FCAC Alumni News, June 2016, Issue 2

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June 2016 Issue 2

FCAC Alumni News

A note from the Principal ...

In one week it will be time for the students and the teaching staff to slow their pace for a few weeks. We often find ourselves marvelling at how swiftly the term has flown by. However, this points to a semester where the opportunities have been plentiful as well as excitedly taken up with great enthusiasm. The College continues to expand sporting, cultural and academic options. New subjects such as Accounting, and Philosophy and Reason have been popular with students. Our Year 10 students have just participated the Ethics Olympiad after six months of study and won the Australian round. They now await the Gold Medal round against an International School. No doubt you reflect on how quickly the time has passed since you left the College. Please remember that we are keen to assist you with planning reunions. One of the highlights for me is watching past students meet up with teachers who they had during their time at FCAC. There are always lots of funny stories to share and wonderful memories. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page, you will enjoy our Throwback Thursdays‌ you might even see yourself. Please feel free to send us any pictures of you and your friends to alumni@fcac.qld.edu.au so that we can add them to our records. We now have several Kindy children who are our first second generation FCAC kids. They add a richness to our history and we are very proud to see these families back. I hope you enjoy catching up on our Alumni News. Take care, Leisa


Where are they now? Brittany Sandeman, Class of 2013 I am currently living in Brisbane studying a double degree in Behavioural Science and Law Honours at the Queensland University of Technology. As well as studying both of my degrees for the past three years I have worked as a Law Equity Ambassador with QUT. As an equity ambassador I lead and participate in activities that aim to inform and inspire primary and high school students to not only go to law school specifically, but to go to university at all. I work primarily with children and young adults from low socio-economic backgrounds or who would be the first in their family to go to university (or even finish high school at all), and give them information about the different pathways they can take to get to there, help 'break down' common myths about university, as well as share my own story. This year I also became a mentor to two first year law students who were a part of the QUT Q-STEP scheme (a program run through the QUT Law Equity department that helps students from non-traditional university backgrounds/low socio-economic backgrounds, transition into university- both financially, academically and emotionally/mentally). As a mentor I met up with the students each week and helped them with the transition from high school to university (i.e. how to research, find classes/assignments, what is/isn't appropriate) whilst also supporting them through emotional times.

Australian National Intervarsity Debating Competition). I enjoyed doing debating and public speaking during my time at FCAC, particularly when our debating team qualified for the State Finals. I believe that FCAC put a strong focus on helping the community as a whole rather than just yourself, which helped foster in me a desire to help others. Whilst at FCAC I was the president of the Interact Services club and the support that the faculty provided us in fundraising made me even more passionate about it (positively impacting the community). As someone who benefited greatly from scholarships and bursaries from FCAC, as well as from importance placed on serving the community, it lead me to being a part of the Law Equity Department at my university where I believe I can use that. I have kept in touch with many of my friends from my time at Fraser Coast Anglican College, and I currently live with two of them and play volleyball and indoor soccer weekly with a team of former FCAC students that also moved to Brisbane. I was really happy to hear that you were still interested in what I have been doing since leaving FCAC, as I always felt so supported by the community there and it is heartening to know that that support continues past enrolment.

I've also been a part of the University Debating Society where I Submitted by Brittany Sandeman represented QUT nationally at 'EASTERS' in Melbourne (the

Brittany pictured with Mala Dhanasekar and Lauren Ringrose, while attending the Australian National Intervarsity Debating Competition.

The College is very keen to strengthen its connection with our alumni and we would love to know how you have been, where you are right now and what you are up to. 2


Josh Smith, Class of 2000—Foundation Student When I left FCAC I did not have a plan as such. Where I am today is a result of many decisions and alterations I’ve made along the way. I constantly reassess where I am in life and at the moment I am very happy with where I am. FCAC provided me with many of the tools I’ve used throughout my life and taught me to go after my goals and instilled in me the confidence that I could achieve them. FCAC also taught me that hard work is important and that in life you get out what you put in. In many ways I am a better person from my time spent at FCAC. Since leaving FCAC I worked as a Technician for my father’s (now my brother’s) business, Cartridge World in Hervey Bay, for many years. In 2010 I met my now wife Chantelle and together we set off traveling Australia. We’ve lived in Darwin, Sunshine Coast, Rockhampton and now the Gold Coast. While travelling I worked as a Biomedical Technician for a private company and QLD Health as well as Spinal Injuries Australia as a support worker. I am currently working for the Gold Coast University Hospital in Pathology while completing a Dentistry degree. During our travels I undertook external tertiary studies with the University of Southern Queensland, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 2013. I then completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science Honours with Griffith University graduating with First Class Honours in 2014. After my Honours degree I received a scholarship to undertake a PhD. However, I decided to undertake a Dentistry degree with Griffith University to become a Dentist, as I’ve always wanted to be clinician. Some of my fondest memories from my years at FCAC are:  I loved the school snow ski trip.  Playing rugby union and field hockey for the school.  All of the great friends that I made during my time at FCAC.  My primary school teacher Mrs Helen Thompson was one of my most memorable teachers. Mrs Thompson really inspired me to work harder and do better to reach my full potential.  Working in the school garden areas with Mr Rod Schultz was a fantastic experience. Marrying my wife Chantelle has without doubt given me the greatest satisfaction. Being accepted to study Dentistry at Griffith has also given me an immense amount of satisfaction, however, the birth of our daughter (due late June) will no doubt surpass these accomplishments. Submitted by Josh Smith

Ray Murphy, Class of 2010 Pictured above with Mrs Marie Wright whom many of you will remember from the Macadamia Cafeteria and more recently in the Dilly Bag Retail Centre. Marie and her husband Steve, attended the Remax Real Estate Awards Night on the Gold Coast earlier this year and were delighted to catch up with Ray who is now Office Manager with Remax Cairns. Submitted by Marie Wright.

Congratulations to our 2009 College Captains, Darby Gutierrez & Christie Verbruggen, who announced their engagement in February.

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Emma McDonald, Class of 2005 Since graduating from Fraser Coast Anglican College, I have worked overseas on the cruise liners where I travelled around the Mediterranean and Caribbean Islands as a beauty therapist; in the Whitsunday Islands at Lindeman for Club Med as Choreographer where I met my now husband Tom; and then moved to Melbourne (Tom’s home) where I have been for four years working as a Spa Therapist then Spa Manager. I also had my own business for a while and then onto training and I was looking after 30 franchises across Australia training all their staff . I am a qualified Beauty Therapist and this year I went back to study my Advance Diploma in Naturopathy, so I’m now studying and work as a trainer for the largest franchise of day spas in Australia “endota spa” on the side. We will be moving to Brisbane in a couple of months for a new change. I don’t remember having any specific expectations of where I thought I would be after school other than to have a job I loved. I’m not sure if FCAC has influenced my decisions or choices (because at 17 I didn’t really know what I wanted) but it did teach me to be the kind of person I needed to be, to know I could achieve whatever I wanted and also respect for self and respect for others. I have way more life experiences, stories and memories than I could have ever planned for, so to me that is all I could have asked for. At the end of the day if I can say I love what I do and I am truly happy within myself and the people around me, specific accomplishments don’t stand out because that is what life should be about. I have kept in touch with many of my friends from my time at FCAC and some of my closest friends from high school are still my closest friends now! Submitted by Emma McDonald (nee Dawson)

October 24th 2013 Campbell Point House, Leopold, Victoria

Chris Smith, Class of 2002 I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do when I finished school so I went straight to work at Cartridge World (Family Business), and after 2 years became the store manager. In 2012 my wife Cara and I purchased the business and are currently running it. We have a 3 year old son, Ryder, who we are in the process of enrolling to attend FCAC himself. I am extremely happy and blessed to be in the situation I am now, with a happy and healthy son and a beautiful wife. The birth of our son, Ryder, I would class as my greatest personal accomplishment and my family give me great fulfilment in my life. I am very proud that on a professional level, our business currently holds the title as the Number 1 Queensland and the Australian/New Zealand Franchisee in the Cartridge World Group for 2015/2016. I try to keep in touch with as many of my friends from the College as possible – Social Media definitely makes this a lot easier! Submitted by Chris Smith

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Semester 1 Inter-House Carnivals

Easter Celebrations


Foundation Day

ANZAC Day & Grandparents Day


Building Fiji In partnership with St Johns Anglican Parish, Fraser Coast Anglican College will be returning for the third year to the small village of Koroipita, Fiji in its continued efforts to improve conditions for residents. Before departing on their trip, students and parishioners fundraise money for clothing, food and building materials. During their week away, students will wake early, eat breakfast and then ride in the back of a truck into Koroipita, where they will spend their day helping in various projects, including; building houses, bed frames and chicken houses, visiting locals, delivering food and clothing. Last year while in Koroipita, the students took a day out from their work to engage with the locals. They played soccer with the children, got henna tattoos and bought locally made crafts, all while experiencing the sense of community within the village. “The locals that live in the homes pay rent and their children must attend school as part of their agreement to live in the houses, it give locals a sense of ownership, they keep the homes clean and even build gardens,” teacher Mr Greg Perkins said. Students took a trip down the road to Denarau Island, a resort area with lush green golf courses and pools – a world away from the simple living conditions of their accommodation back in the village. Everyone joined in at the local church service as well. “There was no music but the singers beautiful voices lifted the roof,” Head of Middle/Senior School Mrs Roz Nicholls said. Students recounted one experience from the final day of last year’s trip, where a woman and her children were forcefully removed from their home by their stepfather. The mother and her children were immediately invited into another family’s home and were provided with food and shelter. “It really showed the strength of the community at Koroipita,” Roz said. This year, the group will build new beds, chicken houses and a cook house for the community. “Because the children run and play outside, we feel that a place where they can all come and cook would be a great advantage,” Greg said.

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Past students return Semester 2 Diary Dates 1-10/07 Koroipita Mission to Fiji 4/08

Principal’s Tour and Tea

5/08

Soiree 3

3-4/09

Maryborough Technology Challenge

17/09

Year 12 Formal

14/10

Open Day/Principal’s Picnic

14/11

Celebration of Achievement

18/11

Valedictory Day

29/11

Carols on Green

30/11

Final School Day of 2016

This semester we have been delighted to have several past students return to the College to participate in and attend several different events. In early May, Year 11 students had a "School Engagement" discussion with 2011 graduate Jackson Oram. Jackson spoke with the students about the importance of goal setting for their short term and long term future. He also spoke about the importance of personal presentation and both verbal and non-verbal communication to have positive conversations with potential employers.

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5. This was such an informative session and really encouraged the students to reflect on what they want from their life. Thank you Jackson, for taking the time to speak and share your experiences with our students, it was greatly appreciated.

Invitation / Expressions of Interest: As you will know, we have a large number of events on throughout every school year. We extend an open invitation to you to come along to either join in and participate, maybe share some of your skills or to even lead an information session. So keep an eye on our upcoming events and let us know if you would like to be involved. Whether it be volunteering to help our Maryborough Technology Challenge teams during their race, to attending the Principal’s Picnic and enjoying the fun, or even singing with a group of students at the Carols on the Green—we would love to have you join us.

As in previous years, we had some past students participate in our Annual Inter-House Cross Country as “Celebrity Runners”. Pictured here is Dion Stewart (Class of 2014) leading the way. Thanks for taking the time to join us! 8

Please telephone 4124 5411 or email alumni@fcac.qld.edu.au if you would like further details about any future events.


What’s new at FCAC? Reunions: Can we help you? Are you holding a reunion later this year or in 2017? We’d love to help! Let us know when you are planning your reunion and we would be happy to assist where-ever we can.

Promote your event via our website and Facebook page.

Invite teachers who may have been here when you were a student.

Organise a tour of the College to see what has changed, to reminisce and share memories.

Please telephone 4124 5411 or email alumni@fcac.qld.edu.au for more information.

‘Our Story’ As part of the 20th Anniversary Celebrations last year, a book was produced featuring a blend of facts and anecdotal humour encompassing our earliest beginnings to current days. It is designed to not only be factual, but also a light-hearted insight into College life by those who experienced it first-hand. From staff, students and parents, the characters in the book bring our history to life. Only $20 and available from the College 4124 5411.

Like and follow our Facebook and LinkedIn Pages to keep up to date with everything that is happening at the College —especially on #fcacthrowbackthursday!

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