Farewells and a Commissioning
News
The Anglican Schools Commission celebrated the year’s achievements and highlights, farewelled long-serving staff and school council members, and Commissioned a new Director of Mission at an end-of-year Eucharist and dinner recently
The Anglican Schools Commission celebrated the year’s achievements and highlights, farewelled long-serving staff and school council members, and Commissioned a new Director of Mission at an end-of-year Eucharist and dinner recently.
Chair of The Anglican Schools Commission (ASC) Bishop Jeremy Greaves said that he is proud of the achievements and engagement of our students in 2019 and of what our schools continue to offer.
“It is always such a joy to visit our schools and to see the remarkable variety and high standard of activities our students are involved in,” Bishop Greaves said.
“Magnificent music, wonderful art, sporting and academic excellence — all within some truly amazing facilities.
“More than anything this is what I love about being chair of the ASC, seeing the joy and enthusiasm of students engaged in all these things — it gives me tremendous hope!”
Bishop Jeremy Greaves, pictured chatting with the musicians, officiated at the end-of-year dinner as Anglican Schools Commission Chair
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall presided over the end-of-year Eucharist on Friday 29 November at St Augustine’s Church, Hamilton, during which he Commissioned The Rev’d Richard Browning as ASC’s new Director of Mission.
During the service, Commission and school council members, principals, chaplains and other Diocesan clergy and staff promised “to support and encourage” The Rev’d Richard, “welcoming him as a colleague in Christ’s service and supporting him in collaboration, friendship and prayer.”
Third generation Anglican priest The Rev’d Richard Browning, who joins us from Canberra where he has served as a school chaplain, said that he has long felt the call to serve in the education sector as an ordained priest and that he looks forward to his new role.
“There was a very real sense for me of welcome at the Eucharist and the anticipation that there is a deep and rich ministry I can participate in and be a part of,” The Rev’d Richard said.
“Pursuing ordained ministry in the school space was an accident of the grace of God and, once in, it became very obvious that ministering among educators and students is profoundly challenging and rewarding.
“I am looking forward to so, so much in my new role — the mischievous wind of the Spirit of God; being a part of a remarkable schools office team; and, following Christ deeper into the mission field of education.”
The Rev’d Richard was presented to the Archbishop by the Executive Director of The Anglican Schools Commission (ASC), Sherril Molloy.
Ms Molloy said that collectively giving thanks to God and being in the presence of many others during The Rev’d Richard’s Commissioning were particularly memorable for her.
“The highlight of the evening was so many people together giving thanks for the blessings we enjoy every single day in our schools and church,” Ms Molloy said.
“It was important and heartening to see so many people participating in Richard’s Commissioning and publicly and prayerfully committing to Richard’s calling as Director of Mission.”
After the Eucharistic service, a dinner was held, where Dr Toby Ford (Churchie), Mr Rob Law (St Paul’s), Ms Ann Marie Troutman (WestMAC), Mr Brett Nansen (WestMAC), Mr Michael Flanderka (WestMAC), Mr Glenn Powell (CAC), Prof Rowena Barrett (St John’s) and Mr Simon Gamble (St Andrew’s) were farewelled and thanked for their service on school councils.
The Rev’d Canon Nicki Colledge from St Margaret’s was acknowledged for her service as a teacher, boarding house mother and chaplain in various ACSQ schools since 1994.
The Rev’d Canon Nicki Colledge was acknowledged for her service as a teacher, boarding house mother and chaplain in various ACSQ schools since 1994, pictured with Chaplain of Coomera Anglican College Mary-Anne Rulfs (left) and Nicki’s husband, Dr Richard Colledge
And, long-term educator Brenda Suhr was honoured for 44 years of service to The Glennie School, with a heartfelt speech by Vanessa Gamack and the band playing LuLu’s 1967 hit ‘To Sir with love’.
Mrs Suhr said that she enjoyed working with Ms Gamack in her Glennie School role and that seeing primary students flourish was the highlight of her service at Glennie.
“In 1992 I was invited to move from Glennie Secondary Years, initially for just one year, to help re-establish the Junior Years, along with one other teacher, one telephone and old hand-me-down buildings,” Mrs Suhr said.
“We had no office, let alone office staff, but we had amazing parents, and with 26 children in total, we managed to participate in every competition and function we possibly could, including the Carnival of Flowers.
“I discovered my niche was in primary education, and since that time, I have enjoyed seeing our new buildings materialise, and thousands of Junior Years children blossom, becoming confident young ladies who are able to speak in public and live the values of our school.
“Another of the many highlights was taking Religious Education lessons with no training in that area, but with amazing help from Vanessa Gamack, I grew to love this newfound role.
“I had some wonderful role models during my school days and I knew I wanted to be like them, helping children to be the best they can be.
“I felt that as a teacher, I might be able to develop a culture of kindness, care and inclusivity, thus enhancing the lives of young people.”
The Anglican Schools Commission looks forward to another rewarding and enjoyable year in 2020 and prays that all members of our school communities have a blessed and joy-filled Christmas, returning in January refreshed for the year ahead.
Long-term educator Mrs Brenda Suhr (centre) was honoured for 44 years of service to The Glennie School, with a heartfelt speech by Vanessa Gamack (left) and the band playing LuLu’s 1967 hit ‘To Sir with love’, pictured here with Education and Care Services Project Coordinator Sharon Mehan
