School Newsletter, 2016 No. 12

Term 2 Week 1 29th April 2016 Issue No. 12

From the Principal Welcome Back

students and families showed significant commitment to the memory of those who served our country during the Gallipoli battle and in many other places before and since.

It is always a delight to return for a new term to the buzz of holiday stories, students catching up with their friends and the excitement of new opportunities in the weeks ahead. This is a busy term with great opportunities including camps, carnivals, information evenings, events such as Grandparents Day, the Auslan parents’ course, iPad launch for Year 7…. Please keep an eye on the dates and information in the newsletter and on our Facebook page. Mark these events on your calendar so you don’t miss these opportunities and gatherings.

It was an encouragement to join with over 100 students, staff, board members and parents from the school community at the Dawn Service in East Maitland. It was also delightful to share a community breakfast at school after the service and have time to chat, fellowship and further reflect. Thank you to the generosity of the members of the Metford Community Baptist Church for their service to us by cooking this lovely breakfast.

Mr Shafer was the guest speaker at the service and shared powerful stories and images of the impact that his trip to Gallipoli had last year. We reflected on the sacrifice

Remembering those who served Our term started this week with the ANZAC commemorations on Monday. Again, our Page 1

of life with Jesus in the next. I trust that as we come to the end of a week where we’ve remembered those lost in war, for families hurting from the recent loss of a loved one or for those experiencing a difficult journey at present, that the hope of Jesus in these words will be an encouragement to you as well:

and cost of war, and the selfless service to our country and ongoing freedom that these young men provided.

Our Eternal Hope During each ANZAC service we are also reminded of the gift of peace, and the hope and longing we all have for the eternal peace that comes through our Lord Jesus. It is in times of suffering, loss and difficulty that we find the deep need to cling to the promises of God. Commemoration of the tragedy of war always reminds us of this.

Then Aslan turned to them and said: “You do not yet look so happy as I mean you to be.”

Lucy said, “We’re so afraid of being sent away, Aslan. And you have sent us back into our own world so often.”

“No fear of that,” said Aslan. “Have you not guessed?”

Their hearts leaped and a wild hope rose within them.

“There was a real railway accident,” said Aslan softly. “Your father and mother and all of you are—as you used to call it in the Shadow-Lands—dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.”

And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after.

But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.

Yet the reality of difficulties in life, loss of loved ones and the pain of suffering are not just limited to war. These are challenges we face each day in our fallen and broken world. As a staff and board, we are praying for a number of families in the school who are walking through difficult circumstances at present. For them, that deep longing for healing, rest, peace and the hope of Jesus is a real and present daily struggle.

During the holidays our family attended a funeral where we farewelled a relative (Suzanne) who had lost her battle with cancer in her very early fifties. As we gathered there were tears of sadness, the warm memories of beautiful moments and the stark emptiness and sadness of loss as well. Yet there was above all else a hope that we hadn’t said our final goodbyes, as those who love Jesus graduate to receive their heavenly prize and to the reality of eternal life with Him. As we came to the end of the funeral service, Suzanne wanted to leave those in attendance with the eternal hope she lived and now enjoys. We ended our time with the last few paragraphs of “The Last Battle”, which is the final book in CS Lewis’ Narnia series.

Lewis beautifully captures the essence of the shortness of this life and the anticipation

Blessings Geoff Peet Page 2

Anzac Day Commemoration In the darkness on Monday morning, our school community ventured out to the East Maitland ANZAC Day March and Dawn Service. Our students showed great respect and honour for those who have served our country and paid the ultimate price.

Later we gratefully enjoyed a breakfast cooked by members of the Metford Community Baptist Church.

Parent Information Mornings

Elevate Education Parent Seminar

Maitland Christian School is on an exciting journey of improving student learning by using the evidence-based teaching practice of explicit instruction. This is a highly effective teaching strategy that ensures every student participates, engages and masters the content in each lesson.

Our Year 11 and 12 students were impressed with the training in effective study skills

by Elevate Education last term. Elevate returned this week to help Years 7-10. On each occasion the students enthusiastically embraced the skills they learnt and thought that they would be a big help in their studies.

To find out more and see Explicit Instruction at work in the classrooms, join us on one of our information mornings on May 18th or June 22nd from 8:45 – 10:45 am. Only a limited number can attend each session, so to reserve your place call 4933 7633.

Elevate Education 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”. Come along to hear how proven study techniques can be easily implemented into your child’s revision.

2016 Term Dates

Primary Assemblies

To start the term in remembrance, the Primary had an ANZAC service on Tuesday morning.

Term 2

Date

Class

Week 3

13th May

4P

Term 3: Mon 25/07/16 - Fri 23/09/16

Week 5

27th May

6H

Week 7

10th June

3/4L

Term 4: Tue 10/10/16 - Fri 9/12/16

Week 9

24th June

Music Assembly

Term 1: Wed 27/01/16 - Fri 08/04/16 Term 2: Tue 26/04/16 - Fri 01/07/16

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Boy’s Shirts shirts have been delighted to find that they are good quality, Australian made products.

However, they are a bit smaller than the previous shirts. So please check the size.

At the beginning of the year, there was a mistake with the new primary and high school boys’ shirts that were available at Lowes. Replacements were arranged but these were also incorrect. We have been in negotiation with Lowes and they have now obtained the correct shirts in stock for our boys.

As the shirts that were purchased from Lowes earlier in the year are not the new school uniform, parents are asked to swap them over by next Friday, 6th May.

If any parents purchased boys’ shirts earlier this year, please take them back to Lowes and they will be replaced with the correct shirts. Parents who have exchanged their

We thank our parents for the patience which has been demonstrated regarding these shirts. It is greatly appreciated.

Secondary Athletics Carnival The participation of our students was outstanding at the Secondary Athletics Carnival which was held on 7th April.

Watts won the carnival with a total of 1229 points, followed by Crosby on 1143, Newton with 807 and Wesley on 718.

Thank you to all the parents who attended on the day to cheer on the students!

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High School Special Assembly

“Decorate Your Gate“ Winners Hooray!! Last year’s 4P class entered the “Decorate Your Gate” competition and have won. Members of the Newcastle Jets will be coming to our school on Monday, 9th May for a private soccer skills training clinic for them.

At the Special Assembly on the last day of Term 1, Year 7 treated us to a musical performance and Robert also gave an excellent speech. In an interesting twist, a drama performance by Year 11 students taught us how to act and Mr Peet presented awards to Year 12 students who achieved a personal best in their subjects last term.

Year 5G Assembly, 8th April 5G captured our attention at a very interesting assembly at the end of last term. They performed a play about different forms of government and gave us wonderful examples of how to write sizzling starts to our creative writing.

Congratulations to the following students who received awards at the assembly Brianna, Caleb, Emily, KB Abraham, Jessica, Piper, Wayde, Zedd

Ella, Emma, Ethan H., Leah, 3/4L Daniel, Lexi, Madison, Noah

Cain, Eden, Ethan, Hope, Keira, KG Alvin, Patrick, Ruby

Jack, Joel, Katie, Kayla, Reece, 4P Bernice, Samuel P., Sonya, Thomas

Abbey, Amy, Cameron, Grace, Madden, Mason, Noah, Oliver, Sarah, Zara

Bayley, Cassandra, Chenay, Daniel, Eva, 5G Ezekiel, Jai, Lily, Ryan, Samuel, Sean, Taite

1T

Cael, Faith, Paige, Rosalind, 1/2C Audrey, Ruben, Ryan, Seth Cohen, Emelia, Hope, Jesper, Jessica, 2H Lucah, Lucas, Lynette, Noah, Taylor, William Ellie, Flynn, Genevieve, Jessica, Lily B., 3O Luke, Matilda, Nathan, Oliver, Ryan, Tamika, Thomas

Ethan, Isabella, Jimmy, 5S Denzel, Michael, Milly, Ruby, Samara Corey, Emily, Hannah, Heidi, 6H Charlotte, Isaac, Maddilynne, Tianna Ella F., Ella R., Hunter, Jayden, 6S Ashleigh, Laura, Riley M., Ryan, Sophie

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What’s Happening at Metford Community Baptist Church?

Youth Group Where’s Waldo Night Friday, 5th May, 6:00pm - 8:00pm Bus available to transport youth home.

Social time, snacks, Waldo inspired games, devotions and loads of fun!

Past Andrew Sumpton: 0412 071 231 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

W hat ’s

Monday

Tuesday

o n th e

Before School

Lunch

Recess

After School

Supervision from 8:00am Period 1 starts 8:30am

11:03am - 11:43am

1:40pm - 2:00pm

2:51pm After 3:15pm, collect children from school office

Primary Art/Mural Club in C1 Years 3-6 Chess Club in the Hope Hub SALT in E8 Secondary Vocal Group in M2

Secondary TOPS Meeting in M1

MiniSALT in M2 Years 3-6 Computer Coding Club in E3 K-2 Choir in B2

GIFT in E15

Primary Choir in M2

Wednesday Secondary Visual Arts Club in E2

Thursday

Years 5/6 Drama Club in D5 Secondary Tops Rehearsal in M1 Mission Knitting and Quilting Group in E5

Friday

S ch e du le

Secondary Boys Bible Study in E8

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.

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