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2020 Yearbook

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2020 Yearbook 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Messages Message from His Beatitude 5 Message from His Grace 6 Message from the Principal 7 Message from the Chaplain 9 Message from the Deputy Principals 12 Faculty Reports Assyrian Report 14 Christian Studies Report 15 English Report 17 Mathematics Report 18 Human Society and its Environment Report 20 IN HIM WE GROW Science Report 22 Physical Development, Health & Physical Education Report 24 Technological and Applied Studies Report 26 Creative and Performing Arts Report 27 Learning Support Unit Report 30 College Prayer Pastoral Care Report 32 Cocurricular Report 36 Senior Leadership Team Report 38 Our Holy Creator and loving Father, Careers Report 41 Harp of the Spirit Podcast 42 Your Holy Spirit inspired your servant Mar Narsai to speak of your love and to bear witness to the life-giving teachings of your Beloved Son, Grade Reports, Photos & Events Year 7 Report 45 our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Year 7 Photos 46 Year 8 Report 53 Let the Harp of the Spirit inspire us to speak the truth, Year 8 Photos 54 seek Divine wisdom vand also to bear witness to Your love. Year 9 Report 61 Year 9 Photos 62 Year 10 Report 67 Allow us to be seekers of knowledge, so that through our words and actions Year 10 Photos 68 we may be instruments of Your Holy Spirit, who bestows upon us His gifts so Year 11 Report 74 that we may glorify Your Holy and blessed Name. Year 11 Photos 75 Year 12 Report 81 Let our college be a beacon of hope and a fountain of knowledge for our Year 12 Photos 83 R U OK? Day 90 Assyrian community, Australian Nation, and Holy Church of the East, Book Week 92 shining brightlyin our hearts and minds, bearing fruits of love, Science Week 93 compassion and justice; O Lord of all, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Geography Week 95 Court Opening 96 Amen. Year 12 Graduation 98 MESSAGE FROM HIS BEATITUDE MAR MEELIS ZAIA AM I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the new Trust in God’s purposes. There are many things that happen graduates of St Narsai Assyrian College, class of 2020. This in our lives that we don’t understand. God knows what He is year, you have demonstrated immense strength in your faith; doing and you don’t. What we do know is that his intentions continuing to push yourselves and overcome the uncertain are always good, and that He promises never to forsake us times of Covid-19, which you have lived through during your (Romans 8:28). We simply have to trust God and persevere. The most critical year at school. As you embark on the next crown of eternal life is given to those who run the race and exciting chapter of your lives, remember to carry Christ with enter through the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14). When you find you everywhere you go. In today’s world, there are so many yourself in sorrow, despair and suffering – remember that God influences that shape our beliefs and identities. As you step into is in complete control. He never gives you more than what you the world, the pressures to live a Christian life are becoming can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13) and will always restore what increasing harder. you feel you have lost (Joel 2:25). Place God as priority in your life. Be part of your Parish Be disciplined. Athletes who train for the Olympics go through Committee. Attend Bible Studies and be committed to intensive 8-hour training sessions for years on end, eating a developing your spiritual maturity. Do not just feed on milk, restricted diet and constantly trying to outperform themselves. but chew on meat (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Commit to fasting and So too, living a Christian life requires discipline to be called a tithing. It is important that you attend Sunday Mass on a regular ‘disciple’. It requires daily and deliberate action to maintain and basis so you experience the presence of God in the fullness of develop your relationship with God. You need to be consistent His indwelling love within you. and committed. As you encounter new trials and tests, don’t be surprised if they get harder as your faith gets stronger. Just like Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). St. Paul says school – the smarter you become, the harder the tests have that we are to be anxious for nothing. That by prayer and to be. God sends his fiercest soldiers to battle. Any trial that petition, bring your requests to God and He will replace it with attempts to overwhelm you is a measure of how much He can a peace that surpasses all understanding. Before you make a really trust you with suffering. This is a biblical pattern – those decision about anything, pray about it and wait – God will reveal servants prepared for great works, first encountered great to you his response in due time. sufferings. Think of Abraham, King David, Daniel, Job, St. Paul, St. Peter and many more. Do not avenge yourselves (Romans 12:19). In this life, you will encounter problems and there will be suffering. However, the Leave a legacy behind. God knew you before you were born. Lord says to call on Him in the day of trouble, He will deliver you He shaped you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5). God’s and you will honour him (Psalm 50:15). When someone hurts legacy was one of LOVE – For He so loved the world that He EXECUTIVE you, love them instead and leave place for God’s wrath. He will gave up His only Son for us (John 3:16). Think about what impact right all your wrongs if you let go of control and leave it in His you can have on this earth with Almighty God behind you. For if hands. He is for you, who can be against you? (Romans 8:31). How can you cultivate your skills, gifts and talents so people see your MESSAGES Live a life of conviction. It’s easy to show your piousness in good works and bring glory to your Father in Heaven? (Matthew front of others - just like the Pharisee who stood in the corner 5:16). Christ said that “he who believes in Me, the works that I do of the street and prayed for long hours, trying to impress the he will do also; and greater works than these he will do” (John crowds (Matthew 6). Character is what you are, unobserved. 14:12-14). Christ’s ministry was a short but powerful three years. Who are you behind closed doors? Do the attitudes and beliefs You have a whole life ahead of you, so put the Kingdom of God of our blessed Church carry on in your daily lives, or is it simply first and all things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33). reserved for Sunday Mass? God knows the secrets of the heart (Psalm 44:21) and nothing is hidden from Him, nor is anything By Grace, Mar Meelis Zaia AM secret that will not be known and come to light (Luke 8:17). Metropolitan of the Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand and Lebanon Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East 4 5 ASSYRIAN CHRISTIAN PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE SCHOOLS CHAIRMAN’S Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing knew that many students were stressed and anxious and MESSAGE move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, many did not cope well with the pandemic related conditions. because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Supporting students to become more resilient during this year’s 1 Corinthians 15:58 tough circumstance was a daily priority for all college staff. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have Mar Benyamin Elya As I contemplate the 2020 school year; bush fires, drought, Using our action plan that was based on the 2019 student peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good Bishop of Victoria and New Zealand – Assyrian Church of the East pandemic, social distancing, unpredictability, public health, resilience survey results, Year Advisers, Roll Call teachers and cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Chairman of Assyrian Christian Schools Limited student and staff wellbeing, distant learning, resilience, prayer, Pastoral Care teachers played a significant role in supporting hope and faith are some words or phrases that come to mind. our students through the many wellbeing activities and We give thanks to God for blessing us with another successful No one can deny that this was and unfortunately continues to programs this year that focused on students’ social and year at St Narsai Assyrian Christian College. As we come to be a turbulent year where everything has changed, and our emotional wellbeing. the end of 2020, we reflect on the year that has been, a year lives have been affected is so many ways. that has had its many blessings and a year of struggles due In a difficult 2020, our staff can be proud in accomplishing so to COVID-19. As Assyrian Christians we have lived for many Yet, as members of the St. Narsai College community, we have much, including: decades in struggles and have faced many wars, persecutions been fortunate enough to have been able to safely navigate • A team of teachers developed a model for the College’s and genocides.
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