The recent visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, to our diocese was an inspiration for the students and staff who attended his public lecture. His message was twofold, urging us to be peacemakers in a world of division and to care for creation. He spoke of his regular contact with the Pope and other religious leaders as they try to guide political leaders in the pursuit of peacemaking, particularly in the Russian region. He spent the following day with Lismore residents who had lost their houses, accompanying them as they visited the flood sites, a religious world leader bringing pastoral compassion. Read here a report from Year 7 student Santiago Cooke: https://drive.google.com/file/...

We have commenced our annual Christmas Hamper Appeal. All families received correspondence about bringing in the following items (new, unused, and in date) for Warrina Women and Children’s Shelter and the Uniting Church Soup Kitchen. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

• Tins of ham
• Small Christmas puddings & cakes 
• Tins of fruit / Jelly cups
• Soup in cans and packets 
• Poppas / cans of soft drink 
• Tins of stew 
• Tins of salmon or tuna
• Pasta / noodles
• Small jars of coffee / Tea bags
• Long life milk and custard                             
• Lollies / Nuts / Chocolates / Biscuits 
• Vegetables in cans 
• Variety packs of breakfast cereal
• Jam, honey, vegemite, peanut butter
• Tins diced tomatoes
• Tins baked beans or spaghetti 
• Pasta sauce
• Instant meals 
• Matchbox/toy cars
• Barbie or other dolls
• Beach towels/buckets etc
• Notebooks and pens
• Scented gift Candles
• Summer pyjamas for mums
• Colouring pencils/textas and books
• Playsets that are easy to transport (vet playset, doctors kit, small kitchen things etc.)
• Toiletries (not the tiny hotel ones) eg. shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturiser.

Labyrinth Workshop: The Anglican Diocese of Grafton extends an invitation to our school community to participate in an Advent Labyrinth Workshop and Walk on Saturday 19th November at Dorrigo in the beautiful outdoor labyrinth at Dangar Falls, led by the SEQ Anglican Labyrinth Resource Group. For detailed information: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EqbUrlwNpW9W0u8siQlLXdRdgb_6tBQS/view?usp=sharing. RSVP is required by 11th November to michaelaridge2@outlook.com

Save the Date: the annual evening Carols Service will be on Monday 12th December. This is a beautiful night of music and performances, including our kindy nativity play.

Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings and Funerals are always available for members of our school community – please contact the Chaplains to find out more.

Rev Naomi Cooke
Chaplain
ncooke@bdc.nsw.edu.au 

A Guide To Safe Partying

Teenage gatherings provide young people with important opportunities to interact and build on their social skills and experiences. Celebrations, partying and socialising are a fundamental rite of passage and one of the most important aspects of a young person’s life. However, it is possible for the best young person to get carried away with their peers and the euphoria of the moment.

For parents and caregivers, keeping your young person safe can at times feel daunting and is often a compromise and a challenge. Most teenagers try to do the right thing most of the time, but your leadership as a role model is crucial. Your child may appear to be physically large and mature, but this is not necessarily matched by their emotional maturity and responsibility in behaviour.

Every party has the potential to get out-of-hand as sometimes it’s hard for young partygoers to make good decisions. Communication and regular discussions are vital, particularly because young people are often faced with peer pressure to do things they prefer not to engage in. Hosting a celebration at home or at a venue can be a fun and memorable event but it is important to agree on the ground rules well before your event is announced to ensure there are no misunderstandings later on.

If hosting an event, you owe your guests a ‘duty-of-care’ and should ensure all reasonable steps are taken to keep partygoers safe. This Special Report provides caregivers with list of things to consider when planning a celebration. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://bdc.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-guide-safe-partying