There has been so much happening in our Distance Education sub-school over the past few weeks! Read more to hear about the 'Connection Days' that have been taking place, as well as our DE Camp.
Term 3 Connection Days
Mr Ben Leffley & Mrs Sarah Leffley
Our Distance Education (DE) staff, students and families have enjoyed continuing to build relationships and community through our Term 3 Connection Days. A small but cosy gathering of families in Taree was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people and enjoy the unseasonably warm winter sunshine.
We particularly enjoyed learning about many of the extra activities that these students were able to participate in due to the flexibility afforded by Distance Education. These students are artists, musicians and workers, each exercising their individual gifts and contributing to their communities or school. The joy we found in learning about each of these students and their families was rivalled only by the fun we had in sharing ice cream with sprinkles as we swapped stories in the shade. These families parted ways with plans to reunite at a bean farm in the near future. Our only regret is that we live too far away to join them.
The Connection Day at Lake Macquarie was the second event in this location. We were thrilled to welcome new families who quickly made new local friends and celebrated the friendships that had thrived since the first picnic in Term 2. These families have connected so richly since our first event and are eager to extend the same experience of community to other DE families. The students meet as often as twice a week on Google Meet to play games, draw and enjoy each other’s company and are already planning their next gathering “on wheels” at the local bike track. We prayed together and shared MORE ice cream and have been marvelling ever since at the immense blessing that it is to be allowed to enjoy brief moments in community with so many wonderful people.
Term 3 DE Camp
Mr Luke Reifler
In Week 1 an enthusiastic bunch of DE students gathered at CRU Lake Mac on the Central Coast, from as far as Broken Hill and the Whitsunday Islands, ranging from Year 5 to Year 10. The adventures and challenges over the three days of camp were blessed with beautiful weather, safe experiences and the richness of friendships developing. DE camps are unique because, in the case of this camp:
some had met each other before, but most had not
a couple had just started DE two days before
a few had never been on a school camp before
some were having their final DE camp (Year 10)
The camp leaders were vibrant and professional, the ACC staff were enthusiastic, the Support Supervisor parents were encouraging and… ALL the students were brave, bold, positive and soooo satisfied by the end of the camp.
We all shared so many memorable moments together with:
great heights up the climbing tower
tricky cooperation challenges with ropes, see-saws, a maze tunnel and field games
adventurous seafaring on giant SUPs, yachts and even DIY rafts
engaging skits, drama plays, games and minute-to-win-it style races
delicious meal times
unforgettable bunk room experiences
All those brilliant times that only camps can bring together in such exhausting concentration! We all loved it and the best part was that Jesus was at the centre of so many conversations, games and experiences, through Word, action and divine presence. What an adventure!
