In this issue
Pastor’s Message
Finish Well Over the years I have seen many people transition from one significant moment in life to another. People leave School. Students graduate from University. People change job. A person moves from singlehood to married life. Children leave home. Someone you know and love passes from this life. The …
Pastor’s Message
Finish Well
Over the years I have seen many people transition from one significant moment in life to another. People leave School. Students graduate from University. People change job. A person moves from singlehood to married life. Children leave home. Someone you know and love passes from this life. The Rugby Team you supported is no longer dominates and you struggle to cope.
We are coming to the end of another Calendar Year, School Year, and Church Year. Christmas isn’t all that far away. And in a COVID affected year, some of the transitions people have made have been quite significant. So how shall we ‘finish well’?
One writer has suggested three ways we may finish well this year (and guide our children).
First, “Stay in the Race”. Teach children to see every season of life as a race and help them resist the temptation to give up when it gets hard or they get tired. Everything we need is found in Jesus. He is our coach when we need encouragement and our strength when we get weary. “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:13
Second, “Finish with Gratitude”. Help children focus on all that went well instead of all that went wrong this year. Teach them to use this principle even as they talk about the year. Instead of saying, “This is too hard,” try “I am being challenged in soccer but I am so thankful for the opportunity to play.” “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Third, “Turn Frustration into Hope for the Future”. Whatever they are feeling at this moment, encourage one another that tomorrow is a new day and January is right around the corner but they will be so much more ready to own it if they finish what they’ve started. If we never press through our difficulties and frustrations, we’ll never learn what we need to know in order to do better next time. “For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
There is a word in the Book of Ecclesiastes that says, “Finishing is better than starting.” But it goes on to say, “Patience is better than pride.”
We know that in life sometimes for us the way ahead isn’t clear. We can feel we’re in a fog and become uncertain. Ultimately in life, total contentment and complete satisfaction will never be about what we have or do not have, but in rejoicing in what the Lord has done to claim us as His own and give us a heavenly calling. God planned goodness for our life that is better than anything that we will ever come up with.
Only God knows what He will require of us in the future. We can face the uncertainty of tomorrow because the one who calls us is faithful. God never changes. Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He will never leave us or forsake us. God’s promises inspire confidence and enable us to remain faithful to the end.
In Christ.
Pastor Mark
Email: mark.brinkmann@lca.org.au
Phone: 0499 014 189
What’s Coming Up At GLPS
Upcoming Events Monday 16 November – Strings Recital 5pm and Piano Recital 6pm with Allison Chambers students (Night 1) Tuesday 17 November – Guitar Recital …
What’s Coming Up At GLPS
Upcoming Events
Monday 16 November – Strings Recital 5pm and Piano Recital 6pm with Allison Chambers students (Night 1)
Tuesday 17 November – Guitar Recital 6pm
Wednesday 18 November – Junior Swimming Celebration 9am-12pm, Brass & Woodwind Recital 6pm
Thursday 19 November – Piano Recital 6pm with Allison Chambers (Night 2)
Monday 23 November – Singing Recital 6pm (Night 1), Year 4 leave for camp
Wednesday 25 November – Percussion Recital 6pm, Year 4 return from Camp
Thursday 26 November – Singing Recital 5pm (Night 2) and Piano Recital 6pm with Suzanna Hlinka
Monday 30 November – Piano Recital 6pm with Angeline Wynter
Tuesday 1 December – Speech & Drama Night 6pm
Thursday 3 December – Subway Day, Year 6 Graduation
Friday 4 December Year 6 Fun Day, Last day of the school year
DATE CLAIMER
Performing Arts
School Musical Our recent performance of The Wizard of Oz is ready for streaming on our website! Due to copyright licensing restrictions it will only …
Performing Arts
School Musical
Our recent performance of The Wizard of Oz is ready for streaming on our website! Due to copyright licensing restrictions it will only be available for viewing until Tuesday 17th of November. There is a password required to view which has been emailed to all families and posted on SeeSaw. If you would like the password please email reception@glps.qld.edu.au
Enjoy the talent and joy of 170 students in their live performance!
www.graceprimary.qld.edu.au/why…/performing-arts/
Upcoming Recitals
Monday 16 November – Strings Recital 5pm and Piano Recital 6pm with Allison Chambers students (Night 1)
Tuesday 17 November – Guitar Recital 6pm
Wednesday 18 November – Brass & Woodwind Recital 6pm
Thursday 19 November – Piano Recital 6pm with Allison Chambers (Night 2)
Monday 23 November – Singing Recital 6pm (Night 1)
Wednesday 25 November – Percussion Recital 6pm
Thursday 26 November – Singing Recital 5pm (Night 2) and Piano Recital 6pm with Suzanna Hlinka
Monday 30 November – Piano Recital 6pm with Angeline Wynter
Tuesday 1 December – Speech & Drama Night 6pm
Our Performing Arts Precinct are looking forward to a very exciting 2021!
We will continue providing tuition in a range of instruments covering a broad range of musical genres, Choir ensembles, Speech and drama classes including musical theatre and of course our Dance troupes including acro.
We are very pleased to announce we will be introducing small group dance exam preparation classes (CSTD syllabus) for ballet and jazz as well as pre-prep programs including piano, dance and acro. After receiving an overwhelming response of interest in our acro classes, we have also decided to open acro to all age groups.
Over the coming weeks, our new handbook will be released with all information including all offerings with corresponding age requirements along with pricing and enrolment details. Please note that ALL students will be required to re-enrol in ALL programs/lessons for 2021.
We look forward to seeing you in the performing arts precinct in the New Year.
Kyren Luostarinen
Director of Performing Arts
Sport News
Senior Swimming Carnival Review On Friday 6 November our 9-12 aged students travelled to Burpengary Regional Aquatic Centre for an awesome day of swimming fun! …
Sport News
Senior Swimming Carnival Review
On Friday 6 November our 9-12 aged students travelled to Burpengary Regional Aquatic Centre for an awesome day of swimming fun! Congratulation’s to all our swimmers on some fantastic results and a lot of broken records! Our over-all house standings from the event are:
4th Place – Stradbroke – 225
3rd Place – Bribie – 374
2nd Place – Fraser – 400
1st Place – Moreton – 736
Junior Swimming Celebration
On Wednesday 18 November we will be holding our annual Junior Swimming Celebration, this comes at the end of the Prep’s first ever school swimming lessons and is a great way for all of our Prep to 8 year olds to show off all their new swimming skills. We will be hosting this event at Deception Bay Aquatic Centre, where students will be involved in fun races and novelty events from 9am – 12pm. Parents are welcome to attend this event; social distancing rules apply.
Running Club
The Grace Running Club is starting back up on Thursday mornings at Pelican park. Open to all students in Years 3-6, come down for a run along the water at the beautiful pelican park, a great way for our students to start their day.
Other News
Brisbane Roar Clinics
The Brisbane Roar are running their Roar Active Holiday Clinics. It’s great fun & popular holiday event. This is an ideal way to gain extra skills and game awareness while having FUN with our expert Team of Coaches.
Summer Indoor Clinics
December 17th & 18th Living Faith School, Murrumba Downs ages 7-10 9am-12pm
December 21st & 22nd Brisbane Albion Indoor Sports, Albion ages 6-12 9am-12pm NEW CLINIC VENUE
January 20th 21st 22nd Brisbane Albion Indoor Sports, Albion ages 6-12 9am-12pm NEW CLINIC VENUE
Wonderful clinics for children to learn new skills while having FUN playing our beautiful game in a safe environment.
For more info and to register, please go to www.roaractive.com.au and select Holiday Programs.
Mr Denny
Sport Coordinator
Operation Christmas Child
Pack a shoebox and bless a child this year! Operation Christmas Child finishes Thursday 19 November. If your family would like to do a box …
Operation Christmas Child
Pack a shoebox and bless a child this year!
Operation Christmas Child finishes Thursday 19 November.
If your family would like to do a box together, we have OCC boxes available at Reception or use an average size shoe box (no bigger than an A4 size). Please include your $10 donation or donate online and you can follow your box to the destined country.
We love this list of fabulous gift ideas!
Something to love – Cuddly toy, doll
Something for school – colouring pencils, sharpener, exercise book
Something to wear – dress, t-shirt, shorts, thongs
Something to play with – marbles, tennis ball, skipping rope, car, barbie
Something for personal hygiene – brush, soap, toothbrush, face washer
For specific gift suggestions, visit their website by clicking here.
Please note the ‘What not to include’ items: No liquids (shampoo, bubbles, drinks), sharp objects, scary things (war-related, masks etc), breakables, medicines or large clothing items.
If you have any questions, please contact Joelene Gledhill in Reception.
From the Principal
Class Lists 2021 Every year, Primary Schools become exceedingly busy at the end of year. My husband is a secondary teacher and annually, I watch …
From the Principal
Class Lists 2021
Every year, Primary Schools become exceedingly busy at the end of year. My husband is a secondary teacher and annually, I watch as his teaching load decreases as the school comes to the end of a year and various Year Levels leave to begin their holidays, while the Primary teachers become busier and busier. Annually also, on my Principal and Head of Primary email lists, leaders lament the stress and anxiety of class lists for the upcoming year and the anxiety it causes in school communities. I always dismay at this because I think it takes away from the joy of an end of year and the various celebrations and activities. Some parents say to me that knowing class lists before the end of year alleviates much anxiety in their family but having worked in schools where this has occurred, I can tell you it does anything but alleviate anxiety. A child, in a tired end of year frame of mind, may or may not ‘like’ the teacher or his/her classmates and may spend the six weeks of holidays ruminating and worrying instead of having a good break from school.
At Grace, class lists take the teachers hours of work. They are not done lightly and without care, consideration and discussion. This year after my Ripples note about class lists, about 20 parents have emailed me their suggestions for class friends and we will attempt to comply with any requests already received. Please do not send any more requests because we are processing class lists now. Teachers do know the children though and a child’s best friend in the world in November may or may not still be their friend in January when school resumes so even requests now can be hit and miss. We also have nearly 30 new students from Years 1 – 6 enrolled for 2021 and the new students need to be factored into class lists too. At this stage of the year, staffing is not yet finalized and so I do not know which teacher will be on each class.
As per our normal practice each year, class lists will be available on the week beginning January 15, 2021. We will not be sending out full class lists as there are privacy issues with communicating to all parents, class lists. Once you know your child’s class allocation and if you have a concern about his/her placement, please phone or email me at the school and we will consider a change. Often, when a request for change is made, when I question the teachers who made up the lists, their very good reason for putting a child in a particular class is the correct decision and a change actually means having to change several children – it’s not a simple thing.
My very strong recommendation for families is that the summer holidays are a joy – a time to be away from school and not think too much about what will happen in 2021. We will be open for a meet and greet day on Monday, 25 January, 2021 where your child can meet his/her new teacher and see the classroom – until then – enjoy the sunshine!
Trudy Moala
Principal
