Strong Hearts Strong Minds

What's Happening in MP

I feel so blessed to work in Middle Primary here at MECS. Students at this age still have the beautiful inquisitive nature of childhood and the desire to make others happy. They are independent enough to use their growing skills to investigate and explore God’s Great Design, and they do so with awe and wonder. 

In Middle Primary, we encourage our students to live as a Christian community that remembers that “Kind words are like honey - they cheer you up and make you feel strong” (Proverbs 16:24). We learn to care for one another through kindness, respect, and affirmation, and we learn to care for the world that God has made for us. 

Each Term, we focus our learning around different topics or themes from the science and history curriculum. Our units launch from the deep hope that we, as teachers, have for our students as they explore and learn about the world. The activities and skills we learn about in maths, reading and writing stem these main topics, and we weave indigenous perspectives throughout all areas of our learning.

Term 1: We explored creation and the make-up of the Earth in 'Something Spacey'. Our deep hope is for our students to freely and lovingly examine and explore the perfect placement of Earth to enable life as they consider God’s plan and purpose for Creation. 

Term 2: We learned about local history and how God has brought us all to be here together in this time in 'Community – Our Stories'. Our deep hope is for our students to recognise that God created our country and our people and gave us a rich and diverse history.

Term 3: We investigated our mistreatment of this beautiful world and how we can help repair the damage in 'What A Waste'. Our deep hope is for our students to choose to care for the world as God intended and to empower them to be agents of change.

Term 4: We are looking forward to learning about 'Fantastic Forces' and how God uses forces within nature to control the world, as well as forces within us to be His hands and feet in the world. Our deep hope is for our students to explore with awe and wonder the laws of physics through experimentation as well as innovative and exploratory play.

Excursions and camps are a great way to help us learn. We are very excited to be heading to Lyrebird Park for our MP camp in November where we will encourage our students in their personal growth as they step outside their comfort zones in a safe and loving environment.

Jesus tells us in John 10:10  that He came “that they may have life, and have it to the fullest”. We embrace this in Middle Primary so, mostly we have fun! We laugh together, we learn together, and we grow together. We are safe to try new things and we celebrate, learn and grow from our mistakes and the mistakes of others.

Naomi Campbell

Middle Primary Cluster Leader & Teacher

JP Water Watch

On Monday 4 September, Junior Primary had a Yarra Valley Water Incursion. 

This session continued our rich learnings on Life-Giving Water. Students are learning how to be 'Water Watchers'. This means we want to be wise in how we use the precious resources God has given us, such as water. Together we can be grateful for the fresh, clean water we have easy access to and steward this responsibly. We have much to learn from the First Nations people and are incredibly blessed to have wonderful resources at MECS which we can access to gain more knowledge and insight. We can also champion for the billions of people worldwide who sadly don't have access to clean drinking water. 

JP Team

Prep - Year 12 Buddies Planting Fun

The skies opened and the rain poured down but that did not dampen the spirits of the Prep students and their Year 12 buddies as they headed to the bottom carpark to do some gardening. As part of the 50th celebrations the Prep students and their Year 12 buddies each planted a wattle tree. It was lovely to see them working together digging and planting. We look forward to seeing them grow over the years!

Fiona Holliday

Prep Cluster Leader and Classroom Teacher

Quizworks Puppet Show for Prep and JP 

This puppet show was held on Wed 13 Sept with the theme God is Great.

SP Persuasive Writing

During Term 4, students in Senior Primary learned about ‘being the voice’ for Indigenous land care, justice, sacred sites, the upcoming Referendum, healing, restoration, and reconciliation. They looked at these issues after being immersed in an incursion called, ‘Parliament Experts’, where they participated in a role play of the Australian Senate. They soon learned that the way they had been taught to conduct themselves during this incursion, was far different to the televised clips they watched of our politicians during real-life Question Time!

As part of this focus, students were also learning how to write a persuasive text. Writing for an authentic purpose is more engaging, and by using their voice, they planned, edited, and published a letter to our Prime Minister regarding the way in which politicians are not listening to each other respectfully when discussing important issues. We were very impressed with our students’ letters, and some have already received replies from the PM’s Office! We wonder if they’ll take their suggestions on board!

SP Teaching Team

Should Eyes Be On You?

Dear Anthony Albanese,

Leader. What does it mean? It means someone whom everyone follows. Whom everyone uses as an example. Whom everyone trusts to do the right thing. Everyone’s eyes are on a leader, but should they be?

Imagine. A schoolyard in chaos. Yelling. Screaming. Fighting. This is what would happen if no one respected the rules. There are also similar rules in the Senate, but it is sometimes more like the version of chaos.

‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world’. That is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi. If we want to be the change that changes the world for the better, we need to be kind, to be respectful, and we can only do this by listening to each other.

Yelling. Calling names is not the way. We watched a mere snippet of the brutality of our leader’s desire to have others hear their opinion. Pointing. Anger. The need for convincing through disrespectful interchanges is overused and undesirable. ‘Order! Order!’ Too much noise to hear a voice. Instead, how can politicians learn to listen to understand, and not just to reply? How can they work towards creating a calmer Senate?

In Year 5-6 this term, we are raising awareness for Indigenous issues. My group is learning about birthing trees. I was shocked to find out that a birthing tree was cut down just to make room for a Highway! There were many solutions that could have been discussed. This decision may have been made because no one could reach an agreement, or because our politicians aren't listening to understand the real issue. By listening to other points of view, making decisions to support things that are important are more likely to happen.

Should I be watching and learning from our politicians if they can’t behave like I have been taught? How can I decide what to do when someone interrupts every second? How can I listen when I can't hear a voice? Are politicians participating in an organised debate, or an argument? A schoolyard, or the Senate? 

We can only change ourselves. Please choose calm, placid, and insightful.

Yours Sincerely

Isabel 

Mount Evelyn Christian School

14 Hawkins Road

Montrose 3765

Victoria

Time To Change

Dear Anthony Albanese,

It’s time to change! I am a grade 5 student learning all about Parliament. How am I expected to learn about how our country is run, when our politicians can’t seem to go more than a few minutes without arguing?

I go to MECS, a Christian school, and we have been learning about Micah 6 verse 8. In Micah 6 verse 8 it says “Act justly, Love mercy, Walk humbly.” Mercy means showing compassion or forgiveness. 

In class we watched a video where our politicians were name calling, pointing, and yelling. I would not be allowed to behave that way in class or in the school grounds at recess and lunch. Adults continually talk about our young people behaving badly in society, but how are our politicians being good role models to them? I would like to see our government inspire the next generation, or to teach us how to listen respectfully to each other.

At the moment, I am working on a project to raise awareness about Indigenous land care. Did you know, Australia has lost 85% of its forests? 85%!! Australia is the second worst country in the world for its biodiversity (important plants and animals). Last year, koalas were listed as endangered. Australia has the highest extinction rate in the world. I am 11 years old and I want a world where I can grow up and see our native animals and trees, not a world with endangered species, or without forests. I want you to understand this so you can change how Australia is doing things.

Overall, I like the way politicians work in this country, but I am also asking for politicians to realise that my generation is watching them as our role models and hoping they will really listen to the issues that are important to our future.

Yours sincerely, 

Jehu 

Mount Evelyn Christian School

Dear Prime Minister Albanese,

In my class we are learning about civics and citizenship. We have watched some videos about what happens in Parliament House. We have seen politicians behaving disrespectfully to one another. I am writing this letter to encourage more respectful behaviour from our leaders.   

Politicians hold a very high place in our society. Young people look up to them, so they need to model the best behaviour. So the next generation will take after them and be more respectful. If you do not do a better job of regarding other politicians, the next generation could be more disrespectful and not listen to people.

Have you ever heard the saying, “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar”? That’s something my learning assistant told me. It means you can win people over more easily by being polite and kind. Being mean and unpleasant is like being full of vinegar. And that puts people off. If we treat each other better in Parliament, we might be more productive. And maybe the rest of the world will see our kind behaviour and decide to move here. 

While learning about Indigenous Sacred Sites in Core Studies, I thought about the respect that our First Nations People deserve. Parts of this land are very special to them, and we need to respect their wishes when it comes to how those sites are used.

Active listening is crucial in Parliament, and in dealing with sacred sites. Let me explain what active listening is. It is the practice of preparing to listen, observing what verbal and non-verbal messages are being sent, and then providing appropriate feedback for the sake of showing attentiveness to the message being presented. Active listening is listening on purpose. If we aren’t listening to what the Indigenous Peoples are saying, we might cause them more grief and suffering. I believe our government has caused them enough pain in the past. Let’s not cause them more because we are not hearing what they are saying about their sacred sites. 

Thank you for listening to my concerns about Parliament. I hope you will think about what I have said. Maybe the next Parliament videos we see will be more respectful.

Sincerely,

Seth

Senior Primary student MECS

Dear Mr Albanese,

My Mum told me to do the dishes, but I said no. Then, she gave me ‘the Mum stare’. The guilt overwhelmed me. I thought, my job as a child is to listen and show respect. I had not been very respectful to my Mum. I had a sudden flashback to our parliament incursion and study of politicians in Parliament.

In the videos we watched during our Civics and Citizenship Core Studies Unit, politicians were sometimes rude and unkind to each other in Parliament. How is it that adults get away with bad behaviour and kids do not? When I do disrespectful things in the classroom, I get sent away to a different classroom and miss out on 10 minutes of lunch! I believe adults should also be accountable for their actions and behaviour.

Think back to when you were a kid. How were you supposed to behave? I do not think you were told to scream and yell mean comments to each other, were you? I imagine you were taught the same things my parents and teachers have taught me - things like listening without interrupting, showing respect to others, and being kind to one another. As a Christian, I believe that the Bible is the Word of God, and it is the ultimate truth. Matthew 7:12 says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. In other words, if you want to be treated with kindness, be kind to others. It is the Golden Rule.

During our Core Studies unit, we have been learning about The Voice Referendum. I have chosen Indigenous Landcare as my topic. I am learning about sustainability, cultural burning, fish traps, bush medicine and Indigenous practices that contribute to looking after land respectfully. If it is important to look after our environment with respect, shouldn’t it be even more important to look after our people with respect…even opposing politicians?

In a nutshell, your actions matter. Please consider your influence in Parliament and in the Australian community. Won’t people be more likely to listen to you, if you are speaking to them respectfully? You may even be able to sway the Opposition to your side once in a while. 

Sincerely, 

Ailee 

Senior Primary Student, MECS

Dear Mr Albanese 

Imagine a room in parliament where everyone listens to each other, everyone is kind and takes it in turns. That would be a good example for young children.  

I am a child at school and we are learning about politics. I did not know how politicians act, but sadly, now I have seen a video of politicians shouting and pointing at each other. I know that it is not all politicians, but it looks like every politician shouts and points when it is only some. Aren’t politicians supposed to be good role models for our children? Being a good role model is not just saying what to do, but by being a good example. How do you think taxpayers would feel by paying money to support this kind of behaviour? 

If we see people arguing on television, talking over each other, and calling each other names then people will not have any respect for the government. Wouldn't it be great if politicians show some respect? 

As a Year 6 student I think that body breaks are very helpful. In my school we have body breaks to help us focus and to help us behave well. It helps us get our energy out and if we are angry or sad, we can have a body break to calm ourselves down. I wonder if politicians can calm themselves down by having body breaks? Do you think politicians can treat each other better after having a body break? 

Sadly, politicians are not always being good role models or showing respect to each other in Parliament. I have suggested one idea to help politicians to help them stay calm and focussed. Body breaks could help them get out energy and be more respectful. So please consider having body breaks so that young children can grow up with great role models in parliament. Show an example for adults so that we all experience Australia as a place where people care for each other. 

Your Sincerely 

Jireh  

Mount Evelyn Christian School

Dear Mr Albanese 

May you please consider talking to the politicians because their behaviour is currently despicable, and you should try to improve it. I have a couple of reasons why.  

Some of you do not give each other a chance to speak, you talk over each other a lot and some of you do not acknowledge that you can learn from each other's perspectives. I have also noticed that a lot of you have very strong opinions and I have very strong opinions too. I know it's hard to not stand up for what you believe in but it is still important to listen to other people's ideas because it is a really good way to improve your perspective and someone that looks into a situation with multiple perspectives provides new and unique solutions. You would grow as a person so much if you listened. People would value you a lot more. People would be more relaxed around you because you listen to them. 

Some of you call each other names which causes a chain reaction of each other being rude and arguing about problems. So, I think the difference between arguing and debating is that arguing is when you say that I’m right and you're wrong but debating is when you try to prove you’re right but you still listen to the other person's ideas. I think if you are kind, people will be much keener to vote for you because kindness is a good quality. 

Some of you don’t make very good decisions about what other people might need. For example, some of you just choose the thing that benefits you, which could be taking away funds from people that need it badly and then using it for your own needs. But you were supposed to be choosing the thing that benefits them. Being rude is something that humans do but we all need to  try to be kind because all humans deserve respect. 

So, thanks Mr Albanese. I hope you read this, but my expectations are low, but my hopes are high, so if you read this, may you please discuss strategies for the politicians so that parliament is a nicer space for everybody. I think if you are kind, people will be much keener to vote for you because kindness is a good quality. Being rude is something that humans do but we all need to try to be kind because all humans deserve respect. 

Best Regards 

Simeon

To The Hon Anthony Albanese,

I’m a Year 6 student, and this term we have been looking at politics and learning about Parliament. We watched some videos showing politicians in parliament and what I saw was some quite unreasonable behaviour. Politicians were raising their voices, they were not being kind towards others and were not showing good leadership or respect. I believe that politicians should change the way they act in parliament to be respectful, considerate and demonstrate to the people of Australia what a good role model is.

Respect is very important and if we don't have respect then the world would fall apart. People yelling at each other and people trying to make the others look bad, does not make the world a better place, it just creates more conflict. I think respect means to show love and gratitude towards others. If politicians thought about this in parliament, it could start to make Australia a better place. 

Politicians are meant to be inspiring role models and are meant to show leadership and respect but I do not see them acting like that in any of the videos. Think about how the Australian people would see this and if they would think this is good for Australia. I am a leader at my school and this means that I look out for others, listen to other people’s opinions and care about what matters to them. I do this because this is what God calls us to do. 

Being considerate means to think about what other people are saying and think about the words you use when talking to them. It also means to actually take time to think about other people’s opinions and what it means to them. If we don’t do this, then the world becomes very one sided. I don’t think this would be very good for our society. Being considerate is an important part of communication. If we’re not being considerate and communicating clearly, people can be affected in different ways and feel like they are not being heard. 

Overall Politicians are role models and are meant to be respectful, considerate and thoughtful towards others. I would like to see a change in Politicians’ behaviour and how they treat others in a debate. To not raise their voice but to talk calmly to others around them.

Sincerely 

Emily 

Mount Evelyn Christian School

Dear The Hon Anthony Albanese,

I am a Year Five student in Melbourne, Victoria and we've been learning about the three levels of Government. As part of our learning, we had an incursion where we learnt about how laws are passed. While we were there, we acted out the process of passing laws in the Senate. We all had different roles and responsibilities. We were taught the expectations of everyone being respectful and sensible. In contrast, I have seen problems related to the way politicians sometimes speak to each other. In this letter I will address this and explain the importance of being a good role model. 

Role models are people who are looked up to. They inspire people and they might even change one’s opinion on something. Politicians are role models to young children. How do we want our children and grandchildren to behave? They listen to you, watch you and you might even be their role model. We can set an example of positive behaviour for people to follow. After our incursion, we watched videos of politicians in parliament. What I saw was a shocking, and concerning way for our role models to act. They were shouting at each other, speaking over each other, ignoring each other and while being disrespectful at the same time, they were not interested in other perspectives. Politicians even call each other names. 

These examples of politicians' behaviour, show me that things are not working very well. I believe this needs to change. If it does then people would enjoy coming to parliament and would feel valued and understood. Also, If decisions are not made in the time given, then it may take longer before things are discussed again. If politicians' attitudes do not change, this will continue to happen. If people took it in turns and listened properly to each other then more time would be spent on understanding and solving problems, rather than dealing with bad behaviour, so more laws could be passed quickly. Also, if people stopped arguing, more time would be spent on really understanding the pros and cons of issues which may improve laws.

In conclusion, we can understand that things can be done to improve the situation. At the moment politicians sometimes behave disrespectfully. When they take their positions as role models to our children, grandchildren and all Australians seriously by behaving respectfully then Parliament would be a more enjoyable workplace, laws would be passed more quickly, and be thought through more carefully, which could really improve Australia I would really appreciate it if you took some time to think about what could be done to improve the situation. 

Yours sincerely,

Micah 

Mount Evelyn Christian School