Last weekend the College Council and Executive staff spent the weekend taking the first steps in the development of a new strategic plan for the College. One key element that was a commonality in data collected during the survey process was the College’s commitment to providing a holistic education. Essentially in layman’s terms this means that we educate students in academic, cultural, sporting, and spiritual and wellbeing. Each of these areas is individually important and all contribute to the development of each individual student within a broad, liberal education.

Whilst for many parents and students academic achievement is the main game or central purpose of schooling in an Anglican Independent School the provision of pastoral care and wellbeing of the individual is vitally important. We teach RAVE, hold chapels and say prayers not because we have to but because as an Anglican and therefore, Christian school, because faith development is a central tenet of what we stand for. We encourage involvement in sport because we believe that sound body equals sound mind and that learning physical skills and abilities is important. We debate, play chess, study music and arts and drama because we believe that developing the cultural aspect of our students is also important. I encourage each of our families to engage with the holistic nature of an EAC education by encouraging active participation in each aspect of College life by each of our students. There are many opportunities and sometimes trying a new activity can be a powerful learning experience.  No doubt you will hear more about this word holistic as we travel further in the strategic planning process for the future of the College.

An area that we need parental support in is the wearing of the College uniform. We have identified in the Secondary school a number of students who are not meeting our expectations with regards to correct wearing of uniform whilst at school.