Encounter Magazine | Christmas 2023

Encounter CHRISTMAS EDITION 2023

Encounter

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CHRISTMAS ELF

Therese is Still Going Strong.

“LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE COMES FROM GOD. EVERYONE WHO LOVES HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD”

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FOSTER CARE

The 77-year-old has put her hand up to volunteer at Samaritans Christmas lunches in Newcastle for more than two decades.

Making a Positive Difference to a Child’s Life.

Everybody needs a place to call home and feel safe.

Leanne Pickering knows this better than most.

1 JOHN 4:7

04 Bishop Peter’s Message 06 Christmas Elf 08 Christmas Chef 09 Christmas Musician 10

Christmas Appeal

12

Christmas Services

14

World War 1 Flag Restoration

16

Foster Care

18

Manning Valley Anglican College

20 Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College 22 Lakes Grammar 24 Scone Grammar 26 Parish Projects 28 NATSIAC Conference 30 Voluntary Assisted Dying 31

Anglicare Conference

32 Anglican Care Top Facebook Post 33 Celebrating Milestones 35 The Year That Was

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Don’t Settle for the Mundane.

BISHOP Bishop Peter visited the Indian PETER’S Province of Kerala to attend an MESSAGE Assembly of Christians in Asia.

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SCHOOLS YEAR IN REVIEW A Stellar Year of Celebrations.

Flourishing in more ways than one, Manning Valley Anglican College, Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Lakes Grammar and Scone Grammar all have had successes both inside and outside the classroom.

Underneath the story we see some things. The visitors from the East devoted part of their lives to seeking truth. They used the tools that were available to them. They disrupted their ordinary lives as part of their searching. They were generous.

Bishop Peter

It is easy to get caught up in the mundane rhythms of our lives. Get ready for work.

Answer the emails. Cook the dinner. Clean the bathroom. The greeting ‘Namaste’ challenges us to see something special in the ordinary.

To take time to look beyond the everyday. It invites us to move to wonder. “How are you carrying God to me?” “How am I bearing God to you?” “What might God want from us in this encounter?”

Don’t settle for the mundane.

Search for the holy.

My prayer for you is that you will take time to look beyond the ordinary. That you will be open to the presence of God. I hope that deep love and the true meaning of Christmas touches you.

In October, I was in the Indian Province of Kerala. I was attending an Assembly of Christians in Asia. We were being introduced to some aspects of the culture. A local priest encouraged us to greet one another with the phrase “Namaste”. It comes from Hindu culture.

The wider culture has also embraced it. It means, “I bow to the divine in you.” When used by a Christian, it means – I welcome you as one who bears the image of God. Throughout the course of life, we often look for fulfilment. We might seek love, health, family, 4

Encounter Christmas 2023

wealth, and security. The faith traditions across the globe encourage us to include spiritual searching. To seek out what gives us meaning, purpose, and connection. The faith traditions suggest that we add something else. That we only find wholeness or completeness when we engage in a quest for God. We do some of this when we celebrate the divine life carried by each other.

The bible tells many stories of searching for God. One revolves around some seekers after the truth from the East. Sometimes they are called kings or wise men. Sometimes they are identified as three men. They were sufficiently important people that the local king was prepared to welcome them. That didn’t happen every day! They were searching for truth by reading the stars. They had heard a new king had been born and wanted to honour him. The story goes on that they saw enough evidence to knock on the door of Jesus’ house. They were welcomed by Mary, his mother. They gave them distinctive gifts and then went home.

The Christian faith teaches that God is love.

When we show love for others – we witness to God. Christians understand that God caused all things to exist. God wanted everything to live the life of love. So, God engaged directly and fully with all he had made. God took on human form. Christians believe that Jesus, born of Mary, was God in human form. Therefore, we look to his teachings for how we should live. When we try to understand what God is like, we look to the stories of Jesus. We try to become wise searchers in our own time.

I want to share a few moments which have inspired me to wonder this year.

In June, we moved house. We now back on to bush land. Every day we are greeted with a choir of birds. Their beauty and playfulness are inspiring. Jesus told people to look to be as trusting and carefree as the birds.

I have had the joy of holding a baby a few times in recent weeks. She snuggled, cried, yelled, and smiled. It was a delight to watch her and her mother. Jesus said that the whole life of God belongs to children.

I sat with some older men who told me some of their life stories. They had both lost their wives during the year. Each spoke with wisdom about their life. They shared how different it now was. Jesus told us that people who are grieving are close to God’s heart.

My prayer for you is that you will take time to look beyond the ordinary. That you will be open to the presence of God. I hope that deep love and the true meaning of Christmas touches you.

Christians share the confidence that God is always looking to be closer to you. God wishes to bless you.

Bishop Sonia, Bishop Charlie, and our families join me in wishing you all the happiness of Christmas and a new year filled with hope.

Every blessing,

+Peter

BISHOP PETER ATTENDING THE ASSEMBLY OF CHRISTIANS IN ASIA 5

t w o d e ca d e s o n Therese is still going strong

It’s Christmas Day. A woman dressed in an elf costume is constantly on the move. She checks that guests are enjoying their lunch and ensures everything goes smoothly.

This is an annual tradition for Therese Sciberras.

The 77-year-old has put her hand up to volunteer at Samaritans Christmas lunches in Newcastle for more than two decades. The event aims to spread festive cheer for those in the community who are less fortunate or lonely.

Therese joined Samaritans, a service agency of Newcastle Anglican, as part of the Christmas Lunch in the Park (CLIP) team in 2001.

She says her interactions with the community bring her back year after year.

“You get a lot of the same people, but it’s different,” she says.

“The atmosphere, weather, and even us workers.

It’s a good thing. I enjoy being with the public, I really do. We all have our problems but, when you get out there, you can forget about yours and you can enjoy yourself.”

“ I want to k eep work ing f or as long as I possibly can” VOLUNTEER THERESE SCIBERRAS IS GETTING READY FOR ANOTHER CHRISTMAS LUNCH IN NEWCASTLE. 6

Encounter Christmas 2023

Therese has seen firsthand the importance of bringing joy and hope to many vulnerable members of the community. In her first role with Samaritans, she showed care and respect while welcoming visitors to the Christmas lunches. It proved to be an eye-opening experience.

“Standing back and looking at different people’s faces, there are lots and lots of lonely people out there,” she says.

“I was one of the few that went around and welcomed people as they came in. You’d start talking about Christmas and then they’d open up about themselves. The females were always heartbreaking. They’d tell us how they’d just lost

You’d start talking about

Christmas and then they’d

open up about themselves.

their husband and it was their first Christmas without them. It was really sad.”

While there have been many changes to the Christmas lunches over the years, Therese remains ever-present. And she is showing no signs of slowing down.

“I can’t keep still; I really need to be working. I hate being at home doing nothing,” she says.

“I want to keep going for as long as I possibly can. I’m finding the older I get, the more I need to keep moving.”

Apart from Christmas Day, Therese offers her time and expertise in the lead-up to the event by helping to sort all of the presents into categories. This is on top of her other volunteer work.

“I’m also with the RFS [Rural Fire Service]. I’ve worked with the State Emergency Service, St John’s Ambulance, Maitland Events, and Maitland Regional Art Gallery. It is a lot, but it’s not every day.”

Samaritans is thankful it can count on the selfless work of Therese, as well as many other volunteers, for its annual Christmas lunches.

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Christmas lunch

strikes a chord

Cooking up a storm for our community

Community spirit and sharing the joy of Christmas are important to Hugh Gordon.

Feeding a thousand people on Christmas Day

is quite an achievement.

For the past five years, Jonathan Heath has done just that.

Each year, he grabs his guitar and thrills crowds with live performances at Samaritans Christmas lunches in Newcastle.

The South African-born chef spends countless hours preparing food for Samaritans Christmas lunches in Newcastle.

“I first started doing it in the late 1990s in Civic Park. A couple of years later, Samaritans came on board and I’ve been involved ever since then,” Hugh says.

Jonathan says he always wanted to give back to the community.

“I started doing work for abused women and children shelters in Newcastle. I’d cook up big Sunday roasts or Christmas lunches and drop them off,” he says.

“I feel very privileged for what I do have, and I wanted to give back on a larger scale.”

Jonathan decided to volunteer with Samaritans after contacting Christmas Lunch in the Park Event Manager Dana Pichaloff.

I feel very privileged for what I do have, and I

wanted to give back on a larger scale.

In the week leading up to Christmas, Jonathan and a team of helpers cook the food in a kitchen at PCYC Windale.

It is then packaged and transported to Newcastle, where a group of volunteers serve it on the day.

Jonathan says it is inspiring to see the community work together to feed so many people in need.

“The first year I did it out of one of the kitchens I was working in at the time, and I had an entire keg room full of takeaway containers.

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Encounter Christmas 2023

TALENTED CHEF JONATHAN HEATH FROM WS CATERING.

I think I had about 3,500 containers full of food,” he says.

“I’m super appreciative of all the relationships I’ve built with my suppliers in the 11 years that I’ve been in Australia. No one is ever shy to donate, which is great.

“We’re able to feed about 1,000 people with donated food. It just shows how people can band together. It’s cool.”

“Playing and sharing music on Christmas Day is just a wonderful thing to do, so I’ve always prioritised it.”

A Student Music Coordinator at the University of Newcastle, Hugh connects with fellow performers in the lead-up to Christmas Day to prepare their repertoire and rehearse some of the carols. They then set up the sound system and conduct checks to ensure everything is ready to go ahead of the event.

Hugh says interacting with the audience on

Jonathan previously worked at renowned restaurants around the Hunter Valley vineyards and in Newcastle before starting his own business, WS Catering.

Despite juggling a heavy workload and a young family, he didn’t hesitate to offer his services for Christmas once again.

“It’s amazing to see people who have so little, be grateful for so little. It is heartbreaking actually,” he says.

“I see kids sitting on Santa’s lap getting one present and being absolutely over the moon.

“Then I go home and look at my kids rip through presents. It really puts things into perspective about how lucky I am as a parent, and we are as a family. That’s why I got into it.”

MUSICIAN HUGH GORDON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE.

Christmas Day and feeling their energy creates a special atmosphere.

“I usually get people up to sing and play the tambourine. It’s a sharing day. Live performing is as much about the audience participation – it all adds to the music,” he says.

“In the early 2000s, I had my own little kids so it was special for them to be involved.

When they got a bit older, they’d get up and sing with me. We’ve also had a range of performers, including people who have been on [reality TV show] The Voice.

“Last year was great as well. We had three girls from the university who got up and sang.”

Hugh considers himself fortunate to have been involved in the Christmas lunches and plans to continue for as long as possible.

“Every year has its special moments and I think that’s why you keep coming back because there’s always something special that happens,” he says.

“It’s a real honour to be a part of it.”

Watch Hugh’s Performance at the Christmas Lunch

t r o p p u s r u o y d e e We n

s a m t s i r h C s i th

Samaritans takes its name from the story that Jesus told about the Good Samaritan.

He was a man who saw another person in need and reached out to help.

Samaritans helps people through tough times 365 days a year, offering more than 100 programs.

In the last financial year alone, Newcastle Anglican’s service agency helped 4,100 people through our Emergency Relief Centres.

Many of Samaritans vital programs can only continue through the help of generous donations.

That’s where our annual Christmas Appeal comes into play.

We see an increase in families reaching out for help across the festive season and into January and February.

Families who are struggling with Christmas expenses, increased food costs with children at home during school holidays and then the costs associated with them returning to school.

The people Samaritans support tell us their financial hardship can be attributed to increased cost of living pressures, including high cost of rent, large increases in utility bills, fuel, and interest rate rises. Many are living week to week.

You can help. Share your generosity this Christmas. Donate now.

Your Donation

provide a meal or a toy for under the $20 Can Christmas tree

$50 Can provide meals for an entire family Can provide a night’s crisis accommodation,

$100+ financial aid, and other emergency services

provide a week of crisis accommodation and $500+ Can other essential services

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Encounter Christmas 2023

Please place Christmas Appeal add on adjacent page

Donate now

Christmas

at the Cathedral

As our parishes prepare for Christmas services, Dean of Newcastle Katherine Bowyer highlights what is happening at Christ Church Cathedral and explains why the festive season is so special.

l a r d e th a C h c r u h C t Chris

Christmas Services

CHRISTMAS EVE

CHRISTMAS DAY

5:00PM

Family Service

7:00AM

Holy Eucharist

7:30PM

Nine Lessons and Carols

9:00AM

Orchestral Mass

are some of the Christmas services is Christmas such an important time Q What Q Why on offer at the Cathedral? of the year? means lots of things for different a family-friendly interactive service A Christmas A From people but, in the end, it’s all about love. at 5pm on Christmas Eve, through to the traditional beauty of the Nine Lessons and Carols Service, and the late-night service on Christmas Eve (10.30pm), which finishes around midnight.

On Christmas Day, there is a service at 7am for excited early risers or people travelling to be with family, and then a wonderful Orchestral Communion Service at 9am – the perfect way to prepare for a day with family and friends or making new friends volunteering at the Samaritans lunch.

For Christians, it’s the celebration of the birth of Jesus – God’s love incarnate.

Christmas also means gathering and celebration, and love is at the heart of that.

I believe that when we love, and experience love, then we catch a glimpse of the enormity of God’s unconditional love for us.

At the first Christmas, it was the most everyday of people who were the first to come to the manger. Everyone is welcome. is so special about the Christmas Q What services? me, the most special thing about the A For Christmas services is celebrating that God

10:30PM Orchestral ‘Midnight Mass’ (preceded at 10:15pm by a performance of Corelli’s Christmas Concerto.)

loves us so much that God sent God’s son into the world so that we can know that God’s love for us most fully. In a world that can seem pretty grim at times, this is a good news message that definitely sparks joy!

www.newcastlecathedral.org.au | (02) 4929 2052

would you encourage people to Q Why come to the Cathedral at Christmas? of the blessings of the Cathedral is A One that we aim to be a place for everyone to

DEAN OF NEWCASTLE KATHERINE BOWYER AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL.

find a home. Whether you’re looking for a quiet, reflective service, something grand, or something with lots of action, we are able to provide a place for everyone. We’re a place for the community to gather, and Christmas is a time for gathering.

Christmas services will be held throughout the Diocese.

To find a parish near you, visit: newcastleanglican.org.au/ministries/find-a-church/ 12

Encounter Christmas 2023

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WW1 Flag

s n io at er en g re tu fu r fo ed or st re

During the special service, many of the families were

represented – and not just by one person.

A SPECIAL SERVICE TOOK PLACE AT THE PARISH ON 30 SEPTEMBER, 2023.

ANGLICAN PARISH OF MOUNT VINCENT AND WESTON PARISHIONERS GRAHAM SMITH AND SHARON DYSONSMITH WITH REVEREND THERESA ANGERT-QUILTER AND THE RESTORED WORLD WAR I FLAG.

A unique World War I flag that pays tribute to more than a dozen local

men is back on display at the Anglican Parish of Mount Vincent and Weston.

The flag was hung in the church on 29 September 1923, and remained there for decades.

Following years of restoration work, it was proudly unveiled at a special service on 30 September 2023 – one day after the centenary of its original dedication. Reverend Theresa Angert-Quilter said the flag was an important part of the local community.

“It’s very personal. I don’t think there’s anything like it in Australia,” she said.

“I’ve been here at this parish for more than seven years. One of our parishioners, Dorothy Fuller, has been talking about getting the flag restored since I showed up and she never let it go.

“The parish council has worked to bring the

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Encounter Christmas 2023

project to its fulfilment for a very long time.

“The community of the Mulbring Valley has a very strong ownership of this artefact.

“During the special service, many of the families were represented – and not just by one person.”

The 16 local men who had enlisted in World War I fought in campaigns at Gallipoli, the Western Front, and Palestine.

After the war, most of them returned to the Mulbring Valley. The exceptions were the Rutherford brothers, whose parents had moved to Awaba, and two men – Claude Corner and Wesley Osland – who were sadly killed in action.

Parishioner Sharon Dyson-Smith spent months writing a book about the soldiers’ sacrifice and the flag’s creation.

She said there were some horrific stories.

“A lot of the men came home with trench foot; they had been shot through the face and had a lot of facial reconstruction; one man lost an eye.

They all came home with legs and arms – that was pretty unusual at that time,” she said.

“Some were in infantry, some were in artillery.

One man was a runner, so he ran the

communications between the headquarters and the front line.

Following the war, ladies within the community chose the names for the flag.

“Lots of them acted as stretcher-bearers. That was the most horrific job of all. They had to go out under fire and find what men they could, bring them in, and still protect themselves.”

The women then hand-stitched them onto the red ensign. The names include three sets of brothers, four cousins, and all of them – barring Claude – are pioneer families of the Mulbring Valley.

Claude Corner was a local school teacher. He arrived on the Western Front on Boxing Day and was killed on New Year’s Day. “He was killed because he was curious,” Ms Dyson-Smith said.

“The fighting had died down and he popped his head up and a German sniper went bang.

“Wesley was a guard on duty at Hill 60 – a very famous area of the war. That was where the tunnellers, who came from all the coalfields around here, operated. They tunnelled underneath the German lines and packed 10 miles of tunnel with a ton of TNT and blew it at 3:10 in the morning.

“The Germans didn’t know what hit them – they lost about 8,000 men because they were all asleep.

“Wesley thought no one would notice and he lit up a cigarette. Bang went the sniper.

Ms Dyson-Smith said the local community had banded together once again to complete the flag’s restoration.

“We received a Saluting their Service grant through [former Hunter MP] Joel Fitzgibbon. That paid for the basis of the restoration,” she said.

“But COVID-19, the length of time, intense work and extra material meant we were short about $3,500.

“So, Kurri Kurri RSL and Kurri Kurri Bowling Club stepped up. That is how we managed to get it finished.

“We’re lucky that it’s still surviving and hopefully it’ll last another hundred years.”

If you’d like a copy of Ms Dyson-Smith’s book, email kurrianglican@gmail.com.

“He’d been there for a month.”

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The

Foster Care

Crisis

Making a positive difference to a child’s life

Everybody needs a place to call home and feel safe.

Some children and young people are in need of care for several days, others for months, and a few stay with their foster carers into adulthood.

Leanne Pickering knows this better than most.

She, alongside her husband Mick, has been a foster carer for the past 24 years, first with the Department of Community Services (DOCS) and later with Samaritans.

In September, a critical shortfall in foster carers saw the NSW Government put out an urgent call for the community to help care for the state’s most vulnerable children.

Leanne says the role of a foster carer is demanding but also incredibly rewarding.

“When I was younger, my mum and dad were foster carers to a little girl. Back then, it was when they lived in children’s homes and they used to just take them for the holidays,” she says.

“I can remember saying right back then that I was going to do it when I was old enough.

“The best part for me is having the privilege to love these kids and see the positive changes in them over time.

“Seeing the kids’ first smile and the first time they say, ‘I love you’. I think it’s worth every minute. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Samaritans facilitates foster care in Newcastle, the Central Coast and Mudgee through its Permanency Support Program (PSP).

Carers offer a safe and nurturing environment for children and young people until they are able to return to their families.

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“Seeing the kids’ first smile and the first time they say, ‘I love you’.

I think it’s worth every minute. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Each year, 600 new foster carers are needed in NSW to take care of children who can’t live safely at home.

“The role of a carer is not for everybody, but we get a lot out of it. We absolutely love it,” Leanne says.

“I’d recommend that [potential] carers do their own research, go into it with an open mind, be flexible, and see if it’s for you.”

All carers with Samaritans receive financial assistance, ongoing training, and 24/7 support.

If you’re interested in learning more about foster care services, visit www.samaritans.org.au/ services/foster-care and fill out the form.

There is a critical shortage of foster carers in the Hunter.

Sadly, that means a significant number of children and young people are currently in alternative care arrangements, including hotels, motels, and caravan parks.

According to the latest figures from the NSW Government, there are 471 foster children living in emergency accommodation, such as hotels and motels, across the state.

Can you help?

We are looking for care for a 12-year-old girl.

•

She is kind, caring and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

•

She likes listening to music, dancing, walking, going to the movies and baking cakes.

•

The young person is in urgent need of a foster home in the Newcastle/Hunter area to provide a safe and nurturing environment.

•

This young person needs a traumainformed carer who has a good understanding of mental health and the complexities that come with poor mental health.

•

The young person requires a fair routine, rules and boundaries.

Are you interested in making a positive difference in a young person’s life?

Phone 1300 656 336 today.

Help other families this Christmas Samaritans works to restore families and keep children with their families when it is safe to do so. Sometimes it is not possible, and we need carers to help care for our kids.

Can you help Samaritans support families to remain together while they are dealing with the cost of living and the housing crisis?

Could you provide a safe place for vulnerable children away from the effects of domestic violence?

There are currently 45,000 children in care across the country, with an overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in care.

Children are our future

Phone Samaritans on 1300 656 336 or register your interest at samaritans.org.au/services/foster-care

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Our students have achieved well academically, with positive NAPLAN results and pleasing efforts in academic competitions. For Year 12, this year was the first year that our students were able to sit the HSC at their own school. Our Year 12 students conducted themselves with dignity during their graduation week and throughout the HSC. Our students continued to engage in servicelearning opportunities in the local area and we are looking to expand these opportunities further in 2024. We also have been able to promote our Anglican ethos through Christian Studies lessons and chapel services.

This year is our 20th year and we constructed new senior school basketball courts, which have been well loved already by students and staff. We hope to finish the year with a brand refresh and the unveiling of a new logo to promote our links with Newcastle Anglican but also to demonstrate our evolution as a school community.

Manning Valley

Anglican College

2023 has been a stellar year of celebration for MVAC and our

community as we marked our 20th year in education.

We opened with record high enrolments, and we have held these throughout the year as we continue to strive to fulfil long-term growth and educational plans. Significant enhancements during 2023 include: 18

Encounter Christmas 2023

MVAC students have performed to the best of their ability on the sporting field with some wonderful results considering the size of our school. Music and cultural activities continue to be areas where our students can let their lives shine and we look forward excitedly towards our 2024 musical ‘Grease’.

•

The introduction of the new Learning Management System – eMpower

•

The official opening of the Senior School G Block building

•

Year 12 students sitting their HSC on home grounds for the first time in MVAC history

•

Upgraded communication platforms

•

New Senior School basketball courts

•

Significant advancements within the Indigenous education sphere, including the MVAC Yarning Circle

•

The launch of Learning Power Approach (LPA) – The MVAC Way

•

The introduction of new student leadership roles in the Senior School

•

The introduction of a new newsletter format and the quarterly glossy magazine MVAC Connect.

In the extracurricular sphere our cattle team performs very well at local shows and continues to engage large numbers of students. We also

have a large number of students who achieve positively in debating, public speaking, and chess at local and HRIS competitions.

Of course, none of our achievements could be possible without the efforts and teamwork of our staff who go above and beyond to create a learning environment that allows students to find ways to flourish. I also thank our parents for their support of the school and for providing positive word of mouth in our community.

MVAC continues to evolve with our community. We have celebrated and continue to embrace change during 2023.

This is why we developed a new evolution logo to carry the MVAC community forward for the next generation.

The new emblem was built from our past and for our community. MVAC has a strong pride in our humble origins of 20 years ago and we aim to honour this heritage as we move forward into the next phase of our journey.

In summary, 2023 was a fantastic year and we look forward to achieving great things in 2024.

DARREN PARKS Principal

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Service has been a consistent theme in 2023, with Year 7 students transitioned into finding a sense of belonging and purpose through service. A record number of students volunteered for service opportunities. These initiatives were designed to provide assistance to both teachers and students across the college, spanning from Preschool to Year 11.

The first college musical in many years – Aladdin – was the highlight for so many members of our community this year and it was wonderful to see this become an experience for all students in the school.

Throughout the year, students and staff in the Junior school have loved participating in a range of fun-themed days, including Book Week Parades, 100 days of Kindergarten, Pirate Day, and various Out of Uniform Days.

Primary children, particularly, loved wearing fluro and dancing the afternoon away at the Primary Disco!

PAUL HUMBLE Principal

Bishop Tyrrell

Anglican College

It has been an exciting and busy year at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College (BTAC), with students, parents and staff enjoying the opportunities to come together as part of a vibrant learning community.

Our staff have spent much of the year implementing Learning Power Approach Sprints across the college and continued to develop a culture of curiosity and continuous improvement.

This has been part of our drive to develop and deliver the new NESA curriculum. The process has energised staff and been successful in providing authentic opportunities for collaboration.

2023 witnessed the second year of the Charity Ball for our Year 12 cohort. In the Senior School, the students undertook an amazing service and leadership opportunity – Sleepover with Soul – with 90 girls sleeping over in the hall and raising $4,000 for Soul Hub.

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With COVID-19 all but a distant

memory, it was full steam ahead at Lakes Grammar in 2023.

We launched our new middle school program and appointed our inaugural head of middle school – Ms Cynthia Jobe-Parker. She was joined by Mrs Alison MacLarty, who took on the role of head of senior school.

Highlights of the year included a spectacular return of the K-6 showcase, Grandparents Day and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic in the junior school.

In the senior school, we saw some wonderful ‘passion’ projects by each year group, including Year 7 raising funds for volunteers in our community by dunking some plucky teachers on a very cold day. We also launched our new spiritual well-being program, which will be built upon by our new Chaplain in 2024.

All our year groups from Year 3 to Year 11 had the opportunity to attend camps this year, and we saw the return of the Duke of Edinburgh program for older students. This was accompanied by a review of our elective offerings in the senior school to include outdoor education and more CAPA and technology electives.

It was wonderful to see our Year 12 group graduate at the end of Term 3 this year.

With 56 Year 12 students, and 20 of them having completed all 13 years of their schooling at Lakes Grammar, it was a very emotional event for students, families, and our staff.

This was closely followed by our 2024 Year 12 students beginning their HSC journey with the Year 12 retreat held early in Term 4.

The year has been a busy one but, as always in schools, a rewarding and exciting journey.

From Kindergarten to Year 12, our students always represent Lakes with pride and excellence, and I look forward to an equally busy 2024.

DEBORAH CLANCY Principal

r a m m a r G Lakes An Anglican School

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time spent focusing on and participating in well-being practices.

2023 has been a year in which Scone Grammar School and

our special community have

flourished in more ways than one.

Throughout the year, the school grounds have been a hive of excitement as construction steadily progressed on Stage Two of our new build.

As the terms progressed, our new science laboratories, administration offices, flexible learning spaces and library began to take shape. In these final weeks of the school year, the scaffolding has been removed and we can see how wonderful Scone Grammar School will look in 2024.

This year, as a school, we gave space to well-being, acknowledging and celebrating its importance to the individual and our community as a whole.

As such, our students followed a new daily morning structure with the introduction of a twenty-minute Homeroom, a dedicated

Academically, our students have excelled in a wide range of subjects, embracing that which lights them up to fuel their learning and build confidence within themselves.

Our Agriculture students, for example, excelled in shows and competitions, such as EKKA, the Royal Brisbane Show, and many of our Year 12 students secured entry into future qualifications before the school year concluded.

We have seen much success outside the classroom, where our sporting teams – athletics, rowing, equestrian, rugby, and football to name a few – and our cultural endeavours have indeed celebrated our students’ God-given strengths and talents throughout 2023.

As always, in Term 3 we farewelled our Year 12 class of 2023, wishing them the very best for their futures. They are an outstanding group of individuals who have developed their character and leadership within the school.

This has been demonstrated by their care, dedication, connection, and the way in which they always strive to do their best.

A year of much success and growth, 2023 has illustrated Scone Grammar School is a flourishing, positive learning hub of which we can all be proud.

r a m m a r G Scone

PAUL SMART Principal

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s Off e Payreopens severancchurch Paserhistoric

Before

After St Mark’s Anglican Church at Mitchells Island, near Taree, has reopened for the first time in three years following the completion of a roof replacement project.

Initially, the historic church was closed during the Covid-19 outbreak, then for the duration of roof repairs. The process was complicated due to asbestos.

St Mark’s was commissioned in 1872. It is the first and only church on Mitchells Island.

According to local folklore, before St Mark’s was built, community members used to worship at the Henry Booth sawmill.

The church pews, altar and the internal roof structure were built from cedar from that very

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Encounter Christmas 2023

sawmill that was floated down Scotts Creek.

“Many Mitchells Island community members have had a lifelong association with St Mark’s.

The historic church has stood on the banks of Scotts Creek for more than 150 years and I am very pleased to see it beautifully restored and reopened.

“I hope it continues to be a valuable part of the community for generations to come,” Bishop Peter Stuart, Anglican Bishop of Newcastle, said.

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Our Director of Reconciliation Aunty Di Langham gave the following account: “Everyone was both disappointed and disturbed by the negative response to the [Indigenous Voice to Parliament] referendum the week before.

We were all feeling numb

We were all feeling numb and some of us were angry that a simple question had become so politicised.

become so politicised.

We had a debriefing session and then went to the beach, where we paddled and allowed the sea to wash over us. Not only in a physical way but in a spiritual way.

During the Gathering, we also went up to the Wanaruah sites for an afternoon tour with local elders.

That also became for us a spiritual connection and healing to our spirits. We had a bush tucker evening meal at Minimbah that everyone enjoyed.

We were pleased to have Bishop Peter, Bishop Charlie and Bishop Sonia visit us during our meeting and reports.

and some of us were angry that a simple question had

Most delegates told me that it was the best NATSIAC we have had for a long time.

I think that the verse in Isaiah concerning the “bent reed I will not break and the smouldering wick I will not snuff out” became very real to us as we claimed God’s Promise at this Gathering.

We came feeling very broken and the “fire in the belly” just flickering. But, as we had the ocean experience, the gathering with “mob” and the visit to Biaime at Milbrodale, we felt that we were beginning to refresh.”

NATSIAC

meets at Cessnock

Delegates from all over Australia attended the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Anglican Council’s (NATSIAC) three-day meeting in Cessnock.

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Encounter Christmas 2023

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“Every Voice, Every Community” Voluntary Assisted Dying laws introduced in NSW The New South Wales Government introduced Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation last month.

NSW citizens will, in certain medical circumstances, now be able to bring forward their death. For some people within our Anglican community, it is welcome. For others, this change is harrowing.

Anglican Bishop of Newcastle Dr Peter Stuart issued pastoral guidelines to clergy and workers to exercise a ministry of accompaniment.

If their conscience allows them, clergy and workers will offer care and ministry to these people and their families. They will walk alongside a person and their loved ones with empathy, hope, and consolation.

“I am committed to ensuring there will be no withdrawal of care, spiritual care, or sacramental ministry. At the same time, I want to ensure that no one is expected to work in a way that their conscience does not allow,” Bishop Peter Stuart said.

Newcastle Anglican staff, including Anglican Care team members, are not permitted to participate in the voluntary assisted dying process.

Those in care at Anglican Care residential facilities may be assisted to die in residential facilities with the assistance of external medical practitioners if they meet the requirements of the legislation.

DIOCESAN CHIEF EXECUTIVE JOHN BARRIGA AND DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND TRANSFORMATION JENNY GILLIS AT THE CONFERENCE.

Communities come together

at national conference

Hundreds of visitors, including Newcastle Anglican representatives, came together in Cairns for the 2023 Anglicare Australia National Conference.

The theme for this year was Every Voice, Every Community.

It aimed to capture the work and presence of Anglicare Australia in every community across the country.

We’re excited to announce that we will host the 2024 Anglicare Australia National Conference, right here in beautiful Newcastle.

We are looking forward to welcoming 250 guests to City Hall next September.

Check out the video to see how we announced Newcastle as the next host city.

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Encounter Christmas 2023

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t s o p k o o b e Top Fac

s e n o t s e l i m g n i t Celebra

at Anglican Care

s i v a M

for 2023

Mavis, one of our residents at Mirrabooka Place, celebrated her 106th birthday in August.

Our talented and very thoughtful Lyla at Kilpatrick Court knitted these beautiful care bears to give to the police station for children needing a friend during domestic abuse instances.

Born in Sydney on August 29, 1917, Mavis’ secret to a long life is hard work, embracing change, and learning new things.

This post, from back in March, was our most popular for 2023.

The 1940s and big band era was her favourite time.

She came from a family of eight children, who were all great singers.

Decentralisation from city living – resulting in close family becoming far flung from each other – was the biggest change she saw in her lifetime.

Mavis had five children, four girls and a boy. She also has 13 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 10 great great grandchildren.

She moved to Mirrabooka Place when it first opened in October 2020.

Daphne

We wished Daphne a big happy birthday earlier this year as she hit triple figures.

Daphne spends most of her days socialising with other CA Brown residents, as well as reading and doing jigsaw puzzles.

Daphne said she has enjoyed her 100 years and is always busy.

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Lela One of our residents at Taree’s Storm Village reached a very special milestone in May. Lela celebrated her 103rd birthday with her three children Jean, Marie, and Neil, as well as other residents and staff.

Olive Olive Ives spent much of the past century enriching the lives of others.

On her 100th birthday in September, family, friends, residents, and staff gathered at Storm Village to celebrate her milestone.

During the celebrations, Olive was invited to go on a joy ride in a vintage 1926 Morris Cowley.

Olive’s milestone received media attention. She was featured in the Gundagai Independent, while Channel 7 and NBN News also picked up the story.

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Encounter Christmas 2023

r a e y The s a w that It was another action-packed year across our aged care facilities.

Our residents, staff and families celebrated a number of events, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, NAIDOC Week, Harmony Day, Aged Care Employee Day, International Day of Peace, and Halloween.

Take a look back at the year that was with some highlights from some of our homes.

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Kilpatrick Court

Jesmond Grove

Warnervale

McIntosh Court

Storm Village

Bishop Tyrrell Place

CA Brown

Scenic Lodge

Mirrabooka Place

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Encounter Christmas 2023

Click here for 2023 highlights.

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s a m t s i r h C y r r Me From everyone at Newcastle Anglican.

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