Congratulations to Zarah who has been named as a joint recipient of this year's Ballina Shire Council's Australia Day 'Young Citizen of the Year' award. Zarah was an absolute blessing as one of our 2019 School Captains and is a terrific role model for young people through her love of God, people and life, and her desire to make a difference in the world. Along with her service to our school over many years, Zarah also serves as a C3 Youth Leader and a volunteer of the Ballina SES group. Well done Zarah! A very well-deserved award.
Welcome Back!
What a brilliant first week we have had. It is wonderful to see so many familiar faces and exciting to welcome so many new families to our community. I trust you have had a wonderful first week.
The teachers can’t stop telling me how wonderful, well-behaved and motivated to learn their classes are! It has been exciting to watch our new Primary team work together to have their classrooms and lessons vibrant and ready to go. The Secondary team have continued to be their wonderful selves, supporting, welcoming and assisting the new staff as they prepare for another great year. We are truly blessed to have the new team we have. In the coming weeks keep an eye out for introductions and please join us for our Meet the Teachers afternoon Wednesday of Week 3.
Whilst it was a shame to not start the year with our Leadership Induction ceremony or our commencement service in the newly renovated MPC, our teachers and students are adapting wonderfully to the challenges life throws our way. The minute all is ready for this I will let you know.
In our staff week before the students returned, we spoke about our desire to continue on this unexpected journey in faith. We want to make sure that as we travel on this journey that we can bring the flavour of God to those around us that we meet in the good times and in the more uncomfortable moments.
In Matthew 5, Mark 9 and Luke 14 Jesus challenges those who want to follow him to be the salt of the earth. In Jesus’ day and age it was common knowledge that salt was used to not only preserve food, but to bring out is true, beautiful flavours. Jesus is actually challenging his followers, the old and the new ones, to be the representation of His ways, His love and His thoughts to those people we encounter. He is tasking us with the responsibility to live a life that preserves and draws out the beauty it was originally designed for, both with people and as people.
As a staff, we are excited this year to be salt where we can be. To bring the love, grace and hope of Christ to our students, families and the community in learning, in teaching, and in relationships.
Please continue to pray for each other and uphold each other as we do this together.
Good tidings and welcome back!
Jonno
