From Student to Staff

Joshua Diamond (WS 2023)

What years did you attend Waverley Christian College?

I first attended the Narre Warren South Campus during Years 6 and 7. After a brief intermission at Heatherton Christian College, I resumed my studies at the Wantirna South Campus for Years 11 and 12, where I graduated in 2023.

What or who motivated you at the College? What is your fondest memory of your years as a Waverley student?

I was particularly motivated by my Year 12 English and Homeroom teacher, Laura Brockwell. During a time when I saw myself as rather lowly and perhaps felt cynical at times, I found a great sense of belonging in her classroom. I knew that when I stepped through that door, I would be known, loved and accepted. I experienced the profound impact that a teacher could make in the life of a student—not merely academically, but spiritually and emotionally as well. That, in turn, inspired me to pursue teaching myself.

My fondest memory as a student at WCC was my final day of Year 12. As it was a free dress day, my friends and I decided to have a little bit of fun and came to school in full suits. I remember playing football on that final day. The rain was bucketing down, but a huge group of gentlemen from our cohort took to the Oval to play one final symbolic game of football together. We had such fun, and it felt like one of those embarrassingly cliché scenes at the end of a Nickelodeon movie, where the characters, with the power of friendship, come together for a final dance. Good times, indeed.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced since leaving the College?

My single biggest challenge upon departing WCC was my faith journey. I considerably underestimated the impact that 'the real world' would have on my faith. I found myself in a season of ambiguity, going through a period of existential questioning as I attempted to figure out who I was, who I wanted to be, and where I was going. These sorts of questions often follow us throughout life, but I seemingly wrestled with them for the first time during this season. In all honesty, it led me down all sorts of paths—praise God for bringing me to where I am now.

What goals did you set for yourself when you finished at WCC, and have you stuck to that plan?

Not in the slightest. I hadn’t been particularly intentional with my goal setting after graduation, which led to a fragmented sense of purpose and aspiration. However, upon leaving WCC, I envisioned myself as an entrepreneur or a leader in the business world. My motivations revolved around money and fame, but I quickly came to the realisation that these motivators were largely frivolous and insufficient. I became increasingly convicted that my vocation would be found less in what I could achieve and more in how I could serve and inspire, and that my faith would be an integral part of that vocation.

What drew you to your area of work or study, and what do you love about it?

I am quite active within my church, Crossway Baptist, serving on the Youth, Kids and Additional Needs Teams. Since I began, I have found each session progressively more inspiring and fulfilling. I developed an avid passion for working with young people and a fervent desire to see them become passionate about Jesus and invested in their own development. I found this desire fell wonderfully into place with the gifts and abilities the Lord had blessed me with, both relationally and pedagogically. A sincere enthusiasm grew within me that I could have the opportunity to teach, lead and inspire the next generation of young people. I find that deeply meaningful.

I chose to study a Bachelor of Secondary Education, majoring in English and Literature, and I am currently serving at Waverley Christian College as a Secondary Learning Support Assistant at the Wantirna South Campus. I like to use this analogy (perhaps a tendency of mine as an aspiring English teacher): suppose you had a tool, and this tool had the ability to inspire change, eradicate fear and self-doubt, and was able to bring life and death (Proverbs 18:21). Wouldn’t you also be interested in learning how to wield it adeptly, with precision? The human experience is deeply rooted in language, writing, words and ideas, and English is a brilliant way to explore how to best utilise and understand that tool.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

'Don’t overthink it.' Whether it be in a faith context, vocation, relationship matter or otherwise, all too often we find ourselves in our own heads, leading to a lack of proactivity.

Seek the Lord, whether through prayer, Scripture or wise counsel, and allow Him to shape the way in which you steward your decision-making. This allows you to have confidence, not because you will always make the perfect decision, but because we trust in a God who guides faithful people. Take steps in the authority you hold in Jesus, with the wisdom, discernment and rationality He has given us.

What excites you most about the future?

I am particularly excited about the mentorship side of teaching. It brings me great delight to wrestle with ideas and ask curious questions that lead to further questions. I greatly look forward to the privilege of stewarding an environment where my students can explore those ideas for themselves.

That, and the day Wantirna South staff are liberated from the strenuous walk to and from the EastLink carpark.

What advice do you have for current students?

Don’t live your life on the bench, waiting for God to call you into the game. Instead, recognise that life is the game—a game of chess. Rather than visualising a masterful checkmate, devote your attention to making the best moves with the position you currently have. Checkmate is the result of wise play, not the product of wishful thinking. Although we may not see 20 moves into the future, we can be faithful in the small things, so that God may use us in the big things.

Any additional comments?

Psalm 46:10 — 'Be still and know that I am God.'

Elizabeth Goh Brings Frozen Jr. to Life Through Costume

Waverley Christian College alumna Elizabeth Goh (NWS 2025) has returned to the College in two important roles this year. Alongside serving as an Academic Support Tutor, Elizabeth is also the Lead Costumer for this year's Primary production of Frozen Jr., combining creativity, craftsmanship and sustainability to help bring the show's characters to life.

As Lead Costumer, Elizabeth is responsible for coordinating costumes for the entire cast. Her role includes designing each character's overall look, sourcing clothing, fitting costumes to performers, making alterations, repairing costume malfunctions and overseeing the work of staff and parent volunteers who assist with tailoring garments and creating accessories.

One of Elizabeth's greatest passions is sustainable fashion. Rather than purchasing new, mass-produced clothing for a production that will only be performed a handful of times, she prioritizes reusing and repurposing existing garments wherever possible.

'According to Fashion Revolution's Fashion Transparency Index, there is enough clothing globally to clothe the next six generations of people,' Elizabeth explains. 'We shouldn't be buying mass-produced clothes for a show where they will be used three times when there are thousands of clothes sitting in thrift shops—sometimes never even worn—waiting to be used.'

In keeping with this philosophy, the Frozen Jr. costume department has sourced many costumes from previous school productions and second-hand shops, creating a wardrobe that is both environmentally responsible and cost-effective.

Although the role involves many hours of planning, organizing, and problem-solving, Elizabeth finds the work incredibly rewarding.

'It's rewarding work to be a costumer, even if it is a lot of work,' she says. 'I love seeing the cast's excitement when they put on their costumes and watching the characters come to life. I also enjoy the creative freedom to style and tailor each costume, and one of my favourite parts has been working directly with the cast and getting to know the kids behind the roles.'

We are incredibly grateful to Elizabeth for sharing her talents, creativity, and heart with our Frozen Jr. production. It is wonderful to see our alumni continuing to invest in the Waverley Christian College community and inspire the next generation through their gifts and service.