The Heartbeat of Mountain District Christian School

325 Macclesfield Road P O Box 483 Monbulk 3793 Phone 9756 7244 Fax 9756 7356 mdcs@mdcs.vic.edu.au

26th November, 2015 Term 4: Week 8/11

Tonight our Year 12’s celebrate their final school event. Thirteen years of schooling will be celebrated and reflected upon at the Valedictory dinner tonight held at Nathania Springs. There is some sadness about this event as their formal secondary schooling comes to a close and we say farewell to them for the last time, yet an

excitement that is evident as the graduands look forward to the next phase of their life. We hope and pray that they continue to share with us their journey beyond MDCS and often that is the case. Just this week two past students dropped in to ask to have a look around to see what had changed. In the process they had a lovely time catching up with one of their past teachers. It is wonderful to see the bonds that are formed at MDCS and the way in which our past students enjoy sharing with the teachers that taught them and vice versa.

Next Thursday, we join with the Year 6’s as they graduate from their Primary

schooling and look forward to the transition they make into the Secondary School. I am very much anticipating this event as we hear from the students the speeches they have prepared as part of the Toast Master’s program they have participated in throughout this last term.

I’d also like to remind you about our Open Door Christmas Hampers. The purpose of this is to support those families that may need extra support at Christmas time. The items donated will be presented to representatives from Open Door Church and Monbulk Care Network at our Final Assembly on Tuesday 15th December.

I’m pleased to announce that Paul Lock will be joining the MDCS team in 2016 to coordinate our VCE program. He will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from his current position at Maranatha Christian School where he coordinates VCAL and has previously coordinated the VCE program at their Officer Campus. I look forward to Paul joining the team next year.

Jason Riding

Have you seen our new Nativity Scene? It is standing outside the school office. Carved by Brandon Kroon, a local award winning carver, using various sized chainsaws, this work of art sure is something to behold. It is a wonderful thing when we can use our gifts to glorify God. When you look upon this artwork we hope that it will remind you of the true meaning of Christmas and the love story it tells, that God loves you so much that he gave us the most wonderful gift of all, Jesus.

Merry Christmas Mountain District Christian School Community!

Forms and Letters sent home this week: Year 6 Graduation Letter

Year 6 End of Year Excursion

Class of 2016 Jumper Letter

REMINDERS Tuckshop tomorrow School Banking tomorrow

YOU are invited!

PEP talk (Parents Encouraging Parents)

Details A meeting facilitated by our Chaplain around a specific

theme

Meet with other parents and share parenting stories – successes and difficulties

Encourage other parents

Be provided with helpful resources

Suggest ideas for future PEP talks

Enjoy a cuppa

When? Tuesday, 1st December 2pm—3pm

Where?

Staffroom

Whole School Orientation

This coming Monday, 30th November is our ‘Whole School Orientation’. Primary and Secondary students, current and new, will spend the afternoon with their 2016 class and teacher. While students are in class, parents of students joining our community in 2016 are invited to the staff room where we will meet to have a cuppa and chat about MDCS school life.

Parents Please Note...

325 Macclesfield Road P O Box 483 Monbulk 3793 Phone 9756 7244 Fax 9756 7356 mdcs@mdcs.vic.edu.au

OPEN DOOR CHRISTMAS HAMPERS As a school community, we are partnering with Open Door Church and the Monbulk Care Network to help provide for those in need this Christmas. Each student is encouraged to bring in a minimum of one food item that could be included in a Christmas

‘Hamper’. Some suggestions include:

Packaged ‘Christmassy’ treats such as Puddings, Fruit Mince Pies, Canned Ham, Chocolates, Biscuits

Other basic ‘non-perishable’ food items

Children's Toys Each classroom will have a box in which items will be placed, and we hope to present them to a representative from Open Door Church and /or the Monbulk Care Network, at our final assembly on Tuesday, 15th December. So let’s aim to have those boxes overflowing……and be a blessing to those in our wider community. For more information, please contact the MDCS Office

NOVEMBER

26th - Year 12 Valedictory Dinner

26th - 27th Yr 9/10 Exams

27th - Yr 11 Last Day

- Yr 5 Science Excursion

- Yr 2 Afternoon Camp

30th - VCE Unit 1 2016 begins

- Whole School Orientation

- Secondary Assembly

DECEMBER

3rd - Year 6 Graduation

Secondary School students are invited to

enter a competition to create a new logo for the SEISS pennant. SEISS is the interschool sports association that Mountain District Christian School belongs to. The association is looking for a new

logo and has asked that each school submit their winning entry. Entries are due by the 4th December and must reflect the code of conduct upheld in the competition. The winner of the MDCS logo competition will receive a $50 Westfield gift card. I am looking forward to seeing the creativity shown in the entries.

Will Baird

LIBRARY CLOSES EARLY THIS YEAR

The library will be closing on the 1st

December this year. The reason for this

is: the shelves need to be emptied and the whole library cleared out, because we are having a mini re-furb; new carpet, and a paint job, during the break. This means all books need to be returned to the library by no later than Tuesday, 1st December. We will allow holiday borrowing, as usual, to students who have no overdue books. This will take place on Monday, 30th November and Tuesday, 1st December.

Ice Packs Our huge supply of ice packs has slowly dwindled as the year has progressed. If your child has had an injury late in the day and needed to take one home, could you please check and see if any need returning please to the office. Thanks!

UNWANTED PETS??? HEADLICE

There have been a number of headlice reports from parents from the Primary sections of

the school. PLEASE check ALL your

children and treat thoroughly; remember to do the follow-up

treatments, as we strive together to eradicate this persistent and nasty pest!

To our

wonderful Barb who is celebrating a special Birthday today!