Term 3 has moved along quickly and we have enjoyed a very vibrant and busy term across the campus. Connection to our community through service including Wear it Purple Day, Year 10 Opportunity shop visits, Year 9 walking for people who are homeless, RUOK Day, Year 7 ethics for good projects through ACTIVATE are recent initiatives.

Exceptional good news for many HSC students through nominations and completion of major works, performances and Language Oral Examinations. We have had a large number of students from Year 9-10 and 11 complete either Year 11 examinations or the Trial HSC through our accelerated programs and assessment for Year 7 to 11 has been a focus over the last 3 weeks. Seven students have been accepted into the Medicine Mentoring Program with the UNSW Rural Health Clinic and the Mid North Coast regional training Hub (just outstanding). Year 8 have lived a medieval history workshop and Year 10 have completed subject selections for Year 11 2025. Families will also receive a confirmation email in the coming weeks for selections in 2025.

The 2024 Performing Arts and Sport Dinners have been open for tickets and the annual Golf Day sponsorship opportunities have been emailed out as well. We hope you can join in these signature events and celebrations.

In Week 10 there will be significant moments in the life of Year 12 as they complete House Farewells, a final service at St John's Anglican Church and the Valedictory Assembly on Wednesday, followed by the Valedictory Dinner on Thursday. We thank all families and the Class of 2024 for their support of the college with a very large Foundation Student group graduating as well this year.

Shopping for uniform items in 2024-25?

If you are upgrading or someone has outgrown a uniform, a reminder that the college House Shirt is now available and can be worn each Friday as well as at designated carnivals. The college is also currently exploring bucket hats for use by students with an optional cap as well.

Please always refer to our uniform code and guidelines. The requirement is black polishable shoes, limited jewellery, no extreme hairstyles, and no nose rings. Referring to these guidelines will help students commence with a positive start to Term 4 in 2024. Click here for guidelines.

Key Dates and Reminders

• 24th September, Tuesday Year 12 House Farewells.
• 25th September, Wednesday, 7.45am Year 12 and families final service at St Joh s Anglican Church.
• 25th September, Wednesday 10am. Year 12 Valedictory Assembly.
• 26th September, Thursday. Year 12 Valedictory Dinner at Pacific Bay Resort.
• 27th September, Friday last day of Term 3 for Year 7 to 11.
• 14th October, Monday first day of Term 4.
• 14th October, Monday. Year 9 commence their outdoor education program at Lake Keepit.
• 15th October, Tuesday. HSC examinations commence.
• 6th December, Friday. Secondary Presentation Assembly.
• 9th December, Monday. K-12 Christmas Service, 9am in the Branson Centre.
• 10th December, Tuesday. Last day for students, picnic day.

We wish the Class of 2024 all the best for their future endeavours and keep our accelerated students and our Valedictorians in our prayers for their written HSC examinations and major works/oral examinations/body of works to still be handed in for marking.

Wishing our students a safe and happy holiday, thank you for Term 3.

Simon Doyle 
Assistant Principal (Head of Secondary)

Secondary Spotlight

Camble Scott

I recently learnt a new word in Japanese: Komorebi. Translated literally, it means ‘sunlight leaking through trees’. It’s those sublime fleeting moments of shadow dancing on the forest floor, but it encompasses so much more. Komorebi is about appreciating the everyday, the seemingly mundane. The light falling on the path to the bus stop, or the dappled sunlight falling on the gravel car park, or the sun dazzling you as you turn Home. There is immense beauty in the mundane that will always be present whether you appreciate it or not. As we progress towards the conclusion of another year you may be feeling overwhelmed or simply without purpose. I know I often do and yet every time I feel myself ‘straying off track’, I have to ask myself ’what track?’ I certainly don’t have a prescribed program for my life nor do I want one too often. We are all caught in the landslide of comparison and expectation in this constant push to improve and produce this cult of productivity whether it be marks, money, or many other things has created an intense feeling of discontentedness disguised as an ’urge to succeed’. No longer is it accepted to work without a ‘Drive to move up’ or to create without that elusive unicorn, ‘self improvement’. Every day must be better, stronger, smarter than the last. Yet when does it end? Clearly not when you have a job you enjoy, simple friends and family around you. Can you believe this guy stopping when he is only just started reaping the rewards of his grind set? No JetSki, no sports car, no fancy home gym? What folly, they exclaim.

I’m not listening.

There is incredible comfort to be found in routine in living a life you enjoy within the limits you have set for yourself. This type of existence is satisfaction, not success. It is waking up and staring out your window, not at the stock market. It is putting him on the same pair of shoes and going for a walk because you want to, not because you want to lose a few kilos. When you begin to choose and value your actions as what they are in the present, not what they may bring you in the future, you will notice an immense load lift off your shoulders. You may not seem successful, but you will be satisfied.

Life is unlikely to be a straight path from success to success, but even on the windy road, there is always time to wander off track and marvel at the beauty of the trees around the corner. We are constantly told to reach for the light at the end of the tunnel, but I think we would all be a little happier if we appreciated the shadows that are at your feet. That is ‘Komorebi’, my secret to Life, the universe and everything. Satisfaction, and within it, true success.

iHub Matters

iHub - a space for growth Recently a lot of our activity has centred around the start of Year 11 exams, and supporting a multitude of students’ printing for assessment tasks.

With all of that going on, we still managed some wonderful displays and student exhibits - and Mr Walker has been setting up training sessions for BDC’s amazing FIFA and Rocket League eSports teams!

Rocket League

Two teams - Barracudas and Blazes have both made the finals in the Australian competition. They are on different sides of the draw and could meet in the final! BDC has won two terms in a row and is after its third! The final will be live on Youtube! Go BDC!

UPDATE: The Barracudas are in the grand final LIVE on Youtube 21st of September (going for 3 grand final wins in a row). The Blazes came 4th.

In other BDC esports news the final of the BDC FIFA 24 has been held (finally!) and Burnt (Hunter Bellamy and Jono Summersell) were victorious! They walked away with EB Games gift cards. Runners up were Bello Boys (George English and Will Parmenter). 17 teams took part over one and a half terms. Many amazing goals were scored and stopped, and a few games went into golden goal and the penalty shoot outs.

Look out for further information about the next eSports game to be held!

Extraordinary Displays and Events

One of our aims in this space is to re-frame it regularly, to reflect the students’ current learning - whether that involves a large-scale ‘monument’ to represent a task undertaken by a whole year-level, or simple exhibits we undertake to support social, and emotional growth. The focus on Wear it Purple Day on Friday in Week 6, Teacher Aide Appreciation Week and well-being events in Week 7 were all represented in our wonderful school community iHub. Regularly lending new colour and a fresh ‘face’ through book and digital displays - while still prioritising great reads!

Holocaust Museum exhibit

The BDC iHub is fortunate each year to host a powerful Year 10 History exhibit of the students' learning, and understanding of one of the most difficult chapters of human history. We are always amazed by the creativity and emotive power they convey in their works.

Each of the 5 history classes displays within one of the areas of the iHub. On Thursday 5th of September, the iHub was a museum of remembrance, allowing visitors an opportunity to witness a range of expression within this topic. Over the years that has included media such as interactive digital displays; dance; posters; sculpture; model-making; painting; virtual reality; and at times quite profound writing. This year was exemplary, showing that our students had not only performed excellent research on their feature topic, but that they had created testimonies that brought history to life, and connected us with personal experiences and stories of those who suffered.

(Left-Right) Erika’s Story (Larnie Mordue) ; Anne Frank (Kite Quilty, Danai); Death Camps (Lali Param, Ariana Gibson); Human Experimentation (Lily Henson Gallard, Xanthe Storrie); Stolen Possessions - Lost Identity (Venice Case-Pickering, Eva Zuvela, Kiarah Gray) ; Aspects of Death Camps (Ryan Sharkey); Red & Blue Perspectives: The Dark Art of Nazi Propaganda (Ella Watts)

The start of the research project was this simple statement in the students’ task sheet:

A simple memorial wall stands in the grounds where the Dachau concentration camp once stood. Written on that wall in many languages is an impassioned two-word plea to future generations – ‘never again’. This assignment allows students to apply their historical inquiry skills, using a range of information sources, to communicate their understanding of the experiences of the Jewish people during the Holocaust.