International Week

 在奥克斯利庆祝国际周

Celebrating International Week at Oxley

 

This week is International Week. At Junior School Chapel, I shared the following message with the students.

Matthew 7:12 
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. 

In some translations of this verse, it reads you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you.

 

What do others and people mean? It can mean our friends, our enemies, kind people, people who are nasty to us, people who look different from us, people who live in other parts of the world. So others and people mean ALL people. Yes, ALL people. We need to treat ALL people, regardless of who they are, the same way we want them to treat us. 

 

Then, how do you treat others?

Firstly, we look out for others. Timothy is a very good example of someone that looked out for others. 

Philippians 2:20
I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.

Timothy is praised for genuinely caring about people’s welfare. He puts people’s welfare as the most important thing. Then it reads,

Philippians 2:4
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

Timothy is an example to us today. Other people should be important to us. Things that other people are concerned with should be important to us. 

 

Secondly, we need to love others. Jesus states in, 

Matthew 22:37-40
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ 

These two commands are the two greatest commands of all times: Love God and love your neighbour. Loving your neighbour means treating others properly. Loving your neighbour means respecting others. Loving your neighbour means loving the stranger. Loving your neighbour people who are different from you. Loving the neighbour also means loving people in different parts of the world.  

I John 4:21 
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

This means in loving God, we need to love others as well.

 

I am going to challenge everyone. Who is someone that we can bless? Maybe he is our friend. Maybe he is someone who has been nasty to us. Maybe he looks different. Maybe he eats foods that we think are weird. Maybe he is born in another country. Who is someone you can bless the way you would want to be blessed? Who is someone you can treat the way you would want to be treated?

 

This week, as we think about multiculturalism and pray for our international students, may we reflect upon this verse, 

Matthew 7:12 
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.

As part of International Week, we have included links to presentations by our international students and German students. There is also a presentation from Oxley staff member, Hannah Knight. Enjoy the presentations. 

 

Seh Yeh Ong

Head of Languages

 

中国体育

Sports in China by Jenson Zhou (12.9)

Thức ăn đường phố Việt Nam

Vietnamese Street Food by Anna Nguyen (11.14), Vy Pan (10.18), Nhi Ho (10.18), Vy Vo (11.16)

Hidup Indonesiaku

My Indonesian Life by Hannah Knight

'N Woord van mev Kotzé

A word from Mrs Kotzé

 

We all go through times when we aren’t sure what’s coming next. No matter who you are or what you do, you will experience seasons of uncertainty. We try to do all the right things, but it sometimes seems as though nothing can set us up for these unpredictable situations. In times like this, it’s easy to fall into a pit of anxiety. 

 

One uncertainty our Year 12 international students struggle with, is when will their last day at school be towards the end of the year? Will it be after their last exam or after Presentation Evening? They do not know yet, because of the uncertainty around border closures.

 

I want to thank our international students for the perseverance they have shown throughout these uncertain times. I pray that the borders will open soon, to enable you to go home and be reunited with your family and friends.

 

As an Oxley community, we are privileged to have international students at the College, who provide us with great opportunities to engage, and learn from, and give us an insight into their world and culture. Therefore, our international students play an important role in preparing us to live and work in a diverse and intercultural environment.

 

We all have a great opportunity to support our international students who are sacrificing so much to gain an international experience by studying at our College. Let’s keep them in our prayers in these uncertain times. I know for certain that God loves you, that God is constant, invariable and always there in time of need. Cling to the Word of God, and I hope that these words from the Bible will bring all of you comfort and peace during times of uncertainty. 

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. 

 

Jeannette Kotzé

Head of International Students’ Studies

 

小提琴表演

Violin Presentation by Marco Ma (12.9)

Oktoberfest

Presentation by German Captain, Zara Schulz (11.15) and 

German student, Claire Annai Hilton (11.16)