Welcome back to Term 3! We hope all our students and families enjoyed a refreshing and restful holiday break, filled with opportunities to relax, reconnect, and create new memories together. Whether your time was spent travelling, enjoying local adventures, celebrating special occasions or simply slowing down and spending quality time with loved ones, we trust the break provided renewed energy for the term ahead. We are excited to see our students return with enthusiasm, ready to embrace new learning opportunities, challenges, and achievements throughout the term. 

During the school holidays, a team from Bethany Christian School had the privilege of spending time at Hope Village in Sumatra. The team worked alongside both students and teachers, strengthening relationships and supporting the ongoing work undertaken within the school community. A significant achievement of the trip was improving the speed of the internet access for the High School, creating new opportunities for learning and connection. We are incredibly grateful to our Bethany community for their generosity and support. Through the fundraising efforts of the Student Representative Council (SRC) and Hope Helpers, funds were raised to purchase much-needed books for the Hope Village library, while also contributing towards the internet infrastructure project. Thank you to everyone who supported these initiatives and helped make a meaningful difference in the lives of the Hope Village students and staff. 

There is plenty of excitement ahead in Week 2 as our Year 3 and 4 students participate in the Water Safety Programme. This valuable learning experience provides students with essential water safety knowledge and practical skills, helping to build confidence and awareness in and around aquatic environments. We are also delighted to welcome back, by popular demand, The NED Show on Friday of Week 2. NED's inspiring message of 'Never Give Up, Encourage Others and Do Your Best' is delivered through a highly engaging and entertaining yo-yo performance that students thoroughly enjoy. Following the show, students will have the opportunity to purchase a yo-yo and practice the skills and perseverance demonstrated during the presentation. We look forward to a fantastic week of learning, fun, and encouragement for all our students. 

As we begin this new term, I have been reflecting on the message shared by Jon Eckert in 'The Happiness Crisis'—that true joy is not found in a life free from challenges, but in developing resilience, meaningful relationships, purpose and gratitude through life's experiences. He reminds us that joy grows when we support one another, embracing opportunities to learn and persevere through difficulties with hope and courage. My prayer for our Bethany community is that each student, staff member and family finds moments of joy in the week ahead, recognising the blessings around us and the strength that comes from walking together in faith and encouragement. 

I wish everyone a wonderful week with your family. May you all stay warm and well. 

God bless you,

Debbie Clifford
Deputy Principal

A lying witness is unconvincing; a person who speaks truth is respected.

Proverbs 21: 28