REFLECTIONS!
For 14 years, Good News was known only as a primary school. Students, staff and those involved in the life of the school through these years recall a warm, welcoming community that felt as much like a family as a school. As the following precious memories reflect, the impact of the Good News community was profound on all those who were blessed to be part of it:
“Good News Lutheran College provided a Lutheran education in a caring environment which showed us how to conduct ourselves in everyday life. The teachers would show this in their interactions with us in the yard or while teaching.” Keenan Schier, past student “My earliest memory of GNLC is during my early days of moving to Australia. With my limited English speaking skills, I had many teachers, students and teacher aides helping me. One memory in particular was when my Year 2 teacher, Miss Niewand would place laminated pictures around the classroom. Each photo had the name of the object in English at the top and at the bottom in Slovak. This helped me learn quickly and it definitely motivated me to come out of my shell.” Zeljko Kotvas, past student “Good News offered a combination of faith and quality education, sometimes a first interaction with faith but grounded in gospel truths. I enjoyed being part of this wonderful little community that was dedicated to shining a light of faith into the hearts and lives of students and families. I am proud of the relationships we were able to foster and the commitment we had to one another as staff,
“When I first started in 2006, our power supply was limited and we had a roster for who and what classes could use the air conditioner in summer. If too many staff had their air conditioners on at the same time, we would have a power outage. This would mean the Principal (Jan Baker) and I would have to put on our gum boots and walk out to the front of the school, through the dirt and mud, to turn the power back on. I learnt very quickly, to save my work throughout the day as the power outages could happen more
“I have fond memories of watering the trees around the perimeter of the school on summer evenings, while watching the sun set over the You Yangs. It truly was a peaceful, remote, rural setting in those early days.” Tania Simpkin, current St Philip’s congregation member
“Mike Stolz, Pastor Jim Westphal, Vlad Peska, John Belani and Brenton Schier stand out in my memory, for their involvement in
making the dream of Good News become a reality.” Terry Haebich, former School Council member
“We felt our child was in safe hands at Good News and valued the Christian based attitude of all the staff.” Eric Venema, past parent
“I was blessed with a wonderful Business Manager in Graeme Huf, a creative, thrifty and diligent admin staff member, and a very
than once. We have come along way!” Anna Stanjo, current staff member
supportive College Council.” Jan Baker, former Principal
“The sense of community and belonging I felt as a student drew me to come back and continue that for future generations.” Maria Sladecek, current staff member and past student
“Watching the students’ faces when we opened a new building for them was always priceless.” Ralph Brinkmann, former staff member
“I am thrilled to have seen the College flourishing, both in terms of growth in numbers and reputation in the community.” Peter Renner, current Board Member
“My fondest memory is the feeling of the College being like a family, with a strong Christian approach. Parents helping out with activities, praying together and having a close relationship with one another, creating new friendships which I still have today.” Michelle Filipovic, past parent
“Students at Good News who require academic and emotional support, receive encouragement from the Learning Support staff to achieve small goals each day that amount to larger targets over the years. It’s such a blessing to see.” Natressa Scattergood, current staff member
“I remember Good News as a very encouraging, positive and supportive school.” Diane Blenkiron, former staff member
to our students and to the school families.” Ann-Marie Weigl, former staff member
“Good News helped lay the foundation that helped my current faith to flourish. Also, I had an amazing piano teacher who taught me the basics of blues and jazz. I still use the ideas and progressions today!” Adam Condell, past student
“I was inspired by: the faith of Brian Greenhough, the humility of Erin Bagot and the passion of Tracy Williams to serve our students.” Nathan Shrowder, former Head of Middle Years
“The first Principal, Roger Schwarz faced huge challenges starting from nothing and was willing to take up any task over and above normal expectations to get the school on track.” Alan Wiebusch, former Director of Lutheran Schools
“My connection with students was great, as it was like we were on a great adventure and the students participated in many things that students in a larger and more established school would never get the chance to do.” Jeanette Pelchen, Good News Primary School’s first teacher
“When I started, the number of students was below 100. Many of the original families were strong Christians (not necessarily Lutheran) and were determined that the school would thrive. These families invested a lot of time, energy and trust in the school, keeping their children at the school even though there were other more established schools competing for enrolments.” Melanie Bond, current staff member
“The College does think about both the learning and wellbeing of the child. Students’ Christian formation happens through the worship life of the school. There are many people who now live in the area that appreciate being able to send their children to a values-based independent school local to them.” Kimberley Powell, current parent and former staff member
“The treatment that the whole community of Good News receives is the same, whether they be the Principal, teachers, support workers, cleaners or bus drivers. They are all equal in the eyes of God, therefore the respect, care and love is the same.” Gowri Ephraums, current staff member
“I always believed it will succeed! And here we are, 25 and stronger than ever.” Pastor Milo Velebir
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