COLLEGE NEWS
Welcome
Term 1 has definitely flown by with us now reaching the end of Week 9 and Easter is just around the corner.
We are thinking of everyone and particularly all those families affected by these unforgiving rains in the north. We thank our amazing SES women and men across our country for their always selfless work to help those in need through these disastrous conditions.
We wish all families and friends of the College a happy Easter with their loved ones and may your break be blessed with peace, happiness and harmony.
Wordmasters and the HICES Debating Competition
On the afternoon of Monday the 22nd of March 2021, we had our very first virtual debate as competitors in The HICES Debating Competition. The Middle School Division Team A (Year 7) members were Hansa (Saranya) Rathnayake, Kate Miller, Quinntesaa Sankar and Ariarne Mota. Zoe Muller (Year 7) was Chairperson and Anneliese Klimpsch (year 8) was the Time-keeper. The adjudicator was a celebrated local and retired teacher– Mr Geoff Amos. The topic for our prepared debate was: That holding a current first aid certificate should be a prerequisite for obtaining a driver’s licence.
Our team took the negative, the affirmative side was battled by The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS), from Wollongong. Our team delivered a calculated argument and presented their case most persuasively to bring TRAC home - our first win in the competition. We couldn’t be more proud. The team apparently spent much of Sunday in a Zoom meeting, collaborating and preparing for the battle. The best speaker of the day went to the first speaker of the opposing team, Ting Ting Cook from TIGS, the second best speaker went to Quinntesaa Sankar and third best speaker to Hansa Rathnayake.
Thanks must go to the team coaches – Mrs Corrina Hawke and Miss Maddy Tyson, as well as Mark Webster and Michael Healy for helping with set up. A very special thank you must go to our adjudicator, Mr Geoff Amos, and The Illawarra Grammar School coach, Jean Burton, and their team
That was the first debate of 28, so only 27 to go until we find out whether any of our seven teams will make it into the final.
Stay posted…
Mrs Corrina Hawke | Head of Faculty - English
HICES Debating Coordinator
Learning in Action in the Junior School
Students in the Junior School have so much to look forward to as there will be numerous interest groups commencing including; journalism, drama/ dance, chess, debating, animal planet, Math Olympiad, AFL, netball and book club. Next term, Tournament of Minds, Ag. Club and parent-led learning activities will commence. The video below shows you some recent learning highlights in the Junior School.
Junior RAS Swimming
(Riverina Associated Schools)
Congratulations to our Junior School students - Rachel, Finn, Ruby, Edward, Annabelle, Lucy, Isla and Primrose who represented the College in the RAS (Riverina Associated Schools) team at the NSWCIS swimming carnival last week at the Sydney Olympic Aquatic Centre. Many personal bests were achieved by our students including Ruby who competed in five events and recorded new personal bests in each.
Highlights from the Secondary School Athletics Carnival
There was a lot of colour and plenty of activity at our Secondary School Athletics Carnival as each event was well represented by students from Years 7 to 12.
Congratulations to all students who gave their best. Whether it was to dress up, decorate, run hard or jump high, we hope you had a fun day of competition. Thank you to Mrs Kjaer, with the support of secondary school staff, for the organisation of the day.
Results from the Athletics Carnival can be found on the 'Sport' page in this newsletter.
And the Winning House is...
Visual Arts
Visual Arts students have had a very busy start to the year, receiving background theory knowledge to each new topic and commencing their own practical artworks.
On Thursday 6th May, Elective art students from Years 12, 11, 10 & 9 will be travelling to Canberra to visit the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra to view works from the National Gallery of London ‘Botticelli to Van Gogh’. Elective students from Years 9 & 10 will also be attending an associated 1 hour workshop.
This is a rare opportunity to see amazing artworks from iconic artists and a great way to extend students’ art knowledge and inspire them to make their own artworks.
"To walk through the National Gallery is to journey through the history of picture-making in Western Europe, from the thirteenth century to the beginning of the twentieth, and this exhibition aims to give a flavour of that experience."
– Dr Gabriele Finaldi, Director, National Gallery, London
Botticelli to Van Gogh: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London is the first time in its near 200-year history that the National Gallery, London has toured an exhibition of works internationally. Drawing on the strengths of their collection, this exhibition offers a rare opportunity to see 61 paintings by some of Europe’s most revered artists, including Botticelli, Titian, Rembrandt, Vermeer, El Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Turner, Constable, Van Dyck, Gainsborough, Renoir, Cézanne, Monet, Gauguin and Van Gogh.
Highlights include Rembrandt’s Self Portrait at the Age of 34 1640, Vermeer’s A Young Woman seated at a Virginal c.1670 and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers 1888.
Spanning 450 years, it provides an overview of Western European art history through seven defining periods: Italian Renaissance painting; Dutch painting of the Golden Age; Van Dyck and British portraiture; The Grand Tour; The discovery of Spain; Landscape and the picturesque; and France and the rise of modern art.
Next term will see the launch of the Annual College Photographic Competition. This year’s theme will be “Animals”. There will also be an introduction to a new Visual Arts Competition, based on the same theme.
Students can either choose to:-
DRAW (pencil, pen, pastel, charcoal) or
PAINT (acrylic or oil) or COLLAGE to create an A4 size artwork.
*Great prizes will be allocated for both the Photographic & Art Competitions- these will also be officially announced next term.
Mrs Mannion, Mrs Lehehan and Mr Kennedy | Visual Arts Department
Junior School Art Classes
In their fortnightly art class with Mr Grant, Year 1 and Year 2 students have written letters to the Wagga Zoo. They were encouraged to include drawings of what they might look like visiting the zoo; or animals they would expect to see at the zoo; or what they would like to see added to the zoo. The letters are wonderfully creative and include a great variety of animals.
Francophonie Week
Every year, the French language and culture are celebrated during Francophonie Week in March all over the world. This year at The Riverina Anglican College, a few activities were organised at the College: on Monday and Tuesday, some Year 8 and Year 9 students played Pétanque, which is a game similar to lawn balls. On Wednesday, ham and cheese croissants were sold at the Duke Of Edinburgh kitchen. On Wednesday and Thursday, some students enjoyed watching Belle et Sébastien, which can be viewed on Clickview.
Moreover, there was a Language Competition on Education Perfect and six students got an award (four gold and two silver).
“Merci” everyone for your participation and the French team is looking forward to celebrating their next event, which is Bastille Day in July.
Virginie Vignas | Head of Department - LOTE
COVID-19 Vaccination Information
The Department of Health have developed several easy to read COVID-19 vaccine fact sheets.
From February 22, 2021, the first batch of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines were sent out across Australia and the first group of people were able to take part in the vaccination process. There is a lot of information about choosing to have the vaccine now available online.
There are 10 Easy Read fact sheets. As some people with disability will be part of the first group to receive the vaccine, it’s important that information about the vaccination is clear and easy to understand
Each Easy Read fact sheet explains a different topic about the vaccine. Breaking up the information into simple topics, and answering key questions makes this content easier for the community to read and understand. The fact sheets cover:
- An overview of the COVID-19 vaccine
- What is it? Is it safe?
- Who will get the vaccine?
- Where can you get the vaccine?
- The Pfizer vaccine
- Getting ready for the vaccination
- What to expect when you have your vaccination
- Giving your consent
- After your vaccination
- Other information.
Check out the Easy Read fact sheets on the Department of Health’s website.
Paul Humble | Principal
In the next edition of the newsletter there will be a complete wrap up of Willsher Day. Below is a video presentation Ms Mattingly put together and presented at today's Principal's Assembly.
At the end of the Principal's Assembly today, House Wars was led by Willsher House. The video below shows highlights from the egg and spoon race carried out in a creative manner and at a cracking pace!
General Construction Induction Training (White) card
Students are in the process of completing their
General Construction Induction Training (White) card at the College.
A white card (or general construction induction card) is required for workers who want to carry out construction work.
People who need a white card include:
- site managers, supervisors, surveyors, labourers and tradespeople
- people who access operational construction zones (unaccompanied or not directly supervised by an inducted person)
- workers whose employment causes them to routinely enter operational construction zones.
For more information contact Marie Knight, Careers Adviser
World Greatest Shave
Well done to our College community, our team is now at 13 and has raised over $5000 so far. We have a few shavers, some very brave ponytail donations, a few colouring their hair, and a few secret Y11 and 12 celebrities who will crazy up their hair, and a couple even willing to wax their legs to raise money on the day.
Please click on the button below to donate to our team.
Build a Bridge
Senior students - if you are interested in STEM and would like to attend the 3-day engineering camp at Borambola 19-21 April, please come and see Mrs O'Connor in the STEM building.
Wordmasters Debating and Public Speaking
Wordmasters Debating and Public Speaking meet every Wednesday, lunch, Room DM8. Bring your lunch and prepare for the fast approaching HICES debates. Even if not competing - be there to support your team and grow your communication skills.
Be a Wordmaster!
Corrina Hawke | Head of Faculty - English
Engineering and Robotics Camp - 12th and 13th April
The Riverina Anglican College will be hosting the Engineering and Robotics Camp for students in Year 1 to 8 during the upcoming holidays.
See the attached flyer below with information on how to book and the events they are running.
Please see Mr Mannion if you have any questions, or email Mr Mannion at Isaac.Mannion@trac.edu.au
Brumbies here we come!
Students in Years 3-6 were very fortunate to have ex-student Mr Tom Martin, Brumbies Rugby Development Officer demonstrate to them the safety techniques and rules in preparation for the Brumbies Gala Day in Term 2.
Free community event - Festival of Democracy
The Parliament of NSW is holding a fun and educational school holidays event, ‘The Festival of Democracy’, on Friday 16 April.This COVID-safe event is free and for children aged 4 - 12 years, and their families.Visitors, families and friends are all welcome to come in and experience democracy through a range of family-friendly activities such as democracy hopscotch, craft, storytelling, mystery object guessing competition, and much more!
Bookings are essential via Eventbrite: https://l.linklyhq.com/l/O3AV .
You can book for an 80 minute session starting at 9 am, 10.30 am, 12 pm, or 1.30 pm.Tickets are limited so make sure to book in!
Changes to Allens Buses - Effective 1 March 2021
From 1 March 2021
All school buses will have new route numbers.
The new routes numbers will begin with ‘S’(for school bus), followed by a three-digit route number. For example, S100.
To find the new route number of your school bus see image below or check the Allen's Coaches website allenscoaches.com.au contact Allen’s Coaches on( 02) 6927 3022.
Click on image to enlarge
Uniform Shop
Additional Trading Days/Junior School Winter Uniform Bookings for Year 3-6
The Uniform Shop will close for the school holidays on Thursday 1st April at 12:00 pm.
EXTRA TRADINGS HOURS
DURING TERM HOLIDAYS
Tuesday 13th April - 9:00am to 4:00pm
Wednesday 14th April - 9:00am to 4:00pm
Thursday 15th April - 9:00am to 4:00pm
Monday 19th April - 9:00am to 4:00pm
Junior School fittings (for Year 3-6 only) for the winter uniform, please book via the following link.
https://sobs.com.au/pt/parent.php?schoolid=644.
Please note, purchases are available for all students anytime in-store or online during trading hours.
Term 2 trading will resume on Tuesday 20th April at 8am.
Normal trading hours
Tuesday 8:00am to 4:00pm
Wednesday 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Thursday 8:00am to 12:00pm
See attachment for more information
Please contact Mattina, Kylie and Natalie on 02 6933 1811 Ext - 125
Email: trac@midford.com.au
Phone calls to the College
When you call us at the College, you hear a pre-recorded message with menu options. We understand that you might not want to listen to this message every time!
The main information to remember is:
For the Junior School - Press 1
For the Main Office (Senior School)
- Press 2
For the Uniform Shop - Press 3
Online Payments
A Reminder to all families
When making online payments please ensure you use your Debtor ID as the reference for the payment.
This six digit ID number is found on your Statement, or please contact the office if you are unsure.
Thank you.
From the Finance Team
Term Dates for 2021
Term 1 concludes - Thursday 1 April 2021
Term 2 commences - Tuesday 20 April 2021
Term 2 concludes - Thursday 17 June 2021
Term 3 commences - Monday 12 July 2021
Term 3 concludes - Friday 17 September 2021
Term 4 commences - Tuesday 5 October 2021
Term 4 concludes - Wednesday 8 December 2021
Have you downloaded the Compass Parent Portal?
All families should have received an email inviting you to download the compass School Manager for Parents. This communication platform is a secure site where you can access an array of information about your child/children.
Please contact the College office, if you are yet to receive your login details.
Access to the College
Please view the parking arrangements in the image above if you are not familiar with the parking arrangements in the image
Driving to School - Year 11 and 12
Students in Years 11 and 12 who wish to drive to school, need to ensure the following steps are taken and agreed to before students are permitted to drive to and from the College.
• Complete a 'Driving to School Permission Form' (see attached), and return the signed form to the College Office for processing.
• Taking Passengers - Any student travelling in the car of another student will be required to complete the 'Passenger Permission Form' (see attached), and return the signed form to the College Office for processing.
The College recommends that siblings be permitted and, at most, one other authorised person.
Vehicles must not leave the College during the day without the student/s signing out from the College Office.
Driving to School Forms:
Driving to School Permission Form
College Office
Absence Process
Student absences should be reported to the Compass Parent Portal, preferably by 9am.
Do you need to update your contact details?
Have you moved address or had a change in your family circumstances and need to update your contact details?
If you have changed your contact details recently. We urge you to contact the College office to update your phone numbers and email, so if we need to contact you urgently we can do so.
Please email Office@trac.nsw.edu.au
with your current details.
Medical Action Plans
If your child has a Medical Action Plan please ensure that the College Office has an up-to date copy for the student's file and Sickbay.
If you need more information, please contact the Office on 69 331811 or Office@trac.nsw.edu.au
Long-term Absences
If the student will be absent for more than 2 weeks (10 school days), an application to the Principal is required via the Application for Extended Leave - Vacation/Travel Form prior to departure. Once this document is completed by the Parent/Guardian, please return to the College Office for processing. You will then receive a Certificate of Extended Leave - Vacation/Travel.
Students who will be absent for shorter periods of time (less than 2 weeks) are also required to supply written notification to the College.
All student long-term absences should be reported to the College via email absences@trac.nsw.edu.au.