In this issue
Important Dates
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Date |
Event |
|---|---|
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4 September |
Year 8 Father’s Day Breakfast |
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9 September |
MADALAH Visit |
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10 September |
South32 Career Explorer Experience |
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15 September |
Year 11 Retreat |
Principal's Report
It is a real privilege to have the opportunity to walk around the school and spend time with our students. I honestly get so much joy from the way they go out of their way to say hello, share what is going on in their lives, and show a genuine interest in how I am going.
As our Year 12 students prepare for the final few weeks of their schooling, we keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this important and sometimes uncertain time. They have contributed significantly to the culture that exists here, one of resilience, compassion and commitment. I look forward to celebrating these qualities through the special events planned for them in the coming weeks.
We are all called to 'walk humbly' at Bunbury Catholic College. We believe that humility means being grateful for what we have and showing empathy for those around us, especially those who are less fortunate. I am incredibly proud of the opportunities we create for students to deepen their understanding of, and empathy for, those facing hardship.
Our Year 11 Winter Sleepout provided students with an insight into the complexities of homelessness and an opportunity to gain a greater appreciation of the challenges experienced by those affected. Well done to the students and staff who took part in this valuable experience.
As we move into the final weeks of Term 3, I encourage all students to walk humbly, be grateful for what they have, and show empathy for those around them.
Ben PriestPrincipal
Feast Day
We came together as a College to celebrate Feast Day on 14 August.
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a special celebration for Catholics and specifically for Marists.
Following Mass, students and staff shared activities and made origami hearts for a flowing mural created in the Cafeteria.
The Feast Day stalls offered homemade cakes, face decorations and the chance to try your luck at games of skill.
To finish the celebrations, a concert showcased our talented musicians, singers and performers. The Michael Jackson-themed performances provided a thrilling finale to the celebrations.
Welcome Sean Pollard
Our Year 12 students had the absolute privilege of listening to Australian Paralympic Team Captain Sean Pollard speak about resilience, overcoming adversity and maintaining a healthy mindset.
Sean, who lives in Bunbury, survived a horrific shark attack while surfing in 2014. Since then, he has demonstrated incredible courage and strength in embracing new ways of moving forward.
His recovery saw him switch from surfing to snowboarding, becoming a Paralympian in 2018 and, this year, leading the Australian team at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games.
College Captain Isabella Ball said the presentation inspired students to face life's challenges with a positive outlook and highlighted how our thoughts can shape the way we see the world.
Student Spotlight
International Earth Science Olympiad
Year 12 student Mali Hart is part of the Australian team that competed at the 2026 International Earth Science Olympiad in Italy, with some amazing results.
Mali, pictured third from left, won an individual gold medal. In the International Team Field Investigation she won a silver medal and in the Earth System Project and she won a team bronze medal.
According to the Australian Science Innovations, which delivers extension programs for high school students, the achievements of the Australian team speak volumes about our College and our science teachers!
Congratulations to Mali — this is a fantastic achievement for you, for your team, for science, for your country and for your College!
Guinness World Record
A new Guinness World Record has been set by Year 7 student Alphy Basil Eldhose who is literally seeing stars.
His family is overjoyed to have recently received a certificate for ‘The most constellations identified in one minute’ after Alphy travelled to India in November last year to attempt the record.
Alphy named 73 constellations, breaking the previous record of 43 constellations.
Congratulations on your stellar performance, Alphy!
Winter Sleepout
With a spirit of empathy for those experiencing homelessness, our Year 11 students chose to experience a cold winter’s night sleeping rough on our College campus last week.
The Winter Sleepout opens a window into the lives of those less fortunate, as students listened to St Vincent de Paul Society Youth Engagement Coordinator Hannah Taylor describe how homelessness can affect young people and the support offered through St Vinnies.
A role-playing game helped them understand the difficulties of securing housing for themselves.
Christian Service Learning Coordinator Michael Chappell thanked all those who generously gave their time to assist and said that, with support from every class, our students will be making valuable donations to St Vinnies and to Pregnancy Assistance Bunbury.
The Arts
Fantastic Feast Day Concert
Our Feast Day celebrations were brought to life with a fantastic concert showcasing the incredible musical talent of our students. From String and Woodwind Ensembles to solo performers, senior bands and our 30-piece Orchestra, students delivered a wonderful variety of performances throughout the afternoon.
It was a fantastic opportunity for students to share their hard work, musicianship and enthusiasm with the College community. A huge congratulations to our performers and thank you to the students and staff who assisted with sound, staging and equipment behind the scenes. We are very proud of everyone involved!
A Symphony of Stories – Book Week 2026
This year’s Book Week theme ‘Symphony of Stories’ provided the perfect opportunity for our talented BCC musicians to add their own soundtrack to the week. On Monday, Hailey Spouse opened the celebrations by serenading us with a beautiful acoustic piano and vocal set.
On Wednesday, our band ‘We Tidy’ took to the stage for the final time in their BCC journey, making it a particularly special performance for both the band members and our College community.
On Thursday, our String and Woodwind Ensembles continued the musical celebrations with a selection of much-loved pieces, including music from Bridgerton and Harry Potter. Book Week was a wonderful reminder that stories can be shared in many different ways, and we are very proud of our musicians for bringing this year’s theme to life through music.
Mia Loock
Music Teacher
Book Week Costume Gallery
Expanding Creativity through Composition
Jasper Noonan recently composed an original piece for an Indie Film Music Contest, creating the entire work from scratch using MIDI sounds. This project provided Jasper with an opportunity to extend his skills beyond the classroom, exploring film composition, digital orchestration and music production in a new and creative context.
His piece, Locked Out, showcases his growing confidence as a composer and his willingness to challenge himself through new musical experiences. We are incredibly proud to see Jasper continuing to develop his creativity, technical skills and passion for music. His submission can be viewed here: Locked Out – Jasper Noonan
Students Visit the Art Gallery of WA
Travelling to Perth to experience The West Australian Pulse 2026 and explore works from the State Art Collection was an exciting time for our Year 11 and 12 Visual Art students.
They were joined by students from Our Lady of Mercy College when they visited the Art Gallery of Western Australia to see the Pulse exhibition showcasing the outstanding artworks by 2025 Year 12 Visual Arts graduates from across Western Australia.
This year’s exhibition explored themes particularly relevant to young people, including identity, cultural heritage, neurodiversity, sexuality and mental health, alongside broader issues such as loss, environmental concerns, racial and societal inequality, and the pressures of conforming and performing at school and beyond.
Throughout the gallery visit, students identified compositional devices and Postmodern methods within Pulse, drew and annotated a favourite artwork, and considered how its medium, composition, visual language and concept could inspire their own current projects.
They analysed and discussed exhibited works using the production marking criteria, gaining further insight into the standard expected in their own art making. Students also explored I AM: Aboriginal art from the State Art Collection, analysing Noongar artist Christopher Pease’s Nyoongar Dreaming and considering how composition, colour and symbolism communicate ideas about Noongar presence, identity and connection to Country within a contemporary urban landscape.
Flip Books & Freaky Fish Among Art Creations
Our Visual Arts students have been busy experimenting with new techniques, exploring exciting themes and producing some incredible artworks.
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Year 7 students created flip books inspired by nature, while developing their understanding of the elements and principles of art through tonal drawing techniques.
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Year 8 Visual Arts students explored the vibrant world of Pop Art, creating colourful paintings of everyday food items inspired by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Claes Oldenburg.
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Year 8 Creative Clay students designed and sculpted Freaky Fish, inventing imaginative new species using ceramic construction techniques.
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Year 9 Visual Arts (3D) students investigated the theme 'Home is Where the Heart Is', creating meaningful ceramic sculptures that reflected their personal interpretations of home.
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Year 9 Visual Arts (2D) students drew inspiration from the fascinating world of insects, producing beautifully rendered pencil drawings before transforming them into vibrant mixed-media collages incorporating Art Deco-inspired pattern and design.
Congratulations to all our talented students on their creativity.
Brenda Della-Sale
Head of Arts
Humanities
Beyond the Burger: The Geography Behind McDonald’s
Our Year 11 ATAR Geography students have been using McDonald’s as a case study in Humanities.
Students investigated the sourcing of key ingredients and products, the role of transport and distribution, and the importance of maintaining consistency across McDonald’s restaurants. They examined how technological change has transformed business operations through self-service kiosks, mobile ordering, delivery services and automated systems.
The fieldwork provided an opportunity to consider the social and cultural dimensions of globalisation. Students observed how McDonald’s operates within the Bunbury community and considered how a company that originated in the United States has become a familiar feature of the Australian cultural landscape.
The excursion enabled students to connect geographical theory with a real-world example and gather evidence that will support their classroom investigations into the social, economic and environmental implications of changes in production and distribution.
Tanya Ferres
Head of Humanities
Technologies
College Playgroup
Our Year 10 Childcare students hosted their second playgroup, which gives our students the opportunity to interact with young children, practice their planning skills and engage in play-based learning activities.
We hope to make this a regular experience for the students.
VET
Futures in Focus
The ‘Futures in Focus: Primary Teacher Education Experience Day’ at ECU South West provided students with an authentic glimpse into the world of teaching.
Throughout the morning, Year 10-12 students gained valuable insights into university life, education pathways and primary teaching courses.
They also participated in a campus adventure and hands-on learning activities in the School of Education's teaching demonstration room.
Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and said it was both worthwhile and engaging, helping them explore future study and career opportunities in education.
Try-A-Trade
Learning the basics of carpentry, civil construction and bricklaying through two and three-day immersive programs has given some of our Year 9 students hands-on experience in real workplace environments.
The opportunity to step outside the classroom and into the world of construction is offered to students through Try-A-Trade programs at Skill Hire and GetCareers.
As they are learning to safely use industry tools and equipment, participants construct archways and pergolas, pitch a roof and build a garden bed, developing practical trade skills and experiencing what it's really like to work in the construction industry.
Try-A-Trade programs are designed to help students explore their interests, discover potential career pathways and build confidence through practical learning.
Along the way, they gain an insight into apprenticeships, traineeships, workplace safety and the opportunities available in the industry.
We are grateful to Skill Hire, GetCareers and the Construction Training Fund for providing approximately 100 of these fully funded experiences to our students each year and inspiring the next generation of skilled tradespeople.
Sport
Year 7/8 Lightning Carnival
We are still waiting for the official Year 7/8 Lightning Carnival results, however, I can tell you we won A Grade Girls AFL, A Grade Basketball and A Grade Mixed Hockey competitions!
We placed second in the A Grade Netball and A Grade Boys Soccer and we had multiple other placings.
Hopefully, when we do receive official results, we will near the top of the standings.
Congratulations to all the students who represented the College in AFL, Basketball, Hockey, Netball, Soccer, Touch Rugby and Volleyball.
Thank you to our amazing Year 11 Certificate of Sport and Recreation and Year 10 Student Officials who were able to build connections with our younger athletes and help the events run smoothly by coaching, umpiring, scoring and managing substitutions.
It was also fantastic to see so many families down supporting our College and cheering on their children!
Soccer Shield Quarter Finals
Our Senior Boys Soccer qualified through to the SSWA Champion Schools Cup Shield Division Finals after winning the Bunbury Division in Term 2. We played St Norbert's College in the quarter finals and defeated them 1-0.
We have advanced through to the semi-finals and will take on Carine SHS in Perth today. Carine SHS defeated Bunbury SHS last week in their quarter final and Carine has approximately 1,500 students who came down to support their team!
Hopefully our senior boys can hit the back of the net early and silence the crowd!
Netball Champion Schools Cup
Our Junior Boys, Intermediate Boys, Senior Boys and Senior Girls qualify through to the SSWA Champion Schools Cup Netball Elimination Day Carnival.
All teams competed strongly with the Intermediate boys having a couple of narrow losses and just missing finals.
The Junior Boys took on Court Grammar to take out the State Championship, with Tylo Gitzel being named Grand Final MVP.
Think Smart Mental Health School Surf Titles
Bunbury Catholic College finished Runner-Up Champion School in the Bunbury Division by 3 points. Congratulations to all our teams.
Champion Teams
Junior Boys Body Boarding: Tyson Dunn and Jonah Standley
Junior Boys Surfing: Darcy Stewart and Jimmy Burton
Senior Boys Surfing: Oliver Stewart and Harper Reid
Runner Up Champion Teams
Senior Boys Surfing: Carter Bailey and Riley Della-Sale
Senior Girls Surfing: Abigail Bovell
Performer of the Day: Harrison Kelly
State Finals Results
Senior Boys Surf (Oli and Harper) bowed out in Heat One unfortunately pulling Margaret River.
Junior Boys (Darcy and Jimmy Burton) progressed through to the second heats before bowing out to Margaret River.
Junior Boys Body Boarding (Tyson and Scott) progressed all the way through to the State Semi Final before going down to...you guessed it, Margaret River.
Lunchtimes Full Of Cups
The annual Elson Cup Indoor Soccer Competition is in full swing, with Year 12 teams facing off against one another and staff teams over several weeks of Term 3.
Each match is fiercely contested and sees the La Valla Sports Centre filled with students enthusiastically cheering for their teams.
The Elson Cup is a long-standing competition that was established in 2012 by Year 12 student Jake Elson, a qualified soccer referee. Over the years, it has become part of College folklore and remains a highlight of the Year 12 calendar.
This year, a new competition has joined the lunchtime sporting scene in the form of the Madex Cup Basketball Competition, initiated by Year 12 student and passionate basketball player Bradley Madenyika.
The games have attracted large lunchtime crowds, and, as with the Elson Cup, Bradley hopes the Madex Cup will grow into a cherished College tradition for future generations of students.
Year 7 Enrolments for 2029
Year 7 2029 enrolment applications are now open
Families considering Bunbury Catholic College for secondary schooling are encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.
For further information, please visit: https://www.bunburycatholic.wa.edu.au/enrolments/enrolment-information/ or contact Enrolments on 9721 0000.
Cafeteria
Our Cafeteria celebrated ‘National Science Week’ by turning snacks into science experiments!
Our young scientists tasted:
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Rapid thermal gas explosions — Popcorn,
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A sweet study of liquid to solid phase transitions — Jellies,
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DNA helix strands — Pasta salads and liquorice, &
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Explosive mini volcano — Sherbet.
Alumni
Upcoming Reunions
Class of 2006
Date: 14 November 2026
Location: To be confirmed
RSVP/contact for more information: chloe_mcclements@hotmail.com
Stephengarry89@gmail.com
Facebook group link: Here
Class of 1976
Date: 21 November 2026
Location: Mantra Bunbury
RSVP/contact for more information: amblee@bigpond.net.au
Stay Connected
Do you have a reunion being organised? Let us know about it Here
Update your details or let us know where you are now Here
Alumni contact details: bcc.alumni@cewa.edu.au
Community Notices
For the parents of Catholic school students, here is a link to the latest edition of the CSPWA eNewsletter.
https://cspwa.schoolzineplus.com/enews?nid=75
