What’s happening on the new block?
Many of you may have noticed all the activity which began on the new block on Friday 12 September. Clearing is now full speed ahead for the first stage of construction. As promised, the first thing to be built will be a new car park that will hold almost 100 cars. This will also include a set down area to relieve the congestion on the Kiss and Go. Following the completion of the car park, work will begin on three Primary classrooms.
During the clearing process an arborist is on site determining exclusion zones which are clumps of trees listed in the environmental management plan. There is also a wildlife spotter who will ensure no harm comes to animals inhabiting the area.
The new land is now a work area and due to safety regulations, access is restricted to the workers and site manager.
Volunteers’ lunch
This year the Volunteers’ Lunch was held in the church hall. The Hospitality students, led by the talented Julie Peters, did a wonderful job giving the space ambience and decorating the tables with style. Thanks also to Lana Balazs for volunteering her time.
Gourmet antipasto platters and gifts of chocolate truffles with a lantern pen awaited the volunteers as they were greeted and seated by the Hospitality students.
Alternate drops of slow roasted beef cheeks and Asian pork stir fry were followed by cream caramel with caramelised pear and chocolate Bavarian cheesecake.
After the meal was over I overhead quite a few of the volunteers talking about the exercise they were planning as a follow up to such a deliciously decadent lunch.
The lunch doubled up as a culinary assessment task for the Hospitality students so Julie Peters had to remain in the kitchen to mark the students’ cooking and preparation skills. The remaining Hospitality students took care of ‘front of house’ on their own and did a brilliant job. They handled the usual hiccups that came their way with aplomb and discretion and gave superb service with a smile.
Primary Disco
I don’t know if any of you remember the old Mortein ad, “when you are on a good thing, stick to it” but the same could be said for our Primary discos.
These events have become a real highlight for our Primary students. This time the theme was, “Let’s Celebrate Spring” and the students dressed up as something or someone beginning with the letter ‘S’ to get into the swing of things.
Students bopped the night away and enjoyed a surprise visit by puppets Penny Pesgettie and Dagwood Dog.
Thanks to Lynelle Sim and the P and F members who put so much hard work into raising funds for our College and making fun for our students.
NAPLAN results
NAPLAN results are in and you can now access your child’s scores through your family portal. Just log into your family portal, then click on Student Documents and then Shared Documents. Please note that even though this section is called ‘Shared Documents’ it just means that the document is shared between the College and yourself. No other families have access to your student’s information.
Sad news
Many of you (especially Secondary families) may remember Dr Robert Flegg who used to teach at our school. Sadly, Robert’s only son passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last week and he leaves a young family behind. Please keep Robert, his wife and his son’s family in your prayers this week.
Are you moving?
If you are planning to leave the College please remember that we require 90 days’ notice as per your enrolment contract. If notice is not given, you will be charged one term’s fees in lieu of that notice. To keep our fees low and the running of the school efficient, we must be able to forecast student numbers to finalise staffing plans, timetabling and budgeting. Thank you for your assistance with this.
What are we passing on to our children?
Have you ever thought about what you are passing on to your children? I’m not talking about who inherits Great Granny’s china cabinet but what values we are passing on to our children now.
Living in Australia, it’s easy to think our focus should be to pass on good Aussie values of working hard, being fair dinkum and doing the right thing by your mates. These are good values but should they be our top priority?
The wisest father who ever lived had a completely different top priority. In Proverbs 4 King Solomon wrote “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding” in verse 1, and then in verse 5, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.”
The best value we can pass onto our children is wisdom. Wisdom will show them how to do the right thing by their mates. Wisdom will show them what it means to be fair dinkum. Wisdom will guide our children and keep them safe. Proverbs 4:11-13 says; “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold onto instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.”
How do we get wisdom so we can pass it onto our children? Once again the answer is found in Proverbs (9:10). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Wisdom begins with God. If we want to be wise and grow wise children, we need to know God.
Your children will often come home from school with something they have learned about God. Take the time to talk to them about it; look up Bible verses together; learn and grow in true wisdom together.
Mike Curtis, Principal