Secondary School Update - 22 August 2025

HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE Jonathan Brayshaw

Dear Parents and Carers,

I would like to commend our Year 12 students on the mature and dedicated way they approached their Trial HSC Examinations. Thank you for your ongoing prayers for these students as they complete their final weeks of schooling. We look forward to formally celebrating this significant milestone with students and their families at the upcoming Graduation Ceremony and Valedictory Dinner.

On Monday 18 August, our Year 9 and Year 10 students participated in the first of three workshops with Matt Purcell, founder of Social Kung Fu. This innovative program equips adolescents with verbal, social and emotional skills to increase resilience, combat bullying and improve mental health. Matt was joined by Professor Caroline Hunt, who is the Head of Clinical Psychology at the University of Sydney and President of the Australian Clinical Psychology Association. As part of Professor Hunt’s research study, our Year 9 and Year 10 students are contributing to an evaluation of the program’s effectiveness.

It was a pleasure to visit our Year 9 Camp at CRU Lake Macquarie. The camp encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and build resilience while engaging in activities such as canoeing, fishing, archery, rock climbing, and bivouac experience. Year 9 are commended for their participation, courage, teamwork and excellent behaviour, which helped make the camp a wonderful experience for all involved. 

I would also like to thank all of our Year 9 Homeroom Teachers (Mrs Musumeci, Ms Flood, Mr Kwok, Mr Dethan, Mr Palu and Mr Picart), as well as other staff who attended (Mr Johnston, Mrs Kasumaputri, Mrs Son, Mr Matt Thomson) for their dedication and care for our students throughout Camp. I would also like to acknowledge Mrs Neave (Year 9 Coordinator), Ms Perry (Year 8 Coordinator) and Mr Brett Thomson (Pastoral Care Advisor) for their organisation and leadership of this camp. 

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all parents and carers for your continued support, commitment, and partnership in the education of our students. 

ART SHOWCASE Skye Musumeci

Over two evenings, our College community gathered to celebrate the creativity of our Year 12 students at the HSC Showcase. This event gave families, friends and staff the opportunity to view and reflect on the achievements of our graduating students across Music, Drama, Visual Arts and TAS. As part of the Showcase, the audience enjoyed a special artist talk presented by our HSC Visual Arts student, Naomi Mayan. Naomi shared insights about her Body of Work, Beyond Time - My Secret Paintings, a moving exploration of chaos, pressure and faith.

In her talk, Naomi explained that her work was inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:11, which reminds us that God makes everything beautiful in its time. She reflected on the way her art expressed both the intensity of life’s pressures and the peace that can be found when we trust in God’s timing. “From a distance, the brushstrokes feel intense and wild, but when you look closely, you’ll find intricate layers of line work. That contrast reflects how life can feel chaotic on the surface, yet still hold something detailed and intentional underneath,” Naomi explained.

Her Body of Work combined bold textures and movement with careful detail. She used acrylic paint, structure mediums and linework with Posca markers to build energy and rhythm, while incorporating crochet and thread as symbols of healing, mending and gentle growth. She acknowledged the influence of artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Hiromi Tango, Atong Atem and Hilma af Klint, each of whom inspired her use of repetition, textiles, colour and spiritual abstraction.

When asked what she hoped audiences would take from her work, Naomi said, “I hope they are reminded to slow down. Even in seasons of chaos or uncertainty, God is still working. There is beauty and meaning unfolding in His timing, even if we cannot always see it straight away.”

The Showcase was an inspiring celebration of both artistic practice and personal growth. Naomi’s Body of Work demonstrated not only technical skill but also the courage to express faith and emotion through visual form. Her achievements this year reflect remarkable dedication, creativity and resilience.

We congratulate Naomi on her outstanding work and thank all who joined us over the two evenings to celebrate the depth and richness of our students’ creative journeys.

SPORT UPDATES Jonathon Skelly

Futsal Gala Days (Aug 4-6) In Week Two this term, we sent five teams to the Futsal State Championships held at Hawkesbury PCYC, where our Under 14s, Under 16s and Open teams were able to compete against some of the top schools in the State. Although none of our teams progressed to the next level, all of our students were able to demonstrate teamwork, resilience and perseverance. There was lots of joy shared and new memories created as students built deeper connections with one another.

Basketball Gala Day (5 Aug) On Tuesday 5 August our College’s basketball teams competed against the local schools in our Zone for a place in the CSSA State Finals. With many teams having to play over six games throughout the day (over three hours of basketball) they were pushed to the limit. The day was extremely challenging, not just physically but mentally as well, as students needed to dig deep and face opponents who were often bigger and stronger than them. Our Open Boys team managed to scrape their way into the finals, where they then defeated the team that had beat them earlier in the group stage, securing their spot in the CSSA State Finals.

MET West Zone Athletics (7 Aug) On Thursday 7 August, over 100 of our students competed at the MET West Zone Athletics Carnival, facing off against the best of the local schools. With only 1st and 2nd place being guaranteed a spot in the State Competition, students had to perform at their best. We saw a number of our students beat their previous records and a total of 31 secured a spot at the CSSA Secondary State Athletics Carnival. What an achievement for our College! 

MET West Zone Netball U15 Girls (12 Aug) On Tuesday 12 August, our Under 15s Girls Netball team competed in the MET West Zone Netball grand final against Toongabbie Christian College. The game was an exciting one, with the lead changing multiple times, however in the end our girls were able to take the win as Met West Champions! 

CSSA U15 Oztag (14 Aug) On Thursday 14 August, our Under 15 Boys and Under 15 Girls travelled to Kingsway Park to compete against the top schools in the State at the CSSA OzTag Competition. Playing multiple games in one day with short breaks in between is always a challenge, and the opposing schools were relentless. Even though our teams shared in a few victories throughout the day, it wasn’t enough to take them to the finals. However, it was a great day of team building and strengthening relationships with one another.

'BE STREET SMARTER' EXCURSION FOR YEAR 10 Bec Mewjork

On Wednesday 6 August, Year 10 students attended the “Be Street Smarter” excursion at Qudos Bank Arena. It was an extremely valuable learning opportunity for students and staff. The program focused on raising awareness about the importance of road safety and the responsibilities that come with being a safe driver. Students learnt about the dangers of distractions such as using a mobile phone while driving, as well as the serious impact accidents can have on individuals, families, and the wider community.

The day also highlighted practical skills to help students become safe and responsible drivers, including the importance of speaking out against unsafe behaviours and understanding how to respond in emergency situations. Presenters shared powerful stories and demonstrations, covering key topics such as the physics of speeding and how even small increases in speed can drastically change outcomes in a crash. Overall, the excursion was an eye-opening experience that encouraged students to make positive choices on the road and to understand their role in keeping themselves and others safe.

AUSTRALIAN MATHEMATICS COMPETITION Luke Turner-Mann

On Wednesday of Week 2, students from Years 7 to 10 participated in the annual Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC). The AMC is a reputable international mathematics competition that has been running for nearly 50 years. It tests students' mathematical knowledge, reasoning and logic. We had another strong showing on the day with over 40 students participating. We are proud of our students and the effort they put in to prepare for the competition, which can be a both rewarding and challenging experience. Results will be released later this month. Well done mathematicians!

This week, our Year 12 Mathematics students are undertaking their HSC Trial Examinations. They have worked diligently in the lead-up to these important assessments, and we commend them for their perseverance. We continue to pray for each student, trusting that God will guide and strengthen them as they do their best.