"Let your light shine for all to see, so that, in seeing your good works, they will give praise to God."
Matthew 5:16
From The Principal
This week we celebrate and give thanks for 22 years of learning, living and leading at EAC and take time to remember and acknowledge the founders and pioneer families of the College who had both the vision and the courage to step out into the unknown to bring Emmanuel Anglican College to life. The dream of the Founders was to build a College community that provided access to a quality education for their children in a Christian environment which truly values each and every individual. 22 years on, this dream has become the wonderful reality that is the Emmanuel Anglican College community and all that it holds for our students, staff and families.
We give great thanks for those committed pioneers and founders, for the passion, generosity and commitment of the staff and for the blessing of those families that have entrusted the College with the education and care of their children. We also celebrate all our wonderful students and the amazing gifts and talents that they bring to all facets of College life each day.
With the onset of a new decade, we also step out into a new era as a community as we launch the Towards 2030 Strategic Plan. This document sets out a blue print for the growth, development and future direction of our College. It is a document centred around supporting, empowering and educating our students to become people of great character whose lives are modelled on that of Jesus and who desire to make the world a better place for all.
A copy of the Towards 2030 Strategic Plan will be distributed to all families electronically on Foundation Day as part of our celebrations. Once again, I invite all our families to join us for our Foundation Day Service at St Mary's commencing at 9.00am, during which we will officially launch the document as well as induct our Band Leaders and Student Representative Council, and recognise the service of a number of members of staff.
I am pleased to announce that the College has decided to purchase a Therapy Dog and incorporate it into the welfare support available to students. A Therapy Dog is a specially bred working dog that has been trained to support and enhance the well being of the people with which they work. A Therapy Dog has the capacity to sense and respond to students (and adults) who may be anxious, distressed or emotional in a way that can comfort, reassure and settle those individuals. A Therapy Dog can also have many other benefits in terms of well being, esteem, confidence and engagement. Just like a Guide Dog, a Therapy Dog is a trained working dog, with a well developed set of skills designed to support and enhance personal well being.
We have been working with School Dogs Australia to identify a suitable dog and prepare for the transition of the Therapy Dog to its new role at EAC. There are many protocols and procedures that will be put in place to ensure the most effective and suitable use of the Therapy Dog. Over the coming days, the Director of the Secondary School, Amanda Middleton, will roll out those procedures as we inform parents and students of the Therapy Dog's transition to work at school. A small number of staff will be trained as handlers and an education/information process will help students, staff and parents understand the purpose, role and approach to maximising the benefits of the Therapy Dog. Mellissa Evans will be one of the staff trained as a handler as there is a significant link between her role as Counsellor and the work of the Therapy Dog.
Following up on my letter to the community regarding the Coronavirus Covid19, I just want to reinforce the key message that we need to remain calm, practice good health and hygiene habits and be assured that the College is in the process of developing contingency plans to put into place, should the situation escalate.
Congratulations to our NCIS Swimming Team and all the staff involved with them, for an absolutely outstanding performance by the squad at last week’s championships. EAC were both outright and percentage champions of the secondary schools’ carnival. Across the squad, there were many age champions, runners up and record breakers.
Congratulations also to Caitlyn Seamer (Alstonville Lions) and Himanya Sajnani (Ballina Lions) for their success in the Lions Youth of the Year Competition. Both girls progress to the Zone Final in Lismore on Saturday 21 February. Well done Himanya and Caitlyn!
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Off the Deputy's Desk
Next week sees our Year 9 students head off on their extended outdoor education experience at Camp Bornhoffen. Year 9 students will be challenged by a variety of initiative activities, expedition planning, camping out, hiking and cooperative activities. The camp will also develop leadership skills in this group of students as they move further into Stage 5. I thank Mrs Campbell, Mrs Payne, Mr Brenton, Ms Turpeinen and Mr Papworth for giving up their time to support the students of Year 9. It promises to be an exciting week and there will no doubt be some great stories told about the camp. Please ensure that your child takes ownership of their packing so that they are aware of the item list. Year 9 students received a thorough briefing during last Tuesday's PC lesson regarding our expectations and the requirements of the venue and organisational hints. Students need to remember that is a camp and not a holiday and they need to dress appropriately for the conditions at the venue and this means a broad brimmed hat not a cap, sunscreen and insect repellant are all must pack items.
Excitement is building for next Tuesday's Friends' Primary Disco. It promises to be a great night of dancing and fun and I am positive that we will have a large crowd of excited students and parents at the UCA. Thanks to all the Primary staff for their assistance with supervision and to the Executive team of Friends for all their work in coordinating the event.
Kindy students are also eagerly anticipating the Teddy Bear's Picnic this coming Wednesday and I am sure that Ms Baker and Mrs Smith will have their teddy bears with them for this well-loved event that is part of the very successful Kindy Links program.
Year 10 completes the Mental Health First Aid course on Tuesday and I hope that the students have gained greatly with regards to understanding the scope of mental health issues facing many teenagers today. Most importantly they will have learned practical ways of gaining assistance for themselves or a friend if they are experiencing mental health concerns. The course has been well received by the students and the presenter has been quite complementary about the interest and behaviour of the students. Our Year 7 students commence their Mental Health First Aid program next Tuesday in Periods 1, 3 and 5.
Last Friday the students of Year 8 took centre stage as spiritual leaders in the school through their participation in World Day of Prayer. Many of our students were involved in prayers and readings and I thank Rev Sal for all her work in organising the service. I also would like to mention Mr Malaba who gave a wonderful presentation about life in his native Zimbabwe. The students were great ambassadors for the school throughout the service as was the choir and everyone who supported this event.
Finally, it is Happy Birthday to EAC this Thursday as we celebrate Foundation Day. The Foundation Day Service promises to be a special one and then the day concludes with the ever enjoyable Mini Fair. We hope that each of our students has a great day and feels proud and privileged to be part of our wonderful College community.
Mr Darren Parks
Deputy Principal
Reminders
Foundation Day Mini Fair
Tokens can be bought at the Mini Fair for the price of $1 for 2 tokens. All proceeds go to a charity chosen by the SRC. Please dig deep to support the Mini Fair.
Year 7 Mental Health First Aid
If parents want to decline their child's participation in this program they need to log in to Parent Lounge and decline the activity.
Bus Behaviour
Students are subject to all College behavioural expectations and standards whilst travelling on public transport to and from College.
Year 9 Camp
Medical forms and payments are now past due. Please pay via Parent Lounge and return your child's form to the College.
Virtual Private Networks on Devices Brought to School
VPN's are a breach of IT Acceptable Use Agreement as they compromise our network security and our ability to protect children from inappropriate content and sites. Students get one written warning to remove their VPN and if they do not then they are cut off from the network until they rectify the situation.
Term 1 Week 7
Monday 9 March
Cross Country Training: 7.30am-8.30am - Oval
Swimming Squad Training: 6.45-8.15am - Alstonville Pool
Tuesday 10 March
Year 10 Mental Health First Aid-Session 3: Periods 1, 3, 5
NCIS Primary Football: Coffs Harbour - 5.15am-6.30pm
Primary Assembly-5A: 9.00am - Discovery Centre
Year 11 Biology Field Trip: All day
Friends AGM and Meeting: 6.30pm - Library
Wednesday 11 March
Teddy Bears’ Picnic: Period 2 - PUCA
Lennox Head Lions Youth of the Year: 6.30pm-8.30pm - St John the Baptist Anglican Church
Thursday 12 March
Whole College Chapel: Induction of SRC Members - 9.00am - St Mary’s Anglican Church
Foundation Day Secondary Interhouse Activities: Periods 3 and 4 - Ovals, courts and library
Foundation Day Mini Fair: Periods 5 and 6 - UCA
Friday 13 March
Cross Country Training: 7.30am-8.30am - Oval
HICES Debating: 2.00pm-6.15pm - vs CVAS at CVAS
Secondary Sport: Periods 5 and 6
Term 1 Week 8
Monday 16 March
Cross Country Training: 7.30am-8.30am - Oval
Swimming Squad Training: 6.45-8.15am - Alstonville Pool
CIS Primary Girls Football: Sydney
Year 9 Camp until 20 March at Camp Bornhoffen via Murwillumbah
Tuesday 17 March
Primary Touch Football Trials: 7.15-8.30am - Oval
Year 7 Mental Health First Aid Course: Session 1 - Periods 1, 3, 5
Primary Chapel: 9.00am - Discovery Centre
Friends Primary Disco: 5.00-7.00pm - UCA
Wednesday 18 March
Secondary Boys Touch Football Trials: 7.15-8.30am - Oval
Secondary Chapel Stage 6: 8.50am - Ezzy Centre
Primary Concert Band Workshop: 8.30am-3.00pm - Ballina Players
Thursday 19March
Close the Gap Fundraising Sausage Sizzle: Recess, Primary/Lunch, Secondary - UCA
Open Boys Basketball Training: 7.15-8.30am - Courts
Secondary Chapel: Year 7 - 8.50am - Ezzy Centre
Primary Interhouse Soccer: Oval
Friday 20 March
Cross Country Training: 7.30am-8.30am - Oval
Secondary Girls Touch Football Trials: 7.15-8.30am - Oval
Year 9 Camp returns: 4.00pm
Chaplain's Chat
When you thought I wasn't listening.
I was doing that mindless, home from work, having a cuppa, scrolling through Facebook, when an image flashed up that stopped me in my tracks. I haven't been able to get it out of my mind ever since. It was like a visual summary of what I had been talking over at work just that morning. It's not pretty, and as a parent, it is hugely challenging.
When our children are small, we are mindful of not swearing in front of them, of using the correct terminology for body parts, we are cautious about letting them watch the news, and certainly we moderate what they watch on their various screens. This image stings because it reflects none of the aforementioned 'baddies', but is a tragically accurate representation of what can happen.
As parents, we week to raise our children according to what we understand to be the best for them, immersing them in our family traditions, story and norms. It is a wonderful thing to pass that to our children, gives a sense of belonging and place, thus a sense of security.
What is not great, is when we pass on our bigotry. And we do. Usually not intentionally - a muttered word, a thoughtless observation. It happens and in reality, we all do it! I suspect however, we would be utterly embarrassed if we heard how it sounds coming out of our little one's mouths, directed at a schoolmate.
We really do need to be mindful of how we speak about others, for we set the tone of what is appropriate for our children. It sets the tone of how they speak to others - and how they speak to themselves. In simple terms, if we as parents feel comfortable calling people names, then our children will too.
Let me give you a hard example - in my office, a student who is really struggling with how they see themselves, the low feelings they are having, in tears because they believe their parents will be angry with them. Why? Because they were told not to be friends with someone who also has struggles. The child had interpreted this to mean that the feelings were somehow contagious.
In reality, and after a good chat, this young person was simply having a rough week, was tired and feeling blah. All pretty normal, something we have all had. Made worse because they felt they had to hide it from their parents.
I wish this were an isolated incident. It is not.
There is a double whammy here for me:
At a time when we know young people are facing increasing mental health issues, to teach our youngsters to shun those who battle or feel shame at having that struggle is counterproductive. It is good for no one. It protects no one. Instead, it worsens the problem. In a world where we know our young people will need resilience and courage for their future, we need to allow that resilience to grow.
Resilience comes not through protection from every struggle, but from resistance and persistence. Resilience comes from having faced the tough stuff and even if you fall, you get up and have another go.
Secondly, at Emmanuel Anglican College we strive to be a place of compassion, honesty, affirmation and support. These are the words of our College Prayer and exemplify the character qualities we hope for and work toward shaping in our students.
We want our students to be those who can make a positive impact on our world, to be understanding and inclusive.
It think it is a two way street - we want your child to be immersed in this supportive atmosphere...and to do that they will need to be a part of creating that supportive atmosphere.
What a privilege we have, to partner in creating a better world, a caring and uplifting world.
Peace.
Rev. Sal
Sports Update
NCIS Swimming -
EAC Champion Secondary School
The EAC Swimming Team performed strongly at the NCIS Swimming Championships in Alstonville on Thursday last week. In an outstanding team performance, EAC won the Secondary Swimming Championship for the first time. The Secondary team also won the Percentage Point Score, meaning that our team was number one, relative to our school size. In the Primary Percentage Point Score, EAC was second. EAC was also third in the overall point scores. These are fantastic achievements, considering the size of our school compared to some of our competition. Congratulations to all students on a fantastic team effort.
Overall Results
Primary Overall Points Score
| Place | Points | School |
| First | 661.5 | Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School |
| Second | 494.5 | Bishop Druitt College |
| Third | 474 | Emmanuel Anglican College |
Secondary Overall Points Score
| Place | Points | School |
| First | 902 | Emmanuel Anglican College |
| Second | 897.5 | Bishop Druitt College |
| Third | 893.5 | Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School |
We had four records broken on the day: Lachlan Walker (Year 11) broke the 200m Individual Medley and 50m Backstroke records; Jackson Bond (Year 9) broke the 15 years, 50m Butterfly record; our 15 & 16 years boys relay team of Alastair Miller (Year 10), Samuel Hanna (Year 10), Jackson Bond (Year 9) and Miloš Safranek (Year 9), broke the existing record by 6 seconds.
Congratulations to these students on your achievements.
We had multiple students place in the Age Championships, congratulations to the following students:
Age Champions
| 11 Girls | Coco Robinson |
| 15 Boys | Miloš Safranek |
| 17 Girls | Lachlan Walker |
| 18 Girls | Abigail Hanna |
Runners Up
| 12/13 Boys | Jayden Matthews |
| 15 Girls | Poppy Robinson |
| 15 Boys | Jackson Bond |
| 16 Boys | Samuel Hanna |
| 17 Boys | Hamish Walker |
| 18 Girls | Alanah Osborne |
Third Place
| 10 Girls | Sarah Vanem |
| 13 Girls | Ellen Miller |
EAC was the host school for this carnival and I would like to thank everyone who helped make the day run smoothly. Our team of staff: Mrs Miller, Mr Evans, Mr Brenton, Miss Guest, Mrs Sculley, Mrs Payne and Miss Coghill. Thank you also to our Maintenance Team for your work with set up and pack down. Thank you to Year 9 PASS for your work assisting on the day. Lastly, thank you to our wonderful parent helpers who ran the Friends of EAC BBQ and also Mr Rosco Wilson who helped run the timing system.
Mr Graham Walker
Sport and Coaching Administrator
Primary Inter-house Soccer Tournament
On Wednesday 4 March, day 1 of the Primary Inter-house Soccer Cup was held, which involved Year 3 and Year 5 students.
The day was a great success thanks to the help of our volunteer student umpires (Maryssa Reuben and Priya Singh-Pangly) and amazing Year 3 and Year 5 teachers.
Students enjoyed a round robin tournament with a finals series at the end, which gave all students the opportunity for some game time. All games were played enthusiastically with great team and house spirit.
Year 4 and Year 6 students will get their opportunity to play in the Inter-house Cup in a week's time.
Mr Randall Evans
Sport Coach & Duke of Edinburgh Leader
Primary News
Year 6A led Primary Chapel last week. The students prepared a skit about Jesus' time in the wilderness, gave prayers about God leading us on the right course, and performed a song about having love in our hearts.
They loved preparing the skits and the song for Chapel, and did a great job.
Mr Paul Christensen
Leader of Welfare 4-6 / Year 6 Teacher
Secondary Update
A day in the life of Year 7
DING DING, went the bell on a quiet Monday morning. In a heartbeat, the corridors were flocked with people, teachers and students hustling and bustling to get to their first class. I open my locker and get my books for my first lessons. In class, the teachers fill our heads with a lot of interesting information and...DING DING! What?! Recess already?
Happy children emerge from everywhere, sprinting to find a place to sit and eat. For a moment, there is complete silence, everyone is munching on their food. That moment soon ends as people rush off to play. A shrill noise rings in the background, it's the bell, and I haven't got my books!
There is a stampede of children rushing to get back to class in time. The third and fourth periods pass by in the blink of an eye. After having lunch, I bolt to the canteen, my money jingling in my pocket. I buy a delicious snack and savour it until the end of lunch.
There is another stampede as everyone rushes back to class. The last two periods feel slightly slower as everyone wants to get home to relax. The second the bell rings, the teacher looks up to dismiss her class, but everyone has already vanished. I run to the bus, hoping it won't leave without me. I hope on the bus just in time, because as soon as I sit down, the bus starts leaving.
Wow, what a day.
By: Finn Allen & Sascha Connolly
Year 7 SRC representatives for 2020
Meet Amber - Our College Therapy Dog
We have a new member of the College community starting with us in March - Amber, a Therapy Dog.
There are many benefits of having a school dog, and we have conducted extensive research as detailed below:
- Studies have shown that the presence of therapy dogs can improve the well-being of children and lower anxiety levels, simply by making the environment happier and more enjoyable.
- Therapy dogs have been proven to stimulate memory, encourage problem solving and game playing, and provide opportunities to practice learning activities.
- Research on the most suitable breed of dog for our school has taken place. Australian Cobberdogs have a mild temperament and a hypoallergenic coat.
- Prior to purchasing the puppy, Amber has visited the school with her breeder to determine her suitability for this environment.
- Amber has been immunised and wormed and a full risk assessment has been completed.
- The therapy dog will live with Ms Guest and will always be with a designated staff member during any interactions with pupils.
- Students will be educated on how to approach Amber.
- Please contact Mr Cross (Director of Primary School) or Mrs Middleton (Director of Secondary School) if you require further information about Amber.
International Women's Day
On Friday 6 March, the Year 12 female school leaders represented Emmanuel Anglican College at the Ballina Chamber of Commerce International Women's Day Lunch. This event was held as part of a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
International Women's Day has occurred since 1911, with this year's theme being: "Each for Equal", which looks at an equal world being an enabled world.
The celebration in Ballina focused on the achievements of women within the medical fields in the Northern Rivers region. A forum of women led by Dr Susan Velovski spoke about their achievements within a range of medical fields, and how they manage a work life balance. They inspired the room with their amazing achievements and how they managed the stress and challenges of their occupation in a regional area.
Year 12 student Himanya Sajnani was acknowledged as a future leader through her recent achievement of winning the Ballina Lions Youth Club of the Year local round.
Mrs Amanda Middleton
Director of Secondary
Lions Youth of the Year Quest
The Lions Youth of the Year Quest is designed to encourage, foster and develop leadership in conjunction with other citizenship qualities in our youth at the age when they are about to enter the fields of employment or higher education, and provides students with the incentive to pay greater attention to the general qualities, so vital in developing our youths into first class citizens. The qualities sought apart from academic attainments, are those of leadership, personality, sportsmanship, public speaking and good citizenship.
This year, a number of Year 12 students entered this competition with two successful students moving onto the next round.
Himanya Sajnani and Caitlyn Seamer won their respective rounds for the Lions Clubs at Ballina and Alstonville.
The Youth of the Year quest requires all participants to prepare a speech on a topic, answer impromptu questions and participate in an interview where they speak about their application, any extracurricular activities they undertake and are asked some general knowledge questions.
Himanya presented a speech titled "Reading and its evolution in the digital age", and answered impromptu questions on the role of body image in teenagers' lives and the importance of volunteering. Caitlyn's speech was on youth being more politically active and her impromptu questions were on the negative and positive impact of social media and what would be two important items on the agenda if she was Prime Minister.
Congratulations to both students who now move onto the Zone final in Lismore on the 21 March.
Mrs Amanda Middleton
Director of Secondary School
International Student Program
When you see a smiling Year 10 Japanese boy at Emmanuel Anglican College, please introduce yourself to Shuta Sugahara. He comes from our sister school, Meitoku Gijuku, and will study at EAC for a year.
Shuta lives with the Lansom family in Alstonville and says his host mother's cooking is wonderful! He is a keen golfer (his handicap is -4), and plays in the Ballina Golf Competition most Saturdays. He is also an enthusiastic member of the EAC representative soccer team.
Shuta has been warmly welcomed to EAC by the Year 10 cohort and is looking forward to developing not only his English skills, but also many strong friendships during his time here.
Welcome Shuta!
Mrs Jennifer Buddee
International Program Coordinator / Primary Japanese Teacher
Friends of EAC
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.
Or via the EAC website, go to Publications, then Forms & Documents, then scroll down to Canteen.
Special lunch order dates:
Sushi - 17 March
Noodle Box - 24 March
Subway - 7 April
Sushi – Tuesday 17 March
Sushi from IGA will be available from the canteen next Tuesday 17 March. If you would like to order Sushi for your child’s lunch next Tuesday, please complete the order form then attach your order to a paper bag with your payment enclosed. This should then be put in the canteen basket on Monday morning, 16 March.
Order forms are available at the canteen or online.
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 WORKS 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 will be placed in the bag for return with the child’s lunch order.
Can you help in the Canteen?
The EAC Canteen runs with one paid member and a team of volunteers. For this to continue, we need the support of parents, grandparents etc to help out. If you are able to help in the canteen on the below dates, please email Christine Hall at chall@eac.nsw.edu.au.
Dates where help is required:
March: 16th, 18th(pm), 19th(am), 23rd, 26th
April: 2nd, 3rd(pm), 6th
Christine Hall
Canteen Supervisor
0414 811 668
Community News
