Deputy Principal's Message

The year is progressing quickly with many events happening across the College. Year 12 has completed their mid-course examinations with a parent/teacher interview night coming up on May 19. Next Tuesday on May 5, we are continuing the house competition with our annual Cross-Country event. Excursions, incursions and camps are happening, not to mention all the regular classes and assessments occurring every day. No wonder everyone is a little exhausted by the time Friday arrives.

Somewhere in between all these activities and learning, it is important to stop, step back and recharge the mental and emotional batteries. Our own personal wellbeing is often the first thing we neglect and overlook in the hustle and bustle of ‘school life’, when in reality, it is the most important. Especially for our HSC students as they are entering the final stages of their formal schooling.

I would like to encourage all our College family to regularly dedicate time to ensure your wellbeing is taken care of and made a priority; for example, going for a walk, having a coffee with a friend, playing outside with your child, spending time with loved ones and valuing the quiet time. As a church community, we are blessed with a gift from God, a day every week designated for rest and regeneration, the Sabbath. Take the opportunity this Sabbath to re-connect with our God, top up your wellbeing batteries and reset for the new week and term ahead.

God bless,

Mr Stuart Norris

Head of Senior School/Deputy Principal

Chaplaincy Address

Term 2 is well under way and the chaplains are excited to continue to serve our students and staff in their journey of faith and well-being and are excited for what we have coming up this term.

At the end of term 1 our student and staff choir was formed once again and we are getting ready to share the good news of God through music at some of our local churches and our sister schools throughout this term and the rest of the year. Our first stop will be at Mountain View Adventist Church on Saturday May 22nd where we will lead out in the program in music, testimonies and special items. It is a great opportunity for our kids to develop their confidence and grow in leadership. We are looking forward to this opportunity.

Last week we commemorated ANZAC day in our chapel service. It was a great way to look back at the sacrifices that others have made to give future generations freedom and opportunities in this country. We reminded our students of the importance of also acknowledging the sacrifices their families have made for them and challenged them to sacrifice and use their energy, efforts and enthusiasm to live not just for themselves but to live a life of service and sacrifice. That’s what we are about at Mountain View.

The chaplaincy team are looking forward to continue to support our students and families this term and we look forward to seeing you at our chapels, our church visits or at other future school events. Have a blessed week.

Mountain View Chaplaincy Team

Year 9 Science Excursion to Brewongle Environmental Education Centre

The year 9 students together with Mrs Vaovasa and Ms Singh embarked on an all day excursion to analyse the ecosystem of Lace Monitors.

We were guided by the teachers at the education centre to conduct physical and chemical assessments of the forest.

Collecting data on the physical and chemical features of the forest by doing tests such as finding ph, salinity, turbidity and oxygen levels.

Conducting a habitat assessment and making observations about human impacts on the livelihood of Lace monitors.

The students were able to come to the conclusion after these assessments that the forest at Brewongle Environmental Centre is able to support a population of Lace Monitors.

HOMEWORK

At Mountain View Adventist College our staff work diligently to help your child achieve academic excellence. Homework plays an essential role in the education of our students as it builds and reinforces core competencies which are so important for academic achievement.

All students are clearly instructed about homework expectations by their teachers and benefit greatly when you help them to prioritise study time and develop a regular nightly study routine in their home environment.

As teachers, we love liaising with you, working as a team to see your child effectively learn. Kindergarten to Year 6 teachers send information home each week.

Year 7-12 parents have access to student homework and assessments through SEQTA. If you have any questions around homework, please contact your child’s Home Room teacher.

High School Homework minimum time expectations per night

Years 7-8 - an hour

Years 9-10 - 1.5hrs

Years 11-12 - 2hrs

Year 5 State Library Visit

On Monday, Year 5 students had the opportunity to visit the NSW State Library.

They participated in a program teaching them about the Gold Rush and what life was like back in Colonial Australian times.

The students dressed in clothes that would have been worn during the Gold Rush era.

They also created and recorded scenarios that would have occurred during this time period.

Throughout this term, Year 5 will continue learning more about the Gold Rush and will have the opportunity to create a project that will demonstrate what they have learned about this significant part of Australian history.

Year 11 PDHPE and SLR Camp

During Week 1 of Term 2, Year 11 PDHPE and Sports Leisure and Recreation (SLR) students had the privilege of participating in a 3 day camp at Jervis Bay. During the camp students participated and enjoyed a range of outdoor recreation activities to challenge their fitness. These included bush walking, swimming, night walk (star gazing), sunrise viewing, paddle boarding and bike riding. We had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of God’s creation.

I would like to thank the Year 11 class for their behaviour and it was great to see them thriving and succeeding in a new light outside of the classroom environment. I would like to thank Mrs Jensen, Mrs Silva and Pastor Raul for their time, energy and commitment to make this camp a great success.

Mr Jensen

Student Comments

Rebecca and Abi

It was a really positive environment at camp and we enjoyed spending time with our class mates. We were able to bond like a family. The beaches and animals were amazing and nothing like Western Sydney.

Paul and Junior

Camp was a great experience. Playing football and swimming at the beach was awesome. I especially liked the sunrise over the ocean and the night walk seeing the stars without the city lights. Thank you teachers.

Filipo, Nathanael and Ana

We loved camp. It was a good opportunity to get to know each other and great to see people had each others back – especially the cooking. Paddle boarding around Jervis Bay was amazing.

Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews

Save the date for the Year 12 Parent Teacher Interviews. These will be conducted on Wednesday 19 May 2021. The schedule will be opened up shortly for you to book in your times.

Wellbeing Information Night

You are invited to join us for a Wellbeing information night to be held in the John Eastwood Hall on Wednesday 12 May 2021. The session will be held between 6:30 and 7:30pm. Items that will be covered include:

• The College's Wellbeing Framework
• Spiritual Wellbeing
• Wellbeing for Parents
• Connect Time
• The College's RICI Values

We'd love to see you there!

NAPLAN Online 2021

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is a point in time assessment of literacy and numeracy skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 participate in the annual NAPLAN tests in writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

Our school will be participating in NAPLAN Online between 11 and 18 May 2021.

Excessive preparation for NAPLAN Online is not recommended. Students can use the public demonstration site to familiarise themselves with the types of questions and tools available in the NAPLAN Online tests.

If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact your child’s Home Room teacher.

Parents check the Check

Parents engaging tutors for their children should be asking the tutor to provide a Working With Children Check application or clearance number – then verifying that number online.

Verifying a clearance online is quick and easy on the Office of Children’s Guardian website, and ensures that a Working With Children Check clearance is current. Open the following hyperlink to access this application:

The Certificate for Self Employed People from the old Working With Children Check system is no longer valid

Announcements

SCHOOL UNIFORMS

We would like to thank you for your support in ensuring that students are in full school uniform at all times.

Whilst in Australia COVID-19 is well under control, the same cannot be said for other countries around the world. As Australia is an importer of a lot of items, suppliers continue to experience delays in sourcing their required materials to manufacture items. This issue remains true for our uniform supplier. We understand that there are some uniform items on back order and we will make these available as soon as we possibly can. Regretfully, these delays are out of the control of both the college and our uniform supplier.

It was envisaged that all students in High School (Years 7 - 12) would be wearing their school blazers by now. These too have been delayed. It is expected that the blazers will be available for collection during the Term 2 break when the uniform shop opens. Some parents have ordered and paid for their blazers already. If this is the case, there are a number of options available to you. These are

1. Nothing to be done - Wait for the blazer to arrive.
2. Advise the College that you would like the money paid to be redirected to your School Fees, or
3. Have the College provide you with a refund.

Thank you for your understanding with this matter.

WELL DONE CANTEEN

Congratulations to the Mountain View Adventist College canteen for receiving and maintaining a 5 star rating by the Blacktown Council after a spot check inspection last week. Please see the menu for this term. Your support is appreciated.

EARLY FRIDAY TERM 2 AND 3

During Term 2 and 3 School will finish for all years (P-12) at 2:30pm on Fridays. Please make the necessary arrangements for your child/ren whether you are collecting them from carline or walker's. Also note that earlier afternoon drop off times from our buses will be in place for Friday's. Please speak to your driver about the Friday drop off time.

SCHOOL PHOTOS 2021

School photos will be held on Thursday May 13 and Friday May 14. Sibling photos will be held over the 2 day period.

Please see the flyer below with the website and code that will need to be entered to place photo orders for your child/ren. All orders are to be placed online as we will not be accepting any cash paid photo orders this year.

Year 7 & 8 VACCINATIONS

On Friday 7 May Year 7 and 8 students will be having their vaccination.

Yr7, 1st dose HPV

Yr7, dTpa

Yr8, 2nd dose HPV