Ballajura Bulletin Term 1 Issue 1 2025

Principal's Report

Welcome to 2025 at Ballajura Community College!

Welcome Parents and Carers

We are thrilled to welcome you and your children to another exciting year at Ballajura Community College. It has been a very busy start to the year but also very exciting. We celebrated the achievements of our students from across all year groups at our first whole school assembly. We have had the 2025 College Ball at the River Room at OPTUS stadium which our students and staff thoroughly enjoyed. The events will continue thick and fast as this term we have our annual athletics carnival, harmony week, Year 7 Super Start awards and a celebration for Ballajura Community Colleges 30th Anniversary. We are also planning a range of events to support our students celebrating Ramadan.

Welcome to our new staff

A new year is always a time for new beginnings. This year we have been joined by a group of highly qualified and professional staff who are starting or continuing their educational journey with us. We welcome all our new staff and wish them well for the 2025 school year. We are privileged to have attracted such great people in a time of teacher supply issues.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024

I want to extend our congratulations all our Year 12 students who were a part of the Class of 2024. The results of this group were excellent and something I am sure that the students themselves and families are just as proud of as we are. We recently celebrated these students at our first assembly but I think their achievements are worth sharing again.

Congratulations to our VET, General and ATAR students who achieved a Certificate of Distinction and three Certificates of Merit from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority.

Engage, Explore, Inspire: Reporting Open day

One event that I would like you all to consider attending is our Engage, Explore, Inspire: Open day event to be held on Tuesday March 11, 2025 between 12 and 7pm.  On this day we will have our regular formal parent teacher interviews that can be booked through PTO (information will be shared on this process shortly) as well as a range of informative and interactive sessions with our staff.  You will be able to meet the teachers in charge of our Excellence programs, meet members of our student services staff and learn about how they can support your child, learn more about how to use SEQTA or BYOD and much more.  We will be providing a sausage sizzle for everyone in attendance between 4.30 and 5.30pm.  Please mark this date and time in your diaries as we would like to see every family in our community in attendance.

REACH Values

As we embark on another school year together, I want to reaffirm our commitment to our REACH values: Respect, Equity, Achievement, Care, and Health.

Respect: We believe in fostering an environment where every individual is valued and treated with dignity. Respect is the cornerstone of all our interactions, ensuring a positive and inclusive atmosphere for everyone.

Equity: At Ballajura Community College, we strive to provide equal opportunities for all students. We are dedicated to creating a learning environment where everyone has the support they need to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.

Achievement: We are committed to academic excellence and personal growth. Our goal is to inspire and challenge our students to reach their full potential, celebrating their successes and learning from their experiences.

Care: We prioritise the well-being of our students, staff, and families. By nurturing a supportive and compassionate community, we ensure that everyone feels safe, valued, and connected.

Health: We promote a healthy lifestyle through physical education, mental health support, and wellness programs. We believe that a healthy mind and body are essential for academic and personal success.

We look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and memorable experiences. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making Ballajura Community College a place where every student can thrive.

Belinda Hall - Principal

SAVE THE DATE! - OPEN DAY MARCH 11

Upcoming Dates

Photo Day Information

Professional school photos by Fotoworks

Please note that all BCC students will be having their individual photo taken by Fotoworks as indicated by the dates below.  Any student who is absent on the scheduled day will be required to have their photo taken on the ‘catch-up’ day.

Year 7 - 9 students will be photographed on Monday 10 March 2025

Year 10-12 students will be photographed on Monday 24 March 2025

Year 12 group photo (and catch up photos) will take place on Tuesday 8 April 2025

(Year 12 students who participate in other educational activities on Tuesdays are encouraged to speak to their employer /TAFE lecturer to negotiate a late start (e.g. 10:00am) if they’d like to be included in the group photo.

Sibling photos will take place on both Monday 10 March or Monday 24 March in the PAC between 8.20am and 8.40am.

Parents are encouraged to check that students adhere to the school dress code and present themselves neatly in the appropriate attire or they will be requested to change into a uniform supplied by Student Services.   Please note that the BCC logo must be visible on shirts (not hidden behind hair), all chains / necklaces etc are to be hidden under the school shirt and all buttons on shirt (except top button) are to be done up.

Order forms have been distributed by PCG teachers

If students are ordering photos they are to complete the Order form envelope and hand it to the photographer on the day with the correct amount of money or credit card details.

If students are not ordering photos, they hand the empty Order envelope to the photographer. (This will speed up the process because the envelopes are personalised).

All students will be having their photo taken regardless of whether they purchase them or not. (These photos are also used for the Year Book and to keep SEQTA updated).

Should you have any further questions regarding school photos, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school on    9262 7777 or contact Fotoworks on 9244 8211 or wecare@fotoworks.com.au.

Remember to smile 😊

Mrs La Galia - Manager of Operations

Semester 2 Year 11 Subject Award Winners - 2024

Congratulations to the following Year 12 students for receiving certificates in recognition of their outstanding efforts in their school work throughout 2024. The awards were presented at an assembly on Thursday, 6 February. 

Mrs La Galia - Manager of Operations

Whole School Assembly

On Thursday, 13 February we gathered as a school community to celebrate the efforts and achievements from Semester 2 2024. Congratulations to all the REACH Student Councillors who received their badges and to all the award winners and past students who were recognised for their grades and accomplishments last year.

Mrs La Galia - Manager of Operations

Academic Honours - Semester 2 2024

Certificate of Recognition Semester 2 2024

REACH Awards Semester 2 - 2024

Australian Culinary Federation Award

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 23

Next

Year 12 Ball

The 2025 Ballajura Community College School Ball was held for the first time at the stunning Optus Stadium. This memorable event was made even more special by the stunning views from the River Room, providing an exceptional setting for our Year 12 students to celebrate their final formal school occasion.

The event was complemented by a delicious array of food, with a menu that catered to every taste. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as students danced, laughed, and created lasting memories with their cohort. It was a night of celebration, where everyone came together to mark the near end of an important chapter. The students were impeccably behaved throughout the evening, showcasing the respect and maturity that has defined this remarkable group of students.

Congratulations to Belle of the Ball, Storm Van De Kar and Beau of the Ball, Rahul Nellikka.

A big thank you to all the staff who attended and contributed to making the night a huge success.

James Garcia - Year 12 Coordinator

Year 12 Ball

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 62

Next

VET in the Spotlight - BCC Graduating Students – Where are they now?

Introducing Graduating Student from 2017 – AMY HUNT

After graduating from BCC in 2017, Amy Hunt wasted no time in pursuing her childhood dream of becoming a Police Officer. However, when she wasn’t accepted into the Police Cadet Academy, she felt lost and without purpose.

Determined to find her path, Amy took a full-time office job helping students find VET training to gain employment in their chosen fields. This experience opened her eyes to the vast possibilities within VET, even though the office lifestyle wasn’t her ideal fit.

Through her job, Amy discovered an opportunity as a Cable Jointer at Western Power. Despite not knowing what a Cable Jointer was, she applied and was successfully accepted. Her four-year apprenticeship was challenging, especially as she supported her parents through serious health issues. Yet, it also provided her with a sense of purpose and direction. Amy became the second woman ever to complete a cable jointing apprenticeship at Western Power.

Amy’s dedication and hard work paid off when she was nominated for the WA Apprentice of the Year by her employer. Initially hesitant, she completed the application and was invited for an interview. To her delight, she won the WA Apprentice of the Year award at the WA Training Awards in 2023.

Her journey didn’t stop there. Amy was also nominated for the Australian Apprentice of the Year at the Australian Training Awards in Hobart. She won this prestigious award, which allowed her to spend the last 15 months travelling across Australia, sharing her training journey with students, RTOs, CEOs, and politicians. Amy credits her apprenticeship and VET for giving her life direction, purpose, and an amazing career.

We are incredibly proud of Amy Hunt, a wonderful ambassador for BCC who continues to make a significant contribution to the community. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of VET.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories of our BCC graduates in upcoming newsletters!

Anita Ganz - Careers & VET/WPL Teacher

NAPLAN Testing for Year 7 & 9 Students

National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy

This year students in Years 7 and 9 will be participating in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN is an annual online national assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 which measures student achievement in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. NAPLAN tests are held in Term 1, allowing results to be returned to systems, schools, parents/carers and students earlier in the year.   This year, the tests will be administered from Wednesday 12 March until Friday 21 March 2025.

Prior to the test, your child will be provided with the necessary materials to sit the online NAPLAN test (laptop, planning paper), however, we do suggest that the students bring their own pen or pencil and earphones (as listed on booklist). It is important that all students adhere to the following test procedures. Please discuss these with your child:

• During the test students are not allowed to talk to other students.
• Students may only have on their desks the materials required for that test.
• All bags will be placed in the classroom in an area designated by the teacher.
• No mobile phones, smart watches or other internet or Bluetooth-enabled devices are permitted in the test area.
• Students who finish the tests early must remain seated quietly at their desk. They will be encouraged to check their work.

It is essential that all students adhere to the conditions of the tests and follow the teacher’s instructions explicitly as these are requirements as directed by the federal authority responsible for the NAPLAN procedures.

NAPLAN results are reported against proficiency standards and will be provided on an individual student report later in the year. The standards are set at a challenging but reasonable level based on what has been taught in previous years of schooling.

• Exceeding
• Strong
• Developing
• Needs additional support.

If your child is in the Strong or Exceeding category, it means they have demonstrated proficiency and that their literacy or numeracy skills are where they should be at this stage of their schooling. If your child has not yet achieved proficiency, then they will either be in the Developing category or the Needs additional support category.

Attached is an information sheet for parents and carers which further explains the NAPLAN process.

We strongly encourage you to look at the public demonstration on the NAPLAN website to familiarise both yourself and your child with the testing environment. This can be found at: https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/public-demonstration-site.

Your child will also be given opportunities to familiarise themselves with the testing environment at school.

Should you have any further questions regarding this process, please do not hesitate to contact myself at the College on 9262 7777.

Mrs La Galia - Manager of Operations

State 15's AFL - Nomination Form

Attention Year 9/10 parents and students! The AFL Interstate 15s Boys trials are coming up soon. Check out the link below and attached poster for more details and how to register.

AFL Boys 15s Interstate Nomination Form – SSWA

Ballajura Basketball Excellence Program

Brandon Migro - Health & Physical Education Teacher & Basketball Excellence Program Coordinator

Save 20% on School Uniforms at Lowes Mirrabooka

Campion Art Competitions

For all of  you budding artists out there, here's a chance to enter a competition to showcase your design on the Campion cloth bag used in Campion retail stores Australia wide.  For further information please contact Ms Forrester, BCC Librarian.