REFLECTING ON RECENT WEEKS

Like many people, over recent weeks I have been reflecting on some of the significant events that have happened around the world.

One of the Bible verses I was drawn to during this time of reflection is one we have in a frame on my son’s bedroom wall. It is 1 Corinthians 16:13-14:
‘Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love’.

My son and I recite this together before going to bed as a reminder for us to stand firm in what we believe in and not be what Paul described to the Church in Ephesus as ‘tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching’ (Ephesians 4:14).

I have also reflected on our Foundations of Life and Learning and considered how these values and skills may help our children navigate unsettled times like we have seen in recent weeks. 

Our first Foundation at CalCC is FAITH — We seek God with all our heart. The icon for this foundation is an open book symbolising God’s Word and a cross symbolising the sacrifice Jesus Christ took upon Himself so that we may have eternal life. The Christian faith is underpinned by the Scriptures, which reveal who God is, His purposes for humanity and the hope we have in Christ. It calls us to build our lives on a firm foundation — not on shifting opinions or passing trends — but on the eternal promises of God.

Another Foundation I’ve been reflecting on recently is Communication — We seek to understand, then to be understood. This principle, drawn from Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, reminds us that genuine communication begins with listening. When we listen deeply and with the intent to truly understand others, we build trust and clarity. In turn, this creates the kind of space where our own thoughts and ideas can be shared and received with openness and respect.

It is not easy in a world that feels more and more polarised to be able to stand firm in our faith and do it in love, but that is what we are called to do. 

As a College, my prayer is that our students are able to grow into courageous men and women of faith who stand firm on God’s Word and the saving grace of Jesus Christ as they act in love in all circumstances.

ATTENDANCE

As part of a continuing initiative to increase our overall student attendance rate, at the start of next term, all families will receive a computer-generated letter that shares their childrens' attendance rate for the previous term. We believe that knowledge empowers people and our goal is to simply allow our parents to have up-to-date information on this data. 

HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY

It has been a fantastic term with so many highlights. If you haven’t seen the highlights videos on social media, I encourage you to have a look. Thank you to every student, staff member and family member for making it happen. 

Praying that your family has a restful and safe school holiday. I look forward to seeing you all back next term so we can finish the last leg of the school year.

God bless you

Vince Wakefield