How should we live?

It’s fair to say that the 21st century is a time of rapid change in human society. Yet some aspects of the human condition remain timeless. Many of the rules and axioms by which people of all cultures organise their daily lives were captured early on in history in the form of proverbs.

A proverb is a short, simple and insightful saying, that expresses a traditionally held truth or piece of advice, based on common sense or experience. A proverb is often a metaphor or “word picture”.

The earliest collection of Biblical proverbs came into being about 700 BC. That’s nearly 3000 years ago.

One major idea in the Book of Proverbs is that we should aim for productivity (accomplishing things) rather than prosperity (getting wealthy), because productivity is an essential pre-requisite for prosperity. This lesson is really important for everyone, especially school students. In Proverbs, the productive, successful person is held in contrast with the “sluggard” (a habitually lazy or inactive person who does not take personal responsibility for their own life) and four themes emerge.

Firstly, productive people prioritise activity, by minimising procrastination and maximising self-discipline.
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty” Proverbs 14:23

“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies will have their fill of poverty” Proverbs 28:19

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8

They also shun the undeserved break.

“How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” Proverbs 6:9

Secondly, productive people plan ahead. They set goals and get organised to achieve them.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

Sluggards do not sow or plough in season, so at harvest time they look but find nothing. Proverbs 20:4

Thirdly, productive people pursue excellence.

Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank. Proverbs 22:29

Fourthly, productive people care about other people. Sluggards jeopardise teamwork by failing to pull their weight or follow through on commitments. Anyone who has worked in a group with a sluggard knows exactly how annoying they are!

Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. Proverbs 18:9

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. Proverbs 19:24

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who work with him. Proverbs 10:26

Lastly, productive people pause appropriately for well-deserved rest.

For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:11

 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Hebrews 4:9-10

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. Hebrews 4:1

Forget about that bogus break!

It has been a really big fortnight in Secondary as can be seen with the quick summaries below.

Secondary Cross Country (Tuesday 17th May)

The Carrum Downs and Tyabb campuses joined together for the annual Cross Country held here at the CD campus. It was great to see many students across secondary really putting in a big effort to run the entire 3km. Some students were then selected to run in the SIS Cross Country which was meant to be held Tuesday this week but has had to be cancelled due to forecast adverse weather.

A BIG congratulations to Ten Boom House who were the Carrum Downs Cross Country champions this year.

Senior Pathways EXPO (Tuesday 17th May)

The Senior Pathways evening was a real success – with a high level of turnout from students in Years 9 & 10 as well as parents. There was a really high level of engagement and really positive discussions at the faculty displays in E block.

There are many staff to thank for the success of the evening including Heads of Faculty and VCE/VCAL teachers but I would like to specifically focus on acknowledging the following:

Mrs Wendy Kincses as VCE Co-ordinator

Mr Daniel Stanley as Head of Teaching and Learning

Ms Dasha Lepustin as Careers and VET Co-ordinator

Mr Dan Mason as VCAL Co-ordinator

Mrs Kerryn Graham and Mrs Ros Allen – Secondary Admin support

The Year 7-10 Student Leadership training. (Weds 18th and Thurs 19th May)

Two identical training sessions were run for Year 7-10 House Leaders in Week 4. We spent two hours looking at various types of leadership and then did some practical activities focusing on public speaking skills. The students particularly enjoyed ’60 second talking’ where they had to respond to a prompt and make a speech for one minute without saying ‘Ummm’ or ‘Ahhh’. Much harder than it sounds…
The House Leaders are keen for a follow up session and will have input into which focus areas they want to develop.

Regards

Geoff Grace

Head of Secondary 

We were very impressed by the efforts of three of our senior students who supported the Salvo’s Red Shield Appeal last weekend at Karingal Hub Shopping Centre. It was really encouraging to see Lily, Sammer and Ajax serving the community in this way. We’ll aim to do the same again next year and will hopefully be able to increase the numbers of student volunteers.

The inaugural House Jigsaw competition was held in Week 5. Teams of up to 4 students from each House formed a team to see how much of the 300-piece puzzle they could complete in exactly 30 mins. The best team from each House then played in the Grand Final on Friday.

Congratulations to the Cuthbert House team of Cooper McCann (Year 12), Zac Euhus (Year 12), Zac Livanos (Year 9) and Tom Watson (Year 7). Cuthbert also won the overall first place for this competition.

Exams for Year 9-11

Start this Friday and go through until Thursday June 9th before the Report Writing Day (student-free) on June 10th 

Camps for Years 11 and 12 are in Week 8 with:

• The Year 11s at CYC The Island in Cowes from Thursday June 16th – Friday June 17th (including a restaurant meal on the Friday evening before returning to the College

• The Year 12s at Adanac Camp in Yarra Junction from Weds June 15th to Friday June 17th returning to school by the end of the normal school day.

Change of Semesters 

Once the mid year exams are done, we really enter into Semester Two work for the rest of the term. Please note that this might involve new materials for elective subjects and/or new textbooks if there are changes in VCE subjects for some students.

The last couple of weeks have been challenging as we grappled with student and staff illnesses. We have, at times, been creative with our staffing ensuring we have a teacher in front of every Primary class. We certainly appreciate your support and understanding if the regular classroom or specialist teacher has not been present.

We have several sporting events and excursions happening during the next fortnight. We are operating these in the most Covid safe way possible, ensuring that students can experience and learn from these memorable occasions.
Please inform our Primary admin team if you have any questions. 

Kind Reagrds

Adam Swain - Head of Primary

Congratulations to our cross-country runners that braved the elements on Tuesday to represent our school at the School Sport Victoria, Northern Peninsula Division Cross Country. We are proud to announce that six of our students made it into the top 12 of their individual race and will now be competing on 15th of June at the Regional competition.

The Flinders values award is presented to a student each chapel that really exemplifies one or more of our Flinders values. Congratulations to Coby and Emma for receiving a Flinders values award during this week’s Primary Chapel Service.

Coby received his award for displaying Perseverance, Integrity, and Love by always trying his best and being an outstanding role model

Emma exemplified the values of Love, Excellence and Humility by sharing her knowledge in a gentle and modest way and for her dedication to consistently producing outstanding work.

Due to limited space, and the number of parents and children outside the H block classrooms after school, we are asking for footballs not to be kicked in the grassed area outside the H block classrooms until 3.30pm. We have had wayward footballs fly into parents and toddlers.

This week the Kinder is celebrating National Reconciliation Week and discussing what it means to “Be Brave and Make Change” as well as learning what it means to share and care for the lands on which we learn and play.

We are excited to announce that tickets to the 2022 School Production of WE WILL ROCK YOU are now available! 

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.trybooking.com/BZHFD

BONUS EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT ON ADULT TICKETS

There is also a 10% early bird discount on Adult tickets purchased before 11.59 pm on Sunday 5 June 2022
Discount Code: BIRD10

Thank you for supporting our School Production - we can't wait to see you there!

Mrs Diane O'Hare 

Production Coordinator

Thank you to the students and parents from our instrumental music community who braved the winter cold to enjoy the wonderfully warming experience of a Flinders “Have-A-Go Night” – affectionately known as HAG Night – staged in our Music Centre at Carrum Downs.

The evening saw thirteen student instrumentalists and vocalists of all ages and skill levels taking the opportunity to perform in a welcoming and relaxed environment to an enthusiastic audience, hosted by our Instrumental Music staff. We heard an array of performances on Drums, Guitar, Violin, Voila, Cello, Piano and Vocal.

We aim to hold at least two HAG nights throughout the school year to encourage and allow students to develop and benefit from the experience of preparing a musical performance, and for families to attend. Keep a look out on the events calendar for our next HAG night!

The Parents and Friends are fundraising with the Entertainment App.

Access over 20,000 local and national offers.

Support Flinders Christian Community College - Carrum Downs and purchase your Entertainment Membership from us today!! HERE

Or to find out more about the App follow this link https://www.entertainment.com.au/

The next P & F meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 21 June in the Staff Dining Room. All are welcome. For further information please email Marianne.morgan@flinders.vic.edu.au

The P and F are holding a second-hand uniform stall on Wednesday 22 June in the house by the front gate from 2.30pm -3.45pm

If you have any current, clean uniform items that you are willing to donate, please leave them at the Primary or Business office in a bag labelled uniform donation.
Thank you for your support.

Just a friendly reminder to observe the speed limits in the car park and particularly in the area beyond the boom gate. The speed limits are set to provide safety for our students and all other pedestrians.

“Flinders marked National Reconciliation Week with activities to learn about reconciliation how we can Be Brave and Make Change.” 

For families who have a Health Care Card, Veterans Affairs Card, Pensioner Concession Card or who are foster parents, you may be eligible for the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund. The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like school camps or trips, swimming and school-organised sport programs, outdoor education programs, excursions, and incursions. 

If applying, application forms must be returned to the Finance Office before the 24th June to be submitted for 2022. For more information about the CSEF fund and the current application, please visit our website via this link. 

If you have any queries on this fund, phone Cindy van Straaten in the Finance Office on 5973 2020. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the fund, on the first day of term one, the first day of term two or the first day of term three, a parent or legal guardian of a student must: a) be an eligible beneficiary of one of these cards: Veterans Affairs Gold Card, Centrelink Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, OR  b) they must be a temporary foster parent, AND  c) the parent or legal guardian must apply by the due date.

Parents who receive a carer allowance on behalf of a child, or any other benefit or allowance not income tested by Centrelink, are not eligible for the CSEF unless they also comply with the above. 

ELIGIBILITY DATES

For concession card holders CSEF eligibility will be subject to the parent/legal guardian’s concession card being successfully validated with Centrelink on the first day of either term one, term two or term three.

FINANCE OFFICE 

Our Finance Office is for all financial matters regarding the College and students. You can contact us via email or phone the Finance Office directly on (03) 5973 2020.

As Flinders anticipates its 40th anniversary in 2023, the college has commissioned Mrs Valerie Mason and Mrs Jeanette Woods to write the history of the school. 

If you, or someone you know, would like to participate by responding to a questionnaire or by writing about some experiences at Flinders, please reply to the following email address with your name, contact details and your role in the school (student, staff, parent or other). Responses within a week or two would be most helpful 

Vanessa.Macdonald@flinders.vic.edu.au

Or complete our Survey below by clicking on the link:

Research Survey

We look forward to hearing from you!