College Principal's Address
Being in education does some funny things to your face, I have discovered over the years. I will never forget standing quite a long way back from a massive bonfire at the mixed arable farm of one of the boarding families at Perth’s Christ Church Grammar School. I was accompanying a group of about a dozen boarders who had chosen to escape the confines of their term-time residence on what we staff referred to as a ‘Weekend in the Wheat Belt’.
As a country kid myself, I was accustomed to the mesmerising appeal of a roaring, rural blaze, typically requiring copious amounts of diesel to get it started in the perennially damp and drizzly West Wales weather. This fire, however, had as its centrepiece a hot summer-seasoned, 5 or 6-metre-long, and 1-metre-diameter jarrah trunk that blasted orangey heat in pulsating waves towards the fascinated onlookers.
‘It’s a real face-melter’, our farmer-host assured me with a proud nod and grin. And he was absolutely right. A pace too close, and it really did feel like the fire would quickly consume the unwary... shades of The Lord of the Rings!
Fast forward a decade and this week at Sapphire Coast Anglican College it was the visit of a group of senior citizens, residents of the Hugh Cunningham Gardens Residential Care Home, in Tura Beach, that brought so many beaming smiles to the faces of a host of children and staff. And those smiles were reflected right back, as we did our best to take a leaf out of the book of the ABC TV series, ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’.
Pictures, as always, are worth a thousand words and the joy of sharing art, music, biscuits and tea, and good old-fashioned conversation across an age range of well over 80 years had those of us somewhat between the age extremes entranced. Not a face-melter, but after just half an hour, a ‘face-acher!’ There was just so much to smile about, my cheeks hurt!
Cathie Haynes, our newest Board member, was the inspiration behind this first of many opportunities for young and not-so-young to spend time in each other’s company. Already thoughts are turning to how, for instance, some of our older students might visit the Centre on a regular basis to devise physical activities that would maintain flexibility and strength. Additionally, bringing teenagers into the equation would ensure even more uplifting conversations of a slightly different nature to that offered by a Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten child pointing out why they don’t like what their dad had put in their lunchbox.
Thank you to everyone who made the visit such a success and we look forward to lots more ‘happy returns’.
David Proudlove | College Principal
Student Success
Piano Triumphs
Congratulations to Felicity and Victoria Ireland for achieving High Distinctions in their recent piano exams! Felicity is pictured here celebrating with her peers, while Victoria's photo was taken in the brand-new Piano Pod between the lower carpark and the theatre. Well done for their consistent home music-making, which has helped them build their skills. Parents can support music learning by helping students have a habit for their home practise, and giving positive, cheerful feedback when they are playing music.
MTB Success
Year 8 students, Jack and Leroy Moore, Jarrah Van Haeff and Sunny Risby represented SCAC at the Thredbo MTB Interschool 2025 event! It was an amazing experience where the students built confidence, gained new skills and endured wonderful team building. What a fantastic adventure!
Pre-Kindergarten News
On Wednesday we cooked pancakes and Mr Proudlove came down to enjoy them with the Pre-Kinders!
Last Wednesday, Mr Nick Hoynes, a distinguished Surf Lifesaver, visited the Infants to deliver an enlightening session on water safety. He shared his extensive knowledge of staying safe in various water environments, including pools, dams, creeks, rivers, and the beach. The children were highly engaged and thoroughly enjoyed his informative talk. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Hoynes for generously sharing his expertise and time with us.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Parents and Friends (P&F) Association for generously providing the new sandpit toys. The children have thoroughly enjoyed using them, and it has been wonderful to see them learning the valuable lesson of taking turns.
Kindergarten News
Thoughts from Years 1...
- We don't have a mat anymore.
- We are in a smaller room.
- We are older and we can do harder things.
- We have to be careful in our space.
- We were able to choose our own locker space, chair bag colour and spot colour.
- We have two lovely new people.
- We are thinking people.
Learning In Primary
Library News
Thank you to all the families that supported the SCAC Book Fair, over $500 was raised for new resources for the Library.
Have you seen the new display at the Library entrance? Can you guess the theme for this year's Book Week, and what book inspired the display?
Year 3-6 students have been researching cyber safety and how to keep our personal information safe while using technology. We discussed the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence in our society and some of the ethical challenges that surround it. While we could create interesting artwork with mere keywords, students recognised that computers still required human ideas and concepts to make the artwork ultimately possible.
It was great to have residents from RSL Life Care Tura Beach spend time in the Library with the Kindergarten students drawing and singing.
Library staff can help you research information, locate books, assist with IT help and timetables.
"When in doubt, go to the library." - J.K. Rowling
Breakfast Club
We want to acknowledge our amazing little crew of young women who prepare all the Milo refreshments during our Friday morning Breakfast Club. What a dedicated bunch of students!
Merit Awardees
SASSA Swimming
On Tuesday, 4th March, we saw our swimmers make the dash down the 50m pool in the Nowra Aquatic Centre at SASSA swimming carnival. Our students swam well against strong competitors, with many achieving new Personal Best times.
We wish to congratulate Joshua Croxford and Travis Insley-Hasiuk for qualifying for the Secondary Association of Independent Co-Educational Schools (AICES) carnival to be held at the Sydney Aquatic Centre on Monday, 31st March.
Thank you to the staff and parents for taking the students to Nowra to participate in the carnival and thank you to the students for representing the College.
Year 7 Science
Year 7 students continue their SCAC Science Academy learning of 'measurement', where they use various methods to measure the length of common items. They use different measuring cylinder sizes (along with other less accurate equipment) to calculate quantities of water.
Agriculture News
Year 8
Our Year 8 Aggies have immersed themselves in farm life! They built an electric fence outwards of their run, which was full of lush grass for the calves to enjoy. Baby chics were also born! And seeds and produce were harvested for Food Tech classes!
Year 9/10
In the past two weeks, students have welcomed in some new chicky additions to the chicken coop! And of course, they continue to care for the lovely calves! Students also helped Dan plant carrots last Friday. And assisted in cleaning up the permi-plot and prepared potting mix for various permi-projects.
On Tuesday's double period, our Year 9/10 Aggies checked on the calves that had been allowed to graze at the top of the school... not to be seen for days! Willy had done something to his horn on the previous Friday, so we wanted to check that he was fine - which he was! We also prepared the Farmbot for carrots, finding a whole lot more potatoes! We are yet to learn how to program it to plant our seeds.
Students also dug up wood chips to contain weeds on the farm, and in between, with a lovely, more temperate morning (very low chance of snakes), picked blackberries for Food Tech!
A huge thank you to the P&F and SFS for the electric fencing that was co-funded, especially the Energiser (solar electric fence unit), electric fence wiring and the super cool fault finder that ensures students can check the fence is working without touching it!!! Students are loving it!
Year 12
Year 12 HSC Aggies stepped away from theory to check out the new chickies on the farm and fed our lovely calves... This week, we go on our Paddock to Plate excursion... stay tuned for photos!
Community Notices
StageFlight Drama
- Enrol in our after-school drama classes in a professional theatre venue at The Twyford, 16 Market St Merimbula.
- Classes for ages 12–16 (Years 7-10) 4-5pm Wednesdays starting from Term 2. Minimum enrolments to run: 6.
- Classes for ages 16-18 (Years 10-12) 5-6pm Wednesdays available now (Term 1). Limited places available.
- StageFlight has been running drama and film workshops in the region since 2012.
- $120 per term. We are a registered Creative Kids provider and accept Creative Kids vouchers as part-payment.
More info & enrolments can be found here!
University of Wollongong
Year 11 Parent & Carer Webinar – 17th March @ 7pm via Zoom
- Join our Year 11 Parent & Carer Webinar on Monday, 17 March and discover how to support them through the next two years.
- Find out why Year 11 is important, how UOW Early Admission works, how to pick the 'right' HSC subjects, advice on supporting young people with career decisions and more!
This is the perfect opportunity to get all the information you need to make the HSC journey as smooth and positive as possible. We're here to help!
Register here: UOW Year 11 Parents & Carers Webinar
Monty The Monster Fun Run
Monty’s Colour Fun Run coming on 11th April 2025!
Simply go to myprofilepage.com.au and click onto the register button to create a cybersafe, online profile page. Raise $10 to receive your first incentive prize, there are 15 unique prizes on offer! You can even earn free bonus donations!