The annual Fraser Coast Equestrian competition was held on the 26th and 27th of August. Over 120 riders from schools throughout the Wide Bay district travelled to the Maryborough Showgrounds to compete in a wide range of riding disciplines. Both rider and mount have to be well trained and highly skilled to perform across such a varied range of tasks set in this two day competition. As always the level of competition was very high and all events were well supported and strongly contested. Rain, wind and bitterly cold conditions greeted the riders on Thursday, adding to the difficulty level of the Showjumping, Dressage and Campdrafting events.  To gain a place in any event is an achievement appreciated by all students.

Shalom College's Equestrian team turned out this year in their new uniforms with matching bridle browbands on their horses and looked very professional. Year 12 team captain Amanda Gatt led our riders in the Grand Parade on Friday, Shalom narrowly missing out on the team parade presentation prize to Munduberra State High School.
Shalom students returned to Bundaberg with an impressive number of ribbons. Sally Moorhead placed very well and also won her Novice Dressage event which was a remarkable effort considering the calibre of horse and rider combinations she competed against.

Shania Kleidon, Alix Coonan and Amanda Gatt achieved very good results throughout their events with many colours of ribbons adorning their horses' necks after presentations. Hayley Bowman and Tasmin Anderson also competed strongly. We also welcomed year 8 student Blake Santalucia into the team this year but unfortunately Blake could not compete at Maryborough due to an injury sustained by his horse during training for the event. We will look forward to Blake competing in the Shalom colours next year.

A big thank you to the parents of all Equestrian students who keenly support their child's passion. Many people would not realise the logistics and costs behind owning a horse and competing as a chosen sport. Travelling with a horse float, camping in icy conditions, feeding, grooming, constantly preparing and cleaning equipment all go into a standard weekend of work for families during a competition. These parents would realise that students working closely with a living animal derive an enormous sense of satisfaction from that rider/horse relationship and they have to be very organised to be able to work together and compete effectively.

Well done to all of our competitors who were perfect Equine ambassadors for our College.

Mr Noel Philips
Equestrian

Shalom's equestrian team - Sally Moorhead, Tasmin Andrews, Shania Kleidon, Alix Coonan, Hayley Bowman and Amanda Gatt

This week’s Quiet Achiever is Year 10 English student, Sarah Hurren. All Year 10 English students have a Resource Centre reading period once per cycle. Sarah surprised her English teacher by actually requesting a second page for the folder where she records the details of the books she has read as the first one was full, half way through the year. This is a worthy achievement as many students struggle to complete the first couple of entries. In fact, this particular teacher has never had a similar request since the reading program was introduced.

Congratulations, Sarah, on your conscientious efforts. Your devotion to reading will be reflected in your overall application to, and success with, all English tasks.

The Gladstone Port Corporation (responsible for the Bundaberg Port) has generously offered to sponsor a $1000 Bursary that will be presented at this year’s Academic Awards night. The award will be given to a senior student who is aiming at tertiary education. Further details about the criteria will be announced at a later date.

The Spring 2010 edition of Australian Catholics is being sent home with your child in the coming weeks. The edition explores the impact of new technologies on how we connect with each other, and how we can use these technologies to make a difference in the world. The article on Mia Northrop and the Vindaloo Against Violence campaign shows how today, one person's actions can have a global impact.

 This listing may help students who are seeking employment opportunities: