The Anchor

Around the College

Premier's Reading Challenge

The Premier’s Reading Challenge is over for another year and what an exciting year it has been. At times the shelves were bereft of books as students selected books that entertained, challenged and educated them. Popular this year were the perennial favourites; John Marsden, J. K. Rowling and Rick Riordan, but all genres, including biographies, were enjoyed. As Teacher Librarian, I adore the Premier’s Reading Challenge as a structured program to encourage reading in students, but I thought I would get some of our seasoned practitioners to share their thoughts.

 

To complete the Premier's Reading Challenge, students are encouraged to read twelve books or more during the course of the year. This year, 148 students have completed the challenge. Out of the Year 7, 8 and 9 English classes, Mr Slattery's Year 8 class achieved the highest number of students completing the Challenge, with 25 students, reading 12 books or more. Mr Dissel’s Year 7 class came a close second with 23 students rising to the challenge. For the Year 12s of 2018, this PRC is our last hurrah. I, personally, enjoy the experience of finding new books and new things to read, whether recommended by the Reading List, my English teacher (Hi, Mrs Davies!) or my own curiosity, and I am certain that even though the PRC may be over for me, I will always have a passion for reading and stories of each and every kind.  Savindi Wadduwage, Library Leader

 

Our names are Liya and Maegan and we are Year 10 students who have been doing the Premiers Reading Challenge ever since Reception.

 

I'm Liya and I used to really dislike reading during primary school. My parents had motivated me to continue so I could expand my educational skills in English; something I wasn't particularly good at. Though one day, one of my primary school friends had urged me to read JK Rowling's famous series, Harry Potter. I thought I might give it a try so I could complete that year's PRC, though I found that once I started the first book, I couldn't stop reading. I then persisted into reading more books that were like Harry Potter. From then on I noticed a clear difference in my English grades without me even trying. I realised that the only reason I didn’t like reading was because I hadn't found a book I actually liked. I understand that most of you will not like reading no matter how amazing books you come across, but to those who haven't tried a best seller before, give it ago. The PRC simply helped me in finding my type of book.

 

I’m Maegan and reading has always been a part of my life. I started reading when I was 3-4, obviously baby books at that age. My imagination was opened with Harry Potter's story, allowing me to visualise what I read, which was incredible! ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is another series that I love. As I get older, I've found that there are SO many types of genres! The' Sherlock Holmes’ series has influenced me more than anything else. These books have fuelled my passion to become a Forensic Scientist and going into Criminology, pushing me to study and try my best. Reading has always been an escape for me, allowing me to hide from the overbearing feelings of my anxiety issues.

 

 Reading can be an escape- and if you need an escape then it might just be for you.

 

Well done to all students who have completed the Challenge this year. Mr Dissel is hot on the heels of Mr Slattery after his back-to-back win. Thank you to all parents who support and encourage reading in their homes.

 

Catherine Barnes

Teacher Librarian

Pedal Prix

The weekend of Friday 21 to Sunday 23 September 2018 marked the 33rd running of the 24hr Pedal Prix race held at Murray Bridge. Throughout the year, Endeavour has been competing with two bikes however, due to having only 12 riders, only one bike (Clipper)  took part in this year’s 24hr race. Despite the smaller number of riders, everyone did a fantastic job racing and helping out where they can! With only a few minor roll overs, we still managed to finish cleanly and in one piece.

The Stats:

Overall Position: 118th (out of 207)

Position in Category: 29th (out of 41)

Number of Laps: 369

Fastest Practice Lap: 2:21.5

Fastest Race lap: 2:29.7

Top Speed: 42.5km/h

A huge thank you to Tina Pfeiffer for taking over Ms Barry’s role as team manager due to being away for Term 3. Team manager isn’t an easy job but she has done an amazing job preparing and making this event possible! Thank you to the mechanics for spending countless hours and late nights putting together, repairing and making sure the bike finished the race! Thank you to Nicole Pfeiffer for becoming fitness leader once again and training the riders every week in preparation for the races.

 

Also a huge thank you to all the families – Loechel’s, Pfeiffer’s, Watson’s, Jeffries’, Angelakis’, Bleasdale’s, Gourlay’s, Schwarz’s and the Zimmer’s.  Thank you for helping out through, not just the weekend, but also the year. Without your help, none of this would be possible.

 

Thank you also to Mr Woodberry, Mr Knight and Mr Slaven for their assistance over the weekend.

We thank and acknowledge our sponsors

  • Farnham Roadlines
  • Kennards Hire, Salisbury
  • E.P Performance Centre
  • United Fasteners
  • HEX Pegs
  • Move Yourself

Daniel Loechel

Pedal Prix Leader