Newsletter Term 4, Week 10 10 Dec 2021

Hope is not cancelled!

“Sunshine is not cancelled, Love is not cancelled, Relationships are not cancelled, Naps are not cancelled, Going for a walk is not cancelled, Kindness is not cancelled, Imagination is not cancelled, Conversations are not cancelled.”  This was a quote I saw on social media. Lots of events have been cancelled but hope is within.
Peace is not cancelled! (Graphic Covid Masks Angels)
Jesus was born into a world which was politically unstable and offered peace. We saw footage from Afghanistan and even here in Melbourne. We cannot cancel peace. It is something necessary for our own well-being as opposed to stress. It is something we can work towards in our community.

Joy is not cancelled.

The Christmas story is about God becoming human. Jesus was a gift to the world that changed everything. Joy cannot be cancelled. Most of us have had celebrations cancelled repeatedly! Santa is still going to be here. Presents will arrive for you and that naughty elf on the shelf, which is all about this waiting time, is helping you count down to Christmas. Joy is not cancelled!
 
Lastly Love cannot be cancelled by a pandemic!

I saw that here last week on Giving Day – what we call “love in action” where the school raised money for women and children in our community, where we sponsor the education of two international sponsor girls. Love is more than just feelings; it is about putting someone else’s well-being before yourself. Jesus had this radical message of love which calls us to feed the hungry, give clothes to those with none, forgive people, welcome strangers and unwanted children, care for the sick and love your enemies as well.

This sort of love cannot be cancelled.

Celebrating Hope, Peace Joy and Love leads us to the birth of the baby who changed the course of history. In this busy season may we remember that these things can never be locked down!

Rev Janet Costello, Senior School Chaplain

The application is for an upgrade of our Early Learning Centre (ELC), which would see it relocate from its current location at 34 Scott Street, across the road to 29A - 35 Scott Street. 

The proposed upgrade will enable us to continue providing best-practice learning outcomes grounded in the Reggio Emilia philosophy for our 3 and 4-year-old students.

We are committed to providing every one of our students with access to exceptional facilities, an outstanding education, and space that enables them to both learn and play. And it’s for this reason that we are seeking to upgrade our existing ELC facilities to better cater for the educational needs of our students and staff.

The new ELC has been designed by Sally Draper Architects, who have extensive experience in the education sector, and have thoroughly considered the School’s proximity to residential properties and the characteristics of the surrounding area.
 
Ensuring the proposed upgrade is respectful of Canterbury’s rich heritage and sensitive to the surrounding area has been paramount.
Key aspects of the proposal include:
 
Relocating the existing ELC currently located on the south-west corner of the main campus at 34 Scott Street to 29A - 35 Scott Street.
Retaining the existing dwellings at 31, 33 and 35 Scott Street and linking them centrally with small scale, lightweight structures that are sensitive to the heritage dwellings that will remain.

Demolition of only 29A Scott Street, a later 1970s house to create a new play space which will not impact the heritage value of the precinct.
Retaining the domestic character of the architecture and extensive vegetation through considered design will provide students with a wonderful environment to learn and play.

We look forward to being able to share more details with you very soon.