South West Community College

In week 4, the Bunbury Campus Year 11 cohort visited Edith Cowan University (ECU) South West Campus to explore the awesome opportunities, facilities, services and offerings available to us right here in Bunbury.

Students took part in an interactive code breaking challenge using campus maps and riddle-like clues to solve problems and puzzles across the campus buildings and grounds before returning to the Lecture Theatre to crack a code and unlock a treasure chest! We really enjoyed a bit of friendly competition and seeing what the future of our learning could look like at home in the South West. Everyone took home an ECU merch bag with some very cool sunglasses! Thanks to Charlotte Burnell at ECU Bunbury for being an amazing host and guide for the day.

Learning from a Local Legend – Surfboard Shaping with Pete Ireland

We are incredibly lucky to have local surfboard shaper Pete Ireland sharing his skills and expertise with Robert by glassing the surfboard he has been working on as part of his Interest Project.

Robert had the opportunity to watch Pete work through the glassing process, learning firsthand about the skills, techniques and attention to detail that go into finishing a surfboard.

A huge thank you to Pete for the time, effort and expertise you have put into supporting Robert and his project. Opportunities to learn directly from experienced people in the community are such an important part of Big Picture learning, and we really appreciate you giving your time to make this possible.

BigPicture Learning Aus

Ella, our Year 12 superstar has demonstrated an ongoing passion for the beauty industry since Year 10. Throughout her senior years, Ella has shown incredible determination, enthusiasm and commitment to developing her skills and knowledge in the industry. She has successfully completed multiple TAFE courses in the beauty field and has consistently embraced every opportunity available to her through Big Picture Education to pursue her interests and prepare for her future career.

In Semester 1, Ella successfully completed Certificate II in Salon Assistant, further strengthening her skills and experience within the beauty industry. At the end of Term 2, Ella took on another exciting challenge by entering the WorldSkills Australia competition. Competing against other students, she achieved an outstanding Gold medal with an impressive score of 92/100!

Ella’s dedication, willingness to learn and determination to pursue her passion is truly inspiring. She has made the most of every opportunity presented to her and should be incredibly proud of this achievement.

Congratulations, Ella — what an incredible accomplishment!

South Regional TAFE BigPicture Learning Aus WorldSkills Australia - Western Australia

Today, we have a flash back to earlier in the term when we celebrated National Reconciliation Week.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is "All In", a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. "All In" makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.

The theme also reminds us that reconciliation and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights isn’t a passive activity, and it is not solely the responsibility of First Nations people, who have carried the weight of championing, explaining and acting for far too long. Reconciliation will not happen by itself, and it will not happen without all of us.

Our art installation has taken pride of place in the foyer of SWCC’s Bunbury Campus. Each student and staff member had the opportunity to decorate a little person to represent themselves and each student was placed inside the art piece – ALL IN.

Photo: Tee, our SWCC VET Coordinator with Year 12 student, Imogen.

Go Sienna!!! We’re so proud of you!! 👏 👏👏

Recently, Bunbury SWCC students rolled up their sleeves, pulled on their gloves, and got to work!

Partnering with the Leschenault Catchment Council, students took part in a community revegetation initiative at Crimp Crescent Reserve, planting more than 100 native seedlings to help restore habitat for local wildlife, including the western brown bandicoot (quenda).

Along the way, students learned about habitat restoration, native plants, conservation, and the important role community environmental projects play in protecting our local ecosystems.

It was fantastic to see our students working together, giving back to the community, and making a positive impact on the environment.

A huge thank you to Rachel and the Leschenault Catchment Council team for providing such a meaningful hands-on learning experience.
BigPicture Learning Aus

This is what Big Picture learning is all about!! Congratulations to Year 12 student, Malcolm, on your successful launch!!
Watch this video posted by Hackersley Online Wine for a fantastic insight into this Senior Project. And thanks to Hackersley Winery for supporting our student in his endeavours and for the lovely write up 🥰🙏
BigPicture Learning Aus

Operation Black Lyrebird “Houston, we have lift-off!” Today the skies above Hackersley Estate became a launch pad for the Black Lyrebird, a student-designed and built model rocket from South West Community College. With all systems go, Captain Malcolm launched the rocket and the Black Lyrebird roared into the Ferguson Valley sky, reaching an altitude of over 100 metres before making a successful parachute-assisted return to Earth. Mission accomplished. At Hackersley Estate, we’re proud to have sponsored and hosted this launch, supporting the next generation of engineers, scientists, innovators and problem-solvers. Projects like this demonstrate the incredible potential of hands-on STEM education, where students turn ideas into reality through creativity, teamwork and technical skill. Watching the countdown, ignition and launch sequence unfold was a reminder that every great journey starts with curiosity. Today’s model rocket may have reached more than 100 metres, but who knows how far these students will go in the future! A special congratulations to Malcolm Lees, Advisory Teacher Will Barker and the South West Community College team for bringing the Black Lyrebird mission to life. The future of Australian innovation looks bright. To infinity and beyond! #BlackLyrebird #STEMEducation #FutureEngineers #RocketLaunch #HackersleyEstate

Thanks GetCareers for coming & speaking to our Busselton students about school based traineeships & apprenticeships. Great career pathway options for students to consider!

Polly was thrilled to represent GetCareers at South West Community College to chat to the students about the benefits of school-based traineeships, school- based apprenticeships and how their current industry interests can develop into a qualification which can be completed whilst still at school.

Polly (Right) is pictured with Leah Homes (middle) the Vet Coordinator and Idris from MEGT (left)

End of Semester Fun for Our Year 12s!

To celebrate the end of Semester 1, our Year 12 Bunbury cohort headed to Bunbury Roller Rink for a morning of fun, laughter, and plenty of skating!

The excursion provided a great opportunity for students to relax, spend time together, and celebrate the hard work they have put into their final year of schooling so far. From first-time skaters finding their feet to experienced skaters showing off their skills, everyone enjoyed the chance to create some memorable moments with their peers.

As our Year 12 students continue their journey towards graduation, it is important to take time to recognise their achievements and strengthen the connections that make our school community so special.

Thank you to Bunbury Roller Rink for a great time and well done to all students for representing the school so positively. Everyone had a fantastic time!