Faith Focus

Term

2 W

eek

5

It ’s PersonalHave you noticed some rivalries become legendary? They might be between sporting identities or clubs, political parties and individuals, business organisations etc. Just think of the Crows/Power showdowns, or Gillard/Rudd, Abbot/Turnbull conversations. Fortunately, interstate rivalries have been largely put aside during the past months.

In strong rivalries, there seems to be a higher level of investment and weight given, to the outcome. When you hear the participants speak, they often say something like ‘This is different, this is personal’ and we see heightened passion, energy and effort.

As a parent, I showed more interest when one of my sons was batting or bowling, but could easily drift off when it was another player in the spotlight. When a travel show is on television and it highlights a place I’ve visited or wish to visit, my interest and attention is sparked. When my CFS App highlights an event within my range, I take an interest. All these examples show how something that is personal, grabs our attention, energy and effort.

As I reflected on a podcast I was listening to on the weekend, I began to think about what a difference ‘it’s personal’ makes in our lives. It was highlighting how the apostle Paul was able to stay strong in the face of adversity because he knew God was personally invested in him. I think my relationship with God mirrors this. When I remember God has a personal interest and love for me, it changes everything. It moves from something I know about, to something that is mine. All God’s promises and Jesus’ sacrifice are personally mine. They give a great sense of peace and strength. When I keep God at arm’s length, the reverse is true.

God has shown us continually how much he is invested in us. It’s personal for him, as Jesus said “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.’ (John 12:6-7)

Why not be open to letting God’s love be your source of hope, strength and peace in your life.

2020

James Heyne

Students enjoying ‘Elastics’ before school, so fun!

Important BitsPrincipal PonderingsOur state continues to be heading in a positive direction with many zero case days and the bringing forward of Step 2 of the restriction easing roadmap, to start on Monday, June 1st.

This is great news as people begin returning to more activities, although still with restrictions. As I have stated previously, the easing of restrictions has not impacted schools yet and we continue to operate with the same restrictions in place as when we began this term. Please remember:• Our playgrounds are not available for use before or after school;• Adults, outside of staff are asked not to be on school grounds unnecessarily and to observe social distancing when on site. Entry to buildings is restricted to essential meetings only;• Use the drop off/pick up drive through whenever possible;• We continue with high levels of hygiene practices and cleaning;• Students participate in class based activities whenever possible. We have not recommenced buddies, chapel and assembly gatherings, chess club etc; • As we don’t share food, students are not currently able to bring cupcakes etc in from home on their birthdays. They may bring an individually wrapped purchased item if they wish.

While we are reaching a time when we hopefully can begin more activities such as band, choir, and buddies, we will still need to be a little patient. Thank you for your ongoing cooperation.

Staff NewsLast Thursday, Janene Overton informed our staff that after almost 12 years of providing amazing care for our community, she will be retiring at the end of the year. Janene has played a significant role in the wellbeing of our community and she will be hard to replace. Over the next weeks we will review her position and begin the process of finding our next Pastoral Support Worker.

PreCOVID-19, I would have currently been on 6 weeks leave and on a cruise ship heading towards Anchorage, Alaska. This was going to be the start of a trip through Alaska and the Canadian Rockies. With the changes of the last months, the holiday was cancelled and I deferred my leave. I will however, be taking a few days leave either side of the upcoming long weekend. During my absence, Ms Saracini and Mr Wright, our Business Manager will be managing any priority tasks.

Mrs Paterson will begin leave next Tuesday, as she undergoes knee surgery. We wish her well and look forward to her return next term. Mrs Rebekah Wright will be managing the library during Mrs Paterson’s leave.

Feedback SurveyThank you to families who have completed our short survey emailed last week. Your feedback is valuable in helping us review our recent experiences as well as looking for improvements. If you are yet to complete the survey, you can access it at:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NRB5LLZ.

Parent Teacher MeetingsWith the modified written report to be provided at the end of the term, we will be offering the option of a Parent and

Teacher Meeting, following receipt of the written report. These will be held on Thursday, 2nd July. Our online booking system will be open next week with details provided to you via email.

Masterplan NewsFor a number of years, our school improvement actions, based on our strategic plan and four pillars – Inspired Students, Passionate Staff, Inviting Facilities and Vibrant Community, has been directing our priorities. We’ve worked hard on our learning principles and developed learning to include greater inquiry and conceptual understandings.

We have now reached an exciting phase when we are in a position to proceed with planning for Phase 1 of our facilities and grounds masterplan. School Council has given approval for us to proceed to tender for the project to redevelop indoor/outdoor learning spaces in our Foundation classrooms and to redevelop our front office entry.

The tender process is not a final decision to proceed with the project, but is a significant step in the process. We will know in 6 to 8 weeks if and when the project will go ahead. Between now and then, we are planning the logistical changes required to accommodate a building project.

Casual DayTomorrow, Friday 29th, will be a casual day as part of the celebration of Reconciliation Week. Students are invited to dress in colours of Australian nature: yellow and green for the Wattle Tree; black and red for the Sturt Desert Pea; orange and brown for the deserts; and blue for our vast waterways. This array of colour will remind us of our native beauty and our connection to the land and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Coming Up May Friday 29th Casual Day - dress in the colours of native flora! Chapel, 9am - over the airwaves

June Monday 1st No hats required from today until 1st of September Thursday 11th P&F Meeting, 7pm - TBA

School Life

Scholastic Book Club Order forms (Issue 4) have been handed out this week. Orders and payment are due by Wednesday 17th June.

Simultaneous Story TimeOn Wednesday this week, at 11am, our school participated in National Simultaneous Storytime.

This event is now in it’s 20th year and is enjoyed in schools, librarys, childcare centres, bookshops and preschool centres across the country. The aim is to promote reading and literacy using books written and illustrated by Australians.

This year’s book was ‘Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas’, written by Lucinda Gifford. it was very well received!

Year 3 ScienceStudents explored different types of heat sources and had to categorise them into the following groups: burning; friction; or electricity.

Ten stations were created to give students the opportunity to practically experience heat and how the heat is created. They were:sharpening a pencil; erasing pencil marks; rubbing hands together; lamp (turned on);lit candle; torch; polishing the desk with a cloth; sanding wood with sandpaper; radio left on; and a campfire.

It is much more exciting, and also easier for students

to understand concepts, when experiencing the heat and observing for themselves rather than learning it from a book.

Let’s hope Grace takes her learning about friction into some house cleaning at home!

It’s clear the campfire station was the student’’s favourite. Toasting marshmallows was a great end to a fun science lesson. Thank you teachers!

Hat PolicyOn Monday, 1st of June, it is officially

Winter! Hats are no longer required outside, although students may wear them if

they wish.

Online chess classes continue in Term 2!

Want to learn chess or improve your current skills? Open to all students!

‘Be who you want to be in a non-judgemental environment.’

After school times: 4pm, 5pm and 6pm

Different level chess class available

30 minutes for ONLY $6

8-10 students per session, so book in fast to secure your seat!

Check out our Calendar

School LifeGerman NewsThe Foundation classes enjoyed going for a German colour scavenger hunt around the school this week. They loved looking at the beautiful leaves for the last few days of autumn.

They also created German speaking puppets to help learn “Wie geht’s?” which is “How are you?” and the response of “Danke gut” which means “Well, thank you” or “Nicht so gut” which translates to “Not so good”.

Missing ItemsEllie W (FS) has lost a school hat and

Tegan S (1D) a sports jumper.Please check names on uniform items at home

and return to school if found.

Thank youIt would be wonderful to ask your children to teach you a few German words occasionally. Teaching someone else is a very effective way to cement knowledge. It will help your child and you’ll learn something too!

We are hoping with easing of restrictions that we can have a face-to-face P&F Meeting in the library on Thursday, 11 June at 7pm. Stay tuned!

Debbie Zimmermann

Year 6 NewsThis week, the Year 6’s have been exploring how to create an electrical circuit. They were given the pieces of the puzzle and asked to make the light glow or the buzzer buzz.

Students soon worked out a number of requirements for the transfer of electricity and generated a lot of questions during the process as well.

We look forward to exploring the transfer of electricity further in the following weeks.

Class 5A NewsThis term, we have been exploring Australia to better understand the climate zones and the way people use land in different zones.

Using iMovie, we created virtual tours of 24 different locations around Australia. We had to research our locations using an atlas and the internet, then create a script for our presentation. We learnt how to create, edit and evaluate our own movies and give feedback to others on their presentation.

It was fun working on the iPads and learning together by trying new things. We really enjoyed watching them all and learning about 24 different places in Australia.

Maybe one day we will get to visit them all.

School Life

Community LifeTemporary Closure of the Mt Barker School Dental Clinic

The Mt Barker School Dental Service Clinic, located at Mt Barker Primary School, Dumas St., Mt Barker is currently closed for maintenance and will re-open in July 2020.

SA Dental Service will provide dental care for children at the Mt Barker Community Dental Clinic, Mt Barker District Hospital, 87 Wellington Rd, Mt Barker until the School Dental Clinic re-opens.

For enquiries please phone: 8393 1555 To request an appointment go to:www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/dentalappointment

All babies, children and young people under 18 years, are welcome to attend a School Dental

Service clinic.

12 JUNEFRIDAYTOURSPrincipal’s

Co-educational from Years 7 to 12 years

30celebrating

1990 - 2020

Tours depart9.30am | 11.30am | 2.00pm | 4.00pmRegister at cornerstone.sa.edu.au or contact 8398 6009

LLL BankingOn 31st May, interest will again be added to all deposit accounts. We therefore ask that you please send any LLL passbooks to our office by 2/6/20, so LLL can update the interest and carry out their annual audit.Thank you

Application forms are available from the front office