It was around the year 2000 when a young man migrated from his African home to Perth, Western Australia, with his family. 24 years later, Sunday Dech finds himself with the world at his fingertips the colour of that world being orange, the circumference 70cm and the weight around 600 grams. 

Sunday Dech is quickly becoming a household name among the young and old engaged in the basketball scene. He began his career playing for the East Perth Falcons alongside our own faculty member Mr. John Taylor. As JT pursued his teaching career of Ellenbrook Christian College is benefiting from, Sunday went on to play for the Perth Wildcats. He played College Basketball in the USA and now plays for the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL.

On Friday, 17 May, Sunday visited the college during the morning assembly. With a heart to inspire young people, and a special fondness towards the African-Aussie youth within the Australian community, Sunday brought an inspiring life story, giving a glimpse into his journey, which has been anchored in his Christian faith, which he deeply holds.

His challenges have no doubt been real, which, up until now, he has taken as opportunities to bring about his best. He was able to share the importance of commitment to hard work and dedication, a word timely for this generation. He says of it, “Winning is hard, and it takes a lot of hard work.” His tone carried beyond the realms of a sporting game and into the avenues of his life experiences.

South Sudan is currently number 1 on a number of the world’s poorest nations lists, having the world’s lowest GDP, according to Global Finance Magazine as of May 2024. Though a proud Australian, Sunday is excited to be selected to represent his birth nation at the 2024 Olympics, taking place in Paris, France, in a few months.
As a friend of the college, we wish him all the best. 

Ellenbrook Christian College (ECC) welcomes a new addition to its esteemed faculty, Mr. Alanemibuboka Altraide, affectionately known as Ala. With a rich background in teaching and a passion for both mathematics and faith, Ala brings a unique blend of expertise and enthusiasm to ECC.

Ala’s journey in education spans over two decades, beginning with his involvement in Mechanical Engineering at Curtin University, where he lectured subjects like Statics, Dynamics, and Thermofluids from 1995 to 2000. His dedication to academia continued as he transitioned into the realm of secondary education, teaching Mathematics and Science at Swan Christian College from 2001 to 2003, followed by a tenure at Winthrop Baptist College where he specialized in Physics, Chemistry, and Science until 2011. From 2012 till most recently, Ala had dedicated a decade to the Students of Kingsway Christian College, a season marked by his unwavering commitment to academic excellence and spiritual guidance.

Now, in 2024, Ala embarks on a new chapter at ECC, where he takes on the role of Mathematics teacher. His deep-rooted love for God and commitment to spreading joy and love infuse his teaching philosophy. “I love God and am passionate to exude His love, joy, etc. to the people around me always,” Ala shares. Beyond the classroom, Ala’s hobbies include singing, dancing, playing sports, exercising, and savoring well-cooked meals, especially goat curry.

At ECC, Ala aims to do more than just teach mathematics; he aspires to model the principles of Jesus Christ to his students. “I hope to model Jesus Christ to my students and help as many as I can to enjoy Mathematics, helping them know, believe, and see that it is possible to do something well if you believe and work hard at it,” he expresses with conviction.

Ala’s dedication to both academic excellence and spiritual guidance aligns perfectly with ECC’s ethos of holistic education. As the school community eagerly anticipates his contributions, Ala’s presence promises to enrich the lives of students and colleagues alike, fostering an environment where faith and learning intertwine harmoniously.