Secondary Life

DCC Basketball Program: Developing Christian Athletes 

Emily Townend, Head of Health and PE

Sport provides a unique opportunity and space for us to learn some of life's most valuable lessons. In a highly competitive and entertaining space, we can witness sacrifice, teamwork, and determination to compete at one's personal best. 

However, the world we live in often chooses instead to glorify individual prowess and success on the sporting field. This can leave little opportunity for our young people to witness and develop Christian character and faith in their sporting endeavours. This gap in sport, along with our passions for basketball and developing Christian character in young people, motivated Adam Bryant and myself to begin an early morning Elite Basketball Program at DCC in 2023 and continue this program throughout 2024.  

Both Adam and I have spent many years playing and coaching basketball at an elite level and these experiences highlighted a need to provide young people who love the game of basketball with a space that not only develops their basketball, but also their Christian faith. 

Over the last two years we have had the opportunity to work closely with a group of Year 8 students during before school training sessions, and during regular sport time, to improve various aspects of their basketball game - dribbling, shooting, ball handling, footwork, offensive and defensive strategies, and conditioning techniques, whilst also providing students with opportunities to grow in faith.  

Each session was themed around biblical teachings to ensure students were developing in their faith and as basketballers. In sessions that focused on developing foundations in basketball (footwork, dribbling, passing), the importance of solid foundations in life (Christian faith) was emphasised. 

In sessions focusing on teamwork and strategies, the importance of championing one another on and off the court in success and shortcomings was emphasised. Student feedback from the program indicated that these thematic teachings were valuable and impactful lessons. 

Our students have engaged in a variety of learning experiences in this program including weekly training sessions, guest presenters - including past and present professional players and former DCC students - and friendly matches against Templestowe College. 

It has been a privilege to journey alongside these young people and see them grow as both basketballers and followers of Jesus throughout the year. 

We are thankful for the support from families and the school in allowing this program to run throughout the past two years, and we hope many more DCC students can participate in the Basketball Program in future years and go on to be great role models of Christian character and faith in sport.

Year 8 Camp

Matt Adamek, Year 8 Coordinator

The year 8s have finished this term with their year level camp, heading to the beautiful Roses Gap in the Grampians. Students were able to challenge themselves through a range of activities including rock climbing, abseiling, and an overnight hike. We were treated to an amazing sunset as we cooked our dinner on the first night at Briggs Bluff. 

The way students leaned on and supported each other through the highs and lows of camp was a delight to see. After their dinner each night, the ‘Dead Set Legends’ segment provided students with an opportunity to publicly praise their peers, teachers and Roses Gap staff, as they outlined why they thought that person was a ‘Dead Set Legend’.

Have a read of Allegra's experience on camp below. 

Allegra Roper, Year 8 Student

Over the five-day camp at Roses Gap, we participated in many activities - many of which I wouldn’t have participated in outside of this camp. These included hiking, canoeing, raft building, a low ropes course, giant swing, crate stacking, rock climbing and abseiling. 

As someone who has a fear of getting stuck, especially in a situation that involves heights, I struggled with rock climbing and abseiling. As I started rock climbing, I had a fear come over me which made me want to come down, but then I looked down at my friends who were encouraging and cheering me along and I decided to continue climbing. 

When I went abseiling, I was extremely nervous, but the staff helped me feel safe and secure and were even encouraging me to sing on the way down! I learnt that the people around me are what help me feel at ease and more comfortable.

Sporting Spotlight

Chris Turner, Sport Coordinator

Amelia Baxter recently competed in the Equestrian Victoria Interschools Show Jumping competition at the Whittlesea Agricultural Show. Amelia won first place in the 75cm event!  

Congratulations Amelia, best of luck for the State Championships coming up in 2025.

We love to celebrate our students’ sporting achievements in EISM competition as well as those outside of school. If you have any stories or if you are competing, please contact Chris Turner or Emily Townend, we would love to celebrate you!