Issue 15 2024
‘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 will farewell the Year 12 Class of 2024. For the students, their families and our 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. Our students are now readying themselves to take the first tentative steps on the next part of their journey. 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 my Graduation Day Address, I shared the following reflection with our graduating Class of 2024:
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 differences
- Be compassionate and take the time to see life through the eyes of another
- 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
- 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 challenges
- 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 in our community that the graduating Class of 2024 will build their lives on values and beliefs 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
What's On
CALENDAR
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FLEXISCHOOLS APP
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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
As we celebrate the achievements of our graduating Class of 2024 this week, we also turn our attention to the exciting future ahead with the announcement of our 2025 Student Leaders. These newly elected leaders will help guide the College over the coming year, upholding our values of Compassion, Citizenship, Courage and Creativity. Each has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, a commitment to service and a deep care for the wellbeing of their peers and the wider school community.
These students will have the important role of leading by example, supporting their peers and contributing to the life of the College through various initiatives, activities and service projects. Their leadership will be critical in maintaining the strong sense of community and spirit that defines Emmanuel Anglican College.
We congratulate our new leaders and look forward to the energy, ideas and passion they will bring to their roles in 2025. As they step into these positions, they do so with the full support of the College, staff and students. The baton has been passed and we are confident that the future of EAC is in capable hands.
Best of luck to the Class of 2024 in their future endeavours, and to our 2025 College Leaders as they begin their exciting new chapter!
Mrs Julie Fryer
Deputy Principal
CHAPLAIN CHAT
Early next term EAC will host The Goodli Festival. The Festival is planned by myself, Ms Amanda Middleton, Mr Ben McCrae and our Year 11 student leaders. Students from our Anglican Diocese of Grafton sister schools, Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, Clarence Valley Anglican School and Bishop Druitt College, will be joining our own Year 10 and 11 students for the day.
Goodli will be experienced by student delegates as a cross between a film festival, a music festival and a festival of dangerously good ideas. Those ideas are about a culture of caring for the world, about a celebration of human dignity and the joy of serving the common good. Robert G Ingersoll's saying sums it up well; "We rise by lifting others". There are so many reasons to do this, not least because our values point us this way.
Emmanuel Anglican College works to form people of character who, in the steps of Jesus, walk with compassion, respond with creativity, stand with courage and live to serve a better world. Goodli is an encouragement to students who care about our world enough to act. Goodli seeks to shape a shared expectation that we protect and safeguard the planet, but to paraphrase the great Sir David Attenborough, we can’t protect what we do not love, and we cannot love what we do not know. So get out there and know where we live, care for where we live and love who we live with.
There are some remarkable highlights planned for the day. Having Damon Gameau present is an amazing opportunity. Right now Damon is presenting the film Future Council at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States of America. His vision is that organisations that make decisions which impact the future, should have a council judging those decisions. That council should be hosted by people who will bear the weight of that future, namely, young people. As well as screening the film, Damon will lead a workshop for small groups of student leaders from each school as a preparation for their own ‘future councils’.
Shae Graham from Australia’s bronze medal winning wheelchair rugby team, The Steelers, will be speaking. Terry Webster and Stuart McKay fresh from the Byron Bay International Film Festival will be screening Washed Away. They have a simple call to action: join them for a workshop, learn some skills on film making and content creating, cast your own 60 second take on life after the flood and the best creators will join Terry and Stuart for a rich day of learning.
Alongside these brilliant contributors will be students speaking, singing and performing. At the end of the day, when the necessary question is asked 'so what now?', students will be able to answer.
Every blessing to you, readers, parents, EAC community members. I have been here now for twelve months. It is a privilege to work and serve among you as chaplain and community member.
May the grace and love of God sustain you.
Reverend Richard Browning
Chaplain
Primary Pulse
EAC Primary 2024 Public Speaking Competition – A Showcase of Talent
The annual EAC Public Speaking Competition for Years 3 to 6 reached an exciting conclusion in Week 9 with a remarkable Grand Final in the Primary School. This year's event showcased the exceptional oratory abilities of our students with finalists delivering both a prepared speech and an impromptu address on topics which were unveiled just moments before their presentation.
The audience was captivated by the eloquence, confidence and creativity displayed by each finalist as they mastered the art of persuasive and engaging communication. Their performances were a testament to the power of words and the ability of young minds to inspire and challenge through speech.
We extend our congratulations to all the finalists for their dedication and commendable efforts and give special recognition to our competition winners.
Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4)
Winner: Samuel Hunt
Runner Up: Otis Skelly
Finalists: Lola Cross, Joshua Drew, Ted Garbett and Willow van Dommele
Stage 3 (Years 5 and 6)
Winner: Eve Drew
Runner Up: Zia Folscher
Finalists: Daisy Davis, Olive Duff, William Sarina and Charlie Watt
A huge congratulations to everyone involved. We are already excited to see what next year's competition brings and look forward to the continued growth and development of these talented young speakers.
Mr Daniel Walsh
Primary Leader of Wellbeing
Secondary Scoop
Celebrating the SES Intern Program and Our Future Volunteers
On Wednesday evening, I had the pleasure of attending the State Emergency Service (SES) Intern Program presentation, an inspiring event that showcased the achievements of students from four local schools. Among the attendees were representatives from the SES, including Deborah Platz, Acting Commissioner of the SES, who joined in celebrating the hard work and dedication of the participating students.
This valuable youth program has provided students with the opportunity to develop essential skills in communication, first aid, leadership and response to floods and storms. Importantly, the program has highlighted the significance of volunteering and the vital role the SES plays within our local community. Through hands on experience, students have gained a deeper understanding of the purpose of the SES and the importance of supporting their community during times of need.
The SES is a cornerstone of our region, relying heavily on volunteers to respond to emergencies. Over the past few years, we have witnessed firsthand the critical role the SES plays, not only during floods but also in battling fires. The future of this vital organisation rests in the hands of young people who are ready to step up and serve their communities.
I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the students who took part in this program. Your hard work and commitment are truly commendable. I highly encourage students at Emmanuel Anglican College to consider getting involved in this program in the future. It’s a wonderful way to develop life saving skills and contribute to the wellbeing of our community.
Ms Amanda Middleton
Director of the Secondary School
Year 7 Students Showcase Stunning Self-Portraits Inspired by the Archibald Prize
48 wonderful self portraits were the end result of a creative journey by Year 7 Visual Arts this term. Inspired by the Archibald Prize, students explored the elements of art and portrait drawing using various media such as watercolours, coloured pencils and oil pastels. These are now on display in our art room and will come home to parents and carers next term.
Mrs Mechelle Anderson
Teacher of Creative Arts, Visual Arts and Drama
DRAMA HAPPENINGS
As the term draws to an end, we have a moment to reflect on the growth and personal bests achieved by our students in Drama.
Year 11 Drama students have had a phenomenal start to their course and are certainly ready and capable for HSC drama next term and the challenges and creative connections that awaits them. Below are some images of their journey with their recent strong monologue performances of various theatrical styles such as absurdist theatre, Dario Fo and realism.
We say a farewell to our Year 12 Drama class as they prepare for their final written assessment. They have done so well in their practical exam and I know they will keep the momentum going to excel at the final hurdle.
In Primary Drama we have been exploring scripts using vocal expression, volume, ensemble work and auditioning for roles. Next term Years 5 and 6 will take these scripts to the stage as they experience performance on The Lindsay Walker Centre Stage under lights.
We are looking forward to Term 4 and to all the creative and memorable moments to come.
Mrs Mechelle Anderson
Teacher of Creative Arts, Visual Arts and Drama
Legal Matters Students Gain Real World Experience at SCU Mock Court
This week, students from Year 9 Legal Matters had the exciting opportunity to attend Southern Cross University (SCU) and participate in a Mock Court session. The case involved two undercover police officers investigating three suspicious defendants at Splendour in the Grass, allowing students to explore the complexities of legal proceedings in a hands on setting.
Four of our students stepped into the roles of police prosecutors and defence barristers, where they examined and cross examined a witness in front of the Honourable David Heilpern, a former magistrate. This experience provided invaluable insight into courtroom dynamics and legal argumentation.
After the mock trial, the Honourable David Heilpern entertained students with stories from his time as a magistrate and answered their questions, sharing both wisdom and humour from his years on the bench.
It was an informative and enjoyable day, giving students a firsthand look at the legal system in action.
Ms Melissa Tonnet
Teacher of Legal Studies, Commerce and Human Science and Its Environment (HSIE)
Year 8 Impress in Sustainable Living Paddock to Plate Project
Congratulations to our Year 8 students, who have very much impressed their teachers this week with their outstanding efforts in the Sustainable Living Paddock to Plate project. Demonstrating creativity and teamwork, students brought in ingredients from home as well as harvesting from our College garden to cook their chosen recipes.
The dishes prepared were both creative and complex, including pavlova, Indian chicken dumplings, fried chicken with watermelon sauce, and a variety of fish tacos—some made with fish caught by students over the weekend! The effort and enthusiasm from everyone was remarkable.
In addition to their culinary skills, students took on the responsibility of cleaning the kitchens before the holidays, doing a fantastic job of ensuring the spaces were spotless.
Well done to Year 8 for showing such great promise as future chefs!
Ms Kate Ashdown
Leader of Curriculum - Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
The images below are taken from a video produced by Sam Mooney, Year 8
HSC Students Nominated for SHAPE 2024 Showcase
We are excited to announce that six of our Year 12 Industrial Technology students have been nominated for SHAPE 2024, a prestigious showcase of outstanding works from HSC Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design students. The nominated students are:
- Sophia Chadwick
- William Houghton-Olive
- Thandiwe Malaba
- Taj Patton
- Elvis Stankievich
- Lola Wagner
SHAPE will be held at the Walsh Bay Arts Precinct in Sydney in March 2025.
Congratulations to all our nominated students!
Jack Whitaker Nominated for HSC Music Showcase, Encore
Congratulations to Jack Whitaker on his outstanding achievement of being nominated for Encore, the HSC Music Showcase. This nomination reflects the exceptional quality of Jack’s performance in his HSC practical examination and is a testament to his dedication and talent.
A special mention goes to Mr Justin Cleverley, Jack’s HSC Music teacher, and to Mr Matthew Wiltshire, who has been a mentor and support to Jack as a drummer for many years. Their guidance and encouragement have played an important role in Jack’s musical journey.
Final selections for Encore will be announced in early December. We wish Jack the very best as he awaits the outcome!
EAC ESSENTIALS
Accessing Safe on Social Resources for EAC Families
Safe on Social have just completed a major refresh of their resource library, ensuring that their materials are up to date with the latest online safety advice. This update however, means that the previous link we provided in the last newsletter will no longer connect properly.
Go to: www.safeonsocial.com
Enter promo code at checkout: KPEMMANUEL
We encourage parents to download the available documents and keep them in a safe place so they can be referred to whenever needed. These resources are designed to be used repeatedly, offering guidance on a wide range of online safety topics.
Reminder: Term 4 EAC Bus Booking Updates
As we near the end of Term 3, we would like to remind families to notify us of any changes to their Term 4 EAC Bus bookings.
If you need to update your child’s bus arrangements, please take a moment to review the EAC Bus Service document, which includes the latest timetables and the Terms and Conditions of Travel.
Ensuring your bookings are up to date helps us provide a smooth and efficient service for all students. Thank you for your cooperation!
Update the Problem Away
Did you know, a significant number of issues brought to the IT Helpdesk are caused by pending Windows updates? If you experience computer problems—whether it’s websites not loading, the touchscreen not working, no sound or general slowness—and you notice this icon (image below) in the taskbar, it means there are updates waiting to be installed.
What to do:
- Ensure the computer is connected to a charger or has at least 50% battery
- Click or tap the icon to install all available Windows updates
- Restart the computer and check if the issues are resolved
If the problem persists after updating, have your child pop in to the IT Help Desk with your computer during break times or with a note from their teacher during class time for further assistance.
Staying up to date with Windows updates will keep your EAC device running smoothly!
Friends of EAC
Top of the Arts
Christmas Concert Auditions for Solo Singers
We are excited to announce that auditions for this year’s Christmas Concert are open to talented singers from Years 5 to 12! If your child has a passion for singing and would like to be part of our special end of year celebration, we encourage them to audition for solo or small group performances.
Auditions will be held at the beginning of Week 2 next term and vocalists will be asked to perform a verse from a popular Christmas song or traditional carol.
Stay tuned for more details, including the audition sign up day, which will be announced early in Term 4. We look forward to hearing students' beautiful voices and making this year’s Christmas Concert one to remember!
Mr Adam Holmes
Music and Concert Band
Sports Report
Smooth Sailing in the Pool
Northern Rivers News
