Secondary School Update - 19 September 2025

HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE Jonathan Brayshaw

Dear Parents & Carers,

Prefect Afternoon Tea On Thursday 11 September, our College Prefects and Year 11 Leaders hosted a Prefect Afternoon Tea in the Lumination Lab. This student-led initiative created an opportunity for fellowship, connection and encouragement with student leaders from other independent schools in our area. I am so thankful for our student leaders and their commitment to shaping a positive culture in our College community. 

Year 11 Examinations I also want to commend our Year 11 cohort on the way they approached their examinations across Week 7 and Week 8. Throughout this period, students displayed tenacity and resilience. Thank you for supporting your children as they navigated this important stage in their academic journey. 

Year 12 Finishing Well Our Year 12 students have now completed their final timetabled classes. Their last week of school will begin on Monday with special moments in Homeroom, running the Creative Assembly, a Year 12 versus staff volleyball game, along with a fun day at Manly on Tuesday. We look forward to formally celebrating their achievements together with their families at the upcoming Graduation Ceremony and Valedictory Dinner in the final week of term. 

Formal Uniform Required at Graduation Ceremony The Year 12 Graduation Ceremony will be held on Wednesday 24 September in the MPC. Students in Year 8 to Year 12 will gather in person, while Year 7 students will watch the livestream from their Homerooms. All students are required to wear their full formal winter uniform, including their blazers. 

Student Planners Finally, I would like to thank our parent community for supporting the use of Student Planners. Students are expected to keep their Planner neat and orderly. As part of our partnership with families, we ask parents and carers to: 

• Use the Planner as a form of communication with the Homeroom teacher.

• Sign the Planner at the end of each week and read any comments by College staff.

Planners are reviewed by Homeroom teachers each week. Students who do not bring their Planner to school, or who have not had their Planner signed by a parent or carer, are issued with a lunch detention. 

Thank you for your ongoing support as we work together to help your child grow and develop. 

DUKE OF EDINBURGH Paul Griffiths 

The Duke of Edinburgh at ACC Marsden Park has been an amazing experience for our young people as they challenge themselves with new goals, learn new skills and volunteer their own time in various ways to serve our College community or the community in which they live. By using the Duke of Ed Framework, students have accomplished some great things, such as helping in our Care Centre or Library, learning new (or honing existing) skills in sport, learning a language, cooking incredible food, learning how to crochet or make engaging videos. Those who have engaged with the Framework have expressed satisfaction in accomplishing their goals that they worked towards for months, logging their hours and writing reflections about their own personal journey. 

This has culminated in the Bronze Adventurous Journey Camp with the Black Diamond Adventures group, where 20 students embarked on a much different challenge. Their leadership skills, communication and resilience were all tested as the first day was a 15km hike in Heathcote National Park, across a variety of terrain, all whilst carrying everything they would need for 3 days. Admittedly, there was some grumbling and definitely sore muscles, but at the end of the day, as every student, staff and Black Diamond leader sat around a campfire, the stories and reflections of feeling content and rewarded was all that was heard. It was a great feeling to accomplish a difficult task, and as one of our Leaders said on our journey, drawing inspiration from Theodore Roosevelt, "Nothing worth doing is ever easy." This was a sentiment shared amongst the cohort as each subsequent day brought more and more stories and reflections, admiring God's beautiful work in waterfalls or vast bushland, encouraging each other as we hiked to various locations, and shared food and company with friends. 

Our Duke of Ed students now have more life experience and skills, whether it be in the specific goal they set for the Skills or Physical Recreation section of their level, or in the fact that they completed a 3 day hike with every piece of clothing, food, water, and camping equipment on their backs. These students now feel more world ready, and appreciative of the talents and gifts God has provided them. As we look forward to next year with returning Duke of Ed participants progressing from Bronze Level to Silver Level and beyond, we are also excited for new opportunities for the current Year 8 cohort moving into Year 9 for 2026. We encourage them to speak to the students who engaged with this Framework and came along to the Camp, to learn more about this awesome experience.

ONSTAGE SHOWCASE NOMINATIONS

We’re excited to announce that Rachel, one of our Year 12 Drama students, has been nominated for her Individual Project to be considered for the annual OnSTAGE Showcase!

Rachel wrote and performed an original monologue, Chapter 27, which imagines the inner conflict of literary icon Jane Austen on the night following her marriage proposal.

We are so proud of Rachel and all our Drama students for their creativity, dedication, and passion throughout the year.

CSSA STATE BASKETBALL Alex Jacobi

On Friday 12 September 2025, Australian Christian College Marsden Park sent their first ever basketball team to CSSA State Competition. This is a milestone achievement for our students who fought hard and utilised their skills and teamwork to reach this goal. The team showed incredible heart from the very first game, stepping onto the court with determination and a commitment to giving their very best. They faced some tough opposition from schools across the state, which tested their skills, resilience, and ability to work together under pressure.

Throughout the tournament, they pushed themselves to stay focused right until the final whistle. While the results didn’t always go our way, the team took away some valuable lessons and can be proud of the way they carried themselves: with discipline, respect, and a willingness to grow.

One of the most valuable aspects of the Championships was the journey itself. Training together in the lead-up built not only skill but also stronger bonds between them. On game day, those connections showed as players encouraged one another, celebrated small wins, and lifted each other after setbacks. The experience reminded everyone that sport is not just about the scoreboard, it’s about growth, perseverance, and representing something bigger than yourself.

We are proud of the way our basketball team represented our school community. They walked away from the Championships with a determination to come back better next year. Congratulations to the students involved; Chayim S, Thomas L, Lucas M, Jamel W, Gerald R, William L, Nathan C, Denzel R, Naethan J, Ephram Z.

STAGE 5 DANCE SHOWCASE Bec Mewjork

On Thursday 18 September, our Lumination Lab came alive as we welcomed over 130 guests for the 2025 Stage 5 Dance Showcase.

Our Year 9 and 10 Elective Dance students delivered an unforgettable evening of lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop performances, including original compositions, solos, duets, and group works. Each performance highlighted the students’ God-given gifts, creativity and dedication to their craft. 

The girls performed with passion and professionalism, creating a joyful celebration of dance that was enjoyed by all. A heartfelt thank you to our families and community for supporting our students. Your presence made the night even more special.