Secondary Happenings

Victorian All Schools Track & Field Championships

Emily Townend, Head of Health & PE

Several DCC students represented the college at the recent Championships. We are excited to share their success with you, and congratulate all students on their commitment, excellence, and endeavour in their God-given talents.

Brienna Coffey: 800m, 1500m and 3000m
Talise Botha: Shot put and triple jump
Annabel Messer: 800m (1st place), 1500m (3rd place) - will compete at Nationals
Maisie Coffey: 200m
Alfie Onley: 1500m and 3000m
Hamish McLennan: 800m and hammer throw
Zander Botha – 400m and long jump
Lewis McLennan – Hammer throw (1st place), javelin (3rd place) - will compete at Nationals
Sawyer Onley – 1500m

We extend our best wishes to Annabel Messer and Lewis McLennan as they compete at the National Championships next month.

Year 10 Outdoor Ed Camp

Sophie Cox and Claire Gruber, Year 10 Students

This camp was an adventure we weren’t expecting. Walking in the dark, rock climbing, bush bashing and insane river crossings were some of the many experiences that this camp had in store for us!

Each day, much pain was felt from many members of the group. Everyone put in 110% of their effort. Despite the pain, the achievements were amazing. There were so many highlights throughout the whole camp included summiting both Mt McDonald and The Bluff. The views were breathtaking and after the pain we persevered through, it was so worth it!

While on camp we were blessed to be surrounded by so much of God’s untouched creation. The views we saw, the rushing rivers, massive trees and the wildlife were all on display for us.

Throughout this last semester our class has built a very close community. We’ve seen each other in our best, most entertaining moments as well as our worst, most painful moments. This is what made the camp that bit better. We were able to share fun memories and moments with a group that we formed tight bonds with.

We are all sad this is our last Outdoor Education camp, because each camp has been an incredible experience! We are sure to miss these amazing adventures, especially with such an incredible crew.

Year 9 City Experience

Taimi Buchan, Year 9 Teacher

Over the past two weeks, our Year 9 students have stepped beyond the classroom and into the heart of Melbourne for City Experience, a program designed to broaden their awareness, grow their independence, and deepen their compassion for the world around them.

As they navigated busy streets, explored iconic landmarks, and engaged with organisations making a real difference, students were encouraged to look for God’s presence in unexpected places and to consider how they might contribute to their community with empathy and purpose. The two reflections below capture just some of the ways this experience opened their eyes, challenged their assumptions, and helped them see our city, and its people, through a new lens.

"Throughout the two weeks I saw communities such as school groups, orchestras, bands, workplaces and many more. Some beautiful examples of friendships, and togetherness in a place that can be very self-centred. I was pleasantly surprised by how picturesque some of the places in the city are, from the Eureka Sky Deck, the Shrine and even Hosier Lane.

God’s promises shone through in the fact that everyone I met and saw was unique and made in God’s image and there is beauty in that. His promises that He will always be with us comforted me as I went about my days. I would see people stealing, the homeless and broken, and would offer it up to God - that He would deal with it and touch those people’s lives. The Big Issue was probably the most impactful in terms of seeing the Kingdom in how they are caring for those in need at such a troublesome time. Just before that session we gave a homeless guy two ice creams just because we felt he needed them more than us. Being in a space where God was moving, and where He possibly isn’t known yet, was a great experience.” Josh Craig

"We heard the story of Helen who is one of the people helped by The Big Issue. She talked about how this gave her hope and helped her break the cycle of poverty. I thought her story was really moving, and honestly homelessness felt like it was a world away from me, and unrelated to me. After I heard Helen’s story, I realised that homelessness can come about in many ways, and to meet someone who has experienced it helped me think and care more about this issue.

It really changed the way I view the people selling The big Issue on the streets. I believe most people would have been taught about ‘Stranger Danger’ when they were a kid, but after listening to Helen’s story, I think that we have all been blinded by stereotypes when we haven’t always given people a chance to show who they really are and listen to their stories. I think we should try to help these people in the little ways we can, maybe spare a few minutes to talk/listen to them or give them some money to find rent. Helen’s story really helped me appreciate how lucky I am be born into a family who loves me and cares for me, regardless of who I am." Minda Gao