From the Principal

As we draw this term to a close, we reflect with gratitude on our shared journey under our term’s pastoral theme ‘Community and Collaboration’.

For us, education is more than a transfer of knowledge – it is a nurturing of hearts, minds, and spirits in partnership with families. We believe that building a strong community rooted in collaboration allows us to mirror the body of Christ, where

‘though many, we form one body, and each member belongs to all others’ (Romans 12:5). 

Educational research affirms what scripture already has long taught us: when schools and families work together, students thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. Joyce Epstein’s Framework emphasises that shared responsibility of home, school, and community in shaping young people. Other scholars contend that relational trust – grounded in respect, personal regard, and integrity – is foundational to effective schooling communities (Bryk and Schneider, 2002). With this in mind, it is our hope that our sense of community and collaboration was not just for this term or an occasional engagement, but an ongoing posture aimed at fostering the flourishing of all within our community. There are ways that I believe we need to continue to collaborate in our school for our students to continue to grow and achieve:

• Our school and families must continue to align on the spiritual goals for our students. Let us keep praying together and devoting ourselves to our shared mission and vision. Our discussions and dialogues in school and at home must reinforce Christian values, character development and the place of faith in learning.

• Let us maintain active communication. Open, respectful dialogue is an essential building block for trust and clarity in purpose. Let us continue to engage through parent-teacher meetings, which can be initiated by either party, our print communication, or the school’s digital platforms. Our active participation will help us, as a community, to stay aligned in support of each child’s journey. Our students need all of us communicating. 

• Christian Education and our students flourish when parents and the school participate in collaborative decision-making. Schools thrive on diverse perspectives funnelled through Christ-like humility and shared purpose. 

• We are blessed as a school through the investments made by our volunteers, who lend their time and talents as they labour alongside our staff teams. Such visible parental involvement enhances student motivation and reinforces a sense of belonging in our school community. 

As we anticipate Term 4, let us continue to strengthen the bonds of collaboration, remembering that our shared mission is to raise children who love God, serve others, and pursue excellence and purposefulness. May our continued shared efforts reflect our faith, hope, and love that Jesus calls us to embody. 

May God bless our school, state and country. Have a blessed term break. Emmanuel!

Dr Lifeas Kapofu – Principal

October

13 | TERM 4 COMMENCES
13 | Whole School Assembly, 9.15am - 10.00am
14 | Little Learners, 9.15am - 11.15am
15 | Subway Order Cutoff, 12.00pm
15 | ParaQuad Tas visiting 9/10 Sport and Rec
16 | Uniform Shop Open, 2.30pm - 3.30pm
16 | Subway Lunch!
17 | Inaburra School Visits
21 | Little Learners, 9.15am - 11.15am
23 | PUBLIC HOLIDAY HOBART SHOW
24 | SCHOOL FREE DAY

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

Secondary Update - Art and HASS

Visual Art 

This semester, our Year 9 and 10 students have been exploring the possibilities of textured painting. Using a multi-purpose joint compound, they have created richly layered surfaces on canvas, experimenting with depth and texture to enhance their compositions. The results show both technical skill and imaginative expression.

Year 7 students have made great strides in their drawing skills, learning techniques that help them observe closely and translate what they see onto paper. At present, they are working on animal portraits, with a focus on understanding value scales to bring realism and character to their work. Already, these pieces are showing wonderful promise.

We look forward to showcasing these artworks, along with many others, in the Secondary School Art Gallery during our celebration of art in Week 6, Term 4. Families and friends are warmly encouraged to visit and enjoy the creativity, effort, and talent of our young artists.

Dianne Vanderplas — Secondary Teacher

Year 10 Environmental Change and Management Field Trip

On Friday 12 September, all Year 10 students walked from school to Rokeby Beach for a Fieldwork Task. Students took observations of challenges in the environment as well as improvements in management of the area that we walked through. When we got to the beach, TAS Water was there working and they were very happy to talk to us about their new pipeworks project. They even answered questions on how to get a job with TAS Water and all the different jobs you can get with them!

Here are some comments from students about the Field Trip when asked 'What did you learn?':

• There is an indigenous plant called 'Salt-bush' that you can eat. It tastes salty. 

• Pigface could save your life if you were lost in the bush and dehydrated.
  Blackberries are an invasive species.

• To identify Reeds/Sedges remember this saying: Reeds are round and Sedges have edges.

• Bullrushes are invasive and soak up all the water in a waterway.

• Ralph's Bay used to be full of Southern Right Whales and their calves taking a rest.

• Kangaroo Apple got it's name from it's leaves that are shaped like kangaroo footprints.

• There are Red and Spotted Handfish in Ralph's Bay. They are endangered.

• Whales were killed in Ralph's Bay at Tryworks Point which was named for the 'trypots' used to render the whale blubber into oil.

Angela Reiher — Secondary Teacher

Primary Update - Year 2

Year 2 Students Embrace the Power of Positivity and Purpose

It has been a productive and enriching term in the Year 2 classroom, filled with teamwork, learning, and deep reflection. As part of our focus on team building, students have been engaging in meaningful devotion time, building stronger relationships through shared experiences and thoughtful discussion.

One of the highlights of the term has been our cross-curricular exploration in preparation for ECON’25, where students studied people and places of significant importance in Albania. This learning not only broadened our understanding of global communities but also helped students see how history, culture, and economy are deeply connected.

Our class took a powerful step toward building a supportive and encouraging environment by exploring the impact of positive words. In a simple yet meaningful activity, students rotated around the room, each writing a word or statement of encouragement on a classmate's piece of paper.

This act of kindness reminded us just how impactful our words can be.

The activity was tied closely to our biblical threads — Loving God and Building Community. Students reflected on how speaking with kindness, love, and encouragement is a reflection of God’s love in our everyday actions. We saw firsthand how uplifting words can strengthen friendships, build trust, and create a classroom culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and inspired.

As one student shared, ‘Even one nice word can make someone’s whole day better’. That simple insight captured the heart of our lesson.

In a world where words are powerful, we are learning that using them wisely can make all the difference. Through our activity, Year 2 students were reminded that even the smallest act of encouragement can spark joy and build a stronger community — something we aim for every day in our classroom.

As we look ahead to the rest of the year, we carry this message with us: Positivity is not just a feeling — it is a choice we make to build each other up and reflect God’s love in all we do.

Jared Grimsley — Year 2 Teacher

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