"Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for what is right, for they shall be filled."
Matt 5:6
From The Principal
We had a wonderful gathering at St Mary's Anglican Church to acknowledge the transition of Year 11 to the senior student cohort and induct our Student Leadership Team for 2021-22. We also took the opportunity to present the Year 11 Academic and Special Award recipients for 2021. It was a lovely ceremony and I was delighted that the parents of Year 11 could join us to acknowledge the students and take the opportunity to catch up. It has been such a long time since we have been able to gather in person and for all concerned, it was a very positive experience to be together once again.
In my address to the students, I reminded them that whether wearing a badge or not, we are all leaders. It is our words, actions and the standards we set for ourselves that influence others, not the badge on our chest or the title of our role. Leadership is about being and doing rather than saying and telling. It is as much about serving and supporting as it is about being in charge and giving instructions for others to follow.
Rev Sally Miller chose the Sermon on the Mount, often known as the Beatitudes, as the passage of scripture around which our celebration was focused. In the Beatitudes, Jesus doesn't challenge the people to do things that are miraculous or attempt almost super human feats, he simply calls on his disciples to Be the attitudes they wish to see in the world. The 'Be-Attitudes' call us to be gentle, humble, compassionate, peaceful, merciful, honest, to have integrity and to stand up for what is right. Jesus chose these Be-attitudes because they are attainable, do-able and we all have enormous capacity to live them out.
I congratulate all of Year 11 for the tenacity, creativity and determination they have shown as they have lived through the challenge of two school years impacted by the pandemic. I also acknowledge the great work of all the Academic and Special Award recipients as well as those that were elected to office today. Well done Year 11!
Click here to view photos from the service.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
2021-22 Secondary Student Leadership Team
College Captain - India Trevan
College Captain - Judah Wright
Student Leader (Student Representative Council President) - Mia Hoey
Student Leader (Arts and Culture) - Jimi Carle
Student Leader (Community Involvement) - Farah Rezai-Smyth
Student Representative Council (Secretary) - Jade Harris
Brockington House Captain - William Lane
Brockington House Captain - Conrad Bahadur
Purcival House Captain - Oliver Payne
Purcival House Captain - Thomas Stredder
Smith House Captain - Ryan Kernaghan
Smith House Captain - Nkosilathi Malaba
Walker House Captain - Michaela Ayebale
Walker House Captain - Miloš Safranek
Off the Deputy's Desk
Looking at all the activity happening at EAC this week, you could easily have mistaken it for the beginning of the school year, rather than the end. Although the end of the term is only a few days away, the classrooms are buzzing with activity.
I spent a morning with the Year 6 class who were putting the final touches to their board games in preparation for their peer assessment. Competition was tough and standards were high.
It has also been wonderful to see the library hosting the annual Book Fair. Thanks to our Librarian Jasmine Jordan for creating such an air of excitement around books as students stream out with armfuls of books. As an English teacher there is nothing I love more than to see the excitement for reading in a student's eyes.
With the new Lindsay Walker Centre operational, the sports staff are eagerly taking turns to have their classes in the new facility which is a hit with students, especially the electronic scoreboards.
In the Secondary School, the Year 11 students are already immersed in their HSC studies and are ensconced on the seating outside my office every morning and afternoon. They are to be commended for their maturity and commitment as they adjust to becoming the new seniors in the Secondary School.
So, with only a few days left of Term 4, there is still plenty to keep everyone busy.
Dia dhaoibh
Mr Francis McGuigan
Deputy Principal
Term 4 Week 10
Monday 6 December
- Picnic Day - Primary K-2
- Picnic Day - Stage 2 & 3
- Year 12 Graduation 6.30pm
- Year 12 Sign out day
- School Link Clinical Meeting EVM
Tuesday 7 December
- Year 12 Formal at Ballina RSL
- Picnic Day – Secondary
- Primary Presentation Day
Wednesday 8 December
- Secondary Presentation Day
- Term 4 Concludes
Sports Update
Week 2 of Primary Swimming Intensive
Last week our Year 3, 4 and 5 students participated in their annual Primary Intensive Swimming Program at the Alstonville Aquatic Centre. The program offers the opportunity for students to learn to swim, rescue and survival skills.
The program is delivered with expert swimming coaches in a fun and supportive environment. A big thank you to the EAC Primary teaching staff for their assistance with student management, ensuring the program ran smoothly and maximising the time our students had in the water. Enjoy some photos of our Primary Swimming Program in Week 2.
Mr Randall Evans
Sport Coach / Duke of Edinburgh Leader
Primary Update
Year 6 Camp
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Year 6 day camps. With restrictions still in place in relation to overnight trips, our Year 6 students spent two full days at the Lake Ainsworth Sport and Recreation Centre in Lennox Head. There was a buzz of excitement when we first arrived, largely due to the fact that we were sharing the venue with the Fijian Drua Super Rugby team. Over the two days, the students were challenged both physically and mentally as they jumped in canoes, fired arrows and learnt the ropes sailing on the lake. I even had my first experience in a sailboat, with my trusty crew Amelia and Tahnee squealing as we raced across the lake, directly toward a nearby vessel. It was great to be out and about with the Year 6 students as they enjoy their final weeks of Primary School and they are to be commended for the resilience they showed giving everything a go in less than favourable weather conditions. Lily Garbett (6A) recounted her camping experience for this week's newsletter.
The first day of camp we were split into three groups. We were to stay in these groups for the next two days. Activities we participated in ranged from archery to sailing on the lake. On the first day our group hit the water on the boats and went for a sail. It was very eventful. One boat capsized, another one lost a sailor and one other sailor went up on the side. Altogether though sailing was the top pick for many people. Next up was archery, although we had to stand in the pouring rain it was surprisingly OK. There were many talents in archery. Some Year 6 students were hitting the target first go and some were hitting the trees far beyond the target.
We returned on Friday to canoe around the lake. Our camp instructor's boat broke down so he went canoeing with us. Whilst we were canoeing we formed a raft where we all lined up against each other's canoes. Then, people had to climb over everyone's canoe and swap seats with each other. The last activity of camp was team building activities. There were crate building towers that fell over, we had to climb through spider webs, balance bridges and travel through time.
Altogether we had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed our altered camp.
Lily Garbett (6A)
Book Fair
Our annual Book Fair wraps up on Thursday and I want to thank Ms Jordan for all of her work in providing a quality selection of books and a wonderful experience for the kids. As well as purchasing some great books, it was a great opportunity for the students to live out real life experiences such as handling money, prioritising, decision making, planning and executing that plan. I know in my house there were sleepless nights agonising over the wish list in proportion to the amount of pocket money available. I wonder how many parents experienced these same emotions on Black Friday! Some memorable comments caught by Ms Jordan included:
- A student asking if they could bring in his New Zealand dollars to pay.
- A younger student in amazing form not only sorting out their own wish list but everyone else's.
- Some students on full shopping highs - sweating and pacing the fair. They were so excited it even reached the point where they had to be stopped from giving money away to their classmates to get in on the action.
- One student asking if the 1 comes before the 7 in seventeen. That could have been a costly wish list!
Thank you to those families who supported the Book Fair.
Primary Events
This week, we look forward to Step Up Day and Year 7 Experience Day on Wednesday 1 December for Years K-6. On the day, students will have the chance to meet their teacher and bond with their new classmates. We will celebrate our Kindy students at St Mary's at 10am on Thursday 2 December, and again that night with the Year 6 students at St Mary's, followed by dinner a disco back at the College. In the final week of the year, our annual Picnic Day will be held on Monday 6 December with the team from the Macadamia Castle visiting our Kindy to Year 2 students here at the College, while our Years 3-6 enjoy some time at the Ballina Pool and Waterslides. Then, on Tuesday 7 December, our Year 1-5 students are particularly excited about this event as we will be announcing the Primary Captains and House Leaders for 2022 at this event. The leaders will then be officially badged in the first few weeks of 2022.
I'm really looking forward to the next few weeks as we look back and celebrate the achievements across our student body at the College this year at the multiple events we have planned.
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of Primary
Kindergarten Incursion
Kindergarten enjoyed an afternoon of tennis fun this week with the ANZ Tennis Hotshots team. We practised some cool skills and were given our very own tennis racket to take home.
Thank you to Mr Pryor and all those involved in organising a great opportunity.
Ms Baker and Mrs Smith
Kindergarten Teachers
Canteen
Canteen Stock - End of Year
Items will be removed from the School Stream online ordering app as stock runs out. I will always have available fresh items sandwiches, rolls etc but will also guarantee dino nuggets and mini pies.
Canteen Menu 2021
The Canteen menu complies with the NSW Healthy School canteen strategy.
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.
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.
Christine Hall - Canteen Supervisor
contact: chall@eac.nsw.edu.au