"For those who have been given much, much will be expected."
Luke 12:48
From the Principal
As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, it has been great to see the return of all our students. I am very pleased with the level of compliance and support from students for the various strategies in place to keep everyone safe, such as mask wearing, using sanitiser, staying in allocated playground areas and using the bubblers as bottle refilling stations only. The students have demonstrated personal responsibility, respect and a genuine sense of care and concern for all our community through their positive approach to these measures.
A number of families have made contact and asked the vaccination rates of staff and also if there will be requirements for children to be vaccinated. Obviously, the medical and health information relating to staff, students and parents is completely confidential but I can say that there is a Public Health Order that requires the College to ensure all those that are engaged by the College for work (teachers, support staff, tutors, guest speakers and so on) are double dose vaccinated against COVID-19 by 8 November 2021. Although students over the age of 12 can be vaccinated, there is no Health Order requirement for students to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Over the holiday break, a number of refurbishment and improvement projects were undertaken and I am pleased to say that from this week, the students will have access to a number of new facilities. A Wellbeing Centre has been created in the L Block for the Secondary students. The Centre consists of office space for our Leaders of House, an office for new Student Counsellor, Mrs Sandra Evans, a breakout room/reflection space for students and a foyer space where students can gather, access wellbeing information and resources and find some quiet time during a busy school day. The Centre connects into the area linking the Counsellor, Chaplain and Director of the Secondary School forming a Wellbeing Hub for students. In the future we hope to employ additional staff in the area of careers and pathways to add to the services available to students in the Wellbeing Hub.
We have also placed a cover over the Year 11 breakout area between the Library and Ezzy Centre, as well as created a new meeting, teaching and senior student study space in the Library. Work was also undertaken to improve the drainage and surface of the front oval.
We are still awaiting final fire safety certification for the Multi Purpose Centre which has been hampered as the certifier needs to travel from Newcastle which is currently in lockdown. We hope this will be resolved shortly. Work continues to move ahead with great speed on the Discovery Centre Extension project.
I ask all our families to continue to keep Year 12 in their thoughts as they undertake their final weeks at school and then prepare for their HSC examinations. We pray that they can remain calm and focused and that all their study will ensure that they have prepared well and will be able to demonstrate their best. The examinations will commence on 9 November.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Discovery Centre
Discovery Centre
Wellbeing Hub
Library Meeting Space
Off the Deputy's Desk
Term 4 signals the return of face to face learning at Emmanuel Anglican College and there is a renewed buzz of excitement, with every corner of the campus full of energy and expectation. No doubt some are already making plans for the summer break, but for many it is this time spent with their teachers and classmates that they treasure. This is clearly visible in the Primary where the students' enthusiasm for life and for learning is a delight to observe. From the moment they arrive in the morning, everything is an adventure, whether it be the games they play with their friends in the playground, the learning they do in the classroom or the way that they absorb new ideas and embrace the challenges of new technologies. Nothing is too daunting, and they embrace each task with a smile like a mountain to be conquered. They are wonderfully curious sponges, never too content to say 'enough!'.
"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." Henry Ford (1863-1947)
As they pass my office each day on their way to their activities, the air is full of laughter and excitement. Each bell signals a new adventure. There is much we can learn from their example when at too young an age we often say we have acquired all that we need to know. So, as we move through a busy term, I challenge all of us to mirror our Primary students and open ourselves to the joys of learning for life, growing in understanding and staying young at heart.
Dia dhaoibh
Mr Francis McGuigan
Deputy Principal
Term 4 Week 2
Tuesday 12 October
Year 12 day of prayer and reflection, St John's Lennox Head
Wednesday 13 October
Year 10 and 11 leadership training – Periods 3 – 6 in L2
Friday 15 October
Primary Chapel – 5A (online)
Year 11 into 12 HSC Information Session – Period 1 – Ezzy Centre
FLL Training for competition on 6/11/12 Secondary in EAC L3, Primary in ICC Periods 5 and 6
Term 4 Week 3
Monday 18 October
Steve Stretton Middle Leaders Coaching
Tuesday 19 October
Meerkat Productions ELC-7
- 9-10am ELC-K-1 Your Birthday Was the Best!
- 10-11am Y2-4 Your Birthday Was the Best!
- 12-1pm Y5-6 Aster's Good, Right Things
- 2-3pm Y7 Aster's Good, Right Things
Wednesday 20 October
Brockington Chapel (online)
Thursday 21 October
Smith Chapel (online)
Friday 22 October
Primary Assembly-5B (online - 11.50am to 12.30pm)
Sports Update
Secondary Inter House Sport Tournament
Last week we started our year group Inter House Sports Tournaments for students in Years 7 to 10. With our regular Secondary sport program on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions, we came up with an alternative plan. Students are rotating through basketball, futsal, dodgeball and volleyball, playing a round robin tournament each week. The students had a lot of fun and there was plenty of House spirit on display.
Mr Graham Walker
Sport and Coaching Administrator
Week 1 Results
Duke of Edinburgh Gold Students
It has been a challenging two years for the Duke of Edinburgh program with COVID-19 restrictions meaning many activities and camps were unable to operate. However one highlight was our first group of students completing their Gold Award.
Congratulations to Thomas Lane, Josephine Carey and Brianna Nay who finished their schooling in 2020 and received their awards earlier this year.
Receiving the Gold Duke of Edinburgh is an outstanding achievement requiring the students to work over a three-year period, completing community service, physical activity, skills development, adventurous journeys and a residential project.
Mr Graham Walker
Sport and Coaching Administrator
Thomas Lane
Brianna Nay & Josephine Carey
Secondary News
Sunday 10th October was World Mental Health Awareness Day. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for managing our mental health. Lockdowns, social distancing requirements, travel restrictions and the constantly changing position we find ourselves in is stressful. This makes prioritising our mental health and wellbeing more important than ever.
Good mental health is when we can cope with the stressors of our daily lives, participate in loving relationships, contribute to our community and work towards our goals. Everyone has mental health and we can all benefit from looking after our own mental health and mental health of our communities.
The message on World Mental Health Day was "Look after your health, Australia".
1 in 5 of us experience a mental health issue every year. Mental Health Awareness across October is an opportunity for us to advocate for and raise awareness of mental health. At the College we have ensured all Year 7 and 10 students have the opportunity to participate in the Mental Health First Aid Course and have a strong wellbeing team which is available to support and provide guidance and advice to support the students at the College manage their mental health and feel safe and comfortable in obtaining the appropriate support. Organisations that create and harbour a culture of understanding, empathy and trust allow people to be open about the issues impacting their lives. And it is especially important for people with mental health conditions to feel safe and comfortable in discussing their experience and obtaining appropriate support.
Some simple tips to help manage mental health include:
- Getting enough sleep: prioritise getting enough sleep each night to help you feel more energised and focused during the day. Getting enough rest is the foundation to protecting your mental health.
- Finding time to be creative: finding time to be creative is great for your mental wellbeing. It allows you to express your thoughts and feelings, it can distract from difficult experiences, lets you engage in a fun activity, and can lead to a sense of accomplishment.
- Stay hydrated: water is great for your overall health and energy levels, and always a crucial (if small) act of self care.
- Spend less time on social media: doomscrolling is when you continually scroll down a social media timeline or website through bad news. It can make you feel helpless, distressed, or sad. Try to recognise when you are doomscrolling, and think up a plan for what to do in the situation. Maybe you put your phone away and talk to someone, or make yourself a cup of tea, or whatever feels more pleasant and constructive to you.
- Limit media consumption: choose how often you engage with news and social media, and be sure to find news sources that are trustworthy and factual.
- Seek help: if you are struggling it is important to talk to trusted friends, family, or your GP who can help you through it.
There are a number of support hotlines that can help if you are in a crisis. These can be found at https://lookafteryourmentalhealthaustralia.org.au/.
Remember to look after your mental health and look for signs in others and offer support.
Information from World Mental Health Website.
Mrs Amanda Middleton
Director of Secondary
Primary Update
Welcome Back
There is a plethora of information out there to help guide parents with issues related to COVID-19, lockdowns and eventual return to school plans. Even though we have been back to face to face learning for a week, as news of infections in our region are reported, your child may be asking some questions and seeking your guidance. Below is an excerpt from the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network that may be useful to help you navigate through these challenging times.
Returning to School after Lockdown and Isolation
You and your child might be worried about heading back to school. Below is some information and strategies for you and your family to use to get ready for a return to school.
Talking to your child is one of the best ways to work through fears and anxieties. Use language they can understand to discuss returning to school.
Early Primary School
- Balance plans and return to school with reassurances that their schools and homes are safe.
- Remind them that adults are there to keep them health and to take care of them.
- Discuss handwashing as a step in staying healthy at school and home.
- Use language such as 'adults are working hard to keep you safe'.
- Plan ahead: check uniforms, equipment, bags and other resources.
Upper Primary School
- They may be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what will happen if COVID-19 comes to their school or community.
- They may need assistance separating reality from rumour and fantasy.
- Discuss efforts of school and community leaders to prevent germs from spreading.
- Talk to your child about going back to school and that things may look different.
- Eat well, sleep well and be active.
- Name the possible support people at school, home or care.
- If you are concerned that your child is not coping, seek further help.
- Take care of yourself and acknowledge the difficulties you have been through.
ePlatform Books
The EAC Joan Pickup Library has recently acquired the Wheelers ePlatform which contains over 4000 eBooks and audio books. Students can access the resources relevant to their year using their EAC user name and password. Parents of Primary students may access the platform on their child's behalf. Go to the ePlatform website or download the ePlatform app. Please contact your child's teacher to find out your child's EAC email and password. I know this was of great use to many students and their families throughout lockdown. You might like to download an audiobook for your next family road trip.
Book Fair
The Book Fair planned for earlier this term will now take place over two weeks in Term Four from the 15 to 29 November. The Year 5 Library Monitors and Ms Jordan will be running the Scholastic Book Fair in the Library and students can buy books and other items with cash or take home their Wish List to discuss with parents and pay online.
The Book Fair will be open from 8.15am until 3.00pm each day from the 15 to 29 November. Classes are timetabled to visit the Fair throughout the week, to browse and purchase.
Book Character Day
Great fun was had on the final day of Term 3 as we were finally able to celebrate Book Week by dressing up as our favourite book characters. I especially love that our older students are as enthusiastic as our younger members of the school and I believe this is a testament to our strong school spirit here at EAC. Again, the teachers stepped up and despite getting strange looks in the traffic or at the coffee shop in the morning, adorned their costumes to get into the fun and festivities of the day.
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of Primary
Music Notes
ZOOMing! back to Music Tuition
Not letting the current restrictions stop us, we’ve managed to set up remote Music lessons via Zoom with our talented and highly flexible Music tutors.
This is just one way we are trying to keep the school day as normal as possible and to give interested students a creative outlet in a safe and convenient way.
If your child is interested in beginning lessons with one of our tutors, please email Mr Cleverley directly jcleverley@eac.nsw.edu.au
Mr Justin Cleverley
Music Teacher
Monique Hooper
Monique Hooper
One Foot Forward
Rev Greg Ezzy walks 80km this month, to support Australians living with mental illness.
Hi EAC Family
Did you know that 1 in 5 people experience symptoms of mental illness each year? In fact, every day in Australia, 8 people will die from suicide.
Mental illness can be debilitating and can have a devasating impact on not only those living with it, but those around them.
This month, representing EAC, I'll be putting one foot forward and walking 80km to make a difference to the lives of people touched by mental illness and suicide.
The money I raise will fund support services for people who need them most, as well as life changing research into the prevention and treatment of mental illness.
Support EAC's challenge and help change the lives of people living with mental illness! And remember, Black Dog is there for all of us, anytime.
Simply click here to make a donation through our page.
Thank you so much for your support.
Rev. Greg Ezzy
EAC Staff Chaplain
Homework Help
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Homework Help will not be running in Term 4.
Canteen
Please note there will be NO canteen counter service during Term 4. Please order online or manually using paper bags.
Canteen Menu 2021
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. 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.
Fresh for Kids
Eat Fresh & Win campaign is on again. The campaign promotes ‘Fresh’ fruit & vegetables and offers students the opportunity to win prizes.
Each student is rewarded for making a fresh fruit or vegetable choice. Students will receive a token card to fill and will receive a stamp for their card for each fresh fruit or vegetable choice they make (1 per day max). It MUST be fresh not fruit sticks, dried fruit etc. The campaign will run for three (3) weeks starting Monday 18th October till Friday 5th November.
Class teachers will collect the token cards and send them to the canteen for verification and then minor prizes will be issued (while stocks last). Token cards will then be forwarded to Sydney Markets to participate in the major draw.
Christine Hall - Canteen Supervisor
contact: chall@eac.nsw.edu.au
Live Life Well @ School
