COLLEGE NEWS
Welcome
2021 has kicked off with a buzz at the College with new learning spaces, new students and a new year! We are all very excited to see the safe return of students, and all eager to begin the school year at The Riverina Anglican College. We trust that you have settled into familiar routines well while looking forward to new challenges in 2021.
To our Junior School students and families, we hope it has been a smooth transition and that you are starting to feel a great sense of belonging to our amazing learning environment.
George Kirolus and Holly Wilson | College Captains
Apply Now for K-12 2022!
We encourage all families to submit their application as soon as possible for enrolment next year in K-12.
Application Forms are available here.
All enquiries can be emailed to: enrolments@trac.nsw.edu.
College Photos
Save the Date!
Polish those school shoes, straighten that tie and SMILE!
Secondary School - Thursday 18 February
Junior School - Thursday 4 March
Secondary students are reminded to be in full summer uniform for our College Photo Day on Thursday 18 February.
Year 9 students, please bring your sport uniform to change into for afternoon sport.
Students are reminded that they are not to wear makeup and those with longer than shoulder length hair are required to tie it back. Boys are to be clean-shaven.
Trevor Howard | Deputy Principal - Head of Campus
Outdoor Education Cafe
Lunch Orders for Secondary School Students
The Outdoor Education Cafe is now using School24 to manage the ordering of lunches for Secondary School students. Outdoor Education students will make changes to the menu as their skill level in the kitchen develops.
Parents and students are reminded that ordering for each day closes at 8:30 am.
School24 will be releasing an App very soon.
To register or to place an order with School24 visit: https://www.school24.net.au/canteenorder/register
The College Code is: 25308963
When registering for the first time ensure you select the House your child is in Eg Year 7 Browning.
Lunches are to be collected at the undercover area outside the Art building.
Alex Sarantakos | Head of Operations
Outdoor Ed Cafe Snack Menu
Menu items available at recess and lunch for secondary students:
- Slushie $2 SML - $3 REG
- Fruit box $1.00
- Chocolate Milk $2.00
- Sugar-Free Coke $2.00
- Smiths Chips $2.00
- Cookie $2.00
- Hot Chocolate $3.00 REG - $4.00 LG
- Cheese and Bacon Roll $2.50
Swimming Carnival
We are so pleased to be offering an alternative date for the College Swimming Carnival.
Monday 1st March.
Students who selected to participate in the Senior School competitive event will combine with the Junior School competitors at the Oasis Swimming Pool.
Students who selected to participate in the Secondary School Non-Competitive event will travel to Junee on busses that are provided by the College during regular school hours.
Photo Gallery - Junior School - Welcome Ceremony
This morning the Junior School celebrated its inaugural year with a Welcome Ceremony.
Mr Humble, Principal formally welcomed students and staff. All students were presented with a certificate in recognition of being an inaugural student of the Junior School.
2021 Prefect Induction Service
Introducing the College Prefects for 2021. These student leaders were inducted during the Principal's Assembly on February 1.
Congratulations to all students on your appointment, we believe you will do a fabulous job in your leadership role.
Principal's Assembly
At this week's Principal's Assembly the College Band entertained Secondary students and staff with "Mambo Australiano" conducted by Ms Brassil. This was followed by the presentation of Silver Awards and badges to the College Band and String Sinfonia for their online entries in the 2020 Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival.
The Open Boy's Water Polo Champions were presented with their perpetual shield for the 2020 competition and Isaac Collingridge received the trophy for Best in Finals.
The Combined Wagga Wagga High Schools Super 6's Rugby Champions were also presented with their trophy from the 2020 competition. Thank you to Mr Richardson for his work with the team.
Mobile Phone usage
At the Principal's Assembly this week, Mr Heffer addressed the students regarding the usage of mobile phones.
The message regarding mobile phones is relatively simple - mobile phones have no role to play in our classrooms unless at the direction of the teacher and for specific educational purposes. The reasoning for this is evident in the document which is attached here.
The verdict on the impact of mobile phones on learning in the classroom is out and could not be clearer- they are detrimental to student focus and the distractibility of them outweighs all other positives.
For more information please see Mr Heffer's post on Compass.
Safer Internet Day
Tuesday was Safer Internet Day!
The eSafety Commissioner has released some fantastic resources for both primary (year 3+) and secondary aged students. There is a book (this is for primary only) and two webinar/classroom activities. The book can be accessed here: Online safety picture book and song | eSafety Commissioner
FREE WEBINAR FOR PARENTS
This Safer Internet Day 2021 webinar will look at how parents and carers can support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships and what to do if things go wrong.
It will cover:
- starting conversations with your child about their online friendships and positive ways to deal with changing relationships
- understanding the rights, laws and community expectations that govern social media use
- where to seek help if your child is involved in a cyberbullying incident.
The webinar will include case studies, research and targeted advice so you can support the young people in your life to have safe, enjoyable online experiences.
Monday 15 February 12.30 to 1.30 pm
Monday 22 March 12.30 to 1.30 pm
For further reading, below is an article - The Digital lives of Aussie teens
Secondary School Sport Days
Student Reminder // All secondary students to wear their sports uniform to school on their designated sport day.
Secondary School Gymnasium Days
Student Reminder // The College Gymnasium is open for particular year groups each day at recess and lunch.
Monday - Year 7
Tuesday - Year 8
Wednesday - Year 9
Thursday - Year 10
Friday - Year 11 & 12
Tracwork is Back!
Tracwork is a group for students and staff to explore Christianity in more depth and encourage one another in faith. Everyone is welcome to join us each Thursday lunchtime in the Library. For more information see Mr Tyndall, College Chaplain.
Chess Club Returns!
Do you have the moves and the strategy to survive a game of chess? Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome. For more information see Mrs Woodgate.
Welcome to our new Heads of House!
We are very excited to be introducing the new Heads of Houses for 2021 at The Riverina Anglican College. These staff members form part of the Wellbeing Team who are committed to enriching the wellbeing and educational opportunities for students.
Mr John Petts
P: 02 6933 1811
Ms Lauren Kelly
E: Lauren.Kelly@trac.nsw.edu.au
P: 02 6933 1811
Mrs Elizabeth Passlow
E: Elizabeth.Passlow@trac.nsw.edu.au
P: 02 6933 1811
Mrs Jennifer Jenkins
E: Jennifer.Jenkins@trac.nsw.edu.au
P: 02 6933 1811
Mr Justin Buckley
E: Justin.Buckley@trac.nsw.edu.au
P: 02 6933 1811
Ms Alice Mattingly
E: Alice.Mattingly@trac.nsw.edu.au
P: 02 6933 1811
Homework Help
Homework Help assists in bridging the gap between learning at school and learning at home and helps establish habits of study and self-discipline while developing skills such as research and time management. Achieving a balance between school and homework, music and sports practice, as well as recreational activities and free time, is essential for the wellbeing and whole-person development of our students.
Every Wednesday from 3:30pm - 4:30pm during the term, the Library is open to secondary students for 'Homework Help'. Teachers from different faculties assist students with their study, homework or preparing for exams. From time to time, Homework Help may need to be cancelled, this announcement is made on the notices via Compass and on our Facebook page.
Blast Off!
Year 8 TM students had so much fun designing and creating in their unit of work 'Straw Rockets'. Their challenge was to create a 'rover' suitable to land an egg safely. It looks like they did a pretty good job of ensuring all safety checks were covered.
Old MacDonald Had A Farm
Year 2 student Angus Fennell was enjoying his private piano music lesson today with Mr Daniel Murray.
Angus was very close to mastering "Old MacDonald Had A Farm" and is looking forward to learning a new song very soon.
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
Eastern Service Road Closure / Access to Uniform Shop
Construction of the Junior School has resulted in the closure of the Eastern Service Road that leads to the Uniform Shop.
A new service road is under construction and it should be completed in due course. Until this road is completed, all visitors will need to park at the front of the College near the Administration building.
Please contact the College should you require assistance.
Alex Sarantakos | Head of Operations
Parking at the front of the College
Please be aware that Farrer Road in front of the College is now a no parking zone. Some parents have been choosing to pick up students or park on Farrer Road. It is now marked with a solid yellow line. Disobeying this “No Stopping restriction” can result in a fine of $257, or a fine of $330 and two demerit points in a school zone.
Please use the designated Parent Pickup Area.
Trevor Howard | Deputy Principal - Head of Campus
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.
Access to the College
We thank all parents, staff and students for their patience as we work through the interim arrangements for accessing, parking and conducting drop off or pick up.
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.