Secondary Happenings

Have You Met Janine?? 

Name: Janine Power

Role: Music Administrator

What do you enjoy most about working at DCC?

I really enjoy that all my colleagues know the Lord and that we can pray for each other, support one another and are all somewhat on the same page. There is a real peace about the place that is very rare.

What do you love most about your role, and why?

I love that the Music department is so dynamic and lively – no two days are the same. Sitting in my office hearing new little violins, or very accomplished pianists is exciting. I love that many  of the students seem to find their ‘happy place’ here. And that, for a large number of them, music is a passion. 

How does your faith shape the way you approach your role in administration?

I believe that whatever we do, we should do it to the best of our ability – so even if it might seem boring to some, getting all the I’s dotted and T’s crossed is important.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? 

I am very involved in my church – Infinity Church South Morang. I have four grown children, eight grandchildren ranging from 19-3. And secretly I am a musical theatre nerd!

What are you most looking forward to for the rest of 2026?

Shrek the musical in May. And I do always look forward to the term break!

Swimming Carnival

Caleb Obeyesekere & Marley Rutherford , Sport Captains

House Swimming for 2026 was an incredible day filled with community, fun, and standout moments. The day began with the big reveal of Mrs Hall’s new AFL team… Collingwood - which received very mixed reactions but was a very fun way to kick off the day! We then had House chants, where the energy was palpable! There were many creative chants, with each House doing a song from the 80s, followed by their House’s classic chant, which were all sung loud and proud!

There were some amazing moments in the pool throughout the day, with many students showing true house spirit to help support their house as needed. It was such an encouragement to see how everyone got around each other and were so positive throughout the day! Through different abilities, ages, and events, there were so many people who got in the pool and tried their best, it was so awesome to see people give it their all for this competition.

There were also some incredible achievements throughout the day, with some records being broken throughout the day:

Records Broken:

• Open Female 100m Freestyle: Charisse Chan 1:06.54
• Year 10 Female 50m Freestyle: Charisse Chan 30.66
• Year 10 Female 50m Butterfly: Charisse Chan 34.77
• Year 10 Female 50m Breaststroke: Charisse Chan 37.05
• Junior Girls 100m Freestyle (New Event): Scarlette Goh 1:38.21
• Junior Boys 100m Freestyle (New Event): Aaron Williamson 1:09.08

Each House competed with humility and amazing sportsmanship, showing the key thing that made this day so fulfilling, God’s hand working throughout. An incredible day for Donvale! As the day finished up, everyone eagerly awaited to see who came out on top. Brilliant efforts from all houses, but only one house can win, with Cooper taking out their 5th House Swimming win in a row!

Overall House Results

1st Cooper (706 points)

2nd Cuthbert (663 points)

3rd Burrows (613 points)

4th Flynn (588 points)

A huge thank you to all the teachers that helped make the day run smoothy. Also, an enormous shout out to the House Captains, who did a brilliant job at running everything behind the scenes in their houses. We will announce the following Year Level Champions at assembly; we very excited to see how each house fares next year!

Year Level Champions

Year 7 Girls: Alyssa Kang

Year 7 Boys: Casey Lau

Year 8 Girls: Scarlette Goh

Year 8 Boys: Aaron Williamson

Year 9 Girls: Gemma Wong

Year 9 Boys: Samuel Han

Year 10 Girls: Charisse Chan

Year 10 Boys: Joshua Spence

Open Girls: Vangie Lau

Open Boys: Tommaso Zanetti

Photo credit: Ezra Chan and Anna Zheng 

'Robot Song' - Drama Incursion

Nic Frame, Head of Performing Arts

On Thursday 26th February, Junior and Senior Drama classes travelled to The Round in Nunawading to watch the professional production Robot Song. The play – conceived, written and directed by Jolyon Jolly – centred on the character of eleven-year-old Juniper May. When Juniper receives a petition signed by her entire class stating that she is ‘the most hated person in the school’ her life is thrown into turmoil, and her parents resort to the only thing that can help: a giant singing robot. 

The play, based on a true story, illustrated the profound, transformative nature of creativity and the importance of unconditional love. While VCE Drama students will respond to the play as part of their assessed coursework, this was a great opportunity for the Year 8 and Year 9 Drama classes to experience poignant, funny and beautifully staged live theatre. The cast and crew were very generous with their time in a post-show Q&A, and all students were inspired to continue to create honest, inventive theatre in their own classes.

Year 7: Camp Coolamatong

Leanne Benson, Head of Year 7

Year 7 students embraced a week of discovery and growth at Camp Coolamatong on the Banksia Peninsula, surrounded by the beauty of nature and God’s creation. Throughout the camp, students stepped beyond their comfort zones, finding confidence in themselves and a strong sense of belonging within their Year 7 community. Whether they were pitching tents under the stars, cooking on Trangias, or encouraging one another through challenges, students experienced firsthand what it means to support, include, and care for each other.

Immersed in all kinds of weather—sunshine, rain, wind, and everything in between—they took on a wide range of adventures. Canoeing, sailing, stand‑up paddle boarding, and a boat ride on the Gippsland Lakes strengthened teamwork, while mountain bike riding, low ropes, and combat archery inspired resilience, courage, and laughter.

Through shared experiences, students not only deepened friendships but also reflected the shining light of Jesus in the way they served, encouraged, and celebrated one another. More than just a camp, it was a meaningful opportunity to grow, connect, and build a community grounded in faith, kindness, and joy.

VCE VM Collaborative Cooking Challenge

Nicky Joiner, Secondary Teacher - VCE Vocational Major

Our Year 11 and 12 VCE Vocational Major students recently completed a hands‑on assessment that showcased how the VCE VM empowers students to learn through real‑world, applied experiences.

In small groups, students were challenged to plan and cook a dish of their choice, however, the real focus wasn’t what appeared on the plate. Instead, the assessment centred on how well students could apply and reflect on key social awareness and interpersonal skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and negotiation.

Before entering the kitchen, each group selected their recipes and organised roles to ensure a smooth cooking session. They also chose an area of interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence they would like to improve on. As they worked, students were required to actively demonstrate strategies designed to strengthen their “soft” skills, whether that meant leading a task, delegating responsibilities, resolving differences, or supporting one another under time pressure.

After the cooking was done (and yes, everything looked delicious!), students reflected on their ability to put those strategies into action, identifying what worked well and where they could continue to grow.

By stepping outside the traditional classroom and into practical learning, students build confidence, independence, and the skills they’ll use far beyond school.