The
Comet
An FCAC Magazine Winter, 2021
The Lion King Father Jeff - a lifetime of service
Interview: Grahame Ginn
Contents 1
Rebooting The Comet
Issue 1, Winter 2021
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Father Jeff: A lifetime of service
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News in brief Get caught up Teacher Profile: Mrs Merilyn Westrop Interview: Mr Grahame Ginn
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Alumni Profiles
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Adolescent Play
Fences challenge adventurous children
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Getting the Edge
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The Lion King in pictures
eSports @ FCAC
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Blending, revitalising & thriving on our beautiful campus
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FCAC's journey toward a reconciliation action plan
The brain and growth mindset
Fraser Flames Football: Get your burgundy on!
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List of contributors: Danielle Brown, Kylie Carr, Adrian Elmes, Juliane Hallam, Darryl Humphreys, Father Jeff Jarvis, Ayo Oluwa Opemipo Olulope, Roz Nicholls, Nikki Robertson, Shaun Ryan, Ross Strong, Merilyn Westrop, Tracey Wigmore, Joe Wright Editorial: thecomet@fcac.qld.edu.au
The Comet Rebooting a classic By Joe Wright, Principal The College’s very first A4 newsletter was published in 1994 in anticipation of our opening in 1995. It was titled ‘Wide Bay Anglican School Newsletter’ as the name of the College had not yet been firmly decided. One of the key announcements was the purchase of the land that the College sits on today. The land was described as being ‘surrounded by farms which would in the future be surrounded by houses’. We are certainly seeing that prediction come to pass. It also incorporated the timetable for 1994, including building works and the appointment of teachers.
Once the College began operation they created a monthly newsletter called … ‘The Newsletter’. It was supplemented by a weekly ‘News in brief’. The A4 columns were filled with news from upcoming and recently completed College events as well as congratulating students on their achievements. In 2003 ‘The Newsletter’ became the ‘College Comet’, the same year the new website started. The referencing of a celestial object (‘comet’) fit in line with the astronomical theme that was evident in many areas of the College including the House names and the year book – ‘The Constellation’ During the first two years of the College there was also a biannual publication titled ‘Echo’ which was designed to capture the essence of our school life and build a link between the College and the wider community in which we were trying to establish ourselves.
It was a newspaper type format and in a time where smart phones did not exist and the internet was still being established, I could imagine that FCAC families would have waited upon its publishing with much anticipation. It was an ambitious publication for a school in its infancy to produce and I can only admire the time and dedication required to compile it. This year we are bringing back the ‘College Comet’ but with a different focus. It will be an online magazine that focusses not only on 'what' we do, but also 'why' we do it. The Comet will celebrate the achievements of our students as well as those of our alumni. It will acknowledge our history and all that makes our College great. The Comet will tell the story of FCAC.
Scan the QR code to hear Mr Wright's interview with ABC Wide Bay celebrating FCAC's 25th Anniversary.
Below: Foundation staff member, Mrs Anne Patterson and Mr Wright dig into the archives to explore past versions of the newsletter.
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Father Jeff A LIFETIME OF SERVICE By Ayo Oluwa Opemipo Olulope (Grade 7) - Edited by Tracey Wigmore Father Jeff Jarvis was born on the 14th of July 1945 in a small town called Macclesfield in the UK. After a stint as a Police Bobby in London, he started his chaplaincy journey – a journey that would continue for over 50 years – in England at the Cambridge University, as a Hospital Chaplain. In 1978 Father Jeff and his family migrated to Australia, to take on a role as School Chaplain at Christchurch Grammar School in Western Australia. This was followed by a stint as the Rector at Edge Hill in Cairns and Chaplain to the Trinity Anglican School. The family moved to Toowong, Brisbane in 1980 and Father Jeff was Chaplain at Brisbane Boys College. As a young boy, he was always expected to follow his father into the Army. After a long period of time with careful consideration and prayers, he decided to follow the armed forces path, by enlisting in the Naval Reserves in 1985. This involved a lot of traveling during school holidays to different bases around the country. St Margaret’s Anglican School was the next stop in his Chaplaincy career, where his wife Helen, also worked as the School Nurse. In 1996, there was another move for the family and this time it was to Hervey Bay to take on the role as the first School Chaplain at Fraser Coast Anglican College – a role that lasted for 10 years. All the while, Father Jeff had continued serving in the Navy Reserves, when he was recruited to serve full time as a Navy Chaplain.
Father Jeff and his family are very close to each other, so it was hard for them when he was required to travel away with the Navy. Father Jeff strongly believes that it was especially hard for his wife. There were many family events and special occasions missed, however one of the hardest and most heartbreaking was when the whole family had planned to all be together in Hervey Bay to celebrate Christmas for the first time in many years. Unfortunately, Father Jeff was urgently called to duty in the Middle East and missed yet another family gathering. Father Jeff has a grandson who is following in his faith led footsteps and currently is a Youth Pastor at Riverlife Baptist Church in Brisbane.
Father Jeff served in the Navy for ten years, during which he spent time in Sydney, working at various hospitals, including St Vincent’s Hospital and then as the Chaplain for Fleet North, based in Darwin. Father Jeff, a man of many talents, helped the navy crew with their jobs as well including damage control, fire-fighting, amongst other things. He was also involved with caring for people who suffered PTSD, as well as being the Patron of ‘Shipmates for Cancer’, sitting with the dying and conducting funeral services. With great experiences come great memories that last a lifetime. One of his favourite memories was when he turned 65 at sea. The refugees, Buddhist, Muslims, and Christians surprised him with sea songs and shared tins of orangeade and pistachio nuts for his birthday which he really enjoyed.
Above: Father Jeff and Mrs Helen Jarvis The Navy was a great experience for Father Jeff, one he says he will never regret. He met lots of officers and sailors, many who have become friends who he still keeps in contact with through social media and organisations such as the ‘Naval Association’ here in Hervey Bay. Even though having distance from family and home was hard, Father Jeff’s commitment and calling was to his Chaplaincy work was important to him. After a long time at sea, he was wished a very happy retirement and returned to school chaplaincy at Fraser Coast Anglican College in 2017, a position he still fills to this day. This is the story of a husband, father, grandpa, priest, former navy chaplain and school chaplain who is still enjoying his life at 76, never regretting a day of his entire life. You may think this is the end of the story but, Father Jeff believes, the end is only the beginning.
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News in brief Oscar Winner visits FCAC Academy Award winning Cinematographer Greg Huglin and his wife Andrea visited the College to run a hands-on film making experience.
You can see some behind-the scenes photos by clicking on the QR code.
Bishop Jeremy answers the 'big questions' during his visit to FCAC. Bishop Jeremy Greaves visited FCAC in June. Year 6 students enjoyed the meditative experience of the labyrinth and Year 11 students had a Q&A session where they were able to ask all the ‘big’ questions they had on their mind. These reflective, personal growth opportunities are so important for young people.
AFL Success Dan and Hunter have been representing FCAC and the district in Cairns at the AFL U12s carnival. Hunter has been selected in the Queensland Merit Team as an Umpire. (He was also one of two to be awarded ‘Student Umpire’ of the carnival).
Farewell Mrs Hegh
FCAC bade Farewell to Mrs Lisa Hegh. Mrs Hegh has been a Primary and Secondary Teacher as well as spending 8 years as Learning Enrichment Coordinator. Mrs Hegh leaves behind a thriving Learning Enrichment team who continue to provide support to FCAC students.
Drama in Brisbane Drama students were treated to overnight trip to Brisbane to performances of Animal Farm Sleeping Beauty at QPAC, as well as a to GOMA in Semester 1.
an see and visit
Science and Engineering Challenge Year 9/10 Science and Engineering Challenge run by University of Newcastle, was held at PCYC. FCAC had 8 teams of 4 students participate in STEM competitions against other local schools
Year 11 P.A.R.T.Y Some of our Year 11 students were able to take part in The P.A.R.T.Y. Program. This program is a dynamic, interactive injury prevention and health promotion Program designed for senior high school students. P.A.R.T.Y. is an acronym for Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth and is an in-hospital injury awareness and prevention program originally established in Ontario, Canada in 1986. P.A.R.T.Y. is aimed at providing teenagers with information about trauma that will enable them to recognise potential injury producing situations, make prevention orientated choices, and adopt behaviour that minimises unnecessary risk.
Science and Engineering Challenge Our musicians were out and about in the community in support Rotary and the Red Shield Appeal launch.
Dr 4 a Day FCAC students took part in the "Dr 4 a Day" program run by the University of Queensland's Rural Clinical School in June.
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Get caught up Koala Kindy rated as Exceeding Congratulations to Koala Kindy for being rated as an exceeding service in all quality areas by the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority
Uniform Changes FCAC has made some big changes to its uniform. The College now has new sports and house shirts as well as a new sport jacket.
You can see our video about this amazing achievement by clicking on the QR code.
FCAC Arts in Focus FCAC students and staff have created a e-magazine to celebrate termly happenings, events and recognise the achievements of students across the various arts. You can access FCAC Arts in Focus by clicking on the QR Code.
Stay in touch
Scan the QR code to see our new Uniform developments.
Meet the Captains In this video, 2021 College Captains, Kelland and Kaitlin, tell us why they love FCAC. Rugby 7's FCAC hosted the 17th annual Fraser Coast Invitational 7's Rugby Carnival. The event was livestreamed for the firs time so you can watch the matches from the comfort of your home. To relive the event and watch the coverage click on the QR code.
Spirit Week FCAC started the 2021 academic year a little differently with Spirit Week. Scan or click the QR code to hear Mrs Juliane Hallam provide an overview of a great week of team building and fun.
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Mrs Merilyn Westrop National award winning teacher The NEiTA Foundation, through the National Excellence in Teaching Awards, has been acknowledging exceptional teachers across Australia and New Zealand for over 25 years. Mrs Merilyn Westrop (Year 2 Teacher) was one of 450 nominees, who were then shortlisted to 43, and now is one of 12 teachers around Australia who has won the NEiTA Award for Innovation in Online Teaching for 2020. In addition to this award, Merilyn was also awarded the Futurity Parents’ Award. “Of course, the College as a whole is incredibly proud of Merilyn.” explained FCAC Principal, Mr Joe Wright. “Those who know and work with Merilyn recognise she is an exceptional professional – talented, committed, caring, innovative, passionate and dedicated to her students, our College and the community.”
Why did you become a teacher? To promote a love of learning in a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. To make school as fun and memorable as possible! I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a teacher just like my Year 2 teacher Miss Scarfe - gentle, kind and encouraging who approached everything with a smile and appreciated and accepted you for who you are. What was school like for you? Whilst I have many fond memories of Primary School, I do remember it being hard and unenjoyable and unfortunately I had some experiences that I’d rather forget. A great teacher is everything to a student and when this is not the case, then the negative effects of this can be long lasting. It wasn’t until high school that I really enjoyed school and shone! I loved the variety of teachers, many avenues to follow my interests such as music and the larger network of friends.
You can hear more about Mrs Westrop's award in her interview with ABC Radio. Scan the QR Code below
What do you love about being a teacher? I find teaching extremely rewarding, especially in the younger years when their growth and development is so prolific. I love the sense of family, fun, giggles, and the warm connection that develops between my students and I. I love seeing those ‘light bulb’ moments, when their smile beams across their face as they realise, they can do something new! The very best part of teaching is knowing that I have played a small part in shaping them as a lifelong learner, equipping them with new skills, increased confidence, selfbelief and empathy towards others. What do you love about FCAC? There is so much to love about FCAC! I love its wonderful sense of community, along with our amazingly supportive families, and committed and dedicated staff set amongst kangaroos and the beautiful bush lands. Having a fun and personable Principal, who goes out of his way to authentically connect with each student and to be ever present in our Primary School classrooms, is so unique and special at FCAC. The school motto of Body, Mind & Spirit really highlights that all students are valued for who they are and are encouraged to be the best they can be across all avenues.
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The school bell rang for the first time at Fraser Coast Anglican College in 1995, signifying not only the start of the new academic year but also the changing face of education on the Fraser Coast.
BUILDING A SCHOOL WITH HEART
FROM THE GROUND UP A conversation with
The students who walked through the gates to the College on 31 January 1995 made history with every step they took around the campus. Set on 64 acres of bushland, the College would quickly become a pioneer of holistic education in the region. But before students could find their desks on that historic day, a vision first imagined in the early 1990s had to become a reality. With its roots entrenched in the parishes of Hervey Bay and Maryborough, that vision was for the Anglican Church to establish a school on the Fraser Coast that would contribute to the education and development of young lives in an environment founded and shaped by the Christian faith. The task of bringing this to life was given to Founding Principal Mr Grahame Ginn OAM. Mr Ginn, his wife Kathryn and their children Claire and Cameron relocated to Hervey Bay and their involvement in the school’s early years began.
Grahame Ginn OAM By Shaun Ryan (Good News Fraser Coast) Above: Mr Ginn with his Kathryn
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“It was an honour to be selected as Founding Principal. There is, after all, only one Founding Principal for a school and thus not so many ever have the challenge and privilege,” Grahame Ginn
As one can imagine, a great deal of groundwork had to be done before the College could perform its primary function – educating children. An office was established in Main Street, Pialba in July 1994 and Mr Ginn started laying the foundation of the College. Starting a school from scratch was a massive project and one Mr Ginn was eager to get stuck into. “I had to be involved in and lead the design and setup of virtually everything about the school.”
“This maximized the interaction value of students with staff and helped them understand the wider world.” Creating a space for a liberal holistic approach to education was a top priority for Mr Ginn. Children would be encouraged to participate in and experience a wide range of activities. “I wanted all students to experience - beyond the Queensland curriculum - music, arts, drama, sports, outdoor adventure, service to the community, support for each other and an understanding of cultures well beyond the local,” Mr Ginn said. Interestingly, much effort was also made for the College to reflect its surroundings and for the buildings to be in tune with the environment.
The College was literally built from the ground up and Mr Ginn had to oversee the design and layout of its facilities and buildings, curriculum and the legal and government requirements. The first major requirement was to set up the core staff comprising of an Administrative Assistant (Linda Evans), Finance Manager (Anne Patterson) and Works Manager (Russell Green), followed by key teaching staff and further admin staff. “One of my goals with staff employment was to find a range of experience, from first year out to highly experienced, from different backgrounds and cultures and exhibiting quite a range of talents,” he explained.
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“The school houses reflect the star systems that are so easily viewed at night from the campus and the buildings are named after local or well-introduced plant species. “I also enjoyed setting up and working with the new parent association and getting things like the uniform set up,” recalled Mr Ginn. But it was the purchase of the St Mary’s the Virgin Church in Tewantin that gave the College heart. The church was relocated to the campus in December 1994 and converted into the chapel. For Mr Ginn, the typical Australian country church building signified the central role of the Church, Anglican tradition, the College being a regional or country school and tying its history to learning for the future. The student body swelled from around 130 on day one to 900 in the first 10 years. The initial plan was to create a P-12 school for 1,000 children in the first 15 years. “I was always proud that, by [the staff’s] combined effort, enrolments increased every year for the first 10 years,” Mr Ginn said. He also acknowledged the hard work of people such as Reverend Mike Donaldson, John Milburn from the Council and architect, Mr Eric Parups. Mr Ginn said other elements of his tenure he was particularly proud of included the egalitarian approach for staff, community centred sports program, the music and cultural program – including the involvement of students in the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony marching band and annual ANZAC Day events, outdoor education and the establishment of the International Program, among other things. Mr Ginn and his family left Hervey Bay for Canberra after a decade at the helm of the college. “My feeling was that I got the school where it needed to be.” The move also allowed Mrs Ginn, who played an integral role in setting up the College library, the opportunity to focus on her career goals. “As they say, tis better to leave at 10 to 12 than 10 past 12.” With the College recently celebrating its 26th anniversary, Mr Ginn said he had full confidence in its future. He described the College as an asset to the region that encouraged families to remain on the Fraser Coast, school their children locally and keep their talents and economic input in the community.
Above: Mr Ginn and his children Claire and Cameron
You can see Mr Ginn's message for FCAC's 25th Anniversary by scanning the QR code
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Where are they now? Curtis Reck (College Captain, Orion 2018) When opportunities come, you should take them. This principle led Curtis Reck (FCAC Captain, Orion 2018) to do an internship with the Wallabies. The internship “came across the desk of my Uni Prac coordinator,” who recommend it to Curtis. Curtis was working with the athletes within a short while, doing data collection to improve on-field performance and learning a lot from being inside the Wallabies camp. Curtis said that from his time as College Captain to his work with the Wallabies now, it was the ability to communicate that is a crucial skill. “The biggest skill I have learned is to communicate. Working with the Wallabies, [the work] can be very fast”. Curtis also identified the need to be adaptable to take things on and ensure you are doing a good job. Since graduating from FCAC in 2018, Curtis has been studying at the Australian Catholic University in Brisbane. He is due to graduate soon with a Bachelor of High Performance, focusing on Sports Science and Strength and Conditioning. Curtis recently visited FCAC to celebrate the College’s 25th Anniversary and caught up with Mr David Brown (FCAC Rugby Coordinator). When asked for his advice for current students, he said, “go and put yourself out there to show you have a good work ethic, and opportunities will come”.
To hear the whole interview with Curits, scan the QR code.
Elizabeth (Libby) Pulsford (Andromeda, 2005) You don’t need to have everything figured out. That is the advice Children’s Author and Teacher Elizabeth (Libby) Pulsford (Andromeda, 2005) recommends to current students. “I was intent on being an actress”. Following a degree at the University of Southern Queensland and some time auditioning while living in Sydney, Libby worked for an English-speaking Theatre company in Italy. On that trip, Libby discovered a love for teaching, at that point, English as a second language. Upon returning to Australia, Libby completed her teaching degree and currently works as a secondary Drama and English teacher. Libby is also about to become a published author. Her first book, “But Why,” is due to be published in 2022. Her book came about when she entered a competition to write a story inspired by some artwork. Libby took a moment to consider what lesson(s) would she like to teach her daughter. “Always being curious, always asking questions…it is a skill we need to teach younger generations”. It was this foundation that inspired her book. Reminiscing on her time at FCAC, Libby said she had a remarkable high school experience which included fond memories of musicals like Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in her senior year and Year 11 leadership camp. When asked what advice she would give current students, she said, “Lean into what you enjoy, and you will be quite surprised about the opportunities that come your way”. To hear the whole interview with Libby scan the QR code.
Todd Boniface (Capella, 2014) Todd Boniface offers a unique perspective of FCAC. Todd, who is visually impaired, required support during his school years. "The support I received really showed me that the teachers wanted the best for me". Todd now works at Telstra as a NBN Escalations Manager. In his interview Todd talks about what he loved about his school days, what he has studied and the difference FCAC made on his life. Scan the QR Code to hear more about Todd's journey.
Are you an FCAC Alumni? Stay in touch by joining our FCAC Alumni group or connecting on LinkedIn.
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FENCES CHALLENGE ADVENTUROUS CHILDREN By Father Jeff Jarvis, College Chaplain
There was a time, many years ago, when I would arrive at FCAC, park my bicycle, put one hand on the metal railing of the fence, then effortlessly leap over, briefcase in hand! I was then a young half centenarian. Following my return from 10 years in the Australian Defence Force I discovered that “three quarter centenarians” might have the desire and intent of a healthy quarter back but that things had changed! Change can be both an obstacle and an incentive to growth and learning as we face new challenges. I have been fortunate in living a life full of challenges, some, appearing almost impossible to negotiate, have brought a richness sometimes only acknowledge through hindsight. The fence I once could leap has gone. Now a sparkling white picket fence stands majestically in its place. The flora and fauna remain a constant whilst the classrooms reflect societal advances. No more banging of clogged blackboard dusters on stone walls or desks uniformly facing the blackboard, but the silent yet productive interaction of technology.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau said of the inventor of the fence, “The first man who, having fenced in a piece of land, said ‘This is mine,’ and found people naïve enough to believe him, that man was the true founder of civil society.”
The Anglican way is seen as taking the “Via Media” (Middle Path). For us fences are there not just as a symbol of protection but as a symbol of the challenges of life and growth that are within and beyond.
Today’s children and adults face complex challenges. Whereas chalk was a reasonably safe mode of communication the internet has changed the way in which society communicates. Truth and criminality and trust are forever being questioned. That which was once secure is no longer. We can no longer say, “This is mine!”
Our new fence reflects our College. The posts, our college staff, parents, grandparents and other supporters. Each individual picket a student shining bright and strong. The rails are there to give strength and stability holding all together. All firmly grounded in the concrete of faith in God.
To many a fence is the symbol of sanctity and security and just like the “Garden of Eden” a place given by God for us to enjoy under his protection.
We may not always be able to leap successfully over the obstacles of growth yet in the words of Isaiah, “I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you”. (Isaiah 41:13) we may take on with confidence the adventures and challenges that await us.
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Adolescent Play Adolescent play: two words that exist almost as an oxymoron in a 21st century context.
By Juliane Hallam, Head of Secondary School
In a world where screen time often dominates students’ daily lives, it is important for schools to increase opportunities for young people to be physically active. One such initiative undertaken by FCAC was to build a secondary playground for our students that allowed for unstructured play in a safe and supportive environment. To create an outdoor space where students are given the freedom to experiment and be creative in the way that they play. Unstructured play not only allows students to be physically active, but to engage and hone important social, emotional, and cognitive skills that students will require later in life. Students demonstrate some of these attributes on the playground by negotiating with their peers to test the limits of the equipment, working together to achieve a desired outcome or taking the lead to invent new experiences. Encouraging unstructured play allows students to think outside of the box and make mistakes without the pressure of a structured lesson or game. Students are encouraged to take risks and create their own rules in a safe and supportive environment.
The installation of the secondary playground has reignited a sense of fun at lunch times and provided students with the opportunity to enjoy adolescent play. Psychologist Heather Hayes sums it up best when she states, ‘Play is the beginning of all learning, in all areas of life. Freely choosing your play as a teenager is a testing ground for life providing critical life experiences without which children cannot develop into confident and competent adults.’
The secondary playground has been the culmination of student led discussions and decisions across Years 7-12. Actively seeking student engagement has led to the creation of a space where students come together from different year levels to play; strengthening relationships and connections across the College. The playground has become a communal meeting point within the Middle Years where students from different year levels experience enjoyment from pushing groups of younger students on the swings to see how high they can soar or gather to sit on top of climbing frames to enjoy the sunshine and relax.
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Reconciliation FCAC's journey toward a Reconciliation Action Plan By Kylie Carr, Director of Koala Kindy - edited by Tracey Wigmore In late 2018, Fraser Coast Anglican College identified the need for a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The Director of Koala Kindy at that time, Mrs Kylie Carr, was appointed to lead the project and quickly started the ball rolling by initiating conversations with Rachel Dunkley from Inclusion Support Queensland and Karen Hall, a local Butchulla representative and artist. Kylie also discussed it with her staff at Koala Kindy and they were very keen to learn more and see how the College could get a RAP started. The team soon started looking at identifying inclusive opportunities for families and children, and understanding and respecting cultural diversity, along with discussions about using the Weaving Culture Outside In, Inside Out and Heart, Palm and Soul Cards. In collaboration with Karen Hall, it was organised for all the Koala Kindy educators to attend a Reconciliation symposium in Bundaberg. It was an emotional day for everyone as they met Aboriginal ladies who were part of the Stolen generation and some of whom shared their stories with the group for the first time ever. There were lots of tears, lots of soul searching and a realisation that we are all people and we all deserve to be listened to, cared about and to belong and contribute to society. Following this, Karen was formally invited to assist the College with our RAP journey. Karen suggested that we use the Narrangunawalli platform which is where the RAP is explored, written and eventually published. The Fraser Coast Anglican College RAP involved lots of reflection, discussions, and consultation with local Butchulla people, staff, parents, and students and takes into account what is considered “doable” and our vision has been written with this in mind. We formalised our vision by seeking endorsement from the Primary and Secondary School Student Councils, and the College Council. “One outstanding moment in this journey was when Karen came in and, together with our College Principal and myself, painted a reconciliation table. It is an amazing piece of art that has pride of place in our Kindy. It depicts the coming together of different cultures to understand each other.” Kylie remembers. “What a fabulous legacy and example to set for the children at the Kindy and the students and greater College community. It warms my heart to know that I have and will continue to contribute to peace, harmony and understanding for many years to come.” she added. In December 2020 the College submitted the completed RAP document. It was a significant moment in the history of the College and a wonderful and meaningful thing to be a part of. The RAP is now public, for everyone to see and shows that our College is committed to bridging the gap to our local custodians, the Butchulla people, and the FCAC community moving forward. The RAP can be seen in action at the College through Welcome to Country presentations, art workshops, and our outdoor education programs. There is so much we have already done and will continue to do, with a strong belief our RAP is strengthened through relationships. The RAP can be seen in action by Welcome to Country presentations, art workshops, through outdoor education programs. Our RAP is strengthened through relationships. You can read more about FCAC's RAP by scanning the QR Code
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Getting the Edge Br Roz Nicholls, Director of Teaching and Learning (7-12) Our Teaching and Learning Framework provides FCAC teachers with the tools to create learners who are engaged, empowered, enterprising, empathetic, and equipped for success. We refer to these qualities as the five E’s. The Edge program supports the Teaching and Learning Framework by giving Years 7-10 students a chance to further develop their five E’s by choosing a semester-long elective designed to give them the edge in a changing world. In Semester One, we offered some new Edge electives that proved to be very popular with our students. Some students elected to learn a new skill, such as using a sewing machine, communicating with Auslan sign language or upcycling old furniture. Others chose a more physical activity such as gym, golf, human powered vehicles, sports and fitness. While others developed their strategic thinking through board games, and their creativity by learning a new craft. Another group used the time to research family and local history with students’ biographies of a 100-year-old local and our (slightly younger) Father Jeff Jarvis being published in this magazine. The culminating event for the semester was an extended half day Edge session, where students were able to put their skills to the test, go on excursion or take part in an incursion.
At the end of each course, we survey students to get feedback on the electives and plan for the next semester of Edge activities. Below are some answers to the question: ‘The best thing about my Edge course was…’ learning the challenging skills of problem solving in situations and having fun at the same time. learning the basic signs and sentences and working in groups to figure things out. developing skills that will help me in the future. that there is always a different sport each week. the freedom to pick a game and learn to play it, as well as to get to have a good time with new people. being able to fix old and used items and give them a new look. learning more about the history of the area we live in at the present time from those who have experienced it. learning sign language as I believe communicating with other communities is a beneficial skill to have. that I got to make other friends from different year levels which made FCAC a better place for me.
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eSports @ FCAC By Darryl Humphreys, Dean of E-Learning Ask any 12-year-old student what they want to do when they “grow up” and amongst the more traditional replies of “police officer", "scientist” or “teacher”, you will also hear such responses as “social media influencer”, “Youtuber” or “professional gamer”, and it is this last one category I wish to focus on today.
At present, due to the nature of the games available on PC, the College’s program has been targeted predominately at the Secondary school. However, there is considerable interest across local schools in the region in developing a Primary school league utilising Nintendo Switch consoles and a range of primary-friendly titles such as Mario Kart, Splatoon 2 and Super Smash Bros Ultimate. In my next newsletter contribution, I look forward to reporting on the status of this exciting development.
Once a niche industry, E-Sports has developed into big business with a global footprint. According to the University of Queensland, E-Sports is a “billion-dollar industry, with a reach of more than than 450 million viewers”. Many universities now support E-Sports as part of their program and offer scholarships for aspiring players. For example, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) runs a dedicated E-Sports Academy – QUT Tigers – which offers support to students under their Elite Athlete Program. QUT is also offering League of Legends Players the chance to access several $5000 scholarships to assist with their university tuition.
In recognition of the high-level of interest from students and its burgeoning mainstream acceptance, the College purchased its first 10 dedicated gaming machines in early 2020, and it is safe to say the program has been met with considerable enthusiasm. Since the lab went live, The College has competed in numerous tournaments against Anglican schools across Queensland competing remotely in such games as Overwatch, Rocket League, League of Legends, Fortnite and Valorant. In our post COVID world, in which travel is often restricted, these events provide a valuable conduit for students to connect with others outside their school who share similar interests, while also assisting participants in building a range of valuable real-world transferable skills, including resilience, problem solving and team-work.
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The Lion king jr in pictures
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The Lion king jr in pictures
Wickedly Entertaining The FCAC Arts Faculty was busy with the Fraser Coast production of Wicked in June. Among the cast was Mr Gavin Bolderrow playing Dr Dillamond. Mr Ian Slater (Director of Visual and Performing Arts) and music tutors Kellie List, and Michael Engberg were in the Orchestra.
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Blending, revitalising and thriving on our beautiful campus. By Nikki Robertson, Business Manager
When the College began in 1995, offering the first Independent Schooling opportunity in Hervey Bay, it was flanked by cane fields and bushland. The buildings and grounds were designed to blend with the surrounds providing a synergy between the built and natural environments. 26 years later we find ourselves one of a number of Independent Schools and where there was bushland there are homes, street lights, and cars. In keeping with the changes around us we thought it a great time to transform our curb appeal. The white fence and sandstone entrance speak to the pride we have in the College and the incredible achievements of the past 26 years. The white reminds us of the College War Cry our students proudly chant “Burgundy, Burgundy, Navy and White, Fraser Coast come out to fight”. We want to be heard and we want to be seen! Of course, we also want to maintain a balance with our native flora and fauna, particularly our resident kangaroos.This will see us rejuvenating our gardens and planting more trees. For most of our outdoor upgrades we have partnered with Gold Coast based business “Everything Outside”. Their use of timber and sandstone, instead of plastic and metal, has created unique playgrounds and outdoor learning spaces across the campus that blend effortlessly with the natural environment.
Inside the classroom we have been upgrading carpets, paint and furniture to create modern, flexible spaces that can be adapted by the teachers to meet the needs of their students and tasks. With the Primary School classrooms almost complete, upgrades will continue throughout the Secondary School. We are also upgrading specialist learning spaces, such as the four science labs, which are now crisp, state of the art facilities. The only thing lacking in the labs is some colour, which will soon be remedied with a unique wall mural in each lab. We will continue to refresh and upgrade our existing facilities and we hope to announce new major capital builds soon. The future remains bright and ever-changing!
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T H E
B R A I N
& growth mindset By Danielle Brown, Head of Primary School
I have recently been exploring the concept and research around neuroplasticity. The idea that our brain has the ability to adapt or rewire itself. This links nicely to what we teach our students at FCAC about a Growth Mindset. In a webinar titled “Teaching Kids to Stretch” by Dan Haesler, he explored Growth and Fixed Mindsets based on the research by Carol Dweck. He encouraged us to think about the words we use when we praise our children. Giving children praise based on how smart they are (fixed mindset) as opposed to how much effort they had put into something (growth mindset). Saying, “Oh wow, great job, you must be really smart at this” over and over again can lead to the child thinking that when things come easy to them then they are smart. But when things are hard, they can give up because they are afraid of not being seen to be smart anymore. If we change our words to say “Oh wow, great job, you must have worked really hard at this”, then we are praising the child for the effort they have put into achieving a goal or a challenging question. This type of praise helps the child to understand that no matter how hard the challenge, if they work at it, they can work to a solution. Using this type of praise in a situation where they haven’t got the answer right is also encouraging, “Oh wow, you are nearly there. Keep working on it and you will get there”. We want our children to be developing growth mindsets, believing that their abilities, intelligence and talents can all be developed and enhanced through hard work and determination. That challenges are welcomed and are fun experiences that test our brains and help us grow our abilities, intelligence and talents. Demonstrating a Growth Mindset also encourages our brain to rewire itself, leading to the strengthening of neural pathways which then rewires our brains. Even as adults, role modelling a growth mindset can lead to neuroplasticity.
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Fraser Flames Football
Get your burgundy on! By Adrian Elmes, Acting Director of Sport The Fraser Flames Football team rejoins the Wide Bay Premier League for the first time in 5 years. Not only have they rejoined, but they are really imposing themselves on their long-awaited return to the top division of Men's Football. It was announced during the 2020 season that the Wide Bay Buccaneers would not be taking place in the SE Qld competition, FQPL. As a result, Buccaneer's families started planning for Football back in Wide Bay competitions. Thomas Biden (2016 FCAC School Captain) used his extensive network of football friends and offered them a spot in the Fraser Flames. This group of young men includes 9 former students, 3 current grade 12 students, 2 former Flames players and 3 existing Flames youth players. They started training early in the pre-season without a Coach. Dale Paxton, who was planning on having a year off from coaching, came down to a training session. After taking one look at the talented players, many of which Dale had coached before, his one year sabbatical was over before it began. FCAC alumni Nathan Philp (2016), Jarryd Wynn (2017), Finn Mikkelsen (2017), Jai Lambden (2014), Liam Bland (2017), Benji Bodie (2017), Alex Webb (2020) and Thomas Biden (2016) are all in the squad. Add in four current FCAC Year 12 students - Orik Mikkelsen, Bart du Plooy, Edward Sprake and Rhyly Paton and the future is looking very bright for this squad. This young squad is now over halfway through the season, and they are sitting second on the table with a total 9 points gap to third. While some of the players have previously won premierships in the WBL2 division, Fraser Flames teams have never played in the Division 1 final before. They will this year. This squad love to use the saying – Get your Burgundy on!
Scan the QR code to watch the media coverage from when the Fraser Flames made it nine wins in a row in the Wide Bay Premier League.
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The
Comet An FCAC Magazine
Winter, 2021
