Books have the power to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to unforgettable characters and grow our understanding of the world around us — and our Year 3–6 students have certainly been embracing the joy of reading this semester!

This week, we proudly celebrated our Semester 1 Scholastic Literacy Pro Awards, recognising the wonderful effort, growth and commitment our students have shown in their reading journeys.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients and to every student who has embraced the challenge of growing as a reader this semester.

No matter where students currently sit in their reading development, every page turned is a step forward. Building regular reading habits at home is one of the most valuable ways to strengthen vocabulary, comprehension, confidence and imagination. It has been incredibly encouraging to see students grow in both skill and enthusiasm as the semester has progressed.

At ECC, we love seeing our reading culture continue to flourish, and the growth we are witnessing across the College is something truly worth celebrating.

Thank you to our families for partnering with us in nurturing a love of reading at home and at school. Together, we are helping our students discover that with reading, the possibilities are endless.

Last week, we welcomed our current and prospective Year 6 students for our first Transition Day of the year, giving them the opportunity to experience a day in secondary school life. Students spent the day connecting with future classmates, asking questions and getting a glimpse into what Year 7 at ECC is all about.

Our secondary teachers prepared a range of engaging and interactive activities, allowing students to explore subjects such as Art, Music, Food Technology, and Sport. Throughout the day, students also enjoyed team-building games, a fun quiz and opportunities to step outside their comfort zones and build new friendships.

The day concluded with a debrief and devotion led by Mrs Michelle Welsby (Dean of Pastoral Care), encouraging students as they prepare for this exciting new chapter ahead.

We were so excited to meet our Year 7 Class of 2027 and loved seeing the students grow in confidence, form new connections and gain insight into the secondary school experience. We look forward to welcoming the students back again in Term 4 for another exciting Transition Day as they continue preparing for life in secondary school.

On 11 May, we officially opened our newly built Secondary playground, located on the senior oval beside our sports pavilion. Designed in a ninja warrior style, this exciting new space is a special gift to our ECC community from longstanding staff member, Ms Nadine Whitehead.

During the opening, Nadine shared that the playground symbolises the hope and joy found in Christ and was gifted in gratitude for the love and support shown to her family during difficult times.

“During a season of personal turmoil, this school became a sanctuary for me: a place of comfort, support, and hope. The care and encouragement shown within this community reminded me of the importance of faith, compassion, and belonging.”

Nadine hopes the playground will be far more than just a place for students to enjoy during breaks, but somewhere they can experience connection, peace and belonging.

“I hope this can be a place where students experience joy in friendship, peace in their surroundings, and love through community connection. I believe we are called to give back where we can and to shine the light of Jesus wherever possible. This project is one small way I can invest in the lives of young people and contribute to a positive and nurturing environment for future generations.

We are incredibly thankful for Nadine’s generosity, her heart for our students and the joy she brings to our community each day. Thank you, Nadine! We expect two more parts of this exciting facility to be installed during the Term 2 school holidays, and we can’t wait to see the final project. We kindly remind parents that this is a Secondary-only playground, and we ask that students who are not in Secondary to please refrain from playing on the equipment before and after school. Thank you for your cooperation.

Earlier this month, our Primary School community came together to celebrate Mother’s Day with a very special morning honouring the incredible mums and mother figures in our ECC community.

The morning began with delicious muffin treats as mums lined up for the beautiful Mother’s Day photobooth, thoughtfully organised by the very talented Mrs Gillian Falloon (Learning Support).

Mums and mother figures were then invited to attend a special Mother’s Day Assembly hosted by Mrs Rene Araque and her 2.1 Class. Students shared some of their favourite things about their mums and performed a heart-warming song for the audience. The Primary Choir also delivered a touching rendition of Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion. We were also blessed to welcome Pastor Mynhardt van Zyl from Grace Christian Reformed Church, who shared a meaningful devotion on the love of a mother.

Following the assembly, mums and mother figures were invited into classrooms to spend the morning with their little ones. From arts and crafts to pampering stations, there were plenty of special activities for families to enjoy together.

Overall, it was a wonderful morning filled with love, laughter and gratitude as we celebrated the amazing mothers and mother figures who are such a valued part of our ECC community. We hope every mum left feeling truly loved and appreciated.

We asked our students what is the thing they loved most about their mums – here are their responses.

At the end of last month, our Year 10 students and their parents joined us for two important Information Evenings designed to help students start planning for life beyond ECC.

The first session unpacked everything students need to know for Upper School, including academic pathways, WACE requirements, subject offerings, VET courses and endorsed programs. Students also gained insight into the subject selection process and the support available to help them make confident choices for Years 11 and 12.

The second evening focused on future pathways after school, exploring university and TAFE opportunities. We were excited to welcome Renee Strauss from ECU, alongside former ECC student Ruan Boshoff, who is currently completing his final year of Engineering studies.

These evenings were a valuable opportunity for students to explore their options, ask questions and begin shaping their future with confidence.

Following the theme of future pathways, we were honoured earlier this month to welcome Mrs Jubillee Pagsuyuin from WA Country Health Service to speak with our Year 10–12 students.

Mrs Pagsuyuin delivered an engaging and insightful careers talk, encouraging students to see the healthcare industry in a whole new light. Students discovered that making a difference in healthcare goes far beyond becoming a doctor or nurse. Alongside traditional roles such as doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, students were introduced to the many behind-the-scenes careers that help keep the healthcare system running, including cybersecurity, engineering, graphic design and instructional design, just to name a few.

The session sparked plenty of curiosity and excitement, with students asking thoughtful questions and gaining a deeper understanding of the wide range of opportunities available within the healthcare industry.