Hello, students, staff, families and friends. 

First of all, please accept my heartfelt thanks for your generous support of our Christmas Hamper Appeal. Your donations will be passed on to the Warrina Women’s and Children’s Service, and the Uniting Church Soup Kitchen, for the benefit of the people they serve. As we approach Christmas, I’ve enjoyed spending time with students talking about what this time of year means to them. In our Primary year group chapel times, we reflected on the journey to Bethlehem taken by Mary, Joseph, the shepherds and the magi. I asked students to place their own paper footprint on the road to Bethlehem, and write or draw what Christmas means to them.

Later, I gathered their responses in a word cloud. What a lovely glimpse into the hearts and minds of our young people. Family, friends, love, joy, giving - and Jesus! I pray that you will experience all these blessings and more over the Christmas break.

I also want to recognise those students who shared answers like ‘sad’, ‘worried’, or ‘grief’. Christmas can be a difficult time of year, for all sorts of reasons. When joy and peace feel far away, it can be helpful to remember that this is what Jesus came for - to be with us in our grief and struggle.

I hope and pray that you will all have a safe and restful break, and look forward to catching up with you in 2024. Peace be with you!

Rev Lisa Williamson