Welcome 

From the Deputy Principal

On Wednesday 13th November, the College provided a more formal opportunity to farewell our beloved Principal, Mr Peter Sheahan. Inviting a list of people connected to Peter across the 46 years of service to the College and 40 of those as Principal was always going to be large but, held at the City Life Church Knox auditorium enabled a broad spread of people to be a part of the evening. Present were members of the College community including representation from staff, parents, students and alumni (both past students, staff and College Council), together with City Life Church Elders (both past and present), Principals of other Christian Schools and Peter’s family and friends. 

The program, emceed by our two Heads of Campus, Mr David Lepileo and Mr Mark Crnkovic, was well-crafted to obviously give honour to the amazing work of Peter over a generation, but had an equally strong focus of worship and glory to God, something that has always been utmost in Peter’s heart throughout his leadership. Musical items from combined choirs, conducted by Lydia Lim (2012 Alumni and current staff) and orchestras from our two campuses were interwoven by individual speakers that included Jason Smith (1991 Alumni, past Council member and current parent), Cameron Pearce (current Principal of Flinders Christian Community College, David Burr (current Chair of the College Council) and Peter Leigh (1981 Alumni, past Council Chair and current Business Manager) each providing rich anecdotes and insight to their perspectives on Peter’s friendship, leadership and service and, importantly, also giving honour to Mardi, Peter’s wife and their three boys, Joel, Luke and Jesse for their incredible support across Peter’s journey. Peter, himself, had an opportunity to respond and reminded us all that the amazing story of WCC belongs and continues to belong to God and that he only ever saw himself merely as a humble servant, being responsive and obedient to God’s call, submitting himself entirely to His work. 

Psalm 127:1  

'Unless the Lord builds the house,

    the builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

    the guards stand watch in vain.'

A highlight of the night was undoubtedly, the “Alumni Chapel Band” who provided a rousing medley of Chapel songs from the 90's. A huge thanks to Felicia Koh (1997 Alumni, current Council member and current parent), Marilyn Harrison (past teacher) and Chee Sun Yoong (2002 Alumni, current parent) for gathering the troupe together for such a performance involving musicians, singers, dancers and flag bearers! 

Band:  

Music Arrangement - Simon Nygaard (2000) 

Lead singers - Judd Field (1987), Megan Slimmon (Barnes) (1997) and Simon Nygaard (2000) 

Piano - Mrs Marilyn Harrison  

Drummer - Peter Nygaard (1992) 

Acoustic Guitar - Simon Nygaard (2000) 

Electric Guitar - Chee Sun Yoong (2002) 

Bass/Music Director - Eddie Dickey (2003) 

Choir Coordinator - Anja D’Alessandri (Nygaard) (1994) 

Flag Coordinator - Lizzie Nygaard (2006) 

Choir:  

Anja D’Alessandri (Nygaard) (1994) 

Steph Thor (Koh) (1994) 

Kerrie Anne Crosby (Butler) (1996) 

Emma Hughes (Tomasich) (2002) 

Naomi Gordon (Dawson) (1995) 

Nana Sabet (Aboagye) (2002) 

Felicia Koh (1997) 

Holly Hale (Chapman) (2002) 

Kathryn Messenger (Sanders) (1992) 

Shae Baxter (Chapman) (2007) 

Leah Bazley (Chapman) (2004) 

Mimi McMechan (Aboagye) (1993) 

Michael Dawson (1996) 

Following the main farewell service, Peter was able to continue to reminisce with a smaller, intimate group of those who had shared his journey through WCC and Christian education more widely. In this session, we were further entertained with some more lively anecdotes from various speakers who again spoke of Peter’s wonderful qualities as a leader but who also shared some of the more light-hearted moments. It was a great way to conclude the evening. 

So many people are required to bring such a night together, and we thank all those that contributed in any way towards its huge success, but it would be remiss of us not to single out Peter’s Personal Assistant, Mrs Nellie Fung, who was instrumental in overseeing the entire process; thanks Nellie, not only for the night but for all you have done in supporting Peter over the years.  

A prayer for Peter (prayed earlier in the year over Peter)

As he continues to remember his engagement with the vision of the College, may there be times of great delight as he reflects on God’s faithfulness, His provision and leading.  

In moving from here to there, wherever and whatever that is for he and Mardi, may he remember, may he know that His God is still watching His children, He cares for him.  

Give him grace, give him delight, give him peace. Strengthen him in this season. We thank you for him and seek you continued blessing upon him.  

Rod Ramsay (Deputy Principal)