Dear College Families,
Founders’ Day on 11 February and the annual morning games began our year of 2026 with much joy! Staff and students championed their House warriors for the ‘bus pull challenge’. Ironically the bus battery was dead after the long Christmas holidays, so the bus pull had to happen both ways – back and forth! All was done safely and with full visibility. Robinson House won the challenge and the cheers were loud and happy. Commendations to all Houses and to all Student Leaders who inspired the students and contributed to the objective of encouraging College and House spirit. We prayed for our College before we finished the morning’s celebrations and students left the oval enjoying a Founders’ Day icy pole as the staff enjoyed their Founders’ Day special cookies with their morning tea or coffee. Founders’ Day seems to be an event in our new traditions since the 40th that everyone looks forward to celebrating. My great appreciation to the staff and the Dean of Co-Curricular Ms Phoebe who was instrumental in the organisation of the morning games.
Earlier this term, I was approached by the international magazine BusinessView Oceania with a request from them to participate in an interview for their upcoming September/October issue which would produce a feature article on South Coast Baptist College. The topic of the interview was, ‘Leading the Way: The Future of Learning in Australian Education’. I invited the Head of Secondary, Business Manager and Dean of Co-Curricular to join me on the panel, as the editor asked us several questions. It was a conversation that kept confirming to all of us, the quality that just keeps glowing at SCBC. We could not help but speak positively with the journalist and editor about our shared enthusiasm for the vision and work of our College from Childcare through to Year 12. We look forward to the finished article going into print endorsing our 21st century quality educational environment at SCBC; a Christian College united and anchored in its shared vision and values.
We hope our students are enjoying our beautiful multi-purpose gymnasium with its new wood polished floors and excellence in facilities for multi-sports. I often walk past seeing so many students participating in a variety of sports which is enabling more students to get involved in healthy exercise for wellbeing. We have also had several events in the space for academic assemblies and other showcase events, and it has been good to see the facility being thoroughly used by all students and staff for their curriculum, co-curriculum, sports and events.
Congratulations to our ACC Interschool Swimming Team who on 20 March, won the ACC Swimming carnival regaining our position in first place again! South Coast achieved 888 points at top place. The next school came in 51 points behind us.
Congratulations to our students and our HPE Department. We celebrate the good news!
Champion Schools per category
Junior Girls: 1. Helena College 2. South Coast 3. Rehoboth
Junior Boys: 1. South Coast 2. Swan Valley 3. Helena
Senior Girls: 1. South Coast 2. Providence 3. Helena
Senior Boys: 1. Providence 2. Rehoboth 3. South Coast
Overall Girls: 1. Helena 2. South Coast 3. Rehoboth
Overall Boys: 1. South Coast 2. Swan Valley 3. Rehoboth
On the very same day as some of our students were winning the swimming carnival off site, the College experienced a regional power outage on site with estimated time of recovery by 2.30pm in the Waikiki area. Despite the inconvenience to families which we are very reluctant to impose, we thank all College families for their cooperation and swift response to our SMS notification that we would need to close the College in the interests of the health and safety of our students given no power was present at the campus and information on any potential earlier recovery time was unavailable. Our priority for all decisions in such circumstances is the safety and wellbeing of our students. Thank you for picking up your children or giving permission for them to travel home. The power did come back on earlier than anticipated however the sudden loss of power meant that we needed to check all network and emergency systems, re-boot, and also check for any potential food spoilage. I commend the staff team who went straight into response plan action ensuring the safety and care of all students at that crucial time in the morning, during early drop offs.
We hope that all College families who attended our annual College Open Evening 24 March, enjoyed the time to connect and socialise as a College community. The children’s smiles said it all for us as a staff. We are so proud of the gifts and talents of our students and we hope that families enjoyed the entertainment, hospitality, displays and activities during those twilight hours set aside for this wonderful annual College community event.
Our Year 12 students looked exceptionally glamorous at the Year 12 Ball on Saturday 28 March. The venue was Beaumonde on the Point. Students clearly enjoyed a very special evening together, of memories to cherish. They had previously rehearsed special dances in class together for the elegance of the evening and they did very well. Parents would have been very proud of the exemplary behaviour of the Class of 2026! I thank the staff teams who organised the event for our graduating class.
As we move towards Easter we remember the great sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. May you be blessed during this holy season and may your homes be filled with the joy and hope that Easter brings.
“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said…” Matthew 28:6
Warm regards
Dawn Clements Principal