Belonging

Definition: Belonging is the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance and inclusion for a member of a certain group.   It is when an individual can bring their authentic self to work, school or wherever they find themselves. A sense of belonging involves more than simply being acquainted with other people. It is centred on gaining acceptance, attention, and support from members of the group as well as providing the same attention to other members.

When you look at the “one another” scriptures, God wants us to know we belong and encourages us to practise creating this sense of belonging for others. These scriptures include Love one another (John 13:14), Build one another up (Romans 14:19), Accept one another (Romans 15:7), Greet one another (Romans 16:16 ), Serve one another (Galatians 5:13), Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32), Teach one another (Colossians 3:16), Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18), Encourage one another (Hebrews  3:13), Stimulate one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24), Confess your sins to one another (James 5:16), Pray for one another (James 5:16), Be hospitable to one another (1 Peter 4:9). This kind of behaviour towards each other grows a sense of belonging.

“Ubuntu means “I am, because you are”. In fact, the word ubuntu is just part of the Zulu phrase “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, which literally means that a person is a person through other people. Ubuntu has its roots in African philosophy, where the idea of community is one of the building blocks of society. When we believe that others bring value to our lives, we begin to appreciate each other, we begin to realise that there is a necessary looking outside of ourselves that needs to occur. Children need to be trained to look outside themselves so that as they grow, they begin to experience more and more a sense of belonging.

True belonging is built on a strong foundation of trust, connection, and freedom from uncertainty.

The biggest enemy of belonging is fitting in.

Brene Brown says:

“Belonging is being accepted for you. Fitting in is being accepted for being like everyone else. If I get to be me, I belong. If I have to be like you, I fit in. Belonging is being part of a community. You have a sense of who you are, and you feel comfortable. Fitting in is doing whatever is asked of you to try and be part of something, but it’s not comfortable and it might not be who you really are.”

Perceptions of belonging and peer acceptance have been shown to affect adolescent

development, and teens’ social and academic outcomes. Students who have a sense of belonging at school are more likely to participate in school activities, have friends, perform better academically and have good mental health. (REACHOUT)

Some things that we can do to encourage a sense of belonging and an encouragement:

1. Learning that everyone deserves to be loved. What is your reaction or talk around people who are different in some way to yourself?
2. Growing empathy. Are you someone who recognises that people are dealing with celebrations or hard times? Do you celebrate with those who are celebrating and hurt with those who are hurting?
3. Do you have a clique, or do you have other people visit your home and you visit their home. Do your children have their mates over at your home and do they visit their mates’ homes.
4. Dealing well with conflict. Are you modelling good conflict resolution and encouraging your children to do the same, rather than solving their problems for them?
5. Listen with respect. Do you listen to understand or to react and give your opinion?
6. A willingness to grow in our understanding. Do you have a curiosity for how other people live and experience life?
7. Is your ego in check? One way to check this is to question how quickly you are willing to apologise.
8. Do you realise that we have a heavenly father who wants to journey with us?
9. When last did you do something thoughtful for someone outside your family?
10. As you read the above list, to which many more points could be added to, I’m sure that these are characteristics we would like to encourage in our children. The truth is our children need to witness our willingness to grow in these characteristics as well. We can’t just preach at them; we must be demonstrated in our own lives. We must help them understand that this is a journey and they we never really “arrive” or have it all together. All we need is a willingness to grow.

Another African saying is “it takes a village to raise a child.” My prayer is that we will commit to being that village for each other and our children, to pray for our school community and teaching our children how to make the hard decisions of growing in their talents rather than just falling in with the group. 

Mrs Colleen Dutlow

Head of Secondary

Dedication Service

The school year began with a special Dedication Service, where students, staff, families, and Pioneers gathered to dedicate the school to God. This cherished annual service reaffirms gratitude for God’s provisions and unbreakable promises. Thanks was extended to the Pioneers who laid the foundation for Maranatha Christian School, enabling it to continue striving to do all things for His glory.

Open Day at Maranatha Christian School

The recent Open Day in March was a great success, with strong external interest in the school. Gratitude is extended to staff, students and parent helpers for their hospitality and dedication in showcasing our education. Many families expressed appreciation for the experience, with one family noting:

"We recently toured the Endeavour Hills campus and were very impressed, not only with the beautiful facilities and grounds but also with the professionalism of staff and student chaperones. The school should be proud of its representation."

The school continues to seek God’s guidance in future developments, particularly in launching Year 7 at the Officer Campus. Families interested in middle school education at Officer are encouraged to express interest now.

ELC - Picnics

The ELC Family Picnics provided a wonderful opportunity to foster connections. Seeing families come together in community was a true blessing. Many special moments were shared and excitement is high for the year ahead.

Prep - First Day

It was so good to welcome our Prep students for the first day of school and the commencement of their educational journey at Maranatha. This milestone is significant for both students and families. We continue to pray for them and their families for wisdom and knowledge as they embark on this exciting year. Please join us in welcoming the Class of 2037.

Year 3 – Brain Breaks

Year 3 and 4 Excursion – Moonlit Sanctuary

Year 3 and 4 students visited Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park as part of their World Studies unit. They explored lifecycles and marveled at God’s intricate creation, from Spiny Leaf Insects to Shingleback Skinks. Thank you to our parent helpers who supported the excursion.

Year 3 to 5 - Hockey Incursion

Officer Campus students in Years 3 to 5 participated in a hockey clinic as part of their Sports program. Students developed key skills and enjoyed encouraging each other during goal scoring drills. The session was an engaging way to build teamwork and confidence in the sport.

Exciting events and learning opportunities continue at Maranatha Christian School, and the school community looks forward to what lies ahead.

Year 3 - Multiplication by 10

Year 3 students have been mastering multiplication by turning learning into fun. They have been writing number sentences for arrays and spotting patterns when multiplying by 10. One of their favourite ways to practice is playing "The Icy-Pole Drop". This is a fun way to make Maths exciting.

Junior School House Swimming

The Junior House Swimming Carnival was an exciting event filled with friendly competition and sportsmanship. The atmosphere buzzed with energy and the additional activities like the water slide and splash park were a huge hit. A big thank you to our older student leaders and parent helpers for their support.

Run Club 3809

Christian Leaders Conference

The Junior School Student Leadership teams from Endeavour Hills and Officer attended the recent Student Leader Conference at Donvale Christian College. The theme, Into the World (Mark 16:15), encouraged students to serve with integrity and embrace leadership. Reflections from Year 6 students included:

• "I really enjoyed the talk about ‘Sprinkle Kindness’—it only takes a few kind people to make school a special place." – Lilly M, Year 6E
• "The stories shared were inspiring and helped me understand how to live for God." – Ethan R, Year 6E

Year 7 - First Day

Our Year 7s commenced their first day of Secondary ahead of our 8s, 9s, 10s, and 11s, giving them extra time to settle in. They enjoyed a specially designed day to set a strong foundation for the year ahead, filled with activities and insights to help them thrive. One of the highlights was spending time with our Year 12 students, who shared valuable tips and advice on navigating the Secondary school journey. We are grateful for another successful start to an exciting chapter.

Year 7 - Camp

Our Year 7 campers arrived safely and enjoyed a variety of activity rotations. It was a fun-filled experience where students made new friends and created lasting memories, fostering a sense of belonging to support them throughout their Secondary school journey. What an incredible adventure they had.

Year 7 - WheelTalk Incursion

Earlier this term, our Year 7 students took part in the WheelTalk Incursion, led by Peter Ogunyemi. Peter delivered a powerful message about the importance of self-belief and perseverance. Students also had the chance to try wheelchair basketball, learning valuable lessons in resilience and teamwork while being encouraged to maintain a positive attitude when faced with challenges.

Year 7 - Humanities Excursion to Cardinia Reservoir

Year 7s recently enjoyed their first Humanities excursion to Cardinia Reservoir, exploring Melbourne Water’s management strategies for our local water supply. They also had the opportunity to focus on some of our distinctive Christian Threads underpinning their unit of study, including:

• Celebrating Life: Embracing the full suite of God’s provisions (water) and living in a way that allows all to flourish.
• Pondering Creation: Contemplating both the Creator and His handiwork, responding with delight and praise.
• Caretaking Earth: Actively responding to God’s call to manage all of creation, including stewarding our precious water supply.

A wonderful day of learning and wonderment.

Middle School Leadership Induction

Congratulations to the 2025 Middle School Leaders who were formally inducted into their leadership roles during a special school assembly held on Monday 10th February. We eagerly anticipate seeing the Middle School Senate work together in unity to serve and support our school community.

Dear Lord,
We lift up each of these students who have been called to lead during this season. We ask for Your guidance as they navigate their leadership responsibilities. May they make decisions that align with Your will and contribute to the growth and wellbeing of our school.
 Amen.

Global Service

A big thank you for your generous donations towards Operation School and Sport Supplies for our Uganda Encounter Experience. Your contributions of school supplies are now being delivered by our team and will go a long way in providing essential resources to students to their education.

Local Service

Maranatha’s Local Service programs continue to gather momentum as we extend initiatives across Middle and Senior Schools. Our programs seek to support those in our community experiencing personal hardship. Students passionately rally others to action, encouraging participation in all service initiatives. Year 10 students Logan Ward, Matthew Buhai, Natalie Grace, and Charlotte Hurley were actively involved in service at TRANSIT and are a true testament to what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

At Officer Campus our LOVE Easter project was successfully ran again.  Thank you to all families for your contributions. Your Easter egg gift packs and student handwritten encouragement notes will bring love and hope to many this Easter. Your generosity reflects the love of Christ and the true spirit of Easter. Thank you for being part of this meaningful initiative and spreading love and kindness in our community.

Secondary Prayer and Breakfast

Attendance was great at our first fortnightly Student Prayer Morning. Students, staff and the Youth Team from Resound Church gathered at the Cross to unite in prayer. This special prayer session occurs fortnightly on a Friday morning from 8am, and we encourage all students to join in. A big thank you to our friends at Resound Church for generously hosting a free pancake breakfast to celebrate this occasion.

VCE VM Presentation Evening

Our VCE Vocational Major students have been busy applying their skills in real-world scenarios through a series of exciting projects that integrate Personal Development Skills, Work-Related Skills, and Literacy.

Year 11 students demonstrated event management, teamwork and leadership as they successfully coordinated and ran an event, providing a meal for 100 people. As part of their studies, they also developed and presented "My Story," a research-based visual and oral presentation showcasing their personal journey and learnings.

Meanwhile, our Year 12s put their entrepreneurial thinking to the test in the Innovative Ideas project. Each student developed a business proposal and presented it to a panel, delivering an engaging oral pitch and answering questions in an attempt to secure a financial investment.

These projects provided valuable hands-on learning experiences, helping students build confidence, refine their communication skills, and develop practical problem-solving abilities for the future.

Year 12 Lunch

Our Year 12s came together for their first year-level lunch of the year on Monday 24th February, celebrating after receiving their Year 12 badges and sharing their Year 12 Cohort commitment to each other in a special assembly. It was an enjoyable time, with plenty of delicious food as students and teachers each brought a plate to share. They had the chance to connect with one another and their mentor teachers. A wonderful way to mark the beginning of their Year 12 journey.

Year 12 Art and Year 11 Vis Com

Our Year 12 Art Making and Exhibiting students recently visited Bunjil Place to explore the Frock A Whanaungatanga exhibition, which highlighted the history of fashion, activism and storytelling through powerful artworks from the Moana Pacific region.

Later, our Year 11 Visual Communication students joined the Year 12s at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), where they explored the exceptional student works featured in Top Arts and examined folios at the Ian Potter Centre, gaining insight into artistic processes and creative development.

A major highlight of the day was experiencing the immersive work of Yayoi Kusama. At 95, Kusama continues to make a profound impact on the art world, and it was a privilege to witness her iconic installations in person. It was a fantastic day filled with creativity, exploration and appreciation for the power of art.

Year 12 Physics

Recently, our Year 12 Physics class headed off to Luna Park as part of the annual VCE Physics days that are held in the first week of March. The students had a blast experiencing the physics that had been studied in class across the first 6 weeks of term – circular motion, freefall, impulse, energy, gravity, and a different sense of bodyweight during each ride. It was a unique and insightful physical learning experience.

Share your story

For more than half a century, Maranatha has been an institution of Christian learning that has been enjoyed by multiple generations. Many parents and grandparents have sent their children to this school. If you have a strong connection to Maranatha, whether you studied or taught here and have an experience to share, we want to hear from you. Please share your story and photos on our new alumni page to feature on our website. We  would  love  to  hear  from  you.

Visit our Alumni page https://www.maranatha.vic.edu.au/alumni/

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What's On

*Please note that all dates and times are subject to change. Please ensure you refer to SEQTA for further information closer to event dates.