From the Principal

Werte,

What a wonderful finish to a vibrant and joy-filled year at Living Waters Lutheran School! Over these past weeks we’ve enjoyed celebrations, laughter, and so many moments that highlight what makes our community truly special. Thank you to our students, families, and staff for the commitment, kindness, and growth that have shaped our year together.

It was amazing to wake up to the announcement Thursday that we are in the top 10 in the NT for improvement for the same children from Year 3 to Year 5 in NAPLAN. We are the only independent school in Alice Springs on the list. 

A special thank you goes to our POTS team and all our volunteers. Whether you’ve supported learning in classrooms, helped at events, assisted on excursions, or pitched in behind the scenes, your generosity has made a real difference. Our school is stronger, warmer, and more connected because of you, and we are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and heart you’ve poured into our community this year.

Understanding Student Reports

As we wrap up the year, student reports are an important way of sharing each child’s learning journey. Reporting has changed over time, and many of us remember when a ‘C’ felt like “just passing.” Today, that’s simply not the case.

A ‘C’ grade is exactly where we want our students to be. It means your child is achieving right on track with the Australian Curriculum End of Year Achievement Standard.

A ‘B’ shows your child is working above the standard for their year level, and many children will have natural areas of strength.

An ‘A’ is exceptional, indicating achievement well beyond the expected standard.

Every student begins the year from a different starting point, and it’s neither realistic nor fair to expect them all to be at the same place at the same time. What matters most is the growth each child makes along the way.

As a school, we remain deeply committed to celebrating progress, effort, and perseverance just as much as achievement. Every child is unique, valued, and capable, and we are privileged to walk alongside them as they continue to flourish.

Celebrating Our Year 6 Graduates

A big congratulations goes to our Year 6 graduating class of 2025. What a joy it has been to watch these students grow into confident, capable young people ready for their next adventure. They have brought leadership, spirit, kindness, and so much energy to our school, and we are incredibly proud of the people they are becoming.

We send our graduates off with blessings and warm wishes. Whether they remain close by or move further afield, we know they will enrich the communities they join—just as they have enriched ours. To our Year 6 families, thank you for partnering with us throughout your children’s primary school years.

Farewells and Blessings

As the year draws to a close, they say that people come into our lives for a reason or a season—and this year, we farewell several much-loved members of our staff.

Emma – Art Teacher

Emma has filled our school with colour, creativity, and joy. Her passion for self-expression has inspired students to explore their imagination with confidence. We will miss her warmth and artistic spark and send her every blessing for the journey ahead.

Harry – Physical Education and Music

Whether on the oval or in the music room, Harry has brought energy and versatility. We thank him for all he has given and wish him success in his next steps.

Josie – LSO in The Reef

Josie has been a caring and dependable presence in Reef, supporting students with calmness, patience, and a genuine love for their wellbeing. We thank her sincerely for the compassion and dedication she has brought to her role and send her with our warmest blessings for what lies ahead.

Each of these staff members has contributed richly to our Living Waters family, and we hold them in our prayers as they step into new seasons.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support throughout 2025. To all our families, I wish you a safe, restful, joy-filled holiday break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another wonderful year of learning, laughter, and community in 2026.

Blessings,

Lisa 

Devotion

Last week in worship we focused on the Christmas story from Luke 2:1-20. I told the students about some of my favourite Christmas tree ornaments, one cross and one dove, both made of glass. These ornaments have a special story behind them. 

Years ago my wife and I had the opportunity to visit Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The place has a checkered history, with constant fighting between Israelis and Palestinians and others, which goes on to this day. 

In the early 2000s there was a second intifada, or uprising, and an escalation in violence. Tanks regularly drove through the streets of Bethlehem shelling buildings, including churches. The members of the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem were scared and saddened by what they experienced and wanted to do something to maintain hope and bring healing to their town. 

After one of the sieges, they went into the streets of their city and collected the broken glass. They then used the glass to create beautiful ornaments, which they later sold, to help support the repairs of their buildings, and the recovery of their town.

I often think about that story as a reminder of what Christmas is all about. God sent his Son into an imperfect world, a world of conflict and heartache. God was not content to leave his world in such a state. Rather, he made Jesus a symbol of hope and means of healing for the world. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection offer us peace with God and continues to inspire us to live at peace with other. 

May God bless you and your loved ones with hope, peace and joy this Christmas season.

Pastor Ben

School Spotlight

Year 6 Graduation

Last Tuesday evening, we gathered to celebrate our Year 6 students as they graduated from Living Waters. It was a wonderful occasion filled with proud parents and teachers, and plenty of smiles as we reflected on the achievements of these incredible young people.

We are so proud of the effort and growth they have shown throughout the year. While we will miss their presence in our school community next year, we are confident they are ready to embrace the next chapter of their learning journey with courage and enthusiasm.

Congratulations, Year 6! We wish you every success in the years ahead.

Year 6 Fun Day

End of the Year Awards

Principal's Reading Challenge

On the 26th of November, 30 students who completed the Principal's Reading Challenge were treated to lunch at the Gillen club by Mrs Goldsworthy!

Well done to those students who challenged themselves.  It is a great achievement and took a lot of work to find some of the books listed in the challenge. 

Looking forward to next year’s challenge! 

Nest Production of A Christmas in WhoVille

Foundation Nativity

Congratulations to the ICAS participants

CDU Graduation

Important Dates

Birthdays 

Happy Birthday to the following students & staff:

Cora Clark, Miller Solomons, Shanaya Prasad, Cameron Davis, Gus Goldsworthy, Riley Chevallier, Tanina Furber-Bathern, Nate Venables, Charlotte Mader, Sanjayan Gunalan, Aaron Aneesh, Johnny Goodwin, Chase Brooks, Joshua Philip, Debarnee Roy, Zia Miso, Mathok Puot Top, Henco Hattingh, Ju-Merie Hattingh, Onisha Dissanayaka, Amarrie Fernandez, Reagan Whipple, Lucius Forrester, Hunter Parker, Moe Bettineschi

SPORT VOUCHER SCHEME – 2025–26 Applications Now Open

Key Details

• Semester 2 (July–Dec 2025) vouchers available now (opened 1 July 2025)

• Semester 1 (Jan–May 2026) vouchers open 1 January 2026

• Applications close: 24 May 2026

• Vouchers must be used by: 31 May 2026

• Each eligible child receives two $100 vouchers per year

• Open to children aged 5+, enrolled in an NT school or registered for home-schooling

• Vouchers can be used for sport, active recreation, and cultural activities

• How to Apply:

  Parents and carers can apply online at 25/26 Sport Voucher Scheme | GrantsNT Administration

Church News

The congregation's Facebook page is now up and running. 

You can check it out by using the QR code or following this link 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557831308251

The purpose of this page is mainly to advertise our services 

and events and share devotional content. 

Please contact Pastor Ben or Liz for more information.  

Community Calendar

Living Waters Lutheran School

Corner Albrecht Drive & Kramer Street, Larapinta, 0870

P: 08 8950 0700 E: living.waters@ntschools.net

Alice Springs Lutheran Church

49 Gap Road, P: 08 8953 2432

Sunday Service 9.30am

Follow Us on Facebook 

Our Facebook page is regularly updated with information and photos from events at Living Waters. You can follow the page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100024059916012 to see what has been happening around the school.