Secondary Life
Thanksgiving Service
Hannah McCrae, Events Coordinator
This week our Secondary community came together to thank God for an amazing year at our annual Thanksgiving Service. The service was an opportunity to hear from our Board and principals about the year we’ve had and look back at the ways our year levels have each flourished in 2024.
We were blessed with performances by several music groups, our worship band, senior dancers, performers from our 2025 Secondary school play, as well as having the opportunity to commission our 2025 school leaders. It was a real treat to see so many students involved!
Thank you to everyone who participated and performed, and to all the families and staff who joined us for this special evening.
Year 10: A Night To Remember
Kylie Thorpe, Head of Cooper House
On a recent Friday night, the Year 10 students gathered on our new Senior Secondary Building roof top terrace for the Year 10 Social, and it was everything we hoped for!
The evening kicked off at 6:30pm, with students arriving in their themed outfits, ready to enjoy a night of music, dancing and socialising. The student-elected theme of the night was "Mamma Mia," with the roof top creatively decorated in twinkling fairy lights and shades of pink and blue. It was the perfect setting for students to relax and celebrate the up-and-coming end of year with their friends.
Students put together a playlist which kept the dance floor buzzing with a mix of the latest hits, dance favourites and a few praise and worship songs. A personal highlight was the loud singing and mob jumping to ‘Praise the Lord, oh my soul’ by Brandon Lake, Chris Brown and Chandler Moore.
For those who wanted to take a break from the dance floor, there was plenty to enjoy in the chill-out zones, with comfy bean bags and a movie showing, a photo booth to capture all the fun moments, and an area for a Mario Kart competition or a hit of table tennis.
Throughout the night, everyone enjoyed the delicious Greek-inspired cuisine and a chance to catch up with friends, share laughs, and make new connections. It was clear that this social was a great opportunity for the students to unwind a little before heading into the final stretch of the year.
A big thank you to the parents lead by TJ Spence, teachers, maintenance crew and student volunteers who made the night possible. Your hard work and dedication made the social a huge success!
As we head into the final weeks of Year 10, the social will be remembered as a highlight of our school year.
Sporting Spotlight
Emily Townend, Head of Health and PE
Over the past two weekends, a talented group of students represented DCC at the Victorian All Schools Championships. This event brings together some of the best young athletes in the state to compete in a range of track and field events. We are so thrilled to see our students using their God-given talents and witness them displaying great determination and sportsmanship as they compete.
Special congratulations to Lewis McLennan, who has qualified for the Australian All Schools Championships in Hammer Throw and Race Walking and will compete in Brisbane later this year.
Please see below a list of students who competed, and some photos from the event. Thank you to the coaches, parents and supporters who journey alongside our young people and enable them to shine in such events.
Lewis McLennan
•Hammer Throw
•3000m Race Walk
•Javelin
Hamish McLennan
•Hammer Throw
•Discus
•800m
Zander Botha
•100m
•400m
•Long Jump
Talise Botha
•80m Hurdles
•Triple Jump
Alfie Onley
•3000m
•1500m
Ezra Chan
•200m
•400m
Bri Coffey
•1500m
•3000m Race Walk
Annabelle Messer
•1500m
Ryan Perry
•100m
Year 9: City Experience
Ash Price, Year 9 Teacher
Let’s start at the beginning. We have been reflecting on how the Year 9 journey mirrors the Israelites’ trek through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. While their journey lasted 390 days, a bit longer than ours, they faced trials, built their faith, forged deeper connections, and dreamed of what lay ahead. As they approached the Promised Land, they stood at the threshold of a new chapter, sending spies to explore what awaited them. The spies reported both the land's abundant blessings and the significant challenges it presented, revealing the tension between promise and problems.
City Experience similarly provides an opportunity to discover the ‘milk and honey’ of what the city offers, whilst acknowledging its inherent challenges. Over seven days, students navigated their way into the city, meeting at various locations to explore, taste, and tour Melbourne's iconic landmarks.
Each day they were given a promise to hold onto reminders of Jesus’ faithfulness and the hope He provides for the road ahead. This experience encourages our students to focus on God’s promises and not let potential challenges overshadow the good things He has prepared for their future.
While in the city they were encouraged to look for Shalom and see what God was doing.
This is reflection from a Year 9 student Elijah Bakker in response to the question:
Where did you see or experience SHALOM during City Experience?
SHALOM IN THE CITY
Here is the church,
Here for the people,
Anyone welcome to listen at the steeple,
The church is open
For those small and tall
But sadly, people believe there should be none at all
But God shines love for those who seek
Shalom is found strong, and badness is weak
The city is filled with love and Shalom,
But sadness and suffering happen within
The homeless spread across the street no one taking them in
From there the suffering begins
From there that is where our city will crumble
Who will speak for them or let out a mumble
Walking through the city down the street we turn
Arriving at the Big Issue
How can we help, we will learn
The word from the suffering
creeps into our ears
They tell us the story from their years
In the Big Issue they give the homeless support
Bringing some peace and love for those who fall short
On the street we begin again
Marching down parliament who will we see then
Learning about our homeland
The rules they make to protect everyone even sand
They care for our people they care for our city
Bringing peace for eternity
Next stop is in the Lume what will we see?
Paintings and creations how does this affect me?
Although not directly the beauty reaches out
Showing that there is real beauty in our world with such a mighty shout.
Shalom is in our city that is true
It lightens our skies making them blue
Where does it come from, is it me and you?
The answer is yes but also everyone through and through
We can see it in the church
Where we sit and perch
Hearing about a better tomorrow
After our pain and sorrow
In the Big Issue they give a lot of support
For those who only have homes that are forts
Giving them a life they deserve
Showing shalom being able to serve
The rules are made in a big house
They give everyone opportunity even a mouse
Making rules for protection and Shalom
Making sure everyone feels as if they belong
Now as the journey comes to an end
This experience which changes my life it certainly will bend
Spreading what I have learnt
Spreading Shalom across our place that is burnt.
