We hope you enjoyed our Open Evening celebrations for the 40th Birthday of the College on 30 April at the beginning of this term. Thank you for attending and joining in on the fun. It was wonderful to see students and families smiling and having such a terrific time.
You would have seen on Open Evening on our new amphitheatre stage, the early previews of the musical our College was presenting of ‘The Little Mermaid’ as students entertained audiences with some of their favourite scenes they enjoyed performing. I was proud of our students and if you did attend the full Production before the term finished at the Koorliny Arts Centre venue, I am sure you would have been very impressed by the standard and quality of our College Production. Well done to our whole Arts Team under the leadership of Mr Simon Bint Acting Head of Arts, the Drama Department, Ms Parker our Director of Production, our visual Arts team for the set and costumes, our Music Department and our vocal academy students and all College students involved in the spectacular production of ‘The Little Mermaid’. An exceptional standard from our cast and crew, and a joyous occasion to witness the high capacity and talents of all students involved! I was privileged to be there on opening night in the front row with members of the Executive team and members of the Board and the applause and cheering from the audience, evidenced our huge appreciation of the standard.
This term we also opened our new Secondary building which is Stage 2B (R Block new building) of our ongoing master plan. It has been good to see students enjoying their new classrooms, and the CrossFit gym fitted out with excellent equipment for students to use regardless of fitness level, which we know they will develop for personal health and well being as they participate in programs available to all. Our gymnastics program continues for community gymnastics and within our sports gymnastics curriculum. The focus on fitness and wellbeing for students is well supported by our staff who are passionate about student participation for wellness. Our Football Academy also continues to thrive with more awards achieved and we were also so proud of our Primary girls with their 3-1 win in the WASSA State Grand Final 2025! We will develop feasible programs for skillsets in a variety of sports of interest, accessible to all students going forward over the next few years to come as our facilities grow and improve to accommodate student interest.
I thank our Student leaders and participants for their attention and contributions to our ANZAC service in April. Thank you also to ADF families who attended as special guests. It is great to see our new Amphitheatre and new outdoor stage able to host larger numbers and enable us to pay significant tribute to National celebrations. Thank you to Rev Milo Velebir for being our guest speaker in his role of also working as Chaplain for the ADF. Our students were respectful and mindful of the significance of ANZAC and our Australian heritage during the ceremony. I was so proud of them for their maturity and support of our ANZAC tribute.
I would like to thank Mr Anthony Moses, Mrs Jo-Anne Gudgeon and Mrs Adele Hutton for their willingness to step into the acting leadership positions during my sabbatical/research trip in May when I travelled to Melbourne to visit several schools, gather insights and bring back ideas and solutions to help inform the progress for South Coast Baptist College. The trip was immensely inspiring and provided me with several examples of strategies done well, and issues to be cautious and mindful about, during rapid growth phases in a school.
Just a reminder to families that the College campus is a dog free zone and family pets are not permitted on site. We do have a therapy dog but that is the only dog permitted to be on site for wellbeing purposes. We thank you for your understanding.
Some questions have arisen about when the new crest on all uniforms and bags is expected to be fully in place given we are still in the transition period. Families can be assured that it is not until start of 2028 for the process to be completed.
Thank you to all Primary parents who supported the fun of Book Week and dressed students in costumes from favourite books for our Book Week parade. This year students were at ‘next level’ as were our staff in their fabulous costumes – it was great to see the fun and support for Book Week, reading and literacy!
Secondary students have been dedicated to their semester examinations and assessments during June and we wish them the very best as they continue to strive for excellence and their personal best. Despite any challenges that can sometimes come in isolation for various reasons, I am confident that team work and good communication between our staff in partnership with parents, will always produce best outcomes in teaching and learning for our students. We want our young people to thrive! Students also enjoyed social occasions provided by the staff such as River cruises and the annual Year 12 Retreat to name a few events. I visited our Year 12s and their teachers at the Year 12 Retreat. Students were enjoying their special time together as a cohort and building memories as our SCBC Class of 2025. I was proud of their behaviour and attitude to give things a go. Thank you to Mr Stefan Botha Head of Year 12 and the staff team who organised a fabulous Retreat for our students. From karaoke to reflective letters to friendship bracelets, games of soccer and appreciated moments amongst friends for life skills and learning, the Year 12 Retreat was meaningful and fun. It was my pleasure to have visited the event and see the smiling, joyful faces of our Year 12s, the Class of 2025!
It was also wonderful to see the service and compassionate hearts of students and staff who supported ‘the greatest shave’ to raise funds for cancer at the end of term. Many students and staff alike bravely accepted the challenge of relinquishing their beautiful locks of hair for a worthy cause. At last count I believe students had raised approximately $14,000 for cancer research and treatment. Amazing!
I wish all College families a happy break this coming term holidays. If you are taking holidays with your children to travel or just to relax at home, may you have a wonderful time of precious family memories together.
We look forward to welcoming students back for Term 3 after a refreshing semester break.
God bless.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dawn Clements
Principal