Creation Enjoying

This month our throughline is Creation Enjoying. Fall is such a spectacular display of God's handiwork. We see His fingerprint everywhere!

It is also a time for thanksgiving for the richness of His blessings. Our chapel this morning celebrated both of these things.

Our Grade Two students played Praise and Thanksgiving

Our Grade 3 students also played a song of thanksgiving.

We also marveled at God's creation through song and video. He wants us to enjoy what he has made!

We hope you have time to enjoy His creation this Thanksgiving weekend as you also give thanks for all He has made!

Mike's Miracles Soccer Tournament

Wednesday was our annual Mike’s Miracles Grade Six Soccer Tournament. 

Mike’s Miracles is a charitable foundation that was set up by a student at Beacon named Mike VandenDool in the spring of 2008. Mike fought vigorously against the cancer that was invading his body for over a year before the Lord took him home, in his grade 6 year. During his time in treatment he became increasingly aware of the hardships that many kids faced when diagnosed with cancer. He started Mike’s Miracles as a way to bring some joy to the lives of these same kids. Mike’s parents have continued the work of Mike’s Miracles since Mike’s passing. You can read about what the organization has already accomplished on the website – www.mikesmiracles.org.

Mike was an avid and talented soccer player. He was also a student who would go out of his way to include others in activities. This grade 6 tournament has been designed to encourage students to get to know other students, to work together and to celebrate their healthy bodies while playing the sport of soccer. We are excited that the VandenDool family has agreed to partner with Beacon on this event – making it a Mike’s Miracles event. Students were given a chance to play some soccer, hear about Mike and Mike’s Miracles, and meet some of the students at neighboring Christian schools. 

Check out the news clip here: http://www.chch.com/mikes-miracles-continues/

Parading Around Town

This past weekend was a festival in our city. 

Beacon was happy to be a part of that parade and a presence in our community!

The Grade 8 students did a wonderful job playing on the float.

A few other students gave a happy presence to the procession.

Just one small way to help build community in our community!

A Visit to the Fire Station

Last week Friday, the senior kindergarten class went on a class trip to Fire Station #6 on Scott St.  The students were greeted by the friendly firemen who work at the station.  

One fireman  backed the ladder truck out of the station and then started the process of preparing the truck for extending the ladder. They have to make sure that the truck doesn't fall over as the ladder reaches up. 

The students were amazed at how high the ladder could go, but they didn't want to go into the bucket for a ride.  The pumper truck was next to come out of the station. 

The students were invited to climb into the driver's seat and to explore the back seat.  Some of the firemen took small groups of children to try on  boots, check out the hoses, and examine the hydraulic jack. 

When it was time to go, the firemen gave the students firemen hats. After several group pictures around and on the trucks, it was back to school. 

Career Day

Today was career day at Beacon. It was fun to see so many great career options!

(Sorry Grade 7, you weren't around during the photo shoot... Next time!)

Community Building

This morning we gathered for our weekly chapel. 

We meet together every Wednesday morning at 8:45 for worship and fellowship.

Parents, grandparents and community members are always welcome to join us. 

It is a great way to start the day and shape the week!

This year we will again focus on Throughlines in our chapels and throughout our classroom curriculum and whole school culture. This year we will focus on Bible characters who display each throughline, as well as dig in to the question, "How now shall we live?"

The first chapel of each month will be a review of the throughline, a refresher of what we learned last year.

This month we are looking at Community Building. 

We heard the story Stone Soup and compared it to what it is like to belong to the body of Christ.

Opening up, working and gathering together, sharing, helping, caring and opening hearts are what made a community. It made them richer, not because of the soup but because they were working together as a community. We are the body of Christ and each member is important. 

Richness comes from building a community of Christ together. 

Come join us next Wednesday!

It's Great to Be Back!

There was excitement in the air today!

 It was great to see familiar faces and meet 

and welcome some new ones. There were a lot of hugs and smiles this morning as students, staff and parents caught up with each other. 

We began our day and school year in worship together. What a blessing it is to share this with not just our students but many parents, grandparents and community members as well! 

It was great to see them all!

Mrs. Boks and some of the grade 8 students taught us a new song that
 we will continue to learn in future chapels. 

Mr. Pot reminded us, based on 1 Thesselonians 5 to live joyfully, live thankfully and live faithfully every day this year. 

Things looked quite a bit different this morning with students wearing new uniforms. 

They all looked fantastic!

We are looking forward to walking in the light this year together with these awesome students and we're off to a great start!