Term 2 | Week 5 | 29 May 2019
“In short, there are three things that last: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
From The Principal
Although we have not yet reached the mid point of the College year, preparations for 2020 are well underway with Term 2 traditionally being a very important time for enrolments, particularly for Kindergarten 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 the last six years and the feedback for students and families is always very positive.
The second Experience Day for Year 7, 2020 took place this week with more than 70 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.
During the last month, I have had the delightful experience of interviewing a large number of the prospective enrolments for Kindergarten for 2020. Among the many reasons that families say they would like their children to attend EAC there are two constant themes. The first is that the College has a great reputation as a very caring community of which the families are an integral part and where every child is known by name. The second is that the College is focused on providing high quality teaching and learning opportunities for all the students in its care. It is a very humbling experience to hear such wonderful and supportive feedback and I certainly pass on my thanks to all our students, parents and staff who make EAC such a great place to learn and grow. We look forward to our Kindergarten 2020 student having their first Experience Day next week.
Congratulations to all the students and staff who took part in the Duke Of Edinburgh expeditions over the weekend. The Bronze students completed a 40 kilometre trek along the beautiful coastline south of Angourie and the Silver group were canoeing on the beautiful Clarence River. They were blessed with wonderful weather and everyone returned home safe, without injury and very happy. Special thanks to Mr Jukes, Ms Crichton, Mr Hunt, Mrs Payne and Mr Evans for supporting the students and giving up their weekend to ensure the activities were a great success. All of the students should be very proud of their effort and achievement.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Off the Deputy's Desk
This week is National Reconciliation Week and it is important that our students understand that the purpose of this week is designed to bring all Australians together. I quote the background information below and hope that all of us can unite in the spirit of reconciliation.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
(National Reconciliation Week website, 2019)
At Primary assembly on Tuesday it was wonderful to see students being acknowledged for service and leadership-Library Monitors; Music, Sport, Effort and Behaviour in class and finally we witnessed a wonderful play from 4A based on their HSIE studies about convicts. Thanks to Mr Christensen and his class for the exciting presentation and for their infusion of the Habits of Mind into their learning. Also on Tuesday was Stage 5 Chapel. Never one to walk away from a challenge I believe that Rev Sal may have the Year 9 and 10 students dancing during chapel this week and although I wasn’t there to witness it I did hear that a great time was had by all.
The Duke of Edinburgh students returned from their Bronze and Silver expeditions where they were no doubt challenged and confronted with learning about themselves and others and the complex interactions involved in group expeditions. The type of collaboration needed to fulfil expedition objectives will be highly prized in workplaces of the future and I wish them well as they continue their DOE journey.
As we move into the assessment period for Secondary students it is particularly important for them to remember that sleep is a powerful ally in their study. Late nights and long, non-productive study sessions are proven to not be as effective as shorter more focussed and ‘chunked’ sessions. Study sessions need to be active rather than passive and need to have a clear purpose as it is quality rather than quantity that wins in the long run. Time management and the productive use of on distracted study time is a great way to prepare for upcoming exams. I wish each of our students every success as they move towards the assessment period and reassure them that they have many avenues to seek assistance with their academic work.
Two events are coming up next week which are newsworthy. The first of these is Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea on Tuesday 4 June in the Ezzy Centre. Mrs Melling and her Year 11 and 12 Hospitality students will be cooking up a storm to support The Cancer Council. I encourage all students to bring their change in and make a purchase on this day. The menu and price list will be in this newsletter.
The second event is The Secondary Social on Thursday 6 June. Themed as Disney meets Australia, yes the students voted for the theme! There will be dancing, games, hot food and soft drinks available. SRC members will be serving the Secondary school community on the night and our profits will support an SRC driven charity. I hope that our Secondary students will get behind the SRC and support the social.
Finally, a safety reminder that parents are asked to refrain from dropping off and picking up in the staff carpark or over at Riverbend Drive. There are adequate parking and pick up and drop off areas around the College. By dropping off and picking up in these areas you compromise not only the safety of your child but the safety of other students as well. Please compromise your convenience for the greater good and pick up and drop off in the designated areas.
Mr Darren Parks
Deputy Principal
Term 2 Week 6
Monday 3 June
Athletics Training-Sprints and Throws-7.15am
Year 4 Camp at Tallebudgera until Wednesday 5 June
Tuesday 4 June
Cross Country/Athletics Training-3.10-4.10pm
Primary Chapel
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea-10.40am-Ezzy Centre
Kindergarten Open Afternoon
Thursday 6 June
Secondary Social-6.00-9.00pm-Undercover Area-Theme is Disney meets Australia
Friday 7 June
Gold Duke of Edinburgh Adventure until Monday 10 June
Athletics Training-Sprints and Jumps-7.15am
Term 2 Week 7
Monday 10 June
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday
Tuesday 11 June
Secondary Chapel-Stage 4
Friends of EAC Meeting-7.00pm
Primary Assembly-4B
Cross Country/Athletics Training-3.10-4.10pm
Wednesday 12 June
Music Tutor Concerts-4.00-6.00pm-TC Block
Thursday 13 June
NSW CIS Cross Country
Music Tutor Concert-4.00-6.00pm-TC Block
Friday 14 June
Athletics Training Sprints and Jumps-7.15am
Secondary Sport
Chaplains Chat
This week is National Reconciliation Week; this year’s theme is Grounded in Truth. As I read the background information to the decision to go with this theme, I was struck by the obvious truth of it.
How can we hope for reconciliation until we have a common starting point, even when that common ground is hard for all involved. Recognizing the reality of the harsh and unequal beginnings of the relationship between the First Peoples and the first white settlers should be straightforward – it was not mutually beneficial, it was not respectful and a great deal of harm came to the First people, they were dispossessed and in many places their story was destroyed. That is a statement of fact.
I suspect that a majority of people would have little issue with acknowledging this. The complexity of emotion and reaction comes in the events that flowed out of those early days, the ramifications of which can still be felt today are painful to note.
Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day asks us to stop and to recognize past trauma in order that a better way forward is possible. The biggest issue for many people is the question of why we have to keep saying sorry….the answer is simple:
Because the wrong has not yet been righted.
The following statement from the 2019 Reconciliation Guide articulates so helpfully the whole picture of reconciliation, and what is needed to help us to move forward respectfully and for the best outcomes for all Australians.
FIVE DIMENSIONS OF RECONCILIATION
RACE RELATIONS
All Australians understand and value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences, which results in stronger relationships based on trust and respect and that are free of racism.
EQUALITY AND EQUITY
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participate equally in a range of life opportunities and the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and upheld.
INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY
The active support of reconciliation by the nation‘s political, business and community structures.
UNITY
An Australian society that values and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage as a proud part of a shared national identity.
HISTORICAL ACCEPTANCE
All Australians understand and accept the wrongs of the past and the
impact of these wrongs. Australia makes amends for the wrongs of the past and ensures these wrongs are never repeated.
Truth telling is a painful process. In any relationship. To be heard is an incredibly healing experience. As the parents of the next generation of leaders, I think it is imperative that we help our children to understand that part that they, and we all have to play in making Australia a country that is grounded in truth, for from there we can ALL flourish.
As a child of God, I want healing, forgiveness and wholeness for all God’s people. I most definitely want this for those who carry the story of this country that I love so much. In ways that I don’t fully understand, I know that the First Nation people help us connect to the full story of this incredible country and that by not listening we do them a disservice and harm.
It is time however, for more than mere listening.
When we teach our children about saying ‘sorry’, we remind them that part of saying sorry is making amends, and ensuring that it doesn’t happen again. Essentially….that’s the whole point of Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week.
I offer you this prayer, written by Rev Lenore Parker, a Bundjalung woman and priest in our Diocese.
Rev Sal
College Chaplain
God of Holy Dreaming,
Great Creator Spirit,
from the dawn of creation you have given your children the good things of Mother Earth.
You spoke and the gum tree grew.
In the vast desert and dense forest,
and in cities at the water’s edge,
Creation sings your praise.
Your presence endures as the rock at the heart of our Land.
When Jesus hung on the tree
you heard the cries of all your people
and became one with your wounded ones:
the convicts, the hunted, the dispossessed.
The sunrise of your Son coloured the earth anew,
and bathed it in glorious hope.
In Jesus we have been reconciled to you,
to each other and to your whole creation.
Lead us on, Great Spirit,
as we gather from the four corners of the earth;
enable us to walk together in trust
from the hurt and shame of the past
into the full day which has dawned in Jesus Christ.
Amen
Sports update
NSW Football (Soccer) Primary School State Champion Zali Wallace
Congratulations to Zali Wallace (Year 6) who last week competed in the NSW Primary School Football (soccer) State Championships. Zali was representing NSW Combined Independent Schools in the tournament which was held in Lismore. Competing against teams from Public and Catholic schools Zali's team won the tournament and were undefeated. NSW CIS defeated Sydney North Region in the grand final 2 - 0.
Well done Zali for winning the NSW Championships, this is an outstanding result we are very proud of your achievement.
NSW CIS Rugby League Trials
'Well done to William Shepherd (Year 5) who represented EAC at the NSW CIS Rugby League Trials in Sydney last week. William played strongly in the games against some older and much bigger boys. Although he was not selected in the team this year William impressed the selectors and was encouraged to trial again in 2020.
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Adventurous Journey Part 1
Last Friday and Saturday a group of 31 Students and 3 staff took on the challenge of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk. This was the first part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Bronze 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.
The group met at the College in the early hours of Friday morning to travel to Angourie to commence their 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 the 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 the walk on Day 1.
Day 2 of the walk was 19km from Brooms Head to Minnie Waters. The second day is 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. 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. 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 Mr Jukes and Mrs Crichton and Mr Hunt who took the students on the trip.
In September the Bronze group will be completing the second half of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk from Minnie Waters to Red Rock.
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Adventurous Journey Part 1
While the Bronze group were walking a group of 14 students who are completing their Silver Award and 2 staff took on the challenge of a Canoe trek down the Clarence River. Leaving early in Saturday morning the group travelled to Copmanhurst on the upper Clarence.
The first day was training in safety, paddling technique and rescues followed by a paddle to the overnight campsite at Lillydale. There were a few small rapids along the way to keep everyone entertained. The scenery is spectacular along the route with crystal clear water and lots of wildlife including turtles, fish and numerous bird species. At the camp ground everyone enjoyed their campfires and warm meals after a long day on the river.
The second day of the trip was a 20 km paddle from Lillydale to the finish point at Copmanhurst. The weather was kind with warm conditions and gentle winds. Stopping for morning tea and lunch breaks along the river way to refuel. Everyone found the last 5 km of the paddle challenging but all managed to finish in good spirits.
The third day of the trip was paddling from Copmanhurst to the finish point at the Punt Road boat ramp at Seelands. The tide was heading in the right direction which made the final day relaxing after two days paddling.
I would like to compliment our students on their behaviour, positive attitudes and teamwork on the trip. Thank you to Mr Evans and Mrs Payne who took the students on the trip. Thank you to also to Mr Ian Hale the team from Scouts NSW who were our facilitators for the trip, providing equipment, instruction and plenty of encouragement.
The students will complete a Part 2 of their Adventurous Journey in mid September.
Mr Graham Walker
Sports and Coaching Administrator
kindy news
Kindergarten had an exciting excursion to The Farm, Byron Bay.
Kindergarten Teacher
Primary News
Year 4A performed a convict play at this week’s assembly
The students had to use many Habits of Mind to persist and improve their parts and had to make sure that they know their lines off by heart. They then had to work in groups to make their play better, thinking about the gestures that they would use, the character in their voice, their staging and staying in character throughout the performance.
Mr Paul Christensen
Leader of Welfare - 4-6/Year 4 Teacher
Library News
Library Monitors are responsible for helping to keep the library a safe, welcoming place where people can come to work, read a book, play a game or be with friends.
Students in Year 5 were offered the opportunity to become Library Monitors and have undertaken training to learn new skills. They have rostered duties in the Library at lunchtimes and shelve books, keep the Library tidy and provide assistance to other students to find resources and use games.
The following students were presented with their Library Monitor Badges by our Principal, Mr Tobias, at the Primary Assembly on Tuesday 28 May.
Eva Rylands
Gisele Edminston
Jayden Matthews
Rayissa Hanson
Jack Whiteing
Erin Lister
Georgina Long
Aoife Kingston
Sophie Robertson
Takiyah James
Jessica Evans
Maddie Nay
Will Lowrey
Brighton Wilson
Lennox Broadley
Max Saltalamaccia
Rory Neaves (Absent)
Congratulations!
Mrs Wilson-Jones
Library Resource Centre Manager
Special Event
All students are welcome to be involved in Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.
Please bring your money to buy some scrumptious morning tea treats.
Price List
Chocolate Dip strawberries - 50cents each
Chocolate Brownies $3.5
Caramel slice $3.5
Butter cream Cupcakes $3.5
Choc Chip Cookies $2.50
Chocolate crackles with sprinkles $2.50
Hummingbird cake with cream cheese icing $4.5
Pavlova $5
All proceeds will be donated to Cancer Council Australia.
Canteen
EAC Canteen opens at 8.30am and 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:
WINTER MENU EXTRA’S– TERM 2 & 3
Hot Chicken & Gravy Roll - $3.50
Wedges & Sweet Chilli Sauce- $3.00
Pumpkin Soup* & Roll** - $3.50
Milo - $1.00
* Gluten Free
** Students would need to come to the canteen to collect their soup
Term 2 Special Lunch Order Dates
Sushi: 4 & 18 June
Noodle Box : 11 & 25 June
Subway: 2 July
Sushi – Tuesday 4 June
Sushi from IGA, will be available from the canteen next Tuesday, 4 June. If you would like to order Sushi for your child’s lunch next Tuesday please complete the order form found here
then attach your order to a paper bag with your payment enclosed. This should then be put in the canteen basket on Monday morning, 3 June.
Order forms will be sent home but are also available at the canteen, office or online.
DATES WHERE HELP IS REQUIRED
June: 3, 12PM, 13AM, 14AM, 17, 19AM, 20, 24, 26,
July: 1
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
Can you help in the canteen?
