VETDSS Awards 2020
Congratulations to Yolonda Roe and Jayden Hardy who were both nominated for Awards at the Vocational Education and Training Delivered to Secondary Schools (VETDSS) Awards Night – Midwest & Gascoyne Regions, held at Central Regional TAFE in Geraldton last Thursday, 29 October.
Yolonda was nominated for Aboriginal Vocational Education & Training Student of the Year and Certificate II Vocational Studies Student of the Year.
Jayden was nominated for Higher Vocational Studies Student of the Year, and was announced the winner on the night.
Congratulations to both of you for your hard work this year in your VETDSS studies. We are extremely proud of you.
Year 6 Celebration
As Strathalbyn Christian College is a K-12 school, we don’t have a “graduation” of Year 6 students – rather we have a “Celebration of their transition to secondary school”.
The Year 6 Celebration was held last night, Thursday, 5th of November, with Year 6 students showcasing their gifts and talents by performing guitar solos, a Fijian cultural dance, stand-up comedy acts, a violin performance, horse riding skills, basketball and soccer talents, boogie boarding, a room makeover, and class song performance ‘Year 6 is Fun’ (some of these were by way of video presentations, in case you were wondering how they did boogie boarding in the Hall)!
Thank you to all the families and friends who came along to celebrate the end of Primary school with our Year 6 students.
We had a lovely message from a parent by email this morning to say “We totally enjoyed the evening – it was beautiful“.
Farewell
We had a special morning tea to farewell Mrs Janet Wells on Thursday, as she finishes at the College today, retiring after 13 years of service. Her and Mrs Fong have been the “Front Office Team” together for 12.5 years!
Mrs Visser in the Canteen made a beautiful cake, featuring Mrs Wells’ favourite animal – the meerkat!
Staff and students will miss you so much Mrs Wells. Thank you for being a wonderful Student Services Officer at our school. We wish you much joy (and plenty of sleep ins) as you ease your way into retired bliss!
Bikeathon Fundraising
Thank you to all of our Primary students who fundraised for the Bikeathon this year. A grand total of $3,300.50 was raised which will go towards upgrading the Primary playground with more nature play equipment.
Mr Ian Blayney has kindly donated a new bike again this year. He will draw a name out of a hat for the lucky winner – chosen from students who fundraised for the Bikeathon this year. An announcement on that will be made at a later date.
Exams – Canteen
Next week Year 10 and 11 students will be sitting their Exams in the Hall.
On Wednesday and Friday Mrs Visser will use trolleys for selling Recess snacks for the morning break to keep the area around the Canteen quiet. Lunch will be as normal served from the Canteen, with exams finishing before 12.30pm.
All the best to our senior students as their sit their final exams for the year.
College leads the way in student awareness of latest farming practices
Strathalbyn Christian College’s work in teaching the next generation about regenerative farming has been put in the world spotlight.
Future Directions International is an independent not-for-profit research institute established by former Governor General Michael Jeffery and others to look at “important medium to long-term issues facing Australia”.
The organisation’s website has published an interview with Newdegate farmer Nick Kelly, described as a leader in WA’s Wheatbelt in regenerative agriculture.
According to the website, Mr Kelly has since the early 2000s changed his farming practices from traditional methods to now focus on minimal or no tillage, a continuance of cover crops and, constantly nurturing soil health by “building and maintaining organic matter which, in turn, encourages and promotes biological activity in his soils”.
Asked if there was anything he would advocate to encourage wider acceptance of regenerative farming, he spoke of the work being carried out at Strathalbyn Christian College in education.
“Another aspect which will drive the ‘take up’ of regenerative farming relates to education,” he said.
“I know of a school in Geraldton, Strathalbyn Christian College, that runs a course in regenerative farming.
“Education and teaching kids about regenerative farming will be a huge help that would enable greater awareness and appreciation.”
“Knowing about regenerative agriculture will be extremely important but, that level and wider degree of knowledge is a generation away yet.”
Read the interview in full here: https://www.futuredirections.org.au/publication/nick-kelly-implementing-regenerative-farming-on-hollands-track-farm/
Wholistic Land Management News
Pandji H has been helping pull up garlic and with harvesting our first fruit fly free Nectarines.
I also want to acknowledge these boys, who have been working on the bike track near the Art Room. Hamish P, Theo H, Ryan L, Arnold O and Caleb B have taken ownership of this area to make it safer for smaller riders. How wonderful to see such helpful students around the College – thank you!
~ Kelly Harrington, Wholistic Land Management Coordinator
Safety News for College Grounds
Over the Term 3 holiday period, the College has made some improvements to the grounds in regards to safety.
Firstly, we completed some earth moving works at the Cedar Crescent car park. Reversing trenches have been constructed in order to alert reverse parking drivers of when to stop so that their car does not reverse onto the walk ways.
The Verticordia car park service road is now closed, with a bollard being installed to stop vehicle use. This is for the safety of students and staff as the old service road led through a frequently used pedestrian thoroughfare.
A new service road is situated at the top Cedar Crescent carpark near the Art room. Parents are asked not to park on the right side of the gate that is sign posted “No parking”.
Thanks for your understanding and consideration of these new safety measures to keep our students safe whilst they are at school.
Library Officer Position available
Assisting staff, students and community members with queries, selection and location of resources is the main focus of this position. Previous Library experience preferred, including familiarity with a Library Management System (i.e. Oliver). You will have strong customer service skills, an excellent work ethic and advanced computer skills.
The position is permanent part-time (eighteen hours per week) during school term time.
Applications close at 3.00pm on Friday 20 November 2020.
The job description for this position can be viewed here: Job Description Library Officer Nov 2020Download
Please apply online.
College Calendar
What’s Coming Up?
Check here for the most up to date Calendar information.
Mon 9/11-Fri 6/11 – Year 10/11 Exams, College Hall
Wed 11/11, Remembrance Day Assembly @ Amphitheatre, 10.45am (parents/guardians welcome to attend)
Thurs 12/11, Primary Interschool Swimming Carnival (selected students) @ Aquarena, 12.30-2.30pm.
Fri 13/11, Primary Netball Carnival (selected students) @ Geraldton Netball Courts Wonthella, 9.00am-2.45pm.
Community Notices
Due to Covid restrictions this year, the annual Festival of Lights will be a Movie at Orana Cinema tomorrow, Saturday 7 November, 3.30pm. Please click on link below for further details.