‘God is love and anyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them’ 1 John 4:16
From The Principal
Bishop Murray Harvey, Bishop of the Grafton Diocese, has written a letter on behalf of the five Anglican School of the Diocese of Grafton to confirm our policy of inclusiveness in relation to our employment and enrolment policies. In the letter the Bishop stated that, ‘Our schools welcome children and staff of any gender or sexual orientation. We affirm the infinite worth and human dignity of every person, having been created in God’s image and likeness.” I am very proud of the culture of hospitality, welcome, care and compassion that EAC is very well known for and I was delighted that the Bishop was prepared to publically affirm and support the schools of the Diocese about such a significant matter. A complete copy of the letter has been included in the newsletter.
It was a very excited, happy but tired group of Year 6 campers that returned from their end of primary years trip to Queensland last Friday. The students spent three days exploring the sights and surrounds of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island prior to heading to Brisbane to visit the Brisbane Museum, Sciencentre and Planetarium. On the way home on Friday they will spend a few hours at Seaworld. It was wonderful week, blessed with incredible weather and a great way to celebrate the end of their journey through primary school. A huge thank you to Mrs Cahill, Mr McCotter, Mrs Anderson and Mr Christensen for giving up a week of family time to allow the students to enjoy the wonderful adventure. Congratulations also to Year 6 who demonstrated excellent behaviour and were very respectful and responsible throughout the trip.
I also wish to congratulate the whole student body for the reverence and respect they showed as we acknowledged and commenorated the 100 year anniversary of the armistice that signaled the end of the Great War. While reflecting on the great sacrifice and loss that that has been made to ensure the wonderful lifestyle we enjoy, we also took the time to pray for peace in our homes, school, community, and the world. Lest we Forget.
As we move into the final stages of the year, I thought some advanced notice to assist with planning work and family commitments around the key events to celebrating the College year would be helpful.
December 4 –Christmas Concert
All our families are invited to join us at St Mary’s Anglican Church at 6.30 for a Christmas Concert. There will be performances by our College Bands, College Choirs, Stage 5 Drama students and a special appearance by Kindergarten. There is a $5.00 entry for adults, with all profits going to Anglicare’s Christmas Appeal.
December 11–End of Year Chapel Service
We will celebrate the many gifts and blessings of the 2018 College year at our final Whole College Chapel Service at 9.00am at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ballina. In keeping with tradition we will celebrate Advent and preparations for the celebration of the birth of our saviour at Christmas.
December 12 - College Presentation Day
The Presentation Ceremonies for 2018 will take place at St Mary’s Anglican Church, Ballina at the following times:
10.00am -11.15am Kindergarten – Year 6
12.00pm – 1.15 pm Year 7 – Year 11
Please mark these very significant events in your diary.
Off the Deputy's Desk
Last Sunday was the 100th anniversary of the cessation of hostilities in the Great War. At 11.00 am on Sunday 11 November we paused to remember not just those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War but all those who have been killed in wars. When I think of Remembrance Day I always remember my maternal Great Grandfather. His name was Arthur Brown (Poppa Brown to me when I was a young child) and he was an English’ tommy’ who managed to somehow survive the trenches of the Somme. I can just recall a little bald man (thanks for my hair loss, Poppa Brown) whom I used to visit with my Mother and Grandmother at the old people’s home down the road from where I lived as a child.
He was no hero and was ranked as a Private in his time in the British army. When he returned from the Great War he and my Great Grandmother packed up and moved to Australia, never to return to England. It is family folklore that he claims that he only did 3 great things in his life-1.Marrying my Great Grandmother; 2.Surviving the Somme; and 3; Coming to Australia to live. I guess what I am trying to say is that we all have connections to Remembrance Day in some way, shape or form and those who made sacrifices to ensure our freedom. It is vitally important for our children to understand the importance and the solemnity of the occasion in the hope that they can go on to build a better world in the future for themselves and future generations.
Rev Sal ran a very moving Remembrance Day service on Tuesday morning and it was wonderful to see our students engaging so respectfully in this important event. Last Friday our College Captains and Community Outreach Leader represented the College with distinction at the RSL Life Care Remembrance Day Service here in Ballina.
Saturday 17 November is going to be a huge day with EAC hosting First Lego League championships for Northern NSW and Gold Coast. We will have many schools here battling it out for supremacy in the area of robotics. Coding and robotics are vital parts of our newly implemented STEM curriculum and I wish our teams the best of success for the day. A huge thank you must go to Mrs Boyd and Mrs Spring for the huge amount of work they have done in organizing such a large and challenging event. Thank you also to Friends of EAC and all students and parents who have volunteered to make the event come to fruition. It promises to be an exciting and stimulating day of competition.
As part of our implementation of the thinking curriculum I have been engaging in classroom visits to ascertain staff development in this area. Late last week I visited Mr Jukes’ Year 12 Chemistry class who were engaged actively in applying the habits of mind of thinking interdependently and communicating with clarity and precision. Mrs Cheers’ Year 7 Visual Art class were developing the habit of innovating and creating. Mrs Campbell’s Year 9 Japanese class were focusing upon listening with understanding and empathy. These classroom visits will be continuing over the next few weeks and I look forward to sharing my observations of what is happening in our classrooms with you.
We will also be running student focus groups to assist us in the collection of data regarding the success of our first year of implementing the thinking curriculum. These surveys will form the basis of a report that will be shared with Mr Tobias and we will be assisted in unpacking the data by a consultant from Association of Independent Schools. This report and the data gathered from staff and students will then be used to assist us in planning the second year of the thinking curriculum.
We are now halfway through the final term, and it is essential that our students maintain a strong academic focus through the remaining weeks of the school year. There is still assessment to be completed and students need to be mindful of ensuring that they meet all deadlines with regards to assessment. A strong finish to the year will enable students to take satisfaction is knowing that they have given their best academically.
Just a reminder to parents that students should not be at College before 8.15 am unless they are involved in sports ort music practice. Supervision commences in the Undercover Area at this time. Please support us in the application of this policy.
Also please drive safely around the carpark and in pick up areas. Please keep your speed down at all times in the vicinity of the College in order to ensure the safety of all of our students.
Finally, we are collecting for the Anglicare Christmas Appeal. We require donations of good quality nonperishable goods so that they can be made up into hampers for those who are less fortunate than us. I ask all of our families to be generous by donating to this appeal. There are boxes in each primary classroom and in each Secondary PC room. We look forward to seeing these boxes overflowing with gifts in the coming weeks. They will be presented to Anglicare on the evening of the Christmas Concert.
Mr Darren Parks
Deputy Principal
Term 4 Week 6
Monday 19 November
Year 9/10 Examination Block
Food Smart Workshop-Ezzy Centre-3.30pm-8.00pm
Tuesday 20 November
Primary Chapel
Volunteer Thank You Lunch-Ezzy Centre-12.15-1.30pm
Year 9/10 Examination Block
Wednesday 21 November
Year 9/10 Examination Block
Thursday 22 November
Nil
Friday 23 November
Secondary Sport
Term 4 Week 7
Monday 26 November
Year 8 PDH Excursion
Tuesday 27 November
Secondary Chapel
Primary Assembly
Year 10 PDH Excursion
Secondary Concert Band Performance at Blue Hills College
Wednesday 28 November
Year 9 PASS Excursion
Thursday 29 November
Year 6 Celebration-6.00-9.00pm-Discovery Centre then Ezzy Centre
Year 8 Retreat Day at Lismore
Friday 30 November
Kindergarten Excursion to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
Unity Games Training Masterclass
Secondary Sport
Primary News
Year 6 Camp
With heavy luggage in hand and excitement running through our veins, Year 6 students and their teachers arrived at school early one glorious day in November, ready to embark on a holiday to remember! A five day jam packed adventure to Fraser Island and then Brisbane.
We were welcomed to Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world and transported to Kingfisher Resort where we stayed for two nights in spacious lodges, treated to buffet meals, took part in night time activities of toasting marshmallows by the campfire and bushwalking with torches.
Nothing could have prepared us for the truly memorable day touring across the interior of Fraser Island. There was a thrill around every corner and travelling aboard the huge 4WD coaches felt more like a roller coaster ride than a bus ride. The drivers made sure they hit every bump on the sandy track. I think they just loved hearing the girls scream! Mrs Anderson looked a little worried in the front seat but she was in safe hands. We made several stops throughout the day. We floated down the crystal clear Waters of Eli Creek, walked around in awe of the Maheno shipwreck, went on a 1.8 km rainforest treck (Mrs Cahill was in her element as she stood in the same spot that Prince Harry had been just two weeks prior..) and then we finished up at the very popular Lake McKenzie for a much needed cool off. Along the way, we kept a look out for dingos but didn't manage to spot any. Before finishing up our time on Fraser, we stocked up on dingo souvenirs from the gift shop.
We were up early the next morning and off on the second leg of our adventure. Destination, Brisbane, staying at the Frederick Marsden camp. We settled in with a home cooked meal and then headed out for a night of 10 pin bowling. The lights were dimmed, the music was loud and we had some fun competition with our friends. The highlight was watching the senior Mr McCotter take victory over the much younger Mr C! A good night was had by all.
Day Four, the Brisbane Museum, Science Centre, Mt Cootha Lookout, Botanical Gardens, Planetarium and Southbank for a swim. Who would have thought we could pack so much into a day? I think the teachers were way more tired than us at this stage. Mr McCotter don't think we didn't notice you trying to get a bit of shut eye in the bus.
Last day, Seaworld, where we experienced a theme Park with 52 of our friends. What a perfect way to end a truly awesome camp!
We spent many hours on board our bus and these were fun times. We hung out with our peers, watched movies, listened to music and some even played cards...
We have learnt a lot about ourselves this week and have grown from the experience.
Thank you teachers. Thank you mums and dads. Well done Year Six!
Nihongo NEWS
WORD OF THE WEEK
In Stage One, students have been asking and answering questions about what kinds of food they like do or don't like.
Mrs Jennifer Buddee
Primary Teacher
Sports Update
NCIS Primary Basketball Championships
Well done to our NCIS Primary Basketball teams who travelled to Byron Bay last Thurday to compete in the NCIS Baskebtall Championships. Our team was a Year 5 only team with our Year 6's on camp last week. Both Boys and Girls teams played very well and were competitive in each game which was great to see as most of our team were just learning the game.
Our girls won their game against Lindisfarne and were competitive in every other game, narrowly missing the semifinals. While our boys won their game against Byron Community Primary School and made the semifinals where they went down in a tight game agaist Lindisfarne.
Our teams thoroughly enjoyed the day of Basketball, they displayed great team work and pride in represneting thie school. I was so impressed to see how much they had learnt under the coaching of Mr Nash Campbell and Mrs Lee Boyd in the lead up to the tournament. Thank you our coaches for your efforts.
From The Office
Secondhand Uniform Shop
The secondhand uniform shop will be open every Tuesday 2:30pm to 3:30pm until the end of Term 4, it is located in the Ezzy Centre and is operated by our volunteer Mrs Janet Hale.
There is a large range of sizes of available of both the Primary and Secondary uniform as well as blazers for Year 11 and 12 students.
Canteen
EAC Canteen 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.
CANTEEN STOCK - END OF YEAR
With the college year coming to an end I will be cutting back on my ordering so that excess stock is not being held over the Christmas break.
This will begin in week six (6), next week. I will keep you posted of the availability of items through this newsletter and in the parent lounge. I will post what is no longer available and what stock I am running low on.
I will always have available fresh items sandwiches, rolls etc but will also guarantee dino nuggets and junior pies.
Thank you for your continuing support of the canteen in 2018.
Canteen opens at 8.30am and the Menu is available here:
Special Lunch Dates - Term 4
SUSHI: 20 November
NOODLE BOX DATES: 27 November
SUBWAY DATE: 4 December
Sushi – Tuesday 20 November
Sushi from IGA, will be available from the canteen next Tuesday, 20 November. 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, 19 November, . Order forms will be sent home but are also available at the canteen, office or online.
Order forms will be sent home but are also available at the canteen, office 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 APPEARS TO WORK 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 required will be placed in the bag for return with the child’s lunch order.
Christine Hall
Canteen Supervisor
0414 811 668
Community News
