PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Greetings Friends!

As the weather turns to winter the creeping cold sometimes has me feeling a little down.

Instead, I need to marvel at the seasons God has given us and be thankful that in Melbourne we really experience the four seasons (I can hear you all shouting – “yes, we experience them all in ONE day”). When I was living in the Solomon Islands we had no winter and it was either hot, very hot or wet (and hot) .

So I think of the things I do like about winter...

Mmmm…... let me think a bit longer!

I love collecting the various coloured and shaped leaves that have fallen on the ground and use them to decorate my table with the last remnants of autumn; I relish making and eating delicious and healthy heart warming soups; I love sitting in front of my fireplace, drinking up the warmth and glow of the embers; and, getting a bit more sleep in the months of nature’s hibernation.

We also have seasons in our life. If you have a baby/young children you are probably yearning for the season in your life where they will sleep through the night. The seasons in our life come in various forms and ways and one of those ‘seasons’ is retirement.

Although we are very happy for Tim and his wife Jenni, we are sad to announce the retirement of our Deputy Principal, Tim Farmilo. Tim will finish at St Andrews Christian College at the end of the year, so we have lots of time for goodbyes and to show him our gratitude for all he has done in his time at St Andrews.

I asked Tim a few questions:

How do you feel about retiring?

I always thought retirement was only for old people!  However, as I am retiring, I guess I must be old! The decision has not been an easy one, but I am looking forward to not working full time.

What are you going to do in retirement?

• I still want to do some sort of part-time work– just not sure yet what that will be? 
• I want to have time to spend on my hobbies – woodworking and restoring one of my cars. 
• I also want to have time to do some travel (in Australia) and be able to spend some more time with my wife Jenni and my 7 grandchildren.

What have been the highlights of your time at St Andrews CC?

There have been so many highlights, but these stand out in my mind:

• Moving to the Wantirna South site.
• Seeing the College grow and develop.
• Year 6 Kangaroobie camps.
• Being given the opportunity to lead in my role as Deputy Principal.
• Having the privilege to serve God in this community.

What are you going to miss the most?

• The students – a school is not a school without students and I will miss the daily interaction I have with them – particularly them tapping on my window and waving to me as they go by my office.
• The ‘shalom’ community – it is a privilege to be able to share in the lives of the staff, parents and students and I will miss interacting with a community like St Andrews.  Nobody should take the opportunity to share in this community lightly.
• Daily morning staff devotions.

What is special at St Andrews CC that you haven’t seen in other schools?

The opportunity to speak freely about Jesus and being able to pray with staff, parents and students.

What wisdom do you want to leave:

To students?

Learn to get a good balance between spending time on devices and getting outside and enjoying all God’s creation.

To parents?

Remember that the journey your child is on is more than an academic one.  Give them time to be children and enjoy all God’s world has to offer.  Give them every opportunity to know and follow Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.  “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”  Proverbs 22:6

To staff?

You are so privileged to work in an environment like St Andrews where you have like-minded people to work with and where you can share Jesus openly and freely.  Don’t take this opportunity lightly.  Remember to dig deeply into God for your daily strength and guidance in all you do.   

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

Psalm 103:1-5

What do you want to be remembered for?

• Being caring, approachable and having a pastoral heart.
• Solving problems and having a solution when sometimes a solution didn’t seem possible.
• Pick-up duty every day!

Favourite Bible verse?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

That’s one of my favourite verses too! When we trust God, we can know that whatever season we find ourselves in, we know He is with us, guiding us.

Together we pray that Tim will have a fantastic year and a really good finish at St Andrews.

Blessings on your week!

Catriona Wansbrough