CONNECT
Every learner reaching their God-given potential
PRINCIPAL NOTE
Nearthe end of each year, the well-known music streaming service Spotify sends each subscriber a ‘wrap’ of what they have listened to over the platform for that year. My son Joel has what can only be described as very eclectic tastes in music, and his three sisters eagerly await to see what is revealed in Joel’s annual wrap, as his list is a source of much amusement and discussion! It got me thinking ‘What if God gave us a ‘wrap’ of what we had listened to over the year, the books we read, the TV or streaming programs we watched, the places we frequented and the way we spent our time?’ I suspect it would be very revealing, and that we may be somewhat surprised at how much time we spend doing things that are not worthy of so much attention. We might also discover that we don’t spend nearly enough time on other things that are much more significant, both here and now, and from an eternal perspective.
As we ‘wrap’ the school year, I am pleased that we have used the opportunity of celebrating our 40th anniversary to remember those pioneers who started our school in 1985, and the families who took an enormous step of faith by sending their children to the fledgling school. In my Celebration Evening address, I mused at what the next 40 years might look like for Ballarat Christian College. If the past forty are anything to go by, I am confident that God will continue to bless His school, but we need to hold steadfastly to the vision and purpose handed on by our founders.
I would like to thank our Executive team for their support during the year. I especially note and thank Mrs Bianca Francica, who served as the Head of Primary since 2019, and a valued member of the Primary teaching staff since 2011. Mrs Francica is stepping down to take a well-deserved break. She capably led the Primary section during the COVID-19 period and oversaw the implementation of the permanent composite classes in Primary, and the realignment of the curriculum to the new structure. She also led initiatives to improve the teaching of literacy and numeracy across Primary. Mrs Francica and her husband Frank will enjoy travelling around Australia, after which we hope to see her from time to time as a relief teacher. Next year Ms Jo Hardy will become the new Head of Primary. I welcome Ms Hardy to the Executive team and pray God’s blessing upon her as she takes up her new role.
Finally, I pray our Lord’s blessing upon each family represented in our College community. Thank you for your support during the year. May you know God’s peace and joy as we celebrate Christmas with our families. In one of our recent Monday staff devotions I shared with staff the reminder that as Christians, we need to remember that Christmas is not a sentimental emblem of God demonstrating His love by giving us a baby in a manger. Rather, God sent His Son as only Jesus could take away our sins once and for all time by hanging in agony on a cross. In doing so, the curse of sin was forever removed, that we might be cleansed of our sin and reunited with our God. This is the true hope, love and joy that we celebrate at Christmas!
May peace and joy be yours this Christmas.
Ken Nuridin Principal
SCAVENGER HUNT
To celebrate their final peer mentoring session for the year our Year 11 mentors and their Year 7 groups took part in a fun and energetic scavenger hunt and games around the campus.
Since Term 1 each Thursday during Homeroom, Year 7 and Year 11 students have come together for engaging peer mentoring sessions led by the older students. The program has blended games, guided conversations, and meaningful discussions aimed at building confidence, connection, and community.
The outdoor activities were a fitting finale that offered a chance to reflect, celebrate new friendships, and enjoy some team building in the fresh air.
FREESTYLE DANCE
During Term 4 our Primary and Secondary Chapels welcomed a visit from the Freestyle Dance Ministry (FDM) team, who specialise in running dynamic dance workshops for schools, churches, and organisations with a focus on faith and positivity.
Both students and staff enjoyed an energetic session that combined dance with an interactive Christian message. It was a powerful opportunity for everyone to get moving, learn more about Jesus, and be encouraged to live out and share their faith in meaningful ways.
To learn more about FDM, please visit: https:// freestyledanceministry.com/
CSEN ATHLETICS
Selected Primary and Secondary students competed in the annual CSEN (Christian Schools Events Network) Athletics Competition at Lakeside Stadium (State Athletics Venue) at the end of Term 3. It was a wonderful and challenging event for all involved.
PRIMARY RESULT
Fletcher Williams-Omolaja 3rd - 13U discus
Elsie Prince 2nd - 9U Long Jump
Rain Samuels
1st - 11U Shot Put - 8.12m
Timmy Cociuba 4th - 13U Long Jump
SECONDARY RESULT
Nyachay Pal
1st - 14U High Jump 1.40m, 4th 14U Triple Jump
Elizabeth Odanye
1st - 13U 100m, 1st 13U 200m
Alex Lopez
3rd - 21U 200m, 4th - 21U 100m
Alice McIntosh 4th - 16U High Jump 1.30m
Melody Samuels
3rd 13U Triple Jump 9.02m
Gibson Paxman 3rd - 21U 1500m
Girls 16U 100m Relay - 3rd Place
Elizabeth Odanye, Emer Austerberry, Melody Samuels, Nyachay Pal.
BLESSING BREAKFAST
Atthe end of Term 3 we held a Blessing Breakfast for our Year 12 students, which consisted of a breakfast cooked by our Food Technology Teacher, Mrs Clare Wilksch with hot drinks prepared by our Year 9 Micah 6:8 students.
During the breakfast the students heard an encouraging devotion and talks from members of the Christians@ Uni Ballarat team.
The Christians@Uni Ballarat team shared an encouraging devotion and spoke with students during the breakfast, with current university students sharing personal stories about their journey through university life, and the role faith has played during this time.
To learn more about Christians@Uni, please visit: https://cu.org.au/
Adding a little fun to the last week of Term 3, our Year 12s also had a surprise visit in the classroom from a friendly ‘crocodile’ bringing some extra smiles and laughter.
PRINTMAKING
InArt during Term 4, our Lower Primary students were exploring printmaking using LEGO pieces. The Preps used the LEGO to create their names and imaginative robot designs, while also discovering the unique textures and patterns that the LEGO surfaces can produce.
CELEBRATION DAY
Wemarked the final day of secondary school for our Year 12 students with a special Celebration Day. The day began with a delicious breakfast generously prepared by our Administration and ICT teams, followed by a time of devotion and worship shared together. The
celebrations continued with a fun-filled scavenger hunt, dance games, a “Prep–Year 12 in a Day” session led by our Primary teachers and concluded with an energetic round of Minute to Win It games.
Beforetheir Graduation Assembly, our Year 12 students spent some of their final Homeroom with their Prep buddies, sharing gifts and saying heartfelt goodbyes. The bond between these students began on the Year 12s’ first day at the College back in February, when they welcomed the Preps and took them on a campus tour. As part of a cherished tradition, the Preps walked their Year 12 buddies into the Graduation Assembly - a meaningful and memorable way to mark the end of their shared journey.
YEAR 12 GRADUATION ASSEMBLY
OnTuesday 21 October, we celebrated the Year 12 Graduation Assembly. The Year 12 students entered their final assembly to “Time of Our Lives”, accompanied by their Prep buddies.
Head of Secondary, Mr Scott McKenzie, led the assembly, during which each Year 12 student was presented with a certificate, sash, and gift by Principal Ken Nuridin.
Following the presentations, Principal Nuridin and College Captains Gibson Paxman and Freya Manton addressed the audience before everyone enjoyed the much-anticipated Year 12 video.
The Year 12s then joined their Prep buddies on stage to sing and dance to “High & Low”. A special musical performance followed, featuring a group of Year 12 students who have been performing together since Year 4 and recently completed their VCE Music exams.
Pastor Don Gall, accompanied by Year 12 staff, concluded the assembly with a heartfelt prayer for the graduating class. The Year 12s then exited to “Time of Your Life” before joining their families for refreshments in the newly opened M1/M2 building.
YEAR 12 FORMAL
THAT’S A WRAP
And that’s a wrap for our remarkable Year 12 students, who marked the end of their secondary schooling with a memorable Graduation Assembly in October. The event was a celebration of their hard work, growth, and achievements over the years, as well as a chance to reflect on the friendships, challenges, and milestones that have shaped their journey. Surrounded by their peers, teachers, family and friends at a Whole College assembly the students took their final steps as high schoolers—ready to embrace the exciting paths that lie ahead.
THE ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY
During Term 1 our Year 9 students departed for five days at Lake Eildon to take part in The Adventurous Journey Camp. This experience forms part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award and is designed to inspire a spirit of adventure, teamwork, and self-discovery as students undertake a shared journey in a group setting. The program included canoeing on Lake Eildon, hiking in the area and riding on trails near the campsite and on parts of the Victorian Rail Trail. The students also prepared their own food; worked in small groups and cooked their food on a Trangia.
The Adventurous Journey is all about getting out and going on an expedition or exploration in an unfamiliar and challenging environment with an agreed team goal. More than any other section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award framework, The Adventurous Journey is about teamwork and social connection with both the team members who undertake the journey and those who instruct, supervise, and assess the journey. While also creating an environment
for group work through planning, task sharing, problem solving, role allocation, and team reflection.
At the heart of The Adventurous Journey is the opportunity for a young person to engage in activities that require determination, physical effort, perseverance, problem solving, and cooperation. It is intended that all who undertake this section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award are rewarded with a unique, challenging, and memorable experience.
The Year 9s were joined on camp by our Year 10 and 11 students, who are working towards the Silver level Duke of Edinburgh Award. Those students took on the challenge of planning and leading activities to support the Year 9s throughout each day.
It was fantastic to see all students collaborating in new groups, stepping outside their comfort zones, and developing valuable new skills along the way.
VISIT FROM CSA PRINCIPALS
Principals from Victorian regional Christian schools affiliated with Christian Schools Australia (CSA) from Geelong, Sunbury, Bendigo, Echuca, Kerang, Shepparton, Benalla and Wodonga met at Ballarat Christian College during mid-Term 4. The meeting was one of three meetings held across the year in various regional locations, enabling school leaders to hear and learn from selected guest
speakers on a range of topics, and provide a valuable opportunity for principals to share ideas, encouragement and discuss mutual challenges.
Thank you to our Year 9 Café 6:8 students and teacher, Mrs Sarah Inglis for preparing and serving the hot drinks on the day.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Ahuge thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s Operation Christmas Child. As a College community, we collected 101 shoeboxes, which will soon be delivered to children living in vulnerable situations around the world. This year, our boxes will be sent to the Solomon Islands, Cambodia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Mongolia.
Operation Christmas Child is an initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organisation that distributes Christmas gift boxes and shares the Gospel message with underprivileged children across the globe. It provides a wonderful, hands-on opportunity
to bless children in need by filling shoeboxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and other fun gifts.
A special thank you to our Year 11 Homeroom teachers, Mrs Nicki Laursen and Mr Andrew Kynoch and the Year 11 students for coordinating this year’s collection and raffle. Congratulations to Year 7C student, Linus on winning the raffle, which was open to anyone who had made a contribution to this year’s collection.
To learn more about Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan’s Purse, please visit: https://occ.samaritanspurse.org.au/
Students in Middle and Upper Primary enjoyed golf clinics during their regular HPE classes during Term 4. These clinics were delivered by Coach Sean from Kelly Sports and sponsored by the Sporting Schools Program. Sporting Schools is an Australian Government initiative designed to help schools to increase children’s participation in sport, and to connect them with community sporting opportunities.
InYEAR 7 TRANSITION
Term 4 our Year 6 students joined the Year 7s during homeroom as part of their transition to secondary school. These sessions allowed the Year 6s to get to know both the Year 7 students and teachers through a range of games and activities.
In week 5 of Term 3, we also hosted a Year 7 Meet and Greet for our incoming 2026 Year 7 students and their families. The evening offered a wonderful opportunity for students to meet their future classmates and start building connections. Parents and carers also had the chance to meet staff and learn more about our secondary program.
Our BalCC Year 7 Information Guide is available to provide families and students with useful details as they prepare to begin their secondary school journey.
Scan the QR code to open the Year 7 Information Guide
BOOK FAIR
Thank you to BalCC community for supporting The Scholastic Book Fair 2025. The excitement shown amongst the students towards books and reading was fantastic to see. This year a Scholastic representative visited and complimented BalCC on the great reading culture that was evident. Keep up the good work!
And yes, the Library has been blessed with more wonderful reading adventures for you to enjoy in the near future.
CHESS CLUB
During Term 3 a Secondary Chess Club was launched during Lunch 2 on Wednesdays in Room S13. Open to students from Years 7–12, the club provides a welcoming indoor space for students to play, learn, and sharpen their chess skills under the guidance of Secondary teacher, Mr Justin Jones.
ROAD SMART
During Term 4 our Year 9 and 10 students took part in sessions with Road Smart Interactive, a new, evidence based, highly interactive road safety education program that is offered free to all Victorian secondary schools.
Road Smart Interactive is designed to reflect contemporary, best-practice approaches to road safety education. It utilises the latest immersive technology to guide students through a series of experiences that will engage students in thinking about how they can be part of the solution to eliminating road trauma and features elements adapted from the award-winning Road to Zero Experience at Melbourne Museum.
The program was facilitated by skilled road safety educators who brought digital experiences to the students and facilitated conversations about the roles we can all play in contributing to a healthier and safer school community through improved road safety.
YEAR 6 GRADUATION PARADE
YEAR 6 GRADUATION CHAPEL SERVICE
DuringTerm 4, our Year 6 students celebrated their graduation. The day began with an energetic parade through the Primary School, where the students proudly ran through a colourful banner created by the Year 5s. This joyful procession set the tone for a Chapel Service held in the Kerry Hutton Centre, attended by Primary students, staff, and Year 6 families.
During the service, the Year 6 students shared reflections on their journey, joined by inspiring messages from Head of Primary, Mrs Bianca Francica, and Principal, Mr Ken Nuridin. The program also featured a beautiful song performance by selected Year 5 students, a lively “wiggle break” dance led by the graduates, and a closing prayer from Miss Melissa O’Hara, our Primary Chapel Coordinator. A highlight of the service was the premiere of the Year 6 video, capturing special memories from their time in Primary School.
To cap off the celebrations, students, families, and staff gathered in the evening for a dinner at Allurah Functions & Events marking a fitting end to a wonderful day honouring our graduates and their achievements.
YEAR 6 GRADUATION DINNER
KRYAL CASTLE
During Term 4, our Year 8 students enjoyed an excursion to Kryal Castle as part of their History studies. The day provided a rich, hands-on experience of medieval life, with students taking part in sword training, re-enacting “The Battle of Hastings”, trying on armour, experimenting as apothecaries, conducting a siege, and creating their own leather bag labels through basic leatherworking.
QUESTIONS IN SCIENCE
Our Year 8 and 9 students recently visited Ballarat Tech School (BTS) to take part in their “Questions in Science” program. The program encouraged students to leverage their natural curiosity as they discovered that sometimes there is more to the world than meets the eye. They learnt to transform “why” questions into “how” questions, honed their scientific skills to deconstruct a visual experience, discovered how colour is composed, processed, and perceived, and then applied this knowledge and created their own visual illusion to take home and share.
Students gained an understanding of how questions arise from everyday experiences, how they can be framed and investigated, that experiments don’t have to be daunting, and that every answer is the start of a new question.
To learn more about Ballarat Tech School, please visit https://ballarattechschool.vic.edu. au/
‘Discover today, Design tomorrow’
SOCIAL CLUB
During Term 4 we wrapped up our final BalCC Social Club event with a special 40th anniversary celebration. Thank you to everyone for an incredible year of events across each term.
Thank you to our current longest serving staff member, Mrs Sandra Morgan from our Administration team for cutting the 40th anniversary cake on the day. Mrs Morgan has served on staff at BalCC for 24 years.
The BalCC Social Club is funded by staff and run by staff volunteers and is a wonderful way for everyone to get to know each other and to regularly spend time together as a team enjoying meals, activities and fellowship.
GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Over the past few weeks, our Year 9 and 10 Food Technology students have been hard at work crafting their own festive gingerbread houses, carefully designing, baking, and decorating beautifully detailed gingerbread houses in anticipation of the upcoming holiday celebrations.
FRENCH DAY
At the end of Term 3 for French Day we celebrated “France in a Year”. The talented Year 8 students organised stations for our Prep to Year 7 students to engage in different activities related to French festivals that occur throughout the year. Some stations included making lavender bath salts for the Lavender Festival, fruit and chocolate fondue for the Chocolate Festival, stationary bike racing for the Tour de France and dress up and pictures for the Cannes Film Festival.
The Canteen also had a French themed lunch that included a ham and cheese croissant, profiteroles and leek and potato soup and a baguette.
Everyone enjoyed themselves with the Chocolate Festival being the biggest hit!
Madame Navarro and Madame Kenneth would like to thank all the teachers who helped with the day and the Year 8 students for coordinating all of the stations. Merci a tous!
GRANDPARENTS & VIP DAY
Thank you to all the guests who joined us for our Grandparents/VIP afternoon in the primary school during Term 4. Our students were delighted to guide you through their learning spaces, showcase their current projects and enjoy meaningful time together. Events like this truly strengthen our sense of community, and we are grateful to everyone who made the effort to attend.
DuringLOTE PLAYS
Term 4, Prep through to Upper Primary finished off their French learning by performing the plays that they had been learning throughout the year. French language learning builds on each student’s prior learning and experiences with language. In Primary at BalCC, students follow a program called “Histoires en Action”. (Stories in Gesture). This program has been successfully shown to accelerate students’ acquisition of French as a second language through Drama, Music and Dance.
Students study a play, French is mostly spoken in class, with the help of gestures. Once fluency has developed, students also develop their reading and writing skills,
and work on various activities such as rehearsing, playing games, improvising and eventually, writing activities. Prep performed “La Poule Maboule” – the French version of “Chicken Little”, Lower Primary performed “Le petit chat cherche une famille” – the little cat looks for a family, Middle Primary performed “Les trois petits cochons” –the three little pigs and Upper Primary performed “Louis La Grenouille” – Louis the Frog. All the students did an excellent job at performing and showed fantastic unity, working together to achieve a fabulous display of French learning.
Madame Navarro and Madame Kenneth
LOTE COLLEGE TOUR
Bienvenue à notre école! Welcome to our College! Some very talented Year 8 students spent some time showing you around our amazing College and introducing you to some key members of staff. We have so much to offer at BalCC, including learning French from Prep through to secondary school.
Madame Navarro and Madame Kenneth
PREP CAMP
Our Preps took part in a day camp at the College at the end of Term 4, where they enjoyed Christmas craft activities, cooking, sport, team games and chalk drawing before enjoying fruit and pizza. Our College camp program commences with the afternoon Prep camp and develops to more extensive camps as the children advance to higher year levels.
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. 2 Corinthians 8:21
END OF YEAR COMBINED CHAPEL
This week, we gathered for our end-of-year combined Chapel - an uplifting celebration that brought our whole College community together. The Chapel band set a festive tone with joyful Christmas carols, while Year 9 student Nathan captivated everyone with a heartfelt performance of “Heirlooms.” Adding to the occasion, our LOTE students delighted the audience with a French rendition of “Jingle Bells.”
“I Believe” and baptism celebration certificates were presented to both Primary and Secondary students,
marking important milestones in their faith journeys. Our Primary Chapel Coordinator, Melissa O’Hara, then led a performance featuring students from across the College, highlighting the true meaning of Christmas.
We also took a special moment to pray over all staff members who are departing this year, thanking them for their contributions and sending them off with our blessings.
As we close out the year, we wish everyone a joyful Christmas and a refreshing holiday break.
CHRISTMAS FUN DAY
In the last week of Term 4, our Prep-Year 9 students enjoyed a program of end-of-year activities, filling the College with energy and excitement as they wind down for the holiday break. From a Christmas dress up day to craft and festive cooking to outdoor games, team-building challenges, and an adventurous scavenger hunt, students have had the chance to create, explore, and celebrate together as we wrap up another wonderful school year.
CELEBRATION EVENING
Atour annual Celebration Evening, we celebrated student success in 2025, with awards presented by Principal Nuridin alongside external organisation representatives.
Our 2025 College Captains, Principal Nuridin and Board Chair Randall Dreger shared inspiring words, while the audience enjoyed performances from Primary students, the Year 9, 10 and 11 Music classes and the Combined Chapel Bands under the direction of Performing Arts teacher, Mrs Sarah Rodwell. A series of videos also reflected on our 40th anniversary and the memorable events held throughout the year. The 2026 College Captains were officially announced and badged as part of the evening.
Former BalCC Principal Mr Michael Stewart and his wife, Esther, attended to present an award. Mr Stewart served as Principal at BalCC from 2016–2019.
Celebration Evening is always a meaningful moment to pause, reflect, and appreciate the achievements of our College community over the year.
2026
COLLEGE CAPTAINS
Atour Celebration Evening we announced and formally badged our 2026 College Captains. Congratulations to Sarah and Alex on their appointments; we look forward to their leadership in the year ahead. Parents of the incoming College Captains were invited to accompany them as Pastor Don Gall delivered a prayer of commissioning.
We also extend our sincere thanks to our 2025 Captains, Freya and Gibson, whose dedication and service throughout the past year have been greatly appreciated and has exemplified the College Values of Respect, Compassion, Honesty, Commitment, Unity and Excellence.
CELEBRATION EVENING AWARDS
Maurice Easton
Catherine King Award for Community Service
This award is given to a volunteer who has significantly contributed to the welfare of the College.
Kate O’Neill
Ampol Best All-Rounder Award
In recognition of a student’s excellence in leadership, service and community, Sport, Arts and culture, attitude and personal conduct.
Alice McIntosh
ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership Award – Year 10 Student
Recognising students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and teamwork qualities in the College and broader local community. Recognise those who display strong values – doing one’s best, respect for others and ‘mateship’.
Freya Manton
ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership Award – Year 12 Student
Recognising students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and teamwork qualities in the College and broader local community. Recognise those who display strong values – doing one’s best, respect for others and ‘mateship’.
Heath Letman
ADF Future Innovators Award – Year 10 Student
A student who demonstrates innovation and a level of motivation in the learning area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths).
CELEBRATION EVENING AWARDS
Isaac Lewis
ADF Future Innovators Award – Year 12 Student
A student who demonstrates innovation and a level of motivation in the learning area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths).
Miah Walter
The Judy Duke Art Award
In recognition of a Christian student who has undertaken an Art subject, who also manifests the fruit of the Spirit, demonstrates knowledge of God’s Word, honours God in their work & uses their God-given talent.
Zara Mitchell
Log Cabin Camp Community Award
In recognition of a Primary student who has demonstrated community spirit within the College.
Tripp Trezise
Learning With Technologies Encouragement Award
In recognition of a Primary student for excellent effort.
Caleb Hewitt
McLean’s Cleaning Primary School Academic Award
In recognition of a Primary student who has demonstrated academic excellence.
CELEBRATION EVENING AWARDS
Freya Manton
BJ Nicholls Award
In recognition of a student who displays Christian values (incl. honesty in their dealings with others), care and consideration of others, and a love of our country.
Gibson Paxman
Michael & Esther Stewart Award for All-Round Sporting Performance
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated outstanding sporting performance.
Harjas Makkar
Learning With Technologies Community Award
In recognition of a lower secondary student who has demonstrated community spirit within the College.
Aviela Tan
Leviston Electrical Secondary School Encouragement Award
In recognition of a lower secondary student who has demonstrated excellent effort.
Evelyn Heinrich
McLean’s Cleaning Secondary School Academic Award
In recognition of a lower secondary student who has demonstrated academic excellence.
CELEBRATION EVENING AWARDS
Emily Morrison
Wines Office Furniture Award for Outstanding Student in Performing Arts
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the Performing Arts.
Melody Samuels
Ballarat Coachlines Award for Outstanding Secondary Student in Languages (LOTE)
In recognition of a Secondary student who has demonstrated academic and personal excellence in Languages other than English (LOTE).
Caleb Hewitt
Juliana Addison Award for Outstanding Primary Student in Languages (LOTE)
In recognition of a Primary student who has demonstrated academic and personal excellence in Languages other than English (LOTE).
Edgian Racho
Ian Stares Award for VET Excellence
In recognition of a vocational educational and training student for outstanding performance.
CELEBRATION EVENING AWARDS
Kate O’Neill
SC Technology Group
Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major Excellence Award
In recognition of a VCE Vocational Major student for outstanding achievement.
Congratulations to Year 12 VCE VM student, Kate on receiving the SC Technology Group Victorian Certificate of Education Vocational Major Excellence Award at our 2025 Celebration Evening.
Kate studied VCE Biology, Foundation Mathematics, VCE VM Personal Development Skills, VCE VM Work Related Studies, VCE VM Literacy, and Christian Living. During her time at BalCC Kate has been involved in SRC, Senate, the 4G Band and Primary Choir.
Kate hopes to find part-time work locally and possibly do some volunteering before obtaining a Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animals. Her aim is to find work at a zoo or wildlife park and become a wildlife rehabilitator for injured/orphaned animals.
Abby Trounson
Swim & Survival Academy Year 12 Excellence Award
In recognition of a Year 12 student who has demonstrated academic excellence.
Well done to Abby on receiving the Swim & Survival Academy Year 12 Excellence Award. Abby completed General Mathematics along with VCE Legal Studies, English, Biology, and Psychology. She hopes to pursue a Bachelor of Primary and Special Education at the Australian Catholic University, aiming to become a primary school teacher with the hope of being a light to the lives of as many young children as she can.
HIGHEST ATAR ACHIEVER
Congratulations to Year 12 VCE student, Jade on being Ballarat Christian College’s highest ATAR achiever for 2025.
Jade studied General Maths, VCE English, Literature, History: Revolutions and Ancient History. Jade has been accepted into the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne to undertake a double degree in a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with a long-term goal of becoming a university professor in either English or Law.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD BRONZE LEVEL
Luciana Barlow
Cooper Baxter
Matilda Carey
Elijah Cassanova
Addison Croton
Cooper Cumming
Nathan Fisk
Phoebe Gent
Taylise Goddard
Aaron Hans
Malachi Harmer
Ruby Johnson
Sara Jones
Phoebe Lewis
Jack Mason
Xavier McGrath-Fry
Jonah Angel
Samuel Jones
Jasper Jones
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD BRONZE LEVEL
Alice McIntosh
Hannah McIntosh
Toby Mihail
Emily Morrison Grace Naluwooza
Sanara Ranaweera
Daniel Rankin
Izabella Rankin
Isabel Ryan
Mikaylah Scobie
Willian Skewes
Molly Skoblar
Annaleigh Stein
Melissa Perrin
Charlotte Stein
STAFF SERVICE AWARDS
5 Years of Service
10 Years of Service
15 Years of Service
20 Years of Service
Christine Barlow Simon Edwards Caroline Morrison
Melissa O’Hara
Sylvia Loader
Mark Preston Amelia Weir
Alan Baldry
Shellie Peters
Cherine Lewis
Graham O’Neill
PRIMARY AWARDS
CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
Middle Primary A Middle Primary B
Middle Primary C Upper Primary A
Upper Primary B
Upper Primary C
Annsarah Samuel
Joanne Ralson
Ava Naik
Annmaria Samuel
Joshua Gellert
Alishya Arun
Micah Croton
Timothy Cociuba
Jed Weir
Kate McKenzie
Eli Skewes
Amuor Ayuen
PRIMARY AWARDS
ACADEMIC ALL ROUNDER
Middle Primary A Middle Primary B
Middle Primary C Upper Primary A
Upper Primary B Upper Primary C
Ellena Hebbard
Oliver Davison
Hannah Groszek
Rory Stabek
Samuel Groszek
Caleb Hewitt
Hamish Burnett
Emma McKenzie
Abby Burnett
Leo Angel
Ezekiel Fleay
Aileen Arun
PRIMARY AWARDS
MOST IMPROVED
Middle Primary A Middle Primary B
Middle Primary C
Upper Primary A
Upper Primary B Upper Primary C
Caleb Rickard
Joanne Ralson
Jak Bol Samuel Hancock
Nenyasha Mhandu
Alexis Cumming
Rain Samuels
Elizabeth Hofstra
Wyatt Liszyk
Mckenzie Shepherdson
Malakai Weatherstone
Tsoanetsi Matsetlo
PRIMARY AWARDS EFFORT
Middle Primary A Middle Primary B
Middle Primary C Upper Primary A
Upper Primary B
Upper Primary C
Annsarah Samuel Anastasya Macaulay
Elodie Horton Flynn Johnson
Alana Hobbs
Stefan Thachirathu
Elizabeth Kulhan
Mateo Marin Garcia
Deviannee Naluwooza
Jeswin Jijo
Hannah Abraham Nyaruach Pal
SECONDARY AWARDS
CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
Year 7A
Year 7B
Year 7C
Year 8B Year 9A Year 9B
Year 8A
Year 10A Year 10B
Year 11
Lyla Gellert
Gracie Rickard
Piper Taylor Margaret McIntosh
Jiech Bol
Taylise Goddard
Luciana Barlow
Phoebe Lewis
Jordy Walter
Tasman Goddard
SECONDARY AWARDS
ACADEMIC ALL ROUNDER
Year 7A Year 8A Year 8B Year 9A Year 9B
Evelyn Heinrich Harjas Makkar
Phoebe Gent
Annabella Spalding
Muoch Dojiok
Hannah McIntosh
Isabella Orr
Charlotte Stein
Aviela Tan
Esther Anish
MOST IMPROVED STUDENT SECONDARY AWARDS
Nash Cole
Jesutofunmi Oluwadayomi
Cooper Baxter
Isabel Ryan
Mikaylah Scobie
Tyra Davey Emer Austerberry
Georgia Murnane
Nyamuoch Keat
Amelie Wright Angel Cooper
Jiech Bol
Millz Davey
GOVERNANCE RETIREMENT
Randall Dreger
We extend our sincere gratitude to Randall Dreger for his nine years of dedicated service as a Board Director and for his leadership as Board Chair from 2024–2025 as he steps down from his role.
DEPARTING STAFF
We would like to acknowledge and thank the following staff members for their contributions to BalCC while they were part of our team.
Johnathan Brown Susan Corden
Bianca Francica
Rachel Fuentes
Jo Hall
Robyn Halliday
Nicole Laursen Emma Maskell
Chris McInerney
Mark Preston Dennis Rodwell
Sarah Rodwell
Steve Shaw
Georgie Stevens
Phoebe Whittle
Clare Wilksch
GOVERNANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Randall Dreger Chair Ps Tim Clark Director
Chris Duke Director
Lorraine Firth Director
Richard Gent Director
Amy Lewis Director
Jodie Rickard Director
Ken Nuridin Ex-officio Member (Principal)
Simon Edwards Ex-officio Member (Company Secretary)
Ken Nuridin Principal Simon Edwards Business Manager
Bianca Francica Head of Primary
Scott McKenzie Head of Secondary
Julie Gall Head of Teaching & Learning
TEACHING STAFF
Andrew Kynoch
Nicole Laursen
Sylvia Loader
Ian Manton
Krista Navarro
Alan Baldry Beth Ballinger Glenda Brown Johnathan Brown Carol Clough
Michelle Collins Leanne Coventry Karen Farquhar Don Gall
Joanne Hardy David Henderson Sarah Inglis Glenys Jarvis
Kirsty Johnson Cheril Kemp Briony Kenneth
Kylie Gellert
Justin Jones
Jo Hall Mathew Knights
David Neumann Melissa O’Hara
Sarah Rodwell
Shellie Peters
Mark Preston
Dennis Rodwell
Priscilla Samuels
Georgie Stevens
Kaylene Templar Allison Thomas Matthew Thomson
Evette Walter Amelia Weir
Sarah Samupo Malcolm Solomano
Kirsty Tonkin
Susiana Tauelangi
Clare Wilksch
Emma Willis
STUDENT WELLBEING TEAM
EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF
Christine Barlow Larissa Brownbill
Dale Darby Tania Duthie
Linda Featherston Lerise Frew
Robyn Halliday Moses Kalau
Cherine Lewis
Catherine McMurray Jade Morgan
Haydn Croton Emma Maskell Elise Thomson
Matilda McMurry
Caroline Morrison LEC Coordinator
Graham O’Neill Beena Samuel
Allison Butcher
OPERATIONS STAFF
The Our Team page on our website features profiles of our Board and Staff
Isaac Baker Trevor Clough Scott Collins
Rachel Fuentes
Danna Grills
Amy How
Jenny MacRae
Donna McGilligan
Hailey McGilligan
Heather McInerney
Sandra Morgan Andrew Paull
Ruth Orr
Tim Weatherstone Phoebe Whittle
Sherina Kuntla
Greg Hope
Katie Dalgleish
Pam Jones
Marlena Lopez
ARCHER-HOWE, River BAKER, Annabelle
BARWICK, Phoebe CHRISTOFOROU, Peyton CLUGSTON, Macy
COCIUBA, Hunter CROTON, Noah
CUTTS, Mikayla DANDIWALA, Aarya DU PREEZ, Amelie
GROSZEK, Daniel HOW, Luca
JONES, Michaela KATIKANENI, Srimourya KUCINA, Olivia
MCGILLIGAN-BONE, Mason MORGAN, Carter
MWIMA, Zoe NEILSEN, Landon PARKER, Mia
PETERS, Mikayla SEZONOV, Katie
THAKUR, Shakti WILLIAMS-KANE, Frankie ZEITZEN, Samuel
LOWER PRIMARY A
ABREU, Augusto ALFAXARD, Naila
CASANOVA, Benjamin
DEAN, Katherine DU PREEZ, Joshua
DUKE, Samuel DURURU, Ropafadzo FRASER, Louie
GELLERT, Elsie HAWKES, Florence
JONES, Otto JUBIN, Daniel
LEWIS, Evie
MATSETLO, Omphile Ethan McGILLIGAN, Grace
MERCHANT, Dominique
MUKUNDI, Tinotenda
NAIK, Heidi
PRINCE, Patrick RYAN, Archie
SCHEFFERLE, Levi SKEWES, Layla
WEIR, Ezra WILLIAMS, Bronte ZEITZEN, Abigail
LOWER PRIMARY B
AYUEN, Awel BISHOP, Eadie
CLUGSTON, Leonardo COCIUBA, Anne CONDON, Zoe
CUMMING, Hadlee FRASER, George HEWITT, Talitha
JONES, Zachary KOECH, Kayson
KOPLICK, Shauna McGILLIGAN, Oliver McKENZIE, Annabel McKENZIE, Logan MORGAN, Jett
OLUWADAYOMI, Jesuferanmi
PARKER, Aviela PAUL, Moriah PETERS, Reuben PROLLIUS, Theodore
RIMENE, Kavell THOMPSON, Aiden
VAN DEN BERG, Anngeleack
WILSON, Lydia
MIDDLE PRIMARY A
AHMED, Hussain AKINTUNDE, Oluwafikunayomi
AYUEN, Garang CIRAK, Isabella DAVISON, Oliver
HAWKES, James HEBBARD, Ellena MACAULAY, Anastasya MCDONALD, Noah RALSON, Joanne
RICKARD, Caleb SAMUEL, Annsarah
SAMUELS, Lion SCHEFFERLE, Jakob SHYJU, Emmanuel
WHITE, Elijah WILLIAMS-OMOLAJA, Archer WILSON, Juliet
MIDDLE PRIMARY B
BOL, Jak GROSZEK, Hannah
HANCOCK, Samuel HORTON, Elodie HOW, Isobel
IKWEGBUE, Odinakachi JOHNSON, Flynn LUAL, Emmanuel NAIK, Ava RILEY, Lilly
SAMUEL, Annmaria SONY, John
STABEK, Rory WATSON, Savanah
MIDDLE PRIMARY C
ANGEL, Leo BURNETT, Abby CASANOVA, Charlotte
COCIUBA, Lucas COLEMAN, Lakaiya
JIJO, Jeswin LISZYK, Wyatt
McKENZIE, Kate MILNE, Winter-Lily NALUWOOZA, Deviannee
PAUL, Aaron PRINCE, Elsie
SETER, Charlee
SHEPHERDSON, Mckenzie SHOME, Olivia
SONY, Faith WEIR, Jed
WILLIAMS, Ryker
UPPER PRIMARY A
ABREU, Eliza ARUN, Alishya
BISHOP, Isla COOK-FORDHAM, Miranda CUMMING, Alexis
FRASER, Henri GELLERT, Joshua GROSZEK, Samuel HARMER, Tracey HEWITT, Caleb
HOBBS, Alana KOPLICK, Jenny KULHAN, Victoria LEWIS, Daniel MERCHANT, George
MHANDU, Nenyasha SHAW, Drew THACHIRATHU, Stefan WATSON, Zaiden WEIR, Levi
WILLIAMS-OMOLAJA, Fletcher
UPPER PRIMARY B
BURNETT, Hamish COCIUBA, Timothy
CROTON, Micah GENT, Edward HEINRICH, Isla
HOFSTRA, Elizabeth HOPE, Benjamin
JOHNSON, William KULHAN, Elizabeth MARIN GARCIA, Mateo
McGRATH-FRY, Elodie McINTOSH, Zoe McKENZIE, Emma MITCHELL, Zara PARKER, Rayah
SAMUELS, Rain SEBIT, Luther
SKEWES, Carl STANTON, Hugo THAKUR, Rudrapratap
TREZISE, Tripp
UPPER PRIMARY C
WEATHERSTONE, Malakai
ABRAHAM, Hannah ARUN, Aileen
AYUEN, Amuor BIGGS, Savannah FLEAY, Ezekiel
FULCHER, Ethan HALL, Owen
HORTON, Ari
JIJO, Jovanna JUST, Heath
MATSETLO, Tsoanetsi MUTHUKATTIL, Josephine
PAL, Nyaruach
SHAW, Noah SKEWES, Eli
YEAR 7A
ANGEL, Cooper ANISH, Sarah
EMBURY, Jonah GELLERT, Lyla JACKSON, Jace
JOHNSON, Isobel JUST, Isaac KEMP, Dominic MERCHANT, Elena MORRIS, Arden
MORRISON, Anna MURNANE, Georgia
NG, Caysean RANAWEERA, Dyon ROY, Elva
SHEPHERDSON, Isabelle SONY, Joshua TAN, Aviela THORNTON, Ava
YEAR 7B
ANISH, Esther CABIGAO, Dakota COOMBE, Robert DUKE, Sophie HANS, Sharon
HAWKINS, William JONES, Angus KEAT, Nyamuoch KINGSMITH, Eli MUTHUKATTIL, Johanna
ODANYE, Eniola OLUWADAYOMI, Jesulayomi
RACHO, Gabriel RENFREY, Sam RICKARD, Gracie
ROBE, Riley SKEWES, Kane
YEAR 7C
AHMAD, Faraaz AHMED, Isha
CROTON, Ella CUMMING, Mackenzie FISK, Olivia
GUILINGEN, Linus HOPE, Daniel
JONES, Luke
JUBIN, Hannah MASON, Flynn
PARKER, Jude PAUL, Moise
RETALLICK, Eleisha RODWELL, Isaac STABEK, Trent
TAYLOR, Piper TOR, George VARGHESE BINU, Aeden WRIGHT, Amelie
YEAR 8A
CHACKO, Daniel Kuttikkattil COLE, Nash
GREGOR, Isaac HALL, Dean HEINRICH, Evelyn
IKWEGBUE, Blossom KELLY, Sebastian KHAROUD, Ekasjot
McINTOSH, Margaret MITCHELL, Alexandra
SAMUPO, Nikolai STANTON, Oliver
STEPHEN, Jesse SUMMERS, Chloe WEATHERSTONE, Shaleia
ZHENG, Kaizhi
YEAR 8B
BOL, Jiech COLEMAN, Ezekiel DAVEY, Millz EKAYAPAN, Asha JOHNSON, Markwell
LARSEN, Christian MAKKAR, Harjas MANGLES, Kataraina MARWOOD, Sienna MHANDU, Tapfuma
MTANDA, Zion OLUWADAYOMI, Jesutofunmi
PAL, Nyachay RAZA, Layla RUMBLE, Zakodan
SAMUELS, Melody SEBIT, Lillian
YEAR 9A
BAXTER, Cooper CAREY, Matilda CIRAK, Joseph CROTON, Addison CUDDY, Benjamin
DUKE, Elizabeth FULCHER, Kieren GENT, Phoebe GODDARD, Taylise HARMER, Malachi
JOHNSON, Elizabeth JOINER, Hannah
JONES, Oska
JONES, Sara MIHAIL, Toby
NALUWOOZA, Grace PARKER, Charlie PARKER, Gabriel PATERSON, Paige RANAWEERA, Sanara
RENFREY, Leo RODWELL, David
YEAR 9B
AJAY, Michelle ANGEL, Jonah
BARLOW, Luciana CASANOVA, Elijah CUMMING, Cooper
FISK, Nathan HANS, Aaron HOBBS, Mollie
JOHNSON, Ruby JONES, Jasper
MARTIN, David McGRATH-FRY, Xavier PERRIN, Melissa RANKIN, Izabella RYAN, Isabel
SINGH, Sehajdeep SONY, Hannah SPALDING, Annabella STEIN, Annaleigh TUANY, Martha
WILSON, Catherine
YEAR 10A
FARISH, Chloe FISK, Thomas FRANCICA, Broamy
HANCOCK, Rebekah HICKS, Jacob
HOPE, Samuel JOHNSTON, Mia LETMAN, Heath
LEWIS, Phoebe LISZYK, Makayla
LOADER, William MHANDU, Shingai MORRISON, Emily MTANDA, Dante SCOBIE, Mikaylah
SKEWES, William STANTON, Alexia STEIN, Charlotte TOR, Nyayul VAN DEN BERG, Liam
YEAR 10B
BOL, Nyasunday BRADLEY, Adam DAVEY, Tyra DOJIOK, Muoch FLETCHER, Hadley
HELEY, Anna MARWOOD, Quinn MATTHEWS, Archibald McINTOSH, Alice NG, Hadrien
RODWELL, Daniel ROMEIN, Shona
SONY, Joanna TROUNSON, Emily VANN, Christopher
WALTER, Jordy WALTER, Phoebe WILLIAMSON, Jack
ABRAHAM, Johann AUSTERBERRY, Emer CHACKO, Sarah Ann
EDWARDS, Christopher ELLIS, Ebony
GODDARD, Tasman GOMEZ, Ysabele HODGES, Payton HOWARD, James JOINER, Emily
JONES, Samuel KEMP, Dylan LOPEZ, Alejandro MASON, Jack McINTOSH, Hannah
OLUWADAYOMI, Tijesuni ORR, Isabella
RACHO, Edgian RANKIN, Daniel REATH, Issac
RENFREY, Olivia SAIF, Wardha
SEZONOV, Noah SKOBLAR, Molly TAN, Atalya
YEAR 12
CAREY, Harrison DOJIOK, Mal FULCHER, Samuel LETMAN, Adam LEWIS, Isaac
LOWEN, Rebecca MANTON, Freya MANTON, William McFARLANE, Tayah MEYER, Jade
MTANDA, Jahluvi O'NEILL, Kate PAXMAN, Gibson REEVE, Paul RODGER, Jessica
SANDERS, Maxwell SONY, Natasha TAN, Abigail TROUNSON, Abby WALTER, Miah
WILSON, Phoebe
2026 TERM DATES
Term 1
Prep, Years 7-12 Commence
Thursday 29 January 2026
Years 1-6 Assessment Interviews
Thursday 29 Januray30 Friday January 2026
Years 1-6 students Commence
Monday 2 Feburary 2026
Term 1 End
Thursday 2 April 2026
Term 2
Term 2 Commences
Wednesday 22 April 2026
Term 2 End
Friday 26 June 2026
Term 3
Term 3 Commences
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Term 3 End
Friday 18 September 2026
Term 4
Term 4 Commences
Wednesday 5 October 2026
Term 4 End Wednesday 9 December 2026
As we close our 40th anniversary year we wish to say thank you to our staff, families, students and alumni who have made up our BalCC community and supported us from our beginnings in 1985 through to 2025. We appreciate the part each of you has played in helping us uphold our vision to provide each student with a Christian education that gives opportunities to develop gifts and talents to fulfil the will of God in his or her life.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27 NIV
Thank you for sharing this special 40th anniversary celebration with us
