Welcome to our final newsletter for 2023. On Wednesday it was wonderful to see so much of our community joining together to celebrate the learning journey our students have enjoyed. Our students really did shine in so many ways and it was great to spend time together as we explored the Light in Christmas. We would like to pass on a heartfelt and sincere ‘thank you’ from the Parafield Gardens Salvation Army who were incredibly grateful for the generosity shown by you, the Bethany Christian School community. Through your generous donations, many families will be blessed with a food hamper leading up to Christmas and beyond. What a great opportunity to help those in need and continue to shine the light of Jesus this Christmas.

Our Year 6 Graduation last night was another wonderful celebration, and we look forward to our ELC Graduation on Thursday morning. Our final assembly is at 2pm online today. Please find the livestream link that you can use to join this event live or over the next week at a more appropriate time with your family. This time of year reminds us that growth and change are an important part of life and that we can learn to support one another and celebrate each new important milestone together.

At this time of year we farewell any staff who have worked with us and are moving on. We thank Mrs Verona McDonald for her time in our Reception team and wish her well in her role in a new school next year. We also thank Mrs Karen Pangestu who stepped in to bring Indonesian lessons this term. We also will farewell Mr Darren Penna from our grounds and maintenance team. Darren has contributed with a servant heart, and we also wish him well in his new role. We farewell Mrs Catherine Thackeray who is retiring and has served as an ESO at Bethany for many years. We are so grateful for her years of faithful service, and we wish her well in her next season.

I pray that you and your family experience the peace and joy of Christmas in a new way this year and that you will find time to enjoy some fun along the way. I also pray for God’s provision and safety and for a blessed start to 2024.
God bless you this Christmas

Wendy Matear

Principal