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Last year I downloaded a copy of Martin Luther King Jnr’s speech delivered on August 28, 1963 at the “March on Washington.” It was titled, “I Have a Dream . . .” As I read it and then listened to it, I was intrigued as to what led this exceptional person to make this inspiring speech. Having not grown up in the US or studied US history in detail, I am far from qualified to make any sort of analysis of the political or sociological forces at play, but there is still something magnetic about the speech. “I have a dream . . .” It got me thinking about our children and families. What is it that forms the basis for the dreams and plans and aspirations our young people (and us older ones) choose to follow and live our lives for? What does your child dream of becoming or doing, or achieving? How can we nurture those dreams and aspirations and even guide them, without us living out our own hopes in our children? I don’t really have the answers for all of that, but it does us well to think about.
One thing I do know is how important it is for us to encourage our children and each other to dream and dream big. I’m not talking about day dreaming or fanciful impossibilities, but I am talking about dreaming big. My mum was not an educated woman. In fact, I think she finished school in Year 6 and went to work in a drapery store, but I don’t know how many times she said to me, “Mark, you can do anything you put your mind to. Follow what God has for you!” Encouraging healthy dreams for our children to pursue is a very important part of our roles as parents and teachers. Encouraging our children to follow the dreams God has for them is a vital part of that. I love that verse in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
One thing I have noticed over my parenting time is how important it is that the dreams we help build with our children need to be focused on what we can do for others and not be sucked into the vortex of “everything is about me.” There is a certain purity in dreaming big for the benefit of others. It brings a perspective that allows gratefulness for what we have and a desire to give to those around.
As I came to towards the end of Dr King’s speech, I found this sentence, ”I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” What a wonderful dream for us to share. Notice also, that the dream is not all about him, but something which makes the lives of those around so much better.
I encourage you to discuss dreams and aspirations with your children, and maybe even others around you and help them dream big.
Have a great week “dreaming” with your kids,
Mark B
The Perfect World
I’ve had a tough week. And whenever I have a week like this, I look forward to heaven. I look forward to no more sin. I look forward to life being the way it was designed to be, before anyone turned away from God’s perfect plan for us. Before death, before pain, before bad or sad things happened at all.
Revelation 21:3-4 describes what it will be like. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”” (NIV)
I can’t wait until death and decay no longer exist, for pain and suffering to be but a faint memory, to never have to worry about a loved one being in pain, and to be able to live with God.
Just imagine with me for a moment, your best friend, your partner, your children, your siblings living with you forever. Living in peace, in a perfect world. We have all seen the consequences of doing the wrong thing and not a single one of us will ever want to go through that again, we won’t want to see someone in pain, hurt, or sad. And living with God with His perfect ways we won’t ever have to see any of that again.
How amazing will that be! Living in a place where everyone will want to be kind and to show love to each other, where everyone will want the best for each other.
I don’t know about you, but that is a day that I look forward to so much!
This world is just a stepping stone, I can honestly say, “This too will pass”. Knowing that one day Jesus will come on the clouds, to take us to be with Him.
Nathan Greene painted an image of what it may look like when Jesus returns, it is titled ‘The Blessed Hope’.
For me personally, that is what I aim for. I can’t wait to be there, and I want as many people as possible to come with me. To experience God dwelling with us, to experience how we were designed to live.
I have been talking with some classes this week about a relationship with God. Emphasising that if you want to have a friendship with someone, you can NOT just sit next to them and say, “I believe in you”, and bam a friendship is formed, it doesn’t work that way. Likewise, you can’t learn everything about them and their past and then claim to have a friendship with them. Friendship is where you spend time getting to know the person, talking to them, telling them about yourself, learning about them, and them learning about you, sharing struggles, exciting news, and creating memories together.
In the same way, I want to remind you that God is seeking you today. He wants a friendship with you, and is waiting to hear from you and to spend time with you, whether that be through reading the Bible or through praying, even just telling Him about your day. He cares about you and about everything you go through, and He wants to be there with you through it all.
Last week, we talked about “Service (Community)" and this week we honoured several students from all the classes in our school for demonstrating this value.
Our values program this year is focused on RESPECT, INTEGRITY, SERVICE, and EXCELLENCE shown through His children and people at Prescott Northern. “Up, Up and Away says it all because with God’s values… we will rise!!!
“Rise up and shine, for your light has come.
The shining greatness of the Lord has risen upon you."
Isaiah 60:1
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Re-enroments for 2019
We are currently finalising enrolments for 2019. Thank you to those who have already returned the re-enrolment forms and for those who have not yet returned them, we ask that you do so before the end of Week 8. It is important that you notify the Front Office staff by the end of Term 3 if you are planning on moving for the new year. For some families, they may not have a specific date due to work changes being uncertain. It is helpful for the school if you can notify them of possible dates when a transfer might be occurring. We currently have a waiting list in a number of year levels. As a school, we require a term’s notice to avoid fees being charged for Term 1, 2019. It is expected our school fees will increase by 4% for 2019.
School Concert
Asthma Week, 1-7 September
Does your child have asthma or maybe have a friend who does? Spend a few minutes to explore this interactive website to learn more about asthma.
The Asthma Kids website is designed for primary school aged children to find out more about asthma, and can be visited as a classroom or at home activity.
Asthma Kids guides children through an interactive and engaging Asthma Trail with activities and questions that help educate children on:
- how it feels to have an asthma flare-up
- how to take asthma medications
- how to keep asthma under control
- how to help a friend with asthma
Children are guided through the Asthma Trail with the help of Chester, their host. Chester's Asthma Trail starts with an age-specific video, introducing asthma in a fun way. By answering the questions and doing activities, children collect blue balloons. On successful completion, with the help of a parent or teacher, they can enter a monthly prize draw. So what are you waiting for? Join Chester on his Asthma Trail.
My OSHC
Premier’s Reading Challenge
ALL reading challenges are due to Mrs. Wegener TOMORROW, September 7th.
Leave your challenge on my desk to be filed away.
Plastic Bags
Mrs. Wegener needs more plastic bags for the spare bag bin. Our Bin is empty! Please make sure your student comes to school with a library bag to protect our books. Thank you
I See Red, I See Red, I See Red
In an ALL-RED affair, Prescott’s Red Pandas took on Pedare Red last week.
With some pre-game dramas threatening to severely deplete the Red Pandas (sickness, unreliable cars and an accidental home lock-out), Mrs Ayasha Hatchard came to the rescue, making a last minute dash to collect some kids and, other than for the first few minutes, helped the Red Pandas field a full team (note to self; when you know players are running late, consider calling a “strategic” time-out, early).
With a considerable height advantage (the ENTIRE Pedare team were taller than Prescott’s tallest), Pedare Red dominated the rebounds, winning second and third shot opportunities throughout.
But despite being up against such tall timber, like David staring down Goliath (well, technically “up”), Prescott’s Red Pandas showed oodles of courage and pluck.
The Red Pandas moved the ball well, creating numerous shot opportunities, but Jonah (Prescott’s highest scorer) was the only first half Prescott goal-getter.
Scout, improving by the second and with an ever increasing presence, again threw his body on the line, cutting off several Pedare passes, and managed to score in the second half.
Simon displayed an almost sixth spidey-sense, and was able to pressure and turn over the ball, and threaded some sweet bounce passes.
Seth, introducing a new “behind the back” pass into his repertoire, again dribbled coast to coast, and on more than one occasion launched himself into the crowd hustling to save the ball, while his sister Alanna, despite her outwardly charming appearance, harbours a fierce wildcat within, was a supportive and vocal passing option, confident on the dribble and also scored in the second half.
Not to forget Tanner; he is a dependably solid team player, is insatiably upbeat, and is an excellent mentor for our younger and newer players.
Lastly, Thanks Miss Calais, parents, grandparents and siblings, for cheering and encouraging from the sidelines - your support lifts player potential more than you realise.
Coach HATCHARD
ADRA
