News & Updates: 24 March 2025

Principal's Update: Term 1, Week 8

On Wednesday afternoon, we are looking forward to opening our doors to the wider community at our annual Open Day. Again, I want to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to each of you to come and join us as we also conduct an Open House of the wonderful new facility our staff and students have been enjoying, The Learning Hub. Start on the Ground floor and work your way up to Level 2, as there is a lot to see and experience. It is also a great opportunity to come and visit your child’s classroom as well as take a peek at what is on offer for your child in the years to come across all areas of the school.

Guided tours will be provided for new families, but for our existing families you are free to wander through the school at your leisure and check out areas of interest- especially the new ones! See you Wednesday from 3:45 – 6 pm.

In the meantime, enjoy this week’s newsletter.

Mr Tony Kent 

Principal 

Open Day 2025

CCAS Open Day is on this week, Wednesday 26 March, from 3:45-6:00 pm.

It is an excellent opportunity for new families to explore what CCAS has to offer and a perfect time for you, our existing school families, to visit different areas and facilities around the school.

Come and check out our talented students from Year 4 through Year 12 performing at the Creative Arts showcase, which will be held at 4:45 pm at the Naomi Frew Hall.

Current families don't need to register for this event.

We encourage you to bring friends and family who may be interested in our school. 

Marketing & Communication Team 

Year 12 Music: Disney In Concert

Year 12 Music students recently had the incredible opportunity to attend a Sydney Symphony Orchestra performance at the iconic Sydney Opera House. The concert featured a spectacular program of Disney themes, bringing classic and modern soundtracks to life with the power of a full symphony orchestra.

The experience was both entertaining and educational, giving students valuable insight into orchestration and film music.

Mr Bart Raethel 

Head of Music

Year 3 Music

Here are some of our Year 3 students playing their band instruments. Every student in year three has been given the extraordinary opportunity to learn a band instrument for free this term, courtesy of the school, and the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music. What fun we are having!

Details will soon follow about our end-of-term concert for everyone to watch. 

Mrs Jillene Donnelly

Music Teacher

Performance Poetry with Local Poet: Will Small

As part of their study of performance poetry in English this term, our Year 9 students had a master class session on Tuesday with local poet, Will Small. This learning partnership has been an incredible opportunity to deepen students' learning of The Power of the Spoken Word unit of work.

During this incursion, Will shared his own journey to accidentally becoming a poet, performed some of his own poetry, and affirmed each students' innate ability to create through language with short, sharp writing tasks.

The top floor of the Learning Hub was the perfect space for delivering this valuable learning experience for Year 9 students.

Mrs Hannah Rappell 

Head of English

Primary School Harmony Day Celebrations

Last week CCAS celebrated Harmony Week, a celebration that recognises diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect, and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Our Primary School created a map of the world showcasing the different backgrounds and cultures that make up our student body. On Friday, we had a mufti day encouraging students to wear orange in support of Harmony Day, or a piece of traditional clothing to celebrate their own background.

It was great to see our students celebrating diversity and learning more about each other and the world.

Marketing & Communication Team 

Year 7 Wellbeing Incursion

Last week we had life coach, Matt Cogin,  founder of Levelling Up come and present to our Year 7 cohort.

Matt's workshop focussed on building connections, confidence, and courage. He discussed how to overcome fears, set goals, and dream big. He showed our students practical ways to be good listeners, to build each other up, and to be grateful.

Our students came out of the workshop feeling motivated and inspired, with a better connection to their peers. Check below for a summary of what students have learned.

Mrs Angela Hamilton 

Year 7 Wellbeing Coordinator

Support Laisani in Her Fight Against Leukaemia

We are deeply saddened to share that one of our brave Year 2 students has recently been diagnosed with Leukaemia (ALL). Since her diagnosis in early February, Laisani has been undergoing treatment at Westmead Children's Hospital while staying at Ronald McDonald House with her parents. 

Despite facing this difficult journey, Laisani has shown incredible courage and determination. She has decided to take part in the World's Greatest Shave to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation, helping families affected by blood cancer. Her strength and generosity have already made a huge impact.

How You Can Help:
💙 Donate to Laisani’s fundraising campaign and support vital research and support services at the link below. 
🙏 Pray for Laisani and her family as they navigate this challenging time.
❤️ Join her team or consider making a Lifeblood donation to help others battling blood cancer.

Let’s come together as a community to show Laisani and her family that they are not alone. Your support can make a real difference!

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and prayers for the Gardner family at this time.

Mrs Katie Tipple 

Primary Wellbeing

Medicine & Dentistry Information Evening – Find Out What It Takes!

This is an information night for students (and their parents) who are considering a career in medicine or dentistry. We know that these career paths are incredibly rewarding and that they require dedication, preparation, and a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed.

To help students and parents navigate this journey, CCAS is hosting an exclusive information evening with Zobair Bary, Academic Director and Principal of the National Institute of Education. As a parent at CCAS and an expert in medical and dental school entry, Mr. Bary will provide valuable insights into the pathways, challenges, and preparation strategies needed to pursue these careers.

When: Tuesday, 1st April at 7 PM
Where: Level 2, Learning Hub, CCAS
Who should attend? Students in Years 9-12 and their parents

This is a fantastic opportunity to gain expert advice on entry requirements, UCAT preparation, interviews, and study strategies. 

To attend, please register using the link below.

If you have any questions, please email Narece Thapa, Careers Coordinator, at narece.thapa@ccas.nsw.edu.au.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Mrs Narece Thapa

Careers Coordinator

School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT) Pathway

Congratulations to Annabelle Hedger (Year 12) and Charlotte Roder (Year 10), who are the first School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT) students at CCAS.

They are both studying a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, gaining hands-on industry experience while earning four units towards their HSC.

This is a viable pathway for students currently in Years 9 or 10 to consider for 2026 or 2027.

Please contact Mrs Thapa, if you have questions.

Mrs Narece Thapa

Careers Coordinator

Vaccination - Year 7 & 10

If your child is in Year 7 or 10, please provide consent for their vaccinations using the QR code or the Service NSW Health Website link below.

Vaccination Dates
Year 7  - Wednesday 9th April
Year 10 - Wednesday 30th July  

Secondary Administration

Ripples Writing Competition

It’s Story Comp time!

Ripples is celebrating their fifth anniversary of their Schools Program and to celebrate, their annual writing competition is centred around the traditional fifth anniversary gift, wood. 

This writing competition is open to Years 4-9. The challenge is to create a compelling short story with your interpretation of Into The Woods, making sure to incorporate the five given words: Five, olive, minute, thump, wood. 

If you are interested, please come into the Library and have a chat, or hit the link below to learn more about the guidelines, requirements and exciting prizes to be won.  

Mrs Donna Robertson 

Librarian

Library: Ready For A Challenge?

The Annual NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge has started!

The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more, and to read more widely. The Premier's Reading Challenge (PRC) is open to all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 10. 

All Primary students at CCAS are automatically registered and participation is encouraged during Library classes.  

2025 Challenge Dates
Challenge opens: Monday 24 February 2025
Challenge closes to students: Friday 22 August 2025

PLEASE NOTE: 
All usernames and passwords have been reset for 2025. If you would like your child’s login information please contact us: library@ccas.nsw.edu.au  

Mrs Donna Robertson 

Librarian

Help Keep Our School Healthy

With one of our students immunosuppressed, we must maintain a vigilant approach to illness prevention. We urge you to keep your child at home if they are feeling unwell. This not only helps safeguard their own health but also protects their classmates, especially those who may be more vulnerable.

If your child contracts Measles, Chickenpox, Shingles, Influenza or COVID-19, please notify us immediately so we can take appropriate measures.

Additionally, please reinforce the importance of proper hygiene practices with your children. Regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with others when feeling unwell are simple yet effective measures in preventing the spread of illness.

Your support and cooperation in this matter are greatly appreciated as we strive to foster a healthy and thriving learning environment for all.

Thank you for your understanding and commitment to our school community's well-being.

CCAS Team

Safe on Social: Privacy Online

Their data was collected before they could say "data." Their faces were scanned before they understood what AI was. Their preferences, emotions, and behaviours were mapped, sold, and manipulated before they even knew what privacy meant.

And now? They’ve been conditioned to believe privacy is irrelevant. That it’s old-fashioned. That it doesn’t matter. Not because they decided that. But because Big Tech, AI, and surveillance capitalism decided for them.

In this article, you will learn how to make your kids care about privacy and their online presence. 

Bible Verse Of The Week