Secondary News

As we settle into the heart of Term 2, the Albany chill has well and truly arrived. The past few weeks have been a hive of activity, particularly in our sporting programs, where our students have showcased their resilience, teamwork, and commitment to excellence.

Pedal Prix Success

As announced by Mr Ramsay, our Year 9 and 10 students made ACC Southlands proud with their outstanding performance at the recent Pedal Prix event. Their dedication and teamwork shone brightly, reflecting our school’s commitment to excellence. A special thank you goes to Mr Daniel Pitman, whose years of hard work have built our trike program from the ground up, enabling our students to compete with skill and confidence. We also acknowledge the invaluable support of our staff crew—Mr Russell Hunt, Mr Graham Downing, and Mrs Terry Phipson—who provided exceptional support, including delicious meals to keep our students energised. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the Parents & Friends Association for covering registration fees, and to Albany Printers, Albany Stationers Office Choice, and Albany Signs for their contributions to the signage and decals for our four competing trikes. Your collective efforts have strengthened our community spirit and made this event a success. Take a look below at some brilliant photos of the event taken by photography teacher Mr Russell Hunt.

Cross Country

Final Results:

• Magpies – 280 points

• Kangaroos – 262 points

  
  

Notable Achievements:

Year 7

• Girls: Champion – Mikayla Reddington | Runner-Up – Bonnie Mack

• Boys: Champion – Zach Greenwood | Runner-Up – Jed Abrahams

Year 8

• Girls: Champion – Shelby Burns | Runner-Up – Phoebe Sloan

• Boys: Champion – Malachi Bresanello | Runner-Up – Jax Auty

Year 9

• Girls: Champion – Georgia Power | Runner-Up – Ava Mexsom

• Boys: Champion – Billy Abrahams | Runner-Up – Jesse Thorn

Year 10

• Girls: Champion – Georgie Hart | Runner-Up – Emily Smith

• Boys: Champion – Jesiah Bresanello | Runner-Up – Jacob Greenwood

Open

• Girls: Champion – Maddison Barradeen | Runner-Up – Kiara Sherwood

• Boys: Champion – Kaden Bray | Runner-Up – Josiah Felton

Surf Life Saving Carnival

Final Results:

• Kangaroos – 831 points

• Magpies – 767 points

  
  

Notable Achievements:

Year 7

• Girls: Champion – Bonnie Mack | Runner-Up – Lily McConnell

• Boys: Champion – Zavier Small | Runner-Up – Jed Abrahams

Year 8

• Girls: Champion – Shelby Burns | Runner-Up – Chloe Panizza

• Boys: Champion – Malachi Bresanello | Runner-Up – William Deal

Year 9

• Girls: Champion – Ava Mexsom | Runner-Up – Georgia Power

• Boys: Champion – Billy Abrahams | Runner-Up – Zachary Minchin

Year 10

• Girls: Champion – Emily Smith | Runner-Up – Zoe Downing

• Boys: Champion – Jesiah Bresanello | Runner-Up – Mark Beeck

Open

• Girls: Champion – Erin Mitchell | Runner-Up – Sharni Bennett

• Boys: Champion – Oscar Braidwood | Runner-Up – Evan Hancock

  
  

Student Leadership Applications

At our Week 1 Secondary Assembly, I announced the opening of applications for our 2025 Student Leadership Team. At ACC Southlands, we are committed to fostering positive leadership skills in all students, nurturing a Christ-centred, inclusive, and supportive school culture guided by our C.H.R.I.S.T. values: Courage, Humility, Respect, Initiative, Self-Control, and Trust. We recognise that leadership takes many forms, and we value all contributions that build the life of our school.

Students interested in applying should submit:

• A peer recommendation

• A staff recommendation

• Parent/guardian acknowledgement

  
  

Successful applicants will join a dynamic Student Leadership Team, serving our community in roles such as:

• Voicing peers’ ideas

• Leading or supporting carnivals

• Leading or supporting fundraisers

• Leading or supporting assemblies

• Leading or supporting lunchtime clubs

• Leading or supporting school events

• Representing the school at City of Albany events

• Promoting our school values

  
  

Applications are open until Friday, 4th July (see link here). Encourage your child to seize this opportunity to grow as a leader and contribute to our thriving school community. Contact the school office for application forms or further details.

2026 Year 11 Subject Selection

As our secondary students navigate a busy season of tests and exams, our Year 10 cohort is also looking ahead to their senior secondary years. To support their planning, we are hosting a Subject Selection Information Night on Monday, 23rd June, at 5:30pm. This event will provide valuable insights into subject options, pathways, and how to align choices with future goals. We encourage all Year 10 students and their parents to attend to make informed decisions about their academic journey. Mark your calendars and join us for this important evening.

Parent Corner

Parenting Courses

We are excited to partner with Holly Beeck, our Wellbeing Team Leader, and Anita Barber from Bethel Christian School to offer parenting courses for parents of students in Years 6–9. Holly’s passion for nurturing healthy, thriving young people is evident in her work, and these workshops draw on decades of experience to equip you with practical tools for raising resilient teens.

Join us for:

• Connected Parenting: Tuesday, 4th June, 7:00–9:00 pm

• Raising Resilient Teens: Tuesday, 11th June, 7:00–9:00 pm

• Venue: Albany Baptist Church

  
  

These sessions are a wonderful opportunity to connect with other parents, share experiences, and gain strategies to support your child’s growth. We warmly encourage you to prioritise these evenings to invest in your child’s wellbeing and strengthen our parent-school partnership. RSVP by Friday, 30th May, via email to hollybeeck@acc.edu.au.

Social Media and Cyber Safety Awareness

In today’s digital age, our students are constantly connected online, and we’ve observed an increase in inappropriate messaging, both during and outside school hours, that can impact their wellbeing. We encourage parents and guardians to have open, regular conversations with your child about their social media use and access, particularly outside school time, to promote responsible digital citizenship. To support you, we recommend reviewing two valuable resources available via our ACC Blog:

• Cyber Safety Tips for Parents

• Social Media and Low Self-Esteem

  
  

These offer practical strategies to foster safe online habits and support your child’s mental health. Our Wellbeing Team is here to assist with any concerns, and together, we can guide our students to thrive in a digital world.