DE Newsletter May 2025

Dates for the Diary

From the Principal's Pen

I recently had the incredible privilege of taking my family on a hike along the Mt. Everest trail in Nepal. As you can imagine, it involved a lot of uphill walking! Some days, after hours on the trail, my children would start to tire, questioning if they could truly make it to camp. Our guide, with his quiet wisdom, would gently remind them not to focus on the daunting mountains ahead, but instead to look back at how far (and high) they had already come. This simple shift in perspective greatly encouraged them to press on.

Now, as we find ourselves well past the mid-point of the term and entering the season of assessments, I want to share that same wisdom with our students. Take a moment to reflect on your schooling journey so far. Consider your accomplishments, the progress you’ve made, and how God has guided and blessed you. I pray this perspective encourages each of you to approach your assessments with continued diligence and confidence.

A HUGE congratulations is in order for our 2025 Great Wheelbarrow Team! This remarkable group of young individuals displayed exceptional endurance and teamwork, successfully completing the challenging 145 km race. Their commendable performance earned them second place in the schools category and a notable fourth place overall. I also extend our deepest appreciation to the parents and staff whose unwavering support, culinary efforts, encouragement, and patience (especially with the pervasive scent of Deep Heat!) were invaluable throughout the three-day event. It was truly a memorable time for everyone involved. You can view a highlight reel here. 

—Dr. Chris Radcliffe

Spiritual Development

Like Father, Like Son

You’ve likely heard, “He’s the spitting image of his dad.” This idiom is used to describe a perfect likeness or counterpart in appearance and actions. The phrase is possibly linked to the idea of a child looking or acting so much like a parent that it was as if they were "spit out" of their mouth. 

Have you ever paused to think about the power of saliva, that humble oral fluid we often overlook? Far from just a damp patch on our pillows from drooling while we sleep, it is a sophisticated substance that performs vital roles in our lives. It initiates digestion, enabling us to enjoy and digest our food, while its proteins and enzymes fortify our oral health. While our saliva is mostly used for these purposes, it has also been used in the past for shining footwear, hence the term ‘spitshine’. Before the invention of modern shoe polishes, people would spit on their shoes and rub the saliva into the leather. The proteins would form a glaze to give the shoes a glossy sheen, restoring them to an almost new look, much to the shoe owner’s delight. Interestingly, the secret to an exceptional shine lay not just in the technique but in the spirit of the polisher. A joyful mood elevated the protein levels in the saliva, resulting in a more lustrous finish. Indeed, "the happier you feel, the brighter the heel."

But what does this have to do with the image of God being restored in us? The more we look into God’s perfection, we discover that we are corrupted by sinful nature; more specifically, the curse of death! The curse of which its effects so twist our likeness to God that we are grotesque and reprehensible! Martin Luther described our sinful condition as being “incurvatus in se,” or turned in on itself, completely incapable of untwisting to its previous being. The twisted image which stares back at us closer resembles all that God is not than to what He is! As stated by English archbishop William Temple, “our sin means that we make ourselves, in a thousand different ways, the centre of the universe. But then our soul is bent over, turned in on itself, separates itself from the source of true life and nourishment, and eventually starves itself of spiritual oxygen, shrivels up, becomes hard, and dies.”

Picture the scene at Lazarus' tomb, where Martha's words capture the despair: "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead for four days." Facing the reality of death and the impossibility of Lazarus raising himself, hope seemed lost to his two sisters. Yet, in this moment of hopelessness, Jesus stepped in, a divine intervention that defied and shattered death's grip. Through this miraculous act, not only was Lazarus brought back to life, but the glory of God was revealed through death’s defeat. In the same way, this intervening work of God in restoring His image in humanity is not about making bad people good; it is about making dead people live!

When Adam and Eve fell, God, not in a punitive measure but in a profound act of mercy, drove them from the Garden to protect the tree of life. This decisive "safety measure" was pivotal in His divine plan. If they had eaten from the tree in their fallen state, they and their progeny would have been trapped in eternal separation from God, living forever without hope. However, through this intervention, physical death was introduced, becoming the very means by which God orchestrated our salvation. By sending His Son to die on the cross, God opened the path to redemption and eternal life. 

In concluding this series on the image of God, we see how He transformed the greatest atrocity brought by sin into the most profound act of redemption. Through His redemptive work alone, we can attain the true image and likeness of God. His breath of life flows through us once more, enabling us to know Him in righteousness and true holiness. 

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone….Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:9, 14-15 NKJV)

- Jason Kauffman

Prep - Year 9

From our SWAN Team

From Sue Larkey's Instagram page. 

The Careers Corner

School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships (SATs)

👩‍🎓 What is a SAT?

A School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SAT) allows your child to:

• Work part-time in a real job
• Train toward a nationally recognised qualification
• Continue school and work towards their QCE

Your child learns valuable skills, gets paid, and stays enrolled at school.

✅ Benefits for Students

• Gain real work experience while at school
• Earn a wage and develop employability skills
• Start a career pathway early (trade, business, health, etc.)
• Boost motivation and confidence
• May lead to full-time work or further training after Year 12

🧭 How it Works

• Usually begins in Year 10 or 11
• Your child works 1 day a week (and/or part-time during school holidays).
• Training is delivered by a registered training organisation (RTO)
• They earn credits towards their QCE (Queensland Certificate of Education)

🔍 Examples of SATs

• Apprenticeships: Hairdressing, Carpentry, Electrical, Automotive
• Traineeships: Business, Hospitality, Health Support, Childcare, Retail

📌 What Can Parents Do?

• Talk to your child about their interests and career goals
• Support your child in balancing work, school, and life

• Watch this What’s Next, session recording to hear more details.

• Watch these brief interviews with current and previous Jubilee students about their experience with School-based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. 

- The Careers Team

Student Representative Council

SRC Chapel – A Powerful Morning of Faith and Fellowship

This week’s Chapel, led by our incredible Student Representative Council, was a truly uplifting experience. Year 12 student Emily Warry shared a heartfelt testimony, Levi Bursle offered a thoughtful reflection, and Mr Holtby inspired us all with his message of hope and purpose. 

It was so encouraging to see our student leaders boldly share their faith and create such a powerful space for connection and reflection. 

Missed it? Click here to watch the Chapel service and be encouraged by the powerful messages shared. 🌟

Scripture Memory

Scripture Memory Honour Roll - Term 1

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11 - NKJV)

The psalmist reminds us in Psalm 119 verse 11, to hide God’s Word in our hearts. As part of our Christian Studies program using Character Matters, students have been challenged to memorise some key Bible verses throughout the term.

Congratulations to the following students who have successfully memorised all of the Term 1 verses in their Character Matters program!

Jubilee Service Team

Community Events

Gympie/Sunshine Coast/North Brisbane Excursion

Families and staff from North Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and Gympie came together for an enriching day at the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum, delving into the lives of those who lived, worked, and learned in bygone eras. Students eagerly panned for gold, experiencing the thrill of discovery, and stood at assembly as they sang 'God Save the King.'

The adventure continued with a delightful ride on the museum's miniature train, offering scenic views of the expansive 5-hectare grounds. Students also explored traditional laundry techniques, and marvelled at the battens and cuffs used by the early police force. We laughed as Mrs Barzyk was handcuffed and walked around the room.   They observed stationary engines in action, learning how these machines powered early washing machines and bread-cutting devices, highlighting the ingenuity of past technologies. 

The day was a perfect blend of fun and education, leaving our Jubilee students with a profound appreciation for the resilience and innovation of earlier generations.

Toowoomba Excursion

Many gathered for a terrific excursion at the Darling Downs Zoo, situated in a tranquil rural setting midway between Toowoomba and Warwick. The students “travelled the world” as educational presenters shared valuable information about the many African, South American and Southeast Asian animals. A huge thanks must go to Steve and Stephanie Robinson for welcoming us to their family-owned zoo, sharing their devotion to all creatures great and small.

South Brisbane/Gold Coast Excursion

Last week’s excursion was one of the most exciting ones yet! Science and discovery came to life last Thursday at the Queensland Museum and SparkLab. Students enjoyed a fantastic day of interactive exhibits, fascinating artifacts, and exploring the wonders of the natural world. Seeing animal migration and currents on the large colourful sphere was both informative and beautiful. The Tesla Coil demonstration was very exciting and loud. We can't wait for our next Jubilee Connect to get together for more adventures.

FNQ Excursion

The Far North Queensland group recently enjoyed an exciting visit to Hartley’s Crocodile Farm. With a great turnout of families and kind weather—meaning no rain—it was a memorable day for all involved.

The group watched a number of engaging demonstrations, including crocodile feeding, snake handling, mock crocodile attacks, and cassowary feeding. A clear highlight was the boat ride across the crocodile-infested lagoon. Knowing that each crocodile is hoping for a snack-sized human to fall in certainly added a thrill to the experience! The farm tour was both fascinating and educational, with guides explaining the process of turning crocodile skins into handbags and the reasoning behind it. For those interested, a genuine crocodile skin handbag can be yours—for just $4000!

Beyond the action-packed schedule, families enjoyed the opportunity to connect and build friendships. It was especially heartening to see new families warmly welcomed and engaging with others in the Jubilee community. Many long-standing friendships have formed through shared experiences like these.

 We thank the Lord for a wonderful day and encourage everyone to join us for our next adventure in Term 3.

Student Achievements

Art Corner

For week 4, the Year 10  Visual Art students had a task to recreate a scene from a comic strip, from a newspaper, or anything representing 'Pop Art.' Here are some of the fantastic results!

Credits: 

1. Bethany Woodward  2. Tyne Morgan  3. Alex Kauffman  4. Haylee Joinbee  5. Lucy Carpenter