Positive Choices

Recently I have been speaking to students about choices. Indeed, each and every day I engage in dialogue with students, in and out of the classroom, on a range of matters, and most times there are incidental elements to the conversations that relate to the choices they have made or might consider. Specifically, in Year 8 Christian Studies this term, students are learning about ethics, morals, and values, and how these three domains intersect when we are needing to make choices in our lives. I am encouraged by the depth of thinking that students are displaying as they are presented with a range of ethical dilemmas to consider and respond to.

Similarly, in Year 7 Personal Development, students met with myself and their teachers earlier in the week for a lesson to listen to and engage in discussion around making positive choices. The topic of discussion was centered on vaping and the essential information this age group would need to know. What pleased me most was the genuine, respectful, and curious discussion and feedback that was taking place during key moments of the presentation. We explored what they knew, what they would like to know, how a vape works, the risks associated with vaping, and thinking about the strategies they could utilise if they were in a situation where they had a choice to make related to vaping. Ultimately, the talk was grounded in students making positive informed choices and I was encouraged by their attention to the information being shared.

Year 6 ALWS

I congratulate and thank Year 6 and their teachers, Mr Pohlner, Mrs Sydes and Mrs Kiernan for their involvement in ‘Walk my Way’, a Christian fundraising activity. ‘Walk my Way’ is an initiative of the Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) ALWS and our students raised $111 for their efforts in walking a distance from school to Currimundi on the last day of Term 2. The money raised was donated to ALWS to support the work they do for refugees and other groups in need. With Year 6 focusing on the plights of refugees and asylum seekers in Christian Studies, it was a tremendous choice staff and students made to engage in this service activity.

Mr Ben Ryan, Director of Students