Believe in Debbie, or Perish?To say that I was bombarded by non-believers is probably overstating it. But in supermarkets, on the street, here at Riverside and even at church gatherings I met them. The unbelievers. The doubters. Those who had heard the word – that the great and powerful Debbie was coming to mete justice and pour her wrath upon Townsville – but denied the emergency.

The prophets of meteorology and preachers of emergency services delivered their sermons of alarm, gently laced with messages of redemption for the prepared. Did I listen? Having dwelled in the dry land of the Northern Kingdom for less than three years – years of drought and record heat – my convictions were strong and in deep faith I led my family toward the safe waters of the River Jordan, or Bunnings, as we call it. There, and in frantic gardens prepared by the “Fresh Food People”, we spared not a second as we gathered the good and released our grip upon all that would weigh us down in these last days.

As new converts to the religion of the North, we were not to be discouraged by the unbelieving. Finally, redemption was nigh and we were ready to weather the storms of Armageddon, ready for the great appearing, in lightning and thunderous power. Debbie would find our family prepared and unmovable. Fertile fields of green, dams full and running over and dark skies parting to an eternity of blue yonder awaited the faithful, and we were ready.

Christians can seem to spread some pretty unbelievable messages at times. I can easily understand the perceptions we create. Cyclone Debbie taught me something valuable. You see, most of those who have lived their lives here in Townsville, have seen a dozen “Debbies” come and go. They know the drill. Approaching system, might hit just north, winds and floods – nothing. Storm slides south. Nary a gale or cloud. Wasted adrenaline. Until next time. They have learned their lessons and have adapted. They don’t rush out to Woolworths at the first threatening cry of impending disaster.

What these stalwarts of extreme weather preach and practice is twofold. 1. You won’t really know where the storm will go until the last days, or in this city, the last 24 hours!2. Don’t “get prepared”, BE PREPARED. (I really couldn’t see this until I had experienced the roller-coaster of excitement, preparation, frustration at the apathy of locals, and then the realization of Debbie’s adjusted destination)

The locals ARE prepared. They stay prepared. It’s not a lack of faith, apathy or complacency that characterizes these people. It is the patience to wait and see, and a preparedness to the point where last-minute shopping is not required.

In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about the wise and foolish bridesmaids awaiting the coming of the bridegroom. Some were ready with almost everything – gowns, location, water, watches and lamps. The others had all of that – but had also stored up enough oil for their lamps, for emergencies. Only those who had the oil were invited to the banquet.

I’m waiting for something more exciting than Debbie! It’s our Jesus! Yes, in respect to cyclones, it might seem like I am a “convert to complacency” but, in reality, I’m better prepared now. How prepared are we for the arrival of eternity? At the last minute, will we need to go to the store? Or have we got enough in store.

Have a great week.

Ian Humphries

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE 31 MARCH, 2017

DATES TO REMEMBER

MARCH 31Last Day Term 1

APRIL 18First Day Term 2

APRIL 18Life Education Visit

APRIL 21School Photos

APRIL 24 Home & School Meeting

APRIL 25Anzac Day Holiday

Parade at The Strand

MAY 1Labour Day - Public Holiday

MAY 2Prompt Payment Fee Deadline

MAY 5Mother’s Day Stall

May 8Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon visit

May 9 -11NAPLAN Testing Yrs 3 & 5

MAY 11Cross Country

MAY 28Weet-bix Try-athlon

JUNE 1Riverside Pet Day

Guitar Lessons We have a new Guitar teacher for 2017. Andrew Kaye, a teacher of various styles and disciplines of the guitar, will teach classical guitar lessons on Fridays. He prefers individual lessons as progress is swifter and distractions are at a minimum. There will be a cost of $15 per 30-minute lesson. Group lessons will need to be negotiated through the office and approved by the Principal. All guitar lessons will need to be paid up front to Andrea in the office for the full term before any lessons commence. Guitars can be loaned from Riverside for a $40 refundable damage deposit. Please email the office with any questions.

Poems - Years 2 & 3This term years 2 & 3 have been learning lots about poems. They have covered traditional poems such as Waltzing Matilda and have written some themselves. Below are three poems written by students.

Three Teenaged BoysThree teenaged boys singing in a tree,Taller and better then boys could be,

Eating and licking some big round pies,While jumping around to touch the skies.

As I passed beneath, I could hear one say,We’ll swing higher my boys, we will today.Then all of them shouted, Yahoo! Yahoo!Yes swinging higher we’ll do this dude.

by Taron Obst

Ten Big DucksTen big ducks floating in a new pondWhite and bright as ducks could be

Hopping and popping as high as possibleAt the sky that seems to cry up highAs I swam past I heard you quack

There will be fish for lunchThere will tomorrow

Then all of them quackedYippy-yippy yipooYes fish for lunch

Quack, quack, quack, quack!by Damien Acres

Five Paint BrushesFive paint brushes in an old red pack.Fluffy and puffy as brushes could be.

As I jogged past I hear one say we will paint a portrait,

we will todayThen they all brushed and got to work.

by Caleb Deliseo

Principal’s Award:

Mrs Winship - For showing Jesus to All.

Marleena Pugh - Always demonstrating the Riverside Way.

Grades Prep-1

Sophie Wilkinson - Welcoming challenges in learning.

Mikaela Pugh - For kindly helping others in class.

Grades 2/3

Jed Gaffney-Martin - For his fluent reading in reading groups.

Caleb Deliseo - For his enthusiasm and hard work in Maths.

Grades 4/5/6

Sarah Stanley - Great story writing (and for bringing breakfast).

Jakob Glendinning - Super effort in Writing & Maths.

The last couple of days have been very challenging for us all. ‘Will the cyclone hit? When will it hit? It won’t hit us.’ I have heard all these phrases over the last couple of days and my biggest response was, we really don’t know. In an event such as ‘Cyclone Debbie’, the biggest question is ‘Are you ready and prepared.’ Since we arrived here in Townsville some eight years ago and cyclones were quite prominent I have always had a cyclone kit prepared and ready. It bought quite a bit of humour to some of our friends who had lived here their entire life and had never had a cyclone kit in readiness for an event. However I was ready this time as well. I would rather be ready for such an event then not be prepared. I know of many down south who were complacent when they heard a cyclone was coming and they felt it wouldn’t come to them. Now we see some who have no power, no food and were not prepared in any way. Successful people are always prepared. Successful parents help their children be prepared every day to be model citizens as they grow into adulthood.Here are some tips on being prepared:PrepareIt’s not always fun. In fact, sometimes the hours may seem long. And it might not feel like you’re making any progress. Yet, success comes from preparation. The hours you spend preparing make for more positive, more uplifting, more successful hours in the time when it counts.Plan For SuccessPart of the preparation phase is planning for success. This is about getting yourself into a state of belief. Belief in yourself, and that you can accomplish the task before you. To take this one step further, beyond a belief in yourself, it’s also believing you can be excellent. What we tell our minds, they believe!FocusDuring your preparation, it’s important to focus. Focus on what’s important to know and do. Focus on those things that you’ll need to do to be successful. Work on them until you feel good about where you are. And no matter what it is you’re preparing for, look at both the mental and physical realms that will need your focus.UnderstandUnderstand what you are preparing for. Ask yourself the question “Do I know what it is I’m trying to accomplish?” Answer it honestly. If your answer doesn’t make sense, or if it seems out of alignment with what you see the end result is, then focus more on understanding the scope of what you’re tackling. Sometimes tasks/projects/games can be ambiguous. When you encounter ambiguity, take the time to understand. Understanding will then lead back to the focus you need to continue on.Pace YourselfPreparation isn’t all about seeing how fast you can get it all done. It’s more important to focus on doing it right. Prepare for success by pacing yourself. This might mean going over one particular area many times, in an effort to get it “right”. That’s okay. Prep time is exactly for that – for smoothing out the rough edges.SucceedIf you do all the steps above, you are ready for the “big game”. Success will be waiting for you there. Remember also that at “game” time, as much as you’ve prepared, you may still be faced with something you hadn’t thought of. That’s okay. You do the best you can given what you know. Will you succeed? That’s a question only you can answer. Success is waiting. This is a journey we’re on, and one worth keeping at. Through it all, remember why it is you’re doing these things you’re doing. Whatever it is, it should be something you want to do.Be Great!Your moment is now! Find those things in life that have meaning to you. And as you’re getting ready to do these things – prepare. Prepare and put it all out there on the table. No regrets! This is your life. Be Great! In our Christian walk it is the same for our life journey. We need to be prepared! Jesus is returning.1 Corinthians 16:13 New Living Translation (NLT)Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.

FROM CHAPPY ANNETTE ...

At Riverside Adventist Early Learning Centre, we develop dispositions for learning by being curious, cooperating and persistent.

Persistent – Using new tools for painting; completing the puzzle; sharing a meal together at the table

Cooperat-ing - Stopping and starting with the green and red lights Weather team – rain, thunder, lightening

Curious - Taking a walk in the jungle to catch a monkey!

Thank you!

We have already had a special dinner to thank and farewell Mrs Winship as she prepares to welcome her new baby into the world. The students and staff will miss her immensely and the principal is losing a most capable and faithful administrative teammate. Lauris, we know you are technically just absent, rather than gone, but we all want to wish you God’s blessings and strength as you begin the journey of a mother - again! Your attention to detail, systematic approach, humble presentation, firm faith and eye for excellence will be missed - if only temporarily.

Welcome Again!

We would like to welcome 3 Riverside staff members into new roles this week. Mrs Andrea Payne, or Mrs P to the students, is replacing Mrs Winship for her maternity leave. Mrs P has experience in managing an office and operating a business. She is a caring and dedicated worker who we are confident will be a blessing to all who wander through the front doors over the next 12 months. She has lots to become accustomed to by is a positive thinker a fast learner.

We also welcome Mrs Annette Ellison, our Chappy, into the shared role of Teachers Aide. Chappy will be sharing the role with Mrs Tiare Eldridge, a Riverside parent who has worked in our Early Learning Centre. We look forward to seeing the variety and depth of experience that these two ladies bring to the role. er maternity leave. Mrs P has experience in managing an office and operating a business. She is a caring and dedicated worker who we are confident will be a blessing to all who wander through the front doors over the next 12 months. She has lots to become accustomed to but is a positive thinker and fast learner.