In Memory of Peter Callcott

It’s important to reflect on the people connected to our College’s beginnings over 30 years ago.

Peter Callcott was a member of the WestMAC College Council from May 1995 until 2001. His appointment addressed the need to have someone with a building background on College Council. As a carpenter and builder by trade, Peter was fundamental in guiding Stage 2, 3 & 4 of the building plan, which saw WestMAC take shape. Specifically, building projects included many classroom blocks, Claridge Centre, Chapel of the Good Shepherd and the Central Administration Building.

Peter was also instrumental in developing protocols for the significant buildings, ovals and roadways on College campus. He worked closely with architects such as Bruce Buchanan and Brian Kidd (Burling Brown) and building companies (Rohrig) and enjoyed a close working relationship with Barry Manz who was appointed as the College’s inaugural Facilities and Maintenance Coordinator.

Whilst construction was a passion, Peter was also a strong advocate for respecting the land and the treed environment. Along with Principal Claridge he worked assiduously with planners to reduce the physical footprint and maintain tree cover wherever possible.

In recognition of Peter Callcott’s enormous contribution as Chair of the Grounds and Development Committee, the Boardroom in the Main Administration Building was named the Callcott Room which saw its first Council meeting in 1999.

We give thanks as a community for the life and legacy of Peter Callcott, for the wisdom, kindness, and quiet impact he made in our community.

As we held our final Athletics Carnival this week, I wanted to say well done to everyone who participated - I thoroughly enjoyed the energy, house spirit, and friendly competition. Thank you, as always, to the staff and volunteers who make these events possible.

To finish off the term, our Year 3 students have been away on camp, returning today—no doubt full of new experiences and stories of adventure. At the other end of the College, our Year 11 students are surely looking forward to their Dinner Dance tonight—a wonderful way to celebrate the end of term together.

As this is our final newsletter before the break I want to thank our entire College community for being supportive and engaged throughout the term.

I wish you all a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday.

Andrew Peach
Principal

Welcome Evie!

 

Week 7 of Term 2 marked the first working week for the Chaplaincy Support Dog, Evie. She has already made a huge impact on those who have encountered her, providing everyone with acceptance, warmth, and love. Evie is a great conversation starter and for some students, she’s been the bridge that makes walking into the chaplaincy space a little easier.

Fundraiser for Rosie’s - Friends on the Street

For the second year running, Elizabeth Wigley of Year 3 has facilitated a Noodle Cup Drive for Rosie’s – Friends on the Street. Rosies reaches out to those most in need, people who are homeless or at risk, lonely, and socially isolated within our communities.

I have the pleasure of sharing that this year, our College community donated 436 noodle cups which were delivered by Elizabeth and her mum, Jodie last Sunday.

When the noodle cups were delivered, Jodie said “Rosie’s were incredibly grateful to the WMAC community for their generosity, and it comes at the perfect time as their noodle supplies were running low. We were also told they have several families currently living in their cars and they will be able to ensure they are given extra noodles.”

Our WestMAC community is renowned for being incredibly generous. We are so grateful that so many support the wonderful fundraising initiatives of our College.

Reverend Jane Markotsis

College Chaplain

The Middle/Senior School Parent Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday 15 July 2025. 

Access to interview bookings will be open to parents from 6.00am on 4 July 2025 through Parent Lounge, until 6.00am on Friday 11 July 2025.

Should any teacher’s interview schedule become fully booked, please email the teacher directly to arrange a suitable time to meet.

If you would like to make a booking by phone or if you have any questions regarding the booking process, please contact Amy Lawrence on 3813 4601 or alawrence@wmac.com.au.

Workplace Health and Safety Requirements

• Please stay home if unwell.
• You may be asked to sign in to allow for effective checking of persons on campus.
• A reminder that all children should be appropriately supervised
• Sign in - Please be advised that parents are required to sign in and out of the PTI event. QR codes will be available for this purpose. This is a workplace health and safety requirement for our organisation.

Ms Sue Stewart

Director of Curriculum

Year 11 Leadership Day - Leading a Legacy

Last Wednesday, our Year 11 students participated in a dynamic and engaging Leadership Day, designed to support their personal development, strengthen peer relationships, and build their capacity to lead as they prepare for their final year of schooling in 2026.

Facilitated by Peer Power, the program gave students the opportunity to reflect on their personal values, explore the importance of teamwork, and consider what it means to lead with integrity, empathy, and confidence. 

We were incredibly proud of how the students approached the day—with enthusiasm, openness, and maturity.

This experience was a valuable step forward as they continue their journey through Year 11 and prepare to take on greater responsibilities within the College community in 2026.

Alison Costa

Deputy Head of Senior School

Year 11/12 Drama Excursion QPAC Frankenstein

On Thursday 29 May, our Year 11 and 12 Drama students attended a thrilling performance of Frankenstein by Shake & Stir Theatre Company at QPAC. This bold and imaginative adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic classic left a lasting impression on all who attended.

From the striking set design and dramatic lighting effects to the seamless multimedia integration and gripping performances, students were completely captivated by the high-calibre production. The tension and emotion in the performance had the audience on the edge of their seats, with many students commenting on how powerful and thought-provoking the show was.

One student even declared it was the “best show I’ve ever seen,” a sentiment echoed by many who were inspired not only by the storytelling but also by the innovative staging and theatrical techniques.

The experience has sparked rich classroom discussion and reflection, with students drawing on the performance as a benchmark for their own creative work. We extend our thanks to Shake & Stir for delivering such an engaging and professional production — one that has clearly left a mark on the next generation of theatre-makers.

Cassie Hoiberg 

Leader of Learning - Dance and Drama

Building a Future in Steel: Student Embarks on School-Based Apprenticeship in Boiler Making

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of one of our Senior Students, Mia Booth, who has recently commenced a school-based apprenticeship in boiler making. This exciting opportunity allows Mia to combine classroom learning with hands-on industry experience, all while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

Boiler making is a specialised trade that involves fabricating, assembling, and repairing metal structures and equipment, often used in heavy industries such as construction, mining, and manufacturing. Through this apprenticeship, Mia is learning valuable skills in welding, metal cutting, reading engineering drawings, and workplace safety—all under the guidance of experienced tradespeople.

The school-based apprenticeship means that Mia attends school part-time while working with JBS Fabrications for the remainder of the week. This flexible learning pathway not only supports her academic progress but also provides real-world insights into a high-demand trade career.

“It's great to be out there working with my hands and seeing how things are made,” says Mia.

The program is a shining example of how vocational education and training (VET) can open doors for students with a passion for practical, skills-based careers. We commend Mia for her dedication and initiative and look forward to watching her grow in this exciting field.

For more information on school-based apprenticeships and how they support student success beyond the classroom, please contact our VET/RTO Manager.

Rob Noble

RTO and Industry/Community Engagement Manager

National recognition for WestMAC’s First Nations art projects

Students from West Moreton Anglican College (WestMAC) have been recognised on a national stage, with four Year 10 Visual Art projects selected by the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA) for their prestigious online student gallery.

WestMAC is the only school outside South Australia to be featured in the gallery, which is widely considered a leading national resource for First Nations visual arts education.

The published collections include cyanotypes, soft self-portraits, ink drawings and mixed media collages. These works were created collaboratively in 2023 and 2024 by 46 students under the guidance of Visual Art teacher Annabel Simmonds. In total, 59 artworks were selected. Created in small groups, the pieces were designed as non-assessed learning experiences that explored Indigenous perspectives and fostered inclusive artistic practice.

“These pieces are about more than technique,” said Ms Simmonds. “They reflect who we are as a community and how we meaningfully engage with culture and Country. It’s a real honour to have our students’ work recognised in this way.”

AGSA has also published Ms Simmonds’ full teaching synopses and planning documents alongside the artwork. These free resources are now being used by educators across Australia and internationally to inform their own practice.

This recognition builds on the College’s commitment to embedding First Nations perspectives across the curriculum through a unique teaching and learning framework known as the Dandiiri Approach. This approach is led by WestMAC’s First Nations Learning Innovator, Phyllis Marsh, who works closely with staff to adapt their practice and become Dandiiri Knowledge Holders.

“A strategic aspect of the Dandiiri Approach is to raise knowledge to enhance education,” Ms Marsh said. “I work with staff to change their teaching practice so that First Nations knowledge ways are shared in meaningful, authentic ways. The impact of this approach is visible in the confidence and creativity shown in our students’ work.”

The work was also showcased at the 2024 Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT) Conference, where it received high praise from education leaders.

Principal Andrew Peach said, “We are proud of our students and staff who continue to lead through creativity, cultural awareness and educational excellence. This recognition reflects the values and vision that guide our College.”

View the AGSA gallery and published resources:
• Full gallery
• Cyanotypes
• Soft Self-Portraits
• Ink Drawings
• Mixed Media Collage

Readers' Cup

We are thrilled to announce that WestMAC's inaugural Readers' Cup team has achieved an outstanding 5th place finish in this year's competition at St Mary’s College! Despite having only a short time to prepare, our dedicated students demonstrated exceptional teamwork, literary knowledge and quick thinking to hold their own against more seasoned competitors.

The Readers' Cup, a prestigious statewide competition, challenges students to delve into a selection of books and showcase their understanding of a range of texts. Our team's impressive debut performance is a testament to their hard work, enthusiasm for reading and the school's strong literacy foundation.

We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to our talented team members, Lacey Frost, Darcie Hallewell, Makayla Loorents, Amberle Pavlik and Zoe Turner in Years 7 and 8. Their achievement sets a fantastic precedent for future participation and we look forward to building on this success in years to come.

Premier's Reading Challenge

Students are encouraged to participate in the Premier’s Reading Challenge. The challenge is not a competition but aims to improve literacy and encourage children to read widely for pleasure and learning.

Reading opens up a world of educational opportunities for young people and provides the foundation for lifelong learning.

'Where will reading take you?'.

Children and students who read the allocated number of books for their reading level and therefore complete the challenge, will have their efforts recognised by receiving a certificate of achievement signed by the Premier.

BOOK WEEK – ‘Book An Adventure’ Reading Photo Challenge

This year’s Book Week theme is ‘Book an Adventure’!
To celebrate, we’re inviting staff and students of all ages to snap and share photos of themselves reading during the holidays—whether you're curled up with a book at home, relaxing at the beach, or exploring somewhere new!

Your photos will be featured in a special Book Week display in our libraries and included in the Book Week Parade PowerPoint presentation. Let’s show how far a good book can take us—no matter where we are!

Please send your photo to library_staff@wmac.com.au and include the following details:

Name of student:_________________________

Year Level: _______________________________

Caption: _________________________________

Ellen Talbot 

Junior School Teacher Librarian

Claire Whiting

Learning and Resources Manager

Kookaburra Kids 

The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation provides evidence based, age appropriate, prevention and early intervention mental health education programs to young people aged 8-18 years who are living in a family impacted by mental illness.

Designed by mental health professionals, our Camps, Activity Days and online Connect Sessions are proven to empower young people to thrive beyond the impacts of family mental illness.

Delivered within a peer-based, social, and recreational setting, our Kookaburra Kids programs aim to provide connection, improve mental health literacy and encourage help seeking behaviours.

Kookaburra Kids programs and camps are free and are now available to Defence families.  You do not need a diagnoses of a mental health condition as previously stated.

Please contact Jacqui D'Castro on 0455161080 or by email at jacqui.dcastro@kookaburrakids.org.au for more information.

I would like to wish you all a very safe and happy holidays and looking forward to seeing you all bright eyed and bushy tailed for Term 3.

Defence School Mentor

Term 3 fee statements

Term 3 fee statements were processed and available in Parent Lounge from Monday 16 June. Fees are due by Tuesday 15 July 2025, early payment discount date is Tuesday 24 June 2025.

Payment options are outlined on the website.

For more information, please contact accounts@wmac.com.au.

Understanding Adolescent Wellbeing: Insights from Recent Research

Some members of the WestMAC wellbeing team attended a recent professional development session at the Child Adolescent Mental Health Conference where Kristie Northfield from Charles Stuart University shared her valuable research on referral services for adolescent wellbeing support. One key takeaway from the study was the recognition that mental health referral decisions for young people are often influenced by proxy judgements made by parents and teachers. Northfield’s work delved into who can reliably make these judgements by exploring how and when young people authentically express their emotional struggles.

The importance of effective communication between parents and their children when it comes to discussing emotional wellbeing was highlighted and the research suggested several “Rules of Engagement” to foster productive interactions.
These “Rules of Engagement” included:

1. Creating an environment where young people feel heard,
2. Listening without judgement or emotion,
3. Respecting privacy, and
4. Avoiding immediate solutions.

Of the adolescents surveyed it was significantly reported that young people are less likely to open up to their trusted adults if they are concerned about being judged, upsetting their caregiver, or receiving unsolicited advice.

Furthermore, the study stressed an important distinction in how young people express their emotions depending on the setting.

At home, adolescents are often cautious with their non-verbal cues, whereas in the classroom, they tend to behave more naturally, offering teachers an opportunity to notice signs of low wellbeing. Non-verbal indicators of distress, such as tiredness, distraction, a lack of smiling, and withdrawal, were identified as critical signs for educators to observe.

However, the research also pointed out that with students who are naturally reserved or low energy it may be more difficult to identify non-verbal cues of their experiences of emotional distress. For these students, the difference between a good day and a bad day can be subtle, which means they are at greater risk of being overlooked in a classroom environment. This insight highlights the importance of being proactive and attentive in recognizing emotional distress in all students, not just those who exhibit more obvious signs.

In summary, fostering open communication and being observant of subtle behavioural changes are essential in supporting the wellbeing of young people. As educators and parents, we play a crucial role in creating safe spaces for adolescents to share their feelings and ensuring that no student falls through the cracks.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the above information in further detail, please feel free to reach out to the College Counselling team.

College Counsellors

Allison Flanagan
aflanagan@wmac.com.au

Tia Reardon
treardon@wmac.com.au

Managing Screen Time Positively

Struggling with screen time battles at home? Triple P’s latest article, Pressing pause on tech tantrums, shares practical strategies to help parents manage screen use in a calm and positive way. From gentle transitions to setting clear routines and encouraging open communication, the article offers tips for supporting healthy tech habits from early childhood through the teen years. Visit the Triple P parent website (Pressing pause on tech tantrums) to read more.

Jamie Rudd

Deputy Head of Junior School (Student Wellbeing)

This term, our community has been blessed to share in the wide range of successes. I would like to recognise many of our Student Experiences groups that have been busy over the past two weeks.

Congratulations to our TAS and JTAS sporting teams and their coordinators, coaches and managers. We finished TAS Trimester 2 with five Premierships. These were for First XI Hockey (Undefeated), Year 9/10 Rugby (Undefeated), Year 7B Netball, 4ths Netball and Junior Rust Netball (Undefeated). We also congratulate the teams that finished as runners up in their competitions Year 7 Rugby, First Tennis, Intermediate Firsts Hockey, Thirds Netball and 7A Netball.

In the TAS Trimester 2 Season, WestMAC finished in third place overall. This is the best overall result for Trimester 2 in many years. Congratulations to all involved, this is an outstanding result.

Our five days of Interhouse athletics have concluded and we look forward to the commencement of athletics training and the representative season. A big thank you to the Sports Department, College Facilities team, the HPE staff and the P&F for your work at these carnivals.

Our Year 5/6 and 7/8 students have participated in the 2025 Readers Cup. A big thank you to the Library staff for supporting these teams.

Recently, our musicians have performed at Jams in June, South East Queensland SHEP and worked hard at the 2025 WestMAC Music Camp. A big thank you to the Music department staff for supporting our musicians and to FOTA.

Our Debaters have been arguing with purpose and were fantastic ambassadors for the College at the finals of the Ipswich Schools Debating Competition. Our teams placed first and second in the Senior Division and second in the Intermediate Division. We also, commend our Junior School debaters, for your work in the Junior School Debating Competition. A big thank you to all our adjudicators, coaches and team mentors.

Our Dancers have produced stellar performances at the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod (Dance).

Dance Troupe collected the following accolades: 

• Musical theatre – First
• Lyrical – First
• Contemporary – Third
• Jazz – Third
• Hip Hop – Second

Dance Company achieved: 

• Musical Theatre – First
• Lyrical- First
• Contemporary- First (red) and Highly Commended (white)
• Jazz – First
• Student Choreography – Second
• Hip Hop – Second

JS Crew were awarded: 

• Musical Theatre – Second
• Jazz – Very Highly Commended
• Lyrical – First

On Monday evening, WestMAC dance recognised by the adjudicator as the Most Outstanding School. Congratulations and thanks to all the staff that have supported our dancers this semester.

UHL football and School Futsal Championship teams competing this week and during the holidays. A big thank you to Seb and Tia for your work with these teams.

The Year 3 Camp had a wonderful end to Term 2 at their year level camp at Camp Somerset. A big thank you Mr Doyle, Mrs Ellis, the Junior School Admin team and Year 3 camp staff for creating a wonderful Outdoor Education experience.

This week selected Touch Football and Rugby players have journeyed to Singapore for a Sporting and Cultural tour. A big thank you to Mr Hillier, Mrs Purvey, Miss Acton and Mr Acton for supporting and providing this enriching experience.

Finally, the Addams Family cast and crew are working hard to put the finishing touches on what will be a marvellous production. Remember to get your tickets for the show, The Adams Family will be on stage at the end of July. Please go to the Ipswich Civic Centre website for tickets.

Reminders:

There will be a sport training day on Saturday 12 July, please check NEST for details.

WestMAC Sport Training t-shirts are now available to order. Please see this link West Moreton Anglican College Sport Training Tee - Dynasty Team Store AU orders will close on 29 June 2025.

Have a safe and relaxing semester break.

Heath Del Favero

Director of Student Experiences 

Secondary Debating at WestMAC

Monday night (16 June) was the Final of the Ipswich Secondary Schools Debating Competition, where our eight Year 7-12 WestMAC teams continued to achieve success and show how much they have improved, grown in confidence and skill throughout debating this term.

After the initial four rounds of debating, WestMAC had four teams in the top four. To be in the top four is a huge achievement, with 21 teams in the junior division, 19 teams in the intermediate division and 8 teams in the senior division. To have four teams in the top four and almost all our teams in the top eight, highlights the strength of secondary debating at WestMAC.

Semi Final Results (teams in the Top 4)

Junior WMAC1 debated again Ipswich Girls Grammar and unfortunately lost and then went on to debate for overall third in the final debate.  

Intermediate WMAC1 debated against Ipswich Girls Grammar and won and went through to the Intermediate grand final debate.

Senior WMAC1 debated against St Edmunds College and won and went through to the Senior grand final debate.

Senior WMCA2 debated against Ipswich Girls Grammar and won and went through to the Senior grand final debate.

This meant that in the competition’s 2025 final on Monday 13 June, the Intermediate WMAC1 was in the grand final to debate for the Intermediate Championship. And the two Senior WestMAC teams debated against each other in the 2025 grand final for the senior division. This was an awesome achievement, which also meant that one of our teams will be bringing home the Senior Championship trophy.  

Results from the Grand Final debates

Intermediate WMAC1 debated against another Ipswich Girls Grammar team in the Intermediate Grand Final and unfortunately lost, awarding them the 2^nd place overall position in the 2025 competition (out of 19 teams).

Senior Debate with WMAC1 vs WMAC2 was a thrilling and exciting debate to watch. It was also wonderful to see our students debate with so much depth of knowledge, passion and skill. There were only a handful of points between the two teams. The title of championship team went to WMAC2 (coached by Wendy Jorgensen). WAMC1 was awarded 2^nd overall in the Senior 2025 competition.

Special note and acknowledgement for Chloe Bulter’s individual achievement in being awarded the Top Debater of the competition for the Senior Division. Chloe’s average score across all 6 debates (and across all adjudicators) was an impressive 97.5 points (out of 100). Well done, Chloe.

Congratulations to all 2025 WestMAC Debaters and coaches on a very successful and exciting debating competition. The feedback from the organisers, adjudicators, coaches and parents was how respectful and talented our students have been throughout the competition, and how wonderful it was to see them all grow in confidence and skill as debaters and public speakers. 

Our 2025 Debating Teams

For more information about Secondary Debating at WestMAC, please visit our NEST page.

Victoria Fehringer

Secondary Debating Co-Ordinator

Leader of Learning - English

WestMAC Dance has enjoyed an action-packed and highly successful few weeks of competition.

On Monday 2 June, the Years 7–9 Dance Troupe proudly represented the College at the Brisbane Performing Arts Challenge, held at Riverlife in Seventeen Mile Rocks. The students performed with energy, precision and teamwork, reflecting their ongoing commitment to the Dance program. As a highlight of the day, the Musical Theatre team were awarded 1^st Place in the Entertainment section for their routine ‘The Greatest Showman’ against nine other very impressive schools. The adjudicator praised the group’s strong characterisation, engaging storytelling and overall entertainment value—an outstanding achievement!

Two weeks later, on Monday 16 June, both Dance Troupe and Dance Company (Years 10–12) competed at the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod, again achieving impressive results across a wide range of categories.

Dance Troupe Results

• Grade 9 & Under Entertainment – 1st Place
• Grade 9 & Under Lyrical – 1st Place
• Grade 9 & Under Hip Hop – 2nd Place
• Grade 9 & Under Jazz – 3rd Place
• Grade 9 & Under Contemporary – 3rd Place

Dance Company Results

• Grade 12 & Under Lyrical – 1st Place
• Grade 12 & Under Entertainment – 1st Place
• Grade 12 & Under Jazz – 1st Place
• Grade 12 & Under Contemporary – 1st Place and Highly Commended
• Grade 12 & Under Student Choreography – 2nd Place
• Grade 12 & Under Hip Hop – 2nd Place

Congratulations to all performers on their dedication, professionalism and team spirit. These outstanding results are a testament to the passion and hard work of our dancers, choreographers and teaching staff. Thank you to families for your support and encouragement throughout Semester 1.

Looking ahead to Term 3, students will compete in their final eisteddfod for the year at the Quota Beenleigh Eisteddfod (Wednesday 6 August) and begin preparing exciting new routines for the WestMAC Dance Concert in October.

Cassie Hoiberg

Leader of Learning - Dance and Drama

STEM Club Sparks Into Action with Battle Bot Challenge!

Our enthusiastic Year 7-10 STEM Club students are diving headfirst into the exciting world of engineering and robotics as they design their very own battle bots. These mechanical creations, set to be built next term, will go head-to-head in our school’s very own Battle Bot Championship — a thrilling competition to determine the ultimate champion bot.

But the stakes don’t stop there! The winning team will represent our school at the QUT Aerospace Society Mech Mayhem competition in October, taking on students from around the region in a test of strategy, design, and innovation.

Students are embracing the creative and technical challenge, sketching, refining, and problem-solving as they prepare to bring their designs to life. It’s been fantastic to see such collaboration, resilience, and excitement from all involved — we can’t wait to see the bots in action!

Pam Burt

Leader of Learning - Science

The Addams Family

Why is staging musicals a meaningful part of school life? Musicals offer students a powerful opportunity to connect, collaborate and grow. They nurture creativity and confidence while helping to build a strong sense of community and shared culture. Through teamwork and storytelling, students develop empathy and lasting friendships (Burton, Horowitz & Abeles, 2000). Performing together fosters school spirit and pride, uniting students from different backgrounds and year levels (Adderley, Kennedy & Berz, 2003). Musicals are more than entertainment, they are a celebration of belonging.

As a staff member, one of the most heartwarming moments of community has been watching our students celebrate one another—especially when it’s a cast member’s birthday! We’ve had the joy of celebrating many birthdays throughout the rehearsal process. Seeing students from Years 7 to 12 come together to foster a sense of belonging, acceptance and connection is a powerful reminder of why musicals matter. The memories made and friendships forged last a lifetime, well beyond the final curtain call.

References

• Burton, J., Horowitz, R., & Abeles, H. (2000). Learning In and Through the Arts.
• Adderley, C., Kennedy, M., & Berz, W. (2003). A Home Away from Home: The World of the High School Music Classroom.

If you haven’t purchased your tickets yet, it isn’t too late! Grab your tickets here.

Term 2 Musical Holiday Day Camp

• Monday 07 July, 9am – 3pm
• Tuesday 08 July, 9am – 3pm
• Wednesday 09 July, 9am – 3pm
• Thursday 10 July, 9am – 3pm

 Term 3 Rehearsals

• Saturday 19 July, 12.30pm – 5.30pm
• Saturday 26 July, 12.30pm – 5.30pm
• Sunday 27 July, 10am – 1pm (Orchestra Only)
• Sunday 27 July, 2pm – 5pm (Orchestra and Full Cast)

Meet the Cast

Name: Anna Fazackerley 
Year: 12
Character: Morticia Addams
Musical experience:

• Nessa Rose in Wicked (2021)
• Baroness in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2022, IMTC Junior)
• Maria’s understudy in West Side Story (2023)
• Genie in Aladdin (2023, IMTC Junior)

Q: What have you enjoyed about The Addams Family so far?

A: I’ve really enjoyed how close the cast already is, and I’m looking forward to seeing those relationships grow even stronger. The atmosphere is so collegial and supportive—whether it’s someone’s first musical or they’re more familiar with the process. The role I’m playing is completely different from anything I’ve done before, which makes it even more exciting.

Q: What has been a highlight?

A: It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come already, especially considering we’ve only been rehearsing for just over a term. Everyone gives their all at every rehearsal because we all want to see it come together and produce a great show. A highlight has also been becoming really close with my fellow Addams family members. We do so many scenes together, and it’s reinforced the family vibe—it's not just because the script tells us to!

Q: Tell us a little bit about your character, Morticia.

A: Morticia is the matriarch of the Addams family and holds the key to their unity—she built the family into what it is today. She is very controlling of what her children and family do because she wants to maintain the family’s image. Morticia is elegant, the perfect combination of demure and demonic. She values honesty and the truth above all else and will stop at nothing to ensure that no one keeps secrets, especially from her.

Q: What are you looking forward to in playing Morticia?

A: Yelling at Gomez!

Q: What are some things you have done to prepare for the role of Morticia?

A: I’ve watched many YouTube videos to see how different Broadway actors have portrayed scenes in the style of Morticia. Bringing this role to life requires a lot of focus and a serious demeanour.

Q: What is your favourite line that Morticia says?

A: “We don’t wear bright colours. Bright colours are for people with no inner life and no imagination.” or “Life is a tightrope, my child, and at the other end is your coffin.”

Meet the Staff

Name: Lily Wood
Role: Props and Sets Coordinator, Stage Manager
Years at the College: Two
Musical experience:

• West Side Story (2023)

Q: What are you looking forward to in your role as Props and Sets Coordinator?

A: I love seeing the stage transform with props and set pieces – it’s incredibly rewarding to watch a fantastical world come to life before the audience’s eyes. There’s something magical about helping to create that immersive experience for everyone involved.

Q: What are you looking forward to in your role as Stage Manager?

A: I’m excited to work closely with all the students and create a positive, energetic atmosphere backstage. While Stage Managing can be a high-pressure role, it’s incredibly fulfilling – especially when you see the cast and crew smiling after a successful performance.

Q: What are some of the challenges that come with both of your roles?

A: One major challenge is sourcing or creating unique props, especially for a show like The Addams Family, which has such a distinctive aesthetic. Another is ensuring that everything – and everyone – is in the right place at the right time. Backstage can get pretty hectic and timing each cue perfectly is like orchestrating a little bit of stage magic.

Q: Why do you think it is important for schools to have musicals?

A:  Musicals create such strong friendships and a sense of community among students. It’s a rare opportunity to work collaboratively across different year levels and those connections often last well beyond the final curtain call.

Q: What has been the most creative or unique prop to source so far?

A: That’s a tough one – The Addams Family is filled with quirky, one-of-a-kind props! We’ve had to custom-build quite a few pieces ourselves, which has been both challenging and fun. There’s still so much happening behind the scenes that I don’t think I can pick just one yet!

Q: What is your favourite prop in The Addams Family and why?

A: Wednesday’s crossbow is definitely my favourite. It was handmade by the incredibly talented Errol Anderson from our Facilities Team. I was a little nervous about finding a crossbow because of the safety concerns, but during a chat with the IT Department about their various 3D printing models, someone mentioned Errol’s woodworking skills. I reached out and soon enough, he delivered a spectacular, handcrafted crossbow. It’s moments like that that make this role so special – thanks, Errol!

Ai: Addressing Concerns and Building Solutions Together

As we continue our journey with artificial intelligence in education, I want to share important considerations about the challenges we're navigating together.

Academic Honesty and Integrity One of our primary considerations is ensuring students understand the difference between using AI as a helpful tool versus replacing their own thinking. We're seeing students who submit AI-generated work as their own, which misses the point of learning entirely. Our approach includes developing guidelines about how AI can be used for different learning and assessment activities.

Building Independence, Not Dependence We want our students to develop strong foundational skills rather than becoming overly reliant on AI. There's a real risk that students might use AI as a crutch, avoiding the productive struggle that builds resilience and deep understanding. We're addressing this by teaching students to reflect on when they're being helped versus when they're avoiding necessary learning.

Protecting Student Privacy

We have developed an Ai Policy and established a committee that will evaluate applications for modern technology platforms using rigorous criteria addressing privacy, data security and student protection.

Age-Appropriate Use Not all AI applications suit every age group. We will be developing tiered guidelines where younger students use AI only with direct teacher supervision while older students are taught how to make responsible decisions for more independent use of Ai.

Moving Forward Together

Most importantly, we want to preserve what makes learning fundamentally human: creativity, empathy, collaboration, and original thinking. AI is a tool to enhance these qualities, not replace them. We're not implementing AI because it's new or trendy, but because it can genuinely enhance learning when used thoughtfully and appropriately.

Together, we're preparing your children not just to use AI, but to think critically about it, use it ethically, and maintain the human skills that will always be essential.

Warm regards,

Ian Hayne

Director of Professional Practice and Technology

Uniform Shop Opening Times – School Days only

Please note that the Uniform Shop closes at 11am on Wednesday’s during Terms 2 & 3.

The Uniform Shop will:

• close for Term 2 trading on Friday 20 June 2025 at 3.30pm
• be open during the holidays on Friday 11 July 2025 from 7.30am to 3.30pm
• open for Term 3 trading from Monday 14 July 2025 at 7.30am (pupil free day)

Blazer Pocket Embroidery

Any embroidery left at the Uniform Shop before the end of this term will be available at the start of Term 3.

If you would like your pocket sewn onto your blazer in Term 3, please bring your blazer to the Uniform Shop on a Monday or Friday (not Wednesday) at First Break. Your blazer will be ready for you to collect at Second Break on the same day. The cost to sew on a pocket is $15.00.

Gloves & Scarves 

Only plain navy scarves and gloves can be worn with a College uniform. The Uniform Shop sells plain navy scarves for $10 and gloves for $7.50. Supporter scarves are also available for $30.  

Lay-by

Uniforms can be placed on lay-by with a minimum 10% deposit. Items are at the prices current when placed on lay-by. Items can be exchanged or refunded after the lay-by has been collected if required.

Orders

If you are unable to visit the Uniform Shop during trading hours, we accept orders by Flexischool, phone, and email. Paid orders can be:

• collected from the Uniform Shop
• collected from sub-school receptions
• delivered to students in Prep to Year 6 

Glenda Boike

Uniform Shop Convenor