The Comet Spring/Summer 2022

Comet The Spring, 2022

Australia's Regional School of the Year

Australia's Regional School of the Year

As someone who has benefited from growing up, being educated and building their career in regional centres, I have developed a passion for regional Australia and all it has to offer. As well as a wonderful community and worldclass natural locations on our doorstep, our local area is now officially home to Australia’s ‘Best Regional School’.

You can imagine the immense sense of pride I felt hearing our name annouced as the winner of this category at the Australian Education Awards in Sydney. I have always known that we have something special here at FCAC, and to have that recognised at this prestigious awards ceremony in front of Independent and State schools from across the nation, was truly a highlight in our College’s history. The moment was made more special for being able to share it with our Chair of Council (Kirsti Kee) and the Executive Leadership Team - Nikki Robertson, Danielle Brown and Juliane Hallam. Their support, leadership and dedication has been instrumental in building our vision for FCAC.

An independent panel of judges from leaders in education, academia and industry placed FCAC at the top of a group of eight finalists from across Australia. Key factors for being awarded this title were:

• Consistently outstanding academic results (NAPLAN and ATAR).

• A range of quality programs available to students.

• Demonstrated innovation in teaching and learning.

• Development of modern, flexible learning spaces (inside and outside).

• Effective management of finances and resources.

• Our response to challenges.

Of course, we know that our College community is greater than the sum of all these parts. It’s difficult to measure those less tangible things that make a school special. For me, it’s the supportive community and I hope you take as much pride in receiving this award as I do. We’ve built this school around our ethos of ‘enriching body, mind and spirit’ and all that we have achieved is a result of outstanding staff, supportive families and courageous leadership at all levels. It was an honour to accept the trophy on behalf of this community.

By Joe Wright Principal

Scan the QR code to see the WIN news interview with FCAC Principal Joe Wright

Australia's Regional School of the Year

The Formal 2022

The Formal 2022

The News

Congratulations to Olivia B, who received an award at The Fraser Coast All Abilities Awards. Olivia was nominated in the category of Young Community Spirit Award.

Year 7 have been studying Simple Machines and Forces. As an end of term activity and to consolidate their learning, groups of students designed Rube Goldberg Machines (crazy and elaborate ‘domino effect’ machines designed to do simple tasks, such as drop an ice cube into a drink). Students needed to design, test, re-design and re-test their machines until they were successful. There were strong emotions from utter frustration when things just didn’t work the way they had planned, to elated joy when their machines worked. Scan the QR code to see the machines in action.

The QAMT Maths Competition was held last Wednesday at USHS. FCAC had a girls team and a boys team, and both came third in the competition. Well done!

Our Secondary School students led an assembly with sciencethemed contests, including testing knowledge and other house-based activities. Our Year 7 French students also celebrated science week, combining biology with languages to identify species and parts of an animal in French.

Our Grade 6 entrepreneurs had a wonderful market day. There were many different types of stalls and games.

FCAC recognised both our Early Childhood Educators and our Teacher Aides in Term 3. Both of these groups do an incredibly important job and FCAC offers so much to student due to the professionalism and dedication of these staff.

Sports News

FCAC was very proud to have five students competing at the State Athletics Championships. Theo picked up a bronze in the Triple Jump - after recently just taking up the event. Ryan came in 4th with a PB in the 800m and then 6th in the 1500m.

Emmily finished 8th in Long Jump and Triple Jump (with a PB) and also was the Team Captain for Wide Bay. Sophia competed in High Jump and Long Jump. Dylan came in 12th in the 3000m and almost got a PB in the 1500m.

In the last week of term was the Staff vs Students (Capella House) touch football match. It was a great game with the staff winning on this occasion.

Emmily competed at Wide Bay Secondary School Surf League today, competing in 16 years and over. A very successful day being named ‘Age Champion’ and also securing the Champion School Percentage Points score trophy.

A blistering run leg from Dylan at the Australian Schools Triathlon Championships saw him finish 5th in the nation. QLD took out 1st, 3rd and 5th positions in an impressive display this morning. Dylan showed great determination and grit to work his way through a strong pack to finish with this outstanding result.

Well done to the Fraser Flames Ladies team on their first FQPL Premiership

Congratulations Flames Netballers and U13 Footballers on your hard fought premiership wins .

Visual and Performing Arts News

Our musicians have been rehearsing for this one special performance at QPAC - The Anglican Schools Music Festival. Last night audiences were treated to a performance by some of the state’s most talented young performers.

The Maryborough Eisteddfod continued to be impressed by our talented students this week. Here are some of the results received:

• First Place - Flute Choir

• Third Place - Years 1/2 Choir “FCAC Mini’s”

• First Place - Recorder Ensemble

• First Place - Samitha (Year 7) 12 & Under Woodwind

• First Place - Monique (Year 15 & Under Woodwind or Brass Duet

• First Place - Marvelous (Year 6) 12 & Under Violin

• Second Place - Wenefew (Year 6) 12 & Under Violin

• Second Place - Marvelous (Year 6) Short Story (Any Age)

Own Composition

• Congratulations to all our performing students, we are incredibly proud of you!

Our amazing performing arts students presented the third soiree of the year at the end of Term 3. Performers ranged from Grade 2 to Grade 12 and included solo and ensemble performances.

Illuminate Arts Showcase

Illuminate Arts Showcase

FCAC in the Media

Mrs Juliane Hallam (Head of Secondary School) was recently interviewed about how FCAC provides resources and education to our community on vaping. FCAC hosted Dr Nick Yim, a General Practitioner and the Vice President of the AMA Queensland, who gave a presentation on the health impacts of Vaping to parents and students earlier this year.

FCAC Principal Joe Wright talks to ABC Wide Bay about his reflections on the FCAC Community and the recent nomination as Regional School of the Year. This interview was done prior to FCAC winning Regional School of the Year.

You can keep up to date with all of the news from FCAC by following us on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Search Fraser Coast Anglican College on any of these platforms and follow us.

FCAC Director of International, Ross Strong, speaks with ABC Wide Bay about the return of international students and what it means for FCAC and the wider community.

Mrs Leanne McCready talks to ABC Wide Bay about her experience in the Edge Program and creating an Auslan project to teach students sign language.

Alumni, did you know FCAC has its own dedicated alumni Facebook group? Scan the QR code to join today.

Exploring Entrepreneurship

Developing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical (STEM) skills in our students has been a priority of the Australian education system since the National STEM School Education Strategy 2016–2026 was signed in 2015. In recent times, Entrepreneurship has been gaining momentum as the new buzz word in education.

The key skills students develop to be successful in STEM- creativity, problem-solving, foresight, adaptability and persistence go hand in hand with Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs demonstrate strengths such as problem-solving, teamwork, empathy, as well as learning to accept failure as a part of the growth process. STEM and Entrepreneurship focus on the crucial life skills that will help our youth navigate an uncertain future.

Mentors were recruited to assist students to make sense of the simulation, in particular the unfamiliar terminology, reports, data and informaiton. The mentors generously donated their time and provided students with a wealth of experience to draw on and learn from. The working relationships between the students and mentors provided an additional layer of authenticity to the experience. The Year 10 Business students will be able to pass on their gained wisdom to next year’s cohort and become mentors themselves, further cementing the entrepreneurial concepts and practicing their skills.

In Term Three, Year 10 Business students have stepped out of their comfort zone and into management shoes. The ABW Business simulation places students in the hot seat where they assume the key roles of the company’s management and they must work collaboratively in a pressured environment. Students are placed into teams and each of these “businesses” make the necessary decisions to takeover and run an established cafe within a simulated competitive environment over eight quarters.

By making decisions and rectifying errors, the students gained an understanding of risk and business strategies and developed key entrepreneurial skills. Students built problem solving and teamwork competencies as they navigated seasonal market demand, the impact of location, day to day café operations, staff training, pricing, financials and advertising, tight deadlines, as well as negotiating conflict within their business.

Exploring Entrepreneurship

As the owner of a very successful coffee roasting drive thru operation I was keen, excited and a little concerned how the business mentoring would unfold. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement. The structure, the interaction from the students not only between themselves and their mentors and Danielle was very impressive to say the least. The Simulation process and the financial tasks they were set and the scenarios they were put in were tackled with enthusiasm and excitement. I sincerely thank Fraser Coast Anglican and Danielle for including me in this class and I wish the students the utmost success and fulfilment upon completion.

Jasen Barrie, Miss Cocoa’s Coffee Roastery

It’s fabulous to see the future workforce engaging in a real-life business scenario. I’ve been impressed by the sense of teamwork and engagement of the students.

Michelle Hay, Head of Campus - University of Sunshine Coast Fraser Coast

“It is inspiring to see the students (who have a limited exposure to business studies) work as a team to tackle a complex, competitive real world business scenario and excel at it.”

Myles Kreis, Accountant Praescius

It is great to interact with the students and get them thinking about the real-world challenges that face businesses and give them a better understanding for when they leave school.

I really enjoyed the simulation experience as a mentor. Working with the students, you can see how business and entrepreneurship concepts are interwoven with a highly accessible context. The simulation provides a real sense of the decisions that business owners have to make daily.

Ross Strong, Director of Communications and International Business, Fraser Coast Anglican College

I was the mentor of a large group of students who knew their roles and were committed to delivering on their projects. I found them to be engaged, interested and their ideas were well thought out. The ABW Business Simulation Program gives the students a hands on, practical experience, where they are working with real life scenarios. I believe this is a brilliant way for the students to learn.

Tracey Wigmore, Communications and International Business Co-ordinator, Fraser Coast Anglican College.

Neil

Bradshaw,

General Manager Southern Cross Austereo Fraser Coast

Fantastic program. The students were engaged from the start. I could see the anticipation building as they waited for their results to be calculated.

Steven Ryan, Technical Compliance & Improvements Manager, Australian Operations, Koppers Wood Products Pty Ltd

By Danielle Ryan Director of Middle Years

Be Empowered

Throughout Term 3 in the Primary School, we have been exploring “Empowerment” as one of our College values. Our definition of this value is that “empowerment is the activity of receiving light, allowing it to grow within, and bringing that light to others. It means taking responsibility for making positive choices”. Specifically, we have been encouraging the students to think about how they empower themselves through self-regulation, selfdiscipline, self-control, self-awareness and selfleadership. Through reflection on these attributes within oneself, one can then share these gifts openly with others.

One of the most challenging attributes mentioned above for our students in the Primary School is selfregulation. In their developmental process, learning to express and regulate their emotions can be hard as they don’t often have a perspectival approach to the situation. Things that happen in life, happen in a big way during the early years of life. As teachers and parents, we have such an important role to play in helping our students to express and regulate their emotions.

To assist with this, we have been using the class shield activities to teach the students about reflection to empower themselves so that they can demonstrate the attributes of self-regulation, self-discipline, self-awareness etc. Some common themes that have arisen through these activities and have been displayed on the shields are:

1. Mistakes are an important part of the learning process throughout life

2. It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters

3. Have the courage to face your fears and be your best self

While empowering others is important, in order to do this well, we should look to empower ourselves first. When we grow our light within, we are more fully able to shine our light to others and be of service.

By Danielle Brown Head of Primary School

“Don’t be affraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be Empowered” Michaelle Obama

Elite Athletes

When you play a sport with weekly training and fixtures, the science behind getting to your peak physical condition is pretty simple. You have a block of time dedicated to pre-season and slowly increase your training duration and intensity. Then you try to maintain that level, but in running, swimming, and triathlon, you don’t compete each week, so you need to plan your calendar around the big meets.

Ryan Cunningham (14 years old), Dylan Smith (15 years old) and Xavier Metcalfe (16 years old) all have set programs that their respective coaches create. Without these established programs, these young athletes wouldn’t be able to peak are the right time and could suffer injuries preventing them from competing at their best.

I had the pleasure of talking with each of these fantastic young men, and here is what they told me about their programs.

Ryan Cunningham - Running Ryan is preparing for the National Cross Country that is being held in Adelaide. Ryan’s week starts with a long (12km) run on Mondays, track sessions which are reps of either 400m or 1km on Tuesday, a hill session Wednesday, which is 10x 200m hill runs and no rest in between except for the jog back down. Thursday is another track session. Friday is a rest day before doing the 5km park run on Saturday mornings, and he finishes off the week with a long run. The park run isn’t a part of his coach’s program; it is an additional session he chooses to participate in. Once the National Cross Country is completed, Ryan’s focus turns to a much shorter distance, the 800m, but the program doesn’t get any easier.

Ryan spoke to ABC Wide Bay recently. Scan the QR code to hear his interview.

Dylan Smith – Triathlon

Like Ryan, Dylan’s next big meet is the Nationals, but for Triathlon, Dylan doesn’t have to travel far as they are being held here in Hervey Bay. Dylan also has a coach that has a program for him, and it starts on Monday with a pool swim of about 3 or 4km both before and after school; Tuesday morning is transition practice which is working on getting off the bike and into the run smoothly and quickly, Tuesday afternoon is running, and it is about 8km, Wednesday afternoon is back into the pool for swimming again, Thursday morning is a bike ride which could be hills or flat then in the afternoon Dylan is about running. This run is usually intervals or a long run. Friday sees Dylan back into the pool for an hour session. Saturday is a long run, and Sunday is a long ride.

Above: Ryan Cunningham on the track at the Nationals

Elite Athletes

Dylan was also recently interviewed by ABC Wide Bay, scan the QR code to hear about his training and race experience.

Xavier Metcalfe – Swimming

Xavier has the State long course championships coming up later this year in Brisbane, but he just competed at the short course championships. Xavier explained that his program is about ten weeks at a time, and they get split into blocks of 3. Two weeks of building up and then a week called an adaptation week where you reproduce the type of load you would have at the championships. Then the week before, you reduce the amount of swimming but increase the intensity. Xavier has two coaches, one in Brisbane, and they create the training program and a coach here. The coach in Brisbane is asking Xavier to change his technique at the moment, which is pretty hard to do when you have been swimming in a slightly different way for years, but that is why he needs another coach locally so that they can work on it together. Xavier has another challenge from his coach: to change how he attacks the race. On Monday, he has two sessions, the morning is aerobic, and the afternoon is hard and fast to get him up to his VO2 max (the maximum amount of oxygen his body can utilise). Tuesday morning is what Xavier calls a skills session where technic is worked on, and then in the afternoon, he has a gym session followed by a light recovery swim. Wednesday is sprints, followed by Thursday, a morning-paced swim. Thursday afternoon, they are repeating Tuesday’s gym and recovery swim. Friday afternoon, he hits the pool again with longer sprints, like 50 meters, and he finishes off the week on Saturday with sets of 1500m as Sunday is a rest day.

Our past students also continue to dominate in their chosen sport. Carla Bull (College Captain, 2019) claimed the Stawell Gift with a run of 13.77 seconds against a very compeitive field. Carla was battling illness in the lead up to the event but her training carried her through to victory.

We wish Ryan, Dylan, Xavier and Carla all the best in pursuing their sporting goals, and as you can see, they are doing the hard work to get there.

By Adrian Elmes Acting Director of Sport

Netball Champions

Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball, more commonly known as ‘QISSN’ is a week-long netball carnival competed by different schools across the state. This year the carnival was hosted in Mackay. Our team of 9 from grades 9-12 won our division grand final. This win wasn’t just given, we earnt it; early morning trainings, late night games, recovering through injuries and team bonding were just some of the things our team experienced.

In preparation for QISSN we participated in carnivals and weekly local games to build our teamwork and skill. We felt confident in our abilities to match our competition. Our expectations for the week were to overall have fun and make lifelong memories, so we were incredibly ecstatic with our grand final win. Throughout the week we experienced obstacles which we fought hard as a team to overcome.

During our games we fought extremely hard until the last whistle of every game to qualify for the grand finale at the end of week. It was such a rewarding feeling that was experienced by all our hard work which had paid off. Running on minimal sleep and sore bodies, the team was nervous going into the game. Though, as the score difference increased, it lit a fire within us to keep going and win for ourselves, our friends and families, as well as the school community watching from home that have supported us through this journey. We couldn’t have done this without Karly Hawkins, Jo and Brian Peterson for their ongoing support, cheers and opportunities they’ve given our team. Furthermore, we extend our appreciation to our friends, families, and school. This carnival is an amazing experience every year and we look forward to next year’s carnival hosted in Brisbane.

Congratulations to our 2022 QISSN team members: Kim Bull, Emmily Lingard, Madi Zanella, Hollie Visentin, Sophie Shaw, Sophia Page, Kylah Orovec, Natasha Bacon and Paige Smith.

Scan the QR code to watch the Grand Final. FCAC are the first match on the video.

By Kim Bull, Emmily Lingard and Madi Zanella

Baking an impact

Meghan McGucken is a busy year ten student, her life is full of assignments, exams, touch football, and that is just school she has a part-time job as well. Being busy didn’t stop Meghan from making a real impact in her community as part of a school project. As part of Year 10 Religion and Values Education, students are asked to think about how they can make a difference in people’s lives. Meghan has been baking cookies in her evening and selling them at her parent’s business to support homeless people in Hervey Bay.

Her cookies have been a hit, with Meghan having to increase production to keep up with demand. This demand has resulted in $500 donated to J&T Supporting Homeless – Hervey Bay. Meghan’s dad, Dave, said he was “very proud of my daughter” and thanked their local business community, Good Games Fraser Coast, who got behind Meghan’s initiative. Dave continued, “We have such an awesome community of people who come to our store - thank you for your support.”

Patrons of Good Games Fraser Coast could choose from ginger, white chocolate and macadamia cookies or the raspberry and white chocolate cookies, which were described as “something else”.

Meghan met Josie and Trish in one of the parks, where they distributed breakfast and handed her donation from five weeks of baking. Josie and Trish were very touched by Meghan’s commitment. “We’re so thankful for your support Meghan and honoured you chose us as your path to making a difference”.

Anything can happen if you let it

Katrina Bickerton (Class of 2011) is currently in the ensemble of the new national production of Mary Poppins.

The Comet caught up with Katrina and got to ask her some questions what she has been up to since FCAC.

What has been your journey since graduating from FCAC?

My professional journey since graduating FCAC has been a long but rewarding one. After studying for 4 years at Patrick School of the Arts (both the Fulltime Dance and Musical Theatre courses) I have been lucky enough to do small shows and gigs over the years starting with Follies In Concert with StoreyBoard Entertainment.

Then in 2018, I landed my first role playing Annette in Saturday Night Fever with Royal Caribbean before going on to do a small run of Legally Blonde with James Terry Collective at the end of 2019. The Covid 19 pandemic had an immense impact on the Arts, with many show cancellations and theatre shutdowns for the duration. Throughout 2021 I was lucky enough to be cast in the ensemble of The Wedding Singer with David Venn enterprises. Despite multiple lockdowns, the show toured Australia. Shortly after, I was cast in Mary Poppins the musical, which is where I am now.

What is it like working in the performing arts? And on a show like Mary Poppins?

Working in the performing arts is hard but one of the best feelings in the world for me. It’s hard because of the amount of training required with dance classes, singing and acting lessons but also with the amount of rejection that comes with auditioning.

When you book the job, my goodness there’s nothing like it. From rehearsals, where it’s being put together to technical rehearsals, watching it come to life and then opening, allowing the audience to come in and take them to another world and away from their troubles for a few hours, is magical.

And that is why Mary Poppins is an absolute dream come true.

Not only do I feel like years of training, rejection and self-doubt has paid off but it’s such a magical show, I love it. It’s great to see the kids’ faces watching all the magic that is happening on stage and all the adults who are singing along to the songs the grew up with.

A massive plus is everyone I work with, from cast to crew to creatives are wonderful, so very kind, supportive and passionate. I love going to work and performing eight shows a week, and I’m so grateful that I even get to call this work.

Next, Mary Poppins is heading to Brisbane which I’m very excited about. Growing up it was the place where I saw all the big musicals that made me want to do this professionally, so being able to perform at QPAC is amazing.

What is a fond memory you have from FCAC?

I have a lot of fond memories from FCAC, most of them would be sports carnivals, school musicals, music classes and drama classes. And of course, lunch time hanging out with my friends.

What advice do you have for aspiring performers who are at School now?

My advice for anyone who wants to perform would be, do it! Go train and study and work hard. If the fire in your belly is still burning, keep going, even if people tell you that it’s not a ‘real job’ or you need to have a backup plan, listen to your gut.

The background I have on my phone is: Results happen over time, not overnight. Work hard, stay consistent, and be patient.

Katrina spoke to ABC Wide Bay recently. Scan the QR code to hear the interview.

Mary Poppins (1964)

Persuing the dream

FCAC Alum John Keenan happily shares his music with the world, but it wasn’t always this way. When John left FCAC in 2012, he went to university to study linguistics, but this didn’t fit; a degree change to business didn’t improve things with many of his nights spent composing songs. “In my heart, I knew I was a musician,” he said, following a conversation with his family in which he announced that he had to pursue his love of music and songwriting.

Studying music allowed John to explore his passion with the added benefit of being around like-minded people who encouraged him. John met his partner at university. “She has been such a wonderful support to me, we support each other, and you feed off each other’s energy”.

John was working on his first album at the time of this interview. The process of creating an album has not been without its challenges. “I’m a perfectionist and trying to get everything right is important to me”. COVID created quite a few challenges for John, requiring remotely outsourcing elements of the music. “I have a drummer from the US, a keyboardist from Spain, and the amazing thing is it sounds as though we are in the same room”.

From his days at FCAC, John recalls having Joe Wright (current FCAC Principal) as his teacher in Grades 4 and 6. “I enjoyed the people at FCAC. I had a wonderful time with my friends, other students, and teachers,” he said. “There was a lot of support from some of the teachers who really got my dream of being a musician”.

John’s advice to current students is simple and very powerful. “Stay strong, stay resilient. Do what you love. Don’t let anyone discourage you from your dreams and what you really want to do”

You can listend to John’s music on Spotify by scanning the QR code.

Book Week 2022