Bulletin - Erindale College

September 2012
Bulletin
Message from
the Principal
Hello everyone
As we move to close term 3 and head
into the final eight weeks of semester 2
and of the 2012 academic year, it is
useful for us to reflect on achievements
so far. Year 12 students should be
reflecting on their academic record and
ensuring they have enough points to
graduate. If they do not, they should be
seeking assistance from their College
Link teacher and perhaps executive staff
members to make certain they achieve
the correct points tally by the end of the
fourth term. It will be too late to do
anything about an inadequate total as
term 4 progresses.
Year 11 students should also be
reflecting upon their achievements so
far this year. They should be well on the
way to achieving half the total points
they require to graduate in 2013 (8-10
points for Accredited packages and
some 10 plus minimum for Tertiary
packages). If students have NOT
achieved this, they put their 2013
graduation at risk. Students worried by
their performance at this stage should
talk with their College Link teacher to
attempt to plan a way forward that
allows them to succeed. Any parent
worried by the achievement of their
child could also speak with the relevant
College Link teacher.
Just as I ask students to reflect upon their
work I am discussing with the teaching
staff how we will go about enriching the
quality of our “reflective practice”. With
the Commonwealth and ACT Governments
both putting education at the very top of
their relevant agendas, it is appropriate
that teachers engage in that part of this
work that is about helping each other
focus on continual improvement. Teaching
has been for a very long time, a “closed
door” experience with teachers having
their class in their room doing their
dictate. Now, we all know, we have many
great teachers— especially here at EC—
but, like every other profession, it is
essential that we create ways to improve
our personal and collegial “reflective
practice” so that together, we can be the
best we can be.
With this end in mind, and in recognising
that research around the world tells us
that the ‘teacher makes the difference’ and I am sure all of you know this to be the
case from your own time at school - our
wonderful teaching group are exploring
ways of engaging with developmental
processes that help each of us get better at
our work. Some are using peer
Inside this issue:
Principal’s Message
1
Maths & Science
Enrichment Day
2
Join Us on Facebook
3
Creative Arts Photography
4
Careers Notices
5
Erindale Pacific
6
2012 WorldSkills
7
Erindale Sports Academy
8
Community Education
Program
9
Homestay
10
Family Support
11
Important Dates
12
Erindale Pacific Dance Group
are training for their
performance on 5th October
as part of the ANU Pasifika
Appreciation Day.
observations, some are using video analysis of their own
face-to-face and online forums to collaborate in producing
performance and others continue the tradition of deep
the fundamental beliefs that guide our approach at EC.
conversation about what works and what doesn’t when in
Enjoy the term break;
regards Michael Hall.
the classroom. What is important about these approaches is
that teachers are taking seriously the concept of sharing best
practice so that all of us undergo a richer and more powerful
learning and teaching experience. We are committed to
making this ‘learning culture’ a fundamental aspect of our
college character.
So, just as I urge students and teachers to reflect upon our
experiences and celebrate our achievements, it is appropriate
for everyone, including parents, families, friends, and
members of our wider Erindale complex community, to
reflect upon what we believe is important about ‘how we do
things around here’. During the closing part of 2012 and into
the early parts of 2013, students, parents, teachers and
others will be asked to share what they believe is important
for our culture to embrace. The statements shown in the
following textbox are just one contribution to this thinking.
One suggestion made indicated we should add that we
“respect property” as this is an important part of keeping our
learning spaces conducive to excellent learning. Whatever we
finally decide to publicise as our ‘shared beliefs’, we need to
make sure they are strongly shared, so I will be setting up
SECOND ANNUAL MATHS & SCIENCE ENRICHMENT DAY
On the 28th of August Erindale
College held its Second Annual
Science and Maths Enrichment Day.
High school students from Caroline
Chisholm and Melrose competed
with and against Erindale college
students in several science and maths
challenges throughout the day. In the
morning the science kicked off with
some trivia and was then followed by
demonstrations by Peter Smith
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(teacher) and a number of
interactive displays and
demonstrations run by college
students for the high school
students and each other. The
science part of the day culminated
in a challenge which asked student
teams to construct parachutes from
plastic bags, paperclips and string,
which could carry a 500 gram weight
and have the longest hang time when
dropped from the balcony in the
foyer.
After a lunch of pizza, the students
took on the maths challenges which
involved both individual and team
activities, including maths relays.
Winning Groups and Individuals
received cinema vouchers. Overall it
was an enjoyable day showcasing the
best of maths and science.
Many thanks to all college teachers
and students who were involved in
helping the day run successfully,
especially those who ran activities or
acted as team captains.
I’m writing to let you know that
myself and a colleague have been
coming to Erindale College over the
last 5 weeks to deliver a life
education program called Core of
Life. This is a program that focuses
on the realities of pregnancy, birth
and early parenting. The students
involved in the program under the
guidance of the Transitions and
Careers Officer were engaged
throughout the sessions and both of
us have been impressed with not
only the students behaviour but also
the respect for us as presenters. The
teacher has a lovely relationship
with her students that goes beyond
teaching, and the respect they have
for her is evident. We go into many
schools to deliver this program and
have to say without a doubt that
Erindale has been one of the most
positive experiences we’ve had.
We look forward to an ongoing
relationship with Erindale and are
happy to come
and deliver the
program again
in the future.
Coordinator –
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait
Islander Health
Erindale College Facebook page is up and
running. Continually updating with all the
latest information
Please like us and be up to date with all
the latest news…
can save by pursuing a degree course
via the CIT pathway.
Creative Arts Academy
Students Explore CIT
Pathway
On Wednesday 12 September eight
of our Photography and Graphic Art
students attended CIT workshops at
the Reid Campus to get a ‘taste’ of
what life at CIT is like.
Students were able to choose three
workshops from Photography,
Graphic Design, Digital Media,
Interior Design, Fashion Design,
Visual Art and Building Design.
There are many advantages to
studying at CIT in the area of art,
design and photography. Firstly, it is
merit-based. Students are
interviewed and present a port-folio
of work in order to qualify for a
place. Secondly, courses can be
studied for a single semester, a year
or two years plus – all depending on
the qualification being sought by the
candidate. Did you know that
Photography and Fashion Design are
offered by CIT as Bachelor degree
courses? Students can achieve a
degree qualification even if they had
studied an Accredited package in
college. Finally, most creative courses
can be studied at CIT for two years
(Advanced Diploma) and then
transition into third year at UC or
ANU. Imagine how much HECS you
Suffice to say; upon return from the
workshops, many confirmed their
desire to pursue a career in a creative
industry and to attend CIT after year
12. Studying Art, Design and/or
Photography at Erindale College and
producing work for a portfolio makes
this possible!
Congratulations to the following for
taking the time to register
themselves and to attend:
Sara Boonthasin (Yr 11)
Cassandra Brown (Yr 11)
Paige Cameron (Yr 12)
Sara Lucic (Yr 12)
Kiara McGann (Yr 12)
Elena Sanchez (Yr 12)
Simon Suwanchat (Yr 12)
Chelsea Wilson (Yr 12)
Mark Will
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ACT Secondary Chess Championships
Dr Wothers Chemistry Lecture
Chemistry and Applied Science students attended a
Chemistry lecture at the Australian National University
on Tuesday 11th September. The lecture was presented
by Dr Peter Wothers from Cambridge University and
focussed on Group 1 of the Periodic Table, the Alkali
Metals.
There was plenty to see as students were treated to a
number of demonstrations many of which involved huge
flames and loud bangs. Some of the students were so
amazed by the spectacle that they recorded some of the
Four Erindale College students competed in the ACT
th
Secondary Chess Championships on Friday 24 August at demonstrations on their mobile phones.
Canberra Grammar School, after qualifying for the final
earlier this year during term two. The students were
Creative Arts Find Photography a Snap
Chris Butterworth, Luke Haines, Jake McCook and Simon
Weir. The boys performed very well Congratulations to Andrea Ross, Elena Sanchez and
Mikayla Stacker for participating in the recent
against a number of private and
government schools across the ACT, Photoaccess SNAP exhibition.
finishing 15th out of the 25
SNAP was an opportunity for ACT high school and
qualifying teams.
college photography students to share work and offer it
for sale via the exhibition.
Jake receiving his perfect
score trophy from the
Southside Championship.
The exhibition launch was held at Photoaccess on
Thursday 6 September. Approximately 80 attended the
launch with many industry ‘movers and shakers’,
educators and proud parents taking time out from busy
schedules to enjoy the work on display.
As a reward for their contribution, our trio now have a
year’s full membership at Photoaccess giving them
On Thursday 2nd August, 34 Erindale College students sat
discounts for courses and access to the facilities such as
for the Australian Mathematics Competition. The top
the darkroom and print lab.
performing students in each year group were Matthew
The exhibition is on display at the Manuka Arts Centre
Arroyo (Year 10), Lucy Kirk (Year 11) and an outstanding
until 23 September.
performance from Aaron Smith (Year 12) who achieved
a percentile rank of 99%.
Mathematics Competition
Year 10
Year 11
Year 12
Matthew Arroyo (Credit)
Bradley Murphy (Credit)
Rhiannon Leetham (Credit)
Dale Turner (Credit)
Lucy Kirk (Distinction)
Mathew Hearn (Credit)
Jake McCook (Credit)
Kyna Millan (Credit)
Aaron Smith (High Distinction)
Simon Weir (Credit)
Aden Cotterill (Credit)
Year 12 Photography student Mikayla Stacker with her
image ‘Dew Droplets’.
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CAREERS NOTICES
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UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS
UAC. Closes 28th Sept, after this $119.00 late fee
Early closing dates. Some courses have early closing
dates, most likely 28th September, especially those
needing an audition or portfolio, music and art. Most of
these require the students to apply directly to the
University as well as UAC.
Early entry or Principal’s recommendation. Nearly all
universities have some form of early entry process for
students that are highly suited to a particular course.
These details are available on each university website.
Disadvantage during Year 11 and 12, (Educational
Access Scheme. EAS). UAC administers an EAS to grant
students extra points on their ATAR due to educational
disadvantage. The criteria for this scheme is quite broad,
it requires documentation and should be submitted by
28th September. EAS forms are available from the
Careers Office.
Accommodation. If students are planning to get
University accommodation at any university they should
apply directly to the university now.
PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINEESHIPS
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water,
Population and Communities is offering Year 12
Traineeships. They are very good but very competitive to
get into. The application is at:
[email protected]
CLOSES MONDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER
CIT APPLICATIONS
Applications for CIT in 2013 are now open.
www.cit.act.edu.au
There is no closing date but some popular courses fill up.
The following courses must be applied to through UAC:
Bachelor of Photography
Bachelor of games and Virtual Worlds
Bachelor of Forensic Science
Page 5
Erindale Pacific
As a result of an initiative from the Australian
National University to engage students from a
Pacific Islander background, Judy Leuii and Kilu
Pangai formed the Erindale Pacific Dance Group.
The program involves mentoring sessions with
students and advisers from the ANU as well as
practice sessions for their performance on 5th
October as part of the ANU Pasifika Appreciation
Day.
At the last two assemblies the group has
performed the Sasa and the Haka. The Sasa or
Slap Dance is a performed at weddings and
church events. The Haka is the traditional war
cry and is performed in Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and
New Zealand.
The members of the group are Judy Leuii, Kilu
Pangai, Te’vita Pangai, Peni Nifo, Jordan Sione,
Faalelei Sione, Marcus Malaetasi, Vuni Fuka, Ene
Faave, Faima Kamilo, Daniel Taulanga, Sioelo
Tuita, Sonny Tupuola, Leon Tupuola, Rusi Stark,
Ashley Awa and Junior Moala.
The group would like to thank Michael Hall, Glen
Stretton and Debbie O’Brien for their support.
Page 6
2012 WORLDSKILLS AUSTRALIA NATIONAL COMPETITION SYDNEY
The WorldSkills Australia National Competition is the
largest and most prestigious skill and trade show in
Australia and this year the national competition was in
Sydney.
representative.
“The competition was really tough, stressful and
arduous’, Rowan reported. “Competitors where
dropping out, fainting or being sick everywhere. I have
Over three days of exciting competition, 500 of
never experienced so much pressure before as judges
Australia’s best students, trainees and apprentices
were continually watching and deducting marks. Over
three days I was
required to build an
arbor from scratch. That
means planning,
measuring, cutting,
fixing and completing
everything in 18 hours.
We could not ask for
help or get help. It was
exhausting and not one
competitor finished the
job. It was the hardest
thing I have ever done”.
Would you ever do it
competed in over 50 skill categories and Erindale
again? “Aw yeh! It was
College’s Rowan Maguire (Year 11 ASbA student with
an awesome experience
JayDoug Constructions) was there competing in the VET and I was given a suit to
in Schools Construction category. Rowan won gold at the wear to represent the ACT. How many students get
ACT World Skills competition in 2011 and was
that!”
subsequently selected to represent the ACT in Sydney.
Where: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
He finished 5th in his category in Sydney and proved to
Cost: Free Entry
be a superb Erindale College, MBA and ACT
Why don’t they work this hard in class?
get a job done” says Todd, “These kids are mad, and
they will definitely be in my top 5 teams—even in the
This is the question many teachers ask me when they
top 3 that I’ve ever had!”. Thanks to Todd and ABBTF for
see the results of the Brick and Block program. The
supplying the
program, in its second year at Erindale College, was
boys with a
organised in the warmer month of September this year.
HiVis shirt and
Seven Erindale College and three Wanniassa School
cap for the
students formed a crew with Todd the trainer (from
week, and
ABBTF NSW) to refresh the backyard of the Erindale
providing this
College ‘Cottage’, by building a garden bed, back yard
opportunity to
bench and carport wall. The students’ experience was
our students to
doubly rewarding as the boys had an opportunity to
learn new
interact with plumbing apprentices who were working
skills. For more
installing a water tank at ‘The Cottage’. Todd was
information
impressed with the level of skill and commitment shown
about Brick
by Angus, Josh C, Josh T, Swanni, Daniel, Petar, and
and Block apprenticeship please visit http://
Brendan. The students not only learnt skills but
www.abbtf.com.au or contact Jo Wisdom at Erindale
developed team work, problem solving and self
College.
management skills. “It is always great to come down to
Canberra and work with kids from Erindale College who
Jo Wisdom
have a willingness to learn, work hard, share a story and
Page 7
Erindale Sports Academy
Horse Riding
We headed down to Kangaroo Valley to undertake our horse riding
adventures with The Man of Kangaroo Valley Horse Riding. The venue
and scenic rides make this experience what it is. Student’s learnt
everything to do with horses, they had to groom, saddle, feed and care
for their horses over the two days. By the end of the two days the
students were quite relaxed and confident working with their horses
and demonstrated good horsemanship. It was a very enjoyable camp
and we all worked well together putting together an awesome BBQ
spread for dinner. Well done guys!
Snowboarding
Over the 3 days we had a mix of weather. Trip one ended with rain
while trip 2 finished off with some of the best snowboarding of fresh
tracks we have ever seen in the past few years. The students
progressed really well over the 3 days and by the end we were hitting
the terrain park and more difficult terrain between the trees with ease.
All of the students behaved accordingly and our hosts commented on
their politeness and manner in which they conducted themselves. The
students all got along well and worked well honing their skills in
snowboarding. Keep up the good work team.
Olympic Gold - Chris Bond
Congratulations to Chris Bond for receiving a GOLD MEDAL at the
Paralympics in London this month for Wheelchair Rugby. Chris is a
previous Erindale TSP student for Rugby League.
He is missing both legs below his knees, his left wrist and his right four
fingers as a result of a severe bowel infection from a flesh eating
bacterium he got while being treated for leukemia when he was
nineteen years old. Chris made his national team debut at the 2011
Great Britain Cup for Wheelchair Rugby.
Boys Football
DEL PIERO TO MEET ERINDALE PLAYERS
Sydney FC’s $4 million dollar player, Italian Superstar and football
legend, Alessandro Del Piero will host the famous Erindale football
“superstars” at Sydney FC HQ on October 17th, which will be followed
by our annual match with the Sydney A League Youth team. Del Piero is
reported to be excited to be meeting the Erindale Galacticos Evans,
Popovich, Canizares, Cole, Walsh and co.
Page 8
Girls Futsal Team Update
The Girls Futsal team will be competing in the Vikings Australasian Champion
of Champions competition held at the Gold Coast in November. We are
currently fundraising for this trip, through BBQs, Raffles, Movie night,
Chocolate sales etc.
Joey Vejvoda
Joey Vejvoda has returned from the World Downhill Championships in Austria
last week. Joey is a member of the Australian U19 team. In the Downhill
section he finished 18th.
Well done Joey.
Page 9
LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF !
Carefully selected students will arrive in February for
one or two semesters from France, Italy, Germany, AusAs Marcel Proust, a late 19th century novelist wrote: “the tria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Colomreal voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new
bia, Canada and the U.S.A. They will attend a local seclandscapes but in having new eyes”. Volunteer to host
ondary school, arrive with their own spending money
an international high school student in February 2013
and comprehensive insurance cover – all arranged by
through Southern Cross Cultural Exchange and prepare Southern Cross Cultural Exchange. Visit us at our website
to be amazed at the way this unique and rewarding op- www.scce.com.au, email [email protected] or call
portunity helps your family to become closer, to under- us toll free on 1800 500 501, request a selection of interstand themselves better and to see the world in a new
national student profiles to check out, , and capture the
light.
spirit of family and friendship.
Page 10
CANBERRA AND QUEANBEYAN ADD SUPPORT GROUP INC
CANBERRA AND REGION MULTIPLE BIRTH ASSOCIATION (CARMBA)
Canberra and Region Multiple Birth Association
(CARMBA) is a support network for parents, grandparents, legal guardians, and expectant or adoptive parents
of twins, triplets, or more! Our aim is to offer support
and provide information to multiple birth families
throughout the ante and postnatal periods, the preschool stage and the primary and secondary school
years. Membership is open to all parents, guardians and
grandparents of multiple birth children. CARMBA will be
celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2013 and we have a
lot of projects going on at the moment and planned for
2012/13.
CARMBA has weekend
social events, family support program, multiples
in school forum and can
be found on Facebook.
Contact us for further
information,
www.carmba.org.au,
0411 883 884, [email protected]
Page 11
Bulletin
McBryde Crescent
Wanniassa ACT 2903
Phone: 02 620 58111
Fax: 02 620 58109
E-mail: [email protected]
www.erindalec.act.edu.au
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

16 + 17 October 2nd AST Sitting

24 October Board + P&C Meeting

20 November Senior Dance Showcase 2

23 November TSP Presentation

26 +27 November Music Industry Performances

28 November JAZZ Recital

28 November Board + P&C Meeting

29 November Year 11 Assembly

30 November Last Teaching day

30 November YEAR 12 FORMAL

18 December Recognition of Excellence Ceremony

20 December Year 12 Breakfast

20 December 10am Graduation Rehearsal

20 December GRADUATION 5-7pm

21 December last day of term
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