Secondary

 Head of Secondary

Striving for Excellence – Valuing Hard Work & Perseverance During Exams

As senior Secondary students complete their mid-year exams, it's natural to feel a mix of anticipation and stress, especially the Year 9’s, as it’s their first experience. These assessments are not just about grades—they are opportunities for students to reflect on their learning, grow in discipline, and build habits that will help serve them for life. At Bayside, we believe in doing our best in all things – to maximise learning, not just for personal achievement, but to honour God and the gifts He has given us.

Hard work, perseverance, and effort are essential ingredients to success—not only in school but in every area of life. The Bible encourages us in these values. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” This verse is a powerful call to give our best effort—not just to please others or earn rewards, but as an act of worship.

Exams can be challenging, and there may be times when students feel like giving up. But the Bible also speaks into these moments. Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Perseverance through a difficult assessment period helps shape character, builds resilience, and strengthens a student’s personal faith.

Remember, success isn’t just about marks—it's about growth. Proverbs 16:3 encourages us to “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.” When students approach their studies with diligence, integrity, and a heart that seeks God, I believe that they are already beginning to walk the path of true success in life.

So, now that the mid-year exam season has arrived, I encourage all students to support each other, pray for peace and focus, and a commitment to doing their best. Not perfectly—but faithfully.

To all Years 9-11 students; You’ve got this. Keep going—and keep God at the centre.

God bless,

Mr James Kumnick, Head of Secondary

Big Science Competition

The 2025 Australian Big Science Competition (BSC), organized by Australian Science Innovations (ASI), was a significant event held in May 2025. This online competition was open to students in Years 7 to 10 globally, aiming to challenge their science knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

This year, Bayside Christian College had 22 students participate in the competition and are thrilled to announce:

• David Sheberstov received a High Distinction (Top 5%)
• Nathan Faure and Bella Uulf both received a Distinction (Next 10%)
• We had ten  students receiving Credits (next 25%)

Kerry Davies, Secondary Teacher

The Overcoat Magazine

Dear Readers,

The Overcoat #21 is now available on the library shelves!

In this issue alone (21?! — so old!) there are:

Poems, Personal Essays, Essays of the other sort, Other poems (different, like), Drawings, Film Reviews (FIRST TIME!), Opportunities for students including competitions (bring your A game), Paintings and Stories.

Many thanks to our contributors and editors:

Contributors: Emily Buchanan, Thomas Bell, Eliza Kumnick, Montana Pollard, Evelyn Hendropurnomo, Luke Faure, Nikhita Paull, Nylah Holbrook, Dane Nolen, Madeline Bonnici, Ciara Feeney & Alexandria Cardona.

Editorial Team: Nylah Holbrook, Luke Faure, Dane Nolen.

Christ is Risen,

The Overcoat Team

Year 8 Humanities

In Term Two, as part of the Year 8 Humanities curriculum, students have been exploring the medieval Japanese Shogunate period (c.794–1867). They have investigated the role of the shogun, the samurai code, and the feudal hierarchy that shaped Japanese society. As part of their assessment, students have been forming teams and leading workshops on topics such as origami, sushi, geisha and sumo wrestling. These workshops have been fun and engaging, as you can see from the pictures!

Year 10 Science 

In Year 10 Science, we have been working through the topic of Genetics. Our first task was to assemble a DNA model and then research where DNA-technologies are being used. Then, we have found out how cloning, GMO-foods and all kinds of other genetic processes take place. As part of learning about Mitosis and Meiosis, the students were able to see cells in various stages under the microscope and then replicated them as plasticine models. 

To finish off the unit, we have analysed blood, which is codominant, and explored how a child can have a different blood type from their parents and still be their biological offspring. A fun activity to create punnett squares and design a family line-up was making vegetable people and working out their genealogy.

Ulli Austermann, Secondary Teacher

Agriculture Update

In the past two weeks, the Year 7 and Year 8 Agriculture students went on an excursion to Peninsula Honey in Moorooduc. The weather on both days was fantastic, so that they were able to listen to the educational session outside. This was followed by a trip inside to watch a beehive in action and taste a variety of amazing honeys before being able to purchase honey or wAx products, including delicious honey ice-cream. We will definitely be back for more visits with future student groups!

With the arrival of the new baby goats and two new guinea pigs we are going to be busy for the rest of the term.

Our students have been busy working on the following projects:

• Building a lizard day spa for the warmer months
• Removing pest plant species from the orchard area
• Looking after our new baby goats and feeding their mums
• Cutting back the mint and lemon balm in the TSC tea garden
• Creating new photos for the outdoor display board

Year 11 Literature Excursion

On Thursday the 22nd of May

The Literature class 

hip-hip-hooray

Went marching through Melbourne

Writing all day. 

Students wrote personal essays combining context, visceral senses and imagination, explored poetry in the State Library, sourced 10 new books for Bayside’s library and wrote in response to the Gospel stories in St Paul’s Cathedral. The next task in light of the excursion is resurrection poetry: to write a poem that gives life to what is lost.

Many thanks to a brilliant class for taking on all tasks and conversations on the day.

Sam Waldron, Secondary Teacher

Year 12 Business Management 

Students Gain Real-World Insights at Yakult Factory

Unit 3&4 Business Management students took part in an educational tour of the Yakult factory to complement their learning in Operations Management. The visit offered a valuable behind-the-scenes look at a real manufacturing environment, helping students connect classroom theory with industry practice. Key topics explored included the production process, the use of technology, waste reduction strategies, and the importance of corporate social responsibility.

Verrell Kanadi, Secondary Teacher

VM News

Maintaining and Revamping the College Grounds (and learning valuable skills at the same time!)

If you’re on South Campus, take a few minutes to admire the excellent job that the VCE-VM crews (years 10 to 12 students) did to the areas in front of G-block (new paving) and B-block. The B-block retaining wall needed rotten timbers replaced as well as resurfacing the asphalt directly in front which was affected by the repairs they carried out.

On North campus, the latest project completed by the Year 10 crew (Tory Davidson, Flynn Shields, Aiden Snow-Cole and Huxley Tomlinson) was the paving of the area under the seating outside P-block and the addition of decorative rocks.

Thanks to all of the hardworking crews involved in making our College safer and more appealing.

ELC North Campus Farm Visits

Our Years 11&12 VCE VM students helped coordinate ELC three and four year old visits to the North Campus Agricultural centre. The older students cut feed branches for the ELC students and helped guide them across the road. The ELC students and parents loved being able to see our new baby goats and were able to feed our forever hungry larger goats and alpacas. 

Liam Treacy and Hendricus Versteegen did an awesome job speaking to each of the groups to help them to understand how to act around our wonderful animals. 

Thank you so much to Alyssa Cairns and Amy Hu from our ELC for coordinating these wonderful visits.

Prep visit to the Agricultural Centre

The Prep classes had a ball visiting our Agricultural centre on the north campus and were able to learn about the different animals we have and what things they like to eat. The Year 12 VCE VM class did a wonderful job hosting and supporting the prep students.

Thank you so much to Madura Nadarajah for coordinating these wonderful visits.

VCE VM Winter Shelter Working Sessions

Our Years 11&12 VCE VM students have been placed on the set up / pack down roster for the Winter Shelter being run at Peninsula City Church. The rates of homelessness are increasing each month in Victoria and it is wonderful that our students can help in this small way. A huge thank you goes to Lara Waldron from Peninsula City Church for helping to put this program together.

Year 11VM The Village Baxter 

Our Year 11VM students have been visiting The Village Baxter retirement community every fortnight, just a short walk up the road. The Village Baxter is a warm and welcoming space where residents enjoy various activities and social connection. The students have been warmly hosted, joining in programs like art, pottery, and darts, fostering meaningful relationships with the residents. 

These visits provide wonderful opportunities for students to engage with our local community, while bringing joy to the residents through handmade cards and small gifts. This ongoing partnership is building valuable connections and enriching experiences for everyone involved. We look forward to continuing this rewarding collaboration!

Year 11VM at Blairlogie Living and Learning

Blairlogie Living and Learning is a leading not-for-profit organisation providing innovative and flexible support services to people living with disability. Based in Cranbourne South, they focus on empowering individuals through learning, growth, and community participation.

This year, our Year 11 VM group has enjoyed a new partnership with Blairlogie, engaging in projects like building a vegetable garden, cooking, music, dance, and property care. We appreciate their warm hospitality and the opportunity to be involved fortnightly in their program. This collaboration has been enriching and rewarding for both our students and Blairlogie, fostering meaningful connections and a strong sense of belonging. It’s truly been a blessing and a highlight of our year.

James Siede, Secondary Teacher 

VCE VM Moonlit Sanctuary 

Year 11 & 12 VCE VM students both visited the Moonlit Sanctuary twice for wonderful working sessions on the Wallaby Walk area and very dry wetlands. They worked hard in small groups to clean debris from the park and enjoyed being in these wonderful surroundings.

VCE OES Phillip Island and Wonthaggi Camp

The intrepid VCE OES class travelled to Phillip Island and Wonthaggi earlier this term and we were blessed with magnificent weather. We studied many areas around Phillip Island and linked our experiences to learning outcomes in the Year 12 course. The students also catered for themselves and did all their own cooking. Thanks very much to Toni Steinbergs for coming along to this wonderful camp.

Ken Berry, VM Coordinator

SIS Cross Country

On Tuesday 27 May, Bayside Secondary students travelled to Casey Fields to participate in the SIS Cross Country. Students ranging from Year 7 through to Year 12 ran their very best, even in the icy cold weather. Six students placed in the top three for their individual races:

• Mitchell Hooper (Yr 10) and Jasmine Hooper (Yr 12) both achieved first place in their respective age categories.
• Pheobe Ward (Yr 8), Darcy Judd (Yr 8), and Mia Ulff (Yr 10) finished in second place. 
• Ashton Murphy (Yr 11) placed third.
• The U17 boys managed to bring home the pennant for their age group. 

Overall, each student who participated in SIS Cross Country had a fun time competing and made Bayside proud.

Pete Zwiersen, PE Teacher

Upcoming Dates