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YEAR 12 GRADUATION
See photos from our Year 12 Graduation ceremony and lunch. A joyous occasion celebrating our graduates and their learning journey.
Read the musical wrap-up and enjoy a spectacular showcase of student learning, teamwork and talent.
Celebrating student achievements and learning opportunities across the school.

FROM THE PRINCIPAL
FROM THE DEPUTY OF PRIMARY
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING
FROM PREP SCHOOL
FROM THE LIBRARY
YEAR 12 GRADUATION 2025
TERM 3 STUDENT LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS
THE LITTLE MERMAID FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST


This vision offers us a shared language and a clearer sense of purpose, shaping not only what we teach but why.
As I reflect on this past term, I see many examples of learning that embody these values
It was a privilege to witness firsthand what our Gold Duke of Edinburgh students learned while walking the Kokoda Track. Beyond the physical challenges that brought them together, they were immersed in a different culture and climate, building strong bonds with the PNG support staff and gaining a broader view of the world
We have also been celebrating the joy and benefits of reading. Of course, regular reading improves literacy, but its deeper power is in expanding understanding through encountering the experiences of others


God created us with a deep need for relationship, both with Him and with one another. The church is a place where people of common faith can gather to learn, grow, and encourage one another under God’s Word. As Christians, we are united in the belief that Jesus sacrificed Himself for us all, and through this truth we find a sense of belonging and purpose. In the same way, WCCS is more than just a school, it is a community where we can connect, share, and support one another. This was reflected in the recent survey feedback, which highlighted the importance of belonging to a community that strengthens both faith and relationships
On Wednesday, 17th September, our families came together for an engaging afternoon of Loose Parts Play. Loose Parts Play encourages creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration as students explore open-ended materials, supporting their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development It also connects to curriculum areas like maths, science, and literacy, while fostering independence, resilience, and a love for learning

Everyone, including parents, actively explored, designed, and problem-solved using a variety of materials. It was heartwarming to see parents not just observing but joining in and playing alongside their children. This active participation created beautiful moments of collaboration, imagination, and respect for one another’s ideas.
If you are available next Wednesday, I would love for you to join us for another afternoon together.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs Gillian Coote Deputy Principal Primary

At WCCS, we partner with parents to nurture children in both faith and learning Over the past 12 months, we have been working to integrate a more cohesive pattern of Biblical worldview into our lessons so that our teaching is infused with content shaped by the truth of God’s Word, found in Jesus Christ We believe education is more than academic success, it is about helping children grow in wisdom, character, and a love for Christ that will guide them throughout their lives In every subject, from Maths and Science to English and the Creative Arts, students are encouraged to see God’s design, purpose, and goodness at work in His world Rooted in rich foundations, our teaching provides a warm and supportive environment where children are equipped to think deeply, live faithfully, and step confidently into the future God has prepared for them
At the heart of this approach are our dedicated teachers, who see their role as both educators and mentors, guiding each child with care and prayerful support They work intentionally to help students achieve strong learning outcomes, using effective teaching strategies that reflect high standards while recognising the unique gifts and abilities of every learner. By fostering curiosity, perseverance, and a love of learning, our teachers encourage students to do their best in every area of study. With a commitment to excellence anchored in a biblical worldview, they walk alongside students, helping them grow in knowledge, skill, and confidence.
We are also delighted to welcome two new positions this year to our school community, further strengthening our commitment to excellent teaching and learning Our new Assistant Directors of Teaching and Learning (ADTLs) are:
Sharka Downey, who brings a wealth of knowledge to our Gifted and Talented programs as well as extensive expertise in numeracy. She will help provide tailored support and extension opportunities, ensuring students with advanced abilities are stretched and inspired in ways that honour their Godgiven potential
Natalie Hennessey, a literacy expert who will work alongside teachers to enrich classroom practice, ensuring every child develops strong reading, writing, and communication skills that will serve them for life
Together, these additions reflect our ongoing commitment at WCCS to provide the best possible education for all students, equipping them to flourish both academically and spiritually
A word from Sharka:
At William Carey, our Primary staff are deeply engaged in professional learning that equips them to design authentic and dynamic learning experiences for every child Grounded in biblical truth and shaped by Transformation By Design, our teachers are upskilling to integrate the very best of educational research and the science of learning with the new syllabuses. This journey is not just about covering content, but about creating rich and meaningful connections across subject areas so that learning is deeper, relevant, and life-giving. We are excited by how this will inspire staff and students to think critically, grow faithfully, and flourish.
A word from Natalie:
We all know students who read tend to do better at school
But here’s something we sometimes forget: learning to read fluently isn’t the finish line. Reading is a skill we keep developing all through school and even as adults!
Reading for fun has been linked to stronger literacy, better focus, more empathy, and even higher achievement in subjects like Maths Plus, it’s one of the simplest ways to give your child a boost in school and in life. So how can you help your child keep reading?
1. Keep encouraging reading
Even if your child can already read on their own, keep cheering them on. Show them that reading isn’t just a school skill it’s a life skill
2. Read together
Reading is better when it’s shared Snuggle up with a story, take turns reading aloud, or read the same book and chat about your favourite parts. Even “quiet reading time” in the same room makes it more enjoyable This isn’t just for young children even a 17-year-old can sit and read alongside their parents!
3. Talk about books
Sometimes kids stop reading because they don’t know what to pick up next. Share books you loved at their age, swap recommendations with friends, or ask your friendly school or local librarian (they’re book-matchmaking experts!).
4. Be a reading role model
Kids are more likely to read if they see you reading Let them catch you enjoying a book, magazine, or even an article online Dads in particular your reading example makes a big impact
5. Fill your home with books
Research shows that simply having books around the house builds positive attitudes toward reading and improves fluency. So, stack those shelves, baskets, and bedside tables!
Ashley Allard Director of Teaching and Learning
Mrs Sharka Downey Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning (P-6)
Natalie Hennessey Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning (7-12)
The theme of this edition is teaching and learning. We’re highlighting the many ways students at William Carey are engaging with knowledge, developing skills, and growing in curiosity From hands-on experiences and creative projects to collaborative problem-solving and research, learning is alive in every corner of our school Take a look at our Learning in Action section below to see just a few examples of how students are thriving in their learning journey
Primary students recently took part in the Amazing Asia Fair, where they researched different Asian countries and explored each nation’s unique relationship with Australia They then showcased their findings on display boards, highlighting fascinating facts, traditions and cultural connections The fair was a wonderful celebration of curiosity, creativity and collaboration
Highlights


Year 9 students recently held an Anything but a Backpack parade to raise funds for Anglicare Instead of their usual school bags, students carried their belongings in creative items and then showcased them in a lively fashion-style parade. The event was full of fun all while supporting an important cause and learning the value of service through action.
This term our Primary students showcased their creativity and problem-solving at the annual Science and STEM Fair Year 3 and 4 students designed their own projects, developing hypotheses, conducting experiments and recording their observations.
Our Year 12 students recently spent time reading with Kindergarten, sharing stories and smiles together This special time not only nurtured a love of reading in our youngest learners but also gave our seniors the chance to model leadership and encouragement. It was a beautiful reminder that teaching and learning happen across all ages at Carey.


Building on these skills, Year 5 and 6 students tackled real-world problems, applying STEM principles to design and test innovative solutions The fair, held in the school hall with parents in attendance, was a wonderful celebration of curiosity, critical thinking and the joy of learning
On Thursday 18 September, students recorded the very first Carey student podcast Hosted by student leaders from the SLC and PLC, the podcast is a new platform for students to share their ideas, experiences and creativity with our wider community. Each episode will highlight school events, student perspectives and fun conversations that strengthen connection and celebrate learning at Carey
You can listen to the podcast now via the Family Portal


IS IT “JUST PLAY”, OR THE KEY TO
Several of the Prep Staff had the privilege of attending an Early Childhood conference recently, in which key note speakers reminded us of the vital role of play to support the whole child and their readiness for academic learning
Cross- continental, longitudinal research shows that strong social, emotional, and language skills in early childhood are critical predictors of later academic success and positive life outcomes. Children who can manage emotions, build relationships, and communicate effectively are better able to engage in learning, solve problems, and adapt to challenges Play plays a central role in this development, providing natural opportunities for children to practice cooperation, negotiation, selfregulation, and vocabulary growth
A key skill that was highlighted by Professor Rebekah Grace, was the important role of self-regulation to academic and social success: “Self-regulation is not limited to the socio-emotional domain; it also includes elements of cognitive behaviours such as memory, planning, attention and motivation Learning to persist in complex learning tasks or problems that stretch children’s skills is one of the most important outcomes of healthy self-regulation ”
That through pretend play, storytelling, and collaborative games, children strengthen both their emotional intelligence and language abilities, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and well-being Prof Grace emphasised that unstructured, intentional play experiences, supported by adult facilitators, provide the most conducive opportunities for children to learn and practice:
· Behavioural skills – inhibitory control; enabling the child to resist inappropriate impulses and distractions;
Social and emotional skills –recognising and controlling emotions, delaying gratification, turn-taking, and managing frustrations;
Cognitive skills of memory and attentional capacity – ability to coordinate multiple sources of information; and
· Cognitive flexibility – the capacity to switch gears, shift according to demands, changing rules perspectives or priorities It’s not just play!

Michelle Larrea Director of Early Education & Care


Prep
Prep students have been enjoying a wide range of quality literature this term. Some of the things we have explored include:
The different parts of a book
How the cover and endpapers give us clues about what the book is about
Who an author and illustrator are
The differences between fiction and non-fiction books
How fiction books are organised in the library
As part of their library routine, Prep M and Prep V have been learning the song ‘The God of Wow!’ by Sovereign Grace Music
Through the song, we have learned many wonderful truths about God, such as: God not having a birthday (He alone has no beginning, no middle, and no end!); God is everywhere; God made everything; and God’s great love for us is shown through sending us Jesus
Students have thoroughly enjoyed learning more about God, listening to stories, and choosing a book to take home each week
Kindy – Houses Around the World
This term, Kindy have been learning about houses around the world in their research lessons.
Igloos have been a hit! Students have asked many curious questions, such as: “How do people stay warm in an igloo?” and “If there’s a fireplace, how does the igloo not melt?”
The students became Superhero Researchers as they followed ‘The Super 3’ research process: PLAN the inquiry
DO the research by searching for facts in a non-fiction book and finding keywords in the index and contents pages
REVIEW the research to see if it answers our wonderings or if we need to keep DO-ing more!
We discovered that in God’s good design, He provides everything peo need to live and survive! God gives people materials in their environments such as snow for ice bricks, wood and reeds for weaving meat and plants to eat, animal bon for tools, fur for warm clothing, animal skin for waterproof boots, a even blubber for oil lamps.
God gives us every breath we breathe We have much more than we need. We can say “Thank you!” to God for His abundant blessings and gifts to us, especially His love and grace shown to us in Jesus our Saviour We can be amazed at the way people use His provisions to skilfully make houses and live comfortably in many environments on Earth!



Last term, students researched dinosaur features using ‘The Super 3 – PLAN, DO, REVIEW’ process and designed their own brand-new dinosaur creations This term, they are becoming authors and illustrators, using their dinosaurs as the main characters in their very own picture books!


We have been reading Elys Dolan’s non-fiction book ‘How to Make a Picture Book: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide’. Students have learned how to brainstorm their favourite things, choose two, and combine them through “Story Maths” to create a fantastical storyline They have also enjoyed folding, stapling, and cutting paper carefully to make mini books where their ideas come to life. The students are deeply engaged in this activity and showing real potential for authorship and illustration in the future!

This term, students undertook a mini research project using the book ‘Unreal’ by Kate Simpson as a guide The book is laid out as a “museum” showcasing various plants and animals, but readers must determine what is real and what is not
Using the book as a springboard, students investigated whether the Wood Frog, which is presumably found in Alaska, is real. The book states that a unique characteristic of the Wood Frog is that it freezes during the winter months and its heart stops beating before thawing in spring and continuing its life.
As not everything on the internet is reliable, students used the CARS method to determine if two websites were reliable and suitable for research. After confirming the credibility of the websites, students concluded that the Wood Frog is indeed real, and that it contains glucose in its blood to prevent it from completely freezing. Isn’t our God amazing!




























Prep parents and carers enjoyed coming on site to join their children for a fun and engaging Loose
Parts Play afternoon





Sport offers students much more than physical activity; it provides a powerful way to build character and develop essential life skills. In particular, resilience, teamwork, and serving others stand out as key outcomes of our school’s sporting program
Resilience is fostered every time a student faces a challenge, whether it be a tough opponent, a missed shot, or an unexpected loss Sport teaches students to persevere, adapt, and keep striving for improvement, helping them to develop a growth mindset that extends well beyond the field.

Teamwork is at the heart of all sport Students quickly learn that success
depends not just on individual ability but also on collaboration, communication, and trust By working together toward a shared goal, they develop empathy, patience, and the ability to both lead and support their peers
Finally, sport provides meaningful opportunities to serve others
Whether it’s encouraging a teammate, helping set up equipment, or showing respect to officials and opponents, students learn that true success in sport involves contributing to the wellbeing of others.
Through these experiences, sport becomes a pathway to shaping resilient, compassionate, and community-minded young people.

For the very first time, WCCS entered teams in the prestigious Todd Woodbridge Cup tennis tournament - and what a debut it was!


Our students played with determination, skill, and excellent sportsmanship throughout the day, making us all proud Stage 3 came incredibly close to the top, missing the playoff for first place by just two points, and finishing an impressive 4th overall Stage 2 excelled with strong performances and teamwork, securing 2nd place overall and g themselves a spot in the regional playoffs his year a fantastic experience and a wonderful ement for our budding tennis stars tulations to all who participated - we look d to cheering on Stage 2 in the next round!

What an incredible performance from our athletes at CIS Athletics! On Tuesday, 23 of September, 16 events were entered by 8 WCCS Athletes and 11 medals were awarded! This is a massive accomplishment We are so proud of the effort, determination, and sportsmanship shown by every competitor. Congratulations to all our medal winners and participants! You represented our school with excellence! rd
Our medal winners who made the CIS Secondary Athletics Merit Team include Meray, Ivansh, Aaron, Malik, Warwick and our Open Boys Relay Team of Malik, Kenny, Warwick and Taiwo who ended the day on a high with a Bronze Medal! This relay team was so determined to do well that they organized pre practice sessions themselves and trained so well on the day that their baton changes were absolutely seamless which contributed to this great result! Thanks also to Mr Manuel and Mrs Bent for attending and supporting our athletes and the parents present. We look forward to building on these achievements and continuing success in sport into the future!



This term, our Years 3 and 4 students enthusiastically took part in The Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, a national competition designed to challenge students’ spelling accuracy and speed.
During the School Competition Round, students were asked to correctly spell and submit 30 words. Their results were ranked on accuracy (the number of correct spellings) and time (how quickly they submitted their answers). The top 200 entrants from each state and territory were then invited to compete in the State and Territory Finals.
We are very proud to recognise the following Stage 2 students who achieved outstanding results and progressed to the NSW Finals:
Stuart G. (Year 3)
Maanya G. (Year 4)
Ari S. (Year 4)
Reaching the State Finals is a remarkable achievement, and we congratulate Stuart, Maanya, and Ari on their hard work, determination, and spelling success.
Mr Jimmy du Plooy Stage 2 Coordinator



This term, our Year 5 and Year 6 students participated in the Prime Minister’s Spelling Bee, a nationwide competition open to students from Years 3 to 6. The event gave students the opportunity to test their spelling skills against peers across Australia and celebrate excellence in language learning.
On Tuesday the 19th, we all got involved by logging on to the competition. The computer read out words, and we did our best to spell them correctly. It was a busy time, and we were certainly “busy little bees”! We completed the competition just before recess, and everyone did really well. One of our students, Kaitlyn Shamba, achieved an outstanding result and made it through to the State Finals.
The Spelling Bee required students to complete 30 spelling words in a fun format where they had to aim for accuracy, beat the clock, and compete alongside peers across Australia. Each student received 30 random words from their reading-level list and had 25 seconds to spell each one. Some words were unfamiliar, but this exposure, along with learning their meanings, helped expand vocabularies and encouraged a love of reading.
We are very proud of all our students for the enthusiasm, effort, and courage they showed in representing our school.
Mr Burns Stage 3 Coordinator

It is my immense pleasure to present to you our 14 external Primary Art frames, filled with a wonderful selection of artworks from our creative Primary students!
We have a selection of charcoal portraits of ‘Jesus on the Cross’ from our Year 6 students, a stark visual reminder of the importance of the cross here at William Carey and a lasting tribute to our great triune God. Year 3 have demonstrated their artistic skills through striking dot paintings that symbolise love, community, and connection
A golden-backed ANZAC tribute has been created using soft pastel blending techniques and silhouette soldiers. Henri Matisse inspired our Year 2 artists to create vibrant collages using his ‘painting with scissors’ technique. They also demonstrated their creativity by producing quirky Picasso-style watercolour paintings Our Year 6 students have painted a wonderful array of realistic self-portraits as well as bold graphic pieces inspired by the artwork of Luke Dixon. More of these will soon be on display in the library.
We are also celebrating the creativity of our Kindergarten students alongside our Year 1 vibrant ‘Under the Sea’ creations Through Art lessons and Art Clubs at lunchtimes, our WCCS students are experimenting with a variety of techniques and media to create unique artworks worth celebrating!
Yours in His service
Jenny O’Keefe


TLC Group is a small group Mathematics and English intervention program that focuses on Early Stage 1 and Stage 1 outcomes for students in Years 3–6.
The group enjoys visiting the library twice per week and taking advantage of the outdoor classroom whenever possible. A favourite moment from Term 3 was joining the High School Learning Support class to make scones! A fun, hands-on learning experience for everyone.







William Carey Christian School recently sent eight students to the HICES Year 6 Gifted and Talented Camp, held from 1–5 September. Students spent the week engaged in a variety of challenging and fun activities. The camp provided a unique opportunity to meet and work with peers from other HICES schools, fostering new friendships and collaborative learning. Our students shared that they enjoyed being challenged, learning new skills, and making new friends.
Each day, students chose one core class to focus on in a workshop. Some of the options included:
Archaeology: Students explored the science behind archaeology through historical case studies and hands-on site mapping activities.
Lego Robotics: Students learned programming and engineering skills, designing and constructing their own robots. The highlight of the week was a Robot Sumo tournament.
Minecraft Coding: A hands-on approach to learning about the environment and coding, with a focus on sustainable agriculture.
Stock Market Simulation: Students competed as stockbrokers with an initial investment of $50,000, learning how shares relate to world affairs.
Dramatic Skills: Students built confidence and enhanced their voice and expression through short skits.
Realism in Portraiture: Students practised observation, precision, and technique to create accurate portraits.
Mathematical Escape: This elective challenged students to design and solve digital escape rooms using logical reasoning, number patterns, and algebraic thinking.
Sporting Statistics: Future statisticians and sports fans analysed sports data to determine the best players across generations.
In the evenings, students had the chance to relax and socialise with a variety of fun events, including an icebreaker, a disco, a guest speaker, and a trivia night. It was clearly a week full of engaging learning and fun!

Unlock the Secrets of Space with Trigonometry!: This class taught how sine, cosine, and tangent help solve missing angles and distances essential for space travel.
In the afternoons, students had the opportunity to join a variety of elective courses, including:
Bridge Building: Students designed and constructed bridges out of simple materials like skewers, paper, and masking tape, and then tested their strength.
Living in Space: This course explored the history of space travel and the effects on the human body.




The High School Learning Support Awards Assembly was a wonderful celebration of our HSLS students, honouring their achievements and unique strengths. It was a heartfelt event that highlighted the gifts and skills each student has shared with our school community.
Mrs Natalie Webb treated parents to a lively Shakespearean experience, leading a lesson demonstration filled with props and playful exchanges. Parents, students and teachers enthusiastically joined in, offering each other classic Shakespearean compliments and witty insults.





Prep students were thrilled to visit the Year 4 Band and listen to their lively performance. The music sparked excitement and wonder, giving our youngest learners a joyful taste of what might be ahead in their musical journey.






Year 7 Dress Up Day was a fun and colourful way to boost fundraising efforts in support of Tearfund.










Year 8 stepped back in time this term f Medieval Day, bringing History studies life Students experienced the sights, sounds and skills of the Middle Ages through a variety of activities including jousting, archery, and exploring mediev tools and accessories Laughter, friendl competition and plenty of curiosity fille the day as students gained a deeper understanding of the era.
A big thank you to the staff, special gue and students whose enthusiasm and effort made this such a memorable and enriching learning experience.












What a blessing the musical has been to the whole Carey community! We are so proud of our cast and so thankful to the production team and everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the musical as incredible as it was.
Thankyoutoparentsofourcast,andeveryonewhocameto watchtheshow.Wehopeyouenjoyeditasmuchasweloved putting it together To our Year 10 and Year 11s who have now done their final performance - we have loved watching you growandworkingwithyouoverthelastfewyears
Thankyouforallyouhavegiventomusicalsatourschool We miss you already! To those who are younger, let’s do it all againintwoyears!
AMusicalReviewfromagrandmother
So many people said to me, “Oh you are going to love the musical”.Ithought,“Itcan’tbethatgood”.HowwrongIwas!This musicaltooktherenownWCCSmusicalstoanewlevel.
I had the joy of sharing The Little Mermaid musical with my granddaughters. They were transfixed on everything happening around them. The colours, the songs, the movement, the props (includingoneverybigwhale) Itwastrulyamagicalworld
Mygranddaughternowwantsherownmermaidtailforsummer
Thankyoutoallwhowereinvolvedinthemusical Itwasaproductionbeyondmyexpectations
Signed:Averyhappygrandmother.
Ms Leanne Allchin











“I'mforecastingthemusicaltobethe highlightofmyyear Itwassosomuchfun performingandseeingeveryonecome togetherlikeabunchofcogs”
AmmiusBarden,PrinceEric
“Beingpartofthemusicalhasbeena greatjoy!I'msoblessedtoseetheway God'sworkedthroughourproductionand thefriendshipsformedalongtheway.”
SarahGewargis,Ariel
“OnethingIreallyenjoyedaboutthe musicalwasthecommunityandfriends thatImadeduringitandwiththe connectiontoothergradesintheschool.”
RaphaelBent,KingTriton
“Beinginthemusicalhasbeenoneofthe highlightsofmyschoolexperience.Itwasa waytounwind,havefun,andlaughwith friendsafterthedifficultshiftbetweenYear 10andYear11.PlayingUrsulawas challengingbutsomuchfun,andI’llreally missmyfinalmusical.”
JiyaJohn,Ursula



“It’sanexperienceyoucan’tgetfrom anywhereelseatschool,itwasoneof thebestdecisionsthatI’veevermade whenIjoined.”
AriannaPatel-Pastor,Ursula
"Beingpartofthemusicalhasbeen suchanincredibleexperience.We’ve allgrownsomuchcloserasacast, andIfeelluckytohavebeen surroundedbysuchanamazinggroup ofpeople.Iknowthatwhenthe musicalended,Ileftitwithfriendships acrosseverygrade."
AnnaWeedon,Flounder
“DoingTheLittleMermaidthisyear hasbeensuchanenjoyable,funand rewardingexperienceforme.Inotonly grewclosewiththecast,butIalso madecountlessfondandspecial memoriesthroughoutthemusical rehearsalsandperformances.”
PhoebeRidikas,Flounder

























At the start of September, we celebrated the vital role of fathers and father figures in our community with a BBQ breakfast. Over 350 bacon and egg rolls were served as dads, granddads, and even a great granddad, enjoyed a relaxed morning with their families.
Mr Hudson shared his thoughts (along with a few classic dad jokes), and the K–2 Choir delighted everyone with their songs. A big thank you to all who helped make this event such a joyful and memorable celebration.














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