Pacific Streams Winter 2015

PACIFIC

A FR EE Pub licatio n of Pa cific Hills C hr ist ia n S ch oo l

A CENTENARY OF ANZAC TO THE NEXT GENERATION • RESPECT JOURNEY TO AMATA • ALUMNI

Winter 2015

PACIFIC

04

School Days

05

Biblical Foundations

06

To The Next Generation

08

ANZAC Centenary

10

Hairspray Revisited

12

Student Life

13

Reflections On Respect

14

Lest We Forget

15

Blessing Of Hope

16

Experiencing Cumberland

17

Journeys

18

Alumni

20

Sports Shorts

ON THE COVER Ella Farr, Emily Crawford & Emily Taylor.

LEFT HSC Visual Arts Major Work by Emily Clancy Year 12.

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 0700 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

6

1.

Like mother, like daughter – representative Aussie Rules runs in the family for one Rising Star.

2.

They came, they danced & sang, they conquered, and yes we miss them – but You Can’t Stop the Beat – it resonates still HAIRSPRAY!

3.

A recipe for remarkable - take one Year 10 student, mix one part technology, one part outback Australia and a big part of creative ability.

4.

From little things big things grow when you are part of the Junior School Gardening Club.

5.

Aretha Franklin sang about it, lots of people talk about it but how does it work RESPECT

8

12

WINTER 2015 /

03

School Days THINGS THAT HAPPENED

Outback Mission Every year Mr McConnell takes a group of us, (students, past students & staff) out to Central Australia to visit some schools and communities and see how life and school is done in this part of Australia. In some ways its a world away from Pacific Hills and in other ways not.

Opening New Hope Our students, staff & parents enjoyed meeting with Matt Kean MP, Reena Jethi MLC, Cr Gurdeep Singh, Deputy Mayor of Hornsby and grandparents, family and friends including the Pacific Hills Chamber Strings as we celebrated the opening of New Hope School..

Centenary of ANZAC Assembly On such a solemn and significant occasion we were pleased to have Commander Paul Garai attend our Anzac Ceremony. We made 1500 red poppies and all members of our community walked forward in silence and laid a poppy before the wreaths at the front of the MPC and we remembered the fallen. Lest We Forget.

How Green Does Your Garden Grow?

We haven’t seen silver bells or cockle shells in the Junior School veggie garden but there are plenty of lovingly tended silver beet, rhubarb, peas, and many green thumbs in the JS gardening club.

04

Laughter On the Line So much fun was on the line at the Middle School Mothers Night when together we enjoyed and considered the place of mothers in our school and in our lives.

Pacific Hills Christian School BIBLICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND SERVING WITH EXCELLENCE Dr E J Boyce Principal The primary foundation for the existence of Christian School communities is to bring glory to God. To paraphrase the early Church fathers, the purpose of human existence is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. In 1 Peter 4:11 we are taught that when we speak and when we serve we should follow God’s lead in what we say and what we do so that He will be praised, with our acknowledgement that He receives the glory and the power from all of our endeavours. It is critical for us to understand Christian Education from this foundation so that our presuppositions, basic assumptions and beliefs have a cornerstone that enables Christians in education to have value and attitudes and words and actions that in the final analysis are accountable to this preeminent purpose.

To be a Christian teacher is to acknowledge God as the sovereign Lord in all endeavours. It is from God and to God and for God that we have our understanding, our gifts and our commitment (Doxology Romans 11:36).

Historically, and in our contemporary world the concept of teaching is variously understood and interpreted as instruction or training or transmission of culture or as a series of developmental steps which are practised to allow learning to take place. It seems to be that the Bible clearly shows that a primary element of teaching is to be an example. That is, a person whom others should follow or imitate (1 Corinthians 11:1). My own perspective of teaching from a Christian perspective is that teaching is both modelling as well as training and instruction. This includes transmission of knowledge and skills as well as development of processes of understanding, yet all related to the central purpose of being a teacher, which is to bring glory to God. Christian teachers need to acknowledge that the gifts that they have received are from God, the gifts they have received are to serve others, and in all circumstances teaching is to be used to administer God’s grace (1 Peter: 4:10).

Christian learning takes place consequent to an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty in all areas of knowledge, understanding and wisdom. Learning is received and is an ongoing process towards being educated, not only with knowledge but through experiences, precepts and the imitation of teachers. Learning needs to be through critical awareness so that the learner understands what they believe and why they believe as a reflection of God’s revelation in Biblical truth, in historical understanding and in individual, contemporary meaning by the spirit of God in the mind and life of individuals.

In the context of being a Christian school community, Pacific Hills Christian School, and our other schools, are communities where teaching and learning is accompanied by a commitment to service. This service means that when we teach or learn we are considering the needs and interests of others and at the same time, displaying obedience to God’s will and purpose in our lives. Such an attitude of service reflects our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, Who taught us by example and practice the way to serve for the benefit of others, and at the same time, to be obedient to God’s will and bring glory to Him. As a Christian school community we must be committed to excellence. Therefore, not only will our motivation be Biblically based but our commitment will be exemplary as we use our gifts to their full potential. This exercise of gifts is not for ourselves but for the good of others as we seek to honour God in all that we do. It is the purpose of Pacific Hills Christian School that we are a Christian community of excellence that is based on Biblical beliefs, values and behaviours.

WINTER 2015 /

05

to the next generation FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION WE WILL PROCLAIM YOUR PRAISE Ray Evans Chaplain & Counsellor, Pacific Hills

06

Prep kids and love them for who they are right here and now, but the truth is, they too are on a journey which in fourteen or fifteen short years will see them make that ritual passage up from the MPC through the guard of honour consisting of the remaining students of the school until they emerge from the front doors, symbolically going from us into the next stage of life. It is our privilege and our calling to join with them for part of their life’s journey to encourage them and strengthen them as best we are able and then to release them into God’s care for what will follow.

After a little over three decades it has finally happened.

Our home is an ‘empty nest’. Three kids at home became two kids at home, then one, and finally none. This is, after all, what we as parents spend all our time and energies on; giving our children their independence so that they might (eventually) form family units of their own and the whole beautiful process repeat itself. I know that we will always hold that special place in their hearts but more and more they will go beyond us, beyond our immediate influence on their lives, and eventually into a world which no longer physically contains us.

I have often mused as I have seen two lines of Prep kids with their library bags making their way to the Library that one day (not that long off really) they will be wives and husbands, and mothers and fathers and, God willing, someone’s grandmother or grandfather! It happened to our parents and is happening to us. Should Jesus not return in the immediate future, this is His general purpose for the great majority of us. We bring something of the past with us into this present and in turn we get the incredible privilege of sowing what we have received from God into that future which will not physically include us.

It’s much the same at school. We receive these dear little

This is an incredible gift which we as parents and teachers

are given; to influence the future for Christ and His Kingdom. The Psalmist understood this well.

able to declare His power to a generation who will, in the normal course of events, well and truly outlive me.

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

I have another little reverie from time to time. I think of a Sunday School teacher I had in my early teenage years, around the time I became a professed follower of Jesus, He was very influential in my developing understanding of the Christian life. As I reflected, I thought that there must have been at least one other, older person as influential in his life as he was in mine. And then there was someone as influential in that person’s life and so it would go back to one of those who sat at the feet of Jesus. Perhaps my spiritual ancestor was James or John, the sons of thunder or Matthew the one-time tax collector.

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all.

I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvellous deeds.

Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

I have been very blessed. I was first taken to Sunday School as a four and a half year old and had many wonderful teachers, youth leaders, preachers and pastors who God used to teach me of His marvellous deeds. I am not yet “old” but I am grey and it is my prayer that I will be

Whoever it began with, the chain arrived at me because one after the other of those in between faithfully shared the truth of the love and grace and mercy of Jesus with those who would follow them. So it is my earnest prayer that I might have the strength and the will to speak into this generation who walk amongst us now but to whom one day we will be memories of their past as they minister to those who are their future, who walk among them — until Jesus returns.

WINTER 2015 /

07

The night before Jesus died He prayed to His Father. He prayed not a quiet prayer but in agony with loud cries and with tears, for He knew what He would suffer. The next morning He was mocked, and the Romans scourged Him. They used a whip and flogged Him, and Jesus was forced to carry His cross, stumbling, to His place of crucifixion. Jesus was nailed by His hands and His feet. He was forced to push up against the weight of His own body to take a single breath. He was in hot sun, desperate for water. And still people laughed at Him and treated Him with scorn.

Most painful for Jesus would have been His complete separation from His Father following His death when He met fully the powers of evil forces and bore the complete weight of our sins on His shoulders. But in the time that Jesus was separated from God, He completely disarmed and defeated evil forces. Jesus rose again three days later and was victorious over death.

Jesus said: “I died and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death.”

Jesus sits in heaven, fully in charge of the universe.

God made the ultimate sacrifice of His son. Jesus sacrificed His life. This death, where Jesus bore our sins, was the death that gives us access to the Father. It is the sacrifice that gives us eternal life with the Father.

And Jesus tells us: “No greater love has a man than to lay down his life for his brothers.” Anzac Day is the day we remember those men and women who have made sacrifices for Australia and other nations.

08

the centenary of ANZAC AS A RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS, OUR ANZAC DAY SERVICE WAS OF DEEP PERSONAL SIGNIFICANCE FOR STUDENTS Narelle Fletcher Faculty Head History, Pacific Hills April 25, 2015 marked 100 years since the events at Gallipoli and Pacific Hills remembered and honoured the fallen in a special way. Preparations occurred over a number of months with students actively involved in preparing for the Centenary of Anzac Remembrance Service that was held at our school on Friday 24 April.

During Term 1 students from Years 5 – 10 researched their family histories with a focus on those who have served during times of conflict or been affected by war. So many of our students come from families who have been profoundly affected by warfare. Pacific Hills has over 100 families who have a connection, through relatives, with the Gallipoli campaign. We have people whose relatives served in the campaigns on the Western Front, on the Somme, at Pozieres, Villers- Bretonneux and

Passchendaele during WW1. Relatives of students served during WW2 on the Kokoda Track, at Milne Bay, were imprisoned in Changi, built the notorious Burma Thailand railway and were sent to Japan to work as prisoners of war. A number of students’ relatives suffered in Hong Kong, in Singapore, in Nanking in China, in Malaysia, in the Philippines, in Indonesia. Pacific Hills has families whose relatives served in the South African Army as part of the British Commonwealth in North Africa, survived the blitz in Britain, fought as partisans in Yugoslavia, survived the war in Czechoslovakia, Austria, Latvia and Russia, and survived the death camps in Europe. We also have students whose relatives fought in the South Korean Army against the Communist North 1950-53, in the South Vietnamese Army against the Communist North during the Vietnam War, and who went on to become boat people who sought refuge in Australia. Of course there are so many more stories in our families’ pasts.

fifty relatives shown fought at Gallipoli and on the Western Front during WW1.

Middle and Senior School students wore rosemary, traditionally worn on Anzac Day and which grows wild at Gallipoli, in honour of the men who served there. We were most privileged to have Lieutenant Commander Paul Garai, who has served in the Royal Australian Navy for over 25 years, address the school at our Anzac Day Service.

This was a most moving and memorable service and we trust that the students will carry the memory of this occasion with them into the future.

As a result of the investigations, our Anzac Day Service was of deep personal significance for students at Pacific Hills. Students from Kindergarten to Year 12 laid 1500 poppies, made by the Middle and Senior School students, at wreaths that were placed at the front of the school hall. This was our way of paying tribute to those men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in war, who have served and who continue to serve in areas of conflict throughout the world.

Pacific Hills students were also involved in related community activities for Anzac Day. Year 10 had the privilege of hearing the experiences of Vietnam veterans from the Vietnam Veterans, Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association who toured the Hills district in the NAMBUS during Centenary Week. On Sunday 19 April, as part of Castle Hill RSL Centenary celebrations, a number of Year 11 History students participated in the Centenary of ANZAC Sunday Commemoration Service at Kellyville. Having researched Hills district WW1 veterans, our students carried a flag representing their particular veterans in the commemoration march. Wreaths were laid on behalf of Pacific Hills at the Kellyville Anzac Service on 19 April and again at the Kellyville Anzac Day Dawn Service on 25 April.

While the students presented their poppies, the school band played hymns, and photos of 140 of our relatives who have served in war were displayed on the screen. The first

Pacific Hills students conducted themselves with dignity and respect during all Anzac Centenary events, and were a credit to the school and to their families.

WINTER 2015 /

09

DID YOU KNOW? Rehearsal hours: 162 Students in cast: 117 Staff involved: 64 Students in orchestra: 17 Number of costumes made: 173 Online bookings: 2399 Saturday night: sold out

10

THE BROADWAY MUSICAL

WINTER 2015 /

11

[

student life

]

reality bites Cynthia de Bruin Year 11, Pacific Valley When I first held my robotic baby in my arms I knew that I would not be able to work on my assignments and that the nights would be a nightmare. Once the baby was activated I soon learnt that the baby’s neck was very fragile and it would scream at the top of its mechanical lungs for almost a minute until you comforted it. This became quite awkward when little Lewis (my baby’s name) bent too far back while I was shopping in Coles supermarket.

The nights, as I predicted, were long and exhausting and I often caught myself drifting off to sleep feeding or burping my baby. On my first night, I was fully alert even while I was sleeping. I would wake up and be on my feet ready to assist it at the slightest sound of a whimper; however this decreased as the days went on.

All in all, I learnt that everything had to revolve around my baby and my freedom had decreased dramatically. After time, my love towards the small robot grew shockingly and I was often caught telling the baby that he would be “ok” when he was distressed and that he was a “good boy” in the most high-pitched voice I have. It was a great experience and informed me of the great obligation a mother has to her child.

getting real Kalina Hall Year 11, Pacific Valley I remember the transition from Middle School to Year 7 and feeling confident with myself… until the result came back from the first assessment. There is such a big leap between having spelling words for homework, and having to do a million essays a term. Okay so maybe I’m exaggerating, but it makes me wonder how well students are taught to deal with the rising stress levels of high school. I’ll admit, I was never all that committed to school, but upon hitting Year 11 this year, I’ve had to stop and think.

The work load at first was so overwhelming, so much homework, so many assignments, I remember thinking ‘this is like jumping from Kindergarten to Year 7 and being expected to understand’.

I guess in the end It came down to me deciding what was more important to me, those gaming videos I watch, the books I read, the number of distractions I placed in my life so I didn’t bother with school. I guess taking a step back and looking towards my future and what I want to achieve made me realise if I was going to deal with all this newfound work, I’d have to seriously knuckle down.

For me, dealing with the stresses of high school was always just not caring and believing it was a waste of time, now that I’ve come to terms with its

12

importance I put my school work before games, go to sleep at reasonable hours, and focus mainly on time management so I can spread the work out evenly.

I’m not saying that this is what everyone should do and if they don’t then they are wrong. Everyone’s different and has different ways of coping and I admire that. In fact, if it wasn’t for other people I wouldn’t have even tried this year. And don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely nervous for the Year 11 preliminary exams but I think it will get easier, the first test is always the hardest.

This school is one of the best I know when it comes to dealing with being worried, nervous or upset.

The staff and teachers are always ready to show compassion, and to be helpful in all aspects of schooling. I mean, I can’t even count the number of times I’ve had a ridiculously simplistic questions to ask Mr Johnston in physics, yet he has still been kind enough to give me an answer... and sometimes repeat it about three or four times to make sure I understand.

It’s such a good community to have grown up in for as long as I have, and I guess some people would say that I have a biased opinion because I’ve been at the School so long, but in reality, I just respect the dedication they have given to the growth and learning of the students at this school, its incomparable.

respect “I SPEAK TO EVERYONE IN THE SAME WAY, WHETHER HE IS THE GARBAGE MAN OR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY.” Lauren Graham School Counsellor, Pacific Hills What does it mean to respect someone? What does it mean to respect yourself?

Why, as Christians, should this matter so much to us?

Although definitions vary, one that personally resonates with me, is to consider respect as “esteem for, or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person” (dictionary.reference. com). Indeed, as Christians, we are guided to have a deep recognition of and reverence for the worth and value of each human life, as those created in the image of God and for whom His Son would choose to die. Surely this understanding is foundational to how we view ourselves and how we see one another.

To delve a little deeper, when we understand that from a Biblical perspective, there is no inherent superiority between us based upon age, race, religion, gender, capability, physical attributes or any other characteristic or preference; we begin to appreciate all the more why we are all equal (though different), precious (though flawed) individuals with unique gifts, talents, strengths, weaknesses and challenges; each worthy of one another’s respect.

As a society today, we are often told that much of the wilful waywardness of the “younger generations”, can be characterised by a new lack of respect; for authority, for their elders, perhaps even for themselves.

However, when we read the following lament of Socrates around 400BC, we can see that this issue is not an exclusively newfound phenomenon! “The children now love

luxury…” wrote the great philosopher,”… They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.” (http:www. goodreads.com/quotes) Indeed, whilst soliciting inappropriate selfies and online trolling may be modern manifestations of this, it would appear that disrespect for others, and its potentially devastating consequences, has been challenging our interactions for thousands of years.

So how do we instil this incredibly important, relationally foundational attitude of respect, both for self and others, in our children, our homes and our classrooms?

For me personally, there is nothing as humbling as coming back to the truth of the Gospel, for it is in this truth that we are reminded of our weakness, yet reassured of our immense and immeasurable worth. Perhaps continuing to speak and live out this truth in our homes and our school, will keep us viewing ourselves, our children and one another with respect and love.

Secondly, to teach our children to be respectful, we need to be actively modelling respect in every interaction we have. Albert Einstein once said, “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” (goodreads.com/quotes) Indeed, how we talk of others when they are not there, how we speak to people when they are there, our tone of voice, our choice of words, our attitude and our actions with any and every person we meet, convey volumes to our children about what it means to really respect the worth and value of others.

Additionally, to have healthy and respectful relationships, we need to teach our children the value of boundaries.

Knowing that there are some lines that should not be crossed when considering what you ask of others, what you disclose to others and how you treat others, (verbally, physically, emotionally and socially), not only encourages our children to make wise choices in respecting others’ boundaries, but hopefully will embolden them to rightfully object when they feel their own boundaries in these areas are being disrespected.

For all of us, a day holds so many interactions with other people…so many opportunities for how we use our words and how we determine our choices. May God continue to grow in us the ability to understand, choose, model, encourage and teach respect, both for ourselves and for each precious person whose path we cross.

WINTER 2015 /

13

lest we forget WE WERE ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED Douglas Zylstra Head of Curriculum, Pacific Coast Fifteen excited Pacific Coast students were blessed during Term 1 to board a chartered plane to Canberra, courtesy of the Tweed Heads - Twin Towns RSL. The group had won their seats by writing an essay titled ‘What Anzac Day means to me’. Accompanying the students were members of the local RSL, members of the local Naval Cadets, and students from other local schools.

At the Australian War Memorial the students were privileged to listen to the stories of men and women who

14

served in wars overseas and to view amazing multi-media displays and artifacts from every war in which Australia has participated. The students were also privileged to be part of a solemn ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Jada Ngan-Woo was asked to participate in the ceremony by helping to lay a wreath at the tomb. Emma Ellis warmed the heart of an elderly Tweed Heads lady, whom she had visited in the retirement village, with a very personal touch.

Emma placing a poppy on the Wall of Honour next to the name of the lady’s deceased husband.

The day was both exciting and sombre, as the group considered the many Australians who gave their lives for the sake of others back home. It is and was an incredible sacrifice. As Christians, it also puts into perspective the sacrifice and love of our Lord Jesus Christ: “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7-8)

blessings of hope THIS IS SUCH A JOYOUS LIFE CHANGE FOR SOME OF THE PACIFIC HOPE STUDENTS Kelly Jackman Head Teacher, Pacific Hope At Pacific Hope School we are conscious of the blessing it is to be a part of the vision of our Heavenly Father. This blessing has been experienced and seen as God has allowed the School to support and guide the students to grow both as a family and as a community.

Additionally, we have been witness to students accepting Jesus as their Saviour and learning to lean towards their Father God. Many wonderful features have been added to our classroom including an amazing fish tank and some incredible cut rocks collected from one of our many excursions to Thunderbird Park.

The classroom is filling up with student artwork and timber ships and soldiers they have been constructing from plytimber.

The integration program within our school has assisted both mainstream students and our Pacific Hope students to become friends, feeling confident to express themselves in a variety of ways. Each break time the students congregate in the covered outdoor learning area (COLA) and join in games of four square together or sit and chat. These friendships have flowed over into their social lives and some students have now begun to spend time together outside of school. This is such a joyous life change for some of the Pacific Hope students, giving them a sense of belonging and acceptance. The assistance of three supportive adults in our classroom allows the integration to take place across both Junior and Senior Schools of the Pacific Coast campus.

As time moves on this year, it is so wonderful to reflect and be thankful for such a great start to our new school.

The continuous support of the School Board ensures the success of Pacific Hope for both our current and future students, helping to serve a great need in the local community. We are so blessed for their support and grateful to witness the seeds of our Heavenly Father God being sown into our future generations.

WINTER 2015 /

15

experiencing cumberland IT WAS A LOVELY WAY TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WEATHER AND FOREST ENVIRONMENT Dianne Dowson Director, New Hope School Excursions are always a great opportunity to provide alternative learning experiences for students. They are usually more interactive allowing students to experience a more hands-on approach to their learning.

Early in May New Hope School students and staff enjoyed their first excursion together when they visited the Cumberland State Forest located close by in West Pennant Hills. This excursion linked in with a unit of work on Rainforests the students studied earlier in the year. The day started with a talk from Ranger Steve who chatted with the students about the various animals that are found in the forest. The class appreciated their guided tour along the Sensory Trail and the park ranger provided

16

many opportunities for the students to touch and observe interesting features along the way. This was followed by an opportunity for each student to pot up a wattle tree seedling which they are now caring for at School.

The students and their teachers enjoyed morning tea in the forest and together took their own self-guided walk along another of the trails including a hunt for a selection of plants and animals. The pupils were very engaged in what they were seeing and learning about during these experiences.

Apart from the learning and hands-on experiences with which the students were provided, the day also afforded a wonderful opportunity for the students to further develop the friendships between one another and to cultivate the support of each other in their learning. After a picnic lunch the students appreciated some free time in one of the cleared grassy areas. Some of them joined in an impromptu football game while others preferred to be spectators. Students enjoyed some excellent physical activity and healthy competition during this game.

Bubbles and other more gentle ball games allowed for participation for all students and it was a lovely way to enjoy the beautiful weather and forest environment that God has created for us to enjoy. The success of the day was summed up by one student who reported that it was ‘The best excursion he had ever been on’.

amata A TRUE JOURNEY WILL CHANGE THE TRAVELLER

by David Bell, Pacific Hills The rugged Central Australian landscape is defined by distance and a sense of place that dwarfs the individual. These rugged environs demand respect and invite contemplation. For Year 10 student Joel Davidson the journey to Amata with the Outback Mission Team caused him to reflect on who he was and what he stood for.

The opportunity for Joel to join the mission came at the eleventh hour when a team member was no longer able to go. Initially Joel’s primary motivation for making the trip was to be with friends.

Joel’s perspective began to change with the breakdown of the bus on the way to Amata.

Stranded in desolate countryside, Joel witnessed the group’s positive response to the adversity. “The breakdown was a pivotal point. Rather than dent morale, led by the teachers, the team really pulled together.”

It was a bonding moment that characterised the journey. The cultural differences of the Amata community can be confronting.

However, Joel saw the interactions of the team with the locals as a testament to their faith in action. “Going on the mission has strengthened my own Christian beliefs.”

“Before this I didn’t really act the way you might expect a Christian to act. I still make mistakes, but now I am trying to live a God honouring life.” Joel photographed his journey to Amata and believes this selection captures a sense of God’s greatness and His Spirit at work in the lives of the team.

WINTER 2015 /

17

[

18

alumni

]

JEDIDIAH (JED) EVANS Class ‘04

EMMA KNOWLES Class ‘07

Jed was a student at PHCS from Year 1 till Year 12 in 2004, the year he was also Boy School Captain.

At Macquarie University he discovered his gift and passion for English Literature. He graduated in 2009 with First Class Honours in English.

Following a short break from study—and through the guidance of C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton in particular—Jed came to see the importance of having active Christians engaged in the academic world and so enrolled in the Doctoral program at the University of Sydney. Following an idea from C. S. Lewis, Jed became interested in the theme of Sehnsucht in English-language literature, and this eventually led him to the writings of American author Thomas Wolfe. Wolfe became the focus of his thesis: “Look abroad, Angel: Concentric Circles of Sehnsucht in the work of Thomas Wolfe.” As part of his research, Jed travelled to Germany and to different parts of the United States—including a funded stay at Harvard—exploring the material culture surrounding this little-known novelist. Jed has a passion for education and was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Prize for Teaching for his work as a tutor in the English Department of the University of Sydney. Jed handed in his thesis in May 2014 and the degree was awarded precisely one year later in the Great Hall of the University of Sydney.

He is currently tutoring at the University of Sydney, working as a research assistant, drafting a book proposal, as well as working on academic essays, conference papers, and various applications.

Emma joined Pacific Hills in Kindergarten 1995 and graduated from Year 12 in 2007, the same year in which she was Vice Captain. After completing an honours year in English in 2012 at the University of Sydney Emma was awarded the University Medal, the James Coutts Scholarships III and IV and the Walter Reid Memorial Prize. While writing her thesis she was inspired to pursue graduate study in English after initially considering law. Emma is currently undertaking an MPhil at the University of Cambridge and plans to move from graduate study into a career in academic researching and teaching. With the award of a prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship Emma will continue to study for her doctorate at Cambridge over the next three years. “I am sure my experiences at Pacific Hills, particularly my involvement in Missions which gave me the perspective to value my education and to work to my full ability, has enabled the outlook and results that have helped me secure this award.

I have also applied to be a postgraduate mentor, a position used to help inspire students to consider university study. I am especially excited about this chance because it will be an excellent way of using my position at Cambridge to encourage others to pursue education, which is what I am most passionate about, and which is what is driving me to pursue a career in academic teaching.”

[

MEET THE WICKHAM- HILLS

sport

]

RISING STAR We always knew we had a rising star in our midst!

Each week the Sydney AFL nominates an outstanding young athlete who has performed exceptionally well in the Open Womens’ Competition. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Quincy Dorans of Year 10 who has been recognised by Sydney AFL as the Round 5 ‘Rising Star’.

We can only imagine the chaos that transpires in the home on a weekly and daily basis when there are four gifted athletes in the one family. We have such a family right here at Pacific Hills.

While they have an impressive list of achievements the most outstanding feature of this talented family is the support they offer to one another. They have an innate humility that characterizes who they are and where their spirit dwells. Each one has come to know what it means to follow Christ and all have been personally challenged to keep all things including their successes in perspective. They will be embarrassed to read this article because recognition is not why they do what they do.

The passion they have for sport is inspiring and despite the busyness of life they also have a strong understanding of commitment to work and study. They are always dependable and would not entertain the thought of letting coaches, teachers or team-mates down. The sport program at Pacific Hills is fortunate to have the Wickham-Hills on board.

Quincy came to Pacific Hills in 2014 as part of the Wunan Indigenous Program and since then she has been a fantastic contributor to all things sport.

She has represented the School in a wide range of sporting contexts including Representative level Netball and Touch Football. Following her efforts on the field, Quincy has also recently been selected into the Combined Independent Schools Touch Football Team.

From a young age Quincy played and watched AFL. She was a member of the AusKick program and played in her home town of Kununurra in Western Australia until the age of 12. Quincy’s Mum also played for Melbourne University and now umpires the Men’s Competition in Western Australia.

Along with a few of her teachers (who she regularly shows up on the field!), Quincy has been playing this season for the Blacktown Magic Women’s team.

The club is thrilled to have her and hope to assist her in gaining selection into the New South Wales Indigenous and Under 18’s teams in 2016.

Once again we would like to congratulate her on this wonderful achievement and we are excited to ‘watch this space!’

OVERVIEW OF RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS Belinda

2015 NSW Waratah’s Indoor Netball National Championship finalists BHSNA State Champions 2012-2014 2015 Netball World Cup – Volunteer

Brayson

2015 Football NSW Premier League U/15 (Elite 1) Blacktown Spartans.

Futsal NSW Premier League PHCS State Representative in Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Futsal 2014 China Mission team

Caden

2015 Football NSW Premier League U/14 (Elite 1) Blacktown Spartans.

Football NSW U/14 State Titles Futsal NSW Premier League PHCS State Representative in Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Futsal

Skye

2015 CSSA Primary Netball Representative at CIS Championships BHSNA U/11 Representative Team NSW Futsal Academy

WINTER 2015 /

19

Tom Kerr Auto Centre FAMILY OWNED - FAMILY OPERATED

Your Northern District supplier for Mazda, Subaru, Kia and Quality Used Cars.

All new Mazda3 Special consideration for friends of Pacific Hill Christian School. Please let us know!

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

Kia Cerato

Tom Kerr Auto Centre 9807 2266 883 Victoria Road, West Ryde. www.tomkerr.com.au

BB1166 DL1142