Dempsey's Digest

How delightful to have Term 4 underway and to see the beautiful colours of our native trees and bushes across our property. Have you seen the bottle brushes coming up the driveway? Or the grevilleas near the JP rooms? Last week, after school when things were quiet, there were king parrots chattering in the trees around the science block and rosellas trying to outdo them! Our property is so lovely, and I am so grateful to our team who keep things looking great. And to our parents who help out at working bees…nice segway here to a reminder of the twilight working bee this week! 

Thursday, 3.45pm – 8pm.

As we kick off this term, here’s a few things to let you know..

Sad news over the break

Recently a number of our founders have passed away; Gerry Schreurs, Wilma Tromp, and John van Keulen.

We will feature these wonderful, faithful people in our next edition of Re-Connect as we remember their commitment and love for Christian Education and the lasting legacy that we are able to appreciate and enjoy through their family members who continue to serve and love MECS through attending or working at MECS.

We pray for their families as they grieve, may the Lord be their comfort and strength.

Canada

For those that read the newsletter last term, you would know that I went to Canada over the break and into the first week of term. A third of which was holiday and the other two thirds as part of a Study Tour with Christian Education National, that also included attendance to a Leadership Conference, hosted by Christian Schools Canada. It was an incredible trip, and I was left with much to reflect on in relation to leadership, school culture, teaching and learning and of particular focus was our Christian distinctive as schools.

Christian schools in Canada have a very similar heritage to schools like MECS. Faithful families (most often Dutch), gathering with other Christian families with a wild idea to start Christian schools that put the bible front and center! Schools that wanted parents to have a choice as to the kind of education their kids would receive and parents who were keen to make up the governing body of the school community. It’s delightful to see the way that God has blessed this vision across the world.

Visit from CFA

As part of our commitment to upholding our Emergency Management Plan in relation to fire safety, we again had Tammy Garret, who is the Manager of Community Safety for our region, come and visit MECS last week to review our plan. Tammy was very complimentary of our plan and was able to suggest a few tweaks as well. We really value our strong relationship with the CFA.

EGM

We had a great night together at our EGM last week, as we heard so many stories of student responses to many parts of our MECS and Ranges TEC programs. It was so encouraging. Further to that, hearing updates of building, budgets and committee work on behalf of the board was interesting and inspiring. Thanks to all those that attended.

Year 12s last day

What a day mixed with emotion as the Year 12’s treated the whole school to a wonderful assembly, with them taking the lead on a Disney themed event! From the Pixar lamp getting things underway, to a retro game show experience, to a fantastic keynote from a much-loved teacher, to an 80s rock number that became the backdrop to a video compilation, to being able to commission our students as they step forward from their time at MECS knowing that God is with them. There was an overarching theme of belonging and being known that was palpable at the assembly.

Please pray for our Year 12s. For those that have no exams, that they would have clarity on their next steps. For those that are sitting exams, some oral and performance exams have already commenced with the first written exams kicking off on the 27th October (English). We also pray for a good break and rest for our Year 12s as God continues to reveal his will for them in the next phase of life.

Grandparents Day

We had the most wonderful time on Tuesday! A full write up and photos will be in the next edition of the newsletter.

Let’s enjoy this last term as a community!

Cheers, 

Michelle