The question on everyone’s lips at the start of this term, is where is the rain and colder weather!? What a wonderful way to start the term with lovely weather for the myriad of sporting and outdoor events that we have been able to enjoy. Of course we hope for rain as well, but in the meantime, thanks Lord for the sunshine!

Here’s a snapshot of some of the end of term highlights and how the term has kicked off!

Cross Country

We couldn’t have asked for a better day for our cross country events late last term! What a joy to see the little kids give it their best shots in the morning and the parents races were pretty impressive as well! The secondary event was held in the afternoon and the highlight for the day was certainly the colour run! What a fun way to celebrate the day and raise money for a good cause! Make sure you check out the cross country pages in this newsletter for lots of fun photos!

CSEN Music Night

It was such a pleasure to head to Belgrave Heights Convention Centre towards the end of last term and watch our students perform in a variety of musical items at the Christian Schools Sport and Events Network (CSEN). For this event, students rehearse over 2 days, with songs and music that is unfamiliar to them. Our students made up a huge part of the choir and sang a medley of beautiful pieces. It was great to see our own Penny Mentiplay at work, leading the choir. Congratulations students, on two big days of effort that culminated into such a worthwhile night.

Open Evening

Thanks everyone, for your support of open evening at the end of term. What a fabulous opportunity to showcase the school. There was such a buzz across the school and many activities for families to engage in. We had a lot of feedback from visitors who loved the community feel and atmosphere.

Holiday Projects

If you haven’t had the chance yet, I encourage you to take a walk from Kiss and Drop up to the main office and admire our wonderful new path that was poured during the break and landscaped at the same time. It looks fantastic and allows much easier access to the office (no more slippery gravel!) Thanks to our property team, who made it happen.

Work-break

Work-break is a term that MECS has referred to for a long time. Work -break is essentially student free days, where the staff get to focus on curriculum and program development, including for some, studying units towards a Masters degree, with the National Institute for Christian Education.

We had a lovely work-break that included daily devotions with all staff and the opportunity to fellowship over a shared morning tea and a farewell afternoon tea for Jo Miller (more about that, below). We were also blessed to have board member, Steven King lead us in a very powerful devotion around God’s work in him and in the life of his family, following a terrible accident. (If you see Steve around, you might like to ask him about it).

Cross Country

We couldn’t have asked for a better day for our cross country events that kicked off the term! What a joy to see the little kids give it their best shots in the morning and the parents races were pretty impressive as well! The secondary event was held in the afternoon and the highlight for the day was certainly the colour run! What a fun way to celebrate the day and raise money for a good cause!

JP Community Lunch

I was so touched to receive an invitation from the JP students to attend a community lunch where we shared lunch together and had the students read and give lovely messages to many of the administration, IT and property teams. It was very special and a great way to live out our “Community Builders” thread!

ISV Roundtable

In the lead up to the election (that seemed like the fastest result in history!), I attended a round table discussion with the shadow minister for education at Independent Schools Victoria. Whilst it was a good discussion, the same challenges remain front and centre for Christian Schooling; freedom for parents to choose suitable education for their children, freedom to employ Christian staff, fair and steady funding for independent schools. As we welcome back the Labor party as our government, we will continue to advocate for these things.

CSEN sports

As I wrote this newsletter, I was interrupted to welcome back our teams from the inter – school, CSEN soccer tournament. It gives me such pleasure to report that our Primary boys team took out the champion title and our Junior Secondary girls team came 2nd in their division. I have a jolly big trophy in my office! Being able to compete in sports with other schools is a wonderful thing to be able to do. Winning, is also fantastic. The highlight for me though, is the stories of the way our students interact with others and encourage fellow students on other teams. That’s living out being welcoming advocates and community builders. I’m proud of our students.

Farewells

It’s always sad to farewell people that have served at MECS. At the end of last term we farewelled Bryan Lewis who came on in June last year as our Interim Business Manager before Rob began, this year. Bryan was one of those work in the background kind of guys, and he made quite the impact on MECS and our team. We are very thankful for his work and wish him all the best in the coming days as he takes up a familiar role in Japan!

We also farewelled Hayley Stein who has commenced maternity leave. Hayley has been a wonderful asset to our Junior Secondary team and is a much loved teacher amongst our student body. Her and her husband Jack are awaiting the birth of their little girl, with much anticipation! We look forward to sharing that news, soon!

In the coming days, we will also be saying farewell to Ady Sliwka – Arena who has been an important part of our Well Being Team. Ady is picking up a student counsellor role at the Melbourne Institute of Technology. All the best, Ady!

Lastly, after many years of service, our dear Jo Miller is finally farewelling MECS (she left once, back in 2012 but it didn’t take her long to come back “home”. This time is not easy for Jo, nor for many that have worked alongside her at different times. Many parents too, will miss Jo’s passion and love for all students, particularly those who need some extra support. Jo is always vibrant, always fun, always a bundle of energy, always generous and always ready to serve. Jo, we wish you all the best in the coming days as you continue to bless the team at Village High School, closer to home.

More staff news

In a community like MECS, change happens regularly. Following 10 years of faithful service, our IT Manager, Simon Dyett has tended his resignation. Simon has been at the helm of many IT initiatives in his time at MECS and guided many team members over that time. Our systems have been refined and firmly established, and our services have grown and developed. Simon is taking the time to pursue other interests in his life and his last day will be the end of this term. We are grateful for his service and his genuine interest in MECS as a community. From being a regular attendant to working bees to getting passionately involved in our Indonesian program to serving all of us coffees, Simon is a man with a big heart and a love for the Lord that defines who he is. We will of course properly farewell Simon in the weeks to come. Thanks Simon, for your service.

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