Secondary News

Head of Secondary School Message

Well – Term 1 is almost over and after a busy term, our prayer is for a restful and thoughtful time over Easter – a special time to reflect on our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the amazing blessing of the gospel to us.

Our Secondary School is building a good culture of learning, and this term we’ve seen more students being diligent in their classwork, homework, and assessments. Let’s keep that culture growing, with lots of encouragement. As parents and carers, we provide a vital pillar for students to move around and under. We encourage and love, we provide comfort and care, we provide accountability and boundaries. This is not always easy, but it is so important.

We appreciated the many conversations at Parent Teacher Interviews in Week 9 – thank you for making the time to meet with teachers. If you weren’t able to connect, please reach out to your child’s teachers if you have any questions.

The last couple of weeks of term have seen students completing assessments and our Year 12 students sitting Half Yearly examinations. This is an excellent time to practice the sitting and writing and receive feedback. For all assessments across Secondary School, we encourage you to check in with your children and ask how they have progressed, and to reflect on feedback and advice about how to improve.

Our Semester 1 Student Representative Council members have been selected and have already met a few times. The SRC is led by our Vice-Captains, Sarah Cumberlege and Sarah McDowell. The new team are:

On Friday 20 March we celebrated Harmony Day. The Community and Culture student leadership team prepared this event. We shared an assembly together where student leaders spoke about the amazing diversity already present in our school (over 25 nations) and the responsibility we all share to show respect and care for each other, regardless of ethnicity. We also heard from Pastor Tom Rokoqica whose message highlighted the many wonderful differences that we can enjoy and learn about, along with the amazing invitation of Jesus for all cultures to be one under His Lordship. Other highlights included the many flags on display (thank you Primary School), some traditional costumes, and some cultural dances and singing that was shared at lunchtime, appreciated by many students.

We end the term at the Athletics Carnival on Thursday. Please come to cheer on our students if you are available during the day. A reminder that if parents/carers have not provided specific permission to attend the carnival, their children will need to remain home for the day.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you would like to connect. My email is g.xeros@wwcc.nsw.edu.au or contact the College office to arrange a time if you would like to meet in person or request a phone call.

Geoffrey Xeros

Head of Secondary School

F1 Students' Competitive Edge on Display

On Wednesday 18 March, three of our F1 Teams journeyed to Melbourne for the STEM Racing F1 Australian National Finals. In a highly competitive field, our three teams produced outstanding results. 

In the Professional Class, Yindiyamarra placed 11th and they won the Judges Award. 

In the Development Class, Hermes placed 9th and Waratah 10th. Waratah also won the best Verbal Presentation Award and the Best Innovation Award. 

We are extremely proud of these students for their dedication, creativity, teamwork and countless hours of preparation. Thank you also for the support of their teachers and families. 

Industrial Visit Enhances Learning

Our Year 11 Industrial Technology Timber class visited Interior Constructions, Kitchens and Joinery to gain an insight into the industry and experience first-hand how a successful, modern joinery business operates. 

Proprietor, Darren Cook guided the students through his business from timber products to furniture design, to key aspects of mechanisation, automation, emerging technologies, personnel training, and customer service.

This visit is part of the students’ Industry Study Task, which contributes to both Year 11 and Year 12 assessments. This immersive and authentic engagement is crucial to their learning and real-life application of the content.

We greatly appreciate this ongoing partnership with Darren and his team which provides an invaluable learning experience for our students.   

Steve Forbes-Taber

Teacher/Careers Adviser

REROC Youth Leadership Forum

On Wednesday 25 March, a group of Year 10 students attended the REROC Youth Leadership Forum, representing the College alongside student leaders from across the region. The day provided opportunities for students to connect with peers from other schools and take part in activities that promoted collaboration, community and shared ideas.

Sessions run by Burn Bright encouraged students to explore how leadership is shaped by values and how young people can influence positive change in their communities. Students worked together to identify opportunities and consider practical steps towards making them happen. The students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and returned with a greater sense of confidence and motivation. It was encouraging to see them connect so positively with students from other schools and gain so much from the day.

Halley Smith 

Teacher/Secondary Stage 5 Coordinator 

SHAPE 2026 

The HSC Industrial Technology course focuses on developing knowledge and understanding of the technologies in one of six industries automative, electronics, graphics, metals, engineering, multimedia or timber products and furniture. Students gain knowledge of project management, resources use, and practical engineering design through the application of traditional and contemporary technologies.

Each year, exemplary works are selected for display in the SHAPE Exhibition. 

This year’s exhibition, features fifty-four exemplary Major Projects selected from nearly six thousand students from across NSW. 

Brenna Guilfoyle, Alumni, Class of 2026, saw her Year 12 Major Project for Industrial Technology selected for inclusion in the exhibition.  Her work, a Tasmanian Oak and Jarrah Solid Timber Sideboard, was one of only ten Timber Major Projects selected for display. Congratulations to Brenna and our Industrial Technology Team. 

SHAPE 2026 is a free exhibition from 15 March to 11 April, at UTS, Building 1, Tower CB01.04, (a 5 minute walk from Sydney Central Station).