LIFE Magazine, Issue 12, 2014

I S S U E 1 2 2 0 1 4

TRIP TO WEST TIMOR: PAGE 4 BOOK WEEK: PAGE 7 SMART AND SKILLED: PAGE 14 PARENTING MATTERS: PAGE 16

Our VisionCharlton Christian College aims to provide affordable Christian education which develops all students in a Godly way towards a perceptive, critical (discerning) and compassionate understanding of the society in which we live.

We aim to help our students to develop ‘wisdom’, which can be described as the ability to look at and respond to LIFE from God’s perspective. We believe that this is best achieved through grounding in the Word of God toward a lifestyle which expresses the values and attitudes contained in the Bible.

College CornerstonesLove Demonstrating God’s love within a merciful and just community.

Integrity Building character and excellence through courageous discipleship.

Faith Growing a people of hope, freedom and wisdom through confidence in the Work of Jesus Christ.

Empowerment Developing a body of passionate and radical Christians, ready to transform their world.

Our MissionCharlton Christian College will strive to provide Christ-focused education of excellence, within a positive, creative and caring community.

P 02 4959 9111 F 02 4959 9188 E [email protected]

Email our Principal Sue Skuthorpe: [email protected]

Email Michelle if you would like to receive the College newsletters: [email protected]

LIFE is the bi-annual publication produced for the families and wider community of Charlton Christian College.

Design Mezzanine-media www.mezzaninemedia.com.au

Editors Vicki Gunning and Michelle Thornton

Charlton Christian College 43 Fassifern Road Fassifern PO Box 605 Toronto NSW 2283

There continues to be much activity about the College! It’s an exciting place to be. We’ve come a long way since 1998 when the College commenced in a church hall in Toronto with just 12 students and three staff (we apologise for incorrectly published information in last LIFE Magazine regarding the College’s beginnings).

As we watch the new administration building ‘grow’, staff are feeling incredibly blessed at the prospect of moving out of their very cramped quarters into a larger space with greater areas to meet, plan, conference and have all staff under the same roof.

Welcome from the Editors

But it’s not just the building programme that is exciting. New programmes, new innovations and new initiatives continue to thrive. We hope you enjoy reading about some of these in this addition of LIFE Magazine.

The College is currently updating its alumni. If you are an ex-student, or are in contact with anyone who used to attend Charlton (or Lake Macquarie Christian College as it was previously known), we would love to hear from them.

Wishing you and your families a very blessed Christmas.

Vicki Gunning and Michelle Thornton

Welcome to another exciting issue of “Charlton Christian College: the School where something wonderful is always happening!”

For this edition I decided to do some dreaming. Why don’t we:

• Partner with a university to give our students a clearer idea of what university life is like and the level of work needed to be a successful tertiary student?

• Encourage business partnerships which would support our desire to build more schools so that Christian schooling expands in this region and this state?

• Develop a school of leadership where we train up future educational leaders to serve our nation?

• Invite other schools to share our experience with service and mission overseas?

• Invite sister school relationships with Christian Schools in other countries where we can send teachers and students to experience different cultures and different ways of teaching and learning?

• Investigate best practice in other schools both here and overseas in order to ensure Charlton remains a cutting edge school community?

• Become a school which expresses environmental excellence and which encourages students and staff from other schools to visit and to share in our hopes and dreams.

Of course there are more things we could do and our Future Groups are leading the way. The Groups are investigating areas such as Gifted and Talented Education, Creative and Performing Arts Education, Sporting Programmes, Girls and Boys Education, Conflict and Mental Health as well as Technology.

Charlton is a great school and is looking ahead with expectation. We are looking outward to serve others as well as to learn from them. This is what makes a great school. Let us know your ideas or how you can contribute to those already mentioned here. Join us as we take this journey into the future.

Sue Skuthorpe

“IF YOU CAN DREAM IT YOU

CAN DO IT”.

- Walt Disney 03

A word from our

Principal

Dreaming BIG

03 ISSUE TWELVE 2014

Year one teacher, Mrs Naomi Lawrence, her husband Chris and children Julia (Year 7) and Peter (Year 6) recently visited their Compassion Children in West Timor. Here they share their experiences.

Why did you want to take this trip to West Timor as a family?Our church (New Vine Church in Maryland) partners with Compassion International and three local churches in West Timor to operate three Child Development Centres. Each year New Vine sends a team to West Timor with Compassion, and we thought this trip would provide valuable experiences for all of us. We sponsor two girls in West Timor and we wanted to meet them and their families to make our child sponsorship commitment more significant and real for us.

How did you and your family prepare for your trip, particularly the culture shock you knew you would experience?We had lots of dinnertime discussions about what ‘culture shock’ is and how it is likely to affect us. We also attended a number of team meetings with the New Vine mission team travelling to West Timor where we spent time planning, discussing and praying for our partner churches and our trip. As a family, we read through the Compassion Insight Trip Handbook, which provided valuable information for us as we planned for the trip. We spent time researching West Timor and tried to find out as much as we could about the people and the culture.

What did you find hardest about your trip?I think we all found different parts of the trip challenging. Not being able to communicate freely with our sponsor children and their families was frustrating for all of us, as we had to rely on our interpreters constantly. Peter and Julia found it hard dealing with the attention received from the locals wherever we went. We were often stopped and asked if we could have a photo with people we didn’t know simply because we were foreigners. The hardest of all was having to leave our sponsor children, not knowing when we would see them again. There were many tears that day.

What was your favourite experience?Meeting our sponsor girls and recognising their faces in a crowd of children was a very special experience. It was like finding lost family. We went to their homes and experienced what life is like for them. We cooked with them on an open fire in a grass hut with a dirt floor. We carried water over our shoulders from the village well. We played with them for hours and learnt a lot about their lives. Over a very short time we managed to form a close bond.

Rich in Love, Rich in Compassion

05 ISSUE SEVEN 2012

How has it changed you as an individual?

How has it changed you as a family and the way you do ‘life’?

It has taken a while for us to process what we have seen and experienced.As a family we pray for our girls daily and write to them more regularly, as we now know how much this communication means to them.

This trip has made us value the simple things in life. We are now less inclined to fill our calendars with ‘events’ and spend our money on ‘stuff’ we really don’t need. It has taught us to be less selfish with our time and money.

We have heard it said that ‘travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer’. As a family we are much more conscious of enriching our lives this way. We want to be rich in our compassion for others, our love of God and our understanding of our world.

Tuesday 8th July, 2014

Today we arrived in Nekmese to find many children at a very

large project. There we were welcomed with a traditional

West Timorese dance and we were each given a special

woven scarf. Mine was purple, blue, black and white. During

the welcoming ceremony, we recognised our two sponsor

children. We were greeted by their family with big smiles.

Later we arrived at one of their homes. It was a small concrete

house. We gave our sponsor child the presents we had

brought and she looked so pleased. She was a bit shy at first,

but when my Dad drew a picture of her, she smiled a lot and

looked more comfortable. I was so happy to meet our sponsor

child and her family and I hope it’s not too long before I see

them again.

By Peter Lawrence

Thursday 10th July, 2014

Today we went back to Nekmese and met our other sponsor child and her family. We walked from the project to their home, which was a grass hut. At first our sponsor child was shy and teary, but by the end of our time together she was smiling. We found out a lot about her family and how they earn income. We helped to do some jobs around the house. Dad and Peter walked to the village well to collect water and carried it back on their shoulders. Mum and I helped make coconut oil from the dry coconut husks. In the afternoon we went back to the project and played for hours with all the kids. We taught them how to make loom band bracelets, play handball and duck-duck-goose. The kids were all so happy and I was too.By Julia Lawrence

Rich in Love, Rich in Compassion

‘It has opened my eyes to the opulence, abundance and waste in our society’.

Naomi

‘It has made me appreciate what I have; my food, my bedroom, my house and the country where I live.’

Julia

‘It has made me appreciate the work of Compassion and made me think more about the girls and how they live’.

Peter

‘I think a lot more about the girls now and I have become more aware of putting people before things’.

Chris

0505 ISSUE TWELVE 2014

By Joe Haig (Junior School e-learning Coordinator)

in the Making

Economist Andrew McAfee refers to the 21st Century as the “The New Machine Age”. Technology is progressing at an astonishing pace and McAfee suggests that we are looking at a future economy that will be heavy on technology and light on labour.

As parents and educators we find ourselves with the task of preparing children to secure jobs in careers that do not exist yet. This means we must identify skills which will enable our students to be successful in a rapidly changing technological and economic landscape and help them develop these skills.

At Charlton we believe it is important to give children an understanding of how technology works (rather than just an understanding of how to use technology). Most people are end users, or consumers of technology and only have relatively narrow skill sets. For example, we learn how to download and use a particular app or software package. Relatively few people have the skill and knowledge to create, develop and manipulate technology. This requires a mix of creativity, critical thinking and technical ability - skills that will be invaluable in the near future.

A great way to help young children develop these skills is to introduce them to basic programming principles with the LEGO EV3 programmable brick system. The children use LEGO pieces to build a robot then programme the “brick” to enable the robot to perform a specific task, for example negotiating a maze. The process helps children to become logical thinkers and they begin to develop a broad set of readily transferable skills. They learn to be flexible and collaborate with others to solve problems.

Computer programming is arguably the most important IT skill students can acquire. They gain an understanding of how computer software is put together and how computers operate. For students who develop a high level of interest and expertise, programming can become a very open ended, rewarding learning activity.

Historically, society has been shaped primarily by religious figures, philosophers and artists. In the last century the mass media became very influential in terms of shaping our thinking and opinions.

Increasingly, it is the technologists, people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, who influence the way we think, live and work. If our children have an understanding of technology, can think critically and become problem solvers they are more likely to be positioned to exert a Godly influence in the world of the future.

Ashley D

I love programming. It’s really fun. I like building the robot because it’s fun and creative.

Shelby

It’s fun to work with electronics.

Lachlan R

I like programming the robot to move around the map.

Eloise

I like working with it and changing the speed.

Junior Programmers

Earlier this year, Junior School students

were buzzing with excitement as many

of them met an author and illustrator for

the very first time. Faces glowed as the

delighted students held their very own

signed copies of ‘BuzzBomb’ before

skipping off to read a few pages and

proudly showing their friends.

Jason Matheson is a father of three boys

and has been teaching in the Hunter Region for eight years. He is currently enrolled in his Masters of Education, studying Boys Education. The story of ‘BuzzBomb’ began as a bedtime tale to Jason’s boys, morphing a real household cockroach into the hero of the house insect tribe world.

Jason’s presentation to our eager students discussed the origin of his ideas, story development, God’s part in the creative process and how Bill (the illustrator), became involved. Jason is passionate about

writing and seeing young people meet

their creative potential. He encouraged

students to “push, push, push; otherwise

you’ll just be like anyone else.”

Jason taught students that after love,

God’s greatest gift to us is imagination.

Students closed their eyes and imagined

their own scene and character… no one in

the room came up with the same story.

Bill Hope is a very well respected

illustrator/ artist, currently employed by

a Sydney-based creative and design

company. Bill creates a wide variety of

meticulously detailed artworks. He led

students through the creative process

of illustration encouraging students to “pin the Spirit of it (the character) to the page.”

Bill showed students how to look for inspiration when you are out of ideas. To do this, Bill first looks over some his favourite things and then will often go for a walk nearby his house until he finds something he loves.

The students loved being shown Bills’ self-portrait drawing he did when he was in junior primary school, and although it wasn’t particularly good, Bill inspired the students to follow their passions. He said, “I wasn’t naturally good at it

(drawing), but I naturally loved it!”

And, the proof is in the pudding! Since

Jason and Bill presented we have noticed

an influx of students drawing and writing

poems and stories.

Jason has also gifted copies of BuzzBomb

to the Charlton Christian College Library

and to King Solomon Christian School in

the Philippines.

BUZZBOMB HITS BOOKWEEK!

By Lyndon Burns (Junior School Teacher)

“Bill and I visit schools to promote

high quality writing and illustration to the upcoming generations. We strive to make students reflect on

the incredible fact that God himself gave each of us a unique imagination

which has the capacity to transform the world we live in.”

- Jason Matheson (author)

Book Blurb

BuzzBomb: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone is a fantasy fiction set in Sydney Australia during

the 1920's. As tensions between the insect tribes escalate, a group of teenage cockroaches led

by Fishbone, the fastest Cavity Rider this side of the kitchen, disobey the Elders and leave the

sanctuary of the house. The Elder's decree is sent out, the gang is doomed! Can Buzzbomb,

Fishbone's younger brother, find the teenagers in time to save them from the monsters that lurk out

in the Forbidden Zone?

The story of the greatest cockroach that ever lived is retold by an ancient Elder known only to the

nymphs as Grandpa George. But as the tale unravels it would appear that Grandpa George has

some secrets of his own. In this heroic tale of redemption, forgiveness and steel plated machines,

one courageous heart will change the world forever.

07 ISSUE TWELVE 2014

By Tammy Perrim (Head of Middle School)

Golf, soccer, archery, lawn bowls, surfing, minecraft, mosaics, sewing, missions, creepy crawlies, cooking, animation and 3D construction. You may be wondering, “what is the point of the Middle School FUEL (Fun Unique Educational Learning) programme?” Well, I’m glad you asked. The points are many.

1. Children in this stage of development start to explore the world through their own eyes. Prior to this they typically liked things their parents liked, played sport and participated in activities their parents chose. FUEL is a great opportunity for students to experience a wide range of activities and perhaps discover a new interest. This may spark a flame that burns for many years. The Australian Golfing Champion, Adam Scott started somewhere!

2. Young adolescents are often confused about their place in the world. A sense of ‘belonging’ is paramount to their well-being. As they find new things they are naturally good at, they gain a greater sense of self and a new found confidence. Students who are confident in themselves have no need to put others down to try and elevate their own self-worth. In fact, they encourage others in their own pursuits on the road to success.

3. The combination of students from Years 5 to 8 who participate in each activity creates a wonderful sense of community. We were created to live in community. A family, a school, a soccer team or a church group are all examples of this. We are not meant to live alone. God recognised this when He created Eve as a helpmate for Adam in the Garden of Eden. So we find that we have things in common with others that may surprise us. We find that we are more alike than we know. I am constantly hearing from teachers that it is fantastic to see the older students looking out for the younger ones and the younger ones looking up to their peers. It’s important that we matter to each other. We all need to be needed and love to be loved.

4. Middle School students have a tendency to become very inward looking. While this is a natural part of the maturation process, it’s also very important that they also look outside of themselves regularly. In fact, it’s good for all of us. For this reason each FUEL elective endeavours to include a “service” component. Sometimes it’s as simple as cleaning the beach or the golf course. Sometimes it’s creating a high tea for our volunteers or washing staff cars or sewing library bags for Kindergarten. Whatever it is, it’s always good to help others.

It’s a privilege to work with Middle School children. To watch them grow and develop into people of character and integrity is an honour. To have fun along the way is just a bonus! FUEL – It’s not just fun and unique, it’s also Educational Learning.

Not Just Fun and GamesFUEL

By Matthew Stackhouse (College Chaplain)

How Can A Good God Allow Suffering?

Is God fair? Does suffering matter to him? Does he even know about my problems? These are some of the many questions that students ask when I sit with them.

If we believe in God, we have to wonder why he doesn’t eliminate mindless suffering from our planet. Yes, why doesn’t he make this bad world right? Why doesn’t he stop the hurting?

Suffering affects all of us in some way. Even if we or our family escape tragic accident or illness, we will have other burdens to bear. Perhaps it’s loneliness, rejection, poverty, a broken relationship, a troubled childhood, fear or guilt. And none of us escapes the ultimate tragedy: death.

God above, tragedy below

Countless books have been written in an attempt to reconcile faith in a good God who allows suffering in the world. The Bible tackles the issue head on and gives insight into who God is and what life brings. It describes a God who is fair, but a life that sometimes isn’t. That decent people will often suffer, and those who do terrible evils will often prosper. Jesus Christ pointed this out when he said that the rain falls on both the “righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45).

The Bible offers a framework with which to view our world. A world that God made and loves, yet with a humanity who has rejected him. It refers to this rejection as sin. Martin Luther, a 15th century monk said, “The sin underneath all our sins is to believe the lie that we cannot trust the love of God and must take matters into our own hands”.

The Bible also gives a clear response to those who suffer. God is with you. One of his names to describe God is comforter (see Isaiah 66:13, Jeremiah 18:8, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7). However, the Bible doesn’t give a clear answer why to each case of suffering. It answers the deeper questions of the human experience: What purpose is there to life, unfair as it may sometimes seem? What future does God have beyond this life of suffering?

God hates suffering

More than 2,500 years ago, the prophet Jeremiah surveyed the carnage of the city of Jerusalem, sacked by the Babylonians. Inside the besieged city, starving mothers had eaten their dead children. Jeremiah looked past the suffering of a sinful and dying generation

to a future with hope. “Men are not cast off by the Lord forever,” he said (Lamentations 3:31). “Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (verses 32-33).

But it was in Jesus Christ that God showed his attitude toward human suffering. He once and for all demonstrated he does care by sending his own Son to this earth. Jesus lived, agonised and died by the rules of life, the same ones we live and suffer by. It was actually God in the flesh who came to suffer with us. It was the greatest example of God’s love possible. Jesus Christ himself said it: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Less than 24 hours after saying this, Jesus gave his life for all the world. He had suffered and died for human beings, to take away their sins and open up salvation for those who would believe. John witnessed this death of God in the flesh. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ exemplified love. John expressed it eloquently: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

In the crucifixion, God put to rest for all time any idea that he doesn’t care about us during our suffering. In the future resurrection of the righteous, God will give them immortal bodies and make their lives

suffering-free. The tortured, the cancer victims, the unloved, the paraplegics, the lost and lonely — everyone who has suffered and is suffering — will suffer no more.

In that new world, described in the final chapters of the Bible’s last book, Revelation, God will dwell with his people. We will see for ourselves that He is the God who cares, who is seen, who is fair. Then,

God will be known to all humanity as healer and life-giver, as one who does not take pleasure in human suffering. Revelation chapter 21 tells us: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (verse 4).

If you are interested in further reading on the topic of “suffering” and God, Disappointment With God by Philip Yancey is a great place to begin.

Article written with acknowledgement to Grace Communion International and Biblegateway.com

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16)

We will see for ourselves that He is the God who cares, who is seen, who is fair

09 ISSUE TWELVE 201409

Fruit & Veg Week

ISSUE TWELVE 201411

Athletics

Cross Country

Basketball Gala Day

Age Champions

State Senior Girls Netball Winners

Primary State Swimming

2014 House Captains

Gorby Cup Winners

Milo Cricket

State Metro Club

Metro Cup Soccer

Soccer Gala Day Futsal Gala Day Winners

Swimming Carnival House Winners

Electric Vehicle Competition 2014 Team

CSSA State Athletics

All Schools Triathlon

Zone Touch Football Representatives

Athletics

AFL Swans Visit

Newcastle Jets on field helpers

CSSA Gymnastics

at Charlton 2014

11

By Tracey Hartgers (Stage 3 Teacher)

Year Six recently completed a study of “explorers” which incorporated personal journeys and took them on an adventure around the world. One aspect of the unit that the students have examined is the uniqueness of each person’s journey. This has been particularly significant in light of our College’s focus this year on achieving our ‘personal best’ in all aspects of schooling.

As a culmination of this study, Year 6 and their families participated in a theme night called ‘The Quest’. Students and their families came dressed as representatives from different countries from around the world. The colourful costumes enhanced the festive atmosphere and set the scene for a fun night of challenges, learning and fellowship.

Teams were given a passport and were then required to complete a series of sporting, cultural and academic tasks to have their passport stamped and to receive a prize at the completion of the tasks.

Activities included soccer drills, Bollywood dancing with the Wii, creating plasticine sculptures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, constructing German castles with Lego and wrapping up a team member in toilet paper to create a mummy! Families also prepared food from different countries to share including curries, casseroles, chocolate and churros.

A highlight of the event was watching people from different generations collaborating on challenges together, encouraging each other and recognising the importance of working as a team towards the achievement of a common goal. At Charlton, students are encouraged to embrace their gifts and talents and are supported to develop greater skills in their areas of weakness. Acknowledging that we are greater together is a powerful mindset that is a necessary skill when facing life challenges.

The main objective of this event was to strengthen the connections between families, the community and the school whilst enjoying a wonderful time of challenges and fellowship. Traditionally, as students transition through to the higher grades of the College, their parent involvement may become limited. We are always looking for opportunities to forge those connections and to enhance positive interactions between the school and the wider community.

“The Year 5/6 Middle School Quest night run by Mrs Hartgers and Mr East was fantastic! It once again highlighted how learning can be inspiring! Families were treated to a wide variety of challenges, games and food, that showed the creativity of each student. It was a positive community event that further confirmed how great it is to be a student at Charlton Christian College”.

Matt Stackhouse (College Chaplain)

“Quest night was a fantastic opportunity for the Year 6 community to practise fellowship and engage in creative and interesting, globally focused activities, outside of the classroom environment.”

Dan East (Year 6 Teacher)

“It was fun learning about countries and their cultures”

- Tom Aitkin

“I liked participating in the activities, especially the

soccer”

- Jessica Hellyer

“I enjoyed watching the

Bollywood dancing and interacting

with families from our school”

- Lauren Davies

The Ouest Are You Up to the Challenge?

The formation of a concert band this year has been an exciting step forward in the life of the College. Mr John Newsome and Mrs Diane Moss have worked together to tutor students in woodwind, brass and percussion to create a new sound.

The inspiration and vision behind the idea was to provide students who possess excellent musical ability with an outlet to help them grow in their skills and experiences. The dream began several years ago with the desire to nurture potential in areas other than the rock and pop genres. It’s one thing to play in a rock band and entirely another to play as a mini orchestra.

Commencing in March 2014, the band now consists of students in Middle School on saxophone, clarinet, flute, bass guitar and percussion. A small repertoire of swing and jazz makes up the sounds played in the band.

The biblical perspective of music education is rich. The beauty of skilfully played music reminds us of the beauty and majesty of God and gives expression beyond words and language. Music is a means to give humanity an ability to worship God in a way that somehow connects us to Him in spirit and truth.

To enhance the musical gifts of our students also serves to enrich them as learners. Recent Australian research has linked learning an instrument to higher vocabulary, vocal and memory skill development.

Charlton also boasts a thriving peripatetic music programme run by experienced music specialists in percussion, guitar, woodwind and piano. We are looking forward to extending the band to include more instruments in 2015.

Creative Arts Coordinator and Head of Middle School, Mrs Tammy Perrim said, “It’s wonderful to see the students expand their musical repertoire and surprising to hear the sound come together so quickly. The Concert Band has a bright future.”

Swinging in Style

“At first I didn’t really like jazz but now it’s

growing on me.”

- Jesse Perrim, Yr 6 Bass Player

By John Newsome (College Music Teacher)

“I like the sound we make when all the instruments play together as one. Some of the music is interesting because it’s the kind of music that’s

unfamiliar. I feel special being a part of the Concert Band”.

- Kayla Malbon, Yr 7 Saxophonist

“I really enjoy being in the concert band. I like the

music that we play. It’s fun!”

- Stephanie Josifovski, Yr 7 Flautist

13 ISSUE TWELVE 2014

Charlton’s VET department is steadily growing and provides students with an exciting opportunity to achieve industry credentials alongside their Higher School Certificate. The department has developed an integrated framework of quality assurance around Vocational Education and Training within a 21st Century Educational Framework. Charlton now offers, or plans to offer qualifications for Certificate II in Hospitality, Retail Services, Information and Digital Technology and a Statement of Attainment towards a Certificate III in Fitness.These courses highlight for students, not only the development of job specific competencies, but also an awareness of career competencies. Charlton aims to target areas of growth or need within our local area where we can provide VET initiatives.

The College embraces and is proactive with the model driven by the industry called ‘Smart and Skilled’. The new Certificate II Hospitality Food and Beverage course focuses on students achieving a clear understanding of social and interpersonal skills, improved work ethic and career exploration. Innovations within VET at Charlton include the teaching of responsible social media use where students develop their professional online identities (e.g:“foodandwork.weebly.com”). The social media component offers students the chance to develop entrepreneurial skills and therefore enhances student employability. ‘Futura’ which is an additional platform in the digitised world is also offered.

All VET subjects have a mandatory industry placement component of 70 hours, which enhances the teachings of relevant classroom activities for students through work placements. VET affords students 4 units towards their HSC plus a Certificate II qualification and an ATAR if they choose to undertake the HSC examination. However, without an ATAR allocation, VET credentials still provide for a ‘Guaranteed Place of Study’ with credits for prior learning towards tertiary education.

Further initiatives within the VET department at Charlton include implementation of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) and Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG) for our HSC students who achieved their Certificate II competencies. HSC students who undertook their RSA and RCG were provided with a growing awareness and understanding of the destructive and disastrous effects that these addictions have on the welfare and social fabric of our society.

As the hospitality students learn successful lifelong skills Charlton offers the opportunity to broaden their understanding of career related competencies. Students are given tasks such as service periods and culinary opportunities, while hosting occasions that display their personal attention to detail as they participate in various events throughout the year. We look forward to the bright futures of our Charlton students as they enter the workforce. We are excited that with the right knowledge and experience students will build bridges to better, higher paid jobs, enabling them to become part of the future professional service industry.

By Donna McLean (Senior School VET Compliance Officer)

Smart and Skilled

Vocational Education and Training at Charlton for the 21ST Century

By Debbie Hall (Senior School Learning Support Teacher)

Defining Yourself in Christ

“What is your core belief?” The question came back to me after hearing it asked a few years earlier at a staff retreat. ‘What do you believe, deep down inside when no one is looking? What do you honestly believe about Jesus and how He sees you? What defines you? What has happened in your life that has shaped and defined who you are and what you believe?’ I was at a low point in my life and was questioning where I was headed and what my purpose in life was. I was restless and unsettled in my faith. I wasn't as interested in going to church anymore. I wasn't sure if God really cared about me. I felt unsure about a lot of things. I found I was just going through the motions of being a Christian.

I grew up in Christian home, I loved God and I went to church. I became a Christian as a young child. I did my best to live the way God wanted me to live. However, when I was fifteen my world was turned upside down with the sudden death of my dad. I was close to him and losing him shattered my world. This was the start of a change in the way I viewed God and the way I felt He viewed me. However, it was another 20 years before I realised just how much the death of my dad had impacted my view of life, my view of myself and my view of God.

I got to a point in my life where I was pretty miserable. I felt sad. I was confused. Nothing made sense. Was this really all there was to life? To others, my life looked ok. I had a loving family and a good job. But inside, I felt dead. I was full of fear. I was full of doubt. I was insecure. I felt worthless. These things defined who I was. They were my core beliefs about myself.

I was fearful of letting God be in full control of my life. I let God into most areas of my life, but there were some areas I didn't want Him involved in. I was fearful of what would happen if I did fully commit to God. I was worried that God would test me by giving me a huge trial to go through to prove I was committed to him.

I doubted God’s love, power and ability. I wanted God to prove He was worth my trust, that He was still relevant and cared about me today. I wanted Him to do something miraculous for me.

While I believed in God and his ability, I felt it was for other people. I felt God didn't really want to touch my life in a personal way.

I was insecure. I never wanted to be in the spotlight. I wanted to stay in the background, mind my own business, keep the peace and follow others. I thought I didn't have anything special to offer. I always felt others could do things better, or had more interesting things to say. I felt my opinion and what I wanted to say was of little significance.

I felt worthless. In many ways I felt I could never quite measure up. Others were always prettier, thinner, smarter or more talented than me. I knew my family loved me; they told me plenty of times and showed me they loved me and I knew they did. But deep down I always felt I just wasn't quite as good as others. I couldn't measure up.

I felt God didn’t really care about me that much. I considered giving up on Him and just living life my own way. However, I soon realised that this would be a life without hope. That life would continue much the same but I wouldn’t have the hope of God carrying me through and that things would improve.

After coming to the conclusion that I didn’t want a life without hope, I decided to reach out and grab onto the hope that Jesus was offering me, the hope that things could improve. One day while praying, I heard God tell me he was redefining me – he had taken the fear, doubt, insecurity and worthlessness and told me they no longer defined who I was. He had taken those things and had replaced them with courage, boldness, trust and value. These things now defined me.

I realised that because God the Father created me in His image, because Jesus the Son died and rose again for me, because the power of the Holy Spirit lives in me, I am valuable. I am strong and courageous. But it's not just for me. Because God the Father created you in his image, because Jesus the Son died and rose again for you, because the power of the Holy Spirit lives in you, you are valuable. You can be strong and courageous. You can grab onto the hope God offers you and let Him transform your life!

15 ISSUE TWELVE 2014

Parenting MattersThere’s No Substitute for Quality Time

When your toddler starts talking they say some of the cutest and funniest things. One of the first words our son said was “ooos”, which was his word for “shoes”. He was so excited about being able to communicate this with us that he would point out “ooos” all the time. Then one day I came home from work and he had started saying “shoes” properly. I was devastated. I suddenly realised that that little part of his childhood was over – never again would I hear his squeaky, little voice excitedly say “ooos”.

If you’re a parent you would know that every time you turn around your child has changed on you. Because they are constantly growing they are constantly changing. And every stage is a one-off. No age of their childhood will ever be repeated again. Ever.

In psychology, research supports a lot of concepts that most of us have already observed to be true. We all know that spending time with our children has many positive effects for them. However, modern science has supported this notion with research indicating that children who spend regular quality time with their parents are more emotionally settled, develop more positive relationships with their peers and perform better at school.

Inversely, we know that not enough time with our children has a range of negative effects. Research has indicated that children who spend less time with their parents are more emotionally distressed, have poorer emotion regulation, have lower academic results and are more likely to engage in risky behaviours as they grow older. Research also indicates that children who are neglected by their fathers are more likely to be bullies and engage in anti-social and aggressive behaviour.

Your child needs regular, quality time with you.

So how do we do this well? If your child is constantly in trouble at home you may feel that regular, quality time with them is impossible. Or, you may have a range of financial pressures that have resulted in you working hours that keep you from being at home. How do you still spend regular, quality time with your children in those situations?

Like everything with parenting there is no quick, one-size-fits-all solution here. But, again, there are underlying principles that will work for every family.

Make spending regular, quality time with your children a top priority. There is no substitute for it. Never think that you can make it up to them in other ways. If your life is too busy or you are too financially stretched, seek help and make changes. You will never again get this time with your children.

Start with 15 minutes. No matter how busy you are you can find 15 minutes. Get your child up earlier if need be. It can be as simple as joining in on your son’s Lego game, helping your daughter to brush her hair or sitting and reading together. Fifteen minutes goes a long way when it is done well and regularly.

Quality time together doesn’t need to be elaborate. The key to spending time with children is being with them not necessarily what you do with them. If you need to grab something from the shop have your kid be your helper. If you’re cooking dinner let them cook with you or if you are changing a tyre let them pass you the tools.

Having said that, there is incredible benefit with devoting special 1:1 time together over a fun activity, at least once a month. This is especially true when you have multiple children. Kids need to know that in the busyness of life that they are noticed, loved and enjoyed by their parent. However, there is no need to break the budget on this one. A recent survey of children in the United Kingdom found that their favourite things to do with mum and dad were eating fish and chips, visiting dad at work or going to the park. No real budget breakers there!

Never make their time with you contingent on good behaviour. It doesn’t matter whether your child has been an angel all day or has just burnt your house down - they need that time with you every day. There are plenty of other things you can use as a consequence – starving them of time with you should never be one of them.

If you start with these suggestions you will go a long way to spending regular, quality time with your children. And aside from all the benefits that this will bring for your kids think of the benefits for yourself. My son and his “ooos” is one of thousands of memories that I’ll relive with incredible joy over and over for the rest of my life.

That’s something I don’t want to miss out on.

By Asher Morrison (College Counsellor Psychologist)

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5

In Retrospect

Looking back with Lydia Warren (Ex-student)

It was during my years at Charlton

that I realised the importance

of letting Christ be

the centre of everything

you do.

My prayer is that in whatever I may be doing, I will be glorifying God.

How would you describe your years at Charlton?Out of the four schools I attended, I would honestly say that my years at Charlton were the best! Charlton had exceptional teachers who made learning fun and engaging and who had a definite impact on my life, specifically Mrs Gray, Mrs Palmer and Mrs Akester (now Mrs Gunning). Also, the friends I made there were some of the best people I’ve ever met and who I am still close to.

What’s one of your fondest memories?Almost every memory I have of Charlton is a great one so it’s hard to pick but some of the best memories I have happened either at school camps, in Mrs Gray’s class or at Big Exo Day. Oh and at a ‘Dare Day’ where Sarah Crawford and I let someone cut our pony tails off resulting in a mullet.

How did Charlton impact your relationship with Christ?Charlton has, at its core, a deep emphasis and focus on the Bible and on Christ. It was during my years at Charlton that I realised the importance of letting Christ be the centre of everything you do. I was specifically challenged to do this through the awesome chapel services we had every Thursday and the influence of great teachers who reflected Christ’s love.

What significant relationships eventuated out of your time at Charlton?During my time at Charlton I was blessed to develop relationships with people who I still call my closest friends, namely Sarah Crawford, Jess Logan, Emma Doyle and Elise Jenkins. To this day, the four of us along with Nikki Charlton and Cassandra Bremner still meet up regularly.

What have you been doing since you left Charlton?I went straight to the University of Newcastle after school where I studied a combined Law and Social Science Degree. I graduated in 2013 and I am currently in the process of completing my Grad Diploma of Legal Practice with hopes of being admitted as a solicitor in 2015. I’m also involved in my church where I get to do a lot of things with the youth. I’ve also been able to do a lot of travelling which has been great!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?A few years ago I realised that although we may plan our steps, God determines our path. At the moment, I’m tossing up between becoming a solicitor, teacher or involved in full-time ministry. I really don’t know where I’ll be in 5 years but my prayer is that in whatever I may be doing, I will be glorifying God.

What advice would you give to current students?Make the most of your schooling experience! Try your best, study hard but don’t let the pressure of getting good marks stop you from enjoying and investing in relationships with both your peers and your friends. Your teachers are there to support, love and help you, so let them!

17 ISSUE TWELVE 2014

The International Children’s Games (ICG) currently running in Lake Macquarie is the largest multi-sport youth games in the world and a member of the International Olympic Committee. Lake Macquarie was the first Australian city to compete in the ICG and is the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host the games.

It has been most exciting to experience the excitement in the build up to the games. Charlton has been involved in many different ways.

Two Charlton students were chosen to be a part of the Games Torch Relay which was run in mid-October, 50 days out from the Opening Ceremony. Claudia Martin (Year 6) was chosen as an elite athlete who has competed at National level this year in Gymnastics. Nicholas Goodwin (Year 5) was chosen as a student we wished to acknowledge and encourage

because of his great persistence and enthusiasm in all endeavours.

Layla Tweed (Year 7) will sing at the Opening Ceremony of the Games due to her vocal talent.

Wilson Tweed (Year 9), Matthew Randall (Year 9) and Eden Garbett (Year 6) were selected in the Under 15 Lake Macquarie Football (Soccer) Team for the Games. Felix Connelly (Year 10) will compete in BMX events and Luke Gibbons (Year 8) will compete in athletics. What a great opportunity it is for them to compete on an international stage!

Our Junior School Choir will also perform at the International Children’s Games Carols by Candlelight following the Opening Ceremony on Sunday 7th December.

Geared for SuccessEmerson Monk

Late last year three of our senior students participated in the Christian Schools Australia Team Triathlon. Thomas Roberts took the running leg, Mitchell Roberts the swimming leg and Emerson Monk the bike leg. The boys came second overall.

This marked the beginning of Emerson Monk’s interest in road cycling. For the past 12 months Emerson has been building his skills and passion in cycling, encouraged by a friend of his father’s, Bob Dellaca.

Emerson now rides two or three times a week during term times and everyday during holidays. His rides take him mostly around Newcastle, Warners Bay and the Honeysuckle area.

In the middle of this year Emerson joined the Hunter District Cycling Club and now races on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings at Hunter Economic Zone outside of Kurri Kurri and the Broadmeadow Velodrome.

He was able to move in his cycling grading from E grade to C grade in just a matter of weeks.

Emerson says, “I enjoy cycling because it’s something different that I haven’t done before. It’s not a team sport and I love that you don’t have to rely on anyone else as to how you go. It’s all up to you”.

Emerson’s cycling goal is to get to ‘A’ grade next year. He would also like to compete in a 24hr race after the completion of his HSC in 2015.

Emerson’s other passion is competing in Adventure Races on a regular basis. His best result being a 2nd place in the Elite Open Men’s Class.

He is also a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach and is currently assisting with the Junior and Senior Wangi Representative Netball programmes for the upcoming 2015 season.

Charlton in the International Children’s Games

ISSUE TWELVE 201419

Watchme

grow

p l @

Y

join usWednesdays

atPl@yschool

9am to 11amChildren 0-5 welcome

(with a caregiver)

Cost: $5per child$10 max per family

Morning Tea provided

43 Fassifern Road, Fassifern | 49599111