Term 1 | Week 6 | 2026
Newsletter Contents
- College Principal's Address
- Bega Show
- Primary - Celebrating Learning and Engagement
- Congratulations To Pippa
- Learn @ Lunch
- Class 3H News
- Little Lights
- Library News
- Open Mic Lunch
- Ag News
- Year 7 Science
- Year 9 and 10 Drama
- Year 9 and 10 History Excursion to Eden Killer Whale Museum
- Year 11 Visual Arts
- Royal Canberra Show
- Permi-Plot
- Australian MTB Interschools 2026
- AFL Paul Kelly Cup Day
- The Big Issue
- Staff Cafe
- Careers News
- Curriculum News
- Digital Wellbeing for Families Workshop
- Community Notices
College Principal's Address
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg
(Justice of the Supreme Court of the USA, 1993-2020)
An Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn, the Chief Operating Officer – Education, our Board Chair of 2018 – present (and the Founding Chair, 1993-1994), the Diocese’s new Director of People and Culture, 66% of our College’s senior leadership team, 75% of the entire College staff, 100% of the Parents and Friends Committee, and the designer and editor of this Newsletter each week... are female! As we rapidly approach Sunday’s International Women’s Day, it seems fitting to reflect on the incredible impact women are making, and have made, throughout the 32-year history of our College. While the term, ‘Girl Power’ was apparently first coined by the early 1990s American all-female punk band, Bikini Kill (how many of our readership have any of their CDs, I wonder?) before going global with the explosion of the Spice Girls on to the pop music scene in the mid-1990s, it is not stretching the truth to suggest the concept is still very much alive, and kicking at Sapphire Coast Anglican College in 2026! In fact, for half of my tenure as Principal our staff and students have elected girls to both College Captain positions, providing proof, if it were needed, that not only do equal opportunities exist but sometimes, as legendary former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher once said,
‘the best man for the job is often a woman’.
As a male of the species whose life in teaching spans from the very end of the 1990s (when yes, even the rough and tough Venture Scouts at an all-boys, selective school in Gloucester, England, established in 1666, played Spice Girls songs endlessly at their weekly gatherings in the Scout Hut, ‘I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want!’...) to the present day, I have to admit that sometimes the balance, not of opportunity, but of engagement with leadership challenges by boys and girls has flipped quite alarmingly. No longer do we expect that boys aspire to and succeed in occupying the overwhelming proportion of student leadership roles, both formal and informal. On a 21-student trip to a remote village in Solomon Islands in 2019, from a regional, co-educational day- and boarding school in Queensland, no fewer than 17 of the intrepid travellers were female. Transport from the bustling port town of Auki into the hinterland was (not intentionally, and certainly not according to the risk assessment!) in the back of an open truck, sat astride giant bunches of freshly-cut bananas and sacks of betel nuts. Accommodation was on the floor in palm-roofed huts with no mains water or electricity, all food consumed was raised and prepared within the village, and the toilet was, well what you’d expect in a village 2 hours walk from the nearest gravel track. None of that fazed the girls. In the last few months at SCAC we have had girls succeed in so many domains; cattle and sheep judging, sporting endeavours in multiple codes, winning a national palaeontology competition, creating an award-winning speech read by our MP in Federal Parliament. Why, we even have one of our most experienced female staff volunteering her catering talents and energy on a Mercy Ship, off the West African coast, during an extended period of unpaid leave.
There’s certainly a lot of Girl Power around here, and we hope that our College will always provide ample opportunities for everyone to reach their full potential and realise their dreams. However, I’d like to finish by sharing some of the words written by one of our Primary teachers (female!) ahead of Monday morning’s acknowledgement of ‘IWD’ at Staff Devotions, and a special morning tea: ‘Today, we honour the women who marched at the first International Women’s Day in Sydney’s Domain in 1928, the women who pushed for the Australian government to recognise this occasion in the 1970s, and the women who continue to challenge outdated attitudes. We have come a long way, but the work is not finished. Progress happens when we keep speaking up, keep sharing our stories, and keep pushing for a world where equity is lived, not just legislated’. I hope we are all able to pause for a few moments over the next few days to acknowledge how blessed we are to be surrounded by remarkable women, in the workplace as well as in our homes. The next generation, currently in our school, fills us with optimism for the future too.
David Proudlove College Principal
Bega Show
What a fabulous weekend for our SCAC community at the 150th Bega Show! Our students shone in the Young Woman and Junior Showgirl competitions. SCAC alumna Jada was crowned Young Woman of Bega Show 2026, Year 8 student Miley was named Junior Showgirl, and Year 10 student Sarah was awarded Junior Showgirl Runner Up. We are incredibly proud of the dedication, leadership and community spirit these young women displayed throughout the competition and in carrying out their duties across the weekend. Friday saw our youngest students, from Pre-Kinder to Year 2, enjoy a wonderful day at the show. They admired their artwork and creations on display in the main pavilion (with many prizes being revealed!), visited the animal nursery, the reptile encounter, the mini big rigs, the road safety workshop and watched the cattle judging and horse events. Meanwhile, eight of our SCAC Cattle Show Team were competing in the Dairy Cattle Ring, with Molly placing 3rd in the judging, Evie 3rd in the Dairy Parading, and Marcus receiving an honourable mention. Saturday was Beef Cattle Showing with Molly placing second with the Champion Bull, also winning the parading, along with Charlie second and Makayla third. The pavilion proudly displayed dozens of SCAC award recipients, with ribbons across floral displays, baking, arts and crafts, and fruit and vegetables. A special mention to our Ag students who won the Junior Vegetable Exhibit for their outstanding collection of vegetables. Our students also volunteered throughout the weekend in the animal nursery, proudly representing NSW Rural Youth. Sunday afternoon wrapped up the show with our students winning prize money in the sheep yarding competition, and four of our Year 8 students, Kaleb, Lawson, Liam, and Toby, formed the youngest team competing in the prestigious Farmers Challenge event. Well done, boys! What an incredible showcase of talent, teamwork and community involvement. We are so proud of every student who represented SCAC at the show!
Primary - Celebrating Learning and Engagement
It has been a wonderfully busy and enriching time in Primary, and I am happy to share some of the many learning experiences and successes our students have enjoyed recently.
A Strong Focus on Reading
One of the standout highlights this term has been our novel studies. Students have enjoyed shared reading experiences at school, including special lunchtime reading sessions led by the senior leadership team initially, and now, enthusiastic Secondary middle leaders and teachers. These moments have strengthened connections and modelled a love of reading. The expectation that students continue reading their novels at home has encouraged valuable interaction time with parents and carers.
Student Leadership and Sportsmanship
Our youngest students attended their first whole-school assembly on Thursday which was led by Year 6. They showed confidence and organisational skills, delivering an engaging presentation on sportsmanship. Through role play, they demonstrated how to be good sports in the playground and on the field, setting a wonderful example for younger students.
Faith and Creativity
Students were treated to an inspiring Creation presentation by Mrs Kurilowicz at Chapel. Using symbols and visual storytelling, students explored how the Earth was made in an imaginative and meaningful way.
Sport, Music and Sustainability
Years 5–6 students participated in the AFL Paul Kelly Cup Gala Day in Bega, with the infant school also taking part in a day to develop ball skills and playing as a team. Our Year 3 Strings and Year 4 Instrumental Program continues to flourish under the guidance of experienced and passionate musicians. Sustainability remains a strong focus through our Green Team initiative, with classes visiting Eat Dirt Dan to learn about permaculture and contribute to an outdoor learning space.
What’s Coming Up
Looking ahead, Mrs Kurilowicz and her team are preparing for the upcoming Easter Service and Hat Parade, followed by a Colour Fun Run organised by the P&F Committee. Submissions are now open to Stage 3 students for Student Representative Council positions. We look forward to hearing speeches being presented and in preparing our class to provide productive feedback on strengths, weaknesses and suggestions within the school. We are incredibly proud of our students and thank families for their continued support.
Lynda Whyman Head of Primary
Congratulations To Pippa
Congratulations to Year 5 student Pippa Barton, who represented Sapphire Coast Anglican College at the 2026 NSW CIS Tennis Selection Championships in Sydney last week. Pippa did amazingly, placing 7th out of an extremely competitive field of 24 Year 5 and 6 students. Well done Pippa!
Learn @ Lunch
It was a joy to launch our very first Learn @ Lunch sessions last week, with members of the Executive Team reading alongside our Year 3-6 students. The session was held during the first part of lunch, so students could eat while listening and still enjoy their full playtime afterwards. There was a wonderful sense of calm, focus and shared enjoyment as each year level immersed themselves in their class novel — Year 3 revisiting the wit and courage of Matilda; Year 4 journeying through adventure and resilience in Kensuke’s Kingdom; Year 5 exploring loyalty and sacrifice in War Horse, and Year 6 grappling with the depth and tension of Rivet Boy.
Learn @ Lunch Sessions are about more than just reading; they model a love of literature, build community across the school and provide dedicated time for students to engage deeply with rich, complex texts.
Class 3H News
Year 3 have been exploring different climate zones in Geography. To showcase their learning, they used watercolours to create artworks of their chosen climate zone, carefully illustrating the landscapes and animals that live there.
Little Lights
Our Little Lights program held at St John’s Anglican Church each Tuesday continues to grow and flourish, with new families joining us every week.
The program not only provides a wonderful safe space for 0-5 year olds to develop social, emotional and physical skills, but also a great opportunity for parents and carers to connect and build a supportive sense of community.
Little Lights also provides meaningful hands-on learning for our Year 9 and 10 CAFS (Community and Family Studies) students. It has been lovely to see their confidence grow each week as they engage with the children and interact with parents and carers.
Library News
Open Mic Lunch
Open Mic Lunch on Wednesdays has kicked off the year in style, featuring memorable performances from Lucas, Charlotte, and our new contender for the Open Mic unbeaten streak, Tilly. Sisters Ava and Sierra also treated us to a wonderful sneak preview of a potential MADD Night performance with their beautiful rendition of A Thousand Years.
Ag News
Thank you to all Years 7-10 students who helped at the Bega Show in the Animal Nursery. Show organisers were pleased with our students' attendance and dedication throughout the show. Our calf babies - Bruno and Bart, from the Apps, are continuing to thrive! Thank you to all our morning feeders and those willing to step in as needed! As students carry out general maintenance on the poddy area, our sheep look on. Students are excited about our baby silkies hatching in the lab; incubation is complete, and they are expected to hatch soon. Stay tuned! Thank you to Lillian, for bringing these in.
Year 7 Science
Our Year 7 Scientists have been learning about observations and variables in experiments. In light of the Winter Olympics, a luge was created to test the longest and fastest track. Students went under and over tables to create the most innovative creations yet. Year 7 students have tested variables by creating mini greenhouses to watch herbs and flowers grow in height. Looking forward to seeing them and their plants continue to grow.
Year 9 and 10 Drama
Year 9 and 10 drama students are embarking upon the task of play-building; focusing on the nature of ensemble and how to engage an audience through unison, chorus and canons. The use of tableaux to create a series of scenes is the starting point for their group devised original performance. Students have been experimenting with lighting to add mood and tension.
Year 9 and 10 History Excursion to Eden Killer Whale Museum
Some things in life are rare, very rare, rarely seen in fact. Actually, they may only happen in ONE place in the world. Our intrepid Year 9/10 History elective students, after three weeks of solid research and collecting information on whaling, were able to visit the Eden Killer Whale Museum on Tuesday, 3rd of March. Our guide, Luke, was able to tell us the unique story of the manner in which orcas and humans (starting with the indigenous Thaua people) combined to hunt whales in Twofold Bay. The orcas would “round up” a whale (much like sheep-dogs round up sheep) and alert the whalers to go out to sea and help bring it in. Townspeople would cry “Rusho” and crews that consisted of a mix of indigenous and Europeans worked side by side to row out to sea to capture the whales. The most famous of the orcas was Old Tom, who led a pod that would help bring in several whales each year. By 1929, with the decline of the whale population, this symbiotic relationship ended. Nevertheless, there are no other records on the planet of orcas working with humans for mutual benefit. The class would recommend readers visit the museum to find out more about this fascinating local history.
Year 11 Visual Arts
Year 11 Visual Art students recently took turns posing for their peers in a figurative painting exercise. The session allowed students to practise observing and painting the human form, building important skills for their self-portrait projects due at the end of the term.
Royal Canberra Show
Well done to our SCAC Show Cattle Team, who had a busy weekend of cattle preparation and parading at the Royal Canberra Show. Congratulations to Charlie and Makayla for showing the Champion Pair of Bulls! Thanks again to Steve Robbo from Bennooka Park Murray Grey Stud for sharing your knowledge, patience and cattle and to Mrs Flower for organising these great opportunities for our students.
Permi-Plot
Our Living Classroom Comes to Life
Exciting things are taking shape at the Permi Plot, with students helping design a new classroom/kitchen/workshop/nursery space that will take outdoor learning to the next level. Guided by real-world problem solving (or “potentializing,” as Dan the Dirt Man calls it), students are contributing ideas to create a flexible, practical and creative hub for gardening, science and hands-on making. The senior Green Team and primary classes have embraced the design challenge with flair, insisting the doorway must be big enough for students, cows, rhinoceroses and fairies (while still keeping out mice!). They’ve also called for plenty of plants, mess-making and room to explore.
With the construction of the steel frame behind us, plans include moveable workbenches, greenhouse-style walls, wicking beds and a camp-style kitchen, ensuring the space grows alongside our school community. In the meantime, students have mapped microclimates, compared sun and shade, explored weather versus climate, and investigated how materials like steel, timber and concrete affect temperature and usability. Mini greenhouses were designed and tested, mud was mixed to explore soil properties, and a salvaged pallet (the first of many) has been transformed into a stackable bench - a practical lesson in upcycling and circular thinking. A dozen wicking beds built from retired wheelie bins are also on the menu. Thanks to the blended efforts of a bobcat and secondary students, a 50m terraced garden bed was shaped and now boasts a bounty of pumpkins (surely destined to feed our patron, Costa, when he returns in May) with an aligned row of speciality citrus taking root (the envy of the hospitality kitchen). Plenty of curiosity, collaboration and muddy boots on display!
Can you help? To maintain our commitment to upcycling and repurposing unwanted resources, the project seeks the donation of the following items:
- A double-panel glass sliding door (with aluminium frame)
- Multiple panel windows (with aluminium frame)
- A deep double basin laundry sink
- Free-standing fans
- An integrated small solar panel, battery and digital program unit to drive the greenhouse fan system
- Corrugated drainage pipe to be used in our wicking barrels
- Pavers
Australian MTB Interschools 2026
Congratulations to Leroy, Jack, Sunny and Jarrah, all from Year 9, who represented SCAC at the Australian MTB Interschools competition in Thredbo this week. Well done, boys, you all rode well against a massive field of riders from schools all over the nation!
AFL Paul Kelly Cup Day
On Monday, Year 5 and 6 students participated in the AFL Paul Kelly Cup, a round-robin gala day against other primary schools from across the valley. Despite the rainy conditions, our teams displayed outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork and enthusiasm throughout the day. A special congratulations goes to our girls' team who progressed all the way to the final. Well done, girls! Alongside our primary participants, our Year 10 PASS (Physical Activity and Sports Studies) students attended as part of their 10 PASS Coaching and Officiating course. Throughout the term, students have been developing their understanding of game sense, communication, positioning, and decision-making. The day provided the perfect, authentic setting for them to apply these skills in a real-world environment.
Our PASS students confidently umpired matches, managed game flow, interpreted rules, and communicated clearly with players and coaches. Their professionalism and composure reflected the practical preparation undertaken in class, including their progression toward AFL umpiring accreditation. Beyond officiating, they also served as positive role models for the younger students, encouraging fair play, teamwork and respect, key values embedded within both the PASS curriculum and AFL pathways. Well done to all students involved for representing the school so positively.
The Big Issue
Year 12 CAFS [Community and Family Studies] students recently took part in The Big Issue e-classroom as part of their Groups in Context study, where they are learning about homelessness and marginalisation in our community. Students heard from guest speaker Vernon, who shared his personal journey and gained valuable insight into how The Big Issue supports people experiencing disadvantage by creating meaningful work opportunities and pathways forward. A powerful and eye-opening experience that deepened students’ understanding of empathy, resilience and social responsibility.
Staff Cafe
Year 12 Certificate II Hospitality students prepared and served another amazing meal to SCAC staff last week. On the menu was an entree of vegetable pot sticker dumplings, a main course of authentic beef ramen noodles, and the mocktail was a strawberry, lychee & rosemary punch. Well done, Year 12, it was all delicious!
Careers News
Our Year 12 students had the opportunity to explore what it's like to be a university student at the University of Wollongong Discovery Day. They selected a timetable, attended lectures and navigated their way around the expansive Wollongong campus. You don’t have to wait until Year 12 to explore possible university opportunities, further study or career paths. We encourage families from as early as Year 8 and 9 to start talking and preparing for the future by visiting university and organisation Open Days and Careers Expos. Here is some information on the 2026 Open Days.
- Careers Fest 2026 on Friday, May 15, in Bega is a local expo where students and families can visit to talk to local industry, colleges and universities. See:
- CareersFest 2026 - Workplace Learning.
- The Australian Defence Force Academy Open Day in Canberra is on Saturday, 15 August and is a fantastic day to talk to the University of NSW and also to see all the types of roles in action that the Defence Force offers.
- The NSW Police Academy in Goulburn will have an Open Day in September, but the date is yet to be confirmed. The Australian Federal Police have several in-person and online events for students. See: AFP careers events | Australian Federal Police.
- NSW Fire and Rescue Open Day is Saturday, 9 May 2026, at your local Fire Station. See: Open Day - Fire and Rescue NSW.
- There is also the Aviation Careers Day on Friday, 15 May 2026, in Shellharbour. See: Careers Day - Wings Over Shellharbour.
Our Careers Advisor Debbie Meers is available to discuss opportunities with students and families and to assist with planning for the future. Email: dmeers@scac.nsw.edu.au.
Curriculum News
As we move into the second half of Term 1, there are some important upcoming events to keep in mind. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 will be completing their 2026 NAPLAN assessments from Tuesday, 11th March (Week 7) through to Friday, 20th March. NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy) gives our school a valuable snapshot of student progress in Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language, and Numeracy. We encourage all families to ensure students are well-rested and attending school during this period. Our Year 12 students have their Term 1 examinations in Weeks 9 and 10. These exams do not contribute to final results — they are a valuable opportunity for students to practise working under exam conditions and build confidence for the year ahead. This year, exams will be held in A-Block at the top of the school to provide a quieter, distraction-free environment. We wish all our students the very best as they take on these important milestones this term!
Digital Wellbeing for Families Workshop
Through our partnership with The Resilience Project, SCAC Parents and Carers are invited to join an upcoming online Digital Wellbeing for Families Workshop.
- Wednesday 11th March
- 6:30-7:30 pm (60 minutes)
- Online (Zoom link provided after registration)
This one-hour webinar guides parents and carers to reflect on their family’s digital wellbeing, before diving into practical strategies to create healthy habits online and strengthen connections at home. By the end of the session, parents and carers will:
- Understand the latest research on screen time and its impact on individual and collective well-being in the home.
- Have a list of strategies to enhance their own digital wellbeing as a parent to role model to their children.
- Feel equipped to support their child’s device usage without screen shaming, banning or removing devices.
For further information, please scan the QR code on the attached flyer. To register, please use this link.