River City Christian College Term ì í, Week 8 rccc.vic.edu ... · rccc.vic.edu.au Monday, Mar î...
Transcript of River City Christian College Term ì í, Week 8 rccc.vic.edu ... · rccc.vic.edu.au Monday, Mar î...
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River City Christian College Term 01, Week 08
rccc.vic.edu.au Monday, Mar 23, 2020
In this issue
From Peter Nelson 1
Prayer Points 2
School News 2-5
Calendar of Events 6
My Reflections on Neil Schroder
Last Thursday afternoon, Neil Schroder passed
away. Neil was a man whose faith in God and his
life are intertwined with River City Christian
College from its very earliest days. In fact, he was
one of the people in whom God had birthed a
vision for a local Christian school before there were
any buildings, staff, students or anything that could
be called a school. He was there at the first meeting
of a few faithful families late in 1980 who started to
bring the vision into a reality. He helped do the
work needed to make ready the first classrooms, he
brought along some of his children to be the first
students, he made the connections so that we could
move on to our current site and was the Principal
from 1984 to 1999. However, Neil was always
quick to tell me that if it wasn’t for the faithful
support of his wife Margaret, he wouldn’t have
been able to do any of this. Neil was also the one
who until even recently would drop into the school
to have a chat with me, show interest in the
operation of the school, encourage me in my work
here and pray for me.
For those who knew Neil, you will no doubt have
a variety of memories from your own particular
setting but this is clear to me; he was a faithful man
who persevered to the end in his relationship with
God and his love for Jesus his Saviour. More than
that, the Neil I got to know over these almost four
years had continued to grow in wisdom, stature
and in favour with God and men, becoming more
like Jesus and I am grateful to have known his
friendship. He fought the good fight, he finished the
race, he kept the faith and now he has been called
home to heaven.
Please be praying for Margaret Schroder, Di &
Alister Smith (Di worked in the school from the
very start and so supported her Dad in pioneering
this school) and the wider Schroder family at this
time, that they may know God’s comfort and peace
as they move through these days. Peter Nelson
Putting things in context
There is much to be said about the Coronavirus and
its implications for us as individuals and as a
community but that is for others more equipped
than I to describe and for elsewhere in this
newsletter regarding the specific implications for
our school community. However, as this will be our
last newsletter for this term and so the last one
before Easter, there is a bigger story to embrace, far
bigger than any virus or the passing of a loved one
and that is God’s love for us. For He so loved the
world that He gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
eternal life. The fact is that Jesus came into this
world, lived the life that He lived, was crucified,
died, rose again to life and then ascended into
heaven to prepare a place for us to live together
with Him forever. In that place God has promised
that He will wipe every tear from our eyes, that
there will be no more death, mourning and pain,
for He is making everything new for those who
believe in the work of Jesus and seeking His will in
their lives. This is the bigger story that we’re living
in, which has its turning point in the original Easter
period – He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
Peter Nelson
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in the midst of this challenging environment.
God repeatedly reminds us in His Word that through
life He uses hard times to refine us and so I agree with
James in the first chapter of his letter: 2 Consider it
pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face
trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the
testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let
perseverance finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of
you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be
given to you.
Yours faithfully,
Peter Nelson - Principal
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Reminders
Two great sources of information regarding the virus
and our response in Australia can be found at: https://
www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-
coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
The Coronavirus Hotline is 1800 675 398
Please continue to make yourself aware of and comply
with Government requirements as they are updated,
encouraging and practising good hygiene including:
Washing hands frequently with soap and water,
before and after eating, and after going to the
toilet.
Covering coughs and sneezes (preferably using
your elbow area), disposing of tissues
responsibly, washing / sanitising hands after
touching your face.
If unwell, avoiding contact with others.
Maintaining an approximate 1.5 metres from
others wherever possible and refrain from
handshakes, particularly for those beyond your
intimate family.
Isolation is required for those who have contracted the
virus and for those who have had contact with
somebody with COVID-19. If this is you and you are
part of the River City Christian College, please
immediately call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675
398 and advise the school. There is a symptom checker
tool at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus
Of course, if you or your child are otherwise unwell,
we would expect that you are excluded from activities
beyond your home as would normally be expected.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) & changes to the
ways we operate as a School
Thank you for the trust you place in us as we care for
your children within the school environment. These
are rapidly changing times and whatever I write here
may need updating before you get to read it.
Regardless, I’ll try to inform you here of our next steps
in partnering with you in the education of your
children.
We will continue to be faithful, resting in the peace
that Jesus brings us while also doing what we can to
promote appropriate vigilance and hygiene on the
school site and in the broader community, with a
particular focus on students and staff. That’s what we
believe we have been doing to this point in continuing
with our school programs in the way that we have but
now we have been advised it is needed for us to
significantly reduce the number of students at school
and move to supporting students in their learning
while they are at home.
We will therefore move forward with these actions:
• Finish school this afternoon at 3.15pm and
so move into school holidays for students
four days earlier than planned.
• Hold our Parent Teacher meetings on
Wednesday afternoon this week according to
the schedule already supplied to you but the
relevant teacher will call you by phone when
ready. (We will be calling you about this
beforehand)
• Staff will use the remainder of this week to
develop some initial plans on how to support
you remotely in the education of your children
should they need to remain with you at home
once term 2 commences on April 14th.
• We will be seeking your input on how best to
meet your specific needs in this regard. This may
also include providing ongoing support on site
to students of those working in essential services
or otherwise unable to make alternative
arrangements although this may be limited by
Government restrictions or health advice.
• We will continue to update you as more
information comes to hand and welcome your
questions as they arise.
Please pray for us as we try to prepare for the various
contingencies, aiming to do our part for your child to
have what they need to continue to develop
academically, spiritually, socially and physically, even
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Non-Perishable Food Donations
With term 1 concluding earlier than expected for students,
we will miss our usual end of term collection of non-
perishable food for donation to the Echuca Community
Food Bank. If you’re in a position to make a donation of
such food, please drop it into to the school office as soon as
possible and we’ll ensure it gets delivered to the Food Bank.
Prayer Points
• Praise God for His great love shown in Jesus through that first Easter time, providing a way of rescue for us.
• Thankfulness for the wellbeing of our Year 7 & 8’s, Mrs Carolyne McDonald and Corbz during their time away in
Anglesea & Ballarat last week.
• For the health and wellbeing of communities during this Coronavirus, particularly those communities which are more
vulnerable.
• Wisdom for our Health & Government leaders as they navigate matters related to the Coronavirus.
• For peace and comfort for the Schroder family and others as they mourn the passing of Neil Schroder.
• For some rest in this coming holiday period while we also find ways to continue effective learning but in different
settings.
• Just as the RCCC pioneers were moved by God to consider a different way for their children’s education almost 40
years’ ago, as we approach and move beyond this significant milestone, please continue in prayer and listening for
what God now wants us to be and to do as a school community.
Parents and friends are also welcome to a time of prayer at home or at school each Monday during the school
term, 8.50am to 9.15am, in the meeting room off the front office.
Uniform Changeover
The first two weeks of next term is a changeover
period from Summer to Winter uniform. During this
time students can either wear the full Summer or full
winter uniform but from Monday April 27th onwards,
only full winter uniform should be worn. However,
please have students’ school hats available as there will
likely be a number of days where they will be needed
for an outside event and please see Joan Cardwell in
the front office to arrange any uniform purchase needs
you may have.
National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy
(NAPLAN)
Late last week it was announced that NAPLAN will be
cancelled for this year. This includes the Coordinated
Practice Test that was scheduled for today and the various
tests scheduled in May for students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9. This
decision was taken nationally by the combined Education
Ministers to “assist school leaders, teachers and support staff
to focus on the wellbeing of students and continuity of
education, including potential online and remote learning.
Further, the impact of responses to the COVID-19 virus may
affect the delivery of NAPLAN testing, including the
operation of centralised marking centres and the
implications for nationally comparable data if an insufficient
number of students are available to do the test.” NAPLAN is
just one of the assessment tools used by schools and we will
continue with other relevant assessments to help direct us in
helping your child achieve their potential.
Progressive House
Points
JOSHUA and CALEB
Joshua - 14,910
Caleb - 10,600
RCCC Board News
The School Board met for its usual monthly meeting last
week and while the school year has started well in many
ways and better than budget, the need to find effective ways
to serve our families in the current Coronavirus environment
will clearly be a challenge and focus. The Board’s next
scheduled meeting is April 22nd
but we are able to handle
issues as they arise in the interim by a variety of means. The
auditors are well advanced in preparing our annual financial
report for 2019 and the AGM for River City Christian
College Inc. is currently scheduled for May 27th.
Playgroup
Playgroup has concluded for this term. Please stay tuned for
a starting date to be set in Term 2 once it’s right health-wise
to do that. Please also continue to look out for ways to
support one another in the interim.
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Class of the week is Mitchell
Well done to the amazing students in Years P-2
End of Term Accounts Finalisation
A reminder that we would like all term fees finalised
by the end of term unless other arrangements have
been made.
Q: What is the difference between here and there?
……………..(Answer on last page)
Merit Award Winners
for Term 1 week 07
Ned McDonald - for his decent, respectful
and fair attitude every week during Sport
Bobby Wiltshire for showing kindness to
others
Gabriella Attwell for her focus and effort in
Mathematics as we learn about decimal
fractions
Jack Johnstone for his ability to stay on
task during the On Demand tests. Jack
never gave up
Miley Wiltshire for huge interest and effort
at writing narratives
Michael Pikokivaka for his kindness and
support to others
Congratulations everyone!
An addition to our Term 2 school calendar
When first publishing our 2020 calendar to the school
community, we advised that an additional staff
professional development day may be identified as we
got into the year. It’s now been decided that Monday
May 4th will be that day and no students will be at
school on that occasion.
An opportunity has arisen for a Learning Support
teacher from a Christian school in Melbourne to be
with us again on the previous Friday to assess some of
our students. She will then stay on for the Monday to
help our staff implement her recommendations and
take up some of the assessment tools ourselves.
Office Arrangements
The school office will be open as usual this week. We will then take a break for a week, re
-opening 9am to 4pm, Monday April 6th to Thursday April 9th. Term 2 will commence
for the office on Tuesday April 14th and 8am to 4.30pm from then on.
Student Representative
Committee—Part A
SRC Primary Award
Goes to Jed Russell for his building confidence
SRC Secondary Award
Goes to Matthew Campbell for always trying his
best in all things
Student Representative
Committee—Part B
SRC Primary Award
Goes to Ollie Borg for his positiveness
SRC Secondary Award
Goes to Kyla Groot for being welcoming and kind
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Fun Run Top 5 Primary School scores below. The Primary School ran 2.5km.
Gabriella, 12:53 (new record!!) Levi, 12:55; Trinity, 13:13; Tom, 17:29; Jahleel, 18:14
Top 5 Secondary School scores below. The Secondary School ran 5km.
Simon, 29:58; Michael, 33:04; Mia, 34:51; Riley, 38:42; Rowan, 49:38
The money raised so far is $420 which will be split between the Food Bank and our Compassion sponsor child. Thanks so much to all who contributed in this way and if you still need to return your sponsorship money, please do so in the next few days.
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Contact Us: Phone: 03 5482 4594
Website: www.rccc.vic.edu.au
Email: [email protected]
BSB: 063 511 Account: 1005 5226
River City
Christian College
School Calendar of Events
Answer:
The Letter T.
Mar 2020
2 Theatre sports
workshop Week 5
3 Yr 9/10 High
Country Camp
4 Yr 9/10 High
Country Camp Playgroup
5 Yr 9/10 High
Country Camp
6 Yr 9/10 High
Country Camp
7
8
9 Labour Day
Public Holiday Week 6
10
11 Yr 7
Immunisation. Playgroup
12
13 Beacon
Business Breakfast
14 Working Bee
15
16 Fun Run
“Mission” fundraiser Week 7
17
18 Yr 7/8 camp
19 Yr 7/8 camp
20 Yr 7/8 camp
21
22
23 Harmony Day Last day of Term 1. Week 8
24
25 Parent/Teacher
meetings by phone
26
27 28 Holidays
29 Holidays
30 Holidays
31 Holidays
1 Holidays
2 Holidays
3 Holidays
4 Holidays
5 Holidays Daylight Savings
ends
Apr 2020
6 Holidays
7 Holidays
8 Holidays
9 Holidays
10 Good Friday
Holidays
11 Holidays
12 Easter Sunday
Holidays
13 Easter Monday Week 1
14 1st day Term 2
15 Playgroup
16 Yr 10
Immunisations
17
18
19
20 Road Smart
session – Yr 10 Week 2
21
22 Playgroup
23
24 BUPA
25 ANZAC DAY
26
27 Week 3
28
29 Playgroup
30
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2
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