Issue 2 2025 - Student Services
Student Services
Brad Woodruff
Exciting Announcement: Our Newly Elected Year 10 Counsellors!
We are thrilled to announce the election of our new Year 10 Councellors: Pippa Van de Reit, Milly Eames, Abby Gorman, and Samara Edwards!
The election process was both inclusive and empowering, involving both student and staff voting. Each candidate was required to submit a short description explaining how their personal values aligned with our school’s core values: Social Responsibility, Personal Excellence, and Positive Relationships.
Through thoughtful submissions, these four outstanding students demonstrated a clear commitment to upholding these values and making a positive impact on our school community. Their passion, dedication, and vision for the future were evident throughout the election process, and we are excited to see the positive contributions they will bring to our school.
Please join us in congratulating Pippa, Milly, Abby, and Samara on their well-deserved election, and we look forward to seeing the incredible leadership they will demonstrate in the coming year!
Let’s all continue to support our new councellors as they work hard to foster a school environment built on respect, excellence, and collaboration.
Real Men
We are lucky to have Chris Urschitz, our School Chaplain, who will be offering the Real Men program for Year 11 boys next term. This program is offered after hours in residence and day students are more than welcome to attend.
Upon completing the Real Men program, participants will gain a deep understanding of four core values: Respect, Empathy, Authenticity, and Leadership.
Respect: They will learn the importance of respecting themselves and others, understanding that true respect involves listening, valuing differences, and honouring boundaries. They’ll develop skills in handling conflicts constructively and learn how respect can strengthen relationships and communities.
Empathy: The program will teach young men how to connect with others emotionally, practicing active listening and compassion. They’ll gain the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering deeper connections and creating a supportive environment. Empathy will also help them navigate challenging situations with sensitivity and understanding.
Authenticity: Young men will explore what it means to be true to themselves, embracing their unique identity without succumbing to societal pressures. They’ll learn the importance of vulnerability, honesty, and integrity and how to live in alignment with their values, making decisions that reflect their true selves.
Leadership: They will discover that leadership is not about power but about guiding and empowering others with respect and integrity. The program will teach them to lead by example, with a focus on service and collaboration. They’ll develop decision-making and problem-solving skills, understanding the responsibility that comes with leadership and how to inspire positive change in others.
Overall, the Real Men program will equip young men with the emotional intelligence and leadership skills needed to navigate life with confidence, authenticity, and compassion. They will emerge as strong, empathetic leaders who respect themselves and others, ready to make a positive impact on their communities.
World’s Greatest Shave
Celebrating Community Spirit: Denmark Ag Shines in the World’s Greatest Shave!
We’re so excited to share an update about College’s successful participation in the Leukemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave! The energy, enthusiasm and generosity displayed by our school community have truly been remarkable.
Together we raised $4,267 and counting for a cause close to our hearts!
Thanks to the collective efforts of our incredible students, dedicated teachers, supportive staff, and you, our wonderful parents, we have raised an outstanding amount for the Leukemia Foundation. This achievement goes beyond mere fundraising; it reflects the compassion and unity that define our college community.
There’s still time to donate to our school team online at https://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/join/WACOADenmark
A Shave to Remember
So many of our fearless students, teachers and staff, in the true spirit of solidarity, took on the challenge of shaving, cutting or colouring their hair. It was heartening to witness such a visual representation of our commitment to making a difference in the lives of those affected by blood cancer.
Celebrating Success, One Shave at a Time
The success of our World’s Greatest Shave extends far beyond the dollars raised. It is a testament to the values we hold dear – compassion, empathy, and the belief that together, we can create positive change. Your contributions will play a crucial role in supporting vital research, care, and services provided by the Leukemia Foundation.
Share Your Shave Memories
We invite you to relive the joyous moments of our World’s Greatest Shave journey. Share your photos, stories, and experiences with us using the hashtag #WGSatWACOADenmark. Let’s celebrate the strength and spirit of our College community.
Thank You for Being the Heart of Our Success.
Our deepest gratitude goes out to each and every one of you who supported, sponsored, and participated in this meaningful initiative. Your commitment to making a positive impact is the driving force behind our success.
As we reflect on the achievement of our World’s Greatest Shave experience, let’s carry forward the spirit of giving and continue to make a difference in the lives of others.
Netflix hit – Adolescence
“Watching Adolescence with my teenage son left me with some terrifying questions” – Virginia Trioli, ABC journalist.
ABC journalist, Virginia Trioli writes an excellent article about the new 4-part crime drama on Netflix, Adolescence. This series brings up many themes and invites much needed discussion between parents and their teenage children. These themes focus on respectful relationships with peers of the same and different genders (e.g. promoting consent), the negative effects of social media, bullying (in-person & online), and toxic masculinity behaviour.
If you decide to watch this series with your teenager (I do encourage you to but also be aware it can be intense so watch it with them for support), engage in these important discussions about what they’re seeing, what they’re learning, and what they may already know. Alongside discussing this with their parents or guardians, if you’re teenager wants to have more of a discussion about this during school, please encourage them to come to Student Services @ The Hive to see one of our 3 trained counsellors. Alternatively, if they want to discuss this or any other concerns either during school, after school or during the school holidays contact Headspace Albany on 08 9842 9871 (open 9am-5pm Monday, Thursday, Friday; and 9am-8pm Tuesday and Wednesday).
Find Trioli’s article here Trioli - Adolescence
Author- Josh Morcombe (Headspace counsellor)
Brad Woodruff
Program Coordinator - Student Services
WACOA – Denmark