And That's a Wrap!

I absolutely love Christmas and enjoying taking time to think carefully about the gift that will be given to each family member. I value taking time to carefully wrap the presents, ensuring that they tie in with the decorations and show the love with which they come. These days, with older children, our presents are wrapped earlier in December, and they sit waiting for the family to gather on Christmas Day. Once lunch is over, the exchange begins, and in moments, there is ripped paper, discarded ribbons and gift tags scattered. How quickly the unwrapping process takes – and like that, it is done!

At the beginning of the year, the teachers spend a lot of time carefully thinking about how they will ‘wrap’ learning experiences and different opportunities into the year. Classrooms and lessons are bundled up and presented in creative ways to ensure student engagement and growth is experienced by every student. Before we know it, we reach the end of the year, and similar to the unwrapping process, celebrations are scattered across the final weeks. Classrooms are ‘packed up’ and the normal routines altered as community comes together in fun and fabulous ways. 

Our 2023 Thanksgiving Services provided us with the opportunity to pause and reflect on God’s goodness to our school, for the way He has continued to write the DCC story, and to celebrate the Everyday Heroes that each play a part in our marvelous school community.

Following a fabulous Year 6 Parent, Student and Staff breakfast, our Year 6 celebrations continued at Rush HQ. Back at school, the inaugural Party Day for P-5 students was launched, with jumping castles filling the basketball courts, a disco taking the drama studio to a new level, and the Year 8 Basketball Court transformed to an outdoor kitchen with over 1000 sausages turned and prepared for lunch.

As an annual highlight, we were blessed to join with our Year 6 students and families for their Graduation in the Community Hub. Not only did the Year 6 students (and staff) look impressive, it was another gathering which was filled with wonderful celebration for the incredible way God has blessed these young learners – this year and throughout their years of learning in the Primary School. 

The Christmas Worship Assembly was the perfect way to finish an incredible year as we reflected on the wonder and joy of the Christmas story; we sang carols, honoured the staff and celebrated God’s goodness to us in 2023!

Goodbye and God bless

Goodbyes are never easy. However, on behalf of your DCC family, I say farewell to our highly valued and dearly loved members of staff – Danielle Lupi, Danny Gamble, Susan Clements, Ellie Bonello, Lucy Zarb, Marty Davidson and Stephanie Blair – who are leaving the Primary Team at the end of the year. 

We honour you and thank you for your years of service to the equipping of the young lives over whom you had influence. Go well, dear friends and may God bless you richly. We also pray God’s blessings upon Bryce Morgan who will marry his fiancée Jessica in January.

To the families leaving at the end of the year, we pray for God's blessings, protection, and ongoing guidance over each one of you. May you take the Donvale Difference into your new communities and continue to be a blessing wherever God leads you.