Issue 7 2023
“In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.”
Corinthians 13:13
From the Principal
Although we are yet to reach the midpoint of the College year, preparations for 2024 are well underway with Term 2 traditionally being a very important time for enrolments, particularly for Year 5 and Year 7 for the following year. As part of the transition process, the College has developed an Experience Day Program.
Experience Days are designed to help make the transition from one setting to the next as comfortable and enjoyable as possible for students and families. They help ease the students into the new setting and give them time to prepare themselves for the move from either early learning to primary school or from primary to secondary school. Students have a chance to experience a day in the new setting, ask questions and make new friends, all of which will help reduce their anxiety and support them during these very significant times in their educational journey. We have been running these programs for a number of years and the feedback for students and families is always very positive.
The first Experience Day for Year 7, 2024 took place this week with 96 students being involved in a series of taster lessons as well as an orientation session. It was a very positive experience for all involved and the students were really buzzing with excitement as they made their way home in the afternoon.
Soon we will invite students who will be joining Year 5, 2024 to spend some time with Year 4 to get a feel for the College, meet the teachers and make some new friends. Interviews for Kindergarten 2024 have also commenced and they will have their first Experience Day early in Term 3.
This week, Year 9 ventured to Camp Kokoda as part of our camp and outdoor education program. While the weather was rather cool (some might say freezing!) everyone had a wonderful time. The level of cooperation and respect was fantastic. Clearly the students enjoyed their time away together and delighted having the opportunity to participate in a number of fun and challenging activities. While away they participated in a number of team building activities, and faced the challenge of hiking while carrying all their equipment, clothing and food as well as camping out. With no mobile phones or computers, it was a great chance to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with themselves, nature and each other. A huge 'thank you' to the staff team who make all this possible by organising and attending the camp – Ms Middleton, Mrs Payne, Mr Hartel, Dr Jacob, Mr Conomos and Ms Morrissey.
We were all wowed this week by an incredible Taiko Drumming Concert performed by the students visiting from our Japanese sister school, Meitoku Gijuku. The Band is on tour in Australia and are performing in Sydney and on the Gold Coast as part of their trip. Due to our long-standing relationship with the school, the band performed a special concert at EAC incorporating the amazing sound of a number of traditional Japanese drums with the haunting sound of bamboo flutes together with choreography and theatrics. It was an engaging and entertaining spectacle. I even had the opportunity to make my debut as a novice member of the band! Later this year, 14 students from EAC will travel to Japan and spend a week at the school as part of our 2023 Study Tour of Japan.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
This week is Australia's National Volunteer Week and an ideal time for us to say 'Thank You' to our wonderful team of volunteers that support our College.
Our Friends of EAC are all volunteers who give so generously of their time to produce events that excite and engage our community. Over the years, Friends' events have raised more than $350,000 for the College. These funds have contributed enormously to fabulous equipment for The Lindsay Walker Centre, the Joan Pickup Library, our bands and choirs, our sporting students and more. As well, funds have been donated to EAC families in need such as during the flooding events of 2022 where more than $40,000 in vouchers for goods and services were donated to flood affected families. Thank you Friends for your time, energy and resources. The College is all the better for having you part of it.
The College Canteen is another great beneficiary of our volunteers' efforts with a merry band of regulars and 'guest stars' working together with our staff to keep our Canteen operating each week. With the radio playing and efficient processes led by our Canteen Coordinator Ms Christine Hall, the Canteen is always abuzz with chatter and cheer.
Our Sports department is also grateful for the support of volunteer parents who assist with coaching and team management. With so many sports now on offer through the College, the enthusiastic support provided by parents and carers helps enormously and means more opportunity for more students more often.
To all our volunteers both now and throughout the history of the College, thank you for supporting the vision of the College to be a place of vibrant community spirit that broadens the horizons of our students. Happy Volunteer Week.
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.
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.
SCHOOL PHOTO TIME
Our 2023 school photos will be taken over two days next week - Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 May.
Students are required to dress in formal uniform on both of these days.
Students with sports lessons on either day should bring their sports uniform in a bag to change into after photographs are taken.
All orders for photos are to be made directly to The School Photographer. Go to www.theschoolphotographer.com.au and enter the code: X6001EL50E
School vaccination program
Keeping your child up to date with routine vaccinations helps to protect them from serious preventable diseases such as meningococcal, whooping cough, tetanus, and cancers that are caused by HPV (human papillomavirus).
On Monday 22 May, Year 10 students will be offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.
Parental consent is required for your child to receive routine vaccinations at school. If your child is in Year 10 this year, you can now provide this consent through the online consent portal by clicking login with a ‘Service NSW Account’. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
For more information on school vaccination visit: www.health.nsw.gov.au/schoolvaccination
Off The Deputy's Desk
MIND, BODY AND SOUL
On Thursday the College hosted an Experience Day for the Year 7 class of 2024. As I told them in my welcome address, “EAC is a great place where we want everyone to have a go! We want you to get involved, give your best and reach out and make new friends”. By the end of the day, they had experienced Japanese, Human Society and Its Environment (HSIE), Art and Sport lessons; enjoyed a BBQ lunch and had a wonderful, shared experience with new friends. Those shared experiences are so rewarding for children and underpin the value of the various camps and retreats run by the College.
For our students who travelled to Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School for the NCIS Cross Country it was a wonderful day in the sun where the EAC marquees dominated the skyline. The true spirit of the College was evident as secondary students cheered on the primary runners, ensuring that participation and fun was the spirit of the day.
The Meitoku Taiko Tour provided an opportunity for the College to come together to end this week with a literal 'bang' on the drum! These Japanese musicians gave a rousing performance in The Lindsay Walker Centre for the Primary and Secondary students on their visit from our sister school, Meitoku Gijuku School in Kochi, Japan. It certainly has been an enriching time for mind, body and soul here at the College.
Dia dhaoibh
Mr Francis McGuigan
Deputy Principal
Sports Report
Mr Mike Ryan, Leader of Sport and Coaching
NCIS Cross Country
An enormous 170+ students from EAC travelled to Lindisfarne last Friday for the NCIS Cross Country Championships. It was a very successful day for EAC finishing third in the overall point score and having 58 students qualify for CIS. Special mention to the following sixteen students who all placed in the top 5 of their division:
8/9 Girls
1st: Nadia Wynne
2nd: Eva Camp
10 Girls
2nd: Eve Drew
5th: Elsie Drew
11 Girls
4th: Charlotte Ashdown
12+ Girls Primary
4th: Stella Du Plessis
12 Girls Secondary
5th: Sofia McGreevy
14 Girls
2nd: Frankie Moir-Dobbs
8/9 Boys
4th: Ted Garbett
11 Boys
1st: Matthew Rullin
12 Boys Secondary
3rd: Samuel Mooney
13 Boys
1st: Henry Drew
14 Boys
2nd: Connor McGreevy
15 Boys
1st: Jett Beck
16 Boys
2nd: Finnigan Robinson
3rd: Robbie Mumford
A huge thank you to Ms Margaret Lewis for all of her efforts in arranging transport for such a large cohort of students and to all of the teachers and sport staff members who supervised our students on the day.
CIS Primary Rugby League Trials
Congratulations to Bowie Blakeney who travelled to Sydney last Monday to trial for the NSWCIS Primary Boys Rugby League Team. Bowie was successful in being selected and will now represent CIS at the NSWPSSA Rugby League Championships in Wagga Wagga from 20-22 June.
CIS 16&U Girls Hockey Championships
CIS 16&U Boys Hockey Championships
Finnigan Robinson - NSW U18 Blues Hockey Selection
A further congratulations to Finnigan Robinson who has been named in the NSW Under 18 Blues Hockey Team at only 15 years old! Finnigan will now travel to Hobart for Nationals from 29th June to 9th July. This is a major accomplishment for Finnigan, whose hard work and dedication is certainly paying dividends.
Primary Rugby 7's
- EAC Boys 1 had a good day out winning two of their three pool games and progressing to the quarter final which they were able to win before going down in the semis.
- EAC Boys 2 had a tough day, going down in each of their pool games but never giving up and getting better as the day went on.
- EAC Girls were our standouts for the day, going through undefeated to be crowned champions!
Len Diett Shield Rugby Union
Our 13&U and 15&U Boys Rugby teams travelled to Evans River on Wednesday to play in their opening match of the Len Diett Shield Competition. With numbers lacking, we were fortunate that Evans were generous enough to lend us a few players in each age group.
The 13's played extremely well, winning the match 34-10, with their two tries coming in the final 10 minutes where we were outnumbered on the field 14 v 10 after a few minor injuries caused us to rest a few players. The 15's weren't able to repeat the efforts of the 13's going down in a heavy loss to a far more experienced side. Thank you to Mr Chris Lake who has also given up many mornings to assist with coaching these sides, and travelled with the teams last week.
The focus for these two teams now turns to our contest against Lindisfarne on Thursday 1 June. Our Opens team will also play Lindisfarne on this date, but will have a game against Xavier on Thursday 25 May to get through first.
TRAIN COMING THROUGH
Did you know a group of cyclists travelling downhill is called a 'train'? Well the EAC Mountain Bike Team are certainly going full steam ahead with their latest sensational training session held locally at Duck Creek.
The session saw a busy day on the hill at Duck Creek with two groups totalling over 40 students in two separate rides. The Blue team made great use of the natural features of the park looping several of the more flowing trails to practise their cornering, drops and jumps. A favourite of the group was the tabletop on ‘Reeker’ where many spent the last part of the ride showing off their aerial prowess.
After the lunchtime changeover, the Black Diamond team had an opportunity to again ride the more flowing trails the park has to offer and gave them an opportunity to hone their cornering, dropping and jumping technique.
The second group had the added benefit of parent and coach Mr. Cook delivering some tips for riding position and technique.
All riders have an upcoming race on Friday 23 June at Woolgoolga. That race will precede the NCIS Mountain Biking race in August which all students are expected to attend.
Our next training ride is Friday 24 July and both teams will be riding Duck Creek again in a similar schedule across the day.
Thanks to Ms Ashdown, Mr Cook, Mr Hartel and Mr Raguse for making the day run smoothly and all students for their great attitudes throughout the day.
Mr Justin Cleverley
Mountain Bike Team Leader and Teacher of Music
PRIMARY INTERHOUSE TOUCH FOOTBALL
After rain delays and scheduling conflicts, our Primary Inter House Touch Football Competition finally went ahead much to the delight of students.
The fun event was held over two days and it was encouraging to see all students take part whilst spreading field time out evenly amongst each other and supporting their Houses with great enthusiasm.
I was particularly impressed with the younger year groups who, with little touch football experience, showed fantastic ability to grasp the game quickly and play effectively.
A huge 'thank you' to the Maintenance and Sport staff and the Secondary students involved who helped the day run smoothly.
Congratulations to Smith House for taking home the trophy!
1st - Smith
2nd - Brockington
3rd - Walker
4th - Purcival
Top of the Arts
STAGE 3 CHOIR SET TO HIT HIGH NOTES
Practice has begun for our newly formed 2023 Stage 3 Choir who will be performing at various events throughout the year.
Thank you to Ms Shandell Crozier for leading the group during their weekly early morning practices.
Hark! Winner, winner ye ole chicken dinner
Nothing can quash a determined EAC Drama student ready to compete. Not getting up at the crack of dawn, nor a lengthy delay on the M1 to Port Macquarie. EAC Drama students from Year 9, 10 and 11 competed last Friday against three other schools in various categories for a place in the State Finals of the Shakespeare Carnival in Sydney. We entered three categories: Year 9 Drama in Ensemble script A Midsummer Night's Dream, Year 10 Drama in Group Devised based on Macbeth and the Year 11 Drama class in Physical Theatre with a piece on Romeo and Juliet. Each group performed skillfully and strongly and with that won their category. It was an enriching experience for them all, with invaluable feedback and some workshopping with experts.
Congratulations to Harper Ainsbury, Angus Bohn, Summer Campbell, Macey Elliott, Eva Gallagher, Maddie Jewell, Ivy Riley, Emmie Asbey-Palmer, Maya Bright, Elly Collins, Ellen Miller, Valentina Mulé, Ava Walheim, Indi Barron, Cassidy Curnow, Zoe Latimer, Koko Le Roy, Emerson Leyden, Shyanne Wilkins.
Thank you to our organisers Sport for Jove, Ms Tanya Huish for joining us, and Mr Mitch Raguse and Ms Sue McLintock for your support.
Next up, these talented students will compete in Sydney at the State Shakespeare Carnival Finals in June.
Ms Mechelle Anderson
Teacher of Drama - Secondary
Mind Matters
CHECKMATES
Last week our EAC chess masters travelled to Goonellabah to take on the Blue Hills College team.
After some thrilling twists and turns, both Blue Hills and team EAC won 2 games each to draw on the day.
Until next time...
Ms Amanda Middleton
Director of the Secondary School and Chess Master
Library Lowdown
This term the Library has very much become a place of focus with our Secondary students in particular honing their research skills. Students are encouraged to use our library resources for wide-reading, study or research and can visit the Library desk or email library@eac.nsw.edu.au to ask for assistance.
Did you know you can make suggestions and requests for additions to our collection? If you would like the Library to purchase a particular book or even a board or card game, please fill out the form on the Library homepage HERE.
Secondary students should keep your eye on their email inboxes for a link to the 2023 PC Library Quiz. The link can also be found on the Library homepage HERE. Any PC Class that has a 100% response rate wins a prize for the whole class!
Book Club catalogues have been handed out to most Primary classes. Remember, you have approximately three weeks to place your orders, so there's plenty of time for children to earn some extra money by helping out around the house to buy themselves a fantastic book! To make sure everyone receives their books as quickly as possible, three delivery dates have been arranged. The first delivery will be triggered soon, so if you order early, you won't have to wait long to get your hands on your chosen books. Online orders can be placed HERE.
Now, here's something really cool. Have you explored the 'Things to Do' section in our Junior Non-Fiction collection? It's incredibly popular! This section is home to books about Minecraft, Roblox, magic tricks, drawing, cooking, and more.
If any students have created or accomplished something inspired by a library book, we want to hear all about it! Don't hesitate to let the library know! Even better, if you have a photo or video of your creation, email it to library@eac.nsw.edu.au. We'd love to share your awesome work with the College.
Next Wednesday 23 May, the special event we’ve been waiting for - National Simultaneous Storytime - is happening! ELC, Kindy, Year 1, and Year 2 will have the privilege of joining us in the Library for this special occasion. Students in Years 3 to 6 will be watching the story being read by none other than the talented author of Speedy Sloth, Rebecca Young, from the Sydney Zoo. And guess what? She will be accompanied by a real live sloth! How cool is that?
That's all for now from the Library. Enjoy your reading adventures, and remember to return your library books on time. Happy reading and researching!
Ms Jasmine Jordan
Library Resource Centre Manager
Canteen Cookup
CANTEEN DE-CODED
What exactly is a 'snap stick'? Is it the same as a 'TNT'? Why are my children so invested in these treats?
These perennial questions are often asked by mystified parents and carers.
Officially know as Snap Stix, these apple juice based popsicles are a popular choice for both Primary and Secondary students. Nick-named 'TNTs' by students for many years now, these treats are available in a variety of colours that change regularly.
Snap Stix are $1 each and can be easily cut into 2 halves by Canteen staff when requested by students.
Happy snacking!
Friends of EAC
COLOUR RUN PRIZES ARE ON THEIR WAY!
This week our wonderful Friends of EAC are today packing up all the goodies from Term 1's Colour Run ready for distribution to students in the coming days.
Well done to our Friends for staging this great event and thank you to our EAC community for together raising more than $18,000.
How To EAC
HERE TO HELP
Early Learning Centre Corner
BEST BUDDIES
Our EAC Buddies program is such a highlight for all our participating students and last week our ELC students moving on to Kindergarten in 2024 enjoyed a great preview with a visual arts lesson and story time with some of our Year 5 students.
The current Year 5 cohort will be the assigned Buddies of our 2024 Kindergarteners and, as our next group of Primary leaders, are already excited at the prospect of meeting, connecting and engaging with their Buddies.
Director of the Early Learning Centre
Primary Pulse
BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!
Can you believe next week marks the halfway point of Term 2?! The year is flying by and the busy nature of life at EAC is in full swing.
Over 100 Primary students represented at the NCIS Cross Country last Friday. The track was challenging, complete with steep declines and a 'heartbreak hill' all on a rocky and rugged terrain. I was so impressed with all our runners who took on the gruelling course and was especially proud of the students who broke into the top fifteen of their age group to advance again to the next level, CIS, in Sydney. A special mention to Nadia Wynne and Matthew Rullin who came first in their age group with Eva Camp and Eve Drew finishing second in their respective age groups. For a full list of results, please see the Sports section of this week’s newsletter.
The Primary Talent show steps up a notch this year and will become a featured event in the upcoming EAC Festival of Music (21-27 June). Students from Years 1 to 6 are invited to enter the Talent Show by signing up with their SRC representative in their class. Two heats will be held on the stage of The Lindsay Walker Centre on Thursday 22 June with Years 1 to 4 from 9:15am and Years 5 and 6 from 12:00pm. All types of acts are invited from dance to musical performances, bands, magic tricks, comedians, or students may send in a video of their talent to be shown and judged at the event. The winners from the heats will then be invited to perform at both the Matinee and Finale Concert on the afternoon and evening of Tuesday 27 June. Time will be allocated for a rehearsal on the stage in the days leading up to the Talent Show and there will be prizes on offer.
Next Friday, 26 May, the SRC, together with our Year 6 leaders will host the World’s Biggest Morning Tea for the Primary School at First Break. All goods will be sold for $2 with all money raised going to the Cancer Council. Whilst the SRC and Year 6 leaders will be providing the baked goods, if any families wish to provide a plate of goods to sell, please drop them to my office in the Innovation Centre the morning of Friday 26 May. Please include an ingredients list and name any platters you wish to be returned. And don’t forget to send in a $2 coin on Friday to support a very worthy cause!
I know I’ll have the shoe polish out over the weekend in preparation for school photos next Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 May. All Primary Class photos will be taken on the Tuesday and we ask that students are in full school uniform on this day. If this is a Sport or PE day, please pack runners in your child’s bag.
Next Thursday 25 May, our Year 5 and 6 students will attend a tennis workshop at the Ballina Tennis Courts and will need to wear their sports uniform. The following day, Friday 26 May, our Years 3 and 4 students will have their chance to experience this workshop and will require their sports uniform on this day also.
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of the Primary School
BIKE SAFETY
Last week, Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW, spent an hour discussing the nuances of bike safety with Year 5 and 6 students and covered a number of relevant topics including:
- Basic road rules, bike equipment/requirements and helmets
- Bicycle courtesy and respecting other road users
- Safe route planning and how to do this to increase safety, reliability and efficiency
- e-bikes and e-scooters
The talk was extremely informative and students had prepared several probing questions for Peter. Mr Walsh and Mr Cleverley would love to see more students and staff riding safely to and from EAC each day and this was a step towards breaking down some of the barriers and stigma attached to safely negotiating Ballina’s tricky road and path system.
Bicycle NSW has many resources available for school aged people at their website HERE.
If any parents or students have questions about what was covered in the session or if they are interested in riding their bike to and from EAC, please contact Mr Cleverley or Mr Walsh to find out more.
Mr Justin Cleverley
Mountain Bike Team Leader and Teacher of Music
WHAT A WAY TO START THE DAY
Amber, EAC's Therapy Dog, has been lapping up all the attention at the Primary gate of late as she welcomes students when they arrive at school. I wish I got the same reception when I arrived to work each day… it’s a dogs life!
Ms Kellie Guest
Leader of House Brockington, Teacher of PDHPE and Personal Development - Secondary and Amber's #1 Human
Secondary Scoop
YEAR 9 SOLDIERS ON
This week, our Year 9 cohort ventured off to Camp Kokoda for Camp 2023. Arriving at school on a rainy day, the thoughts of camping in the drizzle were not enticing to either the teachers or the students. After a 2.5 hour bus journey, students removed their items which were packed in garbage bags from the bus and then then prepared for the adventure ahead.
The camp focused on four key values: Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice. These values are aligned to the resilience and determination of Australian soldiers during the Kokoda Campaign.
During the four days, each group undertook a range of activities and this challenged people in different ways. For some students, carrying packs, putting up tents and cooking their own food was a challenge. Whilst for others completing activities when they feared heights was difficult.
Throughout the week, it has been great to see the students reflect each day on their greatest moment, lowest moment and who they thought demonstrated mateship as well as setting their goal for the next day.
Whilst asking students their thoughts about the camp, they all had at least one positive thing to say, be that sleeping in a 'bivvy' under tarps one night, cooking their own food or the activities that they completed.
Camps would not run as effectively if it wasn’t for the great teaching staff at the College. I’d like to thank Mr Hartel, Mr Conomos, Dr Jacob, Ms Payne and Ms Morrissey for accompanying the students on camp and supporting students as they developed skills outside their comfort zone.
Ms Amanda Middleton
Director of the Secondary School
LIFE IS LIKE A JAR OF JELLY BEANS
Year 12 Wellbeing students spent time this week thinking about money management and things they might need to account for after they graduate.
In groups, students had to work together to decide how to spend their 'income' (jelly beans) based on life circumstances, values and goals.
Students had to think about life essentials such as housing and utilities, transport, insurance, phone, internet, food, clothes, laundry etc.
When their money was suddenly cut short (i.e. someone ate half the jelly beans!) they had to think about what they might give up and what changes they would have to make.
PEER SUPPORT DISCUSSES DIFFERENCES OF OPINION
Our Peer Support program operates throughout the College and this week, our Year 11 Peer Leaders helped their Year 7 counterparts to consider methods for addressing conflict (or differences in opinion) and explore the importance of clear communication to resolve disagreements. Students engaged in a 'blind drawing' activity which required them to describe an image to their artist partner without revealing what it is, however, they are not able to see what the 'artist' is drawing. The task proved both hilarious and frustrating!
Ms Kellie Guest
Leader of House Brockington and Teacher of PDHPE and Personal Development
YEAR 10 HAS SCIENCE IN THEIR DNA
Year 10 Science students have kicked off the term with a study in genetics. The class was delighted with a slightly out-of-the-box teaching approach which included making DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) models from lollies. Science never tasted so good!
Dr Justine Jacob
Teacher of Maths, Science, Marine Studies and Aquaculture - Secondary
STUDENTS SURVEY THEIR FUTURE
With the countdown to graduation now well underway, our Year 12s recently had the opportunity to participate in a trade readiness program. The program introduced a range of apprenticeship options together with practical activities that gave students a better idea of what an apprenticeship might be like.
Students collaborated to make a tool box and even undertook surveying tasks using specialist equipment.
Mr Ben McRae
Student Services Officer - Pathways and Partnerships
REACHING THE TOP
Year 12 Sports, Lifestyle and Recreation Studies students had their first of many sessions at the Ballina Climbing Jungle last week as part of their unit on individual sports.
They tested their grip strength and some conquered their fear of heights to have a heap of fun.
Ms Heidi Miller
Teacher of PDHPE, PASS and SLR - Secondary
YEAR 8 PDHPE BUST-A-MOVE
This term, Year 8 Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) are learning all about dance. So far, students have learned to line dance, barn dance and hip hop. So you think you can dance? These guys have got the moves!
Ms Kellie Guest
Leader of House Brockington and Teacher of PDHPE and Personal Development
YEAR 11 PLUCKS UP THE COURAGE TO DISECT
Meanwhile in Year 11, our Biology students have been disecting a 'pluck'. Plucks are the heart, liver and lungs of an animal grouped together for study and our Year 11 biologists were fascinated the their recent practical.
Ms Kate Ashdown
Teacher of Science, STEM and Biology - Secondary
RORY LEAPS AND BOUNDS TO CANADA
Year 9 student Rory Neaves is wowing the world with his ballet talent. Rory recently competed in the Biennial Alana Haines Australasian Awards in New Zealand, impressing the judges through to the quarter finals. From there, Rory was awarded a prestigious summer school scholarship with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School in Canada. Most recently, Rory is back in Australia and competing at the Australian Classical Grand Prix on the Gold Coast and will soon audition for the Australian Ballet.
Well done Rory on all your achievements. We are all very proud of you.
DIGITAL ART IN THE REAL WORLD
Our Year 9 Digital Art students recently ventured out into the real world to capture images that inspire and excite. The group headed to Byron Bay for the outing and captured some terrific shots of the Cape Byron Lighthouse and the most easterly point of the Australian mainland.
SNORKELLING THROUGH THE CHILL
Our adventurous Marine Science students braved the cold to further develop their snorkelling skills. Visibility was low due to the large swell we've had of late so only a few species of fish were observed. Following our snorkel we walked out to the end of the North Wall to see if we could spot any marine mammals. While none were seen on the day, we know the humpback whales are on their way from Antarctica.
Dr Justine Jacob
Teacher of Maths, Science, Marin Studies and Aquaculture
PREVENTION IS THE CURE
In the lead up to Camp 2023, earlier this week our Year 9s participated in a transformative and inspirational workshop facilitated by ASK titled 'Prevention Is The Cure'. The workshop focused on strategies and habits that sustain good mental health. The workshop featured great team building activities that set the scene for the week and helped prepared students for Camp Kokoda.
Ms Brigette Campbell
Leader of House Purcival and Teacher of HSIE and Japanese - Secondary
CARDS & CUPPAS
Our Cards & Cuppas series began with a cracking session this week. Our Year 8 Wellbeing students met their matches with senior members of EAC community coming in to teach them a thing or two!
The next session will be held on Thursday 1 June from 11.20am to 12 noon at the College.
To participate in this fun event that promotes intergenerational connection, please RSVP to enquiries@eac.nsw.edu.au.
Northern Rivers News
