Term 2 | Week 3 | 2025
Message From Our Director Of Curriculum
Today is Sunday, 11th May. My brother’s birthday and the day we recognise the nurturers, the nurses, and the knowers-of-all-things…. the mother. It’s Mother’s Day. I’ve not much of a memory for things (now where did I put my keys?) but 19th Century writer, John Stevens Cabot Abbott’s words; “Mothers have as powerful an influence over the welfare of future generations as all other earthly causes combined” are ones that for some reason don’t seem to slip out of my head and onto the laundry floor amidst the detritus of my family’s life. It’s a reminder for me to refocus on the ‘who’ rather than the ‘what’. Who is important, rather than what do I need to get done?
Ironically, Abbott penned this declaration in his first book, The Mother at Home, or The Principles of Maternal Duty Familiarly Illustrated, published in 1833. Whether he held the qualification to provide deep insight into the moral obligations of mothers, is some cause for debate.
While my children sleep (obviously building momentum for the one day of the year when they pour the boiling water over the tea bag, slosh in the milk and proudly present me with my annual hot beverage in bed), I’ll quickly jot a reflection upon our industriously joyful Week 2 here at SCAC.
What a week it was!
With a cross-curricular focus, Ag, Hospitality and Green Team students learnt from one of the best local mobile butchers - Jarryd The Butcher - how to break down a carcass to create specialised cuts of meat – some of which were prepared and served by Hospitality students who lathered topside roasts with sumptuous gravy to serve to staff and students. Our school calves were always popular, but reached the pinnacle of popularity within a soft bun for Friday lunch.
Friday was clock-work personified when we welcomed our favourite gardening guru, Costa Georgiadis who, like our organising hosts, Mrs Moulton and Mrs Marksell, never seems to run out of steam. Amid a wave of celery sticks, Costa inspired us with his unlimited enthusiasm and extensive understanding of the importance of regenerative practice within our school grounds and beyond.
Our tirelessly devoted P&F hosted the Mother’s Day breakfast with their trademark generosity and resourcefulness. Recognition of the mothers within our school community was their aim, and hospitality was their game. With over 150 grateful-for-their-mums, students and the women whose hands have held them, healed them and helped them, we celebrated as a community. Our Primary choir captivated me with their rendition of “To All The Ladies in My Life” which, with clarity and conviction assured us that the women “mend the broken pieces and iron out the creases” whether they be “mum or granny, sister, aunty or friend of the family.”
It was a poignant reminder of the cherished ones who aren’t with us, but who have held our hearts and our hands while ironing out the creases that inevitably make us crinkle.
As we prepare for our next week at SCAC, I draw inspiration from those around me in this wonderful school to stay focused on the “who” by never being weary to serve others, amidst the "what" of the daily hustle and bustle. I hope you can too.
Mrs Trish Henderson | Director of Curriculum
A Mother's Day Breakfast Prayer
A Verse to Share
“Do everything in love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:14
Because love makes a family, and love helps us grow.
Loving God,
Thank You for mums and all those who care for us like mums —
For grandmas, aunties, stepmums, foster mums, and special people who love and look after us.
Thank You for their hugs, their help, their patience, and the way they know just what we need.
We’re grateful for all they do—
For their early mornings and late nights, the stories they read, the advice they give,
And all the ways they show us love without needing to be asked.
We remember Mary, the mother of Jesus,
A strong and faithful woman who trusted You with her whole heart.
May her example remind us that love often means saying “Yes” to something bigger than ourselves,
And trusting You, even when life brings challenges.
We know that today can feel different for everyone…
We pray for those who may find this day challenging…
For those whose mums are no longer present for various reasons —hold them in Your love.
We think of mums who have lost a child, whether inside or outside of the womb—grant them comfort and a peace that passes all understanding.
We pray for those who want to be mums but for various reasons are unable —remind them they are deeply loved.
And we ask You, our Heavenly Father, to be close to anyone in our community who finds today hard.
Thank you for our little blessings in this room that we have the privilege to care for and educate here at SCAC.
For all the mums and carers here today—’Thank You!’
Lord, thank you for their patience, their continued strength, their care and their everyday acts of love that fuel our students to grow.
May God grant all Mums here today energy when they are tired, and joy in the ordinary moments, and the deep assurance that what they do really matters.
May this meal be full of laughter, love and gratitude for them.
Bless it to our bodies and bless our time together.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
Millie Proudlove | Director of Teaching and Learning
Mother's Day Breakfast
Costa Came To Visit!
Last Friday, the College was buzzing with excitement (and the unmistakable smell of potential soil) as none other than Costa Georgiadis – gardener, composter, TV personality, and human hedge – graced us with his boundless energy and composting wizardry.
With over 100 students and staff rolling up their sleeves, we set out on a mission: to build a 10-square-metre hot compost heap taller than Costa himself (165cm for those playing at home). We’re thrilled to report we nailed it – the final pile came in at a lofty 1.7m. That’s five glorious centimetres of organic triumph.
Fast forward to Tuesday and the compost is already cooking – clocking in at a steamy 52°C and shrinking by 14cm, thanks to all that lovely microbial munching. Science in action!
There have been reports of principal Mr Proudlove being spotted suspiciously investigating the heap. We’re not saying a few senior staff went missing during the build, but if you hear muffled mumbling about overdue paperwork from inside the compost… maybe just give it a poke.
A huge thanks to Costa and everyone who got their hands dirty – our Ag Plot will be reaping the benefits of this pile for over a year to come. Who knew decomposition could bring a school community together!?
Pre-Kindergarten's Latest Photos
Peri Plot Update
Well, that's the end of summer for sure. The plant world has spoken with seasonal staples like pumpkins, beans, celery and basil clearly slowing down with others like tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchinis giving up completely.
Luckily, our early polyculture planting of winter varieties has ensured the Hospitality kitchen will continue to reap the benefits of the Green Team's labours.
The Stage One food forest planting has established itself beyond expectations, granting the patch a firm windbreak for the already-here southerly winds.
May is a time of dramatic transition, given that its first weeks usually deliver the first winds off the mountains signalling the end of rapid growth. For the permaculture gardener, this also sings in an exciting annual ritual - the end of summer tidy up, followed up by a mega composting of everything and anything taking up space.
How lucky are we to have the world's most tenured macro-organism, Costa Georgiadis, join us last week for a repeat episode of mass-composting?! We have over 6 cubic meters of greens and browns arranged for layering with Costa at the Ag Plot, the product of which will be ready to cast in spring on our soon-to-be-built contoured terrace beds.
In the meantime, we've advanced our porta-coop and hutch-tunnel which will be deployed on the 7-metre beds. Built from 90% salvaged materials, the Green Team have taken much pride in co-designing and constructing the system which may well be initiated by Costa.
Equestrian News
Riding for sport has started with 9 young riders enjoying the beautiful autumn weather and perfect instruction from Sophie Heffernan.
Two particular SCAC riders excelled in the Snowy Mountains Grammar School Interschools Equestrian Competition (SMIEC). Julia Huggins-Kranz (Year 4) and Grace Reynolds-Almond (Year 2) competed successfully, both placing first in their dressage.
Julia also came first in her Rider class, first in her Led class and fourth in her Hunter class. Grace Reynolds-Almond (Year 2) also won her Rider, Led and Hunter classes with a third in the cross rails against much older riders.
Well done to our infants and primary school representative riders.
Music News
The Music Department is very grateful to the members of the P&F for the arrival of our four Aussie-made plastic trombones and two plastic trumpets - they are hot property with our brass students!
Just a shade brighter than our SCAC green, they were needed, are appreciated and are a quality addition to our music program. On with the show!
Mr Fitz and Mr Gonzalez
Year 8 Spanish
Students created a comic strip incorporating all their Spanish from Term 1. Check them out below!
Year 8 Textiles - Soft Toy Creations
Year 8 Ag News
Year 8 Ag students have enjoyed looking after the chickens and ensure they are packed up every afternoon and let out every morning.
Paddock to Plate
Our Agriculture students have been raising four lovely dairy calves since February last year. Just before school returned from Easter holidays, we had Jarryd The Butcher arrive with his big white fridge trailer and ‘dispatch’.
On the Monday and Tuesday of Week 2, over 120 Agriculture and Food Technology students came together to learn about the various cuts of beef, how to mince and make sausages, and began planning recipes.
Year 9/10 Agriculture and Food Technology classes have joined forces for this term, completing a 'Beefing Up' assessment where they will track the marketing journey of beef from the paddock to the plate, where Food Tech team members will cook up a chosen cut of beef for their team. Year 8 Food Tech/Aggies have already roasted up a lovely brisket roast.
SCAC Paddock to Plate extended across the school for Costa day! With all our amazing produce we were blessed to have Mrs Moulton's Food Tech/Hospitality students prepare enough roast beef to make beef gravy rolls for all secondary students; and SCAC pumpkin and celery soup for primary students.
Thank you, Jarryd Wilkins, our mobile butcher, who inspired many students to consider taking on this much-needed trade, along with other students, who enjoyed learning how to identify cuts, make mince and tie sausages.
Year 12 Drama Excursion
HSC Drama Students Engage with Acclaimed Playwright Campion Decent
Our Year 12 HSC Drama students had the rare and exciting opportunity to take part in a Q&A session with Campion Decent, acclaimed Australian playwright and author of Embers, one of their texts for the HSC Drama Studies in Drama and Theatre module.
The session offered students valuable insights into the creative process behind Embers, a powerful example of Verbatim Theatre that explores the devastating impact of the 2003 Victorian Black Saturday bushfires. Mr Decent generously shared his experiences of gathering real-life testimonies and transforming them into a cohesive, moving theatrical work. Students gained a deeper understanding of the ethical considerations, challenges, and responsibilities that come with constructing verbatim scripts from authentic community voices.
The discussion also delved into performance choices, staging techniques, and the use of dramatic conventions to enhance the raw truth of the narratives. Students were able to ask thoughtful questions and reflect on their own approaches to interpreting and performing Verbatim Theatre in their assessment work.
This experience has not only strengthened our students’ knowledge of Embers but has also enriched their appreciation of Australian contemporary theatre and the power of storytelling as a means of community healing and social commentary.