We wish all mothers a happy Mother's Day this Sunday! 

I had several choices to make on the Saturday night – home alone or out with friends? Watch a movie? If so, which one? Do I put up with concerning images and dialogue to appreciate a worthy theme or do I turn the movie off?

Adults who seek to honour God need to face the challenge of engaging with and understanding our world while continuing to think about whatever is pure and lovely (Philippians 2:8). We read the Bible and pray that God will give us the wisdom to make wise choices. Sometimes we seek the guidance and advice of godly Christian friends.

As parents and teachers we need to remember that our children and students do not always have the wisdom or years of experience to make wise choices about what they watch on television or how they interact with their computer device. Therefore we have a responsibility to set clear boundaries, both at home and at school. When we do so we run the risk of being called the strictest parents or the strictest school in the world and sometimes children will attempt to defy us.

There are times when, with the benefit of hindsight, parents or the school will look back and conclude that we were either a little too strict or a little too lenient and we adjust our standards accordingly. When we modify our expectations it is important that we are firm and consistent in the application of our boundaries.

One practical piece of advice I can provide from my Saturday night experience is that parents should carefully monitor what their children watch on Netflix or Stan. As I scrolled through the many choices of movies, quite a few were rated MA 15+. When I read what these movies were about I wasn't prepared to watch quite a few of them and I certainly didn't think they would be appropriate for any of our students.

Federal Election

On the topic of choices, adult Australians will be voting in the federal election on Saturday week. I encourage all those who support our school to consider the needs of our school when they cast their vote. In particular, please consider which political parties are most likely to support religious freedom in schools and also which political parties are most likely to provide fair financial support to low fee paying Christian schools.

Mr Brett Hartley
Principal

Open Morning – Wednesday, 5 June

This year we will be holding a Community Morning for all parents to visit classrooms and participate in our learning community. The format will be slightly different this year with classes from Prep to Year 2 being open from 8.40 – 10.50, and Years 3 to 6 classes open from 11.30 to 1pm. There will be a short assembly at 8.40am and we will share a morning tea together from 10.50 – 11.30am. This means that…

• if you have a child in P-2 then join us at 8.40am, 
• if you have a child in years 3-6 join us at 10.50am for morning tea, 
• if you have children in both sections of the school, feel free to join us for the day until lunch time 1pm.
• You will be able to visit your child’s classroom and participate in some community building activities.

Earn and Learn

In the past we have participated in the Woolworths Earn and Learn scheme and ‘purchased’ many helpful school resources that have benefitted our students. This scheme has commenced again. So if you shop at Woolies, collect the Earn and Learn stickers, send them to school with your child and pop them into the box in the office foyer. Thank you. 

Mr Paul Carter
Head of Junior School

I appreciate students being open to trying new activities and am thankful for their support of one another. I would like to thank teachers for their commitment to the camping program, giving up their own homes (and beds) and investing in the lives of our students for a 3 or 4 day experience. Thank you also to the camp speakers from local churches who reminded the students of the great news of the gospel and urged them to consider how it applies to their own lives. In upcoming newsletters there will be short articles about each camp from a student’s perspective.

Year 7: Springwood
Year 8: Deer Park, Royal National Park
Year 9: Waterslea, Nowra
Year 10: Galston Gorge
Year 11: Jindabyne
Year 12: Cockatoo Island and Chowder Bay

Mr Greg Smith
Head of Secondary

The theme for the competition this year was Balance. Each team, comprised of 8 students, completed tasks in Mathematics, English, Science, Code Breaking, Engineering, Ideation, Creative Production, Art/Poetry, Cartography and General Knowledge, with overall points tallied at the end of the day. 

In reflecting on their experience to the Junior School, they spoke about what the poem was about and the importance of remembering and honouring those who have served and in some cases sacrificed everything, in the service our country. Lest we forget.

Students were taken on tours of the vineyards and bottling plant and learnt about the winemaking processes. Students enjoyed visiting other local business around the Hunter Region and hanging out at the Hunter Valley Youth Hostel where we stayed overnight. I wish our students all the very best as they sit their assessments related to what was learnt on our field-trip. 

Mr Scott Newton

The students really enjoyed this experience and are to be congratulated on their fantastic efforts and delicious results.

Mrs Kathy Corban

Take a look at all the fun in the pictures below. 

This set up some scintillating semi final clashes for the U15 boys and Open boys teams. The U15’s were absolutely dominant in their semi final setting up a grand final clash with Inaburra, going on to beat them 2-1, with some desperate defending and excellent goalkeeping in the dying moments. Well done boys! Unfortunately the open boys went down narrowly to Inaburra 2-1 in extra time.

Both girl teams progressed straight to the grand final in matches against Inaburra. They both fought gallantly throughout but unfortunately both teams went down 2-1 in the end.

Well done to all teams on your sportsmanship throughout the day. You were a joy to coach. Thanks as well to Mr Manns, Mr Arthur and Mrs Hancock for coaching the various teams. Good luck to the U15 boys at the CSSA state tournament.

Mr Peter Richardson
Head of Sport 

A special congratulations goes to those who have been training hard in preparation for the day, and to those who made it through to the CSSA State Cross Country, which will be held at Sydney International Equestrian Centre on Friday, 31st May 2019. This race is particularly challenging as it is a distance of 3km for 10 to 12 year olds, and 2km for 9 and under. Further details will be sent to those children who qualified in the coming weeks.

The Primary Cross Country was this year in support of Christian organisation Hands at Work. The organisation partners with local churches in South Africa to help the most vulnerable children who are orphaned or otherwise severely disadvantaged. George Snyman, cofounder of Hands at Work, will be speaking at a Coffee and Cake Night at President Avenue Community Church on Tuesday 21st May. All are welcome to attend. 

Thank you to the many parents and friends who cheered the children on to the finish line, and especially to those who volunteered to help in various ways. The day would not have run so smoothly without your valued assistance. 

Mrs Sonja Whitaker

The Hebrew of the opening statement of Psalm 1 really reads: “O the happiness of the man who …”, and of the closing statement of Psalm 2 really reads: “O the happiness of all who …”.  If there is anything that is in short supply in our world today it is true and lasting ‘happiness/blessedness’. Psalm 1 deals with the ‘subjective’ side of this happiness, and Psalm 2 with it ‘objective’ side. 

According to Psalm 1, this means being in daily contact with God’s revealed truth – the Bible. But before we get into what the Psalm says about this, we need to note that the fundamental message of the whole Bible is that we have all been cut off from God because of ‘sin’, and the ONLY way back into fellowship with God is the way that HE has provided: a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour, and the consequent commitment to him as the Lord of our lives.

The truly happy person is the one who consciously turns away from the errors of the world’s way of thinking, and makes God’s revealed truth in the Bible the basis of all he thinks, says, and does.  This means allocating - positively setting aside - time each day to ‘meditate’ on God’s Word. It is interesting that the word for ‘meditate’ in Psalm 1:2, is the same word that is used in Psalm 2:1 to describe what those who oppose God’s ways do to ‘plot’ against him! It is obvious that there are powerful, active forces at work in our society today to undermine the revealed truth of God’s Word (eg concerning marriage, sexuality, God’s control of the climate, etc), and these humanistic forces are using every available means to get their message across – they are ‘plotting’ in whatever way they can. Do we put the same effort into instilling God’s Word into our minds, and into the minds of our families? The Apostle Paul could see clearly the impact God’s Word had had in young Timothy’s life, mainly through the influence of his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17 - It is worth reflecting on this this Mothers Day!).

With ‘blessedness’ comes ‘fruitfulness’. Do we want our lives to be fruitful for God? Let us make a renewed commitment to ‘meditating/plotting’ on God’s Word so that we can be effective as ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in our rotting, darkening world (Matthew 5:14-16)!

But what about the fact that the ‘Christian’ voice is becoming more and more ignored and opposed throughout our sad world?Is there any ‘objective’ hope for our world, or is all lost and hopeless?

Psalm 2 helps us answer these questions. It informs us that, quite contrary to the picture portrayed by the media (that thrives financially on ‘bad’ news and ‘godless’ activities), God is still very much in control of his world, and he is directing human history to its climax and culmination in the return of his enthroned King, Jesus, in glory and power. This Event is as much a forgone conclusion as was Jesus’ First Coming, when God himself broke into human history 2,000 years ago and dealt with the problem of human sin by reconciling sinful Man to himself by Jesus taking our place in his death on the cross, and then conquering death by his glorious resurrection!

Satan did all he possibly could to stop this happening, but every strategy he plotted then blew up in his face and achieved God’s purposes perfectly – right down to the very last details of the crucifixion occurring at the Passover, and putting a seal on Jesus’ tomb so that the rumour that ‘the disciples stole his body’ was entirely without substance. Throughout all of human history, Satan has proven himself to be an expert at ‘shooting himself through the foot’ so there is no basis for thinking he will stop doing this.

Psalm 2 makes it quite clear that our God, in spite of appearances to the contrary, has already written the last chapter of human history. This ought to encourage us, and stir us on to greater effort in warning others about what the last chapter is that more people might welcome God’s ‘King’ as ‘Saviour’, and not have to tremble before him as their ‘Judge’!

Mr Bruce Christian

As it is an extension of the school day, existing behavioural expectations and consequences apply. Normal Library services will be available such as borrowing, printing and school wifi use.

Parents can register their child on a fortnightly basis via an online form on the SEQTA Engage landing page. Students will be required to sign in and out each afternoon. They may leave before 4pm. Students must be registered in advance to attend and numbers will be limited initially as we evaluate the effectiveness of this initiative.

Share your lifestyle & home whilst experiencing another culture.

• Students attend school on weekdays and enjoy family life with you on the weekend
• Japanese language is not necessary.
• Students just fit in with your family routines – eat your food, they need their own bed but can share a room.
• Families are paid $50 per night to assist with hosting costs.

The University of Sydney - Engineering and Information Technologies Year 11 & 12 Information Evening

Wednesday 5 June

Learn everything you need to know about studying engineering, advanced computing, technology or project management with us. Staff, students and industry contacts will be on-hand to answer your questions about the unparalleled choice and flexibility of our degrees. Places are limited, please RSVP:

https://bit.ly/2CICNfV

AAFP Margaret Fulton Future Foodservice Professional Scholarship 

Closes September

Paid work experience in a number of leading kitchens, such as, The Merivale Group, Pendolino, Parliament House, Four Seasons Hotel. Recipients will be provided uniforms, a knife kit and $1,000 cash to put towards future training needs. Upon completion of the scholarship, HTN would offer the participant a full culinary apprenticeship within HTN’s network of 170 host businesses.

http://htn.com.au/aafp-margaret-fulton-future-foodservice-professional-scholarship-2/

How to become a Chartered Accountant

Becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) could set you up to thrive in business in different parts of the world. It's a highly regarded professional qualification with international recognition. CAs can work in a wide range of exciting and challenging careers. If you'd like to join their ranks, here are the steps:

https://www.youunlimitedanz.com/about-ca/how-to-become-a-ca

UNSW Coop Scholarships Now Open- Finance, IT, Engineering

Closes 30 September

Beyond the placement opportunities, Co-op also provides a professional development program which assists scholars to prepare for and make a smooth transition to the workplace as well as develop the graduate attributes that differentiate them from other students. UNSW Co-op Program scholars receive between 9 and 18 months structured Industry Experience and gain valuable work experience with up to four different sponsors.

Main site here: https://www.coop.unsw.edu.au/

Apply here:https://www.coop.unsw.edu.au/apply

Cabin Crew Information Sessions for Future Flight Attendants

22 May. 6.00pm to 8.00pm

Qantas Centre of Service Excellence, 70-80 Euston Road, Alexandra

Aviation Australia’s Cabin Crew Career Information Sessions offer you the chance to learn about our world-class training, see the flight safety training facilities. It is a perfect opportunity to find out more about our Cabin Crew courses, meet past students as well as our inspirational instructors who are aviation experts, having led successful careers in the industry themselves. Register here:

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sydney-cabin-crew-career-session-tickets-60384358241

UTS Law Undergrad Info Evening  27 June- 5.30pm to 8.00pm

Haymarket, Building 5, Block B, Ground Floor, 1-59 Quay St, Haymarket, Sydney

Discover why studying at UTS will give you an edge! This event is open to Year 11 and 12 students, and their parents. Careers advisers and teachers are also welcome to attend. Registrations essential here:

https://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-law/events/law-undergraduate-info-evening

My Health Career Videos

Watch a variety of specialists who give their candid insight on why they enjoy their careers.

Dentistry:

https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/dentistry/

Dietetics

https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/dietetics/

Medicine:

https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/medicine/

Nursing:

https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/nursing/

Occupational Therapy:

https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/occupational-therapy/

Optometry:

https://www.myhealthcareer.com.au/optometry/

Vantage Automotive Apprenticeship Vacancies

Alfa Romeo, Volvo, Fiat,  Audi, Subaru apprenticeships across NSW.

 For over a decade, Vantage Automotive has placed thousands of young job seekers into a rewarding & fulfilling career with the automotive industry

http://www.vantageautomotive.com/

A Day in the Life Business – Torrens University

9 July. 9.30am to 1.30pm

1-5 Hickson Road, The Rocks, NSW

Free. If you’re interested in learning more about a particular marketing, event, public relations entrepreneurship or sport career, our business workshop is just the place. You’ll see what it’s like to spend a day in the life of an industry professional in a collaborative, supporting, like-minded environment – and it’s free!

https://www.torrens.edu.au/about/events-and-workshops/day-in-the-life-business-workshop-syd-july

JMC Academy Workshops in July School Holidays

561 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney

For Years 9 to 12 students. Animation, games design, digital design, film, sound, song writing and music performance. The workshops are a great opportunity to check out the JMC Academy campus while getting a taste of what studying your passion with Australia's leading Creative Industries provider is like at this fun, engaging and hands-on program!

https://www.jmcacademy.edu.au/sydney-high-school-workshops

Commonly Asked Interview Questions

What are some of the most commonly asked job interview questions and how should you answer them? Here's what the experts have to say. Job interviews often follow a common pattern. Many of the same questions come up again and again.

If you know what those questions are, you can prepare for an interview by coming up with ways to answer them. You could also practise your answers before an interview.

https://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-and-careers/job-interviews/what-are-some-common-interview-questions

TAFE InfoFest 2019

24 to 28 June

Registration for info sessions and tours opens in May. Check back for listed options at each location.

TAFE NSW has over 1,200 courses, diplomas and degrees, so whether you’re looking to get qualified faster, change careers, get a promotion or just gain the skills to be your own boss, you can explore options.

At InfoFest 2019 you can attend information sessions to hear from teachers about specific course content and delivery, and have all of your questions answered. You'll also get the opportunity to tour the campus and view our state-of-the-art facilities, guided by friendly and informative staff, happy to assist you with course information, help with your enrolment, or provide you with great career advice.

https://www.tafensw.edu.au/infofest

Women in Trades Videos

Skills shortages, advances in machine technology and a shift in attitude are just some of the factors that have led to the acceptance and encouragement of women taking part in traditionally ‘male’ trades. Some key industries that now persuade women to get involved are Automotive, Building & Construction, IT, Manufacturing, Engineering, Mining and Rural & Farming.

http://www.skillsone.com.au/category/women-in-trades/

Free Pre-Apprenticeship Courses – Automotive, Construction and Business

Apprenticeships R Us alongside My Trade Start is conducting automotive, construction and business pre-apprenticeship courses until the end of April. Courses are NSW Government funded for individuals aged 15-24 and run for 2 weeks, followed by work placement. Spots are filling quickly. Contact Apprenticeships R Us today to book in for an interview on 02 9891 6900.

AIE Open Day

18 May

Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation and visual effects. Sydney, Melbourne Canberra and Adelaide campuses will be opening their doors to visitors eager to find out about upcoming full-time and part-time courses. The day will include presentations on different areas of industry to get into as well as information about AIE full-time and part-time courses and entry requirements. Student work will be on display and our teachers will be available to speak with you one on one about our courses and how you can get into a creative career.

https://aie.edu.au/aie_event/open-day/

Western Sydney University The Academy Scholarships

The Academy gives academic high-achievers an added edge – in your study and with employers. It’s free to join. Offers you the challenges and intellectual rigour you crave. Focuses on community engagement, and personal and professional development. Prepares you to be a leader of tomorrow.

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/courses/the-academy.html/scholarships

Western Sydney University Global Leaders Program

Prepares you to compete with the world’s best, and become a leader of tomorrow.

The program is a pathway for students with exceptional potential to receive an early offer and a premium experience within the Academy, including:

• Membership of The Academy.
• A $2,000 'Smart Start' scholarship.
• A university-sponsored overseas academic or leadership experience

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/study/courses/the-academy/global-leaders-program.html