A Prayer for When You are Battle Weary
By Bobbie Schaeperkoetter

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you. – 2 Chronicles 20:17

Do you feel the tension that seems to permeate the air of this world lately? Things just feel heavy. Hearts are hurting. People are discouraged and dissatisfied. It seems as if this whole world is worn down from struggles and it would be so very easy to just give in to the pull of weariness and discontent.

In the middle of the strife and struggles, we can start to feel overwhelmed, worn, and just plain weary. When these feelings come, and they linger far past their welcome, what can we do to keep our heads up? How do we remain hopeful when things just seem so difficult?

Maybe a good place to start is to look at someone else who was weary in the battle and see how they overcame it. In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat is facing a multitude that has come against him. He’s going to have to fight his enemies. However, when he seeks God’s battle plan, he sees that it is a little different than the one he might have been considering.

Maybe like Jehoshaphat, God’s plan to overcome our battles looks a little different than ours.

Battle weary friend, we do not need to be overcome by the strife and the difficulties that surround us. Let’s give up our battle plan with all of the fear, worry, discouragement, wobbliness, and struggling that it brings and follow God’s plan instead. We can embrace the peace, hope, and assurance He offers. After all, His record for victory is pretty solid.

Lord, I admit, I am weary. Life is going a million miles an hour and I am just trying to hang on. I am tired and I am afraid when I look to the future and think about all that is coming. Lord, I know You want me to trust You through this. I know You want me to surrender this weariness to You. I surrender now. Fill me with Your strength. Fill me with Your presence. Help me find moments today of rest and rejuvenation. Thank You that You never abandon us in the midst of the battle. Thank you for your everlasting faithfulness.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Submitted by Abby Beames
1/2 Class Teacher

IB PYP Learner Profile Awards

Classroom Snapshot – Mr Dan Hausler 2/3 Class

The Year 2/3 classroom theme is “Mr H and the Year 2/3 Superheroes”. This theme ties in with our “Who we are” unit of inquiry which has the central idea “Characteristics of heroes in various cultures throughout history help define individual beliefs.”

To begin the year we got to know each other and began our journey into becoming a super-team by playing some team games like musical hoops, building huts in EDEN together that had to be wind and water proof and building spaghetti and marshmallow towers.

The next task was for students to set their superhero goals.
Heidi wants to improve the neatness of her writing. To help her do this she will practice and listen to the teacher’s advice.
Harry wants to improve his reading. To help him do this he will practice every night and keep on trying.
Sam wants to improve his reading. To help him do this he will work hard and try his best for Mr H.
Kevin wants to make more friends. To help him do this he wants to talk to people, include others and be kind to others.

Students looked at our central idea with students of the Year 1/2 class. They found that the current central idea had words in it that were a bit difficult to understand. In small groups they were given one of the central idea key words to look at and try to define. Once they had done this they were able to reword the central idea to help them make sense of it. They changed it to “Special features of brave people in many places throughout the past help explain people’s own true values.”

We have begun tuning into our Who we are unit by watching The Incredibles.  Afterwards, students considered the characteristics that some of the characters had which made them a hero.
Amelia said Jack-Jack is a hero because he is a shapeshifter. He made the bad guy fall.
Sienna said Dash is so fast so he can get to emergencies faster.
Charli said Mirage was a hero because she saved Mr Incredible from dying.
Alex said Dash was a hero because he can run on water to save the day.
Asia said Violet was a hero because she could make a forcefield and she can turn invisible.
Tate said Edna Mole was a hero because she gave the superheroes cool suits and helped hide their identity.
Sean said Mr Incredible was a hero because he reflected on his last battle with the robots which helped him remember how to defeat it again.

We are currently surveying our family members to learn what characteristics they think a hero has and who their heroes are. We can’t wait to share their responses later in the week!

Readers

Previously, lost or unreturned readers have not incurred a cost. After some discussion at the end of last year it was decided that now lost/unreturned readers will incur a cost of $8.00 as it costs us at least this much to replace these items. Overdue notices from books still not returned from 2020 will be coming home soon. A big thank you to those families who have spoken to me and/or returned books that they found over the holidays.

School Captains and House Captains 2021

At Monday’s assembly our school captains and house captains were presented with their official name badges. We wish them every blessing as they work together in leadership this year.

Everyday Reminders

Chaplain’s News

Dear Good Shepherd Community, 

Hope everyone is going well.

This week’s article from Parenting Place tells us ‘Seven ways to be a positive influence on children and young people’.

Parents and teachers influence children most during their first twelve years of life. When they are teens, we have less influence, as they become increasingly independent and look to their peers for guidance and approval.

Hope you enjoy the read!

Also…its ‘Random Acts of Kindness Week‘. 

Celebrated on February 17th, National Random Acts of Kindness Week, has grown in popularity each year. It is celebrated by individuals, groups, and organisations, nationwide, to encourage acts of kindness. It is a favourite day to many, as people everywhere are enjoying doing these acts of kindness. So…why don’t you do a random act of kindness to somebody this week, it could make their day.

Have a fabulous week.

Fiona Lloyde
Chaplain

Finance and Administration News

School Fees Term 1 2021

School account statements were emailed to our families on Wednesday this week.  Please contact our Finance Officer, Sarah Loveday if you did not receive a statement.  Payment of school fees for Term 1 are due by Friday 26th February 2021. Please contact Sarah if you would like to discuss payment arrangements.

Uniform Shop

Our Uniform Shop Coordinator, Virginia will be available each Monday afternoon from 3.15pm – 3.45pm during the school term for any uniform purchases. Please contact Virginia directly if you have any uniform queries on 0407 716 350.

Notice of Withdrawal

We remind families that we require one term’s notice in writing of your intention to withdraw a student to avoid being charged an additional term’s fees.

School Card Scheme 2021

Did you know that limits for the school card have now been increased. So you may now be eligible if you have not been in the past.  Applications for the School Card Scheme are available online.  To check if you are eligible click on the following link or contact Sarah Loveday for further information.  https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/education-and-learning/financial-help-scholarships-and-grants/school-card-scheme

Office Hours:  8.30am – 4.00pm

Please avoid phoning between 8.15 – 8.30am as staff are debriefing and in devotion. A phone call prior to 8.30am however will be taken by the answering machine for you to leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible if required.

Student Absence

Parents are requested to call the office by 9.30am if your child is absent. An answering machine is available to leave a message after hours. Skoolbag App also has an absentee note you can send which is received as an email to school.

Late Arrivals / Early Departures

If your child is late for school or they depart early for appointments etc parents/carers must sign them in at the front office in the Student Sign In/Out Register.

School Banking

LLL Banking—Lutheran Laypeople’s League. Passbooks to Administration on Monday morning for processing during the week. Application forms for opening an LLL account are available from the front office.

Student Accident Cover

Children are covered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 52 weeks per year but only in respect to any injuries that happen:

• While the student is engaged in school activities and school-related extra-curricular activities (including work experience, vocational training, excursions etc).
• While the student is engaged in organised school sporting activities.
• While the student is engaged in organised non-school sporting activities with a club that is a member of an established sporting association. The student must be a registered and/or a financial participant of the club.
• During travel to and from school, school activities, organised school sporting activities, and organised non-school sporting activities. 

No Parking on Neldner Avenue

Parents are asked not to park on Neldner Avenue as the buses need to be able to pull up, for the safety of our children. Please use the car park south of the school or by the Shepherd’s Hub.

2022 Enrolments

We plan to begin the process of confirming places for the new Foundation students in 2022.  As enrolments for this year’s Foundation class reached capacity we encourage any families to collect an enrolment form from Danette at the Front office and return ASAP.

Golden Years at Good Shepherd

We would love for our Alumni to share in the excitement as we officially unveil our brand new learning spaces at Good Shepherd. Celebrations commence at 9.00am with our opening service followed by a tour and morning tea on the new deck. What better way to reminisce and catch up with past scholars.

We invite you to join our new Facebook group: Good Shepherd Alumni Angaston. This is a group for past students of Good Shepherd Lutheran School from 1962 to present. Members are invited to use this space to catch up, share and reminisce. If you are in contact with Good Shepherd old scholars, please encourage them to take a look and join the group or they can share their contact details with the School directly on 08 8564 2396.

Building Blocks Playgroup

Please contact our Playgroup Co-ordinator, Bec Bawden if you have any questions on 0427 538 371.

Local Church Service Times