Issue 14 2024
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace"
Peter 4:10
From the Principal
As Term 3 draws to a close, the College is as busy as ever. Students and staff have been achieving their best both in the classroom and on the road as they complete assessments, journey to sporting fixtures, represent the College in academic pursuits and take to the stage.
A highlight of last week was the annual Primary talent show. EAC's Got Talent is organised and judged by our Primary Student Representative Council (SRC) and is always a fantastic display of the wide range of talents within our younger students. From musical performances to gymnastics routines, the event was a testament to the creativity, dedication and bravery of each participant. What truly stood out this year was the overwhelming support from the audience. The cheers and applause from students for students provided performers with the confidence they needed to shine. This supportive culture is something which continually impresses me across both our Primary and Secondary schools and is also commented on by many visitors to EAC. Congratulations to all participants and a special thanks to the SRC for their superb planning and execution of the event.
Beyond the stage, EAC students continue to demonstrate their talents across a broad spectrum of academic and sporting pursuits. Excelling in a range of pursuits including athletics, chess and debating and in competitions like Tournament of Minds, the range of student achievements is constantly evolving and expanding. These opportunities to compete are not just about winning. They are also about effort, growth and perseverance. Our staff continue to identify and develop pathways for students to discover and develop their potential, offering opportunities for them to challenge themselves, refine their abilities and contribute to both the College and the wider community. Further details of these opportunities and announcements are included in this newsletter and regularly posted on our Facebook page.
The fortnight ahead is an important one for our graduating class of 2024. Our Year 12s are now counting down the last of their class time and making final preparations for their Valedictory and Graduation ceremonies. It is such an exciting time for both students and their families and our Secondary staff are focused on supporting and guiding the cohort through these last steps of their schooling. I encourage our Year 12s to tap into their talents and have confidence in their capability as they head into their final HSC examinations. We have no doubt that their hard work and determination will lead them to great success.
Lastly, as is detailed in both our Primary Pulse and Secondary Scoop sections of this newsletter, this week EAC has hosted cyber safety workshops for students and parents, facilitated by Safe on Social. These workshops provide practical information and advice to keep students safe online. I am pleased to provide our EAC community with access to a range of Safe on Social parent resources including a library of fact sheets which give detailed information on a range of social media platforms as well as step by step instructions to adjust app and device settings to increase protection and privacy. CLICK HERE and use the code KPEMMANUEL to access these resources free of charge.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Opportunity
Emmanuel Anglican College is proud to offer the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship for 2025, providing valuable educational opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students who demonstrate the potential and desire to positively contribute to their community but may not have the financial means to attend the College.
Eligibility Criteria
The scholarship is open to students who meet the following criteria:
- Studying in Year 7 to 12 in 2025
- Enrolled or not yet enrolled at Emmanuel Anglican College
- Identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and
- Can demonstrate financial hardship and the need for financial support.
Application Process
Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement outlining their commitment to and involvement in their local community, as well as detailed financial information demonstrating the need for support. The application must also include two letters of support from individuals such as a current school teacher, minister, sports coach or community leader.
The scholarship will cover 100% of Tuition Fees from Year 7 to Year 12 and further financial assistance for uniforms, camps and other charges may be provided based on need.
Selection Criteria
EAC's Scholarship Assessment Committee will review applications based on community involvement, the quality of the personal statement and demonstrated financial need. The ideal candidate will exhibit a positive attitude, leadership skills and a strong commitment to the values of Emmanuel Anglican College.
Ongoing Expectations
Recipients will be required to maintain high academic and behavioural standards and actively participate in College life and co-curricular activities. The scholarship will be reviewed annually to ensure continued eligibility.
Applications can be submitted via email to principal@eac.nsw.edu.au, posted to 62 Horizon Drive, Ballina NSW 2478 or handed into the College office marked 'Attention: The Principal'.
Please note, the College reserves the right to not award the scholarship in any given year.
What's On
CALENDAR
For your personalised Calendar of Events, simply log in to Parent Lounge HERE.
Stay up to date with EAC announcements and news by following us on Facebook HERE.
FLEXISCHOOLS APP
Canteen orders, absentee notices, important notifications and more can all be found on EAC's app, FlexiSchools which you can find out more about HERE.
WEBSITE
The EAC website is a treasure trove of valuable information including forms, publications and in depth information, all of which are available HERE
WHAT WEEK IS IT?
To help clarify our College Weeks, we've created a printable quick reference guide available HERE.
Off The Deputy's Desk
At EAC, we are trying to develop our students as learners and also as people of character, as summarised in our Holistic Learning Framework. There are two halves to this, our Learning Attributes and Wellbeing Attributes, which are both centred around the four values pivotal to our Anglican ethos: Courage, Compassion, Citizenship and Creativity.
Our Learning Attributes are developed through the diverse range of learning opportunities which our students are provided and I have seen come excellent examples of these this past fortnight. It has been great to see how the Year 4 Coastal College students and the Year 9 Marine Studies students have worked together to adapt their knowledge and inquire about the world around them in their collaborative activity on Thursday. Our Chess team demonstrated problem solving and persistence to perform fantastically on Wednesday, with teams in both divisions earning gold or silver medals. Our Year 8 Religion and Philosophy students have been completing projects reflecting on the nature of gods in other religions and communicating this in some impressive posters.
The other half of the picture are our Wellbeing Attributes, which have also been on display the past two weeks through some key events which have been nurturing the safety and security of our students. Our Safe on Social Workshops for Year 6 and 7 students and their parents have explored both how we can foster responsible decision making and self management skills in relation to our electronic devices. R U OK? Day, which was celebrated in the Secondary School on Thursday, is building our students social awareness and self awareness by considering their own and others' mental health. Our Year 8 Retreat at St Mary’s Anglican Church in Ballina helped our Year 8 students connect with the Anglican ethos and build their relationship skills.
These examples highlight the wide range of opportunities we provide our students to develop these critical Wellbeing Attributes and Learning Attributes both within the classroom and beyond. As we begin the final two weeks of school for our Year 12 students, we will get to see the culmination of this work as they begin to spread their wings as well rounded individuals and move into the world beyond school.
Mrs Julie Fryer
Deputy Principal
Primary Pulse
Primary Springs into Action
As the weather warms up and spring settles in, the past fortnight has been a busy and exciting time for Primary.
Swimming and Water Polo
This week our Kindergarten and Year 1 students kicked off our annual swimming intensive series at the Alstonville Aquatic Centre, building essential water safety skills, while Year 6 students honed their water polo techniques. Next week Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 will have their turn so don't forget to pack those swimming bags and label EVERYTHING! A special thanks to Mr Tony Lancashire for coordinating this vital program.
EAC's Got Talent
Last week, the Primary Student Representative Council's (SRC) annual 'EAC’s Got Talent' show took place on The Lindsay Walker Centre stage, offering students from Years 1 to 6 a chance to showcase their talents to a supportive audience. The performances ranged from dancing and singing to comedy, magic, drawing, skateboarding and even horse riding! The event, entirely run by our SRC students, featured a range of participants making their performance debut, some of which even earned a top three placing and Highly Commended certificates. Events like these can spark lifelong passions and it's clear that EAC is brimming with talent!
Coastal College
Our Year 3 and 4 students also wrapped up their Coastal College experience this week, exploring the stunning landscapes of the Northern Rivers while learning about Indigenous traditions, environmental conservation, and more. The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the program's success in engaging and educating our young learners. We are already looking forward to 2025 when we plan to expand the program to include Year 2 students.
This week, our Year 3 and 4 students also had the opportunity to engage in a collaborative learning experience with our Year 9 Marine Science students. This cross-year interaction allowed the younger students to benefit from the expertise and knowledge of their older peers, making the learning process even more dynamic and enriching. It’s a shining example of the significant advantages EAC students enjoy through our continuum of education from Early Learning to Year 12. By facilitating such collaborative experiences, we not only enhance the learning environment but also foster a strong sense of community and mentorship across different year levels.
A big thank you to all the teachers and support staff whose dedication and hard work behind the scenes have ensured the Coastal College program’s smooth operation.
Safe on Social
Finally, our Year 6 students participated in a highly informative Safe on Social workshop, led by renowned speaker and advocate Madeline West. As young people increasingly engage with the digital world, it's crucial they are equipped with the tools to navigate social media and the internet safely. Madeline’s workshop was both engaging and practical, offering students valuable insights into the potential risks of social platforms while empowering them to make informed decisions about their online behaviour. From managing privacy settings to recognising cyberbullying and understanding the long term impact of digital footprints, the session provided essential lessons on how to stay safe and responsible in the digital age.
Parents also had the opportunity to attend a session with Madeline, where they received practical advice on supporting their children in today’s complex online landscape. The session highlighted the importance of open communication, monitoring social media use and staying informed about emerging online trends and risks. In an era where cyber safety is more important than ever, workshops like these play a critical role in ensuring both students and parents are prepared to face the challenges of the digital world with confidence and caution. We encourage all families to continue discussing online safety at home.
CLICK HERE and use the code KPEMMANUEL to access a library of Safe on Social resources free of charge.
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of the Primary School
Marlee McIntosh Shines as Primary Sport Star Award Winner
Marlee McIntosh in Year 4 thoroughly deserves this Primary Sport Star Award. She is always smiling, has a bubbly personality and communicates in such a pleasant manner. Marlee always finds ways to contribute to sport lessons through asking questions, making suggestions, cheering on the groups and participating to the best of her ability.
Recently, Marlee joined the school’s AFL and netball teams and was the only girl in our rugby league team. Marlee showed great courage attending trials and training where she competed alongside and against all boys teams. Marlee not only showed up but also proved herself to be a key player, making a significant impact on the field.
Well done Marlee.
Mr Tony Lancashire
Primary Sport Leader
EAC Dominates Northern Rivers Chess Competition
EAC had an outstanding day at the Northern Rivers Chess Competition in Alstonville on Wednesday, bringing home an impressive haul of trophies, ribbons and medals. Our chess enthusiasts showcased their skills, teamwork and strategic thinking, proving that EAC is a force to be reckoned with on the chessboard!
Top Team Performances
EAC Team 4: Secured a thrilling tie for 1st place
EAC Team 2: Finished strong in 2nd place in the highly competitive A Division
EAC Team 1: Played their way to an impressive 3rd place in the A Division
In addition to their success, our students displayed exceptional sportsmanship throughout the event, representing EAC with pride and positivity. The camaraderie and support shown among the teams were as impressive as their chess strategies.
Congratulations to all our players for their fantastic achievements and for making EAC proud once again!
Mrs Tina Cahill
Teacher of 1A and Chess Master
Year 2 Pizza Making with Special Guest Annacarla
This week, our Year 2 students enjoyed a unique hands on learning experience, making pizza with special guest Annacarla Metta, an exchange student visiting EAC from Milan, Italy.
Annacarla guided our Year 2s through the pizza making process and shared some of her Italian culture and language.
The kitchen buzzed with excitement as each student created their own mini pizza, proudly assembling their toppings and eagerly awaiting the final taste test.
Thank you Annacarla and her Year 12 helpers for making this a truly memorable experience!
Mrs Nicole Wagland
Teacher of 2B
TOURNAMENT OF MINDS
Last weekend, seven Year 5 and 6 students competed in the regional finals of the Primary Tournament of Minds (ToM) at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, tackling a challenging language and literature task. The following is a recount of the tournament experience by Year 6 students Oliver Darnell and Vivienne Kent.
Ms Eliza Armstrong
Teacher of 4A
On Sunday 8 September, the Primary Tournament of the Minds team headed up to Lindisfarne to compete in the regional finals. Our team consisted of seven Year 5 and 6 students who collaborated over six weeks to design and write a solution to a language and literature challenge. This experience was confidence boosting, required us to think critically and creatively and helped us build our teamwork skills. We left the experience with a great sense of community, pride and accomplishment. Overall, our team felt we participated in a way that mirrored the spirit of ToM and the EAC's core values.
by Oliver Darnell and Vivienne Kent, Year 6
Year 5 Brings Storytelling to Life Through Experiential Learning
As part of Experiential Learning each Wednesday of this term, Year 5 have been diving into the world of literature. During the sessions, they have been exploring different forms that stories can take. Year 5 have learnt about genre, theme, argument and authority; fancy words that help make stories more exciting and meaningful.
To show the Primary school how important these elements are, Year 5C performed a play showing their understanding of the learning. Hopefully, they showed how these storytelling tools work their magic in the play that they presented.
Mr Paul Christensen
Teacher of 5C
Secondary Scoop
Support and Safety: R U OK? Day and Cyber Awareness at EAC
On Thursday Secondary participated in a range of activities as part of R U OK? Day. R U OK? Day is an essential event dedicated to fostering mental health awareness and encouraging meaningful conversations within our community. Each of our Pastoral Care (PC) teachers facilitated activities designed to engage students in discussions about mental health and help foster a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
We are pleased to share some of these R U OK? Day resources with our College community. CLICK HERE to download a printable activity and CLICK HERE to view a great video.
Alongside R U OK? Day, we have been emphasising the importance of digital safety to our students. Our Year 7 students participated in a tailored workshop facilitated by the highly regarded Safe on Social. This essential session offered key insights into online safety, including privacy management, identifying cyberbullying and the lasting effects of digital actions. The interactive workshop provided students with practical tools to navigate the online world responsibly and make informed choices.
CLICK HERE and use the code KPEMMANUEL to access a library of Safe on Social resources free of charge.
Our commitment to cyber safety education continues as we plan to offer the Safe on Social workshop again in 2025, reinforcing our dedication to preparing students and families for the challenges of the digital age.
Ms Amanda Middleton
Director of the Secondary School
Year 12 Drama Students Shine in a Marathon of Performances
It has been a busy two weeks for our Year 12 Drama students with their Drama Showcase, HSC practical examination and performing at the DramaWorks at Byron Theatre.
The Drama Showcase held in The Lindsay Walker Centre Drama Studio was a great success and an important lead up to the students' HSC examination performance. On the day, the students gave it their all and performed extremely well in front of the Year 11 Drama audience and three HSC examiners. You would think that they could then have a much deserved rest, but such talent was called on again for this week's DramaWorks performances. In no other HSC subject, do students get the opportunity to develop such employable skills, coming together in a group, to collaborate and produce something highly creative and conceptual.
These young people have gone on a wonderful creative journey together since Year 11 and should be extremely proud of their work.
Mrs Mechelle Anderson
Teacher of Drama and Visual Arts
From Theory to Practice: Year 10 Coaches Shine with Kindergarten Students
Our Year 10 Sports Studies students had an awesome opportunity to put their coaching skills to the test with Kindergarten this week.
This is another example of the great collaboration our students enjoy across our EAC continuum of education from Early Learning all the way through to Year 12.
Ms Kellie Guest
Leader of House Brockington
EAC ESSENTIALS
Welcome Back to EAC's Digital Dispatch!
Hello EAC families, students and staff! We're excited to bring you another edition of Digital Dispatch, your go-to source for tech tips and tricks. In this installment, we’re diving into something we all need to make the most of - battery life!
Here are a few simple yet powerful battery saving techniques to keep your devices going longer:
Battery Saving Tips for Your Computer:
- Dim Your Screen: Lowering your screen brightness can save a lot of power.
- Turn Off Background Apps: Close unnecessary apps running in the background and stop them from starting automatically.
- Use Recommended Power Mode: This lets Windows manage device performance to extend battery life.
- Disable Bluetooth: If you're not using it, turn it off to reduce battery usage.
- Limit Video Streaming: Streaming takes a lot of power—try downloading content when you can.
- Keep Your Software Updated: Updates often include battery optimization features, so stay current!
Try these tips to squeeze extra life out of your device throughout the school day. Happy saving!
Unclaimed Reading Glasses in Lost Property
We have accumulated quite a few pairs of reading glasses in our lost property at Reception. If you or your child are missing a pair, we encourage you to stop by and check the collection. It's important to reclaim them soon, as any glasses that remain unclaimed at the end of the term will be donated to charity. Please take a moment to check if you have misplaced yours. Your vision will thank you!
SchoolStream Soon to Cease
As you may have heard, we are changing the way we send out reminders and notifications. At the end of Term 3, we will cease to use the SchoolStream app and use FlexiSchools for the interim.
FlexiSchools is the app EAC uses for processing online orders for The College Canteen and is free to download from Apple's App Store and Google Play.
We are confident our EAC community will enjoy this change and welcome your feedback to enquiries@eac.nsw.edu.au.
Library Lowdown
Inside the Library: Student Adventures, Book Picks and Top Readers
Welcome to this week’s edition of Library Lowdown, where we dive into the life of our Library Monitors, explore new book recommendations and celebrate a top reader in Year 5!
Spotlight on e-Resources: Explore eBooks & Audiobooks
Our digital library, available through ePlatform, offers students access to a wide collection of eBooks and audiobooks. Whether it’s Roald Dahl’s Matilda narrated by Kate Winslet or Karen McManus’ One of Us is Lying, there’s something for everyone. Access is simple using student login credentials HERE.
Book Returns and Holiday Borrowing
With holidays fast approaching, students can borrow 2 to 4 books depending on their year level. These will be due back in the first week of Term 4. Additionally, reminders will be sent for any overdue books. Please return them promptly!
Literacy Achiever: Kalani Kiesewetter
Meet Kalani Kiesewetter from Year 5, our school’s top borrower with 199 books borrowed this year! Kalani’s favourite series is Ranger’s Apprentice by John Flanagan, a thrilling medieval adventure. Keep up the amazing reading, Kalani!
A Day in the Life of a Library Monitor
Being a Library Monitor at EAC is fun because you get to try new things. We shelve, return, borrow and cover books. At the start of Term 2 we had a fun Book Fair making displays and getting to learn how to use the EFTPOS machine. During the year we got to make fun decorations for the Olympics and Book Week.
by Gigi Kovacevic, Indiana Thompson, Abigail Soder and Francesca Davern, Year 5
Ms Amy Quitoriano
Library Resource Centre Manager
Featured Books
Listed below are some new additions to our collection which are now available to check out from The Joan Pickup Library:
Australia: Country of Colour by Jess Racklyeft
A beautifully illustrated non-fiction book with vibrant watercolour animal artwork.
Which Way to Anywhere by Cressida Cowell
A magical adventure of a family journeying through alternative worlds for a daring rescue mission.
Grace Notes by Karen Comer
Set during the 2020 Melbourne lockdown, this Children's Book Council Awards 'Young Readers Book of the Year' is a verse novel about a young busking violinist and an aspiring street artist who collide in a story of first love.
Ending Plastic Waste: Community Actions Around the World by Hardesty et. al.
A guidebook on global initiatives turning waste into a resource, enhancing community social capacity, and reducing environmental impact.
Sports Report
Championship Wins and Strong Performances
Netball Secondary Schools Cup - FNC Finals
Five EAC secondary netball teams qualified to compete in the Far North Coast (FNC) Finals of the Netball NSW Schools Cup competition at Lismore last Thursday. It was a terrific day for EAC Netball as both our Year 8 Boys and Year 10 Boys teams went through the day undefeated to be crowned FNC Champions and book their places in the State Finals in Sydney next term.
Our Year 9 Boys and Year 9/10 Girls teams were both able to make it through to the semi finals, with very close losses seeing them just miss out on grand final berths. It was a great experience for our Year 7 Girls team who gained a lot from competing in the Year 7/8 division, and puts them in a solid position for next year when they are all in Year 8 at the top of the age group.
Thanks to all of our coaches who have worked tirelessly in continuing EAC's success on the netball court. We look forward to seeing how our boys go at the State Finals in November.
NSWCIS Primary Athletics Championships
Last Friday, 13 EAC students competed in the New South Wales Combined Independent Schools (NSWCIS) Primary Athletics Championships at Sydney Olympic Park. Our students performed well and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to compete at the Olympic venue and test themselves against some of the strongest junior athletes in the state. It was an eye opening experience, seeing the professionalism of some of the city schools. Congratulations to Rafferty Holt and Ted Garbett, both from Year 4, who each broke College records at the meet.
NCIS Secondary Basketball Championships
Coffs Harbour Sportz Central was the venue for the North Coast Independent Schools Association (NCIS) Secondary Basketball Championships on Wednesday. EAC was well represented with teams in all four divisions and once again brought home some wonderful results. The U15 Boys, Open Boys and Open Girls teams all finished the day as runners up behind host school Bishop Druitt College. Our U15 Girls was a very inexperienced side, with this being the first taste of competitive basketball for the majority of players. The girls managed one win over arch rivals Lindisfarne and came close in a number of other matches.
We were very fortunate to have EAC alumni and our 2023 College Captain, Mr Nkosi Malaba join our basketball coaching staff this year. Nkosi assisted our other coaches with running all of the trials and training sessions leading up to the event and worked non stop at the competition as he guided our teams to some terrific results. Thank you to Mr Jarryd Hawkes, Ms Amanda Middleton and Miss Taylah Ledingham for joining Nkosi and myself in accompanying our students.
Staff v Student Volleyball
One of the highlights of our R U OK? Day activities was a fun filled Staff vs Students volleyball match — both teams gave it their all, but the Staff team claimed victory in the end. This match is second in the Staff vs Student series with Staff currently leading 2-0 after netball and volleyball. The students have now challenged the staff to a game of ultimate frisbee next Thursday to try and redeem themselves.
Leader of Sport and Coaching
Making a Splash: EAC Primary Begins Intensive Swimming Program
This week Primary began their Intensive Swimming Program with Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 6. Next week Years 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be in the pool at Alstonville Aquatic Centre.
Each year group focuses on a different skill set:
Kindergarten to Year 4: Learn to Swim
Year 5: Swim and Survive
Year 6: Water Polo
This week, Year 6 participated in water polo skills, drills and games. Today was their last session and they got to play in their Houses for a mini interhouse tournament with Purcival taking out the win.
First: Purcival
Second: Walker
Third: Brockington
Fourth: Smith
We look forward to seeing the swimming skills and confidence of our young students grow throughout the two weeks and we hope they continue their progress throughout the rest of the year to ensure they maintain their achievements and continue improving in their swimming ability.
Thank you to Alstonville Aquatic Centre for providing quality programs for EAC to attend.
Mr Tony Lancashire
Primary Sport Leader
Year 7 Football Teams Shine in Local Matches Against Alstonville High School
This term, EAC was proud to field two Year 7 football teams - one boys' team and one girls' team - to provide our younger students with more opportunities to compete in interschool sports. Most school football competitions this year have focused on older year groups so this initiative allowed Year 7 students to develop their skills and experience the thrill of competitive football.
Following trials and several training sessions, we organised two friendly matches against Alstonville High School with each school hosting one of the games. Below are the match results:
Friday 23 August (played at Alstonville High School)
Girls: Alstonville 3 - 2 EAC
Boys: Alstonville 1 - 1 EAC
Friday 6 September (played at EAC)
Girls: EAC 0 - 0 Alstonville
Boys: EAC 2 - 1 Alstonville
Both teams played with tremendous effort and teamwork and the matches were highly competitive. We hope these events continue to strengthen our relationship with local schools, opening up more opportunities for our young athletes to engage in future competitions.
Mr Tony Lancashire
Primary Sport Leader
Northern Rivers News
