April 2009 - Gawa Christian School Website

G^wa News April 2009Gawa Christian School Elcho Island Northern Territory email gawa@ntcsa.nt.edu.auLara enjoying the rain with some studentsAnother month has flown by already! The Lord continues to blessus here in the school and community. We are thankful for the children’senthusiasm for school, their progress, fun times we all shareand also the opportunity to rest over the holidays. Children participatedin some Easter activities and the primary class celebratedend of term with a party.It was quiet in Gawa over the break but it was great to see the studentsreturn at the beginning of Term Two.Ben and the boys playing soccer in the rain Painting baskets for truffle easter eggs ‘Mr Gumpy’ end of term party“Bilipili ga Maymayngu marrtjibala Galinwin’kulil Dhapiw.|urru\uny madany bidiyungamunu\guy bala barkbark’thuna. Yurr dhu\garranydhu yothuny \unhi 10 yearsold or 12 years old. Gagamurruny \unhiyi \urigiyiromku \aythu yothnydirramany gakal\anytja`amaram nhakun \a`apa`dirramu.”Written by Clive Munyarryun inDjamburr-Puy\uInitiationCeremonyTRANSLATION:B i l i p i l i a n dMaymayngu wentBiliPili and Maymaynguto Galiwinku fortheir InitiationCeremony. First they were painted by old men while others startedmaking fire and singing songs. The boy has to be right age like 10years old or 12 years old. The meaning of initiation is turning a boyinto a man. They don’t have to worry about how they used to dothings when they were a boy. Now they have to start acting as menand look after their parents and younger siblings and no moreteasing.Written by Clive M in EnglishEasterBan’thula, one of ourneighbouring homelands, held achurch rally over the Easterlong weekend. A shelter wasconstructed with tree trunks andplastic sheeting to accommodatethe many gatherings heldin celebration of the occasion.We enjoyed fellowship withfamilies from Bun’thula andmany visitors from other homelandsand Galiwinku. It was agreat blessing to celebrate thesacrifice of our Saviour with ourbrothers and sisters.Ban’thula Easter Service

SchoolHolidaysStaff and familiesneed to be praisedfor their patienceduring the holidayswhen our generator‘broke down’ yetagain. We allstruggled to copewith the hot twelve days without power. We are very thankful for thewaterslide built by Harry and Bill which provided much relief for thechildren during this time. School classes were conducted out on theschool verandah and we all jumped for joy when the power returned.Outdoor School ClassesBill returns to GawaBill Schroder has spent a month here doing some much neededmaintenance work on the cars and machinery. Bill comes back toGawa regularly and we always appreciate his hard work . He is partof our family here at Gawa and the children especially enjoy hispresence.GawaOp ShopWe kindly received a $500 donation from the Parish of StVincent de Paul in Parkville (Melbourne) of new and prelovedclothes and manchester. We always appreciate donationsfor our small op shop which provides bargains for everyone. Clothes,towels and sheets are in demand as there are no shops on the island.Many churches and individuals have helped us to establish this shop, keepit full and help us raise money for our school.Basma shopping for some bargainsCooking Class with Kate (above)and Music with Ben (below)Sal has been teaching Kinder threemornings a week. We have eight childrenattending and they always enjoyplaying games, singing, readingbooks and doing activities together.The children have been learningabout seedsand plants, Kindergartenthe beachand the ocean.We have madesome wonderfulcrafts togetherinspired by thesethemes and havele arnt manyamazing thingsabout our beautifulworld.Lorenzo (left), Hannah &Lachlan enjoying sometime playing outside