Term 1 | Week 9 | 24 March 2022
‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind… and your neighbour as yourself’
Matthew 22: 37-39
From The Principal
The College Open Evening held on Tuesday of this week was a fantastic success with more than 500 attending the evening to tour the College, meet the teachers and learn more about the incredible learning opportunities on offer. The feedback was extremely positive and as people were leaving, many came back through the Ezzy Centre to say thank you and commented on how passionate and friendly the staff were and how much the kids they had spoken to really love their school. While most of the visitors were completely overwhelmed by what they had seen, it was the 'great spirit', 'love of the school' and the clear sense that EAC is 'a really warm and welcoming place to be' (just to quote a few) that had impacted on them most.
Thank you to everyone who supported the evening, especially the more than 100 students who volunteered to be tour guides, involved in demonstrations and class based activities and to our Hospitality students who provided some tasty morsels for our visitors to enjoy.
A huge thank you to all the staff involved as well. Thanks to the Curriculum Leaders who managed all of the activities and displays, to Mrs Annetts and Mr McRae for catering, the Enrolments and Administration team for communication, meeting and greeting, Mrs Middleton for managing the student led tours and for Mr McGuigan for his coordination of the program and logistics for the evening. I must make a special mention of the Maintenance Team who despite the setback of the floods, prepared the College beautifully.
Demand for places at the College continues to grow on the back of the wonderful model of the students, the brilliant efforts of the staff and the incredible support of the parents. I am in awe of our Community and so very proud of our wonderful school. We will now work through the waitlist and begin the interview process.
On Thursday 31 March 2022, the College will celebrate Foundation Day. There will be a number of activities during the day including a College Assembly to celebrate the Blessing and Opening of The Lindsay Walker Centre. In the afternoon the students will be involved in a number of special activities to celebrate the day. For the students of the Primary School this will involve participating in the Friends of EAC 'Colour Run'. Friends have generously offered to donate all proceeds raised to those impacted by the recent floods. Parents are welcome to join us at 11.00am in The Lindsay Walker Centre to view the assembly.
The College has continued its efforts to support those in the community that have been impacted by the floods. We continue to prepare meals, assisting with the ongoing clean up, connect those in need with offers help through the 'help exchange' – enquiries@eac.nsw.edu.au and to provide counselling support. While the needs of those affected is enormous, the generosity of the community has simply been remarkable. We know that the road to recovery is long and the College will continue to support people in many ways in the coming weeks and months. I remind all families impacted by the floods that the College has set up a Natural Disaster Financial Assistance Fund to provide fee relief. If you have been impacted by the floods please contact the Mr Peter Weingarth in the Finance Team and he will explain how to access the support.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
off the deputy's desk
Reimagining the purposes of education
It is so important that we fire the imagination of our young people at EAC as today more than ever, our changing environment is pushing us to question and reimagine the purposes of education. Unlike previous stages of technological change, digitalisation and, especially, artificial intelligence will open up hitherto unknown possibilities. Digital technologies will not merely disrupt our jobs, communities and lives but enhance our capabilities.
At the same time, humans are in danger of losing their economic value as biological and computer engineering render many forms of human activity redundant and decouple intelligence from consciousness. This has profound consequences for the purpose of education. That is why it is important to understand and anticipate technological advances, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, in order to proactively shape the future of education.
Tomorrow’s educational institutions will need to help learners think for themselves and join others in work and citizenship. They need to help learners develop a strong sense of right and wrong, and sensitivity to the claims that others make. Individuals will need to learn to live with themselves, with others, and with the planet. At work, at home and in the community people will need a deep understanding of how others think, whether as scientists or artists, and how others live in different cultures and traditions. Whatever tasks machines may be taking over from humans at work, the demands on our capabilities to contribute meaningfully to social and civic life will always keep evolving. Digital technologies do not oblige us to enter an impossible war with machines but invite us to reconsider what it means to be “human” and how we can imagine a flourishing life.
Dia dhaoibh
Mr Francis McGuigan
Deputy Principal
TERM 1 WEEK 10A
Monday 28 March
- U15 & Open Girls Soccer LWC 7.15am
- NAPLAN practice test window
- Year 3 Period 1 and 2 Omnibus – Discovery Centre
- Year 5 Period 1 and 2 Writing – Ezzy Centre
- Year 3 and 5 LS Students Period 1 and 2 Omnibus and Writing – Innovation Centre
- Year 5 Period 3 and 4 Omnibus – Ezzy Centre
- Year 5 LS Students Period 3 and 4 Omnibus – Innovation Centre
- Year 9 Period 5 and 6 Writing – Ezzy Centre
- Year 9 LS Students Period 5 and 6 Writing – LS2
- Year 11 PDHPE Task 1
- Year 12 Modern History Task 1
- Elevate Year 12 Workshop: Ace your exams 48 students 9.58-10.48am
- Elevate Year 11 Workshop: Student Elevation 70 students 11:20am - 12:02pm
- Year 7 Workshop: Study Skills Kick Start 96 students 12:08pm - 12:50pm
Tuesday 29 March
- U15 Open Boys Soccer LWC 7.17am
- NAPLAN practice test window
- 7.1 and 7.2 Period 1 and 2 Writing – Ezzy Centre
- 7.1 and 7.2 LS Students Period 1 and 2 Writing S2
- 7.3 and 7.4 Period 3 and 4 Writing – Ezzy Centre
- 7.3 and 7.4 LS Students Period 3 and 4 Writing – LS2
- 7.1 and 7.2 Period 5 and 6 Omnibus – Ezzy Centre
- 7.1 and 7.2 LS Students Period 5 and 6 Omnibus – LS2
- Year 9 HSIE (Geography) Excursion. Field mandated work for stage 5
- Year 11 Business Studies Task 1
- Year 12 Biology Task 2
- Year 12 Legal Studies Task 2
- Year 12 SLR Task 2
Wednesday 30 March
- NAPLAN practice test window
- 7.3 and 7.4 Period 1 and 2 Omnibus – Ezzy Centre
- 7.3 and 7.4 LS Students Period 1 and 2 Omnibus – LS2
- Year 9 Period 3 and 4 Omnibus – Ezzy Centre
- Year 9 LS Students Period 3 and 4 Omnibus – LS2
- NCIS Secondary Soccer at Coffs Harbour
Thursday 31 March
- Foundation Day
- Year 11 Visual Arts Task 1
- CIS Primary Soccer Championships Sydney
Friday 1 April
- Year 5 and Year 6 Debating Training
- Mountain Bike Training Day 1 – Nerang
- Year 11 Ancient History Task 1
- 12 Geography MCL
- Mountain Bike Training Day 1 – Nerang
TERM 1 WEEK 11B
Monday 4 April
- Year 9 Marine Studies Excursion
Tuesday 5 April
- Year 10 - Tae Kwon Do Excursion
- Year 11 Adv English Task 1
- Year 11 Std English Task 1
- Year 12 Ext 2 Maths Task 2
- Year 12 Ext History Task 1
- NAPLAN practice test window
Wednesday 6 April
- Year 12 Economics Task 2
- Year 11 Adv Maths Task 1
- Year 11 Std Maths Task 1
- Year 12 Photography Task 2
- Whole College Chapel
- NAPLAN practice test window
Thursday 7 April
- Years 5/6 Primary Inter-house Soccer Tournament 9.08am-1.28pm MPC
Friday 8 April
- Year 5 and Year 6 Debating Training
- Mountain Bike Training Day 1 – Nerang
- Year 11 Ancient History Task 1
- 12 Geography
Secondary News
Bullying is a word that is said a lot within the education sector. It is defined as an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.
Bullying as a social issue is taken seriously at EAC. Although it is a dynamic and complex issue usually involving students in varying peer groups, the negative impacts can be reduced and prevented with education. Part of this is to develop a kindness culture.
At EAC, we explicitly teach school values and positive behavior which includes a clear policy and guidelines to support students and families if bullying occurs. This is supported by the positive teacher- student relationships that we develop where classrooms are a safe, calm and respectful environment. We also work with families to ensure the best opportunities for all students.
The theme for the National Day of Action against bullying and violence was “Kindness Culture”. By promoting inclusion, respect and community belonging for all students we can work to eliminate bullying.
The anti bullying procedures can be found on the College website and in the College Planner.
If your child is experiencing concerns at the College, please contact their PC teacher or Leader of House.
Transport for NSW is inviting the community to attend free "Helping Learner Drivers Become Safer Drivers" workshops delivered online by NRMA.
The free workshop supports parents and supervisors of learner drivers to be confident and effective teachers. Topics include information about licence conditions for learner and P-plate drivers, tips for using the learner driver log book and the importance of providing constructive feedback.
Workshops run from January to June 2022 with a range of days and times available.
To book a workshop go to mynrma.com.au/helpinglearners
Mrs Amanda Middleton
Director of Secondary
Roblox is a sandbox game that many parents think is cute and completely fine for little kids to play. It can be, if you have the proper parental controls, but most parents don’t. It is also fine if you sit and supervise your kids’ use of Roblox, but let’s be honest, we are all busy, and most of us use our kids’ gaming as time for ourselves - a little time out. And that is ok as long as you have everything set up correctly.
There is always a risk of grooming and your child seeing something that makes them feel upset or uncomfortable.
In every session that we ever hold with kids, a vast percentage say that they do not tell their parents when they see something terrible online or something happens because they are scared you will ban them from gaming.
Please never ban your kids from using games if they speak up, and if you do, you may drive every conversation you want to have with them underground and be entirely in the dark about what is going on. Absolutely ban them if they break a rule like having their phones in their room after a 6pm curfew for example. But please never ban them if they speak up. They are often just asking for help.
Recently there was a story published on the BBC that I will not share because the content is offensive. So instead, I have copied the link here, but please be advised that I am letting you know there is a big trigger warning from me before you click through. It discusses sex, sex fetishes, sexualized violence, and anti-semitism.
If you do want to read it, you can click here.
Roblox has an issue with what we call “Condo” games. They are there for a short time (usually only an hour or so) before they are reported to or discovered by the Roblox algorithm and taken down in a reasonable attempt to keep kids safe. The rate of these “condo games” generated will only make this more complicated.
Here are a few tips for your child’s Roblox account:
Don’t use your real name or your child’s name to sign up.
Make sure your password is at least eight digits long with upper and lower-case letters, plus a number included.
Change the passwords at least every school holidays.
Enable account restrictions by clicking here and following the steps:
Through the above link, Roblox has some great safety tips. Please take the time to work through them all with your child. They will then learn to do this with every game they use with your guidance.
Please make sure you tell them that they can talk to you about anything they see online that makes them upset or feel uncomfortable without the risk of being banned from playing.
Keep gaming consoles and use of games in the family room.
Make sure that kids know that they tell you immediately if anyone asks them to follow them on another app or game (like TikTok). If anyone asks them to be their boyfriend or girlfriend online, this happens a lot and could be online grooming. Be vigilant. These people are on the other side of a screen, and your kids are safe as long as they are brave enough to speak up and get help - an important life skill.
Make sure your kids know that if anyone threatens or bullies them on a game if they speak up and tell you or another trusted adult immediately that you can help them. Teach them how to take a screenshot.
Kids always tell me that they get anxious, angry, and agitated when gaming. Especially if time up is when they are right about to complete something. Some kids, who are Neuro Diverse, often love gaming but struggle a little more than others to control their anger when they have been gaming.
One thing I have suggested, and I have seen it work through experimenting with close family and friends. Buy them a sketchbook and encourage them to draw and design their games. It is like journaling for a gamer - it calms their mind, helps them regulate, engages creativity. They love it! You will soon see them spending hours working on the drawings of the characters, writing the script and design of their game. I have even seen kids plan it right down to listing the songs they want to use in their games.
We can never discount the fact that there is a lot of opportunity for kids in the gaming industry - everything from being a music producer through to gamification of training in the corporate sector. Encourage the good stuff through responsible gaming – check the classifications and set restrictions that work for you and your kids.
Kirra Pendergast
CEO of Safe on Social Media Pty Ltd.
sport news
NCIS PRIMARY FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT RESULTS
On Tuesday March 15, the EAC Primary Girls, Boys and Mixed Soccer Teams made a trip south to Coffs Harbour for the NCIS Primary Football tournament hosted by Bishop Druitt College.
Each team has been training hard over the past 4 weeks with each student's soccer skills and positional game play improving under the guidance and tutelage of soccer coach Wendy Britton and staff. The recent delay of the tournament by 2 weeks due to flooding on the North Coast helped build the excitement on the bus journey to Coffs Harbour, as the players were keen to test themselves against the other NCIS soccer teams. After early morning rain the weather cleared into very hot and humid conditions however the astro turf fields at the Coffs Harbour stadium ensured playing conditions remained excellent throughout the day whether it was raining or sunny.
The tournament consisted of 2 pools for each team with the top team from each pool progressing straight to the grand final. Following amazing performances by the girls, boys and mixed team in the pool games, all of the EAC teams finished on top of their pool and progressed straight into the grand finals.
The mixed team were the first to play in their grand final against a very tall and strong team from Tweed Adventist College. It was a high standard game with the ball travelling from end to end of the field and both teams having some shots on goal. It was the EAC team who eventually scored first. The game became an arm wrestle but the EAC team held on for a fantastic 0:1 win!
The boys' and girls' grand final games were both played at the same time against Lindisfarne. Both grand finals were played in very hot and humid conditions. In the girls final EAC had significant possession in the first half but Lindisfarne were playing well in defence and denied EAC a number of attacking opportunities. Late in the first half Lindisfarne scored 2 goals. After some team structure changes at half time our girls began the second half confidently scoring early however as the game progressed Lindisfarne took control of the game and ended up winning 4:1 but the girls can hold their heads up high and were deserved Runners Up on the day.
The boys final was a masterclass of soccer skill by our very talented team. From the start of the game until the end the EAC team had significant possession and played the game at their tempo enabling them to have many scoring opportunities. If it was not for some very good goalkeeping by Lindisfarne the game would have been a whitewash. In the end the EAC boys were well deserved 8:0 grand final winners and retain the NCIS Primary Boys trophy for the second year in a row.
A huge congratulations to the EAC 2021 NCIS Boys Football champions!
Congratulations to EAC coaching staff members Randall Evans (Boys), Jack Murphy (Mixed) and Jody Baker (Girls) together with specialist soccer coach Wendy Britton for assisting with the coaching of the NCIS teams and taking the teams to the tournament.
EAC Sport Team
EAC STUDENT’S WORK HUNG IN ART GALLERY OF NSW
“ARTEXPRESS 2022 features a selection of outstanding student artworks developed for the art-making component of the HSC examination in Visual Arts in 2021 – a challenging year – and provides insight into students’ creativity and the issues important to them.”
What an honour and privilege it was to see Zev Donovan’s Body of Work hung in the Art Gallery of NSW! Zev’s artworks from his 2021 HSC piece, Animated Identity, was included in the annual celebration of the very best artworks from the State’s Yr 12 students. The show was of an incredibly high standard and super well attended by the public. Congratulations to Zev, it’s a wonderful reward for his sheer hard work, perseverance, open mindedness and willingness to collaborate and take on feedback.
Canteen
Volunteers are urgently needed for Fridays!
Please contact Mrs Christine Hall in the Canteen if you are able to volunteer on a Friday in the Canteen.
Canteen Menu 2022
Canteen Coordinator
Online Canteen Ordering
We are excited to be able to offer online Canteen ordering via the 'School Stream' app. Please refer to the recent letter to all families with instructions on how to download the app to your phone, tablet or computer.
Once the app is installed you will be able to view and select from the canteen menu by clicking on Canteen. This will bring up the canteen order form where you will be able to enter the child's details and select desired items from the dropdown lists under the relevant headings and pay. You will be prompted to tick which break you require your selection for.
All online orders must be completed and submitted prior to 8.45am on the day they are required, to enable Canteen staff enough time to prepare and distribute orders.
Manual Canteen Ordering
If you are unable to use the 'School Stream' App please place the money in a paper bag of sufficient size to fit all of the items. If you are ordering a drink with your child’s lunch, please provide two (2) bags. Please write the information on the LOWER half of the bag. If money is short we will substitute items to the value received.
REMEMBER, if ordering at both breaks, you must have a separate bag for each break.
Any change required will be placed in the bag for return with the child’s order.
All orders must be received at the canteen before 9.15am.
Christine Hall - Canteen Supervisor
contact: chall@eac.nsw.edu.au