PRINCIPAL S MESSAGE. Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire TERM 4

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1 James 3:17-18 (NIV) 17 But the wisdom Term that 2 Week comes 5 from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy 26 May and 2017 good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. PRINCIPAL S MESSAGE Term 4 Week 5 10 November 2017 Our Vision To foster a Christ centred learning community where all students receive an education which enables them to know the Lord Jesus Christ, grow in Him and serve Him to their full potential. Regents Park Christian School 59 Regent Street, Regents Park, 2143 Ph: Fax: principal@rpcs.nsw.edu.au TERM 4 Mon 13 Nov Jnr Basketball Gala Day Mon 13 Fri 17 Nov Yrs 8-10 exams Wed 15 Nov Kinder Stay & Play No 2 Fri 17 Nov Welcome to Yr 7 Day Mon 20 Nov Yr 10 Snr School Orientation Day Wed 22 Nov School at Work Tour am Fri 24 Nov Primary Presentation Assembly Primary Presentation Evening Friday 1 Dec Term 4 ends PRAYER POINTS Praise God for the successful completion of the 2017 HSC by our Year 12 students. Please pray for Year 7-10 as they undertake their end of year examinations. Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire In 2015 English comedian, Stephen Fry, was asked what he would say when he was confronted with God at the pearly gates of heaven to which Fry replied, I d say, bone cancer in children? What s that about? How dare you? How dare you create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault. It s not right, it s utterly, utterly evil. If we are honest with ourselves, there are times in life when we ask a similar question of God. As we look at the world around us, we feel like we would know how to run a better world than God and, if we were in charge, there would be no sickness, accidents, violence or death. However, the issue of evil and suffering is not a modern problem and the biblical authors in the past wrestled with this same issue. This is seen clearly in the book of Job where, after the discussion between Satan and God, Job loses everything he holds dear - his children, property, servants, livestock and health. As Job wrestles with the unfairness of the situation, as he believes a righteous man should not suffer, Job encounters God s majesty in a storm. It is at this moment when God rhetorically asks Job, Where were you when I laid the earth s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7). The purpose of God s rhetorical question is to challenge Job s understanding of the cosmos. We the reader know the reason for Job s suffering but Job never finds out the reason why he suffers - it remains a mystery. Unfortunately, for those of us who are suffering, it will remain a mystery. Why are some children born with bone cancer and others not? Why do some people live long and healthy lives? Why are some people s lives tragically cut short due to sickness, evil or accidents? This is the mystery that only the One who laid the foundations of the earth can understand. Yet, in Christ, we have a God that is not absent or uncaring about human suffering. As Christ hung on the cross His desperate cry My God, My God. Why have you forsaken me? gives us a glimpse into the depths of his emotional state at enduring the evil and suffering in this world. If we were to run the world, we would remove all things evil. However, in Christ God has paved a way for this reality. The reason is the resurrection - because Christ was not left in the tomb, there is hope. In Christ, God has paved a way that, for those who have faith, they will experience the joy of living in a world where the claws of evil and suffering cannot harm us. Like Stephen Fry, we may question the validity of a God who would allow evil to permeate this world. But for Christians we have a hope of a better life. The reality is that we will still have to endure the mystery of evil and suffering and we will experience its claws tearing us apart. When that happens we can fall back onto the God who laid the foundations of the earth, and the God who sent his Son as the way to rectify all the evil and suffering in this world. Pastor Mitch

2 A PRESENTS COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 4 WEEK 5 ALL SCHOOL NEWS CHANGES TO CANTEEN TIMES From Monday 6 November Canteen hours will be: The Canteen will not be open in the morning before school. Completed lunch orders can be left in the slot in the Canteen door. The Canteen will close at 1:15pm instead of 1:30pm each school day. LEST WE FORGET On November 11, 1919 the British Empire stopped to stand in silence on for the first time. On this weekend in November 2017, we want to remember and acknowledge those who served and sacrificed for our country. These two photographs are on display in the library belonged to family members in our community, of their dear ones who did that. Let us remember and be thankful that the freedom we have now is made possible by the sacrifice of so many others which may not known to us. Lest we forget! UNIFORM SHOP Open: Fridays (term time) 8am-12pm & 12:30-4pm NB: students should now be in full summer uniform. The Uniform Shop gratefully accepts donations of 2 nd hand uniforms as they are of great assistance to families in our community. Donations can be left at the office or brought in to the Uniform Shop on Fridays. Layby is available if you would like items set aside to pay them off slowly. Items can also be put on hold. Online ordering! Information and order forms can be found on our website under the Today tab. Orders are packed on Friday and sent home with students. Name labels: Personalised, iron-on name labels are available for $0.50 each. The labels are to be ironed on at home and will come with instructions. Each Secondary blazer sold will have a free label included.

3 ENGLISH CLASSES FOR ADULTS HEARTBEAT CHURCH 61 Regent Street, Regents Park 2143 Join our fun and friendly English language classes where you can learn and share. When: Tuesdays (term time) - From: 10am - 12pm Where: Heartbeat Church 2017 Dates TERM 4: 10/10 28/11 (8 weeks) MUMS & BUBS PLAYGROUP Who: For children 0 5 yrs When: Friday (school terms) 10.00am-12.00pm Where: Heartbeat Church What: Play time, Morning tea, Story, Craft, Music & Movement Fee: $ 2 per family per session Contact: (Church office) YOUTH GROUP Time: Every Friday pm (school term time) Location: Heartbeat Church Program: Bible study & discussion Contact: (Pastor Mitch) SUNDAY SCHOOL Do you know that we have Sunday School for kids? Time: Every Sunday from am Classes: Bubbles (3 yr old to Year 1) Splash (Year 2 & 3) Xstream (Year 4, 5 & 6) Program: Worship, singing, Bible stories, Crafts, Prayers Contact: Heartbeat Church CAFÉ CHURCH 1 st Sunday of the month (only) - Don t miss out! Time: Every 1 st Sunday at 6 pm start with light dinner Location: Heartbeat Church Contact: or pastor@heartbeatchurch.org.au HEARTBEAT COMMUNITY CARE Heartbeat Community Care welcomes donations of quality, 2 nd -hand clothing, shoes and homewares (no electricals). Our Emergency Relief program welcomes donations of non-perishable food items such as canned soup, Weet-Bix and basic hygiene items such as toothpaste. Donations to: Heartbeat Community Care (Shop 1/5 Amy Street, Regents Park).

4 PRIMARY NEWS KISS N DROP: LET US BE WITNESSES OF CHRIST We appreciate that the after school pick up run can be a very stressful time, particularly if you have small children in the car. However, it is important to remember that we share Kingsland Road, not only with the general public, but with two other schools whose parents are just as eager to collect their children. If the Kiss N Drop queue is backed up so that you are blocking the traffic you must drive on you cannot wait until it clears. You can either drive around the block or park your car in one of the side streets and walk to collect your child. Blocking traffic in Kingsland Road worsens traffic in Amy Street and angers other drivers who take their frustration out on school staff. Please, let us honour Christ and obey the road rules. PBL VALUE FOR THE WEEK: Clean Up After Yourself For the next two weeks, we will focus on showing respect by cleaning up after ourselves. When we clean up after ourselves, we demonstrate respect for others and develop responsible behaviour in ourselves. If I make a mess, I clean it up. I put things back after I use them and I leave them in the same condition in which I found them. Parents can build upon this value at home, by making sure their children take their dishes to the sink, pick up after themselves, and put things where they belong. These are all habits that kindergarten children should be demonstrating and most certainly students in Year 6. We can do this! Let s show respect by cleaning up after ourselves. Get it? Got it? Gotcha! KINDERGARTEN OPEN MORNING, ORIENTATION and STAY & PLAY AFTERNOONS A great time was had by all at our first Stay & Play afternoon on Wednesday. We will have one more, next Wednesday, 15 November. We had a lovely time at Kindergarten Open Morning last week and Kindergarten Orientation on Wednesday. On Wednesday, 1 November we will have our Kindergarten Orientation. This will be followed by two Stay & Play afternoons on 8 and 15 November. Participation in these programs will help your child to feel more comfortable in the big school environment and reduce some of the anxiety around starting school. If your child is starting Kindergarten in 2018, we encourage you to participate in these activities. PRIMARY PRESENTATION ASSEMBLY MORNING - Friday 24 November In the morning of our Celebration Evening, we will hold our Presentation Assembly. As we have grown, it has become necessary to hold two separate Presentation Assemblies. We will hold our Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2 Presentation at 9:00am and the Years 3-6 Presentation will follow at 10:00am. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. PRIMARY CELEBRATION EVENING 24 NOV Costumes!! This year s musical is entitled The Magical Christmas Jigsaw and will be presented to our school community on Friday, 24 November. The Year 6 students will be featuring prominently in the performance and the school will provide all their costuming needs. Students in Kindergarten to Year 5 will need to wear plain white tops and dark pants (jeans or shorts). How easy is that? PRIMARY CHOIR WEEKLY PRACTICE Students enrolled in the Choir: Practice is every Wednesday morning :50am (lunchtime) in Room H4! Please be on time! If Choir parents have any questions, contact Michelle Lin (Family Chaplain) via mlin@rpcs.nsw.edu.au.

5 PRIMARY ASSEMBLY Each Friday (9:00-9:30am) we hold our Primary Assembly in the school hall. This is a time when Primary classes come together to celebrate God s goodness. Parents and friends are welcome to attend, particularly when your child s class is rostered to share in Assembly. Assembly dates are listed for your convenience. Class Date S1 Assembly 10 November Assembly 17 November Presentation Assembly 24 November K-12 Chapel 1 December PARENTS BREAKFAST/DEVOTION PB&D! Remember this is held every Tuesday in H4: Breakfast is provided from 8.30am, with a brief (15 min) devotion at 9am. Parents are welcome to stay for some or all of it. Our next Parents Breakfast and Devotion (PB&D) will be Tuesday, 14 November. All parents are welcome! THE PERFECT GIFT by Focus on the Family What is it about your spouse that you love the most? Why not let them know? True intimacy in marriage begins by learning to express your feelings to your spouse. That means being willing to share your heart with your husband or wife and then encouraging them to do the same. The next time a special occasion rolls around, instead of buying an expensive gift, why not take out a pen and piece of paper and spend some time writing. Think about those qualities in your spouse that really touch your heart. This might be a bit of a challenge for some of you guys but make the effort, your wife will love it you for it. Give specific examples. Write about the times your spouse was there for you when you needed support or the things they do that make you smile. Then share the letter with them over a quiet dinner. You ll be amazed at what a simple note can do to strengthen your marriage. For more healthy advice, go to HEALTHY EATING HABITS As more children arrive early for school, we are noticing poor eating habits. Students are raiding their lunch boxes for chips, lollies and chocolates. If we see them, we ask that they leave them for after school, explaining that these foods do not offer the necessary energy or nutrients to support good learning. Could we encourage you to leave these treats for when children return home or even for weekends? Instead, pack a healthy alternative, like those promoted in the Nutrition Snippets, that students can snack on before school (popcorn, sandwich, fruit, etc). These kinds of snacks will provide the kind of energy that supports our students learning. CRUNCH N SIP Good nutrition and healthy eating habits are an important part of learning. Each morning our students enjoy Crunch n Sip, when they will have a drink of water and eat a serving of fresh fruit or vegetables. We ask parents to support this, by providing your child with a serving of fresh fruit or vegetables for their Crunch n Sip break. Students should also bring a drink bottle filled with water. Rather than sweets or packets of chips, why not pack a second Crunch n Sip for your child to enjoy at recess time? Each week, the Cancer Council of NSW provides us with nutrition snippets to encourage healthy habits.

6 RPCS COMMUNITY NEWS TERM 4 WEEK 5 SCIENCE NEWS Year 7 Excursion On Monday, 16 October, Year 7 students went on an excursion to Featherdale Wildlife Park, where they learnt about different Australian animals and how to classify them. Students arrived at the Wildlife Park by bus and were later placed into three groups. The different groups of students were taken to the various animal enclosures. The animals present ranged from mammals, birds and reptiles. Some of the most notable animals that were seen at Featherdale Wildlife Park were the koalas, the dingo, saltwater crocodile and others. Generally, this event was a great learning opportunity for all those who attended and it gave light to the unique and diverse species of animals that Australia has. Isabella Luchko SCIENCE OLYMPIAD COMPETITIONS SECONDARY NEWS 2 weeks ago, Year 7 went to the Featherdale Wildlife Park. We learned how to classify animals and we also got the chance to pet many special animals. We completed a booklet throughout the day. After we got back to school, we completed an assignment based on the information we collected in the booklets. We enjoyed a whole day learning about these special animals and the amazing creation of God. Joshua Guo This year, for the first time, two of our senior students participated in Science Olympiad competitions. These competitions are set at a very high level, suitable for only the very best students. David Lee did the Chemistry Olympiad while Stephen Knight did Biology. Congratulations to David for scoring a Distinction. VICTOR CHANG CARDIAC RESEARCH INSTITUTE AWARD Victor Chang was a gifted Australian surgeon who did pioneering work in heart surgery, particularly with heart transplants. The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was started after his death, as a way of remembering him and continuing the work that he began. As well as the work their work in cardiac research, the Victor Chang Institute has an interest in promoting scientific research more generally and promoting an interest in science. Each year they invite schools to nominate one student from Year 11 to receive an award. This student must show an interest in Science and a desire to pursue tertiary studies in Science. David Lee was chosen to get the award this year. He is studying physics and chemistry, and performing at a very high standard in each subject. As well as being presented with a certificate, David will have the opportunity to tour the Victor Chang Research Institute and see the type of work they are doing first hand. The awards were presented at Bankstown Library on 1 November. Edition So whatever you do, do it all for the honour & glory of the Lord, 1 Cor 10:31

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