newsletter - tyndale christian school...

ph: 8536 3355 fax: 8536 3097 website: www.tyndale.sa.edu.au email: [email protected]

28 East Terrace, Strathalbyn, SA 5255 Phone: (08) 8536 3355Term 1 Week 4 - 20 Feb 2015

2015Term 1 Wed 28 Jan - Fri 10 AprilTerm 2 Tue 28 Apr - Fri 3 JulyTerm 3 Wed 22 Jul - Fri 25 SepTerm 4 Mon 12 Oct - Wed 9 Dec

TERM DATES 2015

1 IMPORTANT DATES

Week 6 - MARCHTues 3 Primary Assembly* (Yr 3 Class) *Tea & Coffee provided for parents afterwards

Wed 4 Rite Journey Commencement Service (6.45pm - 9.00pm)

Week 7 - MARCHMon 9 PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Tues 10 Buddy Classes

Fri 13 Secondary Athletics Sports Day (School Oval)

Chapel Street BBQ Tea (5.00pm onwards)

EXCITING TIMES AHEADThe term is gathering momentum with so many things happening in the next couple of weeks. Included in this edition of our School Newsletter is a contribution from Mr Nigel Croser, our Senior School Coordinator, regarding the origin of our School’s name. Please read this fascinating article by Mr Croser.

On our Chapel Street campus you would have noticed some activity. We are putting the final touches to a parking area for our parents. The entrance to the Junior School will be modified to make access simpler. We are also busy creating a new lawn area and sand pit area for our students and the site will be fenced for added security. The works will be completed the moment final drawings for the changes to the storm water on the site is finalised. We are very excited with the developments at our Junior School site on Chapel Street.

We are very close to go out on tender to air condition our Gymnasium and to clad the walls to better the

acoustics. We are very excited about this project as it will improve the Gymnasium as a teaching space and will add definite value to the facility. Our students are very excited about this project.

Further exciting Capital projects will be announced shortly as we are just finalising and prioritising further projects to commence later on in the year.

Tyndale Christian School Strathalbyn is a changing energetic Community but we should never forget that God is the provider of our blessings. He is our Jehovah Jireh – God our Provider. We need to be a praying Community. We need to ask God for His blessings. God wants us to be specific with our needs. Join us on Wednesday mornings in the School Auditorium as we pray for our School.

Johan GrieselPrincipal

Week 5 - FEBTues 24 Swimming Carnival (Yr 4 to 12)

Wed 25 SAPSASA Swimming (Yr 3 to 7)

Regular opening hours during term:Monday 8:30am - 9:30amWednesday 2:45pm - 3:45pmFriday 8:30am - 9:30am

UNIFORM SHOP

Full story on page 5

newsletterBUDDY CLASSES OFF TO A GREAT START

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PARENT NEWS AND NOTICES


Volunteers are important in our School setting as resources are limited. We also want to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience of our Community to support the learning outcomes in our School.

Our 2015 Volunteer Program will include the following: • Assisting teachers with listening with reading in classes • Learning Assistance Program (LAP) where volunteers make a commitment to a specific student for an extended period of time • Sport coaching • Sport officials • Canteen volunteers • Traffic officials • Parent prayer group • Excursions • Coordinating recycling

The roles above are only a sample of volunteer involvement in our School. We want to coordinate a structured program. A requirement of the volunteers being involved in our 2015

Volunteers Program is screening and training. Our duty of care towards our students will be the underpinning principle for our Volunteers Program. The program will require the following of all volunteers;

• A Police screening – (The National Police Clearance Certificate has now been replaced with a Child Related Screening Application Form through the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion. The cost associated is covered by the school).

• Volunteer induction

• Volunteer specific training

A School Volunteer Coordinator will be appointed shortly. Dates for the Volunteer Induction will be released soon. Please apply for your Police clearance in the meantime as this is the most time consuming. Please direct any questions to myself.

Johan GrieselPrincipal

NEW VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

As Christians we believe that prayer is a crucial and highly beneficial part of life. We benefit as we take time out of our busy schedules to intentionally be still in the presence of God. Also those that we pray for are benefitted by the power of God being released into their lives and the situations that we bring before God.

It is exciting to be part of this group, seeing prayers answered all the time! Some within the day, others taking longer. Part of the thrill is seeing how God’s timing, as He answers our prayers, is always perfect! Reminding us over and over to put our trust in His plans rather than our own.

Although we consider the prayer group a very important thing we are also relaxed and would welcome any and all newcomers or visitors regardless of your previous experience with prayer.

This group is for anyone who wants to pray for the school or learn more about the power of prayer by seeing it in action. If you just want to listen to others pray while praying along silently that’s fine, or a simple one sentence prayer is also fine. Of course if you want to jump right in and pray more, then that’s great too.

You are welcome to bring your young children with you. We have plenty of

toys to keep them occupied while we pray and we are used to praying over their noise or with our eyes open to supervise them.

WhoMums, Dads, Grandparents, Careers, Friends, Anyone.

WhereThe Main auditorium of the Administration Office on East Terrace

WhenEvery Wednesday of the term at 9.00am

For more information or to pass on prayer requests please phone Kristy Smith on 0438 442 172 or email on [email protected]

PARENT PRAYER GROUP

A TRUE EXAMPLE OF EXCELENCEYesterday our Secondary Students gathered together during lesson one to celebrate the academic achievements of one of our 2014 Year 12 Graduates - Jemima Lawless-Jones.

Jemima obtained the highest results in our whole Year 12 cohort which meant that she has been awarded with our Dux award. Mr Mike Potter presented her with a certificate and Mrs Farnell presented her with a medallion and a $1,000 cheque from the School which is to go towards her studies.

Jemima took the opportunity to share some words of wisdom with the

Secondary Students on how they can show excellence not only in their studies, but also in their everyday lives.

Well done Jemima on this great achievement.

What an exciting start to the year it has been for our Administration team. I hope you are all enjoying the benefits of our Main Administration Office, convenient for you on the street front of East Terrace.

We are pleased too with how the Student Services Office is operating, solely focused on serving our staff & students. Keeping fit walking between the two buildings is just an added benefit for us all. If you are visiting us at the School, please remember to sign in at the Main Administration Office with Students signing out early or arriving late continue to use the Student Services Office.

FeesIn relation to your School fees, for those who paid their annual fees

up front, you will now have received your 7% discount on tuition fees and accordingly, for those who have made their first quarter payment, your 5% discount on tuition fees has also been applied.

For all families who have chosen to pay fees on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, I trust these arrangements are now well in place with either our Direct Debit or bPay system. If you have not commenced your payment plan or have further queries, please see me in the Main Administration Office at your earliest convenience.

If you are looking at directly depositing in the School account, our bank account details remain as: Murraylands Christian College BSB: 035-069 A/C: 235 270

NewsletterSchool newsletters are scheduled to be published fortnightly on each even week of the school term. If you would like your newsletter to be sent to you via email, please send myself a request to [email protected] with

‘Newsletter’ in the subject line and your name clearly identified in the body of the text. The newsletter will also be made available to you on our Facebook page and also on the Skoolbag App. We trust you enjoy the read each fortnight and take note of all events coming up in the diary. It is an exciting term ahead and we don’t want you to miss a thing.

Your children will have come home this week with a ‘Student Medical Information’ form, which we ask for you to look over and make any necessary changes and return to the School, along with an Aquatic form if they are in Years 3 – 12 in readiness for Swimming Carnival. These forms are due back on Monday at the latest with Swimming Carnival scheduled for Tuesday 24 February 2015.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Lynette WhittakerOffice Manager & Enrolments Officer

Praise God for • Our wonderful School and the blessings to be able to live out our Christian faith • The excitement of all the Capital works in planning phase

Please pray for • Our new students and their families as they settle into our Community • Our Swimming Carnival on 24 February 2015 • School Board of Governors meeting on 7 March 2015

FROM THE DESK OF THE OFFICE MANAGER

PRAYER CORNER

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PARENT NOTICES


This week the Primary Home Ec students had a fantastic time cooking pancakes on their new electric frypans.

They are looking forward to trying new things as the year goes on.

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STUDENT NEWS


Late last week the Year 3 class went down to the local Nursing Homes. They had a great time. They made and read cards to the folk. There was a lot of feet tapping and smiles all round.

YEAR 3 NURSING HOME VISIT

An example of the cards that they made

Leading the residents in a song

During week 3 the Year 7’s and 8’s made their yearly trek to El Shaddai Camp Centre at Wellington. This camp provides a great opportunity for the students to learn about themselves and others and prayerfully develop life long friendships.

The camp provided plenty of opportunities to participate in activities including rock climbing, the giant swing, archery and canoeing.Students learnt their limitations

and, in many cases, pushed themselves to overcome fears such as heights. They also learnt the importance of working as a team and that being in a team means you have friends who can encourage you. The two nights were filled with activities including a Life and Values Seminar, drama games led by Mrs Woolford, and some prayer and worship led by Mr Dan Harbottle.

All who attended had a great time and look forward to further camps in future years.

YEAR 7/8 CAMP HIGLIGHTS

PANCAKES IN THE PRIMARY

Tae, Hannah & Angelina cooking up a storm

Nick with his masterpiece

EARLY NUMERACY PROGRAMThe Reception, Year 1, 2 and 3 students are being interviewed by their teachers as part of our Early Numeracy Program. Students are interviewed individually and an accurate assessment is made to pinpoint exactly where they are at in the development of their numeracy skills.

This information is then used by the teachers in the planning of Maths lessons and for individual tutoring where necessary to help those who may need it. The students are interviewed each year and they are closely tracked to make sure they are continuing to meet learning targets.

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STUDENT NEWS


Vicki Williams, from Hills Volunteering visited the Year 10 cohort in Week 2 to discuss volunteering opportunities and to be a source of inspiration to the students for a volunteering assignment they are completing this term. As part of Personal Learning Plan (PLP), all Year 10 students must complete 10 hours of volunteering in the community over the next few months. Vicki Williams spoke of the need for enthusiastic and vibrant young people to volunteer in the community and encouraged students to take the assignment as

an opportunity to volunteer in an area of passion or interest.

It was encouraging to hear several students discussing the volunteering they are already involved in and how rewarding it is for these individuals to have these experiences. I am hoping, through this assignment, that all Year 10s receive the benefits that giving your time to serve others provides.

Fiona WoolfordPLP Coordinator

YEAR 10’S LEARN ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

The Year 9/10 Art and Design Class are going to be completing a mural made completely of plastic bottle tops this year. So far we have collected a few thousand.But we need your help to collect more! We have a lot of blue, black and red bottle tops, however we are specifically looking for some more interesting coloured plastic bottle tops such as orange, yellow, green, purple, pink. They can be of any shape or size. Thank you for your participation.

Please give them to Miss Sih by Friday Week 10 Term 1

Ellie SihSecondary Art Teacher

BOTTLE TOP MURAL

BUDDY CLASSES OFF TO A GREAT STARTThis Tuesday our Secondary Students joined our Primary Students for the first lesson of the day in what we call ‘Buddy Classes’.

There were many activities happening around the School; there was anything from colouring in to bucket ball to rubber band horse chariot races.

All of the students had a blast getting to know their new friends for the year.

Matt & Phoebe enjoying their colouring in togetherThe rubber band horse

chariot winners

Vicki with some of the Year 10 Students

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WHOLE SCHOOL NOTICE


Is your son or daughter taking up the Challenge this year??

The Challenge is to read 12 books in total. This has to be completed and handed into the College Library before Friday 4 September 2015.

Reception to Year 7 8 of these books are to be from the Challenge booklists, available on the website and 4 of their own choice (of a suitable reading level), these can include class novels and research texts.

Years 8 & 9 : students read 4 books from the Challenge lists and 8 of their own choice (of a suitable reading level) and these can include prescribed texts, research texts and any other texts from their studies.

Years 10 to 12Students read 12 books of their own choice (of a suitable reading level), and these can include prescribed texts, research texts and any other texts from

their studies.

Students please note we now have a small number of PRC books with the following label on them for students from Years 9-12

Being the 12th year of the Challenge there will be a new award for those students who will complete their 12th challenge this year : Reader for Life - Champion (R4Lc) award.

New books have been added to the Booklist this year (see website). Please note: many books are part of a series and these are automatically added to the booklists.

Please remind your son/daughter that when they are filling in the Challenge record sheet, if the book is part of a series, they need to fill in the book’s title not the series, this will prevent them having to make corrections later.

The Premiers Reading Challenge

website has a Families page as well as it’s Student page. The Student page has KIDSPACE and TEENSPACE where they can view the Hall of Fame Honour Roll, Rate a Read where students can review books that they are reading and send to PRC. The website is below:www.premiersreadingchallenge.sa.edu.au

Every month a winner is awarded with a book prize and their first name and school are entered on the PRC website. There is also a student blog section for both primary and secondary students to post and share thoughts about the Challenge and books that they are reading - encourage your son/daughter to have a go!

Enjoy the Challenge!

Blessings

Marie FergussonLibrary Services

PREMIERS READING CHALLENGE

Dear Parents,

Due to changes in the canteen we are seeking expressions of interest to help in the functioning of “Our Children’s Canteen.”

We need help Monday to Friday, 10am to 1.30pm

If you are able to help once a week on a day that suits your busy lives, please talk to the Administration Staff (Lynette, Anne & Lilian) so appropriate forms and checks can be organised.

CANTEEN NEWS

SWIMMING CARNIVAL & SPORTS DAYTerm 1 is a very busy term for sporting events with a Swimming Carnival and various sports days. All of these events are lots of fun for everyone who participates in some way. Come dressed in your teams colour and cheer your children on.

The dates for the events are as follows:

Year 4 -12 Swimming Carnival Tuesday 24 February Secondary Sports Day Friday 13 March Primary Sports Day Friday 20 March Secondary SACSA Athletics Thursday 26 March

All parents and family are welcome to come along on the day and support their child(ren) in their events. Parents are also welcome to help out with tasks such as: time keeping, scoring & measuring.

There is plenty of shade and seating at the Strathalbyn Pool, however if you prefer to sit on your own seat, you are more than welcome to bring your own along.

Please be aware that the shade for Sports Days is limited, so we encourage you to bring some sort of shade for yourself to keep the sun off you. You are welcome to sit on the lawn, however if you prefer a chair, it would be best if you could please bring your own deck chair.

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COMMUNITY NOTICES


All babies, children and young people under 18 years are welcome to attend the School Dental Service. Dental care is FREE for most children.

SA Dental Service participates in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. A small fee may apply for children who are not eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule.

All dental care provided is FREE for preschool children.

To locate your local School Dental Clinic, or for more information about the Child Dental Benefits Schedule, please visit www.sadental.sa.gov.au

SCHOOL DENTAL SERVICE

Saturday 28 February 2015 9.30am - 3.00pm Tyndale Christian School Resource Centre Salisbury East

Yummy morning tea and lunch provided

This workshop is for family members who are supporting a child with autism spectrum disorder.

You will:

• Develop a greater understanding of the impact of ASD on your child both at school and at home

• Understand how to develop effective parent, school and teacher partnerships

• Learn specific strategies that will help you to advocate for your child, support your child’s participation at school and develop an awareness of ongoing learning needs

• Have fun and network and share strategies with other parents/carers and key community member

Please contact Meredith Lockery via phone on 0437522527 or email [email protected] to register your interest.

Dear Parents,

Please find attached the link for current Talkin Road Safety School Edition, Issue 12 January 2015:-https://www.police.sa.gov.au/services-and-events/community-programs/road-safety-education/_nocacheThis newsletter is now published on the South Australia Police Internet page

under Road Safety.The edition discusses:- • Fatigue and Driving • Back to School with Sergeant John and Humphrey B Bear • Safer Driving Tips: Child Restraints • Using other functions of a mobile phone • What are the conditions for a learner motorcyclist • Building Safer Roads • Protective clothing for motorcycle riders.

STAYING SAFE ON OUR ROADS

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OUR IDENTITY


Our last Strathalbyn Newsletter carried a comprehensive account of the vision and values of our new school organisation: Tyndale Christian School – Salisbury East, Strathalbyn and Murray Bridge.

Today we are looking back in time to understand the richness of the meaning and heritage of our new school’s name: Tyndale Christian School. As a Tyndale School we are proud to be associated with one of the founding fathers of the soul of Western Civilization.

William Tyndale was an Oxford University scholar in the early 16th century. He was a gifted linguist, fluent in English, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, German and Spanish.

Tyndale made a special study of the Bible. He drew on the meticulous research of Renaissance language scholars and came to some important decisions about the message of the Scriptures. A particularly significant focus in his work was on the meaning of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospels. He noted that Jesus is recorded to have made only two references to the ‘church’, both in Matthew’s Gospel. ( Matt 16:18 & 18:17 ). Tyndale noted that, in both instances, the meaning of Jesus’ comments related to the Greek word ‘ekklesia’, which refers to an assembly of people or congregation. In the Greek it signifies a meeting of equals who agree in a democratic expression of unity.

This was a far cry from the hierarchical, top-down institutional structures that developed over the centuries following Jesus’ ministry. Church leaders developed huge

power and political influence which they guarded very closely. Reformers like John Wycliffe and Martin Luther were treated as traitors by these mainstream church leaders.

When Tyndale translated the New Testament into English his aim was to enable the poorest plough boy and the king of the realm to have equal access to the Word of God. To Tyndale, the love of Jesus should be known by everyone.

This decision by Tyndale to translate the Bible into English put him on a collision course with King Henry VIII and religious leaders. It was their belief that enabling ordinary citizens to access the Word of God would threaten the security of the exclusive power they held over their people.

Tyndale believed the Bible, translated into English, was the one thing needed to reform his nation. He escaped to Europe and continued to work on his translation. He had finished the New Testament and half of the Old Testament when he was captured, tried and sentenced to death as a “heretic”. His last words before he was martyred were the prayer, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!”

Before very long this prayer was indeed answered. Tyndale’s translations were used in several versions of the English Bible and were read in English churches and around the world. As one scholar put it:

Tyndale’s words shaped the language of Shakespeare, sparked revolutions in England and America, democratsed nations and ushered

in a new civilization where right became superior to might.

It has been suggested that William Tyndale’s death marked the end of the medieval age and the beginning of modern civilization - such was the significance of the Word of God in the hands of ordinary citizens. Such was the power of the words of Jesus in transforming the hearts, minds and souls of the people of England and of every nation where the Gospel is open to all.

Tyndale built on the foundations established by Wycliffe, Erasmus, Luther and others and his English Bible established the fertile soil into which John Wesley and other great leaders of the Evangelical Revival of the 18th century were able to sow the Gospel afresh. Wesley advised each of his preachers that they should read widely and deeply but always, like himself, be ‘a man of one book’. The social, cultural, economic, religious and political freedom of the people of Britain, and subsequently of Western Civilization, was based on literacy and education driven by a thirst for the Word of God, made accessible by Tyndale’s translation.

We are richly blessed to be part of a School family whose story and motto echo magnificently the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ and the deep commitment of His servant, William Tyndale:

“God’s truth prevails”.

Nigel CroserSenior School Coordinator

WHY THE NAME TYNDALE?WILLIAM TYNDALE 1492 - 1536

newsletter - tyndale christian school...

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