Principal's Message
Mrs Josie Crisara
Chapel
“Put God first in everything you do as all we have is by the Grace of God”
This was the theme in senior chapel this week as we heard about a possible mantra by which to live one’s life. It is great to see the number of Primary parents attend Chapel each week. This is a great opportunity to share a reflection with your child on what they have learnt.
Remembrance Service
Last week we had our Remembrance service. The sense of occasion was evident in the respectful nature in which the service was carried out.
This year the focus for the service was the experience of many teenage boys who enlisted in the First World War. Australia, at the start of World War I, was a very different country to what we know today. Men from all walks of life signed up to fight for their country in a faraway war. To many teenage boys, going to war seemed like an exciting adventure, travelling with your mates to foreign lands. Many of those who left Australian shores to fight in the trenches of Europe were the same age as the senior school boys who reflected on the experiences. Boys as young as 15, 16, 17 took it upon themselves to risk their lives for a cause that they probably did not understand.
A new book called “The Lost Boys” talks about the thousands of underage boys who joined the army either because they slipped through or were not truthful about their age, so that they could serve in the Great War.
The author, journalist Paul Byrnes, said the youngest ANZAC was a 165cm tall New Zealander who was 13 years and 8 months; he made it through 3 years at Gallipoli but was sent home when his mother wrote to the army pointing out he was underage. (The official minimum age was 19).
Recollections of surviving soldiers that were made after World War I, while memories were still fresh, help us to understand their motivations for joining up and how much times have changed. The old soldiers speak for themselves and we encourage students to feel the immediacy and intimacy of the thoughts expressed. The memories shared by some of the student speakers at the service aimed to erase the barriers of time and speak to a new generation.
Fun Run
The Parents and Friends Fun Run was a great success. A great family morning keeping fit. It was great to see the students, parents, grandparents and even some staff completing the 5 km walk/run on a cool morning. Children were able to enjoy the jumping castle, fun sports games on the grassed area in front of admin, face painting and a sausage sizzle. This is a great community event. Thank you to those who supported the event by sponsoring participants or donating gifts for the raffles.
Fairview Dance Party
The Fairview Dance Party was filled with excitement as the children danced the night away.
Year 12 Valedictory Dinner
The dinner was held at La Mirage and was a time of celebration for the students of the Class of 2019 as they had all finished their exams. John Wesley, founder of the Methodist traditions had a precept: "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." This mantra is a good one for living. We wish the Class of 2019 the very best of luck in the pursuit of their dreams and goals. It is both a daunting and exciting time in their lives.
Students were reminded that they now all become members of our Aitken Alumni and we encourage them to keep in touch. The 10 Year reunion just a few weeks ago, for the class of 2009, was a huge success with stories and memories shared amongst the cohort.
Our prayer for the Class of 2019:
May God’s blessing follow you all as you find new journeys to travel.
May you walk safely along the pathways of your dreams.
May God’s gentle hand guide the decisions you will make and the passions that you follow.
May your hearts and lives always reflect his love and truth,
May you show generosity of mind and spirit,
And may hope be a light within you that you carry into each new day.
Anon