The Whitsunday Word - October 14, 2016

The Whitsunday Word Friday 14 October 2016

UPCOMING EVENTS Whole School Monday 17 October – Student Free Day Tuesday 25 October - Sports Awards Evening Friday 28 October – World Teachers Day Friday 4 November – Splendour in the Arts Tuesday 15 November – 2017 Orientation Day

Senior School Friday 21 October – Year 9-11 Award & Colours Applications Due Tuesday 25 October – Choices Presentation, Sports Award Night Wednesday 26 October – SS Public Speaking Competition Thursday 27 October – Year 11 Chemistry EEI, Year 10 Marine Biology Excursion Friday 28 October – Service Contracts (Year 9-12) due

Middle School Tuesday 1 November – MS Melbourne Cup High Tea and Hat Parade Wednesday 9 November – 2017 Year 5 Parent Information Night Tuesday 22 November - Final MS Assembly Wednesday 23 November - MS Christmas Service Wednesday 23 November – Year 8 Dinner

Junior School Friday 21 October – Year Two Eisteddfod Performance Monday 24 October – Junior School House Swimming Carnival Thursday 27 October – Junior School Disco (Year 10 Business Venture)

Sport Friday 28 October - WAS Breast Cancer Fun Run

Global and Service Learning Wednesday 19 October - Service Learning Day Wednesday 19 October - Global Exchange Information Night

Three. The opportunities that our various outdoor programmes offer our students are vital components in their journey towards Term Four is always a fast and exciting term. responsible adulthood and citizenship. As There are special events in every section of society becomes more urbanised and the School. All will have celebrations, there technology driven, it is more important than will be a few farewells and there will be the ever that we expose our children to excitement of rewards for many as we wind alternatives to the sedentary, electronic up achievements of the year. This is lifestyle. There is no doubt that the challenges particularly true of our Year 12 students as that a thoughtfully planned outdoor education their School days slowly running out. There programme offers can awaken in children of are less than 30 days to go. They still have all ages new understandings about themselves assessments and many leadership events to and their place in the world. Such experiences attend. allow new friendships to be developed and greater confidence and independence to be I have reflected on the very strong performance of our Year 12 students this year. engendered.

However, it is impossible not to also consider Such qualities are evident in the many the affirming approach of student leadership seen throughout the School. Whenever I make achievements of our students and Old Scholars, the level of teamwork required for statements like this I ask myself if I am our Junior, Middle and Senior teams to exaggerating. Very quickly, I find too much perform so well in the various sports, the evidence of the positive to be concerned about self-delusion in this important area. Our synergy that allows our musical ensembles to shine at the Eisteddfod, the consistently leadership model for these students is based strong academic results which depend to such clearly on the idea of ‘servant leadership’. an extent on the teamwork required for success in the Queensland Core Skills Test.

“What can you do to help?” is the key question and “I want to contribute to make I wish to acknowledge our very own staff things better” is the simple but positive member Mrs Katie Mann who exemplifies response. Overall, it is an effective approach because it makes a real difference to the way these qualities. Katie placed third in the world in the Bow Hunters competition held in Wagga we all think about leadership. Alongside this Wagga during the recent school holidays. formal leadership process is the natural informality of relationships and friendships.

More evidence of servant leadership, which couldn’t have made me more proud, was the Our friendly students and their equally role that students, staff and volunteers played delightful teachers headed off for an exciting outdoor experience for the last week of Term in the Mackay Sony Foundation Children’s

Holiday Camp 2016. All gave of their time to 18 campers so their families could have some respite. The camp is a gift to the children and a gift to their families. It is a time where we can bring joy, happiness and fun for the children.

Mark my words - there has been an indelible print left on the hearts of your children and all that were involved from the School and Mackay community. Special acknowledgement and thanks must go to Mr Matt Hodge, Head of Service and Global Learning for his leadership in navigating the staff, students and community members during this worthy event.

In finishing my reflections, for this newsletter, on leadership and the journey through the School, it was a delight to attend the Kindy Open Day last Friday morning. I had just come from speaking with some Year 12 students (that started this contemplation about their journey) and it was impossible to not think about the importance of the ‘whole journey’ while watching the Kindy children learning through play, and developing those friendships. Pride and good values start early.

They will all feel moments of turbulence but the wisdom of the Year 12s would affirm that this is just part of growing. This term is the term where the year really blossoms and we take part in the many celebrations that reflect the successes of 2016.

to relax.

In Chapel last Sunday evening, I shared this story with the Boarding family.

Imagine there is a bank which credits your account each morning with $86,400, carries over no balance from day to day, allows you to keep no cash balance, and every evening cancels whatever part of the amount you had failed to use during the day. What would you do?

Well, everyone has such a bank. Its name is Time. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.

There is never not enough time or too much time. Time management is decided by us alone and nobody else. It is never the case of us not having enough time to do things, but the case of how wisely we use our time.

Jesus said: “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest awhile.” (Mark 6.31)

It’s one thing for the disciples to follow Jesus, a bold and respected teacher. It’s quite another to go out, preaching and healing. Their success came at a demanding price. They quickly became tired, worn and hungry. In our workaholic world, many see rest as unproductive and hard to justify.

Resting is part of God’s personal plan – humans are designed to work but also

Each morning sees some task begin, each evening sees it close; something attempted, something done, has earned a night’s repose. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Take time to take time. You deserve an opportunity to take a breath and become reacquainted with yourself, your family and with life. To relax for a while is a blessing from God. Be gentle first with yourself if you wish to be gentle with others.” -Lama Yeshe Work without rest is an unbalanced equation and damaging to all concerned. Jesus took rests (ten are mentioned in the New Testament), often moving to outlying regions and mountains to have time alone. If Jesus needed rest, then we also need to seek times of rest so we can achieve and enjoy our best.

KIDSPLUS Term 4 activities will commence on Wednesday 12 October and conclude on November 09.

WEDNESDAY Everyone is welcome to take time out from their busy week to join the school family in a service of Praise and Thanksgiving from 7.45am on

Wednesday in the Chapel of St Barnabas.

Drop in used POSTAGE STAMPS – a fundraiser for ABMA - to Reverend Janet.

PRAYER Please pray for: healing and hope for those who are unwell and those who are recovering from medical procedures; peace for those grieving the death of loved ones; good health for our Adopt a Cop, Constable Isaac Mahony and our Adopted Elders, Revd Henry Kennell and Mrs Kennell; wisdom for The Chair and Members of the School Board; and peace of heart for our Principal, Staff and students.

May God bless you and your family with hope and peace as you walk this journey called life.

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoners, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among brothers and sisters, to make music in the heart. Amen. Howard Thurman

Mrs Sarah Wright I welcome all Senior School staff and students back to school for our final term of the year which is sure to be as busy as the last. With our Year 12 students graduating at the end of Week 7 , and with all other students finishing only one week later, time will pass very quickly. Our Senior School students have all experienced many successes this year, and I particularly look forward to a positive end to the year.

Outdoor Education Week Well done and congratulations to all Senior School staff and students who enjoyed this annual week of adventure and challenge to end Term 3. We enjoyed Outdoor Education Week presentations from each year level at our Senior School Assembly this week. It was wonderful to be able to share in the students’ experiences and see how they have bonded as year level cohorts. Thank you to the Camp Coordinators (Mr Nigel McDuff, Mrs Dee Hayhoe, Ms Samantha Bennington, Mrs Jessica Vigliante and Mrs Renee Dettmann) for their work in organising these camps.

Senior Formal The 2016 Senior Formal was a resounding success and an occasion enjoyed by all.

With the ‘winter wonderland’ decorating theme, our Year 12 students, staff, parents and other guests enjoyed a three-course meal, had professional photos taken, and danced the night away. Of course, there was also the very popular photo booth which was in action all night. Special thanks are extended to Mrs Margie Haines for her organisation of the night. For our Year 12 students, the Senior Formal was a night of celebration to remember.

allocations for tables of ten guests. As is tradition, our Year 12 students sit with their parents/guardians. The purchase of tickets and table allocations must be finalised by Tuesday 1 November.

Year 12 Valedictory Service and Dinner The Year 12 Valedictory Dinner will be held on Saturday 12 November from 6pm at The Events Centre at Mackay Turf Club, Ooralea.

Year 12 students and their parents are invited to attend. Invitations will be posted this week. The ticket cost is $75 per person and tickets can be purchased through the online booking system, Trybooking.com.

The link, once established, will be provided on the invitation. When purchasing tickets online, please also confirm your dietary requirements. Once tickets are purchased, please contact the Senior School Secretary, Mrs Margie Haines, on 4969 2032 or MHA@was.qld.edu.au between the hours of 10.00am and 3.30pm to arrange seating

Well done also to Jessica Heazlett and Olivia Jones who also presented on the night, reflecting on their experiences at NYSF earlier this year.

Students in the spotlight!

Congratulations and well done to Saad Ashraf, Siliba Ncomanzi and Ruturaj Vaidya who attended the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Orientation Evening on 3 October and delivered individual presentations to their sponsor, Mackay Rotary Club representatives.

From the Middle School Activities Co-ordinator Ms Angela Holm

Welcome back, I trust everyone has enjoyed their camp and holiday break and are refreshed for what is sure to be a busy term.

Firstly, it is with pride that I would like to congratulate our Year 7 students, Flynn Bushell and Ethan Laval, for their outstanding leadership and citizenship shown with their drive for the council to develop a Skate Park at Northern Beaches.

The support has been immense and this is a direct reflection of their hard work and dedication to this cause. Numerous members of the local community have contacted me to say how impressed they have been with the professional and mature manner in which the boys have conducted impromptu and planned media interviews. At the most recent council meeting, Flynn and Ethan achieved an outstanding ovation from the public gallery and all Council members in attendance. Council moved to accept the petition and it’s now being investigated.

We wish Flynn and Ethan all the best in their venture.

Thursday’s tour of the Australian War Memorial opened many students’ eyes and the Parliament House tour allowed Teachers have been busy preparing for our students were able to see democracy Orientation Day later in the term. If you at work. The Australian Government have a valid educational request for class recognises the importance of all students groupings in 2017, please direct those to being able to visit Canberra and enrich myself or Mr Craig Clelland in writing. their learning about Australia’s history, Whilst we try to accommodate these culture, and democracy. To assist families requests, we cannot guarantee that this in meeting the cost of the trip, the will occur.

Australian Government contributes $120 per student under the Parliament and Our Middle School team is looking forward Civics Education Rebate program. to many upcoming events in Term Four, such as our Melbourne Cup High Tea and Hat Parade and the Cystic Fibrosis Fun Run. I welcome all parents and friends to come along to our next assembly on Wednesday the 19 October at 2.00pm.

Year 7/8 Canberra Trip Following many predictions of quite cool weather, the Year 7 and 8 Canberra Camp group set off for their week away.

Tuesday proved a highlight, with students screaming down the slopes on toboggans at Perisher. A visit to the Australian Institute of Sport and The Museum of Australian Democracy was on Wednesday.

Mr Mick Martin Happy World Teachers’ Day to all our Junior School Teachers – Friday 28 October Term Four – the final term.

Welcome back to the closing term of 2016. Once again this will be a term of much activity (and seemingly little time), with many challenges and celebrations for us all. The photos attached to this report give a snapshot of a thrilling 2016 Junior School Outdoor Education Week and are also a testament to the exciting and enjoyable time that was had by all students and Staff. Many thanks to the Junior School Staff for their time and effort, and to the many parents who were able to help out – we really could not do aspects of the Camps and activities without you. I am very interested in your feedback about Outdoor Education Week; please do not hesitate to speak to me or drop me an email. If you have any questions, or concerns, regarding the term ahead then feel free to come and speak with me.

You will have noticed a change to the ‘soft fall’ under the play-gym in the Junior School Precinct.

Thanks to our Maintenance & Grounds Crew – Kris Hayhoe, Barry Hayhoe, Brett Parnicott, Jake Simpson and Mr Shield – who worked over the break to ensure it was ready for the start of Term 4.

Welcome Welcome to Mrs Melissa Morison and Miss Katelyn Sartor who are completing their respective Teaching Practicums.

Nude Food Day in the Junior School For the past 5 years the Junior School, in particular Mrs Dzadey’s classes, have recognised the importance of healthy eating habits for children, and adults. We recognise National Nude Food Day

this Friday, 14 October as part of National Nutrition Week, providing the students an opportunity to encourage all of us to pack healthy, natural lunches and snacks without the use of a disposable wrapping. Each of the Junior School House Groups will have held a ‘Nude Food Picnic’ with foods not wrapped in unnecessary wrapping or packaging: ‘Nude Food’ is food that is healthy, environmentally friendly without packaging.

Artist in Residence – Ms Donna Free Last week the Year 3 and 4 cohorts enjoyed the Artist in Residence program with local Artist Wanda Bennett. Her wealth of knowledge and friendly manner encouraged the students to take risks, experiment and become totally involved in the creative experience. The students explored the theme of Rainforest meets the Reef and used a variety of natural materials to develop some lively collage Artworks. All the finished works will be on display at ‘Splendour in the Arts’ on Friday 4 November from 6.00pm – 8.00pm along with many other examples of an exciting 2016 in the Art centre. We look forward to seeing everyone there to share the culmination of a wonderful year.

Read student recounts………………..

Junior School House Swimming Carnival and ‘Swim & Survive’ Program This year’s Junior School Swimming Carnival will be held Monday 24 October at the Pioneer Pool for our Preparatory to Year 4 cohorts. It is a carnival where we ask all the students to participate as best they can and enjoy the morning with their peers.

The Physical Education program this term incorporates a ‘Swim & Survive’ program. This acknowledges the many families that enrol their children in swimming lessons outside of school and we felt that learning these survival skills would be more beneficial. We have also changed the format to a half day program thus:



reducing costs due to the decreased number

of bus trips to the pool



increasing quality time for instruction at the pool as time is not wasted on bus transport and having students organised at school



minimalising disruption to classes at school as only one day will be affected. Previously swimming lessons happened over 5 days and multiple lessons were interrupted assisting parents who only have to get children organised on one day (except for the Prep and Year 1 families who will need 2 days of organisation).

Mackay Eisteddfod This term heralds the Year Two cohort’s Eisteddfod experience, performing next week. Once again my thanks to Mr Toby Hibbard and Miss Kirstie Wick as it is only through the tremendous efforts of staff that we are able to provide an Eisteddfod experience for the Junior School students. As previously explained, we unfortunately did not manage to register our Year 4/3/1 cohorts for this year’s Eisteddfod. We have been regular participants since 2007 and will do so again in 2017. Apart from the School performances we have many students performing on an individual basis and we wish them all the best in their endeavours.

You Can Do It! Over the next series of newsletters, I will include articles from the You Can Do It (YCDI) web site.

These article discuss topics such as peer pressure, developing good character, rules for effective parenting.

Read more……………….

Resisting peer pressure: teaching kids how (YCDI! Education) You Can Do It! Education – Persistence

From the Head of Boarding Mr Bruce Keys Appreciation Rev Janet A very special mention and thank you to our Rev Janet for the time, energy and messages that she shares with our boarders and staff at our Sunday Chapel Meetings. These addresses always have significant meaningand are well received.

Moranbah Rotary Home & Leisure Show I attended the Moranbah Rotary Home and Leisure Show last weekend for the third year.

It was overwhelming to see the growth of so many young families in this area. My appreciation to our four boarders (Jack Caple, Jacob Gobourn, Tiffany Hoare and Maddy Olsen) who volunteered their personal time to assist me at the WAS stand.

full time boarders and several weekly boarders this weekend. He and Ms Grant along with Keelan and Julia will be transporting these boarders up to the Crediton Hall for camping, bush walking, platypus viewing, BBQ meals and possibly night adventure tours.

that have the potential to impact on your children. Advanced notification assists us to provide support and ensure sufficient personal space is made available as we work through these times together.

Boarding Fee Structure Boarding fees are calculated for the year and Mr Jon Grant has spent a considerable amount split into 4 equal amounts that are charged of time and energy to ensure this will be a each term. So for each term we are not memorable experience for all those involved. charging for 10 weeks, or 9 weeks or 7 weeks; We look forward to their adventure stories but the 4 equal instalments of the boarding upon their return next week. fee.

Leave Requests and Approval A further reminder to all boarders and families that personal leave requests must be submitted 24 hours prior to the activity for approval. These types of leave requests have increased over the year and I am happy to There were seven of our current families who I approve with parental consent and had an opportunity to spend time with. I also appropriate time to make the necessary appreciate their positive support and staffing, transport and meal arrangements. introductions to new prospective families.

Thank you.

Booth House Race Dinner This annual function has become a tradition in Student Free Day—Monday Booth Boarding House and will be held to Monday 17 October is a Student Free Day with coincide with the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday our boarders still having the option of 1 November. All boarders are involved in the returning on the bus services Sunday night.

‘Fashions of the Field’ and entering their horses in the big race for the afternoon.

We have made arrangements and planned a full day’s activity for those returning into Confidential and Sensitive Family Issues boarding for the Monday. All other boarders As a Boarding Community we experience will be required to be back in Booth House by many family upsets throughout the year.

Monday evening.

These are often sensitive and personal situations that require a high level of Camping Weekend - Crediton HallMr Grant confidentiality. I would, however, appreciate has organised a camping experience for our the heads up with personal family matters

The food cost is calculated over the number of school weeks and again distributed in four equal instalments each term. The only adjustment we make for food is to credit the Year 12s for the number of weeks at the end of Term Four that they don’t attend school, and, of course, to credit the food for outdoor Education Week.

Phone Contact with Your Children We now live in a very technical society where communication is more user friendly and convenient. This is reassuring for boarding students who are separated from their respective families. However, I would ask parents to ensure that this contact and these conversations are made during the appropriate times when the boarders are not involved with their evening prep time. Contact during this time can create disruption for the boarders in these working areas. In the event of an emergency between these hours please don’t hesitate to contact Mr Jon Grant or me.

Prep time is from 5.00pm to 6.00pm and from 7.00pm to 8.00pm.

Flynn Bushell—Gold medal in Kihon and Kumite, Australian Karate Championships WAS Opals—Grand Final Winners of Division 2 Seniors—Mackay Netball Assoc.

Coby Arthur—selected in Mackay Cutters U13 Squad Georgia Jasch—4th Queensland U13 Level 6 Vault Simba Walz—1st in 12-16yrs Mackay Triathlon Festival—Enticer Distance Zoe Bidgood—3rd in 12-16yrs Mackay Triathlon Festival—Enticer Distance Luci Leonforte and Harry Rosier—Selected in Australian Futsal Teams

and WAS Whales. The two junior teams were successful in their event with the WAS Turtles placing second and the WAS Marlins placing third. Congratulations to: WAS Marlins—Thomas Stolberg, Mollie Stephens and Zoe Bidgood WAS Turtles—Harry O’Connell, Paige Stolberg and Sophie Chrzanowski WAS Dolphins—Ben Laidlaw, Tash Laidlaw and Kerryn McDuff WAS Whales—Adrian Brandon, Nicholas du Toit and Nigel McDuff It certainly was a fun way to spend the afternoon.

The netball season went into the holidays for some of our players with the WAS Opals winning the grand final in the division 2 of the open women’s competition.

Thank you to all those parents and friends of WAS Netball for your guidance our of girls.

Trish will be running the NetSetGo program for our 5-8 year olds beginning Friday 14th October 3.15-4.15pm. This will get our young girls ready for next year’s modified netball season.

Thank you to Trish, for her very enthusiastic and hard working approach to the WAS Netball Club.

Queensland Schools Rowing Championships

Sports Awards Night

WAS Basketball

Tuesday 25 October 6.30pm is the Annual Sports Awards Night. Students and families will receive invitations to this night next week.

We are very privileged to have Nic Beveridge attending as our guest speaker on the night.

Nic recently placed 9th in the Rio Paralympic Triathlon event. He is a past student of WAS, graduating in 2003. It will be fantastic to hear him speak at this evening.

This week our U14 Girls team have been successful in their bid to make it into the Mackay Basketball Association Grand Finals.

We wish the girls all the best in this competition and look forward to a hard fought game on 29 October.

Congratulations to: Briony Gavars, Amrita Sarkar, Ananya Sinha, Eva Van EsMaczkowiack, Felicity Case, Holly Biddle, Jordan Vella, Jorja Mudge, Kiara McKenzie, Rachel Palfrey, Reagen Gavars and Shaylah Hansen.

Congratulations also to our U12 girls who have competed hard all season: Ava Peppin, Avanthika Subash, Elly Peppin, Eva Van Es Maczkowiack, Isobelle Brand, Reagen Gavars, Shaylah Hansen.

A big thank you to coach—Gilbert Gavars who has really helped the girls improve from the beginning of the season.

Six students from Whitsunday Anglican School competed in the 2016 Queensland Schools Rowing Championships at Bucca Rowing Reserve over the September school holidays. This three day event had 799 registered competitors competing from all over the state. Congratulations to Murphee Foley, Clare Tayler, Jack Rogers, Laura Tibbles, Sophie Chrzanowski and Briony Gavars on their excellent results and doing WAS proud competing in singles, doubles and quads. These students have spent many hours training for this championships with combinations of rowing sessions, gym sessions, fitness classes and ergos.

Highlights from the regatta include: FINALS 5th to Sophie Chrzanowski in Under 14 girls single SEMI FINALS 10th to Clare Tayler in Under 15 girls single 22nd to Murphee Foley in Under 16 girls 19th Clare Tayler and Murphee Foley in Year 9 girls double

Mackay Futsal—Summer Season 2016/2017 Thursday 13 October saw the start of the new 2016/2017 Mackay Futsal Summer Season.

WAS has 5 teams entered in this season and we look forward to some fun times and wonderful results. Thank you to our parent volunteers who are assisting with managing our students and to Germano from Mackay Futsal for his work in making the season a success.

Interhouse Sport—Round 3

Friday 7 October our students took part in Wednesday 12 October our WAS Football Club Round 3 of the Interhouse Sport. Our year 5 and 6 students took part in volleyball, year 7 community attended their annual break up.

Once again our parents stepped up to assist in and 8 in soccer, year 9 and 10 in touch football Milo T20 Blast Schools Cup Cricket—12yrs the running of this event. Students who could and year 11 and 12 in basketball. With the some great weather all students showed great not attend this event will be receiving their and under house spirit in their fight for house points. The gifts at the next subschool assembly.

Two teams of Year 4-7 students attended the interhouse sport rounds are one of several Milo T20 Cricket at Harrup Park last Friday. All A big thank you to Craig Clelland who was the events that make up the points tally for Football Club Coordinator this year He was the boys enjoyed themselves thoroughly as Champion House. Goodluck to all houses in they took part in the modified 8 a side cricket very heavily involved with coaching and their attempt to be Champion House of 2016. format that is becoming very popular amongst managing our teams throughout the season Thank you to all the sport coordinators for and his work is much appreciated. our primary school aged children. Thanks to The season doesn’t happen without the many their assistance in running the various sports Luke Kennedy from Queensland Cricket who parents who go above and beyond to assist the on the day. persisted through two cancellations to finally hold the Mackay event and to Adam Shield and club and its players. So, thank you to our Breast Cancer Fun Run parents for your ongoing support of WAS Simon Hall the WAS staff who spent the day Lulu Piperone, Laura Tibbles, Hannah Football Club. assisting the boys in their games.

McMurtrie and Rubi Cheesman from year 8 Major Award winners from the competitive Congratulations to: have done a lot of work in the first 2 weeks of age groups will be announced on Sports Lochlan Taylor, Lincoln Fisher, Josh Saunders. the term in an effort to raise funds for much Awards Night.

Shawn Masendu, Angus Wicks, Sam Ranson, Congratulations to Kartik Satgunanathan who needed research to find a cure for Breast Lachlan Banks, Darcy Russell, Oscar Clelland, Cancer. was named Most Valuable Player in the U12 Andrew Bekkeli, Rohit Vaidya, Harry Rourke, age group for the Mackay Region this year. He They are looking for donations, sponsorship Josh Taylor, Finnegan McDuff, Jarrod Jones, and participants to take part in their Breast will receive his award at the annual Mackay Louis Lamb and Brady Walters.

Regional Football Awards Night this weekend. Cancer Fun Run on Friday 28th October from 4.00pm on the WAS oval.

Mackay Triathlon Festival

Over the holiday break many WAS students, staff and families took part in the various Mackay Triathlon Festival events. The Corporate Teams Challenge was very

WAS Football Club

WAS Netball Club

WAS Netball Club held it’s end of year function Please see their event Facebook page and come down to support them in their efforts to on September 8th. Many girls showed their appreciation of coaches, managers and Trisha make a difference.

They have also made lifelong friendships with their exchange buddies.

Service Learning Day

Our next Service Learning Day will be held on Wednesday 19 October. We will be The Information Night for the 2017 Global raising funds for the Eimeo Surf Life Japan Global Expedition Saving. The theme is Hawaiian/Beach wear Exchange Program will be held on All reports back from the Japan Global or the colours red and yellow. It is $2 to Wednesday 19 October at 6.00pm in the Expeditions team indicate that a fantastic G2 classroom. The program is open to wear non-uniform and this is to be paid time was had by all. It was wonderful during pastoral lessons. those students who will be in Year 10 in seeing all of the photos of their time and I 2017. am positive that the many locations visited You can keep connected with our Global and cultural activities experienced will be Please contact me if you would like to Learning Program at the following links: remembered fondly. know more. The application forms will be Travel Blog: https://kidblog.org/class/ wasglobalexchange/ placed on the School’s website following A huge thank you to Mrs Renee Dettmann this information night. They will be due by Global Learning Facebook Page https:// for her organisation of expedition and to www.facebook.com/wasgloballearning Wednesday 26 October.

Miss Holm for her support of the team.

Global Exchange Students Laos & Vietnam Global Expedition

Thank you to everyone who has joined our 2017 Laos & Vietnam Global Expeditions.

Please keep an eye out for an email from Mr. Martin regarding your first team meeting.

2017 Global Exchange Information Night

It has been another very successful year for our Global Exchange Program. A number of our students have had the opportunity to attend school our Global Partners Schools right across the globe.

Our final two visiting exchange students will arrive shortly from South Africa.

Please keep an eye out on our Facebook pages for highlights of their stay.

Mackay Sony Foundation Children’s Holiday Camp

Congratulations and thank you to all students, staff and parents who volunteered during this year’s Mackay Children’s Holiday Camp. It was another successful event and a report of the event will be included in the next newsletter.

Dr To U (Mackay) gives advice on Facebook

It was amazing to find out how happy and positive so many people were when we started offering online advice to questions in the local Mums and Bubs Mackay Facebook page. Within 10 minutes of the post, 250 very happy Mums were saying what a great idea! It is the Dr To U Mackay service that is providing this service and there is no charge with access to educated (and hopefully professional) advice.

Obviously this is a need of young mothers as they go through the various challenges of pregnancy, babies and children…

It is exciting times to see how it will go and hopefully it will be as beneficial as everyone is hoping for. It is stretching the parameters of “normal” practice but let’s “give it a go, mate” and see how it all goes.

Of course there are limitations – on the internet (or Facebook) the advice is only general in nature and is much like giving advice on the phone. If there is something that we need to see or touch to assess, then we need to come to you but many things can be handled and advice or reassurance given.

Unlike the phone though, the advice is not immediate and not guaranteed – someone (myself, the staff or the on call doctors) need to see the post and then respond so if there is ever anything urgent, call us!!! We have a doctor on call 24 hours a day and you will speak directly to a doctor after 10pm and through the receptionists before 10pm.

This service is only possible because of the Dr To U 24 hour house call service with 2 doctors on call every night in Mackay. There are two doctors on call and between them and me, we hope to be able to answer all of the questions this lovely group of Mums have for us! Join the Mums and Bubs Mackay Facebook page to get lots of support and answers if you are in that.

We are proud to be providing this 24 hour service for the Mackay community and aim to continue to create new and better ways of providing quality health care to the region! Watch this space….

Dr John McIntosh Mackay GP Superclinic

ophthalmology