CONNECT
Every learner reaching their God-given potential
A NOTE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
As the College concludes its 40th year of providing Christian schooling to the Ballarat and surrounding communities, we have much to celebrate. As I mentioned in my address on Celebration Evening, we are no longer a pioneer school, but one that is now firmly established and creating its own heritage. One of the joys of our maturing is that we are increasingly seeing former students enrolling their children in the College, or serving on staff, or even on the College Board. The original pioneers who established the Primary school in 1985 have almost entirely moved on, and similarly there are dwindling numbers of people who were involved in the beginning of the Secondary school in 1999. Those pioneers have entrusted the original vision into our hands, to be nurtured through the next phase of the College’s story.
We have witnessed approximately 10 per cent growth during the past two years, and it seems that we are headed for growth of around 15 per cent in 2025. Until now, we have managed to absorb the growth within our existing building infrastructure, but this is no longer possible moving into the 2025 school year. Over the summer break, building crews will be busy installing two new modular buildings, to be ready for the start of the new school year. One building will be housed approximately where Café 6:8 was positioned, and work has already begun onsite by moving the café and undertaking other preparatory works. This building will initially house VCE students but has been designed with eventual purpose of being the College’s main Performing Arts facility. The second building will be located between the Lower Secondary wing and the Trade Training Centre. It will also be a new modular building, but it is intended as a temporary measure until more permanent new facilities can be built.
One part of the expansion equation is more buildings – the other part, of course, is additional staff. I am please to welcome back to the College Mrs Clare Wilksch, who will be returning after about seven years teaching in SA and WA. Mrs Wilksch will mainly be teaching Food Technology. New staff include Ms Joanne Hardy and Mrs Sarah Samupo, who will be joining the primary teaching staff as Upper and Middle Primary homeroom teachers respectively, Mr Justin Jones will also join us in 2025, and will be mainly teaching in Lower Secondary, including being the Year 8A homeroom teacher. Mr Jonathan Brown will be teaching Year 9 Mathematics and will also be the Year 9A homeroom teacher. Mr Brown will also teach Science and Christian Living in the Lower Secondary. Finally, we welcome Mrs Krista Navarro, who will be teaching French to all Upper Primary and Lower Secondary classes.
Next year we will be holding several celebrations to commemorate our 40th Anniversary. The first of these will be a Thanksgiving Service followed by a Picnic Carnival Day, to be held on Saturday 22nd March. Please put the date aside now in your diary and plan to come and celebrate with us!
I wish our College community a blessed Christmas and a happy 2025. I pray that you will take the time to pause and reflect upon God’s great love, that caused Him to send His son Jesus, to be born and live amongst us, and to die in our place, that we might be reconciled to Him. May you know the true peace that only Christ can give this Christmas time.
Ken Nuridin Principal
CELEBRATION Ballarat Christian College
Saturday 22 March 2025
111A Yarrowee Street, Sebastopol through Gate 1
(Disabled Parking available in Yarrowee Street car park)
These events are for the BalCC community: current and former students, families, staff and friends.
THANKSGIVING SERVICE
10:00-11:00am in the Kerry Hutton Centre
Performances & Guest speakers
CARNIVAL & PICNIC DAY
11:30am-2:30pm on the BalCC playing field with games & activities by Word of Life. www.wol.org.au Cake cutting 12:45-1:15pm
BYO picnic, chairs, rugs and cushions. This is an alcohol-free event.
Available for purchases during the Carnival Sausage Sizzle Café 6:8 The Hippie Whippy Deja Brew Xpresso
Parents/Carers are to supervise their own children at all times.
For further information, please email: connect@balcc.vic.edu.au
UPPER PRIMARY VS STAFF BASKETBALL MATCH
TheUpper Primary Students challenged the staff to a basketball match at the end of Term 3. This was a highly contested game with some stunning performances from both teams. A huge 3-pointer by Jacob Hewitt kept the Ankle Biters in the match.
A large rowdy crowd turned out to mostly cheer on the students, however they were silenced in the end as the staff clinched another victory this year due to the significant height advantage. (Some staff actually felt sorry for little tackers afterwards!!) Scores were debated of course, with staff claiming they won by 9 points, however the students argue it was only 3 points (we think ‘they’re dreaming!’)
The Upper Primary students are more determined to change to another code that is less dependent on height - like soccer. We’ll just have to wait and see what the future holds.
Special thanks to our umpires and scorers.
Melissa O’Hara Primary Chapel Coordinator
FIRE TRUCK FUN
Inthe last week of Term 3 our Prep and Lower Primary students enjoyed a visit from the Invermay fire truck. Lieutenant, Ross Irving from the Invermay Fire Brigade and Graham O’Neill, Community Engagement Coordinator, Wendouree Fire Brigade ran through fire safety with the students before showing them fire truck and letting them take turns on the fire hose.
Thank you to the officers (including BalCC Staff member, Graham O’Neill) for coming in and to the Upper Primary students who helped during the incursion.
MUD KITCHEN
During Term 3 some of our Certificate II in Building and Construction, and Design and Technology students completed the construction of a mud kitchen. Students developed skills in measuring, sawing, assembling and painting.
This new piece of furniture is now placed in the Primary school area and is already getting much use from the students. Mud kitchens help children to develop fine motor skills, and with role play, exploration, and social skills.
Well done to all the students involved in the project.
BLESSING BREAKFAST
Onthe last day of Term 3 our Year 12 students came together for a ‘Blessing Breakfast’. The students started the morning with worship and a devotion followed by breakfast and a session led by Chris Angel and Hannah Samuels (Class of 2023) from Christians@Uni.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV
YUAL REATH
Theguest speaker at one of our Term 4 Primary and Secondary Assemblies was BalCC alum, Yual Reath (Class of 2019). Yual competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the Men’s High Jump and came into speak about his experiences at the Olympics and the build up to the Games.
Yual’s has had a meteoric rise in the world of high jump since August last year, when he left full-time work to concentrate on his high jump career. A decision that saw him rise from a ranking of 122nd in the world to 10th and equalling or raising his personal best on five occasions and winning the National title. He reached a best of 2.30m, moving him to equal sixth Australian alltime. In May in Tokyo, he won the Seiko Golden Grand Prix meet with a personal best leap of 2.30m.
After gaining a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics team Yual suffered a knee injury a few weeks prior
CLASS OF 2019
to the Games and since his return to Australia he has commenced a rehabilitation training program. He now has his sights firmly set on his next high jump goals, which is to hit a new personal best of 2.34m and to compete in the World Athletics Championships in Toyoko in 2025.
Pastor Steve Shaw and Primary Chapel Coordinator, Melissa O’Hara and some of our Primary students interviewed Yual during the assemblies asking him questions about his Olympic Games experience, careers, goals and inspirations. Yual said he always like to have fun while competes, hopes he can inspire the next generation and asks God for his grace and power each time he competes.
‘WONKALICIOUS’
Our ‘Wonkalicious’ Art & Technology Exhibition at the end of Term 3 was scrumdiddlyumptious! Showcasing the incredible creativity of our talented students, the event featured stunning artworks that truly captivated the imagination.
Guests were treated to performances by our Primary and Secondary Choirs, the VIVO Percussion Ensemble, and students from Year 11 Music Performance, Year 9/10 Music Elective, and selected Years 7-10 students.
Adding an extra layer of magic, the Year 9/10 Drama students roamed
the venue, bringing to life whimsical characters from ‘Wonka’ through engaging roving performances.
Thank you to everyone who came along to the event and to the following staff for their many contributions to the event: Carol Clough-Art & Technology Faculty Coordinator, Visual Arts teachers-Kirsty Tonkin and Caroline Morrison, Performing Arts teachers-Briony Kenneth and Sarah Rodwell, Design Technology-Malcolm Solomano, Food Technology-Kim Blackshaw and Fashion Design-Jo Hall.
WONKALICIOUS PERFORMANCES
FASHION SHOW
Certificate II in Fashion
BalCC hosted a Fashion Show for the Certificate II in Fashion course in Term 3. The show was an opportunity for the 1st and 2nd year students to showcase the garments they had created and styled throughout their course.
Students from the course along with external and BalCC models took part in the Fashion Show, which was compered by VET Trainer, Jo Hall, who has worked with the students over the past year to prepare for the show.
The Certificate II in Fashion course is offered through Highlands LLEN VET Cluster, who have a long-running partnership between a cluster of schools (over 30 secondary education providers within Ballarat and surrounding regions) and the Highlands Local Learning and Employment Network (HLLEN). They provide a diverse range of programs for students, that are nationally recognised and Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) approved.
For more information on Highlands LLEN VET, please visit: https://www.highlandsllen.org/vet-cluster/
WORD OF LIFE
We kicked off Term 4 with an exciting Word of Life Youth Ministry (WOL) event and Mission Days! Our Primary and Secondary students engaged in dynamic activities led by the WOL team in the Kerry Hutton Centre.
The Secondary students had the opportunity to hear inspiring talks from Wycliffe Bible Translators about their vital work, as well as from Pastor Edi Giudetti of Hope Baptist Church on Apologetics and BalCC parent Scott Parker, who shared insights on cross-cultural missions.
Thank you to all the speakers who came to share God’s word, and to the WOL team for organising such a memorable two days of learning and fellowship!
CANBERRA CAMP
Our Upper Primary students travelled to our Nations’ capital, Canberra for a five-day camp at the start of Term 4.
The students visited the National Capital Exhibition Centre, International Flag Display, Museum of Australian Democracy, Parliament House, Questacon – National Science & Technology Centre, Electoral Education Centre, MoAD (Museum of Australian Democracy), Royal Australian Mint, NASA Deep Space Centre and took part in the ‘Behind the Lines’ political cartooning program. As well as debating in the senate, flying kites and having some fun wake up calls from their teachers.
RUOK? DAY
InTerm 4 our students and staff took part in our own R U OK? Day. This national initiative aims to raise awareness about mental health and encourage open communication around well-being.
We believe that open communication and support for mental health are crucial for our students’ overall wellbeing. R U OK? Day is an opportunity to create a safe space for students to discuss their feelings and learn how to
support themselves and others. Throughout the day students participated in a variety of engaging activities. Thank you to our Student Wellbeing Team-Haydn Croton, Emma Maskell, Steve Shaw, Primary Chapel Coordinator, Melissa O’Hara, the Secondary Live4Life Crews and Senate and Karen Farquhar for organising the day’s activities.
OPERATION
CHRISTMAS CHILD
Thank you to everyone in the BalCC community who contributed to this year’s Operation Christmas Child. We packed 85 boxes with each of those boxes representing a child in need who potentially has never heard of the goodness of God and the gift of Jesus. This year boxes will be sent to the Soloman Islands, Cambodia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Mongolia.
A big shout out to Year 11 Homeroom teacher, Nicki Laursen and the Year 11 students for organising the coordination and collection of boxes, which were prayed over by Year 10 Homeroom teacher, Don Gall before they were sent off.
To learn more about Operation Christmas Child, please visit: https://occ.samaritanspurse.org.au/
CSEN SECONDARY ATHLETICS
The Christian Schools Events Network (CSEN) Athletics was a highlight for many students this year.
Our Secondaries competed against 18 other Christian Schools in Victoria. This year the Secondary Championship was held in Doncaster and a very early start allowed our team to arrive in perfect time to compete on a beautiful sunny day.
SECONDARY STAND OUT PERFORMANCES
Issac Reath broke the CSEN Record for U16 high jump. He jumped 1.91m (almost 30cm above next competitor) Issac’s attempts gathered a huge crowd clapping and cheering him on from a variety of schools. Issac also received a Silver for Long Jump U16 with a jump of 5.53m.
Nyachay Pal received 2 silver medals for her achievements in the high jump (1.36m) and 200m.
CSEN PRIMARY ATHLETICS
Special
The CSEN Primary Championship was held at the Magnificent Lakeside Stadium (State Athletics Arena in Melbourne). The sun was again shining, and we achieved some good results.
PRIMARY STAND OUT PERFORMANCES
• Rain Samuels - Gold for Shot put (7.16m) and 4th in Discus
• Caleb H - Silver for U10 Long Jump (3.52m)
• Zoe McIntosh - Silver for Long Jump (3.20m)
• Nene Mhandu - Bronze for 400m (Time of 1:21.85min)
thanks to the BalCC staff who attended: Haydn Croton, Priscilla Samuels, Kylie Gellert, Malcolm Solomano, Dale Darby, Matthew Thomson, Melissa O’Hara and Karen Farquhar for coordinating.
GRANDPARENTS & VIP DAY
Thank you to everyone who came along to our ‘Grandparents & VIPs’ Day in Term 4. Well done to all the Primary students and staff for organising so many activities and treats for our guests to enjoy.
CELEBRATION DAY
At the start of Term 4 our Year 12s had their Celebration Day, which saw them embark on an adventurous treasure hunt around campus, team up with Primary staff for a fun-filled “Primary School in a Day,” and spend some time with their Prep buddies.
The celebrations continued with morning tea and lunch, where laughter and camaraderie filled the air, along with some dancing. The highlight? The Year 12s surprised everyone by crashing the Secondary Assembly, joining forces with the Year 11s for an energetic dance routine. It was a day full of joy, memories, and unforgettable moments!
BALCC TEDDY BEARS & UMBRELLAS
We now have available at the College Administration Office BalCC teddy bears and umbrellas. The bears are $15 each and the umbrellas for $20 each. The umbrellas are available in two styles, the compact 54cm umbrella is ideal to put in a bag or backpack, while the event 100cm umbrella is great for sporting events and activities. Both umbrellas come in navy blue with a white BalCC logo. $15
BOARD PROFILE Richard Gent
Professionally Richard is a real estate agent in Ballarat with a background in education, business consulting and small business. Richard has a master’s degree in business management and volunteers regularly in his community. He has two children who attend Ballarat Christian College.
A Buninyong local, Richard can often be found risking injury with his young family at the local soccer pitch, football ground or basketball court. He is also part of the one2one Church of Christ community.
BOARD PROFILE
Lorraine Firth
Lorriane was born and bred in Ballarat and grew up in Sebastopol attending Sebastopol Primary School and Sebastopol Technical School. Later finishing her schooling at Ballarat High School after a stint at The Australian Ballet School.
After completing her schooling, she moved to Melbourne to train as a nurse at Repatriation General Hospital Heidelberg.
Lorraine is married to Ross and as a blended family they have raised six children and have fourteen grandchildren, and they attend Connect Baptist.
“I was invited to join the BalCC Board at a time when I was asking God what more I could be doing in His service. I count it a privilege to serve in this way and sit on the Finance and Property Committee. When I am not helping Ross build our house in Scarsdale or doing the odd casual nursing shift. I love spending time with our family and friends. Ross and I enjoy travelling with our caravan and seeing more and more of this amazing country. Travelling gives me time to catch up on some reading and knitting and reruns of Agatha’s Christie’s Poirot.”
Our current full list of Directors is Mr Randall Dreger (Chair), Ps Tim Clark (Deputy Chair), Mrs Jodie Rickard, Rev Chris Duke, Mrs Amy Lewis and Mr Richard Gent.
We thank each Board member for their willingness to serve the College community as a Director and pray God’s blessing upon the Board as it continues to provide governance and oversight of the College into the future.
For more information about our Board, please visit our website: https://www.balcc.vic.edu.au/about-us#college-leadership-governance
MIDDLE PRIMARY ADEKATE CAMP
At the start of Term 4 our Middle Primary students took part in a two-day camp at Adekate Camp in Dean. The students enjoyed using the flying fox and high ropes equipment during their stay, as well as bushwalks, games and activities.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
During Week 4 in Term 4 we held our annual Scholastic Book Fair Scholastic. Book Fairs provide a range of recently published children’s books and educational products from Australia and around the world. Novelty items are also available.
The Book Fair is a great way for students to experience their own bookshop at school and further foster the love of reading. Thank you to BalCC Library staff, Cherine Lewis and Julie Gall for organising and running the Book Fair and for fostering a life long love of reading in our students.
BANDANNA DAY
Thank you to everyone who took part in Bandanna Day during Term 4. All students and staff were able to wear a bandanna on the day to assist to support the Canteen, an organisation which assists to support teens who are affected by cancer.
The College had bandannas available for purchase prior to the day to raise money for Canteen.
For more information about Canteen, please go to: https://www.canteen.org.au/how-to-supportcanteen/bandanna-day
YEAR 7 INFORMATION SESSION
During Term 4 we held an information session for our 2025 Year 7 students. During the two-hour session our Upper Primary and Year 7 teaching staff ran games and activities before the group enjoyed pizza and icy poles together.
The session was a great way for current and new students to get to know each other before they commence Year 7 in 2025.
Our BalCC Year 7 Information Guide has lots of useful information for parents and students.
Click here to view the Year 7 Information Guide
YEAR 12 GRADUATION 2024
At the start of Term 4 we celebrated our Year 12 Graduation Assembly. The graduates made a grand entrance alongside their Prep buddies, who performed a heartfelt rendition of “The Blessing.” During the ceremony, each graduate received their sashes and certificates, with some sharing personal speeches.
Principal Ken Nuridin, along with College Captains Elouise Bartlett and Rylan Walter, addressed the assembly, while Year 11 Music students and their teacher, Sarah Rodwell, performed “Time of Our Lives” and “See You Again.”
Congratulations to all our Year 12 graduates.
STEM PROGRAMS
During Term 3 selected Secondary students took part in the Ballarat Tech School (BTS) Girls in STEM and Boys in STEM programs, along with BTS industry partner, Central Highland Water (CHW).
Congratulations to Year 10 student, Ebony for receiving the BTS Student Leader Award and Year 8 student, Elijah who received the Peer Choice Award for Term 3.
Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) Visit
In the first weeks of Term 3 the students who won a “tickets to Mars” in the Term 2 GIS/ BIS caught a very early bus to Melbourne to participate in the VSSEC Mission to Mars program. An integrated hands-on experience with students dressing in space suits to explore the surface of Mars while in radio contact with their colleagues in Mission Control. A wonderfully immersive and collaborative experience all practicing students thoroughly enjoyed and will remember for a long time to come. Photos available by the link below.
Central Highlands Water (CHW) Industry 2-day program
The Term 3 STEM challenge began with students participating in site visits to a CHW pumping station and maintenance depot or the Ballarat South Wastewater Treatment facility to explore key water industry problems. Site visits were complimented with hands on workshops at the Tech School including a presentation from local communications expert, Nicole Ashby from High-Profit Media.
Day 2 saw each mixed school team of 2-3 students develop an innovative solution to present in a Speed Pitching Showcase, where CHW judges spent just 3 minutes listening to them pitch their solution and then engaging in a feedback discussion with the students, before rotating to the next team. An extraordinary intense and rich experience for both students and judging experts about which CHW personal could not speak more highly of the students’ creative ideas and their ability to share these eloquently in such a short time frame. The students spoke afterwards of feeling excited and lifted by the experience and could self-identify improvements in interacting and pitching their solution each time.
To learn more about Ballarat Tech School and their programs, please visit: https://ballarattechschool.vic.edu.au/
CAMP EILDON
Our Year 9 students headed off today on a 5-day camp to Lake Eildon at the start of Term 4. 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 will also prepared their own food; working in small groups and cooking their food on a Trangia and visited various sites in Eildon, Cheviot and Yea.
The purpose of this camp was for the Year 9s to complete the Adventurous Journey components of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.
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 Ed Framework, the Adventurous Journey is about teamwork and social connection with both the team members who will undertake the journey and those who instruct, supervise, and assess the journey. The journey creates the 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 the Year 9s to engage in activities that require determination, physical effort, perseverance, problem solving and cooperation.
JOSH GLYNN
OF 2018
Thank you to BalCC alum, Josh Glynn (Class of 2018) for coming in during Term 4 with his food van, ‘The Rolling Sausage’ for our final BalCC Social Club event for 2024. Josh cooked and prepared all the delicious sausages and salads.
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.
CLASS
ROAD SAFETY
In Term 4 our Year 9 and 10 students took part in the Road Safety Education Victoria program, Road Smart Interactive. This new, evidence based, highly interactive road safety education program is 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 them in thinking about how they can be part of the solution to eliminating road trauma. The program features elements adapted from the award-winning Road to Zero Experience at Melbourne Museum.
STEM PROGRAM
Towards the end of Term 4 the 2024 Ballarat Tech School (BTS) Girls and Boys in STEM programs wrapped up with a gala showcase event, where the student’s families, teachers, and BTS industry partners were invited to experience a hands-on display of all the stimulating activities the students had participated in over the year.
It was a tremendous opportunity for the students to showcase their achievements and to highlight their experience in areas such as creative problem solving, prototyping with laser cutters, science lab skills, and drones and robotics.
Well done to the BalCC students who took part in the Girls and Boys in STEM 2024 program.
To learn more about Ballarat Tech School and their programs, please visit:
https://ballarattechschool.vic.edu.au/
‘Discover Today – Design Tomorrow’
PREP CAMP
InTerm 4 our Preps took part in an afternoon camp at the College. During the day the Preps enjoyed doing Christmas craft rotations, juggling, sport, pavement art, watching a movie, playground games and dinner together.
BUSINESS STUDIES
Our Year 9/10 Business Studies elective class rolled our their ‘My Biz’ projects during Term 4. The students worked on the practical components of a business cycle and sales events and worked out if their shareholders received a dividend.
YEAR 6 GRADUATION PARADE
Beforetheir Graduation Chapel, our Year 6 students took part in parade in front of the Primary School. The Year 6s ran through a colourful banner created by the Year 5s, while the entire Primary School cheered them on. The excitement and celebration set the perfect tone as the Year 6s made their way to the Graduation Chapel.
YEAR 6 GRADUATION
InTerm 4 we held our Year 6 Graduation Chapel, where our Year 6s gave speeches and were presented with a gift. Head of Primary, Bianca Francica delivered a farewell speech to the Year 6s encouraging them as they move on into their secondary education. Self-portraits the Year 6s had created during Visual Arts classes were on display in the Kerry Hutton Centre for guests to view.
Thank you to the Year 6 teachers, Cheril Kemp and Kylie Gellert, and Primary Chapel Coordinator, Melissa O’Hara for organising and running a wonderful Graduation Chapel for our Year 6s.
YEAR 6 GRADUATION DINNER
Following on from their Graduation Chapel our Year 6 students enjoyed a two-course dinner at Allurah Functions and Events in Magpie. During the evening the Year 6 teachers, Cheril Kemp and Kylie Gellert handed out special awards and some of the Year 6s gave speeches. During dessert guests watched a video the Year 6s had made and the evening concluded with dancing.
COLOUR RUN
Our Year 7-11 students took part in a Colour Runs on the College Oval in Term 4. The students had a great time. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, high spirits, and a sense of camaraderie as students dashed through clouds of color. It was not only a fun physical challenge but also a fantastic way for students to bond and enjoy a unique and lively event together.
SPRING BLOOM
Thegarden at BalCC was in full bloom in Term 4. The College community is making varied contributions to its current success. The Year 9 Micah 6:8 program is creating the gardens, there are students who show up at lunch times to help water and there are the Lower Primary students who like to raid the burgeoning snow pea plants every chance they get. Everyone is contributing and the compost buckets installed across the College have been diverting the fruit scraps from general rubbish to feed the ever-growing crop of worms in our compost bins. Keep up the good work.
YEAR 12 FORMAL
The 2024 Year 12 Formal was held at the Ivory Pavillion, Buninyong Golf Club. Guests were treated to a two-course meal with food service by students who have undertaken our Micah 6:8 program. Head of Teaching & Learning, Julie Gall prayed over our Year 12 cohort before guests enjoyed the evening’s program of games, a live band and dancing.
END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES & FUN DAY
Our Primary and Secondary students enjoyed a range of activities and rotations for their last few days of Term 4, as well as a Christmas Fun Day dress up. The Primary students visited the ‘Making a Scene at Christmas’ in The Bridge Mall, a nativity scene display with over 600 pieces from around the world in display, which is open until Friday 20 December.
CHRISTMAS @BALCC 2024
Thankyou to everyone that came along to our 2024 Christmas@BalCC event last week. The evening featured performances by the Primary Chapel Band, Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 Chapel Bands, Year 7 Concert Band, Senior Chapel Band, VIVO Ensemble, Prep-Year 11 students, Year 9 & 10 Musicians, and various instrumental student pieces all under the direction of Performing Arts teachers, Briony Kenneth and Sarah Rodwell.
Congratulations to all the winners of the dress up competition. Thank you to Year 9 teacher, Sarah Inglis and the Café 6:8 team of students for running a pop-up café and to all the food vans that came along for the evening.
We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and holiday break.
To view Christmas@BalCC Video go to page 6
Our 2024 Celebration Evening saw the presentation of awards to students for significant achievements. There were also performances by the Primary and Secondary Choirs, Primary Chapel Band, VIVO Ensemble, Year 9 & 10 Chapel Band, Year 11 Music, Senior Chapel Band and Combined College Bands under the direction of Performing Art teachers, Briony Kenneth and Sarah Rodwell. There were speeches from Principal Ken Nuridin, Board Chair Randall Dreger and outgoing College Captains Rylan Walter and Elouise Bartlett. Our 2025 College Captains Gibson Paxman and Freya Manton with their parents by their side were prayed over by Pastor Don Gall.
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.
Rylan Walter
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.
Hannah McIntosh
ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership Award – Year 10 Student
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and teamwork qualities in the College and broader local community and recognise their display of strong values in doing one’s best, respect for others and ‘mateship’.
Samuel Battistella
ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership Award – Year 12 Student
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and teamwork qualities in the College and broader local community and recognise their display of strong values in doing one’s best, respect for others and ‘mateship’.
Ebony
Ellis
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
Seth Coventry
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).
Freya Manton
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.
Dyon Ranaweera
Principal’s Primary School Community Award
In recognition of a Primary student who has demonstrated community spirit within the College.
George Tor
Principal’s Primary School Encouragement
Award
In recognition of a Primary student for excellent effort.
Jacob Hewitt
McLean’s Cleaning Primary School Academic Award
In recognition of a Primary student who has demonstrated academic excellence.
CELEBRATION EVENING AWARDS
Maxwell Sanders
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.
Issac Reath
Michael & Esther Stewart Award for All-Round Sporting Performance
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated outstanding sporting performance.
Jonah Angel
Principal’s Secondary School Community Award
In recognition of a lower secondary student who has demonstrated community spirit within the College.
Harjas Makkar
Leviston Electrical Secondary School Encouragement Award
In recognition of a lower secondary student who has demonstrated excellent effort.
In recognition of a lower secondary student who has demonstrated academic excellence. Sanara Ranaweera
McLean’s Cleaning Secondary School Academic Award
CELEBRATION EVENING AWARDS
Emily Morrison
Signarama Award for Outstanding Student in Performing Arts
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the Performing Arts.
Nathan Fisk
Principal’s 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).
Arden Morris
Principal’s 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).
Ezekiel Coleman
Juliana Addison Award for Outstanding Student in Languages (LOTE)
In recognition of a student who has demonstrated academic and personal excellence in Languages other than English (LOTE).
Harrison Carey
Hunter Industrial P/L Award for VET Excellence
In recognition of a vocational educational and training student for outstanding performance.
CELEBRATION EVENING AWARDS
Samuel Battistella
Principal’s Victorian Certificate of Education
Vocational Major Excellence Award
In recognition of a VCE Vocational Major student for outstanding achievement.
Thomas Boots
Community Bank Buninyong Year 12 Excellence Award
In recognition of a Year 12 student who has demonstrated academic excellence.
Natasha Sony
Board Christian Mission/Service Award
In recognition of a senior secondary student who has made a decision of faith & demonstrates a desire & commitment to follow Christ & His call by participating in an overseas or local Christian mission training for service.
HIGHEST ATAR ACHIEVER
Congratulations to Seth Coventry on being the highest ATAR achiever for BalCC for 2024. Seth studied English, Mathematical Methods, Biology, Psychology and Chemistry.
Seth hopes to take a gap year before going to university to study Biomedicine.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD
Malachey Duthie
Christopher Edwards Bianca Jacobson
Dylan Kemp
Brooke Lawry
Adam Letman
Isabella Orr
Gibson Paxman
Bethany Perrin
STAFF SERVICE AWARDS
5 Years of Service
10 Years of Service
15 Years of Service
Sarah Inglis Glenys Jarvis Ian Manton
Christine Phillips
Karen Farquhar
Andrew Kynoch Susiana Tauelangi
Malcolm Solomano Tim Weatherstone
Julie Gall Catherine McMurray
PRIMARY AWARDS
CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
ACADEMIC ALL ROUNDER
Anastasya Macaulay
Nenyasha Mhandu
Leo Angel
Henri Fraser
Caleb Hewitt
Sean Robinson
Jacob Hewitt
Ava Naik
Savannah Biggs
Kate McKenzie Jenny Koplick
Ezekiel Fleay
Esther Anish
Tripp Trezise
Isobel Johnson
MOST IMPROVED PRIMARY AWARDS
EFFORT
Elodie Horton
Isla Heinrich
Rory Stabek
Edward Gent
Ari Horton
Olivia Fisk
Eli Skewes
Dakota Cabigao
Annabelle Rowland
Rain Samuels
Elsie Prince
Hamish Burnett
Zara Mitchell
Gracie Rickard
Emma McKenzie
Sarah Anish
SECONDARY
AWARDS
CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
Year 7A
Year 7B
Year 8A Year 8B
Year 9A Year 9B
Year 10A Year 10B
Year 11
Shaleia Weatherstone
Asha Ekayapan
Nikolai Samupo
Taylise Goddard
Grace Naluwooza
Alexia Stanton
Jordy Walter
Tasman Goddard Hannah McIntosh
Isaac Lewis
SECONDARY AWARDS
ACADEMIC ALL ROUNDER
Year 7A
Year 8A
Year 7B
Year 9A
Year 8B
Year 9B
Year 10A Year 10B
Year 11
Ekasjot Kharoud
Harjas Makkar
Jonah Angel
Sanara Ranaweera
Jacob Hicks
Muoch Dojiok
Ysabele Gomez
Alejandro Lopex
Freya Manton
MOST IMPROVED STUDENT SECONDARY AWARDS
Alexandra Mitchell
Evelyn Heinrich
David Martin
Sara Jones
Phoebe Lewis
Nyayul Tor
Tijesuni Oluwadayomi
Noah Sezonov
Maxwell Sanders
Dean Hall
Charlee Cromie
HIGHLANDS LLEN CERTIFICATES
Certificate II in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles - 2nd Year
Molly Skoblar
Certificate II in Engineering - 1st Year
Reuben Samuels
Certificate II in Plumbing - 1st Year
For more information on Highlands LLEN VET, please visit: https://www.highlandsllen.org/vet-cluster/
Freya Manton
CHRISTMAS CHAPEL
Inthe last week of Term 4 we held an end of year Christmas Chapel for our Prep-Year 9 students. There were performances by the Middle Secondary Band, Year 7 Concert Band and a group of Primary and Secondary students, who sang an acapella version of ‘The Blessing’. Secondary students Hannah and Alice gave a short message and there was ‘I Believe’ and baptism celebrations and recognitions.
PREP
AYUEN, Awel COCIUBA, Anne
FRASER, George KOPLICK, Shauna
LEWIS, Evie McGILLIGAN, Grace
MCKENZIE, Annabel
OLUWADAYOMI, Jesuferanmi
RIMENE, Kavell SCHEFFERLE, Levi WEIR, Ezra
LOWER PRIMARY A
LOWER PRIMARY B
MIDDLE PRIMARY A
MIDDLE PRIMARY B
UPPER PRIMARY A
UPPER PRIMARY B
YEAR 7A
YEAR 7B
YEAR 8A
YEAR 8B
YEAR 9A
YEAR 9B
YEAR 10A
YEAR 10B
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
STUDENT WELLBEING TEAM
EDUCATION SUPPORT TEAM
Christine Barlow Susan Corden
Dale Darby Emma Dods Tania Duthie
Linda Featherston Lerise Frew
Robyn Halliday Cherine Lewis Catherine McMurray
Jade Morgan
Graham O’Neill Beena Samuel
Haydn Croton Emma Maskell Steve Shaw
TEACHING STAFF
Alan Baldry
Beth Ballinger Kim Blackshaw
Glenda Brown
Carol Clough
Michelle Collins Leanne Coventry Karen Farquhar
Don Gall
Jo Hall
David Henderson
Sarah Inglis
Glenys Jarvis Kirsty Johnson
Cheril Kemp Briony Kenneth Mathew Knights
Kylie Gellert
Staff and Student Photo Pages current as at 29/11/2024.
Andrew Kynoch Nicole Laursen
Sylvia Loader
Ian Manton
Caroline Morrison David Neumann
Melissa O’Hara
Sarah Rodwell
Shellie Peters
Mark Preston
Dennis Rodwell
Lyn Moffet
Malcolm Solomano Georgie Stevens Susiana Tauelangi
Kaylene Templar Allison Thomas Kirsty Tonkin Evette Walter Emma Willis
ADMINISTRATION, ICT, & MAINTENANCE STAFF
Isaac Baker Trevor Clough
Scott Collins
Rachel Fuentes
Danna Grills
Amy How
Jenny MacRae
Donna McGilligan Hailey McGilligan
Chris McInerney
Heather McInerney
Sandra Morgan
Andrew Paull
Ruth Orr
Tim Weatherstone
Phoebe Whittle
Pam Jones
