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Secondary News

  • Writer: Langford Brown
    Langford Brown
  • Apr 19, 2024
  • 6 min read

Newsletter Term 2 Week 1


Term One definitely finished on a high note with a very special Faith Week Assembly and an amazing Surf Lifesaving Carnival. These moments where we come together as a whole school community are so important for building into our students a greater commitment to their school and reinforcing a sense of belonging. We are looking forward to another fantastic term and we have many important events planned, including our inaugural Interclub Chess Competition, the Pedal Prix competition in Perth plus examinations and incursions. 


This is a bittersweet term for me as it will be my last term with ACC Southlands. I have worked here for over twelve years and have seen many changes over this time, and I’ve loved learning and growing along with the school. I have accepted a position as Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College Darling Downs, which is located near Byford. I am excited for this new role and what God is doing in all of our Australian Christian Colleges. 


Secondary Surf Carnival

On the final day of Term One, students from Years 6 through to 12 battled it out on the sand and in the waves, competing in a range of events such as flag races, open water swimming and surf races. 


Held annually at Middleton Beach, the ACC Surf Lifesaving Carnival is the culmination of Physical Education lessons that focus on essential surf skills, such as understanding surf conditions and hazards, catching waves and using boards, swimming in the surf and developing physical fitness. 

The Surf Carnival is a great way to prepare students for open water swimming, a vital skill in our coastal community. Additionally, beach lessons and the ACC Surf Lifesaving Carnival help students to develop a greater appreciation and enjoyment of our amazing Albany coastline. 


Congratulations to Magpies, whose determination won them the top place on the day. We will announce individual champions very soon. 


Please enjoy some highlights from our Surf Lifesaving Carnival. (video)


Leadership Assembly

We welcomed the new term with our Leadership Assembly. It is a tradition at ACC for the Year 12s to be presented with their Leavers’ Jackets by our pre-primary students, some of the youngest in our school community. We love this tradition as it is a reminder of how far each of our Year 12s have come in their educational journeys. Mr Thomas, the Year 12 Pastoral Care teacher, provided a wonderful introduction to this event, and I have included an extract below:


“Year 12 is a year full of rites of passage and mimics a young person’s transition into adulthood. Away from school, our Year 12s are getting their driver’s licenses and buying cars, and some of them will be turning 18 and officially becoming adults, at least in a legal sense. At school, their first big rite of passage is receiving their Leavers Jackets, which is something that all secondary students can aspire and look forward to… 


A Leavers Jacket is a badge of honour. Something that identifies them not just as Year 12s, or graduates, but as the leaders of this school, which is a great privilege but also a great responsibility… Year 12s are responsible for setting the standard, maintaining and improving the culture that previous graduates have worked so hard to establish, and ensuring that they leave a legacy that they and the rest of the college can be proud of. I am confident that our Year 12s are both worthy of and capable of fulfilling this responsibility”.



We were also delighted to introduce the leaders of our Portfolios for 2024. While these students have accepted the responsibility of taking a formal leadership role within our school, we consider that all students can be leaders - people who are able to influence, support and encourage others to build a school community that is inclusive, hard-working and encouraging of one another. 


Congratulations to all of our Portfolio leaders, we are certain that you will do an incredible job this year. Clare Hadlow and Elysha Baker are leading our Sport Portfolio, while our Community Portfolio is led by Grace Croston, Ronna Sloan, Bethany Earl, Sharni Bennett, Charli Sephton, Isaac Barrett-Lennard, Ethan Giovanazzi, Erin Mitchell and Lizzie Broberg. 


Year 7 Camp


Please enjoy some highlights from our recent Year 7 Camp.




Year 8 Camp


Please enjoy some highlights from our recent Year 8 Camp.




Year 9 Camp


Please enjoy some highlights from our recent Year 9 Camp.




Anzac Day - Heather Jefferies


As the sun rises every ANZAC Day, hundreds of thousands of Australians gather across the nation to remember the ANZACs’ legacy, and the legacy of all those who have followed their example. Over the course of WWI, more than 60,000 Australians died and a further 156,000 were wounded or taken prisoner. Some 23,000 soldiers were missing, and their families would never learn what had happened to their loved ones. These devastating losses and casualties resonated throughout Australia, uniting the people of a newly formed nation. As WWI continued, Australians in every corner of the world stopped on ANZAC Day to remember the sacrifice made by their mates and fellow countrymen. Parades were held in towns and cities across the country, and the day became our most solemn day of commemoration. Since WWI, more than 1.5 million Australians have served in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. 


Here in Australia, we can so easily take for granted the freedoms we enjoy and the peace that has been bought with a price. On Anzac Day, ACC students are encouraged to participate in ANZAC ceremonies and parades, to ensure we never forget those who sacrificed so much. 


On Wednesday April 25th, ACC will be participating in the ANZAC march and Peace Park service. Students are encouraged to meet at 9:30 am outside Paperbark Merchants on York Street in their winter formal uniforms. The March will begin at 10:00 am and service will conclude at 11:30 am.  


Uniforms

Thank you for the efforts you have put into ensuring that students are wearing their Winter uniforms. Wearing the uniform correctly is an important life skill, and helps to build the community within our school. It has been delightful to see that most students have been wearing their uniforms correctly, even from the first day of term. 


Here is a quick guide to our uniform:

Girls Winter Formal Uniform

Boys Winter Formal Uniform

School skirt

School long sleeve blouse

School long socks or opaque tights

Formal school shoes

Navy wool jumper or vest (optional)

Blazer (optional)

Winter jacket (optional)

School long trousers or shorts

School long or short sleeve shirt

Black belt (if pants have loops)

Tie

Formal school shoes

School dress socks

Navy wool jumper (optional)

Blazer (optional)

Winter jacket (optional)

Unisex Sport Uniform

School sport polo

School sport tracksuit pants or school sport shorts

School sport jacket

Winter jacket (optional)

Plain white or black/navy socks

Supportive sport shoes


Please note that formal and sport uniforms are not to be mixed and matched.


Some areas that we are currently targeting are socks and shoes, hair and makeup:

  • Formal shoes should be black leather lace-up school shoes. School socks must be worn.

  • Sport shoes must be supportive runners/sneakers. Canvas Vans, Converse or similar are not permitted. This is to keep your children safe and secure while participating in sporting activities. 

  • Sport socks must be plain white or black/navy. No logos or images or obvious brand labelling should be visible. 

  • Girls’ long hair must be a natural colour, neat and completely tied away from the face. 

  • Boys hair must be a natural colour, neat and cut above the collar. Mullets are not permitted. 

  • Make-up and nail polish are not permitted. 


Sport Uniform Updated Days

Due to unavoidable changes to the timetable, we now have different days for students to wear the sports uniform:

  • Year 7: Tuesday and Thursday

  • Year 8: Wednesday and Thursday

  • Year 9 Tuesday and Wednesday

  • Year 10: Tuesday and Thursday

  • Year 11 and 12: Tuesday and Thursday


Cross Country

It’s time to get ready for the ACC Cross Country competition. We are looking forward to racing on a modified track this year that has some slightly different challenges. Students will be racing during Periods 3 and 4 on Thursday 2nd May 2024 (Approximately 1.30 to 3pm). Enthusiasts can start training with the Running Club on Tuesday mornings at 7.45am at Collingwood Oval. 


Chess Competition

The ACC Chess Club is gearing up for our very first battle between the Christian schools. ACC will take on Bethel on 1st May. We are looking forward to a fun and friendly competition that will prepare our students for the Great Southern Schools competition later in the year. 


Wellbeing Support - Holly Beeck


The attack at Westfield Bondi Junction at the weekend was a tragic and distressing event. We know that there is a connection between exposure to traumatic events and mental health issues, and it’s important to be ready to support children and young people who may be struggling.


If you or your child/ren are struggling, know that help is available 24/7 via the helplines listed below. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).


 
 
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