Secondary News

A Term of Growth, Achievement, and Strong Partnerships

As we reach the mid-year mark, it is incredible to reflect on how quickly the past six months have flown by. Our students have navigated a flurry of events and academic demands, and it is truly heartening to see their continued growth and maturity in every aspect of school life. The spirit of ACC Southlands continues to shine brightly through their resilience, the dedication of our staff, and the invaluable support of our parents and wider community.

Celebrating Our Sporting Successes

Our students have once again demonstrated their incredible talent and teamwork in recent sporting events. Their efforts truly make us proud.

WA Surfing Carnival Glory! A huge shout-out to the 14 students who represented ACC Southlands at the Surfing WA Interschool Surfing Competition. They bravely tackled both surfing and bodyboarding events, showcasing fantastic skill and sportsmanship.

Special congratulations go to:

• Jesiah Bresanello and Billy Abrahams – Runner-Up Champions in Senior Boys Bodyboarding.

• Jax Auty and Jesse Thorne – 3rd overall in Junior Boys Bodyboarding.

  
  

We also made it to the finals in several surfing events, leading to an impressive 4th place overall for ACC Southlands, a remarkable achievement given our smaller numbers. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Helen Pirga and all the amazing parents who supported this event, keeping our students warm, fed, and cheered on throughout the day. Your support is invaluable.

Community Spirit in Action: Our Fundraisers

Our community's collective spirit has been truly evident this term, with students leading fantastic initiatives to support important causes. These efforts highlight the strength and compassion within our school family.

• The Pushup Challenge: Initiated by students Josiah Felton and Evan Hancock, this challenge raised an impressive $291 for mental health awareness. Well done, gentlemen.

• Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser: Led by Cameron Giovanazzi and Aimee Higgins, and enthusiastically supported by many students, staff, and parents, this fundraiser collected an astounding $767.15. This is the largest amount raised for this cause in recent years, a true testament to the generosity and collaborative spirit of our students, staff, parents, and the wider community. Thank you all for making such a significant impact.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

Nurturing Future Leaders: Student Leadership Update

At ACC Southlands, we are deeply committed to recognising and investing in the next generation of leaders. We believe in nurturing students who will not only excel academically but also lead with character and serve with integrity. The role of a student leader is fundamentally about service – putting the interests of your peers and our college community first, and consistently demonstrating positive behaviour as role models.

We are excited to announce our newly appointed leaders for the remainder of this year:

Year 7:

• Harmony Randall

• Abigail Powell

• Louise Westerberg

  
  

Year 8:

• Eliza Frewen

• Angelica De Leon

  
  

Year 9:

• Fletcher Russell

• Matthew Ludik

  
  

Year 10:

• Matilda Fairley

• Lydia Domey

• Lily Bodlovic

• Zoe Downing

  
  

Year 11:

• Ashley De Leon

• Annice Whitely

  
  

For the 2026 student leadership positions, the application process will open again in Term 4. All students, including our newly appointed leaders, will need to reapply at that time. We want to be clear that the conduct and consistent demonstration of our C.H.R.I.S.T. values by our current leaders will play a significant part in their chances of re-selection. We look forward to seeing all our students step up to these important roles.

Academic Check-In: Exams, Reports, and Reflection

The past few weeks have been a period of significant academic focus, with students across different year levels undertaking various tests and exams. Soon, you will be receiving your child's mid-year progress reports, a key milestone for valuable reflection.

We hope you might consider using the upcoming mid-year break as a chance to connect with your child and reflect on their journey over the past two terms. Perhaps you could discuss their academic growth, their engagement in school life, and their development in conduct and behaviour. This can be a wonderful opportunity to explore key observations from the report together, understand their significance for future learning, and collaboratively plan meaningful next steps for the rest of the year. The break offers a perfect chance to pause, reflect, and reset for a strong start to the new semester, opening conversations about everything from study routines to wellbeing and communication with staff.

As you review the reports, please remember that our subject teachers are here to support you and are well-placed to discuss your child's academic progress or how best to support their learning. We will also have parent interviews with subject teachers next term, which will provide another excellent opportunity for us to work together, strengthening the partnership between home and school for your child's academic betterment.

Investing in Our Parents: Parenting Workshops

As a relatively new parent, I have learned that much of parenting is often 'caught' rather than intentionally 'taught'. I recently attended our parenting workshop, and speaking from my own experience, I found the topics profoundly beneficial and thought-provoking, which I know was a shared sentiment among other parents, including those with more experience.

Our recent parenting workshops, a valuable partnership between our Wellbeing Team Leader Holly Beeck and Anita Barber from Bethel Christian School, delved into equipping parents with practical ways to raise resilient teens. Topics explored included understanding the teen brain, building strong connections, navigating discipline, the impact of technology, and fostering overall wellbeing in a dynamic world.

Thank you again to Holly Beeck for providing such invaluable opportunities for our community. There will be more opportunities for such workshops in the future, and I strongly encourage you to come along and participate. These sessions are a wonderful way to connect with other parents, share experiences, and gain strategies to support your child’s growth.

Charting Future Paths: Career Conversations

Assisting our students in thinking about their future careers is a crucial part of their journey with us. Our Year 9 and 10 students recently had fantastic opportunities to explore pathways, participating in the Great Southern Deadly Jobs & Careers Forum and hearing from a guest speaker who shared insights into an unconventional career path post-Year 12.

Initiating career conversations can sometimes feel daunting, even for us as parents. To support these discussions at home for students of all ages, here are two excellent resources:

• My Futures (https://myfuture.edu.au/): This national online career information service helps students explore career options, understand pathways, and make informed decisions about their future work and study.

• DETWA Career Conversations (https://www.education.wa.edu.au/career-conversations): Provided by the WA Department of Education, this resource offers guidance and prompts for parents to engage in meaningful discussions with their children about career aspirations.

  
  

On that note, a reminder that Year 10 students' 2026 Year 11 subject selections are due today, Friday July 4. A big thank you to all parents who attended our recent Year 10 Subject Selection Information Night; your engagement is invaluable as students plan their academic futures. For students interested in enrolling at South Regional TAFE while still at school next year, please note that the application window opens on July 30 and closes on August 20. It's important to have your USI and resume ready so we can assist you with your application. I look forward to sitting down with our Year 10 students and parents next term to discuss their academic plans for 2026.

A Heartfelt Thank You

As this term concludes, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our entire staff for their incredible efforts and hard work. It has been a big term, filled with challenges and triumphs, and their dedication to our students shines through every day.

In addition, I have truly appreciated the conversations I have had with many of our parents. Your support in partnering with us is immensely valued, whether it is through difficult discussions, celebrating student achievements, or simply supporting their efforts at school. It deeply encourages me to know that our students are surrounded by a community that cares deeply and wants the very best for them.

Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating mid-year break! We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed for the new semester.