hike out to the waterfall, but all of the young men and women showed persistence and self-belief to overcome these obstacles. They showed courage in jumping off the giant rock to plummet metres through the air and down into the cool refreshing water. They showed teamwork when supporting their mates who felt a little nervous approaching the giant swing. They overcame their own fears when rock climbing and developed a new skill when trying archery for the first time. Great times were had together and the food was really good too! Many thanks to the Year Advisors across all the cohorts for their efforts in putting together some wonderful opportunities for the students.

Dave

What an excellent day Senior School had at the pool on Monday. Great weather made for some top racing where lots of records were smashed. House hot laps were a good time to get in the pool in a more relaxed fashion. Year 12 did themselves proud and enjoyed their final swimming carnival together whilst leading their houses in the chants and colour battles. Thanks to the PDHPE team for putting together such a fabulous event and all the best to those students who will now take on some extra training as they represent the College at the next level.

It will be great to welcome some Year 6s and Year 10s to the College over the weekend for the scholarship testing day. What a great opportunity for them to show their skills. The College offers a number of scholarships at the Year 7 and Year 11 level each year to new and existing students and it is a wonderful way to ensure that we continue to have strong learning cohorts throughout the years.

Let me encourage our Year 7 families to come out and have a look around the campus with their Year 7 students at the Meet the Teacher evening on March 6th. It will be a great chance to come and have a look at the beautiful new John Flynn STEM Centre and see all the changes around the place!

Mr David Butler
Deputy Principal - Senior School Learning
From the Chaplain
Denis Oliver

On February 13, we attended the Archbishop’s annual leadership service, where prefects from Anglican schools were dedicated, prayed for, and taught by the Archbishop. It was an inspiring experience. This year’s theme was Leadership Under Christ.

The Archbishop spoke about Jesus feeding the 5,000. I expected him to focus on the miracle itself—providing food in an impossible situation. Instead, he emphasized what motivated Jesus to act: compassion.

"When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd." (Mark 6:34)

The Archbishop explained that the Ancient Greek word translated as compassion in English could be more accurately understood as feeling like being kicked in the guts. Jesus saw how lost and directionless the people were, and he was deeply moved—he physically felt their need.

Prefect

True compassion, the Archbishop taught, doesn’t stop at emotion; it leads to action. Jesus didn’t just feel for the people—he fed them. But he didn’t feed them directly. Instead, he gave the responsibility to his followers.

At first, the disciples were reluctant. They had limited resources and saw the task as impossible. But Jesus used them anyway. The lesson? Jesus works through reluctant, limited people to do the impossible.

Ironically, this message came the day after I returned from a three-day camp with our Year 10 students. It had been exhausting. And, to be honest, I felt like a reluctant leader—low on energy, short on patience, and frustrated by my own “lost sheep.”

The Archbishop’s words reminded me that leadership isn’t about stepping up in grand moments; it’s about showing up in the small, everyday ones.

Sitting on the bus ride home, I realized: I need Jesus to give me a spirit of compassion. I need to feel deeply for those who are lost, take action—even in small ways—and trust that Jesus works through reluctant, limited people like chaplains, teachers, and parents.

Reverend Denis Oliver
College Chaplain
From the Junior School Director of Teaching and Learning
lisa

“Focusing on student growth matters because it enables every student to progress regardless of starting point or capabilities”. (Gonski Report 2018)

It was lovely to welcome so many parents and caregivers of our Junior School students into College earlier this term for the Parent Information Sessions. Teachers were able to detail the learning that will be happening in the classrooms throughout the year, highlighting special events such as the Canberra excursion, camps and author visits. In a few weeks’ time, parents of Junior School students will have the opportunity to speak to the class teacher during Parent-Teacher Interviews. As well as providing information to parents about how children have responded to the learning experiences during first term, we want to hear about your child – your goals for their learning and wellbeing, behaviours they display at home, information that help develop a picture of your child – so that we can provide instruction that supports all the learners in our classrooms.

Teachers will be listening, asking questions and giving an overview of the learning and positive behaviours observed so far in 2025. Parent-Teacher interviews offer both parents and teachers the opportunity to share stories about the students at our College, and to plan ways to support progress throughout the year.

These interviews will help continue setting up a strong year of growth.

Details about the interviews will be coming out over the next few weeks.

We look forward to a year of learning for all our students. This will be done most effectively with positive partnerships built between teachers, students and parents, with open communication the key.

Ms Lisa Hansford
Director of Teaching and Learning - Junior School
From the Senior School Director of Teaching and Learning
Jason CB

Recently I spoke at the Graduation Assembly on the topic of ‘effort’. I included the key parts of my message for this week’s article.

In recent years, research has suggested that when we choose the path of least resistance, we’re not necessarily being lazy—we’re simply acting in line with how our brains are wired. Scientists argue that our brains operate like economists, conducting cost-benefit analyses before deciding whether to act. If the “cost to act” feels too high, it can bias our decision-making, making us less likely to do things. Understanding this can help us make better choices—both in what we pursue and what we avoid.

For example, if you find yourself constantly distracted by your phone while studying, place it at the other end of the house where it’s difficult to reach. The extra effort required to retrieve it may be enough to keep you focused. Staying after school to complete your work before heading home may be easier than taking everything home, where distractions are plentiful. There’s no guarantee these strategies will always work, but one thing is certain: we tend to take the easy route when it’s available. So, becoming less lazy may simply come down to removing that option altogether.

In the classroom as students, it’s easy to take shortcuts. If a teacher assigns questions, you might write as little as possible just to appear as though you’ve done the work. If you’re asked to write a page, you might write half a page with oversized handwriting. If a teacher asks for responses, you might stay silent, letting others answer for you. If you don’t understand something, you might disengage entirely, tuning out by chatting with a friend, or copying someone else’s work. When the results come in and they’re not what you hoped for, it’s easy to blame the teacher, the subject, or even convince yourself that you’ll never be a “smart” student.

But here’s the truth: learning is hard. Gaining new knowledge, committing it to memory, and applying it in assessments is challenging. At times, it can feel like driving through a thick fog—uncertain, frustrating, and stressful, unsure of whether you’ll emerge on the other side.

But I want to encourage all of us to choose the path that requires more effort. That might mean asking your teacher or friends for help, reading the textbook carefully and working through examples, or watching videos on the topic and taking notes in your own words. Each time you persist, you will eventually break through the fog and reach a moment of clarity. You’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, your brain will release happy endorphins, and you’ll build resilience to keep going. Learning brings both joy and struggle, but it is through the struggle that real growth happens.

I want you all to struggle more—not in the sense of suffering, but in the sense of pushing through difficulties, making greater efforts, and truly engaging with your learning. Too often, we seek quick answers, but true understanding requires wrestling with ideas until they become clear. The temptation to give up, get distracted, or take shortcuts will never lead to deep learning.

When we persevere through struggle and achieve success, we prepare ourselves for a richer, more fulfilling life.

“All life demands struggle. Those who have everything given to them become lazy, selfish, and insensitive to the real values of life. The very striving and hard work that we so constantly try to avoid is the major building block in the person we are today.”—Pope Paul VI

Mr Jason Corbett-Jones
Director of Teaching & Learning - Senior School

Upcoming dates

Date Event
Monday 24 February Encore
Friday 28 February

New Families Morning Tea

JAM Camp Leave
 Sunday 2 March  JAM Camp - Parent Pickup 
Monday 3 March Year 11&12 Pompeii Excursion
Tuesday 4 March Year 10 Vaccinations
Thursday 6 March  Year 7 Meet the Teacher Night
Tuesday 11 March 

Junior School Cross Country

Year 10 French Excursion  
Wednesday 12 March  NAPLAN Starts 

Please see Sports Update articles for all important sporting dates.  
The Way we connect

The Way We Connect – Keeping Our Community Informed

We often hear great questions from parents—whether through emails or casual chats at our Parent Café on Fridays. When the same topics keep coming up, we know it’s something worth addressing for everyone.

That’s why we’re introducing The Way We Connect—a space where we share answers to common questions and keep our College community informed:

How it works:

If a question is asked frequently, we’ll add it to the FAQ section on our website.

If it needs more detail, we may feature it in our newsletter.

If there’s strong interest, we’ll hold an information session to provide further insight.

One such topic is academic results—after recurring questions through emails and at the Parent Café, we will host an information session on Thursday 28 March at 5pm in our new STEM Building presented by Mrs Karen Easton. This will be a great opportunity to understand how academic results work and what to expect for your child.

Also, Save the Date! On Wednesday 20 March at 6pm, Justin Coulson will be joining us for a special session. More details in this edition!

Got a question? Submit it via the form below—your input helps shape what we share!

This form will feature at the end of each newsletter so that if a question or suggestion comes up, you will be able to share it.
Parent Cafe

Cafe MRK is open to parents every Friday morning for breakfast with your children before College!

It's also a great way for you to get meet other parents, particularly after the bell.

It opens at 7.30am until 9.30am Friday at MRK (Canteen).

We look forward to seeing you there.
Calling all Sibling Applications

We will soon be commencing our Enrolment Interview process for students commencing in 2026.

If you have a child you would like to enrol for 2026,  please visit our website and complete the application form. Applications must be received by Monday 24 February 2025.  Any applications received after this date will not guarantee sibling priority. 

Kindergarten 2026 sibling enrolment interviews will commence from Week 4 and families will be contacted next week.

Please be reminded that to qualify for Prep 2026, your child must turn 4 by 30 April 2026. Any child who turns 4 after this date will apply for Prep 2027.

You do not need to apply for Kindergarten 2026 if your child has already been accepted into the Prep program for 2025. This also applies to current Year 6 students going into Year 7 2026. Your child’s enrolment will automatically continue.

If you have any questions, please contact Enrolments on 9608 0033 and speak to Marissa Poll (Junior School) or Amanda Low (Senior School).
Parent Meet Ups

The Parent Community Network has organised some upcoming meet ups for parents in Junior School. 

A great opportunity to reconnect or meet fellow parents. The Meet Up takes place at the Parent Cafe.

If you would like to know more please ask in the Parent's Whatsapp Group for the revelant grade. If you are not yet part of a WhatsApp group and would like to be use this form.

Prep

Friday 7 March 
8.20am - 9.30am 

Kindy

Friday 14 March 
8.20am - 9.30am 

 

 

 
Parent Community Network

Are you interested in joining our Parent Community Network in 2025?

Thomas Hassall Anglican College welcomes and encourages the involvement of our College Community in activities and programs. 
The Parent Community Network is supported by the College Community Relations staff. A termly meeting will be held at the College in order to get to know each other, discuss upcoming activities and plan ahead.

Parents, carers or grandparents of current students join our Parent Community Network with the key objective to work in teams to help foster friendships and provide support amongst our families. The Parent Community Network aim to: 

  • Welcome new parents to the College 
  • Encourage participation to parents of your Year Group 
  • Support the College with running events such as the Mother’s Day stall 
  • Give feedback and make suggestions on matters relating to the College 
  • Facilitate social gatherings

Induction and Training is mandatory for all Volunteers at the College which will take place Tuesday 25 February at 8.30am. 

If you are interested in joining the Parent Community Network and attending the training, please visit our website to fill in an application form

The safety of our students is a priority, so please note that it is a requirement that all volunteers complete the online Working With Children Check forms (WWCC) and submit their approval number to the College for verification, this is free for Volunteers.  If you do not have your WWCC number yet, you can still register and attend the training although you will not be able to volunteer until WWCC clearance is received.

We look forward to you joining us.

Mrs Carmen Pasapera
Director of Marketing & Community Engagement

EventsBack to Top

Open Week

The College is excited holding Open Week from March 10 - 15. 

This day is a great opportunity for anyone considering enrolment to see the College in action.

There will an opportunity to visit classrooms, hear from the Principal and ask questions about the College.

Please let your family and friends know and encourage them to register for this event through the button below. 
Movie Night

Join us for a movie night as we watch 

Friday 4 April | 5.30pm

This is a free event and everyone is welcome. Gates open at 5.30pm with food trucks and entertainment. The movie will begin at 6.30pm.

Bring your picnic rug and blanket and join us on the oval. In the event of wet weather, the event will move indoors.

Gift Donation
If you have a business that would like to donate to our pre-movie activities, please contact us [email protected]

Your company name and logo will be displayed on the big screen before the movie commences.
Dr Justin Coulson Presents

Is your child struggling with setbacks? Do you worry they’re not equipped to handle life’s challenges? “How can I help my child be more resilient?” is a question Dr Justin Coulson, renowned parenting expert, often hears from worried mums and dads.

In Resilience: Developing Strength, Calm & Kindness in Our Kids, Dr Justin will be sharing his groundbreaking approach to building resilience in children. You’ll learn the psychological secrets that build your child’s sense of identity, strengths, and growth mindset in order to perform better, be happier, and build resilience. Discover practical strategies to help your child thrive in the face of adversity and reduce your own parenting stress.

Dr Justin will explain the factors that help and hinder resilience, why common advice such as “toughen up, Princess” just doesn’t work, and how competition and praise may undermine resilience.

Using powerful stories and illustrations that every parent can relate to, this session will show you how to help your child cope positively with the challenges that life throws at them.

Event Details: 

John Lambert Auditorium
Date: Thursday 27 March, 2025
Time: 6:00pm
Parking will be available onsite

This is a free event, bookings are essential and will be available next week at https://www.thac.nsw.edu.au/book

WellbeingBack to Top

Abide Lunchtime Group

ABIDE is our College’s Christian lunchtime group. We meet every Friday lunch in N38 and N37 and play games, share some snacks, hear from the Bible and discuss it in small groups. All students in Years 7 – 12 are welcome! This term we are looking at the book of John.

For more information, please contact Mr Mills, Mr Roper or Rev Oliver.

LearningBack to Top

Year 4 Dive into Coding

Year 4 students have been discovering how algorithms function in computers and have been having a blast! They have explored three types of algorithms, learning how loops improve efficiency and how conditions and branching create alternate pathways.

Students have also been introduced to pixels and how they form digital images. Through hands-on activities, they followed pseudocode to create origami fish, wrote algorithms to design digital pixel images, wrote steps for their friends to follow to make the perfect paper airplane, and created branching flowcharts and digital dice.

Year 4

Year 4

The students have had so much fun developing key Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills, including describing, implementing, defining, and planning. Their growing confidence and enthusiasm in coding have been fantastic to see!

Mr Kieran Aggett
Junior School Teacher - Year 4 Year Leader
Police Visit Junior School

This week, we had a visit from the Police Education Liaison Officer Alissa Briggs, who talked to Year 3 and 4 about using technology safely. Including the Do’s and Don’ts of social media. Below some of our students have written about the session. 

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The police officer Alissa Briggs came and taught us about how to be safe online. She told us we should never use our real names in passwords or usernames and also how we should not show or tell anyone our private information. She told us how people can hack you by just a username and password. These people that hack are good so be careful, they don’t need all of the details. Next she said that we shouldn't be on apps or games that are not safe for us or just for adults.

- Ava D | Year 3 Student

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Today in period 1 a police officer came into the school to teach us about online safety since some people like maybe you who's reading this weren't there. I figured I should do a review on what we learned about.

There is a reminder online called the three S’s , the first one is safe. When online we need to stay safe and take into consideration that we are with strangers that we cannot see so you have to be safe to stay happy.

The second is savvy, savvy is a word meaning good judgment and common sense so if someone asks for your phone number, address or picture of you just tell an adult like maybe a guardian or an older sibling but if threatening to do something like hack into your account please call police and let the adults handle it.

Finally, the last one is social, stay social with friends, family and even relatives but no strangers. You can't see the person's face behind your screen. It is so easy to lie online so talk with friends and family but no strangers.

Now that you know what to do in situations like that you can stay safe and happy adults are always available even websites like kids helpline, If you use kids helpline you can talk to people who have experience with these things and all your words are safe and nobody else will know besides kids helpline but anyway that's what i learned and you'll be happy you learned about it too.     

Stay safe

- Emilie D | Year 4 Student           
Visual Arts in Junior School

Exhibiting is a vital part of artistic process in Visual Art, so this week I would like to share the achievements of our 2024 Year 4 students, who worked hard right up to the last minute of their last lesson at the end of the school year to complete these delightful bird sculptures.

ART YEAR 4

art 2

Our starting point was a lesson drawing from observation. The Australian Museum kindly loaned us some taxidermy ‘mounts’ and ‘skins’ of real birds, preserved from as far back as the late 19th century.  Students were fascinated with the specimens, including a fairy penguin, rainbow lorikeet, eastern spinebill, tawny frogmouth, spotted dove and azure kingfisher.  We also examined photographs for further inspiration.   From here, students developed a design for a papiér mâché sculpture.

art year 4

We recycled household materials such as newspaper and cardboard rolls, using a plastic bottle for the armature. Students could choose to invent their own bird, creating their own combinations of colours and patterns using acrylic paint and posca pens. The variety of outcomes was diverse as our students.

Mrs Ann McDermott
Junior School Specialist Teacher (Visual Arts)
Language in Junior School

Exciting Times in the Modern Languages Classroom!

Our Modern Languages classroom is buzzing with excitement as students dive into their language-learning journey!

Year 1 has been eager to begin their Spanish journey, discovering not only the benefits of learning a new language but also how it strengthens their memory and confidence. They were fascinated to learn that Spanish is spoken in 21 countries worldwide!

year 1

 

Year 4 has shown great enthusiasm for French, exploring its global reach and cultural connections. They were amazed to learn just how many countries speak French and how it ties into their own heritage and traditions.

Year 4

It's wonderful to see our students developing a love for languages and expanding their global awareness!

Mrs Viviana Morris
Junior School Teacher (Languages)
Year 7 Camp Deer Park

Year 7 recently embarked on their first Senior School camp at Deer Park, Port Hacking—an adventure filled with teamwork, challenges, and new experiences. From dragon boating and sailing the Hacking River, to learning bush survival skills and indoor climbing, students pushed their limits, built resilience, and supported one another through just about every activity. A highlight for many was the chance to cook and prepare meals for their peers and teachers, adding a fun and productive twist to the experience. It was an unforgettable few days, leaving everyone excited, energised and ready for the year ahead!

Year 7

Year 7 2
Year 7 3

Mr Jiarn Vasington & Miss Priya Sharma
Year 7 Advisors
Year 8 Camp AGH Douglas Park

Year 8 went to AGH Camps in Douglas Park last week, as part of the College’s yearly camp program. We were really pleased with their engagement with the various outdoor activities planned, despite the storms, with the three-person giant swing and canoeing on the Nepean River a highlight for many. We have been encouraging the grade with Mrs Easton’s College-wide focus on ‘Together’, and what that practically looks like in our interactions with each other. Learning to get along is not always easy at this age, but we welcomed and celebrated many instances of this during camp. This will continue to be our focus this year, and we look forward to partnering with our Year 8 families to see even greater cohesion and strong leadership within our cohort

year 8 2
year 8

Here is what some Year 8 students had to say about camp:

“Camp was really fun. There was a bunch of activities and they were all amazing and very thrill-seeking. My advice would be for students who go in future to try and give every activity a go.” – Benjamin S

“ I enjoyed the activities at camp, especially the water activities, including canoeing and raft-building. My favourite day was the third day because we got to catch up on activities we hadn’t done because of the rain. I had a lot of fun at the disco too.” – Ben C

“Even though many challenges were faced, we still managed to have lots of fun. Despite the adversities.” – Matthew S

“The giant swing was so cool, if you don’t do the highest level, you’ll regret it.” – Rishaan R

“The giant swing wasn’t even that high!” – Lachlan D

“The activities were thrilling” – Isaac E 

“I enjoyed canoeing and raft building.” – Tahlia S

“I am proud of doing the high ropes course, and grateful we could go on camp.” – Francesca P

“I am proud that I attempted ‘Dangling Duo’ and … grateful for the opportunity to connect with new people…” – Emily R

“I loved the high ropes, the DJ and the archery. It was fun." – Maclan B

“I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of Year 8 camp, especially raft building, as we had to work as a collective to get to our goal. I was ecstatic and terrified, going on the high ropes. it was raining and thundering, but we got to do almost all of the activities and I am very grateful for going on the once in a lifetime experience.” – Marcos V


year 8 3

Mrs Roslyn Rodriguez & Mr Samuel Mills
Year 8 Advisors

Year 9 Camp Wedderburn Christian Campsite

The Year 9 camp at Wedderburn Christian Campsite was an unforgettable experience for the students. They slept under the stars in tents, embracing the outdoors, eagerly awaiting the Sydney storms and learning valuable life skills. The camp offered a brief but meaningful introduction to the Duke of Edinburgh program, allowing the students to gain a glimpse of the challenges and rewards of outdoor adventures and personal development. From team-building activities to outdoor exploration, the camp provided an opportunity for students to grow in confidence and camaraderie while immersing themselves in nature. The Giant Swing activity was the biggest attraction among the students and demonstrated the heights we could reach if all of us pulled in the same direction.

Year 9

Mr Roderick Fortuin
Year 9 Advisor
Year 10 Camp The Urban Challenge

Year 10 embarked on their Urban Challenge, navigating from Bondi to Manly while embracing their team themes—from construction fluros to Hawaiian shirts and video game characters. Each student played a vital role in ensuring smooth travel, managing equipment, and budgeting for challenges along the way. It was a rewarding experience, showcasing teamwork and resilience while creating lasting memories in this unique camp adventure.

Year 10
YEAR 10 2

Mr Benjamin Fracarossi & Ms Michelle Raft
Year 10 Advisors
Year 11 Camp Youthworks Rathane

Our Year 11 camp was a bittersweet experience as it was really our final camp as a cohort. Held off site, the camp provided a great opportunity to bond with friends, enjoy a break from school and focus on the important road we have ahead of us. In the mornings, we attended some insightful seminars from Mrs Easton and other teachers that encouraged personal growth, leadership and some helpful tips on approaching our HSC years. During the afternoons, we had plenty of free time to relax in, enjoying our beautiful campsite on the Port Hacking River. We particularly enjoyed fishing and swimming at the pool. On the two evenings we enjoyed a warm and lively campfire where we shared stories and roasted marshmallows, and also a movie night with popcorn in the conference centre’s meeting room. The camp was a nice mix of relaxation, learning, and fun, creating lasting memories with friends and teachers alike.

year 11

Isabella C
Year 11 Student 
Year 12 Study Camp

In Week 3, our Year 12 students participated in a study camp held at the school, designed to help them establish strong study routines and prepare for the pressures of their final year.

The camp featured a mix of structured study sessions, informative presentations, and opportunities to relax and connect. Mr. Corbet-Jones gave presentations on study, motivation and thinking, while Ms. Munro provided important NESA and assessment administration information. Mrs. Easton also joined year 12 on Wednesday morning to encourage students to gather, emphasizing the importance of supporting one another and working closely with teachers throughout the year.

Most of the camp was dedicated to silent study, but students also had opportunities to unwind. In the afternoons students engaged in various sport, creative and quieter pursuits such as, table tennis, board games, soccer, volleyball, art class, and one group crafted small hearts to be used for gifts for babies in NICU. A standout experience was Tuesday’s excursion to Cables Waterpark, where students enjoyed the inflatable obstacle courses and wakeboarding.

Year 12

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the group of students who volunteered to of cook lunch for their peers and staff on Monday, creating a great sense of teamwork and community.

Throughout the camp, the students were well-behaved, engaged, and encouraging to one another. Their participation in both study and recreational activities reflected their commitment to making the most of the experience. The camp provided an excellent foundation for their Year 12 journey, equipping them with both study strategies and a sense of camaraderie to face the challenges ahead.

Mr Michael Roper & Mrs Hannah-Rose Stewart 
Year 12 Advisors
Year 7 Developing Visual Literacy

Year 7 students have started their study of Secondary English at the College by engaging in a new way with the picture book, The Rabbits by John Marsden and Shaun Tan, developing their visual literacy and writing skills. They have been examining important concepts like sustainability and the impact of colonisation, while also learning how to create imaginative and persuasive pieces of writing.

Senior School

Students choose pages that best tell the story of the rabbits and the numbats visually in terms of the well-known narrative structure of orientation, complication, climax and resolution. They then use the way that the images round out the story as a model for visual storytelling in their own writing. Choosing from related sustainability issues, students can then develop plots and persuasive arguments inspired by their reading and internet research.

While this introduces Year 7 to skills that they will need to apply throughout the next six years of schooling and beyond, students will also be able to apply what they learn in the NAPLAN writing test, which is one of the usual series of NAPLAN tests that will be undertaken, this year, in Weeks 7 and 8.

Mr David Gawthorne
Faculty Coordinator - English

Junior School Sports Update

CASA Junior Basketball Gala Day

On Tuesday 11 February our Year 5 and 6 Boys and Girls Basketball teams travelled to Minto Basketball stadium for the CASA Junior Basketball Gala Day. 

Under the guidance of our Jump Basketball coaches, Coach Stephanie and Coach Cameron the teams improved from game to game, developing their skills and teamwork and encouraging other players as they played.

Our teams played 6 games in total. The boys team placed 4th , with a few close games going down by 2 points. The girls placed 5th. The students are commended for their sportsmanship and giving it their best.

Congratulations to all players on a great effort!!

CASA

UPCOMING SPORTING DATES
WK 5 Monday 24 February

Years 5 & 6 CIS Tennis Trials (players must be ranked to enter) **

CASA Junior Swimming Carnival – 4.00 – 8.00pm
WK 6 Friday 7 March  CIS Primary Boys and Girls Basketball Trials (Selected at CASA Gala)
WK 7 Tuesday 11 March  Years 3 - 6 Cross Country
WK 9 Wednesday 26 March NSW CIS Primary Swimming Carnival
WK 10  Monday 31 March  Years 5 & 6 CIS Boys and Girls Hockey Trials **
Thursday 3 April  Years 5 & 6 CASA Boys and Girls Touch Football Gala Day
Monday 8 April  Years 5 & 6 CIS BOYS AFL Trials **
** Please contact Mrs Evans if you are interested in trialling at the NSW CIS Tennis, Hockey and Boys AFL trials

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sport Coordinator
Senior School Sports Update

AICES Tennis Gala Day

Well done to Paraspreet S and Brodie S in Year 12 who attended the AICES Tennis Gala Day. Paraspreet showed incredible perseverance and a positive attitude throughout every match with some close games being had. His determination and sportsmanship were truly inspiring, making every moment on the court a highlight. Meanwhile, Brodie played a total of 6 games making it to the consolation semi-final, impressing everyone with his skill and resilience. 

tennis

A big thank you to both boys for putting their best foot forward and representing the college with pride. Here's to many more exciting matches ahead! Looking forward to seeing them both at the CASA Tennis Gala Day in March. 

 

Upcoming Sporting Dates
WEEK 5 Monday 24 February

CIS Softball Trials
CIS Girls Football - Round 1 Game
Thursday 27 February CASA Senior Swimming Championship - 4pm
WEEK 6 Monday 3 March CASA Touch Football Trials 
Friday 7 March  CASA Tennis Gala Day
WEEK 7 Tuesday 11 March AICES Girls 16yrs Basketball Trials
Wednesday 12 March AICES Girls 18yrs Basketball Trials

Mrs Irene Focas
Senior School Sports Co-ordinator

 
Junior School Swimming Carnival

Yesterday Junior School held our Swimming Carnival at Prairiewood Leisure Centre. There was some outstanding results from the students with many off to the CASA carnival next week. 

Swim

2025 AGE CHAMPIONS
8 Years Alexis D & Liam T
9 Years  Allegra D & George O
10 Years A'mia B & Liam H
11 Years Ella K & Coby O
12 Years Claire E & Noah Z 
 

2025 Swimming Carnival House Results 
1st Place Carmichael (1106 points)
2nd Place Liddell (1071 points)
3rd Place Lewis (867 points)
4th Place Wilberforce (819 points)

swimming

Mrs Sharon Evans
P-6 Sports Coordinator
Senior School Swimming Carnival

The annual Swimming Carnival was a huge success, bringing together students, staff and families for an action-packed day of competition and House Spirit. The event kicked off with an exciting atmosphere, as participants showcased their speed and skill in a variety of races, from the 50m sprints to relays to the exhilarating Swimming Champion of Champion Event. Spectators cheered on their house teams, creating an electric energy around the pool. With incredible performances across all age groups, the day was a true celebration of school spirit, athleticism, and teamwork. Congratulations to the below champions and a big thank you to everyone who participated and made this event one to remember!

2025 Male Swimming Champion of Champions: Alexander A

2025 Female Swimming Champion of Champions: Dakota J

2025 Age Champions 
12 Years Yanna S & Jaden P
13 Years Miranda S & Blake W
14 Years  Dakota J & Jonah I
15 Years  Faith A & Thomas T
16 Years  Davina I & Alexander A
17 Years  Billie H & Henry L 
18 Years+ Laura M & Hugo L 

Senior School

2025 Record Breakers 
Dakota J - Age: 14 (4 records broken!)
Girls 14 100 Free NT 1:07.77  THAC Record: 1:14.14 
Girls 14 50 Free NT 29.11  THAC Record: 32.17
Girls 14 50 Fly NT 33.14 THAC Record: 38.80
Girls 14 50 Back NT 38.60 THAC Record: 40.53L
Davina I - Age: 16 
Girls 16 100 Free NT 1:15.99  THAC Record: 1:24.13L
Girls 16 50 Back NT 37.71 THAC Record: 42.44L
Jaden  P- Age: 12
Boys 12 50 Free NT 36.57  THAC Record: 41.50L
Miranda S - Age: 13
Girls 13 50 Fly NT 37.70  THAC Record: 38.41L
Abbie  T - Age: 14
Girls 14 50 Back NT 40.33  THAC Record: 40.53L
Isaac E - Age: 14
Boys 14 50 Back NT 34.31 THAC Record: 35.93L
Jonah I - Age: 14
Boys 14 50 Breast NT 39.03  THAC Record: 43.00L
Faith  A - Age: 15
Girls 15 50 Back NT 39.84  THAC Record: 42.34L
Billie H - Age: 17
Girls 17 50 Back NT 39.58  THAC Record: 45.00

swimming

2025 Swimming Carnival House Results
1st Place Liddell (1923 points)
2nd Place Carmichael (1778 points)
3rd Place Wilberforce (1331 points)
4th Place Lewis (1046 points)

Mrs Irene Focas
Senior School Sports Co-ordinator

Co-curricularBack to Top

Co-Curricular Update

This week we welcomed back all Sport, Dance and Music Academy programs for the year and the energy was great. Students were excited to reconnect with their groups and many new students began to work with their new coaches and ensemble leaders for the first time. 

Preparations for the Music and Dance Tour to Queensland are now underway with students busily preparing repertoire and routines that will be performed all over greater Brisbane. Our young musicians and dancers are especially excited about the opportunity to perform at Dreamworld, participate in a Dawn Service on ANZAC Day and to visit some of Queensland's most reputable dance schools. Students also have the opportunity to reconnect with our sister school, Nambour Christian College, where they will participate in joint workshops and have the chance to perform to their students. 

On Tuesday morning, I visited the Senior Boys Football Program where some of our College's best athletes worked together to hone their skills and push to achieve that extra 1% that will help them be successful as a team. It was great to hear Head Coach Sonny Makko challenge the boys about what success on the football field looks like, that it takes more than just skills, its all about attitude and how you carry yourself as a young man. We are very fortunate to have such dedicated coaches in all our programs and I would like to welcome each of them back to the College in 2025. 

Information will be coming out in the next week about some of our lunchtime clubs. If you child has an interest in joining one of these clubs, or any of our other co-curricular programs, I would encourage them to reach out to the organising teacher and get involved. 

Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks!

Mr Luke Robinson
Director of Co-curricular

CommunityBack to Top

Alumni Spotlight

Alana Mansour, a graduate from the Class of 2021 and a current staff member in the Senior Study Centre, has recently made an exciting appearance in the entertainment industry. She featured in the Stan Original series Black Snow, portraying the role of Samara across all six episodes of Season 2.

alana

Black Snow is an Australian production, filmed and set in Queensland and has received praise for its compelling storytelling and performances. Alana’s involvement in the series is a fantastic achievement, and we look forward to seeing where her career takes her next.

Congratulations, Alana!
Parking around the College

It has come to our attention that some vehicles are being parked on nature strips and blocking driveways in our neighborhood. Unfortunately we have had numerous complaints from our neighbours of parents parking illegally. We kindly request that you refrain from parking in these areas when dropping off or picking up your children from College. Please be mindful of designated parking spaces and respect the property and access needs of those living nearby.


Parking illegally on footpaths or nature strips is a safety concern and can obstruct drivers' and pedestrians' access and lines of sight. Rule 197 of the Road Rules 2014 does not allow parking on a bicycle path, footpath, dividing strip or nature strip. To avoid a fine of up to $320 for illegal parking, please ensure your vehicle is kerbside on the street only. Please refer to the image below from Liverpool City Council of illegally parked and legally parked vehicles as well as other School zone offences. 

council

 

Parking Rules
WhatsApp Groups for Grades

Many parents would like to connect with each other during this time, a great way to do that is through parent led WhatsApp groups.

Parents of the younger year groups have created WhatsApp groups that they are apart of, many have stated how useful they have been.

Parent administrators have asked to extend the opportunity to parents who may not be aware of these groups. Please note that these groups are not run or administered by the College, rather are parent run. If you would like to be added to your child's grade WhatsApp group, please fill in the form and your details will be passed on to the admins.

If you are an administrator of any other groups and are interested in reaching your year groups parents, please email [email protected]

Mrs Carmen Pasapera
Director of Marketing & Community Engagement