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Christmas 2014
upcoming
ST COLUMBA ANGLICAN SCHOOL · 3 IONA AVENUE PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444
02 6581 4188 · www.scas.nsw.edu.au · www.fb.com/scasinfo
events
Friday 23rd January
• First day back for K, 7, 11 and 12
From the Principal
Monday 26th January
On Wednesday morning the Year 12 cohort descended on the school for
their HSC breakfast. The atmosphere was bright, a little loud ...
view full article on page 2
• Australia Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 27th January
• First day back for 1-6 and 8-10
HSC Results for the Class of 2014
The School Council, Principal, staff and students extend their heartfelt
congratulations to the Higher School Certificate class of 2014....
view full article on page 3
Tuesday 3rd February
• Stage 5 Information Evening
Wednesday 4th February
• CIRCA Workshop
Primary School
Kindergarten students performed the annual Kindy Nativity Play in the Iona
Centre last week to a very appreciative audience .....
view full article on page 5
Monday 9th February
• HRIS Open Boys & Girls Basketball Trial
• University Roadshow
• Primary School HRIS Basketball Trial
Secondary School
Tuesday 10th February
The Year 7 to 9 and Year 10 to 12 Secondary School Awards Evenings were
spectacular once again....
view full article on page 10
• HRIS Open Tennis
Thursday 12th February
• AICES Open Girls Tennis Trial
Friday 13th February
Performing Arts
The Annual Nine Lessons and Carols service was held in the School Chapel in
December. Once again it was a moving and beautiful service.....
view full article on page 13
• AICES Open Boys Tennis Trial
• OnStage/Callback Excursion departs
Saturday 14th February
• OnStage/Callback Excursion returns
Christmas Message
A Christmas message from The Right Rev. Dr Sarah Macneil, Bishop of the
Diocese of Grafton .....
view full article on page 14
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 1
From the Principal
A Good Year?
Mr Terry Muldoon
Principal
principal@scas.nsw.edu.au
• Parents pen letters to teachers that brim with gratitude
for effort, encouragement and never giving up on
their child
• Parents in tears because their child has achieved so
much after such a struggle
• Students leave the school in tears because their
families are moving and they fear they will not find a
school like “theirs”
• Handmade cards that have taken hours of work that
recognise the bond between a teacher and a student
• An avalanche of talented and experienced teachers
applying for every position we advertise
• Ex-students sending teachers stories of bright and
shining lives they believe have been enhanced by their
experience at SCAS
• And the other thousands of “small” moments that
make SCAS something special
On Wednesday morning the Year 12 cohort descended on the
school for their HSC breakfast. The atmosphere was bright, a little
loud, apprehensive, relieved and celebratory.
Soon will come the ATAR results and then the university offers,
flights to gap-year destinations, part-time work, all accompanied
by the dawning realisation that a new phase of life has begun.
It is quiet on campus now. Instead of over a thousand students,
there are only the Vacation Care children and a number of Support
staff in attendance.
I have eschewed my tie and jacket in deference to the humidity
and the change of “business” at the school. It is amazing how
“invisible” I can become to students in public places without the
suit and tie!
And yes,
• You sit at the Glasshouse or in the Iona Centre and
feel amazed that I am surrounded by such talent,
enthusiasm and skill
• Students achieve great results
Soon the office will close for the year and SCAS will become even
quieter, but this is only a brief moment before the real life of the
school returns in the new year.
And will SCAS have another good year in 2015?
Put simply, yes, because that is what we do!
Those who do recognise me often ask at this time, “Have you had a
good year?” In general, they are referring to the school. My answer
is, in short, “Yes”.
Is it the uplifting performance at Presentation events that form my
answer?
Is it the even better 2014 Higher School Certificate results that
make me so positive about the year?
How do I come to this decision?
I’ll put it simply. You know you have had a good year when:
• Students cheer unreservedly for their friends who
receive awards, even when they know that this will not
be their time on stage
“Passion is the energy that keeps us going, that keeps us filled with
meaning, happiness, excitement and anticipation. Passion is a
powerful force that makes experiencing work and life to the fullest
extent possible. Ultimately, passion is the driving force behind success
and happiness that allows us all to live better lives.”
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 2
Whole School
HSC Results for the Class of 2014
Mr Allan Guihot
Head of Secondary School
hoss@scas.nsw.edu.au
The School Council, Principal, staff and students of St Columba Anglican School wish to
extend their heartfelt congratulations to the Higher School Certificate class of 2014 on
achieving some outstanding Higher School Certificate results. The class of 2014, our 8th
Higher School Certificate candidature, have reinforced the proud academic tradition of
the School, building on the meritorious achievements of those who came before them.
This year’s cohort achieved excellent results across a range of Higher School Certificate
subjects with some 52% of results overall in the top two Bands. 14% of SCAS students
appeared in the Distinguished Achievers List, a result which would place SCAS in the top
100 schools in the state. Two students, Casuarina O’Brien and Olivia Peck were placed in
the HSC All Rounders List, achieving Band 6 results in 10 units or more.
Some subject results of note include: 62% of the Geography students achieving Band 6 results;
50% of the Software Design and Development students achieving Band 6 results; 50% of Music
1 students achieving Band 6 results and 45% of English Extension 2 students receiving Band 6
results. On an individual basis, congratulations go to Melwin Nelapati and Joshua Vardanega, who
appear in the Top Achievers List, placing them in the top 10 students in the State for Chemistry
and Software Design and Development respectively.
The School Assessment Dux for 2014 was Melwin Nelapati. Melwin received Band 6 results across
4 subject areas including both the Chemistry and Physics courses. Our warm congratulations and
best wishes go to Melwin as he heads off to University to study medicine in 2015.
The recipient of the 2014 SCAS Award (recognising excellence in a range of academic,
leadership, sporting and cultural pursuits), Olivia Peck, also enjoyed academic success,
achieving Band 6 results in six subjects and being placed in the 2014 HSC All Rounders
List. Olivia is taking a GAP year in England in 2015.
This year a number of our students have been nominated for excellence in HSC subjects:
SCAS received 5 nominations for HSC Dance 'Callback', with Madeleine Hawkins and
Roxanne Montgomery being asked to perform at next year’s showcase; Lucy Lancaster and
Jack Begbie were nominated for HSC ‘DesignTech’; Casuarina O’Brien was nominated for
HSC Drama ‘On Stage’ and Olivia Peck for the Young Writer’s Showcase for her HSC English
Extension 2 Major Work. We congratulate these students on their outstanding achievement.
A large number of the class of 2014 will matriculate to university studies in 2015/16. Some
20% of our students have already received offers of early acceptance into the University
of New England, Charles Sturt University, Southern Cross University or the University of
Canberra.
Overall candidates received Band 6 results across eighteen different subject areas in
2014 –Ancient History, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Drama, Advanced English,
English Extension 1, English Extension 2, Geography, Legal Studies, Mathematics General,
Mathematics, Modern History, History Extension, Music 1, Physics, Software Design and
Development and Studies of Religion.
We congratulate the class of 2014 and wish them well for what lies ahead of them.
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 3
Whole School
Updates to the Parent Lounge
Mrs Julie Cooper
Manager, Support Services
j.cooper@scas.nsw.edu.au
You may have noticed that the Parent Lounge has been updated this week. The new look Lounge still has all the great features of the old version,
plus a few new ones, and is also easier to navigate.
On the right hand side of the Lounge are a few extra features. The red box with the exclamation mark
icon is for Parent Alerts. This feature can be used by teaching and administration staff if we need to
let you know important information from time to time. There will be a number in the box if we have
added an alert for you. To log out of the Lounge, click on the circular icon to the right of your name.
There have also been additions to the “Student Details” drop down menu. Parents can access their student’s academic reports, attendance,
medical details and timetables from this menu, as well as having access to teachers’ email addresses for your student.
Access to notes and publications is still available on the “School Links” drop down
menu. Here you can access fee information, archived newsletters, Secondary School
assessment schedules and handbooks, sports notes and information and copies of School
publications.
You can also notify the school of your student’s absence by clicking on the link on the
homepage.
If you would like more information on the Parent Lounge, or need assistance in accessing the Lounge, please do not
hesitate to contact me either by telephone or email.
Parents and caregivers are also very welcome to come in and see our reception staff to have a demonstration on how the Lounge works. We will
be updating our Parent Lounge User Guide in the near future to take in all the changes.
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 4
Primary School
Kindergarten Nativity Play
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Primary School
Santa’s Elves in 1G
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Primary School
Christmas Biscuits by 4GB
During the last week of school 4GB followed a procedure to make Christmas biscuits. The
students had a lot of fun and enjoyed eating the results of their hard work.
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 7
Primary School
Sankt Nikolaus Visit
Mrs Ann-Kathrin Kiehn
Primary German Teacher
a.kiehn@scas.nsw.edu.au
These boots are made for walking....no hang on, they were made lovingly by our
Kindy cohort for NIKOLAUS’ visit!
On the 6th of December, Germans leave their boots outside their door to be filled
with small gifts during the night by ‘Sankt Nikolaus.’ He is a Christmas figure inspired
by the true historical figure of Nikolaos, Bishop of Myra, who was known for his
generosity of secretly handing out presents to needy children.
Our Kindy children loved learning about some of the different Christmas traditions
in Germany. They also loved arriving to find their shoes filled with goodies! Frohe
Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr wünschen alle Deutsch Kinder und Frau
Kiehn.
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 8
Primary School
2014 SCAS Summer Mathletics Challenge for Years 1-5
Mrs Jaana Gray
Stage 1 Co-ordinator
j.gray@scas.nsw.edu.au
The Primary School is running a SCAS Mathletics Summer Challenge over the school
holiday period. Mathletics is available for all current students in Years 1 to 5 to use over
the holidays, so please encourage your child to continue their learning.
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Secondary School
Year 7 to 9 Secondary Awards Evening
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 10
Secondary School
Year 10 to 12 Secondary Awards Evening
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 11
Secondary School
Year 10 Celebration Evening
Mrs Cheryl Dimmock
Year 10 Patron
c.dimmock@scas.nsw.edu.au
The Year 10s looked spectacular as they arrived recently to celebrate their transition from Year 10 into their senior years of schooling. The
evening was filled with conversation, music and a chorus of Year 10s singing to songs that I believe their parents and I had listened to growing
up. I could not have been more proud of this wonderful group of students as I stood back and observed how they had grown into beautiful
young adults. A huge thank you to all who helped to make the night happen, particularly the fantastic Year 9 girls who worked hard to make
the night special for the Year 10s. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all Year 10 families a safe, restful and happy holiday and I look
forward to meeting with all of you at sometime again throughout 2015.
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 12
Performing Arts
Annual Nine Lessons
and Carols Service
Mrs Marie Van Gend
Senior Choir Leader
m.vangend@scas.nsw.edu.au
The annual Nine Lessons and Carols service in the School Chapel took place on
2nd December. This event features the Senior Choir and Ensembles, and is based
on the traditional Christmas Service at Johns College Cambridge.
The evening featured beautiful music, carols and readings from both biblical and
secular sources.
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 13
Christmas Message
A Christmas Message from
The Right Rev. Dr Sarah Macneil
Bishop of the Diocese of Grafton
The Psalm set for the first Sunday after Christmas, 28 December,
is Psalm 148. This wonderful, joyous psalm, comes at the end of
the Psalter among a series of psalms, often called the “Hallelujah
Hymns”, which praise God for numerous gracious acts. Here, in
Psalm 148, the psalmist exhorts the whole of creation to praise
God.
As we contemplate the mystery of Christmas, the wonder of God’s birth as one of us, we
can do nothing better. Language stretches almost to breaking point under the strain of
expressing something so mysterious, so powerful, so extraordinary. God’s love for us, God’s
presence with us, is awe-inspiring and prompts a response from us. Usually I talk about this
response in terms of being the body of Christ in the world, of trying to live as he lived, of being
compassionate agents of healing, peace and love.
But sometimes, just sometimes, we are called simply to worship and this time of Christmas
celebration, is one of those. We remember the shepherds who were so surprised by the angel that
they left their sheep, so astounded that they forgot their primary responsibility. We remember
the magi, who after journeying far, found the end of their journey in an unexpectedly humble
setting, in the form of a small, vulnerable child.
Now, millennia later, we too come to the manger and worship this child, the Word incarnate,
who was, who is and who shall be for evermore. And as we do so, we will worship across the
generations with all who have gone before us and those who will come after us. Alleluia!
May you all enjoy a happy, holy, praise-filled Christmas.
+Sarah
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 14
Community
Accounts Reminder
All families should have by now received their final statement for 2014 via email. The
remaining balance owing on your school account should have by now been paid in full.
If you have a regular direct debit/agreed payment arrangement with the School, please
ensure that amounts are sufficient to clear the total amount due by the end of 2014. Please
also ensure that you allow for any additional charges which may have been added to your
account during the year, for example elective sport.
Please note that it is the fee payer’s responsibility to contact the School to increase these
amounts when it is necessary. You can do this either by phoning the School during business
hours, or emailing the Accounts team on accounts@scas.nsw.edu.au. Please note that late
payment fees will not apply to families who are on an agreed payment arrangement,
including direct debits.
If you have any questions regarding your account, please do not hesitate to contact Louise
Johnson in the Accounts team.
Class allocations for 2015
Due to changes to the Privacy Act, the School will no
longer be posting class lists on the School website.
Advices regarding which class your child will be
placed in 2015 will be available in your Parent Lounge
sometime in the week beginning 19th January 2015,
once the process of class allocation is finalised.
Enrolments for
2015 and beyond
The Enrolments Office at St Columba Anglican
School wishes to advise that very limited places
remain for entry in 2015, and few places remain for
Kindergarten and Year 7 in 2016.
Families with siblings or friends who may have
students for entry into those year levels are asked
to download application paperwork from the
school website at their earliest convenience to
avoid disappointment.
Students enrolled in SCAS in Year 6 are allocated
a place in Year 7, and do not need to complete
enrolment forms.
C2C Uniform Shop
For parents needing to purchase new uniforms
for 2015, the Coast2Coast Uniform Shop will
close for the Christmas/New Year break on
Friday 19th December 2014, and reopen on
Monday 5th January 2015.
Second hand uniform items are available from
The Hope Shop. More details regarding the
school uniform are available on the School
website.
Christmas Hamper Drive
After the generous donations made by the SCAS community to our Christmas Hamper drive, we were able to fill 15 large laundry baskets
to share with local families needing some support this festive season. The hampers were loaded into cars last week to be delivered to
their deserving recipients.
Special thanks to SCAS teacher Mrs Natalie Littler for her efforts in coordinating the drive, and parent Mrs Wendy Jansson for her help in
packing and wrapping the hampers.
St Columba Anglican School - SCAS Connections Page 15