Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it: but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.’
Matthew 16:24-15
From The Principal
Ballina Shire Council has announced this week their intention to create a link road between the northern side of Ballina which will provide direct access to the western side of Ballina. The Barlows Road Link will connect Barlows Road in West Ballina with Flathead Lane near Cumbalum. This will improve travel times and access for our community and be of great benefit to the families and students of EAC that currently have to travel through Ballina to get to the College.
There were concerns that the creation of the link road may see traffic volumes around the College increase significantly as people made Horizon Drive a short cut to access Barlows Road. Ballina Shire Council has included in their planning, provisions to stop ‘through’ traffic from using Horizon Drive and direct them to the round-a-bout on the corner of River Street and Barlows Road (near The Good Guys). The link is scheduled for completion in 2024.
Congratulations to Alex Chapman who was presented with his Lighthouse Program Gold Award this week for completing more than 200 hours of community service. Alex is an active member of the College in his role of Community Outreach Leader and is also active within the community. As well as participating in a range of extra curricular activities at the College, Alex supports the College Basketball Program by volunteering as a coach of junior teams. He has supported the local community through his involvement in Air Force Cadets and the Surf Life Saving. Alex was Junior Captain of the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Life Saving Club in 2020 which meant that he attended Board Meetings and supported the running of club events. Whilst being an active member of the Ballina Lighthouse and Lismore Surf Life Saving Club he has also supported the nippers programs and volunteered his time to patrol at Lighthouse Beach. It is wonderful to see young people giving back so generously to our community.
Congratulations to Smith House who were crowned Athletic Champions following our recent carnival. This is the second year in a row that Smith house has won the carnival and also means they complete the ‘grand slam’ having won both the Swimming and Cross Country Carnivals early in the year. Well done to all involved with Smith House.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Off the Deputy's Desk
Moving into the Senior School
Our Year 10 students are entering an exciting transition phase in their schooling this week. Subject selection for Year 11 is a time of self reflection and involves the mature consideration of academic goals and future career aspirations. In Term 2, Year 10 students were involved in the Natural Ability Testing Process. Upon completing their tests, students received personalised feedback that they can use to assist them in reflecting upon their strengths and areas for future growth.
On Thursday 29 July, Year 10 will attend a Subject Selection Expo in which subject teachers will deliver short presentations regarding each subject and students will have the opportunity to ask questions of the teacher. Curriculum Leaders will then Zoom with parents from 6.00pm - 7.00pm on Thursday for a Question and Answer Session to support parents in understanding the requirements and demands of Stage 6.
I wish each of our Year 10 students all the best as they make their subject decisions for Year 11. May they choose wisely and with discernment and we look forward to supporting them at this exciting time in their educational journey.
Mrs Lee Boyd
Acting Deputy Principal
Term 3 Week 4
Monday 2 August
Athletics Training - 7.30am to 8.30am - Cumbalum
Year 9 PASS Excursion - 9.15am to 10.45am - Goonellabah Table Tennis Centre
Tuesday 3 August
Primary Rugby 7's Training - 7.30am to 8.30am - Saunders Oval
Year 11 PDHPE Excursion - 1.20pm to 3.00pm - Jetts Gym
Year 12 Legal Studies Incursion - 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Wednesday 4 August
Walker Chapel - 8.48am - Outdoor Chapel
Thursday 5 August
Primary Netball Training - 7.30am to 8.30am
Primary Interschool Rugby 7's - All day - Holy Family School
Kindergarten Experience Day 2022
Purcival Chapel - 8.48am - Outdoor Chapel
Australian Mathematics Competition ST10 - 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Friday 6 August
Athletics Training - 7.30am to 8.30am - Cumbalum
Primary Chapel - 11.48am - 4B - Discovery Centre
Secondary Sport - 1.28pm to 3.08pm
Term 1 Week 5
Monday 9 August
HSC Trial Examinations begin
Yr 10 Mental Health First Aid
Tuesday 10 August
Friends Meeting
Wednesday 11 August
NCIS Athletics
Brockington Chapel
Thursday 12 August
Smith Chapel
Year 8 into 9 Subject Selection Presentation
Year 8 into 9 Subject Selection Q and A Parent Zoom
Secondary News
Sharing the human spirit through friendship
Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division - such as poverty, violence and human rights abuses - among many others - that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world's peoples.
To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms - the simplest of which is friendship.
Through friendship - by accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust - we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, weave a safety net that will protect us all, and generate passion for a better world where all are united for the greater good.
Friday 30 July is the United Nations International Day of Friendship. The day was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea to create friendships between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals. So why is friendship so important to teenagers?
For teenagers, good friends can be like a personal support group. Friends and friendships give teenagers:
- A sense of belonging, a feeling of being valued and help with developing confidence.
- The sense of security and comfort that comes from being with others going through similar experiences.
- Information about the changes that puberty brings, and what's going on physically and emotionally.
- A way to experiment with different values, roles, identities and ideas.
- Experience in getting along with people of the opposite sex.
- A social group to do new things with, especially things that are different from what families do.
Teenagers might be focused on their friends, but still need support from parents to maintain positive and supportive friendships. Good parent-child relationships tend to lead to children having positive relationships with peers. It is important as a parent to be a good role model. Parents who are keen to spend time with their own friends are more likely to have children with lots of healthy friendships. It's also important for your child to see you looking out for your friends, and showing that friendship is a two-way thing.
It is important to acknowledge that all children are different. Not all will be outgoing and socialise with a big group of friends. If your child is like this, but seems generally happy and content, there's no need to do anything. But if your child has trouble making friends and is worried by that, there are a few things you can do together:
- Think about your child's interests and strengths. Based on this, you could look for new extracurricular activities for your child or encourage him/her to join a club, sports team or social group. Mixing with people who share similar interests is a great way to start friendships and build confidence.
- Spend time with extended family and family friends. Plan a barbeque or outing where your child can spend time with people who already know him/her.
- Help your child plan an activity with friends. This could be watching a movie at home, having a sleepover or a baking afternoon, or playing some sport at the local park.
- Make sure your child feels comfortable inviting friends home, and give her/him plenty of space when she does.
- Think about a part-time job or volunteer community activity. Working, particularly in a place with other young employees or volunteers, can give your child a chance to practise social skills as well as building job skills for the future.
- Give your child lots of praise and encouragement to build self-esteem. Try not to pressure your child about friends or constantly discuss the situation.
The important thing to remember is that parents and friends play different roles in a teenager's life. As a parent, you influence your child's long term decisions to do with values and morals. Your child's friends are more likely to influence short term choices, like appearance and interests. Strong relationships with both parents and friends help teenagers to grow into well adjusted adults with strong social skills.
Information adapted from Raising Children Network.
Mrs Amanda Middleton
Director of Secondary
Primary Update
The Olympic Spirit
The Primary have been getting into the Olympic Spirit this week. Following on from our Year 3-6 Japanese themed Olympic afternoon last term, the SRC put up a surprise countdown on the Primary Oval to generate some excitement. The surprise was realised last Friday when the Olympic banner was revealed.
All this week our Japanese classes will be participating in Olympic themed activities and you may have noticed the welcoming committee at the gate each morning. The SRC have also set up a Connect board where we are asking anyone with Olympic stickers from the current Woolworths' promotion to stick on any spare athlete stickers.
Year 2 were lucky enough to visit the Athletes Village via Zoom, courtesy of Elsie Drew's Dad. Here are their recounts of this special treat.
Tokyo Olympic Village
First, we saw the Australian Olympics Champion Village. Then we saw all the flags and the Olympic Rings. There were athletes taking photos next to them. After that we saw some of the village and some more flags. Finally, we saw a bus and it was weird because there was no steering wheel!
By Oliver CampMy Super Cool tour of the Olympic Village
My Dad Facetimed us and gave us a tour of the Olympic Village. First, he showed us all of the flags. Next, he showed us a statue of a Kangaroo. The kangaroo was even wearing a mask! Finally, we saw the Olympic Rings! It was cool to see the Olympic Village in Tokyo.
By Elsie Drew
The Olympics are always a great way to engage students in subjects such as history, geography and mathematics and we are fortunate that the host nation aligns with our Japanese language program. Ask your child how they are enjoying the Olympic Celebrations this week.
Events
This Thursday 29 July, our Year 9 PASS students will lead the K-2 Mini Athletics Carnival here at school. As per the current restrictions, this will be a student only event, but lots of photos will be sent home via SeeSaw. Please send your child to school in their sports uniform on this day.
First Break Clubs
Each day during First Break, clubs are offered for our Primary students. Clubs provide a great opportunity for kids to get active, learn a new skill, foster a passion, or meet new friends. Clubs are advertised on posters throughout the Primary School and displayed here for you to talk about with your child if you feel this is something they would benefit from.
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of Primary
Save the Date - Book WeekOur annual Book Week celebration is coming up Friday 20 August. Students are invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character on this day.
100 Days of Kindergarten
Last Thursday, Kindergarten celebrated their 100 days of learning.
Friends of EAC
Well the final tally is in and an incredible $25,138.03 was raised from A Grand Affair, which will go towards sound, vision and lighting for the Multi Purpose Centre. Thank you to everyone who supported the event, either through sponsorship, attending on the night, donating a prize or goods/services in kind, or participating in the online auction. A special mention to our event sponsors and in particular naming rights partner, Raunik Design Group.
We hope to be able to share details of the next Friends event “Freaky Friday and Colour Run” in the coming weeks.
A Grand Affair
Naming Rights Partner
Raunik Design Group is a Multi-Disciplinary Design Based Company, founded by Architect Frank Raunik on the Gold Coast in 2004. They provide professional consultancy services in the areas of Architecture, Urban and Regional Master Planning and Interior Design, servicing projects all over Australia and the South Pacific Region. The team at Raunik Design Group combines the reliability of years of experience, both locally and internationally, with the enthusiasm and cutting edge approach of contemporary designers.
Raunik Design Group takes an individual approach to each new project. Each project is assessed carefully, with consideration of environmental, social and design issues related to unique sites. This results in architecture that is a contemporary reflection of the surrounding built and natural environment, whilst meeting individual client requirements. Close client relationships are encouraged, between not only the client and director but also team members involved. The development of these relationships ensures the highest levels of communication which produces design that reflects the individualism and needs of every client. The firm is just the right size for any manner of project from luxury homes to high rises and large commercial developments. Take a look at their website for a close up look at some of the exciting projects they have been involved with: www.raunikdesign.com.au.
A Grand Affair Platinum Sponsors
Canteen
Over the next few issues we will help to decipher some of the Canteen menu items your child may be asking for.
Here are some frozen snacks explained!
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.
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.
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