Message from 

Kelsey VanWyk

Big Steps, Bright Futures: Year 7 & 8

At any given moment in the Year 7 and 8 classrooms, something interesting is happening. One class might be exploring ideas from a novel, another participating in a simulated vote, while beyond the classroom students are discovering new interests and beginning to shape their own identities. These moments—sometimes small, sometimes momentous—are what shape the exciting journey our students experience every day at Christway College Wyndham.

Year 7 and 8 students have been settling into the start of 2026 with energy and curiosity. A new year brings fresh challenges, goals, and routines, and both teachers and students are navigating the lively buzz of their new classrooms. It has been wonderful to see students reaching beyond their familiar friendship groups—like explorers discovering fresh trails—welcoming new classmates, and weaving connections that will grow throughout the year.

One of the Year 7 cohort’s most anticipated academic milestones this year was sitting their NAPLAN tests. Students prepared diligently, and testing days ran smoothly, with only a few minor technological interruptions. As we now await individual results, it’s important to remember that NAPLAN isn’t about what students can’t do; it highlights what they have already achieved. Meanwhile, learning continues across the classrooms, with students exploring a wide range of skills and ideas every day through collaboration, visible thinking routines and creative tasks.

The year started with an enriching experience for the Year 7 and 8 cohort with the joint camp to Halls Gap in The Grampians. The joint camp allowed for our Year 8 students to mentor the new Year 7 students in team building encounters involving activities such as canoeing, high ropes and mini golf. Students began the year with a memorable event—growing in confidence and determination—before, as they would say, ‘locking in’ to their academic work.

Following from a brilliant camp our Year 7 and 8 STEAM elective students took a journey to Wyndham Tech School for a morning of game creation, robotic building and drone flying. Students came away with a fun and engaging experience. One student expressed how, “it really helped me amplify my dream of becoming a software engineer, with the school’s crazy game development equipment. Overall, it was an amazing experience.” Another expressed, “the technology was amazing; it really helped me learn about renewable technology.” In a similar way, as part of the Christian Schools Network select students participated in a Dramatic Arts workshop at Heathdale Christian College. Students experienced a plethora of activities that enhanced their impromptu acting skills. One student wrote, “it was honestly the best thing I've ever participated in! It was amazing to get to meet so many students like me that are so enthusiastic about drama!” Experiences like these not only extend classroom learning but also inspire students to imagine future pathways and possibilities.

Year 7 and 8 students are beginning to step into leadership roles, with the Student Representative Council (SRC) offering a platform for their voices to be heard within the school. Within their homerooms, students took part in a well-structured election process to elect their SRC representative for their class. A huge congratulations to: Joseph (7A), Ananya (7B), Liam (8A) and Veronica (8B). We look forward to seeing their contributions and the positive impact of student voice across the school.

Our school not only develops your child’s academic abilities but also nurtures their growth as a whole person and at any given moment, these experiences continue to unfold—whether in classrooms, on camp, or through leadership and creativity. We celebrate what has already taken place and we look forward to new opportunities that await the Year 7 and 8 cohort.