Secondary Happenings
Have You Met Joel??
Name: Joel Grant
Role: Counselling Team Leader
What do you enjoy most about working at DCC?
I love the distinctive culture amongst our students, where they genuinely care for and look out for each other. In my role as a counsellor in the school, I see many examples of students supporting one another through some of the most difficult times in their lives. I’ve worked in several other schools, and this is something unique and special about DCC.
What do you love most about your role, and why?
It’s incredibly rewarding to see a student who may have felt stuck or overwhelmed begin to recognise their strengths and develop the confidence and resilience to move forward. I love helping young people discover their unique value and finding hope for their future. I also really enjoy working alongside the fantastic wellbeing staff, as we all pull in the same direction to help students flourish.
How does your faith shape the way you approach your role?
For each and every workday at DCC my faith provides me with hope for the students I work with. One of the verses that particularly captures our vision as counsellors is Hebrews 6:18–19, which describes hope as “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” We seek to bring hope to students who may struggle to hold onto it for themselves, helping them become anchored through the storms of life, build resilience and reach their God-given potential.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I play soccer in the Victorian Churches Football Association and love surfing when I get the chance - although I probably spend more time falling off the board into the water than actually standing up on it! I also love spending time with my family. My wife and I have three children, two of whom are at DCC, so school life is a big focus for our family.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of 2026?
I’m really looking forward to our annual Staff Retreat at the end of Term 3. It’s such a great opportunity to connect with colleagues outside of the busyness of the school term. We get the opportunity to hear from guest speakers, learn and explore important topics, and have some time to connect with each other and unwind after a busy term.
Celebration of Song
Janine Power, Music Administrator
Students, staff and families recently gathered at the DCC Community Hub for Celebration of Song, a wonderful evening showcasing the talent, dedication and enthusiasm of students involved in the College’s music program.
The concert featured performances from the Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary Worship Bands, Foundation, Primary, Intermediate and Advanced Vocal Ensembles, as well as the Altonatives vocal group. Audiences were treated to a diverse program of contemporary worship music, musical theatre favourites, jazz arrangements and popular songs, highlighting both ensemble and solo performances from students across a range of year levels.
Director of Music Phillip Reichman reflected on the strength of the DCC music program, which provides more than 550 music lessons each week and engages hundreds of students in ensembles. He acknowledged the commitment of students and staff, as well as the support of families who encourage and assist young musicians throughout the year.
A highlight of the night was seeing students from Years 3 to 12 sharing their gifts on stage, demonstrating the confidence, teamwork and musicianship developed through regular rehearsals and performances. The evening was warmly hosted by Year 12 Music captains Abby Dobson and Bassy Baker, with Executive Principal Rebecca Hall also offering a special acknowledgement of DCC’s accomplishments at the 2026 Generations in Jazz Competition in Mt Gambier.
Celebration of Song was more than a concert. It was a celebration of community, creativity and the joy of making music together. The evening provided a valuable opportunity for students to share their hard work and achievements while giving families and friends a glimpse into the vibrant musical life of Donvale Christian College.
House Cross Country - Cuthbert Shines!
Emily Townend, Head of Health and PE
A cold and muddy winter’s afternoon could not dampen spirits as our secondary students participated in the 2026 House Cross Country last Tuesday. The conditions brought out the very best in our students, with participants encouraging one another, running to the finish line together and cheering on their friends and fellow house members at the finish line.
Congratulations to all participants for their efforts and to the staff who helped make the afternoon a successful event and a wonderful display of DCC spirit and community. A special congratulations to Cuthbert, who won the House Cross Country for 2026.
From Cuthbert House Captain Tommy Williamson:
A huge congratulations to all of Cuthbert for doing incredibly in Cross Country last Tuesday!! Even though the track and weather conditions weren't perfect, the amount of participation and seeing everyone do their best was amazing to see. You should all be super proud of yourselves. Good luck to everyone who finished in the top 10 and who will go on to compete at EISM! GO CUTHBERT!
A full list of champions and results is below. Those who placed in the top 10 for their age group will be selected for the EISM Division 1 Cross Country, to be held on 9 September at Ruffey Lake Park, and will receive further information regarding their selection soon.
Overall House Results
1st Cuthbert 3675 points
2nd Cooper 3451 points
3rd Flynn 2853 points
4th Burrows 2629 points
Year Level Champions
Photo Credit: Ezra Chan & Anna Zheng
