Leading with Service | Summer 2015

Summer | 2015

Whitsunday

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ANGLICAN SCHOOL

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Leading with Service is a bi-annual magazine for past, present and future parents, Old Scholars and Leading with Service | 2 friends of Whitsunday Anglican School. It highlights our achievements in Service Learning, Leadership, Global Learning and Student Initiative.

THE FIRST WORD In a transient world, we search for the universal. A part of me knows that the device I use to write this article, and the truly astounding technology that underpins it, will be obsolete within a year or two. The advice I offer today will probably seem quaint but it is well-intentioned. We search, as our forebears have done, for the universal – for those values that have somehow managed to remain constant across a landscape committed to the changing world we live in. Our School’s core values are the tenets of our actions.

Another part of life that seems always to have been with us is the reality that the world is made up of those who thrive economically and those who struggle. ‘Thriving’ is, I suppose, open to interpretation, but most of us in Australia would agree that our country is about as lucky as they come. Implicit in our relative affluence is a freedom that leads to opportunities for fulfilment, and implicit in that freedom is a sense of responsibility. Whitsunday Anglican School will always seek to do something about this through our Service Learning programs that operate across all year levels and include an impressive range of activities.

Apart from the very tangible benefits of these activities, students gain an understanding of their responsibilities to their environment within the community and also a sense of how we can support those who, with help, could find their way back to becoming engaged and productive members of our society. Instilling within each child a sense of the wellbeing that flows from a life lived in service to others will always be an integral part of the Whitsunday Anglican School education- Learning through Love, Living by Faith, Leading with Service.

Mrs Maria McIvor Principal

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RSL Youth Development Program The Returned & Services League (RSL) of Australia (QLD Branch) and Bond University jointly offer the RSL Youth Development Program. This program enables Queensland’s most exceptional Year 10 and 11 students with an opportunity to be awarded with grants of $2,500 each in the following categories: -!

Academic Achievement (inclusive of Arts, Drama and Media)

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Sporting Achievement (inclusive of Dance)

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Community Leadership and Civic Participation

In 2015, ten of our students were recipients of these prestigious scholarships. Listed below is how some of them have used their grants to help others or to promote their learning and self-development. Well done to these students for their achievement and pursuits. We are hopeful of more recipients of the RSL Youth Development Program grants again next year.

Mrs Sarah Wright Acting Head of Senior School

Visiting our family back home in Pakistan is an eye-opening yet saddening experience. Every visit brings with it the same abject poverty and the same decrepit conditions. For many years, it seemed like an overwhelming problem too vast for a single teenager to do anything about. However, I decided to use my $2500 RSL Scholarship to buy books, stationery and uniforms for disadvantaged children who couldn't afford to go to school, and spoke to them about the importance of education.

I used my RSL Youth Development Scholarship to extend my knowledge and experience in dance. It gave me the opportunity to travel to and attend the Australian Dance Festival in Sydney during the September school holidays as well as various auditions for next year. The experiences gained from these events were invaluable and have helped prepare me for next year. I would like to thank the RSL and Bond University for giving me the means to attend these events.

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I used my scholarship funds to enable me to go to the AOCRA Junior National Titles on the Sunshine Coast and the Trans Tasman Gubbi Gubbi Waka Ama Championship Series held at the same place, in September. I am using the remaining funds to fly to the Cook Islands and compete in Vaka Eiva in a week’s time.

I used my RSL scholarship money to help fund a service trip to Peru where I worked on excavating the Incan Trail and supporting local community projects, all while being immersed in the local culture and some of the best views in the world.

I was planning to spend my RSL Community Scholarship on a trip to Nepal for two weeks to participate in some medical work experience on the 2015 June/July holidays; however, I was unable to go through with this because a devastating earthquake hit Nepal a month before I was scheduled to go. I have now made plans to go to Sri Lanka in the December/January holidays which are coming up, to do some volunteering at a war affected orphanage.

I spent my $2500 RSL Scholarship funds to be part of the GOL Brazil International Futsal Tour. I represented Australia and was away undertaking training, games, and sightseeing for approximately three weeks.

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Global Learning #passporttolearning

Global Exchanges

Global Expeditions

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Global Exchanges The Year 10 Global Exchange Program at Whitsunday Anglican School is seen as an important addition to our academic program. Participation in exchange broadens the horizons of our students as well as helping them to grow as individuals, develop new global awareness and make new friends.

Whitsunday Anglican School has a number of international partner schools in Canada, France, United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and South Africa. Students can participate in either a cultural or language exchange.

Becoming an exchange student means living in the host country and attending a host school as a member of that community. Having to integrate into someone else’s family necessitates students confront challenges outside familiar support networks, thereby increasing self-awareness and leading to greater resilience, enhanced selfconfidence and strong self-esteem.

So far in 2015 we have had 7 students participate in an exchange. These students thoroughly enjoyed their experiences and made many wonderful memories. In December we will farewell 10 students who will participate in their exchange to either Japan or France.

Our community has been enriched by the exchange students who visited us during the year. They will be forever members of the Whitsunday family.

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Partner Schools The Perse School Cambridge, United Kingdom

Trafalgar Castle School Whitby, Canada

Waikato Diocesan School for Girls Hamilton, New Zealand

Somerset College Cape Town, South Africa

Oakhouse School Barcelona, Spain

Centre Internationale de Valbonne Valbonne, France

Seirinkan High School Aichi, Japan

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New Caledonia Global Expedition

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Vietnam & Cambodia Global Expedition

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Junior School The Junior School students and families are wonderfully supportive of many charities and worthy causes. The outstanding aspect of Junior School service is that it is set by the School’s youngest students each semester. Service is certainly alive and well in the Junior School.

We have our traditional service and giving activities of support towards Anglicare, Mackay Animal Rescue, the Cancer Council’s Relay For Life, the Heart Foundation, Service Learning Days, ChildFund Australia and the World Vision Fund. However, it is always heartening to be a part of the hugely generous Junior School community that finds time to continually support, embrace and donate to our Service projects. This year is the 12th anniversary of the Junior School’s support of Anglicare in this manner with our support of Emmett Wither’s Pet Food Appeal in its 7th year.

Heart Foundation – Jump Rope for Heart Once again the Junior School students took to the skipping ropes in support of the Heart Foundation’s Jump Rope for Heart program. This program, facilitated by Mrs Tanya Thomas, is now an annual event on the Junior School Service Calendar. Over the past 10 years the students and Junior School community has raised over $48000 (receiving 2 Bronze Level Awards from the Heart Foundation) in aid of this worthy cause. In 2015 the students and families raised $3377.30, a wonderful effort from the School’s youngest students and their families.

Let’s Read Foundation Book Drive ‘Let’s Read’ is an early childhood literacy program which aims to improve literacy and to encourage parents to read to their pre-school children. Towards the end of Term Two Jemima Hatherly, Year 4J, took over the reins to organise our book drive for the ‘Let’s Read’ Foundation. Jemima invited families to, ‘Join me in donating as many books as possible to the ‘Let’s Read’ Foundation. Your wonderful books will help families that are not fortunate enough to have books to enjoy and treasure. Please help those children by providing them with your old books that you loved reading and listening to so that they can be loved once again!’

During previous book drives over 1700 books were donated and collected for the ‘Let’s Read’ Foundation through the generosity of our Junior School community.

This year we have collected over 300 books for an outstanding 4 year total of approximately 2000 books.

Jemima was able to hand over these books to a delighted Mrs Wendy Hone from the ‘Let’s Read’ Foundation. This has once again been a wonderful enterprise facilitated by

Jemima which will support families in the wider community to assist their children to develop a love of reading.

Year 1 Student Support In August the Year 1 cohort ‘bangedonabeanie’ in support of one of their classmates, a young fellow with an acquired brain injury. This occasion was also used to help raise awareness about Brain Injury Awareness Week. It was a wonderful show of support for this young fellow and his family from his peers and also went a long way to raising awareness in our school community.

Preparatory Year and Kindergarten Service Throughout the past 13 years the Preparatory and Kindergarten students, families and staff have sponsored a number of World Vision children. The funds to sponsor these children have come from the Preparatory and Kindergarten Market afternoons which are held throughout the year. These are wonderfully supported by our parents who make and give the wide variety of goodies that are on sale to raise the funds needed.

The Preparatory students also raise funds to support the ‘Friends of the Bilby’ Fund to build and maintain a feral free fence, and to help with the breeding program to safeguard the survival of the Bilby. Once again this is a Junior School community service that has been facilitated by Ms Shirley Wood and Mrs Wendy Adamson for 16 years and is a testament to the wonderful support given to a variety of worthy causes by our students, families and staff.

Preparatory Year Poppies There are a number of occasions for the Junior School community to become involved in a myriad of ‘service’ opportunities; however, ‘service’ in the Junior School is not limited to students, staff and families. Our Prep Poppies program with Poppy (Ross) Wallace and Poppy Syd (Cowan) offers a wonderful ‘service’ to our students, and staff, through Poppy Wallace and Poppy Syd giving of their time. The Prep Poppies program allows the students to interact with elder members of our community, swapping tales and playing games. It is a wonderful program that has been running since 2001.

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Middle School Throughout Semester Two Middle School students have been moving towards a model of service and fundraising initiatives that reflect our Year 12 School Captains’ 2015 Policy “Be part of something bigger”. Student leaders from all classes have met to pool ideas, resources and expertise to focus on a major team effort rather than individual class efforts. This model was very successful in Semester One with Harmony Day celebrations and again proved popular with our inaugural Melbourne Cup High Tea event and Melbourne Cup hat and tie parade this semester.

Whilst Ruby Russell and Ben Mizen (7H) oversaw the organisation, all classes contributed to the day either through their participation in the fashion stakes, donating morning tea or assisting the set up, serve, clean up or sell icey cups as part of House Spirit Day. The morning was an outstanding success and will no doubt be on our calendar for 2016.

As the end of term draws to a close, students and their families are supporting Anglicare with donations of non- perishable goods for Anglicare hampers over the upcoming festive season in particular. In addition to these donations, Middle School will also adopt a family in need and provide a Christmas hamper for a Mackay family.

A small group of students have been busy writing Christmas wishes and letters to our four World Vision children to ensure that ongoing communication and support reaches them before the end of year. Our fundraising efforts have allowed us to extend our support to Tsolwana and Sparrows Child and Youth Care Centre in South Africa, a very worthy cause for disadvantaged young people, similar in age to our students.

Our environmental project of recycling plastic bottle tops is coming to fruition and our mural will be displayed in readiness for 2016. A number of students have been involved in the design and making phases and we look forward to showcasing this amazing art work in the Middle School precinct.

In the wider community we had a number of students involved in Surf Clubs who have been actively getting ready for the summer. Congratulations to Brianna Baker, Will Baker, Simba Walz and Lu-Lu Piperone who were part of the Eimeo Surf Club’s attempt to break the world record for number of participants in a beach flags race. Whilst the number of participants didn’t quite break the record, the focus on the good work of our community volunteers certainly came to the fore.

At our final Middle School assembly our fundraising efforts for the year were divided up between local and international organisations as chosen by the students. Recipients this year included the Mackay Hospital Foundation, Tsolwana and Sparrows Child and Youth Care Centre, Headspace Mackay, World Vision, Nepal Earthquake Appel and the Queensland Cancer Council I would like to acknowledge our Service Captains, Jake Lamb and Sara Coburn, for their roles this year and Mr Matt Hodge for his involvement in the Middle School Service Club initiatives.

In total students have accrued approximately 1150 hours of service in 2015. I congratulate all of the students who will receive a Principal’s List for Service award this year in recognition of their service efforts.

Ms Karen Owens Head of Middle School Middle School Principal’s List for Service 2015 Year 5: (15 hours): Harrison Cooke, Lisa Grobler, Hannah Nicolas, Pranav Sivanujan, Paige Stolberg, Lachlan Thomson Year 6: (15 hours): Mark Armstrong, William Deeley, Louis Lamb, Mali Piperidis Year 7: (20 hours): Ross Armstrong, Brianna Baker, Sophie Chrzanowski, Hannah Flor, Richard Hildebrand, Niharika Malhotra, Elysia McDonald, Pranav Praveen, Thomas Stolberg!

Year 8: (25 hours): Jake Lamb, Nicola Grobler Special Service Recognition: (80 hours): Louis Lamb, Ross Armstrong, Brianna Baker, Jake Lamb Crystal Service Recognition: (120 hours): Jake Lamb, Nicola Grobler

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Middle School Melbourne Cup Fundraising Initiative

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Service Learning Day Gallery Raising money for RACQ CQRescue and the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation

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Be Part of Something Bigger Service Captain Peter Ross details his experiences from his time in Tanzania undertaking medical experience The company that organised my trip was Gap Medics. They organise trips to various places across the world and provide students with the opportunity to shadow doctors and nurses in various fields. My trip was for two weeks to Morogoro in Tanzania where I shadowed doctors in surgery and internal medicine.

The first week I was there, I was shadowing doctors in the surgery ward. I was able to see multiple amputations, hernia removals, an appendix removal and other procedures. In the regional hospital, minor surgery cost the equivalent of around $25 Australian dollars. It was a great experience to see how surgery is done in third world countries and how it differs from our standard of health care. I even saw a foot in a bucket. I guess you could say that guy hadn’t kicked the bucket yet!

During the weekend that I was there, Gap Medics organised a safari to Mikumi National Park. While we were on safari we saw some of the native wildlife of Africa and I even managed to get a selfie with a lion. On the second day of safari we hiked to a Maasai village and learnt about their way of living and also joined in on one of their jumping dances. The second week I was there, I was in the internal medicine ward. Internal medicine covers a wide range of conditions that affect the body, such as diabetes. Whilst I was shadowing the doctors I was able to learn about different conditions such as hypertension, learn about blood pressure and how to increase or decrease it as well as I was able to write and sign prescriptions for patients. This trip was a once in a lifetime experience. I experienced medicine in a different context to Australia and I learnt so much. I also met so many great people who I’m still in contact with today. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in medicine.

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Mackay Sony Camp Following the great success of the 2014 camp, this year brought with it the 2015 Mackay Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp. The three-day, two-night camp was a major event in the school calendar for everyone in the Mackay community to enjoy. The 17 campers arrived with smiles on their faces as they were greeted by their companions. They participated in a fun-filled day of swimming, ball games, a visit from our local heroes, and a surprise landing from the RACQ CQRescue helicopter on the School Oval much to the campers’ delight. As the busy day drew to a close, the campers and their companions wound down with a relaxing movie and popcorn. It was amazing to see the strong relationships forged on the first day, as the campers opened up and bonded with their new friends.

The second day had even more activities, starting with the scavenger hunt around the School, where they made kites, built puzzles, and strutted their stuff at the fashion parade. The cooking activities were a tasty experience, as they created their own pizzas and smoothies, which they shared at lunch with their companions. The Australian Indigenous Basketball AllStars flew from around the country to spend time teaching the campers awesome basketball moves, which they later used in a massive group game. To take a break from the high-energy running around, Reverend Janet held a Chapel service where all the campers joined in singing hymns. The highlight of the entire camp was the disco, which saw everyone dress up in their fanciest costumes and bust out moves to some funky tunes.

The final day was memorable as Graeme Connors had everyone on their feet with some of his most famous songs; the jumping castle and petting zoo also proved to be easy favourites. The camp was an amazing experience for everyone involved, from the campers who had the time of their lives, to the parents of the campers who had a chance to relax and take a break from the full-time care, and the volunteers who generously gave up their time to ensure the camp ran as smoothly as possible. Thank you to the sponsors whose generous donations made it all possible, and to Mr Matt Hodge who worked tirelessly throughout the year to organise activities, venues and invite guests. The camp was even bigger and better than last year, and we hope it continues to benefit the Mackay-Whitsunday communities for many years to come.

Aleisha Smith and Hamza Ashraf Assistant Camp Co-ordinators

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Service Club Wrap-up 2015 has been an extremely successful year for Interact, which began in February with our annual Valentines Day fundraiser. Staff and students ordered roses, lollipops and serenades for friends and family, with many of our younger Senior School students stepping up and playing a key role in the organization of this fundraiser. Throughout the year Interact has supported many events such as the Biggest Morning Tea, the Mackay Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp and assisted with the Rotary food van at the Troppo Markets. We have seen a huge increase in club volunteers, with many Senior School students eager to help out in any way possible, I would like to thank all of the Interact Club members this year for their dedication, especially our senior members and Club Executive Team for their ongoing commitment, which will no doubt fuel an exciting and successful 2016 for Interact. Our last event of the year was the Interact Quiz Night which saw a great turn out, and fun competition all for a good cause. The morning tea changeover allowed the Outgoing Executive Team to hand over to the executive team for 2016. The support of Mrs Wright and the North Mackay Rotary Club was crucial in assisting Interact to raise donations to be distributed to local charities, and we thank them for their commitment to the club. Interact is one of the three service clubs at Whitsunday Anglican School, providing an avenue to build closer relationships with the Mackay local community, and I would encourage all Senior School students to join a service club that appeals to their interest and passion regarding social justice.

Mikaela Gill Interact President

Amnesty is a group dedicated to social justice and upholding human rights. This year saw Amnesty focusing their protests and campaigning efforts on the Boko Haram’s insurgency, the treatment of asylum seekers and the rights of torture victims around the world. During our meetings, we were able to see the passion and drive that each Amnesty member brought to the table.

Our first protest occurred not long after the “bring back our girls” movement had gained traction so many in the group thought it was a timely protest. Amnesty received many inquires and requests to join the club which left us invigorated and planning for the next protest.

It was a joint decision that Term 2 was going to be loud and attention-grabbing—and that it was. Armed with a megaphone, picket signs and some healthy lungs, Amnesty marched through the walkways of Whitsunday, demanding the attention of all who passed and imparting the truth about the treatment of Asylum Seekers and our rights as people.

We decided on Torture as our last campaign topic and learned about the different countries that were involved in the heinous acts and the various international treaties that prevented it. It was a somber topic that warranted an equally somber protest. Amnesty members told the stories of torture victims as they quietly moved through the walkways.

Amnesty this year has been extremely successful and I would like to thank the teachers and students involved. including Miss Mckenzie, Jessica Heazlett, Peter Ross, Sarah Sekander and Yemima Ehrnst. I give a hearty good luck to the Social Justice Club in the coming years.

Zaitoon Salman Amnesty President

Combining advocacy, educational content and service, 2015 in Whitsunday Anglican School’s Z Club is one that this year’s Executive Team believes has broadened the role of Z Club within the school, with the flow-on effects of this being felt in the wider community. Through the hard work of all of our members, the Zonta Club of Mackay and club mentors Mrs Dansie and Mrs Vigliante, we have been able to enact some tangible, incredibly positive change. On an international level, this culminated in raising money for the Zonta Obstetric Fistula Programme in Liberia through a dumpling stall. Another highlight was the Zonta Young Women in Science Forum, held at Whitsunday, which saw a range of inspiring female scientists share some of their amazing experiences, give advice and create hope. A major focus for the Z Club this year was raising money and awareness for an issue that, despite increased coverage in the media and in government policy, still results in needless deaths every day – domestic violence. Our meetings endeavoured to explore and debate the complexity of domestic violence as well as possible solutions, with the inclusion of boys within our Z Club this year, a first at Whitsunday, only enriching the Club’s already strong voice. We have also participated in other community events such as the Zonta Breast Cancer Cushion Working Bee, the International Women’s Day Luncheon and the upcoming ‘Zonta Says No to Domestic Violence’ March and Dinner.

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Service Club Change-over Z Club | Amnesty | Interact

Principal’s List for Service - Semester 2 2015 Taylah Black

Mukudzeiishe Mutize

Zaitoon Salman

Ella McMurtrie

Ella Foster

Muhammad Khan

Brooke Howard

Freya Garvey

Jessica Bugeja

Charlotte Thackray

Jackson Clarke

Sarah Weekes

Lauren Maher

Anoushka Praveen

Conor Landrigan

Kristen Senini

Julia Boets

Jack Johnston

Kieran Panday

Aleisha Smith

Hannah Ashbury

Bethany Dick

Kaveet Raniga

Ashleigh Shearman

Olivia Jones

Alicia Ho Chau

Praveena Sivanujan

Sophia Lake

Sam Lawless

Jessica Heazlett

Bree Bonaventura

Daimon Bobby

Sarah Sekandar

Gia Saldanha

Cameron Bates

Zarin Tasnim

Sarah Muguira

Siliba Ncomanzi

Jason Snyders

Aleksandar Banic

Saad Ashraf

Amy  Short

Hannah Hall

Bo Scott

Jake Magro

Busani Ncomanzi

Laura Kulmar

Dana Stolp

John Hatfield.

Bridget Sprott

Joel Bennington

Sarah Lloyd

Imaan Ashraf

Brittany Nichols

Dania Ahmed

Maggie Monckton

Megan Morris

Jess de Luca

Tadiwa Mlambo

Travis Joblin

Georgia Wright

Lilly Johnston

Ruturaj Vaidya

Morgan Gardiner

Max Chambers

Ryan Olsen

Emma Simpson

Meghan Dansie

Peter Ross

Zoe Bidgood

Akansha Sinha

Jessica Bowen

Jade Bidgood

Dayna Bushell

Maggie Formosa

Rebecca Senini

Nadia Leibowitz

Oliver McCahill

Brittany Masters

Tadiwanashe Mhiti

Claudia DeLuca

Jessica Cash

Monique Fettell

Grace Deeley

Georgia Camm

Mathew Hildebrand

Nicholas McLaughlan

Grace Furness

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THE FINAL WORD It is hard to believe that we have have come to the end of another year! As you can see within this edition of the Leading with Service magazine it is very evident that students at Whitsunday Anglican School have a myriad of opportunities to grow as global citizens. From our many service activities to the variety of international experiences, students have the chance to grow and extended themselves as they become our future leaders.

A highlight of the year has been the launch of our Global Exchange Program. Our students have had amazing experiences visiting our Global Partner Schools whilst exploring new countries. It has also been delightful welcoming our visiting exchange students into our community. They have been wonderful ambassadors for their schools. In a world where the ability to interchange between international cultures is important, I encourage all students and families to consider participating in one of our Global Learning programs.

Our Service Learning Program continues to grow. This growth is lead by our students. Their desire to help others in a variety of ways opens up new opportunities for our community to establish meaningful relationships with a wide selection of charities and community-focussed organisations. Next year we will be choosing a charity for the entire School community to support and we will present our contribution at our Celebrate Whitsunday service. It will be wonderful to present a gift to this charity on our School’s birthday. As you know, the act of giving is the greatest gift that you can ever receive.

Thank you to this year’s Service Captains, Peter Ross and Jessica Bugeja. You have been wonderful leaders and very dedicated to achieving your best in your role. You have impressed me thoroughly and I look forward to hearing of your many successes in your post-Whitsunday Anglican School lives.

It has been another exciting year and I look forward to doing it all again in 2016!

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Whitsunday Anglican School Mackay, Australia Celeber Drive Beaconsfield Qld 4740 PO Box 3390 North Mackay Qld 4740 E: admin@was.qld.edu.au T: 07 4969 2000 CRICOS Provider 00993J

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