PACIFIC
A FREE Publication of Pacific Hills Christian School
Winter 2013
SAVOURING SMALL MOMENTS
COMMUNITY SERVICE DAYS • ACCESSING THE CURRICULUM WINNING IN PERSPECTIVE • 21st CENTURY TEACHING & LEARNING
1 WINTER 2013
PACIFIC
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School Days
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Life Together
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Becoming & Being A Teacher
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Winning In Perspective
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Accessing The Curriculum
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Teaching & Learning
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Community Service Day
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Bold, Confident & Courageous
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Savouring The Small Moments
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Milestones
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Profile: Aidan Fedorow
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Now And Then
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Sport
ON THE COVER Jaden Chan Pacific Streams is produced by Pacific Hills Christian School for school families and the school community. Pacific Hills Christian School 9 Quarry Road Dural NSW 2158 Phone: (02) 9651 2733 Fax: (02) 9651 3513 Web: www.pacifichills.net Email: pacificstreams@pacifichills.net An activity of Pacific Hills Education Limited ABN 001 832 282 CRICOS 04230G.
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In this Five things to discover in this issue of Pacific Streams
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1.
Good teachers display a capacity for connectedness.
2.
Some young athletes would prefer not to participate rather than face the disappointment of not winning.
3.
Infra red and radio frequency systems benefit not only deaf and hearing impaired students but also students with concentration and learning difficulties.
4.
iPads, QR codes, blogging and Edmodo all form a part of the vocabulary and teaching and learning experience of our Year 4 students.
5.
Birthday cake was on the menu for students when Pacific Coast Christian School celebrated its fifth birthday.
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03 WINTER 2013
School Days
THINGS THAT HAPPENED
ANZAC Service Our School Captains joined with other schools and community groups to pay our respects and mark Anzac Day at the new War Memorial site in Kellyville.
Café Pacifica Cooler days call for warm treats and friendly faces. Our school café has all this for the offering along with a warm welcome from Marc Ratnam and his charming helpers.
Athletics Carnivals Three carnivals in three days with no rain but a touch of cool to cold for an outdoor event, some great results and awesome competitors.
Prince of Egypt There can be miracles when you were the Prince of Egypt. The musical cast and crew entertained us in our hundreds. The words of the songs are still playing in our heads. Awards There’s something to celebrate with Matt Tillotson Year 12/12 - a Young Achiever’s Award from the Hills Shire Council and a medal of excellence from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children. 04
Life Together
BEING A COMMUNITY DR EJ BOYCE PRINCIPAL In 1 Corinthians 12 we are given a Biblical understanding of what is termed ‘Body Life’. In this passage we learn that under the sovereignty of God, each member of the body of Christ has been given special gifts which are to be used for the common good. We are taught that no gift is more important than another, and indeed, that all gifts are to be honoured. We learn also from 1 Peter 4:10 that the gifts that we are given by God are to be used to serve others as an expression of God’s grace. The theological lessons are so important for us to understand, appreciate, and share with the new generation. It is also important for us that we display an understanding of and obedience to these Biblical principles in the examples we set for those who observe us, including our children. These foundational Biblical concepts are the foundation of what we seek to do in our Christian school community at Pacific Hills. A famous German Theologian and Pastor, Dietrich Bonheoffer, who lost his life in a concentration camp in Germany at the end of World War II, taught us many lessons by his life and teaching. Perhaps his most enduring work of writing was, “Life Together”, which reminds us of the Biblical foundations for living life as a member of a Christian community. At about the same time in history and also emanating in Germany, was promoted what is called Gestalt Theory, which is a philosophical position which states that the whole is greater than the combination of its parts. Within this theory it is postulated that there is something within the community of persons which adds to a deeper and richer set of relationships than the discrete elements of that group. As a Christian educational community, Pacific Hills is a place where people teach and learn and serve. Within this contextual understanding we believe that individuals are able to develop their own gifts and use them well, but in working with others and for others as a Christian community, an additional blessing accrues to the whole community. Within our Christian School community teaching is by parents and other relatives, by churches through Sunday School, youth fellowship and preaching and teaching, through teachers and other staff at the School. The first way of teaching is by example or modelling, and secondly but also importantly, by instruction and training. This teaching should be from Biblical foundations, through love and involvement, the integration of faith through all of life. That means faith and learning, faith in the marketplace, faith and social life, and faith in vocational life. In other words, faith in the truth that is from God, that is unchanged and unchanging, forms the solid foundation by which our words, actions and attitudes are informed. Therefore, learning takes place from God’s Word, by His Spirit, from creation, from historical sources and also from our contemporary world. The foundations are unchanging and need to be strongly held whilst the ways in which we learn may differ from place to place, generation to generation, and person to person. A community must be a place of service, both of its members internally, as each part does its work, and also in order to be healthy, there must be service of others beyond the local community. We understand this as the direct command from God who teaches us to look upwards in worship to Him and to look outward in service to others, whilst at the same time, growing in the grace and knowledge of God within the Christian community. Therefore, let us all, as members of a Christian school community, encourage each other as we live together, to be an authentic community of Christian believers. As we do this, we will make the teaching of God our Saviour attractive (Titus 2:10), and fulfil the command of Christ to follow Him, to be his witnesses and ambassadors and to make disciples in His name.
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AUTUMN 2013
I
love the quote from the book, The Courage to Teach by Parker Palmer:
‘Good teachers possess a capacity for connectedness. They are able to weave a complex web of connections among themselves, their subjects and their students so that students can learn to weave a world for themselves. The methods used by these weavers vary widely: lectures, Socratic dialogues, laboratory experiments, collaborative problem solving, and creative chaos. The connections made by good teachers are held not in their methods but in their hearts - meaning heart in its ancient sense, as the place where intellect and emotion and spirit and will converge in the human self. As good teachers weave the fabric that joins them with students and subjects, the heart is the loom on which the threads are tied, the tension is held, the shuttle flies and the fabric is stretched tight. Small wonder, then, that teaching tugs at the heart, opens the heart, even breaks the heart - and the more one loves teaching, the more heartbreaking it can be. The courage to teach is the courage to keep one’s heart open in those very moments when the heart is asked to hold more than it is able so that teacher and students and
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subject can be woven into the fabric of community that learning, and living, require.’ I fully agree with the writer. We remember teachers who teach with their hearts and I sincerely hope to be one of these teachers. I grew up in Singapore. The education system then was somewhat unforgiving and even harsh at times for a young child. It is with this background that I was nurtured as a student and began my teaching career more than ten years ago. When I first started out as a young teacher, the education environment was not very different from the one I grew up in. Having grown up in this landscape, I realised that in many ways, the way I think and teach has been imbued in me through my experiences as a student and now as a teacher. I learnt from the MyerBriggs Indicator system that I am a Judger. “Judgers prefer a planned and orderly world, living with structure that has a beginning, middle, and end. They like to be in control of what is happening and they like to make decisions. Judgers tend to see things in black and white and like to come down on one side or the other of an issue. They are more comfortable when issues are settled rather than being up in the
air - even if they aren’t the ones making the decisions! Judgers may not be particularly adaptable and they generally don’t like surprises.” (Paul D. Tieger & Barbara Barron–Tieger, Do What You Are, Third Edition, Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company, 2001)
I do like things to be organised and in order. When given a task my preference is to ask for a timeline for each task and to find out the objectives of each activity that is involved. I need structures and without them, I feel frustrated and lost. Another thing I discovered about myself is that I feel drained when things do not go the way I plan. I may fume and fuss when plans are interrupted and when there are unexpected demands on my time and energy. My wife would know this about me. Fortunately, I learnt some new truths from Henri Nouwen. In his book, Out of Solitude, he writes, “A few years ago I met an old professor at the University of Notre Dame. Looking back on his long life of teaching, he said with a funny twinkle in his eyes, “I have always been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I slowly discovered that my interruptions were my work.”
Royston Lee Faculty Head Mathematics
This is the great conversion in our life: to recognize and believe that the many unexpected events are not just disturbing interruptions of our projects, but the way in which God moulds our hearts and prepares us for his return.” Indeed God has a sense of humour. He made me a Judger but He has given me a life strewn with interruptions. I guess He has reasons for all these and one main reason I believe is that He is teaching me to rely less on myself and more on Him in life or in work and ministry. Many teachers impacted my life. Each of them holds a special place in my heart. I am thankful that many of these wonderful people are still in this noble profession and they are still teaching as passionately as when they first taught me many years ago. Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer or a journalist. In the end, I chose a career which was not really what I wanted, but it was a career I felt called to go into. In other words, to teach is my calling. Teaching was something I felt to be true to my nature. The reasons for me choosing to teach are firstly, it was the best choice. I was most at peace with this decision and secondly, it gave me an identity. The distinct identity of a teacher
was something I was attracted to. Lastly, there were many opportunities to grow. I needed a career that would stretch me to my fullest potential and one that would enable me to continue learning and growing - and teaching gave me all these opportunities. In 2008, my family and I relocated from Singapore to Sydney, as we sensed that this was where the Lord was leading us. It was a difficult decision as it meant leaving our family and friends behind with no clear indication of what was ahead of us. On my first day as a teacher in Pacific Hills, I felt like a fish out of water. The School is peopled by luminaries from the world of Christian Education. If there is one common characteristic of the staff members that has lifted me up from my stupefied state, it has to be their humility. Each one did not think more highly of himself than he ought, there was mutual respect and love shown, and there was an eagerness to honour one another. The school community reminded me of Paul’s injunctions in Romans 12: 3-8. In my five years at the School, I have learnt that in this microcosm of the body of Christ called Pacific Hills Christian School, the members do not all serve
the same function, but they are devoted to one another and enthusiastic in serving the Lord. The administrative, maintenance and teaching staff, IT specialists, volunteers, parents, board members and students would think nothing of volunteering their time, expertise and resources in some of the hardest corners of the school (and the world!). Their aim - to see that “they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - Colossians 2:2-3” In his book Doing Good even Better, Edgar Stoesz says “organizations are only as great as the people who are involved in them.” In God’s kingdom, mathematically speaking, the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts. Since 1979 when Pacific Hills Christian School was started, countless lives have been touched and changed because a small group of visionaries dared to dabble in God’s math. No one was in it for himself, and each considered the other better than himself. I am thankful my family and I are part of this continuing legacy.
07 WINTER 2013
Paul McConnell Faculty Head PDHPE
Much of what is written about sport in the media focuses on elite sportspeople. Generalisations are then drawn from this level of participation and applied to school and club competitions. The significance of winning in sport places great expectations on young athletes who, in the light of their own capabilities, will often choose not to participate rather than to be disappointed by not being the winner. This pressure to succeed will have a direct influence on the levels of participation and even more importantly the health status of our young people. When we hear people use catch phrases such as “winners are grinners and losers can please themselves” it is not unexpected to have a decline in levels of participation. I have distinct memories of coaches repeatedly reminding us that “winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” and feeling stressed every week that we would fail and let our coach down. As a Physical Education teacher and coach, it would be easy to become winning oriented as I understand the competitive nature of sport minded and sport oriented students, however, I think it
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is healthier for all concerned to tweak that old adage so that it reads….” Winning isn’t everything, but trying to win is”. We can learn many life lessons through sport, none more important than when we discover that winning in sport may be exciting and satisfying but winning in life is so much more rewarding. Unlike winning an Olympic Gold medal, limited to a select few, being a winner in life is not an impossible dream when we realise that our desire to win is clearly stated in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter 3 verse 14 “ I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.” Many sportspeople, including those of the highest standards are ultimately winners in life because by faith they have personally accepted God’s path to victory. The challenge before us is to harness the desire to win and channel its energies toward living our lives for Christ, putting God first and giving Him the glory for all our success.
Accessing the Curriculum
WHEN YOU ARE HEARING IMPAIRED
Sue Pinkerton Consultant Hearing Impairment
In Mark 7:34 Jesus cures a man who was deaf by speaking the word “Ephphatha” which means “be open”. After this Jesus ordered the people not to talk about this miracle to anyone else, “ but the more he ordered them not to the more they spoke.” This beautiful parable of faith and hope is in place every day at Pacific Hills Christian School where an increasing number of hearing impaired students are enrolled to learn and grow in a Christian environment where their specific needs will be met. It is time we talked about it and spread this good news just as the people of Jesus’ time did. Pacific Hills Christian School has been open to the needs of deaf and hearing impaired students for nearly 20 years. Until recently, specialist visiting teachers from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children, North Rocks provided the teaching support for individual students and the professional learning of staff. However, since 2010, the school has employed a specialist teacher of the deaf to ensure the increasing number of children with significant hearing impairments have their learning needs met. The specialist teacher works with the individual students, providing technological expertise and professional learning experiences for staff. The school is open to the ever increasing improvements in hearing technology. All of the supported students have either cochlear implants or hearing aids and may use personal FM devices to access the curriculum. Funding grants received from
the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) provide the means to have soundfield systems fitted in a number of classrooms to improve the acoustic environment for the hearing impaired students. These infra red and radio frequency systems also benefit other students who may have learning or concentration difficulties as they provide an increased clarity of voice. All levels of Pacific Hills are open to meeting the needs of these students: for example, in Senior School the hearing impaired students are timetabled to have all their subjects in the rooms fitted with soundfield systems; in Middle School, access to information presented at weekly Assemblies is provided by a note taker to ensure the MS students are fully aware of relevant information. The students meet and share experiences, encouraging each other to strive to do their best. During Professional Learning weeks, all the PHCS staff have opportunities to experience a simulated hearing loss and develop practical strategies to provide access to their lessons. Teachers are open to adapting strategies realising they benefit all students. The hearing impaired students participate in all areas of school life, actively engaging in the various opportunities available. Some of these students represent their school at sport, attaining national level achievements, others participate in Mission trips and extra curricula activities. Pacific Hills Christian School provides a learning environment for these students to develop their God given gifts and talents.
09 WINTER 2013
21st Century
TEACHING & LEARNING
Scott Cousins Assistant Head Junior School
When you think about the 21st Century, what comes to mind? I would imagine somewhere in the mix you would identify technology, mobile devices such as smart phones or iPads and perhaps social media. These technologies are an important part of the landscape for our children today. Excitingly, they provide a wonderful opportunity for teachers. We are able to integrate technologies with creative, real life learning that enhances the learning and expands the opportunities for student engagement. Technologies such as iPads, Web 2.0 and social media are here to stay and will continue to evolve. To ensure our students become skilled users of these technologies, we must engage with them in our classrooms. Equally, teachers must apply the art of teaching, using their people skills, creativity and showing their passion for learning. These things can’t be replaced by technologies. We need the best of both to form a balanced 21st century classroom. The Native Tree Discovery lesson taught in Year 4 is an example of using the best of both approaches. The design of the activity was intentional in having a high level of technology. IPads, QR Codes, blogging and Edmodo formed the technological base. By applying a collaborative approach, students were required to work together in teams, to problem solve and create together. The role of the teachers was to facilitate and guide the students as they learned together. Mr Alcock (our fabulous groundsman) provided the background information about some of the native trees we have on site. In preparation, he walked around the school with the teachers explaining about the school environment. He also attended the learning session with the students as a resident expert. Mr Alcock shared his knowledge and passion openly with the students and this captured their imaginations and interests on the topic. Prior to the activity, the teachers had created an interactive, online resource accessible for all students through an iPad. The students used maps to locate
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various trees on the school site. At each tree a small QR Code was placed next to the trunk. When scanned using an iPad, the QR code directed the students to an online page of information about that particular tree. Each page provided details about the type of tree, its features and growth habits and also some snippets of information that were interesting to the students. A photograph also confirmed the correct tree was being sighted and information about the activity was included. Working in collaborative groups, the students gathered this information to create their own reports about the native plants in our school. They were challenged by higher order thinking activities, relating to classifications and environmental awareness issues. Students were also prompted by open ended questions. They were required to discuss the question with their group and find an answer to the question that each member agreed was reasonable. The final reports were published online via the students’ blogs where others could read and comment on their work. A final quiz was completed using Edmodo. This learning experience is an example of what we call ‘21st century learning’. It requires the students to be engaged in the content, using the information to create, analyse and report back to a real audience. By working collaboratively, students develop teamwork and social skills in safe environment. The iPads were being used as a tool for learning and students were honing their skills with these devices. By reporting on the blog, students know that their answers will be published and read by others, making the learning real to them. By reading and commenting on other children’s work, students also become part of a learning community where they learn from one another. It is an exciting time in education, and I look forward to exploring in greater depths the opportunities to engage our students as a community of learners through technologies and the art of teaching.
Steve Grice Head of Senior School
For several years now all Senior School staff and students have been involved in Community Service Day. This is an event that occurs each year at the end of terms one and three. On these days, each Pastoral Care group and their teacher spends the day serving other organisations in the community. The community organisations that we have served include, schools, nursing homes, campsites, the Salvation Army and various other local businesses. Service is an important priority for Pacific Hills as evidenced
through our extensive missions program. However, we also acknowledge that there is a great opportunity to serve our local community, which is why we began this initiative. We believe that as Christians we should not merely look out for our own personal interests, “but also for the interest of others” (Phil. 2:4). Consequently, looking out for the interests of others should lead us to be involved in the lives of others and in our community. In this way we can be both “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-16). Through serving
others we can demonstrate humility and compassion hence revealing God’s love to those we meet. However, service is not just important to us because we are a Christian community. Rather, we believe service produces better people. That is, people who have a better understanding of how to live as part of a community and people who are concerned about others. Consequently, we don’t aim for our students to perform well academically for their own sake, but rather for the sake of others. All careers exist to work with and serve others,
therefore as educators we are preparing our students to enter the community to serve. Consequently, service should be integral to the school experience. Therefore, through serving others we believe we are displaying our love of God through obedience and hence following the words of Christ who, when asked “which is the greatest commandment?”, answered, “Love the Lord God with all your heart mind and soul, and love your neighbour as yourself”, (Matt 22:36-39).
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AUTUMN 2013
Tim Ghali School Captain 2013
It was an absolute pleasure to have been with guys and girls throughout Senior School and join together in worshipping the one God we all believe in. It took place on the evening of Community Service Day, which whilst didn’t directly tie in with the night, in hindsight it proved to be something quite special, as we both served and worshipped together. What actually happened and why did we do it? Being our final year of school, we wanted to demonstrate that the culture of Jesus and His love is the culture we want to have in Senior School, both seen and unseen. Considering we have the freedom to worship and pray freely at school, it makes sense to make the most of this opportunity, especially considering the rarity of this freedom, both locally and globally. As student leaders, we want to see Senior School as a place where, whilst not everyone may believe in Jesus, those who do can express their faith freely and with boldness, which happened to be the theme we chose for the night.
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Boldness. Courage. Confidence. Whatever way faith in action may be represented, it was these words that made us think “What would the culture be like if these words were put in action?� And so for about two hours we had a time of worship, prayer, fellowship, teaching and receiving, all for and from the love that is in Jesus. Everyone who participated both on stage and elsewhere were students, ex-students or staff, demonstrating the vibrant faith that is within the school community. We hope that as the terms progress, more nights like these can occur. It is not so that our Love of Jesus would become exclusive, but rather that it would become something so abounding and pure, that the love we share with Jesus would become something that all students and staff of PHCS can feel, from simple gestures of kindness to lifelong friendships. It is truly exciting to witness the Holy Spirit moving in and amongst the school community, students and staff alike.
Savouring the small moments
TAKE HOLD OF THE NOT SO INSIGNIFICANT Lauren Graham
School Counsellor
My little girl has just started school. Please don’t ask me where those first five years have gone... I really could not tell you. It sounds clichéd to say that time goes so fast, and yet, the truth is, that it does. Days quickly turn into weeks, weeks into months and before you realise it, another year has passed. I now know firsthand, how frantic a morning can be as lunchboxes, sight words, readers, sports shoes, school hats, drink bottles, news items, library bags and canteen money needs to be organised, uniforms put on, hair put up and children strapped in for the daily car-pooling commute in morning traffic. How people manage to get more than one school-aged child out the door in time I do not know! It is easy, amidst the chaos and cacophony that accompany the morning routine, to find myself wishing for a quiet moment on my own …the chance to sit down with a hot drink and just breathe and yet, as crazy as it can sometimes seem, I am aware that a time will come, when I nostalgically long for the car ride with my two small people tucked up safely in the backseat, listening to “The Magic Faraway Tree”, singing and asking questions as we drive. You see, all too often, if you are anything like me, we can find ourselves so caught up in what has to be done, the lists that need to be ticked, that we can miss savouring the experience itself and the small moments within and suddenly ... they can be gone. So many parents with older children tell me that life passes in the blink of an eye... Friends with children in their early twenties, find themselves looking at these adults that once snuggled in their beds or read books on their laps, and wondering, in misty-eyed
amazement how their babies grew to be men and women. Whether your children are infants or teens, there are definitely some days that are exhausting... days that hold such conflict, pain or frustration that you cannot wait for them to end! Every parent has these moments. Yet, the encouragement, and indeed the challenge remains for each one of us, to try to savour each day, each challenge, each stage, each small moment, in the lives of our precious charges, especially whilst they are still young enough to want us there with them. I recently heard a very wise Christian mother share that each day, no matter what is going on, or how busy she is, she makes time to lie on the bed with each of her three children in turn, to read the Bible, pray with them and talk through what has happened in their day. She is trying to slow things down, and savour those small yet profoundly significant moments in the various life stages of her children. What a great encouragement she is. It can be daunting to think about the responsibility of raising a child... and sometimes it can seem so difficult to determine what the really important things are. Throughout our busyness, our doubts, our agendas and our strivings, there is great comfort in remembering there remains the one unchangeable Father whose Word can be our guidance and whose presence can be our strength. As we face what each day holds, the myriad of activities, tasks and choices we all have, may we continue to prayerfully seek how to love our children well, be present and engaged in what they are doing, and savour those small moments that can mean so very much.
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Milestones
MISSION FORMS THE DNA OF PACIFIC COAST Joanne Allen
Pacific Coast Christian School
Pacific Coast Christian School celebrated its fifth birthday on April 12th with an assembly and a birthday cake. Mr Geoff Provest, the local State Member for Tweed, attended as a guest speaker. Both Mr Provest and the Principal, Dr Lamont, spoke of the achievements and growth of the school and the importance of Christian values in education. All students received a piece of cake after the ceremonial cutting of the birthday cake. As we look back over the last five years at Pacific Coast Christian School, it is wonderful to see what God has done. In October 2008 Dr Tina Lamont commenced as Principal and from a humble start of 121 students and with prayer, hard work and plenty of faith the school reached an enrolment of 325 students in 2013. Throughout this time God’s plan was unfolding, with constant support from the Pacific Hills Christian School Principal, Dr Ted Boyce, and the support of many others we can see that our God truly is the God of miracles. The staff at Pacific Coast have a heart for sharing the gospel with their students. It is a joy to hear of students from non Christian backgrounds telling their families about Jesus. As some of their families start to connect with local churches, we pray that there will be more opportunities as God works through our students to reach their parents with the gospel. Mission trips are part of the DNA of Pacific Coast. We inherited this trait from the Pacific Hills Group and, as God places a need on our hearts to help others and share the story of salvation through Christ, we are ready and willing to go where He calls.
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We take part in a range of mission trips – from mini mission trips to Pacific Valley through to overseas mission trips. They are an opportunity for us to help others and seek to spread the good news of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Five years has seen quite a change in the facilities at Pacific Coast. From beginnings that included borrowed demountables we upgraded to our own demountables and as they arrived from Sydney and Bourke everyone knew the School was on a path of great blessing. In 2011 a government grant to Pacific Coast provided an awesome school hall; it’s a constant reminder that God will always meet our needs. In 2012 a further building was erected with two permanent classrooms and toilets for the Junior School. Technology is a big part of today’s world and the students at Pacific Coast are blessed that the leaders of our school have embraced all the modern tools that are available to educate the next generation. We also focus on training our students to use modern technology such as iPads. With prayer and faith we look to God for continued blessing, our future is in His hands. The Tweed Heads area needs much prayer and we thank all those who, over the years, have interceded on our behalf. Please continue to do so, with God’s help we will go from strength to strength. Our core statement is Micah 6:8, He has told you O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires from you. He wants you to promote justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.
Milestones
PIONEERING SPIRIT David Johntson Principal Pacific Valley 2013 marks the fifth year of our operation as a new school and for the staff and students life at Pacific Valley Christian School is often a very different experience for a whole range of reasons. One of these is perhaps best summed up by a reflection from one of our Year 7 students.
On my first day I got out of the car and said “Where’s the school?” “The Christian atmosphere at Pacific Valley is great, but it is different to other schools I have been to because it is tiny. On my first day I got out of the car and said ‘Where’s the school?’ because there was only one building, but it has grown since then! The teachers at Pacific Valley are great they are friendly and kind. “ Daniel Breward Yr 7 In contrast one of the experiences that we know is common across the three Pacific Education schools is that we like to see
our students encouraged and stretched to make the most of their talents and abilities. As the students respond we are blessed with the privilege of walking through life with them. “For me, the best thing about life at school is being confronted with challenges. They give me self-esteem and help me relate to life outside school. I enjoy challenges at Pacific Valley because there I’m pressed forward and encouraged out of my comfort zone. The difference at PVCS is that people who are not so enticed by challenges also have a place. This is what makes Pacific Valley unique. Instead of leaving kids behind in their work the teachers help them and encourage them to excel.” Thalia Lenord Yr 7 Being part of a community that is pioneering the growth of a new school is both exciting and challenging. It is a dynamic in which you are constantly encouraged to be seeking God and asking Him for the strength, energy and wisdom to complete the tasks at hand each day. Every single one of the staff wears multiple hats of responsibility and we are often stretched. However, in the midst of this is the constant goodness and provision of God. We ask that as you get a snap shot of life at Pacific Valley that you would continue to join with us in prayer asking for the ongoing growth and development of the school and that God would be glorified in our midst.
15 WINTER 2013
Aidan Fedorow MIDDLE SCHOOL VICE CAPTAIN
Tell us about your family: I have a Dad, Mum, a stepfather and brothers who are twins. My Mum has four dogs and two cats and we have a cat at my dad’s house. I also have grandparents and aunties at Bondi, Hornsby, Newcastle and Forster. How would you describe yourself? I am an average 14 year old that loves playing sport, enjoys school and spending time with family. What do you like doing in your spare time? I like sport and cricket is my passion. I do however also play rugby league and touch football. Apart from playing sport I also enjoy going to the movies with my friends/brothers. Tell us something funny or unusual about yourself that not many people would know. I have twin brothers and they keep me on my toes. What would you do if somebody gave you a million dollars? Firstly I would help my parents out financially, then give a high amount to charity (to help sick or disadvantaged kids), I would then put some more towards a good education for the future and plan a holiday to go to New York. What would you like to do when you leave school/uni? Why? Play a high level of cricket (for NSW) - because I work so hard at it and enjoy what the game provides. Travel because I have a desire to see other parts of the world and experience other cultures. Have a fulfilling career - because it is important to do what you enjoy and it defines who you are. What’s the hardest thing about school? Maths, maths and maths. Okay……just maths. Also, being able to maintain the high standards that I have set for myself with regard to grades. What’s the best thing about school? Getting the opportunity to represent the school in many activities from sports to leadership programs. If you could use only one word to describe God, what would it be? Phenomenal 6 of Aidan’s Favourite Things: Food: Lollies and Barbecues Song: Thunderstruck by ACDC (very motivating before I go out to bat). Thing to do: Playing cricket and going to the movies or sports events. Famous Person: Ed Cowan (Australian opening batsman) Nickname: People call me by my last name Fedorow. Day: Friday (last day of the working week, prelude to the weekend of playing sport)
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“The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” Proverbs 27:9
Old Friends Celebrating the 10th year since their graduation from PHCS seemed an appropriate time for this group of friends to look back in gratitude at the relationships that were established and developed at Pacific Hills.
different churches but remain so close. I’m so thankful for my time at PHCS, the years really do go by faster and faster. It’s with these six girls alongside me that I know I will share many more moments of laughter and tears over cups of coffee.”
Sophie Eshman (nee Pearson) and Mim Lewis (nee Harwood) reflect. “We have all been friends since Year 7 making this our 15th year of doing life together. In the midst of boys, hormones and a rather tumultuous stage of life, our band of friends came together at the most perfect time. And what a blessing it has been! We were a close-knit group yet not in the cliquey sense. It was, and is, a genuine, mature connection that has blessed each of us. Having gone our separate ways and now leading vastly different lives, we have our God as a foundation for relationship and He has been the reason for much of our communication. We have often sent emails to each other with praise and prayer points, receiving encouragement and words straight from the Father’s heart in return. It’s such a comfort to know someone has your back and this is what true community is all about.”
Sophie Eshman Yr 9/00 (nee Pearson) à Is Studio Manager at Music Entourage in Alexandria and thrives being part of the Creative team at Hillsong Church.
Nicky Goring (nee Spies) says it perfectly when she writes from Scotland: “I thank God most days for my friends. God has blessed me richly with family and friends that are godly, encouraging, prayerful, supportive and kind. And the friends I made at school are some of the most precious. My life now is a long way from where I ever thought it would be. Now, living in Scotland, married and as a pastor’s wife, there are times I miss my friends dearly. The incredible blessing of my school friends was made very clear to me on our last visit home, during which I had them all over. I am blessed to be sharing a deeper relationship with these six girls with whom I experienced high school. One which, as we are separated by distance, is brought back to the heart with each other and with God in prayer. It’s a rarity to find a group of friends that can live anywhere in the world and all belong to
Allison Watkins Yr 12/03 (nee Blamey) à Worked in publishing, married high school sweetheart Jamie, and has a beautiful daughter, Aria, with another baby on the way. El McDonald Yr 12/03 (nee Libby Henderson) à Having worked as an Executive Assistant in Sydney, is now living in Coffs Harbour with her husband, Drew, and their 7 month old daughter, Imogen Amy. Elise McInnes Yr 12/03 (nee Dunn) à Works as an Occupational Therapist and is currently traipsing around Europe on a wellearned holiday with husband, Tim. Nicola Goring Yr 12/03 (nee Spies) à Currently resides in Scotland with her Scottish husband, Steven, whilst running her small business, Rubyandjoy, and looking after the women’s ministry at their church. Rebecca McGarvey Yr 12/03à Having lived, worked and studied musical theatre in Melbourne, London and now Sydney, she is currently teaching dance as well as completing a course at NIDA. Miriam Lewis Yr 12/03 (nee Harwood) à Having studied at Hillsong International Leadership College, has recently completed a Bachelor degree in Primary Education and is currently living in Gladesville with her husband, Ryan.
17 WINTER 2013
That’s Gold
AFL State Championships Bailey Stewart in Year 8 recently returned with a gold medal hanging around his neck, having been a vital member of the all conquering NSWCIS 15&U AFL squad which competed at the State Championships in Broken Hill. Bailey is part of the Sydney Swans academy where he trains in the hope of one day realising his dream of playing for the Swans.
CSSA Rugby Union Jack Donkin in Year 9 was part of the CSSA Rugby Union squad that competed at the NSW Country Schools Championships over the June Long weekend. As a result of his dominant display the big lock was selected to be part of the NSW Country schools team to compete at the All Schools Championships. Rugby League Hayden McWilliam in Year 11 continued his dream year in Rugby League by being selected in the NSWCIS U/18 squad to attend the Australian Schoolboys Championships being held in Cairns this July. Hayden is a talented half back possessing all the skills to lead his team around the park and push for a coveted place in the Australian team who have two Test matches against the Kiwi’s later in the year.
18
Rising Stars
NSW Futsal Schools Regional Championships
Pacific Hills has been referred to as a factory as it continues to produce quality futsal players across the school. On Tuesday 4th June the School’s Futsal teams competed at the NSW Futsal Schools Regional Championships at Dural Indoor Centre. The Junior School Boys team consisted of eight boys from Years 3 and 4. The boys played their hardest and worked exceptionally well together, improving their passing and teamwork with each game. The team remained undefeated throughout the day, making it through to the grand final. The grand final was extremely close and ended in a thrilling penalty shoot out. The Pacific Hills Junior School Boys Futsal Team were victorious and will now represent the School in the State Championships early next term. The boys displayed excellent sportsmanship and should be commended on their achievement. Team Players: Tyler Azzopardi, Ryan Oschadleus, Marcos Cabral, Matthew Brisbane, Jesse Gillan, James Guy, Fletcher Hardy and Luca Horvat. The Years 5/6 Girls team also made it through the semis and into the Grand Final, winning in extra time with a golden goal. This was a well-earned result for a team that competed well and fairly. The girls will also now go on to represent the School in the State Championships early in Term 3. Team Players: Isabel Jackson, Brooke Steinwede, Gemma Musty, Chelsea Wilkin, Caitlin Oschadleus, Bianca Janse van Rensburg, Monique Rowan and Bronte Ackley. The U/16 boys team cruised through the pool games winning by big margins defying the odds by beating the much larger and more fancied State and Catholic schools. In the semi-final, they found themselves down at half-time but fought their way back to take the lead just before the full-time whistle sounded winning 3–2. The final looked to be lost at half-time again but a late goal sparked the team into action and it was their opposition who looked nervous. The team pressed forward at every opportunity and scored just before full-time to take the lead for the first time in the game. They concentrated on defending well for the remaining minute and were crowned Regional champions.
19 WINTER 2013
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