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Weekly Newsletter
Friday, 22 May 2015
THOUGHTS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Learning Life. Together.
I have an eclectic reading list.
Once upon a time, they would have kept such
behaviour for their loungeroom. Now their private
behaviour is acceptable in public because they
have the right to behave in public just as they wish.
Their rights trump mine; responsibilities are barely
recognised.
Currently I am enjoying Helen Castor’s, “Sea Wolves”. It
is a narrative history of the women who ruled England
before Elizabeth I. It is an insightful study into gender
politics in the turbulent years following Henry VIII.
Some may have seen the television show of the same
name. As with most of these things, the book is better. As a Christian School our response to responsibilities,
authority and rights is bound to be naturally out of
Recently, I read a thought provoking article entitled, step with this ‘civic religion’.
“Losing Faith in Democracy”, by Jeffrey Goldsworthy
(Spectator, May 2015). The article discusses the erosion Our code of conduct naturally, reasonably,
of faith in the Westminster system of democracy. One and desirably affirms that self-interest is more
of the central premises of the essay is that we now appropriately spelt selfish.
pursue legal recourse when our rights are impinged.
We even do that when democratically elected leaders We draw a significant distinction between truth
issue laws from the parliament.
and feelings. To tell someone that they need to
change their behaviour is not telling them they are
Goldsworthy observes at one point that there is a unacceptable.
“rights revolution”. “As one leading scholar puts it: ‘In
today’s world, the ideology of rights has, arguably, While I am always concerned about your well-being,
achieved the status of a civic religion”.
any sense that you feel bad about being corrected
for ‘wrong doing’ is not going to govern my response.
Once the notion of respecting an authority lived in
different cultural norms. Perhaps these norms were Our modern society is awash with anxiety. Feelings
not correct in all ways. It seems that Queen Elizabeth I have come to dominate thinking. ‘Self’ has emerged
ruled England with skill and courage despite not being in many as more important than ‘others’.
male. Yet, her subjects did accept that legitimacy of
her rule.
As I have already alluded “Rights” for too many
people, have eclipsed “responsibilities”.
In homes and schools in the Year 2015 the issues of
rights and authority is very much alive. A teenager We are making a case for modernism. We are making
in these times is given a great deal more cultural it every day:
support for the feelings that prompt rebellion and • We don’t accept selfishness.
disagreement.
• We believe in private property.
• We believe in caring for others.
The spirit of, “You can’t tell me what to do!” has been • We believe in telling people that their behaviour
well and truly uncorked and now stalks living rooms,
is unacceptable.
classrooms and cinemas.
• We believe that it is important, because a
community has to have a moral centre, and clear
Have you ever wanted to tell someone watching a
boundaries.
movie in a public theatre to stop talking, remove their
feet from the seats and refrain from throwing their By the way, I did tell that young girl in the cinema
food on the floor? Perhaps like me, you have wanted to stop talking, take her feet off the seats, and not
to discuss all three at once.
throw her popcorn around.
Of course, if I was sitting in this person’s lounge room She glared at me, poked her tongue out, rolled her
watching a movie on their television I would have kept eyes, then took her feet off the seat, stopped talking
my thoughts to myself.
and ate her popcorn.
Primary School News
CROSS COUNTRY
Last Friday was a successful day all round. The Year 3 – 6 students travelled down to Channel to compete in the
annual Calvin & Channel Cross Country Carnival and Kinder – Year 2 competed at Calvin in the afternoon. There
were a number of personal best efforts by our students. There were also numerous examples of teamwork and
support to those who struggled to finish through injury, fatigue or just because cross country running is not
their thing. It was also an opportunity for some of our long distance runners to shine. In every event there
were joys and disappointments but we trust that the disappointments will not cause any of our students to
be discouraged. God calls us to do the best we can with the talents we have and to rejoice with those who
succeed and encourage those who come second to thirty second. We also used the Cross Country event as
House Competition and these results saw a win to Jordan with 161 points to Jericho with 152 points. The
ledger is now even after Jericho won the Swimming and Jordan the Cross Country. We are looking forward to
the Athletics Carnival on 13 October for another chance to compete together.
HUON & CHANNEL CROSS COUNTRY
The Huon & Channel Cross Country will be held on Wednesday, 27 May at the Huonville Little Athletics track in
Huonville. Students in Years 3-6 have been selected to represent Calvin at this event. The team is Year 6 Boys:
Rory, Luke, Isaac, Daniel L, Joel, Fletcher, Year 6 Girls: Mia, Jorja-Holly, Amy, Helen, Julia, Faith, Year 5 Boys: Tom,
Tam, Oscar, James, Riley, Year 5 Girls: Tessa, Kimberly, Molly, Yunhee, Lilli, Year 4 Boys: William, Oscar, Zackary,
Samuel, Year 4 Girls: Matilda S, Sophia, Houkje, Yasmin, Matilda H, Year 3 Boys: Reuben, Cameron, Matthew,
Jonathan, Year 3 Girls: Holie, Elsa, Amelia. Thanks for the parents who have volunteered to help the team on
Wednesday. You are a real blessing to the school and its activities.
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
The Primary School Entertainment Books have arrived and were distributed to families earlier this week. This is
a fantastic fundraiser for Calvin Primary School with $13 from each book sold going to the school.
If you do not wish to purchase the Entertainment book, it must be returned to the office ASAP so we can return
them to the supplier. Unreturned books must be paid for at a cost of $65.00. If you would like to purchase
online, please click this link http://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/240714k
Primary School News
TASMANIAN FIRE SERVICE - FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION
A Fire Fighter from the Tasmania Fire Service is visiting our school from 1-5 June 2015 to present a Fire Safety Program
to our students. The program is an initiative of the Tasmania Fire Service which aims to deliver appropriate fire safety
education to every primary school child in Tasmania. The program is part of the Tasmania Fire Services ongoing
commitment to educate the public for a fire safe Tasmania
Activity Books will be handed out to children from grades 1 to 4. After the conclusion of the program the activity
book can be taken home and we encourage other members of your family to participate in the activities to ensure
your home is fire safe.
INSTALL AND MAINTAIN SMOKE ALARMS (Smoke alarms save lives)
Smoke alarms warn occupants of a fire and ensure safe evacuations. Every home should have photo-electric smoke
alarms installed in each bedroom, hallway and at the head of the stairway, connecting levels, if you live in a house
with more than one level. They provide an early warning of fire, giving people more time to get out and potentially
saving thousands of dollars in property damage.
Smoke alarms should be tested weekly with flat batteries being replaced immediately. Batteries should be replaced
at least every twelve (12) months, a good time is at the end of daylight savings time. Smoke alarms, available at local
variety and hardware stores are inexpensively priced, however only Australian Standards approved smoke alarms
should
PLAN AND PRACTICE TO ESCAPE
a) With the family, plan two ways out of every room. In case of fire, one exit may be blocked by flames or smoke.
Choose a safe meeting place outside where everyone will meet like the letter box.
b) Enable Doors And Windows To Be Easily Unlocked - Deadlocks and windows locks are a safety feature in many
homes, they can cause problems in a fire. Keys must be readily accessible and the doors and windows must be easily
opened in the event of a fire.
CRAWL LOW UNDER SMOKE (Crawl low and go, go, go)
Everyone should know if you get caught in smoke, the cleanest air will be several centimetres off the floor. Get down
on your hands and knees and crawl to the nearest
2 METRES FROM HEATER / FIRE
Always keep clothes, newspapers, kindling and other flammable material at least 2 metres from the heater or 2 big
giant steps away from it.
STOP, DROP AND ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
Everyone should know this rule. “If your clothes catch fire, don’t run! Stop where you are, cover your face with your
hands to protect your face and lungs, drop to the ground, and roll back and forth to smother the flames.
A MATCH/LIGHTER IS A TOOL FOR ADULTS
Matches and lighters are extremely dangerous in the hands of a child. Store them up high where children can’t
reach them. Teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults, they are not toys for children.
COOKING (Turn it off before you turn away)
Be alert when cooking, keep children out of harms way. Pot handles should be turned inward so they won’t be
knocked over the edge of the stove.
IF A FIRE STARTS IN YOUR HOME THERE ARE FOUR (4) RULES
* GET OUT – CRAWL LOW IN SMOKE
* CALL THE FIRE BRIGADE ON “000”
* GO TO YOUR SAFE MEETING PLACE (e.g. Letterbox)
* NEVER GO BACK INTO A BURNING BUILDING
REMEMBER: Plan ahead – there’s a lot you can do to prevent a fire.
Primary School News
TASMANIAN FIRE SERVICE INFORMATION CONTINUED....
EARLY CHILDHOOD.
TFS receives regular requests from kindergartens, preschools and child care centres asking for firefighters to
visit and teach children about home fire safety. TFS does not deliver structured fire safety programs to children
below primary school age. This decision was made based on research carried out by the Mental Health Services
of the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Melbourne. This research indicated that:
• Children under the age of five had low retention of the information they had learned; and
• In some children, the information had actually stimulated their curiosity about fire and they had begun to play
with fire.
TFS believes that parents and caregivers are the best people to make sure that very young children are safe
from fire. To help with this, TFS has a range of home fire safety and bushfire safety resources for adults: http://
www.fire.tas.gov.au/mysite/Show?pageId=colPublications
TFS has also developed resources for young children that introduce them to the friendly firefighter characters
that they will meet when they receive the School Fire EducationProgram:
• A colouring book;
• A money box shaped like a fire truck; and
• Stickers with home fire safety messages for the whole family.
To request resources please contact the TFS Community Education Unit on 6230 8485 or email
communityed@fire.tas.gov.au
YEAR 5/6 BASKETBALL
This year in basketball Mr Bosker has been a great coach and has taught us a lot. I have had a great time being
on his team. Last Tuesday we played Snug Stars in the Grand Final. Calvin won 28-14.
I love the way he trains and coaches us and I’m sure we all do. By Alex
Secondary School News
ENTERTAINMENT BOOK
The Secondary School will be sending home Entertainment Books in the next few weeks. This is a fantastic
fundraiser for Calvin Secondary with $13 from each book sold going to the school. It has been decided that all
funds raised will go towards the purchase and instalation of water bubblers for the Secondary School.
If you do not wish to purchase the Entertainment book, it must be returned to the office ASAP so we can
return them to the supplier. Unreturned books must be paid for at a cost of $65.00. If you would like to
purchase online, please click this link https://www.entertainmentbook.com.au/orderbooks/240a715
KOREA EXCHANGE - HOSTS NEEDED
If you have a spare bed and a student who is willing to make friends with a Korean student and wants to
learn more about Korea, this is the exchange for you!
Calvin Christian School will be hosting 20 Korean students in the week 3 – 7 August, 2015 from our sister
school, Imae Middle School from Seongnam City, Seoul, South Korea.
We are looking for families of Year 7 – 9 students to be hosting families and to participate in this most
exciting international exchange that is coming right to our doorstep.
The plans for the week include a welcome activity, shared classes & an overnight camp at Port Arthur.
Parents are most welcome to participate in any or all of the activities.
If you are unable to host, your students can still be involved as a day partner. There are 20 Korean students
and I aim to introduce them to as many people as possible in their short stay.
If you are interested, please send this slip back to your student’s HomeRoom teacher. There will be a parent
information meeting Monday 18 May at 3.30 – 4.30 pm in the library conference room. I look forward to
seeing you there!
YEARS 10 - 12
INFORMATION
NIGHT
WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2015
7:00-9:00pm
Primary School
Multi-purpose Hall,
35 Maranoa Road, Kingston
RSVP by 22 May 2015
to Mrs Fiona de Kievit - 6229 4829
or admin@calvin.tas.edu.au
Learning life... together
Kindergarten to Year 12
Sophia Street | Kingston
6229 4829 | www.calvin.tas.edu.au
Calvin Christian School is a part of Christian Schools Tasmania