The Newsletter of Issue No 10 Oxley Christian College 13 August 2020 From the Principal Dear Friends, These days, looking into the future with any degree Of course, there have been many debates around self- of accuracy is certainly a landmark achievement. We evident and unalienable rights since the declaration, and continue to be very appreciative of families who helpfully in recent months we have also seen the other questions walk alongside each other and the College in these of the minority, about their consent to be governed. A difficult times. Understandably, it has been a challenge democratic society relies on both majority sentiment and for many families to resume remote learning, but we minority consent, otherwise our community can be at are delighted and encouraged to see the resilience and risk, and that becomes a very complex issue. tenacity of the majority coping rather well. Our hope is that students can briefly put aside the disappointments Perhaps even more disturbing is that the natural or secular of not being together as a class and continue to world view that underpins modern culture holds no experience many small successes in learning under the inherent egalitarian picture of human creation, since it is a current restrictions. view that denies a Creator. In an evolutionary and secular view there is no necessarily intrinsic value for all human While education is the focus for a student in the school beings. Nor is there a particularly strong basis for an appeal years, there are, I believe, other big pictures currently in to reason or consent given the human mind is merely a play. As if the COVID-19 pandemic is not enough of a product of evolutionary processes. Here, human equality is challenge, this year we have also been confronted with not a self-evident truth, but rather culturally and historically civil unrest across the world that strikes at the heart of conditional. Everything is contested. The implications how we understand history, justice and indeed, western of this are irreconcilable with a Christian worldview and society. As I have said in past editorials, our views and therefore Christian education. And so, I draw us back assumptions about what it means to be human, about to our big picture vision as a College, to take delight in our spiritual nature and the purpose of mankind, is at God’s creation and love through inspired learning. the heart of education. There are normative aspects and obligations in gaining knowledge, and in what ought to Warm regards, be done because of our education. A school should hold Douglas Peck to a common inheritance and teach that heritage in view of its assumptions about mankind. We have a respect for truth, for example, and for the other Christian virtues. In the theory of knowledge, a self-evident proposition is one that is known to be true by understanding its meaning without proof and by using ordinary human reason. It is sometimes also said that a self-evident proposition is one whose denial is self-contradictory. In a past era, for example, the majority probably agreed with the self-evident moral truth outlined in the preamble of the United States Declaration of Independence. In part it states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all (people) are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among (people), deriving their just powers from the consent to be governed.” Chaplain’s Corner Amazing International Students As we celebrate International Week at Oxley this week, I am reminded by just how amazing our students from overseas are. They have joined us from around I praise God for our international students, for what we the world to study in Australia. Students from China, are able to offer them and for what they offer us. Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Burma, Malaysia, and elsewhere. Some moving to Australia with their Hebrews 13:1 Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect families, many leaving their families behind, and the to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that, some comforts of home, to venture to an unknown land, have entertained angels without knowing it. surrounded by strangers, unfamiliar food and culture. Matt Daly When I speak with students in our international students program, and ask them what they most miss Where do our international students come about home, it is usually consistent. Friends and family, and food! Homesickness is a reality for most in their from? first year, but it will often come and go in waves. I We have 63 international students (5 in Junior School imagine this has only been amplified further in a year and 58 in Senior School) from seven countries. of uncertainty around COVID-19. So many practical, emotional and cultural differences to navigate. As you can imagine, it can all be very exhausting at times for them all. We congratulate our international students for their bravery, their resilience, and hard working, can do attitudes. Each student brings a unique quality and experience to our College, which helps to shape the way we see the world and broadens our understanding of it. These wonderful students are engaging with our school community in deeper ways than ever before, and I congratulate our International Captains, Joel Pedrosa Kok and Holly Yi, for the proactive ways they are helping students to integrate and communicate, whilst setting a high standard for academic pursuits. We are blessed to have you as student leaders this year! Thank you Homestay Parents! Our amazing international students would not be with us, if it was not for our incredible Homestay parents. Families who open their homes and lives to young men and women, who arrive timid, a little worried about the unknowns, with most quite unused to Australian culture. Our Homestay parents help them navigate these crucial first few months and nurture them, and within time, often seeing them as an extension of their own family. We thank you for your efforts, your care and concern. We recognise some of the challenges you face in guiding a teenager through some of the most formative years of their lives. 2 I pray that you are able to find moments of peace and Senior School joy in every day, spend some time encouraging a friend, receive love and best wishes of others and know deep in There was a sombre feel to the corridors on Tuesday your heart that God is sovereign and reigns, even in the 4 August as Years 10-12 moved to remote learning for storm which rages around us. the second time this year, joining the remainder of the students. Moving about the hallways it was obvious Greg Barker that people were working hard to keep a smile on their Deputy Principal – Head of Senior School faces. I was greatly humbled by the love for their friends and support for each other. As students filed out it was apparent that some thought they were farewelling the remainder of the year, although I continue to hope we Junior School will be able to safely return to the College and to life as we knew it before COVID-19 struck. As we come to the end of Week 4 of Term 3, I find myself counting down the remaining weeks of lockdown (five At Oxley, we continue to look at ways to safely engage weeks to go!) There exists a tension, a state of limbo and students, within the current constraints, which for some of waiting, surrounded by a feeling of hope and joy in students may include tele-mentoring, the opportunity for knowing this time will end. Whilst we may not enjoy a full ensemble practice, online debating and other offerings. return to normality in the immediate future, we remain We realise that no single activity appeals to all students grounded in the truth that God has not left or forsaken but hope there is one that interests your child to connect us. He is, and will continue to be, ever-present and our to the Oxley community. only source of true hope and joy. I am encouraged by the words of Paul the Apostle in Colossians 3:1-2 Since, International Week celebrations needed to look different then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts from previous years, which have been a festival of food on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand and colour and it was interesting to think, plan, replan and of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly revisit what would be possible in 2020. Many thanks to things. Mrs Ong for her stamina and perseverance. It was delightful to see Holly Yi and Joel Pedrosa Kok, our International Remote learning 2.0 finds our students demonstrating a Captains herald the beginning of International Chapel greater level of independence in their learning. It brings with some prayer and trivia, commencing with a focus such joy to have parents communicate how they have on God and His world. This was immediately followed seen their child grow and change in this time. Improved by Joel and Vi Tran singing, You were the Word at the organisational skills, time management, and a sense of beginning with piano accompaniment. pride in task completion are some of the things parents have observed. Many students are confident to take I have the great pleasure of teaching Vi for Year 12 greater risks in their learning and stretch themselves to Chemistry along with five other international students try new things.