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.
1
