Good Shepherd Grapevine – 21 May 2020
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5 Benefits of Going Through Hard Times
Everything God does in our lives is for our benefit, including suffering. Though they never seem pleasant at the time, hard times produce wonderful benefits in our lives. Here are five benefits of suffering:
Affliction drives us to God in prayer
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. James 5:13
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. Ps 107:6
When the sun’s shining and everything’s going our way, we don’t feel our need for God. But desperate times lead to desperate prayer. When we’re helpless to change our situation, we cry out to our Saviour who delivers us from our distress.
Affliction humbles us
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 2 Cor 12:7
Afflictions remind us of how fragile we are. It keeps us lowly. Reminds us that everything we have is a gift. Pride leads to a fall, but God gives grace to the humble. Affliction positions us to receive grace.
Affliction makes us rely on Christ’s power
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:9
When we realize how powerless we are, then Jesus can display his might in our lives. When we’ve exhausted all our own resources, Jesus rides in at just the right moment, like the hero in a movie who comes to rescue someone as the train is bearing down on them.
Affliction brings us the comfort of God himself
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction…. 2 Cor 1:3
As well meaning as others are, there are times when no human words can comfort. But God himself comforts us when we cry out to him in our pain. The God of ALL COMFORT, the one who knows exactly what our broken hearts need, comforts us in ALL our affliction. The One who fashioned our hearts, who knows our every drop of sadness, knows the exact medicine we need to comfort us.
Affliction gives us compassion for others
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor 1:3–4
When someone else has been through the same thing, their words can really comfort us. Though your pain is horrific now, someday God will use you to bring his comfort to someone else who suffers the fury of depression or the agony of a child who rebels like yours.
Bless the Lord oh my soul and forget none of his benefits. Especially those benefits he brings us through hard times.
Adapted by Jayden Evans from Senior Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church of Indiana, PA
Prayer Corner
This fortnight, staff and students pray for:
FAMILIES
- JACHMANN: Melissa, Damon, Cooper, Nash and Harley
- JOHN: Rachel, Justin, Eleanor, Harvey and Piper
- JOHNSON: Tanya, Phillip, Alex and Bailey
- KENNY: Caroline, Jonathan, Claudia, Charlie and Bonnie
- KERNICK/QUALTER: Louise, Jojoe and Senspri
- DELLAR/KLAU: Jackie, Brenton, Sam and Jed
STAFF
- Rachel John – Resources Coordinator
- Josie Wundersitz – The Arts
- Edith Unger – Volunteer
- Dan Hausler – 3/4 Teacher
- John Morgan – Groundsperson
- Naomi Guglielmo – 5/6 Teacher
OUR PRAYERS
Birthdays
May
2 Grace Alexander
2 Mackenzie Edwards
5 Heidi Pritchard-Gordon
14 Casey Rowe
17 Henry Merkel
19 Campbell Pech
21 Samuel Scanlon
22 Emma Scholz
27 Brodie Heinrich
Baptisms
May
22 Priya Rathjen
25 Cooper Jachmann
26 Samuel Scanlon
Principal’s News
Dear Parents,
It has been great to witness the leadership shown by our senior students this term, especially the School Captains and the House Captains. Aside from representing our school as they commemorated ANZAC Day last month, the School Captains also gave up their time to help sell the P and F gifts at the Mother’s Day stall. This week it has been the turn of the House Captains to step up. Although we can’t hold a traditional House Day this year the House Captains have still been very active promoting the ‘online House Day’, encouraging their Houses to contribute acts and helping with the overall organisation and coordination of events. I am very proud of our Captains and the many ways in which they serve our school through their different gifts.
Developing leadership skills is an intentional focus for all of our senior students, whether they hold a particular position or not, as we consider them all to be leaders and role models throughout the school. For this reason, we send all our year seven students each year to attend the ‘GRIP’ Student Leadership Conference in Adelaide. Our student leaders are given opportunities to focus on what they can do right now to support their school community and help to shape positive changes.
And speaking of support and positive changes. We have been very blessed this term by our neighbours, Gil and Kath Reimann. After tidying up the garden beds and lawn around the Hub they have continued working around the school to ensure it is looking its very best. The Leggett Family have also been a wonderful help. They have spent countless hours in EDEN working and planting. It is a huge job and we are very, very grateful for their help in maintaining our beautiful nature play space.
Earlier this year I wrote about the implementation of Friendly Schools at Good Shepherd. Friendly Schools is a whole school approach towards increasing social and emotional wellbeing and preventing bullying. Last term staff participated in a survey to look at what we are currently doing well and areas to address. There were many aspects of our school culture that we can be very proud of as well as areas for improvement. From this data priorities were established to work on. Recently all staff and students have mapped areas in the school where they feel ‘uncomfortable’ or believe students are demonstrating poor social choices. Working together with the students we will look at what can be done about these ‘hot spots’ to reduce inappropriate behaviours and create a safe, supportive environment for everyone. The Friendly Schools approach is a long-term ongoing process but one that we are fully committed to.
Anne Marschall
Principal
Classroom Snapshot – Mrs Guglielmo’s 5/6 Class
Welcome to Cafe Delicieux!
On Tuesday our 5/6/7 students were treated to some culinary delights as part of their review writing unit. Mr Evans and Mrs Guglielmo set up cafes in each classroom with a selection of unexpected flavours to try. Students will now write their very own restaurant reviews. Salt and pepper brownies anyone?
Family Portraits
Our Foundation and Year 1/2 students have been learning about “Where we are in place and time – families have different histories.” After viewing many family portraits, including some over 100 years old, they noticed that many photos of families are placed in fancy frames.
It was decided that family portraits were placed into fancy frames as they were important to family and they wanted them to be noticed.
We think their very own hand drawn family portraits in fancy frames certainly grab your attention!
IB PYP Learner Profile Awards
| Week 3 – Monday 11 May 2020 | |||
| FDN | Isla Emmett | Risk Taker | Isla showed courage in how she approached working with a partner to find a solution to the Humpty Dumpty STEM challenge. She voiced her ideas bravely and had a go at new activities with confidence. |
| 1/2 |
Sam Scanlon
Asia Kuchar
|
Knowledgeable
Reflective
|
Sam confidently and coherently shares about his interests and general knowledge with the class, making our learning richer for all. Asia is constantly reflecting on new ideas and prior knowledge to learn creatively. She has a great way of thinking outside the box and applying new understandings to her own life. |
| 3/4 | Jemima Pritchard-Gordon | Knowledgeable | Jemima produced a collage that very clearly explained how humans harm the environment |
| 5/6 | Calum Klose | Risk Taker | Over the last week, Calum has put 100% effort into all tasks. Even when a task was challenging, he gave it a go and asked for help when he needed it. |
| 6/7 | Maya Klose | Knowledgeable | Maya demonstrated being knowledgeable throughout her recent narrative work with her ability to self-edit and self-evaluate her own story. She has also shown great leadership with her work as House Captain. |
| Week 4 – Monday 18 May 2020 | |||
| FDN | Sophie Doering | Principled | Sophie is helpful, often cleaning up and helping others. She is respectful towards the property of others and of the school. She tells the truth and is fair. She acts with a strong sense of fairness and justice. |
| 1/2 |
Bella Cooper
Heidi Pritchard-Gordon |
Balanced
Risk Taker |
Bella balances her physical and emotional needs with patience and consideration to ensure that she feels her best. She loves her classmates by encouraging them to do the same.
Heidi approaches unfamiliar situations with confidence. She has bravely been interacting with her learning goals and interacting with all class members beautifully. |
| 3/4 | Mitchell Mathews | Balanced | Mitchell has demonstrated balance in his approach to school. He is working hard during lesson time, always striving to be better. He is also demonstrating patience and resilience to ensure his break times are enjoyable for all. |
| 5/6 | Tom Noack | Inquirer | Last week Tom displayed great curiosity by asking thoughtful questions during most lessons. He has shown that he can learn independently, and with others successfully. |
| 6/7 | Jed Klau | Thinker |
Jed demonstrated being a thinker with his work on his natural disaster unit. He showed great commitment and problem-solving skills to complete this assessment. |
Chaplain’s News
Dear Good Shepherd Community,
Hope everybody is taking care and getting into your new normal. This week’s article is an insightful piece by Jodie Richardson, who is a mental health and well being educator and author. She is co-author of the book ‘Anxious Kids’. However, I really love her take on anxiety. She says, ‘the number of children experiencing an anxiety disorder is currently estimated at 117 million worldwide. In Australia there is an average of 2 kids in every classroom with anxiety… that are diagnosed. She has 6 tips for parenting anxious kids. Hope it is helpful.
Gods richest blessings,
Fiona Lloyde
Chaplain
We are still limiting the number of adults entering the school at present.
Parents are asked to only enter the school if you need to.
We also request that you utilise the ‘kiss and drop’ drive through (outside the Atrium) to drop off/pick up your children.
Thank You!
Library News
Scholastic Book Club Issue 4 – the physical version – is back with us and out now! Orders need to be returned to the school by 12th June.
As usual, there are 2 ways to order;
- Fill out the order form on the back page. Rip it out and return to the school with the correct cash.
- Order online (LOOP). Go to scholastic.com.au/LOOP and register your details. You are able to order and pay online.
If the books are a gift and you do not wish them to go home in the class tray please select the gift box when ordering online or leave me a note and I will arrange to get the books to you another way.
International ICAS assessments
It is that time of the year again when we open up the ICAS online assessments to student wishing to participate. These assessments are open to students from years 2-7. Below is a blurb from UNSW about what these assessments are promoting.
ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling and Digital Technologies.
Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition. Every student will receive a printed certificate and an online result report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised.
ICAS Assessments are now online, a move that reflects a sector-wide transition to computer-based assessments. This allows greater accessibility for students and faster delivery of results.
Learn more about ICAS here: unsw.global/ICAS
A letter will be sent home in the next few weeks with information about the assessments. It will also include a permission slip and the unique access codes and information needed to enter the Parent Payment System. The Parent Payment System allows you to choose and pay for the different tests your children are interested in giving a go.
Rachel John
Library and Resources Coordinator
Well Done Naomi!
We are delighted to share that our very own 5/6 Teacher, Mrs Naomi Guglielmo has been anonymously nominated for The Advertiser and Sunday Mail ‘Top Teacher’ award.
Naomi was nominated for “Showing resilience and flaunting her enthusiasm and quirky nature in her approach to teaching from home during what is, for most people, a remarkably bleak time.”
Uniform Shop Open
We are pleased to advise that our lovely Uniform Shop Coordinator, Virginia will be back in the Uniform Shop every Monday from 3.15 to 3.45pm.
Please note that entry to the Uniform Shop is limited to one person at a time.
Thank you for being patient with us!
Finance News
Swimming and Camp Fees
Any fees that may have already been paid towards swimming lessons or the 5/6/7 camp will be credited to school accounts. If your account is in credit and you would like to arrange a refund please send an email to our Finance Officer, Sarah Loveday at finance@goodshepherd.sa.edu.au.
Please ensure that you also provide bank account details.
School Fees
School fees for Term 2 have been emailed to families. Please contact Sarah Loveday if you have not received a statement. Payment of this term’s fees are due by Friday 29th May 2020.
We are very mindful of the increasing economic impact that COVID-19 is having on many of our school families. Please be assured that we understand. We have directly contacted those families that we are aware of who are experiencing financial stress to offer support. If you are also finding this time financially challenging, and have not yet been contacted, please make it a priority to contact our Finance Officer, Sarah Loveday, for a confidential discussion about how we will support you.
School Card Scheme 2020
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.