Issue 15 2023
‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hilltop cannot be hidden… in the same way your light must shine in the sight of all, so that seeing your good works they will give praise to God.’
Matt 5:14-16
From the Principal
This week we farewelled the Year 12 Class of 2023. For the students, families and teachers, it is a time of much joy and celebration but also some sadness as a significant part of the students’ journey comes to an end and they ready themselves to take the first tentative steps in the next part of their lives. It is quite a remarkable transformation that takes place in each graduand from their first days in Kindergarten to their last in Year 12. Having started school knowing little about reading and writing, unaware of how to tell the time and most likely unable to tie a shoelace and yet they will leave the College this week articulate, confident and ready to take on many new and exciting challenges. It is a wonderful tribute to their parents, teachers and the students themselves that they have come so far and grown into such fine young people.
As part of the graduation address, I shared the following reflection with our graduating class.
Year 12, I hope that as you leave our College community you will always:
- Respect and value all those you meet, celebrating their uniqueness and embracing their difference
- Be compassionate and take the time to see life through the eyes of another
- That you will stand up for the voiceless, the downtrodden, the poor and the forgotten
- Ensure that you invest more in your relationships than you do in monetary things
- I hope you understand that winning isn’t everything and losing is part of life
- Know that a person’s value is not measured by what they have but by what they do for others
- Remember that good things are achieved through hard work, persistence and challenge
- Always strive to be the best person you can be rather than trying to be better than anyone else
- Year 12 I hope you appreciate all that you have rather than wishing you had more and remember that the most important things in life, are not things
- And finally, always be thankful for, treasure and love your family
I am sure it is the hope of all our community that as the graduating class of 2023 will build their lives on values and beliefs that that are as solid as rock and will enable them to live meaningful, compassionate and generous lives that contribute to a better world for all.
Over the coming weeks they will prepare for, and then sit, their HSC Examinations and I ask all our families to keep them in your thoughts and prayers throughout that time.
Finally, I wish to congratulate and thank all our students and staff for their efforts and enthusiasm throughout Term 3. It has been another dynamic and eventful term and I am sure our students and staff are looking forward to a well-earned break.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Enough Light to See
When has night ended and the day begun? I love this story.
A humble Monastery attracted pilgrims from far and wide. The Abbott was renowned for his wisdom and grace. He once asked the novices a seemingly simple question, “When has the night ended and the day begun?”. The novices had to know the hours of the day to keep the prayers and they responded earnestly.
“The day has begun the moment there is enough light to see the tree on the rise is an apple not a pear tree.”
“The day has begun and the night ended when there is enough light to see the animal in the cloister is a sheep and not a goat.”
“The day has begun …”
Each time the novices gave an answer the Abbott replied “No”.
Finally the Abbott said “The night has passed and the day has begun when there is enough light to see in the face of any other, there is your sister, there your brother. Until that time, no matter the time of the day, it is still dark.”
From the earliest moments of the Judeo-Christian imagination, a dangerous idea emerged: there is no race, only a humanity made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1.27).
Even now we still grow into the fullness of this dawn. St Paul would later write there is ‘no male or female, no slave or free, no insider or outsider’ only kin (Galatians 3.28fl).
Our work is to move into this reality. Our work is always a 'yes', mirroring God’s first and generative 'yes' for life. Our work is 'yes' for hospitality, 'yes' for generosity, 'yes' for love, 'yes' for peace making, 'yes' for shared prosperity and 'yes' for the safeguarding of the Good that is common for all. Our work is 'yes' for life.
These words are not an attempt to persuade readers. In this moment of our national history, it is a statement about where the Anglican Church stands. We have a bias because Jesus does. His work is first turned to the poor, the prisoner, the blind and oppressed bringing Good News, freedom, light and liberation (Luke 4.18). Addressing the approaching Referendum the Anglican Diocese of Grafton says 'yes'. 'Yes' for the recognition of indigeneity, not race, and 'yes' for embracing the truly remarkable gift of an ancient continent carrying hundreds of nations and languages across tens of thousands of years. 'Yes' is for action, not tokenistic words, securing a mechanism for walking together with dignity (Voice*). 'Yes' is driven by a spirit of shared promise not fear making and for the light that enables us to recognise in any other, there is our sister, there is our brother.
On a personal note, I come among you as Chaplain with excitement and joy. I am here to say 'yes' to storytelling, 'yes' to the intelligence and commitment of the EAC staff, 'yes' to listening, 'yes' to questioning, wondering, inquiring, discovering and learning, 'yes' to the energy and curiosity of students, 'yes' to this region and its abundant beauty, 'yes' to the love of God who is with us.
Please say hello or ask a question any chance you get.
Reverend Richard Browning
Acting Chaplain
* A note about the Voice: it is an advisory committee initiated and hosted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) peoples. The advice is advice, with no power to veto or legislate and applies only to ATSI concerns. It is worth noting that there are countless advisory bodies, many of them generously funded, some, like PWC are called consultants.
What's On
CALENDAR
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WEBSITE
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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
Teacher Aide Appreciation Week
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward
This week, EAC acknowledged and celebrated our teacher aides from both the Primary and Secondary schools.
These professionals make an enormous contribution to our College community every day. It is common to see teacher aides on playground supervision, assisting with excursions, providing exam supervision, conducting small group intervention and in-class support. Behind the scenes, they spend hours cutting out and laminating learning materials and producing wonderful resources for individual students or classrooms. Often, they need to draw on their vast knowledge of a wide range of curriculum areas to provide 1:1 or small group support to students.
But it is the often invisible and intangible strengths that a teacher aide brings to the role that can leave a lasting impact on young lives. For many students, a teacher aide is a person who will listen to their needs, a person they can trust, a person who encourages and inspires.
For these, and many more reasons, we are grateful to have our wonderful teacher aides and we wish to thank them for their valuable, ongoing service.
Ms Maureen Lill, Learning Support Teacher
Ms Merilyn Mulé, Primary Pastoral Care Leader (Kindergarten to Year 3)
Sports Report
CIS Athletics Report
42 EAC students travelled to Sydney earlier this week to compete in the NSWCIS Athletics Championships. Congratulations to all students for persevering through extremely hot conditions in the middle of the day to come away with some terrific results. An incredible 30 school records were broken throughout the day.
Top 10 Placings
Primary
- Lola Simpson (8 Years Girls): 100m - 4th
- Kyella Ryan - (11 Years Girls): High Jump - 7th
- Zia Folscher (11 Years Girls): High Jump - 10th
- Eva Donovan (12+ Years Girls): 100m - 9th
- Stella Du Plessis (12+ Years Girls): 200m - 8th
- 11-12+ Years Girls Relay Team (Eva Donavon, Stella Du Plessis, Bethany Funnell, Kyella Ryan) - 7th
Secondary
- Sofia McGreevy (12 Years Girls): 800m - 8th, 1500m - 9th
- Sarah Vanem (13 Years Girls): Long Jump - 7th, Discus - 10th
- Phoebe Werner (13 Years Girls): High Jump - 5th
- Bella Delaney (14 Years Girls): High Jump - 6th, Triple Jump - 10th, Discus - 10th
- Manu Harding (15 Years Girls): 200m - 10th, 800m - 8th
- Iley Lewis (15 Years Girls): 100m - 9th
- Katie Smith (15 Years Girls): Long Jump - 5th, Triple Jump - 3rd
- Ava Delaney (16 Years Girls): Shot Put - 10th, Discus - 3rd
- Sophia Howlett (17 Years Girls): Long Jump - 10th, Javelin - 10th
- Skye Maclean (17 Years Girls): 100m - 10th, Long Jump - 9th, Shot Put - 10th, Javelin - 9th
- Ella Sweeney (18+ Years Girls): 100m - 2nd, 200m - 2nd, Long Jump - 2nd
- Samuel Mooney (12 Years Boys): 100m - 10th, 200m - 8th, 400m - 9th, Long Jump - 8th
- Aurelien Rignault (12 Years Boys): Long Jump - 7th, Shot Put - 9th, Discus - 4th
- Jimmy Coppin-Buckenham (13 Years Boys) - 800m - 9th
- Henry Drew (13 Years Boys): 400m - 10th, 800m - 8th, 1500m - 9th, Long Jump - 7th
- George Morgan (14 Years Boys): 100m - 8th, 200m - 6th, 400m - 4th, Long Jump - 10th, Javelin - 6th
- Hamish Redden (14 Years Boys): High Jump - 4th
- Jett Beck (15 Years Boys): 400m - 9th, 800m - 5th, 1500m - 4th
- Hayden Kelvin (15 Years Boys): Long Jump - 2nd, Triple Jump - 5th
- Ben Morgan (15 Years Boys): 100m - 9th, 200m - 9th
- Lewis Carroll-Burgess (16 Years Boys): 100m - 8th, 200m - 6th
- Robbie Mumford (16 Years Boys): 800m - 6th, 1500m - 5th
- Connor Redden (16 Years Boys): High Jump - 8th
Mr Mike Ryan
Leader of Sport and Coaching
NCIS Secondary Basketball Championships
The EAC Effect
Over the weekend of 9 and 10 September, a range of fierce EAC women (and alumni) competed on the Gold Coast in the inaugural Butterfly Effect Competition.
This CrossFit competition is designed to raise money to support the Butterfly Foundation and raise awareness against negative body image and eating disorders.
Out of a field of over 600 women and 124 teams, our very own Zoe Campbell, Year 8, was the youngest competitor of the day and her mother Jenni Campbell and Leader of Brockington House Ms Kellie Guest took home an event win each (i.e. one of the four workouts).
For Team EAC
EAC Teachers
- Ms Kellie Guest
- Ms Ellese Morrissey
- Ms Daniela Payne
EAC Community Members
- Jenni Campbell
- Letia Payton (Class of 2021)
EAC Students
- Mikala Campbell, Year 12
- Zoe Campbell, Year 8
- Charlotte Shepherd, Year 11
TEAM EAC Set for State
Ms Brigette Campbell, Ms Ellese Morrissey and Mrs Heidi Miller took the Year 8 Boys and Year 10 Boys netball teams to Ballina for the regional finals of NSW Schools Cup where they duked it out for a spot in the State Finals. Both teams went in with a solid chance and good preparation. Thanks to all the parents and carers who have continuously dropped them off at training early on a Wednesday morning for months now because they keep winning!
The Year 10 Boys played their hearts out and even though they went down runners up to Trinity for the second year in a row, they can be proud. Trinity knew they had to bring a better team to beat us this time. 'Shout out' to a few key players: Max Wiggins was reliable in WA, Noah McIntosh dogged in defence and Kalani Franklin was great in the air. All players gave it their all and worked very well together.
Glory goes to the Year 8 Boys who, runners up in the first phase, played precision netball to take out first place this time. It is nearly impossible to choose the key performers from this star team. It really was a whole team effort. Henry Fleeting was always there in GA, Tom Bazar was the intercept king in WD and the finesse of Finley Thomson and Max Salmon to get the ball to the shooters was breath taking.
Congratulations to the following boys for being the first full EAC team to make it to Sydney for State Titles - wait'll they see what the North Coast boys can do!
Year 8 Boys
- Tom Bazar
- Sam Carrigg
- Henry Fleeting
- Harrison Hunt
- Josh Muzzonlini
- Micah Pullen
- Hamish Redden
- Finley Safranek
- Max Salmon
- Finley Thomson
Finally, a special thanks and great credit to all the EAC student umpires who volunteered and helped out on the day - Mili Docherty, Olivia Rose, Mia McIntosh and Holly Roberts. Netball NSW couldn’t have run it without us. An amazing turnout form our team of helpers.
Ms Brigette Campbell
Leader of House Purcival, Teacher of Japanese and Netball Coach
Tintenbar East Ballina U14 Girls Grand Final Win!
Congratulations to the Tintenbar East Ballina U14 Girls Football (Soccer) Team who recently won their grand final over Byron Bay 2-1. This is the third consecutive grand final win for this group of girls who have gone three years without losing a game! Amazingly, 12 of the 15 players are EAC students. Exciting times ahead for girls football at EAC. Special mention to Layla Patrick who was awarded Player of the Match in the grand final.
Members of the team from EAC
- Amelia Atkinson
- Coco Beck
- Sophie Blake
- Lily Garbett
- Mackenzie Haupt
- Frankie Moir-Dobbs
- Layla Patrick
- Amelia Polidano
- Nikki Settree
- Charlotte Strahan
- Sarah Vanem
- Anna Wiggins
Top of the Arts
EAC'S OWN MECHELLE ANDERSON TO STAR IN LOCAL PRODUCTION
Ms Mechelle Anderson, Teacher of Creative Arts, Drama and Visual Arts, has been cast in the first production to open the newly refurbished and expanded Drill Hall Theatre, 'The Almighty Sometimes' written by Kendall Feaver and directed by veteran actor Liz Chance. Alongside Ms Anderson, the production will feature Nakeita Bradbury, Rachael Gorham and Rees Laird.
The show opens on Thursday 12 October and runs through to Sunday 29 October. Discounted tickets are available for Thursday performances.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW
A little about the play:
“If an illness doesn’t kill you, it’s supposed to go away.” Anna has been medicated for a range of mood and behavioural disorders for as long as she can remember. Now she wants to know what life would be like without pills and prescriptions. More fulfilling? More exciting? More real?
'The Almighty Sometimes' is a quick witted and bracingly honest take on the difficult choices you make in your child’s best interests, and what happens when you no longer have a say.
'Break a leg' Ms Anderson and congratulations on the the part.
Mind Matters
TEAM EAC NAMED SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
The grand finals of the HICES Debating Competition took place on Thursday 14 September at the Hills Grammar School. Our Primary team competed in the grand final and unfortunately went down narrowly to The Illawarra Grammar School. Our team of Stella De Plessis, Emily Evans, Banjo Holt and Freddie Rawlings were very polished and presented their case articulately and with passion.
At the presentation following the grand finals all winning and runner up teams were presented their awards. The final award is the Sue MacNeil Cup for Champion School. Points are awarded for every debate that a school team wins. The deeper you go into the competition the more points you get for a win. After finishing in the top three schools in the competition in 2019 and 2022, EAC were crowned Champion School in 2023. With 55 independent schools registering 276 teams involving more than 1100 students in the competition, it is a substantial achievement and one for which we can all be proud.
Ms Sue McLintock and Mr Dan Walsh have put enormous energy into preparing the students in our four teams as well as travelling to accompany them to the debates. Their efforts over several years have seen consistent success and each year we have seen the students improve their confidence and level of skill, all of which has led to this outstanding result.
Congratulations to all involved.
HERE TO HELP
SUPPORTING STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES
For those who were not able to join our last Parent Workshop held on Tuesday 12 September, here is some of the information we shared.
The general topic was 'Understanding the Impact of Dyslexia Upon Our Children'. Learning Support Teacher, Ms Maureen Lill, presented
some practical guides for parents, especially the support available here at EAC. Group discussion centre on:
- The big picture - understanding learning difficulties and the differences between various diagnoses
- Three types of learning disabilities – dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia
- Adjustment options to help students
- How EAC supports students within learning difficulties
- Benefits of recent developments in assistive technology
This workshop concludes our series and we have loved presenting them.
This week also marks the end of my sabbatical here at EAC. Rest assured that you have excellent support here at EAC.
Sending blessings to you all.
John Noble
Consultant School Psychologist / Guidance Counsellor
Canteen Counter
CALL OUT FOR CANTEEN COMPANY
Our College Canteen is looking for volunteers to help out on Thursdays and Fridays in Term 4.
If you are able to lend a hand for a few hours anytime between 8.30am and 12 noon, please email enquiries@eac.nsw.edu.au.
Friends of EAC
Trivia Sharks Snap Up the Win
Thank you to everyone who attended our Friends of EAC Trivia Night on Saturday 9 September.
With more Oliva Newton-Johns than thought possible and a whole lot of Pulp Fiction, the night was a resounding success.
- Morgans Financial Northern Rivers
- Tallaringa Views
- Dinner Is Served
- Ballina Golf Course
- Soul Surf
- Byron Bay Hanging Chairs
- Living Deeply
Steve Carrigg
President - Friends of EAC
How to EAC
BE SURE TO BOOK
Our Vacation Care program is brimming with great themed days including perennial favourite, Wheels Day!.
Places are filling quickly so be sure to email your booking requests to enrolments@eac.nsw.edu.au.
Early Learning Centre Corner
Springtime Adventures Begin in Early Learning Centre
As the rest of our College community excitedly heads off for their well deserved Spring School Holidays, there's an undeniable buzz of excitement building among our youngest learners in the Early Learning Centre. With the older students away, the children will have the College campus all to themselves!
The familiar surroundings take on a magical quality as our Early Childhood Educators lead the children to explore, play and create in spaces usually populated by the big kids.
Enjoy your break and look forward to the magic our little ones will share with you when you return!
Ms Nicole Wilson
Director of the Early Learning Centre
Primary Pulse
The Great Debate
In the spirit of continuing to foster critical thinking, communication skills, and promoting a sense of friendly competition, Year 3 to Year 6 students recently witnessed an engaging showdown – 'The Great Debate' between our talented teachers and our State Finalist Primary HICES Debating Team. This lively event showcased the power of young minds and the expertise of our dedicated teachers.
In an epic showdown of intellect, persuasion and wit, our teachers (Mr Cross, Mrs Kent, Mr Pearson and Ms Johnstone) squared off against our clever Year 6 orators (Banjo Holt, Stella Du Plessis, Emily Evans and Freddie Rawlings) in a debate that left us on the edge of our seats. The topic "That Australian Primary Schools Should be Required to Enforce One Technology Free Day Per Week ." While the teachers brought wisdom as they negated the topic, the students wielded an uncanny ability to be logical in their quest to present the affirmative case.
Laughter echoed as arguments veered into the relevant territories of each audience members' lives. Ultimately, the students clinched victory, proving that in the battle of logic and common sense, they were the undisputed champions.
Mr Dan Walsh
Primary Pastoral Leader (Year 4 to 6) and Teacher of Year 6
NOW HEAR THIS
The EAC Public Speaking Competition is more than just an event; it's a journey where youthful voices transform into vibrant narratives. Our budding orators from Year 3 to Year 6 took centre stage during Term 3, becoming storytellers, dream-weavers, and champions of ideas.
Throughout the competition, all students were encouraged to confidently articulate their thoughts and ideas, both in prepared and impromptu speeches. This experience not only nurtured their self-assurance but also boosted self-esteem, enhancing their ability to express themselves effectively. Moreover, the competition served as a platform to hone research and critical thinking skills as students delved into a diverse array of topics.
In the exciting Stage 2 and Stage 3 Finals held in Week 9, students delivered compelling speeches on topics ranging from time travel to the power of kindness, and from helping others to the lessons learned from books. Congratulations to our champions, Eve Drew and Tyson Gosling, along with our talented runners-up, Maddie Keane and Emily Evans. Well done to all finalists who showcased their remarkable talents.
Mr Dan Walsh
Primary Pastoral Care Leader (Year 4 to 6) and Teacher of Year 6
SWIMMING INTENSIVE
During our recent 2023 Primary Intensive Swimming Program, our students from Kindergarten to Year 5 developed and tested their swim and survive abilities, whilst Year 6 enjoyed a specialised water polo program. We have had some amazing swimming achievements this year among our Primary students and it was great to see the children take to the pool and become more confident in their ability.
Thank you to the instructors at the Alstonville Aquatic Centre and all the Primary teachers for their flexibility around timetabling and their support of the program.
Year 2 Explores Instruments with the Mini Mozarts
Our Year 2 students are looking forward to 2024 when they will have the opportunity to join the Mini Mozarts, EAC's entry level concert band. Students are starting to learn about various instruments with a view to choosing their preferred piece in 2024. We can't wait to hear the harmony they'll bring to our school in 2024!
Secondary Scoop
St Mary's Mural
Our Secondary EAC Visual Arts students have been hard at work of late on a mural commissioned by the Diocese for St Mary's Church in Norton Street. The students came up with the design collaboratively and the images were inspired by the local landscape and what is typically the students' favourite chapel song, 'My Lighthouse'.
The team, led by Mr Mitchell Raguse, Teacher of Visual Art and Young Creators, finished the mural with protective sealant to ensure the mural lasts for a number of years. It was the hope of the artists that another group of EAC students may one day add another layer with a new design to continue to tradition.
Tweed Regional Gallery Excursion
On the first day of Spring, Year 9 Digital Art, 9 Visual Arts, 10 Young Creators and 11 Visual Arts enjoyed a day at the Tweed Regional Gallery.
Australia’s finest portrait photographers were on show as part of the biennial ‘Olive Cotton Award’. Year 9 Digital Art students were excited to see that this year’s winner is an artist we studied earlier in the year as part of our portraiture unit.
As always, we ventured through to Margaret Olley’s 'house', soaking up the different exhibitions as we went!
Mrs Jessica Raguse
Teacher of English and Photography
OUR EXCELLENT ENTREPRENUERS
Last week our Year 9 Commerce students completed their 'Running a Business' unit of study with flare.
Students were initially required to pitch their business ideas. Some great products were put forward including lollies styled as sushi, designer donuts, customised stickers, bracelets, sunglasses and even personalised razor holders that were designed and produced using EAC's 3D printers.
Student pitches featured brand names, logos, slogans, identification of their target audience and distribution outlets as well as a breakeven analysis.
Ms Melissa Tonnet
Teacher of Commerce, HSIE and Legal Studies
STUDENTS SERVE IN SES
Three of our Secondary students have recently completed the NSW State Emergency Service youth training program. An extension of the SES cadetship and a great grounding for students interested in contributing to their community, the program is designed to give students a first hand experience of the SES. Our participating students completed various activities and learnt about the equipment and procedures the SES use in service of our community. Activities were all practical and hands-on, and included first aid and resuscitation, launching rescue watercraft, using radio and communication equipment and working directly with firefighters, police and ambulance services. Teamwork, community service and leadership were all key outcomes.
Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor of Ballina Shire presented certificates for Ava Delaney, Hayden Kelvin and Max Raguse.
Congratulations to these students for completing the program and for their commitment to our Northern Rivers community.
Secondary students wishing to participate in the next intake should express their interest to Mr Ben McRae, Student Services Officer - Pathways and Partnerships.
Mr Mitchell Raguse
Teacher of Visual Arts and Young Creators
HEALTHY HSC RESOURCE
The New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) publishes a fortnightly news bulletin to which the College subscribes.
The latest bulleting is packed with information and resources to support students during their Higher School Certificate (HSC) exam period.
Please CLICK HERE to access the NESA publication.
LIFE'S A BEACH FOR YEAR 10 MATHS
Last Thursday, Year 10 embarked on a Maths excursion to Angels Beach in Ballina.
We completed a surface area and volume calculation task as well as played many beach games with a mathematical aspect. Activities
included counting invertebrates in rock pools, measuring the volume of your fist, spike ball, volley ball and beach cricket.
A great day was had by all as they had the opportunity of learning and enjoying their time together in our beautiful environment that we all live. The accompanying teachers had a great day too - thanks for joining the students Mr Andrew Kiesewetter, Ms Alyce Norman, Ms Jo Spring, Mr Barratt and Ms Finlay.
Ms Daniela Payne
Teacher of Mathematics
Northern Rivers News
