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Issue #14

Dated: 14 August 2026

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear Students, Parents, and Carers,

Thank you to everyone for a highly positive and successful start to the new semester. It has been wonderful to see our students actively living our school values: Connect, Learn, and Achieve.

I want to take this opportunity to wish our Year 12 Tertiary students the very best of luck as they prepare for the upcoming ACT Scaling Test (AST). We are all backing you.

As the term progresses, there will be many opportunities for families to engage with our college community. I warmly invite you to connect with our teachers and partner with us to enhance your young person’s education.

One exciting event on the horizon is our upcoming production of Hadestown: Teen Edition going to stage next week. Tickets are available via Stagecenta. Please come out to support our incredibly talented performing arts, live production, backstage, and lighting crews, alongside our dedicated Arts staff.

In staffing news, please join me in welcoming Rose Gagliardi as our new Director of Inclusion Supports. Rose brings a wealth of experience in supporting complex needs across both ACT Education and Community Services.

Finally, a reminder to all students: if you ever need extra guidance or a chat, please reach out to our Student Wellbeing Team or Careers Staff. We are always here to support you.

Warm regards,

Priscilla Wray
Principal

HADESTOWN - Teen Edition

Hadestown: Teen Edition arrives at Gungahlin College Theatre next Wednesday, and tickets are selling fast!

Make a night of it on Thursday with our special Dinner Show option, or be among the very first to experience the show at Opening Night on Wednesday.

Join Gungahlin College Theatre Company for an unforgettable journey to the underworld, filled with incredible songs, powerful storytelling, and a brilliant young cast and crew.

Hadestown: Teen Edition
Gungahlin College Theatre
19-22 August

Tickets are on sale at stagecenta.com.

CONNECT DAY - MONDAY 24 AUGUST

Monday 24 August (Week 6), 1:30 – 3:30pm in the Domain

On Monday, we are holding a Connect Day for all students. In the event of wet weather, we will have an alternative plan, and the event will still go ahead.

Due to this day, the College will be running a compressed timetable, outlined below:

Connect Day Timetable

Line 1

9:30 - 10:00am

Line 2

10:00 - 10:30am

Line 3

10:30 - 11:00am

Line 4

11:00 - 11:30am

Line 5

11:30 - 12:00pm

Line 6

12:00 - 12:30pm

Line 7

12:30 - 1:00pm

Line 8

1:00 - 1.30pm

Connect Day

1:30 - 3.30pm

Students, come along and grab some free food, join in activities including a BBQ, Gelato tasting, Bake Sale, Battle of the Pens’ Creative Competition, Face Painting, Fake Tattoos, Henna Hand Art, Origami, Lolly Pong, Trivia Comp, Table Tennis, Wear Jeans for Genes Day, and more.

We look forward to seeing as many students as possible on the day!

JEANS FOR GENES DAY

Did you know that 1 in 20 Australian Children are born with a genetic disease or birth defect? That’s one in every classroom!

This year, the Gungahlin College Health Science and Empower programme students are taking part in Jeans for Genes to help fund the incredible scientists at the Children’s Medical Research Institute, who are working today to find cures for tomorrow.

On August 24, students and staff are being encouraged to wear Jeans for the day in return for a gold coin donation. Additionally, our staff and students will be selling cupcakes during Connect Day activities to raise funds for the cause.

Families are also welcome to donate via the Jeans for Genes Fundraiser page for Gungahlin College. Our goal this year is to raise at least $500!

Your donations will help keep labs running, research advancing, and hope alive for kids who need it most.

Together, we can make a difference.

Join us. Share this message. Donate. Thank you!

ACT SCALING TEST (AST)

On Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 August, Year 12 students studying a Tertiary package will sit the AST. It is through the AST that scaling occurs across colleges/senior secondary schools in the ACT, and therefore is an important test in which students should perform to the best of their ability.

Our students are well prepared after their participation in our extensive AST Preparation Program and the integration of skills-based learning throughout the curriculum. We wish our students all the very best in the upcoming AST.

If you are unwell on either of these days, you must contact the college at GNGC.AST@ed.act.edu.au and GNGCabsences@ed.act.edu.au, and collect a Second Sitting form.  You will also require a medical certificate.

The Year 12 AST Briefing slideshow has been posted on the AST Google Classroom.

Day 1 - Tuesday 25 August

Day 2 - Wednesday 26 August

Arrival at College

8:00am

Arrival at College

8:30am

Session 1 (Short Response Test)

Writing Task

Students Seated

Short response Test Start

8:35am

9:00am - 11:00am

Students Seated

Test commences

9:20am

9:30am - 12:00pm

Session 2 (Multiple Choice Test)

 

Students Seated

Multiple Choice Test

12:35pm

1:00pm - 3:15pm

FAMILY TRANSACTION STATEMENTS

Gungahlin College prides itself on providing a very high standard of education for all its students. Our teachers create a wide range of rich learning opportunities that prepare them for their future. Students can take part in many engaging learning activities that enhance their understanding and skill development.

We recognise that financial pressures present challenges in the current economic climate and appreciate any contribution you can make to the college. This helps to recoup the costs of these courses and activities that support and enhance student learning. You can also direct all or part of your voluntary contribution to the tax-deductible Library Trust Fund. All financial contributions are kept confidential.

The college will be sending out statements over the next few weeks, and we thank you for your ongoing support.

SAVE THE DATE - 2026 YEAR 12 FORMAL

Where:

National Arboretum Canberra

When:

Wednesday 25 November

 

Arrivals - 5:00pm

 

Doors Open - 6:00pm

 

Concludes - 10:00pm

Cost:

$165 - Tickets on sale now from the Front Office.

Only graduating GNGC Year 12 students may attend.

WELLBEING SUPPORT RESOURCES

In these times of increasing uncertainty, mental health challenges will affect most young people.  Please see the list of external Vital Support Contacts that students and parents can access whenever they feel overwhelmed or need support.

CALENDAR

WEEK 5

Tuesday 18 August

Wednesday 19 August

Thursday 20 August

Friday 21 August

Saturday 22 August

WEEK 6

Monday 24 August

Tuesday 25 August

Wednesday 26 August

Friday 28 August

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