Principal's Message
As school comes to a close for another year, we have much to celebrate. It has been a wonderful year of growth as students have developed physically, emotionally and academically. Eleven of our Year 12 students have already achieved early entry to university, students have achieved personal bests in sport and in the classroom and our celebrated Mountain View spirit of community has been prominent.
As I look back over my first year, there are significant highlights from the 50th Anniversary to the implementation of the Year 7-10 wellbeing program, Invictus, to student leadership training and our ever-present focus on literacy and numeracy.
But most of all I am thankful for the relationships built. School is only successful when students and staff have a strong sense of belonging, and God has blessed us with a strong sense of community.
It is with sadness that we farewell a few of our staff - Mrs Joan Venter, our Librarian is relocating to Queensland after many years of service in our school; Mr Lyn James is retiring to the mid-north coast to be with family after years of driving our students to and from school; Mrs Jane Marsters is going on maternity leave; and Pr Marcus Periera is transferring to Fox Valley Community Church as Senior Pastor. We wish God’s blessing on each of these staff.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday look forward to seeing you on our Awards Nights.
Mrs Julia Heise
Principal
A Christmas Story Photos
Start Smart
Last Monday, Year 10 students had the opportunity to attend Start Smart, an award winning program held by the Commonwealth Bank. Start Smart consisted of six different workshops each focusing on a different topic in depth; financial choices, earning, saving, spending, investing and enterprise. Each workshop was an interactive learning experience empowering students to make confident financial decisions. Students found the workshops informative and relevant. Below are some of the feedback received:
“I learnt that as you start your own business, you should start small” Akua A
“I should save 30% of what I earn” Lourel J
“I must get a Tax File Number” Levi G
“I should have a savings account as well as a day-to-day account” Abbey F
“Know your rights before you start a job” Devarsh M
Year 10 Invictus Day Trip
On Thursday 28 November, year 10 students travelled to The Tops Conference Centre as part of their Invictus Wellbeing program. There were 38 students and 4 teachers who attended the program which included Team Building Skills, Survivor and Invictus activities.
HSC DRAMA
On the 21 November, HSC Drama attended Parramatta Riverside Theatre to see the Verbatim play ‘To Be Honest’. The students had the opportunity to question the cast and director, which assisted them in their own play.
Science Fun
Year 8 finished off their Science study with some fun experiments. Punching pencils through bags full of water, making purple foam and creating towers of molten sugar were all fun experiences. Thanks for a great year, Year 8!
Peer Leader Training
Mountain View's year 10 students embarked on their leadership journey this week and completed their Peer Leader Training. Chaplains, Teachers and Counsellors facilitated a fun filled program which focused on what it takes to be a good leader and to support others. Some of the key concepts explored by students were building positive relationships, developing and growing social and emotional skills, taking personal responsibility, connectedness, effective communication and right decision making. At the end of the two days, students were given the opportunity to apply to be a Peer Leader for 2020.
Moving forward, the next step is that students will be matched with another Peer Leader and will work with their year 7 students from day one of first term as a way of minimising any worries and stressors that may arise for our new high schoolers. The program will run for one period each week during term one and is a 2020 Wellbeing Committee initiative.
Swim Squad
The Mountain View Swimming Squad celebrated the end of term with an icy pole, courtesy of Mr Jensen. They have practiced well this term, with some students improving their best race times by more than 8 seconds! Looking forward to the swimming carnival and Zone competition next year!
Book Lovers
Year 8 visited Year 1 to do some reading and colouring in this week. The students enjoyed chatting to their new friends and getting to spend some time outdoors
Australian Mathematics Competition
This year, 6 Year 8 students were invited to sit the Australian Mathematics Competition. All 6 students placed and have received certificates of achievement. Congratulations to Tanisha, Kashish, Sharlize, Sheeyana and Josh for achieving a Proficiency level in the examination and to Leon S for achieving a Credit in the examination.
These students were in the extension Mathematics class this year which contributed to their preparation and performance in the examination. Extension classes are part of the strategic plan at Mountain View to lift performance in Mathematics and to challenge the more capable students in the class. Mountain View is looking forward to more students sitting the examination and achieving even better results next year.
YEAR 8 GRAD
Year 8 students along with their families and teachers celebrated the end of their time as Middle School students. A memoir video, an amazing special item, spoken word and a special blessing from Pastor Panapa were just a few highlights. We wish Year 8 all the best as they venture into Senior School next year and pray that God will continue to guide them in the next phase of their schooling journey.
All the best from Mrs Jensen and Mr Lett
Middle School Coordinators
SPACES
As part of the Year 9 Invictus program, students placed meaningful spaces around school for students and teachers to engage in.
Spaces included the Fence of Improvement; Self Worth; and Reflection Tree. Wellbeing Friday as it was aptly named gave those involved an opportunity to improve and reflect on their wellbeing.
Year 8 Invictus Camp
Students enjoyed getting to know a new classmate with interview questions on the bus ride to Jamberoo. The rides, cliff jumps and slides were a hit. Many students were exhausted and slept in the way to the campground. With tents finally set up, students walked to the beach for worship. Friday morning they rotated through activities on the beach centred around teamwork, mastering a new skill and coping with uncomfortable situations. They’re having a great time!
Year 10 Student Places Third in Cheerleading Nationals
Mackenzie, a Year 10 student, recently competed in the Australian Cheerleading National Championships and placed third with her team.
Having trained for three years, her team had been defeated throughout the 2019 season. However, two weeks prior to the nationals, the team decided to change everything in their routine and worked through the setbacks to give their best performance this year.
The reward of placing third was amazing and Mackenzie’s coaches were extremely proud. Mackenzie stated, “I am the person who doesn’t like to lose. I am determined to find a different way if something doesn’t work.” A fantastic mindset that she also applies to her schoolwork. We wish her well and are proud of her.
Announcements
Pupil Free Monday 9 December
December 9th will be a Pupil Free day. All students will not be required to attend School.
Casual Bus Drivers
We are currently looking for some casual bus drivers for 2020. Should you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them read the advertisement on the Adventist employment website: https://www.adventistemployment.org.au/vacant_positions/2737
Holiday Office Hours
Last day of School is December 10th. Please see below for office hours during the holiday break:
December 11th: 9am-4pm
December 12th: Closed
December 13th: 9am-3pm
December 16th & 17th: 9am - 3pm
December 18th: Closed for the Holidays
Office will re-open Wednesday 15 January
ETC ENERGY TENNIS CENTRE
Tennis @ Mountain View Adventist College from Term 1, 2020.
Tennis lessons will be conducted for kids in Kindergarten to Grade 4.
Lessons will be conducted after school hours.
Tennis Hotshots is a fun and exciting way for your children to get into the world of tennis using a game based approach. It is a child-friendly version of the game, using smaller racquets and softer balls, making it more fun, engaging and easier for them to learn the basics of tennis.
Benefits of Tennis Hotshots:
It helps in developing the following:
• Physical (Motor), Mental, Emotional, Social, Intellectual, Moral, Health.
• To attend more varied and fun, physical education classes.
• To be introduced to Tennis at a low cost.
• Programs designed by Tennis Australia
• To learn a “Sport for Life”
• To have better motor development at an early age – improve co-ordination
• To help give them the tools for a longer and healthier life
• Tennis has been proven to increase one’s life span when practiced regularly.
All the required equipment (Rackets, Soft Balls, Net) will be provided by ETC for the children joining the Hotshots program.
If you’re interested for your kid to play Tennis then please send an email to arvind4me2@gmail.com and we will get back to you with more information.
For more details, contact us,
Arvind. G, Head Coach (Tennis Australia, USPTR, GPTCA, ITF, AITA Certified)
Email: arvind4me2@gmail.com
Mobile: 0469043915