From the Principal
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
21st April 1926 – 8th September 2022
It appears that almost everyone has an opinion or point of view about Queen Elizabeth. In an almost universal outpouring of sorrow for such a servant hearted monarch, there is an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the way she conducted her life as a servant of the people.
It was a life of service, one that we can aspire to, but are unlikely to replicate.
A loyal pillar, 70 years as the Queen of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II brought stability through an era of change, conflict and tension. At a young age she took on a burden of responsibility that she didn’t ask for, and committed her life of service in those famous words:
“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.”
She was true to her word. For the next seven decades she carried the responsibilities without complaint, with a compassion and grace that endeared her to hundreds of thousands of people around the world. She was an extraordinary woman.
A woman of dignity, strength, grace and one who fulfilled her duty faithfully.
She was a woman who was unmistakably feminine in so many ways.
But she also broke stereotypes and was a great role model for women as leaders.
She wore pants, she worked as a mechanic, she drove all kinds of vehicles, was proficient in the use of some weapons, hunted, fished and made tough leadership decisions.
Elizabeth served the Commonwealth for 70 years as a faithful, strong, and diligent woman.
Her example is worth celebrating and following.
There is no doubt that the death of Queen Elizabeth II, following the longest reign in British history and the second longest anywhere in the world, ever, will be a milestone in the life of the nation of England and other Commonwealth countries.
I found myself unexpectedly emotional and sad as I heard the news.
I was moved and inspired by the way that the Queen seemed to become more confident and explicit in articulating her faith in her annual Christmas broadcasts.
A survey of the broadcasts made during her reign reveals that, in the earlier years of her reign, the Queen has spoken only in passing of the religious significance of Christmas.
But for the past 17 years, her messages have taken on a different tone, with the Queen explaining her own personal faith – “the anchor in my life”, as she described it in 2014.
Here some highlights from recent years.
2000: To many of us our beliefs are of fundamental importance. For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life. I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.
2002: I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God… I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel.
2008: I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life … He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.
2011: Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general…but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.
2012: This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son “to serve, not to be served”. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.
2013: For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God’s love, as we strive daily to become better people. The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone. There is no one beyond its reach.
2014: For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.
2016: Billions of people now follow Christ’s teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.
2017: Jesus Christ lived obscurely most of his life and never travelled far. He was maligned and rejected by many, though he had done no wrong. And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love.
2020 (Easter message): This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we keep others safe. But Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much as ever. As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians would normally light candles together. It’s a way of showing how the good news of Christ’s resurrection has been passed on from the first Easter by every generation until now. The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this.
2021: It is this simplicity of the Christmas story that makes it so universally appealing: simple happenings that formed the starting point of the life of Jesus, a man whose teachings have been handed down from generation to generation, and have been the bedrock of my faith. His birth marked a new beginning. As the Christmas carol – Oh Little Town of Bethlehem says: ‘The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight’.
It is good to reflect on the increasing boldness of the Queen to profess her faith in Jesus Christ.
This time in history is also a time to reflect on key Scripture passages which express hope in the face of death, passages which the Queen will have known well.
Key passages come to mind are:
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thess 4.:13–18)
As we grieve the loss of the Queen, we do not grieve as those who have no hope, and it was this hope that the Queen spoke of time and again.
On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (John 11.:17–27)
This faith, this belief, is one that the Queen herself shared and encouraged in others.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. (Rev 21.:1–7)
At the funeral of Prince Philip, at the end of the service, the guardsmen first played the Last Post, signalling the end of his earthly life. But they then played the Reveille, the signal of a new day, reflecting his confidence that there is a new day coming when Jesus returns and the creation is renewed.
Many think that it was in fact Prince Philip’s faith that encouraged the Queen to be more open about her own faith in recent years.
As we spend time contemplating this major event in world history, I hope and pray that it draws us back to an even more significant event in world history. That event is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world.
NATIONAL DAY of MOURNING
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared a Public Holiday on Thursday 22nd September so that many Australians can spend time in honouring the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. LCS will be observing this declaration and there will be no school classes or activities on this day. This is in line with the announcement from Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff made on 13th September – ‘The National Public Holiday called by the Prime Minister for Thursday, 22 September 2022 will allow Tasmanians to pay their respects following the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.’
Uniform Update
We are noticing a significant uptake of the new school uniform.
Thank you to families who have committed to transitioning to the new uniform despite some supply and quality control issues.
We will continue to work with our suppliers to ensure new stocks of polos and jackets will be available either late this year or early next year.
The special pricing that was due to expire at the end of Term 3 will continue through until the end of 2022 for all uniform items.
However the ability to add the purchase cost onto school fees will cease at the end of Term 3.
All uniform purchased from Term 4 onwards will need to be paid for at the time of collection.
The updated Uniform Order Form is attached.