Shaping Culture - Lantern Walk

Winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, June 21, in the Southern Hemisphere. This day is celebrated in many cultures and in various ways. In European countries, the winter solstice is celebrated with rituals such as making homemade lanterns, gathering for community events, and lighting bonfires, symbolizing hope in the darkness. In Germany, the lantern festival is also known as St. Martin's Day and includes traditions like lantern processions and sharing gifts to emphasize care for the less privileged.

At Channel, we have held our annual Lantern Festival since 2009, combining many of the traditional customs into our community event. Celebrating the winter solstice with activities that emphasize light in darkness reminds us of Jesus Christ, the light of the world, bringing hope and salvation to all. Channel’s strong community focus is a reflection of the love and grace that believers are called to express in their daily lives, showing compassion and caring for one another. The winter solstice can also be seen as a time to reflect on God's creation and the natural rhythms He has established.

Engaging in these traditions can serve as a way to honour God’s creation, express gratitude, and demonstrate Christ-like love and service to others. So come along on Friday night, enjoy the warmth of a fire, a cup of warm soup, and the wonderful lanterns the children have all created in their classes. We can use this event to celebrate who we are as a diverse community reflecting the ultimate light and hope into our current culture.

Margaret Louw – Principal

Students have been learning that conflict is part of everyday life for everyone and that we can have conflict with anyone, anywhere! They are learning to identify there are three main ways that people react to conflict and see that peacemaking is something that we can choose. Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker!

Here is one of the posters that you will see displayed in our classrooms. Students reflect on each section of the slippery slope. They identify what it means to be a peacebreaker, peacefaker and a peacemaker and also how it feels to be each one.  Students role play conflict scenarios where the way someone reacts to the conflict is either by choosing to attack, escape or make peace. In the older grades, students have been discussing what conflict and peace are and how they affect our relationships with one another. Students will continue to explore the typical responses to conflict by interacting with the Slippery Slope of Conflict. In Year 4/5 and Year 6, students explored Matthew 19:13-14 and reflected on how Jesus responded to conflict. They were given an opportunity to ask God to help them to have peacemaking responses to conflict.

Grainne Brocklesby - Deputy Principal

In Technologies this term, Year 1 students have started learning about the language of coding.

This week we have learnt to use the word ‘algorithm’ to describe the instructions we give computers to solve problems. We use algorithms to get ready for school in the morning, when eating our recess, playing sport and using robots. The students have identified three important features of algorithms and ways to make them successful:

1.   Know the end goal.
2.   Make your instructions clear and specific.
3.   Look out for obstacles.

Students have begun transferring their understanding using an application called codeSpark Academy. We are learning to guide our character to collect items, turn around and jump over obstacles through a sequence of steps. It has been wonderful to witness success, the overcoming of setbacks and peer teaching during unplugged and plugged activities!

Theresa Stephenson - Year 1 Teacher

Last Thursday, the Year 4/5 and Year 6 classes experienced the joy of attending a concert by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at the Federation Concert Hall. Students were treated to an animal themed program, including the Carnival of the Animals, Flight of the Bumble Bee and the Bluey theme, which was a real crowd favourite.

Prep, Year 1, Year 1/2, Year 2/3 and Year 3/4 will have their turn to experience the joy of the orchestra when they attend another concert by the TSO on Wednesday 19 June at Emmanuel Christian School.

Nathaniel Richardson - Music Teacher

We have been successful in securing a grant from Landcare for a school Butterfly Garden.
Coming in Term 3. Watch this space!