School Newsletter, 2016 No.11

Term 1 Week 11 8th April 2016 Issue No. 11

From the Principal With the ending of the Active After Schools program last year, funding to bring specialist instruction into school sports has provided us with new opportunities for engagement and skill development.

As we come to the end of term, it is good to be able to give thanks to God for His care across the first term of 2016. I’m encouraged to see many of our students working hard and developing their skills and understanding. It is also a privilege to partner with diligent teachers and committed parents in the journey of Christian education. We are blessed to be cared for and encouraged by a church with a passion for Christ being at the centre of all that we do. After eleven busy weeks, it’s time for a rest from the routine of school.

Last week events

Over this term Rachel and Michael from Dance Fever Multisport worked with our students each week and provided engaging and professional instruction in the area of dance. It was a pleasure to see how much the students from across Primary had learnt this term and the enjoyment this unit brought. There was also some great dance involvement by parents and teachers in the display on Tuesday!

Two of the highlights of this week at school were the end of term dance display by our Primary classes and also the Secondary Athletics Carnival.

The Secondary Athletics Carnival on Thursday was also filled with strong levels of student participation, high standards of competition and great team spirit.

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God has blessed us with healthy bodies and using them to the best of our ability is part of glorifying Him. While the carnival is an opportunity to compete and qualify for Zone level, I was most impressed at the spirit of collaboration rather than competition and how students celebrated each other’s successes. Thank you to the many parents who came along to encourage and to the staff who worked hard to bring this day together.

together as a family. God gives us seasons of rest and we need to give thanks for the opportunity to do so. In the rush, rush of our 24/7 hyper-connected world, we can be on the go all the time.

Dates to remember

Given the hard work done by so many in our school community, may the holidays include some well earned times to rest, be still and to enjoy God’s goodness in your life.

Yet our all-powerful God, whose might and energy knows no end, rested on the 7th day of creation and blessed it, making it holy.

He commanded His people to similarly take a Sabbath. Do we continue to honour God and His word in this way?

The School Governance Information Evening is taking place at 7:00pm on Wednesday, 20 th April, which is in the second week of the holidays. Please contact the Church Office on 4934 5350 or admin@metfordbaptist.org if you would like to attend.

We look forward to everyone returning ready for Term 2 on Tuesday, 26th April.

Blessings Geoff Peet

Don’t forget to join us for the ANZAC Dawn Service at East Maitland on Monday, 25th April, the day before we return for Term 2.

We will gather at the East Maitland RSL Hall on the New England Highway at 5:00am to join the 5:20am march and attend the Dawn Service at 5:30am. We’d love you to join us for a free breakfast at school afterwards.

On the Cover Throughout this term, Year 6 have been studying rainforests, including what they are, their importance and how we can look after them.

They went on a rainforest excursion to Glenrock Lagoon State Conservation Area in Newcastle last Thursday. After a guided tour, morning tea at a creek and a break at the lookout, they headed down to the beach. They got into the holiday spirit early, as they played on the sand dunes.

God blessed them with beautiful weather and a fun time was had by all.

The date for Grandparents Day has also been set for Friday, 1st July. Make sure your grandparents have this date marked on the calendar!

Staying Strong in God’s Power.

I pray that as school takes a break for the next two weeks, you will have times of refreshment and extra time to be

Find more photos on page 4.

Grandparents’ Day, Friday, 1st July

Save the Date: Page 2

Term 1 Secondary Writing Competition Winners Under the Canopy

above the clouds in groups and hatched from eggs. My Grandsir told me all about them. He said they were once numerous and many, but they all died because humans polluted the skies and they were all poisoned. The birds are now a myth. But Grandsir remembers the birds.

by Megan, Year 8

I watch a lizard dart under a rock, As I walk through the forest Smelling the sweet humid air Feeling as if I’ll never be truly dry again.

The moss as soft as carpet Is my floor throughout the forest The flowers and bushes Act as my hallway.

Above

by Aiden, Year 10 I am above. Above it all, floating, light as a feather. The trees, greener than the grass of heaven, swaying ever so gently in the breeze. The birds take flight, like graceful leaves floating in the wind. I glance around and notice the clouds. Fluffy and white, an image of immaculate imagination. Up here above the trees I look down and see the animals, smaller than ants, grazing happily, not aware of their surroundings. I fly, higher, higher, higher. I see planets, spinning like tops, millions of colours, shapes and sizes.

The stars, so bright, meld into one as I fly higher. And finally, I look down, and see nothing. I am above. Above it all.

I look above me as the birds of the forest Talk to each other as they fly over my head, Then descend as they see the clear blue lake.

I smile as they sing the most beautiful song.

I look around some more, See bright red flowers; Pointing to the sky, Thick green vines; Twirling around the trees, The trees that look as if they’ll touch the sky.

The sun leaving the sky, Tells me that I’ll soon have to go.

And all the birds and the bugs, Sing me farewell.

I Remember the Birds

Above

by Elizabeth, Year 11 Above her, the branches of the trees under which she slept stretched out and across.

by Robert, Year 7

Up above the branches, through the leaves, she could see the dark blue sky.

The pencil glided across the paper, aided by tiny hands. The lines seemed to assemble themselves across the paper, a beak, wings, feathers. I ran down the stairs to show my mother my drawing.

In this sky there sat a moon, half gone but soon it would return.

Above the moon were a thousand stars.

Each star twinkling in its place.

“Mother!” I cried, “Look at my picture!” She lovingly took it from my hands and sighed.

Down below there is a girl. In her head swirl a thousand thoughts. She tries to count the stars and realises the enormity of her task for one so small. But even seeming small cannot remove the smile from her face as she marvels at the wonders that are above.

“Darling” she sighed, “you know there never really were such things as birds!”

The birds were little men with feathers, wings, webbed toes and feet. They flew Page 3

Dance Showcase On Tuesday, the primary students performed the dances that they have been learning all term from the instructors from Dance Fever Multisport. They have been learning the elements of dance as part of the NSW Personal Development, Health and PE syllabus. The parents who came along to watch were thrilled by their skill.

Rainforest Excursion Last Thursday, Year 6 visited Glenrock Conservation area near Merewether, where they went on a guided walk through the forest. Their guide pointed out various features of the rainforest and regaled them with interesting facts and Aboriginal stories.

They also enjoyed some time at the lookout and the beach.

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Primary Assemblies

2016 Term Dates

Term 2

Date

Class

Week 3

13th May

4P

Week 5

27 May

6H

Week 7

10th June

3/4L

Week 9

24th June

Music Assembly

th

Term 1: Wed 27/01/16 - Fri 08/04/16 Term 2: Tue 26/04/16 - Fri 01/07/16 Term 3: Mon 25/07/16 - Fri 23/09/16 Term 4: Tue 10/10/16 - Fri 9/12/16

Important Message About Emails

Parent Seminar

During the holiday break, we will be working to migrate our email services over to a new system. During this process staff and students may find that they are unable to access their emails via any devices.

The team from Elevate Education came to the school earlier this term and were very helpful in training our Year 11 and 12 students in effective study skills. They will be returning on Thursday, 19th May and parents are invited to a seminar at 7:00pm about “Helping Your Child Succeed in Their Studies�.

Once the migration is complete, full access will be restored. The ICT Services Team would like to thank you for your patience as we continue to improve ICT at Maitland Christian School.

News From the Food Technology Kitchen Recently, it has been a productive time with many students completing assessment tasks, both in theory and practical.

Year 7 have proven to be a talented and enthusiastic group, enjoying making American hamburgers, fried rice and banana choc-chip muffins.

Years 9 and 10 were given the challenge to research how food habits have been impacted by multiculturalism. Some of their practical tasks were outstanding!

Year 11 looked at the influences on food availability in Australia. Their task involved researching technological impacts such as 3D printing and food processing. They too produced some excellent practical work to accompany their research.

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Anzac Day Dawn Service Please join us to remember and honour those who have fallen Meeting at East Maitland RSL Hall, Newcastle Road on Monday, 25th April at 5:00am to march with Maitland Christian School to the cenotaph for the Memorial Service Students, staff and families who are attending the service are invited to join us at school for a free barbecue breakfast after the service.

RSVP: For catering, please text your family name and number who are attending the breakfast to 0477 314 844.

Aulsan classes for parents are continuing in Term 2 for 9 weeks each Wednesday at 7:00pm from 27th April.

Student Concession Cards Student concessions cards are available to students 16 years of age and older.

These provide half fare concession travel on trains, local bus routes and ferries.

Students who would benefit from having a concession card are asked to contact the school office early next term.

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What’s Happening at Metford Community Baptist Church?

Return Dates for Activities

The following activities will be in recess during the school holidays and will return on the date stipulated.

Play Group Tuesdays 9:30am Returns 26th April Rhythm & Dance Wednesdays 9:30am Returns 27th April Kids Club Thursdays 3:30pm Returns 28th April Youth Group Bible Study Fridays 6:00pm Returns 29th April Sunday School Sundays 9:30am Returns 1st May Youth Group Fridays 6:00pm Returns 6th May Metford Community Baptist Church is a community of Christian believers who love Christ, each other and their community. We have services every Sunday (9:30am and 6:00pm) and would love to see you there.

Our Contact details: Pastor: John Cook 83 Chelmsford Drive Associate Pastor: Andrew Sumpton Metford NSW 2323 (Next to Maitland Christian School) Phone: 4934 5350 admin@metfordbaptist.com.au

Church Services: Every Sunday 9:30am and 6:00pm Page 7

U p co m i n g E v e nt s Mon 25/04

Pri

Sec

Anzac Day Dawn Service and Breakfast Term 2

Tue 26/04

Pri

Sec

First Day of Term 2

Wed 27/04

Pri

Sec

Auslan classes for parents recommence

Thu 28/04

Pri

Mon 2/05

Year 3/4 Camp Commences Sec

Study Skills Day, Years 7-10

Sec

School Cross Country Carnival

Sec

Year 7 iPad Launch

Wed 4/05

Pri

Year 5/6 Camp Commences

Thu 5/05

Pri

Year 3/4 excursion to The Peasant Prince

Fri 6/05

Pri

Mothers Day Stall

Mon 9/05

Tue 10/05

Pri

Sec

Scholastic Book Fair Commences

Pri

Sec

SALT/Mini-SALT Assembly

Pri

Sec

NAPLAN Testing Commences

Sec

Year 10 into Year 11 Information Evening

Sec

Year 7 Immunisation

Sec

Year 6 into Year 7 Information Evening

Mon 16/05 Tue 17/05

Pri

Wed 18/05

Pri

Thu 19/05

Literacy and Numeracy Parent Information Morning Sec

Senior Study Day

Sec

Parent Seminar, “Help Your Child Succeed in their Studies”

Year 7 iPad Launch

The information evening and distribution of iPads for Year 7 students will be held on Monday, 2nd May at 7:00pm.

A letter was sent out today with more information.

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