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What is important to me? What am I passionate about?
- Healthy and honest relationships.

- Environment and animals.
- Traveling and having new experiences and exploring new cultures.
- Teaching and providing a safe learning environment for all students to achieve success, academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.

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I drove past an old work friend on my way to the current school during Book Week dress up day, dressed as Daphne from Scooby Doo. My wig had caught her attention while driving past and prompted her to message me. The conversation progressed to her telling me that there is a position open at her school, Good News that I should apply for. As I was needing a shape up from my role, I went for the interview and here I am!

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What questions do you have about Lutheran education and your role?

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What questions do you have about Lutheran education and your role?

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What references can I refer to or resources to guide me through teaching Christian Studies?

How can I continue to grow and learn in this area to improve my teaching and learning?

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What matters most in Lutheran education? 

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What matters most in Lutheran education? 

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There are a variety of core components that matter most and are the foundations of Lutheran education:

-       Contributing to the community through service and caring.
-       Helping one another and making a difference.

-       High standards of teaching and excellence

-       Working with a strong partnership with parents

-       Nurturing the development of the whole student.
-       Identity, personal identity and worth

-       lifelong learners with developing worth and Christian values

-       Core values

-       Grace / gracious place

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Resourced from the following websites.
https://www.lutheran.edu.au/teaching-and-learning/worship/

https://www.lutheran.edu.au/teaching-and-learning/devotions/

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The Lutheran College is on Earth to make a positive different, influence and growth on Gods Creation.  The image below summarises God’s love for all his creations.

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Evidences of spiritual practice at Lutheran Schools 

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Evidences of spiritual practice at Lutheran Schools 

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The above information was resourced from the below website.
http://www.lutheran.edu.au/school-professionals-2/governance/an-overview-for-governing-bodies/lutheran-schools-a-rich-history/

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All aspects of the Lutheran education are organic and intertwined throughout aspects of a normal school day, which I notice and feel while teaching at Good News Lutheran College. Nothing is stand alone and we place large emphasis on engaging in Christian Education through a range of practises that help build connections and develop students’ attitudes and values. GNLC embraces positive relationships and restorative practice amongst it’s community which align with the Lutheran Education philosophy and values.

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I do question how I can better lead in this area as a focus and gain more confidence while engaging in discussions within in the classroom and with colleagues for improved teaching and learning. I am always cautions when teaching the content as I know the importance of using the correct terminology. I am looking forward to the continued involvement in Connect as I am sure with the development of my understanding comes the growth in confidence which will result in improved teaching practise.

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What are important aspects of spirituality from a Lutheran perspective? 

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What are important aspects of spirituality from a Lutheran perspective? 

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It discusses and explains spirituality as providing a connectives to one – self and a greater connection to something bigger.

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Most people follow a customised path and believe "true religion is about how you treat people."
It discussed that even if you don't have a particular organised religion, it does not mean they are not spiritual. It mentions that self-reflecting and being the best human you can be is as aspect f being spiritual.

Information from the below article: https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/spiritual-but-not-religious-what-the-census-wont-say/7699694

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Characteristics of Australian Spirituality: 

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Characteristics of Australian Spirituality: 

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-       Multiple religions and culture who move in and out of faith.

-       Don’t follow religion back are intertwined and interested in a spirit and follow their own spiritual pathways

-       Although faith / religion / spirituality may differ, it is understood and respected

-       God in case of an emergency

-       customized path

-       Indigenous spirituality impacts western people – respect for the land

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In what ways does/can the concept of grace shape Good News Lutheran College?
What Is Grace? - Justin Holcomb

“Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.” (Paul Zahl)

This article defines that through Grace, people are given hope of resurrection. We practise this at Good News Lutheran through the positive way we interact with peers, colleague and other state holders of our school community. Through pastoral care and Restorative Practises, students and teachers are given a chance to restore their wrong doings and/or broken relationships with one another.

“Grace is the opposite of karma, which is all about getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.” Justin Holcomb.

In what ways might the concept of grace inform the understanding of my role and contribution here? “We, as people who work in schools, are welcoming our students as pilgrims: Travellers on a journey of meaning: guests with a story to tell…As each person is human so each little story is part of the bigger human story.”  - Geoffery Butler

Resourced from the following Padlet.
https://padlet.com/LuthEdAus/connectsession1
https://www.goodnews.vic.edu.au/academic/behaviour/restorative-practice

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Above are some key thoughts that came from this discussion.

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What does this statement mean to GNLC?

Restorative Practice fits in nicely by showing forgiveness and understanding to others. This helps us as teachers and students practise Grace each day. It is also an aspect that we can apply to our own lives regardless of our believes of spiritual journey.

How might this thought colour my practice? Bringing out the students gifts and talents and using this as a service to others e.g. teaching others how to do things, celebrating and commending the differences within our classroom and school.

Grace can be difficult to understand, but it is something that we all deserve and are able to access. Grace is woven through my daily interactions with colleagues, students and parents.

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What are the joys and challenges of working with children or young people?

There are joys and challenges with each new day while working with children. I find the most challenging thing is dealing with the uncertainty of each day and never knowing what you are going to get! You can be planned and organised, ready for the day ahead then one small curve ball throws everything out!

I also see that as a joy, to be present in the moment and not have expectations on how things are going to go or what a day might bring. I also adore how innocent and creative students are.  They see the good in every situation and remind me on a daily basis to not take anything for granted and be thankful for each experience.

What do you think should make Lutheran Education stand apart from other forms of education?

I believe Lutheran education stands apart from the rest with our ability to engage and reflect with all teaching staff and students. Our ability to share a daily devotion together to set goals and focus on the important things. As well as our ability to forgive and restore relationships with one another despite any wrong doing.

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'Your image of God creates you' and Key Creation Concepts reading talks about how God created human being in His own image of goodness and holiness rather than the physical image. It goes on to say that God created us like him without sin, but humans made wrong choices. Now, God is restoring us through Jesus Christ as we believe in him.

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Resourced from: https://padlet.com/LuthEdAus/connectsession2

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God promises to restore the brokenness of creation through Jesus​ 

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God promises to restore the brokenness of creation through Jesus​ 

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How does creation theology shape an aspect of your work with students? 

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How does creation theology shape an aspect of your work with students? 

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The creation theology shapes a lot of different aspects with the students I interact with on a daily basis in my role. “God promises to restore the brokenness of creation through Jesus”, this form of Grace is used when working through difficult situations, or when students have made discussions that aren’t very favourable, but they can be restored through Restorative practise and Pastoral Care

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What brokenness exist in the classroom? What good things exists in the classroom?

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By collaborating within my team for ideas and support, using the must do, should do and could do method to prioritise mandatory things that need to be done and not changed, to give students a better routine of necessary and beneficial learning.

How can the Lutheran perspective on creation shape how we form and maintain our:
- relationships
- professional conduct
- communication and how we educate students?

The Lutheran perspective on creation can help form and maintain through our Restorative Practise model, focusing on strong communication and reflections with students, teachers and other stake holders of the school.

Daily devotions are important where students and teachers are invited to join in a morning worship, but also a reflection and direction on their goals for the working day.

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Above are some key thoughts that came from our group discussion.

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What stood out for you?
There are a lot of links and interconnectedness with Our GNLC  Culture to the discussion we have been having throughout the session. Each person is unique, and they can use their God given talents to serve and contribute to our culture and school community.

How does creation theology shape an w does creation theology shape an aspect for your with students?

Show Grace to each one other, and each day start is a fresh start to make positive change and restore any broken relationships.

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Connect:
How are the ideas and information from this session connected to what I already know?

It confirmed a lot of things we at Good News are doing to help foster, nature and create a positive environment for our teaching staff and students. There is a large influent on Grace and restorative practise, which links directly to key concepts of this session.

Extend:
What new ideas did you get that extended or broadened your thinking in new direction?
I love the strong hold Lutheran Education places on Earth care. I would LOVE to take this and imbed it in our school a lot more to develop more respect and love for our environment and animals within our teacher community and school community.

Challenge:

What challenges or puzzles have come up in your mind from the ideas and information from this session?

Although we teach Christian studies, how can we intertwin this in all areas of our teaching and learning for. Strong embedment.

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The above information was completed in a group task and information was from the follow:  https://padlet.com/LuthEdAus/connectsession3

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Relationship readings (Group task) Part 1. 

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Relationship readings (Group task) Part 1. 

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The above information was completed in a group task and information was from the follow:  https://padlet.com/LuthEdAus/connectsession3

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Relationship readings (Group task) Part 2

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Relationship readings (Group task) Part 2

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The above information was completed in a group task and information was from the follow:  https://padlet.com/LuthEdAus/connectsession3

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Relationship readings (Group task) Part 3

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Relationship readings (Group task) Part 3

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God created human beings in order to have relationship with them

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Watched video for notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkKLN1WGKlM

Left God the Father (gold, sense of wholeness)
Centre is God the son (God alongside us. Christians belief he became human) and the right is God the spirit.

Blue is to signify Earth – sea and the sky, the colour of the world

Red – is sacrifice – shed his blood – he agreed to take the suffering of the world.
Sash – eternity  - turned the suffering into resurrection.

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- Everyone has different gifts which they can use to serve

- We can have multiple ways to serve and it doesn't necessarily have to be a paid job.

- Your life doesn't just belong to you, you belong to family, friends, human race and they belong to you as well.

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Through bible scriptures
- Culture and history
- Social and media presence
- Teachings and word of mouth
- Through others gifts/talents who help and demonstrates God's word through various means

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All the concepts we have explored during these session link directly to how we carry out our school day at GNLC. It has brought a sense of hope. By understanding the reasoning behind practises more in-depth has allowed me to make the connect towards the importance of how they ALL add to the greater good of Christian Education and our students.  Connections such as grace and forgiveness, working hand in hand with the restorative practice agency that we run with our students. The importance of allowing students time to engage in a variety

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What are the most significant aspects of Lutheran theology for Lutheran education?

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What are the most significant aspects of Lutheran theology for Lutheran education?

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- Exposing students to engaging and age-appropriate activities to promote involvement and understanding

- Demonstrating values
- The bible reflects and revolves over time with the same messages to be shared but interpreted in many ways.

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The below information on the image below was resourced from the below website.https://padlet.com/LEVNT/ConnectSession4

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The Story of Jonah

Jonah runs away, gets on a ship and there is a storm

He gets thrown overboard and is eaten by a fish.

He spends three days and three nights in the belly of the fish.

The Bible Project: The book of Jonah

Are you okay with God loving your enemies?

The wideness of God's mercy and love.

Is the text literal or a metaphor?

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1. The world BEHIND the text
CULTURE AND HISTORY
Time, place, author's historical critical method – the world at the time

2. The world OF text
GENRE, & LITERARY DETAIL
The words on the page

3. The world FACING the text
INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION
Perceptions of the reader

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My different vocations and what I bring to this community:

- Teaching

- Taking care of my pet

- Communicating with my friends and helping them with problems

- Being friendly with my neighbours

- Charity work

What do I seek from this community?

·       Communication, connection and building of relationships

·       Acceptance

·       Respect from colleagues

·       Contributing towards shared goals.

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Where is Nineveh? And what is nearby?

Nineveh was apart of the Assyrian Empire near Iraq.

What can we learn about the context of this text?

Jonah challenges us to see that God, may want to use us to reach out to the very people we tend to despise and see as beyond redemption.

Who wrote this book?

Unknown.

What do we know about the cultural world of this time?

Israels Nobel kingdom was restored by the Assyrians by asserting themselves in increasingly ways.

When was the text written?

785-750 BC

Why was the text written or important enough to be told across time?

To tell the story of God's concern for even the enemies of his people, this book also shows how God used a reluctant prophet as a vehicle of his grace.

What does the author want the audience to feel?

God will forgive you. God's compassion for all people and earnest repentance regardless of what people have done.

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Is there a particular structure to this text and what happens?  The Story of Jonah is satirical story – there is a clear beginning, middle and end, but is satire because it's larger than life story.

Who are the characters in the text?
Characters:

o   Jonah

o   The fish

o   The King of Nineveh

o   The people of Nineveh

o   Sailors

Where does the story take place?
We know that Jonah was near Joppa and had to go to Ninevah, but instead travelled in the other direction to the city of Tarshish

Is the text verified in other books of the bible?
It is also mentioned in the Islam text/Korhan

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What might God want to say to me through this text today?

Regardless of our struggles or intentions, God ensure we are exactly where we need to be at the right time and are on our individual path.

What aspects of this text might not be relevant to our lives and time?

This text asks us to examine how we are acting like Jonah in our lives and how we can feel the same concern for their forgiveness as God.

How might people of different genders and cultures interpret this text differently?

This also connects in with our democratic rights in today's time.  God's brief but harsh response to look at Jonah provides flexibility for each person in their interpretation within the context of their own life experiences

Where can information about this text be found in order to interpret it for contemporary audience and when might it be used?

There are many story books on this particular story of the Bible, can be found in youtube and by searching the web.

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Connect:
-    As we all come from different experiences, attitudes and culture, we can all interpret stories from the bible in different ways.
- The Bible may be old but the messages are still so important and will live out throughout time.
- Students should be able to explore and use a bible to make their own interpretations and connections.

Challenge:
How can we keep the bible relevant to students in present time?

Extend:
How can help promote the three worlds in my classroom to allow students to interpret messages from the bible in their own ways?

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My experience with Connect has allowed me to form a deeper understanding of Christianity within Lutheran Schools and opened me up to a world of knowledge to apply within my teaching.

Since partaking in Connect, it has provided me with the confidence to engage in more regular conversations arounds different attitudes and perspectives of faith. I have been inspired to ask more questions and seek clarification when discussing Christian Studies with my team and make suggestions towards areas in my link my authentically. Prior to Connect, I would just sit back and listen as I felt I wasn’t knowledgeable enough I the area.

This was evident while recently planning a unit on Christianity in the World that we ran alongside our IB Unit of How we express ourselves. Although I still needed support on the biblical aspect of this unit, I was able to provide some ideas on how to incorporate some hands on and concrete activities for students to not only explore what spirituality is, but express their own spirituality while they connected and compared it to how we do so at school, from a Christian perspective.

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My theological perspective gained from my connect sessions was used in a variety of resent units we planned around Christianity in the World (mention in Outcome 1) and Christian Living. Students explored and made connections to the Connect sessions of Grace, Creation and Relationships.

We facilitated a safe and supportive learning environment that allowed students to reflect and appreciate aspect of their self, including their strengths, hobbies, gifts and talents and recognise their uniqueness from one another. This activity referenced the theological perspective that God created us and gave us our gifts and talents. It also alluded to Grace and Relationships in the perspective of "we should reach out and be inclusive to others and their unique traits".

Students were not only able to identify and use their unique gifts and talents but see everyone in the classroom / world in a different way by valuing them for their individuality, as God does. It gave students the perspective that we should be understanding and grateful for other individuals, as they all have a purpose in our world, in which we can learn from. Students then gathered information about how God helps all people and describe how God equips people to help others.

The Lutheran theology in particular Grace and Relationship are concepts which thrive within our school community and help shape our students. As teachers we form and build relationships with our students as one of the fundamental things we need to do. We show our students grace and enrich their uniqueness so that they can be the person they are and express their talents and gifts within our school. The Lutheran theology is a great way to teach values we wish for ourselves to identify and to nurture our students within.

Lutheran theological perspectives, such as Grace can shape who we are as a school community, as this helps to shape relationships and connections with God, staff, parents, students, and other members of the wider community. In our community unit we talked about how an effective community function by living core values.

Finally, I think that Lutheran perspectives helps to shape how and what we teach in our subjects, by making the connections with the students to Christian Studies where we can, as we are a Christ centred school who shows service through all that we say and do. I also think that the Lutheran perspective of relationships it also the core to living with grace and connection with ourselves and those around.

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Connect has developed my understanding of Lutheran Educations and Christianity. I have solid understanding of having multiple aspects within the teacher day to allow students to connect and express their values and faith, such as Devotion, Chapel and praying.

My aim moving forward after Connect, is to develop my understanding within my current teaching level of Christian studies to be better prepared and confident with teaching the content. Christian studies can be overwhelming with content and I hope to become more confident within my knowledge when teaching Christian Studies to my students. I understand that this is an ongoing learning process for me to continue into the future to further develop my own understanding and teaching practices. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to collaborate on how to best teach the key units for students to best understand the concepts. It will also be nice to gather artefacts and evidence of the teaching and learning journey of Christian Studies.

Remaining Questions:

How can I use the Bible more often with students during teaching sessions?

How can I as Team Leader, better incorporate CS into our panning to allow all teachers to comment, add and question our practice?

How to best incorporate different religions into the classroom teaching while still holding a Christian perspective?

What other ways can I allow students to express their faith?