Term 2 | Week 6 | 31 May 2017
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
John 13:14-15
From The Principal
Last week was an incredibly busy week for the College with a number of great events occurring including the Afternoon Instrumental Sessions, Netball Gala Days, Kindergarten 2018 Experience Day, the Primary Disco and the inaugural Duke of Edinburgh expedition. Phew! This brief snapshot of events highlights the diverse range of opportunities available to students and the efforts of incredibly generous staff and parents who are so wonderfully supportive of the College.
A huge thank you to all the parents who provided support to the Friends of EAC at the Primary Disco last Thursday evening. There was a great community feel at the “country” themed evening and the students danced (and ran) themselves ragged during the two hour event. Thanks to all the Friends committee for their planning, preparation and hard work on the night.
On Friday and Saturday, our Duke of Edinburgh participants were involved in part one of the expedition component of the program. This involved a 40 kilometre walk from Angourie to Minnie Waters carrying packs, sleeping bags, food and all other essentials. It was a demanding challenge and all 27 students and 3 staff, successfully completed to journey. This first journey is designed to be a practice to help students understand what is required in planning and safely completing such an expedition. Mr Graham Walker has been preparing the trip with the students and modelling to them how to plan for such an event. The next challenge is for the students to plan and undertake their own challenge. While adults will accompany the students, the purpose of the second challenge is for the students to demonstrate their learning and independence in designing a similar task. The second journey will take place in August. Special thanks to Ms Eva Brown and Mrs Felicity Regan for acting as guides for the expedition.
Students planning to join Kindergarten in 2018 were invited to attend the first of three Kindergarten Experience Days as part of the transition program. It was a much anticipated day with the excitement building for our future Kindy students for several weeks. The day was a great success as the students had an opportunity to meet the Kindy teachers, make some new friends, engage in some fun activities and familiarise themselves with the Kindy classroom and its surrounds. Thank you very much to Mrs Roxanne Kent and Ms Jody Baker who coordinated the day. Special thanks to the ELC staff who supported the students and played a significant role in helping make the transition as smooth as possible for all involved.
We have also received confirmation this week that students from both Kasukabe Kyoei High School, Japan and Longyou Kema High School, China will visit EAC in late July and early August this year. To support the group visits we have enlisted the help of Australian Student Accommodation (ASA) to coordinate the home stays for these visitors. They have operated for many years on the Gold Coast and through their relationship with EAC have extend their home stay network into our region. I encourage all our families who have previously hosted students or those that have considered hosting students to register with Australian Student Accommodation (ASA). Their details can be found later in the newsletter. ASA pay $45 a night for a single homestay and $40 per night per student for a multiple home stay. If you would like further information, please contact Mrs Kate Jenkins at the College Office or call Australian Student Accommodation (ASA) directly.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Off The Deputy's Desk
Instrumental Afternoon Sessions
Thank you to our talented instrumental music students, Mr Cleverley and the music tutors, for the series of performances last week. It is wonderful to see the development of our musicians – it was an entertaining few afternoons.
Yr 11 Examinations
This week we keep the Yr 11 students in our thoughts and prayers as they sit their exams.
Reconciliation Week
It’s National Reconciliation Week and the theme this year is ‘Let’s take the next steps’. Last week at the Whole College Assembly we heard from India Gauge, our Student Leader of Arts and Culture, about the theme and the significance of this national week. Mr Tobias also spoke about how important it is that we continue to move on from the past and right the wrongs of our history. Our primary students listened to guest speakers about indigenous issues. For more information about Reconciliation Week you can visit the website http://www.reconciliation.org.au/nrw/
Teenagers and technology/social media
Increasingly we are seeing the impact of technology and social media on our students, and as parents who grew up in the 70’s and 80’s it is very different to the adolescent world when we were at school – if you wanted to talk to a friend you were on the phone (connected by a cord) in public view and earshot, there was one TV in the house, at bed time the worst you could do was read with a torch. For today’s teen, it is possible to be connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In casual discussion with parents and students, it is not uncommon to hear that some of our young people are spending well into the early hours of the morning gaming, or are receiving multiple text messages and group chats as late as midnight, on a school night. As parents, it is often difficult to know how to manage this situation at home. I have attached some readings that may be of interest to some of you trying to navigate this minefield.
My top tips:
- Limit screen time in the evening. Experts suggest that there should be at least 2 hours between using a screen and falling asleep.
- Keep devices (phones, ipods, ipads, laptops) in a central location in the house – have a designated time that they should be put in their ‘place’ each evening
- Turn off notifications
- Use the app ‘Our Pact’. It is an excellent tool that parents can use to monitor screen time and internet access
- Talk to the parents of your children’s friends so you can present a unified front
- Take the time to talk to your children about safe and healthy use of technology
On the 15 June the College will host a special parent information evening called ‘Safe on Social’. The evening commences at 6.30pm and will take place in the Ezzy Centre. We welcome you to attend.
Social Networking
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/social_networking.html
Healthy Gaming
http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/healthy_video_gaming.html/context/1106
Taking away mobile phones at night
http://yourteenmag.com/technology/parents-take-away-cell-phones-at-night
Parents and carers of students enrolled in EAC are invited to attend an information evening titled “Safe on Social”. This event will be held on June 15 in the Ezzy centre at 6:30pm. The presenter, Kirra Pendergast, is accredited with the Office of the Commissioner of Children’s eSafety and has many years’ experience presenting digital safety information to parents. The information evening will cover:
- Using social media with awareness
- Respecting others online
- Safe social networking and privacy settings
- Information permanence and managing your digital footprint
- Posting and sharing photos
- Sexting and the legal consequences of producing and sharing child pornography
- Cyber-bullying
- Identity theft
- Age restrictions and why they should be respected
- Legal responsibilities
- Gaming network dangers
- Popular apps and their specific risks (SnapChat, Musical.ly, Yellow, Tinder, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Gaming, SMS, Facebook Messenger, Omegle, and others)
This evening is for parents to have an opportunity to learn about their children’s online world and seek answers to questions that they may have about digital safety. It is only for parents as the material covered is presented at adult audience. For more information please visit the website ‘Safe on Social’ at the link http://safeonsocial.com/.
This information evening forms part of the College’s education program on cybersafety. In term 4 last year, Stages 3 to 6 completed an online digital safety course. Students in Year 7 and 8 will also participate in an interactive Brainstorm Production in week 10 this term titled ‘Sticks and Stones’. It will review key concepts of cybersafety and cyberbullying with our students. The College is also developing a pastoral care program that is proactively teaching students about online safety.
Please RSVP to Mrs Kathy Carey on kcarey@eac.nsw.edu.au by 14 June 2017.
European Art, History and Cultural Tour 2018
As you may have read in the last Each Week, the College is exploring the possibility of organising a cultural and educational tour to Europe in 2018. The trip is open to students, staff and families and will be managed by Academy Tours, supported by a 24 hours guide and overseen by Mr Greg McDonnell, Mrs Mellissa Evans and Mr Mitchell Raguse. Students in Year 9 -12 in 2018 can travel independently as part of the tour. Younger students (Years 6-8) would need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We have attached a copy of the flyer outlining the itinerary and costing for the tour which is proposed for the April school holidays next year.
The next step is to seek expressions of interest from the College community to gauge if there might be enough interest to make the trip viable. There is no obligation or expectation connected to expressing an interest. If more than 20 people express an interest we will arrange for a representative from Academy Travel to come to the College and run an information session about the trip early in Term Three.
If you would like to express an interest please complete the Expression of Interest Form below and return it to Mr Greg McDonnell, Mrs Evans, Mr Raguse or the College office by Friday June 16. If you do have any further questions please contact Mr Greg McDonnell at gmcdonnell@eac.nsw.edu.au or via the College office on 6681 5054.
EAC Europe 2018 Expression of Interest
EAC Tour Itinerary 2018
Primary News
Behaviour Incentive - Term 2
Token System
Kindergarten to Year 4:
The Primary School is trialling a token system to reward positive behaviour on the playground. Tokens will be handed out by teachers and learning support staff when on recess and lunch duty, to students who are following our College values.
When the student receives a token, their name will be written on the back of the token and the student will put the token in the barrel, which will be located outside of Learning Support rooms at recess and lunch.
Three tokens will be drawn out of the barrel at each assembly. Students will receive a handball with our College emblem when their name gets drawn out. The barrel is then emptied after each assembly and the process begins again.
Years 5 and 6:
Years 5 and 6 students do not share the same playground space as kindergarten to Year 4 students, therefore they will be rewarded tokens during their morning fitness sessions as well as when transitioning from their classrooms to PE, sport, music or Japanese classes.
There will be different colours for each token.
Compassion - Green
Christ-Likeness - Dark Blue
Integrity - Light Blue
Excellence - Red
Commitment - Yellow
We hope this encourages students to demonstrate their College values and makes the playground a positive place for all students to be.
Paul Christensen
Pastoral Coordinator
National Sorry Day
On May 26th, National Sorry Day, Year 4 listened to Archie Roach's song "Took the Children Away" and discussed the significance of the lyrics before producing this collaborative artwork. The circular pattern was chosen to represent 'reconnection'.
Mrs Jen Buddee
Year 4
Christ-Likeness
Year 2 discussed what it was like to show Christ-Likeness. The definition of Christ-Likeness is a person who has qualities like Jesus Christ. An example of Christ-Likeness is a kind, forgiving, sincere, caring and accepting person.
The class of 2A came up with a list of ways they can show Christ-Likeness. They are as follows:
Character and Christlikeness
- Kindness
- Compassion
- Gentleness
- Discipline
- Self-Control
- Calmness
- Serenity
- Faithfulness
- Trustworthiness
- Loving actions and attitudes
- Joyfulness
- Unselfishness
- Patience
- Wisdom
- Humor
- Cheerfulness
- Dependability
- Perseverance
- Respect for others
- Honesty
- Encouragement
- Helpfulness
- Support
- Understanding
- Truthfulness
Mrs Meagan Kelvin
Year 2
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Last Friday and Saturday a group of 27 Students and 3 staff took on the challenge of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk. This was the first part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Adventurous Journey. The walk goes through the Yuraygir National Park, along the coast from Angourie to Red Rock. This are of coastline is one of the most pristine in NSW.
We met at college in the early hours of Friday morning to travel to Angourie to commence our trek. At Angourie the students were introduced to the significance of the area we would be walking through to the Aboriginal people by a Yeagl Elder Uncle Ron. Uncle Ron who is also an archaeologist and anthropologist shared his knowledge of bush foods, medicines, tools and the indigenous way of life in the area. Uncle Ron also gave the group some good advice for their walk about look after each other, family and teamwork.
The first day of the walk went from Angourie to Brooms Head. Starting at Mara Creek the trail passes through a variety of coastal plant communities including with and dry heathlands, paperback and tea tree. There are spectacular views from the rocky coastal platforms. Spectacular red and grey clay cliff headlands near the freshwater lake Arragan are also interesting features. Brooms Head Camp Ground was the end of our walking on Day 1. After 18 km of walking everyone was ready for a swim, rest and refuel before day 2.
Day 2 of the walk was 19km from Brooms Head to Minnie Waters. The second way was mostly beach walking with a river crossing by boat at the pristine Sandon River. With a low tide the sand was firm to walk along the long stretches of deserted beach. On this day we saw a lot of wildlife including to keep the journey interesting including whales, dolphins, stingrays, kangaroos and sea eagles. The day ended at Minnie Waters with a well-earned ice cream and a bus ride back to College.
The students and staff were physically and mentally challenged by the journey. We all had a chance to reflect and grow through our shared experience. I would like to compliment the students on their excellent behaviour and positive attitudes while on the trip. Thank you to Mrs Regan and Ms Brown who accompanied us in the trip.
In late August we will be completing the second half of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk from Minnie Waters to Red Rock.
Graham Walker
Sports and Coaching Administrator
Sports Update
NSW CIS Football (Soccer)
Monday the 22nd and Tuesday the 23rd saw students from EAC representing the North Coast Independent Schools Football sides in Sydney taking on other regions in NSW. The sporting fixtures were held at Valentine Park, the home of NSW Football. It was a great couple of days with both male and female teams doing their best to match the fast passed play of the Sydney leagues. The boys drew their first game and were competitive in their remaining games until injury and fatigue started to hit home. The girls too were competitive at points but the obviously faster game play took its toll. Representatives from EAC included Joshua and Lachlan Mumford for the boys and Emmaliesse Ulrikson, Asha Green and Emily Wiltshire for the NCIS Girls.
Overall, it was a great couple of days and it was an honour to coach the NCIS boys’ team and be a part of the selection committee for the CIS squad. The experience these players have gained will undoubtedly make them stronger footballers.
Mason Brenton
NCIS Team Coach
NSW Netball Cup
Last week EAC competed in the NSW Netball Cup against other local schools. We fielded teams in the Year 5/6, Year 7/8, and the Year 9/10 divisions. The competition was strong with several schools playing at a high standard. Our girls held their own, finishing third in both the Year 7/8 and Year 9/10 divisions, while the Year 5/6 team placed fourth. This competition was a good preparation event for our teams leading into the NCIS Championships in Term 3.
Thanks to Stella Atkinson (Year 9) for umpiring for the Primary Girls. Thank you to teachers Mrs Miller, Mrs Sculley and Mrs Campbell who coached the teams in the lead up and at the competition.
Mr Graham Walker
Sports and Coaching Administrator
Friends of Emmanuel
FRIENDS Emmanuel Anglican College - Appeal
I’m sure that many of you are concerned about the waste and environmental impact created by unused or partially used books left over at the end of each school year. I know I am puzzled each year how to put them to good use and end up storing them in the garage…just in case...
So, here is an easy and philanthropic solution! Through the hard work of Celeste Hartman (EAC Parent), she has identified a very remote, and needy indigenous school to be the recipient of donated items.
BURUNGA SCHOOL - located 90km south of Katherine in the Northern Territory.
The school has approx. 70 students from Kindergarten to Year 12 and as you can imagine struggles with supply and access to the articles we take for granted. Celeste has been in discussion with the Burunga Principal and teaching staff, who are very excited about being able to provide the students with quality stationery, donated by Emmanuel Anglican College, to enhance student learning.
The lovely folks, Deb and Toni, at The School Locker - Ballina are also making their own donations of school clothing/shoes and co-ordinating our collection station at the store. Kindly they will take on the cost of transport and arrange for the items to be sent to Barunga School. EAC Friends will also be providing a collection box at the EAC office (student entrance) to drop off your excess stationery.
Thank you to those parents who have already donated in Term 1, however we would really like to ramp this up this term and further encourage families to donate surplus items you might have stored and are unlikely to use.
This is an exciting opportunity to support those less advantaged in a very practical way, so I am hoping that you and your children will get on board. Let’s make it a generous parcel of goodies that arrives for the students at Barunga by the end of Term 2!
Please ring Celeste Hartman 0408 669 125 (A/H preferred) or Melissa Collins, Friends President 0417 499 491, if you have any questions about the project or any ideas to support this initiative.
Thanking you in advance.
Melissa Collins
Friends President
Canteen
EAC Canteen operates 4 days a week: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, with special lunches on Tuesdays, canteen is open on Tuesdays for general sales at LUNCH only.
Canteen opens at 8.30am and the Menu is available here:
**New to the Canteen**
Honey Soy Chicken with veggies and rice $5.50
Butter Chicken and rice $5.50
Amaze Balls $1.50 (nut free)
Sushi Dates: 13 June
Noodle Box Dates: 6 & 20 June
Subway Date: 27 June
Noodle Box – Tuesday 6 June
Noodle Box will be available from the canteen next Tuesday 6 June. If you would like to order Noodle Box for your child’s lunch next Tuesday please complete the order form then attach your order to a paper bag with your payment enclosed. This should then be put in the canteen basket on Monday morning, 5 June.
Order forms will be sent home but are also available at the canteen, office or online.
PRIMARY LUNCH ORDERS
Please place the money in a paper bag of sufficient size to fit all of the lunch items. If you are ordering a drink with your child’s lunch please provide two (2) bags. Please remind your child to place their lunch/recess bag in the class tub NOT directly to the canteen.
PLEASE DO NOT STAPLE / TAPE BAGS CLOSED, FOLDED IN 4 APPEARS TO WORK WELL
BAG 1: Name, Class, Teacher, Lunch Order (John Smith, 5A, Mr Falvey, 1 Junior Pie)
BAG 2: Name, Class, Drink/Cold Order (John Smith, 5A, Mr Falvey, 1 Orange Juice)
Any change required will be placed in the bag for return with the child’s lunch order.
Christine Hall
Canteen Supervisor
0414 811 668