Issue 18 2023
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
Matthew 7:24-25
From the Principal
It was a very exciting day for 48 bright eyed little people yesterday as they participated in the Kindergarten 2024 Orientation Day as part of the Kindergarten Transition Program. There were books to read, songs to sing (thanks Mr Cross for your cameo), new friends to meet, a tour of ‘big school’ and lots of exciting places to play and explore. At the end of the day there were so many happy smiles and lots of stories to share about the adventure of their experience day! A huge thank you to our dynamic Kindy duo Mrs Christine Smith and Mrs Meagan Kelvin and all their helpers including Mrs Merilyn Mule, Mr Wayne Cross and the ELC team that supported the day.
Experience days are a very important part of EAC's Transition Program which is designed to support both students and families as they work through the process of establishing themselves positively in a new learning environment. Students get to know the teaching staff, familiarise themselves with new routines and most importantly, make new friends. A reminder to parents of Kindergarten 2024 that we will hold the Parent Information Evening next Tuesday 21 November at 7.00pm in the Discovery Centre. This is a very important evening for all families who have students commencing Kindergarten at EAC next year. During the evening we will introduce a number of key members of staff, outline the nature of learning and daily routines in Kindergarten and provide information about the many practical matters and questions that parents have that relate to lunches, equipment, pick up, library book and so on.
We look forward to welcoming all our Year 7, 2024 students to the secondary school for their Experience Day next Wednesday 22 November.
Congratulation also to all those students that participated in the Country Schools Week Championships in Coffs Harbour this week. More than 60 students represented the College in a range of sports including Netball, Soccer, Rugby 7s and Golf. Thanks to our Sport and Coaching Team for all their efforts preparing the teams.
Finally, a special mention for Year 10 student Finn Robinson who has been selected to play for Australia as a member of the U17 Hockey Boys team. He will play in a 6 nation tournament in Malaysia commencing this weekend. Good luck Finn!
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
What's On
CALENDAR
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SchoolStream APP
Canteen orders, absentee notices, important notifications and more can all be found on EAC's app, SchoolStream 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
James Joyce wrote about the counterparts of a community working in harmony with purpose. Although he was describing the city of Dublin, he could quite easily have been describing the community of EAC. As we move towards the end of the year, there are numerous events to celebrate.
We have farewelled our Year 12 students as they celebrated their Formal and the end of their journey at EAC. While in the Kindergarten, our new students for 2024 have enjoyed their Orientation Day, meeting their teachers and getting involved in lots of fun activities. Our primary and secondary students joined with the local community at Florence Price Gardens and at the Ballina RSL for Remembrance Day services - laying wreaths and remembering those who died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts. Our music department has been busy with the first of the end of year concerts kicked off with the Primary Concert Bands performing to an excited audience of parents and friends.
With more music and events still to come including Freaky Friday we look forward to seeing you here at the College to enjoy the end of a fabulous year.
Mr Francis McGuigan
Deputy Principal
REMEMBERANCE DAY
Thank you to our College Captains Olivia Mills and Jack Whitaker who proudly represented EAC at last Saturday's Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ballina together with students Millaa Anderson and Max Raguse who attended with their respective Cadet units.
Sports Report
NORTH COAST ANGLICAN SCHOOLS COUNTRY WEEK
Yesterday, over 60 secondary EAC students travelled to Coffs Harbour for the second annual North Coast Anglican Schools Country Week Competition, hosted by Bishop Druitt College. The competition offers students from Anglican schools up and down the North Coast to come together and compete in a range of sports. This year, EAC fielded teams in Netball, Rugby 7's, 6-a-Side Football and Golf.
Year 7/8 Girls Netball
Entering the competition without any real preparation, the girls were unsure how they would fair. A mixed bag of results saw them finish with three wins and two close losses, placing them just outside the grand final play off. With more training next year, the girls are confident of making it to the final.
U14 Boys Rugby 7's
With only nine players for the day, it was a matter of fitness and injuries standing between the U14 Boys and the first place medals. Going through their three pool games undefeated, our lack of troops was the deciding factor, with our boys eventually finishing runners up, going down in the grand final to Lindisfarne, having just beaten them in the previous game.
U16 Boys Rugby 7's
Our largest rugby side in terms of numbers faced some strong opposition in their matches against BDC and Lindisfarne, going down convincingly to both. They were able to notch up a win against SCAS to finish third in their division at the end of the pool games, before eventually falling to SCAS in the 3rd v 4th playoff.
U16 Girls Rugby 7's
Our U16 Girls suffered an early casualty with Mili Docherty being taken to hospital with a broken wrist. Although they weren’t able to clock up any wins, they continued to improve throughout the day and were grateful to have a couple of girls from SCAS provide additional numbers after their team was forced to withdraw. It’s great to see EAC girls playing rugby and we hope to see more numbers in the future.
Year 7/8 Boys Football
A very skillful Year 7/8 Boys Football team suffered a shock loss to Lindisfarne in their opening game before turning things around and going through the remainder of the day undefeated. Meeting Lindisfarne again in the grand final, the boys were able to get the better of them and be crowned champions!
Year 7/8 Girls Football
Our girls also had a successful day on the 6-a-side field, only dropping one game throughout the pool stage to BDC, with convincing wins against each of their other opponents. Coming up against the favoured BDC team again in the grand final, our girls fought hard but were unable to get the win, finishing the day respectfully as runners up.
Open Golf
The Payne sisters once again claimed top honours in the girls division, with Franki taking out first place and Stella runner up. In the boys division Jack Lawson won the nearest to the pin competition to round out a strong outing for EAC golfers.
Mr Mike Ryan
Leader of Sport and Coaching
BASKETBALL SLAM DUNK
On Tuesday 7 November, 4 EAC teams competed at the NCIS Primary Basketball Championship held at the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre.
The day was a great success with our girls team coming out on top! They were undefeated against both Bishop Druitt and Lindisfarne.
The boys team took 2nd place, losing only to Bishop Druitt.
Both mixed teams won all their games which were played teams against The Living School and Blue Hills College.
We would like to thank Mr Paul Christensen, Mrs Amanda Middleton, Miss Ellese Morrissey and Ms Heidi Craig for attending and supporting the students. And a thank you to our external coaches Sam Johnston and Selina Atkinson for their knowledge and support.
BOYS BAG BRONZE
On Tuesday 7 November our Year 8 Boys Netball team walked proudly into Ballina Airport with shirts emblazoned with 'EAC NETBALL'. These 10 elite representative athletes were filled with the hopes and dreams of their coaches, Ms Nicole Wagland, Ms Heidi Miller and Ms Brigette Campbell, ready to take on the best after having trained consistently since Term 1.
Micah Pullen, Sam Carrigg, Finley Thompson, Thomas Bazaar, Henry Fleeting, Max Salmon, Finley Safranek, Harrison Hunt, Josh Muzzolini and Hamish Redden made up the first EAC team to make it to a State Titles competition to compete against the top teams in NSW. When they took to the courts at Homebush Netball Central, they played some fabulous passages of netball - clearly inspired by the Netball Mums in the background!
Although they finished 3rd in their pool, the only two teams to beat them were the two teams left in the Grand Final. The boys played with such grace and sportsmanship, always thanking their opponents and respecting the umpires, that they were awarded the Team Spirit Cup and won a $200 voucher from Netball NSW toward netball programs for EAC. The victory tasted nearly as good as the McDonalds half the boys were eating when it was announced!
Huge thanks goes to Mr Mike Ryan and the EAC Administration staff for organising the trip, the parents for supporting the team all year and coach Ms Brigette Campbell.
Next year EAC will take out the Gold!
Ms Brigette Campbell
Leader of House Purcival and Netball Coach
Top of the Arts
HAPPY ENDING FOR EAC IN NATIONAL 'WRITE A BOOK IN A DAY' COMPETITION
In a triumph of literary prowess, we proudly congratulate Evie Edwards, Bella Huish, Tess Ball, Chloe Farrow, Eva Deo, Arabella Hill, Lily Garbett, Yssy Matricardi, Stella Payne, and Charlotte Strahan for clinching the coveted title of 'Best Book in NSW' in the 2023 Write a Book in a Day competition. Their collaborative efforts in the Middle B Team not only resulted in a literary masterpiece but also contributed to the commendable sum of nearly $1,900 raised for The Kids' Cancer Project by our three competing teams. This achievement is a testament to their creativity and dedication.
Learn more about the competition at www.writeabookinaday.com
SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS NEWS
Thank you to the 90+ students who recently auditioned for our 2024 production of Mary Poppins. From this incredible pool of EAC talent, our cast of 50 has been named. The selection process was as challenging as it was inspiring, with each participant bringing their unique flair to the stage. Get ready to be swept away by the magical performances of our diverse cast, as they bring the beloved characters of Mary Poppins to life next May. From Bert's lively chimney sweeps to Mary's practically perfect charm, this dedicated ensemble promises a production that will captivate hearts and leave a lasting impression on our College community.
Mind Matters
3, 2, 1, LEGO
Good luck to our EAC LEGO team competing in this weekend's Regional FIRST LEGO League being held on the Gold Coast.
FIRST LEGO League introduces science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to school students through fun, exciting hands-on learning. FIRST LEGO League participants gain real-world problem-solving experiences through a guided, global robotics program. Students engage in hands-on STEM experiences, building confidence, growing their knowledge and developing habits of learning.
HERE TO HELP
For the last six months I have been doing something I have long wanted to do, which is build something bigger than a cubby. It is called a house extension, and to be honest, it has been ambitious. The scaffolding alone is substantial.
On the western side of the house the scaffold has four stories, which puts it around 9m above the ground. Some are surprised to hear me say I built the tower. Not just because I am a priest, but because it is imposing. But I was taught well and with the one essential element - firm ground and a level footing – up she goes, just like LEGO.
Firm ground and level footing is the thing. It is the same for any building at EAC. Only here we have to go 50m down to hit the firm and level ground. The Lindsay Walker Centre has 80 pylons, each driven over fifty meters through the soft and mobile ground to hit rock. That rock provides confidence for any construction.
This College is built on firm, deep ground. The foundations are not just for buildings. We also seek to build character. We hold up Jesus as a model. In today’s reading Jesus presents the ground for his mission and I suggest it is firm enough for you to stand on and move from with confidence:
To the poor, the prisoner, the blind, the oppressed
God’s business is
Good News, release, Light, liberation.
This describes the work of God in this world. The presence of God brings light and liberation. To you we can ask: what is the ground you stand on? What footing do you lead from?
You are welcome to receive the light and release that comes from God-with-us. But also, how might you be with others? May your presence with others bring light and increase freedom. May you, by your presence, be a blessing to others.
There is another way of saying this. What if you have power? What if the power you have, you give to others? What if you resist holding onto this ‘power’ and let it pass through you to others? What if you use your power to increase the power of others? This would be called 'Leadership'. If you practised this, you will notice a strange and glorious thing, you will never run out of power. Ever. If you give your power away, it will only every increase. Hold onto it and it will diminish. But if you use your power to serve, honour and respect others, a strange paradox occurs, your power will expand and wherever you go, there you are, and in your presence with others, there also will
be light and liberation.
How wonderful to be a person of such character that your presence empowers others. This is the kind of Leadership EAC upholds. That is the kind of leadership Emmanuel Anglican College stands for and is built on. This is the kind of leadership that Jesus models.
God bless our student leaders, that by their presence among others, they are a blessing to them.
And to you dear reader, God bless you. In the face of all that is happening right now, in your immediate life and inner landscape, and all that is going on in the world, God bless you with what you need, that where you are as you are, your presence would give life to others.
Amen
Reverend Richard Browning
Chaplain
Canteen Counter
Countdown Continues
With the College year coming to an end, the College Canteen will be cutting back on ordering so that excess stock is not being held over the Christmas break.
This will begin in Week 7 (week commencing Monday 20 November).
As stock sells out, items will be removed from School Stream.
Never fear though, fan favourites chicken goujons and pies will continue to be available to the very end!
Thank you for your continuing support of the Canteen in 2023.
Ms Christine Hall
Canteen Coordinator
Friends of EAC
IMPORTANT FREAKY FRIDAY UPDATE
Due to inclement weather, we are adjusting our Freaky Friday activities for this afternoon.
We are excited that our disco, cake stall, food trucks and indoor activities will all continue as planned at The Lindsay Walker Centre albeit for a shortened time from 3pm to 5.30pm.
Unfortunately our rides will not be running.
If you have purchased a $25 pass, $20 of which was intended for the rides, you will be refunded that $20. The remaining $5 will gain you entry to the disco and activities in The Lindsay Walker Centre.
We hope that you will still join us this afternoon to support our Friends of EAC and have some fun!
We look forward to sharing images of the event with you soon and please check Facebook for updates.
How to EAC
LOST PROPERTY
As the clock winds down on the school year, this is traditionally a time when our lost property overflows.
Please ensure you check Lost Property for any missing items before the end of term on Wednesday 6 December.
All remaining items after end of term will be donated or disposed of.
Lost Property is located outside Student Reception in the Administration Building.
Early Learning Centre Corner
WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN 2024
This week our graduating preschoolers enjoyed a day in the life of a big schooler at their Kindergarten 2024 Experience Day.
After a brave farewell in the morning, the children enjoyed getting to know their teachers, their classrooms and each other during an action packed day of stories and fun.
It is always such a wonderful privilege to watch the children in our care grow and become ready to take this next big step.
Ms Nicole Wilson
Director of the Early Learning Centre
Primary Pulse
EXCITEMENT AND ADVENTURE
This week I am delighted to share the incredible experiences of our Year 6 students who have just returned from a four-day Queensland adventure! Packed with exciting and educational activities, this journey was a memorable exploration of some of Australia's most iconic destinations.
The adventure kicked off with a visit to the renowned Australia Zoo, where our students had the opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide array of fascinating animals. From cuddly koalas to slithering snakes, the students were immersed in the wonders of Australia's unique wildlife.
The exploration continued with a trip to the stunning K'Gari, also known as Fraser Island. Surrounded by pristine beaches and lush landscapes, the students delved into the island's natural beauty, gaining a deeper appreciation for the environment and its delicate ecosystems.
A picturesque Brisbane River Cruise provided both relaxation and stunning views of the cityscape. The students also engaged in the Sparks Lab science experience, where they ignited their curiosity through hands-on experiments, fostering a love for science and discovery.
A visit to the Queensland Museum offered a fascinating journey through time, showcasing the rich history and diverse culture of this beautiful region. Our students were captivated by the exhibits, making connections between the past and their present lives.
The adventure reached its peak with a fun-filled day at SeaWorld on the Gold Coast. From thrilling rides to mesmerising marine life shows, the students soaked in the excitement, laughter, and shared joy.
A heartfelt thank you extends to the dedicated staff members who accompanied our students on this enriching journey. Ms Ellie Darnell, Ms Meegan Johnstone, Mr Dan Walsh, Mr Paul Pryor, and Ms Annette Ford, your commitment to the well-being and education of our students has created lasting memories that will resonate for a lifetime.
As we welcome our Year 6 students back, we look forward to hearing more about their adventures and the valuable lessons learned during this Queensland excursion.
Celebrations abound at EAC on Wednesday, as our talented students showcased their musical prowess. The Little Mozarts and The Junior Concert Band took centre stage, delivering a repertoire of hits that left the audience in awe. It was a testament to their dedication and growth throughout the year, culminating in a thoroughly enjoyable and impressive performance.
The musical journey of our students has been nothing short of extraordinary. Wednesday night's performance was a culmination of their hard work, passion, and the guidance of our dedicated music staff including Mr Holmes who admitted he is a Swifty! The progress in their musical abilities was evident, and we applaud each performer for their commitment and outstanding contributions to the band program.
As we bask in the afterglow of the recent musical triumph, we eagerly look ahead to the upcoming Christmas Concert on Wednesday, 29 November starting at 6pm. This festive event promises to be a joyous occasion, featuring the talents of our Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 students, along with the harmonious voices of all Year 3 and 4 students as part of the Stage 2 choir. Our Stage 3 Rising Voices singing group will also be performing.
Mark your calendars for an enchanting evening filled with holiday cheer, delightful performances, and the warmth of community spirit. Let us come together to celebrate the festive season and the remarkable achievements of our students in this musical extravaganza.
We are also looking forward to Step Up Day next Wednesday 22 November where students find out their allocated classes for 2024. Please know that a huge amount of time, effort and care is taken by staff when putting together classes for the following year. Academics, friendships, sporting houses, student individual needs and a myriad of other factors are considered when constructing the class lists. Students are asked to nominate five friends to help guide the class list and we as a college guarantee at least one from this list. Requests to change class groups are not possible due to the intricate nature and fragility of a class list, where moving one child always has knock-on effects across the grade. As educators we ask that you support us with our professional judgment. Kids can find change difficult, but it is important to work through these challenges, building resilience on the way. It is a great thing to mix up friendship groups each year to broaden their horizons and opportunities to connect with others, just as it is to have a new teacher in your child’s life. We are looking forward to what is always an exciting day.
Other dates to be aware of in the last few weeks of term are the Kindergarten and Year 1 Mini Carnival on Tuesday 21 November from 1:30pm on the front oval, the Year 6 Celebration evening on Thursday 23 November from 6pm at St Mary’s and the Kindy Nativity play on Friday 1 December from 10am also at St Mary’s.
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of the Primary School
Secondary Scoop
Supporting Our Students as they Move to a Life Beyond School
Accidental Counsellor Course
Last week a number of Year 12 students undertook training by Lifeline on Accidental Counselling. The course provided students with the skills to to safely and effectively support friends, colleagues and strangers who are in distress or experiencing crisis. They learnt how to recognise, respond and refer to the appropriate service as a first point of contact for their peers. The students found that the knowledge and skills they learnt were valuable as they move into their final year of schooling.
RRISK: Reduce Risk, Increase Student Knowledge
Each year the Northern Rivers Health District runs webinars for Year 12 students to provide guidance to them as they become adults. Students heard from Paul Dillon, from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia on safe partying. He dispelled myths about alcohol and drug use and provided guidance for looking after friends at parties. Students also heard from NRMA on safe driving behaviours and a personal story of a local person affected by road trauma.
Ms Amanda Middleton
Director of the Secondary School
WHAT A STAR!
Last week was Science Technician Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Week and gave us the opportunity to celebrate our very own Ms Marama Tarrant, EAC's Laboratory Assistant. Ms Tarrant is the steady hand that supports our science labs, ensuring seamless operations and providing students with essential tools for their scientific journey.
Her dedication ensures our labs remain hubs of innovation and learning. Ms Tarrant goes above and beyond, meticulously organising equipment and materials, enabling students to explore and thrive in their scientific pursuits.
Thank you Ms Tarrant!
Celebrating Year 9 Digital Art's Stop Motion Success
The Year 9 Digital Art class has wrapped up an engaging unit on Stop Motion filming, showcasing their creative prowess. Under the guidance of their teacher, Ms Penelope Galletly-Salisbury, students unveiled their works, demonstrating talent and innovation.
Ms Galletly-Salisbury expressed immense pride in her students, praising their exceptional creativity. The class's creations exhibited diverse narratives, captivating techniques, and a fusion of imagination and skill.
YEAR 9 MARINE STUDIES VISIT AUSTRALIAN SEABIRD AND TURTLE RESCUE CENTRE
Our Year 9 Marine Studies students recently visited the Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue Centre in Ballina. This volunteer organisation, dedicated to marine life rescue in NSW, shared their impactful work, saving 403 birds, 79 turtles, and 14 sea snakes in the past year.
The visit provided students with first hand insights into marine conservation challenges, fostering a deeper appreciation for environmental responsibility and a greater commitment to preserving our coastal wildlife.
Dr Justine Jacob
Acting Leader of Curriculum (Science)
EAC Cracks the Code
We are delighted to announce that our Year 9 Information and Software Technology (IST) students delved into the exciting world of coding by participating in the prestigious NSW Grok Coding Challenge. This exhilarating competition empowered our learners to explore programming in a supportive environment. As they engaged with Grok Learning's comprehensive materials, our students developed problem-solving skills and embraced the art of logical thinking through Python programming.
Let's celebrate their dedication, perseverance, and passion for learning as they took on this remarkable coding challenge! The students received outstanding results and were presented with their awards at the last assembly.
Ms Julie Beavis
Teacher of Digital Literacy, IST and Mathematics
HISTORY REPEATS
On Tuesday 14 November, all Year 10 students took part in the History Experience Day run by the Human Science and Its Environment (HSIE) Department. The theme for the day was 'Popular Culture' and it linked directly to the Stage 5 History Syllabus and the study of key features of Australian popular culture post-World War 2.
Students completed a Museum Exhibit task in class in the weeks prior to the day and their creations were displayed in The Lindsay Walker Centre. Students were asked to come dressed in clothes from their favourite decade and also participated in a cooking experience with Mr Ben McRae as well as various activities and games representative of the different decades.
The day ended with a viewing of the film 'Hairspray' with lolly bags provided. The experience day was an annual event in the past but has not occured for a few years due to COVID restrictions and lockdowns so it was nice to reintroduce it this year for this cohort. We look forward to it being even bigger and better next year!
Thanks to Mr Greg McDonnell and Mrs Melissa Tonnet for their hard work on the day.
Ms Jenny Holmes
Leader of Curriculum (HSIE)
Northern Rivers News
Parents and carers on the North Coast are invited to join a free one-hour webinar during November and December to learn about vapes, how to talk to young people about vaping and how to support young people to quit vaping.
The webinars are being delivered by Northern NSW Local Health District and Mid North Coast Local Health District to support parents in understanding the harms associated with vaping.
Associate Director, North Coast Population and Public Health and North Coast Vaping Taskforce Co-Chair, Robin Auld said the webinars are designed to give parents and carers the tools and information to tackle vaping.
“Throughout the North Coast Vaping Taskforce consultations, we’ve heard from community groups, parents and schools that many teachers, students, carers and parents don’t know what’s in these vapes, and that they can be harmful,” Mr Auld said.
A recent study commissioned by NSW Health and conducted by the University of Wollongong found that vapes, or e-cigarettes, contain nicotine and other toxic chemicals known to harm health.
The sample included 428 vapes seized from retailers and 322 vapes surrendered by young people at Sydney high schools.
Almost all vaping devices confiscated from school students contained nicotine (97.5 per cent). Most devices did not have nicotine listed as an active ingredient.
Concerningly, 30 of the devices in the study contained at least one substance known to harm health, including toxic chemicals like ethylene glycol, which is also found in antifreeze. Such substances are banned by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in legal, nicotine containing prescription vapes.
“97.5 per cent of e-cigarettes confiscated from students in this study contained nicotine, which has the potential to lead to nicotine poisoning or dependence,” Mr Auld said.
“For young people, nicotine can cause changes to brain development, impaired learning and memory, and may worsen stress, depression and anxiety.”
Products with identical packaging were found to both contain nicotine and be nicotine-free, making it impossible for users to know what they are vaping.
There is strong evidence that non-smoker teens who use e-cigarettes, are three times more likely to go on to smoke traditional tobacco cigarettes, compared with those who have never vaped.
The free webinars will be delivered at the following dates and times:
- 5pm-6pm, Thursday 23 November
- 10am-11am, Monday 27 November
- 12:30pm-1.30pm, Wednesday 6 December
- 9:30pm-7.30pm, Thursday 14 December
Register via: https://healthupnorth.info/vapingparentwebinars
Quitline counsellors are available to answer any questions about vapes on 13 7848 (13 QUIT).
Free Uniform Repair Cafe
- Bring your uniforms that need repairing and we will do our best
- Zippers maybe too tricky to replace at this event, apologies in advance
- Free hot drinks while you wait
- Even if you don't need the uniform we are happy to fix them and donate them to a local Op Shop for resale at a low cost for other families
For further details contact Fiona Minton on 0433 775 614
