Kolbe Catholic College

BEHIND THE LABEL — YEAR 12 TAKES ON MODERN SLAVERY

Have you ever stopped to think about who made the clothes you’re wearing? Who picked the cocoa in your favourite chocolate? And could something we buy every day be connected to someone else’s exploitation?

These are some of the challenging questions our Year 12 General Religion students explored during a Modern Slavery incursion with ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans).

Through interactive workshops and discussion, students unpacked issues including forced labour, fast fashion, exploitation in chocolate supply chains and the many forms modern slavery can take. They were challenged to look beyond the products on the shelf and consider the human stories behind them.

Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching, the day explored the dignity of every person and our responsibility to recognise injustice, question the systems around us and consider how our choices can make a difference. But the learning doesn’t stop here! As part of their creative assessment, students will now step into the role of ACRATH advocates, developing their own social media campaign and mini-lesson to educate younger students about modern slavery.

A powerful opportunity to put our values of courage, faith and excellence into action by speaking up, sharing knowledge and taking steps towards a more just and compassionate world. 🌏💙💛

ADF ADVENTURES 🇦🇺 🦘🏕️

Kolbe’s ADF students swapped classrooms for the great outdoors on an overnight adventure to Nanga Bush Camp in Dwellingup, creating the perfect opportunity to get to know one another, build connections and share experiences as children of Defence members.

From zip-lining and fiercely competitive team challenges (boys vs girls… and they did NOT hold back! 😂) to scavenger hunts, campfires and S’mores, there was plenty of adventure to go around.

The wildlife certainly joined in on the fun too, with an overly friendly quenda, kangaroos proudly showing off their joeys, cheeky green parrots and, of course, one very unexpected bat making an appearance in the girls’ cabin!

On the journey home, the group took the scenic route via Serpentine Dam for lunch and a little sport before returning to school relaxed, happy and full of stories and memories from a fantastic camp. 💙💛

FROM KOLBE TO DANCING WITH THE STARS 💃🪩✨

From Perth to Palm Springs, Kolbe Alumna Gemma Turanski has danced her way to the top, taking home the famous mirrorball trophy at the 2026 Dancing with the Stars Convention Dance Competition!

Partnering with professional dancer and fellow Aussie Sasha Farber, Gemma wowed the floor with their winning Cha Cha, proving that this 2015 Kolbe graduate still knows how to own a stage! And honestly… we’re not surprised! Long before she was dancing for a mirrorball, Gemma was lighting up the Kolbe stage as Music Captain, an ATAR Dance student and the star of our college production 'Annie', so the talent was clearly there from the beginning! ⭐

Today, Gemma works in construction, but she swapped the hard hat for her dancing shoes and travelled to the other side of the world to chase her dream. Congratulations, Gemma! We are SO proud to see one of our own taking on the world and bringing that mirrorball home! 💃🪩✨

WHEN CHEMISTRY GETS SERIOUSLY COOL 🧪🧬🔬

Things got a little more scientific and a LOT more exciting for our Year 12 ATAR Chemistry students when they swapped the classroom for the Lotterywest BioDiscovery Centre at the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research!

Decked out in professional lab gear and surrounded by research-grade equipment, our students got hands-on with the fascinating world of protein chemistry. They performed gel electrophoresis, explored the intricate structures of amino acid chains and used advanced software to investigate the complex process of protein folding because apparently, even proteins need to know how to get their act together! 😂🧬

But this was more than just a cool day in the lab. It gave our students a glimpse into how the Chemistry they learn in the classroom connects to real-world disease research, medical discoveries and the search for better treatments.

From amino acids to protein structures and everything in between, our budding scientists got to see Chemistry in action and discover that perhaps proteins are a lot more interesting than they first thought! 🔬

KOLBE LOVES MATHS 🧠➕💡

It’s been a busy few weeks in the world of Mathematics at Kolbe! Over 150 of our best Year 7–12 mathematicians put their problem-solving skills to the test in last week’s Australian Mathematics Competition. We can’t wait to see the results at the end of term! 🧠

But you don’t have to be a maths genius to enjoy Mathematics at Kolbe! From Year 9 students analysing their own physical activity data to Year 7 students teaming up with friends and tackling challenges on whiteboards, our students are discovering that maths is everywhere!

At Kolbe, Mathematics is all about curiosity, problem-solving and investigation. Students explore patterns, relationships and real-world problems, using their mathematical toolkit to think creatively, tackle challenges and find solutions. Because maths isn’t just about getting the right answer… it’s about figuring out how to get there! 💡🧠💙💛

📣JOIN US - POSITIONS @ KOLBE CATHOLIC COLLEGE 📣

Are you keen to make a difference? Join us in our vision to grow lifelong learners inspired by Jesus to help transform the world.

We currently have the following positions available:

➡️ Materials Design & Technology Teacher
➡️ Religious Education Teacher
➡️ Visual Arts Technician
➡️ Science Teacher

If you connect with our values, have a great personality and want to work for a school making a difference, then we want to hear from you. Please refer to the full job descriptions on our website.

For more details and to apply visit https://www.kolbe.wa.edu.au/about-us/welcome/

ANGELICO CATHOLIC ART AWARDS 🎨💙💛

Last night, Kolbe Catholic College was proud to attend the Angelico Catholic Art Awards, an incredible annual exhibition celebrating more than 200 artworks from talented students across Catholic schools in Western Australia.

We were especially proud to see Year 12 student Nina recognised with the Caritas Award for her outstanding artwork exploring the impact of climate change.

Nina’s beautifully rendered Prismacolor pencil drawing contrasts industrial progress above with a vulnerable polar bear swimming below, powerfully highlighting humanity’s impact on nature and our shared responsibility to care for our planet. 💚

Congratulations to Nina and all of our exhibiting artists, we are incredibly proud of you! 💙💛

CLASS OF 2026 – THE FINAL COUNTDOWN IS ON! ✨🎓

It’s hard to believe, but our incredible Year 12s are officially in their final weeks at Kolbe Catholic College! With just one month until their last school day and two months until Graduation, the excitement (and perhaps a few nerves!) are definitely starting to build.

There’s still plenty to look forward to as our seniors navigate their Semester 2 exams, prepare to say their final goodbyes on their last day at Kolbe, celebrate together at the Graduation Breakfast, let loose on an epic Adventure World adventure and, of course, reach the moment they’ve all been waiting for… Graduation Day! 🎓✨

We could not be prouder of this outstanding group of young people, and we can’t wait to celebrate all they have accomplished as they take this next big step.

📣 📣📣 Year 12 parents and caregivers: Please check your emails for the Graduation Handbook, which contains everything you need to know about your child’s final weeks at Kolbe.

📣JOIN US - POSITION @ KOLBE CATHOLIC COLLEGE 📣

Are you keen to make a difference? Join us in our vision to grow lifelong learners inspired by Jesus to help transform the world.

We currently have the following position available:

➡️ Deputy Principal - Curriculum and Pastoral

If you connect with our values, have a great personality and want to work for a school making a difference, then we want to hear from you. Please refer to the full job descriptions on our website.

For more details and to apply visit https://www.kolbe.wa.edu.au/about-us/welcome/

KOLBE DAY 2026: THE HAPPY SNAPS 📸💙❤️💛

The College is still buzzing from an incredible Kolbe Day 2026 celebration!

From live music and delicious food stalls to carnival-style games, and our whole-school Mass, it was a day filled with fun, friendship, and plenty of House spirit!

A highlight of this year’s Kolbe Day was the inaugural Staff vs Students Max’s Games. Our Year 12 students brought their A-game, securing both the Netball and Soccer trophies!

A special shoutout to Bakers Delight Waikiki for generously supplying the bread rolls for our sausage sizzle, helping us raise even more funds for our House charities.

Kolbe Day 2026 was a wonderful celebration of our Patron Saint and our College community that has been built brick by brick, and with love.