Dear Parents

Each new term brings with it exciting opportunities.  Last term the College was a very quiet place before and after school but this term, with the lifting of more restrictions, our Student Life offerings are resuming.  It is a wonderful feeling walking around our campuses before and after school and hearing the sound of music and dancing and watching students training on ovals and courts.  The college really does come to life and our students are beneficiaries of the increased activity.

This term we welcome three new teachers to the College.  Larry Vint joins us as our new Head of Digital Design and Technology, Thomas Stewart is filling a 6-month contract teaching Secondary Drama and Rosemary Boylan-Ascione joins us on contract, teaching Classroom Music on our Primary Campus.

Last week our Senior Students were able to use the Centre for Senior Learning for the first time.  This new building has been named the Kurrajong Building and is a much-welcomed addition to our College facilities.  Not only is the building impressive, it has also provided a cultural shift on the Secondary Campus.  Senior students now have a purpose-built facility with dedicated teaching spaces and study areas affording them the best opportunities to prepare for success in the new ATAR system.  There will be many opportunities in the coming months to see this unique facility with information evenings, parent meetings and the Secondary Campus Open Day planned for this term.

I do hope that restrictions continue to ease and I can finally begin meeting parents informally.

My best wishes
Steven Morris

From the Chaplain

Learning from the prayer life of Jesus.

In Luke 11:1 it reads ‘One day Jesus was preaching in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’

This is the origin of the Lord’s Prayer.  Jesus taught and modeled the importance of prayer. Throughout the gospels, we see glimpses of Jesus praying and his prayer life. Jesus prays for others just like we do in our church services in our intercessional prayers. Jesus prays with others including his disciples. In Luke 9:28 ‘Jesus took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray’. Jesus also prayed alone, he withdrew from the crowds to pray. In Luke 5:16 ‘Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.’  Jesus prayed outdoors, up mountains, He prayed short prayers and for long periods but most importantly, He just spent time alone with God. This is especially important for us today in our hectic culture, to be still before God. Psalm 46:10 reads, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

If you would like the opportunity to be still with God, we offer Morning Prayer on the Primary Campus on Wednesday morning from 7.45am-8.10am and a Prayer Hub that meets on a Wednesday evening via zoom 8pm-9pm. If you are interested, please let me know. EWilliams@tsac.qld.edu.au

Blessings
Reverend Erika Williams