From the College Chaplain

AS I WRITE THIS ARTICLE, I AM JUST OVER TWO TERMS INTO MY TIME AT THE COLLEGE AND AM VERY GLAD TO BE HERE. THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY HAS GIVEN ME A GREAT WELCOME AND I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED GETTING TO KNOW PEOPLE. REVEREND HELEN GAVE ME ALL SORTS OF USEFUL INFORMATION BEFORE SHE LEFT AND, WITH LOTS OF SUPPORT FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENT WELLBEING AND MANY OTHERS, IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO LAUNCH INTO THE ROLE.

It is a joy to see all Years 3–12 in Chapel every week. In Term 2’s Chapel services we explored the theme “Ingredients for a Happy Life” and thought through what kinds of things we can build into our lives to create greater wellbeing (and what the Christian faith might have to offer in this). We also learned a little more about what some of our students in the Junior School liked to cook and what culinary talents our Senior School teachers possessed, which was fun! When the ECC had their first chapel for the year, we heard all about the story of Zacchaeus, including some insights on video by the Year 2 Religion and Philosophy classes. Term 3’s Chapel theme saw us celebrating diversity in many different ways. We celebrated leaders, languages, work, friends, abilities and more. It was great to note and celebrate the wonderful gifts we all bring to the world as unique individuals, all made in God’s image. Some of the Junior School classes made some amazing short videos to share or helped us connect with the theme in other ways. In the ECC Chapel we celebrated God’s Wonderful World. We heard how much God loves the world and found out about the special job we have been given to take care of it. In Term 4 we are looking at some of the different words we often use at Christmas time, such as “Joy, Hope, Peace and Love”, and we are investigating what they mean when it comes to God and Jesus. The celebration of All Saints’ Day was a highlight for all year groups, and it was also a great blessing to be part of farewelling our Year 12s in the Valedictory Service on 21 October 2021. Apart from Chapel, there are many other parts of the role which I have enjoyed, such as going into classrooms, working with captains and House councillors, visiting Outdoor Learning Programs, spending time supporting students and staff, dropping into Service Learning projects, running a cocurricular, being part of assemblies and, of course, the very special Reconciliation Action Plan launch. I have been inspired and encouraged by students and staff at the College, and am looking forward to us all continuing to grow in our College values (Empathy, Respect, Integrity, Courage), faith, hope and love together. Reverend Liz Flanigan College Chaplain

JUNIOR SCHOOL

2021