DE Newsletter March 2025

Dates for the Diary

From the Principal's Pen

Well, Cyclone Alfred certainly kept us on our toes this term! Whilst things came to a standstill across much of southern Queensland (including the cancellation of the Senior Phase science/drama workshops), Alfred could not stop 55 very determined students in getting to Emu Gully camp! In fact, it simply meant more mud for the students (and some teachers) to enjoy! Check our the photos further in this newsletter

Speaking of senior students, I have been so appreciative of the Jubilee SRC (students representative committee) who have been working diligently in the background to make the Jubilee experience even better. I was particularly encouraged with the recent Chapel service, with over 90 people participating in a time of worship and prayer.

NAPLAN

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of activity, with a significant number of our students undertaking NAPLAN assessments. While the process of setting up for NAPLAN does come with its share of challenges, the data that parents receive in return is invaluable. These results provide a deeper understanding of each student's academic progress and can be instrumental in shaping future learning strategies. Given the importance of this information, I strongly encourage all families to consider having their children participate in NAPLAN in 2026.

Connect days

A big thank to all the families who took the time to participate in our recent Connect Days. These days serve a dual purpose: firstly, they offer students a chance to immerse themselves in creative and innovative learning experiences, encouraging them to think outside the box and explore new horizons. Secondly, and equally importantly, these events foster a sense of community by bringing parents and carers together, creating opportunities for them to connect, share experiences, and build relationships. We believe that a strong and supportive community plays a vital role in enhancing the overall educational experience for our students.

Swim carnival

The 2025 SEQ Swimming Carnival was a fantastic success, filled with sunshine, smiles, and sportsmanship! Students from across the region gathered to compete and showcase their swimming abilities. The atmosphere was electric, with laughter and cheers echoing throughout the venue.

The Carnival was a memorable event that highlighted the joy of swimming, the importance of sportsmanship, and the power of personal growth. It was a day that will surely be cherished by all who participated.

Jubilee Library

A reminder that Jubilee has a large collection of books which students can loan out. To see what’s on offer, follow this link.

-Dr. Chris Radcliffe

You can also find a video recap of the 2025 Great Adventure Race here

Spiritual Development

Elephants and Mirages – Part 1

Misunderstandings often occur when our perceptions of reality stray from objective truth. This often leads to confusion or incorrect judgments. Recognising and understanding these discrepancies is crucial as they significantly impact our everyday decisions and relationships and how we perceive things. 

The story of the blind men and the elephant illustrates how people can have different perceptions of the same reality based on their own experiences and interpretations. In the tale, a group of blind men come across an elephant. Each man touches a different part of the elephant's body, such as the trunk, leg, ear, or tail and then describes what he has felt. For instance, the one who touches the trunk might think the elephant is like a snake, while the one touching the leg might think it's like a tree trunk. Each man's description is correct from a limited perspective but incomplete in representing the whole elephant.

Imagine yourself travelling in the outback and the moment of joy you experience when you spot a shimmering lake on the horizon, promising happiness and refreshment. Yet, as you draw nearer, the lake vanishes—revealing itself as a mirage and leaving a sense of disappointment in its wake. 

In these scenarios, a false perception skewed the view of reality, which led to misconceptions or faulty belief systems. This isn't limited to visual illusions—it can also happen with ideas and thought processes. Take, for example, the statement that "God is love." Your individual perception of ‘love’ can either illuminate or obscure the true essence of what Scripture teaches about God's love. This notion applies to all elements that shape your belief system. However, the focus here (and in subsequent articles) is to clarify common misconceptions about what it truly means to be "made in the image of God." 

The phrase "image bearer" is frequently used to underscore a person's inherent value and worth, something that Scripture affirms. However, a misguided perception of what it means to be an "image bearer" can lead to a distortion of this profound biblical truth. From the beginning of time, truth distortion has been one of the key tactics of the devil to obscure the minds of believers and non-believers alike. He uses this tactic to prevent them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the true image of God, as stated in 2 Corinthians 4:4.

When God created humans, He imparted something unique and divine—the breath of life—setting us apart from the rest of creation. As Genesis 2:7 reveals,

"the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."

This divine breath transcends mere physical existence and dependence upon the air we breathe into our lungs over 22,000 times per day. It underscores human uniqueness beyond that of other creatures, contrary to secular claims that we are all animals. It is this divine breath that enabled the first humans, Adam and Eve, to reflect God's nature so profoundly that their very presence in the Garden of Eden was a testament to God's holiness and glory. At that time, humanity perfectly mirrored God's image, living in intimate knowledge of Him, in complete righteousness, and lives wholly devoted to holiness, truly reflecting God's glory for all to see. In today’s lingo, we would say, “They were the spitting image of God”!

If the story of humanity had concluded differently to that of which sin has cast its ugly spell, we would have existed in a continued state of "very good," continually reflecting and showcasing God's glory through humanity, not just to Adam and Eve but to all their descendants. Envision how different our world could be in 2025 if this had continued! 

In conclusion, the original harmony and perfection of the image of God intended for humanity serves as a reminder of what we were created for! However, the present reality reminds us of how far we have strayed from God’s original design. It also underscores the need for a renewed focus on the fall of the first Adam that has caused this departure, as well as reimagining how His glory can be restored to humanity through the last Adam. And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (1 Corinthians 15:45 

(to be continued) 

Prep - Year 9

From our SWAN Team

With motivation, they will learn, understand, and retain more. They will also do it willingly, easily, and quickly!
Below are some practical strategies and helpful tips for motivating your children to learn, to give their best performance and to achieve their potential.

1. Have Clearly Defined Goals

At the beginning of each school year and each course, take time to discuss with your children the objectives of the course and how it fits into the big picture of their education and their life.
•    What they will be learning? - the scope and content.
•    How they will be learning? - methods, materials, assignments.
•    When they will finish? - schedule, tests, and deadlines.

2. Explain the Purpose of the Study

Take time to explain why the subject matter is important and worthwhile. Following are some of the important reasons to study any subject with specific examples provided for Math.
•    Everyday applications (e.g., measuring, cooking, woodwork, and handling money).
•    Future life skills that everyone needs (e.g., shopping, taxes, comparing payment methods, and budgets).
•    Future occupations (e.g., science, electronics, physics, medicine, and many others).
•    To keep options open for a variety of future opportunities.
•  To have basic information in common with other educated people (called cultural literacy) in order to communicate knowledgeably and understand references made by others in their communication (e.g., in ordinary conversation, books, and news broadcasts).
•    As a testimony for the Lord we need to be well educated.
•    Some learning (such as algebra) is just good brain exercise and develops our logical thinking skills.

3. Set up your School Space

Where does each of your children study most efficiently? Wherever you choose for a learning space, provide the following:
•    A peaceful and quiet place with no distractions.
•    An orderly surrounding, (not at a messy table or in a cluttered living room).
•    Comfortable seating and writing space.
•    A glass of water.
•   Quiet instrumental background music if not distracting. (Baroque music has been shown to help some mental processes.
•    Well-organized and easily accessed books and supplies. (It is very unmotivating to have to search for the book before you can start studying!)

4. Set Goals

Your child will take more personal interest in their education as they learn how to set and achieve goals for themselves. They will then embrace your efforts to help them succeed.
Include your children and their ideas as you draw up or revise your family mission statement and yearly goals.

5. Recognise your child’s success.

•    Break learning into small pieces that are clearly defined and obtainable.
•    Be positive in your expectations as you talk to your child about their ability to do well in a given subject.
•    Help your child overcome habits of distraction or nonproductivity.
•    Point out their past successes to build their confidence and desire to continue.
•   Give genuine words of recognition for accomplishments, large or small. It might be simply saying, "Good," or "That's right!" for the correct answer to a question.

6. Give discipline and Correction

Although we want to provide positive and enjoyable motivation for our children as much as possible, negative consequences are sometimes appropriate.
It is always correct to lovingly require your children to obey the Lord by obeying you, whether they are motivated to or not. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Ephesians 6:1
God has directed parents to administer discipline and correction when needed. This would be primarily for rebellion, whether active or passive. “Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.” Proverbs 29:17

7. Be a Good Example

How you feel about the subject of study will be as plain as day to your children and will either motivate or discourage them. You might need to become motivated yourself first, before you can hope to motivate your children. Your enthusiasm will be transmitted to your children, who will be more likely to become interested.
We do not need to pretend that we already know everything that we are teaching our children, but we can show that we enjoy learning. This is very good as it provides an excellent example to the children

-Melody Hart

• Notes adapted from: The Teaching Home

Chappy's Corner

Dear DE students and families,

I am delighted to re-introduce myself to you as I return to work this week after 9 months on maternity leave and let you know that I am back as your Distance Education Chaplain. I am very excited with how school chaplaincy can benefit our students and their families as I give my best to continue to provide social, emotional and spiritual support to our school community.

Over the years as a school chaplain as I listen to the needs and challenges facing our children and young people I can appreciate the unique dynamics of educating from home in 2025. Please know that I am here for students and parents alike to support you in your journey.

Throughout the year I will continue to provide one-on-one support for our students and their families where I can offer a confidential and listening ear and respond to those who seek this support. Please reach out and connect with me as you need to.

I also look forward to building upon a number of programs, initiative and opportunities that focus on supporting and connecting our students, families and Jubilee communities.

You can contact me by phone, email, chatbox, GMeet or in person. I am currently working on Mondays from the school office from 8:00am-3:00pm and Thursdays from home 8:00-11:30am.

May the joy of the Lord be your strength today.

Kindest regards and blessings,

Chappy Wendy

The Careers Corner

Unlocking Future Pathways: 

The Benefits of Starting a VET Qualification in Year 10

As Term 2 approaches, Year 10 students have an exciting opportunity to begin their Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification, a decision that can provide a head start on their future career pathways while making their senior years more manageable.

Why Start a VET Qualification in Year 10?

• Valuable QCE Credits

Completing a VET qualification contributes to the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), helping students bank essential credits towards their QCE requirements. 

• Pathways to University and Further Study

Many VET qualifications contribute to a university selection ranking, providing an alternative entry pathway for students who may wish to pursue higher education. Completing a Certificate III or higher can be a valuable asset when applying for university courses.

• Industry Skills and Real-World Qualifications

VET courses are designed in partnership with industry, ensuring students gain practical, job-ready skills that are highly valued by employers. Whether it’s healthcare, trades, business, or technology, students graduate with a nationally recognised qualification that can lead directly to employment or further study

• Reduced Workload in Years 11 & 12

By starting a VET qualification in Year 10, students can complete part or all of their course before senior years, freeing up their timetable and allowing for a more balanced workload. This can reduce stress and improve academic performance across all subjects.

• A Head Start on the Future

For students eager to enter the workforce, a VET qualification opens doors to apprenticeships, traineeships, and direct employment opportunities. It’s a practical, hands on way to explore career interests and gain experience while still at school.

Investing in a VET qualification now means students are setting themselves up for greater opportunities, flexibility, and success in the years ahead. For any VET questions please contact us at Senior Phase. 

Jubilee Service Team

Community Events

Swimming Carnival

We had our SEQ Swimming Carnival on the 27th February and it was a wonderful day. It was very hot so it was a great day to cool off in the pool and have a break from book work! For me the highlights were seeing new and old friendships being strengthened, students encouraging each other and cheering each other on, and students challenging themselves to enter races that, at the start of the day, thought they wouldn't enter! The fun races were a highlight and everyone loved seeing Mrs Doughty being pushed into the pool by Amos and Will who had won the bid, raising funds for our Mission team. The sausage sizzle was also a big hit! It was wonderful to see so many students and families demonstrating the character traits of kindness and friendliness we have been learning in Character Matters at swimming carnival, new families were quickly welcomed and it was a really positive atmosphere. Looking forward to our athletics carnival in Term 3!!

Emu Gully

It was a bit of the old and a bit of new that made Emu Gully Camp 2025 an adventure like none before. Firm favourites endured: Digging In, Templeton's Crossing, singing around the fire, camp inspections, and mud. New this year was meal preparation and eating together, Malaya Campaign, re-vamped cooking space, camping in swags and early morning Bible study. 
Whether students were veterans and "knew the ropes" or had never been camping before, by the end, it was agreed it was worthwhile connecting with new and old friends and braving the unknown together. 

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FNQ Drama Workshop

Some of the Year 11 and 12 Drama in Practice students from FNQ enjoyed getting together for a fun workshop that included team-building drama activities as well as rehearsals for convention performances in Term 2. After getting together twice a week online, it was a privilege for students to meet those they hadn't met in person and to develop performance skills in the same room. We are all looking forward to taking part in the Cairns and Wynnum eisteddfods in Term 2.

Jubilee School Polos

If you would like your children to have their very own JCC school polo, we have you covered! These are perfect for wearing to connect days, awards nights or simply doing the weekly school work at home. Please fill out the form linked below to receive your child's uniform. 

Art Corner

Some of our students enrolled in Mrs. Hauser's art class have some true talent when it comes to painting, drawing and general creativity. Here are a few samples from the past month. 

Student Activities & Achievements

As a teacher, I’m always mindful of the gifts and talents that God has given each child. This is not restricted to academics but covers a wide range of other areas, including the Arts. This has been a very exciting term as many of our students focused on creating stop-motion videos for art. This was not only a task which involved their creative talents, but also included careful planning, technology skills and filming techniques. We have had a range of very inventive videos crossing our desks and it’s evident that most of the students enjoyed making these videos. Some of them added humour to their presentations, such as cats the size of lions, giant birds and a row of lego characters marching behind the dog! The stop-motion editing skills could be the key to inspiring them in the direction of the creative arts when they get older. We may have a budding Steven Spielberg in our family – who knows!

- Wayne Ralph

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Elouise and Joshua Svensson have gone through many swimming competitions these past few years and have performed beautifully! This past week, they participated in Queensland Christian Schools Swimming Championships, representing Jubilee, and both got new personal bests in nearly all of their races! 

They have both been accepted into School Sports State Championships and no doubt will do a fantastic job! It's great to see them representing Jubilee at an interschool and now a state level!

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One of our year 6 students, Olive Kavanagh, recently completed this beautiful video for her Arts assessment Task, titled 'Woman's Best Friend.'

You can view the video using this link.