Issue 16 2023
“But since you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
2 Corinthians 8:7
From the Principal
Opportunities for student leadership form an integral part of the Pastoral Care Program of Emmanuel Anglican College. In a structured and supportive environment students can show initiative, plan and follow through projects and contribute to the growth and improvement of the College. Leadership opportunities also enrich student character and provide a forum for the application of important personal qualities such as commitment, responsibility and enthusiasm.
Recently the College undertook the process of nominating and electing College Captains, Student Leaders and House Captains to lead the student body for the 2023-2024 College year. Students were encouraged to consider who among their peers had displayed those qualities that befit these significant opportunities for student leadership.
It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointments to the Senior Student Leadership Team for 2023-2024 which are listed below.
We will formally induct the Student Leaders as part of the Whole School Chapel Service on Wednesday 25 October 2023. At this Ceremony, students will receive their badge and take their oath of office. Parents are most welcome to join us for the Induction Ceremony, which will take place at 10.00am in The Lindsay Walker Centre, concluding by 11.00am.
We look forward to working with this fine group of young men and women for the betterment of the College in the coming year.
Mr Robert Tobias
Principal
What's On
CALENDAR
For your personalised Calendar of Events, simply log in to Parent Lounge HERE.
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SchoolStream APP
Canteen orders, absentee notices, important notifications and more can all be found on EAC's app, SchoolStream 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
Term 4 has gotten off to a busy start with First Lego League preparation in full swing. Once again our students are busy assembling and programming their LEGO projects, with enquiring minds that constantly strive to take risks to improve the performance of their projects.
Our Year 4 Exhibition of Learning was a wonderful celebration of the Coastal College projects which had been organised by Mr Tod Falvey and Ms Eliza Armstrong The exhibition was the culmination of environmentally focused investigations which included mapping the ideal farm site to examining coastal erosion.
Mr Cross is also busy holding auditions for our 2024 College musical Mary Poppins. With such a spectacular performance space at the College is was great to see the budding actors arrive for their auditions; its sure to be a wonderful production.
And let’s not forget our Year 11 students who have begun their HSC journey as their peers in Year 12 are currently navigating their way through their final HSC exams. We keep all our young people in our thoughts and prayers as they continue to navigate their world and the challenges it holds.
Mr Francis McGuigan
Deputy Principal
Sports Report
SPIKE OF TALENT AT NCIS VOLLEYABLL CHAMPS
EAC had three teams travel to Port Macquarie last week for the NCIS Secondary Volleyball Championships.
The Open Girls had limited volleyball experience with a mixture of younger students stepping in to play in the older age division. Despite their best efforts, they went down in each match, although continued to get better throughout the day.
The Open Boys also had some younger players in the team, alongside some very talented volleyballers. Despite going down in one of their early matches, the boys were dominant throughout the event and eventually claimed the title of NCIS Champions following a countback on sets with Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School.
Our U15 Girls were a powerhouse in their division, going through the day undefeated to join the Open Boys with bragging rights as NCIS Champions.
Thank you to Mr Jarryd Hawkes, Ms Heidi Miller, Ms Ellese Morrissey and Ms Heidi Craig for accompanying our students on the overnight trip to Port Macquarie. Events like this wouldn't be possible without the support of our generous staff.
Mr Mike Ryan
Leader of Sport and Coaching
STUDENTS' SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to the Tintenbar East Ballina U14 Girls Soccer team who were recently crowned 2023 Northern NSW Football U14 Girls Champion of Champions winners, following their success in Coffs Harbour.
EAC students make up 12 of the 15 players:
Amelia Atkinson
Coco Beck
Sophie Blake
Lily Garbett
Mackenzie Haupt
Frankie Moir Dobbs
Layla Patrick
Amelia Polidano
Nikki Settree
Charlotte Strahan
Sarah Vanem
Anna Wiggins
Special mention to Amelia Polidano who held a clean sheet in goals throughout the entire tournament and Nikki Settree who scored numerous goals, including the match winner in the Grand Final.
Top of the Arts
2023 TOUR OF JAPAN
The EAC Japan 2023 Tour group comprised of 14 students from Years 9, 10 and 11, and two staff members, Ms Jennifer Buddee and Ms Nyrelle Paton. The tour started in Tokyo, focusing on 'modern Japan’ and then moved to Kyoto to experience ‘cultural/historical Japan’. The final destination was EAC’s sister-school, Meitoku Gijuku in Kochi, where students were immersed in daily Japanese school life and participated in a variety of culturally rich activities. They developed friendships and memories during this time that we hope will be everlasting.
We traversed Tokyo via the iconic subway system and it was as busy and convenient as we expected. Tokyo Disneyland offered thrilling rides and amazing people-watching as most Japanese people wore their favourite Disney costumes around the park. Akihabara (Electric Town) was brilliantly lit up at night and provided endless interest for anime fans and tech enthusiasts.
The Tokyo Skytree Tower offered views as far as the eye could see and students were thrilled to walk across the glass floor 340m above ground! Then of course there were the shopping and pop culture experiences in Shinjuku, Harajuku and Shibuya.
A highlight for many was visiting Kyoto to soak up the history and culture by visiting temples, castles, gardens and shrines. The Golden Temple was exquisite and the sheer size of the big Buddha in Nara was impressive. Compared to Tokyo, the Kyoto Station was easier to get around and students enjoyed the lights of the SkyGarden at night.
When we finally arrived at Meitoku Gijuku we were warmly welcomed by students and treated to an exciting Taiko performance. We made washi (Japanese paper) from local wood pulp and decorative flowers. The karate sensei and students put us through our paces and gave an incredibly disciplined performance. Students soaked up the quiet and calm atmosphere while concentrating on the procedure of the ancient tea ceremony. They were professionally dressed in traditional kimono for the girls and hakama for the boys. The highlight of Meitoku was joining in the annual undoukai (sports festival). Although there is a healthy rivalry between teams, the focus is all on participation and having fun. The wonderful day way concluded with student run food stalls and a brilliant display of fireworks in the evening. Thus, our tour finished with a big bang!
Ms Jennifer Buddee
Teacher of Japanese and International Student Coordinator
A STANDING OVATION FOR EAC'S OWN MECHELLE ANDERSON
Ms Mechelle Anderson, Teacher of Creative Arts, Drama and Visual Arts, is currently performing in the first production to open the newly refurbished and expanded Drill Hall Theatre, 'The Almighty Sometimes' written by Kendall Feaver and directed by veteran actor Liz Chance. Alongside Ms Anderson, the production features Nakeita Bradbury, Rachael Gorham and Rees Laird.
The show opened to a sell out crowd and has since received standing ovations. Tickets are still available for upcoming shows and the play will run through to Sunday 29 October. Discounted tickets are available for Thursday performances.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW
A little about the play:
“If an illness doesn’t kill you, it’s supposed to go away.” Anna has been medicated for a range of mood and behavioural disorders for as long as she can remember. Now she wants to know what life would be like without pills and prescriptions. More fulfilling? More exciting? More real?
'The Almighty Sometimes' is a quick witted and bracingly honest take on the difficult choices you make in your child’s best interests, and what happens when you no longer have a say.
CONCERT BAND WORKSHOP A HIT
Last Wednesday evening, 90 musicians representing EAC, the Ballina Shire Concert Band and three local primary schools came together in the Lindsay Walker Centre to participate in a Concert Band Workshop.
The large ensemble included musicians of varying levels of experience and ages. The youngest participant was aged 10 through to the oldest musician who has an amazing 94 years of life experience.
The musicians workshopped a variety of music including the classic "Gonna Fly Now" from Rocky, famous film music from "The Lion King", through to contemporary hits such as "Hey, Soul Sister."
The evening finished with a short concert for parents and friends.
HERE TO HELP
What is the point... of education?
To get ahead and build a prosperous life that our children can welcome new children and continue the cycle? Sure. But the point of a school like Emmanuel is bigger.
The privilege of education must bring our students to a fuller purpose, a life lived generously, hopefully, turning towards a good that is greater than the self. Let there be an amazing flourishing yes, but a flourishing that fosters the flourishing of others.
I spent time this week with Year 10 in chapel and in class. We have been exploring what they might care about that is bigger than themselves. They were asked what issue is sufficiently disturbing as to cause them to stop and not simply pass by? Racism? Bullying? The casual disrespect of another? Sexual violence? Another’s distress? (There were no shortage of ‘things’.) The next question was this: what might be a reason not to stop? There are some credible reasons not to stop, such as helping can reduce the autonomy and dignity of others (“the road to hell paved with good intentions” kind of logic), altruism can be motivated by ego and the needs of an individual’s wellbeing. Flipping the question is important. What are some reasons to stop? There are many – “it is the right thing to do”, “if I was the one in trouble I would want someone to stop for me”, or this cracker “caring is who I am”.
At the heart of the Christian story is a statement about who we are. We are not islands. We are not independent units free to engage the world as we please. We are social creatures, bound in a web of interconnected relationships. Caring for another is a form of self-interest,
for ultimately the wellbeing of the other increases our own. The Christian name for God – Trinity – is not just a statement about God. Trinity is also a statement about reality, which is to say, reality is relational.
As a new comer to EAC, this is what I hear in the words learn, live, lead. When Jesus speaks about loving your neighbour as yourself, love is better understood as a condition of reality, not a command. Love is simply how the universe holds together, love is its beginning and its end.
We pray:
O God, it is easy to retreat into our small circles of like-minded interests.
Bring a grace into our lives that increases our capacity to love.
Help us love Israeli, Palestinian (bring peace to that land). Help us love those who are different to us, distant from us.
And in this world let there be peace, the fruit of hearts who work for justice, the work of your Spirit among us.
Bless the students in our care, and those that teach them, that together we would grow as people of character, and each of us be in the world as agents of all that is true, all that is good.
Amen
Reverend Richard Browning
Chaplain
Canteen Counter
YOU'RE THE ONE THAT WE WANT!
Prepare for an adventure in edible entertainment! Our College Canteen is in need of reinforcements on Thursdays and Fridays this term and we'd love for you to register your interest.
The work is easy and the banter is fun. Ideally, you'll be available from 8.30am to 12noon.
For more information, call 02 6681 5054 or email enquiries@eac.nsw.edu.au
Friends of EAC
FREAKY FRIDAY IS COMING!
Our dedicated Friends of EAC met this week to start planning for their final event of 2023... Freaky Friday!
Freaky Friday will be held on Friday 17 November at EAC and is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on our College calendar.
For those new to the College, Freaky Friday is an afternoon of fun, games and rides and is always a great culmination of the year.
Keep an eye out for more details in the coming weeks and be sure to save the date!
To catch up on the minutes of this week's meeting, CLICK HERE.
How to EAC
SCHOLARSHIPS ANNOUNCED FOR 2024
We are pleased to announce the availability of scholarships for the 2024 academic year at Emmanuel Anglican College. Two distinguished categories of scholarships are being offered: one specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and another for Senior School candidates.
These scholarships present a remarkable opportunity for exceptional individuals to access a first-rate education. We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this opportunity. For comprehensive application guidelines and deadlines, CLICK HERE.
Early Learning Centre Corner
SAVE THE DATE!
Our Early Learning Centre has been abuzz with activity of late as we start preparing for our end of year events which include our eagerly anticipated ELC Art Show!
Mark your calendars for Monday 20 November when our mini Monets will proudly display their priceless pieces.
We look forward to welcoming our ELC families along on the day and stay tuned for further information coming soon.
Ms Nicole Wilson
Director of the Early Learning Centre
Primary Pulse
Welcome to Term 4!
This week, our Year 4 students took centre stage at the Year 4 Exhibition of Learning, showcasing the incredible experiences they have had during the Coastal College program. Throughout Term 3, our Year 4 students ventured outdoors every Thursday to the beautiful East Ballina Surf Club. Under the guidance of elder Chris Cook, they learned about the Bunjalung seasons, explored the impact of erosion on our coastline, and gained invaluable insights into coastal dune care. But that's not all - their outdoor adventures also included fun activities like shadow play, beach games, fishing, jam-making, and even cooking damper. The exhibition was a memorable event, featuring our Year 4 Choir's captivating performance of "Weather With You" by Crowded House. Attendees were treated to a delightful 'Kid Café' serving freshly baked scones and jam.
I want to express my sincere gratitude to our outstanding Year 4 team, led by the dedicated Ms Eliza Armstrong and Mr Tod Falvey, with guidance from our esteemed Foundational Learning Leader, Ms Roxanne Kent. It is thanks to their hard work and commitment that these experiences will leave a lasting impression on our students.
As we move forward into this term, we have some exciting events on the horizon. We recently held auditions for our upcoming production of 'Mary Poppins' and were thrilled to welcome over 40 Primary students who showcased their incredible talents. The show will be cast in the coming weeks, rehearsals will soon be underway, and we anticipate opening night on Friday May 17, 2024. Whether or not your child secured a spot in the show, we were truly impressed by the courage and talent displayed during auditions.
A gentle reminder to our Primary families: morning supervision does not commence until 8:15 am. We have noticed an increasing number of students arriving on campus earlier than this time. Please be aware that there is no supervision before the first duty teacher arrives at 8:15 am. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students, we kindly ask for your cooperation in adhering to this schedule.
I eagerly look forward to a fantastic Term 4 ahead!
Mr Wayne Cross
Director of the Primary School
THE FUTURE IS RECLAIMED... BY YEAR 5
A group of awesome Year 5 students were invited to attend the ‘Reclaimed Futures’ night at the Northern River’s Living Lab in Lismore to present their Integrated Studies resilient house design projects. The students worked hard on this presentation and are to be congratulated on their efforts! Below is a recount written by Olive Isaac.
"As part of our Integrated Studies unit, year 5 went on an excursion to the Living Lab to talk about the damage done by the floods and to talk about what we needed to build a disaster resilient house. They were so excited to hear about what we had done, that they invited some of us back to present our final projects!! That night, we were the first people to present our project. We started off by telling the audience what we had to do and why we were doing it. We then went through all of the materials we used and discussed what we enjoyed most about the project. At the end, the lady who was running it asked us questions and told us the things she liked most about our houses. It was a really fun night and we were all so happy to have the opportunity to show our projects."
Olive Isaac, 5C
Feedback from Zerina at The Northern Rivers Living Lab:
"Thank you so much for supporting your students to be part of Reclaimed Futures last night. The students’ presentation was a huge success, and their models and innovations were brilliant. The adults and other young people in the room were very impressed with the confidence, enthusiasm, and intelligence that your students displayed."
Well done Year 5!
Ms Alyssa Marshall
Teacher of 5C
Secondary Scoop
Embracing Excellence in Term 4
As we step into Term 4, we find ourselves at an exciting juncture in the academic year. We extend our very best wishes to our Year 12 students who are currently sitting their HSC exams. This is a momentous occasion, and we wish you the best of luck. Remember, your hard work and determination have brought you to this point, and we have every confidence in your abilities to excel.
Further to Mr Tobias' article above, we are also thrilled to announce the incoming leaders of 2024 from our Year 11 cohort. Congratulations to all who will be stepping into leadership roles. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to our College community have not gone unnoticed.
To our younger students looking up to these senior leaders, be inspired by their accomplishments. They serve as role models, showing that with dedication and perseverance, you can achieve your goals.
As we embark on this new term, let us support one another and celebrate each other's successes. Together, we can make Term 4 a time of growth and achievement.
Here's to a successful and inspiring Term 4!
Ms Amanda Middleton
Director of the Secondary School
GRADUATING STUDENTS NOMINATED FOR ELITE HONOR
Our proud congratulations goes out to Zoe Ball and Eliška Gidding, both graduating Year 12 students from the Class of 2023, who have each been nominated for possible inclusion in the 2023 OnSTAGE cast.
OnSTAGE is a presentation of performances and projects by HSC Drama students presented by the NSW Education Standards Authority and the NSW Department of Education. Held in February at the Seymour Centre, Chippendale, the program features exemplary group and individual performances, script writing and video drama by HSC Drama students. Exemplary individual projects by HSC Drama students will also be on exhibition in the foyer of the York Theatre, Seymour Centre. Projects include costume, lighting and set design, promotion and program, and theatre review.
Final selections will be announced in December and come what may, we are so very proud of the efforts Zoe, Eliška and all of our graduating Drama students have poured into their work throughout 2023.
Ms Sue McClintock
Teacher of Drama and English
EAC STUDENTS REPRESENT FOR JUSTICE
Our Year 11 Legal Studies students were recently invited to a professional conference in Lismore addressing issues of representation of youth in the criminal and family justice system.
Students attended a plethora of lectures and heard from prestigious panelists including Judge Skinner, President of the Children's Court of NSW, speakers from NSW Department of Community and Services, Legal Aid, the Director of Youth Law Australia and a number of professors among others.
Our students nominated highlight was a small break out group of students from schools in the area discussing issues relevant to youth the Northern Rivers with the passionate advocate Anne Hollonds, National Children's Commissioner and former CEO of the Benevolent Society.
Ms Melissa Tonnet
Teacher of Commerce, HSIE and Legal Studies
Northern Rivers News
QUESTACON COMES TO TOWN
Join the Questacon Science Circus for a FREE pop-up science centre experience like no other!
Come along to spin yourself dizzy, test your reflexes, explore your fingertips under the microscope, and watch some of our spectacular science shows.
With over 30 hands-on exhibits, the Science Circus pop-up is a fantastic STEM day out for the whole family. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to ignite your curiosity!
- This is a FREE event, but bookings are essential.
- Most people spend 1 – 2 hours at our pop-up.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Lismore
Saturday 4 November, 10 am – 4 pm
Goonellabah Sports & Aquatic Centre, 50 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah NSW 2480
Hurry, book your FREE ticket now! ️ https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=QUESTPSC23
