Christmas…

In the last week, I have had many students excitedly tell me that they have their Christmas tree up. Many families have had quite an adventure and have gone to great lengths to find the perfect Christmas tree!

Each year growing up on our family farm, we would head to the bush at the back of the farm to find a tree for Christmas. I still remember one year when I was quite young, seeing a friend’s Christmas tree in all of its glory and being quite jealous. Our Christmas tree was crooked, oddly shaped, decorated with mix-match decorations, and it definitely did not look like a tree from an American Christmas movie! When I got home, I selfishly redecorated our Christmas Tree to make it look better according to me, even though my family had already decorated the tree. I have been reflecting on this experience and my most recent visit to Myer to buy some new Christmas ornaments, and I have been reminded and convicted that we can easily get caught up with materialism, our selfishness and even covet things like a Christmas tree, and forget why we actually celebrate Christmas!

As we prepare to wind down after the end of the school year and head into the holidays, it is important that we remember, as a community, why we celebrate Christmas. Should we be promoting Christmas the event or Christ? What does Christ mean? This year, I have been using ‘The Names of Jesus Advent Calendar’ devotional by Lara Beeston as part of advent, focusing on Jesus, and I would like to share a devotion from this, focusing on Jesus as ‘Christ.’

You might remember that the Old Testament was written in Hebrew. The word ‘Messiah’ was a Hebrew word that meant the ‘Anointed One’ or the ‘King’. Jesus spoke in a language called Aramaic. But the language that was most easily understood in lots and lots of countries near where Jesus lived, was Greek. So when Jesus’ followers wanted other people to know about him, they wrote the books of the New Testament in Greek.

‘Messiah’ was a Jewish word. They wanted to use a Greek word to help people understand that Jesus was God’s ‘Anointed One’, his ‘King’. There was a Greek word that meant ‘someone anointed’ and it was ‘Christos’. We translate it into English as ‘Christ’. That’s all a bit complicated!

So what’s important to remember? It’s this. When Jesus’ followers said that Jesus was the Christ, they were saying he was God’s King. He was the Messiah King that the Jewish people had been waiting for. He was the King who was at the center of everything God was doing in the world.

You can think of it like this. ‘Jesus Christ’ means ‘Jesus the King’. ‘Christ Jesus’ means ‘King Jesus’. It doesn’t really matter which way round you put it.

Being a Christian is about knowing, trusting and following Jesus as Christ the King. He is a wonderful, welcoming, loving King. A King who says ‘Follow me’ and live my way and you will enjoy life with me forever. (Beeston, L, 20/10/21)

Our prayer is that all of our families will grasp the whole meaning of Christ the person and will put their trust in Jesus as their Saviour and King. As you unwrap your presents, sing carols, eat Christmas dinner and spend time with family and friends, I encourage you all to remember to reflect upon Christ the person by reading the Christmas Story in Luke or watching the Christmas Story as a family and praising God for the greatest gift He has given us - Jesus.

If you would like a copy of the Christmas story, please feel free to email me or chat with me. I pray that this Christmas we will all celebrate a gift far more precious than all the things money can buy - Jesus Christ (King Jesus)!

Bethany Armstrong - Principal

It has been a busy but enjoyable term for Year 6.

We began with an activity-packed camp to mark the end of our primary schooling. Students enjoyed the flying fox, abseiling and kayaking. It was wonderful to see students having a go and doing their best.

We have completed comics and Claymation movies with our buddies in Year 3 and Year 1. It has been a pleasure to see the students develop their leadership skills and work positively with the younger students.

On Monday, students travelled to Emmanuel Christian School for their Year 7 Orientation Day. They enjoyed getting to know students from other schools and took part in Science, Geography and cooking classes.

While there were some nerves at the beginning of the day, it was great to see so many smiles and hear the excitement for high school by the end of the day.

You can find more photos of the event via the Emmanuel Facebook page.

We wish Year 6 all the best as they head to High School. They will be greatly missed…

Luke Lamont - Year 6 Teacher

On Friday, 19 November we had our 2021 Athletics Carnival. It was wonderful to have so many families come out to support us on the day. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped out with recording results, handing out ribbons, setting up, packing up and many other tasks. See our Facebook post for all the photos.

Athletics champions are those students who not only performed well on the day but more importantly participated enthusiastically. The 2021 champions are as follows.

• Prep: Amarlie Willrath and Archer Woolley

• Year 1: David Ajayi-Daniels and Amity-Joy Roberts

• Year 2: Sophia Bullock and Zayden Koeppen

• Year 3: Natayah McPherson and Harlyn Whitney

• Year 4: Dayne Palmer, Abbie Raue and Sophie Williams

• Year 5: Ruth Douglas and Zephaniah Johns

• Year 6: Tristen Anderson and Stella Boucher.

The winning house this year was Wellington, although Derwent was close behind. Well done to all of the students who participated and gave their best efforts on the day.

Peter Humphrey - Physical Education Teacher

On Thursday, 9 December, our Years 3-6 students will be participating in the ThinkUKnow program, led by the Australian Federal Police, which aims to facilitate positive engagement with young people and law enforcement while equipping students with the knowledge and skills to be able to take actionable steps to maintain their safety at all times.

Wednesday, 15 December
5.00pm - 8.00pm

On Monday, 13 December there will be a full dress rehearsal for students to prepare for the Carols Concert. Please ensure your child brings their red, white or green shirt, clearly labelled with their name, so they can get changed for the rehearsal.

On Wednesday, 15 December, students are to arrive by 4.30pm and meet in their classroom. Travel to Bethlehem will commence at 5.00pm with the
Carols Concert performed by students, followed by the Christmas Story and the End of Year Awards presentation.

COVID Safety Requirements

Please sign in using the COVID-19 Check In Tas App QR code at the entrance to Travel To Bethlehem.

All adults including staff, parents, carers and contractors are reminded to maintain the legal social distancing requirement by keeping 1.5m apart. We also ask that you stay at home if you are unwell.

Parent Helpers Needed

We need your help to ensure this night runs smoothly. We have a number of different attractions that we need assistance with from 6.00pm. There are
30-minute time slots available and you can sign up for one or four!

Please volunteer here and then choose which event and time slot you are able to assist with.

Please remember that all volunteers need a valid Working with Vulnerable People Card. These details will need to be provided to register for a time slot for the event.