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SEVENOAKS TURNS 25!
This month, we proudly celebrated our 25th Anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the College's history and providing an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey of a school founded on the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed. Our anniversary celebration brought together past and present students, staff, families, community members and distinguished guests. The event began with a whole school assembly, featuring a powerful Welcome to Country from Aunty Jacquie Eades, cultural performances, and reflections from former Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett, and past and present Board Chairs and Principals. A student panel representing different eras of the College then shared inspiring stories of their experiences and achievements, highlighting the lasting impact of a Sevenoaks education. Guests then commenced a tour at our Yarning Circle, which led on to key learning areas including the Koolark Centre, STEM Centre, Trade Training Centre, Academy, AMA Nursing facilities, Science Labs and Creative Industries spaces, showcasing the breadth of opportunities available to students today. The afternoon was complimented by a delicious BBQ, canapes served by hospitality students, performances on stage, a photobooth, and visual displays for reminiscing.
www.sevenoaks.wa.edu.au 275 Sevenoaks Street, Cannington WA 6107 Phone (08) 6235 7200
FROM THE PRINCIPAL As we move through another vibrant and rewarding term at Sevenoaks, I continue to be inspired by the breadth of opportunities our students embrace and the sense of community that underpins all that we do. This edition of our newsletter showcases a remarkable range of experiences, achievements and celebrations that highlight the many ways our students learn, connect and thrive. Most significantly, we have also celebrated 25 years of Sevenoaks as we recognised the legacy, growth and achievements of our college.
Thank you to our students, staff, families and community partners for your ongoing commitment to making Sevenoaks a place where every student is supported to succeed.
Our Open Day commenced the term as we welcomed prospective students and parents whilst the highly anticipated Year 12 Ball was an outstanding success. During the term, our college community has come together to celebrate significant events including Wear It Purple Day, Science Week, Book Week and R U Ok? Day. Our students have represented the college with pride through participation in the Zero2Hero Conference, CALD Youth Forum, Worldskills Competition, the Swan Changemakers Young Leaders Conference, interschool Volleyball and Basketball, and mini school Futsal and Volleyball tournaments. Learning beyond the classroom remains a defining feature of the Sevenoaks experience. We celebrate the outstanding success of our students in the RACI Titration Competition, demonstrating excellence in scientific inquiry and problem solving. Students have engaged in excursions to the Crank Recording Studio, Perth Zoo, Curtin University, and the Harry Perkins Institute, while our younger visitors from local primary schools enjoyed their Year 6 transition visits. We have also welcomed valuable learning opportunities through incursions, including the Curtin University My Vital Cycles program and UWA student speaker. We are particularly proud of the many achievements of our students involved in Follow the Dream, including participation in the Everlasting Elders gathering, Polly Farmer Careers Expo and Murdoch Deadly Dreaming excursion. Congratulations also to recipients of the Wayne Lyon and Jordan Thorsager Scholarships, whose accomplishments reflect dedication, perseverance and aspiration. Alongside these achievements, students have shared their talents and creativity through Sevenoaks Got Talent and the Dough Re Mi Bake Sale, further contributing to the strong culture of belonging that defines our college. Next to all of these events, our Year 12 ATAR students commenced their mock exams. As we look ahead to an exciting Term 4, I encourage families to take note of the important upcoming dates included in this newsletter. Thank you to our students, staff, families and community partners for your ongoing commitment to making Sevenoaks a place where every student is supported to succeed.
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
Dr Karen Read AM, Principal
YEAR 12 COLLEGE BALL HOLLYWOOD - A NIGHT AT THE OSCARS Our Year 12 students celebrated their College Ball this term at the Westin Perth. It was a fabulous evening of mocktails, music, dinner, photos and dancing thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. The 2026 theme was “Hollywood, A Night at the Oscars” and the costumes, outfits and accessories were picture perfect! Students and their guests were commended on their impeccable behaviour, great attitude and impressive dance moves on the night. A huge thank you to all of our beautiful students and guests, our College Ball committee for all their work behind the scenes, our staff for helping out on the night, and our wonderful suppliers: The Westin Perth (venue), Flamingo Surprise (styling and décor), Bliss Photographers (photography) and Streamline Entertainment Perth (DJ Henry). Thank you for helping to ensure this night was perfect and memorable for our Year 12s. Special congratulations to our award winners on the night: The People‘s Spotlight Award - Jordin Sarana, Fan Favourite Lead Role - Nathan Lee Flores, Best Special Effects - Lourene Payad, Paparazzi’s Favourite Brandon Smith, Scene Stealing Duo - Reza Habibi and Zain Khan, Best Dance Sequence - Samantha Dakay, Best Cinematic Look - Rachael Rauch, Hollywood Glam Award - Zali Hunkin, Best Costume Design - Liam Westberg, and our Academy’s Choice (Staff) Award - Ms Williams. We hope it was everything you dreamt of and more!
OPEN DAY
Early this term, we held our annual Open Day, where we welcomed Year 10 students from all over the Perth Metro area to visit the College and explore the pathways available. Students were guided around the campus and attended interactive presentations showcasing the different courses on offer. They were also treated to a delicious BBQ lunch! We look forward to welcoming these students back to Sevenoaks in December for our Orientation Days, and can’t wait for them to join us in 2027. Thank you to all staff who helped out and presented on the day, as well as our fantastic student helpers and the Student Guild for their excellent work as tour guides.
SEVENOAKS SENIOR COLLEGE
EXCURSIONS ATAR HUMAN BIOLOGY EXCURSION TO THE ZOO Our Year 12 ATAR Human Biology students spent the day at Perth Zoo as part of their study of human evolution. Students took part in the 'Keeping up with the Neanderthals' education experience, where they were able to take ideas discussed in class and explore them in a much more hands-on way. Working together with replica specimens, models and comparative activities, students considered the physical features that help us understand evolutionary relationships and the story of human evolution. The rest of the day gave the class plenty of time to explore the Zoo, look closely at the animals and interactive displays, and make some of their own comparisons along the way. Excursions like this are valuable as they give students a chance to see that Human Biology is not simply a collection of facts to learn for an exam, it is a way of understanding where we came from, how organisms are related, and how evidence can be used to piece together evolutionary history.
SWAN CHANGEMAKERS CONFERENCE Students from across the Swan electorate came together at the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre for the third annual Young Changemakers Conference. They discussed and debated some of the biggest issues facing young people, including mental health, housing affordability, artificial intelligence, future jobs, and climate change. They also explored creative solutions, from cheaper and more accessible university accommodation and better work placements to electric public transport and sustainable data centres. Zaneta Mascarenhas MP (Federal Member for Swan) is taking these ideas straight to Parliament House to share with policymakers to see how young minds can help shape the future of Australia. We are so proud of Kayla, Aicha and Josie, some of our Year 11 Guild members, who went along to represent Sevenoaks, well done!
ZERO2HERO CONFERENCE
This term, the students services team took ten of our students to the Zero2Hero ‘In Your Head’ Conference at PCEC. Our students were part of a crowd of over 1,000 people from more than 50 schools across WA. This year marked the 10th anniversary of ‘In Your Head’ and the day featured a Mental Health Expo Zone, Exhibitor Bingo, Chill Out Space and Teachers Lounge. It was a great day listening to keynote speakers who all shared their individual stories. Additionally, our students spent two hours participating in different breakout sessions, engaging with service providers or participating in mindfulness activities. The Minister for Education, the Hon Sabine Winton BA BPS MLA, asked for feedback regarding the Mental Health support in our schools. It was an opportunity for our students to connect with themselves and others as well as learning tools and strategies to support their own mental health.
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
OUT AND ABOUT ATAR HUMAN BIOLOGY EXCURSION TO HARRY PERKINS Our Year 12 ATAR Human Biology students recently stepped out of the classroom and into a real medical research environment at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research. During their visit to the Lotterywest BioDiscovery Centre, students took part in the ‘Understanding Mutations Using PCR’ program. They investigated a genetic disorder using techniques commonly used in modern laboratories, including polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis. Students analysed DNA samples, identified a mutation and considered how it could be inherited within a family. The excursion brought important course concepts, including mutations, inheritance, DNA sequencing and human genetic variation to life through hands-on laboratory work. It also gave students an insight into how medical researchers use biotechnology to investigate genetic diseases and improve human health. It was a valuable opportunity for students to apply their classroom knowledge, strengthen their practical skills and experience the work being carried out at one of Western Australia’s leading medical research institutes.
MUSIC EXCURSION TO CRANK RECORDING STUDIOS On Tuesday the 28th of July, Certificate II Music students went on an excursion to Crank Recording studios in Northbridge. Crank Recording studios is one of the top recording studios in Perth and has hosted Justin Bieber, Macklemore, Kelly Clarkson and other international stars. The sound engineer, Lee Buddle, is an expert in his craft and demonstrated his knowledge and expertise. Three students, Nice, Rhiannon and Angel, had the opportunity to record tracks which were then mixed to create a song. The students had a unique experience in seeing the music industry in action outside of a school setting. All the students will agree that it was a fantastic experience and one they will never forget.
BUSINESS EXCURSION TO CURTIN UNIVERSITY Our Year 11 Business students had a fantastic day out at Curtin University, getting a taste of what studying Business is really all about! The day was packed with fun, teamwork, and a little healthy competition. Students took part in a scavenger hunt, solving clues and tackling business problems, made economic decisions in real-life business scenarios to maximise profits, and explored different side-hustle ideas based on their hobbies and interests. Students then had the chance to explore the university and check out some of the great lunch options on campus as well.
SEVENOAKS SENIOR COLLEGE
R U OK? DAY R U OK? DAY This term we celebrated R U Ok? Day, and what a great day it was! The R U Ok? mission is to guide people on when and how to have a meaningful conversation with someone in their world who might be struggling. The event reminded everyone how important it is to check in with their friends and ask, “R U Ok?” – and we did it in the most fun way possible! The school was buzzing with activities at break time. From photobooth fun, to guessing the lollies in the jar, meaningful messages on our hand mural, and of course, the delicious free cupcakes! The whole day was a great reminder that simply asking someone how they’re doing – and really listening – can make a big difference. It was also a great way for us all to take a break, connect with each other, and spread some positive vibes around the school. Big thanks to everyone who helped organise the day, especially our fabulous youth workers! We appreciate you! Well done to all the staff who found yellow pompoms in the staff room and snagged a goodie bag prize! And congratulations to Year 11 student, Melody, who guessed the exact number of lollies in the jar – 140! Well done!
RACI TITRATION COMPETITION RESULTS Our fabulous Chemistry students, with the guidance of Chemistry teacher, Mr Hosany, participated in the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) Titration Competition last term. More than 70 schools, 100+ teams and over 300 students competed. We were thrilled to announce our outstanding results at a whole school assembly early this term: Team 3 - 1st PLACE OVERALL Zya Francine Cerbito - equal 5th individually (pictured right) Kassandra Kirsty Sollorin - 15th individually Rafaella Pradas - equal 36th individually Team 1 - 3rd overall Eldred Ashley Alfonso Lulu - 24th individually Kristin Ressely Lukman - 29th individually Ha My Nguyen - equal 63rd individually Team 2 - 5th overall Samreen Thind - equal 8th individually Dylan Calix Dino - 30th individually Patricia Narciso - 122nd individually We are beyond proud of each and every one of these Chemistry superstars. Congratulations on your incredible achievements!
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
At Sevenoaks, our students value excellence. Their success shows what is possible with effort, teamwork, and self-belief. - Mr Amit Hosany Chemistry Teacher
BOOK WEEK - A SYMPHONY OF STORIES The library was filled with laughter and a shared love of reading during our crazy Book Week morning tea with a little bit of musical influence thrown in to keep with this year’s theme. Staff and students embraced this year’s theme, Symphony of Stories, all resulting in a fun celebration and an incredible array of creative book character costumes. We kicked off the festivities by tuning into an inspiring short author talk highlighting the latest arrival by Lili Wilkinson – Unhallowed Halls (CBCA shortlist finalist), followed by an energetic game of Kahoot trivia that had everyone getting very competitive! A special highlight of the morning was hitting a high note (musical pun intended) to recognise and celebrate our own wonderful, dedicated readers for their achievements this year in the Premier's Reading Challenge. After all the bookish fun, the celebration then wrapped with a delicious spread of party food. It was a great morning filled with fun, community spirit, and most of all, a shared passion for the thought that “a book is a dream that you hold in your hands” (Neil Gaiman). Thank you to everyone who helped make it such a great success!
SEVENOAKS GOT TALENT Our annual talent show was held this term and we were blown away by the talent on display! Congratulations to this year’s winner, Nice Bascon, who performed a beautiful version of Whitney Houston’s “Saving All My Love For You”. Our runners up were Ugyen, Amy and Melody, who performed a K-Pop dance. Well done to all of our other performers – you didn’t make it easy for our judges, Mr Chao, Michelle, and Angel. Thanks also to our MCs, Lizzie and Jayden, and set decorator, Ugyen! Special mention to our staff performers - Ms T, Ms Waly, Ms Anderson, Ms Faichney, and Ms Walsh for their 'remix' song and dance performance of Katseye's 'Gnarly', and Ms Wallis, Mr Chan, Ms Cusens and Ms Dowsett’s rendition of 'Don't Worry, Be Happy'. Thank you to Ms Ivison, the student services team, and the student guild for making this fun event happen! Thanks to Hoyts Carousel, Grill’d Carousel, and our College Cafe, our winners all went home with awesome prizes! Well done! All $270 in profit from ticket sales for this event was proudly donated to Shenton Park Dogs Home.
SEVENOAKS SENIOR COLLEGE
AROUND THE COLLEGE BUSINESS ‘DOUGH RE MI’ BAKE SALE Our annual Bake Sale, this year called “Dough Re Mi”, was a huge success thanks to our wonderful students who baked, packed, marketed, served and supported the event. A big thank you also to our superstar staff for creating some seriously amazing treats - Ms Burrell, Mr Hosany, Mr Parkar and Nani for their yummy donations! This project is a wonderful opportunity for students to run their very own pop-up business from baking and packaging to marketing, teamwork and customer service, all while supporting a fantastic cause. We’re proud to support the Muslim Women’s Support Centre (MWSC) again this year, who help women and families experiencing food insecurity, family and domestic violence, and displacement. We’re hoping we’ve smashed last year’s record! Once the final tally is in, we’ll be presenting our cheque to MWSC in the coming weeks. A huge shout to our Business teacher, Mrs Abdus, for all your work in making this event possible, and to Rosanne for supporting the event through the use of the cooking room and collating all the supplies for us! Finally, thank you to our amazing staff, students and supporters. You really are the icing on the cake!
SCIENCE WEEK Labs 1 and 2 resonated to the sounds of science as students joined science staff for a wide range of activities this Science Week. Each recess and lunch break gave students the opportunity to enjoy demonstrations and handson fun from the many fields of science. There was so much on offer, from Mr Hosany's flame tests, exploding hydrogen balloons, light boxes and standing waves, to forensics finger printing fun with Ms McKnight, Ms Cusens’ very active Panther hunt, the Sevenoaks Giant Science Quiz, and "Seeds of Science" identification challenge. Congratulations and thank you to all our participants for celebrating science with Sevenoaks.
WEAR IT PURPLE Our student led LGBTQIA+ committee, Q-mmunity, hosted a vibrant Wear it Purple Day pop-up event this term, featuring nail painting, freebies, games, stickers, temporary tattoos, and a fun pinwheel quiz that encouraged conversation and learning. The event provided students with opportunities to connect, express themselves, and show support for diversity and inclusion within our school community. Shout out to Kayla Cahill and Ms T for reviving Q-mmunity this term and bringing together a fabulous group of students who helped make the event happen. Special thank you to the student services team for your support with this important event, and to all the students and staff who wore purple and participated in the activities on offer.
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
IN THE COMMUNITY WORLDSKILLS AUSTRALIA COMPETITION Sevenoaks Trade Training Centre students, Asim and Max, proudly represented our school at the WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition in the VETiS Automotive Services category, held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. The regional competition is a prestigious one-day event and marks the first step in the WorldSkills Australia competition pathway, with successful competitors progressing to the National Championships later this year. Asim and Max arrived early and spent the entire day competing against students from across the state in five challenging practical modules: Brake System Service, Steering System Service, Electrical System Service, Cooling System Service and Measuring Tools and Equipment. Asim and Max were outstanding ambassadors for the Sevenoaks Trade Training Centre and our Automotive program. They represented themselves and the school with pride, maturity and professionalism. Congratulations, Asim and Max, on your fantastic achievement, and we wish you the very best with the upcoming results! Later in the term, three of our Year 11 students, Callum, Cody, and Noah travelled to Rockingham TAFE to compete in the Cert II Engineering component of the same competition. The competition ran from 8.30am4.30pm, and saw 10 students from different schools completing a metal project. The results from this session will be combined with the results from a second session, which was held at TAFE’s Midland campus, and a winner will be chosen to compete against other states later in the year. Congratulations to all of these wonderful trade training student representatives! We wish you the very best of luck with the results.
CALD YOUTH FORUM
During the second week of the Term 2 holidays, select students from our Student Guild were invited to attend the CALD Youth Forum hosted by the Western Australia Police Force at UWA. The theme of the forum was 'Empowering Youth Voices' and was a great opportunity for our students to further understand the purpose of police engagement with the community and to directly voice their questions to the Police Commissioner. Students said it was wonderful listening to the experiences of different speakers from various policing backgrounds, highlighting the diversity of the police force as well as the different employment opportunities other than the frontline, especially in the area of data analysis. Huge thanks to the students and to Mr Chan for giving up their holiday time to attend this important event.
It was a wonderful experience and I loved learning about the perspectives of people from all different backgrounds. Year 12 student, Jayden
SEVENOAKS SENIOR COLLEGE
INTERSCHOOL SPORT INTERSCHOOL VOLLEYBALL VWA TOURNAMENT This year, Sevenoaks Senior College took four teams to compete in the 2026 VWA Volleyball Championships. All teams had an outstanding day of competition. While the results were note-worthy, it was the way our students represented Sevenoaks that was most impressive. Throughout the entire day, all teams demonstrated excellent behaviour, sportsmanship, encouragement, and genuine team spirit. Year 11 Boys (B) – Warwick Competition The Year 11 Boys enjoyed a fantastic day of competition, producing an outstanding undefeated performance throughout the pool rounds. The boys demonstrated excellent consistency and teamwork, progressing through the competition and overcoming St Stephens convincingly in the semi-final. The Grand Final against Newman College was an epic contest that lasted the full 45 minutes. The boys fought hard throughout what was an extremely competitive match, with the long day and pressure of the final eventually taking its toll. Sevenoaks went down narrowly 2–1. Despite the result, the boys can be extremely proud of their performance. Their consistency, determination and individual efforts throughout the day were outstanding. MVP: Morpheus Alterado Year 11 Girls (B) – Kingsley Competition Our Year 11 girls team also enjoyed a fantastic season competing in the WAVL Schools Competition 2026. The team played five matches, recording three victories and progressing through to the semi-final against a very strong St Mary’s team. Throughout the competition, the girls demonstrated tremendous improvement, developing greater confidence, determination and cohesion as the season progressed. Although they were defeated 2–0 by St Mary’s in the semi-final, the girls should be extremely proud of their efforts and the progress they made throughout the competition. MVP: Andi De Castro Year 12 Girls (B) - Joondalup Competition The Year 12 Girls performed exceptionally well throughout the tournament, remaining undefeated in the rounds before progressing to the semi-final crossover match against Belridge Senior High School. In an extremely close contest, the girls were defeated by just two points. Belridge went on to win the overall competition, making the Sevenoaks girls’ performance even more impressive. The result saw the girls finish an excellent third overall. MVP: Jordin Sarana Year 12 Boys (B) - Joondalup Competition The Year 12 Boys produced an incredible performance throughout the tournament. In their semi-final against Bob Hawke College, the boys showed tremendous resilience, fighting back from 20–24 down to win the first set before going on to secure the match and earn their place in the Grand Final. The Grand Final against Emmanuel College was an outstanding contest played in front of a packed grandstand. With the match level at one set all, the teams went into extra time, with the first team to establish a two-point advantage taking the victory. Unfortunately, Emmanuel College dug deep and eventually secured the win after 15 minutes of extra time, 8–6. Despite the result, their performance, resilience and composure under pressure were exceptional. MVP: Jaxson Blissett
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
INTERSCHOOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Congratulations to all of our players who represented the College at the AIC Basketball Tournament. It was an incredible day for our team, who remained undefeated throughout the entire tournament and proudly secured back-to-back AIC Championship titles. While the results on the scoreboard were exceptional, what stood out even more was the character displayed by our students. The team played outstanding basketball all day, with every player committing to their role and contributing to the group's success. Their teamwork, encouragement and support for one another was evident in every game, and the sportsmanship shown by our players was equally impressive. A very special mention goes to Lebron Yarran, who was awarded Tournament MVP for the second consecutive year. To be recognised as the tournament's most valuable player twice is an exceptional achievement and a testament to his talent, hard work, and leadership. Well done everyone!
INTERSCHOOL SOCCER KNOCKOUT FINAL Early this term, our soccer team played their knockout game against Shenton College to establish who will be heading into the quarter finals in the Champion Schools Cup. Shenton College had also won their group undefeated, so it was anticipated to be a very close match. With several key players away from our team and only one substitute, we knew we would have to dig deep. In the first half, both teams managed to create some goal scoring opportunities, however it was Shenton who put away a goal to make it 1-0 at half time. The Sevenoaks boys came back out with fire in their bellies, but with 10 minutes to go we were ran out of steam and conceded 2 more goals, making the final score 3-0. OUR W S! NER IN
ROUND ROBIN FUTSAL
From week 6-10 this term, students who nominated a team played in a Monday and Tuesday round robin futsal tournament organised by Coach Mcleay. We had a mix of Year 11 and 12 students across 6 teams who battled it out in the school Gym. Each break, there were two fixtured matches that were 6 minutes each. At the end of week 9, the two top teams with the most points progressed into a grand final in week 10. The tournament was competitive, with some amazing skills, team work and sportsmanship on display. Our two finalists this year were Team 5 and GAL FC. After a hard fought final that resulted in a tie, there was a best of 3 penalty shoot out. Team 5 were our eventual winners, taking home burger vouchers from our friends at Grill'd Carousel, as well as Powerades from coach Mcleay. Well done boys!
SEVENOAKS SENIOR COLLEGE
BIG PICTURE ACADEMY PERTH ZOO EXCURSION The Academy attended an excursion to Perth Zoo this term, which is always a popular day out for all! The weather gods favoured us and the rain held off, which meant we were treated to active animals on the move! The orangutans were putting on a real show, swinging through the air and throwing food, and the hippos and reptiles were good at doing what hippos and reptiles do! We spotted all the snakes moving but the tarantulas remained elusive, phew! A firm favourite was the Zoorassic Park exhibition, where you can spot 19 life sized moving dinosaurs, including the Woolly Mammoth, Saber Tooth Tiger, Triceratops, and Stegosaurus. Zoorassic Park is designed to help raise awareness of the threats facing our natural world and the vital conservation work the Zoo does. Their animal conservation programs have released more than 4000 zoobred animals back to the wild. Whilst they may not seem as exciting as a dinosaur, I think everyone can agree on the importance of preserving our wildlife for future generations. As always the zoo is well worth a visit and the Academy would thoroughly recommend it!
FAREWELL YEAR 12S! The Academy came together on the final Wednesday of term to celebrate the hard work, achievements, and memories of our Year 12 students as they prepare to finish their schooling journey. The day began with a range of games and team-building activities, giving students the opportunity to reflect on their time together while sharing plenty of laughs. This was followed by a spirited game of Stealing Santa, which quickly became one of the highlights of the day. Students then enjoyed a Pizza and Paint session, where they embraced their creative side by painting palm trees against a beautiful sunset backdrop. The celebrations continued with a special Academy video showcasing some of the year's highlights, including the many excursions, activities, and experiences that students have enjoyed throughout 2026. To finish the day, students received a series of light-hearted Superstar Awards, recognising memorable moments, unique personalities, and the many qualities that have made this cohort so special. As the Year 12 students prepare to embark on their future pathways, we wish them every success and happiness in the years ahead. A final farewell to the Class of 2026: may your futures be bright, your alarms actually wake you up on time, and may you remember us fondly whenever you see a palm tree, a slice of pizza, or hear the words "Stealing Santa!"
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS JORDAN THORSAGER SCHOLARSHIP The Jordan Thorsager Scholarship is generously provided by Mr and Mrs Thorsager in memory of their late son and previous Sevenoaks student, Jordan, who sadly lost his life in a road accident. A one year, $1000 scholarship is annually awarded to a student who is endeavouring to complete their studies whilst managing issues impacting on them outside of their schooling; has regular attendance and work completion; has a positive behaviour and attitude; and participates in outdoor activities and sport. This year’s successful applicant was Kayla Cahill, in recognition of her dedication to volunteering with the Western Australia Disabled Water Ski Club. Her commitment to the club reflects both enthusiasm and generosity, and she clearly finds genuine fulfillment in knowing that her efforts contribute to brightening someone else’s day. Well done!
WAYNE LYON SCHOLARSHIPS Mr Wayne Lyon attended school at Cannington High School between 1971 and 1974. Wayne very sadly passed away from cancer in May 2010. His wife Tracy decided that he should be remembered for all the wonderful things he did to help others in need. Tracy kindly provides two scholarships for two students to the value of $1000 each plus CPI increases over a 20-year period. Future Endeavours: Dylan Dino - in recognition of his commitment, determination, and drive to succeed in his aspiration to become a mechanical engineer by consistently dedicating his full effort and focus to his studies. We admire his effort to uphold high standards not only to secure a successful future, but to honour his parents' sacrifices and make them proud. Environmental Impact: Tahlia Andreotta - in recognition of her commitment to education and approaching her studies with dedication and purpose. We admire the way she is passionate about making a positive impact on the environment, particularly in protecting and improving local rivers. The assembly was followed by a beautiful morning tea for all scholarship sponsors, recipients, and their families.
SEMESTER AWARDS
Our whole school awards assembly is a fantastic opportunity to gather as a school and highlight the academic achievements of our students. Achievement Awards were given to students who received the top mark in their course or Certificate for Semester 1. Special mention to Kevin Swe (Year 11) and Ida Tollefsen (Year 12), who were recognised as the top student in five and four of their subjects resepectively! What an incredible achievement.
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Endeavour Awards were also presented to students during Advocacy this term. These awards recognise students’ work ethic, overall improvement and excellent attitude toward their learning and development. Congratulations everyone!
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FOLLOW THE DREAM MURDOCH UNIVERSITY - DEADLY DREAMING This term, our First Nations students visited Murdoch University as part of the Deadly Dreaming Program, where they explored a variety of university courses and future study pathways through hands-on activities. Students investigated marine ecosystems by identifying marine animal food chains and examining the important relationships that exist within these environments. They also put their creativity, teamwork, and problemsolving skills to the test by designing and building Rube Goldberg machines, creating complex chain reactions using a range of materials. Current Aboriginal university students, shared their personal educational journeys, the challenges they have overcome, and the successes they have achieved. Their stories provided valuable insight into university life and inspired students to consider the many opportunities available.
BUNDARA WEST PARTNERSHIP SUCCESS We are so excited about our new partnership with Bundara West and Breight Group. Through Breight Education RTO. 45006, students have been given the opportunity to join a program which provides young people with mentoring, practical experiences to build confidence, develop skills and explore future pathways. Year 11 student, Trinity, and Year 12 student, Riva, have taken the opportunity with both hands and are thriving in this new environment. Congratulations, we so proud!
EVERLASTING ELDERS - YONGA STEW Sevenoaks Follow the Dream students proudly attended the Everlasting Elders function, where they had the opportunity to give back to the local community and connect with Elders in a meaningful way. Students worked together to prepare, chop and cook a delicious kangaroo stew and fresh damper, which was enjoyed by local Elders and community members. The event provided a fantastic opportunity for students to have a yarn, build relationships and show their appreciation for the knowledge, guidance and contributions of Elders within the community. During the event, Tille-Essa Prestwidge delivered a presentation highlighting the success of Sevenoaks' NAIDOC celebrations. Guests were particularly impressed by the College's new NAIDOC polo shirts, with many expressing admiration and a touch of envy for the fantastic design. Overall, the day was a wonderful celebration of culture, community and connection, providing students with a valuable opportunity to engage with and honour local Elders while showcasing the pride and achievements of the Sevenoaks Follow the Dream program. We are looking forward to the next Everlasting Elders event in Term 4, which is a pamper day!
SEPTEMBER 2026 NEWSLETTER
POLLY FARMER CAREERS EXPO 2026 This year, more than 400 Follow the Dream students gathered at RAC Arena to explore over 40 stalls and connect with universities, training providers, employers and community organisations. Sevenoaks FTD and our outreach students had the opportunity to learn about career pathways, scholarships, tertiary education and further schooling options. There was plenty of excitement throughout the day, with students enjoying interactive displays, conversations with exhibitors, and of course, collecting lots of freebies along the way! The expo was a fantastic opportunity for students to broaden their horizons, make valuable connections and be inspired to pursue their goals.
INCURSIONS WARDINY BIDI - UWA STUDENT GUEST SPEAKER Zoya Khalid, a UWA student completing a Master of Business Psychology, generously volunteered her time to present evidence-based strategies for preparing mentally before and during examinations. The presentation was aimed primarily at Year 11 students. It was highly interactive, with students participating in activities, discussions and questionand-answer sessions. They also shared strategies that had already helped them manage examination preparation, stress and confidence. Students asked many thoughtful questions and actively reflected on how they could improve their approach to examinations. By the end of the presentation, each student had identified at least one practical strategy to apply in future assessments and examinations. The Wardiny Bidi team sincerely thanks Zoya Khalid and the University of Western Australia for supporting our students and helping them develop the confidence and skills needed to shape their futures.
CURTIN UNIVERSITY ‘MY VITAL CYCLES’ PROGRAM Students from selected classes participated in the My Vital Cycles Health Literacy Incursion this term, delivered through the Community Health and Education Support Services (CHESS) Consortium. The program, developed by Dr Felicity Roux, was facilitated by Curtin medical students who led small-group discussions and role-play activities using fictional case studies. Through this engaging learning experience, students developed their health literacy, gained insight into how healthcare professionals gather information, and built confidence in accessing reliable health information and support services in a safe, respectful and educational environment.
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HOUSEKEEPING IMPORTANT TERM 4 DATES
NEW SLE TTER
Final day for Year 12s - Wednesday October 14 marks the final day on campus for our year 12 students. Staff will be cooking and hosting a breakfast for students at 7:30am to celebrate. We will then have a rehearsal for the Presentation Ceremony and give out the 2026 SSC Yearbook.
Year 12 WACE ATAR Exams - Wednesday 28 October - Thursday 19 November. Year 12 Presentation Ceremony - Saturday 24 October at Curtin University Stadium. More information available on our website and Connect. Year 11 ATAR Exams - Thursday 12 November to Friday 20 November. Final day on campus for Year 11s - Friday 13 Nov (non ATAR), Tuesday 24 Nov (ATAR) Workplace Learning Portfolios - Must be collected by your final day on campus. Library Books & Locker Keys - Please ensure all books and keys are returned to Elaine in the Library before your final day on campus.
COMPETITION WINNER A huge thank you to everyone who entered our Semester 1 contributions and charges competition! Our lucky family received their $250 Coles Myer voucher late this term. A reminder that our Semester 2 competition is now closed and will be drawn in Term 4.
2027 ENROLMENTS Do you know anyone thinking about enrolling at Sevenoaks for 2027? Enrolments are now open and filling up fast! Please visit our website to access the expression of interest form, or give us a call on (08) 6235 7200.
IN THE MEDIA SSC MAKES HEADLINES