Palm Island Mission Trip

If I were to describe the Palm Island mission trip this year in 3 words, I’d use: Challenge, Rewarding and Reminder. Our trip went for 2 weeks, one week in the YWAM base located in Townsville and one week in Palm Island.

We were warmly welcomed to the campus and joined many events - Family Night, Campus Worship & Intercession, YWAM Expo, as well as our daily work duties. The week we spent in Townsville was packed with training sessions everyday: Input and Team Building. During Input, we were challenged to reflect not only on our faith but also our identity and the strongholds in our lives. We built a better understanding of our faith through categorising aspects of Christianity and God’s characteristics under either “knowing” or “believing”. It was encouraging to see how much more we could to put on our “believing” wall at the end of the week. The team building activities pushed each one of us out of our comfort zone, both individually and as a team. We saw how working together increased our effectiveness so much in the activities we did, and hence would be reflected when we went on outreach. 

Although we lost a day for outreach, every single moment spent in Palm Island was spent to the max. We had the opportunity to partner with the PCYC (Palm Island Community Youth Centre), to help them run their holiday program. We were able to interact with the kids almost everyday during both morning and evening sessions. At times it was difficult to maintain stamina playing with the kids, but the perseverance it took made it all the more rewarding. It was upsetting to hear about the kids’ home conditions but that motivated us to root a sense of comfort into their hearts. Whilst at the beginning it was awkward to mention Jesus or to ask to pray, our confidence and intention in sharing God’s love improved by the second day. I also enjoyed seeing how the team interacted not only with the kids there but also with each other. There was definitely an evident outpour of love and it fostered an environment for everyone on the team to grow in faith. 

Throughout the trip I was constantly reminded that many things are and will always be inconsistent; the team’s situations back here in Melbourne and the conditions we faced whilst on the trip, the kids we met or their situations back at home. However, if there is anything that I will hold onto from this trip is that there is something those kids, and even ourselves can anchor on: Jesus Christ. The verse Hebrews 13:8 stood out to me while writing this: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

​​​​​​​Natalie Khoo - Year 9 Missions Team Member

YEAR 11A HOMEROOM

This year, I have had the wonderful opportunity to be the homeroom teacher for 11A. I have been blessed by their kindness and welcoming nature, which I’ve especially appreciated as a first-year teacher. During homeroom, we spend time in the Word of God and reflect on its application in our lives. We also spend time in prayer, and we bond together through games. Homeroom presents a great opportunity for the students and I to recentre our day around Christ Jesus, and glorify Him through the rest of what the day holds.

As these students move into their final year of schooling, it can be a challenging and confusing time. It is such a privilege to be a source of support and guidance for the students of 11A. I will continue to keep them in prayer, and I look forward to seeing where the Lord Jesus guides each student. May they choose to follow and trust Christ daily as He leads them to life of purpose and joy.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.

"11 A is like disneyland, a place where dreams come true! Okay, that may be an overstatement, but it holds some truth. From the games we play to the amazing devotions where we learn about God. We, each morning get a chance socialise and be prepared for the start of each new day. Though at times we may feel gloomy and uninterested, these 15 minutes are ones that we in 11 A will cherish for a long time to come". – Brandon Chercher (11A Student)

Blessings,

Deidre Barnabas 

Science Teacher  

SRC REPORT - RESPONSIBILITY

Greetings parents and fellow students, As this week's theme is responsibility, I will delve into a concept adjacent to it: acts of kindness that go beyond the call of duty. In our lives, we have been the recipients of selfless gestures, whether from our parents, teachers, friends, or from God. These acts, though not strictly their 'responsibility,' have profoundly changed our lives and shaped the people we are today.

I always remind myself of the love and care provided by my parents. Although it may not have been their strict responsibility to send me to a private school, they chose to make that sacrifice which provided me with opportunities for a better education and future. Similarly, our teachers, while not obligated to do so, become close with their students and often choose to invest their time and effort in mentoring and guiding us in matters far beyond those involving the school. Above all, we must reflect on the ultimate act of love and sacrifice—the divine gift of God's only begotten son for our sake. It was not God's sense of responsibility that compelled him to save us, but rather his unconditional love. He bestowed upon us the greatest gift, offering us a chance for new beginnings.

We shouldn't ignore those individuals who take up responsibilities that were never theirs to bear—worse yet, that we take these acts for granted. Rather, we need to acknowledge their selflessness. We must recognize our parents and teachers, even if they may sometimes be strict and harsh, is a blessing that not everyone enjoys. So, fellow students, rather than being the beneficiary of these selfless people, become one and impact others' lives as much as they have impacted yours. This can be something small like an uplifting word towards your peers, or a gift to the people that have helped you.

Somewhat off the topic, I believe that Christians are better poised to be these people and we are thus called to be the light of the world, just as our Heavenly Father is the light of the universe. May we be reminded of the power of kind deeds that go beyond the call of duty and together sow seeds of compassion.

• Galatians 5:22-23
• Colossians 3:12-14         
• Philippians 4:8-9
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Joshua Carron

SRC Captain

Environmental Club

The students of VCE Vocational Major (VM) as part of the Personal Development Skills Curriculum are to direct a community project. At Lighthouse Christian College we believe in being good stewards of the environment. The school community has expressed the need for an environmental club within the school. The VM students are in the process of establishing such a club as they to are passionate about this issue.

Last term, 15 Year 9 Humanities students attended an Environmental Education Forum the Greater Dandenong City Council held. The Year 9 students learned a great deal from this experience and grew their awareness and desire of being good stewards of earth.

From this event the Greater Dandenong City Council expressed their willingness to work with the school. Since then, they have visited the VM class and are assisting in the establishment of the Environmental Club. The club will be run at lunch times and address issues such as waste management, energy usage and food security just to name a few.

Tricia Stone

Secondary Teacher

VCE Year 11 Modern History

Visit to Jewish and Holocaust Museums Melbourne

On Thursday, 20 July 2023, our VCE Modern History class was granted the opportunity of attending a highly anticipated excursion to visit Melbourne’s Jewish and Holocaust Museums, following our in-depth study about how at the end of World War One, new governments in Italy, Germany led to the emergence of societies driven by new ideologies which led to the oppression and persecution of certain groups, most especially the Jewish community in Nazi Germany.

This visit, broaden our knowledge and understanding of such a significant chapter in Modern history through informative sessions, tour and visit to a Jewish Synagogue, participating and understanding a Sabbath ceremony, having an introspective discussion during our delicious lunch at Budapest Schnitzel and Eating House, analysing primary sources and finally culminating this amazing experience with interactive Q&A’s with a 99 year old Holocaust survivor.

Our history students demonstrated great attitudes, as well as a new appreciation for history in response to the compelling experience. Here is what they have to say: 

“The Holocaust and Jewish Museums was an immersive experience that highlighted the significance of Judaism and its customs to Jewish individuals. We had an impactful experience as we learned the hardships faced by Jews prior to World War 2, and their hope for survival through a holocaust survivor who shared his story. The restaurant we visited was an amazing addition and over all the excursion was a worthy experience.” - Orlando C

“Being given the chance to witness a living holocaust survivor is a great privilege that is likely never to be granted once more in our lifetimes. It is of a paramount importance to learn of, and an unforgettable message to receive from their testimonies. With such words that do not beguile the dark chapter in our human history, we should never be compelled to repeat such tragedy ever again.” - Johannes T 

“On our history excursion to the Jewish and Melbourne Holocaust Museums, we were blessed with the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of Jewish culture, and events that occurred during the Holocaust. After this excursion, and learning about the devastating times before World War 2, I can now fully appreciate the freedoms of the world and society that we currently live in.” - Monique G

“One of the most amazing experiences I have ever had where we looked at interesting records, views, and sources (items) reflecting the past and its history/culture. We experienced what it was like to be in a synagogue (its architecture was amazing), and the fact that all synagogues face towards Jerusalem astonished me. During the Holocaust Museum we were able to examine primary sources from a holocaust survivor. Seeing and hearing the holocaust survivor speak on what he went through yet still having hope truly inspired me; his message being to keep hope and remember that even when in days of oppression, the sun shall always shine in the end.” - Melwin T  

Cristina Orellana

VCE Year 11 Modern History Student

WORLD OF MATHS

On Tuesday July 18, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 took part in an incursion presented by World of Maths. Students worked in teams to solve a range of practical problems, thereby increasing their appreciation of Mathematics in different contexts. 

Here’s what some of the students had to say afterwards: 

“I liked how you can do things hands on without writing much down.” - Salina, 7C 

“I enjoyed the questions that were given to us because it was a bit challenging but when you solved it, I found that it was very fun. - Egan, 9C 

“I enjoyed the beehive hexagon activity. It was similar to Jenga, where you had to pull out different sections of the hive to make a path for the bee to reach their home.” - Jeriah, 9A 

“I enjoyed the puzzle matcher because we had to make different shapes with the puzzle; it was fun. We had to form a big cube with blocks of different shapes and answer the questions. Overall the experience was fun and enjoyable.” - Maria, 9C 

“I learned how to get the ball through the maze, Math is also fun!!!” - Kenny, 7B 

Daniel Broadbridge

Head of Mathematics

LIGHTHOUSE CHURCH NEWS