‘And if you have faith, everything you ask for in prayer you will receive’ Matthew 21:22
Matthew 21:22
From The Principal
Naming of the Multi Purpose Centre: "The Lindsay Walker Centre"
I am very excited to announce that College Council has decided to name the Multi Purpose Centre in honour of Mr Lindsay Walker and it be known as The Lindsay Walker Centre.
Lindsay has been directly involved with the College since 1997 when Rev Geoff Smith, Rector for St Mary’s Anglican Parish, sought his assistance with the search for an appropriate site for the establishment of the College. In 2000, he joined College Council and excluding a short break between 2003-2005, he has been a member of College Council for most of the life of the College.
Lindsay managed the negotiations and purchase of the Horizon Drive site and has been directly involved in the construction of every building on this site. Lindsay has generously donated an enormous amount of time and expertise throughout his 25 year connection with EAC. The quality of the design and construction of every building reflects Lindsay's expertise and uncompromising determination to get the very best outcome for the students and families of the College. His legacy is embedded in the fabric of every building and, as a result, every student and staff member of the College is impacted on a daily basis by his effort and contribution.
The Multi Purpose Centre is the most significant construction project the College has ever undertaken in scale, scope and cost. It will be a space where all our community can come together to share and celebrate our identity, purpose, faith and achievements. As a Founder of the College, House Patron, lifelong Anglican and Trustee of the Diocese of Grafton, Lindsay Walker reflects all that the Multi Purpose Centre represents and as such, is most deserving of having the building named in his honour. We look forward to blessing and opening the Centre later this term.
In the second week of the term break families of students from Kindergarten to Year 11 would have received Semester One Reports. For a vast majority of students these were overwhelmingly positive and a confirmation of their hard work, enthusiasm, dedication and talent. I hope that all parents take the time to discuss the contents of the reports with their children, affirming their success and challenging them where necessary. The beginning of a new semester is a great time for students to set themselves some new goals about their learning and involvement in College life. I ask parents to take some time to encourage and help students to set goals for Semester Two. I strongly encourage all families to take advantage of the opportunities for Parent and Teacher Interviews next week. A reminder that these interviews will now take place via phone call.
I thank all families for your patience and understanding with the re-introduction of tighter restrictions due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Greater Sydney area. The College is currently required to implement Level 2 restrictions. Unfortunately, this means that parents of students from Kindergarten to Year 12 are unable to attend the College site unless invited for an essential purpose, such as, picking up a sick child. Most important of all the requirements is that students and staff do not attend school if they have even the mildest Covid like symptoms. I appreciate that this can cause inconvenience for families but I ask that in the interest of all our community you work with the College and follow the government health advice and directives.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Off The Deputy's Desk
Congratulations to the following students from Years 7-12 who received certificates for Excellence in Effort and Application for Semester One, 2021.
Mrs Lee Boyd
Acting Deputy Principal
Harper Ainsbury
Grace Cooke
Olivia De Marco
Macey Elliott
Jessica Evans
Chloe Farrow
Eva Gallagher
Oliver Garofano
Frances Gregory
Emmanuelle Harding
Finnigan Haupt
Madeleine Jewell
Connor McGreevy
Maddie Nay
Rory Neaves
Summah Orford
Annie Peart
Ivy Riley
Olivia Rose
Eva Rylands
Jasmine Sherlock
Katie Smith
Miley Spencer
Benjamin Vanem
Stuart Blair-Hickman
Bella Boyd
Amelya Buckley
Sascha Connolly
Ava Delaney
Amber Ivers
Madison Paice
Franceska Payne
Ashlyn Stevenson
Edie Wadsworth
Lillian Whitby
Roi Chong
Cassidy Curnow
Will Houghton-Olive
Alexander Keir
Zoe Marr
Olivia Mills
Chloe Neilson
Priya Singh-Pangly
Matthew Smith
Jack Whitaker
Shyanne Wilkins
Joshua Williams
Lara Atkinson
Zoe Ball
Lily Boyd
Ned Evans
Eliska Gidding
Eliza Grosser
Hannah Hobson
Nkosilathi Malaba
Sophie Parks
Joshua Paton
Jed Saunderson
Grace Tyrrell
Leah Versace
Luka Wagner
Bailey Wilson
Molly Wilson
Sienna Cahill
Finbar Davies
Sam Cant
Helen Edwards
Sarah Flavel
Holly Garrett
Zoe Gaskell
Jade Harris
Jordyn Herbert
Mia Hoey
Georgina Hunt-Medley
Kyra Jorgensen
Annabel Mail
Tobias Mumford
Anita Norton
Oliver Payne
Farah Rezai-Smyth
India Trevan
Judah Wright
Alex Chapman
Duncan Gregory
Kiana Hale
Bronte Jarrett
Ethan Jorgensen
Sofie Kreutzfeldt-Jensen
Hayley Oakes
Letia Paton
Ella Peart
Sofia Ribechini
Kirsten Smith
Maiya Stotter
Jay Thomas
Hamish Walker
Lachlan Walker
Paige Wilkie
Secondary News
It’s ok not to be ok
With the hussle and bussle of life and the constantly changing guidelines and restrictions due to Covid we need to ensure that we are thinking about self care to manage our mental health. This current pandemic means that we all find ourselves consistently challenged in ways we have never experienced before and it is easy to feel drained. The thing to remember is that “It’s ok not to be ok”.
It’s a natural human response to say to someone who is going through tough times “I understand”. We recognise that for many of us who are either in heightened physical distancing or supporting our people in that situation, that right now we empathise with you. We may not understand, but we are genuinely cheering and supporting you through these challenges. We’re here for you and will stand beside and with you. We recognise that many people are just trying to make it through the day before doing the same the next day. We also believe it’s very important to remind you that we will get through this together.
This term Year 7 and Year 10 students will be completing the Teen Mental Health First Aid course. This course is being delivered by Trent from Prevent Consultants and Jackson from the Healthy Minds Club. They have partnered with local businesses to ensure teens in the local area are aware of mental health issues and how to manage these challenges. Learning the signs and strategies to support you when you are not feeling ok is really important when dealing with your mental health.
Other self help strategies that can be implemented during this time, as students prepare for examinations and assessment are listed below.
- Get enough sleep: Chronic sleep deprivation can have a dramatic effect on a teenager’s life including affecting their mental wellbeing and reducing their academic performance at school. Sleep research suggests that a teenager needs between eight and 10 hours of sleep every night yet most teenagers get about 6.-7.5 hours. Smart phones and other devices used around bed time reduce sleep time as do stimulant drinks in the evening.
- Get enough sunlight: During the day, it is important to make time to see the sun. It improves mood, concentration and helps to starve off depression.
- Manage stress –Stress management can be as elegant as planning or as broad as meditating, exercising, or counselling. Managing stress helps your mind to stay positive and refocuses you on the tasks that need to be completed.
- Get active! Do not just try something once and declare it a failure; try again. Look at activities that you can do in and around the home (gardening and walking with a neighbour) as well as using Zoom to play bridge with a cousin overseas. Teaching the mind new tricks gives confidence and helps to maintain mental health.
- Find an activity that you like, that is fun and enjoyable. Perhaps with 2021 being a quiet year, use the time to fine-tune a skill (like a language, instrument, or creative pursuit) that makes you smile.
- Connect, connect, and connect. Being sociable (in a COVID safe way) helps to reduce worries, stressors, and challenges.
- Help someone else with either a skill that you have or with your physical strength. When feeling a part of a community, often our sense of loneliness decreases. Loneliness kills more people than cancer, so this connecting is a great way to keep mental health strong.
- Ask for help: help can be provided by a friend, parent, school teacher or online through Kidshelp line. It is really important to seek help when you are not feeling ok and to develop strategies that work for you.
Information amended from AccessEAP newsletter
Mrs Amanda Middleton
Director of Secondary
EAC Mountain Biking Team
On the final day of Term 2 2021, the EAC MTB team travelled to Nerang MTB Park for a day of fun on the trails.
The conditions were perfect and allowed all participants to extend themselves on the rocky and hilly terrain.
Hayley Oakes (Year 12) gave us the benefit of her experience racing in this location to negotiate some of the features of the trails as well as some general riding advice.
Thank you to all parent helpers, staff and students for their time on the day.
We look forward to the fourth and final training session ahead of competing at the Schools National Championships at Nerang in August.
Mr. Cleverley
Primary News
Welcome Back
Welcome back to Term 3. The Years 3-6 students had a great start to the term at the Athletics Carnival on Tuesday. House spirit was high and it was wonderful to see just how involved the students were on the day. From the traditional track and field events through to the novelty events such as Tug of War and ball games, every student strived to give it their best. Thank you to Mr. Walker and his team who ensured the day was a great success.
Next week looks to be a busy week for the Primary with the students celebrating NAIDOC week with lunchtime activities held in the Discovery Centre each First Break and a special NAIDOC Chapel Service on Friday. Our Kindergarten students mark their first 100 days of school with lots of 100 themed activities and a Chapel service on Thursday. Unfortunately, due to the increase in restrictions, this service will now be a student only event, but we will take lots of photos and videos to share with home. Similarly, our interviews will now take place over the phone next Monday and Wednesday. I encourage all families to make a time with your child’s teacher to catch up regarding their progress throughout the year and to discuss their goals moving forward.
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of Primary
Mini Olympics - 2021
On Friday 25 June, students in Year 4-6 participated in the end of term celebration for Term 2, EAC Mini Olympics. Students moved from station to station every 10 minutes where they competed against each other in their class groups in some fun games to celebrate camaraderie across the year groups. The winners in each class group then faced off against each other in a final where they could potentially receive a gold, silver or bronze medal certificate. The theme this year took a Japanese twist which fit in nicely with our Japanese program and the Tokyo Olympics coming up in a few weeks.
Students competed in the following events:
Station 1 - Chopsticks Race
Station 2 - Limbo
Station 3 - Sack Racing
Station 4 - Flags
Station 5 - Musical Chairs
Station 6 - Obstacle Course
Station 7 - Hula Hoop Challenge
Station 8 - Musical Statues
Here are the winners at each station:
Station 1 - Chopsticks ~ 1st place - Ashton Burton, 2nd place - Rocky Paola, 3rd place - Aurelian Rignault
Station 2 - Limbo ~ 1st place - Jaylani James, 2nd place - Jake Hutchinson, 3rd place - Eva Donovan
Station 3 - Sack Racing ~ 1st place - Ivy Nash, 2nd place - Henry Drew, 3rd place - Marlon Andrews
Station 4 - Flags ~ 1st - Ronald Mostert, 2nd place - Henry Drew, 3rd place - Reed Thompson
Station 5 - Musical Chairs ~ 1st place - Montague Hewitt, 2nd place - Kupe Smith, 3rd place - Ivy Nash
Station 6 - Obstacle Course ~ 1st place - Harper Walsh, 2nd place - Henry Drew, 3rd place - Hamish Redden
Station 7 - Hula Hoop Challenge ~ 1st place - Eva Deo, 2nd place - Alexandra Kent, 3rd place - Lara Neaves
Station 8 - Musical Statues ~ 1st place - Lara Neaves, 2nd place - Bella Sarina, 3rd place - Harriet Clark
This was a fun activity for everyone involved and a nice way to end the term. A big thank you goes to the House Captains, the Primary Captains and Mrs Jen Buddee who helped prepare the event.
Mr Paul Christensen
PEER SUPPORT
In the final session of Living Positively last term, the students reflected on what they learnt in Peer Support. They remembered to think optimistically, persevere and use positive self talk. The students learnt about a model - I laugh, I live, I love. This helped them to remember the activities they enjoyed, their strengths and to show appreciation to others.
Discuss with your child ways they can live positively.
Mr Paul Christensen, Mrs Kate Sculley and Mr Dan Walsh
Music Notes
Concert Series Ends on a High Note
Later in the year, we are looking forward to presenting our Celebration Series and hope to see our College community come along and further celebrate our Creative and Performance Arts successes.
Canteen
There are some yummy additions to the Canteen Menu this term with a few price changes as well.
The Canteen menu complies with the NSW Healthy School canteen strategy. Further items will be added as the year progresses and the Winter Menu will be available in terms two and three.
Please note that items change in price from time to time.
Emergency Lunch
At times, for various reasons, students may require an emergency meal (basic sandwich), this will be provided with a canteen note sent home requesting payment, please send in the money to the Canteen ASAP.
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