End of Term
What an amazingly busy term we have had. Time has certainly flown by and it’s hard to believe we are almost at the end of another year.
We hope you have enjoyed the various activities that have occurred in Term 3. Today’s Blog is jam packed with happenings from the last 2 weeks.
Thank you to all of the staff who work so tirelessly to educate and care for your children. Our College is such a special place. “Community” is not just a word, it’s very much in action.
We hope you have a wonderful break over the holiday period. If you are travelling please stay safe on the roads. We look forward to everyone returning on the first day of Term 4, Monday 12 October 2020.
~ Mr Gavin Hirschhausen, Principal
Office Hours over Holidays
The College Office will be closed during the first week of the school holidays, reopening on Monday 5 October. Holiday hours will be 9.00am to 3.30pm daily.
For any issues with fees/ezidebit payments over the holiday period, please email gedwards@scc.wa.edu.au.
Book Week 2020
The theme for Book Week 2020 was ‘Curious Creatures, Wild Minds’ and there certainly were some curious creatures!
At Book Week Assembly Mrs White read to us from the book Wonderful Earth – written by Nick Butterworth & illustrated by Mick Inkpen – telling us all about the curious creatures that God created, so many that we had never seen in real life or even heard of before.
Although a lot of students did still dress up, the focus this year was on work completed in the classroom. Photos of decorated classrooms were on display in the Hall during Assembly.
Afterwards the Library hosted a picnic on the grass for all the Primary students to enjoy.
Bikeathon & MTB Track Official Opening
Saturday 19 September was a lovely, cool day for the first Bikeathon held completely on school grounds.
Over 100 participants rode their bikes and scooters, completing laps on 3 separate tracks. The longest and most challenging track incorporated the new Mountain Bike Track which was officially opened later in the day.
The Bikeathon was a fantastic event and Mr Johan Boonzaier is to be congratulated for bringing it all together, along with the parents and staff who helped on the day.
Students will need to bring their sponsorship money to the Front Office by Friday 16 October to be eligible to go into the draw to win a brand new bike, kindly donated by Mr Ian Blayney, MLA.
In the late afternoon registered riders participated in races on the MTB track. A big thank you to Mr Andre Steenekamp for coordinating races, with thanks to the race officials and safety marshalls also.
Once racing was completed a delicious meal was served, the bonfire was lit, and attendees relaxed to live music provided by Mr Ben Micke and the Rollercoast band.
Primary Interschool Athletics Carnivals
Last Wednesday and Friday, Strathalbyn Christian College competed in the annual Primary Interschool Athletics Carnivals.
Our students competed with great courage and an incredible team spirit. All the athletes did their absolute best, but a highlight was Leah-May Labuschagne receiving the Runner-up medal for Intermediate Girls at the Athletics on Friday.
I want to thank all the staff that assisted on the day, the parents that came to support the students, and Geraldton Primary school who organised this event.
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Well done to all the athletes.
~ Mr Johan Boonzaier, Primary Sports Coordinator
Strath Lions – Final Results
It was a great Soccer season for all of our Strath Lions Teams. There were many new players who showed fantastic personal improvement as the (shortened) season progressed!
The U/6, U/8 & U/10 teams all finished at the top of their competition. Both the U/12’s and U/14’s finished 3rd overall. This was an amazing turn around by the Strath Lions U/14’s team that finished bottom of the ladder in 2019.
Well done to all of the coaches, referees and linesmen – who are staff, parents and siblings – that give up their time, during the week and on a Sunday, to make Soccer happen for the children.
MUSIC
Songs of Praise
On Sunday afternoon, our primary choir Sing Out! and Worship Team performed ‘The Blessing’ at the Anglican Cathedral’s annual Songs of Praise. Students performed confidently in an unfamiliar space, and truly were a blessing to the people listening. A big thank you to Mrs Davidson for leading the choir on the day.
Worship Service
Our whole-school Worship Service was held on Monday, led by Mr Tilinger’s Year 11’s around the theme of God’s love for us. Our Worship Team once again led the College in singing, beginning the service with ‘The Blessing’, combined with Sing Out! Other songs in the service were ‘How Great Thou Art’, ‘All the People Said Amen’ and ‘Reckless Love’. These songs helped to highlight the message brought by Brendan Hurley about God’s love.
Thank you to our Worship Team who have been working so hard all term preparing for our Worship Services and other events. The Team rehearses each Thursday lunchtime (and have had some extra rehearsals recently), and they just ‘get on with the job’. They are incredible, and it’s lots of fun playing music together!
Concert Band Performance
The Batavia Coast Senior Concert Band had their first performance to family and friends on Tuesday afternoon. We performed three pieces including the ‘Winds of Scotland’, which was recently composed by our conductor, Mrs Anne Williams. This combined-schools Concert Band is made up of students from Champion Bay SHS, Geraldton SHS and Strathalbyn CC. If you would like to learn a woodwind or brass instrument and be involved in something like this, please email instrumentalmusic@scc.wa.edu.au for more information about our Instrumental Music Program.
Art & Music Showcase
On Thursday evening we held our Art & Music Showcase. Well done to all students that participated! Many people in our community came to listen to students perform and to explore the artwork in the Hall. Artwork from Years 5-12 was displayed in the Hall.
On the Music stage, we heard from Year 9 -12 Music classes, including a song composition by Year 12 and Certificate III Music Industry student, Justin de Vries. Music students each did incredibly well to perform their sets in front of an audience for the first time, particularly when it was so different being able to hear each other on the outdoor stage. Our Worship Team performed a set, along with a small ensemble from the Batavia Coast Senior Concert Band, which was great fun. Between sets we enjoyed the sounds of Sydnie & Glencyl, who graduated in 2019 with a Certificate II in Music Industry. They sounded incredible, and even better with the support of former student Andrew Rankine, who looked after the sound desk. A huge thank you goes to so many people for making the night so special.
The photos are kindly provided by Paul Spackman and Kate Wheat.
It has been a big term for our musicians across Years 1-12! Keep up the instrument practice over the school holidays, ready for new performance opportunities in Term 4!
~ Mr Joshua Gibson, Music Teacher/Instrumental Music Program Coordinator
Zero Waste Lunch
Last week the Year 5 class participated in a Zero Waste Lunch. They have been learning about the impact of plastics and other rubbish on the environment and on food systems.
They really enjoyed it – now we need to aim for zero waste every day!
~ Miss Kate Wheat, Wholistic Land Management
Outdoor Ed Sailing Program
Our Year 10 and 11 Outdoor Ed students have been participating in a 5 week introductory sailing program through the Geraldton Yacht Club. Skills include teamwork, rigging, tacking and sailing, under the watchful guidance of Mrs Cath Dalle from GYC. The course will continue in Term 4, after we have experienced snorkelling and cycling at Rottnest Island in Week 1!
~ Mr Keith Roffman, Outdoor Education Teacher
Continued Enrolment for 2021
Parents/Guardians are reminded that notice of intention to withdraw students is required at least 5 weeks before the end of Term.
If your child will not be returning to the College in 2021, a Student Withdrawal Form need to be submitted to the Front Office by Wednesday 4 November, to avoid being charged a $500.00 fee in lieu of notice.
Community Notices
