WELCOME BACK TO TERM 2

During the holidays, we remembered the most important time in the Church’s calendar, the death and resurrection of Jesus. This week we remember the brave men and women who have fought and died to bring peace to our world. The following is a reflection on these two events, focusing on their similarities and their differences:

The Christian celebration of Easter and the Australian commemoration of Anzac Day share several similar themes. These include a sense of identity, foundational principles, dying for others, new hope coming through death, being changed, and working for freedom. Yet there are important differences at a fundamental level.

The foundation for a Christian understanding of Easter is faith in Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is arguably the most spiritual day of the year for those having this faith.

In essence, this is the challenge and risk for Australian Christians. Whilst Easter and Anzac Day share similar themes, they have fundamentally different underlying spiritualties. One is Christian; the other is secular and nationalistic. It may be tempting to bring these two events together in a single celebration and commemoration. However, they do not belong together. They have different emphases and speak to different contexts.

As a Christian, I look forward to Easter – to sharing the despair, suffering and anguish of Good Friday; to living the celebration of the resurrection with others who share my faith.

As a chaplain in the Royal Australian Air Force, I look forward to Anzac Day – to remem- bering those who have gone before; to being with those who carry the Anzac heritage to- day; to providing words of comfort and hope, and a context to all that we do in the uniform we wear.

I am a Christian, an airman and an Australian. I am all of these things, all of the time. But they are not the same thing. Some events are more significant to one part than another, and they should never be confused. Easter is Easter. Anzac Day is Anzac Day. Let us commem- orate both as we see fit. But do not be confused about what we are doing or why.

Rev Alan Williams (aka Chaplain Alan Williams, aka Padre Alan Williams) is a minister of the Uniting Church in Australia serving full time as a chaplain in the Royal Australian Air Force. 

NAPLAN ONLINE 2021 - Yrs 3 & 5

This will be held over two weeks commencing May 11. Parents who have any concerns regarding this assessment should contact Mr Thorne or Mr Edwards as soon as possible. Some parents will receive a letter stating that their child may be offered additional time or a rest break which is in keeping with classroom adjustments that are made on a regular basis for that child.

Kiss & Collect

The trial at the end of last term of commencing Kiss & Collect at 2.50pm has been very successful in reducing the amount over traffic on Powell St. Generally speaking, we are having most children picked up by 3.10pm avoiding the time when TIGS start to build up. Therefore, this will continue this term. To compensate for the loss of the 5 mins at the end of the day, our lunch break is now only 40mins instead of the usual 45mins.

Parent Pick-Up

For parents who walk into the school to pick up their children, gates will be unlocked at 2.50pm as usual. At 3.10pm, any students remaining will be taken down to the hall where they can be supervised. Parents are still welcome to walk down to get them from the hall.

Building / Grounds Update

Students were very excited on Monday to see the developments during the holidays:

• Statue of Jesus taken down - to be replaced towards the end of construction
• The elevator shaft beginning to ‘rise’ from the ground
• Synthetic grass installed to cover the roadbase near the demountables
• Handrail installed on the new accessibility ramp on the Stage 1 verandah

In the next 2-3 weeks some major demolition of external walls will start to happen.

Unfortunately last Wednesday night, the construction site was broken into with quite a few tools stolen. The school was not affected in any way.