A Word from Rob Weule
Head of Primary – Welfare & P-12 Performing Arts
On the fifteenth of May, in the jungle of Nool,
In the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool,
He was splashing, enjoying the jungle’s great joys
When Horton the elephant heard a small noise.
So Horton stopped splashing.
He looked toward the sound.
“That’s funny,” thought Horton.
“There’s no one around.”
Then he heard it again! Just a very faint yelp.
As if some tiny person were calling for help.
‘Horton Hears a Who’ is a Dr Seuss story featuring that large, loving and lovable elephant Horton. In this story Horton, who seems to function as a sort of God figure, hears a sound that none of the other animals can hear. Their ears are not sensitive enough to hear the cries of the ‘Whos’. The Whos’ entire world exists on a speck of dust too small for the elephant to see. But Horton can hear them. He makes it his mission to protect his tiny friends at all cost. After all, Horton knows that a person’s a person no matter how small. Horton carefully places the Whos’ world, the speck of dust, on a clover for safe keeping.
Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one sparrow is forgotten by God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows!
Luke 12:6-7
As we read this story, we may find ourselves identifying with the Whos. So many people in this world are desperately trying to be heard, but sometimes it feels like no one is listening. We read in Romans 8:18-25 about how all of Creation is groaning and moaning for redemption. The Bible’s most important message is that God came into this world through Jesus Christ, in order to redeem humankind and Creation. We can live with the confidence that although on earth our cries fall on many a deaf ear, the God who knows even the tiniest sparrow hears, Horton-like, the cries of the world and each individual who calls out to Him.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
Psalm 34:4
he delivered me from all my fears.
We look forward to bringing the Whos’ story to you in the form of ‘Seussical the Musical’ later in the year. We are excited about the re-commencement of full rehearsals (stay tuned)! In the meantime, God hears our cries and assures us of His attention and our full redemption when we call on Him.
(For more of ‘The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss’, check out James W. Kemp’s book)
Reminders
- Scholastic BookClub is still happening! You can peruse the catalogue and order your books online by using this link: scholastic.com.au/loop until Monday 9 August. Books can be delivered to your house (for a fee), or sent to school for free. We will contact you when they arrive, and you can collect them by parking at the gate and calling the Office.
- Parents are reminded to read the Google Meet Guidelines for Appropriate Use. In particular, please note that for privacy and protection reasons, no images of other students or their work should be captured or shared outside Google Classroom. Students (and parents) must not take photos, screenshots or record the meeting.
- In light of current conditions, all off-site events/excursions on our calendar in August have been cancelled or postponed. The Book Week Parade (26 Aug) and Healthy Harold incursion (30 Aug – 1 Sept) may still be able to proceed pending the lifting of restrictions. We will continue to keep you updated as the situation changes, and look forward to seeing you all again soon.
- Unfortunately, the Bible Society Masterclass for Year 9 – 11 will not go ahead. We look forward to participating in this valuable event next year.
- Sadly, the 5/6 Canberra Snowy Camp also cannot proceed. Remember to check the Event Updates on the School@Home webpage for all the latest changes.
Prayer & Praise
- Give thanks to God for His provision and protection. Give thanks for His authority and sovereignty over all things.
- Pray for our world, as many other countries suffer greatly under the weight of the pandemic. Pray for our country, our leaders and our people. Pray for peace and hope as we wait to be released from this trial. Pray for Christians around the world, that we would speak and act with faith, hope and love. Petition the Lord with repentance for mercy, healing and protection for all nations and people.
- Pray for the Walker family, with mother Christine undergoing Chemotherapy. Pray for peace, confidence, provision, unity and healing.
- Continue to pray for the Miller family and for Josh. Give thanks for his progress. Pray for wisdom and healing as he continues his journey.
- Give thanks for all our families and staff as they teach through School@Home. Pray for protection over our community; that the Lord would be our unity, encouragement and peace and that we would communicate that to each other, holding each other up.
Everyone is welcome to attend our next prayer meeting which will be held online on Wednesday 18 August, 7 – 7:30pm. Please join us!
News & Notices
Operation Christmas Child
Thank you everyone for donating so diligently to bless children all over the world.
This will be our last week and we would now like to focus on:
- Small sizes of clothing – shorts or shirts for kids in infants or primary school
- Thongs or crocs for kids in infants or primary school
Return & Earn for Vanuatu
Our Return & Earn fundraising for Vanuatu continues. Please deposit your aluminium cans and plastic bottles in the lime coloured recycling box in the sails area, or place them alongside in a labelled bag. All donations need to be clean, whole (not crushed) and eligible for the 10c recycling refund.