Welcome to a Brand-New Year

As we begin this new school year, I warmly welcome all of our families, both those who have journeyed with us for many years and those joining our community for the first time. The start of a new academic year is always filled with hope and anticipation. New classrooms, new friendships, new challenges, and new opportunities lie ahead, and we are grateful to walk this path together with you and your children.

We know that transitions can bring a mix of excitement and uncertainty for students and parents alike. Please know that our staff is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where every child feels known, valued, and encouraged to grow.

Our Purpose, Vision, and Mission

Everything we do as a school is grounded in our purpose: to reveal Jesus . This purpose shapes our teaching, our relationships, and the culture of our school. Our vision is to be a Christ-centred learning community , where faith and learning are deeply connected, and where students are encouraged to grow in wisdom, compassion, and courage. Guided by our mission to nurture all , we are intentional in caring for the whole child academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally, recognizing that each child is uniquely created by God and entrusted to us for a time.

Partnering With You as Parents

Parents play a vital role in their child’s learning journey, and your support makes a powerful difference. We encourage you to walk alongside your child this year, taking time to listen, to ask questions about their learning, to celebrate their efforts, and to offer reassurance when challenges arise. Establishing routines, encouraging perseverance, and reinforcing positive attitudes toward learning and faith at home all help children develop confidence and resilience.

Most importantly, your presence, encouragement, and prayers remind your child that they are supported not only at school, but at home as well. Together, as partners, we can help each child grow into the person God has created them to be.

Our 2026 Theme: “Inside Out”

This year, our school theme is “Inside Out.” This theme invites us to reflect on the importance of nurturing what is within, our faith, character, attitudes, and values so that they shape how we live and learn each day. We will encourage students to allow God’s love and truth to transform their hearts, knowing that when Christ is at work on the inside, it naturally flows outward through kindness, integrity, and service to others.

As a school community, we look forward to a year of growth, discovery, and faith-filled learning. Thank you for your trust, your partnership, and your continued support. We are excited for the year ahead and all that God will do in and through our community, inside and out.

Warm regards,

Sam Lett

Welcome back to a brand‑new school year! We hope the holiday break provided your family with time to rest, recharge, and reconnect. As we step into this next chapter together, the Counselling Team would like to extend a warm welcome to all our students, whether they are returning, joining us for the first time, or stepping into a new stage of their school journey.

The beginning of the year can bring a mix of excitement, uncertainty, and adjustment for students of all ages. We want to remind our families that wellbeing is a shared priority across our school community. If you have any concerns about your child’s transition back to school socially, emotionally, or academically, please feel free to reach out. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher, or you can complete the linked Child and Adolescent Referral form, and a member of our wellbeing team will get in touch.

To support a positive start to the term, here are a few practical ways students and families can prepare for a successful and settled return to school:

Re-establish routines early
Regular sleep schedules, consistent morning routines, and predictable after‑school habits can help reduce stress and make the transition back to school smoother.

Create a calm space for study
A quiet, organised area for homework helps students feel focused and ready to learn. It doesn’t need to be big—just free from distractions and easy to maintain.

Set realistic goals together
Encourage your child to think about what they would like to achieve academically, socially, or personally this year. Small, achievable goals help build confidence and motivation.

Build in simple family‑time routines
Daily connection makes a big difference. Consider a 20‑minute family board game, reading time before bed, sharing a screen‑free dinner, or taking a short family walk. Regular moments of connection strengthen relationships and help children feel grounded as they settle into the school year.

Talk openly about emotions
Returning to school can bring nerves as well as excitement. Let your child know it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions and that you’re there to support them.

Prioritise healthy habits
Balanced meals, hydration, regular physical activity, and downtime all play an important role in wellbeing and school success.

Reach out early
If something doesn’t feel quite right—changes in mood, behaviour, friendships, or learning—please let us know. Early support often prevents small concerns from becoming bigger challenges.

Our team is here to walk alongside students and families throughout the year. We look forward to partnering with you to help every student feel supported, confident, and ready to thrive.

Wishing everyone a smooth start to the year ahead!

Warm regards,

Isabel Fraser (Provisional Psychologist) and Claire Korte (Psychologist)

The Counselling Team

Year 7 Camp at Milson Island

Our Year 7 students kicked off their high school journey with a fantastic camp at Milson Island! The adventure began with a bus and ferry ride that set the tone for an exciting three days ahead.

Students took part in a wide range of activities including kayaking, bushwalking, damper making, raft building, archery tag, initiative challenges, and an exhilarating “Amazing Race.” During afternoon free time, many enjoyed tennis, basketball, footy, and swimming making the most of the beautiful island surroundings.

Staff were especially impressed by the enthusiasm, teamwork, and positive attitude displayed by all students. It was a wonderful start to the year and a great opportunity for new friendships and memories to form!

On Friday 30th January, the Student Leadership Team was blessed to have a day focused on the direction they will be heading in 2026. We were honoured to have the Associate National Director of Adventist Schools Australia, Jacques Calais, fly up from Melbourne to spend the day with us. Jacques shared wisdom and insight as he challenged us as an SLT to become passionate about the way we lead our school throughout 2026.

Over the course of the day, we enjoyed listening to our WHY, discussing our areas of focus, and spending meaningful time together. Our SLT made the decision that our 2026 direction would be to focus on:

· Believe

· Become

· Belong

The SLT will aim to build on the school culture spiritually, academically, and holistically. The SLT will begin leading worships for both staff and students, be present at the front gate on Friday mornings to welcome each student into the school and have been challenged to learn each student by name and get to know them individually. We believe we can make a difference in the lives of our students and support them spiritually, academically, and holistically through these avenues.

We pray that God blesses our school in 2026 and that He strengthens us on our journey to do His work. Amen.

“I was blessed and reminded of my purpose as a teacher.” – Mrs Vele “Today showed me that our students have so much to offer. They showed a heap of excitement, and now I’m excited to watch them kill it in 2026.” – Mr Maua “You have an amazing SLT. God will bless you all this year.” – Jacques Calais

School Transitions

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

Here is the link to your Edition https://macarthur-adventist.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions

At MacArthur Adventist College, we are deeply committed to the well-being and safety of all children and young people under our care. We aim to provide an environment that supports their education and personal growth, helping them lead meaningful, joy-filled lives, build strong friendships with God, and develop the character traits of kindness, service, and integrity.

As part of our commitment, we want to reaffirm that the safety, welfare, and well-being of every child at our college is of the utmost importance. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure that MacArthur Adventist College remains a safe and nurturing environment, free from harm and abuse.

We hold a zero tolerance for child abuse and view our child protection responsibilities as one of the highest priorities. The college is fully committed to complying with all relevant child protection laws and regulations, ensuring both physical and online spaces remain safe for all students.

We appreciate the trust you place in us and work alongside families to support our children and young people in their journey of growth, with a strong foundation of Bible-based values and selfless service to their communities.

Together, we can create an environment where all students are protected and empowered to thrive.

Thank you for your continued support in making MacArthur Adventist College a safe and loving place for every child.