Dear College families,

Well, we made it! It's the final week of Term 3 and a period of time where we can experience different routines is before us. Congratulations! You have all done so well.

If you had told me at the beginning of the previous school holidays that we would be in remote learning mode for the whole of Term 3 I would not have believed that it could be possible. Quite frankly though, I'm glad I didn't know back then. Had I known then, I think I would have been overwhelmed by panic and stress. And, whilst the constant changes to restrictions has at times been a major source of frustration, as I reflect on Term 3, I am noticing that the gradual approach to releasing information about when schools may return has nudged me to be daily dependent on Jesus, a factor which has been super helpful in moving me through this term.

In the stripping away of all my pre-Covid routines which I thought I controlled, I have realised afresh that I am completely dependent on God. The truth is though, whether we are in lockdown or not, we are always fully dependent on God. We can craft plans, we can invent routines, we can imagine a roadmap back to school but only God, our loving maker can set them in motion. Proverbs puts it this way "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails" (Proverbs 19:21). And although that it may seem a scary proposition that we are never really in control why would we not want to trust the God who says this to us - "For I am the LORD your God, who take hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear, I will help you". Isaiah 41:13. How awesome is it to have a powerful God who wants to lead us and help us?

I trust that this holiday period brings you rest, peace, relief and refreshment. This is an awesome community and I am so thankful to God for each of you.

Felicity Marlow
Principal

One of my favourite activities is sport and I get social, physical and mental benefit from sport. There was a time where I required knee surgery and couldn’t play sport and I missed what that provided me. After a knee reconstruction I am able to participate again and now I thank God (literally) each time I head out from my home for a jog or when I step onto the Touch Football field. As I jog I regularly “gratitoodle”…I just allow my mind to wander through things for which I am thankful such as: my body allows me to do things, the sunrise is beautiful, I’m safe jogging the streets, my family are healthy and able and generally doing well, there are lots of choices available to me each day, Australia is beautiful, etc. I don’t mind if you call it meditation or prayer, but I know it’s good for me, because it is humbling to remember that all of the good I have comes from God and there is lots of good.

If doodling is just allowing myself to draw and seeing what the result is at the end, can “gratitoodling” be a random thought bubble of things for which I am thankful?

A quick internet search will bring up many responses for the ‘benefits of gratitude’ that are science and research based and you can choose links that range from 6 to 31 benefits which can be categorised into emotional, social, personality, career and health factors. The positive benefits of gratitude include – increased happiness, better sleep, less fatigue, less depression, increased confidence, fewer aches and pains, reduced aggression, opportunities for more relationships, improved resilience, the list goes on…

If you’d like to develop this attitude in your children or if counting your blessings isn’t practical enough here are some habits you may wish to develop:

·      Writing thank you letters

·      Keeping a gratitude journal

·      Prayers – only of thankfulness

For years I misunderstood the expression “this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it” and wondering if it was a Sunday/church thing rather than understanding that the original writer of the song (it’s from Psalm 118) is writing about all of God’s faithfulness in being present all of the time and helping us to thrive. In fact, it’s a reflection on how God was with people when they felt distressed, afraid, let down by people and leaders and about to lose their freedom – probably feelings we are all dealing with in some form.

God has always been and always will be faithful and if we take some time to do some “gratitoodling” then we’ll get lots of benefits but also a shifted perception that puts God in His place and us and our concerns in our place.

Colin Wood
Deputy Principal

Requests for Consideration for Primary Class Placements for 2022

Staff are beginning the process of creating classes for 2022. This is a process that is complex, where staff consider the academic and behavioural mix of students in each class, gender balance and friendships issues. There is much prayer and reflection in the organisation and creation of classes. 

You are invited to communicate with the College about class requests for your Year 1 to Year 6 child. All classes in 2022 will be grade classes. 

Your requests will be taken into consideration but cannot be guaranteed. Please let us know if:

• there are social concerns with your child and another and you would like some consideration about who your child is placed with in class.

• there are other concerns that we are not already aware of, that should be considered when forming classes. 

Requests for specific teachers are not required. We are blessed with amazing staff at the College, who are professional and lead beautiful learning environments in their class.

This information is due at the College no later than Friday 8 October, the first Friday of Week 1, Term 4. Submit your request here. 

Beginning on Monday, 6 September, the two pedestrian gates on McCulloch Street will remain closed in the afternoon. The carpark gate will remain open for cars. 

The two pedestrian gates on Regent Street will be open in the afternoon for students who walk home or are collected by parents at the gate. 

Primary and Secondary students are to be picked up through Kiss and Go or your child can walk to the pedestrian gate to be collected. If you need to be on-site to pick up a child in ELC or OSHC, please ensure that you wear a mask and use the QR code to check-in. A copy of this code will be placed on the pedestrian gates to assist families. 

Thank you for your support.

Click here to read important information regarding the Early Learning Centre.

Click here to read important information regarding the Primary Years.

Click here to read important information regarding the Secondary Years.

Click here to read the Early Learning Centre Communication Notes.

Click here to read the Primary Communication Notes.