LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
NEWSLETTER
May 4, 2023
Value of the Month - Compassion
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
love and faithfulness go before you. Psalm 89:14 NIV
IMPORTANT DATES
Date | Event |
|---|---|
Friday 5 May | Scholarships Close |
Tuesday 9 - Friday 12 | Year 7 - 8 Outdoor Ed Camp |
Friday 12 May | Beam Mothers Day Chapel |
Saturday 20 May | Scholarship Exams (9:30 am - 12:30 pm) |
Saturday 27 May | Prep Open Day 10am & 11am |
Friday 2 June - Sunday 4th June | Gravitate: Leadership Training Camp |
PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Remembering the past
At the start of Term 2 we commemorated ANZAC Day at the College during our Chapel times. At the primary level, students were told about the origin of this event and the need to honour those who fought for our country, including the many who lost their lives protecting the sovereignty of our country and other countries.
At the secondary level, students were encouraged through a video by the Australian Chief of Army on the significance of ANZAC Day and how the soldiers would continue to serve and protect others, following in the footsteps of those who had gone before. Seaman Elijah Ashley, a 2020 graduate at our College, is currently serving in the Royal Australian Navy. He shared his personal testimony with students on how God transformed his life to serve others, while studying at Lighthouse Christian College.
The school captains, Matthew Thai and Caitlyn Stephens, were present at the Springvale Town Hall to represent our College in the community’s commemorative service. They were tasked to read a poem and also to pray during the service, including laying a commemorative wreath. As part of our school pillar, we want to continue to get involved in community events so that we can serve people who are in need, following the example of Jesus.
We are looking forward to a great Term 2!
Blessings,
Mr Wing Leong
College Principal
TECHNOLOGY & WELLBEING
Identity in Christ vs Social Media
To answer the question ‘Who are you?’ can be quite the challenge to an individual, particularly when they are on a journey to obtain such personal revelation. The world is full of cultural experiences, rich in history and crowded with personalities and values.
The TV/Film and Music industries, as well as Social Media platforms have influenced many generations (explicitly and subliminally) to understand that identity is created, curated, and defined by how we look, our work, hobbies, interests, wealth and social interactions. All these elements are only temporary, as they change as trends and culture continue to shift and fade away when popularity deems it irrelevant.
If we base and rely on such people and platforms to justify and determine who we are, our identity and our purpose in life will always change, create more confusion, and thus lead to a never-ending search. Instead, we must find a constant through the one who created us. Yahweh is our God, our Abba Father, the one who created us and knows us by name. To learn more about who we are through Him, we must read His Word, to know and understand the significance and power of Jesus Christ, our Saviour, cornerstone, and firm foundation.
Just as much as social media is flooded with millions of influencers and opinions, the Bible is inundated with scriptures revealing and confirming who we are as children of God. Psalm 1 calls us to meditate on God’s Word, so we can ground ourselves firmly on His truth that will never change. God is the same yesterday, today and forever as He is truth, love and life. We are nothing without Christ as our Foundation.
Take a break from the never-ending mindless scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, comparing yourself to others around the world, and instead, spend that same time with God through prayer and reading His Word who created you and knows you by name.
Two of my favourite passages that I love and encourage you to read are Psalm 139 (Old Testament) and Ephesians Chapter 1 (New Testament).
Joseph Kan
Head of Student Wellbeing (Secondary)
Head of Innovation & Technology
PRIMARY - ELC - YEAR 2
EXPLORING NATURE IN AUTUMN
Autumn showed children how to embrace changes in God’s beautiful creation. They are developing awareness, recognizing the changes and connecting to the natural environment around them. Autumn enables children to experience the ever-changing nature. The leaves of last year must fall to make way for new ones!
Christine Kwok
Head of ELC
STEM
Year 2 really got the wheels rolling with their STEM projects! The students worked in groups to design a wagon which was not only visually appealing but could also carry 20 pencils over a distance of 3m. Getting those wooden wheels to stay on, turn and move quickly, was a real head scratcher, but our students worked hard to solve some unexpected problems. Well done Year 2!
Rene Marshall
Year 2M Teacher
PRIMARY - YEARS 3 - 6
All Primary homerooms created stunning Fruit of the Spirit displays for our competition in Term 1. Miss Suh and her Year 4 class won the competition. They created a beautiful Fruit of the Spirit display which shows practical ways that they show love to those around them. It also depicts that the branches are connected to the source of nutrients which is Jesus. Well done 4S, may you continue to show love to yourself, others and to God.”
Miss Kathryn Price
Head of Curriculum (Navigate)
SECONDARY
COMPASSION
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12
Compassion is a powerful virtue that reflects the heart of God. It is the tender and heartfelt response to the suffering, pain, and struggles of others. On ANZAC day we honour those who have served and fought for our freedom with such humility.
Our recent ANZAC Day service in Springvale City Hall allowed us to show respect, gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made by soldiers and to ensure that their legacy is remembered and honoured. To attend this ANZAC service was an honour in itself, but for us to be part of the ceremony - to speak, pray and lay a
wreath representing our school was an even bigger honour that we recognise and will forever remember and be grateful for. Remembering the ANZACS will continue to be important to us College Captains as they have taught us to be selfless and serve the community first. “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with
those who mourn” says Romans 12:15. Let us continue to pay our respects and forever hold those who served and died in conflict in our hearts.
We will remember them.
Matthew Thai and Caitlyn Stephens
College Captains
Compassion is a deep feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the suffering or misfortune of another. It is often accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering or misfortune of another. Compassion is an important part of being a Christian, as it is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
The Bible tells us that God is compassionate and merciful (Psalm 103:8). He shows us compassion when we are in need, and He calls us to show compassion to others. Jesus taught us that we should love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), and this includes showing them compassion when they are in need. We can demonstrate this by offering help, listening to their needs, and praying for each other.
The Bible also tells us that we should bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). This means that we should be willing to help those who are struggling with their own problems. We can do this by offering emotional support, practical help, or even just being there for someone in need. By doing this, we are showing each other compassion and helping each other through our difficult times.
We can also demonstrate compassion through acts of kindness. Jesus said that whatever we do for the least of these, we do unto Him (Matthew 25:40). This means that when we show kindness to those in need, it is like showing kindness to Jesus Himself. We can show kindness by helping out in areas of need or simply smiling at someone who looks like they could use some encouragement. These small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life and show them that they are loved and cared for.
Finally, we can demonstrate compassion through prayer. When someone is going through a difficult time, praying for them can be a powerful way to show them love and support from afar. Praying for others helps us focus on their needs instead of our own and reminds us that God is always with them even when times are tough.
Compassion is an important part of being a Christian and something that all believers should strive to demonstrate in their lives every day. By showing love and kindness to those around us, offering help when needed, bearing one another’s burdens, and praying for those who are struggling, we can show true compassion towards others and make a difference in their lives and ours.
Christopher Surendra
Head of Christian Studies
When I think of the word compassion, the first story that comes to my mind is that of the good Samaritan. In this story, a Jewish man was robbed, beaten, and left for dead, while the characters who you would expect to show compassion to him, like a priest, didn’t. Jesus then explains that a Samaritan, someone who was supposed to be an enemy to the Jews, showed the man compassion, and went above and beyond to help the man. Even though the Samaritan would gain virtually nothing
from helping the man, he still chose to.
As it says in Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” From both this parable and this verse, God is clearly demonstrating that we should follow the example of the Good Samaritan and show compassion that goes above and beyond to our neighbours. Although it may be difficult to show compassion to even our enemies, God has shown that this should not hinder us in showing compassion, just as the Samaritan did to the Jewish man. Through even Jesus’s example of dying on the cross for everyone, even those who persecuted him, God has shown us that we too should show compassion to others around us.
From simple words of encouragement, to helping those in need, how else can you show compassion to your neighbours this week?
Josiah Ly
Community Captain
Lighthouse Christian College Newsletters
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