Secondary News

Welcome to the new school year. We’ve been praying for our students and families as they return to school after the summer break, and we trust that you were able to enjoy some refreshment and connections with family and friends. The beginning of the year is busy as people settle into routines and get up-to-date with information. Hopefully you will find answers to some of your questions in this newsletter, and if not, please contact the College so that we can help.

At our Opening Assembly on Monday, I shared with students how their education makes a big difference to both their own and our community’s future, and how school provides a place where they can ‘practice’ the skills and responsibilities as they prepare for adulthood. We also talked about honesty, and the importance of having an honest character, one that can acknowledge and grow from past mistakes and experiences. Indeed, the words of John 8:32 give us great hope because the ‘truth will set you free’.

Students were also asked to consider a brief goal statement having reflected ‘honestly’ on something that needed improvement from last year. A few suggested “I will…so that…” statements were:

• This year I will take notes during class so that I can study more effectively.
• This year I will bring my pens/pencils/books etc. to every class so that I don’t waste time during lessons.
• This year I will concentrate more in lessons rather than talking with people around me so that I can learn effectively.
• This year I will turn off my phone and put it in the pouch as soon as I get to school so that it is not a temptation to me and I am not being deceitful to myself, my parents and my teachers.

I encourage you to chat with your children about what goal statements they devised and use this as an encouragement and regular check-in point.

Meet the Teacher

This Thursday, 5th February from 3:30-4:30pm, College teachers will be available to meet with parents as we begin the school year. We encourage you to come and connect with your children’s teachers (including their PULSE teachers), their friends and other families.

Year 7 Devices

The Year 7 devices will be available for collection at Meet the Teacher afternoon in the TLA foyer. Year 7 parents/caregivers will be required to sign the loan agreement when you arrive, before collecting the device. Devices should be charged and brought to school for Friday where students will receive some training on logging in and other important information.

PULSE classes

All students need to be on time for the start of the school day at 8:50am. Students begin each day in their PULSE class or a Stage Meeting. Our PULSE teachers are there to help encourage, support and connect our students, and to check that they are prepared for the day by being on time, in the correct uniform, and with their phone in their pouch.

Uniform

The uniform guidelines are on the College website: Uniforms - Wagga Wagga Christian College. Please be familiar with the requirements so that all students can wear the uniform well, and note the clarified expectations in jewellery, shoes and smart watches. Smart watches (able to connect to the internet or other devices) are not permitted at school. If they are brought, they must be put into the mobile phone pouch upon arrival.

Although Year 7-10 PE days alternate each week, at this stage, students are permitted to wear the sport uniform each week on their given day. E.g. Year 7/8 students wear sports uniform every Wednesday and Year 9/10 students wear sports uniform every Friday.

Year 7 PE – Wednesday Week A

Year 8 PE – Wednesday Week B

Year 9 PE – Friday Week A

Year 10 PE – Friday Week B

Leather shoes are required for all practical lessons (e.g. science, technology, art) regardless of whether the student is in sports uniform for any reason on that day. Students should bring the correct shoes to change into for practical lessons or sports training, depending on the day. For safety reasons, students may not be able to participate in these activities if they do not have the correct shoes.

Some classes may require a change of clothes for a particular activity (e.g. change into sports uniform on a formal uniform day for training). Students will be able to change for that lesson and then change back to the correct uniform. Teachers will advise students when this is required.

Wearing our uniform well shows respect for ourselves and each other and reminds us that we are at school for the job of learning, regardless of our background. Thank you for ensuring your children come to school wearing the correct uniform.

Mobile Phone Pouches

Mobile phone pouches made a big difference to our student culture last year by taking away the temptation to be regularly checking their phone and becoming distracted. All Secondary School students were issued a pouch last year. New students should have received one earlier this week (please let us know if this is not the case). Students are required to carry their pouch in their bag at all times, regardless of whether they have a phone at school or not. Pouches will be inspected periodically, and damaged pouches will need to be replaced at the College office. The replacement cost is $16.

Secondary School Staff

We have a great team at the College to support our students' educational and wellbeing needs. Questions about specific subjects should be directed to the classroom teacher first, and then to our subject Learning Leaders:

Ms Catherine Clarke - Head of Academic Administration

Mr Adam Smith - Learning Leader Biblical Studies

Mr John Sewell - Learning Leader Science

Mrs Bethany Jackson - Learning Leader HSIE

Mrs Erin Harrison - Learning Leader Creative Arts/Languages

Ms Suzanne Rose - Learning Leader English

Mr Trevor Gyles - Learning Leader Maths

Mr Simon Harrison - Learning Leader TAS

Mr Paul Kinning - Learning Leader PDHPE/Sports

Our Wellbeing Team are there to support our students with wellbeing and behaviour issues. Please direct questions to your child’s PULSE teacher (see your child’s Compass timetable) first, and then the relevant Year Adviser.

Mr David Crick - Wellbeing Leader

Mrs Deighton - Stage 4 Coordinator

• Mrs Whicker - Year 7 Adviser
• Mr Cunningham - Year 8 Adviser

Mrs Smith - Stage 5 Coordinator

• Ms Wheeler - Year 9 Adviser
• Mrs Johnson - Year 10 Adviser

Mrs Smedley - Stage 6 Adviser

• Mrs Cunningham - Year 11/12 Adviser

Mr Geoff McLean - College Counsellor

Mr Steve Forbes-Taber - Careers Adviser

Secondary Events

We look forward to seeing you at upcoming school events:

Thursday 5th February – Meet the Teacher @ 3:30-4:30pm

Tuesday 10th February – Secondary Swimming Carnival

Tuesday 17th February – Year 11 2026 Assessment Information Evening @ 7:00pm

Tuesday 24th February – Year 10 Assessment Information Evening @ 7:00pm

Thursday 5th March – College Open Night from 4:00pm

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. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you at Meet the Teacher.

Geoffrey Xeros

Head of Secondary School