Post on 22-Mar-2018
Upcoming Events What is Christmas all about
8th December 2015 … understand the true meaning of Christmas
December
Wed 9th School Picnic
Thu 10th Non Uniform Day ( green and red)
Valedictory service @ 7pm
Formal uniform , Winter for Yr 6 and Foundation
All students expected to attend.
Fri 11th Last Day of School
3:15pm Dismissal
Sun13th Portland Carols on Foreshore
January
Sun 31st Blessing of the Backpacks
10am @ St. John’s Lutheran
February
Mon 1st First Day Grade 1-6
9am Opening Chapel
Tues 2nd First Day Foundation
Fri 5th Welcome BBQ
School Picnic
10am walk down to foreshore
1pm Lunch (provided)
2pm Return to school (bus)
Helpers are still urgently required.
Parents and Friends are still needing helpers for the BBQ
at the Carols on the foreshore on 13th December
Principal
Mick Emmett
Phone: (03) 5523 3833
memmett@stjohnsportland.vic.edu.au
Front Office
Kylie Huf
khuf@stjohnsportland.vic.edu.au
Rachael Bassham
rbassham@stjohnsportland.vic.edu.au
St. John’s Lutheran Primary School
There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. Luke 2:8
Fifty years ago A Charlie Brown Christmas was first broadcast on American television. Some network executives thought it would be ignored, while others worried that quoting the Bible would offend viewers. Some wanted its creator, Charles Schulz, to omit the Christmas story, but Schulz insisted it stay in. The program was an immediate success and has been rebroadcast
every year since 1965.
When Charlie Brown, the frustrated director of the children’s Christmas play, is discouraged by the commercial spirit of the holiday season, he asks if anyone can tell him the real meaning of Christmas. Linus recites Luke 2:8-14 including the words, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (vv. 11-14 kjv). Then Linus says, “That’s what
Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”
During this season filled with our own doubts and dreams, it’s good to ponder afresh God’s great love expressed in the familiar story of Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, and the angels who
announced the Saviour's birth.
That’s what Christmas is all about.
Father in heaven, as we approach Christmas, may we grasp in a deeper way Your amazing gift
to us.
From Mick’s Desk
Term 4 Issue 16 Page 2
8th December 2015 … The place to prepare for 2016
This is always a wonderful week of celebration here at St John’s; a week of
looking forward and looking back. Ironically enough it’s what Brad and I have
been doing since early November. For the Year 6s it is a wonderful celebration
of their primary life with both a celebratory dinner on Monday and the
Valedictory on Thursday. For all students it’s the excitement of new classes,
new schools or even school for the first time. It’s a time with events like the
school picnic where after all the business of 2015 we can just be. Ok let’s get the official things
out of the way.
Farewell
We farewell the following staff at the end of the year.
Rachael Mitchell- We thank Rachael for the way she has taken this role to the next
phase in 2015. Her knowledge of not just student well being but also the support of
students with learning needs has been a real asset to our staff. She has been willing
to share her faith with both the staff and students in 2015. We wish her and her
family all the best for 2016.
Scott Stiles- Scott has been the ultimate problem solving groundsman. The appearance
of the grounds and school after Scott has done his magic has been truly something
to behold. The staff have appreciated the solutions he has given us to a variety of
problems.
The process to undertake the filling of these positions will occur over the holiday break.
I would also like to acknowledge the following families who will end their time with us following
the Year 6 graduation this week:
Catherine, Andy and Michelle Broom
Benjamin Winton and Lyn Burch
Jamesen ,Sonia Goldby and Daryl Dennert
Beatrice, Ronald and Cecilia Hayes
George, Miranda and Jim Russell
Brooke, Veronica and Pastor Richard Schwedes
Sarah, Greg and Carissa Williams
Jacob, Ryan and Fiona Wilson-Lindsay
Gabrielle, David and Nenita Wylie
For many of these families this is the last of a journey that has incorporated a number of older
siblings. We thank them for their contribution to our school. We look forward to continuing to
work with the Borer, Hillam, Hitchman, Malady, Malone, Tewheoro and Whitbourn families as
they continue to journey with us at St John’s.
I would also like to farewell the Churchill, Elder, Maclean and Mowatt (Binns) families and
thank them for their contribution at the St John’s.
Welcome
In the last two weeks it has been great to welcome the
following new families into our school community.
Alexander (Year 5), Alexandria (Year 2), Alex and
Karianne Sarpong
Jorja (Year 4), Josh (Year 2), Adam and Tash Holt
In terms of our Foundation families it is fantastic to
welcome the next incarnation of the Watt, Oborne,
Brown, Harris, O’Donnell, Ward and Pitts family into our
school. In addition we welcome:
Zarah Bott and her parents Nikki and Evan
John, Deb and Father Emmanuel Carrington
Cody, Luke and Lisa Hein
Into our staff community we welcome our new Principal
Brad Moss, his wife Sarah and their students Arilia-Jayne
(Year 5), Ashleigh (Year 3) and Penelope (Year 1). We
also look forward to Cherrie McIllroy joining us as a
Learning Assistant in the Foundation class as well as
Marni Phillips re-joining our staff formally in.
Finally……
At our regional meetings our LEVNT director Paul
Weinert often comments that Principals are mere visitors
in the context of our schools. This does not downplay the
importance of the Principal role but rather acknowledging
that our contribution is a mere spec in the broad picture of
a congregation having an initial vision, the formative
years of school growth and the bright to the follow.
Thankyou so much for giving me the honour and the
privilege to serve St John’s Lutheran School. While
myself, Mel, Olivia, Amelia and Isla are heading home
these last four years have been tremendously significant
to our family. The welcome, support and care that the
school community has given us has been quite humbling.
May God continue to bless and guide St John’s in the
incredibly capable hands of Brad. Please keep in contact
via Facebook or my email at memmett@lobelu.sa.edu.au
I would love to follow your family’s journey.
Swimming Carnival
Term 4 Issue 16 Page 3
8th December 2015 … The place to be busy
Touch Footy
Windows into Christmas
From our congregation
Term 4 Issue 16
Page 4
8th December 2015 … The place to worship
HOLY COMMUNION - RECEIVING FIRST COMMUNION
Holy Communion is one of the important gifts that Jesus
has given us and we encourage anyone from the age of 10
to be receiving Holy Communion if you or your child would
like to be formally welcomed into receiving Holy Commun-
ion in the Lutheran Church, please contact
Pastor Richard 0418 303406 to discuss participating in our
first communion program.
Worship Times
9am Traditional Worship
10.45am Contemporary Worship