Toongabbie Christian College
SUE SKUTHORPE (continued…)
The highlight for me and my swansong, as it turned out, was the performance of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance . A singing, dancing, rollicking, rock musical! Oh we worked hard. I can still remember sitting exhausted on the floor of our new hall trying to plan out rehearsals and all of the minutiae associated with such a big production. Many staff and parents could not believe the way in which students stepped up to give their best when they were sometimes not the easiest students to work with in their day-to-day teaching and learning. It impacted many lives in ways which we only see when we meet those young people now with families, working in trades and professions which show their talent was not misplaced. I had come from teaching in schools with a mostly Anglo-Saxon demographic in the Newcastle region, and so I was greatly appreciative of the multicultural nature of Toonie. I love to see how beautiful young people go on to serve God in many different contexts. Facebook is a bonus! As I write, so many faces and names of staff, parents and students (especially the naughty ones) come to mind, filling me with love and deep affection. I still work with some of you, and watch the progress of those who have gone on to serve in different schools or ministries, with interest. I hold dear the staff who continue to work for the Lord at Toongabbie, including students who have also come onto staff. There are too many names to mention but our memories still connect us as we remember the ways in which we loved and served each other over many years. Toongabbie Christian College, congratulations on this special anniversary. Christian education plays an important role in providing the opportunity for children from Christian families to be strengthened in their faith. It is also crucial in ensuring that young people in the community hear about, and come to know God the Creator of the Universe, and His Son Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer. Keep the faith. The memory of TCC (TBCCS back in my day!) that I would like to submit is seemingly mundane, but proved to be one of the most significant events in my life. The year was 1999 and I was in Year 8. It must have been towards the end of the year as I have a distinct impression of a typical bright, Sydney summer’s day. Class was being held in a demountable building (which stood where the current front office is now located). My teacher at the time was Mr Peter Lawrence. At some point in our lesson, a friend of mine raised his hand and asked the following question, ‘Sir, there’s this prophet right? And he reckons the world is gonna end in 2000 – what do you think?’ I had expected Mr Lawrence to simply shut the guy down and move straight on, but he didn’t. Instead, he answered, ‘Well, I’m not sure whether or not the world is going to end in the year 2000. But I do know that if it does, my heart is right with God and I’m going to heaven. Is your heart right with God?’ Is your heart right with God? This simple phrase struck me profoundly – it was the first time that I was confronted by the possibility that I did not have a good/right relationship with God. Consequently, there was also an all-too-real chance of going to hell should I perish in the coming Y2K-Bug-initiated Armageddon… That very night, before I went to sleep, I prayed. I told God how I was sorry for all the bad things I had done, that I wanted to be forgiven and how I would do my best to follow Jesus. I didn’t feel anything significant at that point and life pretty much continued on from there for a season (fortunately, the world didn’t end in 2000).
MICHAEL OCKERT Student 1998-2003 School Captain 2003 Parent 2015-Present
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