TONGARRA TIMES

Wednesday, 1 April 2015 - Week 10 of Term 1

www.ics.nsw.edu.au

Key Dates

WEEK 10

Thursday, 2 April Last day of Term 1 K-12 Batter 4 Better Easter Assembly, 2.30pm

TERM 2 WEEK 1

Monday, 20 April Staff Return

Tuesday, 21 April Students Return

See website calendar for more dates & other information

Check Your Child’s Bag!

These things went home this week:

Mother’s Day Stall flyer (P-6)

Generation What information evening flyer (5-12)

Please send all feedback and prayer points by email to

tongarra@ics.nsw.edu.au

An Easter Message God’s Word: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. (Romans 5: 6-8) Read Luke 23: 13-25. This is the Barabbas side-story in the gospel account. Have you ever wondered how a criminal like Barabbas goes free in this part of the Easter story, while Jesus, God’s Son, gets crucified? How could Pilate, the Roman governor allow the people’s wish to set free a murderer and crucify Jesus? How could the crowd want to have a murderer set free? It is a wonderful example of God’s grace. We see in this incredibly in-your-face, immediate, physical and direct way what it means that Christ died as a substitute for a rotten sinner. Barabbas is really a picture of you and me – we are all Barabbases! We are freed from the penalty of sin by God’s grace through the death of His only Son on a Roman cross. Jesus’ death bridges the gap between God and us caused by our sin. Yes, we know it was God’s will that Jesus would be punished and die on the cross for us, and be raised from death three days later. But I am constantly amazed by the depth of the Easter story. Even this bit about Barabbas shows God’s grace in a very real way. It is the immediate example of the gospel. With this story we get to see how crazy it is in our thinking, and how confronting, that God would be driven by love for us to allow His Son to die for sinners, for rebels. Whatever happened to Barabbas after this? We don’t know if he committed more crimes or if he repented and reformed because of being impacted by God’s grace. He walked away free to do whatever he wanted. Like many today, he may have rejected God’s hand of grace, scorning the gift of freedom from sin that was offered to him.

Even those of us who have received God’s gift, who truly know it for what it is, often fall into the trap of thinking we can earn it. It’s a bit like Barabbas somehow organis-ing himself to be released. It could never have happened. God’s grace is unde-served, and we can never earn it. That’s the reality of the cross of Christ.

Can you rejoice at Easter because you have accepted God’s gift of eternal life? Phil Johnson

Interim Executive Principal

A big THANK YOU to Mr Phil Johnson for

his hard work behind the scenes this term.

He even helped out the Primary Staff with

craft.

Please Pray...

Give thanks for all that has been achieved at our school in a very busy Term One. Give thanks for all the hard work

of all our staff during this time and for the wonderful efforts of our students in class.

Pray for a relaxing break for all our school community over the holiday period. Pray for safe travelling for any who

are going away. Pray that this will be an enjoyable time of relaxation and refreshment.

Pray that during this Easter weekend we might remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that He

has done for us.

Give thanks for all the work that our Interim Executive Principal, Phil Johnson, has achieved this term on behalf of

our school. Pray for Phil and his wife as he steps back into ‘retirement’.

Pray for Mr Tony Horsley, our new Executive Principal, as he familiarises himself with our school and settles into

his role.

THANK YOU TO TONGARRA TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS

I just wanted to extent a MASSIVE THANK YOU and express our appreciation to Ross Graham, Cassie Gold and students from Tongarra who took part in the Futsal games in The Cordeaux Hall during our recent Fete and Open Day.

Massive thanks also to the Tongarra parents who made this possible. It is awesome to have your support for our Fete and Open Day activities in this way.

Thanks

Tim Kime, Skye Walker and Jason Clifford

Year 6 Vanuatu Fundraising

Year 6 are currently studying a Disaster unit. The recent cyclone in the Pacific and in particular Vanuatu, was something we prayed about. We also decided to try to raise a small amount of money to send across with The Red Cross. The class was successful in raising $100 which has been sent off. We will continue to pray for the people of the Vanuatu.

Mr Maina Primary Coordinator

Winter Uniform Changeover - Please note that all students need to be wearing the correct winter

uniform at the start of Term 2. Boys need to be wearing ties, and all hem lines on girls’ skirts and

tunics need to be correct.

The Mother’s Day Stall will be held during Week 2 (wrapping) & Week 3 (selling) of next term.

Please send in your donation of a gift now. See the flyer that was sent home this week for more

information.

Please check the LOST PROPERTY BINS for any misplaced or lost items.

Shoehorn Sonata

On Wednesday, 11th of March, Year 12 Standard English travelled up to Sydney to watch a professional production of the play 'Shoehorn Sonata' written by John Misto. This was part of a close study students are doing on the play and follows on from a task where the students themselves performed key scenes of the play. The students found it a surreal and challenging experience to watch a play they themselves have performed and were able to critique (and in many instances congratulate) their own performance. The play tells the story of two women who struggle to move on with their lives after spending

much of World War II in a Japanese POW camp after the fall of Singapore. It addresses the themes of remembrance and reconciliation. After watching the play the students saw a little of UNSW life and enjoyed a Mexican lunch before heading home. It was a productive and enjoyable day. Mr Walker English Teacher

ABC Studios and IMAX Theatre

On Monday, 9th March, Year 12 Business Studies went on an excursion to ABC Studios (as a case study for the Operations topic) and IMAX Theatre (as a case study for the Marketing topic).

ABC Studios are quite large and the staff obviously pay close attention to rostering and scheduling to keep their operations processes running smoothly! A highlight was Kiarnay sitting in 4 Corners host Kerry O’Brien’s chair and reading the autocue as the staff prepared for the afternoon’s filming, as well as having a brief interaction with Kerry himself. We also saw the setting up for the live recording of Q&A and visited the JJJ studios.

At the IMAX Theatre we saw Hubble 3D and analysed some of the marketing strategies adopted by IMAX Theatre. Students will have u sed th i s knowledge gained in t h e t r i a l H S C examination.

Mrs Brennan

Business Studies Teacher

Interest and Expert Groups

This term K-5 started Interest and Expert Groups on Fridays straight after the first break. Students have selected a group in which they wanted to be a part of to either be an expert or had and interest in. Students could select the following groups in which they are a part of for a whole term. Next term students will get to choose another group and Year 6 students will be joining us (this term they had gymnastics on).

The groups the students could choose from were: Skipping, Art, Science or Drama Students in Skipping have been learning how to skip, new tricks and how to use their skills to make a routine with Mrs Barnes and Miss Yeo. Students will finish off the term with a short routine and some long rope skills

Students in Art have been working with Mrs Morton and Miss Richardson to make some lovely craft and art works. Some on the artworks have been developed over consecutive weeks.

Students in Science have been working in teams to think of and conduct a science experiment. Students have had to research and make hypothesis along with writing up their science experiment to conduct this week. This group is enjoying science with Mrs Knight and Mr Chesher.

Students in Drama have been learning drama skills to assist with acting in front of an audience with Mrs Bell and Mrs Cornale. Students have enjoyed working in groups and performing in front of others.

On the first Friday back in Term 2, 24th April, students will showcase what they have learnt and made to the rest of K-6 at an assembly.

Geoff Chesher Year 1 Teacher

Annie, Year 1 – “I like Expert

and Interest Groups because

I get to spend more time

doing the things I like to do.”

Daniel Williams, Year 5 – “I like

Expert and Interest Groups because

you get to use different voices and act

different scenes out in Drama.”

World Domination by Chess

On Friday, 13th March an elite group of 4 students began their quest. The goal: to prove they

have, in abundance, the qualities of bravery, skill, wits and intelligence. The method: by

partaking in the ancient, oft dangerous, complex sporting game: the game that turns boys into

men, and men into boys - chess.

I had my concerns that not all would return alive and victorious but the team, despite decent

opposition, performed courageously and came away with a win. All four students won their

match and as such we will progress to the next step of the journey to world domination. Well

done gents and good luck.

Mr Walker

Community Announcements Full information will be displayed on the Noticeboard in the playground near the stairs to E Block .

Southern Illawarra Church of Christ Easter Services: Good Friday - 9am, Easter Sunday - 9:30am & 6.30pm. For

further information contact Stephen on 0419 460 487.

Robo Camp @ UOW—April 7 & 8. Booking Essential: Email coach@projectb.net.au

High school Basketball Competition @ Beaton Park-Snakepit. Starts in Term 2. Call 4225 9999.

A FREE Learner Log Book Run will be held on Tuesday, 14 April 2015 between 6.00pm and 8.30pm. Call Jenny

Davies on 4221 6124.

BATTER 4 BETTER

This Thursday, 2 April (tomorrow!) is a special event during the school day,

organised by our student council: Batter 4 Better.

This day is designed to help fundraise for our sponsor child - Bettisheba in

Rwanda.

The events of the day look like:

8:30-8:50 Years 7-12 participating in rides

8:50-9:15 roll marking and year 7-12 participating in all activities

9:15-9:54 (period 1) Year 7-12 participating in all activities

9:54-10:32 (period 2) Year 3-6 participating in all activities

10:32-11:10 (period 3) Year K-2 and Prep participation

11:10-11:50 (first break) - rides continuing for Year 1-12

Normal school activities for periods 4-7

2:40-3:20pm Special assembly with guest speakers sharing the meaning of

Easter and why we should love others as a result of Christ's love for us.

There will be several special activities during the morning:

Face painting - $2

Plain pancakes - $1

Pancakes with Ice cream, maple syrup, sprinkles etc. - $2 ($1 to those

who have donated pancake mix or other food)

'Minute to win it' activities - $1 for two attempts

Rides: Slide, Jumping Castle and Gladiator game - $2 a turn or $10 for

unlimited turns

All activities are optional. All money taken will go towards the school sponsor

child once costs are covered.

Activities can be pre-purchased through the school office, or on the day.

Please note that the school canteen will continue to operate on this day

Second Hand Uniform Shop

The Second Hand Uniform Shop has lots of Primary Girls Winter tunics -

all sizes & only $15.

We also have quite a few boys grey knitted jumpers - also $15.

Black Winter jackets in size 6, 8,10 & 12 - $15

Also available: Winter long pants, high school winter skirts and boys shirts.

Please contact the office for all enquir-

ies.

The Uniform Shop ICS - Tongarra Campus

(02) 4230 3730 ictongarra@alinta.com.au

The uniform shop can be contacted during these hours by phone or email:ictongarra@alinta.com.au

Payments can be made direct to Alinta Apparel in the form of cash, credit card,

or debit credit card.

SAVE TIME – SHOP ONLINE!

www.alintaapparel.com.au

Uniforms for Winter 2015

Small deposit layby available

Regular Uniform Shop opening hours during Term:

Monday 8.30am - 11.30am & Wednesday 1.00pm - 4.00pm

APRIL SCHOOL HOLIDAYS OPENING HOURS

Wednesday April 8 8.30am - 12.30pm Monday April 20 8.30am - 11.30am

(Pupil Free Day)