Redeemer Baptist School Honoured for 
Excellence in Fundraising

The NSW Fundraising Director for the Heart Foundation—Ms Frances Cinelli—presented a plaque to the School at the  end of our Term 2 Chapel Service (22 June 2006) in appreciation for the outstanding effort or our students in raising $12,255.20 in the Jump Rope for Heart program. "Each and every one of you has done an absolutely fantastic job," Ms Cinelli said to the students, "you’ve looked after the hearts of all Australians".

Naomi Wallis, senior PDHPE student and one of the organisers of the "jump off" day, responded on behalf of the School to Ms Cinelli’s commendation: "We understand the role the Heart Foundation has taken in fighting cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in Australia ... the jump rope for heart program is a great way to encourage children to be active".

Heart health was a significant issue at the School during term 2. Early in this term, a term in which students were active gathering sponsors, the School Headmaster Dr Max Shaw was taken by ambulance to Westmead Hospital in the early hours of the morning suffering from a heart attack. Within an hour of arrival at Westmead Dr Shaw was on the operating table, with two life-saving stents being inserted into his coronary arteries. Uncannily, Dr Shaw’s return to his office as Headmaster coincided with the visit to the School of the Heart Foundation! With Dr Shaw on the podium alongside her, Ms Cinelli commented, "It’s because of the Heart Foundation’s work and research that he’s able to be here with us four weeks after it happened". It may be that Dr Shaw’s illness inspired the School community to give generously.

The citation on the plaque from the Heart Foundation, now displayed in the School’s reception, is a permanent reminder of the importance of charity and the generosity of the school community. The plaque says: "Your outstanding support of the National Heart Foundation of Australia enables us to continue our life-saving work".

29 Feb, 2012 03:48 PM

Funeral for Redeemer Baptist School's 
founding principal Noel Cannon

Redeemer Baptist School’s founding principal Pastor Noel Cannon passed away on February 25.

His son, current Redeemer Baptist School principal Jonathan Cannon said after spending much of the last two weeks in intensive care, his father’s last wish was to ‘‘go home’’.

He passed away at his Oatlands home two days after his final wish, surrounded by 200 of his family and friends, including the congregation of Redeemer Baptist Church.

His son described his last couple of days:

''He rallied for almost two days, but then it was evident that his breathing was becoming more laboured and he was slipping out of consciousness more often.

''So the whole Church surrounded his bed at home — singing gospel songs and praying to the Lord with much thanks for all that He has given us through this servant of His — as Noel took his last breaths.

''All who gathered were able to personally farewell this much loved brother who was, for many of us, also like a father,'' Principal Cannon said.

He called his father a ‘‘visionary pioneer’’.

In a letter addressed to parents and guardians at the school he states: ‘‘Noel Cannon’s energy, determination and vision in leadership and service contributed to the formation of Redeemer Baptist School...he was a pastor who by the grace of God established a unique community of holy love at Redeemer Baptist Church in accordance with Jesus’ commandments to love God and our fellow men.’’

He told the News his father had ‘‘many many children’’.

‘‘He taught us, he loved us and he taught us to love others in that same way,’’ Principal Cannon said.    

Noel Cannon was a driving force in implementing literacy and numeracy programs in regional and remote communities in partnership with the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Association.

He was acknowledged for his educational contribution with a fellowship awarded by the Australian College of Educators in 2007.

Principal Cannon relayed the words of former student Emanuel Perdis who said Noel Cannon had: ‘‘an indomitable will and a panoramic vision of education within a strong framework of loving fellowship’’.

A funeral will be held for Noel Cannon today (March 2) at Redeemer Baptist School in Sargood Hall.

Music prelude starts at 11.30am with service starting at noon. Family, friends and past students are welcome.

Win for Poet

Poetry

Sea and believe ... Hanna Arnold's story is inspired by Nick Moir's photograph of stormy weather at Bondi. Photo: Nick Moir

Entertainment
October 27, 2012

Am I a rubbish dump

The sea narrates a story by Hannah Arnold, a winner in the Herald's writing competition for primary students:

I used to be a great place, with my deep channels and lapping waves. I remember the warmth of the sun shining on my face; its light, soaked up bymy plants, provided nourishment for all. Fish would happily swim through my tides. People bathed in my sparkling blue waters admiring everything within.

What was that? An unwelcome guest entered, churning and spreading inside me. It was like a blanket had been thrown over my face. No longer could I absorb the rays of the sun. The plants cried out for light. It was cold and dark. All efforts to wash this intrusion on to the shore were useless as more and more of it came.

Then I saw him. A man in a blue raincoat rowing his boat over my deepest trough. Guiltily, he turned around, checking no one was looking. He poured out the revolting contents of three black bags into my currents. I could taste it. It was sour and it spread like clouds of gloom. My temper started to rise from my deepest trenches to the surface, where my waves became restless. They tossed the boat around as the man frantically rowed to shore. My tide pulled him in and I pushed him on to the jetty. Enormous jets of water shot out at my command in pursuit of him. Water splattered his body and he cried out in agony as he staggered away clutching his face. What had hurt me was now hurting him.

Unfortunately, it was too late. Fish slowly died and plants withered. In loneliness, I waited for the people to return. Little did I know that my beach was closed and the people had found a new haven to enjoy. I stood still, hopelessly wrapped in the choking blanket.

Some time later, I saw a figure through my murkiness. It was the man in the blue raincoat. I could not get my jets of water ready this time. Although I did not see his face clearly, I felt his tears of regret and sorrow pierce through my heavy blanket as he walked away.

Surprisingly, he returned with a group of people hauling unusual equipment. He told them how he loved to swim here as a boy but he had also ruined this place by dumping chemicals and filth from the factory. The men set to work putting me through filters, pumps and boilers. I regained my colour, and my water glistened once again in the sun's light. They scattered plants all around me. New fish swam in daily from all directions and my beach was reopened. I felt extraordinarily complete.

The sun was setting, the familiar blue raincoat was in my sight. My gentle tides washed over his feet as a big thank you for what he had done. He smiled. From that day on, he told people my sad story so this would never be repeated. I knew he would always be there to protect me.

The Herald Youngest Writer

An addition in 2012 to the Herald's Young Writer competitions, Youngest Writer: WriteOn is for students in Years 1-6 and is presented in association with the NSW Board of Studies. Hannah Arnold's story, Am I a Rubbish Dump?, was chosen to feature in Spectrum as one of 12 Gold Award winners of this year's competition.

Using this image of crashing waves by Herald photographer Nick Moir for inspiration, students were invited to write a description, exposition or narrative of up to 500 words. Hannah took a modern approach, first consulting the thesaurus on the school computer to find words related to the picture. She found words about stormy weather, wind and waves, but it was when she asked her family that inspiration struck. "I showed my grandma the picture and she said, 'What about the greenhouse effect?', but I didn't know what the greenhouse effect was,'' Hannah says. ''Then my mum said, 'What about pollution?' and that sounded like a good idea to me."

INSPIRING YOUNG SCIENTISTS AT REDEEMER       SCHOOLS ON SHOW

Redeemer Baptist School has an unparalleled record among schools in Australia for inspiring original scientific research among school students.

This year Afework Assefa, a Year 12 student at Redeemer, won second place in Australia at the BHP Billiton Science Awards for his Child Seat Alert. Afework received $3000 from BHP Billiton to continue his work in science.

Year 8 student Tristan Forrester was also one of 24 national finalists who joined the science camp in Melbourne. Afework is one of eleven student prize-winners from Redeemer in the BHP Billiton Science Awards in the last decade, including four national primary winners.

Redeemer students have been awarded the honorific titles of NSW Young Scientists of the Year by the Science Teachers Association of NSW and the Australian NATA Young Scientists of the Year, as well as numerous awards representing Australia in the USA based Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

Students have also contributed to Australian and International standards, and published a scientific article in a leading international journal as co-authors with a University of Sydney professor. Beyond school Redeemer alumni in science-based disciplines have been awarded Dean's commendations and a University Medal.

Redeemer's Principal Jonathan Cannon said: "We are blessed with a good creation in which there are vast opportunities for scientific discovery. Whilst gathering a store of scientific information in class at school, students should also have the opportunity to engage in real science to discover real solutions for real problems."

North Parramatta's stellar partnership 
    By Jade Wittmann - March 6, 2013, 5:30 p.m.

The planets aligned for students and staff at Redeemer Baptist School when astrophysicist Angel Lopez-Sanchez arrived as part of the CSIRO’s Scientists in Schools program, which aims to bring real world science to classrooms.

The partnership has fostered an interest in astronomy that has burned for students and teachers alike since the scientists first visited the North Parramatta school in 2009.

Meet the people involved.

Angel Lopez-Sanchez, scientist
Angel is a former teacher from Spain with a PhD in astronomy. He works at the Australian Astronomy Conservatory.

‘‘I was working at the CSIRO telescope national facility when they were looking for people to help with seminars in schools, mostly because it was the International Year of Astronomy. I didn’t hesitate," he said.

"I think that as a scientist it’s very important to communicate to the general public and to students what we are trying to do — about astronomy, what galaxies are named, the kind of research we are doing is, and why we are so excited to do that.

‘‘I am continuously looking ... between galaxies and trying to understand how these little blocks are forming stars from gas that is surrounding the galaxies, and how the gas is being recycled. At the end it will be able to form a star, such as the sun, with planets and life.’’

Diane Garth, teacher
A primary science teacher, Ms Garth said the students benefit from Mr Lopez-Sanchez’s knowledge and enthusiasm.

‘‘We were very fortunate to find Angel, because he did a lot of education work in Spain before he came to Australia so he’s used to children," she said.

"When we first met ... he said in Spain kids might see six stars because of all the light pollution.

‘‘That year Angel brought the telescopes from the CSIRO and he ran an astronomy night.

"I think about 70 per cent of the school came. It was the coldest night you can imagine; the sky was clear and it was just fantastic.

‘‘Angel comes in once a year and will give a series of talks.

"He’ll take the kids from kindergarten or year one and do the simple planets or the moon.

"A physics teacher was just thrilled because he did a fantastic talk on the electromagnetic spectrum, because that’s what he’s working with all the time with photography and space.’’

Stuart Garth, teacher
A year 7 science project inspired by Mr Lopez-Sanchezwon Mr Garth's class the inaugural NATA Young Scientists Award.

‘‘We conducted a very large investigation measuring all the suburbs of Sydney, how bright it is at night-time and the light pollution levels and comparing it to overseas," Mr Garth said.

’’We set up a database. We had a lot of nationalities in our class [about 20 in just one year 7 class] and they emailed their uncles and aunties.

"We would have collected 3555 light pollution measurements in two months.

"Of the 630 suburbs of Sydney, we did measurements in 506 of them. It was mainly a public awareness exercise [but] it really enthused the kids.

‘‘We structure our curriculum to meet the astronomical events.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The visit of Redeemer Baptist Church from New South Wales