Giving back to our community

At CGS we are very proud to partner with Backpacks 4 Vic Kids, and have done so for a number of years. This is a fantastic organisation and we aim to volunteer each holiday break. During the Term 1 holidays, 11 students from Years 7–12 and five staff members gave three hours of their time to do jobs around the warehouse and contribute to the items that go in the backpacks.

If anyone is interested in volunteering at this very local organisation, please look at their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Backpacks4VICKids/) or contact them directly. On this page, there is also a section titled ‘What we need Wednesday’ to which I would like to refer you. I am happy to deliver any donations you may wish to make. They are creating over 300 backpacks per month to keep up with current demand.

Backpacks for Vic Kids does critically important work. Whilst we were there, a ute-load of completed backpacks were sent off to organisations in rural Victoria that work with children in out of home care.

Thanks to all those who joined us recently. We intend to return in the Term 2 holidays, so if your child is interested, please encourage them to contact me.

Honouring those who sacrificed

Each year our School and Social Justice Captains proudly represent Casey Grammar to honour those who have given the ultimate sacrifice as part of their service to Australia. Noku, Ryan, Namish, Ameek and Georgia attended the Anzac service along with Head of Senior School, Kate Morgan and Head of Curriculum, Tegan West. They laid a wreath at the War Memorial at Cranbourne and shared in this special event along with many hundreds of others.

Life as an offering

Our staff commence each term with a Chapel service, and our theme this term was Offering — a reflection on the notion that our everyday lives are often lived offering ourselves to others through sharing our time, efforts and skills. From a Christian perspective, people of faith often seek to live their lives as an offering to God.

It is worth considering for a moment what has been offered to you that you have appreciated. We shared the story of Jesus using five loaves and two fish provided by a small boy which was used by Jesus to feed over 5,000 people. However, in this story, it reminds us that not only do the people we expect to offer something have the ability to do so, but also those we may not initially think of — in this case, a child. The image of these loaves and fish being used so powerfully speaks to the immense power of potential, even amidst the ordinary, everyday and mundane. Jesus was able to use these simple items to help many.

This term, may you find the power of potential even in the seemingly small things — a backpack, a wreath, or simple food shared with others.

Monique Riviere-Pendle

Chaplain