Chaplains Chat 

It has been a full on first term for 2021, but I can honestly say that we have all worked hard and achieved some outstanding results.  There are a few things I would like to highlight, especially with a number of my articles this term including the theme of kindness. I love the way our community excels in splashing kindness around whenever they can. It can really bring so much colour and joy to a day.

I am very grateful to Food Bank which generously supplies most of the breakfast items we are able to offer students 2 days a week.  

The school is very fortunate to have a wonderful team of parent volunteers who so kindly help to keep this vital program happening.  I am pleased to add to this, that we also have a number of outstanding students who are happy to support this program in whatever way they can.  The grade 6 students attending are positive role models to our younger students and do a great job overall.  

We also have some amazing younger students who happily help with clearing and wiping down tables and drying dishes.  Our youngest helpers are only 3 years old and it is such a positive thing to see that they are following in the example of their mothers and older students.  It really it is lovely space, so please remember that everyone is warmly welcome to attend this program that ensures our students have a healthy breakfast before they start their day of learning.

Thank you very much to this amazing team. The program couldn’t run without you.

It was great to see our grade 6 leaders presented with their badges at the beginning of the term.  We have an outstanding group of leaders this year, which I have every confidence in their ability to be positive role models and lead well.  I have been very proud to see them with their buddies and the care and concern they have shown in making sure these students have friends to play with at recess. Well done!

This term I called the manager at Seville Woolworths, Les, and shared with him a need for a family who were going through a difficult time.  I asked if I could put in a letter to request a gift card on their behalf.  He replied by offering to personally pay for a shopping trolley of food, explaining that this would help them more. I might add that this outstanding manager, also provided the school with 15 gift cards to the value of $30 for the wellbeing team to distribute to families in need.  I have been blown away by his kind and generous support. Les also said that throughout the pandemic last year, he was conscious of offering any employment opportunities to locals wherever he was able.  I am so grateful for the kindness and compassion he has offered to some of the families at our school. 

Last Tuesday, Benjamin and Jacob Ahmad, had their hair shaved for the World’s Greatest Shave.  They had been growing their hair for 2 years so they could participate in the World’s Greatest Shave fund raising effort.  Their mum, Danielle, shared that a young student came up to her at school last week and gave her a handful of money which they said they had been saving from their pocket money.  What a kind and beautiful gesture.  The donations given on the day of the shave, totaled  $358.40.  

Overall, the boys rose close to $1,200, which is a great effort.  I am very proud of both boys. I am also very grateful to Jenni Tattersall, local hairdresser (Wicked Lengths) who at the last minute, kindly offered to shave the boys hair.

I’m sure there are many more acts of kindness happening within our school community, of which I am not aware.  One thing I can be assured of though, is that as we intentionally practice random acts of kindness wherever and whenever we can, positive things will happen and our community will be a much nicer place.

Here are 15 Random Acts of Kindness  that you can easily do to make someone's day great!

1. Hold the door open for people.
2. Send a coffee to a friend or family member.
3. Compliment someone helping you –       i.e. – A cashier or hospitality worker.
4. Pick up litter.
5. Call a relative just to say hello.
6. Bake something for a neighbour.
7. Donate to a charity.
8. Make a gift or write a card for a friend.
9. Donate used books to a library .
10. Clean your room – show yourself kindness by cleaning your own space.
11. Share your favourite recipe with someone.

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter break together with your families and take the time to create some beautiful memories together over the next few weeks.  I look forward to seeing you back again for term 2.

Stay Safe.