Middle Senior School Communications, 18 April 2024
Term 2 - Week 1
Upcoming important dates
- 23 April MSS Parent Teacher Student Interviews
- 24 April 10:15am Carbrook ANZAC Service (all invited)
- 25 April ANZAC Day public holiday
- 27 April Musical rehearsal
- 6 May Labor Day public holiday
- 9-10 May College Musical shows – buy your tickets!
Reflection from Mr Wilson
Dear Parents and Carers
There are a lot of notices in this week’s communications. If you want an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with your child’s teacher, please remember to book your Parent Teacher Student Interviews for next week on Parent Lounge. We would also encourage you to bring your child to the interview so they can speak to what they have learnt and what they need to do to improve.
The section immediately below is a communication from ACS (Australian Christian Schools) – Calvary is linked to member organisations that network with this body to lobby the government on behalf of Christian Schools.
A communication from ACS (Australian Christian Schools):
Faith In Our Future
On 21 March, the Australian Law Reform Commission released a set of recommendations that are an appalling attack on faith and freedom of belief in Australia. If the Government accepts these ALRC recommendations, it means Christian schools won’t have the freedom to preference people who share the same Christian values and beliefs when making employment decisions.
As Paul Kelly also noted, "Religious education, its communities and parental discretions would be weakened long term." You can read more here.
The good news is the Federal Government has not yet made its position clear, but we need to send a clear message to the Prime Minister that Christian schools must be able to employ people who share our faith.
Faith In Our Future is a town hall event that will bring together supporters of Christian schools and their representatives in parliament.
These events are an opportunity to share about the impact of Christian faith in our schools, to share our concerns with our Federal political representatives and ask for their support.
If you want the Government to continue to value the faith of Christian teachers and staff, you need to be there!
Date: Monday April 29, 2024
Location: Groves Christian College
Address: 70 Laughlin St, Kingston QLD
Time: 6.30 for 7pm (finishing by 9pm)
Registration is free but spaces are Register here: https://mychristianschool.au/brisbane
Mr Josh Wilson
Head of Middle & Senior School & Innovative Learning Design
General Notices
Reflection from Mr Arraiol
NOTICES (from Mr Arraiol – Head of Wellbeing and Community)
ANZAC Day
Calvary Christian College will be hosting our annual ANZAC Day service to pay respects to those who lost their lives fighting for the freedoms that we enjoy today. The service will take place on Wednesday, the 24th of April, starting at 10:15 a.m. Parents are welcome to join our students and staff for this service by waiting in the Cunningham Pavilion to be seated by our student leaders.
STUDENT ABSENCES & MEDICAL CERTIFICATES
A reminder: if your child is going to be absent for three or more consecutive days, please inform their Form teacher and/or myself. This information is particularly helpful for staff to make necessary adjustments for your child’s learning and assessment tasks. It is a school requirement that a medical certificate be supplied if your child is unable to complete an assessment task; otherwise, they will be required to complete it upon their return to school. For single absences, please use the school app or phone the office as usual.
EMMA TABACARU PRESENTATIONS IN WEEK 3:
On Thursday, May 2, 2024, our Middle and Senior School students will participate in the Emma Tabacaru student presentations relating to sexual education. These sessions are designed to empower students to make positive choices based on Christian morals and values at an age-appropriate level. To prepare students for this, we encourage parents to have open discussions with their children about the following topics:
STAGE 4 SESSION (Years 7-8) - The Real Deal
This session will cover the basics of sex as designed by God, for babies and bonding, as well as explore and challenge what shapes the students' own individual understanding of sex. Students will also gain an understanding of what a healthy relationship looks like and ultimately what real love looks like. Setting Healthy Boundaries in relationships (home and social).
STAGE 5 (Years 9-10) - You matter, love matters, sex matters
This session will challenge students to identify who and what is shaping their view of sex and further explore the problem with pornography being the number one sex educator of teens. How we want to be treated and how we treat others in relationships speaks volumes about our character. How do we set and maintain healthy boundaries in a respectful manner?
Year 10 - This session will challenge students to identify who and what is shaping their view of sex and further explore the problem with pornography being the number one sex educator of teens. During this session, God's incredible design for sex and love will be explained, and students will be equipped to make their own decisions by being introduced to seven important questions for sexual decision making.
STAGE 6 SESSION (Years 11 & 12)
What sex means in a relationship and how this changes the very nature of the relationship. What can students do when they feel pressured, coerced, or forced into acting in a way that they are not comfortable with (short and simple strategies)? How does the influence of alcohol and the use of sex as a status symbol taint God’s design for sexual intimacy? The power of attraction (how social media or society proposes we use this versus Christian Morals and values of modesty, honesty, and integrity. Risks of STIs, contraception, and then a Q & A.
School Locker/Uniform Update
School Locker, Loganholme, is currently closed due to construction work happening in the store. Unfortunately, at this stage, they do not yet have a re-opening date, but assure us they are doing all that they can to open their doors soon.
Orders for uniform items can be placed on-line with a quick delivery turn around. There is no postage charge for these items while the store is closed.
The new black jacket is to be worn with the formal uniform only. It is replacing the purple jumper, which is being phased out as stock is no longer available. This new jacket aims to deal with the student objections to wearing a ‘scratchy wool jumper’.
We are finding that the sizing is on the large side e.g. a size 72 fits an 80cm chest. A full range of sample sizes is available at the Carbrook campus for students to try. A range of sizes suitable for Junior School students will be available on the Springwood campus every Monday until the store re-opens. (Those sizes will not be available at Carbrook on Mondays.)
Please note that students will not be permitted to wear the sports fleecy green jacket with their formal uniform. This breaches our uniform policy. We have, however, turned a blind eye during the period of the uniform redesign and update in order to accommodate those who found the woollen jumper scratchy. Please remind your child that sports uniform items and formal uniform items are not interchangeable.
Thank you for your support of our community through this time as we deal with the unexpected closure of the supply store and the changes introduced to the uniform to make children more comfortable, while providing a more cost effective uniform for parents with fewer changes across your child’s P-12 journey.
Cafe Specials - Week 2 Term 2
Events at Calvary
Our current College events can be found on our website: https://www.calvarycc.qld.edu.au/events/
Shrek the Musical
Tickets are on sale now for Shrek the Musical!
Click here to book: https://www.trybooking.com/COVXV
Shrek Parent Volunteers
We would love some Parent Helpers to assist with the Musical. This is in the areas of Hair and Makeup, Canteen and Barbeque. Please use the link below to sign up for a time to help.
We'd love for as many parents to help as possible to ensure the success of the event.
Calvary Coffee Cup Design Competition
Entries are due tomorrow for your chance to win a $50 Gift Card!!
Artwork MUST be completed and submitted (with name and student number) to the office by Friday, end of Week 1, Term 2. Please ensure you have read the rules of participation.
Welcome back to Term 2. Many events are happening this term and they are listed below.
ANZAC DAY SERVICE
Next Wednesday in the morning the choirs will be taking part in the ANZAC DAY Service. All members of Piccolos, Voices, Boys, and Girls Ensemble are required to be at the large ensemble room in formal uniform at 9am. MSS students are also asked to be at a rehearsal at 8am on Tuesday with the JS ensembles for the Service.
Musical
Please note that we have added 2 additional rehearsals as emailed last term. These are Saturday 27th April and Wednesday 1st May. Final week rehearsals and soundcheck details will be emailed shortly.
Junior Showcase and Recitals
On Friday 7 June 2024 we will be having a Junior Showcase and Recital Evening at the Carbrook Campus commencing at 6pm, with students arriving at 5.30pm. All students from both campuses in Junior and Intermediate Ensembles will be performing as well as all students doing private lessons within the College. Please add this to your Calendars. An email will come at the start of Term 2 outlining what students need to wear and bring.
Instrumental Program
Private Individual Instrumental Music lesson enrolment: Register Here
Handbook: Instrumental Music Manual 2024.V3.pdf
Calvary Performing Arts Facebook
Please feel free to join the Calvary Performing Arts Facebook page to be kept up to date, and to see the details and pictures of our performances and activities over the year.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1390040011905950/
All correspondence regarding CPA, including questions, please send to Emma at: performingartsacademy@calvarycc.qld.edu.au