Executive Team Address – Term 2 Week 3

The ‘ETA’ Executive Team Address

TERM 2 WEEK 2 REFLECTIONS

Jesus the True Vine

Last Friday’s Chapel service reflected on John chapter 15 v1-8, entitled ‘Jesus The True Vine’.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing… If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

There is much wisdom in this verse and the wisdom is clear; that in entering a relationship with God the fruit borne through that relationship will be enduring and plentiful. The challenge of course is to ensure that we are also able to see and appreciate such wisdom paralleling into the various dichotomy’s our of own everyday relationships.

School is one such example where the success of the interconnectedness of the relationship between the vine (EACS) and the branches (staff, students and parents) will determine the amount of fruit that the vine will bear. In the context of our school dichotomy, the vine (EACS) bearing fruit (sound reputation in the Esperance and broader community) is very much dependent on the interconnectedness of all its component parts.

Firstly, staff are an integral branch of the vine. It is the responsibility of staff to provide a holistic education filled with scope and opportunity for EACS students in mind, body and spirit. Recognising that each student has their own unique blend of talents and capabilities which need to be recognised and nurtured.

Secondly, students are an integral branch of the vine. It is the responsibility of students to be invested in their own education. To be thankful for the opportunity provided by hard working mums and dads in enabling them to attend such a fine school, and to actively embrace ways to live the FISH Philosophy strands of ‘Choose Your Attitude, Be There, Make Their Day and Play in order to derive maximum benefit from learning opportunities as well as enhancing the quality of relationships with staff and one’s peers.

Finally, parents are an integral branch of the vine. It is the responsibility of parents to work in partnership with the school and to be actively engaged in their children’s learning. To provide guidance and direction in the home environment instilling morals and values that are underpinned by sound Christian principles. To support the school by being a positive and proactive voice in the community in advancing the benefits and rewards of an EACS education.

Reputation is everything and the health of the vine (EACS) very much depends on the success of all its branches (staff, students and parents) in bearing fruit. And to bear fruit each integral branch must recognise that it has a vitally important part to play.

NOTICES

Winter Uniform

All students are required to wear formal Winter uniform throughout term’s 2 and 3. From today all students should have made the full transition into Winter uniform. School blazers are mandatory uniform items to be worn during term’s 2 and 3. Spray jackets may only be worn over the top of blazers to shield from the elements to stay dry and keep warm. Spray jackets are NOT a substitute for the school blazer.

NAPLAN Online 2021

Next week Year 7 and 9 will sit NAPLAN Online testing (see attached schedule). Students have already sat two practice tests (writing and an omnibus test) and these have enabled students to familiarise themselves with the test environment and gain some exposure and rehearsal for the types of questions that they can expect to be asked in the various tests. A reminder that attendance is compulsory for all students unless exempt or withdrawn. Parents who have issues based on religious or philosophical grounds must complete a withdrawal form, which can be obtained by contacting Mr Clark.

Country Week

Planning is now well underway for Country Week in week 11 of this term. This year EACS will be sending teams in Basketball, Dance, Hockey and Netball. Whilst further details and consent via our trip planning system Consent2Go will be received in due course please check that the initial correspondence from Mr Castelli, sent last Friday, was received. If not please check your junk email folder.

What’s on this week (Week 3)

Monday	Whole school assembly
Tuesday	Executive Principal in School
Wednesday	Executive Principal in School
Wednesday	Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the ASC Mr Mike Giles in School
Wednesday	Netball camp departs
Thursday	Netball Cup, Katanning
Thursday	Executive Principal in School
Friday	7-9 Chapel

Upcoming calendar events

11-14 May	NAPLAN Online testing
13 May	UWA Health and Medical Sciences presentation
14 May	10-12 Chapel
17-21 May	NAPLAN Online catch-up testing
17 May	Rotation 2 electives commence (Year 7&8)
19-20 May	Anglicare 'Poverty and Inequality' workshops
21 May	7-9 Chapel
26 May	Inter-house Cross-Country Championships
28 May	10-12 Chapel
31 May - 04 June	10-12 Semester Exams
01-03 June	Executive Principal in School
04 June	7-9 Chapel
11 June	10-12 Chapel
17 June	Inter-school Cross-Country Championships
18 June	7-9 Chapel
22-24 June	Executive Principal in School
24-25 June	Universities visit
25 June	Advanced Standing Reward luncheon
27 June – 02 July	Country Week (Perth)
02 July	Term 2 ends
06 July	Semester 1 Reports released

Best wishes for the week ahead.