Pacific Streams Autumn 2014

PACIFIC

Autumn 2014

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS

FATHERHOOD • BUSINESS WEEK NEPAL & PHILIPPINES • BALANCING ACT

PACIFIC

04

School Days

05

Celebrating 35 Years

06

The Influence You Have

08

Business Week

10

Alumni

13

Nepal Mission

14

Philippines Mission

15

Balancing Act

16

You Have a Friend

17

Retelling of God’s Goodness

18

Young Scientists

19

Sport

ON THE COVER Pacific Hills turns thirty-five.

Pacific Streams is produced by Pacific Hills Christian School for school families and the school community. Pacific Hills Christian School 9 Quarry Road Dural NSW 2158 Phone: (02) 9651 2733 Fax: (02) 9651 3513 Web: www.pacifichills.net Email: pacificstreams@pacifichills.net An activity of Pacific Hills Education Limited ABN 001 832 282 CRICOS 04230G.

02

In this Five things to discover in this issue of Pacific Streams

08

1.

A self confessed Pacific Hills science nerd is among only eight students selected from Australia heading to a prestigious London International Science Forum in July 2014.

2.

The baggy green is resoundingly back with the winning First Xl at Pacific Hills.

3.

When you are homeless it is so much more than being houseless.

4.

One simple act of kindness resulted in much happiness in the Philippines.

5.

You can be the smartest, or richest, person in the world but without social skills you will struggle.

09

12

AUTUMN 2014 / 03

School Days THINGS THAT HAPPENED A Ticket To Ride Hurrah! One more way to get from A to B. Fancy a ride with 24 friends to a French film festival or sporting fixture or maybe just a catch up snooze on the new Pacific Hills bus?

Starting BIG School Cuteness and sweetness. So many awesome new Kinder students, with big eyes and shiny new shoes, walking in lines around the School.

Welcome little ones, we are glad you are here.

What’s cooking boys?

It can’t be denied three veg stew is the backbone of the gastronomical world. Add to this great art, flexibility, adaptability and ingenuity and you have a meal fit for a king at the Year 7 camp.

In The Swim Goggles, caps, stamina, effort, enthusiasm and participation. The winning combination for all our swimming carnivals. Take your mark!

04

Shiny, Happy Children As if the small child in your life doesn’t have enough reasons to climb everything in sight here’s one more reason to climb – check out the new JS play equipment.

Pacific Hills Christian School CELEBRATES 35 YEARS Dr E J Boyce Principal As we celebrate our 35 years anniversary as a school community, I am reminded that we are first of all a Christian community which operates as a school. As the years have passed I have come to appreciate the distinctiveness of our School in our basic assumptions and purposes.

The primary assumption for the existence of most schools is that their purpose is to prepare students for society. However, the primary assumption for the existence of Pacific Hills Christian School is to bring glory to God. If our primary assumption is to prepare students for society then what society is and how we interpret society will be the chief factor in how we operate as a community of teaching and learning. That is not a good foundation for our purpose to be fulfilled. If our primary assumption is, however, to bring glory to God, then Who God is and the purposes that He has for our lives will be the motivation, the driving force, the goal of the way in which we operate as a Christian community of excellence.

The beginnings of Pacific Hills were simple and based largely on faith and a pioneering commitment by people who had a vision for what God could do with a Christian school. One of the foundational purposes of PHCS was to integrate children with learning difficulties into the normal life of the school.

Another foundation was the decision to employ only committed Christians within a transdenominational framework of thinking and practice. In his book, Vibrant Grace, Dr Noel Davidson has recorded many of the salient stories of the first 30 years of the ongoing journey of Pacific Hills.

The current Board of the School is extremely strong in Christian commitment and has a desire to be critically constructive of maintaining and enriching the essential characteristics put in place when the School commenced. The School has changed over the years but in many ways it is much stronger in its understanding and commitment to the original vision.

This growth in quality has been possible by the strong foundations that were set by those who pioneered the School.

Our School has always had a sense of being a comprehensive school providing Christian education in many different areas of the curriculum and also in reaching a wide range of students of varying abilities. Additional resources and a high degree of resilience have been necessary to fulfil the responsibilities that come with the challenges that have faced us over the years.

For more than 20 years Pacific Hills has engaged in a great deal of service to others. The establishment of a strong Missions program has been an important part of our obedience to what we believe God has called us to be as a Christian community. We have sought to obey God’s command as recorded in 1 Peter 4:10. It has been delightful to observe students and adults who have committed to mission through the School, become enriched in their overall lives, particularly in their learning and commitment to excellence in performance. We have also engaged for many years in tertiary training in Christian education both in Australia and overseas. The Christian Education Development Program (CEDP) allows our staff travel to places of significant need in developing an understanding of Christian education. Many mission teams go out from our School to serve both in Australia and elsewhere.

As I look back over my 30 years at Pacific Hills I am extremely thankful for the blessing of God to all of us as He has provided for all of our needs and has allowed us to serve in ways we could never have imagined. We celebrate the goodness of our God and the blessing of living and serving together both at Pacific Hills and beyond Pacific Hills. We celebrate the ministry of Pacific Coast Christian School at Tweed Heads and Pacific Valley Christian School at Townsend on the far north coast of NSW. As we celebrate the past and the present we look forward to the future under God’s hand. As in the past there will be challenges and with the challenges we receive God’s grace. To God be the glory.

AUTUMN 2014 / 05

fatherhood

THE INFLUENCE YOU HAVE TRANSCENDS TIME. Brett Murray Pacific Hills School Parent

Having the privilege and honour of travelling our nation, delivering anti-Bullying seminars to students, teachers and parents allows me to gain a very broad and acute understanding of the current situation of our social condition in Australia. It can be very discouraging, if you let it, or it can be very encouraging. It really depends on how you view the situation.

It reminds me of the old story, I’m not quite sure how true it is, of the two shoe salesman who travel to a third world country for two competing companies. The first salesman steps off the plane and observing all of the locals wearing nothing on their feet, makes his way to the nearest payphone and reports back with great despair, “no one here wears shoes, it’s a waste of time!” and he promptly returns home.

The second salesman hopping off the same flight and observing that all of the locals weren’t wearing shoes raced to the nearest pay-phone and reported with great delight to his senior management “No one here wears shoes, send everything we have!” The difference between the two salesmen was their attitude towards the problem.

In Australia, we are facing a crisis. That crisis is one of fatherlessness. Many children are growing up devoid of positive male role models. So what do we do?

The influence of the father has now been proven, unequivocally, to be the primary influencer on self-esteem and self worth, for both males and females. That being said, mothers also have significant influence on their children. When delivering my seminars, particularly to parents, I have an obligation to share the full social and emotional implications of this statement. Fathers endorse boys and protect girls. Boys feel valued or approved through the public declaration of the private relationship between them and their father. Girls feel valuable through their father protecting them, or being their protector because they are valuable to their father. When fathers are not fulfilling their role through interaction with their

children, absenteeism, disconnection, or they are removed from the equation altogether, through divorce, separation etc, then the child struggles to feel affirmation or approval or value as significantly. When mothers are left to be the primary influencer, as well as everything else, it is not just unfair on the mother, but near impossible for her to fulfill the roles of both parents because she is simply one individual.

Doing the best she can is the best that a mother can do.

According to research conducted in 2012 52% of marriages ended in divorce, of these marriages that end in divorce where children are involved, 80% of the cases, custody is awarded to the mother. The rates of female teachers in Australian schools, public and private, primary and secondary, is 80% female 20% male. So when we have a look at the cross-section of society, it does look pretty grim.

Here is the good part though. Being aware of this we can be more engaging with our own children. Should we be in a position of lacking positive male role models, we can be aware when role models are available, male teachers in school, youth pastors, youth leaders, pastors of churches, sporting coaches, relatives, grandfathers, uncles, good (trustworthy) friends of the family. There are positive male role models out there. As a parent, make sure they uphold the same core family values that you do, but engage them, for the sake of your kids. And don’t for any moment, underestimate the impact you have on your children either.

Parents will have a direct impact and influence on their children for approximately 20 years, beyond that point children spread their wings and begin exploring life more independently, they may not leave the nest for another ten years, but that’s another story! Your influence however does not stop at the point where they do spread their wings, it lasts a life-time, for good or for bad. If we, as parents, take the time, especially Dads, we can see that influence passed on to our grandchildren and or great grandchildren. What a legacy! To hear your children say to your grandchildren “Nanna or Pop taught me this, and now I’m teaching you”, or “Just like Granny and Granddad used to do”.

I think it would be a painful experience to know that your children want to be nothing like you, wouldn’t it be a far more joyous experience to have them say they want to be “Just like you”?

Be encouraged, your influence on your children physically has a time limit of about 20 years, but the impact is potentially longer than your life span. Investing into your children, being engaged and involved is the greatest investment we can make as parents, and I believe, we can slowly reverse the trend of fatherlessness and brokenness in Australian homes.

AUTUMN 2014 / 07

business week

THE RESULTS ARE REMARKABLE WITH MANY COMPANIES PRODUCING PRODUCTS THAT COULD ENTER THE MARKET. Tim Childs Faculty Head HSIE Each year, the Human Society and its Environment (HSIE) staff run an assortment of extra curricular activities and excursions. These events give students experience that differs from the classroom and encourages individuality and builds self-confidence. One event, Business Week, stands out as providing students with the most rewarding experience that taps into the gifts students have and allows them to apply them in a controlled environment.

The aim of Business Week is to inspire innovation and camaraderie in the form of a challenge where each student becomes part of a team/company and creates a product from a choice of a fashion accessory, a sporting or leisure item or an electronic device. Each team also has to: • • • • •

Compete against other similar teams Create a hypothetical prototype product Organise a company display Publish a company flyer and business card Create a video commercial

The week really encourages students to take on the competition whilst experiencing some of the pressures in their teams- similar to the expectations and stresses from the business world. For the 2013 Business Week Group we issued currency to create a more real experience. Teams had to maintain their finances and cover all expenses and costs in their start-up business. This added element actually caused students to be both less creative and less wasteful. We noticed several teams were reluctant to spend the money this reluctance being led primarily by their Chief Financial Officer.

Thanks to the Technical & Applied Studies Faculty, the

08

teams had a wide choice of resources at hand to enable their displays. The vinyl cutter provides the design team with endless opportunities, namely the ability to create professional quality signs and images. The 3D provides teams with the opportunity to create a prototype that not only gives teams a physical product but a shape that can be further coloured and organised to represent their product.

The roles from which students can choose are: Chief Executive Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Marketing Manager

Advertising Executive

Design Executive

Print Design

Graphic Design

Display Design

Prototype Design

Media Production

Video Production To add a more realistic feel, the students are allowed to attend the event in business outfits that suit their role.

Each year students welcome the opportunity to dress up to suit their position. One point to note is that rarely does a 16 year old get the opportunity to design their own product.

The results from Business Week are truly remarkable with many companies producing products that could theoretically enter the market. In today’s market, a business’s design team is often tied down with the necessary costs thereby restricting the truly free spirited approach one strives for in design. During Business Week, the innovative approach is encouraged and allows for freedom in design.

Throughout the week we also include members of the business community who offer their expertise to the small companies. If you have industry experience in any of the above roles it is well worth considering joining us, as students greatly benefit from industry advice. The time you have available need only be one or two hours and you will speak directly with students involved in your field.

Each year the winner’s advertisement and image from the week are made available to the school community through the School’s Moodle website. Please feel free to email me directly tchilds@pacifichills.net if you would like to contribute in anyway to the week.

AUTUMN 2014 / 09

[

alumni

Kate Cardwell 2009 Graduate, BA Dip Journalism.

I work as the Executive Producer of a national talk radio show called Open House with Leigh Hatcher, and a Production Assistant at Seven Network Sydney with Sunrise and The Morning Show. My typical day is generally fast-paced and long. I am up by 2.40am and start my work at Channel 7 at 4am. I edit and print scripts for the hosts and always get massive highs from seeing international stars in the studio. A morning of live television is full of stressful moments and many laughs. I head over to the Open House radio studios around 11am to prepare the show for Sunday. This involves a lot of research, lining up guests for interviews, collating information, writing interviews for the host, managing the website and putting together the rundown for Sunday. Common challenges I face each day include time management, coming up with new ideas all the time, coping under pressure and meeting strict deadlines. To be successful in my work I must be creative, efficient, a fast worker, thorough, accurate and have good time management. I’ve had some VERY enjoyable moments in my work life and honestly enjoy waking up every day for the challenges that lie ahead.

Meeting Queen Elizabeth II in Canberra will ALWAYS be one of my biggest highlights being the royal tragic I am and contradictory to that, the day when the Kardashians came into the Sunrise studio. I’m shamelessly a fan.

Drama was without a doubt one of my favourite high school classes. It was so social, creative and always hysterically funny. One of the best memories was probably our group performances to the grade in Year 10. We created skits from scratch and our peers loved watching them. Aside from the fact that Drama was a highlight of my schooling life, it has done so much good for me personally and professionally.

While I never really needed a confidence boost, I learnt to be creative and quick thinking at the same time. It developed my ability to manage my time, work within a team, and to be able to laugh at myself.

It teaches you how to have fun. Life doesn’t have to be that serious! No matter what career path you choose, all of these skills are absolutely crucial to

10

]

becoming just a better person in general. I think it’s vital to have good social skills, know the importance of team work, and have the confidence to mix with friends and strangers. You can be the smartest or richest person in the world, but social skills are imperative in life.

Michael Ghali 2011 Graduate, Studying a Bachelor of Business & Commerce and Bachelor of Law. One of the greatest highlights after leaving school was receiving a scholarship to study in Shanghai.

My typical day included Law classes in the morning and Chinese classes in the evening. When given the chance, we spent the afternoons exploring the city.

The biggest challenge I faced was the language barrier. Whilst my classes were taught in English, everything else was conducted in Mandarin. This meant that a lot of conversations involved Google Translate and sign language. Patience, improvisation and having a ready smile seemed to work wonders.

Most of my assessment tasks consisted of half-hour presentations, so self-confidence and preparedness were essential.

I think one of my best memories of Drama was developing, directing and performing “Creation”.

Sure, it was stressful, but we were completely stoked with the end result. At university I am always studying one or more subjects where a major component of the grades has come from presentations or speeches.

The skills taught in Drama –script preparation, improvisation, voice projection and body language – have been essential in doing well. You can very easily spot the former Drama students when these sorts of assessments come up. It is really the difference between a boring presentation and an exciting one, a pass and a distinction. I think the most important skill it developed in me was the ability to communicate clearly. I remember doing a criminal law assessment task, where we had to make a bail application to a judge, and they praised me for not waffling and being to the point. In Drama we learned that every line needs to have purpose, needs to communicate something, and I think that mindset was very helpful in the scheme of things.

[

alumni

Tim Evans 2008 Graduate, Film Maker at Christian film production company wondergatefilms.com Most of my life is spent doing something creative.

The main challenges I face is having the confidence, self belief and persistence to pursue my goals and the life I believe God is leading me into. I need a lot of skills, like time management and being outgoing, in order to approach people and spend time telling them about my work. My biggest highlights since school are going to Japan for five weeks to share the gospel and completing and Honours year in Media and Philosophy.

Drama is the main reason I am the person I am today.

Without studying Drama, I certainly would not have had the self-confidence to approach people to share the gospel with them, in another language, or to be the leader of my Young Adults group at church. I lead worship in front of my whole church because of what I learnt or more significantly, who I became through drama. Before I studied Drama, I was shy and introverted. Drama provided a safe environment where I could let loose and I became a more open, outgoing person, ready to take every opportunity God provided for me. Drama was the single most important subject I studied in Senior School. It changed my life and showed me that I didn’t have to fear the judgement of others but that there were people who believed in me. Other subjects taught me how to think, analyse and look at facts; Drama showed me a different way of living, where I could express my creativity and share it with the world.

Lauren McDougall 2008 Graduate, BA Music. My life these days changes from week to week as I am continually involved in many areas of the arts in Sydney. It may include personal vocal training and practise, rehearsals for my own projects or for other musicians, studying the theory of music, and researching for history papers, and also going out to see live gigs for ‘homework’ and teaching students.

The skills I need to work in my area of work are time management, organisational skills, initiative and enthusiasm. A highlight of my study was touring America with the Wesley choir. Worship leading

]

at a mission’s conference including performances at Disneyland and Universal Studios. Winning the People’s Choice Award at ‘Short and Sweet’ and performing for Channel 7 at Easter was also great.

My best memory of Drama at school is the incredible opportunities to perform in competitions around Sydney. It was through drama performances that I first found the confidence to stand up in front of crowds and perform. To be able to entertain and encourage audiences is an incredible gift. I learnt how to plan for projects and how to manage my time.

I was able to express myself through the creative arts in ways I never thought possible. I took on Drama, Visual Arts and Music on top of being School Captain. It was hectic, but it taught me to use my time wisely and to use the skills God had gifted me.

Drama not only taught me life skills and prepared me for the industry I now work in, but it also helped me develop as a person.

Madeleine Stanford 2011 Graduate, Studying Nursing. Nursing requires me to work closely with patients and often their families who are seriously ill. It is so important that I am able to clearly communicate with them and also relate to them, even though I may not understand how they are feeling.

Drama classes taught me how to pick up on emotions and follow my instincts which is a key aspect in nursing care. I also work as a Nanny. Because of the fun and exciting exercises I learnt in Drama class, I am able to keep the kids entertained instead of sticking them in front of the TV. The exercises aren’t just ‘fun’, they teach and improve an array of things including confidence, posture and vocal strength, all of which can be utilised in everyday life. Through Drama I have seen students go from being painfully shy to standing in front of hundreds of people doing a monologue. In the future I am still hoping to do a bit of acting here and there but I really would like to work with children and adolescents with mental health problems. Through taking Drama in my high school years, I know I have been given a unique set of tools to help set me apart from others in the field.

AUTUMN 2014 / 11

[

alumni

Brendan Jacquet 2008 Graduate, Singer/ songwriter/performer. During the day I am writing songs at a recording studio and at night I perform at gigs all over Australia. I face challenges on a daily basis that always keeps me on my toes whether it is what song to write about and finding the right emotions for it or learning an insane amount of lines for the next play or musical I have on. The ability to perform requires confidence, creativity, passion, and persistence. My biggest highlight since leaving school was performing in front of 100 000 people at a German festival supporting ‘The Prodigy’. If I did not learn the skills I achieved in Drama class at Pacific Hills I would not have the confidence, creativity, energy and passion that you need for success. I honestly would not be where I am today.

12

]

Lachlan Hall 2012 Graduate, Studying Contemporary Dance at New Zealand School of Dance. I’m living away from home all by myself in New Zealand.

I get myself up and to the gym every morning to keep myself fit and then do Pilates before my first technique class. The day includes a series of classes involving different dance techniques and perspectives of contemporary dance. After the classes are finished I go to the gym again, get groceries and cook dinner. The biggest challenge for me is to stay motivated and keep going even in the toughest of days. I need lots of confidence, stamina and strength. It was a huge achievement to be accepted into this prestigious dance school.

Studying Drama helped me with confidence, developing my personality and finding my talents.

Even if you have no interest in acting, Drama will help you gain so many different skills and strengths that will help you and stay with you for the rest of your life!

nepal mission

I LIFT MY EYES TO THE HILLS. WHERE DOES MY HELP COME FROM? MY HELP COMES FROM THE LORD. Robert Judge Nepal Mission Leader

The view of Mount Everest and the Himalayas out the window of the small 16 seat plane was awesome and majestic but Nepal was more than the mountains. We walked the streets of the ancient city of Bahktapur and visited pottery square where potters threw their vessels on large stone wheels rotated by a long pole much as in biblical times, but Nepal was more than the ancient.

We travelled the road west from Kathmandu over the mountain pass and down the over forty hairpin bends on a deeply rutted road next to precipitous drops, but Nepal was more than scary bus trips. We rode elephants and saw the endangered one horned rhino in Chitwan National Park but Nepal was more than the wildlife.

We stood in worship alongside Nepali worshippers in the Hosanna Church in Kathmandu and learned a little more about Nepal. We looked into the faces of young Badi girls in their hostels and into the faces of students and teachers of Christian Community School and had a much clearer understanding of Nepal.

Our team of eleven, five adults and six students, travelled to Nepal for the first two weeks of December. Each member of the team had travelled their own journey to become a team member but everyone felt called by God to join this mission. It was therefore no surprise to see the team bond so well and cooperate so well in achieving our goals. We were all conscious of God’s presence with us throughout the mission, not least in our devotional times.

Nepal, a country of amazing beauty and happy gentle people, has a dark side. In many areas of the poorest people of Nepal, women and girls are often treated as commodities, with many being exploited in the sex industry, either in their home village or being sold into brothels in India. Pastor Raju Sundas, through the ministry of the Hosanna Church is endeavouring to rescue as many young Badi girls as he can; bring them into hostels in Kathmandu where they are safe. Here they are well cared for and equipped with an English medium education and vocational training so that a better life can be found. The Badi people are amongst the poorest of Nepal.

We travelled and worked under the banner of “Educate Nepal”, and it was our privilege to offer help. We painted in one of the hostels and we lent support at the Christian school that has been established as part of this ministry.

We nursed babies in the Miriam Centre for throw-away babies and we played with and entertained the children in the different hostels. We offered ourselves as clients for their beauty shop training.

We fell in love with the people we met and there are those we now count as friends; we all want to continue our relationship with them and do all we can to support this amazing ministry. Most, perhaps all of us, want to return with the next mission team.

AUTUMN 2014 / 13

philippines mission

I WILL NEVER FORGET THE RESOUNDING ECHOES OF THE LITTLE CHILDREN. Mark Swainson Philippines Mission Leader

In December 2013 I had the privilege of leading the inaugural Philippines Mission Trip. As well as myself the team included thirteen enthusiastic Senior School students and two staff members Miss Smith and Mrs Alamangos.

The Mission Team had a fantastic time working and serving alongside the King Solomon Christian School and Church in Manila. We also found time to visit two orphanages, go on a cultural city tour, climb a volcano and go canoeing in the rapids.

Here are the reflections from four of the team members.

Briana Jack | Year 11. One of my favourite days on the Mission Trip was our visit to the Precious Heritage Childrens Home. We played the world’s longest game of duck, duck goose, sang countless versions of ‘Father Abraham’ and played with the children non-stop.

Despite the fact that we went over there to bless others, I think the majority of the team came back feeling that the people we met had blessed us far, far more. Even though we are from different parts of the world, many of us felt a real connection with the people and shared a love and unity in Christ. My time on mission has opened my eyes to how abundantly I have been blessed and I am so thankful that I was given the experience.

14

Tim Haywood | Year 12. One of the best experiences on mission was the ‘immersion’ program. We spent a day serving in the home of a family from King Solomon Christian School. Immersion activities included painting of the house, talking and seeing what their day to day life is like. This invoked a massive sense of empathy with us as we developed a strong relationship with a family, and saw just how different their situation is to ours. It showed us that if they had so little, yet were so willing to share with us everything they had, how much more must we be willing to share all we have with others.

Olivia Depares | Year 11. On the Mission Trip I got the rare and amazing opportunity to meet the child my family has been sponsoring. On our second day in the Philippines, our team went to the Fairview Campus which is where all the sponsored children attend school and we met the students.

At the end of the day I got the special opportunity to meet Andrey and give him some Christmas presents. Seeing his reaction to the gifts he got is something I will remember forever. This Mission Trip allowed me to realise how much we can truly change a person’s life through one simple act of kindness and how much happiness it can bring them.

Joanna Ng | Year 12. Going to the Philippines was my first experience of a Mission Trip. I got the chance to get to know a whole different community by serving them and also by being blessed by them. I will never forget the resounding echoes of the little children everywhere I went, smiling and jumping exclaiming “Ate! Ate! Ate” (which means older sister). I can definitely say I’ve been incredibly encouraged by the faith I saw in the people all around the Philippines. From the moment we stepped out of the airport we saw jeepneys (their form of public transport) painted with signs such as “The Lord is My Shepherd”. I saw a culture unashamed of their faith and on fire to proclaim their love for Jesus even in the midst of comparative poverty. This affected me by inspiring me in my own faith. I’ve been so blessed in encountering the friendly people there and am currently still keeping in contact with the youth.

balancing act

TACKLING THE BUSINESS OF BUSYNESS. Lauren Graham School Counsellor

Here we are at the beginning of a new school year...

Those summer holidays which, at the start, seemed to stretch out unendingly towards the horizon have finally finished and we all find ourselves faced with the recommencement of our regular lives and usual routines.

If you are anything like me, the start of a new year is at once as exciting as it is daunting... new teachers, new classes, new activities, new friends, new expectations and new opportunities abound.

What after school activities will we sign up for? What parent committees can I join? What new roster at church needs people to fill it? What will our week look like as a family?

Living in Sydney in 2014, most of us are surrounded by a veritable plethora of activities and roles with which we are involved. Whether with our families and friends, through church membership, at school, work or other avenues, most of us have lives, and calendars, that are often full to bursting point.

Starting with a blank slate at the commencement of a new year, it can be tempting, feeling fresh faced and revived by our holiday break, to dive head first into everything that presents itself to us in those initial weeks of term. Indeed, the opportunities to start anew can allow us great freedom to direct our energies into new interests or to do things differently from how we have done them before.

However, there may well be wisdom for all of us in slowing this process down just a little, to look honestly and even critically at the year that has just finished and to evaluate how both you and your family fared in coping with and balancing out the busyness of life.

Many parents I talk with have shared that they feel their lives have become too busy and too full. Indeed, when days are frequently spent racing from one deadline to another and when even weekends are packed with commitments and responsibilities, albeit ‘good’ ones, it is small wonder that stress levels rise and tensions escalate.

It is a sad irony when the things that were supposed to be enjoyable and fun, become nothing more than bullet points on a “To Do” list, as we race to get through the tasks of each day.

It is important for us all to know our limitations, to know how much we can take on before it becomes “too much” and these capacities will be different for each one of us dependent upon who we are, our stage of life, our level of support, our health, our individual personalities and numerous other factors. By reflecting upon the past year, the areas we feel we handled well and those where we felt stretched too thin, we might, hopefully, be equipped to make wiser choices for the year ahead.

Many people find it difficult to say ‘no’, especially when the opportunity to serve or be involved is a good one; and yet, being carefully selective about which commitments we take on, rather than agreeing to everything, will no doubt mean that we can have the energy and focus to do these things better and more sustainably, with less chance of ‘burning out’ in the process.

It is certainly not easy to get the balance right, and with young families, the demands on our time can seem insurmountable, but perhaps by taking the time to prayerfully consider how we will choose to use and invest our time and energy this year, we might well be able to begin tackling and taming the tricky business of busyness.

AUTUMN 2014 / 15

you have a friend

HOMELESSNESS IS MUCH MORE THAT HOUSELESSNESS. Joanne Allen Pacific Coast Christian School

Eighty-one Pacific Coast students walked 14 kilometres from Palm Beach Parklands to Coolangatta on 21 March to raise much needed funds for the local Christian charity ‘You Have a Friend’. This organisation is based in Tweed Heads and ministers to the homeless and dispossessed in a very practical, hands on way.

Students were asked to raise $20.00 each with the aim of presenting a cheque in excess of $1,000 to this charity.

Local media took an interest in what the School was doing, including Channel Nine TV and the Gold Coast Bulletin.

16

Pacific Coast Christian School has worked with ‘You Have a Friend’ since 2013. Initially the Junior School was responsible for bringing in cans and the Senior School took students once a week to assist with sorting and packing food hampers. Since the projects inception, Junior School have provided approximately 960 cans.

At Christmas time Pacific Coast Christian School ran a Christmas drive collecting fruit mince pies, Christmas puddings and personal care products like soaps, shampoo and conditioner. The School used the donated items to make up 25 family hampers which were handed out at Christmas parties organised by ‘You Have a Friend’ for the homeless in Tweed, Murwillumbah and Chinderah.

It is exciting to see the Senior School showing initiative and passion that has been driven by the student council.

Events such as these are part of the core mission of Pacific Coast to be authentically Christian and make a difference in our local community. More than half of Senior School has signed up for this event and we are blessed to have such servant hearted students and families here at Pacific Coast.

retelling of God’s goodness

WE THANK YOU, GOD, WE THANK YOU - YOUR NAME IS OUR FAVOURITE WORD; YOUR MIGHTY WORKS ARE ALL WE TALK ABOUT. David Johnston Principal Pacific Valley Christian School

When you have been abundantly blessed it is essential that you intentionally remember from Whom the blessings have come. This understanding has been at the forefront of our school community in 2014 as we see yet more firsts occurring for our growing school. We know that the narrative of Pacific Valley for our students, their families and the local community needs to constantly acknowledge and remind us of the extent of the goodness of God to our school community.

At its conception, five years ago, Pacific Valley Christian School was committed to an expected Kinder to Year 6 enrolment of 25 students. The School was based in two portable classrooms on land behind the local Baptist church.

In 2014 the enrolments stand at 110 students and the School is located on approximately eight acres of land on which multiple buildings and facilities now exist. The school offers classes from Transition through to Year 10 with our first Year 11 students due to commence in 2015.

Excitingly, 2014 has seen the successful launch of a Transition program for families with four year olds who are interested in helping their children to be more ‘school ready’. The available positions filled very quickly and we currently have a waiting list. We have also commenced a free bus service through Yamba with the aim to encourage and enable more Junior School enrolments from this area. New staff also joined the team at the School in reflection of its continued growth.

Through all of this growth and change the central narrative remains that it is God who is consistently providing for all of our needs in ways that are beautifully surprising and abundantly extravagant. Indeed we always have things for which to give thanks.

AUTUMN 2014 / 17

national youth science forum

AN INTENSE, TWO WEEK, PROGRAM CONSISTING OF AN AMAZING ARRAY OF CULTURAL TRIPS, LAB VISITS AND LECTURES. Rebecca Spillane Year 12 Student Pacific Hills Christian School When I was asked to write an article for Pacific Streams I was puzzled. I’m a science nerd, not an English buff…I still don’t know the difference between affect and effect.

My name is Rebecca Spillane (also known as the girl with the fundraising chocolates!) and, in January this year, I attended the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), not a nerd science camp, it is just easier to explain it that way.

The NYSF program helps students make informed decisions about careers in the sciences, gain professional skills to help them realise their potential and have some fun along the way, lots of fun. The main focus of the NYSF is the January program where 450 students from across Australia attend university for two weeks at the start of Year 12. This year there were 2500 applicants for these places with two sessions held in Canberra and one in Perth. I attended a session based at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

This year was the 30th Anniversary of NYSF. The NYSF’s largest supporter is Rotary who play a big part in the student selection process and care of students during the sessions.

My adventure started at Central station, from where we caught the bus. Everyone had to arrive in Canberra by bus.

The poor people from Brisbane had a 24-hour journey!! I was expecting a quiet trip down but the activities started as soon as we left. We were speed dating and learning

18

chants and songs the whole way, it was a great ice breaker.

I have never completely lost my voice before but during the camp I lost it twice! Every time we were on a bus or forming into groups, there was a competition to see who could remember all of the chants and yell them the loudest.

I was a teenager on holiday but I had to get up at 6 am every morning. I have never been so tempted in all my life to sleep through the obnoxious alarm clock simply because lifting my arm seemed like too much effort. The intense, two week, program consisted of an amazing array of cultural trips, lab visits and lectures.

My personal highlights of the program were the visit to a biochemistry laboratory in ANU and a video conference with CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research). In the lab we conducted a genetic profiling test to determine the killer in a fake crime by matching DNA samples. The opportunity to talk to the scientist at CERN was amazing. CERN is the organization testing scientific theories using a giant particle accelerator. (Remember all the crazy media fuss about people recreating the Big Bang and possibly causing a black hole? - that was CERN’s program) The NYSF is so much more that just a two week camp.

Throughout 2014 the Next Step Programs are held by numerous universities across Australia giving NYSF students exclusive access to explore and understand what each university has to offer and providing valuable connections with the universities.

The NYSF International Program also has some incredible opportunities for students during Year 12. There are opportunities to attend programs in Canada, Denmark, Germany, London, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Boston and attend the Nobel Prize Ceremony, Ball and Banquet in Sweden.

The National Youth Science Forum was so much fun, I learnt a lot and it’s opened up great opportunities for my future. I highly recommend this program for any student interested in science or engineering.

Congratulations to Rebecca on her outstanding achievement in being selected as one of eight students from Australia to attend the prestigious London International Science Forum in July 2014.

[

sport

Cricket Paul McConnell Faculty Head PDHPE

It’s been a number of years since Pacific Hills had a group of boys keen to see the return of cricket back to its glory days. Maybe it comes on the back of Australia’s recent success over the summer, but needless to say it is great to see cricket back and with it the return of the Pachills baggy green.

The Christian Schools Sports Association (CSSA) State Cricket competition started in Term 4 last year with a three way 20/20 Cricket Gala day to determine the Met North representative in the State competition.

This was a thrilling day with PHCS hitting the winning run on the last ball of the innings. The second stage had the boys play a number of 40 over games against schools from around the state. Convincing wins against Mt Annan Christian College, Belmont Christian School, and Richard Johnson Anglican College secured a place in the final against Sutherland Shire Christian School.

]

The game was to be played at a ground in Barden Ridge, so the boys had an early departure. After losing the toss we were sent into bat and were in a spot of bother struggling at 5 for 62 at drinks. Immediately after the break the game started to turn with a swashbuckling innings of 59 from Michael Deane that was well supported by Isaac Bingham (36) and Luke McWilliam (42no), posting a final score of 187 after 40 overs.

The boys were fired up to get the school name engraved on the U/15 trophy for the first time and smashed through the opposition top order. Great bowling from openers, Aiden Federow (2 for 6) and Michael Deane (3 for 8), had them at 5 for 14 after just 8 overs. They made a gallant attempt to consolidate but were eventually rolled for 46.

The Champion team: Aiden Federow, Riley Behlevanas, Isaac Bingham, Peter Bonnarens, Harry Broughton, Michael Deane, Sam Dearden, Jack Donkin, Pavel Kozyrev, Jake Lamprill, Alex Magus, Luke McWilliam and Zachery Mills.

Congratulations to the First XI, and may it be the first of many.

AUTUMN 2014 / 19

Tom Kerr Auto Centre Your Northern District supplier for Mazda, Subaru, Kia and Quality Used Cars.

Mazda CX-5

Special consideration for friends of Pacific Hill Christian School.

Please let us know!

Kia Optima

Subaru Liberty GT

Proudly supporting this publication in the interest of the values instilled by Christian Education.

Tom Kerr Auto Centre 9807 2266 20

883 Victoria Road, West Ryde. www.tomkerr.com.au BB9765 DL1142