Term 1 is always an exciting and busy term filled with new experiences and academic success. Secondary has had an amazing start to the year, and we wanted to highlight a few events that have occurred for our students.

CAMPS:

Year 7/8 Camp was an amazing experience that gave students plenty of time to build stronger friendships while challenging themselves with a variety of exciting activities. From kayaking and raft building to fishing and archery tag, students had the chance to try new things, step outside their comfort zones, and work together as a team. The camp also offered thrilling night games that added an element of adventure under the stars. Each activity not only provided fun and excitement but also helped students develop new skills, grow in confidence, and create lasting memories with their peers.

Year 9 Camp at Teen Ranch in Cobbitty was an unforgettable experience, packed with opportunities for personal growth and adventure. Students engaged in a variety of team-building activities that helped strengthen their communication skills and foster teamwork, setting the tone for the entire camp. The highlight of the camp was undoubtedly horse riding, where students connected with the animals. The high ropes course also challenged participants to step outside their comfort zones, encouraging them to face their fears and build resilience. The fun didn’t stop after the daytime activities, as the evening was filled with laughter and camaraderie through engaging night activities. Along with delicious meals and a supportive environment, Year 9 Camp was the perfect blend of adventure, friendship, and personal development.

NAPLAN

The students gave it their all in completing the NAPLAN literacy and numeracy tests, showing great dedication and commitment to their learning. This important assessment allows teachers to identify where students are at and tailor their teaching strategies to help improve outcomes throughout the year. We are proud of the effort they put in and look forward to supporting them as they continue to grow. A special thanks to Mrs. Smith for coordinating the secondary NAPLAN—your hard work is greatly appreciated!

Year 12 Half Yearly Exams:

Congratulations to all Year 12 students for reaching the halfway point of your HSC course, marked by your half-yearly exams. As you approach the exams in weeks 8 and 9 of Term 1, we want to wish you all the best. Your determination, hard work, and commitment to your studies have been truly impressive, and we are incredibly proud of the progress you’ve made. Keep pushing forward with confidence – you’ve got this! We are here to support you every step of the way. Huge shout out to Mrs Kumar for her organising the exam room and HOD's/teachers for preparing the students so well.

Excursions/Sport

As we come to the end of term 1, we also acknowledge all the learning that has taken place outside the classroom with organised and intentional excursions for English, CAFS/Food tech, Industrial tech and so many more to come.

Students have represented MAC through Zone Touch football and Swimming. We are anticipating another great Athletics carnival in week 9 for our students to showcase their team spirit and skills.

Our students have an amazing opportunity to learn, grow and develop their interests at MAC.

To mark 30 fun-filled days of school, we had an exciting Teddy Bears' Picnic! Our day was packed with delightful activities that made learning so much fun. We kicked things off by reading stories about teddy bears, followed by decorating biscuits with our favourite bear-themed designs. The adventure continued with teddy bear relay races, and we all tried our best to pin the bow tie on the bear! The search for numbers 1-10 was a hit, and we worked together to sort words starting with 'm,' 's,' and 't.' The highlight of the day was meeting a bear who came to join the picnic! After all the fun activities, we enjoyed a lovely picnic together with our teddy bears, sharing snacks and celebrating our learning journey. It was a day full of laughter, learning, and, of course, plenty of teddy bear fun!

Our Stage 2 students showcased incredible skill, teamwork, and determination at this year’s Adventist combine Gala Day, proving to be unbeatable! Despite the rainy weather, both the girls’ and boys’ teams played their hearts out, winning every game and taking home the competition title.

A huge thank you to our dedicated coaches, Mr. Goldrinch and Miss Bocchino, who led the teams with passion and prepared them for success on the day. Their hard work and guidance truly paid off!

A special congratulations to our MVPs, Lara for the girls’ team and Kaison for the boys’ team, who demonstrated outstanding effort and sportsmanship throughout the day.

Finally, a big thank you to all the families and parents who braved the weather to cheer on our teams. Your support made this event a fantastic success!

On Wednesday, the 26th of March, our students participated in the John Skandalis Rugby League 7-A-Side Gala Day at Seddon Park. Led by Mr Cheer and Mrs Maua, our teams displayed fantastic skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the day.

Our boys' tackle team had an impressive performance, winning three games and drawing one, showing great determination and resilience. While our tag team didn’t get the results they were hoping for, they gave their best effort, demonstrated excellent sportsmanship, and had a great time competing. A huge thank you to the parents who came to support their children, your encouragement was greatly appreciated! Mr Cheer and Mrs Maua were incredibly proud of how our students represented the school, reflecting our values of resilience, attitude, responsibility, and respect in every game. Congratulations to all our players on a great day!

From the moment we set foot on Milson Island, the excitement was palpable. Over the course of three incredible days, 122 students and 10 dedicated staff members embarked on a journey of adventure, experience, and perseverance. This camp was more than just a getaway—it was an opportunity for students to challenge themselves, build resilience, and form lasting memories with their peers.

With a jam-packed itinerary, students took part in an array of thrilling activities, including BMX bike riding, kayaking, archery tag, obstacle course, swimming, evening activities, spiritual connection, bush walking, paddle polo, raft building, fishing, orienteering, and the Amazing Race. Each activity pushed students to step out of their comfort zones, work as a team, and demonstrate a positive attitude, no matter the challenge. Whether it was navigating through the bush with a map, exploring rugged trails and caves, or strategising to build the most buoyant raft, our students displayed incredible determination and enthusiasm.

A special mention must go to the outstanding Milson Island staff, whose knowledge, patience, and encouragement made every activity both enjoyable and educational. Their expertise ensured that students were not only safe but also fully engaged in each experience.

We are immensely proud of all our students for their excellent behaviour, effort, and participation throughout the camp. They embraced every challenge with open minds and positive spirits, making this experience one to remember.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our amazing staff members—Mr. Benson, Mr. Zbik, Miss McEwan, Miss Hick, Mr. Hao, Mr. Henderson, Miss Iva, Chrissie, and Max—who took time away from their own families to ensure our students had the best possible camp experience. Your dedication and support made this camp truly special.

We look forward to more adventures in the future!

Mrs Jennie Ranson

Secondary Wellbeing Coordinator.

Every year, more and more emphasis is placed on achieving good results in exams causing many students to feel extraordinary pressure and having unrealistic expectations. This month on SchoolTV, parents will find advice on how to help students cope with the pressure and how students can work smarter to achieve the results they desire.

Exams are like a game. Once you know how to play the game, your chances of achieving great results rapidly increase. Parents can learn how to assist their kids to maintain perspective and keep their sanity intact during exam time.

Diet, exercise and sleep all play an important part in helping a student balance a busy schedule and study smarter. Keeping stress levels to a minimum and reducing anxiety can be easily achieved through careful planning and having a supportive environment.

Read More: Exam Jitters Article

Our Year 10 Secondary students are scheduled to receive their Meningococcal vaccinations during Week 9. This important health initiative will take place on Tuesday morning, April 1st, starting at 8:30 AM in the library. The vaccination clinic will be open during Period 1 to ensure all students have the opportunity to get vaccinated.

To keep parents informed, the school will send out a text message to Year 10 parents in Week 8. This reminder will help ensure that everyone is aware of the upcoming vaccination clinic and can make any necessary preparations.

We encourage all Year 10 students to participate in this vaccination program to protect their health and well-being. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the school administration.

For more information, please visit the NSW Health website

At MacArthur Adventist College, we are deeply committed to the well-being and safety of all children and young people under our care. We aim to provide an environment that supports their education and personal growth, helping them lead meaningful, joy-filled lives, build strong friendships with God, and develop the character traits of kindness, service, and integrity.

As part of our commitment, we want to reaffirm that the safety, welfare, and well-being of every child at our college is of the utmost importance. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that MacArthur Adventist College remains a safe and nurturing environment, free from harm and abuse.

We hold a zero tolerance for child abuse and view our child protection responsibilities as one of the highest priorities. The college is fully committed to complying with all relevant child protection laws and regulations, ensuring both physical and online spaces remain safe for all students.

We appreciate the trust you place in us and work alongside families to support our children and young people in their journey of growth, with a strong foundation of Bible-based values and selfless service to their communities.

Together, we can create an environment where all students are protected and empowered to thrive.

Thank you for your continued support in making MacArthur Adventist College a safe and loving place for every child.