Newsletter of The Riverina Anglican College

LEADERS OF WELLBEING REPORTS

All articles published week beginning 2 March 2020

 

Year 7

Throughout the entire time we are away together next week, and at our Wellbeing Day following the Camp, we are hoping that new friendships will be formed, shared experiences will occur and that resilience will be built. 

 

We totally understand that it’s not in everyone’s comfort zone to abseil or to be in a group with people who don’t know each other well, but it’s situations like these that allow individuals to grow and to practice using their ‘resilience’ muscle. Camp will be providing opportunities for personal challenge for everyone who attends (teachers included!). Teachers will be encouraging the Year 7 students to acknowledge their emotions when placed in hard situations and to learn how to harness them. This has already started to occur when students have been asking about cabin rooming. At the moment, this is an unknown as students will find out their activity groups and cabin buddies on the first day of camp. This has been a very deliberate choice and we are very happy with how they are handling the lack of information so far. 

 

Just a reminder to double-check the camp note and all of the items that need to be brought. Whilst the list may seem extensive, the children need to be prepared for warm days and cool nights. If the camp note has been misplaced, there is an electronic version available on your child’s House Google Classroom. 

 

The PUP program has come to a close this week. We really hope that your child gained a lot of knowledge of the College community through the mentoring program and developed a connection with their PUP leader. This means that there is a new wellbeing focus that will begin from Week 8. For the remainder of the term, Year 7 will be focussing on positive relationships. 

 

Also, just a quick reminder for parents when dropping off and picking up their children that this needs to happen in the designated drop off zone. Currently, this is not consistently happening, which is leading to a variety of safety concerns. 

Lauren Kelly | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 7 

Browning and Sheppard House

Elizabeth Passlow | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 7 

Fox and Stanley House 

Year 8

Welcome to the Week 6 edition of our Year 8 report for Term 1. The Wellbeing focus for the last fortnight has revolved around looking after yourself so that your child can enjoy being in their own skin. This involved two presentations on hygiene and nutrition. Basic tips were provided so that as your child may have some changes due to an increase in pubescent hormones, they can try to look after themselves appropriately inside and out. This included regular and effective bathing/showering, how often to wash hair, applying antiperspirant, having a healthy relationship with what we eat as our diet can have an effect on many aspects of our bodies, and just being confident and positive in their own self-image. We would like to thank Belinda Jordan and Katrina Brown for giving up their time to talk to the Year group. 

 

As the assessment schedule has not yet been released, we would just like to keep you updated on the upcoming assessment tasks over the next two weeks:

- Science (experimental report) due Wednesday 11 March (Week 7)

- Technology Mandatory and Geography due in Week 8

 

A new section we would like to include in the newsletter is ‘Moments of Joy’ - small titbits or interactions that we have particularly enjoyed seeing within the year group.

 

Moments of Joy

- seeing lots of students give it their all in benchmarking during PDHPE lessons, particularly their efforts in running the typically dreaded ‘beep test’

- joining Mrs Daniher’s Technology Mandtory class to see some fantastic house designs (both as drawings and using computer software). If your child is in this class, I would highly recommend checking their design to see what they can do!

- welcoming of new students. We now have 7 new students in 2020 and I just love seeing how your children welcome anyone new, within a few days you wouldn’t even know who the new students were

 - the absolute mayhem that has been in the STEM building over the past few weeks, as Year 8 have been completing their Student Research Projects (science experiments). It is so exciting to see so many budding scientists!

As always, if you would like to discuss your child’s wellbeing and flourishing here at the College, please don’t hesitate in sending an e-mail or calling either of us.

Luke Richardson | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 8

Jennifer Jenkins | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - of Year 8

Year 9

Half way through the term already and the activities continue. Today we are blessed with beautiful rain which seems fitting when our ‘Under the Sea’ Mufti Day is raising money for Waterworks.

 

Students are getting a lot of opportunities to complete aspects of their curriculum off campus. PDHPE have been completing practical tennis lessons at CSU and the PASS students are using the Oasis for their swimming component. Congratulations to the students involved in the Katrina Powell Shield and Cricket competitions. As usual their effort and attitude has really reflected the College spirit. The Aerobics team continue to train hard and I can’t wait to see the finish product.

 

The Year 9 Prefects are currently working with me and the two Head of Houses for Year 7 to organise activities for a wellbeing day that will be held next Thursday. They are doing a great job of coming up with ideas.

 

Running Club is on Friday mornings before school in Terms 1 and 4 and students don’t need to be expert runners to be a part of this great initiative.

 

The College Athletics Carnival is next Friday, 13 March and, if the swimming carnival is anything to go on, I’m expecting excellent participation from Year 9. Students have finished their House Challenge and will now move in to other sporting activities on Friday afternoons.

 

Students have a Science assessment task due this Friday, 6 March and, if you haven’t heard about it yet, there is a Christian Studies task that requires the students to attend a Church Service. This one isn’t due until next term but it might be a good idea to ask your child about this.

Emma Smith | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9

Issac Mannion | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing -  Year 9

Year 10

As I sit here and write it has been lovely to see our students show up with enthusiasm and dress up for the mufti day fundraiser in the theme “Under The Sea”. Something I believe our students do extremely well is support worthy causes for our community through things such as fundraisers, raising awareness and being involved in the community in such positive ways. Over time I have witnessed our Year group and individuals become very passionate about helping others and advocating for people in less fortunate situations than themselves. This is a testament to their developing levels of maturity and to you as parents at home in supporting the growth of their mind and social awareness. 

 

Further to last week, the following information may be useful for those students getting close to obtaining their licenses. 

 

NDE Australia is currently conducting the Roads & Maritime Service (RMS) Safer Driver Course in Wagga Wagga, for Learner Drivers.

 

The next course will be held at the

Wagga Wagga RSL, Dobbs Street Wagga Wagga, 

on Sunday 15 March 2020, commencing at 9am.

 

The course consists of a three hour theory session followed by a two hour practical driving session, which involves low risk driving techniques. The two hour session entails 2 students, completing one hour drive each, on a pre prepared route.

The course provides 20 hours of log time in the Learner Drivers’ Handbook for $140.  Drivers need to have 50 logbook hours to qualify for the course.

 

This is of great value for students and families and can be completed in 1 day. Lunch is provided at the training venue.

 

The Facilitators and coaches are highly skilled and experienced and provide easy to understand instruction, which will assist young drivers to gain valuable experience and safe driving techniques. 

Students and families can book through the NDE Australia website http://www.ndeaustralia.com.au  or call  0298533243.

Meegan Farmer | Leader of Wellbeing -  Year 10

Trevor Dawson | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing -  Year 10

Year 11

Year 11 are well into the Term and are about to start the first round of Assessment Tasks. All parents and students were emailed a copy of the Assessment Booklet, which stipulates the requirements and procedures required by NESA and the International Baccalaureate. If for some reason you did not receive the email, please let me know or go to the school website http://trac.nsw.edu.au/ to view the document.

 

I have spoken to many students about the importance of sleep. To be the best version of yourself each day, a good night’s sleep is essential. Please monitor your child's sleep habits and encourage sleep, over time on screens.

 

Year 11 Information Night

Thank you to all the parents who gave us their time to attend the Year 11 Information Night. These nights are essential for both parents and students to reinforce a collaborative approach. A copy of the two presentations has been added to the Year 11 Wellbeing Google Classroom. Please ask your child for access to view the presentations.

 

Homeroom

During Homeroom, the students are finalising their goals. The Year 11 Wellbeing team are pleased with the overall success and the student’s growth with the process. Students will begin to refine their study skills as we start our new Wellbeing topic of Study Skills. We will be working through the Elevate program, which follows the exceptional workshops presented earlier in the term.

 

I want to take the opportunity to congratulate the following students on their achievements within and out of school. Please let me know of all the wonderful activities your child takes part in via email. I would love to encourage and support their achievements.

 

Grace Flagg - Achieving Blue belt in Taekwondo

Charlotte Wickson - Auditioned for Sydney Dance Company Youth Ensemble for Contemporary dance.

Amall Liakatos | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 11

Kelly Bowen | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - of Year 11

Year 12

The Year 12 students at The Riverina Anglican College continue to make me proud on a daily basis. Even during a time in their lives that may cause stress and anxiety, make them refrain from participating in extra events and become introverted academics, they are proving that the HSC is not an obstacle from allowing them to do a variety of things either as individuals, in groups and teams, and being of service to others. While I don't have one specific thing to mention about each and every one of the 109 students in Year 12, I would like to take this opportunity to make specific mention about several individuals, teams and groups that have been made known to me over the past week by many proud staff members at the College.

 

  • Ben Bland has accepted an Electrical Linesman Apprenticeship
  • Hugh Wakefield has accepted a Cabinet Makers Apprenticeship 
  • Neva Walker is pursuing Early Childhood Studies
  • The Rotary Peace day speech was spoken from the heart
  • Finn Buckley lead the Clean Up Australia Day team at the Wagga Beach
  • Cassandra Lai is making the cutest stickers (check them out!)
  • Stage Band, Band and Orchestra’s dedication to practice and performance from Brendan Guise, Kodi Fiege, Cassandra Lai, Jillian Porganyi, Elliot Campbell-Casey, Queeneth Inyang and Rebecca Scott during their HSC. They also made the College’s first ever Pep band for the College Open Night.
  • Rebecca Scott’s Science research project task at CSU is going to be published! Her findings have contributed to real scientific research and will be presented in Pittsburgh in July 2020
  • The Byrnes Shield Cricketers made the Grand Final of the CWWHS competition
  • The Douglas Shield Cricketers won their Quarter Final in Sydney
  • Joe Martin scored a hat-trick during the Burns Shield Cricket competition
  • The Katrina Powell Softball team consisted mainly of Year 12 female students, most of whom had never played before
  • Our 2020 student leaders were exceptional during the College Open night
  • Study sessions in the library are being utilised to their full capacity and their study pizza’s are filling
  • Driving etiquette and speed limits are being adhered to on the College grounds
  • Uniforms are being worn with pride and demonstrate the correct way for the rest of the College to appropriately wear them.
  • Year 12 students outside of the College are being supportive employees to younger College students, specifically at Gelatissimo
  • The dedicated Hardy Shield Rugby League team are getting up extra early and training before school on Friday mornings
  • Leyla Liakatos has qualified for the Australian Track and Field Championships at Sydney Olympic Park later this month after finishing the 800m event in a time of 2:18.74
  • The Carroll Cup AFL team is training during their own lunch times
  • The Year 12 Common Room remains a habitable environment and you can still see the carpet!

It’s so nice to be able to report such great things that the Year 12 students are doing. Keep up the good work everyone and continue to work together to get through Term 1. If you have been doing wonderful things and they weren’t mentioned in this report, please let me know so we can write about them in the next newsletter. It's wonderful sharing and celebrating the achievements of this Year group. Keep the information coming and Mr Fuller and I will keep sharing them.

 

Dane Fuller | Leader of Wellbeing - 12

Kim Kjaer | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - 12