Welcome to the 2020 school year! It’s a new year, the start of a new decade, and the start of a new chapter in the Heathdale Story. Students are experiencing life in the new Primary/Secondary structure—with our four distinct learning modules—and our Melton campus begins Year 7 today! A hugely exciting milestone that continues the move to a Prep-12 school in the near future.
A lot has happened in the six weeks since we farewelled students and wished them a safe and relaxing break. The country has been struggling under the threat of bush fire, some of our community have unfortunately had family members pass away, one of our students was seriously hurt in an accident, and the world has been put on alert regarding the Coronavirus.
While all of these challenges have been unfolding, I hope you, like me, have spared a thought and a prayer for those who have blessed us by the efforts. We gave thanks to God for our local and international firefighters; medical people providing healthcare; pastoral care and support for families who are grieving; and for our marvellous research scientists who have helped to create the foundation for a Coronavirus vaccine.
I do trust that you have had a fantastic break and I was delighted to be able to say hello to and welcome back many students and their families as they arrived today.
As we commence the 2020 school year I would like us to focus on the following passage from the Old Testament book, Isaiah Chapter 58 and verses 9-11:
“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
As we stand on the cusp of the 2020 school year, there are some things we know for sure are going to happen:
- We will see the Prep building being expanded.
- We will see and hear many of our gifted musical students perform in assemblies and other concerts.
- Students and Staff will learn new things and skills.
There are also going to be some things we think or hope will happen:
- Students will hope to get a great mark for a piece of work or for good behaviour.
- Some students will hope to be selected for The Tyndale Exchange in Adelaide later this year.
- Three other houses will hope that Taylor won’t win all the House Competitions.
- I hope that North Melbourne, the mighty Kangaroos will play in this year’s grand final!
In other ways we have no idea what’s in store for us in 2020. It’s like you try to think about it and your mind is blank!
For our God His mind is never blank or even hopes for things to happen. For Him He already knows what’s going to happen for us month by month, week by week, even every day, hour and minute, in fact He knows what will happen second by second.
Nothing catches Him by surprise as nothing will happen outside of His knowing. He will be there in every moment. Sometimes we’ll know this, other times we’ll have no idea. However, as the writer of Isaiah stated, He is there in the midst of it all. He knows and He is able to lead and guide us each step of the way, refreshing, strengthening and sustaining us.
In 1982, Heathdale Christian College commenced with 37 students and six teachers. In 2020, there are 1800 students and more than 150 teachers over both campuses. This does not catch God by surprise! He knew this and He also knows the name of each and every student, staff member and parent of this community. He knew that we would grow to this size over 38 years and He knows how big Heathdale will be in 138 years!
God knows what is happening. He iswith us and He has guided us each step of the way for the past 38 years. He is a faithful God who promises to continue to refresh, strengthen and sustain us today, tomorrow and forevermore.
As we commence the 2020 school year we do so by saying, ‘Thanks be to you God. Thank you for the way you have guided us in the past and will do so into the future.’