Pathways | Volume 39 Number 18 | 1

Wednesday 1 November, 2017

From the Principal Reforming and repainting the Christian faith

Tuesday 31 October marks a significant day in history. It is the day we commemorate the 500th

Anniversary of the Reformation

Times change. God doesn’t, but times do. We learn and grow, and the

world around us shifts, and the Christian faith is alive only when it is

listening, morphing, innovating, letting go of whatever has gotten in the way

of Jesus and embracing whatever will help us be more and more the

people God wants us to be. There are endless examples of this ongoing

process, so I’ll describe just one.

Around 500 years ago, a man named Martin Luther raised a whole series of

questions about the painting the church was presenting to the world. He

insisted that God’s grace could not be purchased with money or good

deeds. He wanted everyone to have their own copy of the Bible in a

language they could read. He argued that everyone had a divine calling on

their lives to serve God, not just priests who had jobs in churches. This

concept was revolutionary for the world at that time. He was articulating earth-shattering ideas for his listeners. And

they heard him. And something big, something historic, happened. Things changed. Thousands of people

connected with God in ways they hadn’t before.

But that wasn’t the end of it. Luther was taking his place in a long line of people who never stopped rethinking and

repainting the faith. Shedding unnecessary layers and at the same time rediscovering essentials that had been lost.

Luther’s work was part of what came to be called the Reformation. Because of this movement, the churches he

was speaking against went through their own process of rethinking and repainting, making significant changes as a

result. And this process hasn’t stopped. It can’t. In fact, Luther’s contemporaries used a very specific word for this

endless, absolutely necessary process of change and growth. They didn’t use the word reformed; they used the

word reforming. This distinction is crucial. They knew that they and others hadn’t gotten it perfect forever. They

knew that the things they said and did and wrote and decided would need to be revisited. Rethought. Reworked.

I’m part of this tradition. I’m part of this global, historic stream of people who believe that God has not left us alone

but has been involved in human history from the beginning. People who believe that in Jesus, God came among us

in a unique and powerful way, showing us a new kind of life. Giving each of us a new vision for our life together, for

the world we live in. And as a part of this tradition, I embrace the need to keep painting, to keep reforming.

Bell, Rob (2012-08-02). Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith - HarperCollins Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Volume 39 Number 18 Email: school@stjohnsbundaberg.qld.edu.au

Pathways | Volume 39 Number 18 | 2

1 John 4:10 New International Reader's Version (NIRV) 10 Here is what love is. It is not that we loved God. It is that he loved us and sent his Son to give his life to pay for

our sins.

From Conflict to Communion

A couple of weeks ago I, along with other Lutheran and Catholic school principals and senior staff, met in Brisbane

for what was an historic day of sharing and growing together. You see this year marks 500 years since Reformation

– significant in the protestant Church including the Lutheran Church. It was a time to reflect on the past, and for

Lutherans and Catholics to focus on building and growing in faith and unity in Christ.

Grace One of the core tenets of our Luther faith is the gift of Grace. In Lutheran theology, justification is God's act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time declaring a sinner righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice. We often say; justified by Grace through Faith.

I grew up at a time when the Irish band U2 was very popular!

Bono is the lead singer in U2, one of the world’s biggest selling rock bands. He grew up in Northern Ireland, the son of one Catholic and one Protestant parent. Throughout his childhood and adult years he was a constant witness to the hatreds fuelled by ‘Christian’ belief. It left Bono less than enthusiastic about the Church. Nevertheless Bono embraced Christian faith and maintains his embrace, not he says, because of the Church but because of grace. It is the one thing that makes him want to be a Christian. In a speech to a Harvard University graduating class in 2000 he declared he was a believer in grace over karma, karma being the notion that we get what we deserve. In a song entitled Grace (found on U2’s All That You Can’t Leave Behind album released in 2000) Bono pictures grace as a beautiful, vibrantly attractive woman. Here we find a wonderful description of grace as it comes to us from God and one another.

Grace, she takes the blame She carries the shame Removes the stains It could be her name

Grace, it’s the name for a girl It’s also a thought that changed the world And when she walks on the street You can hear the strings Grace finds goodness in everything.

Grace, she’s got the walk, Not a ramp or on chalk She’s got the time to talk She travels outside of karma She travels outside of karma When she goes to work You can hear her strings Grace finds beauty in everything.

Grace, she carries a world on her hips No champagne flute for her lips No twirls or skips between her fingertips She carries a pearl in perfect condition.

What once was hurt What once was friction What left a mark No longer stings Because Grace makes beauty Out of ugly things. Grace makes beauty out of ugly things. Source: Lyrics from U2, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind” album. Information on Bono from U2.com and mcphisto.com.

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End of Year Assessment

As you know, Term 4 is a very short term. Testing is occurring across year levels in various subjects, ready for

reports. Please support your child in this by ensuring they arrive at school on time, have had a good breakfast and

are ready for their day with all necessary equipment, especially writing implements.

Canberra Tour

A very excited group of Year 6 students along with Mr Bakker, Mrs Mann, Mrs Craven-Hughes, Mrs Taske and Mr

Pearce boarded the bus bound for Hervey Bay and then onto Canberra, early Sunday morning. According to the

Facebook posts and messages, all are having a great time!

Check out our school Facebook page to see Canberra Tour updates.

Fig Tree Removal

We have been advised by a local arborist to remove the fig tree which is on the main fence along George Street.

Whilst I am very hesitant to remove trees unnecessarily – advice rendered is that the tree will soon begin to cause

damage to our drainage and plumbing services on our school site and will likely begin to uproot the foot path

outside of the school fence.

In order to offset the removal of the tree we will be designing and building a garden outside of the double storey

classroom block which will involve the planting of a range of plants and trees. We were fortunate to have been

granted an eco-charter grant through Lutheran Education Australia. This money will help towards to construction of

a new garden project.

Thank you for working in partnership with us.

Grace and Peace

Chris

Chaplain’s Chat In this week’s Chaplain’s Corner I will be sharing some points from an article in “Parent Life Magazine” written by

Kim Blackaby entitled Helping our kids experience God by practicing some key habits.

1. Live the adventure – Talk with your children about God and how He is at work in your life or in the lives of

other people you know.

2. Consider your circumstances and interpret them in the light of what God may be doing – Consider why

God has placed you in a particular school, neighbourhood or circle of friends. Pray about it. What is God

doing in the lives of those around you? How might God want to work through your family in these

situations?

3. Pay attention and watch for God at work. God goes ahead of us. He is already at work in people’s lives and

situations. Interest in spiritual things can be an indicator of God at work.

4. Respond to opportunities to share God’s love and serve others – Noticing a need in someone else’s life

may be God’s invitation for you and your family to be involved in helping to meet that need.

5. Teach your children how to recognise God’s voice – God speaks through His Word,

prayer, circumstances, the body of believers (other Christians).

By sharing these things with our children it is helping them recognise that God is alive and

active in our world and in the everyday lives of ordinary people like us. Jesus said …… “My

Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too, am working.” John 5:17

Warmly Jeanette Mann

School Chaplain

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Curriculum Connections

How to encourage and foster curiosity at home….

Curiosity is integral to an Inquiry Based Learning philosophy. Children are born curious and we strive to nurture this

at St John’s through our learning and teaching.

The suggestions I will include in the coming weeks are intentional ideas to nurture your child’s curious mind when interacting with them at home. They may be particularly useful over the Christmas holiday break.

Value and reward your children’s curiosity Yes, it is important to reward success in application, but it’s more important to notice and reinforce curiosity when you see it in action. This may be when you notice your child engages in scientific experiments, is out on a nature walk, occupied with solving a problem or engrossed in a book. These are the times to acknowledge their quest for learning. Children need to know that you value them for their motivation to learn in contexts that don’t always involve school or academic results. Trust that children’s intellectual curiosity will be put to work in many ways as they grow and develop. Encourage your children to ask quality questions Quality questions are a vital tool of curiosity. It’s not enough to ask your children questions, or to suggest they Google the answers. Parents should help children learn to formulate their own meaningful questions. Self-formulated questions connect on deep levels with self-motivation. Quality questions contain “why”, “what if”, and “how.” These kinds of questions help children solve everyday problems and unlock their imaginations.

Jocelyn Bakker – Learning and Teaching Coordinator and Learning Support Teacher

Student Awards Congratulations to this fortnight’s award recipients

Prep Susan Naudé, Charlie McDonald, Piper Weier, Isabella Diener

Year 1 Neve Straker, Ella Park, Christian Russell, Lillee Curteis

Year 2 Ashleigh Plumridge, Imogen Willes, Harrison Stegman, Rebecca Wooldridge, Chace

Montgomerie

Year 3 Jenna Knott, Sienna Johnson, Jack Steinhardt, Sanvika Gudur, Hayley McKeown, Jayden

Dugdell, Sean Galletly, Levi Faint

Year 4 Casey Hall, Rosie Straker, Preston McNamara, Jacob Heaton, Lawson Carroll, Aiden Hart,

Tahlia Smits, Clancie Watson

Year 4/5 Cassius Amey, Taj Crosbie, Emilie Petts, Harper Tindel-Dimes, Jack Hall, Rachael Bowes

Year 6 Cody Muller, Lauren Richter

Music Sarah Hodgetts, William TePairi, Ryan Steinhardt, Jacob Heaton

Around the Grounds – General Notices Uniform Shop – Opening House

Tuesday 8.15am – 9.00am

Thursday 2.30pm – 3.15pm

If you are unable to come at the above times, please remember that you can send in orders/payments via the class

basket. Just write a short note and send it in an envelope clearly marked ‘Uniform Shop’.

Sprouts There are only 2 more Sprouts Kid’s Club events for the year. They will be held a week apart. They are

Wednesday 8th November and Wednesday 15th November. The 15th November will be the Sprouts Break Up

beginning at the usual time for Sprouts. At 5pm the children will be doing a Presentation for family and friends. At

6pm there will be a Sausage Sizzle to which family & friends are also invited.

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Christmas Fun Day - If you are looking for something that the children can do in the Christmas Holidays, on Monday 11 December, St John’s Church is putting on a Christmas Fun Day for children in Prep – Year 6 running from 9am to 4:00pm. The day will be held in the Church Hall. Children will be involved in Christmas raft activities, see a drama about the Christmas Story and participate in fun activities and games. More information will be sent home in the next few weeks.

St John’s Lutheran Primary School Swimming Carnival Prep – Year 6

Day: Friday 17 November

Time: Junior Carnival 9a.m – 12.30p.m. 5 – 8 year olds

Senior Carnival 9a.m. – 2.30p.m. 9 – 12+ year olds

Venue: Norville Swimming Pool

Ensure that your children are at school by 8.30a.m. as the buses will depart St John’s at

8.45a.m.

Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to help with the Junior Carnival.

Please help! Junior and Senior Carnival helpers urgently needed: If you are able to help out at this year’s carnivals, please

return the form that was sent home or alternatively complete the tear off slip on Two Weeks at a Glance page.

2018 Term Dates Term dates for 2018 have now been set and approved by School Council and were sent home to all families today. Please take note that there will be a three week break the June/July holidays. Year 6 Graduation Dinner Invitations for the Year 6 Graduation Dinner were posted to all Year 6 parents last week. If you have not yet received your invitation, please contact the office. Please remember to RSVP by Friday 17 November with number attending and any dietary requirements. 2018 Prep Parents The Prep Parent Information evening will be held this evening in the Library NOT in the Prep classroom as stated in the letter you received. This change has been necessary due to the number of students who will be attending our Prep in 2018. Entry will be via the main Administration Building at 24 George Street. The evening will run from 5.30pm to 7.00pm. If you have not yet replied to your invitation, please don’t hesitate to come as there will be a lot of information to help you and your child transition to Prep in 2018.

Volunteers’ Morning Tea The staff and students of St John’s would like to say thank you for volunteering your

time to help us with the great variety of programs in our school. If you have volunteered your time to assist us with

any of our school programs, classroom helpers, Friday afternoon interschool sport, etc - you are invited to share in

a special morning tea.

Please join us:

When Friday 10 November

Where Oodies Café 103 Gavin Street, North Bundaberg

Time 9.30a.m.

RSVP By Wednesday 8 November

Phone 4132 6888

Email school@stjohnsbundaberg.qld.edu.au

Book Lists A reminder that all Book lists need to be returned to either the school office or directly to AASTAT by Tuesday 1 November. It is important that if you are not using AASTAT as your back to school supplier that you purchase the exact brand of supplies as listed on the list. In particular on the Prep book list there is a My School Yellow Scrapbook. This scrapbook is not available through any other supplier as they have only just gone on the market and have to be purchased through the company that prints them.

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2017 TWILIGHT CONCERT

Thursday 23 November

St John’s School Hall

5.00p.m. Piano Recital

6.00p.m. Sausage Sizzle

6.30p.m. Instrumental Concert

This is a wonderful opportunity that is given to all the music students at St John’s to perform in front of the

school community. Come and listen to these talented students of St John’s Lutheran Primary School

perform solo and ensemble items. This is always a great evening of entertainment for all the family. Come

dressed for the occasion in your best Christmas outfit.

Concert features:

Year 1 Music Class Choir

Year 2 Music Class Concert Bands – Senior & Junior

Year 3 Music Class Ensembles and many solo performances

A flyer will be sent home in the near future with all the information about the concert and the Sausage

Sizzle.

School Fees Many thanks to the families who have already paid the Term 4 fees. As the end of the year is fast approaching it is asked that those who have yet to finalise accounts could do so before the end of the school year. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact the Business Manager, Bernadette Latimer, by calling 4132 688 or by email at businessmanager@stjohnsbundaberg.qld.edu.au Save this date The next Community Sunday Service will be held at St John’s Lutheran Church on Sunday 26 November at 10.00am. All welcome to attend. There will be involvement by students from St John’s. A notice will be out prior to the day asking for indication of students who would like to participate in the drama presentation & leading the prayers.

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ST JOHN’S OSHC INSIDE NEWS To make new bookings call 0409759831 to for check availability.

Service Leader: Barbara Thom Assistants: Claire O’Connell and Rachel Lambert

Cooking up a storm: appropriate words for our rainy week but starting on the 23 October we are going to be

cooking every Monday. We will learn how to make lots of things, savory and sweet. We will start with some easy

cook Mondays and work our way up to something more complex and elaborate at the end of term. It’s not too late

to book in and join in the fun. We are starting with some chocolate crackles. The children that already attend are

very excited about the introduction of this into our program.

Tinaberries: The highlight of our vacation care over September was definitely our excursion to Tinaberries. We

were almost booked to capacity as everyone wanted to be a part of this wonderful experience. St John’s

Kindergarten joined us for the day. Tina helped us all to pick our own punnet of strawberries and told us the best

place to find them on the farm. She told us all about how strawberries grow and how they are picked and packaged

and even stored. We all got to see each process first hand and even bought some strawberries home to take to our

families but we also got some strawberries to make strawberry jam and scones for afternoon tea at Vacation Care.

African Drumming: We also had Carlos come and teach us all about African Culture, Drumming and Dance. Each child got a drum or percussion instrument to play along with Carlos and his music. This was a very special experience we all learnt a lot about African traditions. He also wore his traditional dress and headdress for us, we all had a loud but informative morning.

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St John’s Swimming Carnival - 17 November 2017 – Helpers still needed for both Junior and Senior Carnivals

As per the letter sent home last week we are still seeking parent assistance to run our swimming carnival. If you can help, even for an hour, please complete the section below and return to school.

Yes, I can help Name__________________________________________

I am able to help at the following times - please circle

SENIOR CARNIVAL All day 9am - 2pm

First session 9am - 11.40am

Second session 12pm – 2pm

Set Up 7.15am – 8.15am

JUNIOR CARNIVAL

9 – 12.30

Set Up 7.15am – 8.15am

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music Program 2018

Name ………………………………………………… Phone……………………..

I would like more information regarding the music program in 2018.

The Pathways Newsletter is now available

on our school website

Go to www.stjohnsbundaberg.qld.edu.au

Click on News & Events - Newsletter

and follow the link to the newsletter

Issue 18, 1 November, 2017

or go to our Facebook Page and you will find the link there

Phone 4132 6888

Date Activity Venue Details

1 Nov 2018 Prep Parent Information Evening Library 5.30 – 7.00pm

3 Nov 2018 Prep Orientation Morning Prep classroom 9.30am – 12 noon

8 Nov Please RSVP for Volunteers Morning Tea

10 Nov Volunteers Morning Tea Oodies Gather at 9.30am

8 Nov Sprouts Church grounds 3.15 – 5.00pm

15 Nov Sprouts Presentation & Break Up Church grounds Information coming home soon

17 Nov Swimming Carnival Norville Swimming

Pool

21 Nov Book Lists in by today please

Bundaberg Lutheran Parish

Parish Pastor: Pastor Wayne George

Phone: 4152 5900 Email: office@stjohnsbundaberg.org.au Website: www.stjohnsbundy.org.au

St John’s

30 George Street

Service Times

8.30am & 10am

Faith

Larson Street

Service Time

7.30am

Redeemer

Tirroan Rd, Gin

Gin

Service Time

8.00am

Rosedale

10.30am

1st Sunday of the

month

Gracehaven Chapel

Dr May’s Road

10.30am