The Lumen Bulletin - Week Four Term Four

Last Saturday, we celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Lumen Christi College. The day began with a College Tour for prospective families. More than 130 people explored our beautiful campus. Through the middle of the day, we were pleased to welcome over 300 past students and their families to our Alumni Afternoon, where they were able to go on a self-guided tour, giving them the chance to reminisce about their time at Lumen Christi College. 

Months of careful planning created a joyful atmosphere, with families enjoying a coffee from the Parent Voice Coffee Cart, ice cream, sausage sizzle, and lawn games. The memorabilia displayed around the College gave visitors an opportunity to reflect on old photos, uniforms from the decades, video footage, while sharing memories and enjoying each other’s company. 

In the late afternoon, past and present staff gathered at our Staff Reunion. It was wonderful to see so many people attend this event, with staff members from every decade in attendance, including all of our previous College Principals. 

To mark our 40th Anniversary and to foster an ongoing connection with Alumni, the College through the support of the Parent Voice, has invested in an Alumni Community website which was launched at the event. We invite all alumni, past families and past staff to register on this website to connect with former classmates and stay up to date with reunion news and events. The link to this Alumni website is available here. 

The Year 12 2024 WACE exams commenced on Monday. Please keep these students in your prayers as they complete their final exams. 

This week, we also bid farewell to our Year 11 cohort, as they completed their formal lessons for the year. With Year 11 ATAR exams starting next week, we extend our best wishes to all students preparing for their exams. 

On Monday, 4 November staff will gather for Professional Devlopment. I hope that families enjoy this Student Free Day. 

As communicated earlier in the week via a college circular, I will be absent from the College from Term Four, Week Six until the end of Semester One, 2025 as I have been requested to support the system and act as the short-term Principal of Salvado College while they recruit a new Principal. Lumen Christi College will be strongly led by Mr Peter Sackett and the Executive Leadership Team. 

God Bless. 

Karen Prendergast
College Principal

I had the honour of being joined by all five previous Lumen Christi College Principals at our recent 40th Anniversary Celebration; Mr Michael Devine, Mr Clement Mulcahy, Mr Wayne Bull, Mr Geoff Mills, and Mr Darren O’Neill. It was wonderful to be able to speak with them and hear all of the stories from their time at the College. Each of them were instrumental in forming the many programs, facilities and opportunities that are available to our students today. I thank them for not only taking the time to attend our Staff Reunion, but for all of their care and dedication spent making Lumen Christi College the brilliant school that it is today. 

Karen Prendergast
College Principal

On Friday, 18 October, the Lumen Christi College community came together to honour the achievements of the Year 12 graduating class. The day began with a heartfelt community Mass, celebrated by Fr. Brennan, which set a reflective and joyous tone for the events to follow.

The day culminated in a graduation ceremony held in the evening. Over 700 guests, including proud family members, friends, and staff, gathered to witness this milestone. The ceremony was a blend of tradition and celebration, highlighting the students’ hard work, dedication, and growth over their years at the College. Each graduate was individually recognised through the presentation of the graduation certificates, as well as the special awards recipients which were presented in groups throughout the evening. Year 12s who excelled in various aspects of college life including academics, commitment to arts, technologies and sports, and community service, were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the College and broader community.

The event concluded with the valedictory speech, delivered by our outgoing College Captains, Jacob Eddington and Angel Garavillas, and a function for all attendees. As a college, we thank the Year 12 cohort for their positive impact on the Lumen community throughout their journey.

Sheldon McIntyre
Deputy Principal Pastoral Care

On Friday, 25 October our ACC Inclusive Team travelled to John XXIII College in Mt Claremont to participate in the biannual Multi Sports Carnival. The students were divided into groups with students from other colleges. They rotated through seven different sports, learned to use specific equipment, practiced new skills and took part in modified games. The rotations included Tennis, Cricket, Volleyball, Soccer, AFL, Rugby, Golf, Rowing and Blind Sports. It is hoped that the students who enjoyed a specific sport, will join a club in their local community, keep fit and make new friends. Thank you to the students who proudly represented Lumen and to the staff who attended.

Gina Broderick
Coordinator of Education Support

Earlier this year, we were excited to announce new College Houses for 2025 along with their colours. 

As we finalise the elements of the new Houses, we are pleased to now share with you the logos for Frassati and O’Connor House. 

The Frassati House logo is inspired by his motto ‘La verso Alta' (toward the top) which encouraged him to reach greater heights in both his personal pursuits and his pursuit of God. 

The O’Connor House logo is inspired by her devotion to the blessed Virgin Mary and her dedication to caring for others.  

We hope that these symbols will be worn proudly by the inaugural members of the new Houses in 2025. 

Caroline Watson
Deputy Principal of Mission

The College is pleased to offer the opportunity for our current Year 8 and Year 9 cohorts to participate in a 6-day educational tour to our nation’s capital in 2025. By visiting Canberra, students will build a deeper understanding of how we’re governed and our Australian identity, fostering a sense of national pride. Participating in a wide range of programs in Canberra immerses students into Australia’s democratic heritage and traditions, our political and legal institutions and the shared values of freedom, tolerance, respect, responsibility, and inclusion.

The tour capacity is 80 students, with an even number of students being selected from each of the two year groups. Final selection for tour places will be based on student behaviour and engagement, commitment to the Humanities learning area and staff feedback.

When: Term 4, Week 9, Sunday 7 December to Friday 12 December 2025.

Where: Canberra (5 days) & Sydney (1 day)

Activities: Venues include Parliament House, the Australian National War Museum, Old Parliament House, the Australian Institute of Sport, the National Museum, the High Court of Australia, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House.

Accommodation: Students will stay in special purposed school camp accommodation in both Canberra and Sydney. All meals are included.

Estimated Cost: $2000 (inclusive of the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate-PACER). All students are eligible to receive the PACER. Payment plans will be available through the College. The total cost is inclusive of accommodation, flights, transfers, insurance, venue entry, tours and meals.

To submit a nomination for the 2025 tour, please complete THIS FORM. Submitting a nomination does not guarantee a place on the tour. Parents/guardians can withdraw a nomination prior to deposits being paid.

A parent information evening will be held on Wednesday 27 November at 5:30pm in the Performing Arts Centre, when further details about the tour will be provided.

Karen Prendergast, Robert Dale & Alex Boyer

Year 7 Science

In Year 7 Science students are learning about ecosystems and food webs. In the lesson pictured, students are putting their learning to the test. Student groups were given an ecosystem, they then needed to research and create a food web for this ecosystem. They also had to write questions about roles in the food web and about what would occur if the food web was disrupted by natural or human causes. They did this work directly on their tables using Chalk pens. Afterwards, student groups rotated around the classroom to observe one another’s food webs and answer the created questions. The students had a blast and did a wonderful job!

Year 10 Science

The Year 10 Science classes are putting aside several lessons during Term Four to revise for their upcoming Examination. In the lesson pictured, Mr Longman’s Science class used the Giant Outdoor Classroom chalkboard to revise atomic structure and the organisation of the periodic table. Students were given the layout of the first four periods of the periodic table. They were then allocated an element from 1-27 and asked to give the atomic number, mass number, shell diagram and information on the elements subatomic layouts. Then, the class defined and identified the periods of the table and the main groups. The students had a great time and demonstrated great recall on content covered during Term One.

David Longman
Head of Science

On Tuesday, 15 October the Year 9 students participated in the Try-A-Trade program run at Skill Hire in Forrestfield. The Try-A-Trade program is designed to give Year 9 students hands-on experience in carpentry, bricklaying, and block laying. This initiative aims to help students explore potential career pathways. Students had a wonderful time gaining some hands-on experience for three days in the construction industry.

In week two, our Year 11 Certificate IV in Preparation for Health and Nursing students commenced their studies with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) at Ursula Frayne College. Students were very excited to be provided with the opportunity to partner up with Ursula Frayne and St Norberts students.

Our Certificate III in Music students performed for the Year 12 students at their graduation. Providing students with opportunities to perform live is an important aspect of this qualification, as they need industry experience. Students did a wonderful job providing live entertainment for staff, students and families.

Year 11 student Brayden Agostino completed a Certificate III in Fitness at the Health Science Hub this year. Brayden finished his qualification early and continued attending the Health Science Hub every Thursday to mentor students. Every year, a student is nominated for an award recognising high achievement across all areas. Brayden received this award for his class last week at his graduation ceremony.

Year 11 student Taku Mhlanga completed a Certificate III in Laboratory Skills at the Health Science Hub this year. Every year, a student is nominated for an award in recognition of perseverance and dedication across all areas. Taku received this award for his class last week at his graduation ceremony.

We are very proud of both students’ achievements and dedication to their coursework this year.

Congratulations to the following Year 12 students for receiving an in-school VET award:

• Lachlan McLagan - Certificate II in Engineering Pathways
• Zarghoona Amiri - Certificate II in Workplace Skills
• Abbie Cameron - Certificate III in Business
• Abbey Nicholson - Certificate III in Dance
• Kyle Cox - Certificate III in Engineering – Technical
• Alex Redden - Certificate III in Music Industry
• Khan Chang - Certificate III in Visual Arts
• Maison Park - Murdoch Flexitrack High

Rosa Nicholls
Head of VET and Transition Services

As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, we honour our mission to educate the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Mental health is central to this mission, as we nurture students within a supportive, faith-filled environment. Rooted in Catholic values of compassion, we strive to create a Christ-centered community where students flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

We understand that students face challenges, confusion, and stress while searching for meaning and identity. Through guidance and community, we walk alongside them, affirming their inherent dignity as creations of God. Inspired by Psalm 139:14, "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made," and grounded in Philippians 4:6-7, we encourage students to build resilience and spiritual strength through prayer, mindful meditations and trust in God’s teachings.

Our commitment to mental well-being empowers students to recognize their self-worth, shape their faith and character, facilitate coping skills and access the support they need to thrive both now and in the future.

Yan Jin
College Counsellor

View the College Calendar

Enrolments for Year 7 2026 and 2027 are now open. If you are yet to submit your enrolment application, please do so here. Please note, enrolments for Year 7 2025 are now at capacity.