WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING (2 of 2)
PRIMARY MUSIC SHOWCASE
BY HANNAH DENNY AND LUCILLE NICHOLAS (MUSIC TEACHERS)
What is the common link between a scarf, marimba, cup, an Israeli dance and a PVC pipe? They were all part of the Primary Music Showcase. Located on the beautiful stage of Belgrave Heights Convention Centre, each Primary class performed a musical ensemble item that demonstrated their growing musical skills and knowledge.
The array of musical items showcased the growth that is obtained as students progress through the primary school music program. With a focus on ensemble work, each student was valued in their contribution, and as each class works together it is impressive to see how community and culture is fostered and celebrated.
It was a wonderful opportunity to experience community as a primary school, allowing everyone involved to gain a glimpse into how God’s gift of music can be used as a means of establishing community and belonging.
Thank-you to all who attended as audience members, our students who performed outstandingly, with all glory to God for his abundant provision, guidance and encouragement in the BHCS music department.
YEAR 10 WORK EXPERIENCE
BY RACHEL WHITWORTH (CAREERS ADVISOR)
At BHCS we want to give students as many real life experiences as possible as part of their education: interview techniques and community service in Year 9, and then building on this with Work Experience in Year 10. This year was a bumper year for placements, with over 95% of our students participating in some sort of work experience - be that a few hours in a specialised setting, or a whole week in a workplace.
The placements were as varied as our students - primary schools, law firms, an architect, a radio station, a plant nursery, real estate agents, while others worked with electricians, plumbers, mechanics, hairdressers, and a surgeon to name but a few.
So why does work experience matter while students are still at school? Well it’s a great opportunity to see a different learning environment. When students step into a workplace they are not only observing the work, but learning skills that they just cannot get from a textbook, or online. Work experience can also boost academic performance - suddenly lessons learnt at school make more sense in a workplace environment, joining the dots between classroom theory and real-world application. Also, the discovery of a career that interests them may also motivate them to do well in subjects needed for that career.
It’s not just about the work itself either, meeting new people is equally important - the connections students make could be really useful for their future career. Asking questions of the professionals they meet can give them insider information about careers and roles in industries students may not have even thought about. Workplace etiquette is also something that many students learn about on their work placement.
We hope all our students will benefit from their work experience this year, and a huge thank you to all the staff who visited or called our students while on placement.
GRAVITATE CAMP 2
BY BRYCE MCDOWELL (YEAR 10 COORDINATOR)
Laughter. Worship. Challenge. Fun. Prayer. Conversation. Leadership. Growth.
Annie McDowell and I had the privilege of participating in a camp where students gained deeper insight into the mystery of what it means to be Christian: participating in God’s redemptive story for all creation. Gravitate camp in Term 2 at the Phillip Island Adventure Resort saw eight of our Year 11 students engage in a whole host of seminars and electives to enable them to be the next generation of Christian leaders.
Whether walking down to Smiths Beach, playing cards, having humorous chats around the dinner table, or worshipping together, our students learned what it means to be in community and to lead. Also, realising that they were not operating in isolation, but with a wide range of Christian youth across 20 different Victorian schools, highlighted the expansive nature of God’s Kingdom and created a sense of purpose and belonging.
Our particular highlight was the final night of group time with our school. We all gathered in a circle in the warm and cosy leaders' foyer. We prayed that the Holy Spirit would give us words of encouragement for each other and the vulnerability to share our needs. This time of prayer was a rich blessing, especially when students prayed for teachers as well. I know of no other moments in school that produce a deep connection like this, where students and teachers alike are reminded that they are part of the body of Christ, something transcendent and bigger than themselves. We also shared plenty of laughs playing 'Mafia' together—a great reminder of the importance of balancing spiritual depth with lighthearted joy.
Overall, we are proud and very encouraged to know that the future of Christian Leadership is in the hands of these wonderful and unique students. We look forward to what God will continue to do through the lives of these teens.
