Junior School News - Week 7, Term 4 2019

Less than a week to go and that’s the 2019 school year done. I’m sure we get to this point every year and say the same things: "Where has the year gone?" "I’m looking forward to the break." "Are you going anywhere this year for Christmas?"

Unlike most years though, the end of this year heralds in some significant change. Especially for our Junior School family. A new principal, a new Head of Junior School and a new teacher. With this level of change, one could be forgiven for experiencing a little anxiety. It’s perfectly normal to feel that by the way.

Let me say from the outset, I have the highest regard for the new appointments. I have had time to speak with each of them personally and I am completely confident and excited about what 2020 and beyond has to offer us here at SPCC Port Stephens.

The change coming invokes all manner of emotions and feelings. Missing something that’s comfortable, saying farewell to the people who make up the St Philip’s family – colleagues, friends, students and parents. There is also that buzz of excitement in waiting on the unknown and getting to be part of the change itself.

When change comes my way, whether great or small, I really love to re-read the story of Ruth in the bible.

To paraphrase, Naomi’s husband and two sons die whilst in a foreign land and she decides to return to her homeland. She encourages her two daughters-in-law to stay in their homeland and return to their mothers. One stays, but Ruth decides to follow her mother-in-law. Ruth’s response is so powerful.

Ruth 1:16 - 18
16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

The encouragement I get from this story, is this. Ruth embraced this change along with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Talk about change! For Ruth, she was leaving her homeland, had lost her husband and was about to follow Naomi who was also working through her own grief, loss and huge change. The future definitely wasn’t certain for either of them. Especially during the time in history this story takes place.

What they both had was an unwavering faith in God and the belief that they were in God’s plan for them. I’d encourage you to read this story. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s incredible faithfulness and grace in time of great change.

SPOILER ALERT: Ruth keeps her promise to Naomi and becomes part of the royal bloodline of King David.

How does this parallel our situation? We too, are entering a time of new change. For many, it’s great and uncertain change. What I have is an unwavering confidence in our God. He has never let us down. He’s faithful and as we travel into 2020, I know God will open a new and exciting chapter in not only SPCC Port Stephens, but the school Dr Petterson, Mrs Serret and I will move to. Have faith, God is good.

Have a great weekend. For those of you I am not able to catch up with, have a safe, happy and blessed Christmas period.

Mr Brett Allen
Head of Junior School