RisingSTARS

Jack dives into Champion status at the 2023 Australian Diving Nationals

Year 8 Rivermount student, Jack Van Dam, recently competed at the Australian Diving Nationals in Sydney. The competition was one the largest of its kind with 236 divers from Australia and New Zealand competing across all disciplines.

Jack made some impressive waves in his 12/13 year age group including gold in the 3 metre Springboard with a personal best score of over 200 points, bronze in the 1 metre Springboard also with a personal best, fourth and a personal best in the 5 metre Platform event and fifth in the 3 metre Springboard synchronised event

With his impressive results and competition points, Jack was crowned the 2023 Australian Diving Age Champion for his division.

Cross Country Champion in 3 km for South Coast, Beenleigh and Regionals.

District qualifier for 1500 & 800 metres.

Queensland State Champion and record holder in Under 13 Hammer Throw and placed 2nd at Nationals for this event. State competitor for discus and shotput.

National Cross Country Champion and holder of 4 Australian Championship titles including 800 and 1500 metres. Winner of the 2022 Gold Coast Marathon (4km).

Edison plays violin in the Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra and is currently working towards exceeding his Grade 8 AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) level.

Queensland Cross Country Champion for 1 km. Third place at Nationals and the fastest qualifier for 1500 & 800 metres at Districts.

Member of the South Coast 10-12 Years Boys Basketball team. This team recently won the School State Championships.

Performing Arts star Esme Wyer sets the scene with centre stage skills!

It is lights, camera, action for budding actress and Year 10 student, Esme Wyer, who will star in Beenleigh Theatre Group's production of Jasper Jones. Playing the leading role about a 14 year-old boy in the summer of 1969, Esme says she loves that acting gives anybody the chance to be anything they want.

“It’s such a wonderful feeling to not have to be yourself in the moment. And you get to experience life through someone else’s eyes, even if only for two hours.”

Having studied Drama at Rivermount College for three years, Esme says that the art has enhanced many skills for her personally. “I have become a lot more confident and I have really enjoyed learning different techniques to express myself. I understand now that the way you say something is often just as important as the words themselves.”

Esme recommends acting for its inclusiveness and feeling of community, especially through her experience at Rivermount. She believes that people are there for the art and there is no judgement for getting up and giving it a go.

“Acting truly is magical,” she says.