From promising golfers to successful public speakers, the Wallabies, Boston and road safety: it’s been a busy term for our four Newcastle Anglican learning hubs.
During the past 10 weeks, all four schools have faced their own set of challenges and celebrated their own successes.
On 16 June, they converged as one, with Year 7 students, principals and teaching staff from across our four schools marking the annual Celebration Day at Newcastle’s Christ Church Cathedral.
This year’s theme, ‘Working Together’, provided an opportunity for students and staff to connect with each other.
Now, as students and teachers enjoy a well-earned rest, let’s celebrate some of the newsworthy achievements that took place across our schools this term.
Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College (BTAC):
Young golfer on par: Congratulations to Nash who shot an impressive 82 off the stick to take out the CIS Primary Golf Championship at Waratah Golf Club. The Year 5 student will now tee off at the NSWPSSA Golf Tournament later this year.
New leadership: Mrs Penny Curran-Peters was officially welcomed as the College Principal of BTAC.
Voice of victory: Caitlin placed second in the senior division of the Rostrum Voice of Youth NSW state final. The talented speaker was one of 362 competitors from 79 schools across NSW, winning by delivering an impromptu speech on the topic ‘The best things in life are free’.
Shrek comes to life: After months of dedication and countless hours of rehearsals, the talented cast and crew at BTAC successfully pulled off a production of Shrek Jr the Musical this term.
Manning Valley Anglican College (MVAC):
Foundation Day: On 27 June, MVAC celebrated Foundation Day, a day marking the opening of the College 22 years ago. With each of the decades represented in a unique dress-up theme, the school grounds were covered in colour and styles. Despite the cold, snow cones and fairy floss proved popular attractions. The school community managed to raise almost $3,000 for the St John Anglican Church Taree Blue Cross Community Care.
Unstoppable in the pool: MVAC senior student Trenton Jones was one of just nine elite swimmers his age to be selected to compete in Sydney at the prestigious All Schools Swimming Competition, representing the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) district.
Sam’s a keeper: Not only is Samuel Quince a MVAC Year 12 vice-captain, but the talented goalkeeper has also been busy representing the state in his chosen sport – hockey. In January, he represented NSW at the 2025 Hockey Australia Indoor Hockey Championships in Canberra. Now he has won the chance to represent NSW at the Under 18 level in the upcoming National Championships, set to take place in Perth during the school holidays.
Resilience: This term MVAC has shown resilience in the face of a natural disaster. After the region recorded its highest rainfall on record, the school community faced challenges of isolation, uncertainty and devastation. The way it responded, banded together and cared for one another was remarkable.
Lakes Grammar (LGS):
Ola Espanol: Lakes Grammar football superstar Sebastian has been selected to attend the Barca Academy Clinic in Barcelona this November – a prestigious opportunity only given to a handful of exceptional young players from around Australia. Sebastian will have the chance to train with top coaches at FC Barcelona’s elite facilities and meet talented players from around the world. All this and he is only in Year 3!
Sharing kindness: A month after the community surrounding Manning Valley Anglican College (MVAC) was devastated by floods, its “sister school” Lake Grammar delivered a positive boost – in the form of 100 care boxes.
Lighting up the stage: Two of Lakes Grammar’s talented performers have been offered an opportunity to shine overseas. While Maggie was awarded a YIPA scholarship to further develop her craft and performance skills, fellow scholarship winner Eve will soon be heading off to Boston to attend Berklee College’s prestigious Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive.
Making waves: From the eight events that she competed in at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships, LGS student Aaliyah came home with six medals and is on track to compete at the Australian Swimming Championships!
Scone Grammar School (SGS):
Making news: SGS students were featured in a number of news items this term. While hosting the Upper Hunter Liquor Accord Drug and Alcohol Awareness Day, Year 11 students were filmed by NBN News camera crews who captured the sessions that included stories from police, ambulance and fire crews, Road Safety Officer Hayden Vella, and a young woman who survived a serious crash. SGS students also featured in Channel Seven’s Better Homes and Gardens coverage of the Scone Horse Festival, and the school’s rugby students were included in an edition of The Newcastle Herald after they were invited to watch the Wallabies train ahead of a match against Fiji.
Rugby: SGS also proved it has the best junior rugby players in the state after winning the NSW State Primary School 7s Championship.
A league of her own: Speaking of champions, SGS teacher Yasmin Clydsdale was named captain of the NRLW Knights.
You can learn more about our four Newcastle Anglican Schools here.
