Secondary School Update - 7 November 2025

HEAD OF SCHOOL UPDATE Jonathan Brayshaw

Dear Parents and Carers, 

On Thursday 23 October we hosted a HSC Major Works Information Evening. The purpose of the evening was to provide parents and Year 11 students with the opportunity to hear directly from Year 11 teachers to gain an understanding of the requirements and expectations involved in the major works courses: Music, Drama, Visual Art, Industrial Technology Multimedia and Design & Technology. It was pleasing to see so many parents and Year 11 students attend and engage with staff throughout the evening.

Over the past few weeks, our students have been actively involved in supporting Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. Their mission is to share God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

Homerooms across Secondary School have been generously filling shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies and fun gifts. In Week 6, many of our Year 10 students will be involved in community service at the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse, delivering and helping organise these shoeboxes. 

Today our staff and students participated in Christmas Shirt Day. This is a fundraiser that directly supports Samaritan’s Purse, as students contributed a monetary donation by wearing their favourite Christmas shirt or sweater. The proceeds of this fundraiser will help cover the costs of transporting the filled shoeboxes to overseas communities and villages, where they will be given to children in need. 

Thank you for your continued support as we work together in helping each child grow and succeed in whatever God wants them to do. 

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA Elizabeth Oloaga

On Monday 27 October, our Year 9 and Year 12 Visual Arts students enjoyed an exciting day out at Sculpture by the Sea, one of the world’s most renowned outdoor art exhibitions. The exhibition stretches along the beautiful Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, transforming this iconic landscape into a gallery of large-scale, thought-provoking artworks.

During the excursion, students explored a wide variety of contemporary sculptures and site-specific installations. Each piece was created to interact with the natural coastal environment, giving students a unique opportunity to see how artists can use space, materials, and light in creative ways. This hands-on experience allowed students to connect what they have learned in the classroom with real-world art practices, enriching their understanding of contemporary art.

The day also offered a chance for students to reflect on the beauty of God’s creation. Surrounded by the stunning coastline, students noticed how the artworks complemented the natural landscape, encouraging them to consider how creativity can highlight and celebrate the world around us.

The excursion wasn’t just visually inspiring, it was also a time for students to think about collaboration, creativity, and gratitude. It encouraged them to explore their own artistic ideas while appreciating the environment and community. Overall, it was a memorable and inspiring extension of their Visual Arts studies, leaving students with fresh ideas and new perspectives to take back to the classroom.

YEAR 12 SCIENCES Anji Smith

The Year 12 Biology, Chemistry and Physics courses have got off to a great start! Our On Campus Biology students got hands on with building a model of DNA out of beads and wire. This was a challenge as they learned about the structure and patterns of DNA while needing to draw on their crafty skills! It was a great way to understand the wonderful double helix.

WELCOMING TAIKOZ TO ACC Sonia Fedyczkowski 

We were delighted to welcome the Japanese ensemble, Taikoz, to Australian Christian College for an exciting and immersive performance of traditional Japanese drumming. Students learnt about traditional Japanese instruments, festivals, and song styles, and the performers shared stories from their time in Japan while teaching us new vocabulary. Some lucky students even had the chance to try the drums and cymbals, and everyone enjoyed clapping along and keeping time with the magnificent music. To complete the experience, we shared a delicious Japanese bento, a traditional speciality boxed lunch.

STAGE 5 DANCE EXCURSION Bec Mewjork

On Thursday 23 October, our Stage 5 Dance students travelled to Sydney Dance Company to take part in an exciting Hip Hop workshop. The girls were taught by a professional dancer who guided them through a warm-up, technique activities and a piece of choreography.

The workshop challenged students to try new movements, develop their skills and step outside their comfort zone. They showed great determination as they learned fast-paced and detailed choreography. 

Throughout the session, students supported one another, worked as a team and encouraged their classmates to keep trying even when choreography was challenging. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they danced in front of each other and received feedback from the instructor. The Year 9 and 10 Dance students showed outstanding encouragement and support for each other. 

The excursion was a fantastic learning experience and left everyone feeling inspired to continue improving their dance technique and performance skills. We are very proud of the effort and enthusiasm shown by all students. 

JUMP ROPE GALA DAY 2025 Natasha Collins

Did you know that 10 minutes of skipping can have the same fitness benefits as 30 minutes of running? That was one of the fun facts we learnt at the recent Jump Rope Gala day held at Toongabbie Christian College. 

On Friday 27 October, a handful of enthusiastic Year 10 students represented our school in our very first Jump Rope competition. They took part in a range of events including the 30-second-single-speed challenge, double unders, and showcased a freestyle routine they choreographed themselves. 

The day also featured workshops led by Mav Larkin, an Australian Jump Rope champion who competes internationally, giving students the chance to learn new skills and tricks to take home.

As someone who grew up loving skipping and participating in ‘Jump Rope for Heart’, it was a privilege to see this passion shared with a new generation. Despite having little experience, the girls committed to lunchtime training sessions, collaborated on their freestyle routine, and supported one another throughout the process. On the day, they also showed outstanding teamwork and sportsmanship by assisting other school groups so everyone had the chance to compete, demonstrating true leadership in action. 

It was an absolute joy to lead these students and even join in the workshops alongside them. We look forward to building on this experience and continuing to grow a culture of fun, fitness, and encouragement through skipping!