News - CCAS

^ Demountable classrooms are moved to their new location on the CCAS campus.

Central Coast Adventist School builds on assets
Erina, New South Wales

This year sees the commencement of a two-year development process, where further stages of the Central Coast Adventist School (CCAS) campus will be completed.
“Stage six,” which commenced February 18, will see the construction of nine new primary classrooms and surrounding landscaping. This will bring closure to the primary classroom needs of the school. Two purpose-built, multistorey blocks will house 18 classrooms in total and include support areas.
“Stage seven” will see 16 new secondary classrooms—including art, manual arts, performing arts and music spaces—created, in addition to significant landscaping. This building will also bring closure to the classroom needs of the secondary school. It is anticipated that this stage will be completed in late 2009.
CCAS has also started the 2008 school year with enrolments at record levels. There are more than 880 students currently enrolled, from Kindergarten through to Year 12.
The secondary school now has more than 140 students enrolled and next year will see the final 20 students join the primary school to give a total enrolment of 900 students.
“God has richly blessed the school as it redirected itself in the early 1990s, from a school facing possible closure through to the second largest school in the Australian Union Conference,” says principal Dean Bennetts.
“We give thanks to God for His guidance over the many years of school operations. We also acknowledge and thank the Adventist community on the Central Coast, for its tireless and enthusiastic support and prayers.”—Brenton Luchow

News - Youth support charity

^ Evey Wegner with some of the presents.

Youth church supports children’s charity
Newcastle, New South Wales

Young people attending Wallsend’s monthly youth church donated more than 40 boxes full of Christmas presents at the end of 2007, as part of “Operation Christmas child.” The youth took up the challenge to fill shoeboxes with gifts, such as toys, school supplies, lollies, toiletries and other items. These were sent overseas to children in need and distributed in time for Christmas.
Youth church member, Evey Wegner, heard about this project and volunteered to become a regional coordinator. She promoted the plan at youth church, as well as some schools, community groups, and numerous Adventist and other churches in the region. Her home became a drop-off point for the boxes and her garage quickly filled with hundreds of them.
Ms Wegner expressed her gratitude for the support shown by our church. “I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and excitement shown by Wallsend youth in becoming involved in this project,” she says. “It’s wonderful to see so many young people thinking outside of themselves and donating their time, energy and hard-earned money to a worthy cause.”
“Operation Christmas child” is an annual program run by charity Samaritans Purse. More than 200,000 boxes are donated each year in Australia.—Lloyd Turner

News - Quest

^ Young members of the Manurewa Adventist church in south Auckland, New Zealand, recently took Jesus’ parable of the great banquet literally.

Young people find a different “Quest”
Auckland, New Zealand

A church in New Zealand recently hosted a “Quest” dinner with a difference, which was organised by young people to thank leaders in their community.The “Quest” project is one of the resources developed by Adventist Health in the South Pacific Division, in conjunction with the “Circle of courage” cycling tours.
Following the “Circle of courage” ride in New Zealand early last year, Pastor Jake Ormsby, a member of the team, returned to his local church—Manurewa in Auckland—and initiated a “Quest” project with young people there.
Supported with funding from Adventist Health, part of the project was to host a dinner to thank local people in the community who have supported young people. providing interesting results.
“Our task was to organise a thank-you dinner, hosted by our youth taskforce team,” Pastor Ormsby explains. “This was to prove a real spiritual blessing for the team. More than 20 invitations were extended to youth leaders in the city. But on the night, only one person arrived.
“The young people had decorated the hall so beautifully and cooked a fine meal,” he says.
“Then they waited excitedly for the leaders to arrive. They had received a number of apologies but most were expected to turn up. Unfortunately, they didn’t show.”
Pastor Ormsby says it was “heartbreaking” to see the young people upset by the absence of leaders but adds, “The Lord had a different plan for that night. When they asked me for my thoughts, I reminded them of the parable Jesus told of the great banquet and inviting those in the ‘highways and byways.’”
The young people were inspired by this and went out into the night, bringing back street kids, prostitutes and the homeless—and the seats were soon filled. “There was a lot of rejoicing and celebrating,” says Pastor Ormsby. “Only God can bring the pure joy we experienced that night from what seemed like a hopeless situation.”—RECORD staff/Paul Rankin

News - Award-winning students carry on in winning ways

^ Stacey Hetherington with Dr Darren Morton at the 2007 awards ceremony.

Award-winning students carry on in winning ways
Cooranbong, New South Wales

Two award-winning students from Avondale College’s 2007 round of awards have continued to excel this year.
Stacey Hetherington received $A1000 for winning the Avondale College Alumni Association Community Service Award this past year but donated half the money to help build a new a duplex house at the Wat Preah Yesu Children’s Home in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Ms Hetherington served as co-leader for 35 Avondale students who served at the home for two weeks during their summer holidays in 2006/07.
“Over the past year, it has been a great pleasure to be part of where God has been leading the students of Avondale College,” writes Ms Hetherington in a letter to the college. “Perhaps the biggest blessing was allowing God to use me to . . . minister for two weeks [at Wat Preah Yesu].”
Ms Hetherington returned to the home as one of 41 volunteers this past summer. The team, comprised mostly of members of the Kellyville Seventh-day Adventist church, raised more than $A60,000—$A10,000 more than it needed for building materials, reports Ms Hetherington.
She says, “I thank God for the opportunity to serve in the community and the manner in which He has blessed me undeservingly for it.”
Kent Kingston received the Adventist World Radio (AWR) Award of Excellence in Radio Production and Public Relations, also worth $A1000.
“This award came at the perfect time for me,” Mr Kingston says. “The night before the awards ceremony, I had been doing some research and thinking about volunteering for a role in media ministry
. . . . For someone with a wife and children, this is daunting.
“I was feeling fearful and frustrated at the prospect of supporting a family on a volunteer stipend or even in a ‘faith-based’ situation. . . . When I received the award, it was as if God tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘See, you don’t have to worry about money—I’ve got it all under control.’”
Mr Kingston is now completing a six-month professional internship at the Adventist Media Network, based in Wahroonga.—Brenton Stacey. Photos by Ann Stafford.

^ Kent Kingston with Andrea Steele at the 2007 awards ceremony.

News - iGeneration concert

Sydney’s iGeneration concert celebrated the role young people play in supporting those in need by raising funds for the ADRA Appeal.

ADRA hosts Sydney iGeneration concert
Sydney, New South Wales

On September 1, the iGeneration concert was held in Sydney to celebrate the contribution of young people to this year’s Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Appeal.
The concert featured a number of Australian artists including Australian Idol finalist Joseph Gatehau, popular Christian singer Skylla, Endless Praise and Melissa Otto.
The iGeneration concert was hosted by local Adventist youth speakers and included segments with giveaways and interviews with ADRA supporters.
“The night was really fantastic, with very talented performers and an enthusiastic audience,” said co-host Litiana Qiosese. “Watching the young people get involved not only on the night but also in doing something to help the poor was great. This generation can make a difference.”
Young people from the Greater Sydney Conference gained entry to the concert on presentation of an ADRA Appeal church treasurer’s receipt that showed they had raised $A50 or more for the Appeal. They also received a free iGeneration T-shirt. For those unable to fundraise for ADRA, tickets for entry were sold at at the door.
The concert was held at the Sydney Adventist College, Strathfield campus. It was organised by the Greater Sydney Conference to encourage young people to participate in the fight against poverty and support the ADRA Appeal.
“The iGeneration campaign is about inspiring young people to get involved in changing the world. Many of them said that they learned a lot about poverty and what can be done to help,” said the conference’s director of ADRA services, Malcolm Rea. “And their response to supporting the ADRA Appeal was amazing, with those at the concert representing about $A23,000 dollars raised for the Appeal.”
Candice Jaques, ADRA Australia’s communication coordinator, says, “iGeneration was named not only for the generation now using popular i-technology such as iPods and iPhones, but as a call to action for this generation to become ‘involved,’ make an ‘impact’ and go on to ‘inspire’ others to do the same.
The iGeneration campaign is being implemented in other conferences to acknowledge the important role young people play in supporting those in need through the ADRA Appeal.—RECORD staff/Candice Jaques

News - MVAC community service

Commerce teacher Zenon Els prepares gift baskets with a student.

MVAC commerce students serve community
Doonside, New South Wales

Mountain View Adventist College teacher Zenon Els and his Year 10 Commerce class have been busy sorting out household items and food products donated by fellow students and staff at the college to the class as part of a community-service project they organised during August.
These items have been distributed to families in the school who need some assistance, which the Commerce class designed to be seen as a “hand-up” rather than a “handout.” In total, 72 baskets were prepared and included generous donations from Sanitarium Health Food Company, who have been strong supporters of the project.
Mr Els says, “This community-service project has gone better than we expected and next year we will definitely be looking at doing it again!”—Fiona Lelilio

News - Ministry of teaching affirmed

Avondale College education students help launch an initiative to reposition teaching as ministry.

Launch affirms ministry of teaching
Cooranbong, New South Wales

An Avondale College initiative to reposition teaching as a ministry launched nationally in Seventh-day Adventist churches on September 15.
The initiative, called “Ministry of Teaching,” includes the following resources: Ministry of Teaching, a website containing teachers’ reflections on the ministry of teaching and pathways to enter it; TEACH, a biannual, online journal of Christian education, published by Avondale Academic Press; and an Adventist education issue of RECORD (September 15 issue).
Affirmation of teachers, the desperate need for more teachers in Christian schools and a desire for Adventist Church administrators to recognise education as a “mainstream” form of evangelism provided the impetus for the initiative.
The dean of the Avondale College’s Faculty of Education, Dr Peter Beamish, who is also the Ministry of Teaching coordinator, speaks passionately about a generation of young adults “wanting to make a significant contribution to the community.”
His message? “Stop! Is God calling you to the ministry of teaching?
“If the answer’s yes, then I’m calling you not to enter the classroom but to enter the ministry.”
Dr Beamish launched the first issue of TEACH, published as a one-off hardcopy, at a luncheon for Avondale staff members and education students on September 17.
Editor Dr Wilf Rieger dedicated the journal to Christian teachers and “to the One who inspires us—Jesus, a teacher sent from God.”
Avondale College president Dr John Cox received the first copy. Vice-president (academic administration) Dr Vivienne Watts had previously challenged the faculty to reach publication levels equivalent to those in a research-intensive university. “This journal has helped you reach that target this year,” she said.
Every teacher in Adventist schools in Australia and New Zealand, and one in every three teachers in Christian schools in Australia, will receive a free copy of TEACH. Avondale is also sending 1600 copies to teachers and schools in the Pacific islands.
Avondale Academic Press will publish the next issue of TEACH in April 2008.—Brenton Stacey

News - Pathfinders reach out

Pathfinders reach out to community in Mackay
Mackay, Queensland

Mackay Central Pathfinder troop, Queensland, took to the streets to storm the neighbourhood for Christ on August 18, believing that any age group can win souls.
One hour and fifteen minutes after 5pm on Saturday, church pastor Anthony van Duyn briefed the troop of 17 Pathfinders on what to say, gave them their territory, loaded and unloaded them and enjoyed a successful time of outreach.
Four local parents wanted their children to join Adventurers, while 10 wanted their children to join Pathfinders. Pastor van Duyn adds, “Four responded that they would like to join our Wilderness Adventure Club. Another parent responded that they would be interested in Adventist education for their child. One person even responded that they would like in-home Bible studies!”
The group also had a number of responses to parenting seminars, Quit programs, communication, various health programs and other events and workshops the church is hosting.
Pastor van Duyn says, “Amazing Facts, It Is Written, Fountain in the City and Gateway Church all rely heavily on the use of a doorknock community-survey form as a major means of soliciting Bible-study contacts with a high degree of success. The Mackay churches decided to build on this good foundation and develop the program to reach even younger age groups, while still capitalising on the success of these other styles.”
Pastor van Duyn developed a professional-looking survey form, then localised Pathfinder promotional materials and application forms. He told his members: “If I could increase both Mackay clubs by 20 children and even one-third of those gave their hearts to Christ, I would think that we had a very successful year, in ministry terms.” But the benefits were even greater, he continues: “Not only that but we would have direct and repeated access to the parents. This way, we recruit the age group that we need most to secure the longevity and sustainability of our churches.
“Pathfinders and Adventist Education also feature as some of the major reasons for Brazil’s exceptional church growth rates—if they can make it work, so can we!”—RECORD staff/Anthony van Duyn

NewsShorts

> For the past two years, Canberra Christian School (CCS), ACT, has participated in the “Shop For Your School” program, conducted in Westfield shopping centres. The program encourages people to have the value of their shopping dockets tallied and registered for a school. The major prize is a school makeover, this year valued at $A150,000, from the TV program Better Homes and Gardens. Both years, CCS has just missed the makeover but has won a number of valuable prizes. This year, the school won over $A12,000 in technology, plus a $A10,000 upgrade of its library. The school appreciates the support of members in sister churches throughout Australia who have helped in the program. “As a small school of less than 40 pupils, it would take a lot of fundraising to purchase these items,” says school principal, Jenny Coutts. “Thank you to everyone who registered for Canberra Christian School.”—Jenny Coutts

> A number of university students who attended the recent youth conference in Melbourne have taken up the call to share the Word of God with other students on university campuses. Adventist students from Monash University are conducting a series called the “Elijah project,” which shares their belief in Jesus, His values and the message of His soon return. In the lead up to this series, students busily conducted surveys, doorknocked surrounding areas, handed out leaflets and commenced a Bible-study group on campus. On the opening night, while the young presenters said they were “nervous,“ 30 people attended and shared in both the message and meal.—Wayne Boehm

> Mountain View Adventist College students (Sydney, NSW) raised about $A7000 for literacy programs, walking and running against each other in the school’s late August walkathon. “We had about 200 children sponsored for the walkathon,’’ says Mountain View’s head of primary, Megan Sketchley. ”It was also a fitness program we linked to Book Week, since the money raised will go to the school’s literacy resources.’’ Some students were in casual dress while many came as their favourite fictional characters, in keeping with the Book Week theme. Teachers also promoted reading by choosing a book and working on it with their students.—Roderick Shaw/Blacktown Sun

News - Student's design wins praise

Chris Granger with his car hoist, which will feature in the DesignTECH display at the Powerhouse Museum.

Student’s car hoist design wins praise
Cooranbong, New South Wales

Mechanics have high-lift car hoists to make working on vehicles less backbreaking but without the high ceilings of a purpose-built workshop, how can home car care be made easier?
This was the question a Year 12 student, Chris Granger, from Avondale School set out to answer. The solution he came up with is so good, it has been nominated for display at DesignTECH, an exhibition to be held at the Powerhouse Museum later this year.
“I have been driving in car-club events since I was 13 and have spent lots of time lying on the garage floor,” says Mr Granger. “We can’t fit a hoist in our garage, as we do not have enough height. I thought it would be a good idea if I could make a simple hoist to lift a car about a metre high.”
For the past year, Mr Granger has been working steadily on the project—“I have learnt it is better to tackle a big project little by little”—and when the Board of Studies examined his work, they decided it was up there with the best in the state.
“We are very proud of Chris,” says Avondale School’s Design and Technology teacher, David Hoey.
“He has developed a strong understanding of the design process, including researching, experimenting and testing solutions. He has displayed excellent practical skills in the production of a quality design solution with a strong eye for detail.”
The DesignTECH exhibition is run by the Board of Studies to showcase the best HSC Design and Technology projects of the year.
Other projects from Avondale students included high fashion clothes, a horse-feeding system, furniture and steel-capped ugg boots.—Braden Blyde