This week has been full of special moments and milestone events across the College. On Monday, we welcomed incoming Year 7 students for 2026 to the Learning Enrichment Pre-Orientation Morning. Tuesday evening saw our Year 12 students celebrate the end of their school journey in style at the Valedictory Dinner at Optus Stadium. Selected Year 7 to 9 students represented the College at the Indoor Cricket Tournament on Wednesday and Thursday, while our Year 11 Outdoor Education students spent the week hiking and abseiling on camp along the Cape to Cape track in Gracetown. Our Year 10 Elite Basketball team took to the court at Warwick Stadium for their tournament mid-week. Today, we were excited to host our 2026 Year 7 Orientation Day, with students meeting new friends and their Mentor Group Teachers, and parents joining us for a morning tea and information session. Our Year 11s continued their dance rehearsals in preparation for next year’s Charity Ball, while our Year 3s enjoyed a special excursion to C Restaurant.
We also took time today to recognise World Teachers’ Day, with our Parent Christian Life Committee delivering thoughtful goodie bags to staff around campus – a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated teachers and staff for all they do.
Looking ahead, next week’s events include:
Monday: Year 11 River Cruise
Tuesday: Junior School Grandparents Picnic and Loud Shirt Day; Year 10 Alumni Lunch
Wednesday: Alumni vs Staff Basketball Game
Thursday: Local Pastors Morning Tea
Friday: STTC Salvation Army Community Service; Year 1 Assembly; Borrowed Song Lunch; Classes of 1995, 2005, 2015 Alumni Spring Sundowner
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me."
By Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Adolescent Psychologist
With the Federal Government’s under-16 social media ban set to begin in December, families across Australia are preparing for a significant shift. Whether welcomed or not, its success won’t be decided by politicians – but by parents, in everyday moments at home.
This isn’t about punishment, but protection. Social media platforms are designed to hook attention and shape identity – often at the cost of sleep, self-esteem, and wellbeing. As the World Health Organization noted in 2024, excessive screen time in adolescence is linked to anxiety, disrupted sleep, and poor academic performance.
Neuroscience supports these concerns. Every ping, like, or scroll activates the same brain circuits as gambling. NYU’s Professor Jonathan Haidt said it best: “We gave teenagers slot machines disguised as phones.”
To prepare, Dr Carr-Gregg offers five practical tips:
1️⃣ Start the conversation early – Explain the why behind the change. It’s about care, not control.
2️⃣ Expect resistance – Outbursts are normal. Stay calm and firm, just as you would with other safety rules.
3️⃣ Offer alternatives – Encourage real-world activities like sport, music, volunteering, or part-time work.
4️⃣ Model healthy behaviour – Teens notice how you use your own phone.
5️⃣ Make a digital family plan – Agree on shared boundaries like screen-free meals and no devices in bedrooms.
This national shift offers a rare opportunity to redefine childhood and rebuild connection. As Dr Carr-Gregg reminds us, sometimes the most powerful thing we can give is not more information – but our undivided attention.
Want to learn more?
Parents and carers are encouraged to join free webinars in November and December to learn more:
👉 Register for an eSafety webinar
For further information and resources to help prepare for the changes, please visit:
🔗 www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions
From 10 December 2025, new government legislation will require social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent Australians under 16 from creating or keeping accounts. This includes platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, X, and YouTube.
Swan Christian College supports this change as an important step in protecting young people online. We encourage parents to keep their children off social media for as long as possible and to help them build healthy online habits.
Parents and carers are encouraged to join free webinars in November and December to learn more:
Register for an eSafety webinar
For further information and resources to help prepare for the changes, please visit:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/social-media-age-restrictions
Thank you for partnering with us as we take steps to keep children safe and build healthy online habits.
Volunteers, Parents in Partnership or Parent Christian Life Committee Members, you are invited to a morning tea on Monday 17 November at 9:00am to show our appreciation for your commitment and hard work for the College.
If you are a volunteer please register before 10 November at scea.me/thankyou25
Junior and Senior School parents are warmly invited to join the Executive Team for the final Parent Coffee and Connect morning tea of the year in the Maali Room on Friday 21 November.
The theme is ‘Parents as Leaders’: Everyone flourishes when we lead well. We will discuss moving from being our child’s coach to being their champion.
Please register here before 19 November.
Swan Christian College is now accepting applications for the Luke Durbridge Sports Scholarship for 2026. This scholarship, initiated by Swan alumnus and professional cyclist Luke Durbridge in 2015, supports young athletes aiming to excel in their chosen sport. Students entering Years 7-12 in 2026 are encouraged to apply by Friday 14 November.
The scholarship provides financial assistance for expenses such as equipment, travel, and coaching support.
To apply, students must have a high level of attendance and be in good academic and behavioural standing.
How to apply: Athletes must write a letter of application addressed to the Principal via the Principal’s PA, Mrs Natalee Friend, at natalee.friend@swan.wa.edu.au, by Friday 14 November, addressing the following criteria:
We thank Luke Durbridge for his ongoing support of young athletes at Swan Christian College and look forward to seeing the next generation of sports stars.
Bullsbrook-Ellenbrook and Bindoon Community Bank branches of Bendigo Bank are once again offering scholarships to support students entering secondary school, TAFE, or university in 2026.
As a locally owned bank that reinvests its profits into the community, Bendigo Bank is committed to supporting education, wellbeing, and opportunity. These scholarships aim to assist with the costs of schooling and further study.
Please see below for details and how to apply:
Frontier Tennis, led by Tennis Australia-accredited coach Cameron Fenner, is offering after-school coaching at Swan Christian College again this term. Lessons will run for seven weeks starting from 21 October, and will take place on the Senior School courts.
Tuesday:
3:00–3:45pm – Year 1–3 – $120
3:45–4:45pm – Year 7–12 – $160
Wednesday:
3:00–4:00pm – Year 4–6 – $160
Spaces are limited and enrolment is via email only, on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents are responsible for ensuring students move from class to the courts.
For enquiries or to enrol, contact Cameron Fenner at frontiertennis@hotmail.com or visit www.frontiertennis.com or phone 0439 960 629.
Grandparents and students are encouraged to wear their loudest, brightest shirts, crazy socks or hats to raise awareness and make a gold coin donation to support Telethon Speech and Hearing at the Grandparents Picnic on Tuesday 4 November.
Grandparents Picnic and Let’s Get Loud Day:
Date: Tuesday 4 November
Time: 12:40pm
Venue: Swan Christian College Junior School Campus
Bring: Picnic lunch for your family, rug/chairs, plenty of sunscreen, hats, gold coin donation and anything else you may need to enjoy a picnic with your grandchildren.
Please invite grandparents to this special event.
Parents and students in Years 7 to 11 are invited to College Presentation Night on Tuesday 9 December at 6:15pm when we will gather as a community to celebrate 2025.
Date: Tuesday 9 December
Time: Doors open 6:00pm
Venue: Swan Christian College Gym
RSVP: scea.me/2025presentationnight
We will celebrate the achievements of our individual students in Years 7 to 11. All students from Years 7-11 are expected to attend, wearing their summer uniform. Siblings, family, friends and 2025 Year 12 graduates are invited to join us in this celebration. Junior School students will have award assemblies on 10 December but are more than welcome to attend our College Presentation Night.
Please register your attendance here: scea.me/2025presentationnight
Date: 29 December 2025 – 3 January 2026
Venue: Serpentine Baptist Camping Centre
ACL is again partnering with Worldview Australia to host the Worldview Leadership Camp for students in Years 9–12. This week-long camp helps young people build a strong Biblical worldview through engaging talks, small group discussions, and practical leadership activities.
Students will explore what the Bible means, how we can trust it, and how to live out their faith with confidence in today’s culture. The camp features six speakers, 25 hours of inspiring sessions, and plenty of time for connection, fun, and spiritual growth.
Cost: $600 (all inclusive)** | Discounts available for HCC holders, siblings, and those needing financial assistance.**
Full details and registration: www.worldviewaustralia.org/wva-youth-camp.html
Please click on the following link to download the How to access Parent Lounge document:
Sign up today to hear about reunions and other events. Please be sure to list your personal email address, rather than a school, work or university address, to ensure you’re kept up to date throughout your career.
Sign up today to hear about reunions and other events. Please be sure to list your personal email address, rather than a school, work or university address, to ensure you're kept up to date throughout your career.
