It has been quite a year for Victory Lutheran College, made even more memorable as we celebrated 30 years of education in our regional town of Wodonga and its surrounds. Certainly, the year began with some COVID restrictions still in effect, such as mask-wearing and the rollout of air purifiers in every building but the pervading atmosphere was one of joy and hope for the year ahead. A new building, the Miles Learning Centre was ready on the first day of the school year for our excited Years 3 & 4 students who adored their new innovative learning space.
It has been quite a year for Victory Lutheran College, made even more memorable as we celebrated 30 years of education in our regional town of Wodonga and its surrounds. Certainly, the year began with some COVID restrictions still in effect, such as mask-wearing and the rollout of air purifiers in every building but the pervading atmosphere was one of joy and hope for the year ahead. A new building, the Miles Learning Centre was ready on the first day of the school year for our excited Years 3 & 4 students who adored their new innovative learning space.
In addition, a new Drama wing extension to Luther Hall was completed at the end of Term 2. The Drama wing features two large classrooms, a stage, backstage area, theatrical lighting, sound desk and plenty of storage for costumes galore! Having a dedicated drama space has prompted the resounding return of the performing arts at Victory. Our Secondary Drama students have enjoyed immensely performing in our dedicated Drama wing which had a ‘soft’ official opening in Term 2 with a musical and drama performance night for families.
Our anniversary year was becoming memorable. Early in June, Victory was proud to be a finalist in the 2022 Regional School of the Year category as part of the Australian Education Awards. Victory was one of seven schools across Australia recognised for consistently high standards of teaching and learning, academic achievement, strong communication links with families and demonstrated commitment to innovation and continuous improvement. As a finalist, it was a wonderful recognition of the efforts of the combined achievements of our College’s students, staff and community in 2021.
A special anniversary celebration for our past and current community was held on Friday, 26th August in Term 3. The day began with a Thanksgiving service and we were grateful to the Wodonga Lutheran Parish members and past staff, who were able to join us, particularly those from the Establishment Committee whose faith and foresight gave them the courage and energy to create a school in the vacant paddocks of West Wodonga in 1992. A particularly poignant highlight was asking long-serving staff members to stand in front of the Historical timeline at the year they joined our community. Victory has been truly blessed throughout its journey and we give thanks to God for his plans for us.
As part of the anniversary proceedings, Mr Julian Denholm, LEVNT Executive Director officially opened the Miles Learning Hub, which was then dedicated by Pastor Joshua Muller, of the Wodonga Lutheran Parish. The 30 year celebrations continued with trivia Kahoot, aerial photo, and historical display. However, being able to involve past students was an important component of our anniversary. It was fitting that our newly established Victory Old Collegians’ Association (VOCA) hosted “V22” for a reunion onsite in what will become an annual weekend.
An anniversary year is always special with each event fully appreciated. Years 5 & 6 students reveled in their Primary musical production of Dreamworks “Madagascar Jr” and presented an amazing performance in Term 3 which saw Luther Hall transform to Central Park Zoo and the wilds of Madagascar. Staff and families alike delighted in the students’ enthusiasm and excitement to perform which has been sorely missed for two years.
Year 12 have now finished their exams. For the first time in three years, our community was able to embark on a fully unaffected series of celebrations with them and our wider community. To say the atmosphere was joyful is an understatement.
As the year draws to a close, faith, growth and connection are no better illustrated than in the commencement of building works for the new Church of the Wodonga Lutheran Parish at Victory. Our community will be as excited as the Parish members when over the next 9 to 12 months we will see the new Church building become a reality. Throughout the past 30 years, there has been a Bible verse that has been connected to our community, from the process of naming the College through to today – Corinthians 15:57, “But thanks be to God who gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Victory Lutheran College certainly has a lot to be thankful for and our community embraced the 2022 year fully celebrating the legacy of those who established our great school.
John Thompson
Principal
