ANNUAL HOUSE SERVICES
Let go of the comfortable life to do the right thing was my theme for the Annual House Services. Each of the twelve Houses has an Annual House Service which aims to remember and honour the Patron of the House; to acknowledge the Seniors of that House; and to celebrate all aspects of House life. These services are a Holy Communion service as many family members as possible also attend these wonderful occasions. In 2018 the focus was the on the story of Moses and his epiphany at the burning bush. Moses was living a life which was very comfortable but God calls him to go back to Egypt to speak for the Hebrew people and to lead them out of slavery into freedom. The point was made that each boy will have moments in life when we have to “give up” the present comfortable life to assist others who are not in a good place.
THE FOUNDATION PREFECTS’ SERVICE
At TSS we pride ourselves on the fact that the School Captain and Prefects are not only commissioned at a whole School assembly but they are also instituted during one of the first Chapel services in the year. During this service, the School Captain is installed in his own stall at the back of the chapel. New Prefects are also appointed and installed at the beginning of Terms Two and Three. During these services, the Headmaster addresses the boys and speaks about servant leadership as taught by Jesus.
major competitions. The boys have a service often with a palm cross given to them, reminding them of the School motto to the effect that he who wants to hold the palm of victory must merit it. I am also asked each year to do the blessing of the rowing and sailing fleets. The swimming and gymnastics teams have their own services each year just before the GPS competition. When possible, the Headmaster leads the boys in a simple set of prayers and invites a number of them to offer a sentence prayer. CONNECTING BEYOND TSS
I'm encouraged to participate in Anglican Schools Chaplaincy meetings that occur once a term and also attended the National Anglican Schools Conferences in Sydney. I regularly attend St James Biggera Waters in the parish of Gold Coast North and occasionally preach and celebrate. I also attend the Gold Coast Deanery meetings and special occasions when possible. BARONESS COX, THE UNEXPECTED “ANNUAL” CHAPLAIN’S VISITOR FOR 2018
CHAPEL FOR SPORTS TEAMS
As sport is a major part of TSS, it is not uncommon to have a service in the chapel prior to the home games and
In a normal year I would organise an annual visitor to be a guest speaker at a dinner and also speak to the boys in the chapel. This year I had not organised anyone and was about to give it a miss in 2018 when opportunity knocked. Dr Panter, the father of an Old Boy who had visited TSS in previous years, HOUSE SACRISTANS SEATED ROW:
M. MURRAY, X. DOERR, T. GIBSON, FR. J. WHEREAT, L. MCILWRAITH (HEAD SACRISTAN), D. BURTON, M. JIANG
SECOND ROW: T. EDMUNDS, T. CORBETT, J. VENABLES, L. SAMPSON, S. MCCARTHY, C. TRAN
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SOUTHPORTONIAN
