Dates to RememberMayMonday 1 Week 3 B Campus Assembly Years 4–5Tuesday 2 SSV Netball and AthleticsWednesday 3 Primary District AthleticsMonday 8 Week 4 A Meals on WheelsTue 9 – Thu 11 NAPLAN (Years 3, 5, 7 and 9)Monday 15 Week 5 B Whole School Service Day Campus Assembly Years 2–3Wednesday 17 SSV SoccerMonday 22 Week 6 ATuesday 23 SSCWG Cross Country VIP DayWednesday 24 Years 7 and 10 ImmunisationsThursday 25 Chairo Annual General MeetingFriday 26 EXPO Monday 29 Week 7 B Campus Assembly Years 1–2

Thursday 27 April 2017

It has been a wonderful start to Term 2!

Lest we forget.

Whole School NewsThe Great and the Ghastly of CommunityWelcome back to the start of a new and exciting term. I trust you and your family had a wonderful time of refreshment and renewal over the school holidays. I also trust you are enjoying being back together as the Chairo community.

The communities that I am a part of bring me the greatest joy and encouragement, but also the greatest frustration and pain. I love being with the people in those communities (e.g. I love spending time doing fun and deep things with my family), and yet also find the deepest struggle and hurt can be experienced as I deal with those very same people (when I am in conflict with a family member, it hurts the most!).

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to any of us. We are created to be in and benefit from community (the good bits!) and yet, as fallen and failing people, we experience the relational problems associated with our fallen-ness. That’s one of the reasons why Paul, in his letter to his friends at Ephesus, spells out what it means to live well in community.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4

Paul knew, as we do also, that we don’t tend to live life together that way, but instead can easily end up with brokenness and conflict.

What do you do about this problem? How do you go about both enjoying the ‘great’ of the communities you are a part of, and positively dealing with the ‘ghastly’ bits as well?

For some years now, my wife Veronica and I have benefitted hugely from resources provided by an Australian organisation called Peacewise (peacewise.org.au). This organisation describes their mission as promoting peace and reconciliation in relationships through biblical principles and the power of Christ. We have found their training and materials are powerful for developing life-changing biblical peacemaking principles and build cultures of peace. We have used these principles in our marriage, in raising our four sons, in our church and throughout friendships we have been blessed with.

Over coming editions of our newsletter, I look forward to continuing to share how implementing ‘peace-making principles’ have positively impacted on the inevitable parts of being a part of communities – conflict and brokenness.Simon Matthews, Executive Principal

Sibling EnrolmentsIf you have younger children that you would like to enrol to commence at Chairo in 2018, 2019 or 2020—whether for K3 or K4 Kinder, Prep or other year levels—please contact Tina Lewis on 5625 4600 (Drouin East, Drouin and Traralgon), Elise Groenewaldt on 5942 5632 (Pakenham), Wendy Nyhuis on 5662 4355 (Leongatha) or email your enquiry to enrolments@chairo.vic.edu.au.

It is important that families do this as soon as possible so we can reserve a place for you before offering places to new families.

Board NewsParents should have recently received via email a strategic planning document titled sp17 Update. This explains the process that the Board and management are currently working through and provides the opportunity for parents to contribute by completing an online questionnaire. It would be greatly appreciated if all parents could spare 5 or 10 minutes to participate.

The Annual General Meeting of the School Association will be held in the library at the Drouin Campus on Thursday 25 May, commencing at 7.30 pm. Parents and staff members from all Chairo campuses are invited and encouraged to attend this important and informative meeting. More information will follow soon.

Chairoparent prayer

Mondays, 9.00–10.00 amStaff Room

Leongatha Campus

Parents are warmly invited to join the prayer group, whether regularly

or just when available

Prayer requests can also be emailed to prayer@chairo.vic.edu.au or text

Melissa Rumble on 0439 694 444

Toy corner for little people

Follow Chairo on Facebookfacebook.com/chairo.leongatha

From the Senior ChaplainWhile thinking about the current CLAY topic, Harmony, I was reminded of Ignac Semmelweis. Semmelweis was a doctor in Vienna who, in 1847, made a scientific discovery that has saved more lives than any other in history. Semmelweis discovered that washing hands prevents the spread of diseases. There are maybe hundreds of students at Chairo today who would not currently be alive if it were not for that discovery.

However, at the time, Semmelweis was largely ignored. His problem? He wasn’t

a nice person. He would viciously attack his colleagues and workmates. These days, what he did would be considered workplace harassment and bullying. He was sacked from his job as an

obstetrician. He called people who dared to question him, ‘murderer’ or worse.

When people asked him to share his evidence, he would take it as a personal insult and viciously attack them. People at the hospitals where he worked started to actively avoid washing their hands, just to annoy him.

Twenty years later, another doctor named Joseph Lister came to the same conclusion regarding handwashing. Lister published his findings. It was because of Lister, not Semmelweis, that handwashing caught on.

The lesson for us is that intelligence – even scientific genius – is not enough. Semmelweis was undoubtedly a genius. But he was a bully. Bullies don’t change the world for the better, even if their discoveries are potentially lifesaving. Bullies lose their jobs, they annoy their colleagues and they foster resentment among their subordinates.

To put the same lesson more positively: relationships matter. They matter a lot! Relationships matter, dare I say it, even more than intelligence.

Every student at Chairo is currently exploring harmony – what it is and what it means. We’re talking about how relationships come first, how other people matter, how we need one another and how no amount of intelligence or brilliance or genius or even high marks can compensate for a lack of love, compassion, care for others, and respect for those weaker or lower down than ourselves.

Relationships are at the centre of the universe. I pray that we will continue to reflect that at Chairo.Medon Loupis, Senior Chaplain

Campus NewsA Note From AnthonyWhile doing some recent reading and research about Australia’s military history, I was struck by the story of Thomas Axford. In many ways, Axford was a normal young man. He was born in South Australia in 1894 and went to the local primary school. He then went to work in a brewery.

However, his life changed when he joined the Australian Imperial Force in July 1915 at the age of 21. While fighting on the Western Front, he suffered shell shock and took just two days leave. Later, he was badly wounded in the knee by shrapnel. He was awarded the Military Medal in March 1918.

Axford is most remembered for being awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for the extraordinary bravery he demonstrated in July 1918. The citation for his VC reads as follows:

On 4 July 1918 during the attack at Vaire and Hamel Woods, France, when the advance of the adjoining platoon was being delayed in uncut wire and machine-gun fire, and his company commander had become a casualty, Lance-Corporal Axford charged and threw bombs amongst the enemy gun crews. He then jumped into the trench, and charging with his bayonet, killed 10 of the enemy and took six prisoners. He threw the machine-guns over the parapet and the delayed platoon was able to advance. He then rejoined his own platoon and fought with it during the remainder of the operations.

I cannot imagine the courage needed to do what Axford did, but heroes like him often maintain that they were just normal people helping their mates in their time of need.

Anzac Day is important because it gives all of us the opportunity to reflect about how blessed we are to live where we do. I am thankful for the sacrifices Australians have made so that we can enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted.

I look forward to the time when the Prince of Peace, Jesus, returns to make all things new. This will be the day when all wars cease. John saw a vision of this day and recorded it as follows:

Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:3b–4Anthony Collier, Campus Principal

Careers at ChairoCurrent Vacancies:Campus Principal (Traralgon)chairo.vic.edu.au/careers

Chairo provides advertisements within the parameters of our Advertising Policy as a community service. The inclusion of any advertisement is not necessarily an endorsement by the School.

Peter Pan – How Can You Be Involved?Many of you will remember how wonderful our very first production, Fiddler on the Roof Junior, was. It is hard to believe that was two years ago.

It is with great excitement that we announce that the Leongatha Campus will perform Disney’s musical Peter Pan Junior this year. Auditions are nearly complete and within the next week the cast will be announced and rehearsals will begin.

If you as a parent are willing and available to assist with preparations, I would love to hear from you! Whether you can sew, paint, fossick op shops or assist with teaching students their lines, all help would be greatly appreciated. Productions are lots of fun, and it is a richly rewarding experience to witness the growth in our students as they practice and develop. I invite you to join us on the journey.

Please contact me via email or leave a message at the office if you are able to volunteer your time.Christine Hibma, Director

ASG National Excellence in Teaching AwardsASG recognise teachers and leaders who represent excellence within their teaching profession through their contribution to the advancement of education at a local, regional or national levels.

The awards provide an opportunity to say a special ‘thank you’ to inspirational teachers, directors and principals who demonstrate effectiveness, innovation and excellence in their profession. Closing date for nominations is 3 July.

To nominate a teacher, visit neita.awardsplatform.com.

NAPLANThe National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 students will be held from Tuesday 9 to Thursday 11 May.

NAPLAN tests assess student knowledge and skills in writing, reading, language conventions (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy. The results of the tests provide information for students, parents, teachers and principals that can be used to improve student achievement.

All students are expected to participate in the NAPLAN tests. During test week, catch-up tests may be available for individual students who are absent on test days. Students may undertake catch-up tests on the days in the test week after the scheduled test, up to and including Friday 12 May.

Tips for Helping Students with NAPLANThere are a number of things that we as parents and teachers can do to help our students during the NAPLAN testing period:

• Remind students of their worth and your love for them. Identity is not tied up in assessment results, whether that be NAPLAN, projects or reports. As Christians, we believe that our identity is in Christ, that He has created us unique and gifted us in many areas. We love our children for who they are, not how they perform. Without directly tying comments to NAPLAN, it is important to keep encouraging students in their strengths, remind them of the things you value and your unconditional love for them.

• Keep calm. As parents and teachers, it is very important that we model a calm approach. We need to be careful not to transfer high-stakes expectations to our students. We ask our students to do their best, and nothing more.

• Keep NAPLAN in context. NAPLAN is one measure of student achievement, a point-in-time test. It is not a pass or fail type test, but provides information to assist in improving student achievement. Questions cover a range of year levels and no one student will be able to answer all questions correctly. A useful tool, but not the be all and end all.

• Acknowledge that tests are stressful. It is helpful to note that feeling nervous is normal, but there are strategies that can help students get through it (e.g. keep up enjoyable activities, get exercise, eat well, good sleep, talk through other experiences of making it through stressful times). Situations like NAPLAN can help students build resilience as they face their anxiety and develop coping strategies.

Please don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s class teacher or myself if you have any queries or concerns regarding NAPLAN.Christine Hibma, Deputy Principal

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Campus AssemblyOur next whole campus assembly is Monday May 1 at 9.10 am in Pioneers Hall. This time, our assembly will be hosted by Mrs Bracken’s Years 4–5 class. We love to see parents, grandparents and friends come along to share this time with us. As an added incentive, P&F invites you to share coffee, cake and community in the foyer before and/or after assembly.

Open WeekLeongatha families are welcome to visit Senior School at the Drouin Campus during their Open Week (see below). Note: we will be holding an Open Week at the Leongatha Campus from Monday 22 to Friday 26 May. More information to follow.

Families are invited to visit us during

oPenWeek

Monday 1 – Saturday 6 May, 10.00 am – 2.00 pmPakenham CamPus Kinder – Year 12 585 Bald Hill RoadDrouin east CamPus Kinder – Year 4 435 Lardners TrackDrouin CamPus Years 5–12 76 Balfour Road

Accepting enrolments now for 2018Campuses also at Leongatha and (from 2018) Traralgon

Learning That Lasts a Lifetimewww.chairo.vic.edu.au

P: 5662 5533A: 48-52 Brown Street, Leongatha VICE: brownstreet@nurtureone.com.au

Brown Street Children’s Centre

www.nurtureone.com.au

Our Kindergarten program is supported

by the Victorian Government