Primary Happenings

Introducing the 2027 Prep Team 

Tanya Vaughan, Head of Primary

At this week’s Step into Prep, it was our delight to inform the parents of the 2027 Prep Team. Kellie Westcott will continue as Team Leader, and Su-Ann Chung, Stephanie Farren and Orlagh Doyle will build upon their experience, walking alongside our Prep students in the new year. Joining them is Sarah Halls, a wonderfully caring and nurturing teacher who will bring both her love for the early years and experience as a DCC parent to the team. Please be praying for the team and our 2027 Preps as together they prepare for a great start to learning at DCC.

Year 4: Poetry Competition

We were delighted to receive the news that Sheryl Chan and Joanna Joy Kyriakou were named finalists in the 2026 Independent Schools Victoria Student Poetry Competition. Selected from more than 1400 entries, their poems stood out to the judging panel and earned them special recognition. We congratulate both students on this wonderful achievement which showcases their creative flair and use of rich language. Enjoy reading their entries.

My Reality Escaper - Sheryl Chan,Year 4 Student

Reading is a joy

Phenomenal words of power that can enjoy

A motivation for adventure 

Invitation to venture

Crooked twisted witches, brave daring heroes

Dash through a field of swaying Primrose

This world of dreams and imagination 

Can you feel the sensation? 

It's like your brain in animation 

Glowing so brightly the illustration

I just have appreciation 

Nothing else just plain admiration 

Stop, Pause, Imagine

Seeing Percy in Poseidon cabin 

To me reading is a never-ending form of entertainment 

It wows me with amazement 

Think about the dark trippy stone road alleyway you ran through with Alvar

When Voldemort cursed Harry Potter with that frightening scar 

You were there for it all

Every story is a unique masterpiece that you can recall

Because books are wings that slowly flutters you from reality into a world unknown

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Squirrel Monkey - Joanna Joy Kyriakou, Year 4 Student

Cute and adorable cheeky and smart.

It’s like a brown and white trapeze artist gracefully swinging from tree to tree.

Deceiving everyone with its cuteness they come to steal food instead.

It’s a human with a tail and a fluffy brown and white body!

They dash around as fast as lightning cross the jungle vines

Scouring away from predators along the thick tree branches.

Talking away to their friends in gibberish they are chatterboxes.

Snuggles with mama and playing with friends they are the Squirrel monkey.

Year 6: NGV & Shrine of Remembrance

Yin Kik Li, Year 6 Teacher & Eleanor Roberts, Primary Art Teacher

On our excursion to the NGV and Shrine on Monday, Year 6’s were blessed with beautiful walking weather, which made for an enjoyable city stroll between the Federation Square Gallery and the Shrine.

At the Gallery, students discovered our Australian collection of art is an amazing and diverse range of recognizable historical paintings, ancient and modern cultural artwork and contemporary thought-provoking pieces. There is so much to learn about our history by diving into art! The NGV educators helped us have a ‘slow look’ at the artwork and facilitated great discussions. Our students asked some ripper questions and made some really good observations. 

At the Shrine of Remembrance, students were able to deepen their understanding of Australia’s history. Accompanied by teachers and parent helpers, they explored significant artefacts and displays, learning about the remarkable contributions of Australians such as Vera Deakin, whose humanitarian work supported soldiers and their families during World War I. Students also learnt about the Gallipoli campaign, discovering the challenges faced by Australian soldiers, the conditions in which they lived and served, and the courage and resilience they demonstrated. They were particularly fascinated to see Lifeboat No. 5 from the SS Devanha, which carried soldiers ashore during the Gallipoli landings on 25 April 1915. The excursion brought Australia’s wartime history to life.

The students will look back at the day as a memorable time of learning.

Year 2: CERES Excursion

Laura Power, Year 2 Teacher

What a wonderful day we had at CERES Community Environment Park! As part of our Inquiry unit, Geo Kids, we participated in the Farming for Our Future program, exploring how we can care for our environment and make sustainable choices.

One of the highlights was learning about the important role worms and other minibeasts play in keeping our soil healthy. We loved investigating these tiny creatures and even had the opportunity to hold some wriggly worms!

We also became little farmers ourselves, planting seeds and discovering what plants need to grow. Our adventure continued with an exciting treasure hunt through the farm, where we searched for different fruits and vegetables and learnt more about where our food comes from.

Of course, we couldn't forget the playground! We had a fantastic time exploring a playground made entirely from recycled materials.

Our learning continues back at DCC, where we are creating our own worm jars, caring for chicks and discovering more about our very own DCC farm. These hands-on experiences are helping us put our learning into practice and develop a greater appreciation for God's creation and our responsibility to care for it!

Year 3: Camp

Bryce Morgan, Camp Coordinator

We are so thankful to God for the wonderful time we had together on our Year 3 camp to Mill Valley Ranch. For many students, their first ever school camp was a fantastic opportunity to embrace new challenges in unfamiliar environments. 

Our parent-teacher partnership was in full swing as 8 amazing parents volunteered to come alongside our Year 3 teaching team to ride horses, climb milk crates and complete challenging rope courses. These camps would not be possible without them. 

We can all be proud of our students and how they represented our DCC community with kindness and care for each other and the campsite staff, despite a lack of sleep. They showed great resilience and a growing maturity as they stepped up to the occasion. Our spirits were high as we rolled into camp and they were happy and content as we left. 

We have so much to be thankful for.