2023 Festival of Gifts - A Celebration of Gratitude, Gifts and Community
Festival of Gifts is an annual celebration held in Term 1 that brings the entire community of Coomera Anglican College together. It is a time when we come together to express gratitude for the many gifts and talents that we have been blessed with. It provides us with an opportunity to celebrate the life of our College, to give thanks to God who makes and creates, and to acknowledge our human giftedness - being and doing, loving and serving.
At Festival of Gifts, the entire College Community, including students from our Early Learning Centre to Year 12, and staff, gather together to celebrate the life of Coomera Anglican College. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, and staff. We celebrate our achievements, our successes, and our growth as a community. It is a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future with hope and enthusiasm.
It is also a time to give thanks to God who makes and creates. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the beauty and wonder of the world around us, and to recognize that all that we have comes from God. We express our gratitude for the many blessings that we have been given, including our health, our families, and our community. It is a time to reflect on our faith and to renew our commitment to living a life that is pleasing to God.
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Festival of Gifts includes two significant components, Yelgrued and Gilgan, both of which celebrate our College Houses (Gibbs, Smith, Morris and Lane) and working together as a community. Yelgrued is not an ancient or Indigenous term, but rather a word created by combining the colors of each House - Yellow, Green, Blue, and Red. The name of the game played during this celebration also emphasises the importance of the Houses working together.
Gilgan is a rhythmic activity led by the College House Captains, where each House creates its own beat that harmoniously blends with those of the other Houses. The resulting sound is simply beautiful, and it is a testament to the power of collaboration and teamwork. The Gilgan rhythm is an excellent representation of an interconnected and thriving community.
At Festival of Gifts, we acknowledge our human giftedness - being and doing, loving and serving. We celebrate the many talents and abilities that we have been blessed with, and we acknowledge that these gifts are not just for our benefit, but for the benefit of others. We recognise the importance of loving and serving others, and we commit ourselves to using our gifts and talents for the betterment of our community and the world around us.
Festival of Gifts has been a unique part of the cultural heart of our College for many years"