In Santa Sophia’s music rooms, a small but passionate group of students from the School of Challenge sparked the initiative to start a recess and lunch band for fun. What began as a simple idea quickly grew into something the students looked forward to every day, giving them a chance to collaborate, experiment, and have fun. When talking with the group of Year 12 boys, they proudly named Arush, Aidan, Abiel and Emmanuel as their lead players each taking on the role of key roles from guitar to drum kit. The band began as a way to explore their love of music, but the students have big dreams for it, which are being actively pursued at events like our school Soiree.
Their hard work and passion for making music were clear in every rehearsal. Each rehearsal is an opportunity for them to refine their skills, try out new techniques, and push themselves musically. The boys try to play as often as they can. Their all time favourite song to perform is ‘Master of Puppets’ by Metallica, a challenging piece that showcases their growing skills and enthusiasm. Going to their rehearsal and experiencing it first-hand was truly inspiring. We found it so incredibly interesting to see what our peers in Year 12 get up to beyond the classroom and gain an insight into their interests and hobbies.
The initiative has started to attract attention from other students, especially in the younger years with our music rooms filling up fast. The band has become more than just a lunchtime activity, it’s a space where students can connect over shared interests and enjoy the process of creating music together.
The band shows that even a simple idea, like playing together during breaks, can grow into something so much more meaningful. Through their energy, dedication, and love for music, these students are not only developing their own skills but also contributing to a creative and unique culture within the school.
If you’ve ever had to give a speech in class and felt your brain quietly packing its bags to leave your body, you'll definitely relate to Audrey Verzosa Earlier this year, Audrey found out she had been chosen to represent Santa Sophia in the Voice of Youth comp, and yes,as you’d expect,her brain did what anyone’s would; it tore apart between “Oh my gosh, this is amazing!” and the realisation dawning in “Wait… I actually have to speak in front of people.”
The surprise was real The nerves were too Though so was the excitement. Let’s be honest, how often do you get the chance to share your thoughts with an audience that’s actually listening and not too busy either scrolling,talking over you,or just simply zoned out?
This is no ordinary school event; the Voice of Youth brings together some of the best young speakers from schools all over the Parramatta Diocese. Making it to the finals is no small feat; it’s the kind of achievement that earns you serious bragging rights (even if Audrey is far too humble to admit it) Out of countless students who spoke passionately, fiercely, and wowed the judges, Audrey’s voice stood out as unmistakably her own
Audrey’s speech, “Artificial vs. Actual Intelligence,” was a clever deep dive into the world of AI. It was the perfect mix of witty and entertaining With lines like “You blink once and your English homework is already done” and “AI is fast, but we are intuitive,” Audrey’s speech reminded everyone that there’s something uniquely powerful about human intelligence. It was equal parts insightful, witty, and thought-provoking, the kind of speech that leaves a mark on the audience.
The early rounds were a bit of a rollercoaster. Picture this: standing in front of a room full of strangers and judges, heart racing faster than hurtling down the straight at Monaco But once she started, everything clicked. Each round chipped away at the nerves and replaced them with something even better. Confidence. By the finals, Audrey wasn't just speaking; she was owning the stage, delivering her message with such trust that it made it impossible not to listen.
Voice of Youth - Audrey Verzosa
Behind every great speaker is a great support team. For Audrey, that means a family that doubled as film crew, director, and cheer squad, plus a few best friends who weren't afraid to give honest feedback Together,they helped refine her speech not just until it sounded good, but until it sounded like her.
The hardest part, she admits, was delivering everything smoothly and confidently. The only way to dodge the stumbles was practice. A lot of practice A few deep breaths and the occasional “you’ve got this” pep talk were all she needed to take control of the moment.
Now,after the whirlwind that was Voice of Youth, public speaking doesn’t feel nearly as scary Audrey’s learned to channel that energy into her performance. Her advice to anyone thinking about entering next year? “Just go for it Pick a topic you actually care about, talk like yourself, and don't freak out if you mess up; people forget in a second.” Truly spoken like someone who’s learned that confidence isn't about being perfect; it’s about being real.
From nervous beginnings to standing proudly in the finals spotlight, Audrey Versoza has proven that true intelligence - actual intelligence - isn't something you can download or code. It's about creativity, courage, and a willingness to stand up and speak your truth
THE LONG AWAITED REVEAL FOR THE CAST OF THE SCHOOL MUSICAL, ‘MATILDA’, IS FINALLY HERE! READY. SET. ACTION!
B
THE EXPERIENCE
The Badminton Gala Day was one of those rare school events where the energy was high from the very first serve. As someone who was there playing, cheering, and watching it all unfold, I can honestly say our students showed a level of effort and competitiveness that went far beyond what anyone expected.
Under the guidance of Mr Awny, our Sports Coordinator for the day, we arrived ready for a challenge, but no one anticipated just how impressive our performance would be. From the moment the games began, you could see students pushing themselves with genuine determination We weren’t just playing matches; we were problem-solving under pressure, adapting quickly, and learning on the court in real time. Even when we were placed against teams with years more experience, our players met every moment with surprising confidence
It was impressive to see that during the breaks between games, people were exchanging tips, laughing about chaotic rallies, or cheering on the next team as if they’d been training together for months. It wasn’t just a competition; it genuinely felt like a shared experience that brought our players closer
But among all the great highlights, one achievement really deserves special mention.
Some of the rallies were unbelievable, with split-second lunges across the court, drop shots that seemed impossible to return, and smashes that made the whole team yell without intending to. Every court had something happening worth watching, and every player had many moments they should be proud of
Crystal Hu (Yr 9) had a phenomenal run throughout the competition. Match after match, she played with consistency, sharp focus, and a calmness that honestly didn’t crack once even when the rallies got intense She powered through every round and made it all the way to the Grand Final, which is an achievement in itself considering how strong the competition was.
She then finished 2nd overall, earning a well-deserved position in the entire tournament A massive accomplishment and something the whole College should be proud of.
Overall, the Badminton Gala Day wasn’t just about scores or rankings It was about showing resilience, having fun, and surprising ourselves with what we were capable of. Whether it was the friendships built, the moments of pure chaos midrally, or the quiet pride after a tough match, every part of the day was something worth remembering.
ToEmilyBudin,Year9,
“You are an amazingperson, you arebeautiful andtalented, and time spent with youis always worthit.”
“You’re amazing and I hope you realise that. You’re so incredibly kind and thoughtful and nonetheless beautiful! I hope you realise how beautiful you are both inside and out. You brighten my day literally every time you talk, you’re so funny! I hope you have the same positivity inside that you give to others. Thank you for being such an amazing friend!”
→ Anonymous
To Lily Ward, Year 8,
“You are a funny and kindperson. I admire your beauty and humor. You brighten my day by just being there. Your hidden superpower is.. being a goodperson (idk what to say for thatquestion but anyways) Your funny, kind, tall, beautiful and everything else:)”
→ Anonymous
To Chloe Dunning, Year 12, “Chloeee, outofallpeopleyou are so incredibly deserving ofan affirmation to remindyou whatan amazing and beautifulfriendyou are!!througheverything, you remain so strong, genuine andyou absolutely never failtoputa smile on anyone's face, you are so so appreciated:)”
