Secondary Life

Year 12 Formal

Nat Ayton - Year 12 Coordinator

The Class of 2023 celebrated the finishing of exams with their School Formal. There was a feeling of freedom in the air as they had finally finished school…forever!  

The night was filled with great food, laughter, dancing, photos and even a Kahoot put together by the Vice Captains - Lucy Gardiner and Zander Van Wyngaardt.  

A big thanks to Em Gosbell for her efforts in leading the team of students who organised the event - and a special mention to Emily Gruber and Janelle Spargo for their hours of organising all the finer details to make the night extra special.  

That marked the last event with this fabulous group of young people, and while we will miss them, we will also remember them fondly and be praying for God to use them in amazing ways in the years to come.

Year 9 City Experience

Esther Mathew - Marketing and Communications Manager

I was lucky enough to join our Year 9s on the hottest day possible as they immersed themselves in various experiences in the heart of Melbourne. Parliament House opened the door to the importance of democracy, highlighting the responsibility each citizen bears in shaping the fabric of our governance. The Shrine of Remembrance, a timely and solemn reminder of sacrifice a day before Remembrance Day,  instilled gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy in both staff and students. Our final stop for the day; The Queen Victoria Market, a bustling hub of activity, unveiled the rich diversity that defines our city.

Other highlights I was not involved in, as I recovered from my one day of walking 13,000 steps, included the captivating world of LUME, the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, a visit to the Old Melbourne Gaol, taking in the beauty of the Botanical Gardens and much more! 

City experience was not just a lesson on our landmarks; it was a journey of self-discovery and growth. Learning the beauty of diversity and the importance of inclusivity, echoing the multicultural heartbeat of Melbourne. More importantly for the students, having resilience in the face of challenges, strength derived from teamwork, and the weight of responsible decision-making.

Hats off to our dedicated teachers and staff for curating an experience that will undoubtedly be etched in our students’ memories – I know it is for me!

Year 8 Camp

Alfie Onley - Year 8 Student

Year 8 camp was awesome. Located in the Roses Gap region of the stunning Grampians, it was the perfect place for a camp with the theme “Awe & Wonder”.                                                        

It was filled with classic fun camp activities such as low ropes, the giant swing, canoeing, and raft making. There was also the crate stack which is an activity that is rather unique, plus real rock abseiling and rock climbing, from where we enjoyed a beautiful view of Roses Gap. 

The camp included an overnight hike which each group went on throughout the week. Different groups did different hikes so I’m not sure about the other trails but the hike my group went on boasted some truly magnificent views. 

We were fortunate to meet a local indigenous elder called Uncle Ron, who taught us about the indigenous way of life and different tools that are used for jobs such as grinding stones, as well as various types of boomerangs. 

It was truly an incredible camp.

Camp Reflections from the Year 8s

Camp was good fun; it was a great way to spend my last week with my friend. 

Jack Gaskell

Being on camp enriched my existing friendships, but also helped build new ones. Carlina Ayton

My highlight was seeing the view of Briggs bluff; the view was astonishing, and the hike was worth it. Another highlight was camping under the stars, it's something you can't do often, and you get to see the stars and the sun rise above the valley. Claire Gruber

My favourite part was going on the giant swing; it was 19 metres above the ground, and I went to the top. It was scary yet fun, and the thrill was worth it.

Alannah Zigomanis

I really enjoyed rock climbing because I have never done rock climbing on real rocks before, so I had lots of fun trying something new.

Jayden Churchward

The camp was very exciting, I really enjoyed it.

Gabriel Miauw