Tomorrow night marks the end of an era for many students and families in our school. I spoke to a parent yesterday who has had children at our school for almost 20 years. I know there is another family in a similar boat, and mum said to me that Prescott Primary Northern is such a part of her life she is sure she will turn into the driveway as she is going past out of sheer habit. I feel very honoured by our families and how they entrust their children to our school. It is both a challenge and a privilege to give our students the foundation they need for their lives in both this world, and the world to come. Thank you for trusting us with your kids.

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to our Year 6 and 7 students who are graduating tomorrow night. This is a time of great celebration for us as a school. Our senior students have completed their final year of Primary School and are now ready to move forward to the next part of their schooling life. I spoke with our whole school Chapel last Friday and I was able to share with all of our students how proud we are of our Year 6 and 7 students. We certainly are proud of them and their accomplishments and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for each of them in the years to come. A huge thank you must go to the teachers and staff who have supported the students on their learning journey over the years.

I would like to wish all of our families a blessed Christmas. It is so easy for me to get caught up in the hype and commercialisation, but I am grateful for those moments when I take the time to realise that all the gifts and celebrations should not be about a marketing machine or feeling an obligation to friends and family, they are about remembering how the powerful designer and creator of the universe was so interested in you and me, that He was willing to change the course of history and bridge the gap between failing humanity and Divinity by taking on human form. What a gift! Imagine giving a gift to someone, that changes you forever. I am overwhelmed, silenced, amazed and so grateful, that the God of heaven would do that for me. I hope this Christmas you are able to say as Paul does in 2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” It is important the we not just say it, however, we must also show it. God’s gift of love and grace should be something we share with those around. Maybe the best give you can give this Christmas is not one that is wrapped and placed under a tree. Maybe you and I can be the gift of God’s love and grace to those around. I love the way C.S .Lewis put it when he wrote, “We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” (Lewis)

Have a great week, a blessed and happy Christmas and holiday break with our kids,

Mark B