Bethany Christian School

Bethany Christian School

Newsletter

Week 5Term 12021

Cross Country

From the Principal

Welcome to our Bethany Newsletter for Week 5. We have our final rest day for Reception students this week and it is always at this time of the term that we realise how quickly time is marching on. Our Year 5 students returned full of stories from their camp last week. I heard about kayaking and caves, fun with friends and also the pride of overcoming fears. It is wonderful to share these kinds of experiences together and I hope you enjoy reading reflections from some of our students.

This year Bethany Christian School turns 40. There are many things that make our school unique. Over the years some things have remained while many others have changed. We were able to open a time capsule that had been buried for 20 years and contained letters from teachers and students from the year 2000. Mrs Clifford and Mr Mabikafola were both teaching here and have been a part of the journey. The Principal at that time was Mr Richard Ward and I thought that I would share some of his hopes and dreams for the school. In the year 2000 he wrote that he hoped that, “The school’s main aim is still to disciple young men and women into servants of the Lord Jesus Christ”. He also hoped that, “the school community …is still a community that sees itself as one big family enjoying a very special relationship with each other and the Lord Jesus Christ”. I am pleased to say that these hopes have remained central to our mission and that we do have a wonderful community that cares for each other.

Our school is a part of Christian Schools Australia (CSA). CSA provides numbers of resources and networks for us to be a part of and includes Christian schools from around Australia. You will be receiving an invitation to participate in a survey from CSA.   They are researching why parents choose Christian schooling and we would love you to be a part of this national survey. This is important work that helps us to keep government and other groups aware of the important role Christian schools play in our communities. There will be questions like; What do parents’ value in a Christian school education?  What do parents perceive as important regarding a Christian school and what are their levels of satisfaction with academic programs, Christian studies programs, spiritual formation, and quality of relationships with teachers and students?  We would really value your responses and will be able to share the findings with you down the track.

This week we have our Athletics days and I have been very pleased to see that the weather will be fabulous on Thursday and Friday. It is always wonderful to see our students doing their best and also to see them cheering each other on as they participate in a range of athletic events. Thank you for your support in getting them ready and providing what they need like a hat, and enough water to drink on the day.

On Thursday 25th March, and Tuesday 30th March, we will hold our Parent Teacher interviews. These will run in a similar format to last year with all teachers set up in the Performing Arts Centre and Function Room. We hope there will be minimal restrictions in place, however, we will ask for only one adult to attend. There will be no student care available so we recommend that you organise a babysitter. You may consider using the OSHC program that finishes at 6pm which you would need to book as normal. We will give you more details and the link for booking an interview closer to the event.

I would like to remind you to keep checking in via the QR Code when you enter the school to help fulfill our contract tracing requirements. Thank you for the settled way you are dropping off and picking up your children. We really are grateful for your patience and care.

Have a lovely weekend.

 

God bless,

Wendy Matear
Principal

Bethany Christian School staff in 2000

Deputy's Corner

Last week our Year 6 students began the process of becoming a member of a student leadership group. Leadership is fundamentally about social influence which works towards the achievement of a goal and which maximises the efforts of others. It’s not about power and control or a formal title. It’s not even about personality types or leadership styles, of which there are many.  

At Bethany we believe that every child is a leader in their own right, and every student is highly encouraged to use their influence to help others and work towards helping our school. The Year 6 leadership programme is a more formalised type of leadership. Each student is going to be actively engaged in learning more about leadership and how they can work together to achieve a goal through influence and maximising efforts of other people. 

There are five key areas of student leadership; Lumin8, Activ8, Student Representative Council (SRC), BCS Creations, and Acts of Service (ACTS). 

Lumin8:  This group is made up of 8 Prefects, 6 House Captains and 2 School Captains. These students will lead Monday Morning Praise and be a welcoming team for any formal engagements where official guests come to the school. The House Captains and School Captains are students who are highly engaged in our school’s sports programmes, and will represent and lead our school houses during sporting events.

Activ8: This group is made up of highly motivated student leaders who desire to see more activity and student engagement during recess and lunch breaks throughout the week. Activ8 members meet weekly with Mrs Wyten to plan and implement play activities in the yard.

SRC:  The members of the SRC meet weekly to plan fundraisers to provide additional equipment or solve a need that the students have identified within the school. They are also highly involved in listening to the student voice within the school and driving student agency to act on what students have to say.

BCS Creations:  Formally referred to as the Media Team, these student leaders will work with Mr Mabikafola on the creative media across the school. 

ACTS:  Students in ACTS show a high level of initiative and have expressed a desire to solve a problem or need they see within the school. They will meet weekly to design their own leadership role and receive support with their project. Roles range from helping out in the ELC garden through to being involved in weekly uniform checks.

Next week our Year 6 student leaders will be formally acknowledged during Monday Morning Praise. Our students are already buzzing with excitement about their roles. We are all looking forward to what they learn and apply to their leadership this year.

Wishing you a fabulous week.

God bless you,

Deb Clifford

Highlights

Premier's Reading Challenge

Each year, as a school we participate in the Premier's Reading Challenge. We are delighted to announce that Bethany Christian School will be participating again. This challenge encourages the love of reading. Students are required to read 12 books during the period which ends in September. Books that are currently on the PRC list are available for borrowing from the library.

If you have any enquires please contact your child's class teacher or the library.

Circle of Security Parenting Workshop

Camp Australia

Year 5 Camp

Last week our Year 5 students went on camp to Illawarra Campsite. Everyone had a great time enjoying the amazing facilities. They enjoyed archery, the foam pit, kayaking and caving.

Year 5 Camp 1.jpg
Year 5 Camp 2.jpg
Year 5 Camp 3v1.jpg
Year 5 Camp 4.jpg

Premier's Be Active Challenge

The Premier's Be Active Challenge has commenced. All students from the ELC to Year 6 are able to participate. Information about the program has been sent home but please remember that students need to active for 60 minutes over a 5 day period. Log books for the challenge are available from class teachers. Check with your child's class teacher as some classes are participating as a whole class. Those who complete the challenge will receive a medal in November.

Community News

Base Care

Sports News

Auskick

Bethany Term 2 Digital promotion (002).pdf

Open Bethany Term 2 Digital promotion (002).pdf (2.94 MB)

Salisbury Inter Soccer Club

North Adelaide Lacrosse Club

Lax flyer 2021.pdf

Open Lax flyer 2021.pdf (887.63 KB)

Para Districts SAPSASA Swimming Competition

Cameron H from Mr Traeger's Year 6 class, represented Bethany Christian School at the recent Para Districts SAPSASA swimming competition on Friday 19th March at the outdoor Salisbury Swimming Centre.

Cameron won the SAPSASA Para Districts 2021 pennant for Bethany, by achieving first place in all his 5 races, including the 50m freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and 100m freestyle.

Cameron swims for the Playford Aquatic Swim Club, and trains 4 to 5 times a week, with some early morning starts at 5.30am. He has been swimming competitively since the age of 6. Cameron will also be competing on the March long weekend at the SA State Championships at the Marion Aquatic Centre. Cameron loves his swimming, enjoys the friendships he has made and competing at competitions.

Weekly Sports Results

Matches Week Ending: 20/02/2021

 Sport Team Opposition Coaches Pick Score
BasketballU10 BlazersBYE
U12 RaptorsWalkerville Cats 2Joash S Devon S7 . 36
U12 LakersKings Warriors Lucas H Elijah R10 . 10
NetballU 8 Bright StarsKaleteeyaEmily D Isabella B

Matches Week Ending: 27/02/2021

 Sport Team Opposition Coaches Pick Score
BasketballU10 BlazersWalkerville Cats 2Dylan K Wayne T15 . 23
NetballU 8 Bright StarsBye

Weekly Information

Important Dates

Date Event
Friday 5th March Junior Athletics Day
Monday 8th March Adelaide Cup Day Public Holiday
Tuesday 9th March Reception Reading Workshop
2021 Term Dates  
Term 1 Monday 1st February to Friday 9th April
Term 2 Wednesday 28th April to Friday 2nd July
Term 3 Tuesday 20th July to Friday 24th September
Term 4 Monday 11th October to Wednesday 8th December

Bethany Christian School

PO Box 2125
Salisbury Downs SA 5108
37 Countess St
Paralowie, SA, 5108

P. 08 8283 0000
F. 08 8283 0101
E. office@bethany.sa.edu.au

Newsletter published: Thursday, March 4 2021

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