Principal’s Message

‘Be ready in season and out of season’ (2 Timothy 4:2)

Paul’s word to Timothy here doesn’t refer to time, but to us. We are to be ready at all times, or, as Oswald Chambers puts it, ‘we should “be ready” whether we feel like it or not’.

In many ways, if you are like me, we have all felt anything but ready during this Covid-19 season. However, if we only relied on those moments when we were comfortable and prepared, we would be of little use to God.  Fortunately, our team of staff and leadership have worked together to ensure our community was protected and our response at every stage was timely and well-considered.

Teachers rose to the challenge of online learning, and students took to it like ducks to water, pigs in mud or for some fish out of water. There were many important 21st Century learning skills put into practice over the last two months, with learning styles being different for each student.  It only highlights how special a ‘Teacher’ actually is.

Our IT and Admin teams worked extremely hard to ensure all students and staff stayed connected and were well supported. Our facilities and grounds staff also ensured that we have beautiful campuses to return to and embraced measures put in place to change practices.

Many hours were spent carefully considering the best way forward for the College, having to balance the health and safety of students and staff, educational needs, financial stability and a myriad of other factors and advice from across the country in our decision-making.

Parents, likewise, provided invaluable encouragement to staff and support for their children during the past weeks of online learning at home. You have done very well in unusual and trying circumstances and our students have returned to school confident that their learning continues without much disruption.

All of this is to say a heartfelt ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone in the Strathalbyn Christian College community.

As we return to normal operations, there has not been an aspect of the College that has not been affected by Covid-19 in some way. But by God’s grace we were able to prepare well and now we are coming out the other side with a significant upswing in enrolments that defies common logic. It’s a testimony to humble obedience in times of crisis that commands a blessing.*  As we continue to seek to ‘be ready’, we have been reminded by this wonderful news of the need to come humbly before God, that He is Lord of all and not just the parts we want to give Him.    

* Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 11:13-15 & 11:26-28, 2 Chronicles: 7-14, Matt. 17:20, John 15:7, Romans 8:13.

So what’s next??

• ALL students should attend school from Monday 18 May 2020, except for those students who are medically referred to learn from home;
• Parents/Guardians SHOULD NOT enter College premises, and will continue to drop students at the carparks, unless for a pre-arranged appointment (please call ahead on 9938 9100 if you need to visit the College Office or come onto school grounds);
• Canteen and Library will continue to offer online services;
• The College will continue to have increased cleaning & hygiene practices.

Please read the letter that has been emailed home to families today with more details for the changes coming into effect from Monday 18 May.

Year 7 Food Technology

Year 7 students were happy to be back in the Kitchen this week for Food Technology.

Wholistic Land Management Coordinator, Mrs Kelly Harrington, helped the students pick grapefruit from the College gardens, which they turned into cordial.

They look pretty pleased with their efforts!

Did You Know???

Did you know that all of our Teachers have regular in-class observations, carried out by the Deputy Principal Curriculum?

Mrs Sophia de Lange visits classrooms to appraise the Teachers’ planning and preparation, their classroom environment, instruction and professional responsibilities. She has a checklist to work through, and visits the classroom to observe the behaviour of the students and how the Teacher engages with them during the lesson. Afterwards she meets with the Teacher to give them feedback and assistance if they need help in any particular areas.

Last term, Mrs de Lange visited a Year 11 Art Class, being taught by Mrs Annalise Edwards. Mrs Edwards thought that Mrs D could also participate in the lesson with the students and gave her instructions for how to draw a portrait.

The photo below shows the end result on Mrs D’s wall, above her computer monitor. She is a woman of hidden talents it seems!

Positions Available

We are in need of relief Cleaners, and also relief Admin staff who would be willing to work in the Front Office and/or Library if regular staff are away.

Please contact Mrs Fiona Davidson, fdavidson@scc.wa.edu.au to request an Application Form if you are interested in any of these positions.