Secondary School Update - 28 August 2026
Updated: Aug 28
SECONDARY SCHOOL UPDATE Mr Jonathan Brayshaw
Book Week Throughout this week, many of our Secondary students have embraced our Book Week activities, putting their creativity and love of reading on display. Students have enjoyed participating in our Emoji Book Name Puzzles, while many have also designed creative and beautifully presented bookmarks for our Book Week Bookmark Competition.
On Thursday 27 August, our Year 9 and Year 10 students were also privileged to participate in Author Talks with Jean Saxby. I commend our students on their high level of engagement and for the wonderful way they represented the College through their attitude, presentation and behaviour throughout the seminars.
It has been wonderful to see our students engaging so enthusiastically with reading and celebrating the joy of books throughout Book Week. This was particularly evident in today’s Symphony of Stories Homeroom Dress-Up Competition, where students and staff brought some of their favourite literary characters to life!
Preliminary Exams Our Year 11 students commence their Preliminary Examinations on Monday 31 August, which will continue throughout Week 8. Please join me in praying for all of our Year 11 students as they revise their learning and navigate this important time in their academic journey.
Year 12 End of Year Schooling Our Year 12 students are nearing the end of their schooling. We are incredibly thankful for the way they are finishing their chapter with such dedication and integrity. 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.
Arriving at School On Time Establishing consistent routines is crucial for nurturing discipline and responsibility in our students. Arriving at school by 8:25 am ensures students are present for Homeroom and Year Meetings. This is an important point of connection where students are able to check-in with teachers and peers, hear important announcements and be involved in discussions and daily activities. This part of the day helps shape our students’ sense of belonging.
Thank you for entrusting us to partner with you in the education and wellbeing of your children.
REEL TO REAL: YEAR 10 FILM MUSIC EVENT Mrs Kaylie Neave
Last week, our Year 10 Music students took audiences on an incredible musical journey with Reel to Real, a celebration of film music that brought together the worlds of Hollywood blockbusters, musicals and beloved Disney classics.
What made Reel to Real particularly special was the opportunity for our small, intimate live audience to experience not only the performances, but also the behind-the-scenes production process. Alongside performing, our students took on the roles of camera operators, lighting and sound technicians, and production directors, working under the expert guidance of the ACC Studios team.
This was far more than a performance event. It was an authentic industry experience that allowed our students to work with professional equipment, state-of-the-art facilities and a team of experienced industry professionals. The result was a professional-quality broadcast produced right here at ACC Marsden Park.
For many of our Year 10 students, this was their first-ever performance in front of a live audience, making their confidence, professionalism and musicianship all the more impressive. We could not be prouder of the way they embraced the challenge, supported one another and brought their performances to life.
What a privilege it was to watch our students move from reel to real; from learning about film music in the classroom to experiencing what it is like to perform and produce a professional event. We are so proud of them and cannot wait to see where their creativity and talents take them next!
BSTREET SMART EXCURSION FOR YEAR 10 Mr Alex Kwok
Our Year 10 students recently had the opportunity to attend the BStreet Smart Program at Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Olympic Park. It was an impactful day designed to educate young people about the very real consequences of decisions made on the road.
Throughout the excursion, students heard powerful stories from emergency personnel and members of the community who have experienced the devastating effects of road trauma firsthand. They also engaged with organisations working in road safety and witnessed a realistic emergency scene that demonstrated how quickly a situation on the road can change.
While some aspects of the program were confronting, the experience provided our students with valuable opportunities to reflect on their own choices and responsibilities as road users. Importantly, the day encouraged students to consider not only their own safety, but also the way their decisions can affect their friends, families and wider community.
This aligns closely with the values we seek to develop in our students. As Christians, we are called to exercise wisdom, care for others and take responsibility for the choices we make. BStreet Smart provided a practical opportunity for students to consider what these values look like beyond the classroom, particularly as they become increasingly independent and prepare to take on greater responsibility on the road.
The impact of the experience was evident in the students' reflections following the excursion. One Year 10 student shared:
“I just wanted to thank you for that experience because that is one of my highlights for this year. It was really fun. Thanks a lot.”
We are grateful that our students were able to participate in such a meaningful and memorable experience. We hope the lessons from BStreet Smart will stay with them well beyond the day and encourage them to make wise, responsible choices that protect both themselves and those around them.
ACC CHESS TEAM ADVANCES TO THE FINALS Mr John Picart
ACC Marsden Park proudly hosted the Interschool Semi-Finals Chess Tournament on Thursday 20 August, welcoming 70 students from 12 schools across Sydney. In partnership with the Sydney Academy of Chess, the event was a fantastic celebration of strategy, competition and sportsmanship, while providing students with an opportunity to develop and steward the gifts and abilities that God has entrusted to them.
Our ACC Secondary Chess Team, comprising Sahasraaamshu D, Manav S, Ekansh A, Nikhil B, and Arnav Y, achieved their best result to date, scoring 17 points to finish second overall behind Castle Hill High School.
In the individual Category, Sahasraamshu achieved an impressive 5/7 wins, while Ekansh recorded 4.5/7 and Arnav 4/7. Their outstanding performances were recognised with trophies for Sahasraamshu and Ekansh, and a medal for Arnav.
This exceptional achievement sees our team qualify for the Finals in three weeks’ time. This is the first time our College has reached the Finals, and we are incredibly proud of our students and their outstanding achievement. Congratulations to the team, and a heartfelt thank you to our parents and staff for their continued support and encouragement. We wish our students all the very best for the Finals!
HSC SHOWCASE EVENING Mrs Jackie Sposobin
HSC Showcase 2026 was a magnificent and memorable evening, providing an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the creativity, dedication and individual talents that God has generously given to our Year 12 students. The evening was a wonderful reflection of the diverse artistic practices, personal journeys and unique perspectives developed by our students throughout their Visual Arts studies.
The Visual Arts exhibition featured a selection of physical displays of on-campus Bodies of Work, complemented by a digital slideshow showcasing the Bodies of Work created by our Distance Education students. Together, these presentations demonstrated the breadth and diversity of artistic approaches undertaken by the cohort. Students engaged with a wide range of expressive forms and practices, with 8 of the 12 represented across drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, graphic design, time-based forms and collections of works.
The Bodies of Work explored a rich and varied range of concepts and subject matter, reflecting the students’ personal experiences, interests and observations of the world around them. Themes included culture, family and gatherings, societal issues, mental health, as well as other deeply personal and meaningful ideas. Through their chosen materials, techniques and artistic processes, students worked to communicate these concepts with increasing sophistication and intentionality.
In the lead-up to Showcase, the students demonstrated an impressive level of commitment, perseverance and artistic maturity, working diligently to refine, resolve and present their Bodies of Work as comprehensively as possible. This was particularly significant given that their completed Bodies of Work are due for submission to NESA on Monday 31 August.
HSC Showcase 2026 therefore represented not only the culmination of many months of creative development and hard work, but also an important celebration of the individual artistic voices, growth and achievements of our Year 12 Visual Arts students. It was a privilege to share their accomplishments with the wider College community and to celebrate the gifts and talents they have developed throughout their Visual Arts journey.
FINANCIAL LITERACY WORKSHOP Mrs Judi Harvey
On Thursday 20 August, our Year 10 students had the opportunity to learn valuable financial skills from experienced finance professionals Henriette Scheffer and Fiona Nadaya.
Students explored practical topics including budgeting, the 50/30/20 method, needs versus wants, saving, interest, loans, mortgages and credit reports. They also learnt about the potential risks of Buy Now, Pay Later services such as Afterpay and Zip Pay, and how these can impact future financial decisions.
The key money habits students took away were: set a budget, save before you spend, understand debt, review your insurance and superannuation, and set clear financial goals.
It was a valuable and practical day, equipping our students with greater confidence and understanding as they prepare for their financial futures.
YEAR 11 UNLOCKED 2.0 - STUDY EVENING Miss Tamara Kunz
Last Wednesday evening, in order to support our Year 11 students as they approach their Preliminary Examinations and continue to navigate the increased demands of senior secondary school, we invited them to a second Study Night - Year 11 Unlocked: Mastering Prelims.
This was a targeted study program designed to equip our students with specific strategies related to specific subject areas. Students had the opportunity to gain firsthand insights from high-achieving Year 12 ACC mentors and staff, focusing on practical strategies to manage workload, reduce stress, and improve academic performance in each subject area.
The evening was broken up into two distinctive sessions. Part 1 saw a ‘circuit style’ approach in which students could choose 3 sessions to attend. Year 12 presenters led 20- minute power sessions sharing their expertise on what actually works (and what doesn’t) related to subject specific areas. This was an invaluable time for our Year 11 students to engage with their Year 12 peers who came off the back of Trials to share their learnings and advice.
Part 1 was followed by an intermission for a light dinner which was a great opportunity for Year 11 to spend time together over some delicious food and continue to build community before moving into some study.
Part 2 of the night saw Year 11 students buckling down and engaging in a study session block - this involved the Year 12 mentors and ACC staff being a presence and assisting our Year 11 students as they engaged with the content. It was pleasing to see the level of collaboration and encouragement between students as they supported each other in their learning.
Overall this was a fantastic evening - there was such positivity amongst staff and students as they worked together towards continuing to build a culture of excellence!
YEARS 10 & 11 ART CAMP 2026 Mrs Jackie Sposobin
Our inaugural Visual Arts Camp took place in Week 4 of this term, providing students with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in an environment where art, nature, history and creativity intersect. A group of students from Years 10 and 11, accompanied by Miss Sandeman and myself, travelled to Bundanon in Illaroo, near Nowra, for an enriching overnight experience.
Bundanon is the former estate of prominent Australian artist Arthur Boyd, who bequeathed the property to the Australian people. Located along the picturesque Shoalhaven River, the property encompasses approximately 1,000 hectares of protected wildlife refuge and is situated on the traditional Country of the Dharawal and Dhurga language groups. The remarkable natural environment provided an inspiring setting for students to explore their own artistic responses while developing a deeper appreciation for the relationship between artists, place and the environment.
A significant component of the experience was a visit to the onsite Museum, where students viewed an exhibition featuring Arthur Boyd’s Nebuchadnezzar series, alongside a selection of drawings and paintings created during his late teenage years. Students were encouraged to closely consider Boyd’s evolving artistic practice, examining the diverse approaches, techniques and materials he employed throughout his development as an artist. Particular attention was given to the use of colour, form, line, composition and materiality, as well as the ways in which artists can communicate ideas and emotions through visual language.
The spectacular natural environment surrounding Bundanon became an important source of inspiration for students throughout the camp. From the meandering creek and expansive hills to the Shoalhaven River and surrounding bushland, the beauty and complexity of God’s creation provided endless opportunities for observation and artistic exploration. Students worked outdoors and responded directly to the site, attempting to capture fleeting moments, atmospheric conditions and visual impressions within their artworks.
One of the outdoor activities involved students working beside the creek using ink and natural reeds to experiment with mark-making and expressive visual effects. This activity encouraged students to move beyond conventional drawing approaches and consider how simple changes in pressure, movement, repetition and application could produce a diverse range of marks. Line, movement, texture and tonal variation became key areas of exploration as students developed spontaneous responses to their surroundings.
The art workshop centred on the bushland landscape as a focal point for developing a resolved landscape composition. Students explored both additive and subtractive drawing processes, experimenting with a range of mark-making techniques to interpret the structures, textures and tonal qualities observed within the environment. Through an experimental, layered approach, students progressively developed their responses to the landscape, building complexity through the accumulation and removal of materials.
Subsequent layers of compressed charcoal and soft pastel were introduced to further develop tonal depth, texture, contrast and spatial relationships. Students were encouraged to embrace experimentation and allow the materials themselves to contribute to the visual qualities of the finished works. The process provided valuable opportunities for students to consider how an artwork can evolve through layering, refinement, experimentation and intentional mark-making.
Overall, the Visual Arts Camp was a highly valuable and memorable experience that extended students’ learning beyond the traditional classroom environment. It allowed them to engage directly with Australian landscape, artistic practice, cultural context and the natural environment, while developing confidence in experimentation and independent art-making.
The artworks produced during the camp will be displayed as part of the Music, Art, Drama, Dance, Design (MADDD) Night later in the year, providing students with an opportunity to share their creative achievements with the wider school community and celebrate the artistic experiences developed through their time at Bundanon.