PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Greetings Friends!

Welcome to our first newsletter of the year, which will be produced twice-a-term this year.

Because of the snap lockdown, many families are still trying to get into the routine of school again – which is understandable! We only had a couple of hours notice about the recent lockdown, so thank you everyone for your understanding and again for being flexible.

I’m really proud of our staff who worked hard to provide work for our students in such a short time.

I really felt a sense of despair in the community, as we were all thinking, ‘here we go again’ and ‘not another year like 2020’. Many people are struggling with some issues (health/financial/work/relationships) and when all the challenges of COVID are added to our lot it is easy to become disillusioned or depressed.

I have been reminded this week that nothing can undermine God’s sovereignty. He knows all and has it all under control – whether it is a terrible situation that happens at school, a sickness/accident or a difficult family issue.

Since God is in control, we should not be concerned. But we still worry, get concerned and try to manipulate the circumstances to what we think is best and what we think is in God’s will. We think we know the best solution to our problems and the problems of the world, and that if God were in control, something would be done – now!

We so forget His faithfulness and how He has provided for each of us in the past.

In difficult times in our lives, the depth of our confidence and hope in God is put to the test. Scripture challenges us to have enormous hope despite what happens in our own lives, in society and in the world.

21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning?  Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.

23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.

24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.

25 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.

26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

27 Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel,“My way is hidden from the Lord;    my cause is disregarded by my God”?

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard?The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

31 but those who hope in the Lord    will renew their strength.They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

– Isaiah 40:21 -31

So whatever happens – even in such situations as the recent passing of the Conversion Bill in Parliament – God has this, and can use such situations for His glory and His purposes.

We just have to keep praying and trusting the Lord, believing in His sovereignty over all.

Our theme for the year is a great one – Trust in the Lord! Our Bible verse to accompany this theme is from Jeremiah 17: 7-8.

7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,

whose confidence is in him.

8 They will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.”

– Jeremiah 17: 7-8

We have much to learn, but my prayer is that we all become like this tree that keeps on growing and bearing fruit, especially in difficult times.

Blessings to you all for a fruitful and abundant year,

Catriona Wansbrough

Principal