As we approach the end of the school year, many of us can feel the weight of tiredness settling in. Lunchboxes, school runs, homework, activities, events—it’s been a big season, and it’s normal to feel like our energy and patience are running low. Our children can feel it too. The finish line is in sight, but the race still requires focus and endurance.

In moments like these, God gently reminds us that we were never meant to run on our own strength.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
"They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” — Isaiah 40:31

As parents, carers, and educators, we carry a lot emotionally, physically, and spiritually. But God offers us renewal, not just survival. He invites us to pause, breathe, and lean on Him, especially when we are weary.

A word of encouragement for this final stretch:
Celebrate how far you and your children have come
Offer yourself grace on the tired days
Choose moments of rest, even small ones
Remember that God is your strength and source of peace

Growth has taken place this year—in classrooms, in friendships, in resilience, and in character. Even if the journey felt messy or exhausting at times, God has been at work through it all.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

As we head toward the end of the year, may God refresh your spirit and fill your home with pockets of joy, laughter, and calm. You’re doing better than you think—and God will give you the strength to finish well.

A Closing Prayer:
"Lord, thank You for sustaining our school community this year. As we enter the final weeks, renew our energy, refresh our joy, and surround our families with Your peace. Help us finish this season with hope, gratitude, and grace. Amen.

Safe Gaming for Kids: Building Boundaries for Positive Play

Did you know 81% of students have played online with strangers?

Is your child spending too much time gaming and potentially encountering strangers online?

Are you unsure how to set boundaries without conflict? Join this practical webinar for parents, where you’ll gain simple strategies to manage gaming habits, create healthy boundaries and help your child build a positive, balanced relationship with online games.

Perfect for all parents—whether you’re tech-savvy or just starting out!

*Source: Cyber Safety Project, Teens and Screens 2025 Report

🗓️ Thursday 23 October 2025, 7.30pm AEDT

Register Now: https://cybersafetyproject.com/parents2025/

As the warmer weather approaches, we would like to remind families of the importance of sun protection in Term 4.

Our school’s sun protection policy asks that all students wear a hat—either the wide-brimmed (Primary/Secondary) or baseball/peak (Secondary only) Flinders hat—whenever they are outdoors, including during camps and excursions. We also encourage students to apply SPF30 (or higher) sunscreen, especially when playing outside between 10am and 2pm, when UV rays are at their peak.

We encourage all students to use available areas of shade if they do not have appropriate hats or covering clothing. Most importantly, we want to help students develop independent sun protection skills, so they can take responsibility for their own wellbeing. Please support us by reminding your child to bring their hat and sunscreen each day, and by encouraging them to make sun smart choices.

Let’s work together to keep everyone safe and sun smart this term!

Tracking UV

Download the SunSmart Global UV app to find sun protection times for your location

Throughout Term 4, we will continue to promote our campus theme of ‘Work Hard, Be Kind’.

As discussed earlier in the year, conscientiousness (related to working hard, being kind and having self-control) is a key predictor of lifelong success and well-being. Research shows that conscientiousness, more than any other personality trait or even intelligence, predicts a wide range of positive life outcomes including better health, greater financial stability, and higher levels of life satisfaction.
Our Flinders teachers will assist with the development of this personality trait by continuing to enforce rules consistently, teaching and modeling self-control and encouraging responsibility and follow-through on commitments. These ideas are elaborated on in THIS excellent book by Dr. Leonard Sax.

Uniform:
Next week, all students should be in full summer uniform. We will have a strong focus on uniform for the remainder of the year, in alignment with secondary. Uniform regulations are found HERE.

We thank you for your support.

Every Monday we encourage families to pack students' lunchboxes full of “Nude Food”, that is, food packed in reusable containers with no disposable packaging, wrappers, plastic bags, or cling film. Nude food helps reduce waste, keeps our school clean, and promotes sustainable behaviour in our younger generations.

Each Monday, the number of students who brought “Nude Food” from each class will be recorded, and the class with the highest rate of Nude Food across terms 3 and 4 will be declared our winner and receive a pizza party celebration

Please ensure that your child brings their hat to school during Term 4.

It should be clearly labeled with your child’s name. Hats need to be worn during recess and lunch. If your child forgets their hat, they will be required to play in a shaded area.

Congratulations to Angus and Joshua for receiving the Flinders values award during this week’s Primary Chapel. Angus received his award for exemplifying the Flinders values of Humility, Integrity and Grace. He demonstrates these values by consistently being ready to learn and carrying himself with quite confidence and genuine kindness. Joshua received his award for displaying Love, Faith, Humility and Excellence. He displays these by being a gracious student who uplifts and shares his faith with those around him and strives for excellence.

Get ready, Primary Students. Our 2nd Colour Fun Run is happening next month!

On Thursday 20 November, we will celebrate with a massive Colour Explosion! Everyone in Primary School will get a turn to run, get covered in colour, and have heaps of fun!

Some students might remember how fun back in 2022, but for many, this will be their first chance to join the colour-filled fun!

To get started, students (with your help!) need to create an online fundraising account — all information and details on how to register was sent out to Primary parents on the App last week.

Students will have five weeks to fundraise (starting from 16 October).

They only need to raise $10 to receive an incentive prize, which increases as their fundraising total soars! If they do not want to receive prizes and would rather donate to a good cause, this can be done! You can choose to send your donations to one of the six causes to help either plant coral, plant trees, provide meals to those in need, provide reading support, protect turtles or help end bullying in schools.

Congratulations to Jayden, who recently represented Victoria at the Under 14 National Hockey Championships held in Brisbane from October 6–12. Competing against some of the best young players from across the country, Jayden demonstrated outstanding resilience and commitment, playing two games a day for seven consecutive days in challenging 30-degree heat. His team performed admirably throughout the tournament, finishing with two draws and one win. Well done, Jayden, on your fantastic achievement and for proudly representing both Flinders and Victoria at a national level!

Congratulations to our U15 Girls Basketball team, who have been crowned State Champions for 2025 after an epic 59–56 victory over Rowville Secondary College on Sunday 21 September.

The girls played with incredible composure, teamwork and determination, showing class both on and off the court. It was a thrilling contest that came down to the final moments, with Flinders holding strong to secure the title.

A huge congratulations to Amelia, Frankie, Meia, Georgia, Andi, Jarlie, Liv, Zara Ziva, Ruby and Kiah and their coaches Tori and Tim on this outstanding achievement!