Secondary School Update - 21 March 2025

HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE Jonathan Brayshaw

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Over the past two weeks, our Year 7 and Year 9 students have participated in NAPLAN. NAPLAN is a national assessment that tests students’ ability in numeracy, and three domains of literacy - reading, writing and language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation). NAPLAN provides valuable insights into how well schools are equipping students with these essential skills. I would like to commend our students for demonstrating courage, resilience and commitment in approaching each of the components with their best effort. 

Looking ahead, our senior students will soon embark on their Year 11 and Year 12 Camp at The Tops Conference Centre (Stanwell Tops). This three day experience will be an opportunity for students to step outside their usual routines, engage in outdoor challenges and take part in leadership and wellbeing seminars. Please join me in praying that this time will be both enriching and encouraging, fostering personal growth and meaningful connections. 

Reminder about Student Planners One of the things I addressed at the Secondary School Information Evening earlier this term was the implementation of the Student Planners for all Secondary students this year. The purpose behind this is to improve:

• Organisational skills

• Personal responsibility and accountability

• Teacher / student communication

• Teacher / parent communication

Students are expected to keep the planner neat and orderly (without graffiti of any kind), use the planner every day and record daily activities.

As a means of working in partnership with families, we ask parents and carers to:

• Use the Planner as a form of communicating 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 every Monday. Students who do not bring their Planner to school, or who have not had their Planner signed by a parent or carer will be issued a lunch detention. It has been encouraging to see the way in which students have embraced the adoption of Planners. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers for your valuable feedback and support, and the way in which you have found the Planners to have helped stimulate meaningful conversations with your child about their educational experience. 

PI DAY CELEBRATIONS Luke Turner-Mann

On Friday 14 March, ACC’s Secondary iPuzzler Maths Club celebrated International Pi Day with a fun and memorable event that combined maths, food and friendly competition. The main highlight was the Pi Day Challenge, where students took turns reciting as many digits of pi as they could from memory. It was impressive to see the students' encouragement and enthusiasm, cheering each of the competitors on, the suspense growing as the number sequence grew longer and trickier.

After the challenge, Vihaan P emerged as this year’s winner, with a determined recitation of 262 digits. The second place runner-up was Alice E who reached a hefty 215 digits. Third place went to Shadrach S who achieved a solid recitation of 200 digits. Students were surprised and impressed by the incredible memories on display, making it a fun and engaging challenge for all. The event was topped off with apple pie and ice cream, as competitors and supporters alike enjoyed a well deserved treat for their efforts, adding a sweet and festive touch to the celebration. Happy Pi Day 2025 from the ACC Maths Team! God Bless!

ART EXCURSION Skye Musumeci

On Wednesday 19 March, Senior Visual Arts students visited the Art Gallery of NSW to visit two key exhibitions; Cao Fei: My City is Yours and ARTEXPRESS 2024.

Cao Fei: My City is Yours captivated students with its thought-provoking digital installations, exploring themes of technology, urbanisation and identity. This internationally acclaimed Chinese artist’s use of virtual reality, film and multimedia sparked insightful discussions on the future of art and its intersection with digital culture.

Students also explored ARTEXPRESS 2024, an annual exhibition showcasing exemplary HSC Visual Arts bodies of work. Seeing the creativity, technical skill and conceptual depth of recent graduates provided inspiration and valuable insight into the expectations for their own art-making practice.

We had a fantastic time at the Art Gallery of NSW, offering students a deeper understanding of contemporary artistic practices and the possibilities within their art making journeys.