Term 1 has been very busy and year level camps are almost finished. Students sat NAPLAN during week 7 and 8. It is only one type of many measurement tools to measure growth in Numeracy and Literacy in Years 3,5,7 & 9. We had a minor technical glitch but this was quickly sorted so testing could run well. I want to thank our teachers and you – our students’ and parents – for your support during NAPLAN.
Harmony Week (18-24 March)
Australia is one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world and we should celebrate this and work to maintain it. Harmony Week is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values.
We celebrated our first #YOUbelong Day at Unity on Thursday 21 March with a combined JS/MS/SS celebration and our MSS Week 8 Assembly theme focussed on belonging. JS classes viewed the assembly via live stream. Our Middle/Senior students spent their lunch time with the Junior School students, what a vibrant Unity community atmosphere.
Easter Message
Easter is the most significant event of the Christian calendar. What is the Easter message for us as a Christian Community? The message of Easter is that of hope and life. It is the message that our God came down as man to die for our sins. Although he died a death of earthly nature, death could not hold Him, so on the third day, He rose again, establishing His authority over all the earth. That man was Jesus.
‘Hot Cross’ about Hot Cross Buns
The sale of hot cross buns in supermarkets seems to occur earlier each year, and in 2023, the first buns appeared on the 26th of December, hardly a breath away from the Christmas festivities. The reaction and views to this ‘new tradition’ is quite diverse, from “Ridiculous!”, to “The cross has certain significance which is not relevant all year round, so supermarkets should not sell them”, and “hot cross buns should be sold all year round to save the anxiety of those with little else to worry about. I don’t understand why some folk are so worried and hung up about when retailers start selling hot cross buns.”
The perspectives and relative importance of tradition, rite and ritual, economics, culinary pleasure and the link to the most holy of times in the Christian Calendar all play a part in the ongoing debate of when to sell and/or eat hot cross buns.
As we all know, Lent is a time of significant spiritual reflection and preparation for Easter. I offer several other rituals which can help us to enhance our experience of Lent:
- Setting aside time each day to read passages from the bible and reflect on its meaning and application to daily life
- Spending time in prayer
- Taking a day or weekend to attend a spiritual retreat or spend time in quiet reflection away from the daily distractions of life
- Finding opportunity to serve others
“For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.” – Galatians 5:5
I pray that we go well beyond the hot cross bun debate, and that through the Lenten season we can deepen our relationship with God.
As we enter the last weeks of the term, I would like to encourage every student to keep on doing their best till the end of the term – do your last assignments and assessment with rigour and commitment to achieve to the best of your ability. DON’T SWITCH off after Easter long weekend.
To our staff, students, and families, have a blessed Easter and enjoy the time spent with family and friends. If you travel – please travel safely.
See you all back after Easter to finish Term 1 on a high.
Blessings
Mr Pienaar