St James Learning and Teaching 

STEM

STEM MAD

On Thursday the 12th of October, Charlie F, Mila, Byron and Holly represented St James at the MACS STEM MAD showcase. Throughout the year, they had developed their design called Ecoband which is a bracelet given to tourists to alert them when they are entering into protected and delicate environments. At the showcase they had to pitch their idea to a panel of judges, explaining the design process they went through and how their idea can help care for the environment and animals. On the day they were also interviewed about their idea, spoke to students, teachers and industry professionals about how their design works and got to see many other projects from students in both primary and secondary schools across Melbourne. It was a fantastic day celebrating the incredible work that all of the students had done and seeing how through STEM, students can empathise, design and create solutions that can have a major impact on our world.

Wellbeing

Navigating Difficult News with Children

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In today's world, we're often confronted with challenging news, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, as well as in Israel and Gaza. The constant influx of graphic images and heated opinions via modern technology can be distressing for adults, let alone our children. 

These situations are complex, and the noise of protests and online discussions only adds to the complexity, with everyone claiming to be right and justifying their stance. In times like these, it's reassuring to turn to scripture for guidance, such as the words of Jesus: "You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen" (Matthew 24:6).

But the big question remains: Why do these things have to happen? Can't God just stop them? The answer is both yes and no. Jesus explains further that such events occur due to the "increase in wickedness, [where] the love of most will grow cold" (Matthew 24:12). People choose bitterness over peace, leading to these unfortunate situations.

What saddened me in the news was that after a young man committed atrocities in Israel he called his parents to boast of his actions and celebrate how he is a hero and that they would be proud of him and god will bless him. That means his parents taught him to hate, and that killing is heroic and that it is god’s will. It reminds me of Jesus saying to his disciples “a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God”(John 16).  This is the cycle of hate that has been passed down. It's crucial that we teach our children about the Gospel, emphasising stories of forgiveness and the importance of this virtue.

We can look to remarkable figures like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, and Nelson Mandela, who followed the teachings of Jesus, particularly focusing on forgiveness and peace. They are shining examples of how being peacemakers, as Jesus mentioned, can lead to influence and success. It's a powerful reminder that war is never the answer.

One compelling contemporary example to discuss with your children is Malala Yousafzai. After advocating for the education of women in Pakistan, she survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban at the age of 16. She draws inspiration from various spiritual leaders and peacemakers and emphasises the importance of compassion. She refuses to hurt her enemies, even with a needle.

Above all, the best stories to share with your children are those found in the Bible. From the forgiveness of Adam and Eve to Joseph forgiving his brothers, these tales exemplify the concept of forgiveness. Pair them with the words of Jesus: "unless you forgive, your Father in heaven will not be able to forgive you." Bitterness in our hearts prevents us from standing before the God of love.

As adults, it's essential to affirm our belief in forgiveness and understand the dangers of bitterness, which we see all too clearly in the world today.

Our children do not need to witness the graphic images of violence that can only "alarm" them, as Jesus advised. Instead, let us follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

When Jesus said to “not be alarmed” he said this while he was leaving the temple and walking away. Which is a question the Jewish nation wrestle with from that time and especially because of the Holocaust, “has God left us and walked away?" His disciples were impressed with the Temple and mentioned this to Jesus. But Jesus said “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” Matt 24:2. True to his word only 37 years later, Romans would come in great numbers and great fury because some Jews in their bitterness attacked the Roman soldiers too many times, and they were sick of it. Many Jewish people could not accept being ruled by the Romans. But as Jesus said “if you live by the sword, you will die by the sword”. The destruction of Jerusalem was unparalleled. To this day the only stones standing are the retaining stones on the western wall, where the Jewish people often pray to this day, the rest were thrown down by the Romans. The Romans even renamed the area to Palestine after the name of the Jewish enemy the Philistines.

We know that the path of bitterness leads to destruction. Let us remain firm in following Jesus and his path of mercy and forgiveness, even if, like his disciples, we may find it difficult. As St. Peter wisely stated, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).

If you find yourself becoming bitter with current news, take a step back. Even with the referendum many might be tempted to be bitter, that is not the path.

Teaching our children about Jesus and his message is essential for their future—a future filled with peace, love, and understanding. Let us engage in this vital work, both for our children and the world they will inherit. It is the greatest work. God calls us to this work.

Kind regards,

Corey Payton

Chaplain at St James

Library

Mandi Joplin

Teacher Librarian