Secondary Happenings
Have You Met Melanie??
Name: Melanie Armitage
Role: Secondary Laboratory Technician
What do you enjoy most about working at DCC?
I love the way the staff and students look after and support each other. Watching CAW this year, I love that students of all abilities can get up in front of their whole school to demonstrate their talents and that the whole school is on their feet cheering them and celebrating them. I don’t think this would happen at many other schools!
What do you love most about your role, and why?
I love the variety of work I get to do. I get to cover all areas of science, not just the area I studied at university! I get to research different approaches and experiments, and I love being able to support the staff and students to enjoy their science classes.
How does your faith shape the way you approach your role?
It helps me to be more understanding of people, more gentle with them when things don’t go the way I thought they would. I get to show grace to others, when in a secular environment they might expect censure and a negative response. I try to treat others the way Jesus would (still a work in progress of course!).
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Taking my dog Bingo to the dog park, reading, crafting, drinking coffee. I’m the costume coordinator for my daughter’s calisthenics group, so that is taking up a lot of my time with making and decorating costumes and head pieces.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of 2026?
Year 11 Biology Camp, the staff retreat and the annual Laboratory Technicians of Victoria conference.
Creative Arts Week (CAW)
James Cutler, Secondary Teacher (Director of Creative Events)
Creative Arts Week 2026 was a vibrant celebration of the gifts and creativity God has given to our community. Centred on the theme One Small Spark: History's Wildest Domino Effects, each house brought to life a bizarre but true historical event, exploring how one seemingly small decision could trigger extraordinary consequences.
The standard of performance and craftsmanship was impressive, with students showcasing their talents in acting, dance, music, props, costume design, media, and set construction, while many others expressed their creativity through video production, poetry, short stories, LEGO creations, cake decorating and more.
Among the week's highlights was our ever-popular Talent Quest, where individual and group talent was well and truly on display, along with the debut of our E-sports Olympics, giving our more computer-savvy students an opportunity to demonstrate teamwork, strategy and ingenuity. Another standout initiative was Jam Jam, a lively lunchtime music session organised by our Performing Arts Captains, Charlotte Brown and Oli Lindner, which brought students together through the joy of live music and performance.
Congratulations to Flynn House, who were crowned the overall champions of CAW for 2026. We give thanks to God for a remarkable week that celebrated creativity, collaboration and the unique talents of every student.
Business Management Excursion to the Zoo!
Lily Zhong, Secondary Teacher
What a beautiful day to take learning beyond the classroom!
Last week some of our Business Management students visited Werribee Open Range Zoo, where they explored a fascinating real-world example of organisational change through the zoo’s elephant relocation project - moving the elephants to a more spacious and naturalistic environment.
Students participated in an engaging workshop examining how Zoos Victoria planned, communicated with and managed stakeholders while seeking to address the challenges of the project to align with their vision of animal welfare in this significant transformation.
A highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Safari Bus Tour! Students journeyed through arid landscapes and savannah grasslands, encountering some of the world’s most endangered species. From the critically endangered Asian wild horse to majestic giraffes roaming the open plains, the experience brought conservation efforts to life. Along the way, students learned about global wildlife conservation efforts, while enjoying spotting rhinos, zebras, bison, antelope and ostriches.
What made this excursion experience especially meaningful was the opportunity to view business through a broader lens. At Zoos Victoria, business decisions are driven not only by financial outcomes, but also by a commitment to conservation, sustainability and stewardship of creation. This excursion was such a good reminder for our students that business concepts extend far beyond the corporate world. Organisations can successfully manage changes while remaining committed to a greater purpose - serving people, society and the environment.
