Principal Address

Dear Parents,

It was great to welcome all of our students back to school this week. I hope you had the chance as a family to have some time together. Our students returned this week refreshed and enjoying their day. 

In the holidays my family and I traveled out to Broken Hill, it is an amazing place, in the middle of nowhere. One of the things I did with my kids was go to the “Royal Flying Doctor” Museum in Broken Hill. Whilst my kids ran around looking at the planes and trying to take things from the gift shop, I got to read about an amazing man named John Flynn, who is on the back of the $20 note.

John Flynn, started the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which helps in emergency situations in the outback. John Flynn was a remarkable Australian whose deep Christian faith shaped everything he did. He had a pioneering idea and was someone with conviction, empathy and compassion. He trained as a minister and was sent to work in the outback. It didn’t take long for him to see the need. Families were completely cut off from basic medical care, and communities were isolated for months at a time. Flynn couldn’t look away. He believed that every person mattered because they were made in the image of God. That belief drove everything he did.

His idea was simple and bold. Bring together medicine, aviation and communication to care for people who had no other support. What followed was the launch of the Flying Doctor Service in 1928. It was the first of its kind in the world. It was groundbreaking, but more than that, it was an act of faith. Flynn saw the work not just as practical, but as deeply spiritual. He believed loving your neighbour meant doing something that made a real difference. The museum was not a Christian museum at all, yet written boldly on one of the walls was the verse that motivated John Flynn; John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life and life in abundance”. 

I think his story matters to us and it definitely spoke to me. He didn’t wait for the perfect moment or a well-resourced plan, he saw a need and got started. That kind of courage, that willingness to trust God and take action, is something we want our students to embody. Although it looks different to starting an airline in our context, there are ways our students can step out in faith. I’ve seen a few examples this week: One of our Year 5’s recently told me that they want to start a bible study for their friends at lunch. Another student this week told me that they asked their parents to take McDonald’s to homeless people in the holidays! Even small things like including a new student, helping a teacher are acts of service that matter and further God’s kingdom. 

We want our students to understand that faith isn’t just something we talk about in chapel. It’s something we live. It motivates us to serve, to notice others, to take initiative, to think creatively. Whether that’s inviting someone to play, helping a friend with learning or dreaming big about their future. 

Zone Athletics

Good luck to our 33 superstar runners/throwers and jumpers at the Zone Athletics on Monday. I know they will make our school proud! Remember the bus leaves at 7.30am!

Staffing Update

As we communicated to our Year 1 Blue Parents, Mrs Schofield is going on Long Service Leave from Week 3, until the end of Week 7. This is a well deserved break after 10 years of faithful service. We have appointed Mrs Melissa Morton as her replacement. Mrs Morton has considerable experience in both independent and public schools. She started this week and will be doing some casual work next week in the lead up to Week 3. Please say hello if you see her around.

As you might be aware Miss Testa got married in the holidays to her husband Kevin. She has changed her name to Mrs Gounder, which may take some time for us to get used to. We congratulate her and praise God for the great day they had.

Pastor Ethan and his wife Steph, continue to enjoy time with their new baby and Ethan is on Paternity leave for the next few weeks. Anything sport related in the interim can be directed to me.

My door is always open,

Joe Britton