December 2016 Issue 3
FCAC Alumni News
A note from the Principal ...
2016 – What a wonderful year it has been, albeit far too quick for most of us. The end of the year is certainly a time to reflect on all the fantastic achievements across the academic, sporting, cultural and music realms. The College most recently was awarded the Best Educational Provider in the region at the Fraser Coast Tourism and Business Awards. I would like to acknowledge the staff, students and parents, as it is a team effort. Past students also have a significant role to play as your comments to people you meet and work with, soon gain an impression of the education that you received whilst a student at the College. I am very excited each year to have local employers call me to inquire as to our graduating students who they may be able to support through work placement and study support. They tell me that FCAC students know how to behave appropriately, how to have high standards with dress and communication and also a high work ethic. Inside this edition, you read some great alumni stories. Don’t forget if you haven’t got time to write to us, please send us a photo. If you have some photographs of yourself and your friends when you were at school or some of your milestones such as wedding day and new arrivals etc, please send them through to us. 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. May you be blessed with the spirit of the season, which is peace, the gladness of the season, which is hope, and the heart of the season, which is love. Happy New Year and may 2017 be a wonderful year for you all.
Leisa The College Prefects for 2017, announced at the Celebration of Achievement last month.
Where are they now? Cassandra Grey, Class of 2013 After graduating in 2013, I took a gap year because I wasn’t sure what career I wanted to pursue. I found my place in a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) at Queensland University of Technology. I am only in my first year but I have already been privileged to be one of five recipients of the QUT Faculty of Law, Law Founders’ Scholarship valued at $10,000. The Law Founders’ Scholarship aims to help students that are experiencing financial or other forms of hardship that are studying law. Only 67 students have ever received this scholarship and I feel so grateful to QUT for selecting me. I received an academic mentor and an amazing support network of new friends and academic staff, such as the Dean, to help me through my degree. As well as meeting with the Dean each semester, the law faculty also organises networking events for the recipients such as breakfast with some of Brisbane’s judges (including the Chief Justice of Queensland) and careers and employment advisors that give us one on one personalised advice. In addition to my degree, I am also part of the law faculty’s Student Success Squad as part of the student success department in the QUT Law faculty. As part of the squad we organise and assist with events the law faculty throws such as the “I Belong in the LLB Wellness Day” each semester where we run a sausage sizzle and an animal farm comes to university for everyone to de-stress. We also meet a few times a year and consult with the Student Success Coordinator about possible new ideas and initiatives for the law faculty and how to implement these. In September 2016 I was the only person in Queensland fortunate enough to be offered a week-long clerkship with the criminal defence law firm, Fisher Dore. Considering that people from any university in any year of their degree can apply, I’m so incredibly grateful to have this opportunity in my first year of my degree. During the week I spent every day sitting in the Supreme court with the practice manager for a criminal trial. It was such an amazing experience. Everyone at Fisher Dore were so lovely and it’s a week I’ll remember forever. I’m also a QUT Connector. Connectors are student volunteers that help out in orientation weeks and at other events throughout the year. As a sessional connector I run workshops for new law students to introduce them to the university, give campus tours and help them with any concerns or questions they have. Being a connector is such a great way to meet like-minded people and make really good friends from every faculty of QUT. Plus, the Connector Camp at the end of the year is so much fun and a great way to end the year. In 2017 I will be one of three responsible for organising all events for the QUT Law Society, which I am really looking forward to. In 2016 the Law Society held the law ball for 1,200 people, various networking events, pub crawls and the law dinner for 400 people.
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The Law Society also has amazing opportunities for their students that I have taken full advantage of such as mooting, negotiation, client interview and witness examination competitions. These competitions are excellent opportunities to develop the skills needed to practice law. My time at Fraser Coast Anglican College significantly contributed to my choices and my success. Studying legal studies with Mr G at FCAC led to me finding my passion in law and gave me a great foundation knowledge in some areas and basic processes in law. Studying French with Mr Oglethorpe has given me an advantage over other students that don’t speak a foreign language and my experience in hospitality through Mrs Baker has aided me well in my role in the Student Success Squad and will help me next year for my role in the Law Society. I’m looking forward to a Class of 2013 reunion sometime in the future to see what everyone else has achieved. I can’t thank everyone at Fraser Coast Anglican College enough for the support and community that they gave me in my time at the school. My only regret is not being at FCAC from Prep to Year 12. Submitted by Cassandra Grey
Teah Mackay, Class of 2014 “Servant leadership - the ability to serve and help others” is something that all students at Fraser Coast Anglican College are encouraged to do throughout their schooling. Students are mindful of contributions that they can make to their local, national and global communities. Past student, Teah Mackay, is one student who has continued her passion for helping others. In October, Teah and her dad travelled by bike from the top of India to the bottom. This journey is approximately 240km and took seven days over all conditions from dirt roads to open highways along the coast of India. Teah was raising money and awareness of the non-for-profit organisation “Forget Me Not”, which rescues trafficked children from illegal orphanages in India, Uganda and Nepal. “Forget Me Not” rescues, loves, cares for and eventually reunites these children (some no older than five) with their families who are desperate to have them home. All funds raised through this event go directly to children's education in the India. Teah is currently in Brisbane studying Biomedicine at QUT.
Katrina Bicketon, Class of 2011 Katrina is a graduate of the Musical Theatre Course, directed by Andrew Hallsworth at Patrick Studios Australia. Prior to graduating, she had also completed a year of full time Performing Arts studies at Patrick Studios Australia. During her course, Katrina performed in performances of A Chorus Line and Spring Awakening. Professionally Katrina has performed in the Chadstone Christmas Storie and also travelled to Singapore to perform in Sesame St at Takashimaya. Katrina was thrilled earlier this year to make her professional Musical Theatre debut in Follies in Concert alongside Australian greats such as Lisa McCune, Debra Byrne and Bert Newton. Katrina is currently working in Singapore. Submitted by Janelle Ivers
Laura McFadyen,—Foundation Student I finished my journey at Fraser Coast Anglican College in 1998. I then went on to USQ where I graduated with my Bachelor of Early Childhood (Hons). After teaching and Directing in the Kindergarten sector for 9 years I started my family and now am a mum to a 3year old son Bryden and 1year old daughter Meleah. My fondest memories of FCAC are the friendships and fantastic opportunities. So many extra curricular experiences. Doing the Rock Eisteddfod was my most fondest. It was an amazing experience. First year FCAC had entered and we not only won the regionals and collected a host of awards, but we also made the state finals in Brisbane to perform at the Entertainment Centre. It was really an event that bought the school together. Parents building sets and making costumes...students choreographing the dances and really coming together to put on an incredible performance. I currently own a local business Valet Carpet Care. I'm also working with some partners and investors on a large international online project. We are currently in development and design phase. Fraser Coast developed my confidence in so many ways. The mentoring from the staff and the encouragement from peers really helped me grow and realise that I really could do anything if I put my mind and heart to it. It also fostered a never give up nature which has helped me tremendously with the big project I'm working on now. You may stumble at times, however those moments make you stronger and more determined. Fraser Coast laid so many strong foundations for my life journey. My time at the school helped me develop determination and self drive. After overcoming my own health battles as well as battles with my children's health I was pointed in a new direction away from teaching. Without the foundations from FCAC I don't believe I would be in the same position I am today. I have become a strong advocate for people with blood disorders. After the birth of our son we found out he has Severe Haemophilia A. I started sharing our journey on Facebook in the hope of raising awareness and helping others on similar paths. I have also enjoyed opportunities to be a voice for our local hospital and Red Cross Blood Service. We receive such amazing support from our health sector and I feel its my way of giving back. Hard work truly does pay off. You may not see the reward straight away...but it will come. Self belief. If you think it...you can achieve it. Many of my FCAC friends are scattered around Australia and the world. Thanks to social media we still maintain contact and follow each others life events. Submitted by Laura McFadyn
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. Just a photo and a quick paragraph is fine! To update your contact details, please email alumni@fcac.qld.edu.au.
Like and follow our Facebook and LinkedIn Pages to keep up to date with everything that is happening at the College, and reminisce with us on #fcacthrowbackthursday!
Community Valete It is with sadness that we share the news of the passing of Boma Donald Dede in June this year. Boma finished Year 12 in 2007 and studied Pharmacy at Griffith University. We keep Boma’s family and his fiancée in our prayers. On November 17, a special person in the College's history passed away. Mr Ted Killer was one of the people who was on the original steering committee that fought hard to create Fraser Coast Anglican College. They created it on the faith that it would be an institution faithful to the philosophy of the Anglican mission. Ted was very proud of the College and every week at church would ask after the children and staff. Ted was the Deputy at Hervey Bay High for many years and has been associated with numerous community organisations. We pay tribute to Ted, who had the insight and the strength of character to truly make a difference 4 to this community.
Laura with her family, Emma, Dion, Bryden, and baby Meleah
Peace and Reconciliation Week
Celebration of Achievement
Valedictory Day
Students learning from past students Semester 1 2017 Diary Dates January Principal’s Tour & Tea January Principal’s Tour & Tea
This semester we have been delighted to have the opportunity to take current FCAC students to the workplaces of past students. Year 11&12 IPT students flew to Sydney in July and visited and spent time at Google Australia headquarters, Microsoft Australia, University of NSW, and the Department of Defence 'Defence Information Security Hub'. Allumni (Class of 2008) student Adam Young, now an IT consultant at worldwide banking software solutions company 'Orbium' took time out from supporting BT Wealth Management (Westpac) and spoke to students about his 2. experiences within Orbium, their products, contemporary IT project management strategies and his professional journey post FCAC.
14 January 2006 Reunion 23 January First Day Term 1 18 March Rugby 7s Carnival 31 March Foundation Day Celebrations 24 April ANZAC Service Assembly and Grandparents Day 12 May Mothers Day Dinner
In addition to this, they also visited Atlassian, where past FCAC student Carmel Hinks (graduated 2012) is now employed.
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. Please telephone 4124 5411 or email alumni@fcac.qld.edu.au if you would like further details about any future events.
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Community Education Centre—the learning continues
Would you like to enroll in one of our courses? To find out more: Website—www.fcac@qld.edu.au Email—communityeducation@fcac.qld.edu.au Phone—4197 9374
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Class of 2006 Reunion The Class of 2006 will be holding their 10 year Reunion on Saturday, 14 January 2017. As part of the reunion celebrations, past students are invited to join Principal Mrs Leisa Harper and the 2017 College Captains at 11.00am at the College Chapel. Mrs Harper is looking forward to meeting you, taking you for a tour of the campus and hearing your memories of your time at the College. For more information about the reunion, please contact Amelia Walsh via email— ameliajwalsh@hotmail.com.
Reunions: Can we help you? Are you planning a reunion 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’
Class of 2007 Reunion Calling all 2007 Graduates - 2017 is your 10 Year Reunion! If you would like to be involved, please contact Kathleen Farmer via email – kathleen_farmer@hotmail.com or go to the Facebook group “Fraser Coast Anglican College Class of 2007”.
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.
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Some of our 2016 Year 12 students shared their plans for 2017 and beyond. We will miss our 2016 Year 12 cohort, but we know they leave well prepared for their future. We are looking forward to hearing of their achievements in the coming years.
Farewell & Good Luck! Staff News Congratulations to Bernadette Loudon and family who welcomed their second daughter into the world. Little Natalie Jayde born 9:19pm on the 23rd of June and weighing in at 7 pound 14 and a half ounces (3590g).
As the 2016 year comes to a close, we say “Farewell� to some staff who are moving onto new positions and adventures: Mrs Janelle Ivers, Director of Visual and Performing Arts. Janelle will be starting a new position at Shalom College in Bundaberg in the new year. Mr John Luscombe, Groundsman. John and his wife are going to travel and work their way around Australia. Mrs Bianca Coleborn, International Business Manager. Bianca will be commencing her new position with Concordia Lutheran College, Toowoomba in 2017.
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