Dempsey's Digest

Welcome Back! 

What a joy to welcome back students and parents to school on Thursday as we kicked off another term of learning and growing at MECS! We only had a small group of parents at morning tea, just a reminder that at the beginning of every term you are encouraged to come and join us for a cuppa and lovely morning tea in the staff room. Little ones are of course welcome as well and there are plenty of toys to play with. 

World Conflict and Fuel Prices

Every day we are receiving updates of conflicts that are so far away, yet they are impacting us in impractical ways. Of course, the most obvious one is petrol prices, in particular those that operate diesel vehicles and equipment. I particularly think of many of our tradies or industrial workers who are heavily reliant on fuel. 

Beyond these inconveniences, is the reality of conflict, which is marked by fear, grief, displacement and extreme levels of vulnerability that always impact the poor and the weak first. Let us not lose sight of what is happening elsewhere and let us turn our eyes to our heavenly father, seeking his mercy, comfort and grace. 

Of course, we also want to support each other in this time and so we encourage our community to consider the following;

• Offering to car pool with another family
• Seeking to use the MECS bus (contact the office if this is of interest)
• Take public transport
• Look out for each other. If you think someone is struggling with petrol costs and might need some support, there are practical ways we might be able to assist. Through fee assistance or meals for a family or finding connections to car pool with. 
• Pray! Seems simple, but it is the most impactful thing we can do. 

Work Break Happenings

Our staff all gathered back to school on Monday 20th April, ready to embrace the term. You might not be aware of what teachers get up to on these days but let me give you some insight. On the Monday, we came together to worship in song, share devotions, catch up over morning tea and then into many meetings and preparation for the term ahead. On the Tuesday our staff very positively engaged in a full day of training around the Berry Street Educational Model. This was a wonderful day of new ideas around classroom management and learning strategies to help our students maximise their learning. On the Wednesday, a number of our staff who are doing study with the National Institute of Christian Education came together with lecturer Sam Burrows to further their understanding of what it means to teach, from a Christian perspective. 

We had a great 3 days, all in preparation of the term ahead!

End of Term Camps

It was delightful to see our Junior Secondary students return exhausted yet happy and satisfied after their camp experience. We are delighted to report that all camps had a great time and so did the staff! 

CSEN Music Showcase

Each year, a number of our students and staff participate in 2 days of a music intensive at Belgrave Heights Convention Centre which culminates in a music showcase which is just remarkable! Over 2 days, the students learn new songs to be sung or complex performances on their instrument of choice. It is very entertaining! I was so impressed with the large number of MECS Primary students that were involved this year and were a very strong part of the choir, led by our own Penny Mentiplay. Thanks to the parents who came along to cheer and to the teachers who supported the days of practice and the event. 

New Parent Dinner

The New Parent Dinner at the end of last term was a fun night of good food, meeting new people and hearing some more about MECS. Even though there was an audible groan when I said we were going to do an 'activity' (I was reluctant to use the ‘icebreaker’ word), everyone got involved and I basically couldn’t stop the enthusiasm! 

Thanks to all those that came along. Your partnership is valued. 

Primary & Secondary Cross Country

This event simply has to be one of the highlights of the school calendar. I mean, what’s not to like? Organised running events from Prep – Year 12, other options for those in secondary who don’t like to run, colour run at the end, parents cheering from the sidelines, coffee cart for the parents and sausage sizzle for secondaries. A top day of sunshine certainly added to the joy of the day. Huge thanks to Ben Clark and Chris Noy and their assistants for a fabulous day of events. 

Kinder Hot Cross Bun afternoons

What a joy to join the Kinder kids and their parents for Hot Cross Buns at the end of term. Seeing the joy in the students to have their parents around, to show them what they love to do at Kinder was so special. We have such an awesome Kinder! On that note, if you are looking for Kinder for 2028 and 2029, make sure you get your names down soon! 

Head of Student Services – Karissa Esselbrugge

You would have seen the communication in relation to the news that our much loved Head of Student Services, Karissa Esselbrugge (nee Vanderjagt) has accepted a very exciting position with St Phillips Christian Schools in Newcastle, NSW. This is a wonderful opportunity for Karissa and her family. Karissa will be finishing at MECS on the 15th May. 

Look out for the invitation in this newsletter for parents to come and join a farewell afternoon tea on the 11th of May in the Pump Room. Karissa has certainly impacted many families and it will be lovely to honour her in this way. 

Staff Baby News

Sophia Chamberlain was born at the end of term to proud parents, Jackie and Josh and big brother, Noah. 

Well, that’s a wrap for this digest! Looking forward to the term ahead and all of the learning, creating, engaging, partnering and participation to come! 

Cheers, 

Michelle