Term 2 Week 4 20th May 2016 Issue No. 15
From the Principal Pastor Peter
worldview across the curriculum, linkage with local churches and oversight of TOPS and devotions. We look forward to growing further in all these areas.
This week we welcomed Mr Peter Bryan to the staff as School Pastor. This is an exciting step for our school and one for which our Board, staff and Church have been praying for. As you know, our vision is to develop students spiritually, academically, physically and socially. Much work and development is going into each of these areas. We look forward to Peter’s leadership, which will further strengthen our endeavours in the spiritual domain. Please take the time to say “hello” and make Peter feel welcome in our school community.
Spiritual Climate Assessment Over the past few weeks our staff have been considering the results of the Spiritual Climate Assessment undertaken at the end of 2015. Our aim through the audit was to examine our practices in the area of faith development, to celebrate areas of strength and look at opportunities to be more effective. It has proved profitable to consider this feedback.
Some of the areas that Peter will assist in further developing are: support for staff and senior students, developing discipleship programs, the strengthening of a Christian
With the limited space available in this editorial, I won’t be elaborating here but will use the School’s Annual Report to Page 1
share some of this information. The Annual Report will be available on our website from 1st July this year and I encourage you to have a good look at it and this element in particular. Pastor Peter will play a key part in leading some of our plans in the light of this report.
next week. As well as considering best practice in the many facets of quality Christian Education, it is also a time to network with politicians and key bureaucrats, reminding them of the heart, passion, professionalism, needs and size of our movement. This year will be particularly important with a defining election not too far away. Please pray for wisdom, grace and courage as we network with the machine of government across these two days.
An Avid Atheist to a Christian? At TOPS this week, our students had the privilege of hearing from Dr John Anderson, from Creation Ministries International. John shared his journey from atheism to embracing the truth of God’s word. Our families have a number of opportunities to hear from John: tonight (Friday, 20th May) with an open meeting at 7:00pm at the Metford Community Baptist Church or at a Men’s Breakfast at the church from 7:30am on Saturday morning (21st May). John will also be speaking at Sunday morning’s service at Metford Community Baptist Church.
During the forum, we will be hearing from the education Minister/Shadow Minister or spokesperson from the Liberal Party, the Labor Party and the Australian Greens, as well as being able to ask informed questions on their various platforms to do with Education and religious freedoms. I look forward to sharing with you what we learn during this time so that you can vote in an informed manner at the upcoming election in regard to these issues.
Perhaps you’re wondering how someone could take this journey? Was he tricked or forced into this change? What made John make an 180 degree turn such as this? If you’re at all curious, please come along and explore this yourself. You’d be most welcome.
Prep Our Prep program is proving both highly effective and very popular, with classes moving to five days a week soon (adding Mondays each week). We’re thrilled that the community is embracing the worth of this program and also with the exciting growth and school readiness/engagement in our youngest students.
An Upcoming Election We’re now in election season with the unique experience of a double dissolution election taking place on 2nd July. Your Senate vote, in particular, will be as important as ever as we will be electing 12 senators from NSW this election, meaning that it will only take around 8% of the vote to elect a senator, rather than around 16%.
Blessings Geoff Peet
On the Cover Prep is the best way to start school, with a gradual introduction to the routines of school life and the school curriculum.
Each year, in May, Christian School leaders from Australia gather in Canberra for a National Policy Forum. The 2016 gathering will take place on Monday and Tuesday
There are more pictures of Prep in action on page 4 of this newsletter. Page 2
Some Heavy Engineering
2016 Student Leaders
On Wednesday, 11 May our Year 12 Engineering Studies class visited the Eraring power station. It is the largest power station in Australia and the students were taken through the areas involved with Electrical power generation.
On Monday, our 2016 student leaders were inducted at a special SALT/MiniSALT assembly. At the assembly, the students received their badges and were encouraged to lead well throughout the year.
th
Congratulations to all these students who have volunteered to serve our school this year. We are looking forward to seeing all the adventures you have for us.
They came to appreciate the complex operations involved, not just in creating power but also in the effort needed to accomplish maintenance cycles, repairs and future upgrades to heavy equipment. A highlight of the excursion was when they had a close look at the repairs to an intermediate stage turbine.
Getting a Grip on Leadership The Year 6 MiniSALT leaders, captains and vice-captains had an opportunity to learn more about leadership yesterday, when they participated in the Grip Leadership Conference at the University of Newcastle.
Grandparents Day One of the best features of the school year is enjoying the company of our students’ grandparents on Grandparents Day. Last year’s event was topped off with a thrilling game of European Walk Ball between teams of grandparents and Year 9/10 students. Invitations will be going out soon for this year’s event on Friday, 1st July.
They learnt how they can help to stop bullying and how to point out what needs to be stopped, slowed or gone forward with in the playground. In between the learning, they were entertained by the Loud Noise Boys.
If any parents are available to help on the day, your assistance would be greatly appreciated, particularly in preparing and serving morning tea for our grandparents. To offer your assistance, please contact Vivienne Hughes on 4933 7633 or email v.hughes@maitlandcs.nsw.edu.au Page 3
Learning and Growing in Prep Over the last two years, we have seen great academic and social benefits for those students who have attended Prep before commencing Kindergarten. Students who attend Prep are accustomed to the routines of school and begin learning skills in preparation for the school curriculum. This is the best transition to school that you can give your child. For the first time since we started Prep in 2014, it will soon be operating five days per week. If anyone is interested in their child attending Prep on a Monday, please contact Nicole Teasdale at n.teasdale@maitlandcs.nsw.edu.au to find out more.
Lowes Relocation During Greenhills Renovation As a result of the renovations at Greenhills, Lowes will need to relocate their Greenhills store to central Maitland for 12 months.
parents. However, the situation is totally out of their hands and a necessary part of the renovations that are taking place.
Between the week of 3rd to 8th June, they will be relocating to a store in the Maitland Mall, opposite the entrance to Kmart. During that week, some uniform supplies may be interrupted at the Greenhills store.
The new store in the Maitland Mall will only be for schoolwear. As always schoolwear can also be purchased from the Lowes website, if you wish. Lowes have assured us that there should be no problem in supplying our uniforms, apart from the week when they are moving.
Lowes have apologised for the inconvenience that this may cause our Page 4
Helpers Needed for Exams
Uniform Shop
At the end of this month, Years 7-10 will be settling into their half-yearly exams.
Metford Community Baptist Church runs a secondhand uniform shop to bless our school families and also raise money for missions.
Our learning support team is in need of helpers to assist students who need special provisions during the exams. This is a voluntary role but, as with all work around the school, you will need a Working With Children Check. To find out how to obtain a Working With Children Check, please go to the Volunteer page on our website at www.maitlandcs.nsw.edu.au
Opening Hours Tuesdays 8:30am - 9:00am Thursdays 2:30pm - 3:00pm
If you would like to help between 23rd 26th May, please contact Debbie Zlyden by email at d.zlyden@maitlandcs.nsw.edu.au or phone 4933 7633.
Singing Lessons We are pleased to announce that there is now a new singing tutor who will be offering onsite lessons at Maitland Christian School. Pipiana Davey has extensive experience as a vocalist on stage, as a worship leader and has recorded albums as well.
group lessons and charges a refreshingly affordable rate. Even if your child is already a competent singer, receiving specialist teaching is an ideal next step to refining their vocal skills and broadening their musical opportunities.
Pipiana has a passion to help students refine the technical and expressive aspects of their singing and she is ready to take bookings from students of Maitland Christian School. She offers both single and
If your child is keen to take singing lessons and you would like the convenience of their lesson being held at school, then feel free to contact Pipiana on 0402 669 244 or via email on pipianamusic@gmail.com
Piano
Pam I'Anson
0423 693 849
ianson_music@yahoo.com
Singing
Pipiana Davey
0402 669 244
pipianamusic@gmail.com
Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone
Nicole Jones
0422 596 609
nicolecoombs12@gmail.com
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Singing Violin
Joel Procter
0421 942 551
joelproctertuition@gmail.com
Emily Wanganga 0455 071 055
Emily.wanganga@hotmail.com
Page 5
Year 4P Assembly, 13th May Congratulations to the following students who received awards at the assembly Darasimi, Matilda, Nathanael, KB Amalia, Pippa
KG Jimmy, Joseph, Kieran, Paris, Willow 1T
Charlie, Elvis, Lucy, Sarah H., Seth, Violet
3/4L Lucas, Lucy, Olivia, Samara, Seth Grace, Samuel M., Seth, 4P Charlotte, Zachary P.
5G Bayley, Brooke, Grace H., Riley, Taylah
Brody, Cael, Cody, Malachi, 1/2C Bayley, Paige, Pearce
Heath, Isaac, Logan, Michael, 5S Cooper, Patrick
2H Cooper, Emmi, Isaac, Jessica, Sophia
6H Alexandra, Clementine, Oliver, Riley
Elizabeth Br., Laurel, Luke, 3O Caleb, Nathan
6S Amica, Ashley, Luke, Nicholas, Riley
Community News
Page 6
What’s Happening at Metford Community Baptist Church?
Playgroup Every Tuesday during term at 9:30am at Metford Community Baptist Church Call Nicole on 4934 5350 for more information
School Pastor Induction Service Our new School Pastor, Peter Bryan, will be inducted at Metford Community Baptist Church on Sunday, 5th June at the 9:30am service. School families are invited to come along and meet Peter Bryan and his wife, Beryl. You are also invited to stay for a fellowship lunch at the church!
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 Term 2 Mon 23/05
Pri
Year 1/2 Tocal Excursion Sec
Year 11 Studies of Religion Excursion
Sec
Year 11 Food Technology Barista Course
Sec
Year 12 Chemistry Excursion
Pri
Sec
Auslan Parent Lessons, 7:00pm
Pri
Sec
CSSA State Cross Country
Mon 30/05
Sec
Year 9 Mission and Camp Week Begins
Tue 31/05
Sec
Year 8 Visual Art Excursion, Lake Macquarie
Sec
Stand Tall Event, Luna Park
Sec
Auslan Parent Lessons, 7:00pm
Fri 3/06
Sec
Lord Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast & Student Leadership Forum
Mon 6/06
Sec
Years 7-10 Science Circus Incursion
Sec
Writers Retreat begins at Tahlee
Sec
Auslan Parent Lessons, 7:00pm
Sec
Year 12 English Studies Excursion
Pri
Sec
Crazy Hair Day
Pri
Sec
Public Holiday
Tue 24/05 Wed 25/05 Fri 27/05
Wed 1/06
Wed 8/06
Fri 10/06 Mon 13/06 Wed 15/06
Pri
Pri
Pri Pri
Primary Athletics Carnival Sec
Auslan Parent Lessons, 7:00pm
Canteen Helpers Needed Extra volunteers are needed to help in the canteen on Friday 10th June, Friday 17th June and Friday 1st July. If you are available, please contact Narelle McIver at canteen@maitlandcs.nsw.edu.au Page 8