Those of you who avidly read our local newspaper would have noted an article in yesterday’s edition highlighting the top 10 ranked Tasmanian schools for NAPLAN results across the last five years.
Calvin Christian School ranked in the top 10 for both of the year groups analysed (Years 5 and 9), reflecting the positive results that we see from our students in a range of areas of endeavour and across a range of measures. This year we have already had cause to celebrate outstanding student performances in the Arts, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Sports and much more.
“There is no simple recipe for each child and often there is not a simple linear process of growth and development.”
Preparing students well to achieve their potential is a process. There is no simple recipe for each child and often there is not a simple linear process of growth and development. Rather, we learn and grow, are nurtured and tutored, through the range of learning experiences (and even challenges) that form part of our growth. A structured approach, intentional decisions and the provision of age and stage-appropriate learning opportunities is vital to ensuring strong student learning outcomes.
Teachers play a pivotal role in this, as do parents, as well as the range of individuals involved in a child’s life. As a school, we often talk about a sense of partnership in the education of our students; that parents and teachers can collaborate in the complex task of preparing and educating an individual child. As parents you can do this by supporting your child’s engagement with their school, connecting with teachers, and engaging yourself in the life of our school community.
There is, of course, a third dimension to the education of our children and that was clearly understood by the founders of our school when, 60 years ago, they sought to establish a distinctively Christian school. At the core of this philosophy was a desire that students might be raised in an environment (both at home and school) where their spiritual (as well as their academic, physical and social) development was purposefully planned. As our mission statement identifies, our purpose is to provide the highest quality Christ-centred education that prepares and equips students for life. We do this with a hope for our students as reflected in the prophet Isaiah’s words: “All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be your children’s peace”.
“In this task, we are grateful for the blessing of dedicated and faithful teachers who place the education and nurture of your children front and centre.”
In this task, we are grateful for the blessing of dedicated and faithful teachers who place the education and nurture of your children front and centre. At the end of this year, we have an opportunity to give thanks to a number of teachers and staff who have faithfully served over many years and are retiring or moving. These include retiring staff, Ruth Herweynen who has worked with our Kinders for almost twenty years, Penny Leder, and Jenny McDonnell; those leaving teaching for the moment: Belinda Straatsma, Naomi Wright, Michellé Lammerding and Cath Towns; and staff with new opportunities: Annalé van Heerden (who has accepted a role as Head of Middle School at St Virgils). In turn, we welcome a number of teachers for 2023, including Tim Wherrett (Year 9 Discover Programme), Melanie Curé (Year 2), Mathew Yost (Year 5/6), Tristan Bishop (Drama), Marco Figueroa (HASS), Stephen Matthews (Head of Year 7), Rachael Honey (EAL and Learning Support) and still more announcements to follow in the coming weeks as we finalise their appointments.
As we celebrate the outstanding achievements of our students, I know that you will join me in thanking those who have served our school and students so well and pray excitedly for our incoming teachers. We look forward to our celebrations to come and introducing our new staff to you over coming weeks.
Scott Ambrose — Principal