It is hard to believe that in a few days we will be farewelling our class of 2018. They have been at the College for the past six years and are ready to now sit their exams and then begin a new transition into life after school. We will have opportunity to wish them well next week, but I would like to acknowledge the positive contributions they have made to the College over those years and wish them every success in their future.

We have a world champion in our midst! Mr Scott Ashcroft recently competed in the International Triathlon Union World Championship held on the Gold Coast. I am delighted to share with you that he won his division to become the World Champion in the 40 to 44 year group. This is an outstanding achievement which comes out of hard work and perseverance. Scott is a humble person who draws no attention to himself but is clearly a very driven and talented athlete. Congratulations to him for this wonderful achievement. Photos are attached to this article. In addition to this, we are the NSW All Schools Oz Tag State Champions, more details are further in this edition, congratulations to all the girls.

The College will be engaging in some further building works over the next few years. We are working to refurbish Westview so that it reflects a more modern and vibrant learning space for the girls. We will begin next term with the creation of new Food Tech spaces, which will be finished by mid term 1 2019. After that, we will refurbish the wood and IT areas and then, following shortly after that, will focus on the middle section of Westview which will have a design centre created. This is a very exciting time for the College as we upgrade the older areas to provide more spacious and engaging spaces for the girls. I am appreciative of the Board who has recognised the need for this upgrade and been committed to improving the learning for the girls.

You will notice, that from next term, we have a new section in the Inside Out called The Faith Feed. This will pass on to you any information about our faith and the faith of others. It will enlighten you on the current church seasons and some of the rituals that we have at the College. I thank Mrs Foran who will be contributing to this addition each fortnight. I hope you find it informative. Please give us some feedback so it continues to be a resource to you.

As you would be acutely aware, all of our state is currently in drought. With the hot dry wind blowing as I write this editorial, I am struck by the suffering and hardship many families who live on the land are experiencing at the moment and the relentlessness of its ongoing impact.   There doesn’t seem to be any reprieve. I am sure many of you know of families who are doing it tough and the pressure many communities are under to try and keep their people safe. I will leave you with a prayer recently written in the parish newsletter about the drought. Let us keep all affected in our prayers that they will endure until the rain finally comes to rejuvenate the land and the people.

Finally, as I will be going on leave from the start of next term, if you have any concerns please direct them to Mrs Karen Wright who will be the Acting Principal for term 4.

Blessings

Sue Lennox - Principal 

Prayer for those Affected by Drought
God of all creation hear our prayer;
bring us rain to renew the ground,
to replenish our dams to activate seeds,
to bring the possibility of some reward
to those who have worked so hard.

We turn to you in faith and hope.
We pray for families, rural communities and
all affected by drought in our Great South Land.

We pray for all those who live under the shadow of
drought.
We pray for those who work with the land,
for farmers and their families,
for those who rely upon the land for their life
and relationships.
We pray for contractors, merchants and the truck drivers,
for rural counsellors and support workers, for all in our 
rural communities.

May the revitalising power of your Spirit be present
in miraculous and truly human ways
and be with all of us as we move 
forward in the days ahead.
We pray too, for justice; for fair prices for our stock, our wool
and our grain.
We pray for governments, banks and corporations.
May they be driven by wisdom, generosity, justice and compassion.
We pray for each other, keep us aware of the needs
of those around us; for those who are struggling,
and those carrying heavy burdens.

Restore those who are far from you
with the knowledge that they are loved and valued.
Give them not just a sense of renewal,
but a sense of hope and purpose for lives
that are finding the journey hard.

Bring us rain to renew us, Lord.
We make this prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen