From the Head of Secondary

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2023 presentation ceremony of the National History Challenge at Parliament House in Canberra.

Our very own, Micah Andrews in Year 8 won the Australian Wartime Experience category. Micah created a sophisticated presentation about his great, great, great uncle Private Cyril Emerson Hughes. Private Hughes served in the 1 Light Horse Regiment - 1 to 10 Reinforcements throughout Europe in the First World War. Well done, Micah, a fantastic achievement.

During my time in Canberra, it allowed me some time to reflect on this year’s National History Challenge theme, Change and Continuity. I started to apply this concept to my career and how for me, in the last twenty years I have seen this theme played out annually. Schools are unique places. Every year, there is varying levels of change and a certain level of continuity. Every year, one group comes in, and another leaves, some teachers stay, some teachers move on. Schools create change and continuity.

This brought my thinking to the next few weeks. I always have mixed feelings during this time of year. On one hand, with holidays just around the corner, we know that the school year is almost done. That is exciting. However, we are also losing another group of Year 10 students. That is sad. It is never easy seeing a group of students leave, for some students, they have spent up to twelve years at Emmanuel. This year we have six students who have done this, they have made their journey from kindergarten through to Year 10.

• Bobby Gregory

• Ashton Evans

• Dryden Edwards

• Kaitelyn Eduljee

• Isabella Koning

• Amy Hodge

Congratulations to these six students and to their parents for the many years of support and care they have shown these students and us as a school. For our Year 10 students, there are only four school days left! We wish all our Year 10 students all the best as they move onto new beginnings. For some, this can be a challenging time to navigate. There are so many opportunities that can open up post Emmanuel. Some students handle the transition well, some get lost for a time. I would like to encourage each of our Year 10 students to meditate on these words from Jeremiah 29:11, and to prayerfully consider how they will respond to what is next for them.

For I know the plans I have for you,'declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

My encouragement to each of our leavers would be to cast aside any anxiety for our Lord and saviour knows where each of you will go and what you will become. Trust in him with all your heart and become the best versions of yourselves that you can.

Drew Roberts — Head of Secondary

Your Calendar

DECEMBER

4 | Big Monkey Production - All Primary
5 | Little Learners, 9.15am - 11.15am
5 | Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed - RockIt
5 | Year 9/10 Home Ec to Hooked On Bellerive, 11.00am
6 | Year 9/10 Outdoor Ed - RockIt
6 | Year 2 to Bush Kinder
6 | Bush Kinder at Our Place
7 | Year 10 LAST DAY
7 | Year 10 to Tas Laser Skirmish & Kingston Beach
7 | Year 10 Leavers Assembly, 2.00pm
7 | Uniform Shop open, 2.30pm - 3.30pm
8 | Year 10 Leavers Dinner, 5.30pm
11 | Year 7 2024 Orientation Day
12 | Little Learners, 9.15am - 11.15am
13 | Bush Kinder at Our Place
14 | Uniform Shop open, 2.30pm - 3.30pm
18 | Christmas Assembly & Kinder Nativity, 9.30am
18 | Year 6 Fun Day
19 | Little Learners, 9.15am - 11.15am
19 | Year 6 Graduation Assembly
20 | Last Day of Term 4
20 | Whole School Assembly
20 | Whole School Excursion
21 December - 2 February 2024 | SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

All details of re-scheduled events will appear on the Emmanuel Calendar.

Secondary Drama Update

‘Take my yoke upon you… for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will have rest for your souls.’

I have found such comfort in these words this November. It has been a very busy month. As well as some family losses, it was just busy. But God was in everything and He had everything under control which is why all I had to do was lean on Him.

November 10 was our Remembrance Day service, and I thank all those who contributed their family members’ names for the Honour Roll; those who undertook reading or catafalque or colour duties; and also thanks to Marketing for helping out with the video and program. Mr Roberts was able to collate all the separate items into one video and it worked seamlessly. We ended up having our hymn led by sisters, Sarah Pascal and Bek Andrews, with Mr Withell on harp and bugle. Thank you to everyone.

The following week was Puss In Cahoots production. It was amazing. A huge shout-out to all the actors and backstage crew who brought the script to life. They had a go at singing and rapping, and as a result it moved the whole production into another level. Well done, everyone. What a wonderful experience it was. God’s goodness was evident.

This week has been full on as well. Mr Aldridge organised a Year 7 History trip to Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery on 28 November, which was a lot of fun, looking at the First Nations’ artefacts and experiences with European arrivals. Then 29 November was the Year 8 History Medieval Feast in honour of England’s Greatest Knight, Sir William Marshal. It was such fun getting into costume and eating together, with King Henry II (aka Mr Oddie). And this reminds me of another favourite verse:

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31

As the rest of the year promises to be full of joy, and adventures, it is good to know that God has everyone in the palm of His hand, and we can wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.

Sue Newitt — Secondary Drama Teacher

CO2 Car Challenge

An activity that has not been undertaken for some years in our school has been building and racing small cars powered by gas capsules.

However, our Year 9/10 Design Technology students have been designing, building and developing these cars over recent weeks, and yesterday they were able to race them. The two-lane race track, together with the starting mechanism, was brought out of storage and set up in the workshop. Students raced their cars against each other in an elimination series, and small trophies were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters.

This activity, ‘driven’ by Mr Eduljee proved to be a popular and worthwhile exercise, with students discovering the importance of design factors, such as aerodynamics, weight of vehicles, wheel size and friction in ensuring a good result. Due to the speed of the vehicles, once the gas capsule is punctured, it was hard to capture them with a still photograph – basically, ‘blink and you miss it’.

Once again, an enjoyable and worthwhile activity to (almost) end the semester.

David Withell — Design Technology Teacher

Primary Update - Year 2

In Year 2, our Science exploration took flight as we investigated the wonders of animal adaptations, with a special focus on God's clever creation of birds.

This term, we ventured outdoors, using tongs and pegs as makeshift beaks to understand how different items, both natural and unnatural, can be picked up by birds. Notably, we observed the impact of human actions on birds, emphasizing the importance of care-taking the earth and God’s creation. In Design Technology, we applied this knowledge to design and construct our own beaks, marvelling at the creativity displayed in God's designs. These experiences have deepened our appreciation for nature and instilled a sense of responsibility to look after the world we live in.

Sarah Pascal — Year 2 Teacher

Library Update

As we near the end of the year, our Librarian Ms Tongs, is busy ensuring she has all her books back, ready for students to enjoy next year! If your student/s has any books borrowed from our School Library, can you please ensure they are returned before we close up for Christmas. As of Week 8, there will not be anymore borrowing for Library books for this year.

Employment Opportunities

Office Reminder

A reminder for all Parents and Carers, if you would like to take your child/children home early after an event, please notify the class teacher, as well as signing out at the office. Thank you for your assistance in this!

Uniform Shop

Open hours are Thursday afternoon, 2.30pm - 3.30pm. Uniform is also available for purchase via the Qkr App and with EFTPOS in the office.

From the Office

For absentees please fill-out our Absentee Form OR contact us before 9.30am.

• An SMS will be sent to parents for unexplained absences.

• Please ensure late students (after 8.45am Secondary, after 9.00am Primary) are signed in at the office.

• If students are leaving early they are required to have a note from their parents, and must sign out at the office.

• A doctor’s certificate is required for more than two days’ absence.

• Please notify the office before 2.45pm for any messages your children need before leaving school.

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