2025 Canterbury College Junior School Public Speaking Competition | Event Wrap
2025 Canterbury College Junior School Public Speaking Competition | Event Wrap
On Thursday 24 July, we held our 2025 Canterbury College Junior School Public Speaking Competition in our PAT.
As part of our Junior School’s Lumina Program – which supports high-performing students – this event challenges our Years 3-6 students to confidently and clearly express their ideas, building skills essential for being World Ready.
In the lead-up, students attended weekly workshops to develop and rehearse speeches designed to entertain, educate, or inform. This year’s topics ranged from ‘One person can change the world’ to ‘The greatest birthday party ever.’
Finalists were assessed by our judging panel – College Principal Dan Walker, Deputy Principal Meagan King, Head of Junior School Karen Roman and Debating and Public Speaking Coordinator Declan McBride. Speeches were judged on structure, language, voice, body language, and overall impact.
Congratulations to all our young speakers for their courage, creativity and composure!
Year Level Champions:
Year 3: Campbell Hoppe
Year 4: Sonya Naidu-Ali
Year 5: Olivia Parkley-Simpson
Year 6: Ananyaa Parikh
Year Level Runners-Up:
Year 3: Janiah Sandanayake
Year 4: Hadley Young
Year 5: Lewis Musk
Year 6: Lekith Sudhakaran
Year Level Highly Commended:
Year 3: Brahmnoor Kalra, Jaiaansh Sharma
Year 4: India Clifford, Oliver Neilan
Year 5: Amelia Brink, Owen Lahrs
Year 6: Emily Yang, Willow Steven
2025 Disney’s Frozen: Kids Musical | Photo Gallery & Event Wrap
2025 Disney’s Frozen: Kids Musical | Photo Gallery & Event Wrap
On Saturday 19 July, our Junior School Musical Disney’s Frozen: Kids enchanted audiences at the CEC, with two back-to-back performances that transported guests into the magical kingdom of Arendelle.
From the moment the curtains rose, our young cast dazzled with charming vocals, energetic choreography, and icy magic – all supported by a dedicated backstage team who brought the production to life with stunning costumes, props, and set design.
The crowd cheered with joy, laughter echoed through the theatre, and even a few happy tears were shed as Olaf dreamed of summer and Elsa discovered her strength.
Thank you to our talented Junior School performers and the passionate staff who guided them every step of the way.
Congratulations to everyone involved – your hard work, enthusiasm and teamwork truly shone. You created an unforgettable afternoon of music and magic.
For the full photo gallery, please visit our MyCC News Article HERE.
Canterbury Conquers The Kokoda Challenge
Canterbury Conquers The Kokoda Challenge
From Saturday 19 to Sunday 20 July, our incredible Year 12 teams raised a combined $2,328 and tackled one of Australia’s toughest team endurance events – The Kokoda Challenge – honouring the spirit of the soldiers who served on the Kokoda Track in 1942.
Through rivers, steep climbs and long stretches of rugged terrain, our students demonstrated resilience, courage and teamwork – all while fundraising for the Kokoda Youth Foundation and its life-changing youth programs.
Congratulations to all three teams on their achievements:
- Canterbury Navy with Mr Andrew Porter – $502 raised
- Canterbury White with Mr Michael Bowden – $523 raised
- Canterbury Red with Ms Kathy Simpson – $1,303 raised
Thank you to our amazing staff, students and everyone who donated – your support made this journey possible.
If you’d still like to contribute, donations can be made via the team pages (below). Every dollar makes a difference!
Team Navy with Mr Andrew Porter
https://www.kokodachallenge.com/fundraisers/canterburynavy
Team White with Mr Michael Bowden
https://www.kokodachallenge.com/fundraisers/canterburywhite
Team Red with Ms Kathy Simpson
https://www.kokodachallenge.com/fundraisers/canterburyred
The FUSE Cup: National School eSports Competition | Event Wrap & Photo Gallery
The FUSE Cup: National School eSports Competition | Event Wrap & Photo Gallery
On Friday 18 July, we welcomed eight schools to campus for The FUSE Cup: National School eSports Girl Gamer competition, a high-energy day of esports action, fun and connection.
This national event provides girls and female-identifying students a safe, inclusive and empowering space to compete, build confidence and strengthen digital skills through games like Just Dance.
Congratulations to our four students from Years 9 and 10 for their participation and sportsmanship on the virtual stage!
A special thank you to The FUSE Cup, Head of AI and Digital Transformation James Jenkins, and Deputy Principal Meagan King for supporting this exciting academic and co-curricular opportunity.
Year 10-12 Romeo & Juliet & Macbeth – General English Incursion | Event Wrap
Year 10-12 Romeo & Juliet & Macbeth – General English Incursion | Event Wrap
Today, over 270 students from Years 10-12 were treated to Shake & Stir Theatre Co’s powerful reimagining of two of Shakespeare’s most iconic works in our Performing Arts Theatre.
Year 10 General English students viewed a dynamic adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, blending live performance with on-screen storytelling. This creative production invited students to reflect on what might have been – if only time were on Romeo and Juliet’s side.
Next up, our Years 11 and 12 students experienced Macbeth – a bold and visually striking production exploring ambition, manipulation, and moral conflict.
Both performances brought Shakespeare’s language into sharp focus, encouraging students to think critically through adaptation, performance techniques, and contemporary interpretation – all directly linked to the General English curriculum.
Thank you to Shake & Stir Theatre Co for delivering engaging and curriculum-aligned performances that deepened our students’ connection to Shakespeare’s timeless texts.
2025 Years 8 and 10 Mandarin Kung-Fu Incursion
2025 Years 8 and 10 Mandarin Kung-Fu Incursion
On Friday 18 July, our Years 8 and 10 Mandarin students participated in an exciting Kung Fu incursion led by Dragon Dance Events LTL Group.
They learned basic Kung Fu techniques and practised self-defence while exploring the cultural values behind this traditional Chinese martial art.
Kung Fu promotes discipline, respect, perseverance, and balance, which are key values in Chinese culture. It was a fun and active way to deepen their language and cultural learning.
Ms Jennifer Wu
Global Studies Teacher
Welcome to Term 3, 2025 – A Message from Our Principal, Mr Dan Walker
Welcome to Term 3, 2025 – A Message from Our Principal, Mr Dan Walker
In this video, Principal Dan Walker reflects on key moments from Term 2 and the school holidays – including student travel through our Netball Program, Cantabile Choir, and the Switzerland Language and Cultural Tour. He also highlights our vibrant United Nations Day, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of our community.
Academic achievements are also in focus, with an overview of our 2025 NAPLAN results, outstanding Year 12 performance, and the continued growth of our Diploma Programs.
Looking ahead to Term 3, Mr Walker shares a first look at our brand new eSports Lounge – a cutting-edge space for innovation, teamwork and connection.
Plus, the much-anticipated 2024 Yearbook is now ready for collection!
Here’s to a vibrant and rewarding Term 3 as we continue flourishing together.
Welcome back to all our students, staff, families and carers!
2025 Winter Music Festival: Panorama Concert | Event Wrap & Photo Gallery
2025 Winter Music Festival: Panorama Concert | Event Wrap & Photo Gallery
Last month, we hosted our 2025 Winter Music Festival: Panorama Concert in our CEC, highlighting the great progress of our Junior School musicians.
Our young performers took to the stage, featuring the Junior School Choir, Allegro Strings, Junior String Quartet, Junior Concert Band, Bravura Strings, and our largest ensembles – the Year 5 Band and Year 6 Band.
Each group showcased their hard work and enthusiasm, making for an enjoyable evening of music.
Congratulations to all the students who participated.
Stay tuned for the next concert in our Winter Music Festival Series – Symphonic Splendour, on Wednesday evening 27 August from 6:00-7:30pm in our PAT.
2025 Canterbury Spelling Bee Finals: Years 3-6
On Thursday 12 June, we hosted our 2025 Junior School Spelling Bee Finals in the CEC for all students in Years 3-6.
As part of the Junior Lumina program to support high performing students, the event was the culmination of a term’s preparation, which saw students engage in learning words for class spell-offs to determine Class Champions. All Class Champions then competed on stage at the Spelling Bee Finals.
The event also featured interactive audience participation, with students engaging in spelling challenges and word games led by Mr Hoppe. Congratulations to all our Class Champions, Year Level Runners-Up, and Year Level Champions!
Our Year Level Champions will go on to represent Canterbury College at the Saint Stephen’s College Interschool Spelling Bee next term, held on the evening of Wednesday 20 August.
Year Level Champions:
Year 3: Max Kim
Year 4: Helena Lo
Year 5: Hunter Passmore
Year 6: Eugene Kim
Year Level Runners-Up:
Year 3: Melina Jawadi
Year 4: Hadley Young
Year 5: Owen Lahrs
Year 6: Lekith Sudhakaran
All Other Class Champions:
Year 3: Ishani Arunkumar, Sidakreet Sidhu
Year 4: Oliver Neilan, Sanjh Wahla
Year 5: Nadiya Shaw, Viresh Jesrani
Year 6: Ananyaa Parikh, Hirshita Malik
2025 Senior School Interhouse Athletics Carnival
Last Thursday’s 2025 Senior School Interhouse Athletics Carnival was a fantastic day of fun, friendship and fierce competition.
Students enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities and worked hard to earn points for their Houses, across various race distances and athletics disciplines like discus, shotput, long jump, high jump and vortex throw.
Highlights included the spirited Clash of Chants and the intense King and Queen of the Track races.
Stay tuned for the announcement of the overall winning House as part of the year-long Canterbury Cup!