Secondary School Update - 15 May 2026

SECONDARY SCHOOL UPDATE Mr Jonathan Brayshaw

Supporting Student Wellbeing through Healthy Nutrition As a College, we place a high value on the holistic development of each student - spiritually, academically, socially, and physically. An important part of this is ensuring that students are well nourished throughout the school day. 

Recently, we have become aware that some students are either not bringing adequate food to school, or are choosing not to eat what they have brought. This includes lunch and simple healthy options such as fresh fruit or snacks to sustain them across the day. 

Good nutrition is essential for adolescents. It directly impacts energy levels, concentration, and a student’s capacity to engage in learning. When students are well fuelled, they are better able to focus in class, think clearly, and participate positively in their learning environment. Conversely, when students have not eaten sufficiently, it can affect their mood, behaviour and overall engagement. 

At the College, we intentionally provide time for students to eat and encourage them to do so. We also know that developing consistent and healthy habits is most effective when supported both at school and at home. 

We value our partnership with parents and ask for your continued support in this area by ensuring that students bring sufficient, nutritious food each day. It can also be helpful to regularly check your child’s school bag and to have ongoing conversations with them about the importance of eating well and caring for their health. 

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to nurture healthy, engaged, and thriving young people. 

Year 11 Leader Commissioning On Monday 4 May, our Secondary School gathered to commission our 2026 Year 11 Leaders. Year 11 Leaders are appointed to represent the College and its culture. They will engage in ongoing service, leadership development and training over the next two terms. They are taking on this commitment to work closely with our College Prefects and House Captains as part of the Stage 6 Leadership Team, learning from them and supporting their work in shaping a positive culture in our community. 

Congratulations to the following students: 

• Olivia Babio

• Lillian Dent

• Laetitia Fernandes

• Zuri Galdones

• Kesainandan Gowda

• Jonathan Jap

• Sanjeet Jassal

• Naethan Joseph

• Sofiya Kopbayeva

• Charlotte Kwok

• Prisha Malhotra

• Isaiah Manabat

• Aayan Mishra

• Pearl Patel

• Vincy Patel

• Riley Pethybridge

• Anna Rockson

• Lavanya Shriram

• Tanya Tiju

• Gabrielle Tiongson

MOTHER’S DAY PREFECT HIGH TEA Mrs Tiarne Tranter

Last Tuesday morning in the Secondary school, the tables were set beautifully for one of our most treasured events in the calendar - our Mother’s Day High Tea. Our Year 12 Prefect team had the special privilege of gathering with their mothers and mother figures for a beautiful Mother’s Day Prefect High Tea.

The morning was a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect and give thanks for the remarkable women God has placed in the lives of our students. In the busyness of school life, it was a precious gift to sit together and enjoy a beautifully prepared high tea, sharing conversation, laughter and gratitude around the table.

Our prefects were able to honour the mothers, grandparents and carers who have supported, encouraged and shaped them throughout their lives. These women have played such an important role in nurturing character, modelling love and demonstrating faithful service. It was wonderful to see our student leaders taking time to recognise the sacrifices, wisdom and care that have helped guide them to this point in their schooling journey.

As a Christian community, we are reminded that every good gift comes from God, and the gift of loving women in our lives is something truly worth celebrating. Whether through daily encouragement, quiet strength, prayerful support or practical care, the women represented in the room have had a lasting impact on our Year 12 prefects.

The morning tea was not only a celebration of Mother’s Day, but also a moment of connection between families, students and the College. We are deeply grateful to God for this precious time together and for the opportunity to honour the women who continue to bless our students and our community in so many ways.

MATHS FACULTY: TERM 2 RECAP Mr Ferry Tanoto

As we settle into the rhythm of Term 2, our Mathematics Faculty remains dedicated to fostering a supportive and resilient learning environment that reflects our school’s commitment to excellence and care. 

To better support our senior students, we recently surveyed our Year 11 cohort to understand their experiences during the transition into the HSC years. While many students are enjoying the opportunity to study subjects they are passionate about, they also identified common challenges such as managing increased workloads, developing consistent study habits, and balancing academic pressure with personal well-being.

Responding to these needs, our Year 11 mentors and Maths Faculty have collaborated to provide targeted support. We believe that interest alone is not always enough to thrive in a demanding HSC course; it requires discipline and a strategic approach. 

To facilitate this, several of our Mathematics Extension students recently shared their insights with their peers in a session titled “From Note-Taking to Exam Master: Effective Revision Strategies.” Following the presentation, these senior students provided peer study support during an Open Study session, modelling academic accountability to their community.

We are truly blessed to have a community where students are eager to improve, even when the subject matter is challenging. 

2026 YOURCHOICEZ SEMINARS WITH YEAR 8 & YEAR 10 Mr Brad Adams

During the first week Term 2, the College was excited to host speakers from the organisation Yourchoicez. Yourchoicez is a christian organisation that is in-demand, speaking to thousands of secondary students across the country. The organisation runs sexuality and relationship seminars that encourage students to think through their use of technology, including social media and other online activities.

The aim of the organisation is to help young people think through what makes a happy, healthy respectful relationship. The seminars seek to provide students with the opportunity to consider their choices around relationships, dating, sexting, pornography and sex. Through the seminars and teacher-led discussions we hope that our young people will have the ability to make wise choices as they engage in the digital space and in building their personal relationships.

Year 8 - Connections that Count For our Year 8 seminar, boys and girls were split and guided through tailored seminars and discussion groups. Students heard that we, as people, are relational beings, created in the image of God for relationship with him and each other. Students thought through the qualities of good friends and friendships.

In later sessions students reflected on their personal use of technology. Thinking through the amount of time spent on devices, even into the small hours of the morning for some! Students were encouraged to think of strategies in which they controlled the technology, not the other way around. Most students saw the wisdom in having their devices charged and kept outside their bedroom in the evenings.

Finally, students reflected on their potential exposure through various media to pornography and how to deal with this. This involved letting parents know what they had seen as soon as possible, knowing that parents would be supportive. For the Year 8 students it was hearing of the ease of access to pornography and the damage it does to the way we view other people and our future friends that was the most impactful. 

The students came away with specific plans to help protect themselves from the intrusiveness of devices, and a greater awareness of what is involved in creating good quality relationships.

Year 10 - Responsible Relationships The Year 10 students participated in a series of seminars and small group discussions with the team from Yourchoicez. Their theme was respectful relationships. Students first considered the qualities of people they admire and reflected on themselves. For the boys, this also involved a deep discussion on healthy masculinity and their own personal friendships.

The second session concentrated on the impacts of pornography on beliefs, behaviours and relationships. This involved deconstructing some of the false ideas of relationships and sex. Students reflected on their own personal boundaries with regards to devices and in their relationships. A deeper understanding of consent was discussed and what this means in relation to the recent legal changes regarding sexual assault. This included learning what constitutes sexual harassment and non-consensual sexual activity.

Students reflected on a range of their own personal relationships and reflected on personal changes to grow healthy, happy and safe relationships.

Students made the most of the opportunity to listen to the speakers and reflect on their own situations. They asked some very direct questions and were eager to hear well considered responses.

We hope at home parents of our Year 8 and 10 students heard some of what students learnt at these sessions. 

YEAR 11 LEGAL STUDIES EXCURSION: STATE PARLIAMENT & PENRITH COURTHOUSE Miss Tamara Kunz

On Wednesday 6 May, Year 11 Legal Studies students had the opportunity to visit both NSW State Parliament and Penrith Courthouse.

Visiting NSW State Parliament was an excellent occasion for students to experience democracy in action. The first hour of the visit included guided instruction and information regarding the way parliament operates including further insights into voting processes, formation of political parties and discussion of different electorates needs.

As students attend NSW Parliament on a day that they were in session, they were able to sit in the public galleries of both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council and witness question time seeing their local MP and Minister for Education, Pru Carr in action. Students enjoyed being able to observe the robust and passionate exchange of ideas in these spaces.

In the afternoon students then attended Penrith Local Court. Divided across three different courtrooms (including local and district), students observed a diverse cross-section of the legal system in action. The proceedings were detailed and varied, covering critical areas of the syllabus including: bail applications, domestic violence and common assault matters. Students also witnessed the conclusion of a serious District Court case whereby the jury delivered their verdict and the judge dismissed the accused.

Students were highly invested in understanding the processes which they saw operating in the courtroom and were able to see the practical application of concepts we had been discussing in class.

Overall this was a fantastic experience for the students to immerse themselves in and better understand the legal system through the courtroom procedures and our democratic institutions. 

ACC MARSDEN PARK ACHIEVES ANOTHER STUNNING CHESS RESULT Mr John Picart

On Monday 4 May, ACC Marsden Park competed in an Inter-School Chess Tournament, featuring over 120 students from primary and secondary schools across Sydney. The event was hosted by Eagle Vale High School.

In the Secondary Team category, ACC delivered another outstanding performance, finishing in first place, back-to-back from last year’s championship win. The team initially sat in third place after the early rounds but climbed to second position in the final rounds before ultimately securing the gold trophy.

The team consisted of Sahasraamshu D, Manav S, Nathan T, Divyansh S, Brian C, Ekansh A, Kemuel B, Kyzer B, Nathan C, Aarav S, Nikhil B, Simeon T, Arnav Y, Jordan W, and Charlie J (DE). Together, they achieved a combined total of 20.5 points, securing first place overall. Macquarie Fields High School placed second, followed by Hurlstone Agricultural High School. This excellent result earns ACC a place in the semi-finals next term.

In the Individual category, Sahasraamshu D placed third, winning 6 out of 7 games. Manav S achieved 5 wins, placing 8th, while Arnav Y also secured 5 wins, finishing in 9th place. All three were awarded individual trophies. A fantastic achievement for all involved!

A huge congratulations also to the ACC Primary Team, who achieved incredible success by finishing in first place overall! The team also dominated the individual category, achieving 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place, with all players receiving individual trophies. It was an extraordinary clean sweep! Go ACC Primary!

Special thanks go to the students, parents and staff for their ongoing support. It was a day filled with strategy, teamwork and school pride, setting the stage for continued success in chess.