Newsletter (18 August, 2023)

I hope this newsletter finds you well. We have had an incredible week at our College, again filled with exciting learning, excursions and opportunities. Last week, on the student-free day, we had the privilege of hosting more than 200 staff members from Lutheran schools across western Victorian at our Western Hub staff conference. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect, share ideas, and strengthen our relationships as a system of schools.

This is one of the great benefits to having your children educated at Holy Trinity Lutheran College, that our staff have connections throughout the system and we work collegially to provide best-practice learning for all students. We were also honoured to have Robyn Moore AM, the esteemed voice of Blinky Bill, as our keynote speaker. Her inspiring words left a lasting impact on all of us.

Get ready to unleash your imagination and creativity because Monday is Book Week! We encourage all students and staff to dress up as their favourite book characters, the theme this year being 'characters that inspire'. Whether you choose to be a brave superhero or a mischievous fairytale character, let your imagination run wild. Remember, dressing up isn't just for the young ones. Let's make this Book Week a memorable event packed with fun and excitement. This is an opportunity to celebrate and inspire literacy development for everyone.

Our wonderful Parents, Teachers and Friends Association is coordinating the cookie dough fundraiser, with orders closing on Friday, 25 August. Please order some of this yummy produce to support our PTFA support students. I thank the members of the PTFA who have organised this and enabled this to happen.

Next week, we welcome back from leave Mr Adam Engert and Mrs Sam Engert. This week we farewell Mr David Kenny who has covered some periods of leave this term. In addition, we thank Ms Kerri Nichols and Ms Barbara Kemp who have also backfilled periods of leave. Mr Adam Borgas is currently on leave and I thank Ms Fiona Friberg for acting in a dual capacity as Head of Junior School and Deputy Principal. Finally, Ms Corriena Rose has been a valued addition to the 3D teaching team.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is centred around Matthew 15:10-20, 21-28. In this passage, Jesus teaches that true character comes from within, from the thoughts and intentions that proceed from the heart. He goes on to show his inclusive love and compassion when approached by a Canaanite woman who displayed immense faith. This interaction serves as a powerful reminder that faith transcends cultural and societal boundaries.

As we ponder upon this devotion, let us reflect on the importance of genuine faith and how it can bring us closer to God and to one another. It urges us to embrace diversity, recognise the worth and goodness in every individual, and extend the love and compassion of Christ to all. In doing so, we create a community that fosters unity, understanding, and acceptance.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend ahead of another week of learning, growth, and connection.

Mr James Phillips, College Principal

by Tatiana Overduin

I do all this for the sake of the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:23a).

‘Preach the gospel …’, ‘be compelled to preach …’, ‘preach the gospel’ (1 Corinthians 9:16–18).

Today, the text presents a powerful witness to St Paul’s commitment to preaching the gospel message of Jesus Christ so that ‘by all possible means [he] might save some …’ (verse 22). And not with ‘boasting’ (verse 16), nor ‘voluntarily’ (verse 17), but rather ‘free of charge’ and with ‘no rights’ (verse 18), Paul states that he becomes as ‘a slave to everyone … like a Jew … like one under the law … like one not under the law … and even becoming weak’ (verses 19–23) all for the sake of the gospel (verse 23). Paul is dedicated.

What a challenging text to contemplate. What becomes apparent is how Paul champions the proclamation of the gospel message to whoever necessary. What also becomes clear is how often I inadequately disappoint and, time and again, shy away into my own little world. How many times have I had the opportunity to proclaim God’s truth, yet my lips have remained sealed? I have been hurt before (as you, too, no doubt, have experienced at some point in your life) when stating a Bible text, only to be shut down by others. In 2 Corinthians 2:16, we are reminded that ‘To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom’. The gospel truth doesn’t always smell so pretty, like garlic among roses! And St Paul knew and experienced the outcome of this ‘stench’ in his own life: experiencing beatings, imprisonment, and finally, martyrdom for the sake of Jesus’ gospel.

‘But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume’ (2 Corinthians 2:17). So, how do we know when the gospel message will not get accepted into the heart of another? Who are we to determine when the Holy Spirit will call another through God’s word? We, therefore, look for the opportunity to be ready to attest to God’s work in our lives. We pray that we practise what we preach and join in with all the saints to share in the promised blessing of eternal life. In verse 27, we read, ‘I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize’. Then let us pray that we continue to grow in faith and be worthy of receiving and sharing the gospel truth – the prized message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price for the salvation of the world.

O Triune God, have mercy on us and forgive us when we fear and fail to testify to your truth and, therefore, miss opportunities that you provide to bring others to your truth. Help us and give us the resilience to run the race, reach the prize, and one day wear the crown of everlasting life, all for the sake of the gospel. May we humbly accept the task you present to us to share your gospel message with others. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.