The Advocate 2017 Term 4 I Issue 17 Christmas Message Rev Jeremy Clarke Christmas Message December comes again. Many are already shopping, looking for those bargains. Others prepare to put up the decorations (they re not supposed to go up till December, are they?) We busy ourselves with Christmas parties, end of year events and trying to finish those last few jobs before going on holiday. As the year draws to an end I m struck by the representation of Christianity and the church in our society this year. To me it s been a tiring year to follow Jesus. With reports about institutions, domestic violence, safe schools and then the challenge of our recent vote, if you were just to take these events it would seem the church has been on the back foot all year. As I ve found myself engaged in discussion around these issues I know I ve had to work hard to try and represent Jesus as best as I can, it can be hard work. At the same time we have celebrated amazing milestones. It s been 500 years since the Reformation of the church. 200 years ago the Bible Society came to Australia. We joined with the local community to remember 200 years since the Anglican Church in Windsor was first built. So, we come to another Christmas time. The time of year when we celebrate what might seem to be a very insignificant birth. A boy born to a woman, who could not even find a hotel room. Born in a back room and placed in a food trough. A tiny birth that shouldn t rate a mention. As we end the year at Arndell we will remember this time in many ways, in our presentation events, our infants nativity, class and house celebrations and a K-11 Christmas Chapel service (possibly the first and last for some time). We make this small birth into a big event. We do it every year. But why? The birth of the little boy is announced in a way that no other birth ever was. Out in the fields, humble shepherds are tending their sheep. Suddenly, a change. The spiritual breaks into the earthly as an angel speaks to these shepherds. A momentous event about an insignificant birth. What the angel says only highlights the game changing event that has just occurred: In this issue Christmas Message HSC Breakfast Mathematics @ Arndell Holiday Camps Term Calendar Contacts
I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! (Luke 2:10b-11) In the same way that the divide from heaven to earth has been crossed, the divide between humans and God will be dealt with. The small, insignificant baby brings good news of great joy. Firstly, he will be a saviour. A saviour who will bring us life, dealing with the curse of sin, that is, death, once and for all. Secondly, he will be the Lord. The one to rule with justice and peace. The one we need to rule us. So, as we close the year we are reminded of a small, insignificant birth. A birth that brings an eternal beginning. I hope as you celebrate this Christmas season, even if your reflections on the church are not great, that you would know Jesus as the one who deals with our earthly problems and provides a new, eternal reality. May God grant us a safe and joyous time this Christmas. To God be the glory. Mathematics @ Arndell Jennifer Turnbull On Monday, 27th November, Year 8 travelled to Luna Park for their Maths excursion. The day is organised by the Mathematical Association of NSW and the students worked on mathematical activities as they partook of some exciting rides. The worksheets that the students used covered sections of the Stage 4 syllabus including Working Mathematically, Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. It was a fun day and a lovely way to finish up the year. Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads This is the second year that Arndell has entered two teams, 7Blue and 8Blue, into the Australasian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiads (APSMO). The APSMO has been operating in High Schools since 2003. Each year thousands of school participate in the competition around Australia and New Zealand. The aim of the APSMO is to provide questions that challenge and inspire creativity and flexibility in mathematics problems. Many schools enter across Australasia, including selective high schools. The students completed five Olympiads over the year. Each Olympiad consisted of 5 problem-solving questions under timed conditions. Students found the questions quite challenging at times but persevered to achieve their best. In the 8Blue class, Mitchell Hermes, Jaidyn Ridge and James Selff, achieved top 25% across Australasia. They received a trophy and top 25% Achiever patch. Also of merit, was Amelia Borgman, Evangeline Claxton, Tara Downey, Tayla Muller, Isaac Nanthakumaran, Jackson Deane, Alvin Wu (all top 40%) and Joey Mezzomo (top 50%). This was a great improvement on their work in Year 7 last year. In the 7Blue class, Cassandra Steenbeeke was in the top 30% and achieved a trophy for her efforts and India Culey, Guy Ruzgas and Jenson Perry (Year 6 Accelerant) were all in the top 40%. In both classes, a number of students came very close to receiving awards, missing out by only one or two marks. We congratulate all these students for their fine work to achieve these results. I would also like to thank Mr Douglas and Mrs Gooley who helped to administer these Olympiads.
HSC Breakfast
2017 Term Calendar Term 1 10 Weeks Monday 30 January Tuesday 31 January Friday 7 April Prep, KG, Yrs 7, 11 and Yr 12 Commence All students Commence Term 1 Concludes Friday 14 April Monday 17 April Good Friday Easter Monday Term 2 9 Weeks Monday 24 April Friday 23 June Term 2 Commences Term 2 Concludes Monday 12 June Tuesday 25 April Queen s Birthday Anzac Day Term 3 10 Weeks Monday 17 July Tuesday 18 July Friday 22 September Staff Professional Development Day Term 3 Students Commence Term 3 Concludes Term 4 9 Weeks Monday 9 October Tuesday 10 October Thursday 7 December Friday 8 December Staff Professional Development Day Term 4 Students Commence Term 4 Students Conclude Staff Professional Development Day Monday 2 October Labour Day
College Contacts Headmaster: Deputy Headmaster: Head of Senior School: Head of Middle School: Head of Junior School: Director of Curriculum: Director of Teaching and Learning: Chaplain: Business Manager: Enrolments Manager: Careers and Tertiary Education Advisor: Equestrian Co-ordinator: Mr Gareth Leechman Mr James Webb Mr Leighton Corr Mr Austin Robinson Rev. Keith Peterson Mrs Karen Merrick Mr Jim Milford Rev. Jeremy Clark Mrs Jodie Woods Mrs Roxanne Arnold Mr Tom Lavelle Miss Kristen Bailey equestrian@arndell.nsw.edu.au Uniform Shop: Mrs Liz Moore 4572 3254 Shop Opening Hours Term Time Monday 2.30 pm to 4.00 pm Tuesday 8.15 am to 4.00 pm Thursday 8.15 am to 6.00 pm Before and After School Care: Camp Australia - 1300 105 343 (for bookings) www.campaustralia.com.au Before School Care: 6:45 am 8:45 am After School Care: 2:45 pm 6:00 pm Ms Amber Torney (Coordinator) 0401 904 531 Canteen: Monday Friday 4545 2486 Website: General: 02-4572 3633 enquiries@arndell.nsw.edu.au Advocate Newsletter: roxanne.arnold@arndell.nsw.edu.au Sport Scene Newsletter: peter.gordon@arndell.nsw.edu.au