Issue 16 2024
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we remember the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35
From the Principal
Welcome everyone to Term 4!
At Emmanuel Anglican College, we are committed to supporting our students in achieving their full potential, both academically and beyond the classroom. To ensure access to a wide range of opportunities, the College offers various scholarships and financial assistance programs that cater to diverse talents and needs.
The Richard & Lois Hennes Sporting Assistance Fund
Established by Lois Hennes in memory of her late husband Richard, this fund provides financial support to EAC Secondary students who are passionate about competitive sports but who may not have the means to take full advantage of their potential by attending competitions and attaining the required equipment to excel. During their life together, Richard and Lois became well known and highly regarded figures in the Northern Rivers sporting community thanks to their passionate advocacy for youth in sport and the success of their retail store, 'Hooked On Sport' which operated for many years in Alstonville. The fund continues their legacy of fostering athletic talent in our region. For further information on the fund, please contact Mr Mike Ryan, Leader of Sport and Coaching (mryan@eac.nsw.edu.au).
EAC All Rounder Scholarships
The EAC All Rounder Scholarships recognise students who excel across multiple areas, including academics, sports, the arts and leadership. All Rounder Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional achievement and commitment in a variety of disciplines, reflecting the College’s mission to develop well rounded individuals. These scholarships are provided on an annual basis to Secondary students and fund between 25% to 100% of the students' EAC tuition fees. For further information on our All Rounder Scholarships, CLICK HERE.
Indigenous Scholarship
As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, the recurring Indigenous Scholarship supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in accessing quality education and participating fully in the life of the College. This scholarship provides a pathway for Indigenous students to thrive academically, culturally and personally within the EAC community. For further information about our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship opportunity, CLICK HERE.
College Bursary Assistance Program
In addition to these targeted scholarships, the College offers a Bursary Assistance Program, providing financial support to families who require help with tuition fees. This program ensures that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, have the opportunity to benefit from an EAC education. For further information on the Bursary Assistance Program, please email EAC's Business Manager, Mrs Kelley Malaba at businessmanager@eac.nsw.edu.au.
We encourage students and families to explore these scholarship and funding opportunities, each designed to support a variety of talents, interests and needs.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
Introducing Ms Kaz Ross, EAC's Indigenous Education Support Officer
The College is delighted to announce an important addition to our team and introduce our College community to Ms Kaz Ross who has recently commenced in the newly established role of Indigenous Education Support Officer.
Ms Ross is a proud Mutti Mutti woman whose traditional lands are located in the south west corner of New South Wales and encompass the Murrumbidgee and Murray Rivers as well as Lake Mungo - an ancient landscape regarded as Australia's 'archaelogical wonderland'.
In her role with EAC, Ms Ross will act as a guide and mentor for both staff and students, find opportunities to strengthen understanding and appreciation and make a meaningful contribution to our Reconciliation Action Group. In Ms Ross' own words, she is "keen to help EAC understand our past and use that understanding to bring meaning to our future."
"I would like to help EAC to understand and practice the Indigenous concept of Yarna Moond, which means to speak to the heart" says Ms Ross.
Please join us in welcoming Ms Ross to our College community.
World Teachers' Day
Today, Friday 25 October, we celebrate World Teachers' Day, a global event that honours the vital role educators play in shaping the future. At Emmanuel Anglican College, we are fortunate to have a passionate and dedicated team of teachers who inspire, guide and support our students every day.
Teaching is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about encouraging curiosity, fostering resilience and nurturing creativity. Our teachers consistently go above and beyond, creating engaging learning environments that allow students to thrive academically, socially and emotionally. They demonstrate unwavering commitment, compassion and patience, ensuring that each student feels valued and supported on their educational journey.
You can join in the celebration too! We have put together some fantastic resources that you can download, print and personalise to show your appreciation for our incredible teachers. CLICK HERE to download your ‘Hats Off to Teachers’ resources.
As well, the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) is facilitating a great initiative recognition program aimed at promoting the outstanding work of teachers. CLICK HERE to nominate a teacher you know to be remarkable.
Happy World Teachers' Day to all our amazing teachers! We are so grateful for everything you do.
What's On
CALENDAR
For your personalised Calendar of Events, simply log in to Parent Lounge HERE.
Stay up to date with EAC announcements and news by following us on Facebook HERE.
FLEXISCHOOLS APP
Canteen orders, absentee notices, important notifications and more can all be found on EAC's app, FlexiSchools which you can find out more about HERE.
WEBSITE
The EAC website is a treasure trove of valuable information including forms, publications and in depth information, all of which are available HERE
WHAT WEEK IS IT?
To help clarify our College Weeks, we've created a printable quick reference guide available HERE.
Off The Deputy's Desk
Exciting Term Ahead: Mark Your Calendars for a Season of Celebrations!
As we approach the final term of 2024, it is time to gear up for an exciting and busy season of events at Emmanuel Anglican College. With so much happening between now and the end of the year, we encourage all parents, carers and students to mark their calendars and stay up to date via the personalised school calendar accessible through Parent Lounge.
Some of the major events to look forward to include our End of Year Award Ceremonies for both Secondary and Primary students, where we will celebrate the academic and co-curricular achievements of our students. Music lovers are in for a treat with our upcoming Spring Concert and the festive Christmas Concert, which will showcase the incredible talents of our EAC bands and choirs.
We are also pleased to welcome a new event to our College calendar - the vibrant Goodli Festival, which will be held here at EAC on Wednesday 16 October and see students from schools throughout our Diocesan network come together for a festival of film, music and 'dangerously good ideas'. Another significant moment will be the induction of our 2025 Secondary Leadership Team, as we officially welcome and celebrate the students who will lead the College into the new year.
Our Year 12 Formal is a special milestone event for our graduating students and their families as they prepare to bid farewell to their high school years. And let’s not forget Freaky Friday on 15 November - an EAC favourite - tickets for which are on sale now HERE.
With so many exciting occasions, we recommend regularly checking the calendar on Parent Lounge to keep track of event dates and times. Term 4 is going to be a fantastic conclusion to 2024 and we can’t wait to share these special moments with our community!
Mrs Julie Fryer
Deputy Principal
CHAPLAIN CHAT
Living into our Questions
I have said before, one of the roles of EAC's Chaplain is to help students ask good questions. A good question is a window into the soul of a person. This is why some students will play a different game and bat away the invitation with the comedic: "Can unicorns eat you?" or "Why is your rizz skibidi?"
When a student feels safe, deeper questions emerge: "What is education for?", "Why does life hurt?", "Can the future be trusted?".
Our work is to encourage good questions, stand with students in their asking, equip them with the skills to address them, walk with them as they begin to live into some answers. Education is a fundamentally hopeful work. Its end is not productive workers, but gracious humans. Whatever we do, becoming and staying human is the beginning and the end. This is what an education in the Anglican tradition means - learning how to be truly human (compassionate, creative servants of the common good), living into an authentic fullness that inspires others to copy.
I offer two examples.
The earth is warming. Let’s crack on with making wise choices for the future. Next Wednesday we welcome Damon Gameau to EAC for our inaugral Goodli Festival. It will include the screening of “Future Council” and a workshop run by him establishing some proto future councils for EAC and other schools.
The earth is warring. How is it possible for Palestinians to be annihilated at scale with little condemnation? (Choose your metric, I’ll use tonnes of TNT: Hiroshima 15,000, Gaza 70,000+). A small act of solidarity with the humanity of Palestinians has been rolled out across Anglican schools in Australia. A small number of senior students have joined in. The premise is simple: Humanity=Dignity. If standing with the humanity of Palestinians is a problem, then the problem is not the humanity of Palestinians. If we don’t stand with the humanity of Palestinians, then it is possible for the humanity and dignity of any person to be trampled.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Anglican schools' response to Gaza.
I offer a prayer we have been using in Chapel to finish:
Emmanuel, God with us;
as the river flows from the hills to the sea
your ways are wise, your love unending.
Cast your Spirit afresh among us
That in the footsteps of Jesus we would
Walk with compassion
Respond with creativity
Stand with courage
And live to serve a better world.
Amen.
Reverend Richard Browning
Chaplain
Primary Pulse
Welcome To Term 4!
Term 4 is always full of wonderful celebratory events, camps, excursions, sports and for our Year 6 students it’s their final few weeks of the 7 year journey through Primary School.
I trust you had time to reconnect as a family over the holidays. We enjoyed the age old tradition of a family road trip through the state of Victoria, following in the footsteps of those who sought out a better life in the search for gold at Sovereign Hill, Ballarat to the legendary escapades of the Kelly Gang throughout the High Country. The immersive experiences that tell the history of these towns were engrossing and I was reminded, as I am everyday here at EAC, about the joy of learning. Learning something old or learning something new, it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re learning something! Here’s to another term full of learning.
Our Year 6 students are gearing up for an unforgettable adventure at the Year 6 Camp, scheduled from 18 to 21 November. This year's camp promises to be an extraordinary experience as our students explore incredible sites like Australia Zoo, K'gari Island (Fraser) and Sea World. I can't wait to hear all about the memories they create during this unforgettable trip and thank the staff in advance for leading this tour.
Excitement is building for the upcoming Friends of EAC Freaky Friday event, which will take place on the evening of 15 November. This fun filled event promises to be a fantastic night for our students to come together and enjoy activities, games and a sense of camaraderie. We encourage everyone to mark this date on your calendars and stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the big day.
Our Kindergarten and Year 1 students are looking forward to their Mini Athletics and Cross Country carnival to be held the afternoon of Wednesday 20 November from 1:30pm. Select Senior Students have volunteered to run a fun filled afternoon of games. Parents are warmly welcomed to this event which will be held on the Front Oval. More information will be emailed home to families next
week.
Our Year 5 students met this week to talk about the leadership opportunities available to them next year. We explored what it meant to be a leader, what skills a leader should possess and what unique skills and abilities they could bring to the various positions. I encourage all Year 5 students to ask not what their school can do for them, but what they can do for their school! Applications are now
open and will close on Tuesday 5 November 2024.
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of the Primary School
2B Plant Bush Tucker in EAC Market Garden Thanks to Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants Program
This week, students from 2B had the exciting opportunity to plant dozens of bush tucker plants in our EAC market garden, thanks to the 2024 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grants Program. These native plants will provide students with hands on learning about sustainable gardening and traditional Indigenous foods, as well as support local biodiversity within our school grounds.
The planting day was a wonderful experience for the students, who enthusiastically prepared the soil, learned about the significance of each plant and put them in place to grow. These bush tucker plants, which include native varieties such as lemon myrtle and Davidson plum, will not only enhance our market garden but will also provide valuable lessons on sustainability, culture and the environment for years to come.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the EAC Maintenance crew, who were instrumental in preparing the garden for the planting. Mr Trent Gasnier, Mr Wayne Richardson and Year 10 student Jed Cook - who is completing a school based horticultural traineeship - worked alongside the students, sharing their knowledge and ensuring the plants were planted correctly.
We look forward to watching these plants grow and incorporating bush tucker into our garden to table experiences here at EAC!
Secondary Scoop
Fostering a Healthy Tech Balance
In today’s hyperconnected world, technology is an integral part of our children’s lives. As both parents and educators, it is our responsibility to help them develop a healthy, balanced relationship with the digital world. With guidance from Safe on Social, here are key strategies to empower students in building digital literacy, staying safe online, and using technology constructively.
Be a Role Model
Children often mirror the behaviours of the adults around them. By demonstrating mindful technology use - such as taking tech free breaks and limiting screen time during social situations - we set a powerful example of balanced tech habits.
Encourage Critical Thinking
Teaching children to think critically about online content is essential. Help them question the validity of information, evaluate sources and consider the broader impacts of their online actions. This not only enhances their understanding of the digital world but also fosters informed, responsible decision making.
Prioritise Online Safety and Privacy
In the digital age, safety and privacy should be top priorities. Teach children about the importance of protecting personal information, using strong passwords, and adjusting privacy settings on devices and social media platforms. Encourage open conversations about online safety and the potential risks of interacting with strangers online.
Use Technology as a Learning Tool
Technology has incredible educational potential. Encourage students to use it for learning by exploring educational apps, collaborating on projects and accessing online resources that enhance their academic experience.
Promote Face to Face Interaction
Balancing screen time with face to face interactions is key. Encourage participation in outdoor activities, social events and extracurriculars that offer opportunities to connect with peers away from screens.
Set Clear Boundaries
Establishing clear guidelines for technology use at home and school helps students avoid unhealthy tech habits. Work together to set limits on screen time, ensuring consistency in enforcing these rules.
Focus on Quality Content
Guide children towards high quality, age appropriate online content. Using filtering tools can help block unsuitable material and steer them towards content that aligns with their learning and interests.
Foster a Growth Mindset
Help children see technology as a tool for growth and learning. Encourage them to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes and ask for help when needed. This positive mindset promotes resilience and a healthy approach to tech use.
Encourage Creativity and Collaboration
Technology is a fantastic platform for collaboration and creativity. Encourage students to use it to share ideas, work on group projects and create content, fostering essential teamwork and problem solving skills.
Stay Informed
As technology evolves, staying updated is crucial. Parents and teachers can participate in workshops and online communities to remain informed about trends and help guide children toward safe, responsible tech use.
Bond Over Online Games
Engaging in online games together as a family can be a fun way to bond while monitoring children’s online behavior. Set aside time, such as a regular family game night, to promote healthy gaming habits and strengthen trust.
By adopting these strategies, we can support our children in developing a balanced, responsible relationship with technology.
Information adapted from Safe on Social
Ms Amanda Middleton
Director of the Secondary School
Congratulations to Roi Chong – HICES Best Debater 2024
We are thrilled to announce that our talented student, Roi Chong, Year 12, has been named the Heads of Independent Co-Educational Schools (HICES) Best Debater for 2024! This prestigious title reflects Roi’s exceptional skills in critical thinking, persuasive argumentation and public speaking.
Roi’s dedication to refining these skills throughout the year has truly paid off, earning well-deserved recognition among a highly competitive field of debaters. This achievement highlights not only Roi's individual brilliance but also the strength of the debating program at EAC.
We are incredibly proud of Roi’s success and look forward to seeing what the future holds for this gifted young debater!
Year 7 Geography Excursion to Minyon Falls
On Tuesday, Year 7 students visited Minyon Falls for their Geography excursion, led by Mr Amkela Malaba and Ms Rebecca Squires. The day offered students the chance to explore the area's Indigenous, geographical and geological significance firsthand.
Geographically, Minyon Falls is set within a lush subtropical rainforest, providing students with a living example of the landforms and processes they have studied, including erosion and the water cycle. The impressive 100 metre waterfall offered stunning views and the chance to observe nature in action.
Geologically, the falls are a remnant of the ancient Tweed Volcano. Students learned how the volcanic activity that shaped the region millions of years ago is still visible in the basalt rock formations surrounding the falls.
This excursion gave Year 7 students a meaningful connection to the topics they’ve been studying in class, combining Indigenous perspectives, geography and geology in a real world setting. Many thanks to Mr Malaba and Ms Squires for guiding this valuable learning experience.
EAC ESSENTIALS
Welcome to Term 4! We are excited to see everyone back on site and ready to kick off another term of learning.
Let’s jump straight into this fortnight's topic: Have You Tried Turning It Off and Back On Again?
Following up from the last Digital Dispatch about the importance of updates, this week we’re asking a simple question: when was the last time you actually turned your computer off? And no, we’re not talking about just flipping the type cover up and walking away. We mean fully shutting down your device.
It might sound like a no brainer, but you’d be surprised how many tech issues can be resolved with just a quick restart. It’s a simple step that often gets overlooked but can make a world of difference in getting your computer back to peak performance.
So, before you rush to the IT Helpdesk, give it a try - turn it off and back on again!
Mr William Coleman
IT Technician
Friends of EAC
Call for Volunteers for Freaky Friday
We are excited to announce that Freaky Friday is just around the corner, taking place on Friday, 15 November from 3pm to 6pm. This fantastic event is a highlight of the College calendar and we are calling on our amazing community of parents and carers to help make it a spook-tacular success!
We are looking for volunteers to lend just one hour of their time to assist with various activities throughout the afternoon. Whether it’s helping at a stall, running games or lending a hand with setup or clean up, every bit of help makes a huge difference.
If you can spare an hour to support this great event, CLICK HERE to sign up.
Thank you in advance for your support – we can’t wait to see you at Freaky Friday!
Julie Billebault
Secretary, Friends of EAC
Library Lowdown
Folding Fun and More
What’s the story with the origami?
The Joan Pickup Library has been in a folding frenzy this week! Primary students have been volunteering their lunch times to help fold 1,000 paper boats. These boats will be used for an installation Reverend Richard Browning has planned for the upcoming Goodli Festival that will tell a special story. Students are enjoying the challenge and it is wonderful to see the activity bringing students together in our wonderful library spaces.
Spotlight on Halloween and how a scary story can help children
Have you ever thought about why children are drawn to scary stories? What is so exciting about ghosts, zombies and vampires? If you love scary stories can you remember when it began for you, now that you are an adult? What do these stories offer to us?
There has been some research into this very idea and the results have shown scary stories can help children cope with difficult situations, face their fears and build resilience.
If you would like to know more, have a read of this article from the Sydney Morning Herald of how Australian and other authors talk about fear and scary stories, discussing the benefits of presenting these concepts through storytelling.
Halloween Fun
The Library will be decorated in a Halloween theme next week to promote and celebrate the many spook-tacular stories available to borrow. Please encourage your children to borrow a BOOOOOOOOk!
Spotlight on eResources : Designed to Support Students with Dyslexia
Does your child find reading a bit confusing? Do they have to read sentences twice? Living with dyslexia can be challenging at any age. Often it brings up fear and anxiety, especially when we don’t understand why some struggle with tasks that seem easy for others. The ePlatform Settings Wizard is designed to support individuals with dyslexia by allowing students to customise their eBook experience. The Wizard assists by making characters more distinct by adjusting the font size, page colour, line spacing and letter spacing which can all enhance their reading experience. Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence, motivation, or effort - it’s simply a different way the brain processes information. While it presents unique challenges, it doesn’t have to hinder students' achievements.
Digital formats are vital literacy support tools for students who need them the most. I am always available to answer any questions students, parents or carers may have about ePlatform and how it can assist in digital literacy and access.
Happy reading everyone!
Ms Amy Quitoriano
Library Resource Centre Manager
Mind Matters
Wishing Our FLL Teams the Best of Luck!
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt wishes to our two Primary and one Secondary FIRST LEGO League (FLL) teams as they gear up for the Regional competition on the Gold Coast on Saturday 9 November. This event is a fantastic opportunity for our young innovators to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and problem solving skills.
The FLL Challenge encourages students to engage in hands on science, technology and mathematics experiences, building confidence and fostering a love for learning. Our teams have worked tirelessly, designing and programming their robots to tackle this year’s exciting challenge themed Submerge. Their dedication and enthusiasm are truly inspiring.
As they prepare to compete, we want to remind them that their hard work and perseverance have already made us incredibly proud. We believe in their abilities and are confident they will shine in the competition.
Good luck, teams! Bring home the Lego trophy, and, most importantly, have fun!
3, 2, 1, LEGO
Mrs Julie Beavis
First LEGO League Coordinator
Sports Report
Student Spotlight - George Morgan
Congratulations to George Morgan who was recently named one of Ballina Touch Association's two Rookie Referees of the Year for his outstanding performance and dedication over the past season.
Mr Mike Ryan
Leader of Sport and Coaching
CIS Secondary Athletics Championships
Congratulations to all of the EAC students who competed at the NSWCIS Secondary Athletics Championships in Sydney during the final week of Term 3.
Special mention to Kaelan Matuz-Jacobson who came away from the meet with two bronze medals in both the 17 Boys 200m and 400m events, setting two new College records in the process.
New College Records from the Championships
- Anderson Feeney: 13 Boys 100m (12.76) and 13 Boys 200m (26.63)
- Asha Ledingham: 15 Girls 800m (2:38.25)
- Emanuelle Harding: 16 Girls 400m (1:02.84) and 16 Girls 800m (2:37.17)
- Ben Morgan: 16 Boys 200m (23.99) and 16 Boys 400m (55.19)
- Kaelan Matuz-Jacobson: 17 Boys 200m (23.35) and 17 Boys 400m (52.60)
Mr Mike Ryan
Leader of Sport and Coaching
Matt King Cup
The second last day of Term 3 saw our U12 Girls League Tag and U12 Boys Rugby League teams head out to the Beef Capital for the much anticipated Matt King Cup. Following the cancellation of their previous competition, our kids were keen to get out onto the field and test themselves against some of the other local schools.
Our girls side finished with a win, a draw and two losses, improving immensely throughout the day and really working well as a team. The boys had a tough day out, gaining lots of experience as they faced some very dominant sides from Kyogle and Casino. Most importantly, all students came away with big smiles and plenty of stories from their games.
Congratulations to Pieter Van Heerden who was named as one of two Players of the Day in the U12 Boys division.
Leader of Sport and Coaching
Students Shine at NSW State Rugby 7s Championships
Congratulations to the following students who were selected for the Far North Coast Rugby 7s teams and represented our region in the New South Wales State Championships held in Forster over the recent school holidays:
Under 15 Team
Eliza Smith
George Morgan
Under 17 Team
Mili Docherty
Ben Morgan
We are proud of their achievements and dedication to the sport. Well done to all!
Mr Mike Ryan
Leader of Sport and Coaching
NCIS Secondary Volleyball Championships
Our EAC volleyball teams enjoyed another fantastic day of competition at the NCIS Secondary Volleyball Championships in Port Macquarie last week.
Congratulations to the Open Boys and Open Girls teams, who both emerged as NCIS Champions, taking home the gold medals.
Our U15 Boys team also delivered a strong performance, finishing as NCIS Runners Up and earning the silver medal.
Well done to all our players for their outstanding efforts and sportsmanship!
Mr Mike Ryan
Leader of Sport and Coaching
NCIS Surfing Championships
Last Thursday, nine of our talented surfers represented Emmanuel Anglican College at the North Coast Independent Schools (NCIS) Surfing Championships held at Sawtell Beach. The event had originally been postponed but the wait proved to be well worth it as participants were greeted by stunning conditions. The waves were clean and the sun was shining, creating the perfect environment for a day of friendly competition and skillful surfing.
Our students demonstrated great talent, strategy and sportsmanship throughout the day, proudly showcasing their abilities in a variety of events. Congratulations to all participants for their enthusiasm and efforts and a special mention goes to three standout performers who advanced to the finals in their respective divisions.
Stella Payne, Jack Lawson and Morrison Gammon surfed impressively, making it through to their finals, a testament to their hard work, dedication and wave riding prowess. A huge congratulations to Morrison who capped off the day by securing 3rd place in the Under 16 Boys division!
Thank you to all the students who participated and represented EAC with such passion and to the staff and families who supported them. We look forward to seeing more outstanding achievements from our surfers in the future!
Mr Mike Ryan
Leader of Sport and Coaching
Top of the Arts
Northern Rivers News
