Ballajura Bulletin Term 3 Issue 6 2025

Term 4 Key Dates

13 October
Term 4 begins

31 October
Halloween Dress-Up Day

1 November
Student-Free Day (School Development Day)

11 November
Remembrance Day

21 November
SPECTRUM Art Show

18 December
Term 4 last day

Principal's Report

As Term 3 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible energy, achievements, and growth we’ve seen across Ballajura Community College this term.

From the outset, Term 3 was filled with vibrant learning experiences and community engagement. Our Education Support students impressed us with their STEM projects, designing and building their own vehicles—an inspiring showcase of creativity and engineering thinking. Meanwhile, our Year 8 English students explored identity and belonging through Indigenous literature, culminating in powerful Cultural Identity Posters that now brighten our classrooms with stories of heritage, pride, and diversity.

We were honoured to welcome Brad Robbins, ambassador for A Stitch in Time, who shared his personal journey with our senior students. His message of resilience and mental wellbeing resonated deeply, reminding us all of the importance of emotional strength and support.

This term also saw the launch of our After-School Clubs for Year 4 and 5 students from local primary schools. These free programs have been a wonderful way to welcome future students into our community, offering fun, skill-building activities in a supportive environment.

Behind the scenes, our Education Assistants have continued to be the backbone of our classrooms. Their dedication, flexibility, and care make a profound difference in the lives of our students every day. We celebrated EA Appreciation Week with heartfelt thanks to this incredible team.

On 17 September, Ballajura Community College proudly participated in R U OK? Day, a national initiative that encourages meaningful conversations and emotional support. Across the College, students and staff took time to check in with one another, share stories, and promote mental wellbeing. The day served as a powerful reminder that a simple question—“Are you OK?”—can make a real difference in someone’s life.

We continue to foster a culture of care and connection, where every member of our community feels seen, heard, and supported—not just on R U OK? Day, but every day.

So, as we head into the break, I encourage all students to rest, and reflect on their achievements. Take some time to recharge as Term 4 promises to be just as exciting, with final assessments, celebrations, and transitions ahead.

Thank you to our staff, students, and families for your continued support and commitment to our shared vision: Creating the Future Together.

2025 Yearbook Cover Announcement

This year, two of our very talented Year 12 Visual Arts students accepted the opportunity to design the 2025 College Yearbook covers. Congratulations to Ellie-Rose and Olivia.

Ellie-Rose's entry was selected to be the front cover as she painted the tree outside the Main Administration Office. This is not only artistically impressive but also deeply symbolic—especially given the tree’s connection to the founding of the College in 1995. Since this year marks the 30th anniversary of the College, featuring that tree on the front cover is a lovely and timely tribute.

Olivia's digitally designed entry was selected as the back cover. 2025 Yearbooks will be included in the Awards Package and presented to all Year 12 students at the Awards Ceremony later this year.

Yearbooks will also be available for purchase by staff and other students during Term 4.

- Carmelina La Galia, Manager of Operations

Year 9 - OLNA Information

Dear Parents / Carers,
This year, your child will make their first official step towards the completion of the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), which is awarded to students by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) at the end of year 12. This first step acknowledges the levels of literacy and numeracy required to achieve the WACE.

To meet the levels of literacy and numeracy required to achieve the WACE, students may either:

• prequalify through the Reading, Writing and Numeracy tests of Year 9 NAPLAN, or
• demonstrate the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy by successfully completing the relevant components of the Online Literacy and Numeracy Assessment (OLNA) in Years 9, 10, 11 and/or 12.

Your child’s NAPLAN report show how they performed in each of the assessment domains against four proficiency levels (Exceeding, Strong, Developing and Needs additional support).  Information regarding a student’s prequalification is not printed on the NAPLAN student reports, which were distributed earlier this term, but there is a point within the ‘Strong’ proficiency level that corresponds to the minimum standard.

Year 9 students who have achieved within the ‘Exceeding’ proficiency level, or above the cut point within the ‘Strong’ proficiency level have demonstrated the minimum literacy and numeracy skills required and have therefore prequalified. Students who did not prequalify, will have an opportunity in Term 4 to demonstrate the required standard by sitting the OLNA tests, which are administered at the College. 

The OLNA Writing tests will take place from Monday 27 October to Tuesday 28 October and the OLNA Reading and Numeracy tests will take place from Wednesday 29 October to Friday 7 November 2025.  Students who have not prequalified will receive more information and a schedule, with all the relevant details through their PCG teacher, early in Term 4.

Students will continue to be provided with a total of six OLNA sits (if required) while enrolled in secondary school.  Year 9 students will have another opportunity in Year 10 and if needed, two opportunities each year in Year 11 and Year 12.

Should you have any further questions regarding this process, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school on 9262 7905, or alternatively, you can download the OLNA Information for parent/carers brochure, which is available online at http://senior-secondary.scsa.wa.edu.au/assessment/olna/students-parents-carers

- Carmelina La Galia, Manager of Operations

Year 12 Arrangements for Term 4

Dear Parents / Carers and Year 12 Students,

Please be advised that the Year 12 ATAR MOCK exams are being held from Friday, 10 October to Friday, 17 October 2025. 

The morning exams will commence at 8.50 am and will finish no later than 12.00 pm. BCC MOCK exam timetables (and personalised timetables) have been distributed to students, with specific dates and times for each exam. Please note that no allowance can be made for students who miss an examination session through misreading the timetable. It may not be possible to reschedule a missed exam.  Absences due to sickness or exceptional circumstances must be explained by a parent phone call and medical certificate, as per the College Assessment and Reporting Policy.

All students should arrive at the examination centre, Ballajura Community College (i.e. Learning Area 4), classrooms 2 and 3, at least 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the examination. All students must enter and exit the College through the Cassowary Entrance (i.e. Gate 23).

Any student enrolled in ATAR courses MUST SIT THE COMPULSORY ATAR MOCK EXAM as it contributes to the Semester 2 school grade and mark and achievement of the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).

Students are advised to access The Yr-12-Handbook-Part-2-2025.PDF for all information relating to examinations.

Exams can be a stressful and demanding time. The exams are designed to replicate the ATAR exams as much as possible. Students must remember to bring their Personalised Written Examination Timetable and photographic evidence (such as Driver’s Licence, Learner’s Permit or Smart Rider) as proof of enrolment to each exam. Students are also responsible for providing the necessary authorised equipment in a transparent pencil case to each exam. 

Students will not be admitted into the examination after the first half hour of working time. Students will not be allowed to leave the examination during the first hour of the working period, or during the final 15 minutes of the examination. All breaches of exam or school rules will be reported and may result in a loss of marks.

Year 12 students enrolled in General courses will be notified by teachers if they are expected to return in Term 4 to complete overdue classwork and missed assessments. The last date for submission of Year 12 work is Friday 17 October 2025.

Term 4, Week 2:

ATAR revision course seminars and exam feedback will run from Monday 20 October through to Friday 24 October 2025.  The purpose of this is to revise course content, receive marks and review their mock exam and continue to prepare for the ATAR examinations. A separate timetable has been developed for Year 12 students enrolled in ATAR courses. 

Term 4, Week 3:

Year 12 students preparing for ATAR exams are also welcome to make use of the Careers and VET Centre for private study sessions in Week 3, from Monday, October 27 – Friday, October 31, 2025.  This is an opportunity for students to privately revise in a quiet and focused environment.  Students will need to adhere to the school dress code and enter the College grounds via the Cassowary Entrance (i.e. Gate 23) before 8.45am.

If the College can assist in any way during this demanding time, please do not hesitate to contact myself at school on 9262 7905.

On behalf of the College, I wish all students the best of luck with their exams.

- Carmelina La Galia, Manager of Operations

Year 12 Awards Ceremony

Year 12 Awards Ceremony
2nd December 2025, UWA Winthrop Hall
Additional guest tickets will be available to purchase from Tuesday, 14th October 2025.

Education Support

Students have been learning about machines in STEM and have built they’re very own cars! They worked hard to design and construct their vehicles, learning all about wheels, axles, and how motion works. We had three amazing winners whose cars stood out with the best wheels and axle designs—congratulations to them!

- Jen Wylie, Teacher in Charge - Education Support

EA Appreciation Week

At BCC, we are fortunate to have a dedicated team of Education Assistants who take a holistic approach to caring for students to support them on their journey to successfully achieve their academic and life goals.

Our passionate team are skilled in using proactive classroom management strategies, positive handling and de-escalation strategies, zones of regulation and are trained in physical and mental first aid. The skills and passion our wonderful EAs bring to the school environment is greatly appreciated by staff and students every day but this week we would like to formally recognise the incredible work they do.

If you happen to meet one of our fantastic EAs at school or in the community, please remember to thank them for the work they do every day to support the growth of our students across the college.

- Jen Wylie, Teacher in Charge - Education Support

English

Year 7 & 8 - Author Visit

A huge thank you to author Mark Greenwood for visiting our school and inspiring our Year 7 and 8 students with his incredible stories and passion for writing! 

Mark is best known for his lively historical narratives and meticulously researched adventure stories that bring Australia’s past to life. His acclaimed books, including The Legend of Lasseter’s Reef, The Legend of Moondyne Joe, and Boomerang and Bat, combine fascinating facts with gripping storytelling that captures the imagination of readers of all ages.

During his visit, Mark had students hanging on every word as he shared remarkable tales of diamonds, aliens, and gold. His natural flair for weaving history, mystery, and humour together not only entertained but also inspired our students to see the power of research and the magic of narrative. Many left the session eager to explore his books and discover the real events behind the legends.

A heartfelt thank-you to Kim Forrester, whose careful organisation of displays and behind-the-scenes support ensured the day ran smoothly and allowed everyone to enjoy such a memorable experience.

Year 8

This term, our Year 8 English class has explored the theme of identity and belonging through our Indigenous Authors unit. Inspired by the stories we have read, students reflected on their own heritage and connections to family, culture, and place. They then created vibrant Cultural Identity Posters to share their histories, traditions, and values. Now proudly displayed across our classroom walls, these posters are a tapestry of the incredible diversity within our class — each one a unique expression of pride, creativity, and individuality. It has been inspiring to see the enthusiasm and care students have brought to this project, and the confidence with which they share their stories. These posters are not just classroom work — they are celebrations of who we are, and a reminder that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

- Angela Knight, Deputy Principal

Health & Physical Education

Our annual Staff vs (Year 12) Students games have come to a close, and the last few weeks have been nothing short of exciting! From basketball and badminton to soccer and netball, both teams worked hard to become this year's champions.Despite an incredible win in yesterday's soccer match from the students, the staff have retained their title!Thank you to all staff and students involved over the last few weeks, from players to spectators - the energy and sportsmanship is what makes College events like these so memorable.

Maths

Our incredible Maths department held a variety of activities during Week 6, including sudoku, Rubik’s cube and stacking challenges, and chess competitions. There were some awesome prizes up for grabs, and it was great seeing students getting involved in the joy of mathematics!

Congratulations to:

• Ryan (Year 8) - Winner of Chess Competition
• Daniel and Isaiah (Year 7) – Winners of the Sudoku Challenge
• Sahar (Year 7) – Winner of the Cup Stacking Speed Challenge (17.94 seconds)
• Thinh (Year 12) – Winner of the Cup Stacking Height Challenge (9 cups)
• Andy (Year 12) - Winner of the Card Stacking Challenge
• Jing En (Year 12) - Winner of the Pi Challenge (286 digits)

Thank you to our incredible Maths department for all your work, enthusiasm and support throughout the year!

Science

On Thursday, our Year 12 Physics students visited Scitech where we first explored the possibilities of colonising Mars with interactive challenges. We then enjoyed a theatre show 'Elementary', looking at the different elements in everyday life, and finished with the planetary show 'Capturing the Cosmos' where we looked back in time to the Big Bang theory and also the future of astrophysics here in WA.

- Ms Keenan, Science Teacher

Design & Technologies

Year 11 Hospitality

A huge thank you to Ally from Hospitality Group Training WA for coming out to share her skills and knowledge with our students. Ally gave an inspiring talk about career pathways in the hospitality industry and then demonstrated how to make delicious chicken dumplings. Our students loved the opportunity to get hands-on in the kitchen and showcase their own skills by recreating the recipe. It was a fantastic learning experience, and we truly appreciate Ally’s time and expertise!

- Ms Burgess, Hospitality and Living Teacher

Year 12 Hospitality Dinner - Italian

Our Year 12 Certificate II in Hospitality class recently showcased their incredible skills by hosting a spectacular four-course Italian dinner for their families and college staff. Guests were treated to a menu that highlighted the students’ talents, including handmade pasta, perfectly crisp cheese-stuffed arancini, and a show-stopping baked lemon and ricotta cheesecake. The evening was a true celebration of their hard work, dedication, and passion for hospitality. These students should be extremely proud of all they have achieved—well done!

- Ms Burgess, Hospitality and Living Teacher

Year 8 - Sun Safe Ambassador Program

This term, some Year 8 students participated in the SunSafe Student Ambassador program delivered by the Melanoma Institute which empowers young people to deliver the SunSafe message, and the importance of melanoma prevention at a young age to their peers. Here they are pictured with a Melanoma survivor Luke, who shared his skin cancer story when he was only 20.

- Adam Camuglia, Year 10 Coordinator

Year 11 IMPACT Cert II Workplace Skills – Gazebo Revitalisation Project

Our Year 11 IMPACT Certificate II in Workplace Skills students have taken their learning out of the classroom with the revitalisation of the gazebo behind LA3, which had been showing its age after years of weather and wear.

Halfway through the project, students have already removed the old, broken decking boards and are now busy strengthening and tidying the floor joists in preparation for the rebuild.

As part of the BSBTWK201 Work effectively with others unit, this hands-on work is giving them a chance to apply practical skills in a real setting — from teamwork and problem-solving to safe tool use and project planning.

Along the way, they even unearthed an accidental time capsule — chip packets and drink bottles dating back decades, which sparked plenty of laughs and a quick history lesson on changing packaging styles.

The project is proving to be an engaging way for students to learn by doing, while also making a positive contribution to the school community.

- Mr Harris, Teacher

Careers & VET

Year 7

Year 7 students participated in the ABCN Innovate program. They visited PwC in Perth over three days to meet and connect with their mentors and learn that STEM skills such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and innovation are part of every job. Their mentors also explained how AI is being used to solve real world problems and how to Interpret and analyse data to help inform decisions. The highlight for most students (other than the view and the tasty lunches) was the air powered car race!

- Mark Anderson, Career Practitioner

Year 10

Year 10 students attended a Try-a-Trade program at NextGen Skills in Joondalup. Over three days they participated in Plumbing and Painting projects including building a speaker for their mobile phones and a sprinkler.

- Mark Anderson, Career Practitioner

Year 11 & 12

Our Year 12 Workplace Learning students, Year 11 Certificate II Workplace Skills students, and Year 11 Impact students were fortunate to hear from Brad Robbins, an inspiring ambassador for “A Stitch in Time”.

Brad delivered a powerful presentation focused on fostering positive wellbeing and equipping students with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges and grow both personally and emotionally.

It was a such privilege to welcome Brad to Ballajura Community College. Through sharing his personal journey—including the highs, the struggles, and the lessons learned—he encouraged our students to embrace resilience, build emotional strength, and prioritise their mental health. His message was not only uplifting but meaningful, leaving our students with valuable insights and motivation to thrive.

- Anita Ganz, Careers & VET/WPL Teacher

Year 11 - A Day in the Life: Real-World Learning Through Workplace Learning

At Ballajura Community College, our Workplace Learning (WPL) students are stepping out of the classroom and into the real world, gaining hands-on experience across a diverse range of industries including barbering, primary school teaching, tree lopping, hospitality, retail, engineering, and childcare.

WPL is more than just work experience. It’s a chance for students to explore their interests, build practical skills, and discover what a “day in the life” really looks like in their chosen field. Whether it's assisting in a bustling café, helping shape young minds in a classroom, or learning the ropes in a retail environment, each placement offers valuable insights and opportunities for growth.

We’re proud of the commitment and enthusiasm our students bring to their placements, and we’re grateful to the local employers who support them on this journey. Together, we’re helping shape the next generation of skilled, passionate professionals.

- Gemma Novotny, Head of Careers & VET

Year 12

Year 12 ECU UniPrep in School students were visited by Glynne and Selena from ECU to receive assistance with choosing and applying for their preferred ECU courses for 2026. The students also participated in discussion and reflective activities.

- Mark Anderson, Career Practitioner