Alumni Interviews 

Stella Surya (WS 2014)

What years did you attend Waverley Christian College? 

I attended WCC in 2013-2014 (I moved schools in the middle of Year 11 to complete my VCE at WCC).

What or who motivated you at the College? What is your fondest memory of your years as a student?

Shoutout to Mrs Maggie Yeo who motivated me to develop to my full potential in English VCE and essay writing (I am now a corporate lawyer at HSF Kramer). She truly inspired me and was so empowering of all her students.

My fondest memory would be the friendships formed with the other students there. I came from a school where there were 350 students in my year level, making it impossible for everyone to know each other. My WCC cohort (Class of 2014) had about 120 students, so we all knew each other and would hang out in the Year 12 Common Room together, which was a lively space for us students.

What were the biggest challenges you’ve faced since leaving the College?

Figuring out my path and dealing with uncertainty. High school gives you a clear roadmap, but afterwards you’re suddenly responsible for choosing your direction (which university to go to, whether to stick with your course, etc.).

What goals did you set yourself when you finished at WCC, and have you stuck to that plan?  

My goal was to stay determined on the path I chose to study. Yes, by God’s grace, I stuck to completing six years of tertiary studies, both undergraduate and post-graduate at Melbourne University (Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Juris Doctor degree).

What drew you to your area of work or study, and what do you love about it?

My interest in the law began from completing Legal Studies as a VCE subject. It further developed during my undergraduate degree (when I focused on white collar crimes within my Criminology major), and my time at Melbourne Law School.

I love how the law empowers people with knowledge about their rights in handling complex disputes to achieve fair and practical solutions.

What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?

You are never too early or too late; God’s timing is always perfect and you are exactly where He wants you to be.

What excites you most about the future?

I have been attending City On A Hill (COAH), the city campus, for about 5+ years, and currently I have joined its latest church plant in the Bayswater area called COAH Melbourne Foothills.

I am excited for the future of our church and how we are called to serve and love those in the community. We are currently meeting at Eva Burrows College in Ringwood, with the aim and hope to find a location in Bayswater for 2026.

If you are looking for community in the area, or maybe you're thinking about checking out church again after a while, please come visit us! There's a growing group of WCC alumni here already. We would love to see you there on Sundays at 10am.

From left to right: Dexter Hu (WS 2011), Celina Lim (WS 2014), Asher Hu, Stephanie Chong, Joseph Yeow (WS 2014), Stella Surya (WS 2014), Kyle Chen

Any additional comments?

For more information about COAH Melbourne Foothills: https://cityonahill.com.au/melbournefoothills/

You can also find me at HSF Kramer or on LinkedIn.

Serena Aponso (WS 2024)

What years did you attend Waverley Christian College?

I attended Waverley Christian College from 2019 (Year 7) to 2024 (Year 12).

What or who motivated you at the College? What is your fondest memory of your years as a student?

Throughout my time at WCC, I was inspired by so many people—my teachers, my peers, and the opportunities the College provided and opened up for me. The staff genuinely cared for us as individuals, and my friends created an environment where I felt supported, challenged and encouraged to grow.

My fondest memory would have to be Year 7 Camp. It was a week where I met the friends who have become my closest circle—those early days formed the foundation of a friendship group that is still just as strong now that we’re all in university. Year 7 Camp also holds some of those irreplaceable childhood memories: the B Bash dress-up night, jellyfish fights, and late night spooky stories told by one of our English teachers. It was a time full of fun, laughter and innocence—memories that are hard to recreate as an adult.

What were the biggest challenges you’ve faced since leaving the College?

One of the biggest challenges has been consolidating my faith in a world filled with people from so many different walks of life, backgrounds and belief systems. Leaving school meant stepping into a much broader and more complex world, and learning how to stay grounded in what I believe has been an ongoing journey.

Another challenge has been finding a strong community outside of school—one that I can lean on, grow with and do life alongside. Building that support network takes time, but it has been a meaningful part of my transition into adulthood.

What goals did you set yourself when you finished at WCC, and have you stuck to that plan?

When I finished at WCC, I knew I wanted to step into the next chapter with purpose. I was excited to begin university, start gaining industry work experience, and eventually travel and explore more of the world. Looking back now, it’s really encouraging to see that I’ve been able to stay true to those goals. Each step I’ve taken has helped me grow in confidence and independence, and it’s been rewarding to watch those early hopes slowly become a reality.

What drew you to your area of work or study this year, and what do you love about it?

2025 has been a very formative year for me. I’m studying a Bachelor of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University, which perfectly blends my passions for business, sport and leadership. After speaking with career counsellors, attending expos and visiting open days, everything seemed to point me toward this degree. Deakin’s strong reputation in sport—being ranked number one globally—also made the decision feel right.

My experiences throughout high school, especially volunteering as a Ballgirl at the Australian Open for three consecutive years, really shaped my passion for working in major sporting events. Those experiences gave me a glimpse into the world I hope to be part of one day, and I believe the Lord placed that desire in my heart early on.

Alongside studying, I’ve also been working in two roles since January—as a Sports Event Promoter and Tennis Coach with DirectImage, and as the Assistant Sport Coach at Fintona Girls’ School. What I love most about both positions is the people. At Fintona especially, the opportunity to coach students across different year levels and sports, and to watch them grow in confidence and ability, has been incredibly rewarding. Every part of my journey this year, through both study and work, has confirmed that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

This isn’t advice someone personally gave me, but it’s a quote I came across from Maya Angelou that has stayed with me: 'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' It’s something I try to live by each day, especially in how I interact with others. It’s a simple reminder of the lasting impact kindness and compassion can have.

What excites you most about the future?

What excites me most is stepping into the future with a sense of trust and expectation. I know the Lord has a plan and purpose for my life, and there’s so much comfort in walking into the unknown with Him leading the way. I’m looking forward to the opportunities, challenges, people and blessings that will shape me in the years ahead. There’s something really special about knowing that every season has meaning, and I’m excited to see the story He continues to write.

What advice do you have for current students?

Take every opportunity that comes your way, and give your best to the College—you’ll be surprised by how much it gives back. Above all, keep journeying with the Lord each year, and as you grow and mature you’ll learn to lean on and trust Him in every season of life.

Any additional comments?

I am so grateful for my time at Waverley Christian College. This community shaped me in ways I’m still discovering, and it gave me friendships, mentors and memories that will stay with me for life. It also gave me something far more valuable—a strong foundation in Christ that continues to guide me through every season.

Waverley poured so much into me over the years, and I hope that one day I can give back in a way that reflects just how much it meant. I’ll always look back on my time at the College with warmth and gratitude. I wish the entire Waverley community all the very best in 2026 and beyond, and I pray that every student who walks through the College finds as much joy, support and purpose as I did.