The Life Issue #7, 2022

St Philip’s Christian College Newcastle

The Life A Community Magazine

ISSUE #7 JULY 2022

SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

High Street Productions presents High School Musical 2 Jr

At the end of Term 1, 2022, High Street Productions finally performed High School Musical 2 Jr, which was postponed for six months due to Covid restrictions in 2021.

When we started working on this show in July, 2021, we never thought we’d still be tapping our feet to the super-catchy tunes of ‘High School Musical 2 Jr’, but we have loved it. Our family of 28 tremendous young people have been a true joy and a delight to work (and chill) with.

We really wanted this musical to reveal colour, fun and a sense of childish wonder. We’ve intentionally created the visuals to be absent of ‘reality’ as much as possible to highlight the turning of pages as you progress through the story.

A huge thanks to everyone in the team who helped bring this musical to life, particularly to Rob Stuart, Nat Baker and James Laundon who have pushed through to bring this show to life; what an amazing team!

Michael Cooper Producer & Director of Performing Arts

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

High Street Productions presents High School Musical 2 Jr

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

Subs in Schools National Champions Congratulations to SPCC Team Sonar, who are the Australian National Champions of the Subs in Schools Challenge after representing NSW at the Finals in Melbourne! This is a huge achievement as our Senior School students have had to overcome numerous challenges over the last 16 months, with COVID interruptions and supply chain difficulties, while addressing 113 competition criteria. In addition to winning the competition, they were also awarded Best Engineered Submarine, Best Engineering CAD (Computer Aided Design) and Best Team Portfolio trophies for their efforts. Our current team also wishes to mentor the new 2022 Subs in Schools team. We are very proud of these students for their dedication, perseverance, and their exemplification of our College Core Values as they represented both the College and NSW. Well done Team Sonar!

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

Year 8 ‘Build ME a Future’ Selected Year 8 students were offered the chance to compete in an interschool STEM challenge, Build ME a Future, at the University of Newcastle. This challenge focused on harnessing students’ creative and collaborative potential to solve a variety of science and engineering problems. Students worked in small teams and wholeheartedly participated and demonstrated perseverance and critical thinking skills. We were all excited come the end of the day when the results were announced. Our team took home the winning trophy!

Lord Mayor’s Student Leadership Forum

The Annual Lord Mayor’s Student Leadership Forum is an opportunity for the current generation of leaders to inspire the next generation of leaders. Our Senior School Student Leadership Team had the opportunity to participate in the 2022 Student Leadership Forum, along with students from six other local secondary schools. Panelists included the Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen, Matt Darvas of Micah Australia and Jay Bolton from See Business Solutions. Well done to our Student Leaders who represented the College with excellence!

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

40th Anniversary Homecoming Week Open Day On Friday, 13 May we were excited to hold the College’s first Open Day in many years. All of the College community were invited to join us for the festival-style celebrations, College tours, live music, food stalls and the highly anticipated ‘Business-in-a-Box’ featuring our entrepreneurial students.

Students, parents, staff, alumni and guests enjoyed the chance to take part in the festivities. Throughout the day, many took part in the studentleader facilitated College tours to see the changes to the site. With over a hundred Business-in-a-Box stalls and the 40th Anniversary Art Gallery to visit, there was plenty to see and do.

From the IT and Finance team’s BBQ to the Barracks Mexican Nachos stand, Food Trucks and Binnie Beef steak sandwiches, there was no shortage of delicious lunch options. The overcast weather did little to dampen the enjoyment, with students performing live music, showcasing their talent and enthusiasm.

Thank you to every student and staff member that contributed to the day, and to all of our visitors for joining us. We had so much fun that we have already begun planning next year’s event.

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

40th Anniversary Homecoming Week Business-in-a-Box For many years, Business-in-a-Box has been an important part of the College calendar. This experience gives students the opportunity to better understand some of the important fundamentals of small business ownership. Business-in-a-Box 2022 was much-anticipated, after several years of cancellation due to restrictions.

A significant amount of creativity and problem-solving is necessary to develop a business that can be contained in such a small space, is popular with other students and stays within the set budget. Each time we are amazed at the diversity of businesses created, and again in this milestone year, students rose to the challenge with amazing offerings.

With businesses donating 10% of their profits back to a charity or mission that the College supports, this year we were able to donate over $1115 to the Malawi Global Fund. This donation will go towards purchasing educational supplies for the students at the Girl’s Shine Christian Academy in Malawi.

We were very impressed with how every student conducted themselves, and many guests commented on the enthusiasm and professionalism of the business-owners. Congratulations to every business-owner from Kindergarten to Year 12.

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

40th Anniversary Homecoming Week Alumni Symposium

As part of the Open Day, we held our inaugural Alumni Symposium with the theme ‘Launchpads and Landing Places, Lamp Posts and Longings’. Over two sessions, students from Middle and Senior School were inspired as alumni shared their experiences since graduation.

alumni that joined us are diverse in their talents and vocations, and it was such an encouragement to all in the room to hear from them,” Helen said.

“After the event, many of the students remained to speak to the alumni and engage with them further.

I am excited that we will be offering more alumni engagement opportunities moving forward for these connections to grow. Our alumni are so valuable to us.”

Student Leaders in Year 12 hosted the event, interviewing and introducing each guest. Through short-talks, interviews and performance, each alumnus shared their heart on how their time at SPCC had equipped them, and the impact that staff members had on their lives.

As a College, we are continuing to look at ways alumni can be involved, and we will have more opportunities for alumni engagement in the near future.

We would like to thank alumnus, Stella PetrouConcha, Ashley Harrison, Sam King, Michael Ireland and Phoebe Clark for sharing with the students. Also, a huge thank you to Dom Borzestowski and Philippa Anderson who were overseas for the event, but contributed online.

Assistant Principal (Learning and Teaching), Helen Lee, shared the team’s aspiration to inspire our students through attending the symposium.

“We wanted students to hear first-hand some of the diverse and exciting journeys alumni have taken since their time here. It is our heart that an SPCC education sets young people on a path for life. Each of the 8

SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

40th Anniversary Homecoming Week Art Gallery

Given the number of incredibly talented alumni, students, staff, family members and friends of the College, it was an honour to host an art gallery as part of the 40th Anniversary Celebrations.

The gallery was officially opened on Monday 9 May, showcasing the works of 45 artists. These works included paintings, photography, drawings, sculptures and 3D pieces from alumni, staff, students, College family members and business partners.

Opening night guests enjoyed delicious canapés, prepared and served by students and the Barracks Café team, and live music performed by Senior School students.

Throughout Homecoming week, students and the College community were able to visit the art gallery and spend time appreciating these amazing works.

Many students wrote notes of thanks to artists, sharing how their piece inspired or encouraged them.

We would like to add our heartfelt thank you to every artist who shared their talents with us.

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

40th Anniversary Homecoming Week Celebration Dinner

The Homecoming week culminated in a 40th Anniversary Dinner on Friday, 13 May. Hundreds of alumni, staff, College community members and business partners gathered to reflect on the highlights of the past 40 years and hear the future vision of the College.

leadership, sacrifice, vision and dedication. Guests were encouraged afresh as Graeme shared insight on those early pioneering years.

During its 40-year history, the College has only had two Principals, Graeme Irwin and Pam O’Dea, and both shared passionately about their vision for the future of the College.

The room was transformed into a shimmering sea of twinkling lights, to welcome guests who arrived ready to celebrate this momentous occasion. The history of the College was displayed in photographs and small groups gathered to reminisce and reconnect.

Principal Pam O’Dea’s only regret from the evening was that there wasn’t sufficient time to speak to each guest individually!

“It was such an amazing evening. Seeing so many people who have been part of the College’s journey brought back so many great memories. It was so good to reflect on all the incredible things God has done in and through the College.

And we know that He has so much more in-store,” Pam said.

Guests were entertained by alumni and emcee extraordinaire, Dan Cox, host of the ABC 1233 Morning Show, and several video tributes highlighted the impact of SPCC over the years. Deputy Principal, Jamie Fahey, hosted a panel of former College captains, of whom he is one, to share anecdotes and highlights from their experiences.

The evening was a great opportunity to honour Graeme and Sue Irwin, and their family, for their 10

SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

40th Anniversary Homecoming Week Celebration Dinner

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

3-6 and 7-12 Athletics Carnivals

The College Athletics Carnivals were held on Monday 20th June for one big day of competition at the Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale. Our Years 3-6 Carnival was held during the day and our Years 7-12 Carnival proceeded into the night for our first ever Twilight Athletics Carnival.

After a drizzly start to the morning, it turned out to be a glorious day. Students were very excited to be competing and it was wonderful to see them cheering each other on with such great team spirit.

Congratulations to all students who participated with enthusiasm and enjoyment. There were a number of records broken across the day leading to a tight competition for age champion.

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

3-6 and 7-12 Athletics Carnivals Female Age Champions Age 8 9

Gold Medalist Zipporah Darvas Daisy Scott

Silver Medalist Annabelle van der Berg Naomi Boyd

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Anya East

Alexis Challhoub

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Xander Murdoch

Indi Rayfield

12P

Sophie Streeter

Kupa-Lilli Rowntree

12S

Bianca Miteff

Xanthe Barton

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Mara McGavern

Kiara McCourt

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Isabella Walshe

Madeleine Gill

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Ava Hendra

Amelia Dawes

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Adana Greentree

Keziah Price

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London Ashcroft

Chelsea Cameron

Bronze Medalist Indie Murdoch Grace Gough Lucinda Devenish Kayla McKoy Laiya Allan Maya Simpson Matilda Warren Ayla Sutton Charlotte van Epen Lauren Keevers N/A Hosanna Gray Hunter Rowntree Leonor Rodrigues

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Elissa Baker

Grace Morris

Grace Baker

Male Age Champions Age 8 9 10 11 12P 12S 13 14 15 16 17 18

Gold Medalist

Silver Medalist

Bronze Medalist

Harry Streeter

Ben Laing

Nicholas Healey

Patrick Mackintosh

Jack Williams

Emilio Geradi

Ben Streeter

Jack Adams

Josiah Wilk

Jack Cameron

Ryan Boustead

Jonah Jo

Clancy Foulsham

Ryan Gupta

Jack Schuler

Jackson Burns

Heath Williams

Cooper Steele

Oliver Derkenne

Archer Newton

Aiden Clifton

Zavier Ryan

Taj Samways

Josiah Wilton

Kye Hinchcliffe

Joseph Roberti

Jack Van Esveld

Samuel Boudan

Giles Harrison

Lucas Walshe

Jack Deguara

Evan Banks

Angus Thorn

Eli Garmeister

Flynn Hamilton

Thomas O’Connor

1st Macquarie

3rd Hunter

2nd Paterson

4th Williams

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SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

MS Musical Frozen

‘Frozen Jr’ has been an extraordinary adventure for everyone involved and I am so proud of the 150+ students who have been involved in turning this dream into reality. Our students are amazing; demonstrating incredible enthusiasm, extraordinary kindness and an awesome attitude. We have loved working with our Middle School students to create a show which we know will be truly memorable.

The creative team have worked extremely hard to bring this show to life. Rob Stuart, Nat Baker, Lindy Connett, Annelise Stewart, Di Garred, Belle Holliday-WIlliams & Jenni Haliburton in particular have worked tirelessly (under ‘tricky’ pandemic conditions) for many months to ensure our students look and sound as magical as they do. Thank you!!!

I would like to give a special thanks to Jacob Harwood who has been pivotal in solving problems and being a valuable source of information and advice helping to ensure this highly technical show has been successful. Jacob is a true friend of St Philip’s and we value him immensely.

Performing Arts at SPCC continues to go from strength to strength as we understand the incredible value of students being involved in stage performance. Thank you to our Principal, Pam O’Dea for continuing to believe strongly in our theatre projects and advocating for a culture of excellence.

Mr Michael Cooper - Director of Performing Arts 14

SPCC Newcastle Community Magazine Issue #7

MS Musical Frozen

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Evel intio cum re quia quidese perferu ptaspit eseque qui.

St Philip’s Christian College, Newcastle 57 High Street WARATAH NSW 2298 Ph: +61 2 4960 6600 Fax: +61 2 4960 6690 Email: newcastle@spcc.nsw.edu.au

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